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IRIS – Lewis Le Val and The 1914 – A Review

IRIS – Lewis Le Val and The 1914 – A Review

IRIS – Lewis Le Val and The 1914 – A Review

The Ad Copy:

Forget palm reading!

The lines, marks and patterns in the eye’s iris can tell you more about a person’s life than any palm ever could!

(At least, that’s what you tell your participant.) Using the remarkable concept of eye gazing, IRIS allows you to divine a specific and important area of life your participant is simply THINKING of.

After giving an impressive psychic reading centered around this area of their life, you proceed to floor them further by revealing a personal piece of information you couldn’t possibly have known in advance: their star sign!

The methods are brilliantly devious. There are no cumbersome anagrams and absolutely nothing is ever written down!

In fact, the methods are hidden in plain sight, printed directly onto the two cards you receive. They are so well hidden, your participant could even forensically inspect the cards and STILL have no clue how it was done!

What’s more, IRIS utilizes just TWO cards that can be carried everywhere with you, taking up next-to-no room in your wallet or purse.

The IRIS video instructions also contain a wealth of knowledge and guidance for giving unique and individual personality readings from a world-renowned modern mystic.

Beginners in mentalism often shy away from cold readings for fear of misses. IRIS is the antidote to your reservations; it guarantees a bulletproof ending irrespective of how successful your personality reading may be. This built-in safety net allows you to sharpen your cold reading skills without fear of getting things wrong, because no matter what happens in the reading, you’ll always be able to hit them with something SOLID that’s impossible to explain.

IRIS is a special tool designed to facilitate and enhance your intimate personality readings. It will leave your participant with a deep, personal and meaningful memory that has the potential to leave them with profound new life perspectives.

My Thoughts:

IRIS, by Lewis Le Val, is both an effect AND a reading system.. that permits you to know the secret thoughts of you spectator/client. I have NO problem with the ad copy.. and consider it very accurate describing IRIS..

The system uses two IRIS cards, which contain all the info for the reading. Nothing is printed on the cards to give away the secret. You can determine the spectator’s star sign in a very inconspicuous way, one that doesn’t create suspicion, and you can know very personal information about the spectator.. information you shouldn’t otherwise know.

The IRIS cards are approx. the same size as a business card, and will fit easily in your wallet or shirt pocket. The spectator will casually read the cards and, in one instance, you will know WHAT the spectator is reading by what is printed on the BACK of the card. The spectator has no idea they are giving away the secret while trying to keep it secret.

In all fairness, a small bit of equivoque is used to gain the spectator’s star sign. The cards tell you, within 3, the sign.. and a simple equivoque is used for the final reveal. You can ask either one or two questions.. and know the sign.

During the second half of the reading, the spectator focuses on one area of their life that most interest them. One side of one card contains a list of twelve words; travel, education, strength, spirituality etc… and the spectator now focuses on one specific word. Lewis has assigned each area a number, and you can remember both the word and the number using a simple mnemonic frequently used in mentalism.

Using almost no mathematics, other than simple addition like 1+2+8, you will know the specific area of interest of the spectator by gazing into their iris.. or so they will believe. Knowing their field of interest in secret, you are prepared to offer a ‘reading’ before you reveal their area of interest.

“You are a student for life. You have never quit learning and consider learning almost as important to you as breathing itself. You are not totally happy with your education.. and want to study something, somewhere that will make you a better person.. both in life and the workplace.”

This might be something you’d say to someone after you’ve secretly determined their area of interest is education.

Approximately half of the instructions are geared toward the readings themselves.. and not technique. Lewis offers very detailed teachings about both the star reveal and the area of interest. It’s very possible to stick with the basic reveals until you are comfortable discussing the details of the reading.. details that will come through your experience.

Readings aren’t easy, unless you’re quick thinking or experienced. It’s a learned processed.. and IRIS is a great tool to get you started. Keep your readings simple in the beginning.. and expand as you gain experience. You have the perfect tool to encourage you to WANT to offer readings.. quick or otherwise.. and a very good instructor to set you on the right path.

IRIS includes 1 hour and 12 minutes of video instructions. The video and sound are good, and nothing is lacking. The first several minutes of the instructions are a full reading, conducted by Lewis, and give you a good indication of what to expect, and what is possible, with IRIS. Some might think thirty dollars is a little high for two cards.. but you are buying a well-though-out system of psychic reading. No problem here…

I will recommend IRIS to any of my friends and readers with an interest in mentalism or psychic readings. I like it a LOT..

