by Wishmaster » Jun 29th, '09, 20:50
I'm quite surprised there are no replies to this thread.
This has to be the best DVD I have bought yet for card magic. Andrew Murray's delivery and explanations are great. He makes each effect extremely easy to watch and learn.
His take on OOTW is absolutely superb. The effect really sells itself and doesn't need much in the way of patter. It's such a great build up and the finish is astonishing. I've had some brilliant reactions. The handling at the final part makes this version by far the easiest I've seen. Nothing looks unnatural, there are no odd moves and it works very, very well every time. The DVD is worth buying for this effect alone. If it were the only one on the disc, I'd still be a happy bunny.
Twins is a close second for me. Completely impromptu, no setup, any deck and a fantastic finish. It's a nice quick trick to use any time and anyone, including the complete beginners, can do it with little practise. The only thing, and it really is very minor, you have to watch here is that at the start it could be angle unfriendly. But, that's entirely up to you to control the audience. You can do it surrounded if you're careful and aware. Then again, thinking about it, the spec would have to be incredibly observant to glean anything even if they were stood next to you. Maybe, I'm just really over cautious.
My third favourite is Clock Miracle. Each phase is strong and could work nicely alone, but to have three very strong climaxes (ooer!) is much better. I do have one reservation about this one and it relates to something I nearly encountered on the first time I performed the effect, which would have been a bust. There is a slight danger you need to think about before performing, to do with numbers.
I wasn't struck by Card Under Tablecloth. It's a decent enough effect, but I don't think he picked the best venue to sell it. This would work brilliantly at a dinner party type affair. Still, it's not my cup of tea.
Shuffling Lesson is another one I loved. I haven't tried this one yet, but I'm itching to learn it. I agree with TerryC that it's worth the price of the DVD. Another very strong effect.
This is the absolute favourite DVD in my growing collection and I am so glad I bought it. There are at least four effects out of the thirteen you could blow people away with. Andrew teaches them very well and is thorough enough for anyone to pick them up and use straight away. Even when a (rare) sleight is needed, he goes through the technicalities and shows how to perform it. The ones required are few and far between, but still easy enough for anyone to try fairly quickly.
I can't rate this highly enough. There isn't a single effect on this DVD that comes across as filler material or that looks weak, which is unusual. Top drawer stuff from an accomplished magician.
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