This may not be the best Penguin Live lecture I've ever seen but it just might be the worst.
Beyond the dearth of effects, we were presented with a performer whose lack of energy indicated
a disinterest in his own material. He behaved like he didn't even want to be there. He spent so much
time hanging back in the shadows, it was like looking at a bare stage for a large portion of the
time. His frequent handing out of gifts to the Penguin audience didn't seem to accomplish much
(beyond killing time).
Most of the tidbits he offered seemed anticlimactic (for example,
how having someone hand you something establishes a relationship) and left me saying, "Yeah, so?"
Some ideas seemed like something out of a Girl Scout book on slumber party tricks.
Some of
the handful of effects he did demonstrate require an additional purchase of a PDF or prop.
It was not a good night for effects involving nickels. Both the nickel-on-the-bottle trick
(which didn't work) and the spinning nickel effect (which requires the purchase of a prop) seemed to
go on for an uncomfortably long period of time.
Considering the performer's appearance and
demeanor, his claims of making buckets of money from this material may have to be taken with a pinch
of salt. His claims of getting a lot of free drinks, however, seem somewhat more credible.
Do not be deceived this person is also known as Mind Guerrilla form the forums and has a personal bias against Bill Montana for some years now. I'm perfectly fine that its not his cup of tea. However his review should also be taken with a pinch of salt as well because of this bias previously mentioned.
Bill, if you are going to advise people to take this review with a "pinch of salt", you should do,the same on the other reviews, written by friends of yours. Going with your logic, they also are biased.
Like Tom, I purchased this lecture. And like him, I too am disappointed.
I disagree with Tom and don't think there was disinterest. To me, it appeared that it was not rehearsed, and Bill had a lot of things he wanted to get to and get across. Because of this, he appeared unfocused and was bouncing from item to item, thinking about what he was going to do next and not provinding enought focus on what he was doing at the time.
The material may have been good, but much of it was not explained and or demonstrated completely enough gor me to make an informed decision. It was clear that Bill understood what he was trying to convey, but it did not all come across, at least to me. An example would be his Fifteen Arrows. He played part of one round with a guest from the audience. Pointed at the three remaining, and made statements about how to win by a specific one, then really winning all the time, or 95% of the time of you take or leave another. What he should have done is played the game to its finish several times demonstrating. This is just one example.
Much of what was explained was simple, but could have been impressive if shown in context, performed, not the method just demonstrated. For example, Lifted by an Angel, it looked like nothing. If Bill had presented it instead of only showing the method it, it may have been impressive. Instead he said it takes an hour and a half to perform it.
I bought this lecture because I wanted to learn about Bill's work.
Tony Iacoviello
I am the reviewer who wrote "Unconventional Awesomeness" in the subject and am responding to the allegation that the good reviews come from Bill's friends. I, for one, didnt know of Bill before this lecture but am now a fan and I purchased some of his earlier work last night as I said I would in my comment. I am not going to waste time and space trying to explain the value of just the subtleties in this lecture to those who don't understand. It's thankfully not for every Mentalism worker, particularly those who take a strictly classical approach, are new, and / or don't have an understanding of human psychology. It will be very useful to seasoned seance workers, hypnotists, psychic entertainers, etc. Bill's thinking doesn't just fool people, it mystifies them.
The value of a lecture, at least for me, is not simply in the content alone. It's also in the ideas and inspiration that I get from the content. This lecture got the ball rolling in a direction of thought and by the end I had come up with two or three new routines. This lecture helped me to realize that I haven't been pushing the envelope nearly as far as I can.
I was happy to find so much value in the subtleties because I already have more material than I could ever hope to perform in a lifetime. If I explain on here why this lecture is useful, someone else might try the ideas without fully understanding the ultimate function the ideas serve and mess up the fun for those who use it for the intended results. This is fringe stuff which is great for fringe people, like me.
This lecture was my first exposure to the work of Bill Montana so I have no idea what he means when he says I have a personal bias against him for many years. Perhaps I have amnesia or he's confusing me with someone else?
Could you please specify the origin of this supposed bias I have? Thanks.
Bill, like Tom, I have never come across your name 'til now. Where is your proof that he "has a personal bias against Bill Montana for some years now"? Links to said forums, etc?
What in the world? You can't mention a bias without proof! What do you think this is, some monarchy where what you say goes?
What a joke! Get with the times man!
