The curse of the Egyptian mummy is a mysterious and popular myth that has fascinated people for centuries. It revolves around the belief that disturbing or disrespecting the resting place of an ancient Egyptian mummy will result in a series of misfortunes, illnesses, or even death for the individuals involved. The concept of the curse dates back to the late 19th century when the archaeologists began exploring the deserts of Egypt in search of ancient relics and tombs. The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb by British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922 brought the myth of the curse to the forefront of public consciousness. According to the legend, the curse was inscribed on the walls of the tomb and read, "Death will slay with his wings whoever disturbs the peace of the pharaoh." This ominous inscription, combined with the tragic and sudden deaths of some of the people associated with the tomb's excavation, fueled the belief in the curse.
Lithe and glib, mentalist Alex McAleer is showstopping with his astonishing acts of mind reading. Here's one to ponder: shopping receipts from an audience member are placed in a glass bowl. Another audience member is asked to think of a name. A third member is up on stage and asked to draw a picture on a chalk board and write down a number up to twenty and another number past fifty. McAleer's patter tells the tale of an old magician who used “whispering imps” in his act, which McAleer just happens to have in the casket to help him out. The invisible imp whispers to the girl on stage as she idly draws and writes down the numbers. The reveal stupefies. In a random drawing, one of the receipts is removed from the bowl. Uncrumpled, it reads out the exact number the girl had written down under the influence of the imp; while the name on the receipt is the name the other audience member wrote down. As a final bedazzlement, McAleer holds the imp in his cupped hands up to the video camera. A tiny scaly red hand peeks out before jumping away in a flash. Brilliant.
Mexican-American illusionist Fernando Velasco, influenced by master magician Harry Houdini, duplicates the great one s water torture trick where he s bound in a straitjacket, feet shackled to a locked board, and lowered upside down into a glass case filled with water. There are pyrotechnics not seen since a Super Bowl halftime, enough fog for a midnight tryst in London, and a finale of a confetti cannon that suffocates the front rows.
" This ominous inscription, combined with the tragic and sudden deaths of some of the people associated with the tomb's excavation, fueled the belief in the curse. However, skeptics argue that the curse is nothing more than a superstition and that the deaths and misfortunes associated with the discovery of the mummy can be explained by natural causes or mere coincidence. They attribute the deaths to infections, accidents, or pre-existing health conditions rather than a supernatural curse.
Nothing Up Their Sleeves at Champions of Magic
There's not an “Abracadabra” to be heard inside Hobby Center's Zilkha Hall during the dazzling display of magic on hand – many hands, many deft hands – from the Champions of Magic, wowing everyone until February 17 on its American tour.
Neither is there an “Open Sesame” from The Thief of Baghdad nor “From the land beyond beyond. ” the incantation to summon the genie in The 7 th Voyage of Sinbad. But there are genies in abundance, elves near the shadows, and “whispering imps” darting to and fro which account for the fantastic illusions and sleights of hand which bedazzle and amaze. How else to explain those marvels that happen right before your eyes that defy the laws of physics, to say nothing of the natural order of the universe. If it's not pixies up their sleeves, then it must be magic. Utter sheer magic.
The prestidigitation is spectacular. Five magicians, joined by two assistants later in the evening, work wonders that leave you breathless. Young and Strange, an English Penn and Teller, although neither one is mute, perform classic illusions like the lady sawed in two, or the disappearing body in a box to be instantly replaced by someone else, or the vanishing tiger á la Siegfried and Roy. They're a comic duo, trying to outdo each other. Young's Red Light, Green Light routine (I think it was Young) with flashing and vanishing little lights on the tips of his fingers is repeated to the delight of everyone.
Hollie England is a comely magician with the lithe body of a dancer who swallows pins from a tea cup and a piece of thread from her teddy bear and pulls the string out from her mouth with all needles neatly strung. Then she'll do a bit of silhouette art, burn it up, and it suddenly morphs into what the audience member asked for in secret. Amazing. She's pretty and dangerous.
Mexican-American illusionist Fernando Velasco, influenced by master magician Harry Houdini, duplicates the great one's water torture trick where he's bound in a straitjacket, feet shackled to a locked board, and lowered upside down into a glass case filled with water. His heart monitor is amplified for dramatic effect, and a sheet is pulled over the box as the precious seconds tick away. When the sheet is ripped off with dramatic flourish, the box is empty, and Velasco appears at the back of the theater, dripping wet and surrounded by banks of fog. It's quite the show.
Another feat rhapsodizes his father who loved astronomy. Dad would tear up pieces of aluminum foil and scatter them in front of the boy's telescope when the stars were hidden by clouds. Velasco idly tears up a piece of foil and cools his hand with a Japanese paper fan. Suddenly, foil pieces stream from his hand. Seeming millions of them. They inundate the stage. It's a radiant effect, magical in the extreme.
