23:23 BY DEE CHRISTOPHER
Description: A collection of 6 mentalism effects and a mixture of original and variant concepts.
Review: With 23:23, Dee Christopher again proves himself to be a fantastic thinker and creator in magic. Here, he provides us with some excellent thinking, some original and some variations on existing, much loved mentalism effects and principles.
The ebook, interestingly (I'm not even sure if Dee has noticed this) is exactly 23 pages long. I literally just noticed this, as I have the ebook open for reference. Everything is laid out well and also explained well by Dee, although a few spelling and grammatical errors are sprinkled throughout. Despite this, nobody should have any problems following along with the methods taught. Also, one other minor quibble. In some effects Dee states the required use of a certain sleight or utility, but gives no source as to where they can be learned... luckily, I was already was well-acquainted with these techniques, as should you be. However, for the sake of completeness, it would have been nice.
Now, on with what I'm sure you've all been patiently waiting to hear about... The effects! I will briefly summarize each and provide some thoughts, as well as a rating out of 10 for each.
Sylla-Code: In this effect, a two-person coding system), one of two magicians is able to impossibly divine a freely chosen ESP symbol while his back is turned! The code is BRILLIANT. Very simply, little meorization require, and completely discreet. Spectators will have no chance. Since I am one of two magicians at my school, the other magician (a good friend of mine) and I will DEFINITELY be using this on a regular... we've used past coding systems with amazing success, and this one is just as powerful. 10/10
Morse: This is along the same lines as Syllacode, however, using instant stooging. It does not use coding, yet two random spectators are able to take part in a stunning mentalism effect, one in which the first spectator impossibly divines a symbol randomly selected by the second spectator from a list of the ESP symbols. Again, this is a brilliant idea. Even people who are afraid of instant stooging may be willing to give this one a shot, it's constructed in such a way that you will barely run the risk of having the effect ruined. More of a performance piece... again, great thinking! 8/10
Svengali Toss Remastered: This is Dee's version of David Hoy's Tossed Out Deck, with a clever variation on the method as well. It's a gutsy one, but certainly well worth it. You will need a simple gaffed deck, but its likely one you have already. 8/10
Altered: This is a powerful coin bend that happens in the spectators clenched fist... the genuinely feel the coin wiggling in their hand!!! I have reviewed this seperately, in full at the following link: http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?t=11553&highlight=Altered+Christopher
Shift: This is an incredible signed card transportation, where a signed card vanishes and INSTANTLY appears very fairly in the magician's breast pocket. There is no palming involved either, and the method is beautifully clever... very magical and impossible, great creative thinking behind it... you will require a simple gaff, but you likely already have it and if not, it can be easily made yourself. 9/10
Turnover 23: A great version of Bro. John Hamman's "The Signed Card". Again, very creative in method, unfortunately it too relies on a gimmick. However, I like it a fair bit. I cannot see myself using it unfortunately. 7/10
Overall, 23:23 is a great collection of effects and ideas in mentalism. Some deviously clever intimate effects, some great performance pieces. I definitely recommend 23:23 by Dee Christopher.
I hope my short review was of some help. 23:23 can be purchased at www.deechristophermagic.com
Michael Kras
Description: A collection of 6 mentalism effects and a mixture of original and variant concepts.
Review: With 23:23, Dee Christopher again proves himself to be a fantastic thinker and creator in magic. Here, he provides us with some excellent thinking, some original and some variations on existing, much loved mentalism effects and principles.
The ebook, interestingly (I'm not even sure if Dee has noticed this) is exactly 23 pages long. I literally just noticed this, as I have the ebook open for reference. Everything is laid out well and also explained well by Dee, although a few spelling and grammatical errors are sprinkled throughout. Despite this, nobody should have any problems following along with the methods taught. Also, one other minor quibble. In some effects Dee states the required use of a certain sleight or utility, but gives no source as to where they can be learned... luckily, I was already was well-acquainted with these techniques, as should you be. However, for the sake of completeness, it would have been nice.
Now, on with what I'm sure you've all been patiently waiting to hear about... The effects! I will briefly summarize each and provide some thoughts, as well as a rating out of 10 for each.
Sylla-Code: In this effect, a two-person coding system), one of two magicians is able to impossibly divine a freely chosen ESP symbol while his back is turned! The code is BRILLIANT. Very simply, little meorization require, and completely discreet. Spectators will have no chance. Since I am one of two magicians at my school, the other magician (a good friend of mine) and I will DEFINITELY be using this on a regular... we've used past coding systems with amazing success, and this one is just as powerful. 10/10
Morse: This is along the same lines as Syllacode, however, using instant stooging. It does not use coding, yet two random spectators are able to take part in a stunning mentalism effect, one in which the first spectator impossibly divines a symbol randomly selected by the second spectator from a list of the ESP symbols. Again, this is a brilliant idea. Even people who are afraid of instant stooging may be willing to give this one a shot, it's constructed in such a way that you will barely run the risk of having the effect ruined. More of a performance piece... again, great thinking! 8/10
Svengali Toss Remastered: This is Dee's version of David Hoy's Tossed Out Deck, with a clever variation on the method as well. It's a gutsy one, but certainly well worth it. You will need a simple gaffed deck, but its likely one you have already. 8/10
Altered: This is a powerful coin bend that happens in the spectators clenched fist... the genuinely feel the coin wiggling in their hand!!! I have reviewed this seperately, in full at the following link: http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?t=11553&highlight=Altered+Christopher
Shift: This is an incredible signed card transportation, where a signed card vanishes and INSTANTLY appears very fairly in the magician's breast pocket. There is no palming involved either, and the method is beautifully clever... very magical and impossible, great creative thinking behind it... you will require a simple gaff, but you likely already have it and if not, it can be easily made yourself. 9/10
Turnover 23: A great version of Bro. John Hamman's "The Signed Card". Again, very creative in method, unfortunately it too relies on a gimmick. However, I like it a fair bit. I cannot see myself using it unfortunately. 7/10
Overall, 23:23 is a great collection of effects and ideas in mentalism. Some deviously clever intimate effects, some great performance pieces. I definitely recommend 23:23 by Dee Christopher.
I hope my short review was of some help. 23:23 can be purchased at www.deechristophermagic.com
Michael Kras
