Magician Reviews Sleight of Hand and Visual Tricks In Movies & TV | Vanity Fair

Sleight of hand expert Ben Seidman reviews and demonstrates sleight of hand tricks, pickpocketing, and psychological magic in films including 'Ocean's 8,' 'My Cousin Vinny,' 'The Recruit,' 'Focus,' 'Uncharted,' 'Modern Family,' 'The Prestige,' 'Now You See Me 2,' 'Mission Impossible,' 'Jackass Forever,' 'Ant-Man and the Wasp,' 'Cruella' and 'Elf.'
00:00 Intro
00:25 Ocean's 8
02:57 My Cousin Vinny
05:49 The Recruit
09:16 Focus
11:55 Uncharted
12:56 Modern Family
15:10 The Prestige
17:38 Now You See Me 2
18:58 Mission Impossible
21:03 Jackass Forever
21:50 Ant-Man and the Wasp
22:52 Cruella
23:34 Elf
www.BenSeidman.com
/ thecomedyandmagic
Instagram: @benseidman
Directors: Funmi Sunmonu and Frank Cosgriff
Director of Photography: Matt Krueger
Editor: Jordan Calig
Sleight of Hand Expert: Ben Seidman
Featured Guest: Eric DeLorettea
Creative Producer: Frank Cosgriff
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Associate Producers: Omar Elgohary and Jess Gordon
Production Manager: Andressa Pelachi and Peter Brunette
Production Coordinator: Carolina Wachockier
Casting Producer: Nick Sawyer
Camera Operator: Lucas Vilicich
Audio: Kara Johnson
Production Assistant: Ariel Labasan
Hair & Make-Up: Vanessa Rene
Post Production Supervisor: Marco Glinbizzi
Post Production Coordinators: Ian Bryant, Andrea Farr
Assistant Editor: Justin Symonds
Still haven’t subscribed to Vanity Fair on KZbin? ►► bit.ly/2z6Ya9M
Want to stay in the know? Subscribe to Vanity Fair Magazine and be exquisitely informed ►► vntyfr.com/2RuQGW2
ABOUT VANITY FAIR
Arts and entertainment, business and media, politics, and world affairs-Vanity Fair’s features and exclusive videos capture the people, places, and ideas that define modern culture.

[@dupersuperplays8029]

If you guys could do a part 2 thats like 5 hours long that would be great

[@DAMNEvanescence]

literally. it's so cool and interesting!

[@birdog23]

Yeah this was awesome I was thinking the same thing lol

[@cleverusername9369]

Please and thank you

[@Leddy0222]

Yeah, wish I could like this comment 500 times.

[@chickrepelant]

hear HEAR!!!

[@darshandani1]

The moment he revealed the whole card deck in perfect order, my mind was blown completely.

[@nintendude794]

Same

[@MeanBeanComedy]

I gasped and got chills.

[@springbloom5940]

You should checkout Lennart Green. I started magic as physical therapy when I lost some fingers and a chunk of my hand. So, I have to use the 'sloppy' shtick for cover. Hes my hero.

[@adamsmith9898]

How the F does he even do that :0?

[@MeanBeanComedy]

@@wyldeminded added to my list! 😁👍🏻

[@Sam-to5wx]

I just love hearing the production staff reacting to his performances. It adds a lot to how incredible it is, and I would have loved to see him in person

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

I would love for you to come to a show!

[@andrewwiffen9994]

@@TheComedyAndMagic helo my friendsns

[@dotdot9387]

yeah, and when you meet him you'll notice that your wallet, watch, and clothes are gone

[@leth5540]

​@@dotdot9387probably doesn't even have to use arcane powers to do clothes 😂

[@evilpompom]

I seriously love this guy, he's so entertaining and the look on his face when his audience appreciates his "tricks" is so precious 😊

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Gracias!!

[@nihilisticnirvana]

@@TheComedyAndMagic you're really cool!!!!!!! still don't know how you did that coin thing

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

@@nihilisticnirvana :)

[@shiryu22]

​​@TheComedyAndMagic it was the look on their faces 🪄

[@MangoMotors]

Vanity Fair usually does a great job picking out people for these videos, but they really knocked it out of the park with this one. This guy not only knows his stuff, can perform it well, but he's also incredibly charismatic and well spoken. Bravo.

[@TheCardSwap]

I came to say the same thing. These expert videos on stuff I've never thought about are really entertaining, especially when the person is so good at explaining.

