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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
I've been a huge fan of Matthew's work for many years. He marketed a few items that just appealed to the type of magic that I love to perform: fast and visual.
I'd never seen him perform before, so that was a great treat for me. He's funny, charismatic and has the skills. He's a full time performer and this DVD has routines designed to be visual, with quick reset. It's Matthew and camera ( no audience ). David Acer and Richard Sanders have done this with their DVD's. When you're a performer of that calibre, you don't need a studio audience. Same for Matthew. Yes I really like the DVD. It's only about $24 dollars and is filled with routines that work in the real world. Lets' see. Oh , ya, GET THIS DVD. Why? Because you will find routines you will do. Routines: Jack Is Back: A few fancy cuts and you cut to the four cases. Well...you cut to a four of hearts. But that card is taken off the pack and splits into the 4 aces. This is one of two visual 4 ace productions that Matthew has on the DVD that set you up for McDonald's Aces ( with he teaches in the bonus section ). I prefer this production because it's not difficult and has sort of a "magi in trouble" feel and you go into a killer routine( Mc Aces ). Card On Head: You place a prediction card, face down on...your forehead. The spectator chooses a card and you say the prediction will be the mate to their card. Turns out it is there card. It's a two card transpo, but with the visual humor of the card on your head. I've used it and it gets laughs. It's an entertaining routine. Improved Vanishing Card Case: A deck is removed from a card box and with a wave of the cards..the box vanishes. You can turn the fan over and no gimmick is seen. I have Matthew's original marketed version and this one is as it says..improved. It's much thinner ( slightly thicker than one card ). He gives a place to get the wafer thin magnets. You can use the dekc for other routines, or remove the jokers ( one is the gaff ) and go on that way. Your choice. The Bonus routine for the Vanishing Card Case makes this a visual, fun routine. You remove the deck of cards from the box, oput the box in your pocket and..the cards are back in the box. You then vanish the box. Very nice!! Ring Vanish and flash production: A borrowed ring vanishes and you reproduce it from a ball of fire ( flash paper ). I stopped using flash paper ( coward! ), but if you work were you use it, it's a nice routine. Knife Though Finger: This is a beautiful illusion. You fold a playing card over your finger, the spectator holds a knife and slowly, you push down and the knife come through the card and your finger. and then you rotate back and forth and a penney size hole is made and you can see right through. The clean up is just as beautiful. Flick Of The Lip: This is a four ace production based on a David Acer routine. The aces appear and you can go into McDonald's Aces now ( Which Matthew teaches in the Bonus Section ). A bit too hard for me, but looks good. Bonus Material: On The Ring Flight: A ring flight routine that Matthew constructed to avoid many of the problems that can occur with the effect. The patter that Matthew uses makes this a safe, worker. McDonald's Aces: A PERFECT version for table hopping or walk around. This is fast. He uses 3 different vanishes with easy cleanup and reset right in front of them for the next table. Very cool routine! MJ One Handed Triple Cut: I'm not a flourish guy. Just don't' have the chops for it. It looks fancy, but I'll leave it to the move guys to decide. There's also a section on demos of 3 Marketted effects. Color Blind ( which Matthew sent me and is a killer color changing deck routine ). Drinks on Me and Six, which I have used for years. Mathew is a full time performer and rarely relases material. I hope Because of that, this DVD isn't one that doesn't get allot of notice. It's just plain wonderful and I hope folks will get it and comment here on the Café.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Shawn Farquhar V.I.P. Canada 760 Posts |
As true as I'm riding this bicycle and driving this very big bus ... I can't believe Matthew Johnson has released all these effects on a single DVD. In this day and age of releasing triple disc DVD sets or single effect DVD's, Matthew has chosen to produced a single DVD with nine solid and professional routines that can fit into any working magicians existing arsenal. To top it off he has added three more bonus bits which includes the wickedly cool MJ triple cut.
I especially like the improved vanishing card case (which was once marketed on it own), card on the head, knife through finger and card through bill. Heck I like them all. Matthew is a great performer and thinker in magic and has offered us material that is amazing and useable in the real world. I have always loved the material Matthew performs and I am really impressed with "The Secret Art of Monkey Business". Cheers, Shawn Farquhar Three-Time FISM Award Winner |
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Tony Chris V.I.P. Vancouver, Canada 714 Posts |
I agree with Shawn on this 100% I really enjoyed watching Matthew at work and he certainly has a very personable approach to his magic. In other words, you will really like him!
