The life and career of the renowned stage magician turned scientific skeptic of the paranormal, James Randi.The life and career of the renowned stage magician turned scientific skeptic of the paranormal, James Randi.The life and career of the renowned stage magician turned scientific skeptic of the paranormal, James Randi.
- Awards
- 6 wins & 4 nominations
Photos
James Randi
- Self - Magician
- (as James 'The Amazing' Randi)
Ray Hyman
- Self - Experimental Psychologist
- (as Prof. Ray Hyman)
Richard Wiseman
- Self - Magician & Psychologist
- (as Prof. Richard Wiseman)
José Alvarez
- Self - Artist
- (as Deyvi Peña [aka The Artist Jose Alvarez])
Banachek
- Self - Mentalist
- (as Steve Shaw)
Alexander Jason
- Self - Surveillance Expert
- (as Alec Jason)
Peter R. Phillips
- Self - Researcher
- (archive footage)
Peter Popoff
- Self - Faith Healer
- (archive footage)
Mark Shafer
- Self - Deputy Director, McDonnell Laboratory for Psychical Research
- (archive footage)
- (as Dr. Mark Shafer)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAt the end of the credits, a disclaimer comes up: "No spoons were harmed in the making of this film".
- Quotes
James Randi: Magicians are the most honest people in the world. They tell you they're going to fool you, and then they do it.
- Crazy creditsBefore the final copyright in the end credits it states, "No spoons were harmed in the making of this film."
- ConnectionsFeatured in Storyville: Exposed: Magicians, Psychics and Frauds (2014)
- SoundtracksThe Magic Touch
Words and Music by Buck Ram
Performed by The Platters
(c) Universal Music Corp, on behalf of itself, and A. M. C., Inc. (ASCAP)
Featured review
The title 'An Honest Liar' should honestly be the only thing that you read, before watching it.
For those who won't do that, I will summarize the elements that make it my favorite documentary:
-Nicely structured storytelling
'An Honest Liar' is long, but it has a calm yet captivating pace. Interviews are mixed up with enough found footage to prevent a talking-heads syndrome.
-The turbulent life of Randi
This is a magician that can tell you his life's story for hours, without boring you.
-Controversial chapters
Randi has devoted his life to revealing the truth, but is hiding one in the meantime. This plot wraps around the story, and is told in a way that allows you to feel with the reason of this deception. For skeptics on the matter, this might broaden their horizon.
-Scope of the plot
The scope of 'An Honest Liar' is big, just as the life of Randi. It will probably touch some familiar subjects, from interesting angles (fi: Faith-healers). It even reached out of the borders of a documentary when the interviewer partakes in a lie himself, allowing you to consider the broad definition of deception.
-It's educative nature
There are several life-lessons told throughout the documentary. What it can teach the viewer is very subjective, but there are lessons about deception to be learned in there for most of us.
-The atmosphere
Interviews being held seated, but the camera work is varied enough, and settings capture the atmosphere of the interviews. This is most noticeable in one of the more emotional scenes near the end.
-What I disliked
The lack of action in the own footage. There is, for instance, a lawsuit going on at the time of recording, but the camera isn't in on the action. This didn't degrade much from my overall viewing pleasure, so I won't hesitate to grant 'An Honest Liar' 10 out of 10.
For those who won't do that, I will summarize the elements that make it my favorite documentary:
-Nicely structured storytelling
'An Honest Liar' is long, but it has a calm yet captivating pace. Interviews are mixed up with enough found footage to prevent a talking-heads syndrome.
-The turbulent life of Randi
This is a magician that can tell you his life's story for hours, without boring you.
-Controversial chapters
Randi has devoted his life to revealing the truth, but is hiding one in the meantime. This plot wraps around the story, and is told in a way that allows you to feel with the reason of this deception. For skeptics on the matter, this might broaden their horizon.
-Scope of the plot
The scope of 'An Honest Liar' is big, just as the life of Randi. It will probably touch some familiar subjects, from interesting angles (fi: Faith-healers). It even reached out of the borders of a documentary when the interviewer partakes in a lie himself, allowing you to consider the broad definition of deception.
-It's educative nature
There are several life-lessons told throughout the documentary. What it can teach the viewer is very subjective, but there are lessons about deception to be learned in there for most of us.
-The atmosphere
Interviews being held seated, but the camera work is varied enough, and settings capture the atmosphere of the interviews. This is most noticeable in one of the more emotional scenes near the end.
-What I disliked
The lack of action in the own footage. There is, for instance, a lawsuit going on at the time of recording, but the camera isn't in on the action. This didn't degrade much from my overall viewing pleasure, so I won't hesitate to grant 'An Honest Liar' 10 out of 10.
- tomstyle-81196
- Jul 17, 2015
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Exposed: Magicians, Psychics and Frauds
- Filming locations
- Phoenix, Arizona, USA(Alice Cooper segment)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $180,590
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $13,821
- Mar 8, 2015
- Gross worldwide
- $180,590
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