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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

Close Up, Coin, DVD, Restaurant, Utility Device, Worker Material | View Comments

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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.

Beginner, Card Magic, Close Up, DVD, Restaurant, Utility Device, Worker Material | View Comments

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 Liam Montier's UV (UltraViolet) - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [3:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Liam Montier’s UV DVD primarily features card effects with a little something extra added: ultra violet ink. In my book, this is a good thing because we get to see some interesting new uses for cards by adding in this new element. (Note: there are a few non-card effects on here as well).

As per usual, the DVD quality of this Big Blind Media product is slick and professional. Video, audio, and the flashy animated title sequences are a nice change from the production values of most indy magic producers.

Effect wise, you’re definitely going to find something on here you’ll want to incorporate into your repertoire. While it may be tempting to add a few of these effects into your typical set, just remember that people will begin looking for the Ultra Violet twist to each effect => which is where a lot of the power for these effects comes from.

“Invisible” was easily my favorite effect from the DVD. This double-prediction-like effect uses no forces and because of the sneaky way the deck is set up, you can continue to perform card effects with the same deck and not worry about messing up the order of the cards or the special one-time setup.

The DVD also comes with a pocket-sized UV pen, refill, several standard gaffs, and a keychain UV light to get you performing these effects and whatever else your mind may come up with.

Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for something to spice up your jaded repertoire, playing around with effects that have a new element added to them, like Ultra Violet ink and lights, will surely spice things up.

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.

Bizarre, Card Magic, Close Up, DVD, Utility Device | View Comments

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 Sheet's Poker Chip Stack - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [3:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Disclaimer: I’ve never performed a shell and pea routine in my life. I’ve played around with several pea and shell sets, I know some of the basic moves, and I understand how important it is to be able to steal (and load) peas from the shells. With that in mind, I think the magicians who do perform this ancient classic are going to find favor with this utility device.

Essentially, we have a fake stack of poker chips, glued together with a hollowed out bottom and a magnet embedded within; this is a shell pea holdout utility device. Included with the stack are several rubber peas with magnetic cores and a duplicate stack of loose poker chips. Whether you switch the real poker chips (used in a 3-fly routine)? for the fake one or just rest the stacks on the table as decoration is up to you.

This utility works great, both loading and unloading from the secret holdout was very easy. I especially loved it when I discovered you could lift up the stack of chips, move it to the other side of the table, and still retain the pea underneath (due to the magnets).

Bottom Line:
Great utility for people who perform this type of routine.

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, Utility Device | View Comments

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 UFB - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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As far as clear forcing bags go, UFB is the most natural looking one – that I have seen.

The bag has a fairly rigid construction. I have it quite a few good strong tugs to test the durability. I think this one will last the workers a good deal of time.

That said, I think the quality of the ‘seams’ could have been better (more straight) – but because the bag should only be in play for a short amount of time, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.

Also included is a sheet with a good list of ideas to get your creativity going.

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, Mentalism, Utility Device | View Comments

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 Boxing Match - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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I showed this effect to a magician and a layman at the same time – both were astonished, but more so in the case of the magician; my guess is the magician didn’t see the force and was amazed by the fact that he didn’t notice anything odd about the card case.

This routine takes full advantage of the specially constructed deck and case. Boxing Match simple enough to understand and perform, but one move in particular will take a certain knack that seems easy but must be mastered before anyone should consider performing this.

Personally, I would not use this effect for walk around magic because of the amount of table space required and I just wouldn’t want to risk getting the included pieces wet.

Because this entire deck is specially constructed for this one effect, it should be performed later on in a show as a single card effect before putting away the deck and doing something other than a card trick. However, if it is absolutely necessary, there are some effects which could be performed with this deck.

I was a bit nervous about the quality of the gimmicked case, so I put mine through a few rigorous tests to establish its durability and was pleasantly surprised buy how well it stood up to my roughhousing.

Neither the deck nor the case can be inspected, but if you perform the effect as described in the instructions you should be fine and things will look as they should. Only a very astute magician may find something a little odd.

For those creative types out there, the case can be used for other changes, however it is best suited for visual switches as opposed to secretly switching one flat object for another.

Very nice price point on this one for the quality of the build.

If you are interested in picking up this product, you can check out the international list of dealers carrying Masuda’s products at a location nearest you: www.masudas-atto.com.

Card Magic, Close Up, Effect, Utility Device | View Comments

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 Friend Vol.1 - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Each volume of the ‘Friend’ series is professionally packaged. Likewise, all the included items are made of top quality materials – and for $160 a volume, they had better be!

You’ll find plenty of original close up, thread-based miracles that’ll make you giddy.

Between the two, I would definitely pick up volume 1 before considering the second, mainly because it is packaged with one of Bruno’s ‘Instant Thread Security’ devices and a nicely made 4.5 x 8 inch close up mat which brings an incredible thread hook up right out into the table. Volume 1 also comes with a small sample of Bruno’s thread, some wax, and a nice, thick cloth bag (but I have no idea why…)

This is something for experienced and serious thread workers looking for some great new effects. My guess is this was priced to keep curious eyes away. It should be noted however, that the box says ‘Ideal for Beginners’ and that the material is not necessarily technically demanding, I just think it’s too expensive for someone merely curious.

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.

Thread, Utility Device, Visual | View Comments

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 Instant Thread Security - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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The ITS does something cool. It allows you to carry around a prepared length of invisible thread and retrieve it from your pocket, ready to perform in seconds; you can even do it right in front of your audience as you speak to them.

Loading and retrieving the thread is going to take some practice, but once you get how natural it should feel, you’ll even shock magicians when start performing thread work when previous actions suggest that any threads present would have been destroyed.

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.

Thread, Utility Device | View Comments