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 UV Nightshades - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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This is the Nightshades we’ve been waiting for.

When the DVD arrived, I was surprised to find everything you need to perform the effect (minus the bill) was included – even the fine-tipped Sharpie recommended when performing this effect. The really great thing is that you get all this for the same price of your average one-trick-DVD with all the goodies included.

The workings of the effect are quite simple, however I’m a little nervous about carrying around the effect just expecting to perform it at someone’s request. I’m not saying it’s not doable, I’m just afraid I might lose one of the ‘parts’. Course, there are other methods taught on the DVD for getting setup and ready to go quickly and how to carry things around for real world performances. I should also note that the package also came with a carrying case to store all the necessities.

One of the pieces that makes this effect work requires you to make a trip to the local office/craft shop to pick up some refills. You receive enough of this stuff for about 100 performances and after that, this stuff is relatively inexpensive.

Construction of the gimmick is pretty straightforward, all you’ll need is a pair of scissors and a few minutes of your time. For folks who are new to the Nightshades effect (Improv Nightshades), it may take more than one attempt to make the right gimmick, but you are supplied with more than enough stuff to make at least half a dozen gimmicks.

The workings of the effect are quite simple. The get ready isn’t bad, and depending on how you perform the effect, there is the opportunity to show your hands clean (but I really don’t think it’s a big deal in the case of this effect). Angles are fairly reasonable as well. This can be performed surrounded with your only potential weak spot being behind and lower than your outstretched hand.

As mentioned on the back of the case, this can be performed with any borrowed bill that you have a prepared gimmick for, although newer, crisp bills work best. If presented with only wrinkled bills, you can keep the original setup but may have to resort to the original change as taught in Paul’s Improv Nightshades (it’s explained on the DVD for this purpose).

In addition to UV Nightshades, you’ll learn two extra effects using the included props, one of which is an equally visual adaptation of Paul Harris’ Peeler. (Seriously, you need to see it).

If you are interested in snagging this up for your self, you can The Astonishment Project visit on the web at www.theastonishmentproject.com.

Close Up, DVD, Effect, Money, Restaurant, Street Magic, Visual | View Comments

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 Amazing Materializing Signature - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:28m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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The Amazing Materializing Signature is a fair attempt at a something magicians have dreamt of performing for ages: taking a spectator’s signature from the FACE of one card and causing it to appear, transpose, etc, on the FACE of another card.

Sounds great, right? Well, you can do just that, with a legitimate signature, no doops, and no special ink. So what’s the catch? Because of the way the effect is performed, it isn’t a ‘big deal’ but in the end, the signature transposes from one Jack to another Jack.

The effect requires a set up which may be inconvenient for walk-around magicians but could be used in this performing arena if a brief reset period is allowed.

Inside the package, you receive a set of printed instructions and multiple gimmicks for red and blue backed decks. Each gimmick should last several performances and when you run out, it is quite easy to make a bunch of new ones.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

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 Scrolls - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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The more I am exposed to Bizarre Magic, the more I think ALL magicians should study it. One of the greatest misconceptions of this epoch in magic is the stereotype that all Bizarre magic is deeply mystical, uses tarot cards, colored stones, based upon legends, etc.

Well yeah, it does, but not all the time. One of the greatest lessons I’ve received from my brief study of Bizarre magic is that Bizarrists tend to get it, the whole ‘Magic is an Art form-thing’. Their magic is woven into powerful stories rather than knuckle busting/super impossible, magician fooling magic with crappy patter.

Scrolls will aid both bizzarists and magicians alike who wish to effectively tie their magic together with their character and create true magic. The ideas presented here can carry over not only to effects of a mystical nature, but also to card magic, coin magic, cups and balls, etc. Sure, magicians have been getting by for years using the mediocre patter included with the latest hot magic trick but taking some extra time to reframe and refocus the purpose of a magic routine will be more than worth the brain power.

The book is focused less on methodology and more on the powerful stories, something I’m finding to be common amongst Bizarre Magic books. To illustrate the power of a great plot, there is a version of the 6 Card Repeat taught in this book that is almost worth performing (hahaha!)

