Title: Rubber Bang
Creator: Sean Yang
Publisher: Magic Soul
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level:
DVD Run time: 2 hours

Type of effect: 9 tricks with rubber bands and cards

Manufacturer's Write Up:
With Rubber Bang, Sean Yang makes his magical DVD debut to teach you how to do all of this AND MORE. Each trick comes with complete step-by-step instructions, down to such basics as how to select rubber bands and perform a controlled shuffle, so that even the most novice magician will be able to pull these tricks out of his hat in no time flat. The DVD also includes mock performances by Sean Yang himself, so you can see each trick in the hands of an expert magician before putting it in to action on your own. No need to worry about coming up with a new performance script! 

How accurate is the ad copy?
Very accurate, all skill levels and relatively easy to do (with some practice)

What's in the box?
DVD  and a small baggie of 5 rubber bands

Key points:
Rubber band magic is FAST and highly visual

Is it well made:
Two hours of instruction for 9 effects, plus they even give you rubber bands? I'd say they've given you as much as they can.

Is it well taught:
Hard to say since it's in Chinese, but the method portions are well shot (although in different camera angles the card faces "change" on you so pay attention). I'd say Sean did everything he could to make it appeal to a broad audience. But for me... 2 hours of silent teaching was difficult to sit through.

How are the production values:
Moderate. Nothing is under shot, but it can be a little cheesy in moments.

My thoughts:
Despite my negative comments, this is a great DVD with highly original effects. I think these tricks are fun to watch AND fun to perform and if you like rubber band magic - this is a MUST BUY for you.

Overall score:
8/10

Title: Mindsight
Creator: Andreu Fajardo Bermudez
Publisher: self-published
MSRP: $56
Skill Level: Intermediate /advanced
Book Length: 74 pages

Type of effect: Mentalism method taught to work for stage in a handful of scenerios.

Manufacturer's Write Up:
MindSight contains one of the most strongest and powerful mentalism effects Andreu has written until the present time.  You will find an amazing solution to the classical 'which hand' effect, along with his unique approach to binary, base 3 and base 4 systems applied to mindreading. 

How accurate is the ad copy?
So accurate it practically gives it all away

What's in the box? 
74 Page book and 2 "prediction/choice cards"

Key points:
This is powerful and direct mentalism that looks and feels real.

My thoughts:
While this is several variations on a theme and you could certainly use this method for more than 1 effect, you're only going to perform this method once in a show.

Is it well made:
This is a well bound booklet, with clear instructions a few illustrations and photographs

Is it well taught:
Andreu does everything he can to give you as much as possible for this as well as offers several ideas from other creators should those methods be more useful to you.

Overall score: 8/10

Title: Reaction
Creator: Rizki Nanda
Publisher: Magic Tao
MSRP: $25
Skill Level: ALL
DVD Run time: 15 min

Type of effect: Flash reveal / ambitious card ending

Manufacturer's Write Up:
Imagine a spectator choosing any card in the deck, they sign the card on the face and you then lose it in the deck. Then you show the spectator a card with a cut out shape on it; you place it on top of the deck. In an instant the spectator's signed card appears through the cut out.  Very visual, very easy to do. Enjoy performing 'REACTION'. 

How accurate is the ad copy?
Very accurate, what they say happens, is what happens

What's in the box?
DVD and Reaction gimmick (in red or blue)

Key points:
It's versatile and is only limited by your imagination. You could make it a closing to an ambitious card trick, you could make it a color change or even a "I'm going to take you behind the scenes so you can watch the moment the magic happens" style effect.

My thoughts:
It's a fun effect that you could certainly get a lot of play out of. But I can't see someone doing this trick all their career long.

Is it well made:
It is well made, but it's not beyond you making your own,

Is it well taught:
The DVD has 15 minutes of instruction with a few ideas thrown in. I don't know what else they could have put in, but it did feel a little lacking.

How are the production values:
It's well shot in high definition in the Magic Tao studios.

Overall score:
6/10

Title: Effortless Effects
Creator: Ryan Schlutz
Publisher: Big Blind Media
MSRP: $30
Skill Level: All
DVD Run time: each effect is taught with 10-15 minutes of instruction.

