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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Magic Reviews by Cameron Ramsay

Above the Fold

Rich Aviles

Vanishing Inc Plublishing

Manufacturer’s  Description

Published by Vanishing Inc. Magic, Above the Fold is the debut collection from one of magic’s most exciting new talents: Rich Aviles. In this intelligent, praiseworthy collection of card and close-up material, Aviles details thirteen effects and seven moves, each one explained with equal parts clarity and wit.

Cameron’s Description?

Yes,Yes,Yes, people are still writing books. Andy Gladwin and Joshua Jay are bringing sexy (books) back and I am certainly loving it. This debut collection from Rich Aviles has a lot of great material in it. Highlights for me were Pocket Protector-a clever prediction using an Alex Elmsly move. Asher Twich- Rich’s take on the now classic ace routine by Lee Asher. Now I’m not a guy that thinks any one should be boring their audience with 37 different color changes but I really like 2 Legit as a double color change.

Cameron’s Favorite Part

Again this is a book, what’s even better is that it is a book I can take on the subway (I don’t’ go on subways ever since Spiderman) and easily travel with anywhere with it. It’s not big and that’s what the guys at Vanishing Inc Magic are trying for. They are calling it their “Small But Potent”, just the best material from that one creator.

Now I didn’t want to write about this but there is a secret gem in the book that I am sure a lot of card guys won’t use. It’s the only non card trick/gag in the book. I have been able to put this gem in my comedy club set. To sum it up this is a great card book from a really funny guy that everyone will enjoy.

I really look forward to more books and products coming out of the Vanishing Inc Publishing company.

Cameron 

MrCameronRamsay@Gmail.com

@Cameron401 on twitter

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

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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.

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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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 Cell - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [3:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Forgive me if I come off as a little bitter in this review: I love this effect – but I just can’t perform it with my phone. *insert aggression* David Stone’s “Cell” is the Kennedy Box of the techno age.

The included gimmick is fun to play with and works great for performing this routine. Upon initial inspection, you may be disappointed with how the gimmick looks close up, but when used in performance, it flies right by. Unfortunately the gimmick won’t work with my iPhone because there isn’t an openable battery compartment – the only ‘technical’ requirement to see if you can use your cell phone with this effect is the ability to open the battery compartment with a finger or two. If you need two hands to open it, you may still be able to perform this effect, but the effect looks much cleaner when you can perform it with the one-handed open. I tested the gimmick with an old RAZR phone to great success.

Installing the gimmick in your phone takes less than a minute and requires no extra tools or supplies.

Aside from the Mercury Card Fold, the workings of this effect are very simple and even fun to perform.

Bottom Line:
If I could perform this effect with my phone, I would; I’d have this worker set up all the time, ready to astonish => just like you will.

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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 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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 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.

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 Sponge Eyeballs - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
This is a worker’s sponge routine – so long as you can make the plethora of cornea [read "corny"] jokes work for you.
Comes with four painted sponge eyeballs that shouldn’t be too difficult to touch up with a marking pen should any of the design fade.

Downs:
These aren’t the softest eyeballs, er sponge-balls I’ve ever used, but they work just fine.

Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for a sponge-ball routine that doesn’t revolve around a set of (occasionally described) ‘hokey-red-balls’, this may be the routine for you (just be considerate with the excessive eye-related puns).

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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 Kidding Around Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Ups:
- Lots of material that’s seen many audiences
- Great for kids
- Simple instruction
- Not overly hoakey performances/presentations
- See Chris perform the entire show (which is the where the real learning comes in)
– Chris does a good job covering the important elements of what in his performances makes them successful

Downs:
- None

Bottom Line:
It’s not about the individual effects, but rather, how to take very simple effects and make them entertaining for children. If you are a children’s performer, you should really take a look at this.

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

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The routines on this DVD have the potential to play for crowd of three to an audience of hundreds. Each ‘touch sequence’ is well rehearsed and clearly explained.

What makes these routines great is that the ‘touches’ are excellently incorporated with a metal bending routine of some sort, giving more purpose to the ghostly touches.

There was one segment of the DVD where the sound was simply non existent, but came back after a few minutes. During those few minutes, it was still possible to somewhat follow along with the actions that were going on. Luckily, the section that was affected will not compromise your ability to learn these routines.

Also included on this DVD is Lior’s 10 card poker deal which he has made into a successful segment of his trade show 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.

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 Rainbow Remix - Reviewed by Derek Merdinyan [1:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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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.

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