Manufacutor's quote
Matthew is a professional Close up Magician and on his debut DVD you will experience some of his LIVE work. There is NO audience setup and NO fake reactions, just the real work in a real world setting.
All the routines explained on this DVD have been audience tested over hundreds of performances. The handling of each effect has been honed to perfection and each one has been geared for maximum entertainment value and quick, visual impact!
SHRINKAGE is an instant, eye-popping transformation. A selected card visually shrinks in mid air right in front of your spectator's eyes!
CARD TO ANYWHERE is an ingenious method of vanishing a selected card to have it appear literally ANYWHERE! Card thru window, card in bottle, card to shoe let your imagination run wild!
CARD TO ANY NUMBER gets straight to the point. It is a very workable version of a classic that you will perform at EVERY opportunity!
WALK AROUND WALTZ is Matthew's handling for the classic Anniversary Waltz which has been carefully reworked for the walk around performer. It's extremely direct and more importantly all done in the hands!
EASY DECK VANISH does exactly what it says on the tin! It's the ideal trick to end on that is quick, easy and leaves them wanting more!
REPEAT CARD TO MOUTH is a multi-phased routine based on the popular classic. The harder they try to catch it the less chance they have; then you hit them with a knockout ending!
X MARKS THE SPOT is a fantastic presentational idea for a classic routine that you will always perform when they ask that inevitable question: "Can you tell me how you do it?"
Learn all of this and more on this incredible two-disc set! Also includes: MST, SOLE SELECTION, TWO PERSON THOUGHT OF CARD, CARDS TO POCKET, MINI ME, THE TIME MACHINE and much, much more including a bonus section featuring Matthew's routines & technique for stealing watches!
First Impressions
When I opened it, the first thing that surpirsed me was that it was a two disc set!
Two discs for the price of a normal DVD...I'm liking this already
Main Review
Well, what can I say, this is a simply great DVD.
It is mainly cards based, with a live performence or two and then an explanation by Matthew.
The tricks are extremely well explained, with any moves that might be unknown covered in a seperate section of the DVD. These include the Windmill move (Lennart Green), Elmsley Count, the Classic Force and the much used One-Handed Top Palm.
Speaking of the OHTP, it is used extensively in this DVD, almost every other routine involves it and although it is slightly overused, its a great sleight.
Probably the only negative thing about the material on this DVD is the amount of gaffs (mainly duplicates and signed cards) used, so pocket management might be an issue.
Trick by Trick
SHRINKAGE is an instant, eye-popping transformation. A selected card visually shrinks in mid air right in front of your spectator's eyes!
This looks amazing and if you can afford to carry around a miniture deck in your pocket it is well worth learning! Matthew also goes into more deatil and explains variations including a stick-man and a black hole.
CARD TO ANYWHERE is an ingenious method of vanishing a selected card to have it appear literally ANYWHERE! Card thru window, card in bottle, card to shoe let your imagination run wild!
This is really nice concept and it will get really good reactions.
CARD TO ANY NUMBER gets straight to the point. It is a very workable version of a classic that you will perform at EVERY opportunity!
A really good concept but it takes a bit of audactiy to perform the card under box/glass part.
WALK AROUND WALTZ is Matthew's handling for the classic Anniversary Waltz which has been carefully reworked for the walk around performer. It's extremely direct and more importantly all done in the hands!
My second favourite routine on the set and I always perform this when I can. It is really direct like the description says. Matthew also gives some ideas on how to accomidate the gaft cards involved which work really well
EASY DECK VANISH does exactly what it says on the tin! It's the ideal trick to end on that is quick, easy and leaves them wanting more!
This cheeky but easy vanish is used in several of the routines and if the timing can be perfected this is an eye-popper
REPEAT CARD TO MOUTH is a multi-phased routine based on the popular classic. The harder they try to catch it the less chance they have; then you hit them with a knockout ending!
I'm a huge card to mouth fan and this is the routine that I use on a regular basis. It also involves the EDV (see above)
X MARKS THE SPOT is a fantastic presentational idea for a classic routine that you will always perform when they ask that inevitable question: "Can you tell me how you do it?"
This is a presentational ploy for Chigago Opener (know on the interent as the Greatest Card Trick in the World). Its a nice idea and quite fun to perform.
MST
I assume this stands for Matthew's Signature Transposition and it is my favourite routine on the set, it is direct and ends clean, a great attention grabber if you want a strong opener!
SOLE SELECTION
This a Card to Shoe effect combined with the EDV and works very nicely as a quick trick.
TWO PERSON THOUGHT OF CARD
A mentalism trick that involves two people thinking a card as the deck is spread though. A well structured routine that is a bit of a marathon but experienced mentalists with a good memory might want to take a look at this. It is based on a Michael Ammar effect.
CARDS TO POCKET
Similar to Card to Mouth and uses similar sleights and the EDV but is a great alternative to Card to mouth.
MINI ME
Another card shrinking trick that is also a really good way to hand out your buissiness card by making a playing card change into it.
THE TIME MACHINE
Again, this is presentational ploy for another trick, re-worked for a walk-around performer. In this case it is Darwin Ortiz's Physcotronic Card with blank cards instead of blue Kings. Definately worth a look for those who are familiar.
WATCH STEAL AND COIN ROUTINE
This is the only non card material on the set and it is really good for anyone looking to learn some non-card magic. The coin routine includes a coin thru hand trick, the muscle pass, the Strike vanish and a nice touch on the retetion vanish.
The Watch steal is targeted at the clasp style of watch, one which is normally shyed away from. The techquich is quite audactious but is really effective!
BIRTHDAY CARD PREDICTION
Again another Presentational ploy that works really well.
Difficulty
Most tricks about 3/5, some 4/5s though, but the sleights are all taught well so almost everyone will be able to grasp this material.
Overall
9/10
Its not impossible that I've missed something off the list because this set is simply jam packet with great routines; a staple to any close-up workers repetoir, as long as pocket space isn't an issue!
Elliott
