Special Interest > Crafts, Games & Hobbies Special Interest > B

Advantages: Entertaining, unique, intriguing.
Disadvantages: I wish they could put more in.

Derren Brown is quite simply one of the greatest and most talented showmen alive today. This DVD incorporates some of the highlights from his earlier shows, mostly the mind control specials and TV series. Derren strikes me as an immediately likable guy, with a sense of humour and personality that carefully balances mock cockyness with humbleness. This is more evident if you listen to the commentary or read his book. As he himself states at the beginning, ...
...out the DVD extras if you want to learn a little bit more about how Derren does what he does. The Commentary between him and his producer is also fun and humourous. All in all an entertaining and baffling insight into Derren Brown's unique taste on magic. Definitely recommended. ... Read review

Advantages: An interesting insite to a side of Blaine that has not be shown before.
Disadvantages: Dark and violent. Slightly extreme for mainstream.

David Blaine – Above the Below 1999: David Blaine survives 7 days buried alive with only water to live on. He is hailed as having the potential to become the modern day Houdini. 2000: Blaine accepts the challenge of being frozen in a block of ice for 24 hours (not literally frozen of course, he is entrapped in an ice chamber a tiny bit bigger than his body). He comes out extremely confused, and suffering from muscle spasms. Baby Blaine was born ...
...after 3 successful extreme challenges, David decided to go for the make or break trial, and set about to survive on nothing for 44 days, in a clear Perspex box in the middle of central London, near Tower Bridge. The box was constructed so as it was just a little bit wider than him, and a little bit taller than him, and was about 2 metres lengthwise. Anyone with claustrophobia need not apply. The entire ordeal was shown live on Sky Digital, and the ... Read review

Advantages: Amazing acts and entertaining,
Disadvantages: none

...been a big fan of Derren Brown for many years and have enjoyed all the TV shows he has made. So who is Derren V Brown? Derren was born in Croydon on 27th February 1971. He went to Bristol University to study Law and German even though he had no real interest in the subjects. At university he went to see illusionist Ian Rowland which is how he became interested in magic. He debated on what area to concentrate on. He didn’t like the whole aspect ...
...channel 4 in 2000 called Derren Brown: Mind Control which was a big success which has resulted in a number of television series and different TV specials being produced over the years. The Russian roulette special got him even more public attention when he tried NOT to shot himself in the head. Even though it was highly criticised it was actually the TV special Séance that resulted in the most complaints. He has other interest other than freaking ... Read review

Advantages: Lots of magic, good balue for money as it has two of his specials
Disadvantages: None i loved it

I stumbled across this dvd when i was looking to buy a magic dvd to see good modern magic, i didnt intend to buy a Blaine dvd but i must say i wasnt dissapointed. This dvd is jam-packed with street magic, from gypsy thread routines to amasing card effects. It also includes Blaine doing the infamous levitation effect, where he levitates right off the street in front of peoples eyes. The dvd mainly contains Blaines street magic rather than his now ...
...alive, in which he was buried in a glass coffin with no food only water. I would highly recommend this dvd to any fan of Blaines as it contains his first two specials 'Magic Man' and 'Street Magic'. So it gives his fans a chance to see Blaine in action before all the fame and fortune. This dvd contains the specials that launched Blaine onto the global stage and in many ways gave magic a new lease of life, and i can't recommend it enough! ... Read review

Advantages: Will take your breath away
Disadvantages: Some technical glitches in the commentry

Firstly this is a must for any fan. Then any fan should go out and show it to everyone else. Okay, I obviously sound biased, but I was really blown away by this series. Its not some cheesy magic show, and neither is it real mind reading but a 6 episode series done by a very charasmatic man showing psychological manipulation at its best. I like the format too - the graphics and music have been designed to give a sixties feel and it adds to the quirkiness ...
...much away, but there are guest stars such as Stephen Fry in a card trick with a twist. Also more daring projects such as becoming invisible, others that are a little more squeamish.(nail up the nose) and the surprisingly moving moment when an orchestra bursts into tune after only being directed by the eyes of the conductor. Enough extras to keep you satisfied to - a behind the scenes look, an interview and commentry on each episode through which ... Read review