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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.
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WPT is a packet trick done right. I’ll openly admit I do not care for packet tricks, but WPT comes with the full package and is ready to dive into the demanding world of ‘workhouse effects’. Despite the fact that a brief reset is required, everything else about WPT is spot on.
Boris Wild’s presentation and execution is straightforward and sharp. Everything you’d want to know about performing WPT is taught in great detail. You’re even shown how to repair/ make new gimmicks, create a new packet for performing the trick with cards having a different back design than the included ones (red Bicycles), how to dive into the effect if you wanted to perform it ‘apparently’ using random cards from a deck, and even how to care for and transport the packet of gimmicked cards. Yes, the cards are gimmicked, but you end with a very clean look and Boris does teach you an easy way to switch the cards, should you wish to pass them around for examination.
Bottom Line:
As far as packet tricks go, I really want to commend Boris Wild and the crew at Fun Inc for putting out a packet trick that goes above and beyond what this humble magic reviewer has come to expect.
If you are interested in picking up this product, you may do so right here.
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Never before has the card twisting plot seemed so versatile and customizable. Stephen Tucker’s Twister Continuum gimmick makes the twisting effects on the DVD the easiest I’ve ever seen (no slights and no counts); however, I don’t think the actual twisting phase of the routines are the best I’ve seen. Perhaps it’s the critical magicians eye that doesn’t view the effect the same way as a layman would so let’s cover exactly what the Twister Continuum has going for and against it:
Pros:
It’s easy. Super, super easy. No slights, no counts. Ok there’s one little thing, but it’s so easy I can’t even call it a slight.
The best thing this gimmick has going for it is all the creativity it gives the magician to create entirely new effects. The most basic effect, twisting four cards over, having them transpose to your pocket and revealing a new set of cards in your hands is only the beginning; the same ideas can be used to create almost entirely different effects – it really what makes me really appreciate this gimmick.
Thankfully, you are taught how to make additional gimmicks if the included one you received breaks, gets worn out, or you wish to perform some of the other effects spun off of the principles of the classic TC gimmick. Making the new gimmick is easy and you’ll already have everything you need to construct the gimmick at home.
Cons:
Saying that the twisting sequence doesn’t “look convincing” is too strong of a statement. I think the twisting sequence just looks too easy; almost qualifies under the ‘too perfect’ principle.
If you’re still undecided, I’d check out the video – that way you can judge for yourself if you like the way the effect looks:
Bottom Line
Twister Continuum legitimately opens a whole new world of creative applications to the old ‘Twisting the Aces’ that wouldn’t be possible without the included gimmick and all the thinking Mr. Tucker put into his special gimmick.
P.S. I also gotta throw out a lot of love for the linking card effect on the DVD. It’s the easiest, gimmick-free, multiphase, impromptu linking card routine I’ve ever seen. It really kicks @$$!
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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I think this is the best way to describe Sean Fields’ ‘Tome’: haunted deck effect with a book. The participant selects a page from the book – the book is placed on the ground – and the selected page visually rips itself out of the book.
Naturally you must be wondering what the real world applications of this effect are (right?). Let me take a moment to re-illustrate the visual phase of the effect to give you a better idea:
After the page is selected, the ring of spectators watches as the magician places the book on the ground and waves his hands close to the book but seemingly remains free of any connections between himself and the book. And then the page rips itself out.
The important thing to note is that the natural performing arena for this effect is within a ring of audience members. While the ring of people isn’t essential, it creates a natural cover to mask the workings of the effect – even in some of the harshest conditions. This isn’t to say you couldn’t perform the effect in a close up theater environment if you have more control over your performing environment or even on stage if you had the assistance of a camera and projector.
So now that you know you don’t have to perform this effect in a ring of people, remember that if people see you creating crowds at a walk around gig and then see everyone explode outwards as they watch the page tearing out, you’re only going to make your crowd bigger.
Now for the big one: setup. While there really isn’t much of a skill to preparing the books for the effect, once you know what you’re doing, you can set one up in 6-10 seconds and leave it on a shelf until you’re ready to perform – even if it’s 10 years later (theoretically, of course). Tome can be performed with nearly any paperback book. Unfortunately the effect ruins the book (remember, the page that tears out…) On the plus side, if you wrote the book, it’ll make a great give away.
Bottom Line:
Bar none, ‘Tome’ is my new favorite effect using a book; the idea of adding a visual element to the jaded book test effect breathes new life into this classic of magic.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Ups:
- Magic can’t get much more straight forward than this: what do you solve with a Rubik’s Cube? You solve it. This is exactly what it would look like if you were to solve a Rubik’s Cube by magic.
- You can end the effect in a way that allows you to reset the cube for your next performance AND allow the cube to be examined.
- Construction on this is great.
Things to be Aware of:
- The cube isn’t examinable when solved, but you can hand the cube out for examination when you’ve finished performing the routine.
- If you screw up during practice or performance, or someone decides to mix the cube on their own, it’s a real pain having to take the cube apart and then reordering everything as it should be; so practice slowly at first!
