Title: Total Recall
Creator: Manuel Llaser
Publisher: Vernet
MSRP: $ 30
Skill Level: Advanced
DVD Run time: 80 minutes

Type of effect: deck memorization routine

Manufacturer's Write Up:
The spectator gives you a well shuffle deck of cards, you have never seen before, and after 30 seconds of memory effort and 200 neurons less you are able to name any card at any number given. The position in that deck of any card named. Also the position of any four of a kind given by the spectator Any sequence of consecutive cards memorize by a member of the audience, and at the end you can recite all the deck in order, or what its even better, gives the deck to the spectator as a present and he can call you any time he wants and you can recite the order for him. 

How accurate is the ad copy?
This is an accurate depiction of what happens.

What's in the box?
A DVD

Key points:
No Mnemonics, Any shuffled deck, Any time, anywhere, Convince your audience of your super memory power. Bonus track: "How to recite the whole deck" Be able to remember the deck forever. The spectator can call you any time and you can recite the entire order of the deck. 100% audience tested

My thoughts:
This will take practice, a well rehearsed routine with patter and a lot of memorization. This trick is a masterpiece in Manuel's hands, because it is his baby. For you to be able to perform it like him is going to take the same effort he has given it.

Is it well made:
It's a Spanish speaking DVD, but since I don't speak Spanish, I have to listen to the dubbing which was extremely poor.

Is it well taught:
Based on the dubbing alone, the poor transcript read makes for a difficult learning experience, plus sitting though 80 minutes of it makes it extremely laborious.

How are the production values:
Moderate

Overall score:
7/10

Title: Sparks
Creator: JC James
Publisher: Murphy's Magic
MSRP: $ 25
Skill Level: ALL
DVD Run time: 1:16

Type of effect:
A collection of quickies with cards and other items

Manufacturer's Write Up:
The Objective: spark your imagination and creativity with a series of impromptu miracles, using rubber bands, coins, cards and dollar bills. Real world, tried and true routines directly from the working arsenal of one of the busiest working professionals in Europe

How accurate is the ad copy?
Very honest

What's in the box?
A DVD

Key points:
Thirteen great little off-beat one-offs that could be bumpers between tricks or full blown tricks in and of themselves

My thoughts:
This is a wonderful DVD - highly recommended

How are the production values:
Great production values, shot in HD, relaxing back ground music - very well done

Is it well taught:
JC has a thick accent, but he's a great teacher and he does a good job making you care about the effects.

9/10

Title: Your Card Is
Creator: Grant Maidment
Publisher: Magic Tao
MSRP: $ 20
Skill Level: ALL
DVD Run time: 36 min

Type of effect: Color changing packet trick

Manufacture's Write up:
You have a card selected, signed, this then gets lost in the pack. You produce a set of four of the same cards i.e. - four Jokers. You show the backs to be all blue. One by one each joker turns face up from face down. You then place the four cards in the spectator's hand and ask them to wave their other hand over the cards. One card turns face down. You take the remaining three face up Jokers and show that they have now each turned into a different color back with the words "YOUR CARD IS" and an arrow written on the back of the cards. When the spectator turns the card in their hand, it is their signed card. 

How accurate is the add copy?
Well, this effect as sold as "Your Card Is" with an extra effect "Chameleon Deception" but in truth... what comes in the box is the set up for the "Chameleon Deception" effect and it's the first effect taught on the DVD.

The title effect "Your Card Is" feels more like a climax ending you can stick onto the end of your favorite card effect using the "Chameleon Deception" cards, however to do THAT trick you'll need to write on your cards with a black sharpie marker and thus you won't be able to do "Chameleon Deception" anymore.

What's in the box?
A DVD and the needed Bicycle branded cards

My thoughts:
This is just a variation on Gary Freed's "NFW" - which is a variation on twisting the aces. In fact Magic Tao sells this same set up of cards and effect from Gary Jones called "Shock Twist."

Is it well made:
Cards are ordinary Bicycle stock

Is it well taught:
Yes it is

How are the production values:
Live performance and studio performance, shot with multiple angles in the Magic Tao studio

Overall score: 7/10