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 Real Ghost - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
- You can create some pretty deceptive and spooky effects with this device.
- The device is remote controlled and the button is very easy to find and activate from the outside of your pocket.
- 1 yr warranty included
- You can put a great deal of distance between yourself and the ‘touched’ volunteer – and remember, the timing of the touch is under your control.
- Very fair conditions for performing on stage; can be performed in more intimate standup or close up situations without much restriction.

Downs:
- Instructional videos must be retrieved from the internet – I would have greatly preferred a DVD, but you get enough instruction from the online videos to get you going. That said, I would have liked to see more applications for this $300 device explained.
- The remote is made from a cheap feeling plastic but should hold up well if properly cared for.
- Device requires a bit of fixing up every dozen performances or so. Nothing you can’t handle though and most of the supplies are included for your first dozen tune ups.

Bottom Line:
If you are looking to take your PK touches routine up a notch or want to dive head first into this spooky classic of magic, the Real Ghost may be your ticket (if you can afford a $300 ticket).

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, Standup/Stage | View Comments

Reading? Overrated! Download the review for later or listen to it below! If you have a product you want to talk about, tell us about it. Here’s how.

 Osterlind Trilogy - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
This is a must read. I thoroughly enjoyed the Osterlind Trilogy. There is a lot of wisdom in here that all magicians need. The advice is simple and practical to apply.
Overall, a fairly light read for a book on this subject matter.

Downs:
None

Bottom Line:
Start shopping for a copy for your library.

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.

Book | View Comments

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 Sponge Eyeballs - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
This is a worker’s sponge routine – so long as you can make the plethora of cornea [read "corny"] jokes work for you.
Comes with four painted sponge eyeballs that shouldn’t be too difficult to touch up with a marking pen should any of the design fade.

Downs:
These aren’t the softest eyeballs, er sponge-balls I’ve ever used, but they work just fine.

Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for a sponge-ball routine that doesn’t revolve around a set of (occasionally described) ‘hokey-red-balls’, this may be the routine for you (just be considerate with the excessive eye-related puns).

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, Effect, Restaurant, Worker Material | View Comments

Reading? Overrated! Download the review for later or listen to it below! If you have a product you want to talk about, tell us about it. Here’s how.

 Control - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
- Completely impromptu. You don’t need to do anything or carry anything around with you. There isn’t even a get ready.
- This will play in almost any venue you can think of. Wayne teaches you a handful of ways to make this play in intimate close up performances or for an audience of hundreds without anything extra.
- There are zero health risks when performing this effect. There’s a better chance of having an airplane filled with cyborg monkeys crashing into your venue than… well, you get the point.
- Extremely thorough teaching and excellent production quality.

Word of Caution:
Despite the apparent ease in working this effect, I’m afraid too many folks are going to dive right into performing this one. The majority of the work here is selling the fact that your heart is stopping – and while that is not too technically demanding, it is imperative that you TAKE THE TIME to master your performance to sell this effect.

Bottom Line:
Whether you’re looking for an awesome impromptu ‘street’ effect, a startling close up miracle, or a bizarre wonder for the stage, Control is going to be the one they’ll be talking about.

If you are interested in picking this up for yourself, you can checkout Theory11 at www.theory11.com.

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

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

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Ups:

Teaches a few effects with the emphasis of economy of actions and protecting your methods through natural actions.

The idea is to take your simple tricks and make them magical. That means buying a packet trick and having the creativity to make the story or the effect truly worth performing.

Downs:
The main focus here is on card magic; and while it is very well covered, I wish the author would have provided more examples of non-card magic.

Bottom Line:
This is one of those books that needs to be in every worker’s and creator’s library.

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.

Book, Close Up | View Comments

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 Ambelitious Card - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
This gimmick, when added to your deck can be used to end a large variety of selected card routines (including signed cards)
Fairly well made. Additional gimmicks could be made without too much effort should the provided one wear out.

Downs:
Moderate difficulty in making it look convincing, but the basic principle behind this effect has been in use for a long time and magicians are able to make this look good. With the addition of the gimmick, things become a little harder, but its nothing a bit of extra focused practice can’t remedy.
The DVD doesn’t teach you how to ‘clean up’ after the effect is performed, however it shouldn’t be that hard to figure something out on your own, should you decide to give the signed card away.
The DVD instructions were very brief. I wanted more from them, but you can get by with what is presented.

