DVD 1
* A Question and Answer (3/10):
This effect is a weak opener, just more of
the same if you're not new to mentalism. There's nothing new or that hasn't been already explained
on Practical Mental Effects - Use of env*******s by Annemann himself. The rest is just Peter's
acting and a lot of talking.
* Life Equation (8/10):
Very decent and smart
effect. Definitely my favorite of DVD 1 and one of the few I would probably use with a few tweaks
here and there so the methodology doesn't become obvious, otherwise it can't be repeated for the
same group twice.
Also, there's no explanation as of performing it for stage so I assume it
can only be done for one on one mentalism.
* Rosie Red (4/10):
Even though the
performance looks amazing and the concept it's not bad, there's a BIG catch to it - and it's
obviously writing down. Might as well use any other kind of p**k device and get the job done,
looking much more fair also to the spectators.
He later discusses the Slate # 2 which if
anything at all, it's not a bad idea but it's completely unreliable to perform to anyone that's a
skeptic and it's not surefire
(as a lot of the material on the dvds) so that takes away points
from it.
Also, Peter says more of his "If I dont fail it doesn't matter" and I doubt you
would honestly want to say this on your paid gigs all the time.
DVD 1 - Average Rating =
5 / 10
* Finger Finger (2/10):
More than "Finger Finger", I would call this one
more like "Filler Filler". Just a very and well known old f***e applied to the effect, nothing
absolutely new and as most of the dvd's material, it can fail most of the times.
Nothing
more to say about this one, could be better left out of the DVD. Sure, Peter as usual says he
doesn't care about failing but I wonder if your audiences would really be happy with performers
failing all the time, I guess not.
* Cigarette Divination (5/10):
The method
for what is shown in the video performance is so obvious that it's the first one that came into my
mind as soon as I saw it. Of course, nothing is examinable by the spectators.
Peter
provides a handling with an imaginary box of cigarrettes which hits 50% of times with an unjustified
procedure that makes it work half of the times you try it.
Not everything that shines is
gold.
* Locking Keys (2/10):
Although the premise of the effect is interesting,
the method is made up of 2 parts, the first one is reliable and explained in classic mentalism
books, but the second part is something that is completely unreliable.
Another one with
great presentation that ultimately disappoints.
* A Slate and a Number (9/10):
The
closer is a nice routine that relies very heavily on DR, it's pretty risky as you're playing with
the perception of several participants, but it's a very well thought effect which I enjoyed in
general. Best effect of the second DVD for sure.
DVD 2 - Average Rating = 4.5 / 10
Overall Rating = 2.4 / 5
* Conclusion
It seems this whole "Mentalism is not
about method but presentation" has been taken too seriously by people like Peter, who has released
in here a bunch of effects that don't live up to the overhype of this DVD or to the title of the
original Practical mental effects book, as I would doubt the presented effects are practical if any
at all, let's hope for the sake of Mentalism, this doesn't become a trend.
At almost 200
USD, I would recommend to stay away from this and either buy the original book from Annemann or even
Richard Osterlind's 6 Set DVDs, you will learn a lot more from his vast years of experience.
Could not agree with this review anymore. Shockingly overpriced and even the presentations just drags on and on...
Thank You for an honest review. I'm getting more concerned about the confusion that Peter Turner has created between 'freeform mentalism' and chancing your arm with bs. It's just a lazy, haphazard approach that is FAR too hit and miss for professional use. I've voiced my concerns in reviews of Mr Turner's work but Penguin has never published those, only my positive reviews of other people. I'm with you on this one - stick to an established pro like Osterlind if you really want to learn.
I have to agree that Peter's work seems to be more about "rambling" than it is about enhancing the presentation. At this price, it's just not worth it. Stick with guys like Maven, Osterlind, Cassidy
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees the emperor is naked.
I also agree about all of the melodramatic monologues that sound more like romance novels than performance pieces or even psychic readings.
IMO, such rhapsodic waxing could only be appropriate in a one-on-one performance.
I agree with your review though A Lock and A Key is indeed very reliable. I always get great reactions when doing this pin code revelation. 8/10 from me.
I think this review misses the whole point of understanding the importance of Peter Turner's work (and much of what you see on Jinxed is also littered in bits and pieces throughout all of his past work). This is not an examination of methods. It's more of an examination of how methods are not all that important as long as they get the job done but instead, the value is in the presentation.
Look at what much of the well respected mentalists have structured virtually half their live shows around in the past few years, Q&A. What is Q&A? It's virtually all presentation and patter which connects with the audience. It's really the reason why psychics/palm readers/etc. has been around for seemingly forever. People find mystery, inspiration, guidance, and ultimately a lot of value in readings.
For example, Luke Jermay's Mind DVD set. That is probably his most mature and comprehensive work he has ever released. Over half of that set deals with essentially giving readings. You're performing mentalism, you're not performing a card trick. Mentalism is dependent, on face value, entirely on your words and how you relate to your audience. Method really is irrelevant. Billets, a pencil, and an audience. One should be able to do an entire show with just those three things. Do you REALLY need a gajillion clever methods to do one thing, which is to gain information which you ultimately dress up and vocalize back to your participant and audience? If you're a mentalist, it's implied that you read minds. The whole plot of reading minds is well, limited to really just reading minds. Sure you can throw PK into your show or other demonstrations of mentalist powers but when you add such variety, now you're no longer all that credible as a mind reader and come off more as simply an entertainer. What happens when you are viewed as a mere entertainer? NOW people start thinking about how you are doing what you are doing, you've taken the inherent mystery out of what you do by trivializing what you do.
So yes, if you came into this with the hopes of learning clever new methods, this is not the product for you. I mean, who is actually impressed with clever methods? Other performers, that's it. Unless you are sadly performing in magic clubs or for just family and friends, clever methods are really irrelevant and in reality you just need a few solid methods.
This isn't the sewer cafe, we don't listen to clown anonymous reviewers! Jinxed is brilliant work by Peter Turner. I'm glad they limited the number to be sold.
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Jinxed - A Honest Review
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