Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Steal Away (The Night) by Ozzy Osbourne

What follows is a Glowing Review (Sorry. I couldn't resist):

I'm starting to speak with a British Accent with all of the latest DVDs I've been watching... the Mid to late 2000's are to magic what the late 70's and early 80's were to music... the British Punk Invasion. By that metaphor, Owen Packard is Sid Vicious, and Big Blind Media is The Sex Pistols.

BBM is setting the standard for producing magic videos... Hold on to your hats L&L, because you've got some heavy competition. First of all, the production quality of every Big Blind Media film is amazing. It feels like you've got a crack-team of Hollywood producers putting these DVDs together. Everything about them is state of the art.

Just on production value alone, this DVD is under-priced. Add to that the incredible magic you're getting, and you are getting a screamin' deal. First, the DVD comes with a UV light, UV Pen (with two refillable inks), and a handful of cards you need for some of the effects. All that, plus 10 killer tricks for $30.00 bucks. WOW! It kind of puts things into perspective when comparing this to the one-trick-pony Clutch - One trick and no props... $20.00. For $10.00 you get 10 tricks plus props.

So Let's look at the magic and the magi:

First the Magic:

In a nutshell, if I were to rate each effect on a scale from 1 to 10 (ten being the best), the worst thing on this DVD would rate around an 8 or 9. Some of this stuff is so clever that it'll make you smile deep inside. This is the first time in a looooooong time where I was giddy like a school girl when I watched a magic DVD.

Probably the best thing about the magic on this DVD is that most of the 'gimmicks' or 'set ups' are in plain site and examinable. The first trick alone (Invisible) sucked me right in. The potential of this 'system' or 'concept' if you will, is amazing.

What about the magi... Liam... Also brilliant... just a clever funny young like-able guy who is a good performer. It's clear he puts a lot of time and thought into his presentations. He's the anti-put-and-taker. He really thinks about logic and reasoning when it comes to his moves. I just wrote an article about this in my Free Monthly Magazine/Newsletter in the Roots and Branches column. Sorry for the shameless plug, but I think this concept is extremely important.

The article is called 'What's my Motivation?' It very specifically addresses the need to focus on why you do things, why you hold cards this way instead of that way, etc... It's an attempt to increase your naturalness and logic and flow of your routines. Liam, don't bother signing up for my newsletter (at least not for the February issue) because you've already, clearly, mastered this invaluable principle.

I don't know what else to say... Congrats to BBM and Liam for a kick-arse product!

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