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All Tied Up – Chris Philpott – A Review

All Tied Up – Chris Philpott – A Review

All Tied Up by Chris Philpott – A Review

All Tied Up is a single trick download, optimized to create a mood and tell a story. The ad copy reads:

“One of the most powerful tricks you’ll ever do with a pack of cards.”
– Steve Valentine (four-ti- e Magic Castle Award Winner)

All Tied Up begins as a psychological game, veers into an emotional exploration of your spectator, reveals itself as a card trick and then, in a powerful finale, becomes an act of empowerment that your spectator will remember for a long, long time.

The strength of the effect is all in its script, but Chris Philpott (with Steve Valentine) also go into details about the handling for both an impromptu version and one using a gimmicked deck (which you may already own). All the handlings are easy-to-do, so you can concentrate on performance.

Originally printed in Chris’s book, Intimate Mysteries (“A must buy!” – Mark Elsdon; “One of the best books I’ve EVER owned!” – Stephen Young; “A major contribution to our art!” – Neil Somerville), the effect in this video contains much more details on both handling and presentation.

“Of all the effects I’ve come up with, this is the one I do more than any other. I have fried a room full of knowledgeable magicians with it and done it for friends who became very emotional when it was performed for them. If I have time for just one effect, it’s All Tied Up.”
– Chris Philpott

My Thoughts…

The video features Chris Philpott and Steve Valentine, both teaching the intimate handling of All Tied Up.

This is NOT a complicated effect. In fact, you probably already perform it. ( I bet that got your attention..) I’ll say up front you’ll need a specific type deck to perform All Tied Up. Fortunately, almost all of us have one or two. It’s a magic standard. This is also NOT intended as a magician fooler.. they will recognize the deck… But I promise you your audience won’t. This isn’t just a ‘trick’.. it’s a personal experience.

The power of All Tied Up is in the presentation. It tells a powerful story that, according to Steve, even prompts some of his spectators to cry real tears. It’s a story your spectator will associate with personal feelings and psychological thresholds. Even so, it’s not worded to hurt someone’s feelings, but to free their feelings… so tears are a good thing.

It’s difficult to review All Tied Up without telling too much. Basically, it’s a series of questions that guide the spectator to a prediction. There are NO forces or manipulations on your part. Everything is geared to getting the spectator to select a card. They do not realize they’ve selected a card until you reveal their answers point to a specific card. That’s part of the complexity, as they realize their selection was totally free… and it was.

That’s when you use your special deck to show how you were somehow attune to their innermost feelings. Then, in an act of cathartic release, you give your spectator the opportunity to rid themselves of supressed feelings. I know.. it sounds a little far-fetched, but I can see this applying to certain folks – probably not a room full of crusty magicians, but definitely that cute, sensitive brunette behind the makup counter.

This is one of those effects that will leave a lasting impression on a segment of your spectators. It’s well worth the price because of its potential to really impress. Although created by Chris, Steve presents his own handling with a regular deck. Everything is explained in detail and the total length of the download is one hour and fifteen minutes. There is even a link to a special Facebook group devoted to All Tied Up, and you’ll have the opportunity to join a learn even more detailed handling and tips.

$14.95 Downloadable at Murphy’s Magic and from dealers who carry their line of magic.
https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=62376

Reviewed by Rick Carruth

Blackpool Magic Convention.. Feb. 15th -17th

Blackpool Magic Convention.. Feb. 15th -17th

 

From the Blackpool Magic Convention Facebook page..

The convention has expanded and morphed into an event that no-one could have possibly imagined only a few years ago and it’s all thanks to you!

This year we’ve booked more acts and shows than ever before, expanding the fringe event with a series of one-man shows, including the UK Convention debut of Amazing Johnathan. A show that will be a very special one-off performance on the Saturday Night in The Spanish Hall.

Yet again, we’ve invested heavily in the technical aspect of the whole event, with upgraded video and lighting systems in all of the lecture theatres and rooms. The tech that we’re installing in The Opera House is bigger and better than ever before and we’re sure this will make the shows an even more spectacular and fun experience.

If you haven’t already registered, check out who we’ve booked and see just what you’re missing.

Numbers are already up on last year (which was a record), so come and join over 4,000 other like-minded people for a weekend of mind-blowing magic and fun…

^^ Editor’s note… New magic products debuting at this years convention…  https://www.murphysmagic.com/blackpool/

STAGE SHOW PERFORMERS

The shows in the Opera House Theatre, will feature some of the most outstanding talent in the world of magic.

We’ve booked both of the current FISM World Champions to appear on the gala shows over the weekend. Both Miguel Munoz and Eric Chien will blow your minds with their unique and creative acts (Eric Chien will also be lecturing for the first time in the UK).

