Magic Tricks

What exactly are other reviewers seeing here that I missed? Let me spell out what I didn't like:

Alphatized
Lee clearly explained his rationale for opening with this, but seriously, could this effect be any more confusing and hard to follow? And how difficult is to memorize the _____ backwards, anyway? This isn't "________" (his tip-off to mentalism vs. mentalism), it's more like "Ummm...okay..."

Tender Touch
This is way too many cards and it wasn't terribly impressive. And yes, ____ is way too many. It packs big and plays small and there's a mess to clean up afterwards. I do think this would work as effective "street magic" using transit/bus passes but hotel cards, credit cards, gift cards, are too thick. Additionally, it's not terribly difficult to figure out another way to do this one (and I don't mean the explanation on the lecture.)

Pump & Bump. This is nearly identical to the effect in Alain Nu's Penguin lecture. In this case, "A number of 7 to 10-letter words are read aloud from a randomly bookmarked page in a paperback book." In the Alain Nu version, any random book really can be used. In the Lee Earle version, for reasons that are clear with the explanation, you may need to browse the book beforehand.

Skin in the Game. As with Alphatized, this is a little confusing and a little hard to follow. Why do the participant's and performers wrists need to be locked together? For another tired, heard-it-before 50 Shades joke? This is by far one of the worst Baldplate variations I have ever seen. See the Mark Striving's lecture for a more effective, more entertaining version of the plot.

Kreskin's Shadow. Entry Level Mentalism 101.

Shall I go on?

I really didn't want to be first one to give this lecture 1-star, but I really didn't find it that helpful or inspiring or entertaining.