Magic Reviews

THIS BLOG HAS MOVED

2010-10-14T08:30:00.001-07:00

I no longer post to this blog address. You can find my new blog (along with all of the archived posts from this blog) at www.CalebWilesMagic.com.

East Coast Super Session

2007-04-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

This booklet is "the first collection of close up magic from the East Coast Super Session held in HIckory, NC" in 2006. There are ten contributors and thirteen effects. Here is what is explained:

The Dousing Card (Don England)- The magician promises to find a signed selection with the help of a joker that has been formed into a Dousing Card. The Dousing Card is held over the spread deck and is noticebly attracted to one card in particular. This card is flipped over to reveal...the joker. The Dousing card is turned over. It has changed to the signed selection.

This effect is simple in both its method and construction. At its heart, this is simply a two card transposition, but yet it is something that laymen find completely impossible. It reminds me of Paul Harris's "Card Cuffs" in that the card is left in an altered state that reminds the spectators of the magic that took place.

Two Step, Two Step (Kostya Kimlat)- "Do as I Do" effects can often seem convoluted. This is not the case with Kostya's exceptionally clean and straightforward version of the classic plot. The magician holds a blue deck while a spectator holds a red one. They each select a card from the other's pack. The cards match. That's it; there's no awkward handling or switching of the packets. For the kicker, the cards are replaced in their proper packs. A second later, the cards transpose with each one appearing in the middle of the opposite deck.

While this routine is certainly powerful enough to impress laymen, it is structured to really kick fellow magicians in the teeth. Let's say you're walking around a convention with your blue deck and you see a guy with a red deck in the corner of the room. Walk over to the guy and slay him with this effect, because Kostya's method doesn't require you to set up his deck at all. Even better, it's possible to use this effect to set that same magician up for something later in the convention. I won't explain the details, but Kostya's thinking is great.

Predecktion (Steve Beam)- A prediction card is removed and placed face down on the table. Two spectators are each dealt a small packet of cards. After reversing some, the packers are repeatedly shuffled face up into face down. Finally, the cards are spread. Let's say six cards are face up. The prediction card is turned face up to reveal a six.

You can always count on Steve Beam for interesting principles in his now famous Semi-Automatic card effects. This routine is no exception. However, I fear the method may be more intersting than the routine. That is something you'll have to decide for yourself. If the effect appeals to you, the method is certainly a fooler. For me, however, the effect lacks the punch of some of Steve's other work.

Touche is What You Say (Lee Asher)- This is Lee's method of performing Paul Cummins's classic "Counting On It." While the effect is killer, Lee's handling doesn't really bring anything new to the dance. It is adequate, but I'm not convinced this variation makes the original routine any easirer or more direct thatn other version in print. At any rate, if you don't know the effect, Lee's technique isn't a bad way to go about things.

Zoso Change (Doc Doherty)- This is a color change that can also be used as a triple color change. I don't like to review card moves themselves, so I won't say much more. Doc mentions in the introduction, however, that he developed the move while playing with Larry Jennings's Optical Add On and Robert Moreland's Cloud Change.

Subwich (Rich Aviles)- Two Jokers are set aside. A card is selected and left outjogged from a packet on the table. The Jokers are inserted partway into the other half of the deck. A moment later, the selection is found face up between the Jokers. The outjogged card in the tabled packet is removed: it is the mate of the selection. Finally, the Jokers morph to the other mates to complete the four of a kind.

The ending is surprising, but the effect requires a set up that some may find difficult to get into on the fly. Of course, experienced performers will devise their own handlings, but most experienced performers already have a favorite four of a kind production. Does this mean that Rich's routine won't find an audience? Of course not. There will always be magicians who can never collect enough handling variations of classic card plots. If you belong to that group, "Subwich" will be a nice addition to your arsenal. However, even if you don't perform Rich's routine, you may find a use for his clever merging of a standard riffle force with Wesley James's Coming Up In The World Move. It allws you to force a card and switch it out in one move, making it applicable to many other effects.

Invisible Sandwich (Rich Aviles)- "A selected card is invisibly transferred from the deck into a set of jokers. Next, the selection is made to appear between the jokers on the table; however when the cards are picked up, the jokers are now invisible. To end, the spectator places the two invisible jokers into the deck where they immediately become visible and have trapped one card in between them: the third selection."

This isn't a groundbreaking new effect, but it is an entertaining impromptu item. The bit about the invisible jokers is a little out there, but if the effect is made clear to the audience, the business of handling invisible cards can be fun for laymen.

Logical Probability Sandwich (Scott Robinson)- A King sinks through the deck multiple times with seemingly no manipulation on the part of the bperformer. Finally, the two Kings trap the selection using Reinhard Muller's underused Three Card Catch. This is one of my favorite effects from the booklet. The presentation is interesting, the handling is direct, and the construction is superb. Everything occurs at the exact right moments. When the audience is ready to look for a move, the move has already taken place. In short, the routine flows.

Shrink and Drink (Joel Givens)- This has been the most talked about effect from the booklet on internet magic forums. It's an offbeat, memorable card in bottle effect. The spectator places his selection face up on the deck. With a wave of the magician's hand, the card visibly shrinks. With another wave, the card shrinks again. Finally, the mini card is dropped into a straw. The audience can see the card falling into the bottle, where it visually morphs into a regular sized playing card.

Obviously this is best when performed in a casual "impromptu" situation as this would seem to preclude any kind of setup or gimmick. While there is some preparation involved, Joel has created a worker. This is not a revolutionary new method; it is simply a well constructed, workable routine that your audience will never forget.

*I won't pretend to be a coin expert. As a result, I'm not going to review the coin items from the book. I will, however, give a brief description of the routines...

Da Vinci Coin (Scott Robinson)- Coin enthusiasts will recognize this as a version of David Roth's "Wild Coin."

Over The Hills and Far Away (Scott Robinson)- This is a three coin vanish and reproduction sequence with no gaffed coins.

Bic A Chink Transpo (Robert Moreland)- An offbeat routine where four coins are produced using an ordinary Bic pen. A short "Chink a Chink" sequence is performed along the way. Finally, the coins are pocketed. The pen is held between the magician's hands where it visually morphs into the four coints. The pen is prodced from the pocket.

Scamming The Silverware (Jason Mauney)- This is another favorite of mine from the booklet. Jason has dressed up an old principle that we all know and rarely use to build a strong, entertaining stand up routine. He mentions in the introduction that this is a variation of Jim Steinmeyer's "The Great Silverware Scam" from the December 2003 issue of MAGIC Magazine. Since I have never seen the original Steinmeyer version, I can't comment on what Jason has improved. However, I can tell you that this routine is certainly a fooler. Since it uses silverware, it won't clash with anything else already in your stand up act.

Overall, the book is well produced. The pictures are clear, and the effects are well explained. There are a few small typos and errors but nothing that will distract from your understanding of the material. Most close up workers should definitely find something they like. Only five hundred copies were printed, however. So if you're interested, you better buy this sooner than later. Recommended.

-Available from http://www.magic.org/store/product_info.php?products_id=5086

Ron Jaxon: Almost Impromptu Vanishing Car

2007-02-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

Reading through Ron Jaxon's Almost Impromptu Vanishing Car e-book is a bit like reading through the Conversations from the Edge sections from Paul Harris's Art of Astonishment books. The ideas are a little offbeat but are designed to get your mind running. Here's the effect: "Cause someone's car to vanish, change, or travel to another location." Sounds like a blockbuster, doesn't it? Well it is... sort of.

I might as well warn you right now that I can't describe what actually happens in this effect without giving away the secret. In other words, the effect is what you're buying here. There are no revolutionary gimmicks or techniques to speak of; it's just a silly idea that could provide a moment of astonishment or at least an entertaining memory for someone you perform for in the future.

If you're looking for a big time illusion, you are going to be disappointed. If, however, you're looking for a fun item to use to entertain friends, you may find this useful. The downside to the effect is that, most often, you will need a stooge to pull this off. When performing for friends, this usually isn't too difficult to arrange, but keeping the stooge quiet after the fact is something you really can't control. Ron explains a few methods that don't require the use of an accomplice, but the main method requires outside help.

In short, it's a mix between a practical joke and a magic trick. It begins as a magic trick, because your spectator will be genuinely shocked, at least initially, at the disappearance of his or her automobile. It becomes a practical joke when, after the initial shock wears off, the spectator correctly deduces that a stooge must have been involved. It is so impossible that the spectators will have no choice but to try to disect the events that led up to the disappearance. Once they do, they will realize that the vanish of the car was a bit dodgy. After all, if it were real magic, they would be taken outside to witness their car vanish before their eyes. This is not what occurs.

This is not to say that the trick is bad, however. In fact, it has a lot of things going for it. It's entertaining, easy to do, and extremely memorable. Years down the line, your spectators won't remember your Ace Assembly or Ambitious Card Routine, but the time you made their car travel to a different location, even if they know it wasn't pure magic, will remain fresh in their minds.

With everything I've said so far, I must mention that Ron explains one method for visually causing the spectator's car to vanish that negates the use of stooges or trickery. It is difficult to pull off and timely to set up, but when compared to other methods for visually vanishing someone's automobile, it is really pretty practical and affordable.

At any rate, this is the kind of thing that would certainly entertain friends or family when the situation arises. And since, there isn't much advance preparation, when the situation presents itself, you're set to go. Be warned that this is not an impenetrable mystery, but for $10 it's worth finding out the secret.

-Available from http://www.lybrary.com/almost-impromptu-vanishing-p-382.html

Boris Wild: Boris Wild's Lecture

2006-12-13T10:16:00.000-08:00

Boris Wild is a French magician known throughout the world for his work on marked decks. He explains his marking system in his lecture notes cleverly titled Boris Wild’s Lecture along with a few of his other routines. Here’s what is included:

Kiss Count- This is a slight variation in handling of Brother John Hamman’s Flushtration Count. It is a little more complicated, but the retention of vision created when each card is placed to the table is strong. Also, this count appears more flourishy than its counterpart. This will appeal to some, but the fact that the count requires a working surface will force most cardmen to stick to the original.

As a side note, I must mention that this section does not discuss any routines using the move. For a utility move such as this, I have no problem with this. However, Boris re-explains the count in the next routine. While this is a minor concern, I fail to see the reasoning behind explaining the count separately only to include the same instructions in the next effect.

Chain Reaction- Two decks of cards are introduced, one “normal” and one “special.” The “special” deck of cards is shown to consist of an entire deck of double backers. A few double-backed cards from this deck are tabled. A selection is made from the normal deck, let’s say it’s the Ten of Hearts. The selection is used in a brief Wild Card routine as the double backers on the table are one-by-one transformed into the Ten. Finally, the entire “special” deck changes into the Ten of Hearts, and everything is examinable.

Despite the possibility for confusion, the routine, if handled correctly, would be very powerful for a lay audience. The Wild Card phase is especially well thought out. Best of all, the routine is easy to do. Still, while the routine is strong, there are certainly better All Backs and Wild Card routines in the magic literature. I mention this not to discount Boris’s effect, but for a working professional to justify carrying around extra props, the effect must be as powerful as possible. I’m not sure this trick qualifies. In short, while the routine is worthy of study, it may not be something you will ever actually perform.

The B.W. Marked Deck- Let me preface my comments on Boris’s contribution to the world of marked decks by admitting that I have never really used one in the past. As a result, I cannot offer much of a comparison between Boris’s version and past solutions. That being said, I was immediately struck by how easy it was to use. The marks on the backs are easy to read; there is no complicated memorization involved in learning to read the marks; and each card can be located quickly when the deck is spread on the table or in the hands. It seems the only difficult thing to do is to actually make up the pack. Again, since I don’t have any experience with marking decks, I do not know how difficult Boris’s version is to create with respect to others. However, I can tell you that once the deck is made, it would be a very powerful tool to add to your arsenal.

Inexplicable- This is the kind of stuff I love. Basically, this is Dai Vernon’s legendary “Trick That Cannot Be Explained” performed with a marked deck. This makes the final revelation, whatever it may be, even more impossible. While this kind of an effect is very difficult to describe in print, Boris provides some useful “outs” to make sure the ending always kicks the spectators in the teeth. The only problem I have with the write-up is the author’s claim that a particular ruse works 99% of the time. The laws of probability simply don’t agree with this assertion. At any rate, the experienced performer will be able to slay laymen and magicians alike with this idea.

The B.W. Memorized Deck- Boris’s stack makes it fairly easy to calculate which card lies at a specified number. Likewise, it is easy to compute the number at which a specified card lies in the deck. As a result, this stack can be a great utility device in some situations. However, if you are serious about working with a stacked deck, I must warn you that Boris’s stack has some severe limitations. First, the stack does not appear to be random at all. This may not be a problem for many performers since the cards can be shown casually with a dribble display. However, they cannot be viewed for very long or a pattern will become immediately apparent. Second, mathematical calculations can never make up for truly knowing the stack by heart. Sure, the mental calculations make locating a card or position easier in some ways, but the calculation will take time. In some effects, this extra time is simply not available.

Miracle!- This is Boris’s solution to the venerable Any Card At Any Number plot. The effect is as follows. A blue deck is tossed out into the audience. A red deck is introduced and a spectator shuffles the cards. Another spectator names any number from 1 to 52 (let’s say she names 23). The magician takes back the red deck without looking at the faces and the spectator selects a card (let’s say it’s the 7 of Clubs). The magician asks the spectator to remove the blue cards and count down to the 23 card. Of course, it is the 7 of Clubs.

The effect and method are both fairly straightforward. As you might have guessed from the contents of these notes, the routine requires both Boris’s stack and marked deck. He uses both principles intelligently to construct a routine that should completely fool any audience. Once the performer becomes familiar with these two ideas, there is very little work to do at all. I should mention that this routine does not satisfy most of the “impossible” conditions magicians usually associate with the ultimate solution to the ACAAN plot, but for the performer who is only concerned with entertaining an audience, Boris has created an extremely powerful routine.

Pure Telepathy- This is absolutely worth the price of the lecture notes. In fact, if it were marketed separately, it could probably sell for even more. The effect to any audience is completely impossible. In fact, I distinctly remember being flabbergasted when I saw another magician use this routine to fool a room full of magicians. Pay close attention to the conditions of the effect.

