Easy to Master Mental Miracles Volume 2 by Richard Osterlind

[big dan]

Hey everyone! Here's my review of Volume 2. Please keep in mind that i am primarily a close-up worker and that i perform in bars and for friends and family. So my bias if for effects that can work close-up without too much preparation. On with the review.....

Title: Easy to Master Mental Miracles Volume 2
Author: Richard Osterlind
Format: DVD
Price: £15/$30

Effects

Magic Medallion

This is a good effect where 3 specs call out a single number each and it appears inscribed on the back of a medallion that the mentalist takes out of his jacket. Its good but it is better suited to stage or parlour settings than close-up.

Five Star Prediction

Another Al Koran effect. This is really great. The performer shows an envelope with one card inside. It matches a freely chosen card from another deck!! Really great! requires some initial set-up but once its done you have a miracle maker on your hands!

Clip Line

Another classic. I didn't like this one as much. Requires set-up, but can still get great reactions. I already use a different version from Jay Sankey's 22 Blows which i prefer! Still a very clever idea!

Hoy Book Test

Now this is a classic and its great. So cheeky and simple, but it works! A great impromtue book test! Can be done with ungimmicked and borrowed books! I really like this one. If you are ever stuck for an effect round someone else's house at a party or gathering bring this one out. It gets amazing reactions!

Blindfold Routine

I have never learnt a blindfold routine before but this was amazing! Its very clever, looks great! When i watched the performance i was amazed! Really good! Want people to think you really have ESP or the abilitly to see through your fingers? This blindfold routine will have leave them reeling!

Flip Flop Flush

You have probably seen my video of this in the Videos section! I love this! Its more mental magic than mentalism but it is so easy to do, so clean looking and the end packs a huge punch. I floored my girlfriend with this the first time i showed her, and she doesn't get shocked that easily any more!! Great effect!

Ultimate Matrix

Just wasn't my cup of tea. A good stage routine perhaps. Freely chosen cards form the numbers which open a combination lock that is trapping the specs rings/jewellry. I didn't find the explanation very clear on this one. Wasn't sure wha was going on with Sam. You'll know what i mean if you have it!

The Trick that fooled Einstein

A very clever effect that uses a mathematical principle to predict the amount of change taken from a bowl of coins. I like this, i still don't understand how it works, but it does!! Really clever

Mental Numbers

I liked this effect. You make up some cards with random numbers on them. 2 specs pick one card each and you can read their minds! Seems very fair and direct!

Headline Prediction

Another classic! You tear up a newspaper into 16 pieces and the one a spectator has chosen matched a prediction made before the effect began! May play better on stage than close-up but could still work well either way!

Overall

I really liked this DVD. It taught a wide variety of routines. There really is something in here for everyone. And its great to see some of the classics that you might have skipped over in a book performed for you in fron of a modern day audience!

The explanations are good, with Jim Sisti sitting in with Richard to ask questions and help with the explanations. Jim asks the sorts of questions a newbie or another magician might ask, often getting Richard to clarify things a little further. I prefer this apporoach to just a one on one as it makes the explanations easier to watch and more like a conversation than a lecture.

Also on each DVD there is a Real Secrets section. On this DVD there are 2 Real Secrets. These are presentational tips and ideas where Richard gives his own advice on perfoming.

If you are wanting to get started into mentlism or mental magic then this is a great set of DVDs to pick up. Reviews for the other volumes will be up soon i promise!

Final Score: Two big thumbs up from big dan!!    Well worth getting for the budding mentalist. If 13 Steps is the bible of mentalism then ETMMM is the DVD version!

[Christian]

Great review! I hope my take off review of yours was up to standards!