Review of Magnetic Deck by Granell

With the popularity of extreme card manipulation, it was only a matter of time until someone came up with a gimmicked deck of cards that could mimic the techniques and not require the months of practice necessary for executing impressive flourishes.

Special Deck
Granell’s Magnetic Deck, as the name implies, is a special deck of cards where cards contain embedded magnets to keep the cards together so you can perform spectacular flourishes with a moderate amount of work.

Some of the flourishes appear similar to those taught on such DVDs as Trinity by the Buck Twins. Keep in mind that you can perform basic find a card tricks using the magnetic deck, but it’s pretty much dedicated to performing flourishes.

Love Triangle
Most of the flourishes taught on the accompanying DVD involve building triangular shapes out of the cards and stacking and holding them (see the image). Many of the techniques involve spinning and tossing stacks of cards to reveal cards or perform a spectacular flourish. I do like the look of these tosses - some of which I know from extreme card manipulation DVDs. There are also Sybil style multiple cuts and more.

The cards work as they should but there's still practice involved. One thought, in the hands of Granell, the flourishes lack the smoothness and polish that we are accustomed to seeing when the likes of the Buck Twins: Dan and Dave, for example, perform such flourishes. Granell has a rather jerky style which makes the moves look difficult but lacks the sheer beauty of a well executed flourish.

If you are interested in flourishes, you may enjoy the Magnetic Deck. 

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Review of Upgrade by Danny Weiser and Big Blind Media

Magicians love to change one playing card into another one and Danny Weiser’s Upgrade offers a gimmicked playing card to openly and visually do so. 

The well gimmicked card offers lots of possibilities to not only change cards, but perform transpositions, card vanishes and more. If you like, you can have a spectator hold onto the card that is being changed and the resulting card ends in his hand.

You can read my full review of "Upgrade" here.

Review of LOOK by Limin

Here's a card effect, actually it's a revelation, where a drawing seemingly comes to life and reveals a freely selected card. The underlying concept is a great one. 

Read the full review here. 

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A Magician Wins “Got Talent”

Has a certain sweltering place frozen over? (Hint: it's "hot as h***.) 

A magician finally won television's  “America’s Got Talent,” the first to win in such a reality show competition since Charlie Caper  first won on “Sweden’s Got Talent”). I have to admit, I had pretty much given up on seeing a magician win the show. But I’m so pleased to see Mat Franco take the crown.

Engaging Persona
Congratulations to Franco. He brings a lot to the table. He’s engaging, personable and likeable, perhaps the most important traits for any magician or entertainer. 

When it comes to charisma, this guy has that certain something in spades. He won over the television audience and is to be commended for this seemingly impossible accomplishment.

Close-Up Versus Illusions

I’m stunned to see that close-up magic mostly ruled the performances in the latest season of “America’s Got Talent.” It wasn’t long ago that Murray, Michael Grasso and others were involved in something of a magical arms race where bigger was definitely better and large scale illusions were the only thing that the show’s judges wanted to see. 

I recall Shimshi (now on “Wizard Wars”) who performed an energetic and stunning card stab on "America's Got Talent" with lots of flashy dancing, but was told that he couldn’t make it to Vegas performing a card trick.

This season, it seemed that almost every magician was walking up to the panel of judges or bringing a judge on stage and performing stand-up or close-up magic. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it just indicates that shows and expectations can change. 

Good For Magic?
Will this win, along with all the magic being showcased on television by the likes of "Penn & Teller: Fool Us," "Wizard Wars" and "Masters of Illusion" be good for magic and professional magicians?

I know that lately, lots of people at my restaurant gigs are asking me about the magic that they have seen on "America's Got Talent." I view this as a positive sign and remain hopeful.

Again, congratulations to Mat Franco for a job well done. All magicians can be proud of his amazing accomplishment.

More Reading: What Makes Great TV Magic? - Magic & Illusion - About.com
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Review of Flatline by Jay Sankey

"Flatline" is an effect that's based on a gimmicked "Sharpie-brand" marker that can be switched in and made to look as if you have smashed and flattened one end of it. If you look at the picture, you can view the results. The transformation is indeed surprising.

I think the Flatline effect will surprise spectators and the prop has the potential to get some good reactions. In addition to the trick itself, you’ll also learn some funroutines that you may add to your close-up arsenal.

You can read my full review here. 

