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 Psycolor Change Deck - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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This one’s a bit ballsy. A good portion of the DVD is spent assuring the viewer that the effect can be performed and that the psychology works. Two magicians gave testimony that they did not know what was going on and that they were in fact, fooled. Watching from home, I caught it the first time, however it may have been because I knew exactly what kind of effect was about to be performed.

Still though, it is interesting, the thinking behind this one. It’s quite simple to do. The deck is completely ordinary and the setup is very elementary. The most challenging part of performing this is getting the confidence to do so, trusting the method. I’d highly recommend trying this one out at your local magic ring to help gain the confidence you’ll need to perform the effect. Confidence is the true secret of this effect. You must be totally committed to it; the method relies largely upon the natural way you perform this effect.

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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 The Ring Thing - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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This quick effect with a finger ring is quite surprising, considering it is performed with a normal finger ring, however I feel it should be incorporated into a larger finger ring routine, rather than just a single effect.

For those of you a little confused, no this is not Garrett Thomas’ “Ring Thing”, this is Tank’s “The Ring Thing”…

While the titles may sound slightly similar, the effects are totally different. The idea here is to slide your finger ring off your hand, through your fingers – as opposed to over the tips of your fingers. The effect requires good timing, confidence, and the proper ring – each of which is adequately discussed on the DVD.

For those of you pondering what ring will work best, class rings and similarly shaped rings tend to work best. Performing the effect with thin bands makes the effect notably more risky as far as exposing the method, but it can be done.

In addition to the single move, you’ll learn several other finger ring effects to incorporate with the keynote move.

At $25 I think this DVD is priced a little high, but the move taught here has the distinct advantage of being impromptu as opposed to various gimmicked variations.

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, Restaurant, Street Magic | View Comments

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 Outside the Conventional - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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The close up mentalism effects on this DVD will not only find favor amongst mentalists, but also by bizarrists and even traditional close up performers alike. Not only are these effects performed in front of a lay audience, but they are often presented through story – good logical presentations which enhance the effect.

Most of these effects require some sort of setup or advanced preparation and when possible, the idea of using certain effects in walk around performances is discussed (regarding reset options). Otherwise, these effects can run in a wide variety of close up/standup performing situations. Because of the intimate way these effects are constructed, I feel that some of these effects will need restructuring if you desire to perform them in anything that resembles a stage or a larger audience; for example, one of these effects essentially changes the coin in a spectator’s hand – not exactly something visible for larger crowds.

For a two disk set, I would have liked more than 8 effects (which could fit on one disk), but because you also get some rich presentations to go along with these effects, you may find some 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.

Close Up, DVD, Mentalism | View Comments

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 Optical Delusion - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Optical Delusion is a specialized effect designed to help promote your services as a performer.

Setting up this effect is going to test just how tech savvy you are. Preparation requires filming the video to use in the effect – so you’re going to need a video camera. Furthermore, you’ll need some sort of video and photo editing software. Aaron lists several free downloadable programs that will get the job done. For those of you with little to no video editing experience, Aaron takes you through the process step by step of how to construct the key elements of the video to be played on your phone.

There are so many different cellphone designs these days and naturally, there are going to be some phones that just won’t work for this one. The four key requirements to performing OD with your phone are:
1). The ability to take digital photos
2). The ability to view video files
3). The ability to transfer video files from your computer to your phone (via USB, Bluetooth, SD card, etc…)
4). A fairly decent sized viewing screen.

In addition to the basic routine, several additional effects are taught without the use of a deck of cards.

One of my favorite features of the DVD was the ‘Patterson Force’ – a super simple force that really kicks the crap out of older versions of similar forces. There is a little preparation involved, but once you have the setup in the deck, you can use the deck for anything you please.

Overall, I was pleased with this DVD. I think if you have the knowledge and ability or the confidence to learn how to prepare for this effect, it will be more than worth the $35 price tag for all the gigs this will get 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, DVD, Effect, Mentalism, Restaurant, Street Magic | View Comments

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 Mental Influence - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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A devilish grin crept across my face after seeing these two effects performed, both are quite simple to perform and odds are you’ll definitely be tempted to add one of these to your regularly performing repertoire.

The teaching on this DVD is short, sweet, and to the point without leaving much out.

That said, I’d prefer to have this DVD sell for around $30-35 (vs. just $25 for the 21-minute DVD) and come with the supplies to make one of these decks. Finding what you need to construct these decks will require a quick stop by your magic store (B&M or Online) and a little time on your part to put everything together. No glue or anything that fancy, this is a pretty simple DIY ‘trick’ deck.

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, Mentalism | View Comments

Stripper Deck: Hey hey hey, I’m here everyone!