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

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 Blindsight - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Blindsight packs in quite a bit of mental magic into a pretty small package, essentially consisting of, a few slips of paper, and some envelopes. Can you say “Packs Flat (read: small), Plays Big?”

Blindsight comes with everything you need to perform it right out of the package including envelopes, Devin’s typical excellent instructional write ups, and everything else you need to perform this routine.

I’ve heard others say they feel there is some ‘dead time’ in the routine as you perform it, but I don’t think it’s really an issue. Remember, this is a mentalism effect and the miracles have a tendency to take time before the payoff.

Some people may be concerned that the included pens are not of the Sharpie Brand. Again, it’s a non issue really, but if you want to make up one of the pens with a Sharpie, it’s really straightforward and easy to do.

@ $20, Blindsight has a really aggressive price point!

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Effect, Mentalism | View Comments

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 Helter Shelter - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I wish I had this DVD a few years ago when I was ‘shopping around’ for a razor blades-on-string routine. Bizzaro, my hat goes off to you. Helter Shelter is a fantastic, comprehensive DVD on this classic in magic.

You really get it all on this DVD. Bizzaro breaks out his collection of props, tools, and gimmicks that can be used to perform this routine. Throughout its contents, you’ll take in more than enough methods to perform this routine and most likely find one (or more!) that’ll work for you.

Better still, Bizzaro takes you through the methodology of the various gimmicks and props so you can really decide what’s going to work best for you in a variety of different performing arenas.

Course, it doesn’t stop there. You’ll also get lots of tips from Bizzaro’s extended history of performing this including how to incorporate blood packets and a pretty sweet razor up nose (/vanishing razor) effect.

Finally, I’d like to thank Bizzaro for taking the effort to make this DVD entertaining to watch; a nice change of pace from those other DVDs.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Bizarre, Close Up, Standup/Stage | View Comments

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 My Ideas - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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My Ideas features two different kinds of ‘cute’ ideas by the famous inventor of the appearing and vanishing canes and candles, Fantasio.

Volume one teaches a handful of Fantasio’s ideas using his canes and candles, some of which he’s successfully marketed for many years. Other ideas, like his bic-lighter to fan and Super Zipper Banana are openly explained for you to make at home (although you’re going to have to figure out exactly how to string the cards together to make the bic-fan). BTW – the Rider deck taught on this disk is really cool and probably my favorite item in this whole set.

Volume two takes through a short little show using items found in a medicine cabinet. There is some interesting creativity here and it’s interesting to see how these every day objects are used when combined with magic. However! A few of the items feel a little under developed – think of performing a chop cup ‘routine’ with only one phase: let me get out these props, go ahead examine the cup, the ball vanishes, and reappears, ok next trick! Of course, there’s no reason why your creativity can’t supplement this.

Overall, you’re getting quite a bit of magic for just $15 per volume, and seeing as most of the items on volume one are now available for you to make at home, you’re getting a pretty good value here.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

DVD, Standup/Stage | View Comments

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 Muscle Pass DVD - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Mastering the muscle pass is almost a rite of passage for close up magicians; and while requiring a great deal of practice and dedication, the move is more than worth the effort.

This Muscle Pass DVD is the best resource for learning this move (that I am aware of…) You learn all the goods to mastering this difficult move in addition to some simple subtilties to quickly make your muscle pass seem ‘higher’ than it really is.

Of course, after all that practice, what can you do with this move? There are some pretty simple routines that are taught on this DVD which throw in the Muscle Pass as a single magical moment, but I think the coolest application of the move is a coin through *almost* anything (think wall, body, chair, etc); totally impromptu, borrowed coin (so long as you can perform the muscle pass with it).

One of my favorite features of the DVD was watching Jay Noblezada learn how to perform the Muscle Pass in his left hand. I think that people who’ve never attempted to learn this taxing move will find encouragement in watching this bonus feature – it’s always good to see that magic doesn’t just come naturally.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Close Up, Coin, Street Magic, Worker Material | View Comments

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 International Collection - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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The real genius of this DVD is two fold.

