Articles Index
Review of "Lethal Weapons" by Stephen Leathwaite
Stephen Leathwaite's "Lethal Weapons" teaches seven good close-up routines. The vanish of a lighter is fantastic and I liked the various card effects as well. And Leathwaite also teaches some great moves.
Review of "Making the Cut" by Ryan Schlutz
Ryan Schlutz is an Orlando-based artist who carefully crafts his close up routines to be baffling as well as entertaining. His book, "Making the Cut," offers a wealth of routines and suggested dialogue that is worth the read.
Review of Ultimate Impromptu Card Magic by Cameron Francis
On this DVD, Cameron Francis offers a collection of card effects that are impromptu that require no setups or gaffs and may be performed with any deck and at any time.
Review of The Treachery of Tricks by Francis Menotti
On his "The Treachery of Tricks" DVD, Francis Menotti teaches seven tricks - a mixture of stand-up and close-up routines - and offer insights into performing magic, creating a character and more. It's a great mix. While I like the tricks, I really appreciate the insights into performing magic, developing a character, evolving a persona and more.
Review of Haunted by Peter Eggink
If you would like to perform an effect where a deck mysteriously cuts itself to a spectator's selected card, you'll probably like classic "Haunted Deck." This version by Peter Eggink, called "Haunted," offers a different method that is completely "hands-off." It's a good one.
Review of Executive Wallet by David Penn
David Penn's "Executive Wallet" offers a powerful, gimmicked wallet that allows you to perform classic "card to wallet." The twist here is that the signed card not only ends in a wallet, but in a second wallet that is sealed with a snap. And you not only get the quality, gimmicked wallet, but you learn Penn's powerful card routine.
Review of Squeak Technique by Jeff McBride
Want to learn an easy to enhance your magic effects? Simply add sound. On "Squeak Technique," Jeff McBride teaches you how. And you'll also learn an excellent ball and bowl routine.
Review of OUT-STANDING by Roberto Mansilla
Paul Curry's "Out of This World" is a famous and powerful card trick. With "OUT-STANDING," Roberto Mansilla has created an equally strong version of the effect for stand-up situations.
Review of Kartis Visible Bill Change
While there are methods that rely on sleight of hand so you can change a piece of paper into a dollar bill, "Kartis Visible Bill Change" offers a gimmicked prop that does most of the work for you. It's visual, but there are definite considerations and drawbacks to consider.
Archer's Essential Magic Classics
When a pro such as Danny Archer tips the routines that work best for him in his close-up and walk around sets, you know that there's the possibility of learning some commercial and strong material. And here, Archer doesn't disappoint with 11 routines.
24Seven Vol. 2 by John Carey
John Carey's "24Seven Vol. 2" presents more card magic that is practical for the real world and doesn't rely on difficult sleight of hand. I was impressed with this collection.
Review of More Power to You: The Very Best of David Acer
David Acer's "More Power to You" offers a solid collection of 29 great close-up effects. And it's also a fun and entertaining read. This is one of the best that I've read in a while.
Review of Naked by Salvador Sufrate
With Naked, you can change a joker into any other card, even a signed one. And as the name implies, you'll need no special clothing to make this change.
Review of Canned Card
Here's a stunning card effect that combines the "card to impossible place" plot with a torn and restored playing card.
Review of 24 Seven Project by John Carey Volume 1
On "24 Seven Project," John Carey teaches 12 powerful close-up routines. Unlike his earlier "Handle with Carey" title, this DVD teaches effects that require more advanced sleight of hand skills.
Sly News Tear by Tony Clark
With "Sly News Tear," Tony Clark teaches his visually impressive effect where a newspaper is clearly torn into tiny pieces and then restores itself. This is an excellent effect for stand-up and stage work.
A Little R&B by Dan Harlan
Dan Harlan is back with a collection of good effects that employ a well known gaffed card. While I generally like the effects, I particularly enjoyed the themes that Harlan applied to them. In Harlan's capable hands, a card trick isn't just another "card trick."
Review of Ontology Project by Helder Guimaraes
Helder Guimaraes offers a strong set of gimmicked cards that support four great effects. You'll recognize the plots as classic ones, but here, Guimaraes creates some downright miracles.
Review of Enigma by Paulino Gil and Luis De Matos
Enigma offers a multi-phased close-up routine where cords somehow penetrate through the fingers. It's definitely something different.
3 by Eric Ross
As the title implies, "3 by Eric Ross" presents and teaches three good card tricks. The emphasis here is on creating three solid card revelations. And this one is great for beginners.
Bullet Party DVD by John Bannon
Just like his book of the same name, John Bannon's "Bullet Party" teaches some amazing card tricks. I particularly like two of the packet effects, and there are some great four-ace assembly effects.
Review of Pure Smoke
Want to make a puff of mysterious smoke emanate from your hands at will? Ellusionist's "Pure Smoke" is a mechanism that allows you to do so. I found the product to be well made and it performed its function competently.
Bullet Party by John Bannon
John Bannon's "Bullet Party" features 12 excellent card tricks and utility moves. If you like four-ace assembly tricks, you'll especially like the five different ones that Bannon teaches here.
Card to Impossible Place - Pierced and Insight
Here are two effects that follow the "card to impossible place" theme. One is a chosen card that ends up in an inflated balloon, and the second is a sandwich trick on steroids.
Card to Envelope - Sweet and Insider
Another "object to impossible location" effect, "card to envelope" has the magician causing a selected playing card to appear inside a sealed envelope. I discuss two products on the market with this theme: "Sweet" and "Insider."