We've curated a list of lesser-known films to help you explore the space-time continuum from the comfort of your couch.
Title: Ricky Jay: Deceptive Practice (23 Jan 2015)
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Ricky Jay is a world-renowned magician, author, historian and actor (often a mischievous presence in the films of David Mamet and Paul Thomas Anderson) -- and a performer who regularly provokes astonishment from even the most jaded audiences. Deceptive Practice traces Jay's achievements and influences, from his apprenticeship at age 4 with his grandfather, to such now-forgotten legends as Al Flosso, Slydini, Cardini and his primary mentors, Dai Vernon and Charlie Miller. Featuring rare footage from his 1970s TV appearances (doing 3-card Monte with Steve Martin on The Dinah Shore Show) and told in Jay's inimitable voice, this is a remarkable journey inside the secretive world of magic and the small circle of eccentrics who are its perpetual devotees.
This is perhaps the strangest episode of "American Masters" I have ever seen. I am not complaining, mind you...just pointing out how unusual and inexplicable I found the subject matter. But it is worth seeing.
The film is about Ricky Jay...a guy whose face you might recognize but a name you undoubtedly won't. Jay is apparently one of the greatest slight of hand magicians of all time. No, he's no expert of big stunts like chopping ladies in half, making the statue of liberty disappear or making folks levitate. His magic is much smaller...best seen up close and appreciated after you hear many famous (often more famous) magicians talk about Jay and the love of his craft.
The bottom line is that the show NEVER is boring and kept my interest throughout...and helped me to appreciate a relatively normal and unassuming looking guy. Well made and well worth seeing.