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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ever so sleightly » » Complete cups and balls book (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

Burrich
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Hi I have the Ammar cups and balls dvd's. Is it worth it to get the book aswell?

Steven
Dave V
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Absolutely! Check out the Review forums for more info.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
Werner G. Seitz
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I have the video(s) and am not at all impressed the slightest.. Smile
I think the book is MUCH better!
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....

( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might
as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... Smile )
MinnesotaChef
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Minneapolis,MN
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I think the theroy was to use whichever medium you learn from best primarily, and the other form as a back up resource. I use the book while I'm practicing. I prop it up near my mirror and follow along at my own pace. The videos do move along pretty fast and can be hard to work along with. If I don't get exactly how something is done or how it should look, I watch that part on the DVD. Otherwise, I use the book more. It is a little more portable (In the Kitchen, bathroon,bus,car) and convienent to use often. When used together, it makes for a Very effective teaching tool. I've learned a lot between the 3 items. I would highly recommend getting it.
"Great restaurants are, of course, nothing but brothels.There is no point in going into them if one intends to keep one's belt buckled."- Fredric Raphael
rikbrooks
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The video has a presentation by Dai Vernon! How can you POSSIBLY be disappointed?!?!
Werner G. Seitz
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Quote:
On 2004-09-24 08:34, rikbrooks wrote:
The video has a presentation by Dai Vernon! How can you POSSIBLY be disappointed?!?!
Oh my god..I've all the footage in the world ever available re Dai Vernon..on tape!
(Even some footage from New Zealand- not Hans Zahn's commercial tapes, which I also have)

And....I've meet him in private -not at a convention- right here in CPH, when he was passing through , together with Jay Ose..
(to be exact, it was Aug. 29th 1964, and modesty forbids me to mention what he wrote in my copy of the *Dai Vernon Book of Magic* Smile )

I did spend an entire evening -they had to leave the next day- at a well known hotels restaurant, together with Dai, Jay and just a single other local magician..

The thrill of a lifetime..I had it!

So what's on the MA video is not anything (re DV) I doesn't already have..on the contrary..

I've even better performances Dai did, then the one on that tape Smile ..even DV does vary a bit when performing..the conditions, the mood he was into aso..

I have one, that is my favourite..and that one is the one from the Dick Cavett show, where he is together with Dough Henning and Derek Dingle and did his C&Bs, he did it also on other Dick Cavett shows..
(Maybe it's the one on MA's tape, I can't remember..IF it is, it is GREAT! - but IIRC it is NOT the one I love the most)

My opinion re the MA tape stands..it is NOT a bad tape, but MA is IMHO too much of a bizzman these days, and every single word he says is coming right from a teleprompter or similar device..not that it does matter, it might add in making things more clear, but it is almost too professional, in a negative way.

I always admired -and stiil do- MA for his great work, his fine handling of soooo much good stuff, his TOPIT work aso., but as so many others, he has to make a living by doing magic,selling tapes and stuff and sometimes I think he excaggerates..

Only my opinion..but the C&B video is not at all what I expected it to be..

It is too basic..and actually I expect ( I haven't bought it) his book is better for one simple reason..it contains the *bounce-vanish* developped by a good friend of mine Smile and that alone is worth the price of the book.

Also it might be impossible to imagine that sleights value, by *just* reading the description, it nevertheless should have been *on video*..and done by the originator.. Smile

Strong words, yes..but why not be honest?

I don't expect everybody to agree with me, but a few will and my hunch is, that these few have quite some insight in what I mean.. Smile

Always remember, I'm just a lover of well done/exceptional well done magic and I always express my honest feelings, well knowing they are not too often welcome and appreciated.. Smile Smile, but they are HONEST !
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....

( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might
as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... Smile )
Julie
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Bless you! Smile Honesty is good and sometimes the emperor does need a trip to the tailor!!!
Bill Palmer
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The book has a couple of things that are not in the DVD's. One is a special table that is really cool!
"The Swatter"

Founder of CODBAMMC

My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups."

www.cupsandballsmuseum.com
Burrich
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Ok. Thanks everyone. I'll think on it a bit but I think I'll probably buy it in the end lol.
rikbrooks
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Werner, I wouldn't dream of criticizing you for your opinion! It's a valid opinion. I'm a book lover, I have five published books and dozens of articles. Given your background I can understand why you wouldn't be impressed with the Dai Vernon performance on the end of the tape, but we don't all have the library that you have. I cherish that piece of tape and the few that I have of the masters.

As for Ammar, I find him to be one of the most analytical magicians I've ever met. He considers every aspect, including things like contrast of the final load, etc. His wand handling is great. For me though, the tapes are worth the price just for the moments that you get with the Professor at the end.

OK, it's a sentimental thing, but what do I care, call me a bleeding heart.
Werner G. Seitz
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Rikbrooks

I like Ammar.. only objection is, he talks toooooooooooooooooooo much Smile

I'm not the only one thinking so..just read the article of Mike Close in Magic Magasin, Sept. 2004, page 35 !!!!!
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....

( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might
as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... Smile )
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