Thank God we have random reviewers who point out flaws in these lectures. If you don't want to be given negative reviews MAKE A BETTER LECTURE. Put your big boy pants on and act like a professional.
Could he have presented things better? Yes. I can tell he had the potential to have been one of the top lectures. It just didn't turn out that way. The material was interesting enough to make it worth the price.
lol @ infotainer: no one knew how the lecture would turn out. it's like any other magic trick one buys: we can't try before we buy. So your argument is invalid. But thanks for your input.
Also @ infotainer: I would recommend that you watch how you word things as there are women in magic (I'm sure who also purchase items on Penguin) who "have p*****s between their legs" and don't "cry when something doesn't go their way". That's a very sexist way to offend others. So just keep that in mind. Thanks.
Even more hilarious is that the only crying is the first comment about some bias nonsense. Try again some other time infotainer. This time say something sensible. People don't have to buy individual lectures here, you understand that right? You can buy in packages.
I agree, this was one of the worst lectures.
If he is really so great as some people say he should show with another free lecture, as an excuse for this one.
Or he should add the mentioned PDFs to explain his just scratched ideas more in detail.
The lecture itself: I almost never saw someone explaining his ideas that bad.
"Bias nonsense" Dynamix? Perhaps you should do some homework on MindGuerilla. A member of the New York skeptical society whose objective is to discredit people who practice astrology, psychic works, and the sort. There's your BIAS!
I agree - let's be adults and watch the language. I myself have never heard of Mr Montana and was realy looking forward to this lecture. I think blame goes both ways - Mr Montana defiantly knows what he talking about. Unfortunately it appeared totally un- rehearsed - does not boad well for the visualization technique he promoted - were you can practice in your mind ( by they way it does work - read Psycho- Cyberntics great book). Mr Montana I think lacks experience in teaching or lecturing . For Penguin The lighting was terrible and they lost control several times during the lecture. Dan did a good job of filling in some of the gaps. This was defiantly not the worst lecture - there is some good material - my head is already concocting ways of using what I have learned. This lecture was not for beginners.
I was a little surprised that Mr Montana made the comment about the negative review. He should be a silent watcher. Once all the reviews are in we will all have a better picture.
Looks like Infotainer is cyber-stalking me. Cree-pee. I wonder if he/she will get a free gift for that? :)
Regardless of what groups I do/don't belong to: Sloppy presentation plus half-assed effects still equals a bad lecture. Anyone who gave this five-stars must have been watching a different lecture.
...and not that it should make a difference but I'm also a member of the NYC Paranormal Meetup. I try to expose myself to diverse points of view.
...and while I'm at it, I may as well give a plug to the SciFi/Fantasy group I'm in! :) We're having an X-FILES marathon in about a week. Still some spots available! Sign up and maybe we can discuss the Bill Montana lecture afterward. :)
http://www.meetup.com/NYSciFi-Fantasy/events/219510431/
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE
Infotainer - how does this indicate a bias against bill Montana specifically? Can you please TRY TO MAKE SOME SENSE?
Are you seriously advocating that people cannot dislike a lecture and that no one should be allowed to give negative reviews? What world are you living in? If you're going to charge for something, you take the criticism. What is so hard to understand about that? Are you 11 or 12 years old?
I also don't understand why someone being a skeptic would result in a bias toward a lecture by someone who openly declares himself to be a con man. Are you saying that "people who practice astrology, psychic works, and the sort" are con artists?
NOW who's the skeptic? ;)
I'm done arguing with grown ups who act like little children on this thread. I've got better things to do like meeting hot women and performing mentalism.
@ Infotainer, you smell like a troll. "P***ies between their legs" yet another mysogynistic misandrist idiot in the magic community. In case you were wondering why we have so few ladies in magic, this kind of language is why. You must hate p***y, if you're using it as derogatory. Crying and having a vagina doesn't make anyone less if a person. "Grown ups that behave like little children." You're calling the kettle black. I'm going to assume your "performing mentalism" hasn't taken you as far as you had hoped -- a bit of advice? It's probably due to your poor/misguided attitude. I have a difficult time believing any successful performer of mentalism would be posting petty comments on a penguin live lecture in the manner you have.
I for one was genuinely curious about this lecture. I've never heard of Bill and sadly this feed has discouraged me from purchasing. I don't think I want to use and learn material supported/performed by people like Infotainer.
