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 Assassin's Card Sword - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [4:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Docc Hilford’s Assassin Card Sword presents you with a natural-looking gimmick that will allow the you to perform an organic feeling card sword routine. What does that mean exactly? With this gimmick in your pocket, you can perform a card sword routine at a moments notice so long as a knife or sword and a deck of cards is handy. Neither the deck or knife is gimmicked in any way; both of these items can be borrowed. In fact, the gimmick is in play only for one brief moment and is ditched without giving it any thought; it’s taken out of play before anything ever ‘happens’

Additional points for this effect that I liked: the card isn’t forced or gimmicked so you can perform this effect under near-test conditions (however if you prepare a card before hand and force it, a gimmick isn’t necessary). Unlike most card sword routines, the selected card in this effect can be signed (although not with a Sharpie-type pen). As far as angles are concerned, there’s only one, maybe two moments where the dirty work is done and ‘the move’ is executed; these shouldn’t be too much of an issue because you’ll be swinging a sword in a moment; the only person that should be near you at the time is your volunteer who should be easy enough to keep at a safe distance. Because the blade isn’t gimmicked, your volunteer can remove the card from the sword/knife and keep it.

Now that I’ve got the praise out of the way, there are a few other things I feel should be mentioned. First off, this effect is best performed with cheap-playing cards (i.e. non-Bicycle brand). In fact, the cheaper the cards, the better. While some of you may be Bicycle-purists, remember that these cards are going in the air and on the floor so a cheap deck that you can throw or give away at the end of a show isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Part of the reason this effect is so expensive is because of the replica sword that is included with it. That’s great if you don’t have one around the house if you want to star practicing right away, but the replica isn’t of the best quality. After a few weeks of practicing this effect, the decorative elements of the sword sheath started coming off (of course, this is remedied with glue). For stage purposes, however, the included sword will more than get the job done.

Finally, it should be noted that the instructions don’t cover how to repair or replace the gimmick should something happen to it. Using cheaper cards will definitely make the gimmick last longer, but not forever. Eventually something will need repair before you continue to perform the routine.

Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for the cleanest, ‘no gimmick card sword’, this is probably your best, albeit expensive, solution.

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, Effect, Standup/Stage | View Comments

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 Healed and Sealed 2.0 - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:39m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Anders Moden’s original Healed and Sealed manuscript brought about a new wave of astonishing street magic-esque effects using soda cans; this follow up DVD with additional thoughts, moves, and presentations seriously takes this effect to new levels.

The DVD kicks off with an in-depth look at the original Healed and Sealed and quickly opens up into new ways to execute the various magical phases of this all in one effect. Moden’s comprehensive look at the effect goes beyond just techniques and methods and offers both real world performing tips (for close up AND stage) along with several presentation ideas.

As far as single-effect DVDs go, this one is almost as good as it gets. This learning resource has what you need to get this effect into your repertoire and get you performing in the real world.

The DVD is available from Anders Moden at his website: http://www.andersmoden.com

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, Standup/Stage, Visual | View Comments

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 Beyond Deception - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I’ve read and reviewed quite a few books on magical creativity over the past few months; but of all the ones I’ve read, Tobias Beckwith’s Beyond Deception has easily become my favorite. I think what did it for me is that this particular book provides practical exercises for developing character and creating unique and original presentations for your magic. Creativity is such a nebulous thing and those who feel they *lack* it (while the book suggests otherwise) are going to get a lot more out of their brainstorming secessions if they have a more concrete path set before them to help guide and nurture their thinking process.

Because of the level of practicality this book offers, I’m going to highly recommend it to creativity-challenged magicians. The lessons and chapters provide exercises that you are capable of completing but may challenge you mentally by asking you to step out of your comfort level and expand your range of thinking and ultimately, make your magic better.

Beginning to end, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have actively used the exercises within to help me solve both magic and non-magic related creative challenges. Beyond Deception should be a permanent fixture on every magician’s drawing board.

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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 DBL STFT - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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A few months back, a video of Bizzaro performing an effect with a refilling Oreo cookie spread through iTricks and beyond. Almost immediately I contacted Bizzaro with an interest to perform this effect; eventually I scored a unit to test and review.

DBL STFT (read: “Double Stuffed”) is a surreal piece of visual magic. The effect is dead-as-a-doorknob simple to follow and produces a special moment of astonishment (even when performing it for yourself).

You receive both a gimmicked cookie and set of instructions which also explains methods for handing out a real Oreo cookie for consumption after the effect. Just be weary that you apparently already licked the cream off of the cookie…

My particular cookie was one of the first made in its limited quantity production. And even though the production process hadn’t been perfected before mine was made, even at a distance of 3-4 feet, the cookie is nearly indistinguishable from a real Oreo – this is due in part to the fact that you are keeping the Oreo in motion throughout the piece.

Angles are fairly reasonable when performing this effect. DBL STFT was designed to look like an off the cuff, spur of the moment piece of magic where the magician notices a case of Oreos at a strolling event and decides to do something impossible. Because of this, the advantage is in your own hands to set up and frame your audience to view the effect out in front of you. Only one sequence of the effect is susceptible to bad angles from behind; this can be eliminated by controlling your audience as previously mentioned or performing the effect closer to your body.

Bottom Line:
If you like the effect, definitely check this out before Bizzaro runs out!