$30.00 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their Associates..
https://www.murphysmagic.com/Product.aspx?id=70530

Review by Rick Carruth

COGNITO – Lloyd Barnes & Owen Garfield – A Review

COGNITO – Lloyd Barnes & Owen Garfield – A Review

COGNITO – Lloyd Barnes & Owen Garfield – A Review

This is the Ad Copy:

Magicians and mentalists have strived for centuries to crack the code of real mind reading.

COGNITO is the closest you will ever come to experiencing the incredible power of telepathy.

Imagine having someone think of ANYTHING (a playing card, star sign, word, movie, celebrity…whatever THEY want). They NEVER write it down, type it, point at it, click it, blink or even whisper…the thought ONLY exists inside their mind.

Yet with Cognito you know EXACTLY what they are thinking. There is even a way to do it with no peek at all.

Cognito is a revolutionary Magic App that combines a classic principle with genius new methods to know what spectators are thinking without seemingly doing anything.

The reason reviewers are calling this “The best app of the decade.” is because it has no competition. Cognito stands on its own as the most unique and brilliantly thought out Magic App ever created.

Simply put; Magic Apps shouldn’t get reactions like this.
Incredibly easy to perform
NO memory work or mental calculations
Perform in minutes
Works in ANY language
NO internet needed
Fools magicians
Multiple effects built in
Create your own effects with ease.
PLUS: A huge and active Facebook community (facebook name: cognitoapp) packed with ideas and new improbable routines.

Created by Lloyd Barnes & Owen Garfield and developed by Joshua Riley, Murphy’s Magic proudly presents… COGNITO

My Thoughts:

I don’t know where to start. COGNITO is described as a magic app. It is. But it is also so much more. This is the taking of an app and stretching it in every direction imaginable. This is the ultimate phone app…

I really wish I had more time to ‘play’ with COGNITO before writing a review. But.. time is a factor in new releases, and it’s important to get the basics out there.. and let the public decide. There’s a segment who want new effects first, before anyone else, and they are looking for info right now, as I write. And, if you have the right effect/app, they will exponentially launch the new product into a magical orbit in ways I could never accomplish. So.. here are my initial thoughts.

Everything is based on a classic methodology many of you would recognize. That said.. it’s like saying moon travel is based on the fact the Chinese launched fireworks into the air hundreds of years ago. Yes, everything went in the same direction.. up.. but the comparison isn’t fair.
COGNITO solves ‘problems’ in ways not imaginable thirty years ago, although it employs the same principles USED thirty years ago.

Imagine this…

A spectator THINKS of a card. They look at several pictures of cards on your phone and indicate whether their card is in those pictures. Without looking at your phone, you know the identity of the card they’re thinking of..

How? The app calculates the card.. sends YOU a text on your Apple watch or another phone disclosing the card.. and you are set for the reveal. What if the app sends a text to a confederate.. and they CALL to reveal the card.? Sort of like ‘The Wizard’ on steroids.

This isn’t the primary effect. This is one of many effects. I wanted to bring this one to light to show the broad range of effects capable with this app. There’s multiple ways of accomplishing each reveal so the performer can personalize the app to his or her style. And… you can literally personalize the app with your OWN designs, which are easily implemented into the existing effects.

I could go on and on.. but this review would become WAY to long to keep your interest. Aside from an hour and twenty plus minute tutorial designed to get you up to speed.. from absolute beginner.. to a comfortable performer. A very active Facebook group answers any questions you have not covered in the tutorial.. plus.. offers many different effects developed by enthusiastic owners.. and there are many. In fact, some of the top performers in the world are calling COGNITO a true game-changer and the top magic app of all time.

The tutorial covers a large list of effects and information. I have included the list here to give you a good overview..

