Title: Mentaliica
Creator: Ben Harris
Publisher: WowBound
MSRP: $ 20
Skill Level: Working Professional
Booklet length: 28 pages / 7 routines
Type of effect: Mentalism Booklet
Manufacturer's Write Up: Mentallica is a series of hard-hitting effects drawn from Harris' one-man show: Hellucinations.
The majority of effects are NEW PRESENTATIONS and uses for existing props like: The Mother of All Book Tests, Looch's Area Book Test, Glance, Promystic'sMulti-Dimensional (and MD Mini), Nitinol keys (like Elusionist's, Shift), and even Chris Congreave's amazing Zippo gimmick: Light.
Mentallica will give you entirely new presentational concepts making all of these effects appear NEW, FRESH and ORIGINAL. We explore Woodstock (yes, flashback to 1969), X-Ray Vision, enhancement of the bending effect, Three-Dimensional "Remote Viewing," Drawing Duplication, Any Card At Any Number, even the "Cold Reading" of automobiles!
Harris tips the exact DRAWING DUPLICATION used on his infamous Uri Geller debate, televised via satellite in the late 1980's. It uses NO GAFFS and looks exactly like the effect Uri has performed on talk-shows since the late 1970's.
Ben also re-visits his most recent release, A Thought Well Stolen -- providing his 'director's cut' -- leaving the impression that only ONE DECK has been in play. The refined handling enhances the ACAAN portion of the effect, ditching the flashy finale. It also leaves the spectator with a little gift. Routines for the serious mentalist.
Photo-illustrated, 46 pages with cover.
How accurate is the ad copy? Pay close attention to the line "NEW PRESENTATIONS and uses for existing props" meaning... if you don't have those props - you can't do those effects. Five out of the seven tricks require you to own these props.
Two issues: The phrase "photo illustrated" - the pictures in the book are "title graphics" and not instructional in any way. Also it's 28 pages not 46. (7 pages front and back folded in half is 7x4=28)
What's in the box? 28 page, gloss cover booklet (pamphlet) 7 full sized pages folded in half and stapled.
Key points: Also note the phrase "Routines for the serious mentalist." These are stage routines and effects that are targeted at the working mentalist.
How are the production values: It's a well made booklet. All type/reading. No instructional pictures.
Is it well made: It's a well made booklet / pamphlet. Gloss color cover.
Is it well taught: Each effect is about 3 pages in length, it would probably be of some help to have some working knowledge of the effects required.
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I have a lot of mentalism books and videos, but right away I should freely admit that I am not a working professional. I do have some mentalism routines in my repertoire, but I am primarily a card guy. Suffice it to say, I didn't own any of the props for this publication.
I did appreciate the creative approach that Mr. Harris was bringing to these effects, and as performers we should always try to come to each effect as if it were our own. We should always strive for original presentations that fit our character and style and that is what Mr. Harris is doing here.
Perhaps even if you're like me and don't own a few of these props, the "outside thinking" that Mr. Harris uses might spur you on to some of this creativity with your own material. Not to mention the drawing duplication at the beginning may be "worth" the entire price for you.
If you're interested in this, my advice, save $5 and get the download pdf.
Overall score: 8/10
+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bLXD2wHRgk
Creator: Ben Harris
Publisher: WowBound
MSRP: $ 20
Skill Level: Working Professional
Booklet length: 28 pages / 7 routines
Type of effect: Mentalism Booklet
Manufacturer's Write Up: Mentallica is a series of hard-hitting effects drawn from Harris' one-man show: Hellucinations.
The majority of effects are NEW PRESENTATIONS and uses for existing props like: The Mother of All Book Tests, Looch's Area Book Test, Glance, Promystic'sMulti-Dimensional (and MD Mini), Nitinol keys (like Elusionist's, Shift), and even Chris Congreave's amazing Zippo gimmick: Light.
Mentallica will give you entirely new presentational concepts making all of these effects appear NEW, FRESH and ORIGINAL. We explore Woodstock (yes, flashback to 1969), X-Ray Vision, enhancement of the bending effect, Three-Dimensional "Remote Viewing," Drawing Duplication, Any Card At Any Number, even the "Cold Reading" of automobiles!
Harris tips the exact DRAWING DUPLICATION used on his infamous Uri Geller debate, televised via satellite in the late 1980's. It uses NO GAFFS and looks exactly like the effect Uri has performed on talk-shows since the late 1970's.
Ben also re-visits his most recent release, A Thought Well Stolen -- providing his 'director's cut' -- leaving the impression that only ONE DECK has been in play. The refined handling enhances the ACAAN portion of the effect, ditching the flashy finale. It also leaves the spectator with a little gift. Routines for the serious mentalist.
Photo-illustrated, 46 pages with cover.
How accurate is the ad copy? Pay close attention to the line "NEW PRESENTATIONS and uses for existing props" meaning... if you don't have those props - you can't do those effects. Five out of the seven tricks require you to own these props.
Two issues: The phrase "photo illustrated" - the pictures in the book are "title graphics" and not instructional in any way. Also it's 28 pages not 46. (7 pages front and back folded in half is 7x4=28)
What's in the box? 28 page, gloss cover booklet (pamphlet) 7 full sized pages folded in half and stapled.
Key points: Also note the phrase "Routines for the serious mentalist." These are stage routines and effects that are targeted at the working mentalist.
How are the production values: It's a well made booklet. All type/reading. No instructional pictures.
Is it well made: It's a well made booklet / pamphlet. Gloss color cover.
Is it well taught: Each effect is about 3 pages in length, it would probably be of some help to have some working knowledge of the effects required.
My thoughts (what I personally liked/disliked): I have a lot of mentalism books and videos, but right away I should freely admit that I am not a working professional. I do have some mentalism routines in my repertoire, but I am primarily a card guy. Suffice it to say, I didn't own any of the props for this publication.
I did appreciate the creative approach that Mr. Harris was bringing to these effects, and as performers we should always try to come to each effect as if it were our own. We should always strive for original presentations that fit our character and style and that is what Mr. Harris is doing here.
Perhaps even if you're like me and don't own a few of these props, the "outside thinking" that Mr. Harris uses might spur you on to some of this creativity with your own material. Not to mention the drawing duplication at the beginning may be "worth" the entire price for you.
If you're interested in this, my advice, save $5 and get the download pdf.
Overall score: 8/10
+ If you want to see my full review with even more of my opinions and ideas you can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bLXD2wHRgk
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