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'Disillusioned' turns magic into comedy

'Disillusioned' turns magic into comedy

The new Web series “Disillusioned” wants to be to magicians what “Seinfeld” was to the life of the stand-up comic.

“Disillusioned” stars real-life magician Matt Marcy, who also wrote and created the series, as struggling magician Matt Matisse. He’s scrambling for jobs and recognition, dealing with other magicians who poach his material and getting abuse from hostile kids at birthday parties. When the tour bus carrying his audience to one of his shows breaks down, the desperate Matisse hires day laborers to fill their seats.

The everyday life of a professional magician is a little strange and, as it turns out, full of comic fodder. ”Disillusioned” is also a good showcase for Mr. Marcy’s impressive sleight of hand repertoire.

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It’s directed by Shilpi Roy, creator of the Web series “Hipsterhood,” and also stars Marianne Chambers as Matisse’s friend and assistant Chelsea and Ben Zelevansky as his lawyer buddy Todd.

Marcy originally wrote “Disillusioned” as a play in 2008 and performed it in Los Angeles. In 2014, he adapted the play into a Web series.

Six episodes are online on YouTube and at DisillusionedShow.com.

App adds action

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Adding a death ray or alien attack makes those homemade videos a lot more exciting. Movie fans can channel their inner George Lucas and turn the iPad and iPhone videos they shoot into something that looks like a big-budget special effects movie with the Action Movie FX app.

The app is free in the iTunes store. Different effects packs are available as in-app purchases for 99 cents each. They include: Robo Attack and Laser Blaster, City Destroyers, a “Star Trek” pack and more.

The app’s “Star Wars” update was created by Industrial Light and Magic artists who worked on the original films, with sound from Skywalker Sound. Through May 16, 2016, app maker Bad Robot Interactive is donating all proceeds from sales of the “Star Wars” pack to UNICEF.

T-Mobile streaming

T-Mobile customers will be able to stream video from several major services without having it count as part of their monthly data allowance.

The Binge On plan allows unlimited streaming of 24 services, including HBO, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime, Sling TV and Starz, with more to come.

Mapping through a dead zone

People who use Google Maps for driving directions and search soon will be able to access the service even when the car is in a wireless dead zone. The new offline mode will have basic features, with some limitations. For example, it can draw on stored information about a city and display business phone numbers and ratings, minus the photos and user reviews.

The Android version is being rolled out and an iOS version is on the way.

Adrian McCoy: amccoy@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1865.

First Published: November 20, 2015, 5:00 a.m.

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