The full stage show line up is:
Hans Klok, Eric Chien, Colin Cloud, Matt Edwards, Charlie Frye & Co, Patrick Lenahan, Lee Thompson, Michael Szanyieni, Derek Scott, Winston Fuenmayor, Mandy Muden, Rudy Coby, Tom Noddy, Hector Mancha, Issy Simpson, Miguel Munoz, Kris Kremo, Fielding West, Marc Spelmann, Paul Zerdin and Jack Beavis.
ONE- MAN HEADLINER SHOWS

Our one-man headliner shows were a huge hit last year and this year looks like being no exception:

Amazing Jonathan – Las Vegas Comedy legend Johnathan, will perform his hilarious stand-up show that has taken him around the world. This will be on Saturday Night in The Spanish Hall and seating is on a first come – first served basis.
His first ever UK Convention appearance

Paul Zerdin – Winner of America’s Got Talent, Paul will show just why he’s one of the very best in the world at what he does. The show debuts on Friday Night in The Pavillion Theatre.

Paul Zenon – Back by popular demand. Paul will perform his brilliant and touching “Linking Rings” Show in The Pavilion on the Saturday Night.

Nick Diffatte – Nick is a headliner from Las Vegas and will perform 2 comedy shows on Sunday Night in The Pavillion Theatre. This is someone that you won’t want to miss!
His first ever UK Convention appearance

Tom Crosbie – Tom will present his one-man show that was such a hit at last years Edinburgh Fringe in The Spanish Hall on Sunday Night

Morgan and West – The Time Traveling magicians perform their show in The Spanish Hall on Friday Night

Mel Mellers – See Mel Mellers in his natural habitat, performing in The Spanish Hall on Saturday Night in this hilarious comedy show, performed in his own unique style
LECTURES, TALKS & FRINGE

We’ve lined up more lectures and talks than ever before and included in this are a series of “Ted’ style talks featuring some of the most successful young magicians in the world. The talks will cover TV Magic, Stage Illusions, Street Magic, TV Consultancy and Social Media.

Add to this our ever popular Children’s Lectures and Children’s Entertainer of the Year Competition and we think you’ll agree that there’s something for everyone.

Names include:
Danny Garcia, Tom Elderfield, Rory Adams, Charlie Fry, Rudy Coby, Matt Wright, Carl Royle, Bill Abbott, Paul Taz Marlow, The Great Zucchini, Rob Ramirez, Morgan Strebler, Luke Dancy, Dave Loosley, Morgan and West, Mickael Chatlain, Eric Chien, Josh Jay, Miguel Munoz, Amazing Jonathan, CBBC, Michael Diamond, Faye Presto, Wayne Dobson, Steve Short, Fielding West, Lee Thompson, Rodney James Piper, Bill Smith, Anatasia, Hans Klok, Hector Mancha, Marc Spelmann, Derek Scott, Tom Noddy, Martin Duffy, Martin Gardiner, Gerry Cottle & Richard Cadell, Chris Chelko, Diobo

The Fringe features:
Beat the Wand with Magic Sam & Aaron Wez

Paul Zenon’s Pub Quiz

Not the Gala Show – George Firehorse, John Kimmons, Tamar Kimmons, Ryan Gleeson, Gary Dunn and The Slaughter House Team
Please Note: If easily offended – Stay away

GUARANTEED WIN – A Review

GUARANTEED WIN – A Review

Guaranteed Win – A Review

This is the ad copy from Murphy’s Magic:

Guaranteed Win is a visual packet effect with a really cool gambling theme.
IMPACT MOMENT ONE!
Four Jokers (The Wild Cards) transform to match a selected card!
IMPACT MOMENT TWO!
The duplicate cards visually change in to a Royal Flush in SPADES!

Andy has created the perfect multi-phase transformation effect that is not only easy to do and easy to follow, but has an instant performance hook and quick reset. With its gambling theme and the awesome visual changes, this will be a GUARANTEED winner in your close-up set.

Comes complete with:
Custom printed gimmicked card on Bicycle stock
Training DVD
*Just add your own ungimmicked cards

My Take…

Brought to you by Alakazam Magic and Andy Smith, GUARANTEED WIN is a multi-phase packet trick that results in a guaranteed win poker hand, despite what your eyes tell you.

After a brief introduction, the magi shows a packet of four cards he’s holding to be all Jokers. The spectator is given one of the Jokers to examine as the magi gathers the other cards. The spectator is asked to select a card from the deck, assisted by the magi of course, and the selected card, a Ten of Spades, is added to the packet held by the magi. Despite having shown the packet as four Jokers.. the magi now shows the packet to consist of four Tens.
The magi places one of the Tens on the table, introduces a Guaranteed Joker and explains its significance to the spectator, and adds it to the three remaining cards in his hand. With no apparent handling, the magi shows the four cards in his hand have changed to the Jack of Spades, Queen of Spades, King of Spades, and Ace of Spades… all of which are placed with the Ten of Spades on the table to create a Royal Flush… A Guaranteed Win.

I encourage you to go to Murphy’s site, at the below link, and watch the video. You get a better idea of the visuals of this effect watching Andy perform it..

You’re supplied with a gaffed card that makes the magic possible.. that and good handling instructions by the creator. You honestly wouldn’t think the range of visual changes were possible with only one gaffed card. It is…

There are a couple of fairly unique handling ideas that took Andy several years of experimentation to perfect. He didn’t want the magi to hold a hand full of cards. He finally settled on a method that enables the performer to hold, at most, five cards at any moment. But, the fifth card is never visible thanks to the gimmicked card.

