Price$30.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedDec 03, 2013
Fractalicious
Bannon, John; Montier, Liam
Big Blind Media
(Based on 2 reviews)
Includes 5 special USPCC printed cards *
FRACTALICIOUS assembles FIVE brain-poppingly incredible packet tricks (plus two fantastic bonus routines). These are NOT your run-of-the-mill packet tricks. Easy, self-contained miracles with multiple climaxes that all end examinable (fractal!). You name it - these tricks tick ALL the right boxes. Featuring John Bannon's revolutionary new move, "The Bullet Party Count."
Brainiac *
Montinator 5.0
Chop Shop
Short Attention Spin *
Spin Doctor *
BONUS:
Box Of Doom
Self Assembly *
"An instant classic! Liam and JB's packet trick, 'Montinator 5.0' is one of the best and fooling packet tricks ever created. It fools me when I do it! I just can't understand why everyone isn't doing it!"
- Jack Carpenter
"Bannon and Montier hit the trifecta with these tricks. It's scary what you get when you combine Bannon's mastery and Montier's devious young mind. These amazing effects take Bannon's Bullet Party Count to new heights. They are cunning, practical and surprising as hell."
- John Guastaferro
"John and Liam really have tipped their mitt in this collection. Beautifully crafted pieces of magical gold you will seriously love performing!"
- John Carey
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
What do you get when you cross John Bannon and the Elmsley Count? An angry John Bannon and an Elmsley Count? I think not . . . You get a happy John Bannon, and a very powerfully deceptive move called the Bullet Party Display.This is one of the most deceptive counts/moves that I've seen in a very long time. This DVD explores seven different effects that can be done with this one display. Each effect is performed by either Bannon and/or Montier (From here on referred to as "Dynamic Duo"). In between each effect is a brief outline of how the effect came to be, and then following that is the description. Additionally, the DVD starts off with a good overview of the Elmsley Count and an explanation of the Bullet Party Display.
Also included are a few interview segments where Dynamic Duo respond to various questions about themselves, their magic, packet tricks, vinyl wallets and so much more.
Effect
As you know, I'm not a fan of reviewing the effects themselves because whether you like an effect or not is very subjective, and who's to say that what I like (and would perform) is the same as what you would like and perform?So I won't review the effects per se, but I will mention a couple of things about them. First, all of them are extremely deceptive thanks to the common method, Bannon's Bullet Party Display. Just the simple mechanics of each of these effects are enough to fool a lay person.
However, if you add in the simple presentational hooks provided by Dynamic Duo, you have a beautiful emotional hook, and a super clean and super easy performance piece that will very much deceive and entertain your audience.
There are seven effects, and due to the nature of the method, each have some similarities to each other, and likely would not all work together in one routine. However they are individually different enough in effect and presentation that there likely will be a plot (or more) that appeals to everyone who watches the DVD. The odds are in your favor that you'll find an effect you'll like and do.
Method
The method (Bannon's Bullet Party Display) is very easy. If you can even somewhat do an Elmsley Count, you can do this move. It's actually easier than an Elmsely. Additionally, the handling for every single effect allows you to end 100% clean. Everything can be handed out for examination. It's tough to ask for a better scenario than carrying 4 or 5 cards in your pocket that will fully deceive your audience, change and change and change again, and then be fully examinable when you're done. Oh, and did I mention that it's super, super easy to do. Four of the seven effects can be performed with the included cards. However, three of them cannot. You'll have to supply your own cards. However, these are definitely cards that you already have kicking around . . . easy.Product Quality
I received an advanced copy that was not a physical DVD. But it still has a menu and acts in every other way like a DVD. The production quality (i.e., lighting, audio, camera angles, menu operation, etc.) is excellent. As is typical with BBM and the guy I named all of my children after - Owen Packard (yep - Owen 1, Owen 2, Owen 3, Owen 4 and Owen 5 - I even made my wife change her name to Owen).Also, the DVD comes with the same cards that you would receive if you bought Bannon's Spin Doctor. I can't speak to the quality of the cards since I don't have them yet. However, they appear to be all Bicycle brand cards in the video, so I'll make the assumption that they're good cards. So all in all, as usual, the production quality is top notch.
Ad Copy Integrity
Honest advertising is what I thrive on here at Magic Reviewed, and BBM hits a home run again. Everything in the ad copy is true and honest . . . I mean, sure, your brain won't Actually pop out of your head, but it will bang against the inside of your skull as it attempts to pop out of your head. So other than the typical hype, the actual claims of the effects and how clean, etc. they are is totally accurate.Final Thoughts
This is definitely a product that experienced performers will find valuable. However, even a complete beginner could pick up this DVD and be able to do some very powerful and simple magic very quickly. That's a hard balance to strike, and the guy I named all of my children after - The Great Bearded One (yep - The Great Bearded One 1, The Great Bearded One 2, The Great Bearded One 3, The Great Bearded One 4 and The Great Bearded One 5 - I even made my wife change her name to The Great Bearded One) struck that balance perfectly.Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM
(Top ▲)
I have a love hate relationship with packet tricks, but I loved this product.
You get a DVD, two instructors, examinable cards for most of the tricks, and two bonus effects. If you are an experienced beginner, you will get some use out of this. By experienced beginner, I mean that you can do an Elmsley Count, and Glide, which are the only two moves needed for one of the effects.
For the most part, the effects are clear, short, and easy for a layperson to describe later. I think most laypeople will just say “The backs of the cards changed colors” but that’s clear enough. If they remember more, even better.
John Bannon gives a great mini lecture on the advantages of packet tricks, how to present them, and when to use them in your work. Liam Montier explains the evolution of the effects, and the history of his collaboration with Bannon.
If you are a beginner, you’ll learn some great moves, and get several great tricks to use. If you collect this kind of material, you have a wealth of information. If you are a working professional, most of these effects happen all in the hands, end examinable, and instantly reset.
I can’t recommend this highly enough.
Five Stars
You get a DVD, two instructors, examinable cards for most of the tricks, and two bonus effects. If you are an experienced beginner, you will get some use out of this. By experienced beginner, I mean that you can do an Elmsley Count, and Glide, which are the only two moves needed for one of the effects.
For the most part, the effects are clear, short, and easy for a layperson to describe later. I think most laypeople will just say “The backs of the cards changed colors” but that’s clear enough. If they remember more, even better.
John Bannon gives a great mini lecture on the advantages of packet tricks, how to present them, and when to use them in your work. Liam Montier explains the evolution of the effects, and the history of his collaboration with Bannon.
If you are a beginner, you’ll learn some great moves, and get several great tricks to use. If you collect this kind of material, you have a wealth of information. If you are a working professional, most of these effects happen all in the hands, end examinable, and instantly reset.
I can’t recommend this highly enough.
Five Stars