Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Creeping Death By Metallica

I have a few problems with this product. First, the "photographs" of Houdini look a bit blurry and kind of pixelated. Second, the ad copy claims that Houdini is holding the spectator's card. Take a look at the product image. You'll notice that Houdini is not holding the card, but rather it's simply printed on the photograph above his hand. Further, the card is in color and just looks kind of hokey. It's clearly not a photo of Houdini holding anything.

To me the effect would have been much better if it was as described in the ad copy . . . namely, Houdini "holding" the card. In other words, a photo of Houdini actually holding a playing card. Reading the product description, I'm guessing you'll realize that the so called "out to lunch" principle, so it's an easy to do effect. The packaging of the product is pretty poor as well. It's two stacks of business card shaped "photos" of Houdini and a folded up sheet of paper crammed into a plastic baggy.

Again, the claim that these are photos is a bit weak. It would have been a better quality product if the cards where shaped like photographs so that they actually somewhat looked like what the ad copy claims. The following statement won't impact the final star rating, however, I think it's important to point out that there really is no presentational hook or meaning with this effect. Maybe someone out there could make it more meaningful, but I just don't see it. However, as I've said before, I don't let the effect impact the review, only the product quality, and in this case, it's the product quality that's killing the value of this product.

When you consider that the cards don't look like photos but rather poorly produced photocopies of an image you found online, and further that an obviously faked "playing card" that looks cartoony "appears" on the so called photo, you've got a recipe for a cheesy looking effect that will likely not move the art forward, and give you a reputation for being a hack with crappy homemade props.

Having said all that, if you like the effect and you think that the photo of the product looks ok, then go ahead and get this. As for me and my house, we shall pass.

Final Verdict:
1.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Rubble.