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 February 2009's Roots and Branches column. 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!
TOTAL COMPLETE ABSOLUTE GEM!
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
There's not much I can say that Jeff Stone didn't. There was a UV project out years ago that I
always kicked myself for not getting,then there was this. The "invisible" deck setup and effect are
worth the cost alone,brilliant. Liam is a fairly new discovery for me,now I'm hooked. The effects on
UV are easy,yet astounding, and you get everything you need to get started right away. But if you
don't trust me, at least trust Jeff Stone. If anyone knows great dvd's on ink, it's him.(Check out
Stone Fire Frixion) Highly recommended.