[@Kassadin10]

I wouldn't also mind seeing David Blaine there! Or better yet, both of them!

[@GoddoDoggo]

I imagine being ridiculously charismatic plays a huge part in pulling this stuff off and fooling people.

[@nikolajriedel7048]

@@GoddoDoggo came to say, was not disappointed, gj =)

[@Fellipe_S]

This guy is truly a showman. Super charming, talented and funny, he had the audience in the palm of his hand. I had to repeat some parts of the video several times. Great.

[@hnfrd]

He even made the glass in his glasses disappear!

[@dloverise]

Cool... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ6kdHaZl7mhhNU

[@hejalll]

So when are we getting a magician to react to this magician, explaining his acts?

[@Fellipe_S]

@@hejalll It needs to be made into a movie first haha

[@nulledrust9809]

Ah you nailed it, he is indeed a Guy, who happens to talk in a fake weird voice............................................Beta Male

[@michaelg2866]

16:50 I was amazed the whole video but when he shuffled the deck in the perfect exact order cards I was absolutely blown away by that level of skill and he did it on spot too. No prep or nothing

[@mercedes.c63_audi.q8]

My jaw dropped.

[@mikesmoviemadness24]

I’m still amazed by the trick and I’ve watched it a few times. There has to be some sort of feel technique or pattern he’s using to control the deck but it’s so subtle I’m not even sure that’s how he does it!

[@user-re2nb7go4k]

It was taught in my high school as a math question. Don't remember how it was done since I was bad at math lol I think it has something to do with permutations

[@amarylily]

SAME THATS JUST INSANE

[@error.418]

@@user-re2nb7go4k no, just flourishes and false shuffles

[@4getamnesia536]

The three coin thing is crazy how he shows such skill and so slowly and I have no idea how he does it. That's amazing skill.

[@luism.5999]

It’s called magic, duh don’t you believe in it?

[@user-mh8qw6sx7r]

Just go to Hogwarts

[@AngryNoobsEnt]

I think they are trick coins that magnetize to each other creating 1 coin. Then it is hidden behind his left hands bent fingers.

[@IamScoHo]

@@AngryNoobsEnt Maybe. But only if he's lying about them. He said they were silver.

[@Sykokinetic]

@@AngryNoobsEntthis is definitely not it. :)

[@jeppefrolund1718]

His lore knowledge is amazing, but honestly the hysterical surprised laughter from the crew when he flawlessly and seemingly effortlessly demonstrates the magic tricks, like it was the easiest thing in the world, just makes this. I imagine 4-5 people behind the camera just watching him in amazement going "surely no way" and then of course, way. Just really sublime.

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Wow, thank you so much Jeppe! So kind.

[@Vic-Vega]

@@TheComedyAndMagic Oh, we surely can't believe it's actually YOU commenting on this KZbin video after all those tricks you pulled (or can we?? 🤔).

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

​@@Vic-Vega I'm honestly not even sure that it's me.

[@Vic-Vega]

@@TheComedyAndMagic See that, folks? Not even a true-blue magician can solve the eternal mysteries of commenting on the Internet. We are all DOOMED!

[@th3R0b0t]

@@TheComedyAndMagic The green marble, My god. . . The hide behind the thumb and flexing your hand with camera in FULL VIEW. I'm in awe, absolute awe. Your skill is legit.

[@thekentmk]

"Hear that laughter, that's why we do what we do" - I've practiced sleight of hand for years before as a hobby and comes in handy. And yes, its the reaction that gets us. The satisfaction of knowing that we created wonder to our audience. Made them think how its done, and for a few, made them believe in magic.

[@jp3813]

Unfortunately, many are cynical about magic. Considering it as an insult to their intelligence.

[@CharlieBoi777]

Teach me sensei!!

[@6nosis]

@@jp3813 yes these humans are called atheists; these people know everything and they are masters of reality.

[@thanossnap4170]

@@6nosis Nice generalization, friend.

[@trullsengar2784]

That's why I think Angier was the better magician in Prestige. His final words

[@killer52596]

"You hear that laugher, thats why we do what we do" As a magician and Illusionist myself i can 100% relate this sentence 😂👍

[@nickiaccarino2481]

This guy came to UNT about 5 years ago and I sat in the front row and he literally pulled the most crazy stunts I’ve ever seen. Still can’t explain 90% of what I saw

[@nickiaccarino2481]

Never thought I’d randomly stumble across his KZbin channel years later

[@ryhk3293]

UNT, woo! TAMS '95!

