talkmagic.co.uk

Hello all,

This is an interesting CDROM that contains some excellent magic and some "just okay" magic as well. I purchased it for the awesome "Signed Torn and Restored Card" effect which you can see performed via RealPlayer at http://www.hanklee.net/hankievision/index.html

To summarize, the T&R Card effect alone is worth the $25 price of admission. We'll get to that later. Let's run through the effects. Note that the packaging description is incorrect to begin with. One effect, "French Connection" is missing completely and was replaced with another effect called "Pop Up Marker." Also, the packaging claims that one effect "Stand Up Three Coin Production" ends with a 3 Fly effect. No such 3 Fly effect is included on the CDROM. While I think the trick descriptions are both misleading and deceptive, there a few goodies on this CDROM. The CD has video in both DIVX AVI and MPEG formats. Video quality is quite good for those formats.

Here are the effects:

1. A Deck In Your Face: This is a way to instantly produce a deck of cards as you are boomeranging some cards on the table. Nifty idea but it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me because you need the cover of playing with some cards to produce the pack. So, if you are boomeranging a single card, you must have already produced a deck to begin with. The logic behind this effect doesn't make sense to me. I suppose it would make sense if you open with a packet trick.

2. PopUp Marker: This is a quick visual effect where a regular marker visibly turns into a huge marker. Cool visual effect with easy method but not something I would use. With this effect you begin to hand a regular marker to someone asking them to sign a card and then instantly turn the marker into a huge one.

3. Stand Up Three Coin Production: This is a pretty and clean production of three coins from your bare hands. Not easy, but teaches a few little-known and interesting sleights. Very nice.

4. Four in a Row: The second best trick on the CD. The CDROM description is accurate: The spectator shuffles a deck of cards. The magician removes a prediction without altering the order of the deck, once shuffled. The spectator deals three piles and stops whenever he wishes. Guess what? The three cards on top of the piles match your predictions! Self working and amazing! --This is extremely cool and uses an ingenious "why didn't I think of that?" method.

5. Torn and Restored Card: This is the trick for which I made the purchase and alone is worth the price of the CD. Easier and more direct than existing approaches (e.g. Reformation, Reparation, JC Wagner, etc.), this is an incredible visual complete 4 quarter signed torn and restored card effect. Does not require a duplicate signature, card can be signed on both back and front, and the signature is in view at all times. The method is ingenious. Definitely not self-working, it will take some diligent practice to make it flow and look good, but it is not convoluted like the Reformation. Each piece is restored visibly and with very few moves and changes in finger positions. Also teaches an excellent sleight at the end that makes the cleanup beautiful. See the video at Magic Factory. I would have been happy with the CD if it only had this trick, it is that strong. You will fool yourself with it when you watch in the mirror.

6. Splash Card: This is a visual "signed card vanishes from the deck and appears in a glass inside an inflated balloon" effect. Weird plot but it looks quite good. Signed card is revealed to be in a glass that materializes when you pop the balloon. Interesting variation for those who want to do something different than the standard Card to Wallet.

That's it. Despite a deceptive trick description and an altogether missing effect, I rate ths as Recommended simply for the Torn and Restored effect and the four card revelation.

Available exclusively at www.magicfact.com for $24.95 US.

Thanks,
Kevin

That IS a pretty strong torn and restored signed card, but "easier" than J.C. Wagner's?

Yes indeed... and much more direct with no fumbling or excess shading of the pieces.

kevin