FullReviews Index
Book Review: Devious Deceptions by Steve Skomp
The aptly named "Devious Deceptions," a 65-page, comb-bound book, offers a wealth of varied, visual and entertaining effects-mostly of the close-up variety. This collection of winners, from the diabolical mentalism gaff, to the instantaneous deck changes-decks change sizes and into other objects, offers something for just about every magician. Steve Skomp has indeed created a series of devious, as well as entertaining, deceptions.
Trick Review: Michael Mode's NUN!
NUN! is a fast and hilarious routine that works as a fun interlude between tricks.
DVD Review: Classic Carney
This version of John Carney's excellent instructional video on DVD offers some solid close-up effects. The strongest are the three-phase card in napkin routine, a fun triumph style effect and an outstanding cups and balls effect that's blended with classic bill in lemon. If you already own the original video, there's nothing new here. This DVD is for experienced intermediate to advanced close-up magicians who have a strong foundation in sleight of hand.
Review: Andrew Mayne's Light Storm (Plans)
Good illusions always cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars, right? But magician and designer Andrew Mayne can change your mind. His plans for "Light Storm" offer a large-scale effect where an assistant appears to push a light through the body of the magician. The effect is a good one that can cost less than $60 to build.
Review: Andrew Mayne's Voodoo Box (Plans)
If you've always thought that good illusions cost hundreds, and even thousands of dollars, magician and designer Andrew Mayne can change your mind. His plans for "The Voodoo Box" offer a variation on the classic sword box that replaces the swords with umbrellas and is built with a cardboard box. The end effect is a good one that can cost less than $30 to build.
DVD Review: Runaround Sue
Is a DVD with only one routine worth the money? When it's Tim Ellis' "Runaround Sue," his take on the cups & balls, the answer is a resounding "yes." In addition to explaining Ellis' excellent fifties-themed cups & balls, the DVD provides lots of useful information on vanishes, setup and showmanship.
Trick Review: Ripped-Up by Peter Egglink
There are various methods to appear to tear apart a playing card and restore it, and Peter Egglink's Ripped-Up offers a different, gimmick-based approach that allows you to seemingly tear apart a signed card and instantly fuse it back together. The effect requires no palming and almost instantly resets, and is within the means of anyone who has mastered card basics, but you will probably need some distance from spectators to perform it.
Review: The Specter Cabinet (Plans)
The Spector Cabinet is another high-impact, low-cost illusion idea from Andrew Mayne. It's his creative take on the shadow box. His plans offer everything that you need to know to build the illusion for about $60 worth of materials. This one can make an excellent show opener.
DVD Review: Rocky Mountain Magic
From 1977 to 2004, the legendary Doc Eason was the featured magician at the Tower Comedy/Magic Bar in Snowmass Village, CO. This title, a DVD re-release of the 1990 video of same name, depicts a magical evening at the Tower some 16 years ago. And the disc offers a tantalizing bonus, commentary by Eason himself.
DVD Review: Michael Mode’s Napkin Rose
More magic touch than magic routine, Michael Mode's Napkin Rose DVD shows how to make attractive paper roses out of cocktail napkins. Mode offers excellent instruction and much insight on his DVD, and sells specially-dyed napkins for the job. Napkin roses offer an outstanding giveaway when strolling or table-hopping, and this DVD provides a thorough treatment of the topic.
Review of "...after all these years..." by Doc Eason
Think of bar magic and Doc Eason is one of the first names to come to mind. And if you can't see him live, his DVD, "...after all these years..." is the next best thing. This performance-only DVD shows the master at work and there's lots to learn when watching an accomplished entertainer who's done this, at the time of the taping, for 26 years.
Illusion Review: Andrew Mayne's Razorwire (Plans)
Another in Andrew Mayne's low-cost, build-your-own illusions, in Razorwire, the magician appears to pass through a tangle of barbwire behind the cover of a cloth. It's a convincing one-person illusion that may be easily built for under $100. The effect only requires basic tools to construct it and doesn't need any assistants.
