Magic Reviews by Cameron Ramsay

Hello readers! Welcome to my new review section. If you are looking for a column where a guy rips into bad magic products than tries to trash the creator than this is not the column for you. My whole idea and goal for the review column is to just highlight good effects and recommend creators that put out great products. Yes the format of the column might change but hang on there guys, this should be a cool trip

T2P

Torn to Pieces

Shawn Farquhar

Manufacturer’s Description

Here’s the killer effect Shawn has kept secret for over a decade. It’s the effect Shawn does when he wants to get a client to book him again and again! A real photograph, signed by the spectator, is torn into four pieces. The photo is really torn. Then in an instant all four pieces join together but in the wrong order leaving the spectator with a mismatched photo with their signature! That’s right their signature is on the odd “almost restored” photo.

Cameron’s Description

Okay it’s not often you see an effect that is a killer on television and that’s also usable for a walk- around performer. Shawn’s effect does all of that and it leaves you with the chance to add your own personality.

Shawn does give many ideas of what photos to use (he also supplies digital images to get started with) and also presents ideas for many age groups. I am not the best with kids so when I saw Shawn explain the version with Humpty Dumpty I knew it would be going into my close – up arsenal. No, not the soccer team.

Cameron’s Favorite Part

This is a personal effect; it can be used to tell your audience exactly who you are. My favorite aspect is that this can be carried in your wallet and it actually makes sense to have it. Bravo Shawn, Bravo!

Thanks for reading my first column, many more reviews to come. If you have any comments, concerns or submissions please email me or contact via this new thing called the World Wide Web.

Cam
MrCameronRamsay@gmail.com
@Cameron401 on Twitter

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

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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

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

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<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

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 Night and Day - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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You know that feeling when you’re on an roller coaster and you reach the top. You look over the edge, you hold your breath and clench your chest. That’s the feeling I got when I saw Alan Rorrison’s ‘Dark as Night’ effect on the ‘Night and Day’ DVD. Rorrison created a beautiful, surreal magical moment. Very cleanly, I saw Rorrison balance a coin on his finger tip and slowly rub it against the bottom of a clear drink glass. A moment later, he moved his hand away and tilted the glass back and forth – the coin slid around as if it were swimming through the solid base of the glass. That was the moment of anticipation, when he moved his finger out from under the coin and I could see it apparently rising up through the glass; the release, the moment of going over the crest of the roller coaster came when he shook the glass and the coin was bouncing around inside, trapped within by his other hand covering the mouth of the glass.

‘Clear as Day’ is almost equally as stunning. If you’ve seen Mariano Goni’s Melting Point, you have a good idea of what this coin through glass table top looks like. I prefer Goni’s effect, but ‘Clear as Day’ uses less gimmicks.

Both effects have very workable angle constrictions. ‘Dark as Night’ is a little more prone to bad angles, but you are taught several ways to minimize them. Overall, the two effects (and accompanying bonus effects) are taught in great detail and will have you well on your way to some productive practice secessions.

Whether you’re looking for a practical and visually stunning ‘through glass’ effect for your performing repertoire or when you’re out on a social engagement, I’m going to recommend you check out Night and Day.

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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 Got A Light Reviewed - by Derek Merdinyan [2:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Matt Wayne’s ‘Got a Light’ is the easiest and most customizable three-shell-type routine I’ve ever seen. No moves, no slights, no bull.

Included with the DVD are four LED lights and a magic wand, er… battery. Only three LEDs are required for the routines, you have the option to incorporate the fourth LED or save it as a spare in case you loose one.

Matt kicks off the DVD with several performance segments and then dives into the explanation of his routine. Following the basic explanation, you are shown several extra tips, ideas, and concepts for the included LEDs and batteries.

Matt uses three shot glasses in his routine to represent the ‘shells’ in the theme of his routine. On one hand, they give the effect a different feel, but carrying around three shot glasses in your jacket pocket may not be practical for everyone – using them is just an option.

Trust me, this effect is drop dead easy to perform (so nail your presentation!), totally angle proof, and allows for remarkable levels of flexibility to create a truly unique routine; just be careful transporting the little LEDs!

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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 Heartbreaker - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I’m a Paul Gertner fan. I like his thinking and I enjoy watching his magic and his ‘Heartbreaker’ effect didn’t disappoint.

Included in the packaging, you receive both text and video instructions along with a nice quantity of specially printed ‘Heartbreaker’ cards to get you practicing the effect right away. You will, however, need to pick up some refills from Paul every few dozen performances (he includes a special number you can call for refills which you can get a discount on).

Heart Breaker creates an emotional connection between the performer and the participant. Paul’s honed the presentation to the point where you can see the moment when you ‘magically heal a broken heart from long ago.’ The effect comes together in a sequence of beautiful and emotionally charged magical moments. Visually, you pluck a set of initials off of a card and they appear on the card held by the spectator (which they can keep!)

