Release: Magic

 

Magic

Genre: Drama/Horror

Director: Riley Sterns

Writer: Jack Brown

Based on the novel by William Goldman

Cast: David Dastmalchian, Alison Pill, Ernie Hudson, Eric Christian Olsen, Jeanne Tripplehorn, John Noble

Budget: $20,000,000

Domestic Box Office: $96,584,566

Foreign Box Office: $70,352,888

Total Profit: $73,125,049

Reaction: In a season where profits have been low, a surprise hit like Magic helps keep the lights on in the studio offices. It is also especially nice seeing a novel adaptation doing well at the box office for a change.

"Jack Brown delivers a long-awaited, deserved, yet proper remake of an unappreciated classic. Mostly, the choice of director, Riley Stearns, is what defines this to a new atmospheric tone that leans on pins and needles. This simple take on the source material made it that much sweeter when LRF star-in-the-making David Dastmalchian’s performance (only after Late Night with the Devil) transcends him into my personal favorite front-runner for the GRA Best Actor/Best Villain award (With A HIGH bar to change my mind)." - Gregory Masters, Daily Journal

"Although the movie doesn't break new ground for those familiar with the 1978 version, director Riley Stearns and leading actor Dastmalchian excel in offering a compelling portrayal of the protagonist's fragmented psyche and his struggle to dominate Fats. It would have been enriching to explore the character's history in greater depth and to infuse the narrative with a bit more suspense. Nonetheless, Jack Brown has skillfully crafted a remake that surpasses expectations." - Mel Leong, Screen International

"Magic is a chilling new adaptation of William Goldman's novel. David Dastmalchian delivers darkly compelling lead performance, effectively portraying Corky's descent into madness. The film's horror elements are particularly effective, handling those elements with more skill than the original film adaptation. Alison Pill also impresses as Peggy, making her character's conflicted feelings entirely believable. Ernie Hudson was a surprise to see as Corky's agent as this is not the sort of role you'd expect to see him in, but he sold the role nicely." - Charlie Sage, HBC-TV

Rated R for language, strong violence, and sexual content/nudity