Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: The Moment I knew by Taylor Swift

Pre-Review 'Disclosure'/'Disclaimer':

Ok many of you probably know that Jay Sankey and I are good friends and that we've worked together on a project or two in the past, and we also are consultants to one another.

I get feedback from him on my stuff, and he gets feedback from me on a lot of his stuff. Additionally, I do not receive any sort of compensation whatsoever for reviewing or 'pitching' his products (I was briefly involved with this project . . . I offered feedback and suggestion on which effects from past projects should be included.).

I tell you that up front just to sort of clear the air and to let you know that when I give Jay feedback, I'm brutally honest with him. I tell him if I think he has a crappy idea or a good idea. He wouldn't have it any other way, nor would I. So I want to make it clear that Jay's products get the same level of scrutiny as any other products I review.

On to the review:

This offering from Sankey Magic is perfect for fans and people who are unfamiliar with Jay's work. This is a 5 DVD set (each sold individually). Basically these DVDs are a collection of footage from previous DVDs. His best stuff combined from various different past projects.

The beauty of this from a fan's perspective is that you have all of Jay's killer stuff at your finger tips. You don't have to dig through your collection to find what you're looking for. After watching these, I realized that there was some footage that I didn't recognize, and I thought I had everything from Jay.

For anyone unfamiliar with Jay's work or those who haven't made the full-on-die-hard-Sankey-fan leap yet, this is perfect. Pick your favorite subject (cards, coins, mentalism, street magic, ordinary objects) and get Sankey's Best. You'll quickly know if you like Jay's material or not. My gut tells me that you will.

One of my favorite things about this set is that you get to see all different sides of Jay from several different projects . . . 'Serious Jay', 'Funny Jay', 'Professional Jay', 'Crazy Jay', 'Insane Jay', it's fun to see the variety.

For each of the five sets (Cards, Coins, Mentalism, Street Magic, Ordinary Objects), you will find the above commentary as well as specifics about the particular DVD. First the effect title, then description from the ad copy, then my opinion, so onward with . . . Mentalism:

One other thing before we move to the effects . . . on this DVD you will learn the answer to the age old question that has puzzled wise-men for centuries . . . Is Boris Pocus Truly Jay Sankey?

SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME (4.5/5)

A self-working mind-bender with a pack of home made symbol cards!

For those familiar with effects like Maven's Mind's Eye Deck , you'll have a sense of the basic effect here. I think you'll truly appreciate the simplicity and the method of this effect. It's very straight forward and very powerful. I've actually used a variation of this effect in my own act.

PAIN KILLER (4.5/5)

A prediction effect with a shattered watch and a paper clock face!

Excellent presentational premise. It involves a watch and time and a presentational hook that really has the potential to draw people in.

A VERY GOOD YEAR (4.5/5)

A totally devious effect involving the date on a borrowed coin!

Boris LIVES! This is a super sweet effect with a very, very clever method. You predict what coin a spectator will loan you along with the date of the coin.

GRAFETTI (4/5)

100% impromptu effect where a spectator's own name appears on a card!

Other than one little handling point that I don't like (which you could easily change), this is a clever effect where the spectator's name appears on the one card s/he selected. Very personal and very simple

WHAT IF (4/5)

Jay's been freaking people out with this 2-phase notepad routine for over 20 years!

This effect speaks to the question that everyone has experienced . . . the audience member says, 'What if I would have picked a different card?' The method is simple and instantly resets.

SIMULTANEOUS (4/5)

Super clean 'Do as I Do' handling!

A plot that I'm not a fan of . . . however, if you like this plot, this is definitely one of the cleanest methods for accomplishing it.

TRINITY (3.5/5)

Very commercial effect with the names of two spectators! Ideal for restaurant and bar work!

This is a pretty simple effect that gets multiple people involved. The spectator makes absolutely free choices, yet you predicted the outcome.

SIMPLY DIVINE (2.5/5)

Impromptu card prediction effects don't get cleaner or more direct than this!

Maybe I'm thinking like a magician, but there's a move in here that I just don't think works for lay people. I've never tried it, but it just seems too obvious. The effect is decent, but probably the weakest link on this DVD.