[@chasee3667]

Loved this video. Not only is Ben super skilled, but having Eric on there with genuine reactions to the sleight of hand was such a bonus. Great vid.

[@stephaniedesmond8329]

I’m not completely certain what “living one’s best life” actually means, but I am pretty sure that Eric was doing it in that scene.

[@Vic-Vega]

@@stephaniedesmond8329 Don't sell yourself so short, Stephy!

[@starship399]

Surely it wasn't just luck more was it just me who knew the card was on his far right? Right??!?!!

[@barrycohen8254]

@@starship399 a

[@6mie301]

i luv eric he was having sm fun fr

[@bostonhockey1000]

Ben genuinely is one of the best sleight of hand artists that is currently around, he is more educated on his craft than almost every other magician there is

[@twatmunro]

I watch a lot of magic but this is my first time seeing Ben. Not only was he hugely erudite about his craft, but he was also hugely likeable. Which is kind of unusual for a magician IMO.

[@user-pm7pw1tl3t]

Yet i found his king

[@holysmokes5817]

sorry, not true. As a professional magician...this "revealing" expose, "teaching" is just...pathetic. really.

[@bostonhockey1000]

@@holysmokes5817 Ben is a true professional, this video is supposed to be for people who aren’t necessarily magicians, I’m not sure how it’s pathetic in anyway

[@cykeok3525]

@@bostonhockey1000 He's just being petty out of jealousy. Don't mind him.

[@saltedfish3724]

The fascinating thing is him. He is just how a magician should be. Interesting, authentic, easy to talk to.

[@Sunny-ot1vo]

The demo with Eric was amazing. Not to make him look silly, but to make it show how easy it is to watch a professional do their thing. The removal of the watch was amazing. Listening about the airpods makes sense. I'd like him to give actual tips on how to prevent pickpockets. This is fun, but in real life it stucks.

[@grutarg2938]

I very much identified with Eric. After the first one he was just giddy with delight and laughing at himself and the whole situation. He had no further awareness of what was being stolen. In short, for a magician, he was the perfect audience.

[@theboogeyman2590]

He did a whole video with wired on just pickpocketing, its a real treat

[@neebatron]

That card trick at 16:05 was nuts. I had the expectation of fuckery but was still shocked. This guy’s awesome

[@lektik2941]

Best card trick i've ever seen!

[@vergilmontiero2558]

Yeah that was insane, would be an interesting thing to learn

[@somejellykid]

my brain feels so violated with all this mind-fuckery >:O makes me wanna try learning sleight of hand again

[@stopitnowlol6697]

The cards are prepositioned and the shuffles put the cards where he wants them

[@Aliens1337]

@@stopitnowlol6697 I mean, duh? We all know how he did it. The real trick was tricking us into thinking he was actually shuffling when he was just rearranging the cards faced down. Even if you rewatched and focused, it was still very well done. No way you would be able to tell what he was doing the first time.

[@criticallythinking0]

Got to say plucking the aces out of deck is one thing but to have the entire deck assembled it in order was mind blowing.

[@luqmanography]

Very true 🤣

[@binhho2532]

@Bumblesnuff buffallobath and that is the hard part

[@ViperK88]

@@binhho2532 Yep - easy to type out what was done, but to execute is the true skill

[@coffeegods3920]

11:43 The amount of surprise and joy he’s giving to these victims is amazing. I will never not love magicians.

[@fourthhorsemendeath218]

Him switching the Queen card out to the top of the hand with the red heart cards was so slick.

[@i69GrzzlyBears]

13:45 got me so good. I was like, "what? Were they supposed to edit this quicker? It's so obvious what he did." Only to be absolutely played like a fiddle. I first saw this guy on Fool Us a few years back. He really is wonderful.

[@masterroshi4750]

What did he do

[@i69GrzzlyBears]

@@masterroshi4750 he says "it stays in the middle the entire time" while obviously moving it to the right cap. Then there is no cuts, no camera changes. So we're all siting here like, 'whoa, they messed up. Its under 3 and they're blowing his cover.' Then he just opens 3 like a boss and shows it's completely empty. Truly masterful.