The magician shuffles the cards and leaves them on the table. A spectator is called on stage as the magician withdraws to a corner of the room. The spectator is asked to cut the cards wherever she wants and to remember the bottom card. She then shuffles the cards in her hands as much as she likes. The remainder of the deck is put in the box and placed away. The magician returns to the stage and retrieves the cards, but he never looks at the faces. The cards are spread in front of the lady’s eyes as she is instructed to concentrate on her card. Little by little, the magician drops all the cards except one: the card the woman is merely thinking of.

· There is no pumping, fishing, forcing, estimating, or peeking.
· There are no stooges or assistants.
· The spectator has a completely free choice of a card.
· The magician truly never sees the selection being made.
· The cards are legitimately shuffled.
· The spectator never has to say a word.
· The magician never sees the faces of the cards.
· The effect can be immediately repeated.

The best part of the whole thing is that the routine is relatively easy to perform, yet it could be built up to be completely impossible. In fact, it is strong enough to be performed as a closer. If you're still not convinced, take a look at a demo from Boris's site: http://www.boriswild.com/boriswild_uspure.mov

The routines and ideas included in the notes are obviously things that Boris has used for real audiences. The explanations are clear his writing style is easy to read. In short, if you are looking for card material with a mental flavor, these notes are definitely worthy of purchase. The price is low and the material is strong. Recommended.

-Available from http://www.lybrary.com/boris-wilds-lecture-p-342.html

Tyler Wilson: Dominatricks

2006-10-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Tyler Wilson is a new force on the magic scene, and, if the quality of his book is any indication, he is here to stay. I honestly can’t find much bad to say about it. His attention to detail is nearly unparalleled; every element of every routine is completely thought out; and he is careful with crediting which, unfortunately, seems to be a dying practice in the magic world.

With regards to his writing style, he has continued in the tradition of authors such as David Acer and Paul Harris in that his explanations are clear, concise, and downright entertaining. I will admit I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. Tyler’s write-ups make me eager to see him perform in person. Perhaps the greatest compliment I could give this book is to say that you will want to read it in one sitting. That is not true of most books in the magic literature.

With the praise I have given the Dominatricks so far, you are probably wondering about what is explained.

First, Tyler uses his creativity to breathe a little fresh air into a few standard moves. Most notable are…

Rub’n’Tug- Besides being the first of many innuendos found in Tyler’s chapter titles, this move looks really good. In effect, this is a face up Rub-A-Dub Vanish. For those not familiar with the original version from Expert Card Technique, a card is placed under a performers hand only to vanish when the hand is lifted.

Tyler Insults Tilt’s Totally Inexplicable Elegance and Simplicity- Tyler explains several Tilt convincers and subtleties that really impress upon an audience that the card is inserted into the middle of the deck. It is obvious that he has put a lot of thought into improving the weak points of the classic Vernon/Marlo technique. While some may argue that these ideas take too much effort for such a simple move, Tyler has no mercy on his audience. His routines strive to leave his spectators with nowhere to run. His efforts to improve even the most mundane aspects of his performance speak volumes about the standards he sets for himself.

Pitching a Tent Vanish- Again, Tyler vanishes a card, this time in the context of supposedly palming it off the deck. The technique may be used to “vanish face up cards on a face down deck, face down cards on a face up deck, red backed cards on a blue backed deck, a single card on a card box, ad infinitum.” It could even be done with a credit card on top of a wallet. Also included in this section is a nice tip to improve the standard Tent Vanish that may be of interest to those who do not want to learn Tyler’s new version.

Now to the routines…

Compost It- Tyler has a knack for updating standard plots with a new approach. This time he attacks the venerable ambitious card routine with Post-It notes of all things. Luckily, Tyler spares his audience from merely watching a signed card come to the top nine thousand times. Instead, he provides a goofy, entertaining presentation that justifies why the magic happens. For the finale, the deck slowly vanishes leaving only the signed card.

Release the Chocolate Hostage- A spectator signs a card. Let’s say it is the Four of Hearts. The card is left reversed in the middle. Another card, let’s say the Three of Hearts, is introduced. One at a time, two pips visually jump off the Three. This causes the card to change into a Two then an Ace. When the deck is spread, the signed selection is seen to have caught the two pips. The spectator’s name is now across the Six of Hearts. Keep in mind, the routine is fairly easy to do and requires no gaffs.

Dirty Stinkin’ Ape in the Middle- Before you dismiss this as just another sandwich trick, look at what Tyler brings to the dance. He combines a loading sequence that will even catch magicians off guard with a clever presentation to form an entertaining sandwich effect that can be performed at any time with any shuffled deck. Don't believe me? heck it out for yourself for free at www.AndiGladwin.co.uk.

Clean Sanchez- Tyler uses the same loading sequence from the previous routine for a totally different effect. It is clever and commercial. What more could you ask for?

B52 Shooter- I am tempted to describe this routine with one word: wow! In short, this is perhaps the most refreshing addition to Dai Vernon’s Triumph plot in years. Sure there are a hundred in-the-hands versions and even more with a color changing deck kicker, but Tyler took the plot in a totally new direction. A selection is returned to the deck and the cards are shuffled face up into face down. The performer claims that he will sort out each individual face up card from the face down deck with one shuffle with one hand. Amazingly, he delivers on his promise as face up cards shoot out of the deck across the table. When the shuffle is finished, the face down cards are spread to reveal only one face up card. It proves to be the selection.

Coke Inhabit- I won’t spoil the surprise by telling you what happens, but this is definitely not your standard coin-in-bottle effect. I say this both to intrigue you and to warn you. If you are looking for the newest method of slamming a coin into a solid bottle, this is not what you are after. However, if you are looking for a quirky, off-beat trick to seriously screw with you spectators, this may be right for you.

Matrimoney- Tyler describes this routine as a “Celebrity Death Match between Coins Across and Ring Flight.” After a quick Coins Across routine, the spectator’s ring changes into a quarter. Later the ring is found in the performer’s wallet. The routine requires no gaffs or special wallets. It does, however, take a bit of guts to pull off the somewhat bold method of loading the ring. I should also mention that this loading sequence can be added to your existing Coins Across routine as it is independent of Tyler’s routine.

Stick It To The Man- This is truly a “packs flat, plays big” mentalism routine that leaves plenty of room for improvising with the audience. The effect is direct and powerful. Best of all, it uses Post-It notes. (Tyler really has a thing for those, doesn’t he?) At any rate, the CD-Rom that accompanies the book includes the graphics needed for the trick. I will say that the drawings from the disc look homemade while still looking professional. By this, I mean that they look like something you could make on your home computer with clip art. This makes the trick seem a little less like it came from the magic shop. That’s always a plus.

Paul Mase’s Trick- At its roots, this is just a Technicolor version of the classic Open Travelers plot. His justification for creating this variation is sound: he demonstrates not only how to palm the Aces, but also how to find them in the deck. In Tyler’s words, “This creates an additional three magical moments for the plot without deviating from its core concept.” This is one of the more difficult routines in the book, but if the plot interests you, it may be worth the work. However, even if this effect is not you style, the unique presentation is worth a study. I won’t spill the beans here, but suffice it to say that any magician that can logically integrate the Konami Contra code into a magic routine is my kind of guy. Nintendo Power!

Scarred Warp- Probably the most talked about routine from Dominatricks will be Tyler’s addition to Roy Walton’s classic Card Warp. Again Tyler does not just offer a small variation to the standard handling. Instead, he adds to the effect. I won’t spoil the surprise, but I will tell you that the effect looks super weird. It is the kind of thing that is fun to perform in front of a mirror. For the finale, the cards are handed out to the spectator after being formed into a nice souvenir. As a side note, since Card Warp is still a marketed item, Tyler had to be careful about revealing too much of its inner workings. Kudos to him for still explaining his version clearly.

Sven Who?- Using a principle that will convert your deck into a pseudo-gaffed weapon, Tyler causes the faces of the cards to change twice before revealing that the selection has a different colored back.

Sloppy 30 Seconds- Tyler’s strength lies in creating effects that go beyond where most magicians usually stop. In other words, most magicians stop thinking too early; Tyler does not. For that reason, I feel I must keep you in the dark about yet another routine. Let’s just say, Tyler turned the standard two card transposition on its head.

Finally, the CD-Rom included with the book contains videos of a few of the moves as well as a left-handed version of the book in PDF format.

With all the positive things I’ve said about Tyler’s work, I must mention the two problems I have with Dominatricks. First, the book’s layout and cover design are awesome, but I found myself a little frustrated at times that the book wouldn’t lay flat when opened. In other words, I had to hold it open with something while trying to learn a move. This isn’t a huge deal, but it was a bit annoying.

My second complaint is perhaps a little more serious. Quite frankly, I’m a little upset that Tyler won’t be able to publish material as fast as I can read it. Darn you, Tyler! Highly recommended!

-Available from http://www.andigladwin.co.uk/

Dan Harlan: Pack Small Play Big Kid's Birthday Show

2006-09-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

Dan Harlan's Pack Small Play Big series released by L&L Publishing is designed to show performers how to entertain an audience with props that can fit into a standard briefcase. In this volume, Dan discusses how to build an entertaining kids' show using a few marketed props and gimmicks you can make at home. Here is what is explained...

Let It All Out- This vanishing and reappearing handkerchief routine is designed to teach the kids how to react to the show. It's a simple warm up that Dan believes gets everyone ready for the magic that is to come. While it is certainly best to have some type of warm up effect, some may feel that this encourages the kids to get a bit too wild. Still, it provides a look into how one performer likes to begin.

Gosh Man- This is a sponge ball routine with a bit of a twist inspired by the classic Slydini Paper Balls Over The Head. I felt the performance was a little rushed and confusing to the children. The "move" was a little too blatant and quickly done. This may have been an attempt to keep the rest of the audience from telling how the trick was done, but the speed sacrificed the comedy that could come from the situation. Dan finishes with the marketed Sponge Ball to Cube. While he does not bring much new to the table, his performance may convince many kids' show performers to add this underused prop to their act.

Sucker Suckers- The magician introduces a bag and displays four jumbo lollypops one at a time: each one is a different color. The performer decides to keep one for himself and places it into his case. When the bag is opened, the others have vanished. Finally, the magician produces a real jumbo lollypop for the child to keep. Dan explains the construction of the simple gimmick needed for the effect. Unfortunately, the trick itself is a bit weak. Still, some performers may be able to create their own routine using this clever prop.

Balloon-atic- Dan performs a few standard bits of business while making a big balloon sculpture for the birthday child. Most experienced performers will have seen this type of sillyness before. No magic is performed during the routine.

This Century- Dan's version of the classic 20th Century Silks effect adds nothing much new to the effect, but the method is quite clever. Ungimmicked silks are used throughout the routine and everything may be examined after the routine. Unfortunately, this effect really isn't strengthened by having the props end examinable, so it is no better than the original gimmicked version.

Party Hat- This effect was a little weak for me. While, producing candy or party favors for the children is a classic idea, this version isn't all that magical.

Coloring Book- If you are a children's performer, you probably already perform this classic routine. In fact, you probably perform nearly the exact same routine as every other magician and clown around...including Dan Harlan. There is absolutely nothing new brought to the trick. The advice he gives is common sense. Think of this as more of a dealer demo than a new routine.

Shake It Up- This was definitely the highlight of the DVD. Here's the dealer ad:"With the help of one of the children, the magician attempts to make a milkshake starting with milk and ice cream, but he doesn't have some of the ingredients so he substitutes ketchup and mustard for chocolate, then adds salt and pepper for more flavor! Harlan has taken the hassle out of this routine by eliminating all liquids, although you'll swear he used some!"

The ad is 100% accurate: you will believe he used some sort of liquid. You place a container on top of a child's head as you procede to fill it with ingredients. You actually SEE the liquids going into the container, yet there are none used whatsoever. While the gaffs you will have to make up may be difficult to come by, they are among the coolest I have ever seen in magic. The climax to the routine is a production of a bunch of candy bars. The only weak point in the routine is the load of the candy into the container. I would recommend purchasing Don Alan's classic Comedy Egg Can to use with Dan's otherwise fantastic routine.

Candy Man- For his finale, Dan produces enough candy for everyone in the crowd out of a previously empty bag. Again, this is nothing spectacular, but the kids will be happy they get to eat the treats.

Overall, the DVD left me wanting more. However, some may find the "Shake It Up" routine worth the price of admission. If the routine sounds like something you would like to perform, and you are willing to do some hunting for the materials necessary to create the props, this DVD may be a wise investment. Otherwise, I would look elsewhere.

---Available from http://www.llpub.com/

Nate Kranzo: Things With Cards

2006-07-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

Things With Cards focuses on Nate Kranzo's card material. Included in the book are false cuts, card routines, utility moves, and four of a kind productions. According to Nate, "The material is anywhere from dead easy, to very difficult. It’s all visual." Here's what is explained...

In the Hands Freeman- Four Aces are produced in the midst of a riffle shuffle. Not much else can be said. This is a quick, practical method for producing any four-of-a-kind.

Stick 4- This is another visual four-of-a-kind production that is pretty simple to do. I will not describe the exact effect for fear of tipping the method, but I will say that this is one of the only effects in the notes that cannot be done with a completely straight deck. However, the gimmick involved is minimal and allows for a ultra visual appearance of the Aces (or whatever.)

For Instant- One card explodes into four. This is a bit knacky, but I imagine it would look very good. Unfortunately this seems to be one of those things that would be easier to learn from seeing it in action on a video.

Trans AM- This is a visual two card transposition between a selection resting on the back of your hand and a card placed in your pocket. It feels risky to perform but everything is surprisingly secure.

Invisible Elasticity II- This was my favorite effect from the notes. An invisible rubber band is wrapped around the deck. A signed selection is slid beneath it. When the selection is pulled to the right is snaps back. Next, the magician drops the cards into the spectators hands where a rubberband visually appears encircling the deck. Finally, the selection is placed face up into the center of the pack and is visually pulled up through the deck and rubberband. A demo video of this effect can be seen at Nate's site (http://www.hismagic.com/?page_id=15). Scroll down to the Things With Cards section and click to play the embedded YouTube video.

Standing Up to Ray and Bill- Nate's handling of the classic Triumph effect has a few things going for it. First, everything can be performed completely in the hands without the need for a table. Second, it is relatively simple to perform. Finally, Nate has managed to change the effect by altering the revelation. Instead of the cards magically righting themselves after being shuffled face up into face down, Nate causes the cards visually right themselves before the shuffle is completed. Best of all, the change happens with the cards held in only one hand. Believe me, this looks really cool.

