Let's face it, if you can solve the Rubik's cube, you look like a genius. Even today after the cube being out for about 30 years, people still think you're a a genius if you can solve that darn cube in a couple of minutes.

Think back to the first time you saw the cube and you saw some kid solve the thing in just a few minutes. You were blown away. I know I was. The first time I saw it solved was in the early 80's, and it was a Chinese exchange student name Mike Davies. He would charge a quarter to solve your cube. It was worth it just to watch him do it.

Imagine taking that to the next step and solving it blindfolded! That would have even impressed Mike Davies. Well that's exactly what you learn from Mark Elsdon's Rubik Remembered. Trust me on this: the blindfold part of this is the easy part. It's learning the cube that is the hard part.

Basically this DVD is teaching you to solve the cube. Once you learn to solve the cube, he briefly covers the blindfold portion of the effect. I've been a cube solver for years (best time: 40.17 seconds). I know how to do it blindfolded, and I've always wanted to add it to my act, but I just haven't done so yet. Currently in my act, I do solve the cube, but not blindfolded.

After seeing the reaction Mark got performing this live, it's time to move forward and put this in my act. The beauty of this is that it can be done in a strolling situation because there is nothing to reset. You just carry the cube and the blindfold around (neither are included with the DVD), and you're good. You solve the cube at each table, therefore you're ready to go at the next table.

It also works really well on stage, platform, house party, etc... it's the perfect effect. The catch is you've got to learn the cube and learn it well. There are tons of techniques to solve the cube, some faster than others, some more easily learned than others, etc. The technique Mark teaches is a combination of two different techniques that I was already familiar with.

The system he teaches is pretty easily learned, but you'll definitely need to be doing a lot of rewinding to make sure you get it. If you learn this technique and put in the practice time, you will be able to solve the cube in about 2 to 3 minutes. That seems quick, but when you're asking an audience to stare at you for three minutes, it can feel much longer. The technique I use would shave about a minute off of that time. I average about 1 minute each time.

I don't say this to brag; I say this to let you know that in order for this effect to really play, you've got to master the cube, and it will take some serious practice. I've, literally, solved the cube thousands and thousand and thousands of times. I'm sure Mark has as well. You don't get good without the practice. This isn't a packet-trick-that-I-can-put-in-my-gig-tonight-30-minutes-after-I-open-it.

That, my friends, is the best part of this all. It will force you to practice. This is the kind of effect that if you don't practice, you'll look like a complete idiot. There are no "outs" for a screw up on this. Too many magi these days think they can buy a trick and perform it without practicing. This is a solid cure for horrible disease. The best part is that, although it takes a ton of practice, it's within the grasp of just about any performer.

As for the quality of the product... superb, nicely shot, good camera angles, lighting, sound, etc. The only thing that sort of bugged me a little bit is that Mark never looked up at the camera. Most of the shots were close-ups on his hands, but the few that were wide shots, showed him looking down at the cube. It looked like his eyes were closed the whole time... minor point, I know, but I'm thorough darn it!

If I were to add anything to this product, I would have had a section for advanced techniques to improve your speed. I really think that speed is the key. Remember, the effect is this: You look at a scrambled cube. You memorize the order. You solve it blindfolded. That's a kick-butt effect no matter how long it takes. However, making the audience stare at you for an hour would, obviously be silly. So there is a time limit to make this effect hit hard. I'd say about 2 minutes is the limit.

With a few additional pointers (not included on the DVD), you could shave about a minute off of the time it takes using the technique Mark teaches. One last point: I've taught several students over the years how to solve the cube. It's pretty easy to teach them when you are sitting right next to them showing them and looking at their cube in real time. Doing it over a DVD with no student is very tough, and Mark nailed it. I think he did a great job teaching a tough subject through and even tougher medium.

Additionally, he just seems like a super cool nice guy as an added bonus. If you ever wanted to learn to solve the cube, this is a great way to learn it. If you want to add the cube to your act, blindfolded or not, get this DVD. Highly recommended. Gem.

[I bought this elsewhere, but still wanted to review it here. (Sorry Penguin, they had a sale, but I swear, you are usually my first choice!)]

This DVD provides two main things: (1) A method for solving the cube, and (2) a method for doing so while blindfolded. I already know how to solve the cube in ~5 minutes, so I got this primarily for the additional knowledge of doing so with the blindfold.

Of this ~90 minute DVD, approximately 90% of the time is dedicated to teaching how to solve the cube. As I mentioned, I already know how to solve the cube. There are a bunch of cube-solving methods available for free online. I learned using the very first video that is linked-to on the Rubik's website. The method Mark Elsdon uses is a bit different, with many similarities. And although it's really nice to see (and eventually learn) another method to solve it, I certainly wouldn't have spent the money on this disc just to learn another method to solve.

As for the secret for solving with the blindfold on: I won't give it away, but I will say that it's quite disappointing. Before purchase, I even considered it as an option, and thought to myself, "No, it couldn't just be that, could it?" Yup, it sure was.

So in the end, I paid way more than I should have to learn a 2nd method of solving the cube, and an extremely disappointing and easy-to-work-out-on-your-own secret.

My advice would be to simply go to the Rubik's site and learn one (or more) of the ways to solve the cube found there. Then get a sleep-mask and see what you figure out there. It shouldn't take but a moment or two. Then spend the money on another trick.

BTW, learning to solve the cube isn't as hard as it sounds, but it definitely will take a week or so of regular practice and a bit of memorization. I spent ~10 minutes each day for a week before I was able to do it in under 5 minutes without having to look up the algorithms again.

And honestly, people think that in itself is pretty darn impressive.

You learn how to solve the cube fast and without any "cheating".
And that´s much better than having a fake cube or something like that.

However it will take a good amount of practice but not nearly as much as you think.

If you want to solve a rubiks cube fast and legit, this is the DVD you need.

As a cuber myself I feel like this was a waste of money, A significant chunk of the dvd is on how to solve the cube which I already knew how to do. Dont get me wrong it is a very good meathod its just I dont think it was worth the $35 in my case.

On the other hand if you have never solved a cube in your life a greatly recommend this if you are willing to put the work into it. Solving the cube will take a while to get the hang of, I have been doing it for 3 years now and have gotten a personal best of 0.29 seconds and it took a lot of commitment and I try to implement it into my preforming one way or another.

This video and Mark’s straightforward instruction make this it the best for learning to solve the cube, gimmicklessly with or without a blindfold. However, be warned, this is no self-working or learn it in minutes effect. If you are prepared to do something really amazing that not every performer is doing and most of all willing to spend at least two full days (a weekend) to really learn and practise the mechanics; then this is for you. It is excellent for parlour and street performances. My first un-blindfolded practise run using Mark’s method was on a bus where I asked a passenger to mix-up the cube and then solved it in front of them! No angles to worry about. This video delivers the goods but you have to be willing to spend the time to study, learn and practise. Well worth the price.