SAD: Simple and Direct Mentalism by Looch

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SAD: Simple and Direct Mentalism by Looch

Postby DrTodd » Oct 16th, '06, 10:23



A new book that features ‘powerful, entertaining close-up mentalism that has been sharpened to a razor’s edge by constant use in the real world.’

The book contains a total of 13 mental effects that can be performed close-up that use a variety of sleights from the repertoire of close-up magic and common utilities and approaches from the field of mentalism.

Cost: £29.99 (http://www.alakazam.co.uk)

Difficulty

The effects are not for beginners. The sleights involved are not necessarily difficult, but it is their combination with the principles of mentalism and the experience of presenting mental effects that will need attention in making the most of these effects. All the required sleights are extremely well explained and accompanied by colour photographs throughout the book.

Review

This is a real working mentalists dream! Many mental effects are described to be performed for the stage or parlour, but this collection developed by Looch allows you to perform these very clever effects in a close-up and impromptu setting. He has developed these effects to be truly ‘simple and direct’, and I can assure you that these will simply astound your audience. Here is a preview of some of the effects:

A Nod to Pocket Watch: grounded in a discussion of free will (oooh I do like that!), this effect has the spectator name a country and pick a playing card. The card is revealed from a prediction note that was written before the choice of card, and then from a small tin, a second prediction note is taken out to contain the name of the country that was chosen!

Intuitive Aii: A deck of playing cards is shown to the spectator. They are mixed haphazardly to be face up and face down. The deck is spread and the performer names the precise number of face up cards. The deck is again mixed in similar fashion. The performer riffles the cards and names the precise number of face up cards. The performer then calls out each and every face up card!

A Watch Presentation: Two spectators are asked to synchronise their watches, one spectator holds his or her watch covered from view, the other is asked to change his or her watch to a random time, after which the other spectator’s watch is shown to match the time that was chosen!

All the effects utilise the effect of timing, building to an impossible conclusion, and performed with everyday objects. In addition to the ten main effects, you also get full instructions on all required sleights (unlike some advanced books in magic) additional insights into performing the effects (timing, presentational thoughts, and subtleties), and three bonus effects, including Match Box Monte, I Always Get My Way, and a Dual Book Test.

Overall

This book is a really nice collection of mental effects with a lateral edge. They all challenge our sense of time, cause and effect, and perception, while remaining true to the spirit of high quality close-up magic and mentalism. The book is nicely presented and well produced, with very high quality pages and colour pictures. While it only contains 13 effects (hmmm…13 effects and 13 steps), it contains much more by way of advice and presentation. Moreover, many of the principles that lie behind the effects can be used in so many different and innovative ways.

I give this 10 out of 10!

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Postby lindz » Oct 16th, '06, 10:39

Ive been waiting for someone to review this ive seen it advertised in various magazines and every time i go into Alakazam its always been spoken about. C.U.PS i feel is coming i can tell by my body language see you can see im an expert. Ive just spent £25 on magic this morning oh well here goes another £30 :twisted:

L J M
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Postby IAIN » Oct 16th, '06, 12:17

Just to echo the Doctor's comments really - its a great book, and the quality of both the effects and the book itself is very good...

and for once, decent photos! well worth the money....

IAIN
 

Postby Mooch » Oct 16th, '06, 16:51

I got a signed copy of this the other week (number 16 :D ) and it is a really brilliant book. The effects inside are very powerful, and they are all explained clearly and in great detail. The quality of the book itself is great too, it is very nicely printed and laid out well, which makes it a nice and easy read.
10/10 from me as well, it is wonderful.

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Postby Roth » Oct 17th, '06, 04:27

There once was a fellow named Looch
all the heads turned 'round when he spoke

The girls would stop kissin
so the boys could all listen

To this devilishly handsome young bloke!

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Magic Cafe

Postby DrTodd » Oct 17th, '06, 17:31

After a whole lot of back and forth about whether I was allowed to post this review at the Magic Cafe, I have succeeded in posting it. Interesting lot, my compatriots :roll:

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Re: Magic Cafe

Postby Mandrake » Oct 17th, '06, 17:36

DrTodd wrote:After a whole lot of back and forth about whether I was allowed to post this review at the Magic Cafe, I have succeeded in posting it. Interesting lot, my compatriots :roll:
Pesonally I find them to be a very weird bunch over at the Cafe - but that's just my biased opinion :? .

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SAD

Postby DrTodd » Oct 17th, '06, 17:43

Indeed...very draconian and then presto...ban lifted, publication possible...wha?

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Re: SAD

Postby Part-Timer » Oct 17th, '06, 23:34

DrTodd wrote:Indeed...very draconian and then presto...ban lifted, publication possible...wha?


Alakazam pay for advertising there, I believe. Might explain the change of heart.

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SAD

Postby DrTodd » Oct 18th, '06, 06:48

Yes, I suspect that is what happened. The book, nevertheless is brilliant!

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Postby Roth » Oct 21st, '06, 22:35

The power of Nardi compells you!

( Is that politically incorrect? Who cares.)

S.A.D. rocks

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Postby Tomo » Aug 7th, '07, 10:17

Yay! Postie has just delivered my copy. I may be some time...

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Postby Benji28 » Aug 25th, '07, 13:21

I have this product too, some very interesting stuff in there. I would recomend it.

Good review

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Postby .:Ham:. » Aug 26th, '07, 14:17

Good review! I think you've persuaded me to purchase this one next!

.:Ham:.

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Postby Replicant » Feb 12th, '09, 22:58

I got this fantastic book a few days ago (several years behind everyone else, as usual!) Very impressive stuff. I really like Nod to Pocket Watch, Intuitive Aii, Wake Up Dr. Rhine (possibly my favourite of the lot and one of the best ESP effects I have seen), Red Sky at Night and Lost in the Shadow. The other effects are also pretty good, although I can't see myself performing all of them, especially Superman! And The Glitch has to be the most surreal effect I've ever read about. Bizarre, but probably very effective in the right circumstances.

Poor grammar and punctuation aside, this book is excellent and packed full of quality material, including Looch's thoughts on presentation and performance. The three bonus effects are also very good. The book itself is also very high quality indeed and contains numerous full colour photographs, which are useful. I especially like the polaroid shots that head each chapter - very, very classy. I would highly recommend Looch's first book and would rate it a solid 9/10.

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