Thumb Variation- This is Nate's touch on a color change inspired by John Cornelius's "Winter Change" and Steve Draun's "Starfish Change." As I'm not familiar with the aforementioned changes, I cannot really comment on Nate's additions.

Unnecessary Cut- This cutting sequence that does not alter the order of the cards, but I do not prefer it to most other false cuts (including the other one included in this book). I have a feeling that I might like this better if I could see it in action as it is another piece that would be a little easier to grasp from watching a video.

Small Packet Reversal- In Nate's words, "I do not plan on explaining any routines using this sleight because I feel that it is versatile enough to be used in just about any small-packet routine." Unfortunately, this is once again something that would be easier learned from a video.

Sekel Tuc and The Dancy Revelation- Luke Dancy's false cut is fairly simple to perform compared to most other fancy cutting sequences. It can also be used to produce four of a kind in a quick, visual manner. This was featured on Luke Dancy's Magic For The Eyes DVD. Those who have witnessed it can attest to how visually shocking the production can be.

You will notice I have mentioned that a few of these effects would be easier learned from a video. I make this comment as a warning to readers who have difficulty learning from the written word. This is not a bash at the author for not explaining things clearly. The effects are explained clearly and can be learned in this format; my assertion is just that things would be easier to understand if they could be seen in action.

My only complaint with the explanations of the effects is that there was a little less attention to detail than I would have wished for. For example, the instructions may call for the Aces to be set up on top of the deck. However, later in the explanation, the author may reference the Kings. This is a minor mistake that will not interfere with your understanding of the material.

Overall, the material is good but not for everyone. If you are in to slick card moves and fancy productions your money will be well spent. Others may feel more satisfied from Nate's other tremendous material available for instant download from his website. (Check out my review for his In The Heat of the Desert Lecture Notes.) While you don't have to be a finger-flinger to enjoy this e-book, Nate's other offerings are more suited for the magician looking to quickly add a few things to his repetoire.

-Available from http://www.hismagic.com/?page_id=15

Steve Mayhew: Angels May Shuffle But The Devil Still Deals

2006-07-12T21:47:00.000-07:00

Steve Mayhew's Angels May Shuffle But The Devil Still Deals e-book is not just a cool name for a publication, it is a wonderful resource for a few very powerful gambling routines and one equally powerful principle that many performers will enjoy exploring. Here is what is explained...

The Ultimate Double-Duke- The performer shuffles the deck a few times and invites a spectator to riffle shuffle and cut. The magician then claims he will cull a Flush in Spades to the bottom of the deck. An audience member selects which player in a four-handed game will receive the perfect Flush. The cards are dealt fairly to every player except the designated "partner" who receives cards dealt from the bottom. The partner is left with a perfect Flush, but the magician receives an even better hand.

The effect requires a bit of riffle or overhand stacking. While the author briefly explains simple systems that will do the trick, those not familiar with these techniques will most likely want to perform one of the other routines in the book. Also, while a bottom deal is involved, the structure of the effect allows you to expose the deal as part of the demonstration. In other words, since you tell the audience you are going to deal off the bottom, you don't have to deal a deceptive bottom to perform the routine.

The Ultimate Gardner-Marlo- The cards are riffle shuffled by the spectator and given a cut. A six-handed game of poker is dealt with the dealer dealing a bottom to himself. Amazingly, the dealer has managed to deal himself a perfect Flush from a shuffled deck. The demonstration is repeated. This time, however, the cards appear to be dealt fairly off the top. For the finish, the dealer reveals that he dealt himself an even better hand than before.

This is simply an amazing routine. If the effect appeals to you, I do not doubt that this routine alone would be worth the price of the notes. The best part is, it is completely self-working. The authors even mention that it is possible to have the spectator perform the routine.

Ten Card Finale- After the spectator riffle shuffles the deck, ten cards are dealt to the table. The spectator deals the cards between himself and the performer. The spectator receives a perfect Flush, but the magician still receives the winning hand.

This is not a stand-alone piece; it is designed to be an add-on to any existing Ten Card Poker Deal. Therefore, its success will largely depend on the routine that proceeds it. Also, the authors do not describe the handling of the classic effect; they only offer a solution to the primary problem with many versions of the trick: there is no ending. While this application of Mayhew's principle results in a good finish, it requires the performer to use a somewhat difficult sleight at bad time, since the spectator will be burning the performer's hands. This is the weakest effect in the notes.

Blackjack- The cards are riffle shuffled by a spectator and four Blackjack hands are dealt. The spectator is asked to play a game against the magician. To make things extra fair, the spectator is allowed to choose the three hands he would like to play, leaving the magician with one. The spectator turns his cards face up to reveal each hand adds up to 20. The magician states that he won't even look at his cards. "In fact, you can look at them and decide if I should take a hit... no matter what value my hand is!" The magician's cards are turned over to reveal 21 (Ten and an Ace). The magician turns around and realizes he is in a bit of a pickle. The spectator's tell him to hit. Amazingly he still wins the game by receiving another ten (Ten + Ten + Ace = 10 + 10 + 1 = 21).

Steve has managed to get a lot of mileage out of combining a simple switch with his "Angel Shuffle" principle. The result is an entertaining routine that strays from the beaten path of most gambling routines.

Freedom- The Mayhew Poker Deal- In short, the cards are shuffled face up into face down. The performer then proceeds to deal all the face up cards from the center (the top card remains face down during the dealing.) For the finale, the four Aces are dealt face up from the center. The cards are spread to show that all the face up cards were dealt.

Allan Ackerman calls this routine "one of the most popular dealing demos ever." It is a bonus that has nothing to do with the principle used in the previous effects. While it is definitely not suited for the beginner as a lot of false dealing is involved, an intermediate to advanced card man could gain quite a reputation with the routine. It will surely have a tremendous impact on any lay audience. The author mentions the primary two reasons why this routine is so good:

1. It's fun to watch.
2. It doesn't require the spectators to know anything about gambling.

If you take the time to master the routine, your audiences will believe you are capable of anything with a deck of cards.

Overall, the routines are well structured and the "Angel Shuffle" principle begs to be played with. Even the casual hobbyist will recognize its power. My only concern with a couple of the effects (The Ultimate Double-Duke and Ten Card Finale) is that many spectators will have no grasp of the rankings of every poker hand. In other words, while most people recognize that a Royal Flush beats all other hands, many do not know that a Full House beats a Flush. This, of course, does not mean that these routines should be tossed aside. It only means that the performer must be careful to only perform these effects for those who have a background in poker. This is not a weakness of all of the effects, but I think it needs to be mentioned.

At any rate, if you are looking for gambling good gambling demonstrations, look no further than Steve Mayhew's Angels May Shuffle But The Devil Still Deals. Recommended.

-Available from www.Lybrary.com

Paul Wilson: Absolute Zero Evolution

2006-07-11T22:19:00.000-07:00

Absolute Zero Evolution is a small PDF file available for instant download at rpaulwilson.com The cost is just $5. Here's the advertisement:

"Want to know how Paul Wilson fries magicians with their own deck? This is one of his most baffling ruses. You borrow ANY shuffled deck and have it cut it into three piles. Each pile is shuffled and a card is fairly selected and lost. The deck is then cut. All of this happens while the performer’s back is turned. Taking the deck, you can find the selected card INSTANTLY without looking through the faces! No set-up, the deck is genuinely shuffled. Nothing is added or taken away. Best of all, it’s so easy it hurts! Can even be performed blindfolded. Requirements: Any deck of cards (may be borrowed).

Difficulty: Easy."

Basically you're just paying for a killer card location that will fool you're audience whether it be magicians or laymen. The method is dead easy; it's just SOOOO simple. Don't discount the method because of it's simplicity. It's strong and that's what counts. Here's a list of conditions straight from Paul:

1. ANY shuffled deck may be used.
2. You NEVER look at the face of a single card.
3. You can perform the entire trick blindfolded.
4. The spectator cuts three piles, shuffles them, selects a card, loses it amongst the shuffled packets then cuts so you cannot possibly estimate – all while your back is turned (or you’re blindfolded).
5. You take the deck and find the card INSTANTLY. No fishing, no uncertainty – you have the card as soon as you have the deck.

For only $5, it's worth the investment. My guess is that you'll be put off by it's simplicity at first. Once you get over yourself, you'll start to use it and you will FOOL people. (at least that's what happened to me) Recommended.

-Available from www.RPaulWilson.com

Daniel Garcia: Next

2006-06-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

Next is a 17 page PDF file that showcases the magic of Daniel Garcia. It includes six routines designed to be done totally impromptu. The effects make use of a variety of objects from paper clips and bottle caps to matches and rubber bands. Here is what is explained.

Cliptrip- A spectator straightens a borrowed paper clip and hands it to the magician who proceeds to bend it with the power of his mind. This is not a mind blowing stunt given that everyone knows it is not difficult to bend paper clips, but the trick only takes a few minutes to master for a lifetime. It may just come in handy sometime when someone tells you to "do a trick." While this is not as impressive as bending spoons or forks, it is also much less destructive. My only concern with the effect is that many laymen will assume they know how it is done even though they have not guessed the true method.

No Smoking- This will likely be the favorite effect from the notes for many magicians. Daniel has spiced up the classic traveling match trick by mixing it with a ultra cool bar stunt. In effect, the magician removes a few matches and lights the rest of the matchbook on fire. The book is closed and handed to a spectator. One of the removed matches is vanished as smoke emerges from the magician's mouth and blows towards the matchbook. When the book is opened, an unburned match is found still attached inside.

I have to admit that the idea of the effect sounds intriguing, but I was unable to produce very much smoke from my mouth after repeated attempts. Others on internet forums, however, have claimed to have had no trouble. At any rate, I can attest to the fact that it takes a bit of guts to try the method for the first time. Daniel assures his readers that the effect is completely safe, but it may not be a bad idea to do a little research before trying this every night.

DiscHOVER- The author's description of the effect reads, "at any time the magician causes a credit card to float without any setup or gimmicks...whatsoever." This is a cute stunt that is at least fun to perform for yourself. However, I highly doubt the method will fool anyone for more than a few short seconds. While the illusion of the card suspended is neat, it is not deeply fooling. It may trick the eyes, but it won't trick the mind.

Addict- This reminded a lot of something that Paul Harris would have created. The magician places a lit cigarette through the cellophane of the cigarette pack. With a magical correction, the cellophane restores itself; the holes are gone. This is another trick based on an old idea that Daniel has reworked to improve the effect. The only downside is that only smokers will really be able to use this item as it is not advisable to perform the effect using a borrowed pack.

Whassup!!!- Daniels solution to the impromptu cap in beer bottle effect is brilliant. The preparation takes a couple of seconds and could even be done in front of the audience. A bottle cap is displayed in the magician's left hand as he holds the bottle in the right. The bottle is slammed down on the cap and the cap is seen and heard inside. The bottle is turned upside down, but the cap is too big to fall out. Finally, the magician extracts the cap and hands everything out for examination. Those who frequent bars or functions where beer bottles are available will likely add this to their performing repertoire. It is easy to do (the author claims it only takes five minutes of practice) and fun to perform.

Stretch- This is a three phase ring and rubber band routine that has many visually shocking components. A borrowed ring is threaded onto a rubber band. Another band is introduced and the ring jumps from band to band. One of the bands vanishes as does the ring. The ring is reproduced and melts off the band for the finale. This is by far the most difficult routine in the notes to master. The author admits that it is difficult to describe in print. More than once, I was confused on a piece of instruction. Unfortunately, items such as this are often better taught on video. Still, if you are experienced with rubber bands and are willing to work a little harder to understand what occurs, you will have a ring and rubber band routine that looks great.

Overall, the notes were decent, but I do not believe they deserve all of the praise that has abounded over them on internet forums. Clip Trip and DiscHOVER are nice throwaways, but nothing spectacular. Addict is best suit for smokers. No Smoking is a nice addition to an existing routine, but many may shy away due to its method. Whassup and Stretch were the highlights of the notes, but the rubber band routine is a little difficult to grasp at times.

My biggest complaint is the writing style and presentation used to convey the author's instructions. Instead of traditional grammar and sentence structure, Daniel decided to present his ideas in a sort of stream of consciousness style of writing. This is annoying at best. Also, the layout of the pages is sloppy and confusing. For example, there are instances where a few words are separated from the body of the text by images. This interrupts the reader's flow and looks unappealing. It could have been avoided if more time were spent on the layout. Also, the pictures themselves are out of order. I am not sure what the author was attempting with this page layout, but the results are frustrating for the reader. Unfortunately, what I assume are his attempts to be cool detract from some of the wonderful ideas he has to offer.

I do not recommend these notes for everyone, but bar performers may pick up a few cool tricks. I would bet that others, however, could find a better use of their $15.

-Available from www.Lybrary.com

David Regal: Premise, Power, and Participation Vol. 4: Regal Stands Erect

2006-06-02T23:05:00.000-07:00

Before I attempt to review this item, I must admit I am a little biased; David Regal is my absolute favorite magician. I have been fooled more times watching his DVDs than I care to count. My favorite quality of his is the fact that he will stop at nothing to fool his audience. His attention to detail shows in his performance scripts and the structuring of his routines. He is a true professional who knows how to entertain an audience. He is one of the few magicians with whom I feel comfortable purchasing material before even reading an ad. In the final volume of his latest L&L Publishing DVD series, David tips his stand up routines. Here is what is included...

Journey To Love- David says this is his presentation for Larry Becker's Hotel Room Mystery. The effect is simply stunning. A woman and three men are invited to the stage. They decide on a Hotel and a room number through a procedure that seems impossibly fair. It seems there is no way David could have predicted the outcome, yet he produces a room key with the spectator's seemingly free selections engraved into it. The nice thing about the effect is there are no multiple outs. It works every time; the prediction you show in the beginning is the exact one you reveal at the end of the effect.

The trick is basically self working, but this is not something you can immediately add to you repertoire. While David tips the workings of the effect, I cannot imagine many people will be able to pull off his presentation. In fact, this is one of the things I love so much about David: his performances reek of his style. He is truly one of a kind. Still, if you can build your own presentation, this may be something you will use for a long time to come.