Johnny the Jerk: Oh no, not Stripper Deck, who invited him? That guy’s a real gaff!

Derek: No, hey wait, no guys, haven’t you seen that STRIP DVD yet? This guy can actually be useful, you know, have some real world applications AND be handled in what would be defined as a ‘natural manner’ by magicians obsessed with subtilties and other little things that only other practiced magicians would notice.

Johnny the Jerk: Hey, Derek, why are you talking like that?

Stripper Deck: Shut up Johnny!

Derek: Thank you Stripper Deck. So, as I was saying, perhaps we should keep him around. Lots of people tend pass off our friend Stripper Deck as just a kids trick deck. That STRIP DVD may actually surprise you with its content, there were quite a few classic routines explained there, all of which took advantage of ol’ Stripper Deck’s unique properties.

Johnny the Jerk: So wait, are you trying to get me to let your stripper friend stay? Or do you want me to get this DVD?

Sweet Suzy: Oh Johnny the Jerk, he’s just telling you that the STRIP DVD may change our outlook on that old, cast aside trick deck and that if you give him a chance, you may find the two of you could get along and even perform together.

Derek: Well said, Sweet Suzy.

Johnny the Jerk: Hey, don’t take my girl

Sweet Suzy: I can take care of myself Johnny the Jerk. We’re through, I’m going with him! Yes that’s right, I choose the Stripper Deck over 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, DVD | View Comments

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 TnR - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Seeing Chris Kenner perform TnR reminded me of my pre-magic days when I was fooled beyond belief whenever I saw a magician perform (and just about every time I see Cyril on YouTube).

TnR goes beyond your standard torn and restored card – yes I realize that is said quite often, but TnR is truly different because it combines a prediction/change/transposition along with the restoration. During the restoration, the performer clearly shows each piece of the card before it is restored and yet when the restored card is turned around, the card is completely different.

Unlike most Torn and Restored cards, there are a few special restrictions that may or may not impact your purchasing decision: 1). The card cannot be signed 2). The restored card can’t be handed out (unless it’s switched – and a simple switch is discussed on the DVD). It is possible, however to have the torn card restore into the same card.

Making the gimmick is going to take some time to make it perfect, but it should be well within the grasp of most. The construction and effect instruction sections are clear and easy to learn from.

If you are interested in picking up this product, you can check out www.theory11.com.

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

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 Witness - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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To quote Lee Asher, Witness is, “a lesson in simplicity,” – indeed!

This one is a treasure and a worker. It’s simple to follow and shockingly easy to perform (so you have NO excuse not to be solid with your presentation).

Witness can play in just about any environment so long as your audience can see the card in the bag. If you wanted to reset the effect for walk around performances, you could feasibly do it in front of your audience or give away the bag with your business card and carry around several pre-prepared bags. The prep work is really quick and doesn’t require any cutting or slits of any kind.

T11′s high standard of video quality continues to be sharp and engaging.

I used Theory11′s instant download section to get this movie in just a few minutes; and if you can’t wait to get your hands on this one, I’d recommend checking out this service.

Witness is seriously rockin’ and a true worker.

If you are interested in picking up this product, you can check out www.theory11.com.

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

My name is Rand Woodbury and I have never reviewed a piece of magical equipment in my life. And to be honest, I have never really wanted to review anything. That is until today. I, personally, have never really found this effect to be mind blowing. And that probably because I have never done a bottle act or anything with glasses. However, every version of this trick I have seen just left me thinking ‘whatever’. There is just no other way, for me, to express it. They all had something I didn’t like about them.

Well, now there is a version of that trick, from Will Golden, that fixes every flaw in the idea. What do I mean? Follow me here: no hooks, no weights, no ringing or noisy bottle, no searching for the catch (at all), no chugging liquid and it can secretly release while you’re pouring … if you wish. OK, what gives? Mr. Golden’s version of the effect took seven (7) years in development. Check! Mr. Golden makes every single, by hand, himself. Check! And Will has never had one returned; once sold. Check!!! It was put into my hands today and I could not believe how easy it was to work or there is no possible way of MISSING the glass – period !!! It is simply a perfect version of this trick. Hey, no missing and you are left CLEAN, with nothing to hide. If I didn’t know how it worked, I would have never figured it out. I can only think that Will looked at every other version out there and said, “How do we get rid of this flaw?”, over the past seven years. And by using really original, conceptual improvements … he simply figured out the best version this effect. They are available from Denny & Lee’s Magic Shop’s and the suggested retail price is around $120.00, but worth ever single penny. My hat is off to Will’s ingenuous, new, and WAY IMPROVED version of a legendary effect. Five stars! If you do this effect – this version is better. If you have never done this effect, you can – one second after you take it out of the box. I do mean WOW!

Effect, Stage | View Comments