Make Believe (2011)

Documentary following five different entrants (one a duo from South Africa) as they prepare for and compete in the annual Teen World Magic Seminar.

The movie was really focused on the kids rather than the magic -- which was great when the subject was Derek McKee (shyly sweet), Hiroki Hara (ethereal enchanter), or Nkumbuzo & Siphiwe (infectiously upbeat)...but NOT so great when the subject was either Bill Koch (annoying attention seeker) or Krystyn Lambert (magic's answer to Tracy Flick), both of whom I couldn’t help but actively root against.

So, yeah, it was interesting but basically an examination of the people involved in a hobby I don’t really “get.”

B