As there was so much in this DVD, I've tried to divide it up to make this reveiw as clear as possible!
DVD quality and teaching:
DVD is shot very well and Nicholas does a great job explaining how to construct the gimmicks for certain effects and running through how to perform each trick. One big negative though it that there aren’t any live performances on the DVD. I thought live performances would be included asthere are reaction shots in the trailer. 8.5/10
X move
Effect:
A clever moving ink effect. An X drawn on the back of a signed card jumps from the card to your hand multiple times leaving the X on your hand at the end.
Thoughts:
I really like this trick. It has some great visual moments and the gimmick is a lot easier to make and use than I imagined. Nicholas teaches an additional method to move the X from you hand to the top of your arm which only adds to the effect. 9/10
Folder
Effect:
A card is selected and a folded card is removed from your wallet and shown by the opening to be different from the selection. The folded card then changes into the selected card.
Thoughts:
Wasn’t too keen on this trick just because the changes happens in quite a small space. On the other hand, the folded card can be examined at the end of the trick. 7/10
Live band
Effect:
A rubber band changes from red to yellow in an instant.
Thoughts:
Good method but the setup is what weakens this effect. Nicholas does show a way to use this as an opener but I wouldn’t really want to approach people holding rubber bands as an opener. Ideally there would be a way to set this up whilst performing. 8.5/10
Cigarette
Effect:
Push a cigarette into your eye.
Thoughts:
Clever thinking behind this trick but I can’t see this being something I would ever perform. 6/10
Monte matches
Effect:
A spectator is given a full book of matches and you show a boom with only one match in it. Just by tapping the back of their hand the books change places (watch the trailer to see how visual this trick is).
Thoughts:
The highlight of the DVD. Doesn’t take up much space, ends examinable and the second the matches change place is great. 9.5/10
Refresh
Effect:
Unwrap a piece of gum just by waving you hand over it.
Thoughts:
This can be setup within a minute when you are out and will catch people off guard. Main negative would be the angles as there are parts of the routine that you have to be very careful not to expose the method. 8/10
Stir
Effect:
A stir stick through bill.
Thoughts:
One of the highlights of the DVD. Method is reasonably simple but it will definitely take practise to perform it as smoothly as Nicholas does. 9.5/10
Overall:
A great DVD with visual tricks that can be performed with everyday objects.
8.5/10
DVD quality and teaching:
DVD is shot very well and Nicholas does a great job explaining how to construct the gimmicks for certain effects and running through how to perform each trick. One big negative though it that there aren’t any live performances on the DVD. I thought live performances would be included asthere are reaction shots in the trailer. 8.5/10
X move
Effect:
A clever moving ink effect. An X drawn on the back of a signed card jumps from the card to your hand multiple times leaving the X on your hand at the end.
Thoughts:
I really like this trick. It has some great visual moments and the gimmick is a lot easier to make and use than I imagined. Nicholas teaches an additional method to move the X from you hand to the top of your arm which only adds to the effect. 9/10
Folder
Effect:
A card is selected and a folded card is removed from your wallet and shown by the opening to be different from the selection. The folded card then changes into the selected card.
Thoughts:
Wasn’t too keen on this trick just because the changes happens in quite a small space. On the other hand, the folded card can be examined at the end of the trick. 7/10
Live band
Effect:
A rubber band changes from red to yellow in an instant.
Thoughts:
Good method but the setup is what weakens this effect. Nicholas does show a way to use this as an opener but I wouldn’t really want to approach people holding rubber bands as an opener. Ideally there would be a way to set this up whilst performing. 8.5/10
Cigarette
Effect:
Push a cigarette into your eye.
Thoughts:
Clever thinking behind this trick but I can’t see this being something I would ever perform. 6/10
Monte matches
Effect:
A spectator is given a full book of matches and you show a boom with only one match in it. Just by tapping the back of their hand the books change places (watch the trailer to see how visual this trick is).
Thoughts:
The highlight of the DVD. Doesn’t take up much space, ends examinable and the second the matches change place is great. 9.5/10
Refresh
Effect:
Unwrap a piece of gum just by waving you hand over it.
Thoughts:
This can be setup within a minute when you are out and will catch people off guard. Main negative would be the angles as there are parts of the routine that you have to be very careful not to expose the method. 8/10
Stir
Effect:
A stir stick through bill.
Thoughts:
One of the highlights of the DVD. Method is reasonably simple but it will definitely take practise to perform it as smoothly as Nicholas does. 9.5/10
Overall:
A great DVD with visual tricks that can be performed with everyday objects.
8.5/10