[@ThePinkRoseGirl1]

@@i69GrzzlyBears i’ve replayed that part almost 10 times and still can’t figure out how he did it

[@qiuhan2]

@@ThePinkRoseGirl1 i feel like he opened the first one abit to fit the ball at 13:51 not sure

[@maahir44]

@@qiuhan2 that is true

[@adriaanswart7829]

Need to get him back! This was the most entertaining and he is a true showman and magician, not revealing the tricks, keeping the secret!

[@eikonise]

The magicians alliance would not blackmail him

[@Booyabocka]

I was captivated by this guy. I could watch him do this for hours.

[@peoplecallmepeechez]

My favorite part of any sleight of hand or magic trick is knowing I am going to be tricked into believing something but still not being able to catch the trick in the act. Always puts a big grin on my face

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Love it. Love your attitude.

[@mfpendle]

A sleight of hand artist took my watch in Dallas in 1990. I don't even remember getting close enough to him that he could've done it, but, obviously, we shook hands or something. I had no clue til he gave it back. Totally amazing.

[@drunkenmasterii3250]

Did you buy a new watch since?

[@mfpendle]

@@drunkenmasterii3250 I don't think so. Since phones came with clocks, it hasn't been necessary

[@weavah312]

Ben is absolutely incredible at his craft. The amount of intelligence it takes to not only perform these tricks but explain them at the same time is mesmerizing.

[@dloverise]

Cool... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ6kdHaZl7mhhNU

[@geraldaugustus739]

I'm super impressed at how good he is at walking the line between giving really captivating insight into magic, without ruining anything or taking away the mystique and fun! He fully shows a couple of basic tricks (which if you're on youtube looking at anything magic you would know anyway) but only enough to tease at what's possible. Very cool.

[@gisellegrey5343]

I felt called out when he mentioned "My cousin Vinny", because I've watched that movie so many times and i got so caught up in the moment of the "lawyer talk" that i never noticed he actually did a "magic trick" until the last time I watched it recently.

[@BlaiseSerra]

Can’t think of a better person to host this, Ben is an exceptional performer and wealth of knowledge. Great job Vanity Fair :)

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Blaise! Thanks man.

[@dloverise]

Cool... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ6kdHaZl7mhhNU

[@NovusIgnis]

This dude was phenomenal. Probably the best of your videos that I've seen. He's so informed but also just charismatic and funny.

[@4getamnesia536]

By far one of my favorites yet. This guy was amazing!

[@him050]

What's amazing about stage sleight of hand/pickpocketing is the you're doing it someone who KNOWS YOU'RE DOING IT. It fascinates me.

[@gibblsworthiscool]

Ben was by far the best magician to ever appear on pen and teller's fool us! Such a great entertainer!

[@jeppefrolund1718]

He was super amazing. I really did like Shin Lim on there too though. For the show and the magic.

[@magicalmiller]

lol

[@jp-sn6si]

@@jeppefrolund1718 omfg, can people mention pen and teller's show without mentioning shin lim? please, his acts weren't even that great.

[@jorgedavid2568]

Listen, Ben is a top magician in the world but you can't say he was the best by far in P&T, there have been many incredible magicians performing there; Kostya Kimlat, Eric Mead, Jandro, Shin Lim just to name some.

[@jetnut89]

@@jorgedavid2568 so many, so good. Shawn Farquhar and Ondrej Psnieka are my favorite

[@unluckytourist]

The Tom Cruise trick wasn't CGI. Back in the day on a making of they said it was a "real" trick that Cruise practiced on or off for months during production because they wanted to do it on camera without a close up/insert. They never said how it was done though.

[@calvinlee8103]

It's a gimmicked jacket combined with some actual sleight-of-hand skill.

[@michaelfusion]

it was a pull for the first vanish, then an "impromptu' toppit throw. easy peasy.

[@seezoos]

It's the first time in KZbin history that I don't skip forward on a video! Amazingggggg person, the way he talks and explains, the way he does his tricks! he is so talented on so many levels!!

[@Olibaby12]

You should reconsider your choice of videos, I rarely skip forward on videos.

[@Readthis0]

This is actually the only 24 minute video that I watched for an hour because I keep on rewinding when he does it. It surreal.

[@MFP0666]

Played the 'pea and cap' bit repeatedly at half-speed until I figured out how it had to go, then I could spot where he rolled it out of one, palmed it over in a unique way, then rolled it under its final resting place. Now I'm even more impressed at his skill and must go find more of this man

[@chaddon7685]

I could tell (after a few watchings) when he does it and mostly how, but I never see it. It's so cool.

