Benjamin Earl and Alakazam Magic present to us a 3 DVD set featring some of Ben Earls takes on commercial card magic, some of his Gambling style techniques and effects, and his work on psychological card material.
This set was something I was very much looking forward to, and I know that there were/are others who were also highly anticipating it's release... so was it worth the wait... is it actually any good... and what exactly is gonna happen once midnight passes???
Product: Past Midnight
Performer/creator: Benjamin Earl
Company: Alakazam Magic
Available: www.alakazam.co.uk
Format: 3 DVD set
Price: £49.99, approx $100
Im gonna split the review up into 3 sections... one for each DVD, with a fourth section at the end for everything overall.
Before we get into everything, let me just say that I don't really like going over difficlty as, well, it's different for each individual and no matter how demanding, if the performer is dedicated enough they can learn anything.
I have still tried to go over difficlty... but I was really unsure throughout.
The DVD's:
Before getting onto each individual DVD etc, I'd like to give my opinion on the quality of the DVD's themselves.
This set has fantastic picture and sound quality, with nice easy to navigate menus, and a clean overall look and feel.
I am happy to say that these are all great quality and so good job with the production of these.
DVD 1, Commercial Card Magic:
As this first DVD is, for the most part, Bens takes on classic plots, I won't be explaining what happens in the routine as I'm sure you already know what happens in collectors etc.
Collectors 1-
An in the hands collectors.
My thoughts-
I have never really liked this style of effect, and there have been so many versions that... well... they just don't feel fresh.
Bens version surprised me by having a handling that is nice and to the point, it's probably the first time ive liked a collectors routine.
Can be done with a borrowed deck.
Difficulty wise it's about medium... though it's hard to say as everyone is at differing levels, but this does require some work.
Of course if your card handling is great then you'll have no problems picking this up.
Overall... I wasn't expecting to like this as I don't really like collectors... but Bens handling and ending has won me over and I admit that this is a great effect.
If you like collectors then you'll love this.
Collectors 2-
A second version of collectors, but this time one that ses a surface... though it can still be done in the hands.
My thoughts-
I didn't like this as mch as the first collectors, but once again I thought that Ben had come up with a nice handling.
Infact the handling for this version is extremely clever... it really is, and it's nice to see this.
Can be done with a borrowed deck.
Difficlty... well I'd say this one will require more work than the first, and so is a step up in difficlty... though for some it will be easy, it will really depend on you.
Overall... another collectors that impressed me... that's 2 on the same DVD lol.
I don't hink I'd use them still as I'm just not into collectors, but this really is very clever and a great effect.
I imagine that there will be a lot of performers who will use this and collectors 1.
Coninued...
This set was something I was very much looking forward to, and I know that there were/are others who were also highly anticipating it's release... so was it worth the wait... is it actually any good... and what exactly is gonna happen once midnight passes???
Product: Past Midnight
Performer/creator: Benjamin Earl
Company: Alakazam Magic
Available: www.alakazam.co.uk
Format: 3 DVD set
Price: £49.99, approx $100
Im gonna split the review up into 3 sections... one for each DVD, with a fourth section at the end for everything overall.
Before we get into everything, let me just say that I don't really like going over difficlty as, well, it's different for each individual and no matter how demanding, if the performer is dedicated enough they can learn anything.
I have still tried to go over difficlty... but I was really unsure throughout.
The DVD's:
Before getting onto each individual DVD etc, I'd like to give my opinion on the quality of the DVD's themselves.
This set has fantastic picture and sound quality, with nice easy to navigate menus, and a clean overall look and feel.
I am happy to say that these are all great quality and so good job with the production of these.
DVD 1, Commercial Card Magic:
As this first DVD is, for the most part, Bens takes on classic plots, I won't be explaining what happens in the routine as I'm sure you already know what happens in collectors etc.
Collectors 1-
An in the hands collectors.
My thoughts-
I have never really liked this style of effect, and there have been so many versions that... well... they just don't feel fresh.
Bens version surprised me by having a handling that is nice and to the point, it's probably the first time ive liked a collectors routine.
Can be done with a borrowed deck.
Difficulty wise it's about medium... though it's hard to say as everyone is at differing levels, but this does require some work.
Of course if your card handling is great then you'll have no problems picking this up.
Overall... I wasn't expecting to like this as I don't really like collectors... but Bens handling and ending has won me over and I admit that this is a great effect.
If you like collectors then you'll love this.
Collectors 2-
A second version of collectors, but this time one that ses a surface... though it can still be done in the hands.
My thoughts-
I didn't like this as mch as the first collectors, but once again I thought that Ben had come up with a nice handling.
Infact the handling for this version is extremely clever... it really is, and it's nice to see this.
Can be done with a borrowed deck.
Difficlty... well I'd say this one will require more work than the first, and so is a step up in difficlty... though for some it will be easy, it will really depend on you.
Overall... another collectors that impressed me... that's 2 on the same DVD lol.
I don't hink I'd use them still as I'm just not into collectors, but this really is very clever and a great effect.
I imagine that there will be a lot of performers who will use this and collectors 1.
Coninued...