Hey guys,
This is my review of Benjamin Earl's Past Midnight Disc One DVD.
I'm not going to review the layout of the DVD, just the content.
Tricks
Ben Earl's unique take on many classics of card magic like Triumph and Collectors really made me open my eyes. His style is extremely smooth, and most of the content is best suited for table work.
In my opinion, the highlights of the DVD are Shades of Hofsinzer, Ace Assembly, Collectors 2, the Stroke Change, and the Loose Double Lift.
Shades of Hofsinzer
Everybody knows the Hofsinzer Ace trick. Basically, a card is selected, and the aces are removed. Magically, the ace with the corresponding suit disappears, leaving the previously chosen card in its place.
Ben's take on this effect is great. It's not too hard to do, but it's amazingly visual. Sadly, you don't end clean.
Ace Assembly
The 4 aces are placed on the table in the classic T formation. A quarter of the deck is dribbled on top of each of them. In the first packet, the ace jumps to the top. For the last three, the ace goes through its packet, through the first packet, through the first ace, and up to the top.
The handling is so simple, and there are really only 2 sleights. They are extremely easy to do, and I was cleanly performing this within half an hour of learning it.
Collectors 2
I love this trick. L-O-V-E. It's a bit difficult, and you have to get the angles down, but once you do it looks great. The method is something I have never seen before, and it fools more every time I do it.
I've found a way to merge this with Collector's Edition from Simply Sydney, and it has become very strong.
Stroke Change
Wow. This color change completely fooled me the first time I saw it. Ben's subtleties and grace with cards makes this look amazing. The change is nothing new, but the way Ben presents it makes it so visual. Go watch the trailer, you'll see what I mean.
The change isn't too hard, but you need to be confident with a certain sleight before you can pull it off. You also need larger hands, so all you 10 year olds are out. Sorry!
Loose DL
This is a very clean DL, and as the title says, it looks very loose and natural. It's hard to do smoothly, and it takes a lot of practice, but it looks so clean when you can get it down.
If you guys have any questions, feel free to post on this thread or hit me up with a PM.
Peace,
David
This is my review of Benjamin Earl's Past Midnight Disc One DVD.
I'm not going to review the layout of the DVD, just the content.
Tricks
Ben Earl's unique take on many classics of card magic like Triumph and Collectors really made me open my eyes. His style is extremely smooth, and most of the content is best suited for table work.
In my opinion, the highlights of the DVD are Shades of Hofsinzer, Ace Assembly, Collectors 2, the Stroke Change, and the Loose Double Lift.
Shades of Hofsinzer
Everybody knows the Hofsinzer Ace trick. Basically, a card is selected, and the aces are removed. Magically, the ace with the corresponding suit disappears, leaving the previously chosen card in its place.
Ben's take on this effect is great. It's not too hard to do, but it's amazingly visual. Sadly, you don't end clean.
Ace Assembly
The 4 aces are placed on the table in the classic T formation. A quarter of the deck is dribbled on top of each of them. In the first packet, the ace jumps to the top. For the last three, the ace goes through its packet, through the first packet, through the first ace, and up to the top.
The handling is so simple, and there are really only 2 sleights. They are extremely easy to do, and I was cleanly performing this within half an hour of learning it.
Collectors 2
I love this trick. L-O-V-E. It's a bit difficult, and you have to get the angles down, but once you do it looks great. The method is something I have never seen before, and it fools more every time I do it.
I've found a way to merge this with Collector's Edition from Simply Sydney, and it has become very strong.
Stroke Change
Wow. This color change completely fooled me the first time I saw it. Ben's subtleties and grace with cards makes this look amazing. The change is nothing new, but the way Ben presents it makes it so visual. Go watch the trailer, you'll see what I mean.
The change isn't too hard, but you need to be confident with a certain sleight before you can pull it off. You also need larger hands, so all you 10 year olds are out. Sorry!
Loose DL
This is a very clean DL, and as the title says, it looks very loose and natural. It's hard to do smoothly, and it takes a lot of practice, but it looks so clean when you can get it down.
If you guys have any questions, feel free to post on this thread or hit me up with a PM.
Peace,
David