Since I have discovered penguin, this has to be one of my favorite effects - mentalism or otherwise.
As a close up street performer, cards, coins, and money are still my bread and butter. But every now and then on the street or in shows, pulling a true miracle out of your hat will not only augment whatever you've just done, but it will be a life changing EXPERIENCE for the person you performed it for. They won't see it as a trick if you perform it correctly, they will literally view you as something different - and Dark Arts provides everything you need to perform a miracle.
If you are a mentalist and have read Derren Brown, Banachek, Bob Cassidy, Gellar, Osterland - this is still a $10 download you can add to your arsenal and begin using right away and it'll be worth every penny. With that background, you can use this simple technique to employ a plethora of additional psychological twists to your audience, keeping this Dark Arts technique fresh at all times.
If you know NOTHING about mentalism and have never heard of the artists I mentioned, first get this - then immediately google those names! I digress. If you've never even heard the word mentalism, download this NOW. Listen to EVERY word Matt Johnson says in the tutorial, practice on family members, and go perform! If performed correctly, this will be your favorite effect instantly.
I HIGHLY recommend this unique, versatile, impromptu effect that can literally be done anywhere, any time, in front of any audience.

Matt Mello is a great thinker and his stuff is very good for the money. Dark Arts title is a little misleading there is nothing dark about this. Unless its a nod to Black Art which this is not, so I'm confused. Although the effect may illicit those reactions on the trailer (which is a good thing), the gimmick or setup is not shown because if you saw it, that may not be a good thing. Yes, it's an envelop but you have to draw on both sides. While this may not be a big deal for you, it does look unusual and unnecessary, considering a million of other ways you could get the specs info which is much less conspicuous. But as a download on the cheap with something you can make on the fly it gets the job done. If I showed you what needed to be drawn on both sides of the envelop you would agree it's crazy big and silly. But if you want to have fun go for it. It's not horrible just not for me or my style. Dark it is not and the trailer is typical. It hides what should not be seen. Unfortunately, what's being hidden is the difference between opening your wallet and saving your money, because you have better options which I'm sure you already own (therefore you probably won't use this). Decent option for kids just getting into this type of performing and Matt is a good teacher. I would give it 3.5 stars.

I haven't really worked with many mentalism tricks, so this was my first. The secret is very clever.

P.S. - I've been doing magic for roughly 10 years, and I've shown pretty much everything to my mother (she's my toughest critic). At this point, she knows the inner workings of most tricks just by watching me for years. WELL, I showed her this trick, and when my prediction matched what she had written, her expression was absolutely priceless. For the first time ever, she was totally fooled. She had no clue whatsoever to how it worked (and i'm pretty sure she thinks I might actually have superpowers now).

Buy this. You won't be sorry.

I loved this, went out and bought the envelopes and have printer preparing business cards, The same effect as Nardini's Ghost, but different method. I plan to use both to keep people off kilter. Both are strong and varying methods is cool when you can do it. Highly recommended.

Wow, where to begin. If you are looking for a piece to add to your
everyday workers, this is it! I assure you, while I have NEVER
used any mentalist in my close up magic, I will use this from now
till I retire. This is tooooooooocheap! Buy buy buy!!!!

A superb bit of work. But I really must recommend Matt's After Dark over this, despite the higher price. In After Dark Matt teaches a version that uses regular envelopes that is more deceptive and easier to make and use than its parent. That said, Matt's take on Dark Arts can still serve you well. It is fun to make and do.

The effect is very practical and very easy to perform. It is real fooler. Good thing about the effect is that it can be perform close up, stage,or stand up.

This technique is clever, and it is explained very well on the video.
However, it's not going into my repertoire for a few reasons.

Too many contrived moves, too much patter, to long, too much explaining required.
You can see this in the example videos when he is performing for the spectators, as they look a little confused and the trick seems to go on too long.
(Although, truth be told, the specs appear to be about as sharp as a bowling ball.)

I'll stick with a simple center tear, simpler, faster, and similar effect.
But, three stars for a a well produced video presentation and a clever technique.

Wow! A must have. Works powerfully if presented right with tact, heart, compassion, and grace and if you didn't do those things, it would still be wonderful. I used it on a elementary school, switched up to big envelope style using a suite case, floored the whole school. Carry this everywhere now.

1st time I used this Dark Arts "Goldmine " I knew the lady I was using it on had a brother who passed recently. I was waiting for her to finish up her cigarette so I could disappear it in my hand as then conversation led into spirit talk. I shared that I had felt some sort of connection between her and someone else and that was this loving energy was present with us. I gave her an envelope to put the persons name in, and BOOM! Instant hit!
I put the persons nickname down (read newspapers and get to know people in your market area, priceless) as my prediction instead of the name she wrote down for a personal touch. Much crying, feelings of connection, and renewed hope was shared with many that wonderful first night of using this method of mentalism for the FIRST TIME!
THANK YOU Mr. Mello! Should have been sold for $50 bucks!

Needless to say, this is EASY, adaptable, flexible, creative, and truly magical. Let's be teachers of our craft, not tellers. The discipline students always show up consistently and gracefully. Thank you Mr. Mello and P3 for being great teachers and resources of inspiration. The world is better for more magic Mentalism like the "DARK ARTS" goldmine, don't you think so? You will after you own this, guaranteed!

This is easily one of Penguins best downloads available. While this material consists of some very old school techniques, they are put together and routined in a very clever way. A solid logical disconnect is present as well. This is highly recommended.