Official Review |
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March 1st, 2012 1:10pm
Rating:   |
| Reviewed by
Jeff Stone |
For $20 bucks you get a poorly packaged effect that totally kicks arse . . . kicks arse* enough to ignore the packaging problems.
So here's the packaging problem: You're getting a 27 page 8.5x11 document that's been stapled at the top left corner and folded into quarters and jammed into a plastic baggie with 2 dice and a couple of envelopes. The problem was that when trying to read the instructions the paper kept wanting to refold making it hard to read.
The effect includes two really cheap dice which I'd recommend replacing with your own dice. Additionally, you get a cheaply made "special" envelope that I would also suggest replacing.
These are easy things to replace and frankly, even had Devin Knight left out the envelope and dice and just released this as a PDF, I'd be willing to pay the $20 bucks. In fact, I may have preferred that since the printout is jammed into a plastic baggie.
All those things aside, I still must recommend this product. The effect is very clean and the method is brilliant. Quickly, here's the basic effect:
- Spectator chooses a sheet of newspaper
- Magician tears up the paper into bunch of small sheets
- Spectator picks the 5th (or whatever he rolled with the dice) torn piece in the stack
- He then chooses which side of the torn piece to use
- Your prediction that has been on the table from the beginning (no switches) matches random words that the spectator reads off of the torn piece
No stooges; no special paper, no secret writing.
The effect is very strong.
The method will take very little work to learn. The folded up document that teaches the method covers every single detail imaginable. It teaches you everything you need to know to perform the effect as well as tips on how to practice. He even gives you some exercises to do that will help you master the routine a little at a time. Additionally, there are several subtle tips that are beautiful that will make this piece a real show stopper.
It seems clear to me that Knight has truly (as he claimed) performed this for many years. His experience with the effect shows greatly. Every little nuance and subtlety with the presentation, the technique, everything, is covered.
If you do any type of stand up work and you want a relatively simple to do mentalism effect, I'd spend the $20 bucks today.
For the crappy envelope that is not as clean as the directions say (but can easily be replaced with one that is) and the poor packaging a star is lost.
Thus . . .
Final Verdict: 4 stars with a Stone Status of GEM!
*Kicks arse is Scottish for awesome! |
 Product info for Random Thoughts
Author: Devin KnightAverage Rating: (1)Retail Price: $19.95
Manufacturer's Description: The performer says prior to the show, he jotted down some "Random Thoughts" and place them inside an envelope. He shows the audience this envelope and places it in FULL VIEW before the effect begins. Any spectator is invited to help. No stooges or pre-show work.
The spectator is then shown an ungimmicked newspaper and is asked to choose of the sheets from it. The performer then tears that newspaper sheet in half four times resulting in a stack of torn papers. This stack is placed on a table. The spectator then counts down into packet,using a number that was arrived at by throwing a pair of ungimmicked dice. The number selection is fair and any number rolled can be used. The spectator (not the performer) then counts down into the packet of torn papers and removes the piece at the random number just thrown.
The spectator is then asked to verify that the random torn piece has words printed on both sides. There could be an article on BOTH SIDES! He is then ask to freely choose either side to read from. He is asked to look over that side and call off random words that would be unique to that article. Names of people, numbers, company names, etc.
As he calls out this information at random the performer writes the words called out on a large piece of cardboard so the audience can see and remember the words.
The envelope that has been in full view is opened and a single index card is dumped onto the table showing the envelope otherwise empty. The performer doesn't touch the prediction. Written on the index card in BOLD LETTERS are the random words the participant just called out!
This is one of the strongest and most impossible-looking prediction effects you will find. Strong enough to close a show!
NO DUPLICATE PIECES, NO SWITCHES, NO NAIL-WRITERS, NO SECRET WRITING AT ANY TIME, NO COMPLEX FORMULAS, NO SPECIALLY PRINTED NEWSPAPERS. Use any borrowed newspaper. No sleights. Dice are ungimmicked.
Comes complete with everything you need to do the effect including envelopes and dice. You provide the newspaper. Includes 27 pages of fully illustrated directions covering every detail and nuance of this effect.
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