Patrick Kuffs' Mind Stunts and Mind Stunts 2 are a collection of original mentalism routines
presented in Kuffs quirky style. Let me preface my review by saying I'm never been all that wild
about most mentalism routines. So if you are thirsty for new mentalism, this may be the ticket.
Degree of Difficulty
Easy. There are no tricky sleights to learn. 90% of the routines are
timing and acting. However easy these may be, I don't think this would be a good introduction to
mental magic.
Teaching
Kuffs plays both magician and spectator and uses editing to
portray both roles. I prefer seeing trick performed for a real audience to gauge the reaction to the
presentation. Combining a thick accent and goof-ball style, this teaching style was really hard for
me to watch. Perhaps his style works in front of a real audience but we don't get to see that, now
do we?
Quantity of Effects
There are a total of 7 effects and Kuffs blatantly tells you
that he is not going to show you the last trick, Nostradakuffs and to figure it out for yourself. So
6 tricks for your hard-earned clams.
Quality of Effects
These tricks don't do much for
me but I think that some of the material is usable. The Book Test 4 Dummies was my favorite. The
name is appropriate because someone who is not a dummy might be suspicious of the method. If you are
not familiar with book tests, it goes like this; some picks a random page from an seemingly normal
book. The mentalist then reads the mind of the spectator and predicts the word. In this trick the
spec selects the first word from a random page out of a truly random book and writes the word on a
business card. Then the magi does the same. Viola, the words match!
Production Quality
Kuffs using little vignettes in a variety of settings to frame each trick. At times there is
clever editing and the video quality is good. However the hand held camera work is all over the
place. Zoom in, zoom out, jerk the camera this way and that way. Kuffs was trying to be overly
clever and comedic with the presentation. It just wasn't my style of humor and I'm not a fan of
hand-held videography.
I think if your a fan of mentalism, you're going to find a way to
use some of this material - especially if you are mixing humor with your mentalism act. I have to be
critical of any DVD that shows you a trick and then doesn't provide the secret. Isn't that what
we're paying for? Mind Stunts 2 is more of the same so if you think you might like this DVD, I would
suggest getting both. Personally, this wasn't my cup of tea.
OK but not great
Report this review
