Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Snowblind By Styx

What do you get when you cross John Bannon and the Elmsley Count? An angry John Bannon and an Elmsley Count? I think not . . . You get a happy John Bannon, and a very powerfully deceptive move called the Bullet Party Display.

Overview

This is one of the most deceptive counts/moves that I've seen in a very long time. This DVD explores seven different effects that can be done with this one display. Each effect is performed by either Bannon and/or Montier (From here on referred to as "Dynamic Duo"). In between each effect is a brief outline of how the effect came to be, and then following that is the description. Additionally, the DVD starts off with a good overview of the Elmsley Count and an explanation of the Bullet Party Display.

Also included are a few interview segments where Dynamic Duo respond to various questions about themselves, their magic, packet tricks, vinyl wallets and so much more.

Production Quality

I received an advanced copy that was not a physical DVD. But it still has a menu and acts in every other way like a DVD. The production quality (i.e., lighting, audio, camera angles, menu operation, etc.) is excellent. As is typical with BBM and the guy I named all of my children after - Owen Packard (yep - Owen 1, Owen 2, Owen 3, Owen 4 and Owen 5 - I even made my wife change her name to Owen).

Also, the DVD comes with the same cards that you would receive if you bought Bannon's Spin Doctor. I can't speak to the quality of the cards since I don't have them yet. However, they appear to be all Bicycle brand cards in the video, so I'll make the assumption that they're good cards. So all in all, as usual, the production quality is top notch.

Effects

As you know, I'm not a fan of reviewing the effects themselves because whether you like an effect or not is very subjective, and who's to say that what I like (and would perform) is the same as what you would like and perform?

So I won't review the effects per se, but I will mention a couple of things about them. First, all of them are extremely deceptive thanks to the common method, Bannon's Bullet Party Display. Just the simple mechanics of each of these effects are enough to fool a lay person.

However, if you add in the simple presentational hooks provided by Dynamic Duo, you have a beautiful emotional hook, and a super clean and super easy performance piece that will very much deceive and entertain your audience.

There are seven effects, and due to the nature of the method, each have some similarities to each other, and likely would not all work together in one routine. However they are individually different enough in effect and presentation that there likely will be a plot (or more) that appeals to everyone who watches the DVD. The odds are in your favor that you'll find an effect you'll like and do.

Method

The method (Bannon's Bullet Party Display) is very easy. If you can even somewhat do an Elmsley Count, you can do this move. It's actually easier than an Elmsely. Additionally, the handling for every single effect allows you to end 100% clean. Everything can be handed out for examination. It's tough to ask for a better scenario than carrying 4 or 5 cards in your pocket that will fully deceive your audience, change and change and change again, and then be fully examinable when you're done. Oh, and did I mention that it's super, super easy to do. Four of the seven effects can be performed with the included cards. However, three of them cannot. You'll have to supply your own cards. However, these are definitely cards that you already have kicking around . . . easy.

Advertising Integrity

Honest advertising is what I thrive on here at Magic Reviewed, and BBM hits a home run again. Everything in the ad copy is true and honest . . . I mean, sure, your brain won't Actually pop out of your head, but it will bang against the inside of your skull as it attempts to pop out of your head. So other than the typical hype, the actual claims of the effects and how clean, etc. they are is totally accurate.

Final Thoughts

This is definitely a product that experienced performers will find valuable. However, even a complete beginner could pick up this DVD and be able to do some very powerful and simple magic very quickly. That's a hard balance to strike, and the guy I named all of my children after - The Great Bearded One (yep - The Great Bearded One 1, The Great Bearded One 2, The Great Bearded One 3, The Great Bearded One 4 and The Great Bearded One 5 - I even made my wife change her name to The Great Bearded One) struck that balance perfectly.

Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM

6 Comments

  • Paul Watts says:

    Good review thanks Jeff and encouraged me to buy for only twenty of our English pounds! (Also encouraged by having bought two previous BBM products – Ultimate self working card tricks 1 and 2.)

  • Jeff Stone says:

    @Paul – All three are excellent choices. Most BBM products are SOLID, and I’ve never seen a Bannon effect/product that I didn’t like. 🙂

  • Chris Bailey says:

    Excellent material but I cringed as soon as I started watching it. I don’t understand what makes people think having a second camera shooting from the side while the person on camera is talking to you is cool or edgy. It drives me crazy. The guy on camera is looking at you (into the camera) telling you something and all of a sudden your looking at the side of his face and he’s no longer looking at you. If you’re talking to me, look at me. This DVD is even worse. Once the angle went to the side of his face, I groaned. Then a THIRD camera came into play shooting the OTHER side of his face but…it was in black and white! LAME!!!! I bought the DVD and you’re teaching ME. Look into the camera and forget this ridiculous shooting from the side technique.

    Other than that niggle, the effects taught are great.

    • Jeff Stone says:

      I hear what you’re saying. Who decides what’s artistic . . . who knows. However, it didn’t really bother me. I didn’t really even notice it. Also, I think that BBM’s main target audience are younger than us. People these days have no attention span, so the quick cuts and color changes are probably needed to keep people focused. I’m guessing that you’re close to my age or old (I’m 42). Am I close?

  • Chris Bailey says:

    Yup. I’m an olf fart in his 40s! 🙂

Your email address will not be published.

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.