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1051

Magical Cardistry Bonanza / Re: Ellusionist (Magic/Cardistry Related)

« on: February 01, 2013, 02:24:27 PM »

Quote from: Don Boyer on February 01, 2013, 08:05:30 AM

Quote from: brownmagician on February 01, 2013, 07:48:38 AM

I agree, I was disappointed when I received my halo .. They could've at least put some sort of a reveal on it so when u light up it shows, kinda like illumin8 but on a wristband with a touch of a button

The best I can come up with is "Wait, I'm not ready..."  Turn it on...  "Now I'm 'red-E'..."  Kinda cheesy.

Don't you mean chees-E

1053

The Conversation Parlor / Re: reviews on tricks

« on: February 01, 2013, 07:24:40 AM »

I did a couple reviews last night, if you have a little time, I'd appreciate if you could give a little feedback on it

1055

Magical Cardistry Bonanza / [REVIEW] Paul Harris' True Astonishment boxset DISC TWO

« on: January 31, 2013, 04:48:55 PM »

This is the review for disc two of this amazing boxset

DISC TWO

LVL$ (Las Vegas Leaper 2)
For those who are familiar with the original, it's an advancement of the original with a, somewhat, 'kicker' ending

THE EFFECT

The spectator is asked to check their pocket to make sure it's empty. Like the original, the magician gives the spectator 10 cards and asks the spectator to count the cards themselves. The magician does not touch these cards. Instead of sandwiching the cards between their hands, the magician asks the spectator to put the cards in their back pocket. The magician proceeds to count 10 more cards in his hands making one disappear .. then another .. then another. The spectator counts the cards in his hands to reveal that he has 7, magician asks the spectator to count the cards in their back pocket to reveal 13 cards. The magician doesn't stop there. He takes out 5 $1 bills, again folds up an imaginary bill, throws it at the spectators back pocket. When the spectator checks the bills in the magician's hand, he only has four. The spectator then checks their back pocket to find a dollar bill.

MY VIEW

First of all, props go to Bro Gilbert for an another amazing performance on this set. His audience managment is amazing, and his handling and misdirection is very sleek.
I do like this trick very much, there is a bit of a set up involved but takes no longer than about 45 seconds. The method is absolutely genius I love the method, you start clean, you end clean, the spectator can shuffle the cards until their heart's content. As far as I'm aware, there's very very minimal angle issues. It's audience tested, and you really do gota have balls to perform this it's such a clever method of loading a bill into a spectators pocket. It's one of those things you'll hate yourself for not thinking of it first. Great effect, great result, amazing reactions, just make sure you get your money back in the end

RATING
10/10


TUBULAR

THE EFFECT
Two bills are signed, one by a spectator, the other by the magician. The bills are then rolled into a tube for the spectator to hold. Spectator is asked to squeeze the two bills, then open their hand to reveal one bill empty and the other bill with both the signatures on.

MY VIEW
Packs small, plays big. Very Paul Harris-esque in terms of methodology. Handling is very minimal, in the right hands this trick can be pulled off with ease. The angles are pretty great, not quite 360, but great nonetheless. There's not really much to say about this trick, it's a great simple trick. With a bit of acting, it can be really amazing. Cleanup isn't an issue, and set up takes about 5 seconds to do.

RATING
8.5/10


CHENG'S RISER
Cheng Lin's visual version of the Ray Kosby effect "Raise Rise"

THE EFFECT
A card is outjogged near the bottom of the deck and slowly it rises to the top.

MY VIEW
Very visual, just like Cheng's change, this is made for youtube. I don't really see anyone performing this in the real world. In the video, Cheng doesn't even do it for anyone, just for the camera. Compared to "raise rise", you don't cover or shake the deck, you visually see the card rise to the top. It's a really cool effect, probably one of the best rising cards through deck effects I've seen in a while BUT not audience tested, which I found a little disappointing. Loses points for that

RATING
6.5/10


SEDUCTIVE SWITCH 2
The sequel (or variant) to the original, which I believe was in his book "Close Up Seductions"

THE EFFECT
3 cards are used. One card is taken by the magician and folded into quarters and the other 2 cards is placed securely in the spectators hands. In impossible conditions, the card switches places with one of those in the spectator's hands.

MY VIEW
I'm a big fan of the original. The move is very deceptive, and the method is again, very excellent. it uses the same basic method as the original with hints of added subtleties. It shows you how to make the gaff. Although a gaff is involved, it's very much considered an impromptu effect (or so I've heard). The fact that it happens in the spectators hands gives it that extra wow factor. There's many little small advancements made for this sequel effect which makes the trick that little bit better.