Trick Review: Timecard by Gordon Bean
Here's another brilliant trick from Gordon Bean. It's a powerful and surprising prediction effect that's been combined with a card revelation. And as the name implies, it's about time.
DVD Review: My Ideas - Vol. 2 by Fantasio
With "My Magical Medicine Cabinet," Fantasio presents an intriguing concept. A single box that looks like a medicine cabinet, but allows him to perform an entire show. The adaptations of classic magic effects using medical props are clever. However, clever doesn't necessarily translate into great magic. This doctor's kit is a mixed bag.
Review: Presto Pad
For table hoppers, the Presto Pad, by Hampels Magic Center, offers an attractive and useful portable close-up pad that not only provides a plush and soft surface to work on, but offers convenient pockets so you can carry cards, coins, pens and more.
Review of Smart Ass by Bill Abbott
This effect by Bill Abbott is a powerful prediction effect that relies on a very fair (or seemingly fair) selection of a playing card. The effect, which is interactive and entertaining, is great for stage. And even if you don't care for the effect, which is unlikely, you'll love the force.
Easy to Master Magic Tricks by Las Vegas Greatest Magicians
This DVD features a line-up of great magicians teaching 13 easy magic tricks. The tricks are mostly generic, and if you follow this stuff, as you may here on this site, you'll already know most of them.
Build Your Own Card Fountain For Under $20
With card fountains priced anywhere between $60 for a basic model and $130-$500 for an upper-end, radio controlled version, you can save some bucks by making your own device. And if you're so inclined and have the time and tools, this DVD shows you how.
DVD Review: Bish Bash Bosh by Magic Dave
This DVD showcases the routines Dave Allen, many of which are prop-based (in order to perform the effect, you'll have to buy the magic prop). Allen has a great rapport with kids and I thoroughly liked his silent puppet routine. If you're putting together a show for younger kids, you'll probably find some great ideas on this DVD.
Trick Review: Infallible by Al Lampkin
Here's an easy packet trick with playing cards that offers a strong prediction and an easy, straight forward method. The instructions leave something to be desired as there are effectively none, but there is a good demo on the enclosed DVD that will allow magicians with some basic knowledge of card techniques to piece together the routine.
Review: DIVINE2 by Stathi Zaf
There are many ways to apparently read a spectator's thoughts, and Stathi Zaf offers a diabolical and clever device that you can make that effectively does the job. For close-up work where you and your spectators are standing, Zaf's DIVINE2 prop can be an excellent addition to your mentalism arsenal.
Review: King of Custard by Paul Megram
Paul Megram, AKA "Colonel Custard," is a successful kids magician in the UK. This DVD offers his secrets to running a successful magic business and covers topics such as: handling phone calls, dealing with clients, creating a corporate image, starting the party, games to play at parties with kids, receiving pay, getting repeat bookings and more.
Review: 52 Ways to Cheat at Poker by Allan Kronzek
Paul Simon said in a song that there are 50 ways to leave your lover, and Allan Kronzek proves in his excellent book that there are 52 ways to cheat at poker. This book will appeal to anyone who is interested in card magic, card cheating and/or poker. There were some techniques that I was already familiar with and many that were new to me.
Review: Liquid (Card Through Window) by Taylor Lewis
This card through window offers an angle that I have not seen before. With a gimmick, a spectator's selected card not only isolates itself from the rest of the deck, but appears to pass through the glass. The spectator can tap his finger on the card to verify that the card is "on the other side." It's an intriguing concept, but the effect feels rather insecure to me.
Review: Tear Down by Andrew Mayne
I've been performing a newspaper tear for years. It used to be my stand-up opener. The tear, based on a popular method, has served me well, but I may well be tossing it to employ Andrew Mayne's excellent "Tear Down," an impromptu effect.