[@pmeagle]

@@chaddon7685 yeah that's the cool stuf. You can almost always figure out the tricks but the beauty is when even then you can't see anything.

[@359339]

Having the ball be squishable seems very important

[@MrSDPlayer]

​@@chaddon7685 There's actually a single frame where you can see the tiny bit of green after he pretends to leave it at the right one

[@hysterikole1]

I was enthralled. I never get tired of sleight of hand. Side story for no-one and everyone. I moved to Hollywood when I was 20, and one of my first jobs was as a spotter for a 3 card monte crew. I was actually a ringer/barker for one of the clothing shops on Melrose Ave, hustling the ladies and gents to pop in and shop our wares. The runner of the 3card crew approached me and asked me to whistle if i see the cops coming...seemed harmless enough.I was standing there anyways, doing various motions and flair to attract attention. I'd see a cop and give a whistle. A minute later dude would come walking by and slip me a 20. This was in 1992. I can still spot the players in a 3card crew to this day. Theres one in Berlin (where I live now)at Checkpoint Charlie that operates right under the noses of the cops.Ive considered pointing it out to them, but seriously, they should know, shouldn't they? Maybe they do?

[@vergilmontiero2558]

Sounds like an interesting experience, something fun to tell the kids too. Was thinking of learning it myself.

[@chrispratt2740]

this guy did a show at my university and like 20 people showed up. it was pretty awesome he’s super fun to watch

[@its2amm]

That part where he took the phone, i had to rewind 3 times before i saw him take it, this dude is a genius

[@AKM7GOATWOLF]

It's not easy to keep people entertained at such a high level for almost half an hour (or more than half an hour if you rewind and try to watch it in slow motion)... Ben Seidman is a master at this! One of the best people invited on Vanity Fair 👏🏻

[@jay_mw]

I've always loved sleight of hand stuff because even if you know how it's done one could still appreciate the skill needed to do it.

[@anhtuanhuynh1742]

"That's why we do what we do" As a 8 years magician myself. I feel that 😭

[@KhrynTzu]

Who doesn't love good magic tricks? This was an amazing episode.

[@JJ-no7bc]

I got lost with the card trick

[@eddeh0772]

One of my favourite out of context magic tricks I’ve seen was during a stage performance of MacBeth with Sean Bean many many years ago. During the scene where Banquo’s ghost keeps appearing at the dinner table, they had the actor pull back a hood to reveal himself at the table, then walk off stage while MacBeth was going mad. But then one of the background actors dropped a cup in a way that they played (very effectively) like it was a genuine mistake by the actor, which made a loud noise and turned the heads of the whole audience, during which time they snuck Banquo back to the table on the other side of the stage. When he pulled back his hood to reveal himself a second time, the audience audibly gasped! It was pretty simple, but very effective

[@SP-cp3qu]

amazing

[@benjaminniemczyk]

I have watched many of these VF spots. Their production value is high, but the subject is not always equal to that. This bit is exceptional and one of the best that has been produced. Ben is of course a talented magician but also pitch perfect on camera. He is engaging, entertaining and insightful. That is a high bar, and he reaches it on all fronts. Bravi to all involved.

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Wow, Thanks Benjamin!

[@ppoznysz]

@@TheComedyAndMagic that was one of the most entertaining things i have ever watched:) thanks Ben!

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

@@ppoznysz hey, thanks!

[@DanielVerberne]

16:56 - What a likable, charming guy. Good on you Ben, a great introduction to sleight of hand. Very impressive.

[@knucklesty]

This guy is funny, entertaining, and really good 😁👏

[@andreaskiemer]

I love how he says "this... requires practice". A classic catch phrase of Ricky Jay, one of the greatest sleight of hand artists and card mechanics the world has ever seen. Id say probably the only one who ever matched Richard Turner in level of skill.

[@TranceXZero]

I am blown away by both explanations and demonstrations.

[@themysticfocus]

This dude is so talented. I watched every trick/move with the lowest (0.25) speed and I literally could not see the moves. Props to a lifetime of owning in on his skill...

[@Ben_R4mZ]

4:51 there is a lot of emotion in that single "this takes practice" statement. You can tell by the way he says it how much he's understating how much practice it takes.

