John is often referred to as a magical person. People are amazed by his abilities and talents, questioning if he is truly magical or if it is just a result of his hard work and dedication. However, it is important to consider different perspectives and form our own opinions on the matter. Some argue that John's magical qualities are bonafide, as they have witnessed him perform incredible feats that seem impossible to explain. They believe that his ability to make things happen with a mere thought or gesture is beyond the capabilities of an ordinary human being. These individuals firmly believe that John possesses an otherworldly power that sets him apart from the rest of us.
If you find you want more in this general vein, both Bringing Down the House by Ben Mezrich and Positively Fifth Street by James McManus are good, recent, and currently available in paperback. If you can’t stand the wait to order Jonny Magic and don’t want to stop by Barnes and Noble on the way home to pick up a copy, here’s a helpful link directly to Amazon’s listing for the book.
Nameless suits at Wizards of the Coast were pretty happy with the way the book turned out, saying, He didn t lie about anything that happened and his portrayal of the game looked excellent, so that was good. There are also frequent moments in the story where Kushner whisks past whole periods of Finkel s life which contain tremendous other odysseys, simply because it seems like Kushner has some place he needs to go and can be bothered to dally with further gems.
These individuals firmly believe that John possesses an otherworldly power that sets him apart from the rest of us. On the other hand, skeptics argue that John's so-called magic is nothing more than a series of well-rehearsed tricks and illusions. They claim that anyone can acquire these skills through rigorous training and practice, thus dismissing the notion of John being a truly magical person.
Performers
Bruce toured the country as a stand-up comedian before moving to California where he ’s become a favorite performer at Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle. Variety Magazine said, “Bruce Gold is a funny man of considerable charm.” Penn & Teller said, “Bruce is a truly funny performer.”
And according to a reviewer for Entertainment Weekly, “Bruce Gold brings equal parts comedy and magic to his laugh packed performances.”
John Accardo
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John Accardo has been performing as a professional magician for over 15 years. His natural and authentic comedic style has been called “A Joy to Watch” by the magic publication “World Magic Review”.
In addition to being one of the youngest performer’s ever asked to perform at the world-famous Magic Castle, he has appeared on Nightline, Comedy Central, and was featured in a documentary about the life of magicians.
Nathan Coe Marsh
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- Known for his comedic style, Nathan Coe Marsh creates mind blowing impossibilities that blur the line between reality and illusion in a dynamic show that is a breath of fresh air. His work has been seen in 13 countries, on Penn & Teller’s prime time TV Series Fool Us, and is regularly featured at Hollywood’s iconic Magic Castle. Nathan lives in Orlando, Florida.
David Parr
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- David Parr is an internationally acclaimed magician who has devoted his life to sharing the experience of mystery with audiences around the world. Magic fans will recognize David from his appearances on the hit TV show Penn & Teller: Fool Us. David fooled them all and not only took home the coveted Fool Us trophy, but also won a guest spot in the duo’s live show in Las Vegas! David created and starred in Chicago’s longest-running weekly magic show, which was chosen by the Travel Channel as one of the top 9 magic shows in the nation! In the hidden world of magicians, David is best known for his theatrical performing style, and has published several highly regarded books for magicians .
Felix Jones
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- Felix has performed at hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants, dinner theatres, and celebrity charity benefits throughout the United States, and was featured twice in Las Vegas at Jeff McBride’s Wonderground and MindVention. Felix also has a substantial career as a corporate entertainer, and his clients include Amazon, Pratham International, John Hancock Investment Management, The 21st Century Experience, and many others. Felix is a Magician Member of the Academy of Magical Arts and is an audience favorite at The World Famous Magic Castle, where he performs regularly. Felix is also a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and The Psychic Entertainers Association.
Diamond Jim
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- Texas native Diamond Jim Tyler travels worldwide and has performed before celebrities, court justices and corporate executives. His close-up magic has been featured at the Improv, The Magic Circle in London, and the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. Young and old all enjoy Diamond’s storytelling and up-close magic.
Curtis Kam
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- Curtis is the most famous Hawaiian Magician of all time and he is known on the islands as The Wizard of Waikiki. Considered one of the very best sleight of hand artists in the modern era, Curtis has influenced generations of magicians world wide. Gone are the tired clichés, the tricky boxes, the animals in tiny cages. Instead, the audience enters a lost world of genuine wonder where ordinary objects do extraordinary things.
Rick Gerber
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- Rick Gerber is The Magic Guy. He has been traveling the world creating fun and magic at high-profile events for over thirty years. Wherever Rick goes, the party goes with him. His fun performing style has separated him from the pack, allowing Rick to be featured in numerous newspapers and magazines, as well as many television appearances
Richard Burr & Josette
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- Masters of Magic, Richard Burr & Josette have been featured on television and live productions around the world. Recently highlighted on The Discovery Channel and AXN. They’re unique ability to convey the feeling of real magic has placed them among the most sought after illusion acts performing today. Among their numerous accomplishments are *5 Guinness World Records*!
Peter Samelson
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Peter Samelson insists that he doesn’t do magic; he only helps people to see it. He is an illusionist/entertainer/philosopher, blending simplicity and sophistication as he provokes thought and inspires wonder.
A recent recipient of a Merlin Award for Lifetime Achievement, Peter has distinguished himself not only as a magician, but as an artist.