- Just a personal note, please don’t proceed or follow this effect with a real Rubik’s cube solve (i.e. a blindfolded presentation). I think it would kill this particular effect.
Bottom Line:
It’s a quick effect and so simple to follow. Kids will be entertained and adults will be baffled.
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.
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.
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Daryl gives you the complete package to perform this popular rope effect. Included with the high quality color woven ropes is an instructional DVD wherein Daryl presents all the basic effects and all his tips on performing this from his many years of experience.
To be honest, there’s not a whole heck of a lot to say here. This is a simple effect, the props are of high quality, the bonus teaching DVD is excellent, and you get all of Daryl’s tips for just $20. A great value.
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.
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.
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Many of the effects released by the Theory 11 website have had slick production value. This one is no different. Lee Asher’s Witness (Originally known as the double entendre Deuce Bag) takes the card in hand plot and adds a layer of subterfuge that, according to them, kicks it up a notch.
The effect consists of having a card selected and then a folded plastic ziploc-ish bag removed from your pocket. Inside the bag is a joker that you show and then place between the spectators hands. Magically it changes to their card inside the plastic bag and the crowd goes wild (If we are to believe the spontaneous ness of the magic of DVD editing.)
Now while you can accomplish this same effect without the bag with a signed card, this effect still has the impact of “Magic in their handsâ€, which we all know is the most powerful kind of magic. The effect plays heavily upon your conviction of its performance and realizing that you are performing an exercise in simplicity. The effect is straightforward and the DVD takes you thru every nuance of the performance with tips and touches that come ONLY with performing an effect for WAY too damn long.
So if you have some extra cash burning a hole in your pocket and an empty space on your DVD shelf, pick this up before the surgeon general deems it hazardous for your health.
If you are interested in picking up this product, you can check out www.Theory11.com.
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I was debating whether to review this effect or not, but after contemplating the amount of work it took to gimmick the toothpick for this effect, I decided it was worth a go.
My reasons for considering not reviewing this product was simply that the effect felt too basic. You balance a toothpick over the extreme edge of card case and it stays up; members of your audience can try but won’t succeed. The toothpick can be examined quite thoroughly, but I’d be afraid of some @$%)! breaking it; as described, the card case can’t be examined (when opened), but a creative person could think of a way to hide the small amount of work done on the insides.
With a preconceived presentation in mind to make the effect worth performing (you’re pretty open), I could see some folks using this 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.
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.
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Safety Hole Lite is a reworked version of the original Safety Hole effect. The idea was to make the effect as simple to perform as possible; I don’t think it can get much easier than this.
You are supplied with a special gimmicked packet-trick type ‘wallet’ that aides in the performance of the effect. As it is, you can’t just stick this card into your wallet and perform the effect, pretending that you just pulled out any one of your credit cards.
The original Safety Hole has been greatly reduced to one hole sliding stage (two if you reverse the action). This one is really for beginners; I think the working pros are going to stick with the original version of 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.
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.
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If you’re looking for a three card monte routine, Daryl’s latest offering is definitely something to check out.
You get the entire package just as you’d want it: custom printed cards by the USPCC; clear, easy to follow, over the shoulder video instructions; and an end product that rocks. Daryl has taken the classic Skinner Monte and streamlined the mechanics like the new MacBook Air.
And for $10, this deal is seriously hard to beat.
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.
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.
1 Deck 14 Tricks 24 Hours Reviewed - by Derek Merdinyan [1:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download—
The premise behind this two disk DVD set was to teach 14 simple but powerful card tricks that could be mastered and ready to perform within 24 hours.
In general, I’d like to say these guys succeeded in their challenge, however, as noted on the DVD, most experienced magicians will probably view this DVD as a ‘reminder’ of older effects that may have been dismissed or overlooked due to their simplicity. Matthew Dowden does offer added tips and his sincere claims that these effects do get powerful reactions despite their lack of knuckle busting moves.
Bottom line:
I think beginning magicians will make good use of this DVD
AND
Experienced magicians will pick up/remember old effects that they can use in ‘emergency situations’ when they are out and about or if they need some quick filler material.
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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The Declassified Series was designed for beginners looking to take their magic to the next level – and I have to agree, if I was a novice magician, I would be satisfied by the effects presented over the course of these two DVDs.
Explanation of the effects goes at a nice pace. I didn’t feel like I was being dragged along behind a boat and slowly sinking under; which is great considering this DVD was designed for beginners.
The effects here are fairly easy to pick up but I personally question teaching metal bending to beginners. It’s not that I don’t think we can’t trust them with the secrets, but metal bending requires a certain level of performing experience to really sell the effect. Still, the work on this subject is adequately explained.
This DVD isn’t super flashy like a lot of beginner magic DVDs, but the overall quality is pretty good. Again, if I was a beginner magician, I would have even a greater appreciation for these DVDs and be eagerly anticipating future installments.
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.
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.
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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.