Review of Behind the Illusions by JC Sum & “Magic Babe” Ning – DVD

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

This is a seldom see type of magic DVD available in the market. You can find many books on illusion in the market but rarely DVDs on illusions. The most recent DVD on illusions is by The Pendragons.

Behind the Illusions DVD is a different type of “teaching” DVD. I was kind of disappointed when I first watch the DVD, you won’t find the methods of the illusions here, and you won’t even get to see the inside of the illusion. What you will get to see are the photos, live performance of the illusions and also a “voice commentary” during the live performance. After watching the second DVD, I then realized that I wasn’t really disappointed at all.

Like what Jim Steinmeyer said in his book “Hiding the Elephant”: to understand magic, we need to sidle up with the old professionals who know the precise moments to “accidentally” drop a handkerchief and pick it up. This DVD is similar in concept. The DVD will help you enhance your illusions but it will not teach you how to operate the illusions.

I have seen all the illusions in the DVD live, I was probably even there when the video was shot. All these illusions works for JC & Ning and it would work for you as well.

There are a few familiar faces in this DVD, some of them are behind the scenes. I know that one of the “Ninjas” is Larry Lum, I know “Kinetic Gal” Adeline who is like my little sister and of course I know ‘Magic Babe’ Ning. I literally saw Ning and Adeline grow up in magic, from novices to professionals. Though Ning is not in the DVD explanations, you can see her in all the live performance section. All of them are very serious in what they do.

I have known J C for more than ten years, some would say that this review may be biased, but I have always been honest in my reviews, maybe a little gentle on some reviews at times but this is not the case here. I have always admired how JC creates his magic and especially the subtleties he employs during his performance. An example of his subtleties during his performance would be when he is “panting” for breath after a magical appearance. These little things will help create better magic. So, if you are into Illusions, you should check out this DVD, if you like it, you can even get the plans from his book.

Recommended. Rating 4.5/5

Review of Dixon Drop by Doc Dixon – DVD

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

If you look at the DVD description, you’d probably find that they are rather bold statements. All routines using just one simple move? Well, it is actually quite true.

This DVD will teach you a utility move which is rather similar to a coin move. The move is simple and easy to execute. A total of 5 routines and a card force based on this move are taught in the DVD. Amongst these routines, my favorite is Memory Aces. This is a version of magician cuts to the 4 aces.  All you need to do is execute the moves four times and you will be able to cut to the Aces. Doc Dixon cleverly disguised this routine as a memory game; this actually adds impact to the routine as compared to just producing four aces.

This DVD is suitable for magicians of all levels. Even beginners will have no problem learning it. Recommended. Rating 4/5.

 

Review of Scared by Jamie Dawes and Dave Forrest

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

This effect is darn clever! It is probably the only good looking impromptu Haunted Deck you can find anywhere. You can perform this impromptu but you will still need to prepare a very unique gimmick. This gimmick can be prepared in advance or you can do it while the spectator is selecting their card.

While viewing the preparation of the gimmick on the DVD, even though I know how the gimmick was prepared and what it looks like, I don’t understand how it works. Once the method was taught, I smile to myself; I am in awe of Jamie Dawes’ thinking behind this effect. This is so simple and it works so great! Of course you can’t compare this with the standard hands off version. Being impromptu, you will need your hands to make the deck move but it still looks pretty amazing.

The DVD will also teach you other routines using this gimmick. With just a simple gimmick, you can perform various routine with it. Just buy this DVD and thank me later. Highly recommended! Rating 4.5/5

 

Review of Insignia by Eric Ross – Trick

Insignia by Eric Ross – Trick

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

If you have seen the demo and read the product description, you’d probably have a clear picture of what you are buying. No surprises here, you get two Coke labels and also 2 Mountain Dew labels.

The labels are very nicely printed and the fonts looks like the fonts used in these sodas. The effect is not difficult to perform, all you need to do is to be able to force a card and the label will reveal the card for you. What was not stated in the ad was, the Coke label has a second revelation for a different card. This revelation is found on the bar code of the label. It is subtly printed and you may have to guide your spectator into reading the revelation.

This effect itself is not that bad, except that you will need to carry a bottle around when performing it. If you work in a restaurant, this will probably work well for you.

Rating 3.5/5

 

 

Review of Jumbo Backstage Monte by Devin Knight

Reviewed by Bernard Sim

This effect is the classic Monte effect which has a sucker ending. What you get is a gimmicked jumbo card plus some regular jumbo cards as well as a set of very detailed written instructions.

The basic effect is to perform the Three Card Monte using the old method with the flap card; you will then tell your spectator how it was done by revealing the flap card. Thereafter, in the midst of “revealing “the method”, the middle card is changed into another card that was not seen before during the performance. The gimmicked card is pretty well made and you can make them yourself should they wear out one day.

I feel that this is an “ok” effect, not earth shattering but you may still fool some of those “in the know” .

Rating 3.5/5

 

Review of The Visible Chinese Coin Mystery System (Gimmicks and DVD) by Marcel and Tango Magic

Reviewed by: J C Sum

The routine and plot of this routine is different from the usual fare. It uses a sheer silk that is supplied and Michael Ammar’s Coin Through Silk is a natural lead up effect to this routine.

The visual nature of the routine makes it excellent for TV and even larger close-up shows. The jumbo coin finale is great and very visual (coin not supplied) and makes for a solid climax for the routine. Watching the video demo will give you a clear idea of the routine and the impact.

At the high price of US$89, I feel that the manufacturers could have considered offering two choices – just the DVD and DVD with props. The gimmicked coin in the set I reviewed was not made properly but is easily rectified but for the price, the coin should have been better made.

