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
"An Honest Liar" (2014 release; 95 min.) is a documentary about the life and works of James "The Amazing" Randi, a magician and escape artist along the lines of the infamous Houdini. Like Houdini, Randi later becomes a fierce opponent/prosecutor of those who lie to and manipulate the public for personal and monetary gain (such as the so-called faith healers and those who proclaim to channel the dead).
Couple of comments: this documentary is co-directed by Tyler Measom (previously of "Sons of Perdition") and Justin Weinsteiny (previously of "Being Elmo"). In the early part of this documentary, we get an introduction as to Randi's background. Let me admit upfront that I had never heard of him. He left school at age 17 after having seen a magician's show in Toronto, deciding that he wanted to become "the next Houdini". By all means, Randi built a fabulous career (there are multiple clips from the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson). But things get a lot more interesting of course, once Randi decides (in the 1980s) to devote his efforts to exposing the cheaters and manipulators. The expose on self-proclaimed faith healer Peter Popoff is nothing short of brilliant (and stunning). "We're fighting the fakers", exclaims Randi. Towards the end of the documentary, when we get a taste of Randi's current personal life, there are a couple of further twists which I did not see coming.
"An Honest Liar" recently opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and I finally had a chance to see it on its second weekend. The early evening screening where I saw this at was quite well attended, somewhat to my surprise. In the end, I found "An Honest Liar" an okay documentary, but not as compelling as certain other recent documentaries like "Finding Vivian Maier", just to name that one. Still, if you are into documentaries, "An Honest Liar" is worth checking out, be it in the theater, or eventually on Amazon Instant Video or DVD/Blu-ray.
Couple of comments: this documentary is co-directed by Tyler Measom (previously of "Sons of Perdition") and Justin Weinsteiny (previously of "Being Elmo"). In the early part of this documentary, we get an introduction as to Randi's background. Let me admit upfront that I had never heard of him. He left school at age 17 after having seen a magician's show in Toronto, deciding that he wanted to become "the next Houdini". By all means, Randi built a fabulous career (there are multiple clips from the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson). But things get a lot more interesting of course, once Randi decides (in the 1980s) to devote his efforts to exposing the cheaters and manipulators. The expose on self-proclaimed faith healer Peter Popoff is nothing short of brilliant (and stunning). "We're fighting the fakers", exclaims Randi. Towards the end of the documentary, when we get a taste of Randi's current personal life, there are a couple of further twists which I did not see coming.
"An Honest Liar" recently opened at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and I finally had a chance to see it on its second weekend. The early evening screening where I saw this at was quite well attended, somewhat to my surprise. In the end, I found "An Honest Liar" an okay documentary, but not as compelling as certain other recent documentaries like "Finding Vivian Maier", just to name that one. Still, if you are into documentaries, "An Honest Liar" is worth checking out, be it in the theater, or eventually on Amazon Instant Video or DVD/Blu-ray.
- paul-allaer
- Apr 3, 2015
- Permalink
- How long is An Honest Liar?Powered by Alexa
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
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content