Jen Kramer is a talented magician who has been performing her own magic show in Las Vegas. Her show is known for its unique blend of mind-reading, illusion, and comedy. Kramer engages the audience with her charismatic personality and keeps them on the edge of their seats with her incredible magic tricks. Jen Kramer's magic show is a perfect choice for anyone looking for an entertaining and mesmerizing experience. Her show is suitable for all ages and guarantees a fun-filled evening. Not only does she perform mind-boggling tricks, but she also involves the audience in her act, making the experience even more interactive.
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Set almost exactly 30 years after the 93 film, Hocus Pocus 2 primarily follows three adolescent girls who once were their own makeshift coven of wiccans Becca Whitney Peak , Izzy Belissa Escobedo , and Cassie Lilia Buckingham. Unfortunately, the candle works a little too well , when it summons the Sanderson Sisters of Winifred Midler , Sarah Parker , and Mary Najimy back from the dead.
Not only does she perform mind-boggling tricks, but she also involves the audience in her act, making the experience even more interactive. One of Kramer's signature acts is her mind-reading routine. She astounds the audience by correctly guessing their thoughts and secrets without any prior knowledge.
Hocus Pocus 2 Review: Sanderson Witches Can’t Break the Disney Sequel Curse
Hocus Pocus 2 is leaps and bounds better than most second helpings of Disney nostalgia, but the sequel still can’t climb out of its own grave.
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It’s unlikely even Disney knew they had a classic Halloween scene on their hands when they put microphones in front of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, and said “sing.” Yet the original Hocus Pocus of 1993 conjured real magic from the moment Midler teased, “I put a spell on you, and now you’re mine” to the scene’s finale in which Midler cursed all the adults of Salem to dance until they die! Thirty years on, that spell endures still, making the scene and the movie it’s borne from a stone cold holiday classic.
Hence Hocus Pocus 2’s fundamental dilemma.
Redoing such iconography is always the greatest intimidation, yet biggest audience expectation, that comes with remakes, reboots, and legacy sequels. And it’s a kind of credit to Hocus Pocus 2 that the movie is unafraid of going full tilt for it. In fact, the most lavish of the three(!) musical sequences in the sequel is bigger than anything seen in the original, at least in terms of extras: Midler and company, as the resurrected Sanderson Sisters, stand once more on a stage in front of the adults of Salem, and this time have a whole Halloween festival at their command. So when the Beaches star belts Blondie’s “One Way or Another,” the denizens just don’t dance, they become a proverbial army of synchronized ‘70s rockers out to do Winifred Sanderson’s bidding.
It’s bigger, yet infinitely smaller. Among the more pedantic, narrative issues of the retread is that there’s no explanation for how Winifred knows a Blondie song, whereas in the original movie Winifred is seen eyeballing a sexy Halloween skeleton singer as he belts Jalacy “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins’ classic. More importantly, however, the sequence in the original felt surprising. It came out of nowhere and was giddy while also being a little sinister. The three evil witches were turning all the authority figures in the movie, including the protagonists’ parents, into damned marionettes, leaving the children alone. It was a bold narrative twist on top of a spectacular musical sequence. And it didn’t feel derivative.
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Of course it’s unfair on some level to be comparing a new, perfectly innocuous family movie on streaming so intensely with the original, and yet the problem with nostalgia sequels is they retrace their predecessors’ footprints so studiously that it’s impossible to separate them. Not that Hocus Pocus 2’s target audience of 12 and under will necessarily care. And as a family entertainment, the sequel is not without its charms, cursed or otherwise.
Set almost exactly 30 years after the ‘93 film, Hocus Pocus 2 primarily follows three adolescent girls who once were their own makeshift coven of wiccans: Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham). The trio used to celebrate Becca’s Oct. 31 birthday every year by going into the woods and practicing spells. But after entering high school, Cassie has drifted away, favoring the company of her boyfriend and the cool kids.
