Paint the Roses Red
Leval, Lewis
The 1914
- Daniel Madison
Paint the Roses Red is the début DVD from the UK's Lewis Lé Val.
In this DVD, you will learn a collection of LLV's working effects that are easy to do and insanely powerful. If that wasn't enough, you also have access to a 45 minute roundtable discussion between LLV and Dee Christopher on subtleties and techniques that you can add into your own performances to make them more powerful and effective.
Harmony - Despite the spectator giving a deck of cards two thorough shuffles beforehand, the performer is able to know the exact order of cards in a chosen suit.
Curiosity - The spectator secretly conceals their own coins at various locations on their body (left pocket, right pocket and one in their closed fist). The performer is able to divine the location of every coin. As a finale, the date on the third coin is also revealed under seemingly impossible conditions.
Binary - The spectator finds their selected card using an unknown prediction card from another deck. The prediction is then revealed to bear the same value as the original selection and to have even predicted its numerical position in the deck.
Off with his Head - During an entertaining exposé of card cheating techniques, the performer finds a royal flush in a deck of cards previously shuffled by the spectator.
Hack - A number force using a spectator's borrowed phone.
Caterpillar Control - A flashy card control paying credit to Chris Brown's Venus Trap.
Wardrobe Change - Instantly make a card change by popping your T-shirt!
As well as all of the material taught and the roundtable discussion, we've also included 4 PDF files on the disc to expand on some of the effects and subtleties taught; You will learn to tell instantly whether your spectator is left or right handed, how to sense when a phone is about to ring and how to create false memories with a little known visualization technique.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Never Again (thank you Kelly Clarkson) will I watch (or read) Alice in Wonderland (or Alice's Adventures in Wonderland) with the same perspective after watching this DVD.
The DVD has several fun ties to the story of Alice. The production company is called "The 1914." Is it a coincidence that the first Alice in Wonderland movie was in 1914? Is it a coincidence that this DVD's author and Alice's author share the same first name? Maybe, but it can't be coincidence that all of the trick titles and the DVD title reference something from Alice and her world.
Very clever, and my hat's off to Le'Val for this alone. But to top it off, the DVD is full of excellent ideas, effects, etc.
The Effects
Harmony (4.5 Stars)
I love faux memory effects where you do something that creates the illusion that you've memorized the entire deck or a portion of it. This is an effect that could be used that way. Le'Val uses it differently, but still amazing . . . The spectator picks any suit, shuffles and cuts the deck and shuffles and cuts the deck again. Yet you are able to tell the spectator the exact order of their named suit.
Curiosity (3 Stars)
One of the only two non-card effect. It's not too bad, but the method for the first half seems a bit transparent. However, the kicker ending is good. This is a great impromptu effect that is pretty solid.
Binary (4 Stars)
Simple method; simple effect; powerful affect. You predict the location and value of a card selected by the spectator. This is an easy method and solid effect.
Off With His Head (4 Stars)
If you like poker demonstrations, this is worthy of considering. It's shorter than most and basically streamlines a lot of the extra stuff found in these types of routines. Best of all, it starts with the spectator thoroughly shuffling the deck.
Hack (4 Stars)
The other non-card trick. A simple method of predicting what random numbers a spectator will punch into their iPhone (or other smart phone). Very practical and simple idea that can be very powerful.
Caterpillar Control (4.5 Stars)
This control ain't easy, but it looks impossible. Though the card is clearly and cleanly shown in the middle of the deck (as you cut the deck for the return of the card), the instant you replace the cut on top of the selection, it's on top. It has some angle issues, but it's pretty dang solid.
Wardrobe Change (4.5 Stars)
Le'Val says that this isn't to be taken too seriously and treats it somewhat as a throw away idea. I beg to differ. I think it's an excellent color change and very much worthy of your attention.
Final Thoughts
Finally, the DVD contains 5 pdfs (2 to 5 pages long each) as well . . . bonus ideas, extra effects and other stuff. As great as this DVD is, it did lack in crediting, but that's really the only complaint. The DVD quality is top notch, and the effects all have unique and interesting elements that make this DVD have a broad range of people and skill sets it can target.
I truly believe that there is something here for every level of performer (beginner, advanced, in between, etc.) and every genre of magic (card, coin, close up, stage, mentalism, etc.)
With an average trick rating of 4.0 and a palatable yet weird price like $31.65, I must recommend this DVD.
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!
(Top ▲)
I don’t feel any of the effects are totally done. But almost every one has some kind of interesting idea or element to it that could be used in another effect. The exception for me is “Curiosity” which I’m not convinced is very deceptive. The color changes and moves were interesting, but won’t appeal to everyone.
The real value here is the ‘bonus’ conversation. It’s filled with interesting ideas, tips, and lines. There is a talk on how to just stop mid close up set, and say, “Phone is about to ring,” and someone’s cell phone, or the house phone, rings (in certain situations). There are also interesting ideas on cold reading, interacting with the audience, and how to react to common questions we close up magicians will eventually be asked.
If you are looking for polished routines to add to your set immediately, I wouldn’t say this material is suitable without some work and/or customization. If you want some material and ideas to play with, this is a decent value.
Half a star off for the less than deceptive effect, and half off for the filming. Grand total is a very decent, though odd, four star product.