The effect is relatively simple to perform and has many years of real-world performances behind it. It’s got the potential to become your next ‘workhorse’ 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.

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 Twister Continuum - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [3:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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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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 http://itricks.com/reviews/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/itricks-reviews-celebrity-autographs.mp3 [3:56m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Card to wallet effects come in many shapes and sizes; many are very similar to the one next to it on the shelf (or in your drawer), but some of them stand out: Celebrity Autographs is one such example.

Terry LaGerould’s Celebrity Autographs stands out in my mind because the routine is framed differently than anything I have ever seen in a CTW effect. Earlier in a performance, the magician asks for an autograph from a member of the audience, explaining that s/he enjoys collecting celebrity autographs, and then immediately proceeds with a completely unrelated effect, be it a card trick, coin trick, rope routine, or that cutting edge hippopotamus-backpalm routine you’ve been working on. Later in the evening you remove your autograph wallet and explain that you collect celebrity autographs: Morgan Freeman, Paris Hilton, Justin Robert Young, and somehow, the signed card you asked for earlier has appeared inside one of the pouches of the autograph wallet.

The routine is very easy to perform, doesn’t require any palming or slit loads. You’re angle proof for 99.98% of the routine (100% if there are no elvish critters standing under your hands). And yes, the effect is completely reset at the end, ready to go again for the next table. If I were going to perform a card to wallet-type effect, this is probably the one I would go with. The wallet isn’t a ‘real’ wallet that you would use to store your credit cards and cash in (something I normally require before even thinking about performing with a new wallet) but because you are up front and say that the wallet is for collecting and carrying around your celebrity autographs, I think it levels things out.

Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for a card to wallet-type effect that makes sense, is affordable, and designed with the worker in mind, Celebrity Autographs will work for 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.

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 World's Greatest Magic: Close Up Magic (No Card Tricks!) - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [3:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Someone at L&L Publishing must have read my mind. Seriously. This particular 3-disk set in the WGM series is all about non-card close up magic. Why would I be so excited about something like this? I love variety and don’t like books and DVDs that call themselves close up magic resources when in fact they should really be called card magic products: 19 card tricks and a coin trick isn’t the same as a book that teaches you 2-3 card tricks, a few coin tricks, effects with dollar bills, sugar cubes, dead mice, mayonnaise, etc… The latter is what this set presents the viewer: variety (minus the dead mice and mayonnaise).

I found it quite enjoyable watching this mashup of professional magicians, both modern and from the days of old performing some of their best close up effects; the tricks that were different. Of course, each is fairly adept at teaching their respective effects from their own professional repertoires.

Here’s the reason I love the variety: you’re bound to learn something or about something you never knew before (Example: I had never seen what a ball and tube gimmick looked like before I saw this DVD and also learned there is so much more you could do with those two objects than just put the ball through the tube).

Bottom Line:
If value, professional magic from magicians with ‘worker’ reputations, and (my favorite) variety, are things you look for in a learning resource, then this set may be for 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.

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 Grab That Pinhead - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [2:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I was literally smiling when I finished watching this DVD. The two routines on this DVD are simple for audiences to follow, easy to perform, well taught, and are the epitome of workhorse routines.

Taught in a candid conversational style between famed magicians Bob Sheets and Dan Garrett, the linking pins are explained on a level that even the most novice of magicians could pick up; heck it’s even borderline entertaining. Things kick off with a look at how to set up your pins which, I should mention, there are two large pins included with the DVD for you to start practicing with immediately and even use when performing for your paid audiences. From there, viewers get all the real world secrets that only true workers would know.

I feel I should say more to make this review longer, but it’s really all straightforward from what I’ve already said. (Update: I thought of something else: the DVD is only $25 which is a very fair price in my opinion).

Bottom Line:
Whether you’re looking to learn this routine or beef up your professional repertoire, this is most certainly a resource you’re going to want to check 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.

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 Color Blind - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [3:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I’ve noticed the number of color changing deck routines on the market is always in constant supply. I think part of the reason for their success is that the premise of the routine is typically easy for audiences to follow, fairly easy to perform, and each has a special *gimmick* to it that makes it intriguing to magicians. Such is the case with Color Blind.

Matthew Johnson’s Color Blind has a few other things going for it as well. At the end of the effect, the deck is completely reset; how does that sound for you workers! The color changing card case is very simple and a fun final moment of magic in the routine. Presentation wise, Matthew has this thing ironed out like a sail; while it may not be for everyone, it’s a great leaping point for people looking to create their own successful presentation.

Of course, nothing’s perfect, and Color Blind isn’t without it’s drawbacks. Angle wise, you could nearly perform this surrounded if it weren’t for the color changing card case. Matthew teaches you ways to minimize your risk and confirms that you should at least be able to perform this in a typical walk around or restaurant performance arena without much fear. Also of note, while the cards themselves aren’t gimmicked, they go back into the case at the end as you wrap up the effect to clean up the table. Performing the effect as is means you’re probably not going to be performing other card effects with the deck, although if you really wanted to, you could.

