Archive for October, 2008

Route 66 Reviewed by Mark Tirone

Posted by DerekMerdinyan on October 31st, 2008

This is a review for Alvo Stockman’s Route 66 trick available esclusively through penguinmagic.

I had the pleasure of getting Route 66 By Alvo Stockman. I can honostly say that I LOVE IT!! It is THE best sandwhich routine I have ever seen. I dont think there has ever been something this versatile and this good. It does not use any trickery trolls or wicked witches (Jay Sankey). Just 3 cards and an ordinary deck of cards. It is 100% impromptu and 100% impossible.

The teaching 4/5 I liked Alvo’s teaching like always. But this time he seemed a bit confused when teaching but that does not matter. Also the time for the download was a bit short and the performance was not included. It was an 8 minute download but it was great.

The Method 5/5 The one thing that everybody is confused with, It the method. Its great. Seriously. If you are looking for a good card trick to do, This is it. Alvo created a devious card trick right here. There are absolutely NO controls and only like 2 sleights in the trick other than spread and dribble. I love how flexible you can be with this trick. You can change the method to fit you and how you like to perform. But I like Alvo’s and will use his.

Difficulty 5/5 This trick is perfect on difficulty. It will require maybe 5 minutes of practice to get down and actually understand the “system” envolved in the trick. If you are a beginner and looking for a good trick to learn, Get this. I look forward to using this in school soon as well as the gig I have this weekend. The thing that people dont like is the simplicity. There is nothing different in any sandwhich effect on the market now besides the cards being stapled or rubberbanded or anything. If you want to rubberband the cards or staple them then go ahead. Make it as hard as you want (TWSS)

Presentation 4/5 I really liked the presentation. Alvo did a good job performing this effect and giving all different ways to make it fit you and what you like to do and how you perform the effect. The way I will be doing it, Is saying that route 66 is a highway (Where I live) that connects to every road in New Jersey. Every road you go down leads to route 66. I tell them that if you are lost, you will usually take the road you are on and find route 66 to get back home. Then I tell them that I lost there card in the deck and the 2 face up cards in the middle act as route 66 and were finding the card as I have been talking. I then give the spectator the deck to spread and they find the sandwiched cards. You could be pretty flexible with this.

Overall Alvo did a beautiful job with this trick and really worked on it, I can tell. He put the time and effort into devising this full proof method and sort of “move” that helps you do the trick as well as a few older techniques and some that he took and made new again. He added the special subtleties and gave you this wonderfull piece of real magic. To solve your answers, The reason this is so different, Is because unlike any other sandwich effect because the deck is dropped right on top of the card and you can either leave it there or shuffle it or cut it. You really loose the card. I am NOT joking. Most other effects like this spread the cards and then do a bunch of sleights to control it to the top yada yada. This does not use any real controls. Thanks Alvo!

Director’s Cut – Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan

Posted by DerekMerdinyan on October 24th, 2008

If you have a product you want to talk about, tell us about it. Here’s how.

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

Millionaire Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan

Posted by DerekMerdinyan on October 10th, 2008

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.

icon for podpress  Millionaire Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

MILLIONAIRE

Highlights from the Podcast Review:
- Peter Eggink’s Millionaire is a visual bill transformation that happens in the spectator’s hands.
- You are supplied with gimmicks and several fake bills for practicing the effect
- Instruction on the DVD covers the main points and gets you on your way to productive practice sessions
- I haven’t seen a bill change like Millionaire before. The effect manages to set itself away from other bill changes, not by the fact that the change happens in their hand, but that the change that takes place in their hands is a visual one.

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

Pandora’s Box Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan

Posted by DerekMerdinyan on October 8th, 2008

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.

icon for podpress  Pandoras Box Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

PANDORASBOX

<strong>Highlights from the Podcast Review:</strong>
- Making and installing the gimmick is fairly easy and shouldn’t take more than a minute or two
- DVD comes with enough supplies to gimmick two boxes. Additional gimmick supplies shouldn’t be hard to find.
- The effect has real world potential
- You can fit the whole deck of cards inside the case, even when the gimmick is in place.
- You have TONS of flexibility to make customized effects with this gimmicked setup
- The effects are quite easy to do.
- Also taught on the DVD is a two-ring transposition that is made insanely easy for how clean it looks thanks to the workings of the Pandora’s Box set up. It was a personal highlight on the DVD.

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

Mind Scanner Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan

Posted by DerekMerdinyan on October 5th, 2008

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.

icon for podpress  Mind Scanner Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

MINDSCANNER

Highlights from the Podcast Review:
- Comes with forcing deck and clever Mindscanner device
- Mindscanner device can display up to three different revelations (which is great if you want/need to repeat w/out programming the device).
- Programming the Mindscanner sucks, but once you’ve got your messages in, you’re good to go.
- This effect is great for magicians that like customizing effects to suit them. You can reveal what you want and have all the flexibility you could want for choreographing the routine.
- Packs small and can play big!

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

Smart Ass Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan

Posted by DerekMerdinyan on October 2nd, 2008

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.

icon for podpress  Smart Ass - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

SMARTASS

Highlights from the Podcast Reviews:
- Great effect for workers
- Packs flat and plays big: cards are eliminted by throwing them in the air. Bill Abbott covers ways to minimize the mess for the people that would be an issue for.
- Includes required jumbo card and specially made forcing deck
- Clear instructions
- Can’t wait to perform it myself

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.

Jeff McBride: Magic at the Edge Reviewed by Troy Swezey

Posted by DerekMerdinyan on October 2nd, 2008

Jeff McBride: Magic at the Edge at Sound Trax Showroom at Palace Station

I have seen this show a couple of times and each time was fantastic. The first time I went Jeff was wondering around the audience and saw me sitting alone and came up to say Hello. He asked if I would like to sit with a group of his friends and students and proceeded to introduce me to everyone. Jeff entertained and amused us with many different routines from his collection of disciplines from his travels around the world of course including Kabuki Theater and sleight of hand.
One of the things that was most interesting was how he seemed to engage everyone in the audience. Not just that look at a certain section of the crowd act but actually looking particular people directly in the eye.

Another thing was his flawless performance. He told us that with constant practice anyone can be great at anything they work at. I heard a well known magician say after the show, “I know how he does the water bowls but he does it so well I love to watch it.”

He also has a way of interacting with his audience helpers that makes them feel comfortable and confident. I know because I got to help him twice. Ok so hitting the metal bucket with the magic wand to show the bucket is solid or holding a ring high in the air so he could link it with me is not a big deal but he could instruct and praise with a simple glance, nod and smile. Same with the child he brought on stage. Patients and positive suggestion goes along way and makes a star out of a possible future master magician.

And Jeff’s dedication to the art and his people skills are what inspires me to attend his magic classes and practice my own skills magic or otherwise. Maybe one day he will invite me to perform at Wonderground his magic nightclub after the show on Friday and Saturday nights. It is amazing the group of magicians I saw there and the ones I have heard have been there. There is techno dance music; magicians performing close up, magicians performing on stage, go-go dancers, comedians, balloon artists, and a host of other entertainers. Jeff wonders the club acting as host and MC all the while interacting with those enjoying the evening. At a mere $10 or free with a ticket stub from that night’s show, Wonderground is definitely one of the best deals in Las Vegas.