First if you are interested in mentalism there is some good pieces in this lecture. I rated it 3 stars because of Mr Montana's meandering and not realy hitting the fine points. His Pulse demo was very intriguing. Just be warned you have to sift through this lecture to mine the real nuggets. Also Mr Montana stepped up and provides a couple of PDF's ( though I did not find the material all that intriguing)
Also Iam surprised how grown ups can act in a forum. Instead of an exchange of ideas it goes right int the gutter. So come on put your grown up pants on and act like adults!
Having so many comments just shows how controversial Bills lecture was.I personally disliked all the new age mumbo jumbo which didn't even work half of the time. I am not saying it had no value but you had to sort through a lot of dross to get to the debatable gold.Not recommended and I have no vested interests---just a subscription to usually great penguin Lectures. Good Job to Dan Harlan for keeping this lecture from completely going off the rails into channelling and other areas of dubious validity.
Now that was a good and honest review.
RobertNemo, few ladies in magic because of that kind of language? That's funny. That sort of language goes on around football and yet there are female fans, cheerleaders, etc...
My performing mentalism hasn't taken me far as I hoped? Ha! I'm laughing so hard. It's my sole source of income which provides me more than enough for my family.
My attitude is only directed at magicians on these forums, who probably still live in their mom's basement, sitting in front of a computer all day.
Bottom line is I found value in this lecture regardless of what anyone says.
You should have your wife and if you have a daughter let them read your comments and see what they have to say!
These reviews tend to be fanboy suckups. This was an honest review. Mr. Montana was totally unprepared, wandered around like a guy that's never been on stage before and failed to ensure that his effects worked. That alone makes it a fail. If you have real material to impart (IMO there wasn't much here) you respect your material and your audience by being prepared and understand your working space. Didn't happen.
These reviews tend to be fanboy suckups. This was an honest review. Mr. Montana was totally unprepared, wandered around like a guy that's never been on stage before and failed to ensure that his effects worked. That alone makes it a fail. If you have real material to impart (IMO there wasn't much here) you respect your material and your audience by being prepared and understand your working space. Didn't happen.
I was unaware of the PDFs. In that case, I'll add a "star" to my review and rate it two stars out of five.
Pjreda, I'm laughing at you. Not once did my comments aim at women. It's obviously you and RobertNemo who have turned this into a sexist issue.
My major point has gotten lost and for that I apologize. As well as for the negativity.
I just want to emphasize that if someone has a negative review, they shouldn't be pressured into altering or removing that few. Negative reviews can have just as much importance as positive ones. Whether they do or not is up to you to judge. But if infotainer enjoyed this lecture, that is just as important as someone who did not. We should just all be trying to help each other seperate the good from the bad in thos crazy world of magic we all deal with.
It's hard enough already given all the garbage out there, agreed?
I have never been referred to as a fan boy suck up before.
I am 45 years old, and will give praise to whoever i like.
After the two piles of absolute rip off shite that kicked off this years so called lectures,Bill Montana's was a god send,and total VALUE for money.
I bet you were foaming at the mouth at the nauseating Derren Brown yawn fest.
In which he taught Sweet Fanny Adams ,while Dan fawned like an over excited school girl with a crush on teacher...a puke worthy self indulgent waste of time and money.
If the wealth of knowledge Bill was sharing went over your head,then that's your loss.
I didn't know Bill at all before the lecture,so no I aren't a friend of his either.Well I wasn't,but since I thanked him for his inspirational lecture,he has been an absolute star.His generosity has been unprecedented,and i would be proud to have him as a friend,unlike most of the jumped up egotists i see on a daily basis in magic forums like this one.
I doubt i will win any Brownie points for my comments tonight,but i sure as hell aren't going to suck up to Penguin or anyone else,after being robbed two interviews in a row at the beginning of the year. If Bill's had been half as bad as the first two January lectures,I would have demanded a refund under the trades descriptions act. End of lecture,end of subscription,end of story,and end of bells to all who disagree with me :) x
"My attitude is only directed at magicians on these forums, who probably still live in their mom's basement, sitting in front of a computer all day." Sounds like classic Freudian projection.
Gentlemen, gentlemen. Instead of calling each other names, why don't we stick to discussing the merits (or lack thereof) of this lecture?
I want to git this lecture just to see if its that bad ????A good lecture is Mark Elsdon's lecture .What else is a good lecture i should git?
Add a comment
Not Recommended
Report this review
