Reviews: Read What Mark L. Is Saying
1 ★★★★★ reviews
1 ★★★★★ reviews
1 ★★★★★ reviews
The Bammo Gridlock Dossier
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 11 September, 2023)
When I was a 'mathematically-minded' young boy, my mind turns off as soon as I see Max Maven with one of his matrices (or equivalent) on TV (sorry! or Martin Gardner!). Because:
1) 1+3, 2+2, 3+1 is still equals to 4. In other words, predictable (that you are going to be forced) and formulaic (once you've seen one, you feel like you've seen them all, see point 3).
2) It is sterile, as in a hospital with spotless white tiles, and dry, like sitting in a pure math class (no apple and oranges story, just pure numbers).
3) You can only present a matrix effect at most only ONE (1) time in a session. Showing another one seems to be a repeat of the previous one.
4) Spectator feels like he is just following many mathematical (i.e. boring) instructions.
This book: 1) Shows you how to present a matrix effect without making it feel like a matrix effect, by creative usage of themes, props and other presentation ideas. 2) presents matrices that does not feel like a math class. 3) Provide interest to the spectator to follow the instructions, without feeling like a tedious computer program cooking recipe. 4) There are some curve ball ideas thrown in (using other magic principles) to disrupt the thinking that these matrices are predictable - that they go in only one way all the time; a misconception proven here. 5) Changed my perception of this principle.
Very well written, straight to the point, every word not wasted, lots of eye openers, insightful, creative, comprehensive and inspiring for planting the seed in your head to come out with more ideas, full references to continue your discovery. You know, the usual with Mr. Bob Farmer.
Worth the money. Suitable for beginners as well, all skill levels.
Bammo Crambazzled Dossier
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 September, 2023)
I like self-working principles. I like it even more so if presented in a way that the spectator does not feel like being fooled or not treated like a fool. (Looking at you, 3 Card Monte et al.)
I love it even more when the principle, is thoroughly explored and explained as in this book, with various comprehensive presentation ideas that captivate, that it becomes stimulating to come out with more ideas on your own; ideas that are not limited to cards as per the book. Maybe boxes, envelopes, coins, etc who knows?
This book is really value for money, full of ideas content-wise.
Learning-wise, it's like learning from your most favorite teacher / guru / monk / professor who really opened up your eyes to everything.
Writing-wise, well written and every word is contributing to the idea (no padding, long backstory, long winded writing, rhetoric passages, etc). Straight to the point and clear. No same word written 1000 times just to fulfill the essay word count.
Bob Farmer is a creator who does not disappoint and really deserves credit.
Coin'cidence
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 September, 2023)
It's quite expensive for the principle that this trick is based on; nothing groundbreaking for the price. i.e. It's overpriced. The book only teaches one single fundamental base. Then, if you need variations and ideas, you have to pay the same amount for the extra books.
(For the total price of all books in the series, you're better off spending money on Bob Farmer's Bammo Gridlock Dossier. It goes through the principle that this category of trick is based on, although more table space is required. If you're creative, you can adapt it to a smaller setup. Also, it is VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY comprehensive, with lots of creative variations on employing the principle. Good for your money especially if you're a beginner.)
Third Dimension Telepathy
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 September, 2023)
Not for beginners (3 stars if you are)! 4-5 stars if you are an experienced reader / performer.
You need to already have experience in giving readings and line ala fortune telling / horoscope writing / cold reading etc...
This book explains how to use a volunteer from the audience as a 'crutch', for lack of a better word. Not in a bad meaning, but in a good way; Like you got shot in the leg in the battlefield and your buddy is there to help you out of there and save you. However, in this case, the volunteer does so without being aware that their thoughts and actions are for your performance benefit.
Essentially the book is about performance advice, audience control, presentation.
You need to first build up some knowledge of mentalism magic techniques and fortune telling / readings and performance in order to effectively apply the stuff from this book.
Pure Q and A
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mark L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 September, 2023)
Not for beginners!
4-5 stars if you are already an experienced or working Q & A performer that can employ the stuff in this book.
You need to have intensive experience in the presentation of giving readings and answers, lines; just like what your standard fare of fortune tellers, horoscope writers, mediums, i.e. 'non magician' mentalists etc. are already doing. None of those 'fluff' that is used in standard 'mental magic', hence no feeling of 'magic trick' - It DOES NOT teach any 'mental magic' tricks i.e. peeks, switches etc. You'll have to learn the basics and build up some foundation of Q&A 'tricks' first, plus readings. Then you can build the stuff taught in this book around your own repertoire / methods.
The above paragraph is the main thing that should help you decide if you want to get this or not.
Basically, this book is good for mainly presentation for an effective Q & A presentation; techniques you can also use in other reading routines, e.g. tarot readings, astrology, etc, and controlling the performance and audience. Lots of advice regarding answering and performing. Exactly what the title says, it is just pure Q&A.
Impossible DEVINation
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by MARK L. (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 04 August, 2023)
The method solely relies on certain specifics that allow you to know the card chosen, which is quite obvious and no skill or anything required on the performer's part. The only skill required is regarding the presentation techniques, and variations of presentation where you hide the method that allows you to know the card.
It is exactly as described, however, what some of you may not like is that the presentation is situational/specific. You have to figure out ideas of why you need to present the divination that way. "Food for Thought" is an idea for the presentation.
TLDR; It's mostly about presentation around the easy method that allows you to tell the card easily. Only skill required in my own opinion is the presentation.