'Man on Wire's' magic act

 

Illusionist and daredevil Philippe Petit balanced the Oscar statue on his chin and did a magic trick after "Man on Wire," the incredible film about his insane tightrope walk between the Twin Towers, won the Oscar for best documentary.

Bet the team from "Trouble the Water" couldn't have done that.

Petit can't resist the spotlight, as anyone who's seen the compelling movie about his life and mind-boggling World Trade Center stunt can tell you. He's energized, delighted and fortified by it.

"Man on Wire" so wonderfully captured who Petit is, what motivates him and the gift that compulsive drive gave the rest of us.

And it helped our batting average for the night, which ain't too shabby. (Full tally after all the dust has settled.)