talkmagic.co.uk

[Daremyth]

The Video:
This is a video featuring Brad Christian first teaching the two card monte routine and then commenting on other submitted videos of people doing the two card monte routine.


Cost:
$43.95 on DVD or $39.95 on VHS or download from ellusionist.com.


Difficulty:
2

Overall:
2/10

I absolutely loathe this video. First of all, I dislike the method used for the two card monte routine in this video. It uses a top change, which I personally never use, but I understand that some people like it and I won't fault the video for that. However, the structure of this video almost appals me. Basically, it's a bunch of amateurs performing the 2 card monte routine, and then Brad criticizing the routine and giving pointers afterwards. While I thought it was a good idea, and think it is in theory, it's horribly executed. Many times, Brad comes off as incredibly patronizing and will dislike a routine simply because they use a slightly different patter than he does. I got really sick of him bashing alternative approaches as 'ineffective', when some of them are just as good or better than his. They also teach a card to wallet kicker, as well as Jonathan Bayme's 4 packet rotation cut. This kind of angered me because the cut is identical to the illogical cut by Johnny Mathiolas, but there is no credit given.

Bottom Line:
I disliked almost every part of this video. The lack of variety in effects, the patronizing attitude of Brad, the unoriginal material passed off as original. Spend this money on a Sankey DVD instead.

[NaipesEnJuego]

I Absolutely agree with you.

I wanna add one thing those Shemales in the transitions got nothing to do with the video. I gotta admit I really like the ellusionist esthetics used for all their videos, their previews and their site... but I gotta say this is one is one of the worst videos from the Ellusionist.

This should be a Gift if you buy another Title. It cannot be sold by itself...

[Dominick]

I wanna add one thing those Shemales in the transitions got nothing to do with the video.

Haha! I actually thought the same thing! I don't have the video, and most likely won't after reading this review, but when I saw the demo for it, I noticed how nasty looking the women were...

[magic8697]

yep I thought the same thing too this video was such a big waste of money. But look at the downloads penguin has to sell most of those are a waste too

[kevsashark]

WOW! Those are some harsh words. I agree that it wasn't the greatest, but the idea behind it (i.e. having real performances from people of different ages) was cool, even if it didn't turn out as well as it could have.

This is probably my least favorite Ellusionist/Brad Christian video, but if you want an introduction into 2 Card Monte, it's not a bad place to start. Just my opinion.

[FlipBack]

Actually if E wants to include videos of amatuers performing the effects on the video then they should have it as an extra rather then it being the focus of the whole video.

[kevsashark]

That's a good point. Perhaps have it as a section you could go watch but keep the major focus on a professional doing it and on the teaching of it.