Lawrence Magic Reviews
Magic Review: 3 Card Joe
Apr 14th
This is a very good effect for every stage performer. The routine and the handling of the cards are well thought through. This trick packs small and play big and it can be done by a beginner. Besides just selling the effect, Joe Monti also goes through the thoughts and theory behind the effect. The price is over US$100.00 but I think it is a worthwhile addition to one’s show. I will give a 5 star for this giant 3 card monte trick.
‘Sinful’ VS MasterMinds
Mar 1st
I just received “Sinful” by Wayne Houchin and I am deeply disappointed. It is a very good trick but it is the exact same trick that is taught by Criss Angel in MasterMind DVD, Volume one. Now I recognize that Wayne Houchin created this effect and has been made popular by Criss Angel. Criss Angel is marketing the same trick and, it is much better to get his DVD on this trick than to buy “Sinful” as it is marketed for the following reasons:
1. In “Sinful”, the DVD does not demonstrate the trick at all but simply discuss the rationale of the effect which I felt was no big deal. “Sinful” describe the working on this trick with good graphic illustrations but it is not as good as having Criss Angel demonstrating it and then teaching the process on DVD.
2. “Sinful” comes with a book with cartoon illustration and so on but I feel that it is much ado about nothing.
So for anyone who wants to work on this effect, please get the DVD by Criss Angel. This is a great “street magic” effect which can be easily performed .
Difficulty: Simple, but requires some simple sleights of hand.
Sinful by Wayne Houchin and Josh Funk
MasterMind by Criss Angel
Magic Review – The New Vanishing Coca-Cola Bottle
Feb 1st
This is a very old trick in which a coke bottle vanishes in a cylinder. When done well, it is quite an effective parlour trick. I have used this many years ago. This is a new improved version of this effect. The difference is that it is well made to look really like a coke bottle. There is liquid in the bottle and the base is solid. The original version does not have a good looking bottom. However, this new version requires an extra move to ditch the base. Nevertheless, I believe it is a worthwhile effort considering how real and solid the bottle looks. I would not use the spring flower method in getting rid of the top of the bottle. I have always just used a silk to do that. At USD$70.00, this effect is steep . It may be cheaper to buy a Nielson Vanishing bottle. So get it only if it fits your show well.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Magic Review – Levent’s color changing half-dyed silk
Jan 12th
I have just bought Levent’s Color changing Half-dyed silk trick. You know that anything from Levent is really worth getting because all his magic has been tested in his own show. Levent is constantly performing on cruise ships. This colour changing silk is a great trick and is nothing like the normal colour changing silk. The DVD provided not only teaches his routine that uses that a gimmick he has developed himself, (provided with the trick) it also gives you an indept history of this color changing silk effect. All in all this DVD gives you not just a great trick , but a real valuable lesson in the history and development of this effect.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Magic Review – Pointless by Gregory Wilson
Dec 1st
Difficulty: Beginner