Bottom Line:
Despite a few mild angle issues, this terrific opener is relatively easy to learn, packed with magic, and has a wide commercial appeal.

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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 Enlightenment - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [4:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ben Harris’ Enlightenment is most certainly a paradigm shift in the art of levitation, but is it something magicians would use? Let’s take a look:

Included in the fancy packaging is the instructional booklet, several informational inserts, and the Enlightenment Engine: a clever elevator-like device that is caused to expand (and lift objects on top of it) when in close proximity to a magnet.

Do yourself a favor and read the book before you start playing around with the Enlightenment Engine. Harris teaches his ‘quick start’ deck for those of you who want to start levitating cards immediately. If you can make it to the end of the book, Ben also teaches you his professional setup that makes the gimmick hidden in the deck even more deceptive; it takes a little longer to build, but it’s definitely worth it.

A bill levitation is also taught, but for the most part, you’re left to create your own effects with the engine until the next companion book of ideas comes out. You can also check out the Enlightenment Blog (www.wowbound.com/blog.html) for more ideas (including one from your’s truly).

There are some definite advantages and disadvantages of using this levitation over other methods such as ‘IT’.

Advantages:
Fully self contained
Cards can be freely selected
No lighting issues.
No threads to break!
The spectator can hold the deck while the card levitates off of it.
The card levitation effect is very clean and the spectator does most of the work.

Disadvantages:
Your spectator cannot look under the object that is levitating.
Levitations get a max height of just under one inch, depending upon how close you get the drive magnet (not included, and no a PK ring isn’t strong enough).

Bottom Line:
This product package teaches a very clever, straightforward card levitation effect. If that’s what sells you, then all signs point to GO! People expecting a cure all miracle gimmick should keep up the search (despite the fact that this gimmick has some new thinking behind it doesn’t mean it has real magical power within it).

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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 Moby Deck - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [3:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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This thing has potential.

For people performing Paul Harris’ Solid Deception (or routines with solid deck finales, for that matter) pay attention! We all know how killer a solid deck finale is, now multiply the astonishment factor by the difference in weight between a glued together deck of cards and a solid 1.3 pound block of brass made to look like a solid deck. I remember someone performing an effect at a convention for me that used the Moby Deck finale and let the deck fall into my hands after asking me to shuffle the deck; I nearly crapped myself.

The solid feel of the deck is indisputable and even upon close inspection, the deck looks legitimate. As far as maintenance is concerned, over time I noticed the paint on the grooved sides of the deck was beginning to come off, nothing a little touchup couldn’t fix. Also, the top and bottom cards of the Moby Deck are glued on and occasionally will require you tear them off and replace them with newer cards due to normal ware and tear. The plus side to this is if you receive a Blue Moby Deck when you purchase it, you could rip the face cards off of the brass block and replace them with a red-backed Bicycle card (or any white-boardered playing card for that matter. *Insert imagination here*).

Included with the deck is a brief set of instructions which I feel are really lacking; it was a lost opportunity to really show people the power and creative applications of this climax. For the most part, you’re going to have to use your own imagination to integrate this into one of your routines (and you will, because you know you want to end an effect with this climax…)

Bottom Line:
If you have the creative capacity to integrate this finale into one of your routines and are comfortable lugging this nearly pound-and-a-half brass block around with you, I say, go for it.

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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 Extreme Burn - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [3:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Is it possible to create a perfect magic trick? I’m going to say no; despite my deepest love for this effect. Overlooking the fact that I consider myself a visual-magic junkie, I can say this effect got me seeing things I didn’t know were possible. I’ve been using Richard Sander’s Slow Burn for several years now but after seeing this DVD I quickly upgraded to Extreme Burn.

What does this effect have going for it you ask? For the most part, $5 => $500 bill change effects have fairly decent handling; some are better and more natural, and others are lacking; the logic behind Extreme Burn’s handling from the audience’s perspective isn’t too shabby. But that’s not what made me fall in love with this effect; it was the visual nature of the change that did me in. It’s easy, fun, astonishingly visual, and may one day give someone a heart attack.

Richard Sanders’ instructions are nicely laid out and easy to follow. The only challenge I see with this effect (aside from performing it for yourself for hours on end) is choosing which of the half dozen or so changes to actually use. The most basic change will get the job done for most folks and is by far my favorite; but the others aren’t without their charm and can work better in some environments over some of the other changes. There’s even a change that looks like no moves are used; it’s the most challenging one on the DVD, but it’s a stunner when performed.

This DVD is so comprehensive, Richard Sanders also teaches his original Slow Burn effect for good measure.

Bottom Line:
This effect is fantastic, it’s a real world worker, a visual stunner, and an effect that’ll make the eyes of your audience stick. Easily going to make the top ten this year!

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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 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.

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