COLOR BLIND (4.5/5)

A true miracle with a few colored slips of paper and small envelopes!

Boris LIVES! I really like the clean-ness of this effect. There is a very direct moment where you start divining a thought without a single question and without actually 'peaking' or even truly knowing the thought. This is a very clever method and very stunning effect.

SOLITARY CONFINEMENT (4/5)

One spectator correctly divines another spectator's 'thought of' card!

Spectator A puts any card into a card box. Another spectator thinks of a card and it is the card in the card box. This is relatively simple from a technical perspective. You don't end 100% clean, but the structure of the routine doesn't really requite it.

ON IMPULSE (4.5/5)

This 4-card revelation is a 'Lost Gem' from the Sankey/Sanders Sessions!

Only one move required . . . not an easy move . . . but it's a beautiful thing if you can do the move. You deal the cards into four piles and start and stop the piles according to what the spectator tells you. Then you turn over the piles and find that they stopped you at the four Aces (or whatever four of a kind). This could be a card revelation for four selections as well. Very direct . . . very powerful.

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (3/5)

Predict the hour someone was born! Super sneaky method!

Not for walk around, and not the most earth-shattering piece, but it's definitely puzzling . . . sort of a Harry Lorayne feel to it . . . sort of.

SHUFFLE CUT DEAL (3.5/5)

Jay's lethal application of a classic dealing principal!

I like this idea, and I've performed it once. The only time I did, I got caught . . . however, I'm going to blame myself, and not the effect. I think it's a very clever presentation that has a lot of appeal if played right.

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION (4.5/5)

The 'thought of' card literally goes UP IN FLAMES!

In the field of mentalism, one of the genre's is metal bending; another is spirit writing; these are effects where something physical happens by the power of the mind. This is sort of like this. It's not a strolling piece, however, the effect is killer. The spectator's card turns to ashes while the spectator is holding the deck.

X'S & OH MY GOD! (4/5)

A simple game ends with a mind-bending prediction!

Here, you'll learn Jay's Billet Delivery System which you can apply to many, many things. This is a very clever concept that Jay applies to predicting the outcome of a game of Tic-Tac-Toe.

SPEECHLESS (4.5/5)

Boris lives! Mentalists around the world have praised the method and theatre of this effect!

Boris LIVES! This is such a direct effect. The spectator names ANY object (literally - no force), and yet, you've predicted what the word will be.

AGAINST ALL ODDS (4.5/5)

3 cards named at random + 3 perfect predictions!

I love tricks like this. I love the structure, the handling and the effect. You remove three cards from the deck, and the spectator names them without seeing their faces. It can be done with a borrowed, shuffled deck.

HIDE,KEEP & GIVE AWAY (5/5)

A wonderfully realized presentation 'meets' a truly practical handling!

Another favorite of mine. I LOVE the presentational theme, and the effect is sort of creepy. You predict, of three cards, which one the spectator will keep, which one s/he'll hide, and which one s/he'll give away.

THIRD EYE (5/5)

A deck of cards, a paper bag, and a doll's eye! Mentalism does not get more commercial (or easier!) than this!

This is a regular part of my stand up act. The effect is killer. The spectator places three cards into a paper bag. Nobody (including the spectator) knows the identity of the cards, yet you divine the names of the three cards. The presentation is borderline spooky and very engaging.

CLASSIFIED (4.5/5)

Jay's professional presentation and handling for the classic newspaper prediction. Priceless routine for any pro!

Here Jay's gives some excellent insight into this classic idea of having a prediction printed in a newspaper. The routine is great, but what's more impressive is the tips and ideas for how to use this to land a gig that makes this one worth while.

If you take the average rating of each trick above, you get a 4.15 out of 5 stars. Add to that the inexpensive price, and Jay's experience (he's been performing since he was a teenager) and you've got a 4.5 or better. One of my favorite things about Jay and his magic is that he never stops thinking, and he shares with the student bits of wisdom and thoughts that just can't be found on other magic projects. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, a Sankey fan or have never heard of Sankey, there is something for you in this DVD. Get it!

Final Verdict;
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!