Price$29.95
Media TypeDVD
CategoryHistory
Date AddedNov 15, 2013
Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay
Jay, Ricky
(Based on 3 reviews)
Ricky Jay is a world-renowned magician, author, historian and actor (often a mischievous presence in the films of David Mamet and Paul Thomas Anderson) -- and a performer who regularly provokes astonishment from even the most jaded audiences. DECEPTIVE PRACTICE traces Jay's achievements and influences, from his apprenticeship at age 4 with his grandfather, to such now-forgotten legends as Al Flosso, Slydini, Cardini and his primary mentors, Dai Vernon and Charlie Miller. Featuring rare footage from his 1970s TV appearances (doing 3-card Monte with Steve Martin on The Dinah Shore Show) and told in Jay's inimitable voice, this is a remarkable journey inside the secretive world of magic and the small circle of eccentrics who are its perpetual devotees.
DVD Features
- Jay's Colleagues on Camera: Paul Thomas Anderson, Steve Martin, David Mamet, etc.
- Mentors and Magic: Ricky Jay and Michael Weber
- Bob Dylan Video featuring Ricky Jay
- -Never-Before- Seen Performance Footage, Crazy Anecdotes and Animation
- The New Yorker Festival with Mark Singer
- Theatrical Trailer
- The New Yorker Profile of Ricky Jay by Mark Singer (DVD-ROM)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Oh man! I have anticipated the release of this documentary since the day it was announced. It completely lived up to my expectations. Ricky Jay is a living legend and it’s his biography, there’s really not much more to say than that. Basically they worked their way through his life using his various friends and mentors as points of reference. I loved hearing the various anecdotes involving Malini, Miller and Vernon. Each story made me want to be a better magician. My favorite was his framing of the Malini ice production and the lasting impact he had on those who saw it. He makes magic seem so important and full of meaning. It was also nice to see the various rare footage of magic by those friends and mentors. I’m am still reeling from watching Michael Webber’s moving nail effect.
If you love magic you owe it to yourself to watch this!
If you love magic you owe it to yourself to watch this!
(Top ▲)
I saw this documentary in an art house theater in Chicago, and was thrilled when this came out on DVD.
This is a wonderful film not only about Mr. Jay’s career, but also about important historical magic figures like Al Flosso, Dai Vernon, and Francis Carlyle.
This film makes you excited about magic, and proud to be a magician. It’s a great DVD to buy as a gift for some repeat clients who appreciate the art of magic, and to show to younger magic students. I don’t want to mention any of my favorite parts because I don’t want to spoil any of the stories.
Ricky Jay is conveyed as a very secretive man, not only with his magic, but his life. He is very vague about his family relationships, and we don’t even find out he’s married until the movie is almost over.
I won’t say much more about this, other than if you have any interest in magic, you NEED to see this film. If you know someone who hates magic, and they still do after watching this film, they have no heart or soul to be warmed by the beautiful art of the impossible.
Five Stars
This is a wonderful film not only about Mr. Jay’s career, but also about important historical magic figures like Al Flosso, Dai Vernon, and Francis Carlyle.
This film makes you excited about magic, and proud to be a magician. It’s a great DVD to buy as a gift for some repeat clients who appreciate the art of magic, and to show to younger magic students. I don’t want to mention any of my favorite parts because I don’t want to spoil any of the stories.
Ricky Jay is conveyed as a very secretive man, not only with his magic, but his life. He is very vague about his family relationships, and we don’t even find out he’s married until the movie is almost over.
I won’t say much more about this, other than if you have any interest in magic, you NEED to see this film. If you know someone who hates magic, and they still do after watching this film, they have no heart or soul to be warmed by the beautiful art of the impossible.
Five Stars
(Top ▲)
Documentaries are labors of love. While many have won awards and received great acclaim, a documentary director and her or his backers aren’t going to become rich like a Spielberg or a Coppola. They do it because they want to showcase an event, a story or a person. This is the case with Deceptive Practice. It's a well crafted biographical film of the life of magician, actor and writer, Ricky Jay.
Through the use of first person interviews and historical footage the viewer learns of the life and influences of Ricky Jay. These range from his grandfather, Max Katz to the greats of modern magic, Slydini, Dai Vernon and Charlie Miller. The story is supplemented with performance films of Jay from his early youth to appearances on the talk shows of the 1970's to his more recent shows like On The Stem. Throughout the film you will learn a great deal on Jay as well as magic’s history in the second half of the 20th century. If you pay attention, you’ll learn how Jay met his collaborator, Michael Weber.
The DVD includes the theatrical release as well as enough extras for an additional film. Also included is a PDF of the New Yorker feature by Mark Singer that inspired the film.
There aren’t many films made on magicians. Only a couple come to mind. There is Jeff McBride: A Magickal Life and A Magical Vision on Eugene Burger. Deceptive Practices like these two belong in your collection.
Through the use of first person interviews and historical footage the viewer learns of the life and influences of Ricky Jay. These range from his grandfather, Max Katz to the greats of modern magic, Slydini, Dai Vernon and Charlie Miller. The story is supplemented with performance films of Jay from his early youth to appearances on the talk shows of the 1970's to his more recent shows like On The Stem. Throughout the film you will learn a great deal on Jay as well as magic’s history in the second half of the 20th century. If you pay attention, you’ll learn how Jay met his collaborator, Michael Weber.
The DVD includes the theatrical release as well as enough extras for an additional film. Also included is a PDF of the New Yorker feature by Mark Singer that inspired the film.
There aren’t many films made on magicians. Only a couple come to mind. There is Jeff McBride: A Magickal Life and A Magical Vision on Eugene Burger. Deceptive Practices like these two belong in your collection.