talkmagic.co.uk

Cosmos, by Greg Rostami

Download: $20 from RostamiMagic

The hype
This is another "Out of this Wolrld" effect, an effect that many of you will already know. It is billed as the Holy Grail of OOTW effects, so the question is, is this just hype or a realistic claim? One of the criticisms about this effect that I have read on other forums is that the demo wasn’t a realistic reflection of how the effect plays. For me this wasn’t a problem for reasons I will explain later.

The Effect
The main effect is designed to be performed to at least two spectators.

There is talk of a recent scientific paper that shows that under competitive situations the human subconscious has the ability to absorb far more than was previously thought possibly.

A deck of cards is borrowed, and given several shuffles by the magician. The two spectators are then asked to take out one black card and one red card each as these cards are to be used as markers.

The two marker cards are placed in front of each spectator, and the cards are shuffled again (in the fairest of "test condition" ways) and are shown to be completely mixed up.

The magician explains that this is a competition, the idea being for each spectator to guess whether a dealt card is black or red and to place the card face down against their appropriate black or red marker card. The spectators can choose to stop at any point and the remaining cards can be seen to be completely mixed, whereas when the spectators cards are turned over it will be seen that they BOTH guessed with 100% accuracy.

To say that this effect (and indeed any OOTW effect) is one of the strongest card tricks that can ever be performed, is an understatement of tremendous magnitude. This effect IS a closer.

The Review
Like many members, I already know Paul Curry’s amazing OOTW effect. Also like many members I know of several impromptu versions that I am very happy with. So why buy this one? Perhaps the best way to answer this very fair question is to list some of the pro’s and cons of COSMOS.

1. This effect can be done with a borrowed deck, shuffled deck.
This really adds a lot to the OOTW plot for me, but I have to say that I already had an impromptu version that can be done in this way. However Greg’s method was new to me and having now performed COSMOS a couple of times I have to say that I like it. It does honestly play that much fairer to me.

2. Not all the cards need to be used
Again, one of the drawbacks of the original version was the time it takes to play out making it not particularly suitable for a table hopping environment. This version can be played much quicker and is (IMO) an excellent closer.

I do appreciate that Michael Ammar also teaches an excellent version that doesn’t use all the cards on one of his ETMCM DVD’s, but on the whole I have to say I still prefer this version.

3. It requires at two spectators
Reading reviews on other forums I see that for many this is a disadvantage of COSMOS, however for me I see it as a bonus point. If performing at tables getting two people actively involved is a big plus. In saying that, if you do consider it a disadvantage then it can be fairly easily adapted so that the magician can play the part of one of the spectators.

4. There is no difficult sleight of hand
Absolutely true. There is one move, and to be honest you don’t even have to do that as Greg also describes Paul Curry’s original method.

5. The magician can be completely surrounded
The impromptu version of this that I already knew would have been difficult to do completely surrounded, so for me this is a plus point.

So all in all I would say a big thumbs up to Cosmos. $20 at today’s exchange rate is not bad at all, so whether you know OOTW already or not – I would say that this is value for money item.

Difficulty. 2/5
1=Even I can do it, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used, 4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
It is easy. It's not 100% self working as there are a couple of moments where you need your wits, but definitely something anyone could master. Even someone completely new to card magic.

Rating. Effect/item: 10/10, Quality of goods: 10/10, Value for money:
10/10 if you are new to OOTW effects
9/10 if you don’t yet know an impromptu version
8/10 if you do know an impromptu version

Comparisons.
There are some great OOTW effects already out there, some impromptu, some with some nasty moves, some with gimmicked decks, but all from the spectators point of view the same effect.

IMHO, COSMOS is as good as any and better than most. Is it the holy grail? Possibly. Possibly not. It is the one I will be using from now on though.

I would say though that it is not a magician fooler. After all – 99% of magicians know the principle behind OOTW. If you want a magician fooler, then I suggest you buy Dean Dill’s “New World”. However, if you are more concerned about fooling laypeople (don’t you just hate that term?) then I suggest you buy COSMOS.

The Video Demo
I mentioned at the beginning about criticisms of the demo.

One criticism about the video is that it appears that only one spectator is involved. Well you now know different. It uses two.

The second criticism was that the effect demo’d was actually for one of the variants that didn’t use a borrowed deck. Well that made me smile. Yes – strictly speaking they are correct – the demo was for the alternative version, but you know what, if Greg had actually videoed the main impromptu effect you still would have seen the same effect. The spec shuffles the cards before they are pulled off the top by the magician for separating. That was just all a big fuss over nothing as far as I am concerned.

Summary.
As well as the Basic effect, you do also get taught a slightly less impromptu method. Well it is impromptu, but it can’t be done with a borrowed deck of cards. Really though. How often do we need to borrow a deck of cards?

There are also a couple of very good bonus effects, one of them being an excellent kicker ending for the COSMOS. I know what you are thinking, how the dickens can you add a kicker to an OOTW effect – it’s already too strong! but I tell you, this really would add something to the effect if you were using it as a closer at tables.

Bottom Line.
If you want to perform an OOTW effect then this is excellent value for money. Yes even if you already know how other OOTW effects work. For me this version combines all the best points of the others, plus it's own special features.

All in all I recommend this download very highly indeed, and I look forward to seeing other material that Greg brings out.

Thanks Bananafish - If I may say, what an excellent review!

I've had my eye on this since reading the original post which raised a few questions from other members which you have cleared up. This is one that I will be downloading, despite already having an OOTW effect.