[@urjadoshi1539]

This is one of the most amazing video I have seen in a while! His skill, technique, delivery and crowd engagement is so good!!

[@misssuzyq1981]

I’m speechless

[@jorgedavid2568]

Exactly!! Yes

[@MJWG2k]

Thank you for being an expert who can still recognize movie scenes for being fun even if it is at the expense of realism

[@CJStew06]

9:36 incredible how this strategy seems to apply to not just magic or pickpocketing, but any scam. I've never heard it broken down so simply and effectively.

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Thank you!

[@yumine_]

I have a very short attention span, and yet I fully engrossed to this 24 minutes of hand tricks. All of the people in this video were the best kind of people you'd want in a video about magic tricks. Absolutely incredible

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

That's such a great compliment. Thank you!

[@BreakofDawn]

Loved that scene @2:59. The director said he wanted to make sure there were no cuts in the scene, since Joe Pesci actually learned how to do that trick

[@mikes2622]

It's a prop card. You can see the crease down the middle. Theres half a card attached in middle and you just fold it to one side or the other and there's a different card on each side.

[@gabeabelson6295]

This video could not be more entertaining. When it comes to magic, Ben Seidman is as good as it gets!

[@joshuasnell7942]

Many people aren't realizing one of the most important elements here: he looks 0% like someone who would steal something. Baseline suspicion level is absolute zero.

[@MrJeezus]

Word.

[@MarkJones-bo9jg]

This made me smile the entire time. As an amateur magician myself I knew a lot of this, but your ability and presentation are amazing. Very engaging and informative, and fun to watch and let the magic of magic be magical.

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Thanks so much!

[@davidwoodward1682]

This is one of the best ones you've done, especially with the crew cracking up seeing the tricks right in front of them. Amazing.

[@gregholmes6083]

I love seeing how far people come in life. I remember Ben when he was inventing tricks to sell over ten years ago when he had the mini afro lol. Now the guy consults for movies and has ever so refined his craft. Kudos to you dude.

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

hey thanks Greg!

[@BladeRabbit]

I like how he pickpocket things he doesnt tell the audience about so we dont realize how incredible it is.

[@calamity4376]

I cant get enough of this. I, for one, really want to see lots more - specifically of this dude, who's just great all around - giving us a whole series of these installments. Like the most interesting - yet - entertaining 101 intro classes you'll ever take.

[@OliB150]

This was such a joy to watch. I’d definitely want to watch another covering more movies. The reactions to the demonstration was also so genuine and enjoyable.

[@woody_you_want]

Definitely need a part 2. One of the best of this series

[@bigyeticane]

This is one of the most light hearted and fun videos on sleight of hand that I've seen. Good job, and thank you.

[@19rayrayray90]

watching this video made me realized he just took my pen, my staplers, and my keyboa

[@chef2303]

I like all the names for those tricks such as "a second deal", "kissing the dog", "closing the door", "painting a frog" or "eating a mule".

[@party4keeps28]

This guy is just fun. Even if he was an office worker and didn't know magic everyone at the office would love him.

[@jp3813]

Magic builds confidence & charisma though, while working in an office can repeatedly put you in a bad mood.

[@karyoplasma]

16:45 this is insanely impressive.

[@allstarweekend787]

I have never been more attracted to something in my life. This is just pure talent and a testament to how some people just really find their niche. Amazing.

[@walternolasco9052]

The same reactions the camera crew was having I was as well lol. I was like surely there's no way but alas I was duped every time. I rewinded the video a bunch of times and I can honestly say I still don't know how he did a lot of those tricks. Truly amazing!

[@oherix]

His coin trick stumped me the most. I know a few little tips and tricks on how to hide it, but only with one coin. Incredible.

[@aipipiw]

This is the only time I watch Vanity Fair breakdown 5 times in a row and still enjoying it like the first time I watched it. Please make more of this with that magician.

[@EDMTMLFilms]

This man is fantastic. Even at .25 speed and having a decent idea on where the switch is made its still almost impossible or actually impossible to spot. Bravo.

[@dash-x]

I dated a magician and became enmeshed in the local community and picked up a few card tricks. Its a lot of fun, but its even better when you see a true master of the craft. Its really amazing art and says a lot about us as silly humans and what we think of our own observation/perception.

[@Chris.Cook.]

Huge sleight-of-hand fan here. Been obsessed with card tricks in particular for decades, and just wanted to say that that deck manip was disgustingly clean. I love it when a trick's execution can still make me smile, and Ben nailed that one.

