Extreme Magic Sharing: Alexander Kolle

Overview

Here are the effects included with SUMMARIES of the routine - and most of them are superb:

1) AMBITIOUS CARD

This is the standard AC routine on steroids using a spec signed card... utilizing your newest secret weapon SF. This uses a card that is treated, and there are at least 3 phases, each more baffling than the last. The SF treatment (with gimmick) allows very clean handlings at each phase, with no funny moves or any clumsiness. I had never done AC before getting SF and I now feel confident enough to make this part of my regular repertoire. Any beginner should be able to work this the same day, and with minimal practice look like a pro. The 3 phases seem like they need more of a final kicker, but I will seek that out in other books or DVDs. ***Overall Great and I would rate this routine an 8.5

2) AMBITIOUS CARD COLORBLIND (Deck changes colors at the end)
This is a really a continuation of the AC card effect using a number of phases as in the previous effect, with a lovely end kicker where the entire deck changes cleanly in a spread from red to blue - and the signed card which was originally seen to have a red back also magically changes to blue at the end as an extra surprise. Alex Kolle's handlings here look super fair, and the techniques are not difficult once one has mastered the first AC routine. ***I would rate this routine an 8.5 as well. This would look great as a parlour effect or for a small group using a card mat.

3) ONE CARD COLLECTOR (One of the best effects - really nice)
OK, this routine is just FANTASTIC and highly recommended - Alex seemed particularly enamored with it too! Magician takes out the deck and shows the two black Jacks and hands them to the spectator to examine. The cards are spread in the magician's hands and spectator freely points to a card (no force) and remembers it as it is fairly and visually pushed back into the middle of the deck. Magician now spreads all the cards face down and asks the spec to insert the two Jacks (face up) anywhere in the face down spread they wish. There are no controls here and the spec can change their mind if they wish. Magician gathers the cards & asks the spec to guess how many cards there might be between the two Jacks. Magician then finds the first jack with the deck face down, and starts counting how many cards there are to the 2nd Jack. The spec is off by a few cards (they may guess 23 but in reality say there are 25 cards between. No matter - the Magician shows the Jacks sticking out - and (the coolest part) asks the spectator to push the face up Jacks back in - square the deck themselves and the SPECTATOR is asked to spread the cards across. After being spread the two Jacks have now magically moved their position(s) and one face down card is sandwiched between them. The spectator removes the card to find it was their chosen card Just gorgeous! ***This one gets a solid 10 - awesome, and very easy handlings that would not be difficult for a beginner or intermediate.

4) SANDWICH SQUARED (or Sandwich Surprise)
The two black Kings are set aside. Two spec both choose cards from a hand spread. The two cards are inserted into the top of the deck together and pushed in. The deck is handed to the spec to shuffle, then the two Kings are passed to the spec to examine. The Kings are then taken by the magician in one hand and (one by one) each spectator's card is revealed individually face down and sandwiched between the Kings. This effect requires more advance card technique, and frankly I wasn't blown away as the moment of some cards being palmed was clearly visible. I do think that with some tweaking this could be a great effect, but most people like me will likely skip this one as it could also be angle sensitive as well. *** I would give this routine a 6.5 Meh...

5) INVISIBLE PALM DELUXE
Outstanding and magical - a wonderful take on MacDonalds Aces! Love this one. The Magician spreads the cards face up and upjogs the 4 aces which are then removed, and the rest of the deck set aside. Two aces are placed in each hand which are shown cleanly front and back. The 4 cards are placed face down on the mat, and 3 face down are then taken back and placed into the magician's hand. Once of the cards in hand is tilted sideways and held by the thumb as the other hand approaches - briefly removing that card in the palm which then disappears... so only 2 cards are left in the original hand. Then the single card on the table is "pressed" ever so lightly - revealing an ace visibly "appearing" from the prior empty palm and has moved so there are now 2 cards where before there was one All the aces are flipped over fairly again and more phases ensue - each more amazing than the last. Next two cards are left on the table with 2 in the palm, and one disappears as the ace moves again. ***This is a wonderful and very clean version of the Aces routine - I would rate this a 9 out of 10.

6) FRICTION TRANSPOSITION
A quick but in your face powerhouse packet effect! The four Queens are are up-jogged and removed from the deck. The Queens are fairly shown front and back, and two of the black Queens are turned face down and placed in the spectator's outstretched hand. The spec put their other hand on top to protect their cards while the magician shows their face up red Queens. The Magician turns one Queen over - says don't blink, and then in a "snap" both Queens show as black and shows both front and backs as only 2 cards. The spectator opens their hands to reveal that their cards are now the red Queens! Simple but brutally effective It all looks very fair with no fast or suspicious moves. *** Excellent effect, and within the grasp of a beginner - I would rate this a 9 out of 10.

7) FRICTION MONTE (Best effect - an amazing packet effect)
This Monte is viewable on the demo video - it is an outstanding treatment of the Monte idea and we all know the plot here. It is the ultra clean handling and light touch of the cards that make this the best trick on the DVD. ***This one is a 10

The back of the DVD shows 6 effects and says that there are 2 bonus effects included, but my guess is that the DVD packaging was printed early as there are 7 great effects on the DVD with no bonuses (after 3.5 hours you will have a great deal of material to enjoy!).

Extreme Magic Sharing

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Alexander Kolle - Science Friction ISO