You won't be disappointed - although I would be interested to hear what you have to say on it.

I have also heard that Mr. Rostami has now come up with a method where it can be done one on one with a spectator. Although the magicians guesses are all mixed (as you would expect) the spectator gets it all correct!

If this is indeed possible, it will add a whole new dimension to the OOTW effect. I think the origin for the idea for this can be credited to Shaun Robinson, but Greg Rostami came up with a working method, which if you think about it, it isn't as easy as it sounds...

Darn it, I had no intention of ever spending any money on another OOTW effect. Now I'm very very tempted.

Sounds great Bananafish and a very thorough review. Thanks.

I have read very mixed reviews about Cosmos on other forums.

What I have heard is that the advertising is very misleading. Beyond what is necessary to keep the method secret.

The fact that there are 2 spectators (or spec plus magician) does nnot bother me. But some other questions do...

The sales blurb says-
there is NO marked or gimmicked deck;
NO previous setup required;
deck can be shuffled by spectator;
magician does NOT look at the faces of the cards.

Frankly I find it very hard to believe that ALL of these are true at the same time.
It has been suggested that there are several versions, and that each of these statements only apply to certain versions. EG the demo vid shows use of a gimmicked deck.

So... Q1. Can someone confirm or deny the conditions under which Cosmos can be performed as described???

Q2. I know there is a 'move' required that is not shown in the demo vid (fair enough!). This will be required to remove a certain discrepancy that arises in all OOTW that I know of. How well is this move handled in Cosmos? Is it well blended into the overal structure & patter of the performance??

Q3. I know there were a lot of teething troubles with actually getting the download from the website. Anyone know if this is ok now?

Thanks in advance for replies.
PM me if not suitable to post on public pages

Q1. Can someone confirm or deny the conditions under which Cosmos can be performed as described???

The sales blurb was quite correct, and it can indeed be performed with a borrowed/shuffled deck of cards in an impromptu situation.

Q2. I know there is a 'move' required that is not shown in the demo vid (fair enough!). This will be required to remove a certain discrepancy that arises in all OOTW that I know of. How well is this move handled in Cosmos? Is it well blended into the overal structure & patter of the performance??

I Actually found Greg's method for the move works very well. It has some great misdirection.

Q3. I know there were a lot of teething troubles with actually getting the download from the website. Anyone know if this is ok now?

I've no idea. I never had any problems with the Download, but if you say others have - then a fair point to ask.

I still stand by my review, although I have to admit that now if I am to perform a version of OOTW for two people then I would probably choose "Splitting The Difference", by Gordon Bean. An effect that appeared in Genii, (based on John Kennedy's excellent "Red and Black"

Thanks.

Well, I bought this, so here are my comments -

I think poor Greg has been given an unfair savaging on other forums. The suggestion that the conditions described were misleading is (as Bananfish said) not true.

Without giving too much away - the routine is designed so that you can do it totally impromptu with a borrowed unmarked deck and you in fact do a kind of setup 'on the fly' right under their noses. This is worked into the plot - so it is totally open.

Also I heard some criticism that if you let the spec shuffle the deck they would have to do a perfect riffle or faro. This is also not true.

I would say that Greg has come up with a couple of simple but cunning ruses to put a new spin on OOTW. But I don't think it is as earth-shattering as he claims. Another magician would probably have included it as one item in a whole bunch of routines on a DVD. (In fact I have a David Regal DVD set in which he uses one of the same principles, but doesn't make a big deal of it).

Also the 'move' that I was wondering about was pretty bog-standard IMHO - just what I expected. [I guess Bananfish is a more generous reviewer than me - which is fair enough

All in all - some nice ideas, but not as wonderful as Greg would have you believe!

PS. I emailed him about the version where the magician gets it wrong. He replied promptly saying it will be on the DVD. I won't be buying that - I have an idea how to do it anyway. I will happily discuss this via pm with anyone who can show they already know Cosmos.

I got this trick the other day, and after watching the demo video twice, I performed it for the first time. It's easy to perform, even when I thought I would arouse suspicion, it was left unnoticed. As for the move, the move itself is very easy, remembering how exactly to do it on the other hand it might be good to practise for yourself a few times I would say this is a great trick, I wasn't familiar with OOTW but I think cosmos is a nice impromptu trick. Even when you don't have 2 spectators, you can play the second spectator yourself.

Overall :

Easy, alot of fun and the reactions are great. I'd rate it 9/10 because I had fear of getting caught staring too much, but maybe that's just because I did it for the first time.

for anyone who has a RAMA DECK and has read "Splitting The Difference", by Gordon Bean there is an AWESOME ootw possible!!!

the spectator shuffles... the spectator examines the cards face up... the cards are split into three piles - one for 'suspected' reds, one for 'suspected' blacks and a discard pile... half way through the experiment the remainder of the deck is spread faceup - it is randomly mixed red and black. the discard pile is spread faceup - it too is randomly mixed red and black.

the 'suspected' red pile is flipped face up -ALL RED!

the 'suspected' black pile is flipped face up -ALL BLACK!

this is my favourite OOTW effect. and it destroys magicians! ha!

Ozman wrote:...and it destroys magicians! ha!...

So does it use a different seperating method than other OOTW effects then ?

well, the spectator genuinely shuffles the deck... AND they can spread the deck face up before you start the trick and physically see that the cards are all mixed up!!

make of that what you will... hehe!