Perform On Yourself- Easy ‘first effect’ to get you started.
Overview- What to expect.
How Cognito Knows- Detailed explanation of the classic technology.
The Split Principle- A swiping technique that serves as a base principle.
The Time Principle- A second technique, providing additional twists.
Proximity Input- Another input method making things very ‘personal’.
Watch & Confederate- Apple watch and confederate suggestions.
How To Exit- Instructions for getting out an effect.
Presets Explained- Self explanatory.
Peekless Peeking- A super mentalism tool.
Create Your Own Routines- Copy and paste to achieve personalization.
Scripts & Reasonings-Digging deeper into the working
Tips & Tricks- A must read..
Power-
On A Spectators Phone- Additional methodology.
Facebook Group- As mentioned.. a super group of performers
Credits-

There are effects involving playing cards, horoscopes, dates, words, states and Marvel movies included. As I mentioned, adding new effects is a simple task. I promise.. once you purchase COGNITO, your mind will race at all the possibilities. I can’t understand pricing this at $29.95, seriously, considering the strength and versatility. There’s zero additional cost… nothing else to ‘unlock’ or purchase to get to the good features.

I hope I’ve provide enough info to spur your interest. There’s SO much more.. and I have never reviewed one product with this many features.
I’m sure you won’t be surprised when I recommend COGNITO to all my friends and readers. Get it.

$29.95 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their Associates..

https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=70974

Review by Rick Carruth

GET MONEY – Louis Frenchy & George Iglesias – A Review

GET MONEY – Louis Frenchy & George Iglesias – A Review

Get Money -Louis Frenchy & George Iglesias – A Review

This is the Ad Copy:

From the minds of Louis Frenchy and George Iglesias comes a diabolical effect that will make your spectators hallucinate!

Based on the effect dollar to credit card created by George Iglesias in 1995 and popularized in the magic world during the past 10 years, Louis Frenchy now comes with this new version named Get Money where you will show 3 amazing transformations in just seconds.

Extremely visual, fast, very commercial, easy to do, portable and customizable.

Effect:

Show a $1 dollar bill and transform it into a $100 dollar bill, now give a magic pass and transform the $100 bill into a blue VISA credit card, now show it from both sides and when giving another magic pass transform it into a gold AMEX credit card that you can also display on both sides.

The magician can place his own credit card (real or expired one) and make a payment with the gimmick or switch the gimmick for another one. Everything is fully explained in the instructional video.

Available in three versions: Dollars, Euros and Pounds.

My Thoughts:

Louis Frenchy & George Iglesias have developed a very unique effect, gimmick and all, that’s capable of doing everything the ad copy says it can do. There’s no hyperbole or exaggeration, which is quite rare now days.. and I am excited to review a product that’s worth getting excited about.

When I first opened GET MONEY, I noticed something familiar. The gimmick seemed to be something I remembered ‘playing around with’ a number of years ago. Soon, George talked about the history of GET MONEY and said it was based on an effect he created back in 1995 called Dollar To Credit Card. Bingo! I had one, although I seem unable to find it now.

Credit is also given to Bizzaro for Bill Breaker and Patrick Page for Paper To Bills. George always seems more than willing to give credit where credit is due. I appreciate that…

Although similar to Dollar To Credit Card.. this is a much improved and updated version, with considerably more flexibility and visual appeal. This version is totally justified.. and is NOT simply a re-packaging of an older effect. This is a major overhaul…

As the ad copy writes.. GET MONEY is a very visual effect that has the performer showing a one dollar bill, then with a rub, transforming it to a one hundred dollar bill. Just as quick, the one hundred dollar bill changes into a blue Visa credit card, which is shown both sides. When you think the effect is complete.. the blue credit card changes to a gold American Express card, which, again, is shown both sides. With a little practice, you can perform this quartet of changes in about ten seconds.

I know someone will asks.. can the final change be handed out for inspection? No. But you CAN, with improvising provided in the video, use the card in the final production to pay your bill. It requires attaching your personal card to the blue Visa card instead of the provided card – but everything is explained in the instructions. Nice touch..

I keep referencing the ‘dollar bill’, but Get Money comes in your choice of bills… Dollar Bills, Euros, or Pounds. EVERYTHING you need is provided, including very realistic bills and credit cards. They also include an extra set of bills should you ever need to replace the ones attached to the gimmick. There is ZERO DIY, aside from having to attach the gold card to the blue card with pre-stuck two sided tape. This takes about five seconds. You pull the back paper off the tape, stick on the card, and perform you little heart out.

This is probably an intermediate level effect. Although it is not difficult, it will require some practice concerning finger placement and timing. It is certainly within the skill level of anyone willing to spend an hour or two practicing handling and angles. That said.. angles are not extreme. You simply don’t want folks at your sides, as the thickness of the gimmick can be detected.