Bottom Line:
I think if more instruction was given on the DVD, I would feel more confident in backing this product. However, I think most magicians would be capable of making this work for them if they were seriously interested in adding this effect to their repertoire.

The list of international dealers can be found at www.masudas-atto.com

Card Magic, Close Up, Effect | View Comments

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 Mystery Hole - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
Intricate and clever method (for gimmick fans)
Very deceptive – a real baffling illusion
Well made
Instantly repeatable, great for walkaround performers.

Downs:
Not examinable
Could be damaged if not stored flat
For the full performance in the instructions, it is recommended that you carry around a hole punch (this may only be a concern if you are worried about pocket space).

Bottom Line:
If you can apply a worthy presentation to this effect, you’ll have a thoroughly baffling effect to add to your repertoire.

Correction, the list of international dealers can be found at www.masudas-atto.com

Close Up, Effect | View Comments

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 Retro Sight - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
This is something different an original.
Instructions are well laid out and thought through (as per usual w/ Mr. Knight)
Clever thinking in methodology.
Everything you need is provided with the trick with the exception of a reflective surface (see below)

Downs:
As much as I like this effect, I’m afraid that some people may shy away from it because one of the items required for the effect is a reflective surface. You are quite open for what you can use: mirror, the back of an iPod/iPhone, a glass wall, napkin holder, etc. The only tricky bit with performing this effect is getting a reflective surface and ensuring your audience can clearly view the reflections within. If you can manage that, then this is a non-issue.

Bottom Line:
Reflection issue aside, this is a very unique and special effect for close up environments.

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, Effect | View Comments

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 The T & R Project [1:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Card Magic, Close Up, DVD | View Comments

Secret Cabaret review from Andrew Mayne on Vimeo.

DVD | View Comments

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 Bootlegs and B-Sides [1:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Card Magic, Close Up, DVD | View Comments

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Available here:
http://www.outofthehatmagic.com

This is a great compilation of pen through dollar bill effects. I really think these are clever, and well thought out. Very practical, and I will be performing them!

Introduction:

It is just what you think it is, the creator talks about how he created the effects.

Puncture:

This is the main routine. a dollar bill is borrowed, as well as a pen. The bill is folded in half legnthwise, and the bill is cleanly pushed through. The pen is taken out, and the bill is shown to be unharmed. The bill is then folded widthwise, and the pen is placed into. Now, the pen starts to slowly melt through the bill, and they are both handed back to the spectator. I really like this routine, and it is also easy. Just imagine Misled, but completely impromptu. By the way, this should work with any bill. There are no gimmicks either.

Holy Rip:

This is whte first phase of Puncture, but with a gimmick. It is even cleaner, and you rip the pen through the bill, and it can even be heard. The bill is then restored, and handed back out with the pen. I think this is a neat idea, and a nice cimple gimmick.

S.M.U.P.T.R:

The is the second phase of Puncture, but done in a different way. I like this version a lot, and is also completely impromptu.

Scribble:

A card is selected, and placed back in the deck, or whatever. The spectator is instructed to take a sharpie, and make a bunch of marks on the magician’s hands. After then is done, the magician’s hands are completely scribled on, but when the fingers are interlaced, it forms the name of the selected card. I think this is a clever idea, and people will like it. I won’t use it, because I don’t like to get my hands drawn on, but it is a cool idea.

Thanks To Sankey:

A prediction is seen to be paperclipped to the inside of the card case. A card is selected and signed. The paperclipped card turns out to be the signed card. If you like Paperclipped by Jay Sankey, but didn’t like the folding of the card, you will like this. It is nice, easy, and practical.

Booklet, Close Up | View Comments

Reviewing MAKE magazine’s magic issue from Andrew Mayne on Vimeo.

Book | View Comments

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 Bammo Dekronomicon - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
- This effect claims to be the ‘Holy Grail’ of ACAANs. In the eyes of the audience, it comes close.
- Very complete instructions
- Best suited for non-repetatitive close up situations (Parlour is better than table-hopping).

Downs:
- (While it really shouldn’t matter) Method wise, this is not the Holy Grail of ACAANs
- I wouldn’t use this ACAAN if I were table hopping
- You must make props yourself. Simple, easy to do, shouldn’t cost more than the effect will be worth to you if you perform it. (There’s a fair chance you already have everything you’ll need, so it may cost you nothing).

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for a clean ACAAN for a non-repetitive performing situation this is something you may be interested in checking out.

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, Standup/Stage | View Comments