Got A Light?- David performs a simple sympathetic matchbox routine with two examined matchboxes. For the finale, one of the matchboxes magically rises and opens. Everything is immediately handed out for examination. This was the weakest effect on the DVD for me. First, the performance seemed a little hurried. Second, it appears that this is one of the effects where the whole is not greater than the sum of the parts. The positive, of course, is that the matchboxes can be inspected. Unfortunately, this is at the expense of the eeriness of the routine. The sympathetic phase simply does not look as good as the standard marketed effect. However, while I was not impressed with the routine, David has a very clever line used to introduce the effect that brought a smile to my face.

Swindle Transpo- David has devised an almost self-working cards across effect that uses almost no moves. The magician introduces two decks of cards: one red and one blue. Ten cards are removed from each deck to form a red and a blue pile. The spectator selects one of the piles and selects and signs a card. Both packets are sealed into window envelopes. After a magical gesture, the envelopes are opened. Let's assume the spectator's card was blue backed. The blue backed cards are examined; the selection has vanished. The red backs cards are spread to reveal one blue backed card; it is the signed selection. The effect is clear and uncluttered. There are no extraneous moves. Everything seems fair throughout the routine. It is not a blockbuster effect, but it is within the reach of most cardmen.

The Very Last Card- This is David's favorite platform effect. In effect, an examined deck is shuffled and fifty one cards are tossed into a trash can. The one card that remains is the very card the magician predicted in the beginning. The workings of this effect are extremely clever, but, once again, his presentation is what makes this play so big. Those looking for a card effect to play on the largest stage will certainly enjoy this routine. Finally, even if you are already familiar with the routine from David's Constant Fooling books, seeing the finale with David's picture of Billy McComb is priceless.

(Bonus) After Hours- This is David's take on the story deck. He has devised a completely new story that is full of jokes and bits of business that will delight any crowd. I was especially impressed with David's extreme attention to every detail of his performance. For instance, he explains how to set the deck to make sure the Jokers come out facing the audience. This is just one example of the thought that goes into each of David's routines. Bar magicians looking for an alternative to the popular Sam The Bellhop will definitely find a use for David's off beat routine. For those familiar with other story decks, Regal's version is shorter than Simon Lovell's Who Killed Lilly Longlegs presentation but longer than the aforementioned Sam The Bellhop.

As always, David's teaching style is friendly and clear. Nothing is left out. The only issue I have with the DVD from a technical standpoint is that it seemed that the L&L studio is not suited for stand up performances. During a few of the routines, the shot seems crowded. In fact, some participants cannot even be seen. This has nothing to do with David or with the viewer's ability to understand what is going on, but it is a little distracting.

If you have never witnessed David's magic, pick up one of his earlier releases as I do not think this is his best work. Those looking for material to immediately add to their repertoire, however, are also advised to look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you are looking for stand up routines and are willing to put in the necessary time to polish your presentation, you will not be disappointed. The fact that I am recommending what I think is David's weakest DVD to date says a great deal about the quality of his material. In a word, brilliant.

-Available from www.DavidRegal.com

Marty Grams: The Art of Card Splitting

2006-05-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

I found myself facing a dilemma when I decided to review this DVD. First of all, I am adamantly opposed to Magic Makers profiting from copying the intellectual property of creative magicians such as Lee Asher and Anders Moden. Their knockoff versions of Asher's Asher Twist and Moden's Healed and Sealed infuriated many in the magic community including myself. Still, if I am to provide honest reviews about the quality of magic products, I must first place aside any personal misgivings I have against the authors or manufacturers of a particular product. That being said.

Despite my reservations with the practices of Magic Makers Inc., I have nothing but good things to say about The Art of Card Splitting. First of all, the material taught on this DVD is not "lifted" from Marty (better known as Martini in the magic world). He signed on to the project and obviously put a lot of work into providing the viewer with his best tips and tricks for creating gaffed cards.

The material is based on Marty's book, Lickety Split, but contains information not covered in the book such as how to create acrobatic cards. Marty is not a newbie when it comes to creating gaffed cards. He is also not new to teaching other magicians how to do the same. His time spent lecturing shows. As a result, it seems nothing has been left out.

I should also mention that the title does not reflect the total content of the DVD. Marty does not just teach how to split cards; he goes through the entire process of creating the gaffs. Double Facers, double backers, split cards, acrobatic cards, and the Hofzinzer card gimmick are fully explained. However, the information can be used to create any number of other card gimmicks. There is no limit to what can be done. He even covers where to procure the needed items and mentions that the products should cost you around ten dollars. That is not a bad price for a new hobby that may keep you entertained (and frustrated) for years to come.

As far as the actual magic is concerned, the effects taught on the tape range from interesting to forgettable. Most of them are well known, classic effects, but I cannot imagine any of them fooling many magicians. Almost all of them have been improved upon tremendously since their creation, but it is nice to see how the original versions looked. At the very least they provide a start for those looking to find a use for the gaffed cards they worked so hard to create.

This DVD will be a great asset to beginning card splitters as well as those who have attempted splitting before but never really found success. Personally, I fell into the latter category. Other magicians had attempted to teach me their techniques for creating gaffed cards in the past. Unfortunately, I was never able to master the art; my final products always looked sloppy and the difficulties I encountered along the way made the whole process seem not worth it. Marty's tips gained from years of trial and error made all the difference in the world. Recommended.

-Available from www.MagicMakersInc.com

Peter Duffie: England Up-Close

2006-05-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

England Up-Close is an enormous e-book with over 70 routines from a long list of contributors including Jon Allen, Jamie Badman, Anthony Brahams, David Britland, Sean Carpenter, Harold Cataquet, Roger Crosthwaite, Wayne Dobson, Shiv Duggal, Nicholas Einhorn, Mark Elsdon, Kevin Fox, Andi Gladwin, Brian Glover, Paul Gordon, Paul Hallas, Justin Higham, Andy Hurst, Rob James, Lewis Jones, Walt Lees, Shaun McCree, Iain Moran, Andy Nicholls, Jack Parker, Mike Rose, Al Smith, Stephen Tucker, and Dominic Twose.

The book is put together in an easy-to-navigate format. Thankfully, there is not a lot of wasted space as in many other e-books on the market. The effects are organized by author and are preceded by a short biography and a website link (if available) for each magician. Since many of the performers were unknown to me, I found this very helpful.

There are 173 pages full of content ranging from self working material and mathematical principles to sleight-of-hand techniques and “workers.” If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be “variety.” Needless to say, there is something in this book for every card man. However, not all of the routines use cards. The book also contains non-card material including an effect with coins, one with bills, and some clever work on magic squares. Since there are so many routines, I’ll give you the highlights.

Trial Separation (Jack Parker)- Jack has created an interesting routine utilizing an underused Simon Aronson move in a very clever manner. The effect is straightforward even if the handling is a little convoluted. The magician places a joker outjogged face up in the middle of the deck. Two spectators freely select a card; one from above the joker and one from below. When the cards are turned face up and spread, the selected cards are seen to have vanished. When both spectator's name their card, it is discovered that they had impossibly chosen the same one. The joker which was placed on the table earlier is turned face up and seen to be the selection. Despite the potential for audience confusion, if the effect is performed smoothly, the routine is very powerful.

Insertion Techniques (Sean Carpenter)- This is one of the most commercial routines in the entire book. It is also extremely easy to do, meaning you can immediately add it to your repertoire. In short, a card is selected and shuffled back into the deck. The spectator inserts your business card into the deck randomly. On the back of the card is written a prediction: "12 Cards Away." The magician counts 12 cards down from the insertion point and the card is discovered.

Named! (Sean Carpenter)- Sean strikes again with another commercial effect. This time a spectator selects a card only to find that it is the only one in the pack with his own name on the back. What's clever is that Sean provides a method of performing this routine without ever knowing the spectator's name before the performance. Also, the magician never has to write anything during the entire routine. For laymen, this really packs a punch.

Progressive Jacks (David Britland)- This is a simple variation of the standard sandwich routine that elevates the effect significantly. Four Kings are removed from the pack. A card is selected and lost. The spectator decides which Kings will find the selection. Let's assume he chooses the red Kings. The red Kings are placed together into the deck and cut to the middle. The other Kings are also placed together into the middle of the deck. The cards are immediately spread. The black Kings have trapped the red Kings which trap one face down card. Of course it is the selection. This is another commercial effect that most will be able to immediately add to their performances.

CAAN (Stephen Tucker)- This is an unusual approach to the Any Card at Any Number problem. While the routine is a less direct than simply finding the spectator's card at the spectator's number, it is still impressive. I should warn you, however, that the effect is not exactly the same as the standard ACAAN. It is difficult to describe in print, but suffice it to say that Stephen is a very clever guy and this is a very clever routine. Still, those looking for the "Holy Grail" of the ACAAN plot would be better suited looking elsewhere (perhaps even Stephen's ACAAN routine for sale at his website www.stephentuckermagic.com)

A Freer Chance (Stephen Tucker)- Stephen's version of Bill Goldman's Free Chance routine from Goldman's Two For The Money DVD is a clever packet effect to carry around in your wallet. From the audience's point of view, a spectator selects two cards from a face up arrangement of six. The selected cards are then shown to have contrasting backs to the others. The routine is extremely simple and easy to do. Don' t expect any groundbreaking techniques, but laymen will be completely fooled.

Ring Flash 2 (Wayne Dobson)- This is a beautiful routine with a borrowed finger ring. The ring is placed into the magician's fist. When a lit match is waved under his hand, the ring is poured on to the table. It has transformed into a gold chain. For the finale, the ring appears linked to the chain in a flash of fire. Like most of Wayne's work, this is a good enough for a pro but easy enough for a relative beginner.

Kicked Forward (Iain Moran)- This is Iain's version of Ryan Swigert's excellent KickBack routine. The effect is basically the same, but this handling allows you to flash the backs of the cards at the end. Still, I prefer the original handling as it is a bit more visual and free.

Canceled Out (Andy Hurst)- Andy's first contribution to the book is a mentalism type routine that is designed to "cancel out" all of the methods laymen usually associate with card tricks. It is a deeply fooling effect using a clever stack that works without you having to memorize it. His thoughts could definitely be applied to other routines.

Three Willy (Andy Hurst)- Andy provides another use of his clever stack in yet another baffling routine. It is quite a fooler.

No-exchange Do As I Do (Walt Lees)- This is one of the simplest yet powerful Do As I Do routines I have come across. It is wonderfully direct with no wasted movements. The magician and spectator both peek at a card in each other's decks. Amazingly, they match.

The Eradicator (Paul Gordon)- This is a very bold version of a sort of Out Of This World effect. I say "sort of" because the red/black separation comes as a surprise to the spectator; it is not even hinted at until the spectator's dealing has been done. Surely, some will enjoy this offbeat version of the classic effect.

Stand Up For CATO (Paul Gordon) and Hum Drum (Paul Gordon)- Those not familiar with Bob Hummer's CATO (Cut and Turn Over) principle will be fooled by its use. Paul provides a few ideas that use the principle to good effect. These are not blockbusters but may inspire further thinking.

Impromptu Pokertell (Paul Gordon)- This is a neat routine that takes place entirely out of the hands of the magician. The spectator deals out four hands of six cards each. He pulls out one card from any one of the hands and memorizes it before placing on top of any one of the other packets. He then picks up the packets in any order he pleases and gives the completed pile as many cuts as he likes. Finally, he calls off the cards in the order that they appear. The magician announces the card.

KiLocator (Mark Elsdon)- This is the perfect routine to fry your magic buddies with during those late night card sessions. Your friend cuts the deck and deals the top five cards to the table. He selects one with your back turned. Next, he cuts off the top third of the deck, and shuffles his card into it. He then looks at the other four cards and shuffles them into the cut off portion. You turn back around, give the deck one shuffle, and table the pack. You ask that he name the card. When he does, you cleanly turn the top card face up revealing it to be his selection. For the finale, your friend's head explodes.

ESP Mental (Harold Cataquet)- This is a quick, commercial effect that could be altered to be used in trade shows if you made up the cards using the company's logo instead of the ESP symbols. In short, it is a mental routine that evolves into a nicely routined wild card effect. It also resets instantly, making it great for walk around.

Cream Tea(sed) (Mike Rose)- Mike has adapted Roy Walton's Oil and Queens to create a commercial routine that culminates in the production of a pot of jam. The effect is definitely better suited for English magicians rather than those in the U.S. since the cards have the words 'Scone' and 'Cream' written on them. Still, with a little thought, the idea could be altered to be relevant in the states.

Overall, the material is impressive and the instructions are well written. I cannot imagine anyone not being able to find at least a few routines to add to their act. Some may be put off by the thought of paying $30 for an e-book, but if you are the type that would rather learn usable material than of have a book sit on a shelf collecting dust, you should definitely consider making this purchase. Recommended.

-Available from www.Lybrary.com

Nathan Kranzo: The Heat of the Desert Lecture Notes

2006-04-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

Nate Kranzo has made quite a name for himself on the magic scene with his unique form of creative and visual magic. He is the star of three DVD's and his material has been published in many places including Magic Magazine, Genii, Penumbra, Channel One, and The Linking Ring. He is now offering a number of instant downloads from his website www.HisMagic.com. If you are unfamiliar with his material, this is the perfect place to start.

The Heat of the Desert is actually an electronic copy of Nate's lecture notes for the 2004 Las Vegas Desert Magic Seminar. While the routines will impress any group of magicians, it is obvious that these are pieces that Nate designed to use for real audiences on a regular basis. The material is top notch. Here's a look at the effects explained.

Trey Tip- Nate has taken an old idea and turned it into something that many will actually use. In effect, the spectator selects a card (which can be signed) and returns it to the deck. The magician removes three cards at random and stands them upright on the table. Two of the cards fall face up revealing that they are indifferent cards. The card in the middle, however, remains standing. When turned around, it proves to be the selection.

This is great bit that will definitely catch any lay audience off guard. Trust me, the card's suspension looks plain weird. The routine is easy to do; most will be able to add it to their repertoire after just a little practice. The best part is that it does not require the magician to carry any extra gimmicks that he would not usually carry to a magic performance anyway.

