Review of 365 by Chris Congreave

Reviewed by: J C Sum

This is produced by Peter Nardi’s Alakazam Magic UK so you can expect a good product. And 365 is a very strong commercial card routine with lots of alternative effects and routines.

The basic routine sold is a diary type effect which is common with mentalism. It is clean, simple to do and strong.

Alternative routines include any type of clean prediction effect you can think of. You can also perform a card at any number type effect with a prediction of the card at any number.

The principle in the routine is not new but the routine is direct and you are supplied the necessary deck and and DVD.

The cards appear to be normal and the audience should not suspect anything otherwise but cannot be examined.

Recommended for card magicians who are looking for an “impossible”  clean card prediction or version of the Card to Any Number, just not Any Card to Any Number.

4.5 out of 5 stars

 

Review of Frappe Encore (Intimiste 2) by Dominque Duvivier

Reviewed by: J C Sum

I reviewed Dominque’s first Intimiste DVD here:  https://sexymagicreviews.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/review-of-%E2%80%9Cintimiste%E2%80%9D-3-dvd-set-by-dominique-duvivier/

I really enjoyed that set for the reasons I outlined in the review, though I know it may not have same value for everyone.

This is another full show completely different from the previous show.

It is performed in full and then explained in great details including the set up for the show bag. There is a solid collection of card and coin work and the routines tend to be interwoven with each other.

The single extended Goshman routine is worth the price of the DVDs. It is a masterclass in misdirection as per the original but with lots of Duviver’s touches. If you ever want to watch this routine and learn it, get this DVD.

I personally preferred the first Intimiste because there were more novel plots and routines. But as I said before, the real value of this DVD set is the learning of structuring and the putting together of the routine.

4.75 out of 5 stars

 

Review of Fujiwara Gimmick Deluxe(Gimmick with DVD) – DVD

Reviewed by: J C Sum

This is a unique gimmick, kind of a cross between a TT, 6th Finger and Sanada gimmick. There are seldom new utilities in magic so I was interested to see what it was. The most recent utility I can think of is the Sanada gimmick. As with all utilities, this is a utility and not an effect in itself.

Just by seeing it, you will understand the basic uses but the DVD included shows a variety of routines with coins, silks and silverware.

The routines in the DVD are varied and shows you different approaches of using the gimmick as opposed the same routine with different objects.

Without really testing out in shows, I do think this is more for parlour or stage than very close up as it is bigger than a TT and Sanada gimmick.

I personally think it is a utility worth owning and will be easily added into an existing stage act for a surprising touch.

Not as versatile as a TT but if you find a use it, it will be worth it’s weight in gold. 4 out of 5 stars but you will need to spend time thinking of how to further use it beyond what the DVD shows.

 

Review of Love Cards (Gimmicks and DVD) by Craig Petty and Wizard FX Productions – DVD

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

This is basically a book test without a book, a book test that can be kept inside your wallet and a book test without any memorization and most of all; it is so easy to do. This is like the Tenyo for book test.

I’m never a fan of a book test, but these cards are so clever. Everything is self working and it is so idiot proof! There are a couple of methods to perform it and these cards can be examined as the clues are cleverly hidden. The video instructions are very detail and you would be able to perform it after watching the video.

One thing which I don’t really like is the quality of the cards. They are laminated cards and will not last you forever but will last you a while. I’m guessing that if they were to have better quality cards, they will not fit well in the wallet, literally and figuratively.

This an interesting effect but not an interesting name for the effect. Recommended. Rating 4/5