Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Nobody by Silvia

Mentally Exposed by Romanos Review:

Five effects, one DVD, a handful of arts and crafts projects and $25 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect

You get 5 close up mentalism effects, a design duplication, a prediction where the spectator will place your business card in the deck, a dollar bill serial number divination, a coin bending routine, and an effect where any random number is dialed on your phone; the person who answers the phone names the selected card.

Method

Three of the five effects require you to make a gimmick. For "premonition" you have to make a gimmicked business card for an effect that can be done so much more smoothly and easily without this gimmick. A simple riffle force or Bill Simon's Prophesy Move come to mind as better versions.

For the "Design Dupe" you have to make a gimmicked stack of business cards. It's actually a pretty decent method and is pretty clever. The "Switch Pad" is a utility device that you'll make that allows you to switch out billets, etc. This is a reasonably clever device that has some potential, like a serial number divination, for example.

"Bends Across" is an averagely decent coin bending routine that has two phases and happens in the spectator's hand. It requires some sleight of hand, and has a reasonably clever method for making the bend from one coin move to another coin the spectator is holding.

Finally, the "Phone Trick" is a pretty solid method for the aforementioned phone call effect. The only catch is that it may not work on all phones. It works on iPhones. The method allows you to enter any phone number named out by the audience. Then you call it, and you show them that it's actually calling that number. The person answers the phone and is asked to name a playing card (or whatever). They do, and it's correct. Then you immediately hang up the phone, and with no "moves" show the last number dialed on your phone to be the number that the audience gave you. The method is very clean and very clever. No stooges and no apps.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is legit, solid and honest.

Product Quality

The DVD is relatively well produced. It's well lit, and decently mic'd. The effects are taught thoroughly, albeit dryly.

Final Thoughts

For $35 bucks you're getting some clever stuff and some less-than-clever stuff. The highlights are the phone effect and the switch pad . . . the design dupe device is pretty clever too. If you're into this kind of material, you won't be blown away, but likely will be happy with your purchase. That said, the phone effect alone is likely worth the cost.

Final Verdict:
3 Stars with a Stone Status of gem.