Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Land of Confusion by Genesis

It's not uncommon for a cups and balls routine to be closer to a Land of Confusion (thank you Genesis) than a masterpiece of magic. Al Schneider is somewhere in between the two leaning more toward the masterpiece side of grid. On this DVD you get 6 cup and ball (or bowl) routines. In general, Schneider's technique is pretty much flawless. His presentations, however are pretty darn dry. Yet oddly, his presentational ideas are very good. I just don't think he's implementing them as well as maybe another performer why more of a dynamic personality might.

That's the good news. As you know, I rarely allow the performance to impact the DVD review. I focus on effect construction and method doability. In this case, in addition to high marks in both of those categories, you also get Schneider's performance concepts. Granted, you'll need to take them and add a bit more personality than what is shown here. So the good news is that Schneider's presentational ideas are excellent. His technique is nearly flawless. The routines are mostly (from a technical standpoint) closer to masterpiece than confusion.

Overall, I think there is something for everyone on the DVD from beginners to advanced performers. Many of the moves that you'll learn are amazing and are very baffling. Much of what you'll see on this DVD looks like real magic. Let's just take a peak at the individual effects:

Effects

LA Street Cups (3 stars)

This one is probably my least favorite of the bunch because it, more than any other on this DVD, is this land of confusion I mentioned. It's very unclear and confusing to watch. Yet, it has the incredible advantage of having a final production that does not require you to do a steal of any kind. So, as the ad copy claims, you can do this one totally in the buff.

Classic Cups and Balls (3.5 stars)

This one is a bit of the land of confusion as well. However, bonus points for the fun (albeit poorly delivered) presentational patter. There is a lot of potential there. This is a pretty traditional cups and balls routine. However, Schneider's vanishes are just so clean and beautiful.

OMG (3.5 stars)

This is good for strolling. It's a pretty quick 1 cup routine with some very magical moments, and again Schneider's beautiful technique.

Crystal Connection (4.5 stars)

Probably the best routine on the DVD. It'll take a little bit of one time prop construction, but when you're done, you have a killer final load. At one point in the routine, you'll lift up a cup and show the ball underneath. Then put the cup back down . . . or lift again . . . clearly nothing else is inside. Yet, you set the cup down (no switch, no secret load) and lift it up again and the whole thing is full of crystal rocks. Then you reveal the same thing under a second cup. Beautiful.

Oriental Bowl Routine (4.5 stars)

It's a close call between this one and the previous one. They're both excellent routines. What I like about this one (in addition to the beauty of the effect) is that it's a full presentational piece done completely to music. There is a lot of stuff to build and a lot of set up to do this, and it requires that you're seated at a table that has been set up for the show. But it's worth it. It would work well as a stage or parlour piece for sure. The moves are flawless. There are several parts in the routine that just feel impossible.

The props add some theater and decor to the routine. The music further adds to it. Also, this effect, more than any of the others, was clearly communicated to the audience. What he was trying to "say" and do and accomplish with the routine was absolutely clear, ironically without the use of words. Further, when he explained in the teaching section what he was trying to accomplish, it was exactly what I thought he was trying to accomplish.

3x4 Bowl Routine (3 stars)

This has some good moves and some awkward moves. Overall, it's not bad. It's a shorter routine with some ball through table moments that are pretty cool.

Final Thoughts

Overall this is a pretty solid DVD. The average trick rating is 3.67 . . . that ain't too shabby. When you add in the fact that Schneider has some serious technical chops, some great moves and clever presentation ideas . . .

Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.