Flash Fold- The spectator selects a card from regular size deck. The magician then reveals that he predicted the card in advance. Removing a jumbo card folded into fourths, he asks for the name of the selection. Let's say the spectator says "the King of Hearts." The card is unfolded and shown to be a Joker. "Jokers are wild, right?" Groans, of course, follow until the magician makes due on his promise by turning the card around to show that "You will select the King of Hearts" is written on the back. This, in itself, is a very strong trick for laymen, but Nate takes it one step further. He removes a lighter and waves it under the jumbo Joker. In a flash of fire, it changes into the King of Hearts, the spectator's chosen card.

This is a neat idea for a card change that could also be used with regular sized cards. While the routine is simple, laymen will be completely fooled and entertained. This is yet another example of how Nate has taken simple plots and twisted them into something much more spectacular than they were in their original form.

Smells Like Aces- This is probably the most difficult effect in the notes. It is hard to describe without seeing it performed. Basically it is a straightforward four Ace production that happens all at once. Those who have never seen the production may feel inclined to skip over this when reading the description because of its difficulty. On the other hand, those who have witnessed its visual impact will be much more willing to put the time into perfecting this feat. I should also qualify my remark that this routine is difficult by explaining that, while this requires more dexterity than other routines in this set of notes, it is also not completely out of reach.

Funtac Inflation- A penny is borrowed from a spectator. When the magician rubs the coin, it grows to half-dollar size and his hands are seen empty. Next, he smashes the coin between his hands causing it to grow into a jumbo three inch coin. Again, his hands are shown empty; he is holding nothing but the jumbo coin. Nate describes this effect as "easy and fun." I agree. The title of this routine should give you some indication of the clever method used. While the use of this principle makes the changes more disarming, it also makes the routine less practical for walk around. Working pros may prefer to use standard sleight of hand techniques to achieve the Inflation effect when performing the routine more than once per night. Still, in many situations or for those who are willing to sacrifice practicality for effect, this routine may be the perfect fit.

Match's Coins- A book of matches is introduced. A match is removed and lit. Suddenly it morphs into a coin. Another match is lit and dropped into the magician's hand. Flames shoot out of his fist and a coin is removed. Finally, the magician closes his fist and smoke pours out as the final coin is produced. Those familiar with Nate's previous work may recognize some of these ideas from routines such as Hot Sauce and Volcanic Coin from his Outside The Box DVD. He has blended the best components of each to form a three coin production that looks unreal. Those who have never experimented with these ideas are in for a treat.

Homing Tie- "At the end of a marathon card routine, the signed selection finally ends up folded up and tucked behind the tag on the back of your tie!" Practical and powerful. There's not much else to say. It is a brilliant idea that is absolutely perfect for those times when you don't want to carry a card-to-wallet but still want to finish with an impossible location. The handling is simple and easy to do making this another routine that you can almost instantly add to your performances.

Overall, the material is great and Nate's teaching is clear and straightforward. Also, his writing style makes the notes an easy read. He doesn't get bogged down with drawn out explanations of standard moves. Instead, he opts for a conversational style that assumes the reader is familiar with the basics. For example, when asked to force a card, Nate directs the reader to use his "favorite method." While this is often regarded as a flaw in magic writing, in this case, Nate's casual presentation seems to be the best approach. His explanations are short and to the point, yet he takes time to credit others who helped inspire his routines.

Finally, I should mention that the format of the PDF document is different than that of many magic e-books. Nate has designed his product in such a way that, when printed out, the pages are in perfect booklet form. (Imagine a standard sheet folded in half.) All in all, the lecture notes are a great investment. $10 for strong, commercial material from a working pro like Nate is not only reasonable; it's a steal. Highly recommended.

---Available from www.HisMagic.com

Joshua Jay: Pro Carrier Wallet

2006-04-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

With all the talk I hear from magicians regarding pocket management, I cannot believe I have not heard more about Joshua Jay's Pro Carrier wallet. My guess is that this is due to the fact that many magicians have a hard time shelling out money for props that don't "do" anything. After all, purchasing a new book, DVD, or trick is exciting, because we know we are going to get something new to play with. On the other hand, props such as tables and close-up pads are often more neglected by magicians. Although these items add to the show from an audience perspective, they do very little for the magician's inner child constantly craving a new "toy."

I think this partially explains the rather common situation of seeing a magician performing with 20 year old sponge balls or stained silks even though he just bought the latest "flavor of the month" DVD. I won't attempt to change this practice with this review; I just wanted to give you something to ponder. Now on to the wallet.

As you may have guessed from the introduction, Joshua Jay's Pro Carrier doesn't "do" anything. Rather it offers a solution to the age old problem of pocket management by providing a practical way to carry magic supplies. Here is the description from the website.

"The Pro Carrier is a small case that can fit into your pocket or be worn on your
belt. It is made of high-quality black leather. It has a slot for a deck of
cards, two slots for extra or gimmicked cards, a window for packet tricks, a
window for business cards, and a coin purse with a zipper. When closed or worn
on the belt, the business card window is visible to passersby."

Here are a few points about the wallet.

Personally, I carry the wallet in my pocket as opposed to on my belt loop. I find attaching things to my belt to be a little too "fanny pack"-like. In other words, it's just cheesy. The loops, however, do not interfere with my use of the wallet.
While the wallet is not designed to act as a card clip to keep your cards flat, I have found that the cards are still far less likely to become warped when protected by the wallet than if the box is carried loose in the pocket.
Trying to organize business cards, gaffed cards, packet tricks, coins, and a deck is usually frustrating and fishing for objects in your pockets during a performance looks unprofessional. The wallet fixes these problems. There is no more spending forever loading and unloading pockets. All of these objects can be carried in a single unit.

For those still having difficulty thinking about purchasing a magic prop that does not directly aid in the workings of a magic effect, consider the following. How many packet tricks or gaffed card tricks do you leave at home in your magic drawer because you simply don't want waste that pocket space on one effect? With the wallet, you are free to bring them along for the day without feeling bogged down with props.

The price is reasonable at only $20 and the wallet is well made. Do yourself a favor and think outside of the DVD/trick mindset. Ask yourself what product is actually going to improve your magic. Highly recommended.

---Available from www.JoshuaJay.com

Underground-Collective.com: Cheetah's Handbook Volume 2

2006-03-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

The Cheetah's Handbook Vol. 1 received some great reviews. However, I never had a chance to obtain the e-book before the end of its limited release. Therefore, I was extremely excited to get a chance to read through the second volume.

Under Control (Luke Dancy)- The author describes this as a "spreadless Convincing Control." Basically it allows the performer to control a card to the bottom of the deck while the selection supposedly remains outjogged in the middle. The move "works due to its perfect combination of sleight of hand and discrepancy." The control is not easy, but performed casually looks exceedingly fair. Those familiar with Jason Alford's Angled After Burner may enjoy this variation.

Sweet Cherry Living (Kostya Kimlat)- This is very neat impromptu routine where the performer picks up two cherries and fuses their stems together. The main problem this routine is that I don't imagine you will find yourself in a position to perform it all that often and carrying cherries around just to do this effect would obviously seem a little convoluted. The bright side is the moves used in the routine are simple and natural, so you won't have to practice in advance to understand the handling. This means that the next time you happen to be in front of a bowl of cherries, you are ready to do this routine.

BVA (John Bodine)- This is one of my favorite routines in the notes although it's also one of the simplest. In fact, the entire effect takes less than 20 seconds. The routine makes use of Lee Asher's Asher Twist (or Action Half Pass) but the move is not described. While I won't argue that this routine is better than the original Asher routine, it's nice to be able to perform something different on occasion.

21 Forever (Jamie Badman)- If you have read my review of Jamie Badman's Underground Change Manuscript elsewhere on this site, you know I am a big fan of the move. When the action is motivated, this utility move can be used to great effect. This is one of those effects. A spectator chooses two cards for himself and two cards for the performer to make two Blackjack hands. He is then given the option of exchanging his hand with two different cards from the deck. Finally, he is asked if he would like to switch cards with the magician. Despite his choices being completely free, the performer always ends with a perfect Blackjack. While I do not believe this routine is the most powerful use of the Underground Change, it is a strong effect. Those interested in further applications of this move are encouraged to check out the Underground Change Manuscript and the Underground Collection Volume 2.

Meester Twister (Jack Parker)- A demo video of this effect can be seen at http://www.underground-collective.com/effects/detail.php?product_id=16. Decide for yourself if you like this effect. Personally, I find the handling awkward and the effect rather weak. This was definitely the lowlight of all the routines.

Cherry Bomb (Tyler Wilson)- This will not suit everyone. Some magicians may even find this completely this disgusting. I won't pretend to argue with them. It is...but it is also very original. While I would never be able to make this trick "play," I can imagine this being the perfect offbeat effect for an offbeat performer. This would also be appropriate for many bar situations. In short a cherry is drawn on a card and placed into the performer's mouth. When the card is removed a second later, the cherry is seen to have a tied stem.

Just One Rubber & Get Your Knot Off (John Bodine)- This is a variation on the classic torn and restored rubber band. I must warn you that the author does not provide a method for breaking the band; he simply recommends the performer use his favorite method. The technique for effecting the restoration of the band is much the same as is used in many cut and restored rope restorations: a knot is tied in the band only to vanish leaving the band restored.

Three Card Location Too (Colin Miller)- "Three participants each cut a packet of cards from the deck, remember the card they cut to and then shuffle their cards." The performer then mentally divines each card with no pumping. The author admits this is a variation of Steve Ehler's Three Card Location where the magician divines not only the spectator's selected cards, but also each card in the spectator's cut off packet. This version is more likely to fool magicians that are familiar with the original Ehler routine, but does not end with the revelation of each card in the spectator's packet. You will have to decide for yourself which suits your needs best.

Full Mental Racket (Andi Gladwin)- This is Andi's version of a Syd Segal and JC Wagner's A Logical Lesson. The routine is quick, but the presentation is entertaining. The downside is that the effect may not be worth the six card setup that is required. It's not that a six card setup is particularly extensive, but the effect is not quite powerful enough to warrant having to arrange the pack.

Wings (Kostya Kimlat)- Kostya strikes again with another food related routine. This time he provides a method for the restoration of an eaten chicken wing. I know what you're thinking...why didn't I think of that? Yeah right. I won't explain much more to keep from revealing the method, but I don't imagine you will be practicing this effect much in your living room. Who knows, though? This could be just the routine you have been searching for. My favorite part is Kostya's advice on how to end clean: "ask your kind waitress for a moist towelette." Even if it's not practical in most situations, it is still refreshing to see the creative thinking behind it.

Two Minds Without a Single Thought (Jack Parker)- The spectator selects a group of cards from the center of the deck. Those cards are cut in half, and the top cards of each packet are revealed to be mates (ex: two red Kings.) The advertising blurb for this effect reads "I'm not sure what's more entertaining, the trick or the write-up." The answer is simple, the write-up. This is not to say that the effect is bad, but I imagine I enjoyed the write-up more than my spectator would enjoy the effect.

E.J. Sandwich (Rob James)- The four Aces are placed on the table. A card is selected and signed on the face. The card vanishes and is found face down in between the Aces. Rob's handling is direct, but many magicians will steer clear of the effect due to the somewhat advanced moves employed (ex: Classic Pass, etc.)

Cheetah's Cellphones (Luke Dancy)- Luke has some very clever ideas about how to turn an ordinary cell phone into a magical utility device. I won't describe the ideas here, but I will say some of them are excellent.

Nightmare (Robert Moreland)- This is the classic Cannibal Cards routine using Robert's Ascanio Spread Finesse which is explained in full detail. For those not familiar with the plot, three selections vanish as they are placed one at a time into a packet of four queens. For the finale, the four queens vanish leaving just the three original selections. The routine is well-thought out and the presentation is entertaining. Many on internet magic forums have said this is the best handling of the Cannibal Cards ever. I will not pretend to have enough knowledge of the plot to make this argument, but you should know that others have made this comment.

Whiplash (Andi Gladwin)- Two spectators select a card and the magician selects one as well. The three cards are placed into the magicians hands and the spectators place their hands on top of his. When the hands are removed, only the magician's card remains; the two spectator selections are found face up in different parts of the deck. The advertisement claims that this is an original plot. I am not convinced. At any rate, the handling is somewhat original and certainly interesting. The procedure for controlling the selections could definitely be applied to other effects.

Overall, I was pleased with the material but not completely crazy about it. There are better ways to spend $20, but there are certainly worse. If the effects sound intriguing, shell out your money and make the purchase. Chances are you will find something that suits you. The ideas presented will, at the very least, give you some things to play with. I should mention that if you are interested in obtaining this e-book, you better act fast. According to the website, they will only be on sale until 250 copies are sold or the end of May 2006, whichever comes first.

-Available from www.Underground-Collective.com

Simon Aronson: Red See Passover

2006-03-22T20:16:00.000-08:00

Michael Close says "Red See Passover is one of the five strongest card tricks you can do, for anyone." I agree with him one hundred percent. Here's the effect description from the advertisment.

"Two spectators, Ginny and Dave, are asked to help with an experiment involving two decks of cards, one red-backed and one blue. Both decks are shuffled, and each spectator takes one. The spectators themselves each deal 12 cards face down from their respective decks. The rest of the cards are placed aside. No extra or additional cards are used.
Ginny concentrates on her mental selection. She then removes her hand from the red pile and she counts her cards face down and there are now only 11! Dave likewise counts the cards in his blue pile. He finds that there are now 13 and one of them has a red back!
The 11 red cards are then turned face up and all are fanned in front of Ginny. She is asked whether her mental selection is still there, and she finds it has vanished. Finally, the red card in the middle of the blue packet is removed and shown to be Ginny's mental selection!"

Trust me, it looks exactly as described. There are no palms, awkward counts, funny adjustments, or forces used during the entire routine. It simply could not be more direct. The routine is completely laid out in the 11 page manual explaining the trick. Simon not only gives you an explanation of the "work" involved, he also provides the script he uses when presenting the effect.

While this routine is not self-working, there is no difficult sleight-of-hand involved. The only thing difficult about the trick is that it may seem, at first, a little complicated with many things to remember. However, a few trial runs through the routine with cards in hand will convince you of how simple it really is. The most important thing is to move through the motions naturally. The routine will suffer if your actions appear to be studied.

For those afraid of using gaffed cards, I should mention that Simon describes a method of cleaning up that allows you to get rid of the gaffs when you put the red deck away leaving you with a complete blue deck ready for the next routine.

