Devious
David, Brandon & Turchi, Chris
Paper Crane Productions
Points To Remember
- Custom Made never before seen gimmick.
- Easy to perform
- Loads of possibilities
- Virtually Impromptu
Reviews
(Top ▲)
This is an awesome gimmick! It is well made. It is made of plastic, but it will match a dark brown bottle very well.
The instruction is very good. In addition to Brandon and Chris, Dan Harlan provides a very good routine and presentation for the bottle using a playing card or business card.
The gimmick can be easily loaded onto the bottle during performance.
CONS
Of course, you can only use this with the right color bottle. Dan Harlan says he brings his own bottle with him and sets his bottle on any table. I think this method would work very well. One problem with Dan’s handling is he leaves the gimmick on the bottle sitting on the table. The problem with that is the bottle could be whisked away to the trash can. I think it is simple enough to load the gimmick onto the empty bottle on the table.
VERDICT
This is a great gimmick, small and easy to use. The instruction is very good.
Suggestions
When you load a bill into the gimmick, you could fold the bill over the bottle top before “tearing” the bill off the top of the bill. You hold the bill as if there is a hole in the bill and you hand out the bottle for examination. You can then reach into your pocket, ditch the gimmick and come out with a sharpie. Draw a circle and a line to the edge on the bill where the holes would be as you say you are repairing the hole. Draw a few perpendicular lines around the other lines to make it look like stitches. Hand out the bill. All the heat will be on the bill.(Top ▲)
That said, if you work bars, or frequent bars, and you like the effect, continue reading!
The gimmick is extremely well made, and easy to work with. It fits in the change pocket of a pair of jeans, and is easy to get into play and out of play.
The DVD has a variety of handlings and teachers, including Dan Harlan. He had my favorite version with a playing card, and it feels very dreamlike and surreal. He also had a very cheeky idea for ditching the gimmick.
Context is key with so much magic. If you are not of drinking age, or don’t go out to bars regularly, this will probably sit in your drawer. To me, this doesn’t look like magic, but it might look like sorcery after a few drinks, which is pretty likely if you are watching this effect, so I’d say the context is fitting.
I don’t see very many getting use out of this, but I’m sure there are a rare few who could make this into a great bar effect.
Three Stars
(Top ▲)
There is real magic out there folks; Don't Stop Believin' (thank you Journey). This DVD/gimmick is proof. This has to be one of the best ideas/products/gimmicks/etc. that I've ever reviewed. I can only think of one or two other times that I've wanted to give more than 5 out of 5 stars. This is one of those times.
For only $35 bucks you get a very clever gimmick that allows you to do some impossible seeming effects. Here's the kicker . . . if you watched the trailer, you saw some really cool stuff that, likely, you are impressed with . . . it's not even the best stuff on the DVD. You're taught how to make a different type of gimmick that'll cost you like a dollar, that can do some freakin' amazingly visual magic.
The presentation for beer bottle through card box is pure magic. You actually see the beer bottle melt through the card box. The illusion is perfect. Honestly, there's not much more to say. You saw the preview. The gimmick is simple and easy to use. The beer bottle can be borrowed and examined before and after the card (or dollar bill, or shirt, or napkin, or whatever) penetrates the bottle.
You'll learn ideas and handling tips from Brandon David, Chris Turchi and Dan Harlan. The gimmick that comes with the DVD will work on most beer (and root beer) bottles. However, the other gimmick that they teach you how to make for a buck can be made to work on ANY glass bottle. It won't work on plastic bottles . . . however with a teeny bit of modifying the gimmick they teach you to make you could even make it work on plastic soda/water bottles. They don't teach this, but it's pretty obvious what you'd need to do.
Anyway, all that extra stuff isn't even what they pitch in the trailer. Bottom line: if you want to be able to essentially perform beer (or soda) bottle through anything, this is the best $35 bucks you'll ever spend. Further, even if you think you'd never do this effect . . . it's the best $35 bucks you'll have spent in a long while. First, after watching this, you'll probably change your mind and decide to do it. Or even if you don't, it's worth the $35 bucks to watch the gimmick in action and to learn how clever and smart these guys are.
Final Verdict:
5 plus Stars with a Stone Status of Total, Complete, 100% Freaking GEM!!!!