First off, I would like to state that I don't consider this post a "review" so much as a public service announcement:
If you are a card magician, you need this DVD set.
The tricks are great; some crossover from the Dear Mr Fantasy book, but even if you have read the book its still worth seeing the master in action performing the tricks and breaking it all down again. The new stuff is, of course, great as well - notably "Watching the Detectives" for sheer economy of method, and "Four Fold Foresight" for just about perfecting the "origami" style trick we started to see in DMF - its a self working thing of beauty.
Quite apart from the tricks on offer, Bannon's insights into methodology and structure are an education all by themselves. For anyone who's interested in getting creative with their magic, its an invaluable object lesson in how it should be done.
The production values from Big Blind Media are absolutely stunning - its a carefully thought out, brilliantly executed piece of film-making, and actually feels like a movie with a beginning, middle and end. All in all, the attention that's been put into this aspect goes still further towards making this release feel uniquely special.
I can also heartily recommend the lecture notes, "Six. Impossible. Things." - much crossover with the DVD to be fair, but its also home to possibly the best poker deal I've ever learned - this went straight into my repertoire as it is easy, highly impossible, beautifully structured AND comes with an engaging premise!
Ladies and gentlemen, John Bannon has done it once again.
Cheers,
David.
If you are a card magician, you need this DVD set.
The tricks are great; some crossover from the Dear Mr Fantasy book, but even if you have read the book its still worth seeing the master in action performing the tricks and breaking it all down again. The new stuff is, of course, great as well - notably "Watching the Detectives" for sheer economy of method, and "Four Fold Foresight" for just about perfecting the "origami" style trick we started to see in DMF - its a self working thing of beauty.
Quite apart from the tricks on offer, Bannon's insights into methodology and structure are an education all by themselves. For anyone who's interested in getting creative with their magic, its an invaluable object lesson in how it should be done.
The production values from Big Blind Media are absolutely stunning - its a carefully thought out, brilliantly executed piece of film-making, and actually feels like a movie with a beginning, middle and end. All in all, the attention that's been put into this aspect goes still further towards making this release feel uniquely special.
I can also heartily recommend the lecture notes, "Six. Impossible. Things." - much crossover with the DVD to be fair, but its also home to possibly the best poker deal I've ever learned - this went straight into my repertoire as it is easy, highly impossible, beautifully structured AND comes with an engaging premise!
Ladies and gentlemen, John Bannon has done it once again.
Cheers,
David.
