Balls - Stefan Olschewski - Review

Quick review today, yesterday's was a bit more intense!  I bought this a long time ago, thought i'd share some thoughts.

What is it?
Copied straight from the PDF:

Basically it is a no-budget version of the famous Master Prediction System, that everybody loves but only the pros are able to afford. It has basically the same limitations as all end-of- show predictions that deal with really free choices: You need an off-stage assistant to fill in the appropriate details and then sneak the paper into the box which has been in full view the entire time.

 This is a reasonably large claim!  Why would I spend thousands if this does the job adequately?  Surely there must be some compromise?

Four Told and Four Told 2 Smart Device Edition by Devin Knight - Review

What is it?
Four Told is a way to reveal the ESP Symbol thought of by 4 spectators (can be 4 different symbols, or all the same), where they do not write anything down, or speak.  The Smart Device Edition is a way to do the same thing essentially, though with updated symbols and different methods.  That's a pretty large thing to claim.  Does it deliver?  Which should you buy?

Colin McLeod - Penguin LIVE Lecture - Review

What is it?
This is a four hour (4 HOUR) lecture by Scottish Mentalist Colin McLeod, for those who don't know, these are broadcast live and then you get a nice download the next day.  An excellent service, for some other views on this, check out my review of Looch Penguin Live lecture.

I had the fortunate ability to watch the majority of this lecture Live (on the internet of course as opposed to in person) which was nice.  How did it go?

Mephisto's Journey - Docc Hilford - Review

What is it?
Docc Hilford presents an updated version of Mephisto's Journey - you get an eBook, a Doccinar, a teleseminar (still to come), and a voucher for the bonus effect.

The effect reads exactly as described on the ad page, a very long ad page.  My quick version, 

You borrow a deck of cards, an envelope and some pieces of paper.  The participant (who seemingly must always be a female) writes down a thought of card and you pop this in the envelope.  You mark another piece of paper and say you will write something on this later (This is shown to be blank at one point).  The deck of cards are sealed into the envelope with the pieces of card (genuinely sealed).

This is taken away by the participant to be hidden somewhere (a different room ideally) and the scene is set, the room is darkened and you may begin!  In the darkness you can light a candle or similar and produce an envelope.  (This is where you initiate bilocation). The envelope is opened and a deck of cards removed (their deck of cards and the more distinctive the back design the better).  You open their folded piece of paper and read the card they selected, you locate the card in the deck and give it to the participant (it really is their card).  You proceed to write on the marked paper and place everything back and close the envelope.

The participant returns to locate the original envelope and brings it back to the performance area, you do not need to touch it again before they open it, removing the deck (minus their card) and the pieces of card with your hidden message which instructs them to locate a further little something...

(Well I meant it to be the quick version...)

My first thought was, 'well it says borrowed deck but i'll just use my own, it's too risky to borrow a deck, it wont work', well it will work, borrow the deck! How does this rate?

Richard Osterlind Mind Mysteries Volume 1 - Review

What is it?
A DVD called 'The Act'.  This is filmed in front of the infamous L&L audience and contains some great material.  It has a number of effects and explanations, all of a very high quality.
Nearly every piece of this could be released as a stand alone effect, and in my relatively short time in this field, this has to be some of the best value around.

Paul Nardini - The Ghost - Review

What is it?
A lot has been said about what this is.  In my view the majority of the issues on this product come down to two things:

1. For people it doesn't work straight out of the box
2. Some people think this is something other than what it is

This is a pad that enables you to duplicate a design in real time.  The participant writes on a piece of card which is subsequently placed in an envelope (if you wish) and kept by the spectator.  You need to touch the card briefly, but this should not be a focus, anyone watching this should forget this ever happens.

The Oasis Book Test - Clint Barron - Review

What is it?
A book test!  You get a book and a DVD.  It claims to be a book test you can pick up after a few months and get stuck in again.  Let's see how we get on!

