Magic by Bob is a fascinating and captivating form of entertainment that never fails to amaze and astound audiences. Bob, a renowned magician, has perfected his craft over the years and has become a master at creating moments of wonder and awe. With his dexterity and skillful manipulation, Bob can make objects appear or disappear right before your eyes. His ability to create illusions and deceive the senses is truly remarkable. Whether it's pulling a rabbit out of a hat or making objects levitate, Bob's magic tricks are guaranteed to leave spectators in awe. But magic is not just about tricks and illusions; it's about creating an experience.
Noroi is a long and complex film, one that demands your full attention throughout. Clues as to what’s going on come thick and fast and at first might seem like throwaway bits of spooky business that have nothing to do with the main plot. Only as the story unfolds does it becomes clear that things like the suicidal pigeons, Ishii’s alleged stealing of fetuses from an abortion clinic and the meaning of the loops that Mariko keeps drawing and making in pieces of string are actually vital to understanding what’s going on. It all adds up to a film that slowly, carefully amnd expertly accumulates a growing sense of dread and unease.
Kobayashi, Marika and his never seen cameraman Miyajima find their way to the site of a former village, long submerged to make way for the Shimokage dam, where the locals performed rituals to appease the demon Kagutaba who they come to believe is behind all the mysteries. There are hints of the always popular folk horror sub-genre as Kobayashi and co discover the remnants of the rural community that raised and subsequently imprisoned Kagutaba, keeping it in check with complex rituals.
But magic is not just about tricks and illusions; it's about creating an experience. Bob understands this and goes above and beyond to engage his audience. He has a charismatic stage presence and a knack for engaging with people, making them feel involved and part of the magic.
Noroi: The Curse (2005)
Often described as “found footage”, Kôji Shiraishi’s Noroi is actually a good example of the form’s close relative, the fake documentary. Taking the form of a compilation of video material recorded by a paranormal researcher, it charts the final days and weeks before his mysterious disappearance.
Jin Muraki stars as Masafumi Kobayashi, a journalist specialising in the paranormal and all things Fortean who, we are told at the outset, disappeared while making his latest film, The Curse, shortly after his house burned down and his wife Keiko (Miyoko Hanai) was found dead in the wreckage. The Curse consists at first of what seems to be random bits and pieces from Kobayashi’s investigations – a woman named Junko Ishii (Tomono Kuga) and her son (Shûta Kambayashi) attract his attention after neighbours complain about strange sounds coming from their house that are later revealed to be the crying of a group of babies; the neighbour and her daughter die in car crash a week later; young schoolgirl Kana Yano (Rio Kanno) is seen on a television variety show displaying uncanny psychic powers; a clearly mentally ill man, Mitsuo Hori (Satoru Jitsunashi), who constantly wears a tin foil hat and coat, warns him about “ectoplasmic worms”; and actress Marika Matsumoto (apparently playing herself) is stalked by something supernatural after taking part in a different documentary about a supposedly haunted shrine.
All these strands at first seem unconnected and the first hour of the film – which at 115 minutes is a good twenty minutes too long – can seem rambling and unfocused. It all starts to coalesce as the story progresses. Kobayashi, Marika and his never seen cameraman Miyajima find their way to the site of a former village, long submerged to make way for the Shimokage dam, where the locals performed rituals to appease the demon Kagutaba who they come to believe is behind all the mysteries. By the end of the film Kagutaba has been revealed to have manifested in the form of a minor character from earlier in the film and is responsible for Kobayashi’s disappearance.
Noroi is a long and complex film, one that demands your full attention throughout. Clues as to what’s going on come thick and fast and at first might seem like throwaway bits of spooky business that have nothing to do with the main plot. Only as the story unfolds does it becomes clear that things like the suicidal pigeons, Ishii’s alleged stealing of fetuses from an abortion clinic and the meaning of the loops that Mariko keeps drawing and making in pieces of string are actually vital to understanding what’s going on. It all adds up to a film that slowly, carefully amnd expertly accumulates a growing sense of dread and unease.
Like a lot of Japanese horror films, the characters – all well played in a convincingly natural manner – accept the existence of the supernatural without question. Shiraishi and Naoyuki Yokota’s screenplay doesn’t waste time with sceptical characters having to be convinced of what’s going on – they just buy into it, making Noroi feel like it’s taking place in an alternate world where demonic possession, ghosts and other paranormal manifestations are an everyday commonplace.
Noroi makes use of several of the the tried and tested “found footage” tropes – creepy figures lurk in the background, often unseen by the protagonists and half-glimpsed horrors set us further on edge as we struggle to process what we think we might have just seen – but the “mockumentary” approach gives the film more of a coherent structure and allows us to break out of the strictly first person perspective via faked television news and variety show extracts that look convincingly like the real thing.