RATING
8/10


GROWING CARD
An effect by Tomoyuki Shimmura

THE EFFECT
Starts off with a selected card being sandwiched between 2 jokers then visually grows into a jumbo card. Then it shrinks back down to its original size and handed out for examination.

MY VIEW
First off, this effect is taught by Robert Smith on the DVD. I love playing around with this. You receive a gaff card to use with this effect. The methodology behind the actual gaff is cool, the handling is very simple BUT there's no real reason to bring it into play. There's no justification for as to why you show this illusion to them, apart from maybe 'hey wana c something weird?' Like I said, it's real cool to play around with, it is audience tested (although they didn't really seem so blown away, and seemed a little slow on the reaction). If you can justify it, then it can be a great little worker.

MY RATING
7/10

Hope you enjoyed that review. I'd love to hear your feedback, or if you have a different opinion on the trick, please comment thanks for looking

1056

Magical Cardistry Bonanza / [REVIEW] Paul Harris' True Astonishment boxset DISC ONE

« on: January 31, 2013, 01:54:37 PM »

So I've decided to give you all an in depth review of the TA boxset. I'm starting off with the first DVD as I've not watched every single one enough to give an in depth review on. But I will do as the weeks go by

First of all, just a little info on the TA boxset. From what I understand, Paul Harris spent a good couple of years trying to perfect this entire boxset in what has been deemed to be the 'final legacy'. It's a very monumental piece, a project of the highest caliber. The original boxset was a puzzle box designed by some top puzzle maker (if anyone knows their name, please do share). This edition of the boxset was very limited. The new style boxset is just a simple wooden box with a lid that slides on and off - simple, elegant and beautifully crafted. In the box you get the 9 DVDs (the original had little slots to put the DVDs in, unfortunately, this one didn't) and a bag full of gimmicks to aid you with your tricks. The gimmicks came in a vintage banknote-style bag, the kind of bag the Bicycle Heritage series came in.
At the end of each trick, PH gives his personal view, hints and tips on the trick to further help you.
On the DVDs themselves, apart from the tricks, you have crap loads of 'easter eggs' to hunt for. I'm still searching. The bonus material includes extra tricks, interviews and performances.
Bro Gilbert presents and teaches most of the tricks on the DVD, and he does an amazing job of it too.

So here goes ..

DISC ONE

TWILIGHT ANGELS
Defo in my top 5 tricks on this set, even if I haven't tried out some of them . This effect is originally in the Art of Astonishment book. Unfortuantely, I never got the opportunity to purchase or read one, so this was very new to me when watching and performing it. Paul Harris says that it's favourite trick, and I can understand why!

THE EFFECT
For those who don't know, the effect is this:

The spectator is asked to choose a card and sign it. The magician then proceeds to tell the spectator about the angels on the back. on the DVD, Wayne Houchin goes on to say how the angels were split apart and are meant to be together. The magician then gets a mirror like object and captures the reflection of the angel on the back of the card. He then proceeds to make it appear next to the other angel.

MY VIEW
As you probably already know, I love this trick the presentation and the method is just amazing. The spectator doesn't expect what's going to happen, having the card signed, seeing two angels opposite each other, then seeing them side by side is just WOW for the spectator. Best of all, you can give it away as a souvenir. You end up clean and maybe get a kiss at the end lol

RATING
10/10


BACKLASH 2
I believe this is a revamp of the original Backlash found in the Art of Astonishment book.

THE EFFECT
The spectator selects a card and signs in front and back. The magician puts the signed card in his pocket, spectator pushes it in. He then makes it re-appear in the deck and then in an instant makes it disappear and re-appear back in his pocket, there is a surprise kicker ending at the end.

MY VIEW
Hmmmm, I'm 50/50 with this. It's good, but I don't think it's Paul Harris standard. I think it's very hard to justify the presentation. Bro Gilbert does a good job of it, but I don't feel like it's enough. Of course, this is a matter of opinion it can be very confusing if not performed correctly. But if it can be pulled off, then it's definately an 'Like, totally! Ohh my gawd!' moment


RATING
6/10


NEW LEAF
Nothing like the original leaf effect by paul harris. A twist on a torn and restored effect.

THE EFFECT
The magician gives the spectator two leaves (one ripped and one whole), who then puts her hands behind her back and rubs the two leaves magically restoring the ripped leaf with the aid of the bigger leaf.

MY VIEW
Very nice effect. The teaching and the method is very paul harris like. There is a setup involved, very minimal, some may even say it's almost improptu. The clean up for this effect is great because the spectator cleans up and they don't even know it . It's probably best just to perform this for one or two people. The only concern I have is, when does it come into play?! If you're camping or going for walk with trees around you, it's good. But if you're in the city or in tourist attraction spots than there's no justifiable reason to perform this. BUT Bro does an amazing job of teaching this, so if you just follow his guidlines, you'll be fine

RATING
8/10


CHENG'S CHANGE

THE EFFECT
A poor five card poker hand changes into a royal flush with just a flick.

