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Nut Dropper Review

Two DVDs, one gimmick, a buttload of information, $50 and one Nut Dropper Review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Nut Dropper Review: Effect

You'll be getting a bunch of effects all blended together. Basically, three separate routines/acts, all of which end with a borrowed object inside of a walnut that is found inside of a lime. The effects range from paper hat tear to ring and string routine, cups and balls and more. One routine is very much centered around the gag/joke that he's the greatest wizard in the world. The second routine is a gambling-centric routine, and the last one is about modern technology being named after fruits.

Obviously humor is subjective, but I think that most people would find much of each act funny.

Nut Dropper Review: Method

The methods are pretty standard methods for these effects. What you're really getting is Matthew Wright's breakdown and scripting and theory behind each routine. The object to walnut in lime (or other fruit) is accomplished by means of a supplied gimmick. There is a lot of pre-gig prep for the nut/fruit effect. However, you can prepare multiple nuts and limes without a problem if you're going to be doing it more than once.

The gimmick is simple to use. The prep, though heavy duty, is within all skill levels. All three of these routines will require a lot of work and effort and extra props (i.e., you'll need your own cups and balls, wand, string/rope, shell and pea, Mullica wallet, cards, Lippincott box, pocket knife, nut cracker, etc.) if you are planning on performing them.

You'll also learn a very clever envelope system by Roy Johnson that is one of the most deceptive ways to get access to an object supposedly sealed in an envelope that I've ever seen.

Nut Dropper Review: Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is very good. Both the video and the written copy do a good job of explaining what, exactly, you'll get. They even go as far as "admitting" that the DVD might not play in all standard United States DVD players, but that it will play in computer DVD players. I feel they did a good job going above and beyond for appropriate ad copy. The only thing that's a little off is the mention of the "which hand" routine.

While he does teach the method for predicting the outcome of the game, he does not teach a method for how to actually tell which hand the spectator is holding the object in. He, instead, recommends a marketed item that does all the dirty work for you. The only other point I'd like to clarify is the claim that you can do it strolling. This is true, but between each set you'll have to run back to your close up case behind the bar (or whatever) and take a couple of minutes to set up.

Nut Dropper Review: Product Quality

This is one of the most thorough DVD projects I've reviewed in quite some time. It has a very detailed navigation menu with tons of stuff. All of the moves, sleights, subtleties, psychology, preparation, theory, etc., etc., etc. is covered in great depth without being boring. Also for his parlor show, he walks through it a sort of play-by-play style commentary. The supplied gimmick is super simple and will last you forever. It is an easy and clean (as clean as messy fruit can be) way of nearly instantly loading a walnut with a borrowed object, and loading that walnut into a fruit. It takes a split second to do this, and can be done with one hand.

One small thing that bothered me which will NOT affect the star rating is that during the performance of the stage/parlor set, he kept calling his helper "stupid girl." People (including the "stupid girl") seemed to find it genuinely hilariously funny, and maybe in his part of the world (somewhere over the pond) this is less insulting than it is here in the States, but I would strongly caution you to NOT replicate this part of his act.

One other "warning" I'll offer is this. He performs a version where a borrowed sim card ends up in the nut in the lime. I would vehemently urge you not to do this either. When you crack open the walnut, if that sim card is in the wrong place, you may actually crack their card.

These two "warnings" are just friendly reminders from Jeff Stone the magician. They have no bearing on the star rating since it's all opinion.

Nut Dropper Review: Final Thoughts

What's important to understand about this project is that you're getting Matthew's actual real world routines. That being said, if you're planning on duplicating these acts, you're going to have to spend a buttload of money to buy all the props parenthetically mentioned earlier. However, copying his act is not the intent of the project. First, it's meant to teach you structure, routining, psychology, etc. Secondly, if you're looking for a solid method for loading an item into a nut and then a fruit, you're supplied with it.

Other than the lack of teaching how to tell which hand the candy is in, this is a darn-near perfect product. When you consider the fact that you are given a gimmick/method for instantly loading an object into a walnut and lime along with all of the other tips, tricks, etc., etc., $50 bucks is more than a fair price of admission.

Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!

Available at your Favorite Magic Dealer. Dealer's see Murphy's Magic for details.