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Has anyone ever seen Criss Angel’s A&E series Mindfreak?[1]
It seems like most of his “magic” is staged, especially in certain situations where the illusion seems out of ordinary — in some cases surreal — and yet the skeptic in me assumes he’s using clever camera angles and audience plants.
Case in point, in one particular trick he asks a woman to write the name of an animal on a slip of paper. He then takes the paper, glances at it noticing she wrote “butterfly”, folds the piece of paper and magically — out of thin air — summons a real butterfly.
In my opinion, the average person would probably choose something with a bit more flare, like Grizzly Bear or Badger (and yes, UHF comes to mind) and not something so simple. Which again leads to me to believe that the majority of tricks performed on camera are contrived to the point where magic isn’t just slight of hand anymore, it’s purely acting and making sure the performance itself plays out in a convincing manner.
What are your thoughts?
I totally agree. Planted material / sleight of hand is all it seems to be.
At first it’s easy to get wrapped up in it, but then it just seems silly.
Lol…It’s funny that you brought that up. When I saw the commercial for his show, I was like “No, way”. I haven’t necessarily seen the show but I have caught up with some of his “magic” on YouTube here.
I had never heard about it until a few days ago when i watched the season 2 premiere. In which he levitates from one top of a building to another. Eh, what the hell?.
There is just no way this is real, and after all it is called mind freak. Illusions, but i just can’t figure out how he pulls the illusions off.
Anton: Unless, as I mentioned, the magician is able to magically bring a three-winged dragon in front of my eyes or at the very least a badger, then I’m going to stay on my side of the fence. Card tricks are one thing, making animals appear out of thin air is another.
Jorgeq: I’ve watched a few of those on Youtube as well. Speaking of which, that site has become quite the resource for videos, usermade and submitted. Quite remarkable if you ask me.
I had seen a few episodes a while back and really enjoyed it. Earlier this week he was doing an interview with The Monsters, morning radio station here in Orlando, and said that some of it is real while some is completely fabricated.
It is a very interesting show either way. Much more convincing than Blane or other “street” magicians.
well it is sorta rediculous that you would say anything when of course they are just illustions.. the man even says himself that he is just triking the human mind. he is very good at performing stunts he doesnt try to make believers of “magic” or anything he is probably the least super stitouse person alive. he finds joy in trying to fool people which is perfectly fine and enjoyable. when does he ever say there is actually a thing as magic?
if he actually said it was all completely fake he wouldnt have anymore fans!
Paige: Your opinion is appreciated, Paige, however coming from someone who was obsessively involved with magic as a kid, I understand it’s purely effective illusion and sleight of hand. What I was referring to mainly is what is known as “camera magic”, wherein some of the effects can be further polished in post production.
That’s one of the advantages of filming these tricks on camera and having a particular episode air weeks later.
Just an observation, but of course it’s entertaining nonetheless.
there was a few cool tricks he did such as the on where he went through the woodchipper but he didint actually go through the chipper it was a hologram
This show comes in at like 2 in the morning in the UK, and it’s always a hilarious viewing — I love how he aspires to be part rock god, part magician. The whole thing is just so incredibly ridiculous, it makes for great telly.
i just saw a video on a website where he went through glass im pretty sure it was fake
people, he is an entertainer, his job is to entertain you, i think he is cool, even if it is staged, which i do not totally believe, he keeps me watching his show. plus why dont you figure out how to do his stunts like… burned alive, buried alive, suv nail bed, easy rider, in two, walk on water. unless u can do this stuff shut up. ok
Criss Angel is a deity. He is a mini-god. His humble attitude towards his real ability keeps us thinking that he is really trying hard to perform the feats he does. In reality he’s just toying with us to increase ratings for his show. That answers a big question I’ve had about “God”. All he wants is money.
Well said, Anonomous.
It’s like wrestling. Fans (I hope) know it’s fake, but it’s still somewhat entertaining to watch. You know it’s fake, but still, how did they fall off of a ladder with no injuries? Mind Freak is just the more magical alternative.
how come everytime he makes somthin disapear he never makess it reapear
HEy criss angle
I really what to see you in real live i want you to do someting crazy for me if you can and i want to be seen on your show please I love your show i see it every time tha tis on TV. i like this girl her name is sofia and she is a girl how goes to karate and i go there to and i kinda like her and i just cant wait to see u tha tu will do something crazy on me.