The only point where I might have a very minor disagreement is saying the effect is ‘easy to do and easy to follow’. It is NOT difficult, but it will take a little practice to remember the proper orientation of the cards. Remember though.. we’re only talking four or five cards here.. The total running time of the DVD is just over twenty minutes, and you’ll learn everything you need to know in that short a time.. so it can’t be very hard, now can it? All I’m saying is.. you’ll have a short time of watching the DVD with cards in hand as you learn the handling. It’s not self-working.. but it’s definitely not more than 30-40 minutes of work.

You’ll be taught a very basic flustration count and a simple card force. That, along with the gaff card, is all you need to perform Guaranteed Win. This effect WILL fool your audience. It’s well-suited for table hopping and walk around.. as long as you have a small surface on which to place a couple of cards. I recommend it to my friends and readers… Well worth the cost.

$19.99 at dealers who carry the Murphy’s Magic line of products..

https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=57670

Review by.. Rick Carruth

KINGS & LEGACY: Gold Edition Marked Playing Cards – A Review

KINGS & LEGACY: Gold Edition Marked Playing Cards – A Review

King and Legacy: Gold Edition Marked Playing Cards – A Review

Ad Copy Description:

“Many years ago, it was said that when kings died, they didn’t abandon their villages, their walls or their empires. There was something left in them that continued to fight for their people. In this way, their people could continue living in harmony, peace and equality.

King and Legacy: Gold Edition Playing Cards, printed by US Playing Cards, has 52 inhabitants of the city of dreams, of ambitions and future promises.

Nowadays, everything we do leaves a footprint in the world.
And the only thing that stays in our memory is what we do with our heart. Sometimes the moments that DON’T happen are the most important.

Life is a collection of nonexistent memories waiting to be created.

It is for that reason that I do not want you to feel my presence – instead, I want you to feel my absence when I am no longer here. Remember the gold metallic ink on the tuck and cards as they flicker in the sun. Embrace the sensual feel of the embossed tuck.

And hopefully every time you open the doors of this box and rediscover what is inside, you’ll forget your problems and transport yourself to your best thoughts and highest highs.
And that you remember me. And you feel me close to you.”

That is my dream.
The legacy of a King. My legacy.
King and Legacy: Gold Edition Playing Cards – the cards are marked to give you unlimited possibilities
COMPLETELY customized (pips, court cards… the ENTIRE deck)
Printed by The US Playing Card Company
Designed by Destino
Presented by Julio Montoro

My Take:

As I mentioned in a recent review of another deck… reviewing a deck isn’t easy. I can tell you what I like, or dislike, about it, but ultimately it’s a matter of personal preference. It’s like my Hawaiian shirt… I love it.. and my wife hates it.. although we generally share the same general taste.

Kings live.. and Kings die. When they pass, they leave a Legacy. Hopefully, they will leave a good legacy, one to be remembered fondly. Designed by Destino (Destino Magico) and presented by Julio Montoro, (Sketch, Rejoined, and Pocket.. in partnership with Joao Miranda), King and Legacy strives to present the user with a gracious deck of well-designed cards, totally original cards, with the bonus of being a marked deck, capable of a wide variety of effects not attainable by a normal deck.

There is a very minimalistic design to King and Legacy, highlighted by gold accents and intricately designed Aces. I think the point is quality over quantity. The case is embossed as well.. adding a great feel to the deck, yet the backgrounds are matte white to not distract from the gold trim. The cards themselves are sharply cut from thin USPCC stock, making handling and faros very easy. (See side note)

I REALLY regret saying this.. but the deck, as attractive as it is, has one weakness; the markings. I don’t have young eyesight, but I do wear glasses. Regardless.. I cannot read the markings unless I’m in very bright light… and the card is held about a foot away. To say the marks are small (to me) is slightly an understatement. They are clearly marked and not ‘coded’ to reveal the identity, yet, you do need decent vision to read them. After being unable to read the markings in normal room lighting, I took the deck to a meeting with seven other magicians. In a well-lit restaurant, five of the seven could not read the markings with the card laying on the table in from of them. I really dislike saying anything negative about a deck designed as appealing as King and Legacy, but I do have an obligation to say this.. up front.

Buy KING & LEGACY because of their handling and their unique appearance. They are very affordable, and you may find everything works exactly as the creator’s intended. I’ve included a link to a 30 second video to give you a true view of the deck and their original face and numerical design.

$13.95 .. From dealers who carry the Murphy’s Magic line of products..

https://www.murphysmagic.com/Product.aspx?id=62304

Promo Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Nk-1C2wGc

Side note.. When I open a new deck, my FIRST move is to perform my personalized faro. If the deck is cut properly, with fresh blades, I’ll hit a perfect-to-near-perfect faro, without any real effort, the first time. If I have to break the cards in before I can faro.. I’m not happy.
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26VeymCTu7A )