I mentioned extra bills included for repair. There is a portion of the video devoted to replacing the bills, should it ever become necessary. There is also a section on repairing the credit cards should you ever experience a problem with the ‘crease’. Enough said at this point. Just know the gimmick is made to last and every effort has been made to assure you can use your gimmick for a very LONG time.

The tutorial, available either online or for download, runs almost 50 minutes. There were NO audio or video problems. George is a good teacher, and, although he is from South America, he is quite easy to understand and a very engaging fellow.

I am definitely recommending all my friends and readers purchase GET MONEY. The price is totally justified, considering the quality of the gimmick and the overall strength of the effect.

$45.00 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their Associates..

https://www.murphysmagic.com/Product.aspx?id=69851

Review by Rick Carruth

APOLLO – By Nicholas Lawrence & Worm – A Review

APOLLO – By Nicholas Lawrence & Worm – A Review

APOLLO – by Nicholas Lawrence & Worm – A Review
Red or Blue Backed

Here’s the Ad Copy:

APOLLO is a unique and realistic Finger Through Card & Restoration effect, that’s ready to perform right out of the box! You’ll LOVE performing Apollo LIVE and for Social Media. It is an excellent stand alone effect but also a great follow up to any Torn and Restored tricks.

APOLLO GIMMICK INCLUDED

Here’s what happens… Grab a playing card and with your finger start to push on the center of it… Push and twist until your finger bursts through the card! After this small feat of destruction, cleanly display the ripped and frayed card impaled on your finger. Show the card 360 degrees with absolutely NOTHING to hide!

It’s actually pierced…

Remove your finger and display the destruction again briefly, then with a quick twirl of the card it instantly restores itself… Leaving NO trace of the hole on either side of the card!
Show the card front and back with nothing extra in your hands!

(This mechanical gimmick looks like a normal playing card from your audience’s perspective and only you know the secret…easily switched for an examinable duplicate card and end clean)… 26 minutes of detailed instructions with Nicholas Lawrence & Worm!

My Thoughts:

I really like gimmicks. Maybe it’s just me… but it seems gimmicks now-days are far more complex than gimmicks in years past. Nicholas Lawrence (Revolver, Blade, Titan, Reduction, Impale etcs.) and Worm are specialists in creating gaffed cards and effects carried to extremes.

First off.. if you go to the link below and watch the trailer you’ll see exactly what you get with APOLLO. Now, you’ll not see everything you get.. but you’ll see precisely what the audience sees. This is a finger through a card effect. It is not taught as part of a routine, but as a stand-alone sleight created to instill mystery and temporary confusion.

If you have owned the Cigarette thru the Quarter effect, then you have a very basic understanding of how this effect works. APOLLO is more sophisticated. Sticking a finger or thumb through a card requires a very different set of logistics to make it realistic.. and APOLLO is realistic to a fault. Even jagged edges and residue are built-in to add realism to your performance.

APOLLO is more than simply pushing your finger through a hole. There is a little work to be done both before and after the penetration. This is NOT complex work.. but it’s something need to do to make it as strong as possible. You are not left hanging. Four different methods are taught on the online tutorial…

The Napkin Method – my personal favorite – that uses both a napkin and a card. The napkin aids in concealing the ‘work’.

The Thumb Through Method – a slightly quicker method than above that allows me to stick my big, fat thumb through the card.

The Finger Through Method – Nicholas’ favorite method.

The Quick Pierce Method – Leaves the spectator wondering what happened, and how…

-Plus- there is a section on switching out the gimmicked Queen for a normal card to make everything examinable. Because of the gimmick, you cannot hand out the card as is.. unless you switch the two.

The video is typical Murphy’s quality. The sound and video are what you would expect for the price. The tutorial is 26 minutes in length.

Everything about the gimmick is performance ready. NO DIY. After watching the video you can immediately perform APOLLO.. although I recommend practicing to eliminate unwanted angles. (They are not a major problem, but may rear their nasty head if you DON’T practice a little.)
,
This is a well-made gimmicked card. It is ideal for this type effect, and should last a long time under normal circumstances. I recommend APOLLO to any of my friends and readers who enjoy these type effects.

$29.00 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their Associates..
https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=70675

Review by Rick Carruth