In My Mind DVD - Luca Volpe - Review

What is it?
A DVD of 5 effects by Luca Volpe.  The DVD contains performance footage of each effect (one is a walkthrough really) of Luca demonstrating to a lady on a boat (Luca is also on the boat).

GT Speedreader Marked Deck - Review

What is it?
I feel like I am breaking rules by saying this, but it's on the packet.  This is a marked deck on Bicycle 809 Mandolin Backs.  In an effort include quick reviews on smaller, utility items not often reviewed, I hope this fits...

Looch - Penguin Live Lecture - Review

What is it?
A 2 hours 30 mins lecture by Looch, with performances, discussions, questions etc.
It contains a number of routines and all are explained very well.  For those not familiar with the format, you pay for what was a live event and you can download the full lecture and watch/stream whenever you want.  The general quality of the lectures is great! Let's look in a bit more detail.

Blank Night - John Archer - Review

What is it? 
This is a stand alone release of John Archer's routine 'Blank Night', it's called blank night because 'there is nothing to see', though blank is not the first thing i thought of when i saw his printed envelopes.  This is called 'The "Blank Night" complete package', and having both the PDF and the version on John's DVD I was buying this to see how my homemade envelopes would shape up against the provided ones.

If you don't know what this routine is, watch it on youtube for a demonstration by John performed on Penn & Teller's Fool Us, a great performance.  Watch that and come back for more...

Bachelor Pad - Docc Hilford - eBook Review

What is it? 
I'm not exposing anything by saying this is an imp device, in a post-it pad (it says so on Docc's site!) which you make yourself.  You can't really use it 'real-time' but that's about the only limitation.  Let's see what else this is about.

Once Removed - Stephen Shaw and Michael Murray - Review

What is it? 

A spectator thinks of a card and looks through the deck to find it (without removing the choice or writing it down), you mention that cards have mates and there is one for their card in the deck - they look through to find it.  You proceed to reveal their cards.  (With a little more work you can reveal which they thought of first and second).

It uses some very clever and simple ideas (not the kind of simple that you will have already thought of, and has a very satisfying method).

Booked - Steve Valentine Review

What is it? 
A book test - it uses something to mark a page, like a bookmark, business card, playing card - a word is selected (no peeking!) and can be revealed however you would like (or predicted) - the book test appears to be impromptu and can be performed with a book straight off the shelf

You also get a number of very decent routines to get you started, though if you like this you probably have your own ideas where to use it.

Mes(s)merize - Stefan Olschewski Review

What is it? Mes(s)merize/Messmerize/Mes(s)merise/Messmerise

(From the intro to the ebook)
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This is much more than just a mental effect. Mes(s)merize by Stefan Olschewski is a brand-new application of an ingenious principle that enables you to make your act more vivid, personal and interactive. Your audience will experience an ULTRA CLEAN prediction of RANDOM thoughts that involves every single spectator and plays huge even on the largest stage:
A clear wine-glass is seen on a table center-stage, containing a black envelope with a prediction. Before or during the show, the spectators are asked to concentrate on a single thought, write it down on a card and seal it in an opaque envelope. They really can write down whatever they like, there is no force whatsoever.
At your command, they all throw their envelopes onto the stage creating a mess on the floor (hence the title of the effect “Mes(s)merize”). A random spectator selects any one of the envelopes (again: NO force!). Let’s assume the thought inside reads “ICECREAM”. SHE removes the prediction from the glass and opens it. SHE reads the prediction aloud: it matches the freely selected thought!
Now for the FINAL kicker: The lady is asked to open up the crumpled paper ball that was used to randomly select her as a volunteer. It reads: “Tonight, a beautiful lady called Annie will think of ICECREAM!”
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This is all completely true!  You can predict any word that is selected from a number of envelopes thrown on the stage.  It's pretty much that clean.

Audience members write words on cards, throw them on stage.  One person picks up as many as they like and opens all but one.  This one is subsequently opened by you to reveal an item.  You could have the item on stage with you somewhere or as a prediction, and it's the only prediction!  Let's see what else there is to say.