MY VIEW
This is very very visual. If you are familiar with Zapped, this is just another version that simulates it. It's fast, flashy and, in my opinion, made for youtube. The problem I have with this is, it's a quick trick and no more. This isn't really an opener or a finisher. It's one of those illusions made for the camera, made for youtube. On the DVD, it doesn't even show him performing to anyone which is disappointing. Don't get me wrong, visual effects are great, especially the ones that are quick and straight to the point, but that's all it is.


RATING
6/10


THE BIG TINY

THE EFFECT
A spectator’s name is written on the long side of a full deck of cards. The spectator then shuffles the deck. Four piles are then created, the spectator tells u, card by card, which stack to put each card in until you run out. The spectator picks a stack to find that their name has shrunk there name has shrunk and is written on the side of that stack. For the ultimate kicker, they discover their name on all four stacks.

MY VIEW
WOW!! If anyones familiar with "Unshuffled" by Paul Gertner, you'll recognise the basic principle for this effect. I do love this trick, having the name on the side of the deck is a great touch and very meaningful. The handling is great, if you know any false shuffles, they come in very handy for this effect. Spectators will love this effect. Only problem I have with this is, it's ruins a whole deck. If you have countless decks, then by all means, you can repeat this trick AND is a great souvenir to give away. BUT after this effect, you wont be able to really use it again, maybe for playing poker ...

RATING
7.5/10


Hope you enjoyed reading this review. I'll be adding to this soon over the next few weeks.

If anyone has this box set and has any other views (good or bad) on the tricks, please do comment

1059

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Bicycle Venom and Venom Strike, from Alakazam Magic (UK)

« on: January 31, 2013, 01:00:09 PM »

ooft .. i likey very very much, just placed my order

1060

Magical Cardistry Bonanza / Re: Ellusionist (Magic/Cardistry Related)

« on: January 31, 2013, 11:54:53 AM »

Quote

  Customs were nearly 200% of the item's value???

I was quoting shipping and the customs VAT i had to pay on top .. th actual items themselves cost me about $180 (£115)

1065

The Conversation Parlor / Re: What phone do you have and what made you get it?

« on: January 31, 2013, 10:35:00 AM »

I have iphone 5 .. I got it as part of a deal with EE .. use to be on voda, but went to EE because my sister was on it and sh got a discount off her new contract .. i pay £38/month for unlimited everything and paid £25 for the handset on an 18month contract

1066

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Love Me deck from Theory11

« on: January 31, 2013, 10:26:40 AM »

sweeeet, thanks dude ima mix it up a little though .. my orignial plan was to do a bouquet of cookies, but ima do half n half now .. I kinda wish I had the love me deck to do it .. might just write 'love me' on some blank cards i have and do it with that

1068

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Love Me deck from Theory11

« on: January 31, 2013, 10:13:27 AM »

legend .. can I steal your idea and do it for my girlfriend? ...

1071

Introduce Yourself / Re: Hey Hey Hey

« on: January 30, 2013, 09:13:07 PM »

Very very rarely - Costco have them but sell them in bricks but just standard bikes, nothing else .. Worldmagicshop is local to me, but they're prices r higher than what I find online .. I know right and they stole David beckham lol .. I need to sleep, good night (or hav a good evening rather lol)

1072

Playing Card Plethora / Re: Love Me deck from Theory11

« on: January 30, 2013, 08:42:47 PM »

Knobz1 - what an amazing idea I want this deck, there's something about it that I can't quite put my finger on ...

1074

Introduce Yourself / Re: Hey Hey Hey

« on: January 30, 2013, 08:15:18 PM »

now you have me posting in teal  lol .. i didnt use poker cards either, I used crappy 50p (80c) cheap plastic coated cards that I bought from the post office lol .. you'll very rarely find bicycle cards of any nature in th UK, i bought mine from costco though lol and th rest I've bought online

1075

The Conversation Parlor / Re: Interactive Thread: Create Your Own Deck

« on: January 30, 2013, 08:09:33 PM »

yes, I have 2 .. personally, I do love these decks, I'm a massive geek when it comes to comics and I love collecting cards so this was perfect for me. The artwork on this deck is amazing, th story was very well thought out, although th script was very minimal .. it's not th type of deck you'll do magic with, it's a collectors item more than anything - faces r standard, handles like normal standard bikes, but it doesn't matter, all th work went into the back of the cards .. this is th kinda deck you wana just frame