For $20 you get 12 custom Bicylce cards printed by the U.S. Playing Card Company, an 11 page manuscript detailing the workings of the routine, a complete professional script, and an impossible routine that will serve you well for a lifetime. You cannot ask for more from a product. The ads say this is the Ultimate Thought-of Card Across. While I am not usually one to declare any routine as the "ultimate," in this case, I am inclined to agree. Highly recommended.

---Available from www.llpub.com.

Patrik Kuffs: 7 by Patrick Kuffs

2006-03-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

7 by Patrick Kuffs provides a tremendous value for the money. The routines are clever, and the descriptions are clearly written. The booklet contains material that has the possibility of playing very big for very little effort. If the effects appeal to you, purchase the booklet. I cannot imagine you will be disappointed with the methods.

French Lint- A card is selected and rubbed onto the magician's close-up pad. The magician introduces a lint remover that will supposedly pick up the D.N.A. of the card. He uses it to clean the close-up pad. When he removes the sticky sheet, the name of the card is revealed in lint. This is a fun idea that could play great for the right performer in the right situation. There are stronger revelations of selected cards, but this has got to be one of the most original.

Under the Table- The performer notices that the table he's working on is unstable. To fix it, he removes a card from the deck, folds it back outwards into quarters, and places it under the table leg. A card is then fairly selected. The deck is tabled and the magician snaps his fingers. Upon dealing through the deck, the selected card is found to be missing. The spectator is then told to remove the card from underneath the table leg. Amazingly, it is the selection.
This is a great piece to be used to frame a routine or show. Begin the routine by using the card to fix the table leg, and end the routine revealing the selection. Patrik's original version is basically self-working and extremely clean looking. However, he also provides a method for performing the routine with a signed card that takes a little more work on the part of the performer, but is completely impromptu.

Temporal Anomaly- Here's the effect. The magician borrows an analog watch. Another spectator also wearing an analog watch is asked to turn the watch dial while holding the watch behind his back to set it at a random time. The magician does the same with the borrowed watch. They bring the watches out from behind their backs without looking at them and trade watches. Finally, they draw the time depicted on each other's watches on two large pieces of paper. When the times are revealed, they match exactly.
Magicians have been performing these type of watch effects for awhile now. Often, however, the apparatus involved can set the magician's wallet back a couple of hundred dollars. This routine can be performed with two borrowed watches and no preparation. Still, this impromptu routine could play on the largest stage. The method is dead easy, but probably will not fool magicians. The routine may not look exactly as clean as it could if a gimmicked watch were used, but the fact that this is impromptu and does not cost the magician a dime makes this worth your consideration. Those interested in these type of effects should check out Richard Osterlind's Watch Routine on L & L Publishing's Mind Mysteries Vol. 1 available from www.llpub.com. Richard's routine is also impromptu and does not use a gimmicked watch.

Bottle Royale- Three paper bags are displayed. The performer asks the audience to select a bag. Once done, the magician slams his hand down on the selected bag, crushing it to the table. Again, he asks for a bag to be named, and again he slams his hand down to crush the bag. The unchosen bag is then revealed to contain a broken bottle with the jagged edge pointing up. I won't get into the debate over whether or not this idea was first conceived by Patrik or Scott Alexander. I will only say that the idea is brilliant. In Patrik's version, the audience is unaware of the contents of any of the bags. In this way, they are not aware of the danger inherent in the trick until the end. Some performers may choose to play up the danger element before the effect begins. The matter is one of personal preference, and this idea can be used to accomodate either one. This is something that audiences will surely remember.

Invisible Touch- A spectator places an X on one of the fingers of a picture of a hand drawn on the back of the magicians business card. The mark is seen be no one accept the spectator. The card is then pocketed in a business card wallet. Another spectator is asked to close their eyes and to extend their hand. The magician makes mystic motions around the spectator's hands, but does not come in contact with the spectator. Still the spectator announces he felt something touch one of his fingers. Of course, it is the finger originally marked by the first participant.
This type of routine, when presented correctly, seems very eerie to the audience. The method is dead easy and seems to be completely above board. Of particular note is Patrik's clever ruse to glimpse the information written by the spectator. This could be applied to other effects. The routine will be useful for street magicians as the props needed for the effect are minimal and the spectator reaction far outweighs the work involved. I can imagine this playing well for a TV audience as well.

P.K. Card Stab- This is a clever version of the card stab, but better routines have been published. In effect, a card is freely selected, signed, and lost in the deck. The cards are then spread face down on the table and covered with a newspaper. The newspaper is lifted just enough to allow the spectators to reach under and mix the cards themselves. The newspaper is then replaced and a knife is stabbed at a spectator chosen point. The newspaper is ripped away revealing one card impaled by the blade. Of course, it is the signed selection. The title gives a hint to the method. From a spectator's point of view, I'm not sure this appears any cleaner than most other versions of the effect. However, this does have the added benefit that it fools magicians. In the words of the author, "This routine is far from impromptu. However, for special shows, it's worth the preparation."

Jackpot!- A wine glass holding five opaque envelopes is introduced. The magician explains that the envelopes could contain prizes worth thousands of dollars. Four spectators freely select an envelope, leaving one for the magician. The spectators open their envelopes to find lottery tickets. The magician cleanly opens his envelope to find not only a lottery ticket, but a one hundred dollar bill. Obviously, this is Patrik's take on the classic Bank Night plot. First, there are absolutely no forces and no word play involved. While this is not a blockbuster effect, it makes for a nice self-contained routine that plays big and is fun for everyone involved. Allowing the spectator's to keep the lottery tickets is a nice touch (admittedly borrowed from other performers such as Richard Osterlind and Lee Earle.) It takes away the "sting" involved in other Bank Night type effects while leaving the spectator with something that really could be worth thousands of dollars. Luckily, it only costs the magician one.

The booklet also contains a "conversation" between David Acer and Patrik Kuffs that is simply hilarious. For the price, you're not going to find a much better investment. David Acer's writing style makes the booklet not only informational but entertaining to read. In fact, my only problem with David is that he cannot publish material nearly as fast as I can read it. (Come on, David. Pick up the pace a bit, would ya?) Highly recommended.

--- Available from www.DavidAcerMagic.com.

David Harkey & Eric Anderson: Ah-ha!

2006-03-08T18:32:00.000-08:00

David Harkey and Eric Anderson have put together a wonderful book very much worth your consideration. Ah-Ha! (Anderson-Harkey, Harkey-Anderson) provides the perfect mix of practical material specifically designed for working magicians as well as extremely creative effects that may only be performed in special situations. The ideas presented are, at the very least, inspiring. Many of them, however, are very workable in the real world.

Fingerling- In effect, you remove a small child's finger and magically restore it to their hand. Honestly, I have not tried the routine, so I can't speak to it's effectiveness, but I can't imagine many people believing this is "real" magic.

Torque- This is cool. Street magicians and others who love to perform seemingly impromptu magic will have fun with this. A borrowed quarter is placed into a cup of hot coffee. After a moment, the coffee begins to boil. After giving it a few seconds to cool, the spectator is invited to remove the coin with a spoon. The coin is retrieved and found to be severely bent. This strikes me as something David Blaine or Chris Angel could make great use of.

Scatterbrain- For many, this will be the highlight of the book. An audience member thinks of any word on a standard newspaper page. The magician tears the newspaper in half and the audience decides which half to keep. This portion is torn in half, and again the audience decides which half to keep. This process continues until one small piece remains. Someone in the crowd closes his eyes and points to a random word on the page. Finally, the magician writes this word on a notepad. Amazingly, it matches the spectator's mentally selected word. The method is extremely simple and direct. In fact, there is very little work involved at all; many will be able to add this to their act immediately after reading the explanation.

Airlock- This is an offbeat effect where the magician apparently locks his keys in his car and magically causes the door to unlock. The illusion is interesting, but any spectator is going to believe you simply pressed a button to electronically unlock the door (even though that is not at all what happens.) This effect would have been more workable when the book was originally released, but it is now a bit outdated.

Twins- The magician introduces two cards that have been stapled together face to face. Two cards are then selected and initialed. Guess what happens next...the stapled cards are ripped apart to reveal the signed selections. This is very practical. The only downfall in the routine is that the selection procedure is a bit too cozy, causing the cards to be handled a little awkwardly at times. The handling will pass by spectators who are not accustomed to the manner in which you usually have cards signed (i.e. removed from the deck and signed largely across the face), but audience members who have seen your previous performances may feel a sense that something isn't quite right.

Squink!- A silver dollar is dropped into a shot glass and heated with a lighter where it splits into two half dollars. The half dollars are placed into the glass and change to four quarters.

DBA- A visual transformation of a spectator's business card into that of the magician. The effect is a wonderful of example of situational magic. It is perfectly motivated: you pretend you don't have a card, so you offer to write your info on the spectator's card only to transform it into one of your own. However, the routine requires you to borrow an entire stack of business cards from your spectator. While this may work in offices where plenty of cards are available, most people do not carry a complete stack with them everywhere they go.

Shufflesque- Eric Anderson's false riffle shuffle is used by many magicians today without them even knowing who published it. The shuffle looks extremely fair since the cards are riffled together fairly to begin. The "work" is done after the initial riffle. Done casually, this looks couldn't look more perfect.

Zuzu's Petals- This is the most disappointing effect in the book. Petals are plucked from a flower as the magician plays the old "she loves me, she loves me not" game. Unfortunately, the count ends on "she loves me not." To save himself, the magician magically creates a single petal on the flower. The handling is simple. So simple in fact that I highly doubt anyone will be fooled by this.

Wingding- This is a great routine for restaurant workers looking for something cool to perform for children. The magician introduces a strip of butterfly stickers (though any type will do). A snap of the fingers reveals one sticker missing. When the child looks for the butterfly, he or she finds it stuck to the back of their hand. This is a sort of Ash Trick for children. It's extremely easy to execute and leaves the child with a small memento of your performance.

Flashpack- A small piece of paper is touched to a flame. Out of the fire, the magician instantly produces a pack of cards. There's not much else to say.

Bottom Feeder- An unknown card is sandwiched in between two jokers. The packet is placed into the card case. A card is selected. The card case is opened and the card between the jokers is revealed to be the selection. The effect itself is good, but the real value is the method of "secretly adding cards to a packet already sealed inside a card case." The technique is somewhat unnatural, but with the correct flow of motions, it is still convincing.

Feeding Frenzy- The method used is basically the same as in Bottom Feeder. Three unknown cards are placed into the card box. Three cards are freely named. The cards from the box are removed and revealed to be the named selections.

Schmobius- This is another disappointing effect. Actually, it's more of a puzzle. Somehow the magician manages to tie a single knot in a rubber band. Some audience members may be intrigued, but most will shrug it off. Even worse, the authors recommend that the band not be handed out as a souvenir due to the method involved.

Bonfire- This is another effect that most who read this book will never perform because of the needed supplies, but there's no doubt that the effect is cool. Several matches are dropped into a glass. Without touching the glass, everyone concentrates on the matches. After a few seconds, they burst into flames.

East Meets West Meets South- This basically impromptu version of the pencil through bill is very convincing. It is very similar to the version explained in David Harkey's Simply Harkey with one small addition. The routine is a collaborative effort from David, Eric Anderson, and Jay Sankey.

Tour De Cartes- This seemingly innocent interlude allows you to switch decks in front of your audience. Holding the deck in his left hand, the magician reaches his empty right hand into his inside jacket pocket to produce half of a deck. Adding them to the deck, the pack is seen to contain no more than a full pack. This is repeated once more. The magician now proceeds to destroy his audience with his favorite stacked deck trick.

Petrified- I would love to see this piece actually performed. In essence this is just another version of Paul Harris Solid Deception. This time the deck not only becomes solid, it actually becomes petrified in front of the audience, breaking in two when it is dropped to the table. There is a ton of work to be done to set this thing up. In fact, I wonder how many times the authors have actually taken the time to prepare for this trick. In the words of the author, "This trick does not reset."

If Looks Could Kill- This is a very powerful Q&A routine using nothing but a stack of business cards, a stack of coin envelopes, and a marker. The spectators secretly write information about themselves on the back of the cards and seal the cards themselves into the coin envelopes. The magician then reveals the information to each of the participants "without gaffs, forces, stooges, pumps, misses, bad angles, and without overtly unfolding each answer to stay one ahead." The method is easy in execution and very convincing.

Outsmart- This is just cool. The magician asks the spectator the name of his favorite card. The spectator freely names any one. The cards are uncased and the spectator deals one card for each letter as he spells "My Favorite Card." There is no need to shift any cards after the selection is made. In fact, no sleight of hand is used during the entire routine. If you're thinking that this effect sounds too clean to be accurate, you're somewhat right. To be fair, the above description is too clean to be true, you are somewhat correct. This is not exactly what always happens. However, each of the scenarios appear to your spectators to be very clean.

Fooling Pavlov- Basically you teach your dog to perform magic. For example, you ask your spectator for his favorite and least favorite foods. Let's assume he names pizza and carrots, respectively. You give your dog a piece of bread telling him that it's pizza. Of course, he eats it immediately. When you hold out the next piece, calling it carrots, he turns away refusing to eat.

Interestingly enough, even if you never plan on performing even one of the effects found in this book, it is still worth your consideration. For me, the feeling was much the same as when I first read Paul Harris material. I knew from the beginning that I would never use some of the ideas, but reading them seemed to "stretch" my magic brain. For the size of the book, the $30 price tag is a little steep, but you have purchased far worse for the same amount of money. Based on content and the enjoyment you will get out of reading, I highly recommend this book. However, those looking for the best value for their money may be better off looking elsewhere.

Wayne Dobson: Dobson's Choice Vol. 3

2006-03-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

If you've ever seen Wayne Dobson, you know he is a phenomenal performer. He is well respected in the magic community not only for his ability to entertain but also for the manner in which he has overcome the onset of Multiple Sclerosis. Although he now has to perform from a wheelchair, he continues to astound his audiences.

Roy Johnson's mentions in the introduction to the book that "The cruel necessity of having to adapt the technical aspects of his magic in order to cope with the onset of Multiple Sclerosis provides a bonus to any magician reading this book, because the methods employed have been stripped down to the absolute minimum of technical skill without losing, and in most cases gaining, any of the strong effects created."