Lithe and glib, mentalist Alex McAleer is showstopping with his astonishing acts of mind reading. Here's one to ponder: shopping receipts from an audience member are placed in a glass bowl. Another audience member is asked to think of a name. A third member is up on stage and asked to draw a picture on a chalk board and write down a number up to twenty and another number past fifty. McAleer's patter tells the tale of an old magician who used “whispering imps” in his act, which McAleer just happens to have in the casket to help him out. The invisible imp whispers to the girl on stage as she idly draws and writes down the numbers. The reveal stupefies. In a random drawing, one of the receipts is removed from the bowl. Uncrumpled, it reads out the exact number the girl had written down under the influence of the imp; while the name on the receipt is the name the other audience member wrote down. As a final bedazzlement, McAleer holds the imp in his cupped hands up to the video camera. A tiny scaly red hand peeks out before jumping away in a flash. Brilliant.
This sumptuous touring show rivals anything in Vegas, using video cameras to rove through the audience or to reveal up-close and personal the elegant trick as a deck of cards is produced out of thin air and just as deftly disappears. The lighting, the design, the sound are all precise and timed just right. (Unfortunately, there's no Playbill so the backstage magicians must go uncredited.)
There are pyrotechnics not seen since a Super Bowl halftime, enough fog for a midnight tryst in London, and a finale of a confetti cannon that suffocates the front rows. Even when the hapless assistant in a raggedy tiger's costume gets impaled by flaming spikes and then, instantaneously, swapped out for the glamorous leggy assistant, who does acrobatic double duty on the hanging silks, the show bubbles with non-stop fun. The last fifteen minutes are mind-blowing, as one superb trick after another tops the preceding one. The five stellar magicians pump us up with cries of “You want one more?” Of course, we do. And another, and another.
Theater is full of magic and make-believe. Children of all ages will be thrilled by what they think they see and what they actually see and don't see. Champions of Magic is make-believe raised to mesmerizing high art and giddy entertainment. Now, how in hell did they do that astonishing dollar bill trick with a pencil, or that one with the watch, or.
Champions of Magic. Through February 17. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 1 p.m. Sundays. Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby. For more information, call 713-315-2525 or visit thehobbycenter.org. or championsofmagic.co.uk. $39 - $89.
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D.L. Groover has contributed to countless reputable publications including the Houston Press since 2003. His theater criticism has earned him a national award from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia (AAN) as well as three statewide Lone Star Press Awards for the same. He's co-author of the irreverent appreciation, Skeletons from the Opera Closet (St. Martin's Press), now in its fourth printing.
Another feat rhapsodizes his father who loved astronomy. Dad would tear up pieces of aluminum foil and scatter them in front of the boy's telescope when the stars were hidden by clouds. Velasco idly tears up a piece of foil and cools his hand with a Japanese paper fan. Suddenly, foil pieces stream from his hand. Seeming millions of them. They inundate the stage. It's a radiant effect, magical in the extreme.
Despite the scientific explanations provided, the allure and fascination surrounding the curse persist. The curse of the Egyptian mummy has captured the imagination of the public and has been perpetuated through various forms of media, including movies, books, and documentaries. While the curse of the Egyptian mummy may be nothing more than a myth, it serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting ancient cultures and their artifacts. The Egyptian mummies and tombs offer valuable insight into the past and should be treated with reverence and care..
Reviews for "The Curse of the Egyptian Mummy: Unearthing the Supernatural"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "The Curse of the Egyptian Mummy" to be a disappointment. The storyline was weak and predictable, lacking any originality. The acting was subpar, with wooden performances from the entire cast. The special effects were laughable and did nothing to enhance the overall experience. The movie failed to generate any real sense of suspense or fear, and I was left feeling bored throughout. Save your money and skip this one.
2. Emily - 1 star - "The Curse of the Egyptian Mummy" was a complete waste of time. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to follow along. The dialogue was cheesy and cliché, making the already weak performances even worse. The movie relied heavily on jump scares, with no real substance or depth. I was thoroughly unimpressed and left wondering why I even bothered to watch it. I would strongly advise against wasting your time on this film.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Curse of the Egyptian Mummy," but it fell flat on multiple levels. The pacing was incredibly slow, leaving me constantly checking my watch. The characters felt underdeveloped and lacked any real complexity. The supposed scares were predictable and lacked any actual fright. Overall, it was a forgettable and lackluster film that failed to deliver on its potential. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a better horror movie experience.
4. Sarah - 2.5 stars - I was expecting more from "The Curse of the Egyptian Mummy" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot was convoluted and often felt disjointed, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The acting was average, with no standout performances. The film relied on cheap jump scares rather than building genuine tension, leaving me feeling underwhelmed. Overall, it was a mediocre effort that missed the mark. Not recommended for horror enthusiasts seeking a truly thrilling experience.