There are hints of the always popular “folk horror” sub-genre as Kobayashi and co discover the remnants of the rural community that raised and subsequently imprisoned Kagutaba, keeping it in check with complex rituals. The last of these rituals was filmed and the grainy 16mm footage reveals a possible tip of the hat to Kaneto Shindo’s classic Onibaba (1964) when the central character in the rites is seen wearing a mask reminiscent of the Hannya mask central to Shindo’s film.
Noroi may test the patience of some with its length but for those who buy into its off-kilter world and surrender to its escalating feeling of foreboding as Kobayashi’s quest gradually leads himself completely out of his depth, it’s a remarkably effective and often chilling film with moments in its closing stages that are hard to forget. Its slow to get going but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded with a memorable finale that most memorably reveals where those stolen fetuses went and what they were being used for…
Kôji Shiraishi made something of a career out of this sort of thing. Okaruto/Occult (2009), Shirome/White Eyes (2010), Cho Akunin/Hyper Villain (2011) and Bachiatari bouryuku ningen/Cursed Violent People (2011) all used the “mockumentary” format He eventually moved into more traditional story-telling and made the disappointing Sadako vs. Kayako (2016) which pitted the protagonists from Japan’s two most successful horror franchises against each other in an underwhelming clash of J-horror titans.
All these strands at first seem unconnected and the first hour of the film – which at 115 minutes is a good twenty minutes too long – can seem rambling and unfocused. It all starts to coalesce as the story progresses. Kobayashi, Marika and his never seen cameraman Miyajima find their way to the site of a former village, long submerged to make way for the Shimokage dam, where the locals performed rituals to appease the demon Kagutaba who they come to believe is behind all the mysteries. By the end of the film Kagutaba has been revealed to have manifested in the form of a minor character from earlier in the film and is responsible for Kobayashi’s disappearance.
This connection allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in the performance and enhances the overall experience. Furthermore, Bob's magic shows are not just limited to traditional magic tricks. He continually pushes the boundaries of what is possible, incorporating technology and innovation into his acts. From mind-reading tricks to elaborate and grand illusions, Bob never fails to surprise and captivate his audience. Magic by Bob is not just about entertainment; it's about creating a sense of wonder and disbelief. It allows us to momentarily suspend our belief in the laws of nature and indulge in the impossible. Bob's magic shows are a testament to the power of imagination and the allure of the unknown. In conclusion, Magic by Bob is a mesmerizing and enchanting form of entertainment that never fails to leave audiences spellbound. With his skill, charisma, and innovative approach, Bob creates moments of wonder and astonishment that are truly magical. So sit back, relax, and let Bob take you on a journey into the world of magic..
Reviews for "From Card Tricks to Grand Illusions: Bob's Extensive Magic Repertoire"
1. Emily - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Magic by Bob". The tricks were extremely predictable and lacked any sort of wow factor. It felt like I have seen them all before. The delivery was also quite lackluster. Bob's stage presence was dull and he didn't engage the audience at all. Overall, I found the show to be boring and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating magic performance.
2. Michael - 2/5 - I attended "Magic by Bob" with high expectations, but unfortunately, it fell short. The tricks performed were average at best and lacked the element of surprise. The pacing of the show was also off, with long pauses between tricks that disrupted the flow. Additionally, Bob's narration was hard to follow, making it difficult to understand the story behind his illusions. Overall, I left the show feeling underwhelmed and unimpressed.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I was unimpressed by "Magic by Bob". The tricks seemed outdated and didn't offer anything new or exciting. Bob's stage presence was also lacking, as he came off as disinterested and unenthusiastic. The show lacked the energy and charm that I expected from a magic performance. I was really hoping to be amazed, but unfortunately, "Magic by Bob" did not deliver.
4. David - 3/5 - While "Magic by Bob" had a few impressive tricks, the overall show was just okay. Some of the illusions were too obvious, and I found myself figuring them out before they were even revealed. The audience participation segment felt forced and awkward, and Bob didn't have a strong connection with the crowd. While it wasn't the worst magic show I've seen, it certainly didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
5. Jessica - 2/5 - I was left unimpressed by "Magic by Bob". The tricks he performed were standard and lacked any real innovation or originality. The show felt dated and didn't offer anything unique that would set it apart from other magic performances. Additionally, Bob's stage presence was underwhelming and his delivery lacked charisma. Overall, I found the show to be mediocre and would not recommend it to those seeking a memorable magic experience.