Hugh Jackman tipped to play Harry Houdini in Broadway musical Nov 27, 2008
He is seeking advice from sleight-of-hand expert Ricky Jay, who appeared in Jackman s movie, The Prestige, about two feuding magicians, in 2006. The producers may also consult David Blaine and Cirque du Soleil. (The Australian)
Brad Pitt as 'Gollum' Nov 26, 2008
Magician extraordinaire Ricky Jay is said to be giving him advice. At some point the producers may reach out to David Blaine and to Cirque du Soleil for help. (Fox News)
The Brothers Bloom Takes Viewers on... Oct 27, 2008
The first scene opens with a "once upon a time..." voice-over by actor and magician Ricky Jay, explaining the early life of Stephen Bloom and his younger brother, known simply as Bloom. The children have just begun life with their newest set of parents, and Stephen, the older and more calculating of the two, has sensed that his little brother has a crush. (Suite101.com)
Burn after reading Sep 6, 2008
Thompson On Hollywood - Blog on Variety. Choose the one that's best for you. (Variety)
New DVDs: 'What Happens in Vegas,' 'Redbelt' Aug 25, 2008
Chiwetel Ejiofor plays an idealistic mixed martial arts instructor who gets involved in a complicated case of intellectual property theft involving a Hollywood star (played by Tim Allen) and a network of shady business folk (including heavies played by Mamet regulars Ricky Jay and Joe Mantegna). As always with Mamet, the twists are a little ridiculous and the acting style is distractingly wooden, but it's still fun to spend time in his world. (Los Angeles Times)
DVD Report: This week's new releases (Aug. 24) Aug 24, 2008
But sit tight, and watch your wallets - Joe Mantegna and Ricky Jay get into the mix eventually. Extras: Recalling the days when boxing was still considered sweet science by thinking men, Mamet supplies commentary with Ultimate Fighting Championship star Randy Couture, a supporting player in the film. (Boston Globe)
The master of warring words goes to fight school May 11, 2008
It's the story of Mike Terry (the brilliant Chiwetel Ejiofor), a poor-but-pure master instructor who's temporarily seduced from his path by his yearning wife (Alice Braga, who's a niece of Sonia Braga, and is in everything these days), a Hollywood action hero (Tim Allen, looking buff), who wants him to advise on his next movie, and two fight promoters (Joe Mantegna and Ricky Jay), who want him to expend his energy for material gain. It's a world Mamet, 60, knows first-hand: He's been practising... (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
New releases May 10, 2008
Costarring Emily Mortimer, Tim Allen, Joe Mantegna, and Ricky Jay (99 min., R) (Ty Burr). "Son of Rambow" A delight: A cheeky comedy about two unlikely young friends in early-'80s England and the rip-off of "First Blood" they create with a video camera (it eventually involves the entire school). (Boston Globe)
'Redbelt' puts a moral man to the test May 9, 2008
Magician and Mamet regular Ricky Jay looms bearlike over "Redbelt" as a local fight kingpin, barking out priceless lines like "Bring some velocity or it's just two monkeys in a ring." ... Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emily Mortimer, Tim Allen, Joe Mantegna, Alicia Braga, Max Martini, Ricky Jay. (Boston Globe)
Mini Movie Reviews May 9, 2008
" And so "Redbelt" makes sense in its own weird way: a mix of sports-flick cliches and Mamet's patented rat-a-tat writing. It's "Rocky," it's "The Karate Kid" - only with more stylized, rhythmic dialogue. Several Mamet regulars show up (Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna, David Paymer and Mamet's wife, Rebecca Pidgeon) which does put us in somewhat familiar territory. But it's Chiwetel Ejiofor, the film's star, who commands our attention. As the unflappably moral, placid Jiujitsu instructor Mike Terry,... (Athens Banner-Herald)
Redbelt slides from sublime to ridiculous May 2, 2008
At the club, Mike learns that Bruno and promoter Marty (Ricky Jay) are putting together a major fight between the Brazilian and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu champs, and they attempt to talk Mike into fighting on the undercard ... Still, even if the plotting is overcooked, its a treat to see Ejiofor mix it up with Mamet regulars like Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna and David Paymer. (MSNBC -- News)
'Redbelt': It's a notch above most fight films May 2, 2008
He must deal with a crooked promoter (Ricky Jay) and a sleazy agent (Joe Mantegna), following a seemingly chance encounter with a self-absorbed movie star (Tim Allen in an intriguingly dark role). This is a departure for the very talented Ejiofor. (USA Today -- Life)
In a chokehold, on the mat and in life May 2, 2008
That there's not much to see, or not nearly enough, helps explain why "Redbelt" the title refers to a belt denoting the pinnacle of expertise never marshals its estimable parts, its exciting fight sequences and juicy side characters (playfully played by Ricky Jay, among others) into a transcendent whole ... WITH: Chiwetel Ejiofor (Mike Terry), Emily Mortimer (Laura Black), Alice Braga (Sondra Terry), Tim Allen (Chet Frank), Jose Pablo Cantillo (Snowflake), Rodrigo Santoro (Bruno Silva), Ricky... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Mamet goes from MMA pupil to producer Apr 9, 2008
