If you haven't come across Derren Brown before then
Inside your Mind is a great introduction to the considerable skills of the only living Jedi Master. His show,
Mind Control debuted on Channel 4 in the wake of a resurgence of interest in magic spearheaded by David Blaine. But what Derren Brown does hardly falls into the category of sleight-of-hand--his "magic" is firmly grounded in the workings of the mind and psychology. The result is a fascinatingly mysterious, but definitely not psychic, phenomenon.
This programme takes the best bits of the series and condenses them into a manual of mind reading. Brown uses the power of suggestion, body language and basic psychology to predict and alter people's behaviour, be it using subliminal messages to make a couple of creatives come up with exactly the same ad for a chain of taxidermists; counting cards in a casino; or guessing someone's PIN simply by watching the subconscious movements their fingers make when they are thinking of the number--all of which will have you shaking your head at the TV wondering how he did it. Derren Brown is a showman of Barnum-esque proportions whose charisma, charm and originality have won him more fans than detractors. Just like the Matrix, no-one can be told what Derren Brown is, you have to experience him for yourself.
On the DVD: Derren Brown: Inside your Mind DVD, as well as containing the best bits of the Mind Control television series, is packed with special features that lay bare Derren himself and some of the techniques he uses on the show. A feature on how to tell when Used Car Salesmen are lying brilliantly demonstrates how he picks up on the subtle subconscious signs that people betray themselves with and will have you starring at people you know in an attempt to read their minds. As well as these "How to" guides there are a couple of interviews, one with Derren himself and one with some celebrity fans all of which adds up to a great insight into the man and his "mind tricks". --Kristen Bowditch
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