Missing Think- This is a prime example of getting a lot of bang for your buck. The spectator freely selects a card from a packet and commits it to memory. He then returns the card to the packet himself and shuffles the cards. The magician removes a card from the packet and places it in his pocket. When the spectator looks for his card again, he finds it missing. The magician reveals the card in his pocket and returns it to the packet. Again the cards are missed and again the card is seen to be missing...it has jumped back to the magician's pocket. The method is extremely simple, yet clever.

4 Seen- This is Wayne's version of the old insurance card trick; basically four cards are forced and revealed in a clever way. The method involved in the force is very easy and happens basically out of the magicians hands, but requires a procedure that I would imagine would be hard to justify and somewhat easy to reconstruct.

Conjuror's Choice- Six face down cards are displayed and the spectator "freely" selects one. The other cards are turned face up to show pictures of famous magicians. When the spectator turns over their selection, they find a picture of the magician (or his business card, etc.) Wayne suggests using this routine as an opener.

X-Change- This is an extremely simple routine using the Boston Coin Box. Four coins are placed into the box which is placed under one of the corners of the close-up pad. After some byplay, the box is shown to be empty and the coins are seen to have traveled to the underside of the opposite corner of the mat. I wouldn't go out and buy a Boston Coin Box for this effect, but it could play rather strongly in the context of a full routine.

Teach a Card Trick- This is one of Wayne's trademark effects and my favorite routine in the book; the magician teaches the spectator how to perform a card trick. The magician selects a card and shows it around to the audience, the card is replaced in the deck and vanishes only to reappear in the card box previously placed in the spectator's pocket. The method could not be any simpler, and the presentation is superb.

Switch- A card is selected, but the magician finds the wrong card. He places the wrong card in the card case and removes the correct card from the deck which he then causes to change places with the wrong card in the card box. The wrong card is placed in the magician's pocket, but the right card changes to the wrong card. Finally the deck is spread and all the cards are seen to be the wrong card. The effect is too confusing and some of the method far too transparent.

Sweet- This is a practical handling for the classic coin to sugar packet. The coin is signed, and the spectator really sees the coin inside the sugar packet. Wayne suggests using stickers to place on the coin to have it marked, but it could just as easily be done by marking directly on the coin. This makes the effect something you can do at basically any restaurant as the preparation is minimal.

I Swear- This is another example of how Wayne can take an ordinary trick and turn it into a very entertaining, memorable experience for his audience. For magicians this trick amounts to nothing more than a spelling trick, but for laypeople, in the right situation, this is a trick they won't forget. The method is not new by any means, but Wayne's presentation is what counts.

TLC- A way to perform the old trick using the one-ahead principle where you supposedly predict three different events (read three thoughts) before they occur. In other versions a switch needed to be made because the predictions were not written in the order the spectators were led to believe. Wayne's method allows you to write the predictions on the cards in a way that dispels any thoughts of a switch.

Spell-Check- This is another spelling effect. Two decks are shuffled and cut by two spectators. One spectator turns over the top card of his deck. Spectator two deals from his deck one card for each letter as he spells the name of the card. The last card dealt is the selection. The effect is rather weak for the method employed. Also the magician must make an adjustment to one deck before the cards are dealt.

Janus- This is very similar to an effect marketed by Doc Eason called the Impossible Opener. This version is not much different in effect but doesn't end completely clean as in Doc's version. Even though the cards don't beg to be examined, since this version seems to bring nothing new to the table, ending clean would be preferable.

Unique Prediction- A prediction effect using the Coin Unique gimmick. The effect is forgettable on its own, but it could be a nice "mental" addition to a coin routine.

Invisible- This is a nice alternative to the standard Invisible Deck effect. The magician claims to remove an invisible deck of card from an invisible coin purse. The spectator then "freely" arrives at a selection. A folded real card is then produced from the purse frame. The card is unfolded to reveal the named card. The method is simple and the effect plays big for very little work on the part of the magician.

The booklet provides no groundbreaking ideas, but the magic presented is practical and easy-to-do. A few of these routines really pack flat and play big, but Wayne's presentation is what counts. He made his living with these tricks, some of which he has actually used on television. However, Wayne has become a star because of his presentational ability, not because of these routines. I would imagine that Wayne can make just about anything entertaining. This is not to say that booklet is not worth your consideration, but I believe these routines are more suited for a beginner.

Jamie Badman: Underground Change Manuscript

2006-03-01T19:26:00.000-08:00

Just take a look at the demo video of Misdirection Monte at http://www.underground-collective.com/effects/detail.php?product_id=2 and you will see how powerful the Underground Change really is. If this is your first time viewing the video, you were probably even fooled. I know I was.

The e-book teaching the technique and routine showcased on the demo video can be purchased from the website mentioned above for around $17. For your money, you will recieve a complete description of the Underground Change utility card switch as well as routines utilizing the change. Obviously, Misdirection Monte is the showcase routine, but other effects using the change are also explained including a two card transposition, a few stickmen routines, a burnt card effect, and more. Also included are two bonus routines that do not use the move; my favorite of which is a very clever ace location by Thomas Blomberg.

The move itself, although it will take some practice, is easier than I had anticipated. It takes a kind of a knack, and your first few attempts may be frustrating, but before long you will be off and running.

You may think the price is a bit steep for learning a card move, but it is taught in great detail. The routines in the book are fun to perform and play with, but the possibilities are endless. Also, take into consideration the fact that if you put in the time to master this move, it is something you WILL use. Since it can be done with any deck, it won't sit on your shelf with other items for which you paid triple this price. If you're willing to put in a little practice time, this is highly recommended.

-Available from www.Underground-Collective.com

Paul Wilson: Martini

2006-03-01T18:49:00.000-08:00

Here's the advertisement: "The spectator names any card. They name any number from one to fifty two. Guess where there card is? Paul’s amusing presentation brings this powerhouse effect within anyone’s reach. When the time is right, the spectator deals to the cards and finds their thought of card exactly where they wanted it! Absolutely no sleight of hand - just a devilishly simple approach. This is one of Paul’s favorite routines for any audience.

Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate"

Obviously, this is Paul's take on the "Any Card at Any Number" card effect. The PDF file explaining the routine is available for instant download at rpaulwilson.com. Just click the Circle Of Confidence tab on the left side of the page. The cost is only $5.

Let me begin by saying that this is a clever approach to this popular plot. There is no sleight of hand, but you will have to practice to get it to flow smoothly and there are some mental calculations involved that will definitely turn some people off. Also, it is not an anytime, anywhere effect. Although the deck is not gaffed, there is a setup involved. Basically, you must be proficient with a memorized deck to be able to perform this routine, although Paul briefly describes an easier alternative that some may find more practical.

Paul's wonderful routining helps disguise the method of the trick, but you should be aware that it is not as direct as it sounds in the advertisemtent above. The spectator does not simply name a card and number and immediately count down to reveal the selection. Rather, the somewhat clever presentation covers the "work" that must be done.

Honestly, this is probably not something I will ever perform, but I'm sure Paul and others can make this trick kill. Maybe it will work for you. It is only a $5 investment to learn a simple, yet effective approach to this plot. Recommended (based on the price.)

-Available from www.RPaulWilson.com

Mathieu Bich: Mathieu Bich on PDF

2006-03-01T18:39:00.000-08:00

Mathieu Bich has made quite a name for himself recently with effects like Erazed and Counterweight. If you want a sample of his work, you may want to consider this e-book. The PDF document available for instant download at http://leeasher.com/bich.htm can be purchased for $9.95.

I must say that, to Mathieu's credit, his effects are creative and often times very original. These routines, however, do not suit my personal style. None of the six routine included in this e-book can be done impromptu; they all contain gimmicks or apparatus that are not usually available or that I don't feel are worth carrying around. I am not at all against using gimmicks or advanced preparation to astound an audience, but the effects in this e-book are, in my opinion, not strong enough to justify the extra work.

Here's a quick rundown of the six effects (their descriptions can be read at the site mentioned above):

Erazed- This is a cool if not contrived effect. It's a nice idea to have the spectator sign a card only to have it turn blank, but you'll have to acquire the needed supplies and develop a way to justify the method involved.

Suspension of Belief- This is another neat idea, but something most of us will never perform due to the preparation (albeit minor) involved. I will say that the application of finding a chosen card is a step above the original routine.

Little Papers- Although this effect is a fooler, I was immediately turned off when I read in the description that the spectator is asked "to wet his fingertips (saliva, etc.) and place each fingertip onto each slip of paper." The routine is just not something I would ever perform; again, it feels a little too contrived.

Instant Sandwich- For the work involved, I really don't think this sandwich effect will impress a lay audience any more than any of the many, many simple sandwich locations already in print. Look at the demo on the site listed above and decide for yourself.

Marie Antoinette- This effect may be fun to perform for yourself sometime, but it's not something I would perform for an audience. Keep in mind, however, that just because it doesn't fit my style, doesn't mean you can't make it work.

Little House- I would like to spend some time perhaps playing with the clever principle at work in this effect, but this routine is not for me. Again the effect comes off as very contrived.

Overall, I was disappointed in the e-book; I definitely feel there are better products for your money. However if you're interested in Mathieu's work, the download is only $10. Also keep in mind that even though I wouldn't recommend this e-book, I have seen many Mathieu Bich effects that I do like. I just don't think this product showcases his best work. Not recommended.

-Available from www.LeeAsher.com

Michael Close: In Review

2006-03-01T18:34:00.000-08:00

This e-book is available for download from MichaelClose.com. It contains ALL of Michael Close's MAGIC Magazine reviews from May 1995-April 2005. Over 1500 products are given thoughtful reviews. I know I do not always agree with Michael Close, but I do respect his opinion. Also, the fact that the PDF document is completely searchable is a great asset. I always consult this database before making a purchase. This is a steal at only $20.

Not only is it full of reviews, but often times Michael will provide entertaining antecdotes or suggestions during the course of the column. It is an entertaining read. Although I don't think you'll sit down and read every review, I can say that I've had a lot of fun just skimming down the pages and reading the ones that interest me. It's also kind of cool to search for products you already own as Michael frequently tells which routines he liked the most. More than once I've gone back to look at something in one of my old books or tapes that I had forgotten about.

The only downside to the book is that some of the reviews are printed more than once since you are reading Michael's original text. Some months a few reviews had to be pushed back into the next issue; the e-book will then include it in the following month as well. This, however, is not really much of a problem, because a simple click of a button sends you to the next review. The reviews are thoughtful and well written. You won't be disappointed. Highly recommended.

-Available from www.MichaelClose.com

Lee Asher: Diving Board Double

2006-03-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

Check out the double lift used in the ambitious card sequence here: http://www.cardma.com/Video/facedownsilversurfer1.rm

That's Lee Asher utilizing his Diving Board Double to great effect. The technique is now taught in a PDF file available for instant download from LeeAsher.com. The cost is $12.95. The move is taught in great detail in the e-book along with the Acrobatic Diving Board Double in which the double card is flipped into the air, yet still lands together on top of the deck. The technique involved in the Acrobatic version will take considerably more practice to perfect, and it will probably not be something you use for a lay audience. Even Lee Asher admits that this is not a move he performs at a professional gig.

The real value for your money is the original Diving Board Double. If you already perform a good double lift, it's not that difficult to switch to the Asher version. However, the get ready may be a little more difficult for some. After playing with the double for awhile, I finally decided to stick with my standard Strike Double Lift for most of my performances. You, however, may feel differently.

If you want to perform the Diving Board Double, this e-book will undoubtedly teach you everything you need to know. Put in some practice time and you'll be on your way. However, here's the real question: Is it worth the money to "upgrade" your double lift? Well, that's up to you. Some like it's flourishy look, some don't. You'll have to make your own decision about how you want to present yourself as a performer. If it looks like something you'll use, buy it. If not, don't waste your time. Sounds simple enough doesn't it. Recommended if it fits your style.

-Available from www.LeeAsher.com

Michael Ammar: ETMCM Vol. 9

2006-02-28T14:49:00.000-08:00

Open Production (Paul Harris)- An elegant four of a kind production from two one hand fans.

4 Card Reverse (Larry Jennings) - This is one of my favorite effects off of the new tapes. Four cards are clearly placed into four different places in the deck and are later revealed to be reversed in four different parts of the deck with no apparent manipulation on the part of the performer.

The Visitor (Larry Jennings)- Larry Jennings's legendary effect. A signed card seems to impossibly be in two places at once.

Impromptu, 1/2 Deck/ OOTW Plus (Michael Ammar, Paul Curry, Harry Lorayne, Aldo Colombini)- A nice handling of the Out Of This World plot. The spectator magically separates the black cards from the red cards. Well all except for the two that the magician predicted before the trick started. Totally impromptu.

Vacuum Cleaner Cards (Paul Harris)- A wonderful Paul Harris trick where the aces disappear from one half of the deck and appear with the leader ace in the other half. Michael's presentation isfull of puns that may go over in some situations, but I doubt you will ever find an audience that will respond as well as the L&L group.

21st Century 21 Card Trick (Ed Marlo)- A card effect with a presentation centering around the old 21 card trick that many laymen seem to know.

Socrate's Cards to Pocket (Philippe Socrate)- If you're scared of palming, this is a wonderful place to start. All of the palms are wonderfully covered with misdirection. Three cards are selected. Two travel individually to your pocket. Next, the whole deck (except for the last selection) travels. A wonderfully constructed routine.

The 110 lb Card Trick (Irv Weiner, Michael Ammar)- This is basically a presentational hook more than a new card trick. An Ace of Spades is place under the spectators foot. When the spectator lifts his foot, the ace has changed to the spectator's selection and the Ace is found reversed in the middle of the deck.

Triple Prediction (Brother John Hamman)- A simple routine using Balducci's Cut Deeper force to good effect.

Also included...
Fists Of Frost (Michael Ammar)
All The Non-Conformists (Michael Skinner)
Deception Perception (Allan Ackerman)

Overall the material is good, but not great. However, a few classic routines are taught. This volume will be a great asset to the beginner who may not be familiar with such routines as Out of This World, The Visitor, etc. Still, most experienced magicians would be better served purchasing another product (perhaps even a different volume of this series.)

-Available from www.llpub.com

Michael Ammar: ETMCM Vol. 8

2006-02-28T11:45:00.000-08:00

Comedy Rising Card- A very funny, entertaining quickie. A card is selected and returned to the deck. You hold the deck in your hand and a card begins to rise out of the pack. It keeps rising until it actually appears to be floating in mid-air. The illusion is broken, however, when you turn to your side and the audience sees that the card is actually stuck to your magic wand which is tucked under your arm.

