Hey there, I hope you're doing well. I recently learned a really cool magic trick that I think you'll love! It's super easy to do and always leaves people amazed. So, here's how it goes: Step 1: Ask someone to pick a card from a regular deck. Step 2: Have them show the card to everyone except you. Step 3: Ask them to put the card back in the deck and shuffle it up. Step 4: Now for the magic! Start searching for their card in the deck, pretending to be struggling to find it.
Wayans also had a serious role in Darren Aronofsky's critically acclaimed Requiem for a Dream (2000). Marlon has appeared in several other movies like Norbit (2007), G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009), A Haunted House and its sequel, and On the Rocks (2020).
Lapkus Resume Susan Fischer in Orange Is the New Black 2013-19 , Vivian in Jurassic World 2015 , Denise in The Big Bang Theory 2018-19 , Agent Phoebe Donnegan in Good Girls 2020-21 , Missy in The Wrong Missy 2020. And so when Sydney goes snooping around her historic house soon after moving in, trying to prove it s haunted, she inadvertently unleashes an ancient spirit that s been locked up in her attic.
Step 4: Now for the magic! Start searching for their card in the deck, pretending to be struggling to find it. Step 5: After a few moments, take a different card from the deck and ask them if it's their chosen card. They will most likely say no.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow
“The Curse of Bridge Hollow” is essentially an Adam Sandler movie without Adam Sandler—and not one of the good Adam Sandler movies, like “Uncut Gems” or “Hustle,” where he tantalizes us with the fact that he can actually act.
No, this feels more like one of the many broad, lifeless comedies he’s made for Netflix (and it just happens to be streaming on Netflix, what do you know?). “The Curse of Bridge Hollow” could exist in the same cinematic universe as “Hubie Halloween,” set as it is within an idyllic New England town where a variety of supernatural hijinks shatters the sense of security. It’s as if Rob Riggle and Lauren Lapkus have just wandered over from another set to play their usual one-note supporting characters. It’s all very familiar, and dispiritingly so.
AdvertisementPriah Ferguson can only do so much here as 14-year-old Sydney, who’s moved from Brooklyn to historic Bridge Hollow with her parents (Marlon Wayans and Kelly Rowland) just as October 31 is approaching on the calendar. Ferguson has been a no-nonsense scene-stealer over the past couple seasons of “Stranger Things” as Lucas’ little sister, Erica. Here, her undaunted delivery is similar as she tries to convince her father that strange things are indeed afoot, a notion he rejects because he’s a high school science teacher who only believes in science. Wayans says the word “science” so many times, it could be a drinking game, except you’d be passed out by the end of the first act. Then again, that might not be such a bad thing.
The film from director Jeff Wadlow (“Truth or Dare,” “Fantasy Island”), from a script by Todd Berger and Robert Rugan, doesn’t offer much of a coherent, engaging story; rather, it consists of a series of exposition dumps alternating with shrieky set pieces. Characters stand around explaining things to each other, such as: why the family moved here in the middle of the school year, and who exactly is Stingy Jack, the inspiration for the annual Halloween festival. Lapkus, doing a ridiculously thick New England accent as the town’s mayor (or rather, mayah), even has the legend of Stingy Jack stitched onto her sweater (or sweatah).
This is the kind of place where everyone goes all out on their Halloween decorations, Riggle explains to Wayans’ character as the family’s annoyingly friendly next-door neighbor. (He’s wearing a Tom Brady jersey when we first meet him, in case you had any lingering doubts as to where the movie takes place.) Sydney’s quirky new high school friends further fill in the town’s history while they’re all standing around awkwardly at a cemetery. Rowland, meanwhile, gets exactly one topic to stand around and talk about: her love of making vegan, gluten-free baked goods, a running bit that’s never funny and doesn’t even have a satisfying payoff.
AdvertisementAnd so when Sydney goes snooping around her historic house soon after moving in, trying to prove it’s haunted, she inadvertently unleashes an ancient spirit that’s been locked up in her attic. (The previous owner conveniently left a bunch of scrapbooks and creepy artifacts up there.) In no time, an evil, red glow spreads throughout the Bridge Hollow, possessing the zombies and witches and spiders and clowns that have been peacefully populating the residents’ front yards all month. If this rings a bell, yes, Halloween decorations coming to life and wreaking havoc is indeed the plot of “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween.”
From here, it’s a lot of running and screaming, with the overbearing horror score working overtime. There are plenty of perfunctory jump scares as well as some especially cheesy visual effects. But there is exactly one inspired sight gag and one funny line of dialogue, so you have those to look forward to, should you land on “The Curse of Bridge Hollow” while absent-mindedly scrolling for timely holiday fare. And there’s a series of extremely obvious needle drops to buoy you along, from the Rockwell earworm “Somebody’s Watching Me” to the Whodini hip-hop classic “Freaks Come Out at Night.” By the time AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” came on, my 13-year-old son exclaimed: “Oh, that’s where the budget went—the music!” That, and copious amounts of candy.
Christy Lemire
Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who has written for RogerEbert.com since 2013. Before that, she was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series "Ebert Presents At the Movies" opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here.
Step 6: Hold the card they said no to tightly in your hand and with a little magic gesture, say, "Watch closely!" Step 7: Slowly open your hand to reveal that the card has transformed into their chosen card! Step 8: Enjoy the look of amazement on their face and bask in the applause of your audience. Remember, practice makes perfect. So make sure to practice this trick a few times before performing it in front of an audience. Also, feel free to add your own twists and flair to make it your own. Have fun and enjoy the magic!.
Reviews for "10 Easy Magic Tricks That You Can Learn in Minutes"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - The title of the show promised magic tricks, but instead, I was disappointed with what I saw. The tricks were simple and not very exciting. The performer lacked charisma and didn't engage with the audience. It felt like he was just going through the motions without any passion or enthusiasm. Overall, it was a lackluster performance that didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Want to see a magic trick" was a complete waste of time. The tricks were predictable and unimpressive. It felt like watching a beginner's magic show with basic tricks that anyone could figure out. The performer's delivery was also lackluster, lacking the showmanship and flair that is typically associated with magic shows. I was extremely disappointed and regretted attending the performance.
3. Rachel - 2/5 stars - I was expecting to be amazed by the magic tricks in "Want to see a magic trick," but unfortunately, that didn't happen. The tricks were easily predictable, and I found myself bored throughout the performance. The magician's stage presence was also lacking, and I couldn't connect with him or the tricks he performed. Overall, it was a forgettable experience that didn't leave a lasting impression.
4. John - 2/5 stars - "Want to see a magic trick" didn't live up to its hype. The tricks were mediocre and didn't have any wow factor. The magician's presentation was also subpar, lacking the charisma and showmanship that make magic shows enjoyable. I left the show feeling unimpressed and underwhelmed. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and mind-blowing magic experience.