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Review of Domino Effect by Alex Pandrea

Here’s a strong close-up effect that transposes two packets of sweetener, and the magic happens in a spectator’s hand. While the plot has long been used with coins, the use of the sugar packet allows you work with common objects. Instead of bringing out your unusual set of exotic coins, you can seemingly, in a coffee house, for example, employ real objects that are around you.

Read my full review here. 

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Review of Collision (DVD and Gimmick) by Tom Wright

Is Collision, as the ads state, “The Ultimate Airborne Card Stab?” I think this one is quite good and convincing and I like that it’s something different. With this marketed effect, you stab the airborne card onto a fork.

You can read the entire review here.

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Royal Stab by Richard Sanders - Magic & Illusion - About.com 

Review of At the Table Live Lecture - Gregory Wilson

If I had to nominate a magician who could succeed and entertain in any situation and under any circumstance, Gregory Wilson would undoubtedly be high-up on that list.

With strong technical skills, a lifetime’s experience working with audiences, a hilarious demeanor that entertains and disarms, and cunning street skills, there is truly only one Gregory Wilson.

The Lecture

Wilson's lecture is informative and features great material, but tends to amble a bit. It appears that the lecture began with a formal itinerary, but it's quickly derailed into different directions as a result of audience questions and Wilson’s uncanny ability to make the most of - and riff on - any situation.

But perhaps this is the mark of a great lecture - one that goes in the direction that the magicians want it to go. It’s a fun lecture to watch and you’ll learn some great magic, in particular, tricks that can be performed impromptu.  

The Effects
Wilson begins with and teaches a strong champagne bottle production from an empty paper bag. There’s impromptu “coffee bar” magic where a coin transforms as it falls through a cup’s insulating collar. Wilson also teaches his “Pitch and Ditch” technique to use one’s pant’s pocket as a ditching mechanism; the “Ring Side,” a multi-phase coin and finger ring transposition, a toothpick penetration; and a fun mentalism bit to indicate in which hand a spectator is holding an object.

A large part of the lecture is dedicated to explaining Wilson’s pick-pocket routine, which includes his watch steal. Half an hour is dedicated to cards, which includes Wilson’s excellent card under card box routine - the selected card ends on top of the box, under it, and then the entire deck vanishes and is found in the box. This one features masterful choreography. He also teaches the classic "Tenkai Book Break Turnover" glimpse of a card.

It wouldn’t be a lecture without some demonstrations of marketed effects. Here, Wilson presents his “Exact Change” prediction of a pocketful of change, and an unshuffled deck (marketed by someone else - click here to read my review of the product).

Filming Magic
There’s also a portion dedicated to showing film segments with real spectators that didn’t go according to plan. Yes, things go wrong in the real world and Wilson is not afraid to talk about what went wrong and what’s going through his head.

In all, the lecture is a blast to watch and features some useful and fun magic. But most of all, it stars Gregory Wilson, a charismatic force of nature.

More Reading:
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Las Vegas Week

It's said that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Well, I'm back from a great week in the well known destination and I've got reviews of the latest magic and illusion shows.

Day 1: I thoroughly enjoyed Murray Celebrity Magician, an excellent show at the Tropicana's Laugh Factory. Murray showcases comedy, stand-up magic and even full scale illusions. It's an hour long and entertaining production that is great for families and adults. Read my review here.

Day 2: It's a pleasure to experience a large-scale illusion show that is entertaining and worthy of Las Vegas. He's "straight from Germany" and "The Man With Nine Lives." Read my review of Illusions by Jan Rouven here. 

Day 3: There's magic fun in downtown with Adam London's Laughternoon show at the "D." London is as much a stand-up comic as he is a magician and he brings on the laughs in his one-man show. Read my review here.

Day 4: Tommy Wind showcases magic and music in his namesake show: Tommy Wind Musical Illusionist. Energetic and charismatic, Wind features large scale illusions and intimate stage magic, but the show sports some rough edges. Read my review here.

More Reading:
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Review of Fair and Square

Here’s a great coin effect that’s built around a well known saying: Fair and Square. You take out a round coin and immediately transform it into a square one. 

You can read my review here. 

More Reading: 

Review of Mirage - (DVD and Coin Set) by Craig ... - Magic & Illusion 

Coins Across (World's Greatest Magic) - Magic & Illusion - About.com

DVD Review: “Covert Coins Part 1" by Charlie ... - Magic & Illusion