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

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

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 Prophet - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Tom Isaacson’s Prophet is another iteration of the 5 $1 bills to 5 $100 bill changing effects. This particular change prides itself in being the most fluid and most visual change of its kind. Around the same time this product came to market, Richard Sanders released a similar effect of the same high-visual quality; my only comment on the Sanders effect known as Extreme Burn in comparison to Prophet is that most of the changes on the Extreme Burn DVD are easier to perform than the change taught in Prophet. The change used in Prophet is going to require more practice than other effects of the same classic plot but should be well within the reach of the average magician.

From the audience’s perspective, the change appears to require zero cover has a very clean and open look.

The teaching on the DVD falls in line with previous Theory11 releases. Those unfamiliar with the classic change gimmick get an in depth look at the construction, followed by a straight forward rundown of how to perform the effect.

One thing to be aware of, however, is that Prophet does have some angle issues but only slightly more so than other $5 – $500 change routines. Thankfully, the angles are openly discussed and viewers are taught how to deal with them.

Bottom Line:
Despite an elevated difficultly level and a marginally increased level of angle issues, Prophet is a beautiful, streamlined, no cover bill change that won’t fail to astonish.

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

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

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 Hottrix iPhone/ iPod Touch Videos - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Capitalizing on the wild popularity of Apple Inc’s iPhone and iPod Touch, Hottrix.com has created several video magic effects to perform on this multi-use, take-with-you-everywhere device; meaning you always have some magic in your pocket.

Downloading the files is simple enough and the folder includes both the video to load onto your iDevice in addition to an instructional PDF that’ll help you do so (if you don’t know how to) and how to perform the actual effect.

Most of the effects I received weren’t exactly magic effects but rather clever visual gags to surprise your friends (like drinking a beer that magically appears in the screen and pouring it into your mouth.) The most magical of the effects (and the sequence requiring the most practice) allows the performer to magically make popcorn within the screen, pluck one out of the screen, and then pour the rest into your hand or mouth. It’s a cute effect and surprisingly disarming for people who don’t realize your motions are in synch with a video.

Hottrix has recently added more video effects for the iDevices, many of which are more than just visual gags and more of a magical effect you could perform.

While intended for off the cuff performances, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to incorporate some of these gags or magic effects into your regular performances.

My only qualm with these effects is a small one but worth noting. Hottrix made the effort to create a set of videos specific for either the iPod Touch or the iPhone based upon the respective devices’ icons and layouts. Due to software updates, it has become possible for users to change and or rearrange the icons. If you reorder the buttons on your iDevice, just be weary that your audience may notice a discrepancy between the device’s home screen and the one that appears when it’s actually the video pretending to be the background. It’s not much of a big deal, but something worth mentioning.

Bottom Line: If you see an effect or visual gag you’d be interested in performing, go for it. The effects are simple, cute, and to the point – and they’re ready to go when you are.

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

Close Up, Comedy, Effect | View Comments

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 Past Midnight - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Fans of iTricks/Reviews know I’m not the biggest fan of Card Magic products (DVDs especially). For those not in the know, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for card magic, but there are so many products out there that most new releases feel very unnecessary. However, with that in mind, I’m glad I had the opportunity to watch Benjamin Earl’s Past Midnight.

While advanced, the experienced cardicians will most definitely dig into several of the clever effects on here. The material available on this set comes in such a wide range that it’s difficult to quantify the use of the knowledge and qualify the magicians that’ll get the most out of this.

A ‘card-magic-only’ magician friend of mine performed the effect Ramjollock for me a while before I saw the DVD and wouldn’t give me any tips on methodology or even where I could go to learn it – he wanted to keep it for himself. When I happened upon the effect on this DVD set I did two things:
1). Sit with an evil grin on my face.*
2). Called up my friend to burst his bubble.

Bottom Line:
I wouldn’t say it’s the best DVD card set or a must have, but I can say that I enjoyed the wide range of content present and have already begun integrating a little of the material into my repertoire.

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.

*It’s always the simple ones that are deceiving.

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

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 STS - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Some thoughts on Jay Noblezada’s Self Tying Shoelace (STS):

Ups:
- Very Easy
- Fun to perform
- Simple to follow
- No angle issues
- Gets people asking you to perform – the best icebreaker I’ve seen!

Downs:
- It isn’t real magic
- The reset is simple, fast to do, and can almost be done in front of people, but without practice, the method may be exposed.

Bottom Line:
I think the best thing about this effect is that it gives beginner magicians nervous about approaching people to perform the perfect icebreaker to boost their confidence. The progression from walking past a potential audience to finishing your performance couldn’t be more natural.

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.

Beginner, Close Up, Effect, Street Magic, Visual | View Comments

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 Duplicity - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Following in the footsteps of Twisted Sisters, Duplicity is the next great packet trick from John Bannon. The effect has what the worker wants: it’s simple, easy to perform, and easy for your audience to follow along. Unlike Twisted Sisters – of which this effect shares some of the same feel, the cards are completely examinable at the end of this routine. And finally, the thing I love most about this is that the climaxes build one on top of the other for a cascading finale: pow, Pow, POW!

The effect is taught by John Bannon himself on the included DVD which also features a freebie bonus effect. All in all, the instruction is straightforward and to the point.

Bottom Line:
I’m not that accepting of most packet tricks, but I would consider performing this one.

If you are interested in picking up this product for yourself, you can head on over to Fun Inc.

Beginner, Card Magic, Close Up, Effect, Mentalism, Worker Material | View Comments