1). From a marketing standpoint, language isn’t a barrier and thus the material can be purchased and understood by anyone. The effects aren’t even titled and instead are labeled with numbers. I even inquired with Jay Sankey whether the DVD is region protected or not – it isn’t!

2). The magic taught here (for the most part) is great for transcending language barriers and performing in noisy performing situations where you’d look stupid yelling over the rock music for someone to “PICK A CARD”!!!

As previously mentioned, the DVD transcends the language barrier. How does this happen you ask? Non-lingual instruction, think XCM instructional DVD. For the most part this isn’t an issue as you are able to learn the magic quite clearly; and since the magic here can be performed without any patter, no big deal, right? Sure, but what if you want to perform this ‘normally’ (with patter) and or would like some additional performing tips, subtilties, etc – too bad.

On the other hand, all the material on this DVD is readily available from the plethora of previous Sankey Magic products, so if you already own several of his books and or DVDs…

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Close Up, DVD | View Comments

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 LINK! - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Cyril Takayama (the awesome French/Japanese magician of YouTube fame) used this visual rubberband link; if that isn’t a good enough review (read “endorsement”) for you…

Ok, awesomeness aside, what is “LINK!”?

The first half of the DVD covers the standard Crazy Man’s Handcuffs routine and branches far from the standard move used in the routine. You’ll learn multiple links and unlinks, some of which even occur when the spectator is holding one of the bands. Most magicians have seen this stuff however, but it is a fairly extensive resource for people only vaguely familiar with the workings behind this classic.

The second half of the DVD covers the construction and applications of a simple gimmick which can create some astonishingly visual links. The special gimmick is best hidden against dark, patterned clothing and is vulnerable to extreme close up performances (3-5 feet is a good distance). It is worth noting that the gimmick is right there out in front of you even when not using it, but if the conditions are right (the darker the better…) there’s no reason you couldn’t use this regularly. I tested this out however and was able to conceal the majority of the gimmick behind my jacket when not in use.

Link! is notibly different from the Daniel Garcia method in that the linked objects (you can use finger rings too!) can be tugged on and show a strong and definite linkage without worrying about the special extra something breaking.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Close Up, DVD, Street Magic, Worker Material | View Comments

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 Flying Matches - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Flying Matches is a collection of magical effects using a shimmed match. Things start to get interesting when you start combine the effects into a single 3-5 minute routine.

Each of the routines is clearly taught and you have more than enough flexibility to include, drop, switch, and improvise the effects. Some of the ideas are quite old (unlit matchstick returns to a previously ‘lit’ pack) although the effects do have the addition of the PK ring to make the routines a little more deceptive, easier, and in the case of the vanishes, more visual.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Close Up, DVD | View Comments

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 Card Trick Magic Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Card Trick Magic is without a doubt the best beginner’s DVD I’ve ever seen focused specifically on card magic for people getting their first taste of magic. Unlike most card magic DVDs for beginners, Card Trick Magic sticks with the simplest of slights (Criss-Cross Force, Glide, etc) and encourages the viewer to master only a few basic moves used in most of the effects as opposed to learning several slights for only a few of the effects.

That said, this DVD is probably far too elementary for +90% of the people reading this review (at least on iTricks.com).

The production values for this DVD are pretty high, however, there were a few performance clips where road noise could be heard in the background.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

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 Pure Filth - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Talk about genuinely getting a lot of magic from only 4 cards. Pure Filth ups the ante on the classic Gemeni Twins routine with the addition of gimmicked cards.

In the end, only one card is examinable, luckily it’s the one card your audience is most likely going to try and grab.

As I read through the instructions (which are printed in full color) I had to pause multiple times and reread several lines to figure out where I was and what I was supposed to be doing – something common amongst the majority of packet trick instructions. Furthermore, it wasn’t until I watched the performance video of this routine performed by David Regal that I started to get a sense of how the routine should feel (It should be noted that liked the routine substantially more after viewing said video).