[@NTHA39]

I fricking love the staff's laughter in the background every time he does something crazy

[@patryk2922]

He's really well-spoken I could listen to him talk and expleining all day.

[@seafog]

All magicians seem so charming, it must be part of their performance but I can't help but believe they are genuinely nice people.

[@HermanVonPetri]

And magicians are some of the most honest liars you'll ever see. You know up front that it's all deceit. Most will tell you outright, and you'll still love being tricked.

[@Entertainer13]

Can confirm Ben is a great person. Went to college with him. Dude was already doing amazing magic and polishing his act. When I've seen him on TV I'm not suprised.

[@cmel7841]

one of the best VF videos, his humor along with skill made this very enjoyable and the behind the camera laughter really added to it.

[@cagolan]

This guy is sick ! Imagine the numbers of hours dedicated to his craft. Respect !

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Many hours. Thank you so much!

[@Gallard-002]

The whole segment of "The Prestige" (my favorite movie of time) at 15:10 was mindblowing! I was expecting some trickery but holy cow. This guy is amazing!

[@cruisinguy6024]

I’m not into “magic” and such but this guy is thoroughly entertaining and has such great charisma. Would love to see him back for another segment!

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Very kind of you to say!

[@Geertt]

I don't think you can call it magic. It's more like an illusion

[@jeremybryant7054]

@@TheComedyAndMagic yeah I have two toddlers and I might learn some basic stuff now just to get their reactions.

[@jeremybryant7054]

@@TheComedyAndMagic hi Ben just wondering of you might be able to recommend a book to learn some of the card tricks you showed in this video, I have no experience so it would have to be very thorough lol.

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

@@jeremybryant7054 Usually kids start understanding magic around age 4. Younger than that, and everything is magic. But if you have toddlers you have plenty of time to get good. :) Try, The Klutz Book of Magic (by John Cassidy and Michael Stroud) and Now You See It, Now You Don't (by Bill Tarr)

[@chriswright8114]

I've never even heard of this guy before this, but that pass at 5:31 was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

[@aquastellium]

Absolutely one of the best ones, please bring him back I could watch this forever

[@insu_na]

Amazing skill and very charismatic. I'd love to see more interviews with him

[@TheComedyAndMagic]

Thanks!

[@pigskinpoetry]

The Prestige is one of the best movies in recent memory. Certainly the best magic related movie.

[@Maury_au_Arcos]

One of my top 3

[@trailblazer77]

By far the best👌

[@user-jh8ne2hq9g]

What strikes me about these guys more than their skill is their charisma.

[@greggf.1393]

That marble trick is so smooth. Loads of practice goes into making something that simple so seamless.

[@YoWhoDat]

16:51 I laughed way louder than anyone in that room! That is so strange how fun it is to watch this. It goes to show we as humans are naturally curious 🧐

[@Magicthedog1018]

Ben is the best I've ever seen up close. Great to hear his commentary.

[@magic_mice_productions]

I started watching this and immediately forgot that I had stuff to do. Such awesome slight of hand!

[@vortexoku5570]

I absolutely love his energy! Just amazing to show some tricks and explaining very clearly so anyone can understand as well

[@ayeeeck4512]

You can literally see how well he stole that guy's wallet and phone while re-watching. He can fool the camera too. Incredible!

[@mattice9083]

I thought he just did the flip at first then was gonna go in a second time lol. Rewatched it like wow

[@MrVepe47]

i actually saw him do that watching for the first time. what's incredible though is that the guy didn't notice it

[@tyrannusrex31]

That entire routine was performed by Apollo Robbins for a Ted Talks presentation… maybe ten years ago? It is as impressive in this video as it was back then, but if you’d like to see the entire gimmick, search him on KZbin. It’s the kind of thing that will change your world.

[@ksspang]

this is one of my favorite versions of the "area expert analyzes movies" formats. magic is cool, and having tricks done in between or during the explanations added a lot of entertainment, and this guy was great in general. very much enjoyed this!

[@rextek5421]

This guy was just amazing. Not just his magic knowledge but his whole manerism etc. He is so charismatic on camera and explained everything so well

[@yute]

2:19 I completely forgot about the name of this effect, I’m so glad this part was included.

[@saskotzk]

Ben is one of the best magicians I've ever seen live! What a treat to see his show if you can!