Type of effect: DVD of card magic

Manufactures Write Up:
Effortless Effects features seven full routines, all of which utilizes techniques that will absolutely decimate even knowledgeable magicians. So just IMAGINE how fooled normal spectators will be! There is no back tracking these effects, the methods are just too devious.

How accurate is the ad copy?
It's a little deceptive. The phrases "no sleight of hand" and "no sleights to worry about" is untrue in my opinion. Nothing is truly "effortless" and while this is a good DVD for a beginner in Magic, it will require practice and a few controls.

What's in the box?
A single DVD

Key points:
These are 7 very creative and DIFFERENT effects, in other words, you're not just getting variations on a single effect, you're getting 7 different tricks you could easily string into a routine.

My thoughts:
This is very enjoyable to watch, the magic is fun and I think there is something here for all skill levels.

Is it well taught:
Ryan spends a lot of time showing you the details of each effect. There is a lot of content on this DVD.

How are the production values:
Very well done. HD camera, multiple shots, attractive spectators and Ryan is entertaining to watch. (not to mention he has STAR WARS stuff on his bookshelf behind him!)


Overall score: 10/10

Title: On Off
Creator: Nicholas Lawrence
Publisher: Sansmind Magic
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: ALL
DVD Run time: 43 minutes

Type of effect: Removable finger trick

Manufacturer's Write Up:
A modern approach to the classic moving finger trick, making it a highly visual and impactful everyday miracle. 

How accurate is the ad copy?
The ad copy kind of lets you in on the fact that you need a ring to perform this effect and then it says "gimmick included" the gimmick included is NOT the ring - obviously it can't be since everyone's ring size is different and the gimmick that IS included is not something that really adds to the cost of the effect.

What's in the box?
A DVD and a item that allows you to accent the RING should you want it it's not a necessity.

Key points:
Multiple versions with single ring, double ring, no ring, and gimmick taught thoroughly in the ON OFF project. 

My thoughts:
Very creative, and highly visual - if done correctly this will certainly add a shock value element to your performance.

Is it well taught:  
Yes, for what it is, Nicholas gives you several presentations, camera angles and ideas for this single effect.

How are the production values:
Shot in HD with multiple angles in the studio, exactly what you'd expect from SANSMIND

Overall score: 10/10

Title: Looking Glass 2.0
Creator: Romanos     
Publisher: Magic Tao
MSRP: $30
Skill Level: beginner intermediate
DVD Run time: 1 hour 7 minutes

Type of effect: Routines built around a mentalist utility 

Manufacturer's Write Up:
Looking Glass 2.0 is a utility device used to acquire secret information, discreetly, in front of spectators.  You will receive two utility device, and a DVD, with over 10 routines and ideas, performed and fully explained, plus various suggested ways to conceal the gimmick during performance. 

How accurate is the ad copy?
Very accurate

What's in the box?
The DVD and 2 utilities

Key points:
All the ideas that are supplied are different; demonstrating just how versatile Looking Glass is. 

My thoughts:
The is a fun little utility that has multiple uses, but don't expect to pick it up and to be able to do miracles right away, this is going to take practice and possibly some creative thinking in how to work it into some of your established (and future) effects.

Is it well made:
Very well made

Is it well taught:
Yes both the utility is gone over in depth, with multiple handlings as well as several routines are taught in a studio environment.

How are the production values:
It's all shot in the Magic Tao studio in HD with several camera angles.

Overall score: 8/10

Title: In Your Wallet
Creator: Jeff Prace                
Publisher: Kozmo Magic
MSRP: $25
Skill Level: All
DVD Run time: aprox 35 min

Type of effect: Card Prediction/ Reveal

Manufacturer's Write Up:
You will learn three commercial, easy magic tricks with debit cards, photographs, and more. Each trick has been designed to comfortably fit into a standard wallet, ensuring you are always ready to perform. The DVD comes complete with custom-designed gimmicks. These gimmicks look like real debit cards, and they offer one of the most effective card revelations you will ever see. 

How accurate is the ad copy?
Pretty accurate, I take a little issue with "These gimmicks look like real debit cards" as they will not hold up against close inspection, but they look "right" in presentation.

What's in the box?
1 DVD and 2 Credit Card "gaffs"

Key points:
Jeff gives you three, ready to go effects that you could easily carry in your wallet.

My thoughts:
Jeff has redesigned Mark Jenst's "MagicCard" and given it a few twists for a new age.