" SI.com: Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna, all the Mamet regulars had fun with this subculture? Mamet: We just had a ball. SI.com: Want to tick off some fighters you admire? Are you an Anderson Silva guy? Mamet: You know, the younger guys, I admire any of these guys ... Randy Couture -- and I think he's a hell of an actor -- won the heavyweight title of the UFC with his arm broken. SI.com: Your worst injury? Mamet: You don't get injured that bad because the difference between the grappling forms and the... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Grammy nominations announced Dec 7, 2007
Among the intriguing nominations: actress Tia Carrere is up for Hawaiian music album; Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci are up for spoken world album for children; Alan Alda is up against two former presidents and a presidential candidate in spoken word; two Christmas albums are in the traditional pop vocal category; two John Lennon covers are up for rock perf by a duo or group; three Brazilian acts are up for contempo world music album; and thesp-magician Ricky Jay is up for album notes. Feist's... (Variety)
Geffen Theater moves center stage Sep 29, 2007
"Most people envision (second stages) as a less-expensive space. (Actor-card shark) Ricky Jay, 'A Picasso' -- we did them there, and it had nothing to do with money. It was about the space serving the play better.". Notably, the Geffen moved the debut of Carrie Fisher's one-woman show "Wishful Drinking" out of the Audrey and onto the mainstage last season. (Variety)
New DVDs: Perfect Strangers, Lives of Others Aug 21, 2007
The new DVD version features interviews with Crouse and Mantegna, a behind-the-scenes segment and commentary with Mamet and card consultant Ricky Jay. Also coming to DVD is Luis Bunuels 1969 The Milky Way, a surreal tale of two beggars on a road trip that was the opening chapter of a wickedly blasphemous trilogy (The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeosie and The Phantom of Liberty followed). (MSNBC -- Movies)
'Simpsons' draws 'em Jul 31, 2007
Most of the roughly 75 guests -- who included Tom Hanks, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Carl Reiner, and Ricky Jay -- were not told that he and Stringfield would wed when they were invited to his home for a "party," Nierob said. Martin, 61, was previously married to actress Victoria Tennant. (Boston Globe -- Living)
Steve Martin Weds In Los Angeles Jul 29, 2007
Most of the roughly 75 guests who included Tom Hanks, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Carl Reiner and Ricky Jay were not told that Martin and Stringfield would wed when they were invited to his home for a "party," Nierob said. The ensuing nuptials were a surprise to them, he said. (CBS News)
Steve Martin gets married in surprise ceremony Jul 29, 2007
Approximately 75 guests attended, including Tom Hanks, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Carl Reiner and Ricky Jay. But they were told it was for a party, not a wedding. (WSJA.com, AL)
Director's night vision Jun 28, 2007
His friends include everyone from magician Ricky Jay to David Wilson, the founding director of the Museum of Jurassic Technology. "I suspect Werner likes Los Angeles because there's much more mental space here," says Wilson. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
The Remarkable Duo May 22, 2007
Bateman described the brothers as "part James Bond and part Ricky Jay," who get assignments "from their father and carry them out all over the world. ... The revenge scenario is dependent on the intricacy of the plot. If the president of a major bank was sleeping with the French ambassador's wife, the banker would call these guys.". Reviews. (IGN FilmForce)
Sony, Mamet put on 'Redbelt' Apr 13, 2007
More casting is in the works; likely members include frequent Mamet collaborator magician Ricky Jay and Mamet's wife, actress Rebecca Pidgeon. SPC plans a summer 2008 release. (Variety)
Futurist helped refine Epcot Mar 28, 2007
Magician and actor Ricky Jay narrates the movie, which debuted at the CineVegas film festival in 2005. The Los Angeles Times is a Tribune Publishing newspaper. (Orlando Sentinel -- Business)
Tim Onosko, 60; futurist helped refine Disney's Epcot Mar 27, 2007
Magician and actor Ricky Jay narrates the movie, which debuted at the CineVegas film festival in 2005. "It was like finding a hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk," Onosko said of the film's subject, the Capital Times reported in 2005. (Los Angeles Times)
Trick or treat? Feb 22, 2007
He was keen to appear in The Illusionist to learn the tricks of the trade from adviser Ricky Jay, an acting regular in David Mamet's films. "I used to work as an usher in one of Ricky's shows in New York and he had a huge impact on me. So it was kind of a dream come true to work with him. He's one of the greatest magicians in the world, certainly the greatest scholar of the history of illusion. "He was instrumental in helping us design the illusions so they would be accurate to those performed... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