The material is very clever and I especially like his thorough explanations. He definitely left nothing out in his detail. His version of ring flight is simply amazing and I have already added the knife through finger in my close up performances as it fooled me good!!! Very easy to learn material and extremely high on the entertainment value. I hope he does a follow up volume to Monkey business as his magic is strong and very entertaining. Excellent work!
As magicians we create what onlookers call magic. If they truly believe in what we have created for them to witness then magic is real!!!
- TONY CHRIS, A.K.A. Zany Zack http://www.tonychris.com |
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mattjohnson Elite user Canada 451 Posts |
Thanks for all the great comments guys!!!!
"The Secret Art of Monkey Business" was and is truly a labor of love and I am so happy that many of you have enjoyed the DVD and the effects on it. I would love to hear from more of you that have the DVD :o) Cheers, MJ |
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jekyllandhyde Regular user 200 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-06-01 17:14, Andi Peters wrote: I usually do (thanks for taking the time to write Chris). Unfortunately, when anyone promotes Penguin Magic, I shut down. |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-07-04 13:19, jekyllandhyde wrote: It's not a Penguin Magic release. Order from someone else.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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mattjohnson Elite user Canada 451 Posts |
Hi Jekyllandhyde.
As Chris mentioned this is not a Penguin Magic release. I release this (and all my products) exclusively through Murphy's Magic Supplies who then release it to stores worldwide. I have no control over who buys and sells my products. Hope this helps :o) MJ |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Penguin is in the barrel this week? Nice.
I just watched the DVD and while the editing was a bit off the material is pretty good. I really liked the card through bill. I've one question, did you publich the knife through finger in Genii a few years ago? I've been doing it on since around 2001 or so. |
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jekyllandhyde Regular user 200 Posts |
For the record...never thought or said it was a Penguin release. There are plenty of ethical places that get my business. Penguin is always "in the barrel" with me and a bunch of folks who will not support them. Enjoyed your other work Matt. Looking forward to this release.
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mattjohnson Elite user Canada 451 Posts |
Magic Santa - Glad you liked the material, sorry to hear you did not like the editing?. Knife Through Finger was never published in Genii by me. It was based on an idea by Peter Kane that he called "Finga Flinga". I believe someone else released a spike through finger some years ago. What I have added to the plot is the patter and the addition of the giant hole through the finger which is then restored right infront of the spectators. Knife Through Finger was also published in a booklet I released some years ago called "Mixing It Up"
Jekyllandhyde thanks for your kind words on my other products and if you get "The Secret Art of Monkey Business" I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks again everyone for the very kind words :o) MJ |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
My problem with the editing was only that you were cut off while speaking a number of times. Good solid material on the DVD throughout.
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mattjohnson Elite user Canada 451 Posts |
Magic Santa,
After a viewing the DVD again it appears that you are correct as a couple of times I am cut off while speaking at the end of an effect. As luck would have it (for me and the 300 copiese already out there)each of the times this happens the explanation of the effect is already over....phew!! It is always interesting with a DVD project of this size when a couple of gremlins sneak in. I thank you very much for your comments and for bringing this to my attention. I always strive to make the best product possible and will certainly keep this in mind on future projects. Thanks again for your time and your kind words, MJ |
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Dean Dill 1947 - 2015 248 Posts |
Matthews fun personality and comerical effects make this DVD worth purchasing.
You can see that he loves the art and likes performing. That says a lot especially in the real world of performing magicians. When the audience knows that you love what you are doing it makes the magic that much more appealing. Good job Matt. I especially like his knife through finger. I have been doing a version for years. Matthews is a bit different and just as effective. I Like the card through bill also. He does a good job on this DVD. Recommended, Dean Dill |
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Jamie D. Grant V.I.P. as seen in Ripley's Believe It or Not! Twice! 2413 Posts |
Well, this DVD is just what I expected. Solid material that is ready for the real world, straight out of the box. I'm just trying to decide which one to do for Magic Friday...
