Review by Ian Coldiron for Nana's Necklace by Dean Dill
4 out of 5
Almost perfect
The original version (circa 1584) required some pre-work. This version is much improved – no pre-work or set up of any kind. There’s a major plus to this kind of effect – it occurs in the spectator’s hand, and leaves him holding the beads. Since he touches the items, it seems all the more impossible.
4 stars instead of 5, since you can’t be a complete chimpanzee with this. Just work with it a while before presenting it, so you can do it smoothly. It looks and feels good in your hands and in the spectator’s, and you’ll be able to do it over and over with any crowd.
Like most magician/collectors, I own quite a few chop cups. Some are the more traditional metal or wood variety, while others are "themed" and designed to resemble dice cups, billiard pockets, trash cans, soda cans, rice bowls, cocktail shakers and the like. I held off on purchasing the Buddha Chop Cup for fear that it was yet another attempt at reintroducing this familiar effect using an unfamiliar theme. And, that is exactly what the Buddha Chop Cup is. However, It wasn’t until I finally gave in and purchased the effect that I realized how superior this chop cup is to some of the dozens of inferior models that preceeded it.
The Buddha Chop Cup is a first-class outfit all the way. The quality of workmanship is evident the minute you see, and feel, the beautiful carrying bag. The cup itself is a hefty, easy-to-manipulate prop covered in what feels like antiqued leather. The exterior detailing of the container is distressed just enough to open the door to a wide-range of story telling regarding how and where you may have found the cup. The balls are high-quality as well, but the final Buddha statue load is what really made me smile. Without giving anything away, the Buddha statue is manufactured in a way that opens up a variety of options for customizing and producing the final load.
If you are a collector you will be proud to add this set to your chop cup inventory. If you are a worker, you will enjoy the versatility the Buddha Chop Cup offers in both handling and performing.
Review by Greg for Easy To Master Card Miracles – Vols. 4-6 DVD by Michael Ammar
5 out of 5
Incredible, Do-able Magic for an Affordable Price.
If you don’t already have this series of DVDs, drop whatever you’re doing and go buy them right now. Michael is an engaging performer who not only keeps his audience in awe, but is so inviting in his delivery that you want to pick up a deck of cards and perform right along with him. All volumes in this series are well-worth the cost, although I must confess a preference for volumes 1 – 6, with number 6 being my favorite.
As the series’ title suggests, these effects are by no means knuckle-busters, but the magic is strong…very strong…none the less. If you’re into pulling muscles with difficult sleights that only fellow magicians can appreciate, give your hands a break and try these DVDs on for size. You can spend less time practicing the hand-crobatics and more time practicing your presentation.
Review by Marc Rehula for Try The Impossible by Simon Aronson
5 out of 5
Achieve the Impossible
Aronson outdoes himself here. He has already written some of the best card magic books ever written, including what is likely the most popular memorized stack. But this has to be his best book yet.
Consider the first trick in the book. Work through the clear, thorough description of the method. You will fool even yourself! The UnDo Influence is a revolutionary principle that is counter-intuitive, so it produces a lovely effect however you use it.
The middle section of the book has some wonderful ‘miscellaneous’ material. Then there is a section of wonderful material utilizing the Aronson Stack. But get this: You don’t need to memorize the stack! Not for ANY of the wonderful routines.
The routines are deceptively easy. So easy that many magicians will dismiss the material as ‘self working’ but don’t be one of them! Several sleights are suggested and explained, but this is not sleight heavy material. The emphasis is on the impact of the effect. So if you are a beginner, wondering how to break into the intermediate level, this is a perfect place to start. Create startling, original effects without difficult sleights.
Aronson is widely respected among the top magicians, but interestingly his material is not as often performed as it should be. After working through the routines in Try the Impossible you will agree. But then you won’t tell anyone about the book because you will want to keep these golden secrets for yourself.
Review by Marc Rehula for Simon Says by Simon Lovell
5 out of 5
. . . Buy This Book!
Simon Says contains excellent material designed to be performed. (That may elicit a Duh, but in my experience most books are designed for magicians, not audiences!) Some are easy and some are intermediate, but they all are direct, and Simon’s writing style is very humorous. Highly recommended.
Review by Brett Schulman for Quarte by Gaetan Bloom
5 out of 5
Quarte
Wow, this is amazing mentalism. I has lucky enough to get it from Mendoza on ebay the other week. The props are nice and the method is simplicity itself. The presentation is novel as well, using the story line of a horse race along with the cards. You are loading your prediction right in front of your audiance. They never know what hit them.
Review by dale shrimpton for Mentalist Pad – Original by Jerry O'Connell
5 out of 5
perfection
This gem from Jerry, is the perfect tool for any working mentalist. It’s secret is so well hidden, it can be done in the hands of the spectator if required.
What i like about this also, is that you can treat the prop quite roughly during performance, with no fear of the gimmick exposing it’s self. If you only buy one add a number, make sure that its this one
I have been intrigued by this effect for sometime now and I’m glad I finally have a copy. Wow, this is a very clever idea. The props are very well made and the method allows for an incredibly clean prediction.
It could be used to predict almost any 1, 2, 3, or 4 digit number, but I really like the horse race presentation that is featured in the instructions. When the magic is this strong, having it happen in an entertaining fashion is a plus. As opposed to having an entertaining routine where the magic is just so-so.
The method is easy to learn and do, and I will certainly be featuring this effect in my next big show.
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