Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Enchanted By Taylor Swift
If you've never heard of Max Maven (both of you) and you spent a $100 on this DVD set, you just might decide that you don't like Mr. Maven. Don't hang me as a heretic yet. Read the whole review. Let me tell you why the two of you might decide you don't like Maven after watching this as your first exposure to said cross between Johnny Cash and Ted Annemann.
Often, he came across to the audience as rude and even insulting. Much of the material played a little flat and the show was very dry and even felt a bit unrehearsed as thought Maven was sort of wingin' it . . . well he was.
So right now, there are people reading this who are livid with my words thus far probably claiming that I didn't 'get' the purpose of the DVD. Oh no . . . I got it. In fact I 'get' it so much that I scared away those who didn't 'hear me out.' Trust me . . . that's a good thing.
So what's the purpose of Nothing? My understanding is that is more a project for Maven to sort of give himself a challenge. Can I show up at a gig with no props . . . go to a local drug store and put together a 45 minute show with only 2 tools in my belt: 1) whatever I can find at the Drugstore with my eyeglasses (a joke for the mentalists - wow . . . no laughs . . . it's like a Graveyard around here. I guess I'll go back to my Television) and 2) whatever I know about mentalism principles and concepts.
Of course some stuff fell flat. It was unrehearsed. Of course the show was unrehearsed. As part of the challenge, he invented the show a few hours before he performed it. As for the comments about Maven appearing rude or insulting, it was mostly playful stuff where the spectator's weren't quite keeping up with him. However, this point I will challenge. It's the only true criticism I have. I would have preferred to see someone with as much experience as Maven more smoothly handle his audience without implying that they were or making them feel like they were stupid.
Other than that criticism, there's not much negative to say - ironically - about a DVD titled with such a negative meaning word as Nothing. The entire show was shot with no cuts, so you saw some elements of the show where Maven took risks. In some cases they failed, whereas others, they paid of in spades. Also, he was able to string together a small handful of effects with his scavenger-hunted items that built to more and more impossible-seeming effects. They also all center around a them of coincidence, which is a nice hook for a mentalism show.
You got to some situations where Maven got lucky and you were able to see a pro play the cards he was dealt. There were many moments of beauty throughout. You will also be treated to lessons of a pro when things fail. How does Maven handle that? You'll see.
So that's disk one . . . the show plus an excellent post-show conversation with Michael Weber. Disk two is an in depth description and discussion of each effect with Eugene Burger and a few other friends of Mr. Maven. To me, this is the most valuable section of the set. You learn the thinking behind each effect. You learn what went right and what went wrong in the show, how he handled each scenario and so much more. As Maven points out, this entire show is not one the even he would necessarily do himself nor does he expect you to watch this set to add a new show or routine to your repertoire. It was about the journey, not the destination. Along the way, many great things are taught and learned. I don't know that I learned any new principles. But I definitely learned some great subtleties, some excellent tips on handling luck in a show and misfortune in a show, some excellent ideas in general and so much more.
It was very enlightening to follow Maven on this journey. If - and that's a big fat if - you've truly never heard of Max Maven, don't buy this set. Rather, buy his Videomind video series . . . all three disks. Once you've watched that and you've got some performing experience in your bag of tricks, then consider this Nothing DVD.
This is for people who want to grow mostly on a philosophical level in their magic with a fair seasoning of practical growth in their magic. The price of $100 is a little steep in my opinion, but it is, after all, Max Maven, but I still think it's a bit steep.
If you decide to get this, just keep in mind that this DVD is not about teaching you some new tricks or material to add to your repertoire. It's about getting you to think and challenge yourself, but it's also just about witnessing a seasoned veteran like Maven take a small journey while you observe. If you're looking for new tricks, don't get it; you'll be disappointed. But as long as you understand the purpose of the DVD all will be well. Think of it this way: it's kind of like watching the TV show 'The Biggest Loser.' Sure, you'll get some ideas about losing weight and staying in shape, but you're really there to witness the journey that the contestants are on.
Final Verdict:
All in all, I'd say this is about a 3.5 star DVD with a Stone rating of Gem.