Is it well made:
Everything is well made and should last you a very long time. Even the DVD sleeve has cool production value.

Is it well taught:
Jeff does a clear job of walking through each effect and nuance. He's a little "static" in his presentation and I can't tell if he's reading a prompter or just being very careful to get every word right, either way he teaches what you need to know.

How are the production values:
Over all, they are moderate. The live performances are all done with the same group of people at the same location and the studio shots are done against a black backdrop.

Overall score: 7/10

Title: Space Shifter
Creator: Nicolas Lawrence
Publisher: SansMinds
MSRP: $25
Skill Level: ALL
DVD Run time: 39 min

Type of effect: Torn & Restored Card, with a twist

Manufacturer's Write Up:
Imagine getting your spectator to select a card and sign it. A corner of the card is torn off for the spectator to keep in one hand. Your spectator holds onto the card in the other hand. With a snap of the finger, the 'space' of the missing corner visually jumps to the center of the signed card. The corner your spectator is holding, also changes to fit into the 'space'. 

How accurate is the ad copy?
Very accurate, this is exactly what happens

What's in the box?
A DVD  

Key points:
Space Shifter is a piece of extremely visual eye candy. The visual is so strong, even perform with no presentation, spectators freak out every single time! 

My thoughts:
It's a torn and restored that stays torn! It's a corner tear with a twist! I don't know how else to describe it, there's nothing else like it on the market!

Is it well taught:
Almost 40 minutes for a single effect? Yea, it's well taught. Every rock is overturned. "Herman" from Sansminds Magic walks you painstakingly every aspect of this effect

How are the production values: 39 minutes long, HD, nice backround music and video effects, this is a well taught product.

Overall score: 8/10

Title: Cross
Creator: Agus Tjiu
Publisher: Self Published
MSRP: $40
Skill Level: ALL
DVD Run time: 5 minutes

Type of Trick: moving ink trick

Manufacture's Write up:
The spectator freely choose any random card, and signed it with a permanent marker. Then magician write on an "X" on the back of the signed card. Watch the "X" mark magically move to other spot. It happens inches away from you without cover or other funny business. After that you can give the card back to the spectators and leave them completely astonished! 

How accurate is the ad copy?
Very honest - they basically list all of the things that it isn't, leaving out the one thing that it is.  (but what is IT?)

In the Box
Instructional DVD
Gimmicks for both a red and blue deck

Key points:
The effect happens under the most minimal of cover - if any!

My thoughts:
Before I even knew how it worked, the gimmick "worked" on it's own when I was opening the box and it startled me. It looked like magic with no magician!

Is it well made:
Very well made, this is a very creative utility/gaff.

Is it well taught:
The DVD is only 5 minutes long and 2 minutes of the DVD is the performance. With the single camera shot explanation there is no audio track (there is however a repetitive loud music track that I muted) only English subtitles, but it's pretty straight forward. You're only being taught how to do the "move" any additional handlings or performance options are left to you to create.

How are the production values: Moderate

Overall score: 7/10

STAND UP MAGIC
Creator: Tom Wright
Publisher: World Magic Shop
MSRP: $50
Skill Level: ALL
DVD Run time: 2 hours per disc (so 4 hours total)

Type of effect: Restaurant and Corporate Walk Around

Manufacturer's Write Up:
This DVD will change the way you perform close up magic. In this two DVD set, you will witness Tom Wright performing his number one set at high level corporate dinners. Naturally, this material, which has made Tom one of the most sought after magicians in Europe today is fully explained. However, that is not the real value in this project. Tom reveals for the first time, his unique concept of 'Stand Up Magic'.

What's in the box?
You get 1 DVD of performance, Tom actually on location at a corporate event.
You get 1 DVD of studio performance and explanation.

Key Points:
Six solid routines including full performance patter and presentation as well as Tom's philosophies on Stand Up Magic.

My Thoughts:
The target audience on this is specifically magicians who perform at restaurants or corporate functions. Don't buy this for the magic, buy it if it you think it will help your career.

Is it well made:
The DVD = YES!

Is it well taught: Very well taught, Tom goes over everything very thoroughly and gives you plenty of philosophy behind his reasons for doing "stand up" (not to be confused with 'funny') magic

How are the production values: Very well filmed and presented.

Overall score: 7/10