AIP, jamie
TRICK OF THE YEAR: Industrial Revelation, BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Approach, The AIP Bottle, and my new book Scenic 52, can all be found over here: SendWonder.com
Kindness takes practice. My TEDx talk |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Jamie, Matthew's Ring vanish and flash production is eye candy and also his improved vanishing card case, which I've done since Matthew came out with a marketted version years ago, is also a fooler.
Those are perfect to smoke Angry Bob.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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mattjohnson Elite user Canada 451 Posts |
Hi guys,
Thanks for the kind words Dean! I do love the art, I have ever since I was a child. I consider myself to be a very lucky man. I am not a millionaire but I make a living doing what I love to do, how could you ask for anything more than that. On a side note, I don't make a living out of selling magic products but I am hoping "The Secret Art of Monkey Business" will change all of that ;o) I look forward to hearing the feedback from Magic Friday Jamie. By the way check out Jamie's "Anything Is Possible" bottles (if you have not already) they are truly incredible (now why did I not think of that :o) Chris I agree with you, "Ring vanish and flash production is eye candy. The reason it works is because it is sooooo easy to do but audiences love it. Who knew so much could come from so little. I love the vanishing card case too, it's been my little baby for years. I am glad the magic world finally gets to see it again after all this time. Thanks so much guys for all your comments, I truly appreciate them and respect all of your opinions. Cheers, MJ |
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mattjohnson Elite user Canada 451 Posts |
Hi all,
I just received this PM from Charlie Frye and thought you may like to see it :o) "Congrats Matthew on your DVD, not only in putting out such practical and visually exciting material, but also in coming up with the stuff in the first place. Very creative." - Charlie Frye Thanks Charlie for the PM and for taking the time to send me the message, I am a HUGE fan of your work!!! MJ |
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martini Special user delta, pennsylvania 548 Posts |
Greetings Guys;
If you do not already have this dvd, run out and grab it today! I see a lot of magic every day, and it is very rare that you get this much high quality packaged in a single dvd. All of the effects are solid, workable stunners that will fit into anyones working program. While the contents has been covered earlier, I have to say that for me the knife thru finger, and the Jack is Back with the bonus McDonald's Aces could have clearly been individual releases. The insight on Ring Flight is like a one on one tuturial that can save you a lot of time and problems down the road. This is the type of material that you just do not find much today. If you do Ring Flight, then this section alone is priceless to you. I am very impressed with the fact that each trick and routine ends with you being reset for the next performance. Do you know how much work that took to be able to present each effect that way? I would definately put this at the top of the list for Best DVD of 2008. Matt is a thinker, and you can tell that he loves what he does, that is so rare to find today. I am now a huge Matthew Johnson fan and can't wait for his next release. All the Best Marty |
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A.G. Special user Vancouver- Canada 960 Posts |
Hi guys,
I wanted to add a quick note to some already great comments about this dvd. I will tell you this dvd is a perfect example of a performer creating effects that are suited to the enviroment he works in. There are allot of quick, visual, audience involved ( but not dependent ) effects on this dvd...if you work close up I guarentee you will use or get something , if not a few from this dvd. I am sure I am alone in this, BUT, I think Card on Forehead is by far the Gem on this dvd. No sexy methods here, just a commercial plot that audiences can follow, understand, and talk about... when you watch it, put your self in the audience shoes and try to imagine how impossible this looks... As many of you know I am somewhat selective in my work, as I really feel that allot of magic we are drawn to as magicians ...is complicated and not so audience friendly... But this dvd, I like. This is magic for your audience.... that pays you. all the best,always, Andrew Gerard
Well then...
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mattjohnson Elite user Canada 451 Posts |
Hi Guys,
Thanks again for your nice words re "The Secret Art of Monkey Business"! Martini I am very grateful for your kind words and I am right with you for DVD of 2008! To be honest I am a little bias though, so I don't think I get to vote on that one :o) Andrew, I love "Card On Head" too! To be honest I was not sure how the magic world would take this effect as it is so simple in method. I know it works in the Real World as I use it all the time but I was not sure if the method would be pretty enough for magicians. It is so great to hear that someone like yourself saw it for what it really is :o) Best, MJ |
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