Suitable patter is included however the filthy/ naughty patter that is alluded to is left for your own imagination.

For those of you looking to perform this in a walk around situation, note that the packet resets by simply reversing the order of the four cards.

And as a final note: the blue printing for the back design is noticeably lighter than what is typical of a blue bicycle card – although I think it is safe to say only magicians would notice this.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Card Magic, Close Up, Effect | View Comments

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 Refraction Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Naturally, Refraction is not that effect with the holy grail-type gimmick magicians all seek. But of course, you knew that, right?

Refraction is a worker’s solution to performing a very special effect – so keep that in mind if you plan on picking up this DVD and bending wine glasses at your next fine dining meeting or wine tasting event. This is really suited for performing in actual gigs and not those rare occasions when you are looking for a winning effect to get that big time gig.

Now before you decide to plunk down $50 to learn this single effect, bare in mind that you’re going to have to steal a glass from your performing venue to prepare in advance. Also keep in mind that the venue will not like finding bent wine glasses everywhere (unless you mention it beforehand).

For those of you who don’t work the table hopping arenas, never fear, there is a solution for you, one that will probably be used more often than the brave worker’s solution.

Both versions however use the same bending method and psychological premises to apparently bend the wine glass in the audience member’s hand.

David knows the ins and outs of this pet effect and teaches all the important minute details – especially when it comes to milking the effect without killing the moment.

Bottom line, remember that how the spectator perceives the effect is more important than the method.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Close Up, Mentalism, Restaurant | View Comments

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 About Face Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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About Face is a difficult item to review since it’s one of those items you’ll like it or dismiss the effect as too simple.

Overall, the DVD is of typical Sankey Magic quality: good quality picture, instruction, sound, and crazy outbursts from the host.

The supplied cards are conveniently printed on Bicycle stock BUT, they are (what I’ve been told) ‘Canadian Jokers’. What is a Canadian Joker, you ask? Take a look above at the DVD cover, specifically at the index corners of the cards. Some magicians are OCD about minor details like this and don’t want to deal with that one layman who notices the index corners are different and therefore must be trick cards (unless you’re in Canada).

Jay was even so kind as to include an extra ‘About Face Joker’ in case you loose or damage one; especially considering your audience can (and will!) examine some of the cards after they change.

I’ve tested this effect and received a range of responses to it, going from good to ok. I think it’s important to keep in mind who you perform this effect to, especially considering that the magic that happens in this effect is subtle and will be completely missed unless someone is giving their full, undivided attention.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Card Magic, Close Up, DVD, Effect | View Comments

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 Ascension - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Here’s my deal with Nick Langham’s ‘Ascension’. I am partial to the traditional card rise, regardless of method. A card is thought of/selected and proceeds to rise. Adding a second deck to this premise has it’s advantages, but I personally prefer the rising card effect in it’s simplest forms.

So lets take a look at what comes in the box. You receive the special Ascension card rise gimmick, a normal deck of cards (for the special gimmick, which, I might add, can go into either a red OR blue backed deck), an opposite colored, specially stacked deck, and an instructional DVD.

The actual Ascension card rise gimmick seems fairly well made, but time will be the ultimate test – and since there isn’t much discussion on making new gimmicks, take care of it. Also worth noting, the card will only rise out of the case 50% of the time. The other 50% of the time the deck must be removed before the card can rise out. Note: having to remove the deck from the case for the card to rise has nothing to do with the gimmick getting stuck in any way; it sounds a little bit odd, but there you go.

In the end, I think it comes down to you wanting to perform this effect (or not) and accepting the fact that you’ll need to carry two decks to perform a single effect when it’s possible to perform many tricks with just one normal deck. Everything included is of good quality, well thought out and put together – the decision is up to you.

If you are a magic dealer and are interested in carrying this product, you can contact Murphy’s Magic Supplies at 916 853 9292 or visit them on the web at www.murphysmagicsupplies.com.

Card Magic, Close Up, Effect, Street Magic, Worker Material | View Comments