Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Forgotten By Avril Lavigne
First of all, let me just say that I feel a bit unworthy to review a Max Maven product. Pretty much everything from him I've ever read or watched has moved me or inspired me or given me gas - the good kind of gas.
From the three DVD set Videomind, we get Close up Mentalism, Parlor Mentalism and Stage Mentalism. What I like about this DVD, Close up is that there are a couple of effects that are totally impromptu. Additionally, there are a couple that just seem absolutely impossible. There are others still that are baffling, mysterious and use some interesting, yet ordinary props. It's just a solid mix of really powerful mentalism. Frankly some of them, were I the inventor, I would have kept to myself.
Below is a list of each effect, my commentary and a 1 to 5 rating:
Shape Up
My Thoughts: You'll need a deck of 25 ESP cards. This is a very powerful effect using one of my favorite principles in card magic. It's very clever, and very impossible seeming. The spectator deals cards from an ESP deck face up and stops whenever she wants. Yet you predicted exactly where she would stop
Rating: 4.5
Changeling
My Thoughts: Simple, clever, pretty much impromptu prediction of what number a spectator will name. It's a quickie that won't convert the non-believers, but it's baffling nonetheless.
Rating: 3.5
Isolation
My Thoughts: A nice touch on an old principle. Read the mind of the spectator . . . any word selected from any magazine.
Rating: 3.5
Key to The Future
My Thoughts: This one uses some fun and interesting props, and is virtually self-working. I've always like lock and key effects for some reason. In this one, a prediction is locked inside of a box. The spectator tries to find the right key out of 4 choices. When he unlocks it, the prediction names how many guesses it would take the spectator to find the right key. I love the self-referential nature of this effect - poetry folks.
Rating: 4.5
Symbalance
My Thoughts: Seriously . . . impossible. This is one of the strongest effects on the entire DVD series. It is pure mind reading with a deck of ESP cards that you NEVER touch.
Rating: 5
Positive Negative
My Thoughts: 100% impromptu if you have a business card and a pencil. Pure prediction. You predict what coin a spectator will name, and what side up it is (heads or tails). Perfectly clever.
Rating: 5
The Hawk
My Thoughts: Again . . . seriously . . . impossible. When it comes to downright pure mind reading and mind magic with playing cards, this is tough to beat. I'd be willing to bet that 99% of the people who watch this effect on this DVD will be absolutely fooled by this effect. It's brilliant in performance and method.
Rating:5
The average rating on the effects alone is 4.4. Add to that a real pro as prolific as Max Maven, the brilliant principles you'll learn from these methods and the top notch production quality . . .
Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM in ALL CAPS!