I highly suspect many people could figure out the exact routine and try to make up their own set but when you buy this, you get all the coins and hanky you need to perform this. You will need to have your own close-up mat and jumbo coin for the finale.

4.5 out of 5 stars if you are looking for something different to add to a coin magic repertoire. 4 out of 5 stars overall because of the price tag.

 

Review of Audience Management by Gay Ljungberg

Audience Management by Gay Ljungberg

Reviewed by J C Sum

Gay Ljungberg is a Swedish magician and has put together a book on all aspects of managing your audience to ensure a successful show.

He starts off the book with very existential look at the fundamentals such as examining who you are, what is the mission, examining the audience and questioning roles and prejudices. It is quite heavy stuff but useful if you can digest it and more importantly apply it.

The rest of the book then covers more practical aspects of audience management such as conquering stage fright, connecting with the audience choosing a spectator to assist on stage and crowd control.

He makes very good points that can help the reader put more abstract concepts into more concrete terms. This also gives good perspectives for considerations. For example, he looks “upon the assistant from the audience as an instant actor”. With this approach, he examines how different “types” of people will play better on stage depending on your routines and offers practical suggestions of who to choose and who not to choose.

There are a number of books that cover audience management but probably not as in such a detailed and academic fashion. My biggest criticism of the book is that it is a very heavy and difficult read. Due to the way it was written, organized and even laid out in the choice of book style, it reads very much like an academic textbook. If reminded me heavily of my Sociology readings from University. Coincidentally, Gay graduated in Social Science in the year I was born. Maybe, some influence rubbed off into his writing. I foresee more than a fair share of people might find it hard to digest the material or may even be turned off with the heavy approach to the subject. But, the material is good and should be studied.

Recommended 4.5 out of 5 stars. I would have given it 5 stars if it was an easier and enjoyable read.

 

 

Review of La Magie des Cartes (The Magic Card) by Etienne Pradier

La Magie des Cartes (The Magic Card) by Etienne Pradier

Reviewed by J C Sum

Etienne is a French-born UK-based close-up magician who has released a gem of a book that is of high value to professional and would-be professional close-up magicians.

The book contains a number of choice routines complete with detailed instruction and photographs. The material is very commercial and most of the plots are familiar. He also offers a unique plot that he admits is a work-in-progress and he hopes will be a source of inspiration for others. It is a novel combination of a 3-Fly and piece-by-piece restoration as the pieces of the cards travel from hand to hand at the fingertips.

But, this is not just a book on effects, Etienne has also peppered the publication with lots of essays and nuggets of advice such as getting into and performing for the weddings market, performing for corporate gigs and being a resident magician for restaurants or pubs.

For the price, it is slightly expensive because it is not a thick book however; there is good material and great advice here. 4.5 stars out of 5.

 

Review of Behind the Illusions DVD

Guest Reviewed by: Maximilian Draco (aka) Draco the illusionist, from Portugal

When I unpacked it, I was very concerned because the first disc was unplugged from its place and as a consequence, had a couple of scratches. A regular guy probably wouldn´t care, but I’m a bit obsessed by those little details (you would’t believe if I told you how well I take care of my DVD´s and Books.). By luck, that did not affect the disc’s performance.

For the sake of being a short review, I kind of sumarized it all.

Good Things

• The first thing I noticed was the video and sound quality. Very good. I give it 5 stars.
• Second, the content. The speech is clear and very well structured. J C Sum covered a lot of areas, and gave very good advice. 5 stars on that too.

Bad Things

• I missed ‘Magic Babe’ Ning’s presence and point of view (after all, they are a duo).
• I missed more in depth about cloth handling, stage presence, how to work with a partner and how to interact with the volunteers (pretty fundamental things for an Illusionist).
• I missed more backstage material, not just talk about it (for instance, during the illusion’s construction, measurements, try outs of the load space, etc…).

Final Thoughts

I’m very happy with this DVD set. It is very well worth the price and does a lot for people trying to learn more. What I learned more was J C’s aproach to illusion design and experience (which is not saying little, since a professional illusionist’s experience, especially a world class top one, is invaluable.)

I would recomend this DVD set to anyone interested in Illusions, because, as far as I know, this is the most complete and broad analysis on the subject (on DVD) available. (Except maybe The Pendragons DVD set, as I don’t have it, I can’t say for sure).

5 out of 5 STARS

Review of Unexpected by Marc Spelmann & Peter Nardi

Reviewed by: J C Sum

The routines make use of subtle, equivoque, and simple mentalism techniques. Many routines use multiple outs and utilizes techniques that vary as the routines progress. This makes for very sophisticated and ‘pure’ type of mentalism routines that will amaze today’s jaded audiences.

This is an IMPROMPTU mentalism so all the routines can be performed anytime, anywhere.

There are so many gems in this 2–volume DVD set such as:

Drinks on the Patio – This is a prediction of an object among eight items by a process of elimination. While not ground-breaking new, this routine examines the use of the Pateo Force in the context of a routine. The nuances and subtleties taught are worth the weight in gold and can be applied to any collection of objects.

Perfect ESP – This is a great ESP matching routine where 10 cards match exactly even though the magician and the spectator randomly match them into pairs. It is dependent on one move that requires misdirection and a smooth execution but if you get this down the routine is very strong. This routine can also be adapted to formal stage performances as well.

Underhand Thoughts – This is an excellent drawing duplication routine that is impromptu. You can use business cards, index cards or double blank playing cards.

Tribute to Mr Kane – Wow! What a simple but brilliant method. While the presentation is in the form of a gambling game, it is an excellent way to force an item out of 5 numbered items. It is perfect for formal stage shows if necessary as well.

There are many more great routines so this DVD set has my Highest Recommendations!