Arthur Trace
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Hailed by the Society of American Magicians as “one of the most creative acts in the world of magic today,” Arthur Trace is only the eighth magician in the history of magic to be awarded the International Brotherhood of Magicians Gold Medal.
Delighting and astounding even the most skeptical of audiences, it is no wonder the Chicago Tribune has called him “one of magic’s bona fide superstars!
Mat O'Neil
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- Mat O’Neil is an accomplished performer with a diverse set of skills. Mat was raised in Los Angeles, CA and became interested in magic as a teenager. He was inducted into the Magic Castle at just 15 years of age and performs regularly at Magic Castle and is a featured performer on the TV show Masters of Illusion. Mat is also fluent in four languages and has competed internationally as a US Figure Skating Gold Medalist. Mat has already achieved an impressive level of success and is the youngest of the fully credentialed Master Magicians in The Magical Mystery Show line-up. Come enjoy Mat’s clever and unique style that will leave you in a state of dumb shock as he presents magical moments that will surprise any audience.
Jonathan Todd
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- Jonathan Todd has been performing magic professionally since he was 13. He is a performing member of the Academy of Magical Arts – The Magic Castle, and he has received a Presidential Commendation from The Society of American Magicians for excellence in magical performance and production. He is the founder of The Magical Mystery Show!
Kekoa Erickson
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- Kekoa was introduced to magic by his father, who wowed him by putting a cigarette through a quarter…which he still has to this day. From that moment…Kekoa was bitten by the magic bug. He’s been honing his skills for the past 30 years and has been performing for upscale clientele for the past two decades. His sophisticated style with a touch of aloha compliment his unique brand of magic that sets himself apart from the crowd.
Kenshin Amagi
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Kenshin Amagi is a professional magician and a full performing Member of the world-famous Magic Castle.
He is know for his subtle and charming wit and deviating technique. More than “a magician” Kenshin is a true “Performing Artist”.
Jonathan Todd
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- Jonathan Todd has been performing magic professionally since he was 13. He is a performing member of the Academy of Magical Arts – The Magic Castle, and he has received a Presidential Commendation from The Society of American Magicians for excellence in magical performance and production. He is the founder of The Magical Mystery Show!
Kekoa Erickson
- Chevron down Kekoa’s Bio
- Kekoa was introduced to magic by his father, who wowed him by putting a cigarette through a quarter…which he still has to this day. From that moment…Kekoa was bitten by the magic bug. He’s been honing his skills for the past 30 years and has been performing for upscale clientele for the past two decades. His sophisticated style with a touch of aloha compliment his unique brand of magic that sets himself apart from the crowd.
Not content with my own opinion, I sought out those of some people around the community who had already read the book for their viewpoint on things. Fan favorite, candy striper, and good zygote Gadiel Szleifer felt Kushner was a bit of a hack, but said he enjoyed the book anyway. Fountain of snark Noah Weil felt similarly to me in stating, “Good material, badly presented. The End.” Nameless suits at Wizards of the Coast were pretty happy with the way the book turned out, saying, “He didn’t lie about anything that happened and his portrayal of the game looked excellent, so that was good.” Last night serendipity struck when I was chatting with completely unmentioned Dead Guy and Wizards R&D member Worth Wollpert and he had this to say:
According to this perspective, his abilities are not bonafide but rather a crafted performance meant to deceive and entertain. To form a well-rounded opinion, it is crucial to consider both sides of the argument. While it is undeniable that John possesses exceptional skills and abilities, it is also important to question if these qualities are truly magical or if they can be explained through conventional means. Perhaps there is a middle ground where John's magic lies, a combination of natural talent and acquired expertise. Ultimately, whether John is bonafide magical or not is subjective. Each individual will interpret his abilities differently based on their own beliefs and experiences. What matters most is acknowledging John's talent and appreciating the wonder and awe he brings into our lives..
Reviews for "Debunking John's Magic: Is it All Smoke and Mirrors?"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - I found "Is John Magic Bonafide" to be extremely underwhelming. The plot was predictable, the characters were one-dimensional, and the dialogue felt forced. I was hoping for a thrilling and captivating magical story, but instead, I was left disappointed. The pacing was off, with slow build-ups to anti-climactic moments. Overall, it failed to meet my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for an engaging fantasy read.
2. David - 2/5 stars - While "Is John Magic Bonafide" had an interesting concept, it fell short in execution. The writing style was lacking depth and failed to immerse me in the magical world. The characters lacked development and felt quite forgettable. Additionally, the story had a lot of potential for exploration, but it seemed rushed and didn't delve deep enough into the magical elements. It left me feeling unfulfilled and wanting more from the narrative. Overall, I found it to be an average read that didn't leave a lasting impression.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was attracted to "Is John Magic Bonafide" because of its magical premise, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The storytelling felt disjointed, with abrupt transitions between scenes that left me confused at times. The pacing was inconsistent, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The protagonist lacked depth and his actions were often predictable. I wanted a more immersive experience with stronger world-building, but it fell short. Overall, it was a mediocre read that didn't offer anything unique or memorable.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Is John Magic Bonafide" was a disappointing read for me. The plot lacked originality and felt like a recycled version of similar magical stories I've encountered before. The characters were stereotypical and lacked complexity, making it hard to connect with them on a deeper level. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, which affected the overall flow of the story. Additionally, the twists and turns were predictable, leaving no room for surprises. Overall, it failed to capture my interest or leave a lasting impression. I would not recommend it to those seeking an engaging magical adventure.