So Becca and Izzy are down to a dyad when they go into the woods on Halloween night and light a Black Flame Candle, gifted to them by their goofy magic store owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson). Unfortunately, the candle works a little too well, when it summons the Sanderson Sisters of Winifred (Midler), Sarah (Parker), and Mary (Najimy) back from the dead. The trio immediately break into a song, and are then breaking bad… especially after they realize the estranged Cassie and her nerdy father (Tony Hale) are descended from the Puritan reverend who banished them from Salem more than 300 years ago!
Hocus Pocus 2 works well enough whenever its three leading witches are onscreen. Three decades may have passed since these three actresses last committed to running amok, amok, amok, but each is visibly elated to be back with the other two, doing the same shenanigans again. They sing, they cackle, and they pratfall with a relish that’s infectious.
Granted, most of the witchery they get up to is just repackaged bits from the 1993 movie, but there’s a passion among the stars that’s undeniable. Whereas so many belated Disney sequels and remakes—from this month’s soulless Pinocchio to last year’s dire Home Alone retread—seem to come from a place of fiduciary obligation, the affection director Anne Fletcher and these actresses have for those performances is undeniable.
Yet the movie really only is a showcase to revisit those performances and bask in their campiness; it’s a reunion special masquerading as a movie. While it’s nice to finally have a Disney movie about kids going on an adventure again, unlike the brother-sister dynamic between Omri Katz and Thora Birch in the original movie, or even the tragedy of the animatronic black cat they called Thackery Binx, there’s no emotional investment by the screenplay or the direction in Becca’s storyline. It’s perfunctory, like most of the plot machinations throughout the movie.
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Photo Credit: IMDB
Her ability to read minds leaves the audience in awe and wondering how she does it. In addition to mind-reading, Kramer also incorporates stunning illusions into her show. She makes objects disappear and reappear in unexpected places, leaving the audience in a state of disbelief. Her sleight of hand skills are impeccable, making it impossible to detect any trickery. What sets Jen Kramer apart from other magicians is her unique personality and comedic timing. She effortlessly combines her magic tricks with humor, ensuring that the audience is not only amazed but also entertained throughout the show. Her quick wit and charm make her show a joy to watch. If you're planning a trip to Las Vegas and looking for a memorable and captivating experience, be sure to catch Jen Kramer's magic show. Her talents as a magician and entertainer will leave you awe-inspired and wanting more. Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness her incredible magic tricks and be a part of the excitement..
Reviews for "Prepare to Be Astonished: Jen Kramer's Spectacular Magic Show"
1. John Smith - 1 out of 5 stars - I was completely disappointed with the Jen Kramer magic show. The tricks were predictable, and I could easily see where the magician was hiding her cards and props. The entire performance lacked an element of surprise and left me feeling bored. I'm usually a fan of magic shows, but this one fell flat. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and mind-blowing experience.
2. Emily Johnson - 2 out of 5 stars - The Jen Kramer magic show was just average. There was nothing particularly outstanding or memorable about her performance. The tricks she performed were ones I had seen before, and there was no unique twist or creativity that set her apart from other magicians. The stage setup was also quite plain and did not add to the overall experience. If you're seeking a magic show that will leave you in awe, I suggest looking elsewhere.
3. Samantha Thompson - 2 out of 5 stars - Although Jen Kramer is a talented magician, her show failed to captivate me. The pacing felt off, with some tricks dragging on for too long while others felt rushed. Additionally, there was a lack of interaction with the audience, which made the show feel impersonal. I appreciate the effort put into the performance, but overall, I left feeling underwhelmed. It lacked the excitement and energy that I had hoped for in a magic show.
4. Robert Davis - 1 out of 5 stars - I regret attending the Jen Kramer magic show. The tricks were unimpressive and seemed amateurish. It felt like she was performing tricks that any beginner magician could do. The audience participation segments were awkward and forced, making me cringe. Overall, it was a waste of my time and money. I would strongly advise against seeing this show if you are looking for quality magic entertainment.