Card On Tie (Dan Korem)- This is probably the best EFFECT on the whole series. A corner is torn from a selected card and handed to a spectator as a reciept. A safety pin is inserted into the deck which is handed to a spectator. The cards are thrown at the magicians chest and the selected card appears pinned to his shirt. Of course, the corner matches.

Caller I.D. (Eric Allen)- An over-the-top yet super simple way to reveal a selected card. The phone rings during your card trick. When the spectator looks at the caller I.D., the phone displays a message that says "Incoming Call from (name of selection)."

Card In Balloon (Derek Dingle)- Won't fool magicians, but I'll have to try it in front of lay people to see how well it could play.

Impossible Miniature Rising Cards (Martin Lewis)- If you've seen this effect, you know how magical it can look. Two cards are selected from a miniature deck. A handkerchief is placed on the table with an ashtray on top. The cards are replaced in the card box and placed in the ashtray. A tall glass is then placed over the card box to prevent any tampering. One by one the selected cards rise out of the box. Everything may then be examined. WOW!

Spectator Cuts to the Aces (Elmer Biddle, Bob Veeser)- An easy to do miracle. Your audiences will love it. Created by Elmer Biddle and Bob Veeser. If you know much about magic, that pretty much tells you what moves are involved.

Weiner's Miracle Princess Cards (Irv Weiner)- A clever mentalism, thought of cards effect that, unfortunately, Michael's performance does not show. It was long and drawn out, and when it was time to reveal the selections, Ammar actually missed two times. He did a wonderful job covering his mistake with a production of the two misses from his fly. Sadly, his out was more entertaining than his attempted effect. I just don't think his performance did this bit of magic justice.

Also included...
Larry's Favorite (Larry Jennings)
Mona Lisa Card (Michael Skinner)
Anytime 4 Aces (Frank Garcia)

The performance sections are a little disappointing. I don't think Michael is as comfortable with these effects as he is with the ones in the other volumes. The teaching portions however are incredibly well done. If the effects appeal to you, this DVD is definitely worth your consideration.

-Available from www.llpub.com

Michael Ammar: ETMCM Vol. 7

2006-02-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

Let me preface this by saying that I am a big fan of ETMCM Volumes 1-6. Where else could one learn so many classic routines in one place. The "bang for your buck" ratio was definitely a plus. The latest three volumes in the series, however, do not live up to the standard set by the first six. I am not saying that the DVD's aren't worth your consideration, but if you are new to magic, you are better off purchasing the first 2/3 of the series first.

2 Shuffles Harry (Harry Lorayne, Brother John Hammond)- This is an amazing Triumph effect with a great kicker ending. Two cards are selected and lost in the pack. The deck is then shuffled face up and face down. Finally the cards are magically caused to all face the same direction except for the two selections. It is then revealed that not only are all the cards facing the same way, but now the reds and blacks have separated. Michael teaches the Zarrow Shuffle which is needed for the effect.

Perfect Stop Trick (Ed Marlo)- This effect is similar to the Lazy Man's Card Trick taught in an earlier volume.

The Smith Myth (Fred Smith)- The effect is somewhat interesting. Two spectators select a cards which are returned to the deck. The deck is cut into two piles. One at a time cards are dealt face up from each halves. The two selections have somehow managed to arrange themselves in the same relative positions in their respective packets.

Mind Reading Chicken (Lamont Reams)- This is a very amuzing effect. It's a very cute, funny trick absolutely amazing to a lay audience. In short, an egg is broken and the name of a (forced) card is written inside in yolk.

Always Cut Cards (Larry Jennings)- A great four ace trick that could definitely be used with a gambling theme. Very simple and direct, but very impressive.

6-Cards Royal (Doug Edwards)- This is similar to Dan Garrett's Four Card Reiteration. Three Cards are removed from the deck, but when they are counted, the magician has four. He removes a card, but again the cards are counted as four. After a few such instances, the four card packet is changed into one card: the spectator's selection. Finally, the discarded cards are shown to form a Royal Flush.

Future Deck (Jack Fosberg)- I used to love this effect as a beginner. Definitely Easy To Master. This will appeal to many people. The spectator freely selects any card which you inevitably show you predicted from the very beginning.

Cards Across (Michael Ammar)- I've never used a cards across handling in my act. I've seen a few different versions, and this stands out as one of the best, but it's still not my style. This version uses envelopes.

$2,000 Transpo- Most people will have already seen this somewhere or another, but for the uninitiated, this is a very impressive feat. David Blaine even used this on one of his television specials.

Cheaters Poker (Jim Steinmeyer, Alan Wakeling)- For me this was a dissapointment. I've heard good things about the trick, but I was very unimpressed at least with this handling. Furthermore, it is not practical in most situations as an assistant (stooge) is involved.

Color Changing Deck (Paul Curry)- For those familiar with Dai Vernon's color changing deck routine taught in volume 3, I think you'll find this to be a superior version.

Overall this volume has some good material. As always Michael's teaching is superb. His style is relaxed and straight forward. Even when difficult material needs to be taught (i.e. the Zarrow Shuffle), his instruction is clear. If these effects sound interesting to you, you'll probably enjoy this volume. However, if you haven't picked up the first six DVDs, you may find your money is better spent by purchasing some of the previous volumes.

-Available from www.llpub.com

Greg Wilson: In Action DVD Vol. 3

2006-02-27T19:09:00.000-08:00

I was a little disappointed with Greg's newest release. There is some good material on the DVD, but not near as high of quality as his previous works.

Time Card- I never really liked these types of effects. Three cards are selected by the spectators. When the cards are revealed they are seen to represent the time of day (ex: selected cards are a 2, 4, and 9- the time of day would be 2:49) Richard Sanders and David Acer have a superior version, in my opinion, on their Roadkillers tape that adds a Triumph effect. Nothing special in this version.

The Slot Machine Scam- This is pretty cool, but there are really never going to be any opportunities to perform this. First, you must have a slot machine handy and second you must have time to prepare. It would make a cool effect for a television appearance. The coolest part of the routine is based on an idea by David Acer involving placing a card into a bill slot on a vending machine. If you used the idea for a simple card change when you happen to be near a vending machine, you would get great reactions. If you don't know the principle, at least you could learn it here.

Chip on Shoulder- For me this was the best thing on the DVD. It is very similar to a routine he put on his On The Spot DVD. Basically a casino chip disappears from your hands and appears on your spectators shoulder a couple of times. The best part of the routine is that when you repeat the effect, the audience assumes the coin will reappear on the same shoulder, but it ends up on the other one.

Cut Throat- Nothing special here. Just a simple four ace production. If you like the effect, but can't pull off the "move," there are simpler methods if you think about it.

Foreign Affair- This is a very clever trick. "Each time you fold a one dollar bill, it changes into another country's currency... and finally into a perfectly examinable hundred dollar bill." This isn't really a magician fooler, but it is very visual and amazing to the audience. You may have to go to some trouble to find the currency needed to make up this trick, but you could always use American currency and make the one dollar bill change progressively into a hundred (this is the original version of the trick that Greg credits on the DVD)

The Ring Thing- This is a nice illusion, but this routine is not one that I would ever perform. There's a point in the routine where Greg places the spectator's ring on his head to produce it in the spectator's hands (he taught this on the On The Spot DVD). There is no way I would ever do this to someone else's ring; too risky in my opinion.

Son of a Switch- This is basically a transposition effect where a selected card and a joker change places a few times. The routine is ok, but the end could be a lot better. Also, on the explanation portion, he says that you need a duplicate card, although if you perform the trick as taught, you never need the duplicate. In my opinion, you would be better off to use the duplicate to enable you to do the final transpostion in the spectator's hands; this would make the routine much stronger. You could also use the duplicate to eliminate one of the card controls during the routine.

Stunt Double- This looks pretty good, but for the work involved, the audience did not seem that impressed.

Bounce No-Bounce- Nothing really new is taught here. It's just Greg's presentation for the standard Bounce No-Bounce balls. Greg uses the balls for a "Sobriety Test."

King-Size Travelers- I'll be interested to see how this routine will play for real people. Basically, the magician removes the four kings from the deck, makes them vanish, and reproduces them from four different pockets. Greg's version is easier to do than most.

The DVD concludes with footage of Greg's stand up show. The show was entertaining, but not much magic was performed. Overall, I was disappointed with this DVD, although a few things were useful. If you aren't familiar with Greg's work, you would be much better off to purchase his On The Spot DVD or Card Stunts. Unfortunately this does not represent his best material.

-Available from www.llpub.com

John Guastaferro: Second Storm

2006-02-27T13:53:00.001-08:00

Ok, here's a breakdown of some of the effects in Second Storm. Let me start off by saying, however, that I think this is money well spent. It's not as good as the Brainstorm DVD's, but then again that's a pretty high standard to set. First the production of the lecture notes is very professional. It's spiral bound and printed on high quality paper. The 57 color pictures that accompany the text are exceptionally clear and helpful; they really add a lot to helping the reader understand exactly what the magic should look like. The only problem I have with the notes is that the binding should have been done a little differently; it's a little difficult to flip past pages as they get caught up in the binding. At times this is a little frustrating. Of course this is a minor detail that doesn't distract from the outstanding material enclosed.

Teeter Totter Aces- The presentation to this effect is good, but I don't care for the effect all that much. In my opinion, this is the weakest effect in the notes, but some may find a use for it. I like the fact the spectator does the magic, but I just think there are better ways of producing four of a kind.

Fair Trade- This is a nice impromptu quickie that would probably be better suited to be an addition to an already existing routine rather than standing on it's own. Some may like it because the fact that it only uses the four aces and four jacks (or queens or whatever.) This makes it a perfect mate for Paul Harris's Reset or John's own Intuition from the Brainstorm DVD's. I personally don't like it as well as the similar effects on the Brainstorm series.

Jokers To Go- In this effect, two jokers change places with a selected card. Darwin Ortiz has a similar effect in Cardshark where four cards change places with a single card. In my opinion John's version in better. In short, you place two jokers in a the card case. The selected card is then placed in the center of the deck. Upon spreading the deck, the two jokers are discovered face up in the middle and the selected card is found in the box.

The Stress Test- This is a commercial card revelation that many performers will definitely find a use for. I probably won't use this is paid performance (although it's strong enough to be used), but I will definitely carry this around in my wallet for impromptu settings.

Here, There, & Everywhere- I've seen very similar effects like this in other books. Basically a selected card is found in different parts of the deck. Each time it is found, it is deposited on the table. At the end, the cards on the table undergo a magical transformation and the selected card ends up in the only place it couldn't be. This is something I'll perform often. I've already tried it out on a few lay people over the last couple of days and recieved great responses. It's not entirely impromptu, but the setup is easy to arrange in front of your audience.

Turning The Tables- This is absolutely great. This is probably my favorite effect from the notes. Basically you give the deck to a spectator and walk them through performing a magic trick. They hold the cards as you place the four jacks into different spots in the deck. They square the cards and snap their fingers. Immediately the four jacks rise to the top. This is the kind of killer magic that your assistant will not forget. You give them the credit for the magic, and the presentation leaves room for a lot of audience interaction. It's pure entertainment for everyone involved. The fact that this is easy to do makes this it an instant addition to my performing arsenal. Don't understimate this gem.

The Box Illusion- This is a great idea. It's something I'll definitely be playing around with for awhile. I don't think it's reached its full potential yet. Basically you show a deck of cards in the case. You pull out a card, show it's face, and announce that you'll attempt to make it fly into your pocket. You place the card back inside the case and reach into your pocket. To your surprise the whole deck traveled to your pocket except for the original card which is found inside the otherwise empty card box. This is something you'd expect to find in a Paul Harris book.

Googly Eyes- This is a spelling effect with a clever presentation. In fact, I like the presentation much more than the effect itself. I've tried it out on a few spectators and recieved good reactions. For some reason though I suspect this will be an effect that I like more than my spectators do. I love it, they like it. Don't you just hate that.

Ultimate Fate- You saw what Jaybs thought of this effect in the post above. It's definitely very strong magic. It's similar to Aldo Columbini's Contact Colors. I remember the first time I saw Aldo's effect I thought to myself, "Wow, that's impressive, but I wish there was something that would make the ending more magical." John did just that. It does require a setup, but a simple deck switch would set you up for a killer closer for your act.

Time Will Tell- This is a simple mentalism effect that will surely be well recieved by lay audiences, but it's not something I see myself performing too often as it doesn't fit my style. In the words of John: "The handling is very simple and the reactions you'll get will far exceed the work you put into it." He's right.

Double Trouble- This is a card effect that I predict will be used by many performers. The cards change from all backs to blank, to a regular deck. The only problem for me is that I have never been able to master a reverse fan. Unfortunately that means I won't be able to perform this no doubt outstanding effect that would make a great opener.

Tricycle Cards- This is a cute packet effect that has it's roots in Darwin Ortiz's Jumping Gemini effect. It's logical, easy, and features just four cards going through a series of magical transformations. I like it a lot.

Constellation- "Dots made by a spectator on your business card visually move and rearrange themselves to spell a message." This is a simple handling for a very commercial effect. I'll try this out at my restaurant tonight. Seems to be a very nice way to hand out your business card that will increase the likelihood that your spectator will actually keep it.

Bonus effect: Silkworm- This is a silk/sponge ball routine. The routine is well structured: you seem to start with nothing and end with nothing. Here's the effect as the audience sees it: "Beginning with your hands empty, you produce a silk; change it into a sponge ball; split it into two; and cause them to travel invisibly. You then cause the sponge balls to change into one, then into a silk, then back to nothing." It's a nice routine that can be done completely in the hands. Most likely you already have a sponge ball routine in your arsenal. If you don't, this is a great way to start. If you do, you may still find some useful items in this routine. Of particular interest is the clever holdout for a spongeball he explains.

You can tell that the material was not created for the lecture notes, but rather for John's use in the real world. This means the material is commercial, relatively easy to do, creative, well structured, and magical. The notes are a pleasure to read. The instructions are clear, and the photographs are exceptional. Although the price may be more than other lecture notes, the material is definitely a step above and the notes aren't just thrown together. John is a true professional. He is careful to explain each effect clearly and credit other inventors for their contributions to his effects. I recommend this set of lecture notes without reservation.

-Available from http://homepage.mac.com/johnghome/magic/SecondStorm.htm