MY name is Vasiliy Levantsevych i’m russian guy but i speak english and i wha tsomething done on me so that sofia can see me on TV and tell her i like her a lot….
and i want to me the best master or magic like you are .
You rock MIND FREAK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My e-mail is Vasiliy_51@hotmail.com
please sent me e-mail please criss one thing at a life time like you allways say it on your show.
Please Criss Angle I live at Antibes 80 on bathrust and Antibes.
vasiliy, I have an odd sense of doubt that Criss Angel doesn’t actively read this website.
That’d rock though.
Dear Mind Freak,
I hope u come to Palm Harbor Florida. Me and my friend love your show. When she told me about it i said i have to watch it so i did. When i saw your show i was amazed of what you do. But thats what i was hoping is if you come so i can see your show and maybe you can show my brother a few tricks. When he saw your show he didn’t belive it he thought it was trick photogrphy. I said no but he wont listen. Please Mind Freak Please Please come to palm harbor florida i want to make a beliver out of my brother and if u do please levitate me that would be AWSOME!!! just to let u know im only 12 thank bye.
That’s because it wasen’t an illusion… trust me it was the real thing
It IS illusion–but heck It is entertaining as all get out. I certainly would love to see him do one of his performances live on the street.So he does it to make money–isn’t that what most people do everyday?He at least amuses people in the process. Way better than Siegfried and Roy–whom I saw 2 times in Las Vegas.I like trying to figure out how he does his stuff. So what if it is camera tricks too?? Like the movies we pay to see aren’t?? Enjoy–that’s what his show is meant for us to do.And–I do–even if it is all illusion/etc. :) Heck I have seen a lot of stuff in my 50 years—-and I enjoy Criss Angel.
Well i know that everyone has there opinions, but i belive that Criss Angel can really do what he does and if you listen to what he says about tapping into the great powers of your mind and body then who knows what our limits. I mean thats what Criss Angel is doing, he’s testing the powers and limits in the world….Criss Angel also has a good point about us being kids because it is true, when we are kids we do not possess that much knowledge and have a great imagination, therefore we belive in a lot of things and know no limits in the world!!! :) YOUR THE BEST CRISS ANGEL
criss angel is truly the biggest MINDFREAK that i have ever seen. im a huge fan of your show and knowing that you can do all this freaks me right out of my freaking skin! what ever people say i think that are the real freaking thing! MINDFREK is all that i can say for now but i cant wait until i can see some more MINDFREAKING!
i’m with christian on this-i truly believe he has special powers and can actually do all of what he does-when you all say “illusions” and “camera tricks”, do you mean that you think he does his show with a fake audience and it’s all fake special effects?
oh yes he possess these powers, 100% mind usage, blah blah. Why don’t he start healing victims of cancer? or uses his brain to predict next qatrina or some other natural disaster? Come ooon … his mother was an assistant to some magician. His brother’s an actor. Some people just love to be fooled. God bless you all.
hey criss,i know that you have done the lifting up ppl trick but i want to know how to lift my self up do you
.consentrate as hard as you possibley can
.does the spirit of your soul help you
.or does a spirit give you the power
with the last one a spirit gives you power did i spirit came to you when you were a little kid and it said you can have this power or is it all make belevie plz tell me at…….. micky_mt_@hotmail.com
Criss is amazing! You guys don’t know what you are talking about. Everything he does is real. I’ve talked to him before and he even showed me the truth. He showed me how he got chopped in a wood chopper. it was real. So for you guys, I’d be scared before you say things like that.
well i believe it it doesn’t show anything that leads me not to, i meen really it looks so real to me. i dont know how any one could question what he can do…… if you believe its not real than explain it to me because with all do respect you must be an idiot………………………………………………
i my self would love to become a mind freak so if anyone is up for teaching me email me please, so does my sister Christina and my brother brandon
ps it is real man it is f**k’n real man