Reviews: Read What Others Are Saying: page 58
172 ★★★★★ reviews
121 ★★★★★ reviews
78 ★★★★★ reviews
123 ★★★★★ reviews
Brain Knewmerology
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Fred Rosenbaum (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 07 December, 2015)
I guess it's time for a real review. I just spent 9 bucks on these 2 books based on a description and a couple 2 line reviews. Big mistake. Ok, it's just $9, not that big a mistake but still a mistake.
Let's get right to the nitty gritty. The description says: you guide her through a quick mental process and finally reveal her thought to her utter amazement
Let's parse that sentence and expand it: Guide her - give exact instructions that must be carried out exactly or you fail. Quick mental process - math. This involves counting letters in their head, multiplication and addition. In front of people. Under pressure. And even an off-by-one won't get you out of a mistake. It better be right. Finally reveal her thought - AFTER asking her the result of her calculation. I equate this to asking for a page number of a book test, either you can read minds or you can't. If you can, why do you need the number? If you can't, WTF ARE you doing? to her utter amazement - only if she's never seen a mental math trick, or any other mentalism. Or sufficiently distracted by the reading that she forgets everything she did up to that point.
I feel that needed to be said, I don't know if this review will stay posted or not. I'll try to remember to put a copy on my rosemagic.com review site that has all of the reviews I've written for the Linking Ring over the last 15 years.
Now that that's off my chest, what do I really think of this? It is a cute trick, it might fit your act early on, as you are establishing your powers, working up to the real stuff. It can be pulled off over the phone. I plan to experiment with an impression device, rather than expect the counting and math to be done in her head it's only polite to offer paper and pencil so she can 'do the math' then tear off the paper and keep it. Then you don't need to ask for the number. (And yes, I also have Advanced BK before anyone asks).
I've done worse for $9 (if you're in for $6 you might as well go all the way and shell out the price of another cup of coffee and get them both). You make the call but at least you are a little more educated.
Dark Horizon
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Kumar BNS (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 07 December, 2015)
This is cool mentalism which can evoke a crusading emotion. The theme of languages is very novel and gives the routine a timeless quality. I can see this playing very well. Mouth-watering presentation possibilities. I thank the Unknown Mentalist for keeping the prices of his amazing releases, highly affordable and great value for money.
Dark Horizon
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Michael Lyth (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 06 December, 2015)
for every creation man makes
therein is found a creative mind
that plants a seed that grows
into that what we have before use
but that too can stimulate another's mind
into another creative work and another's creative mind
soon all minds can be stimulated from one idea
that soon becomes many
from that one creative mind.
All effects in magic and mentalism start somewhere in history and soon become tomorrow's performers stage routine which help keep magic and mentalism continuing to grow stimulating the minds of others minds and souls.
Advanced Brain Knewmerology
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Michael Lyth
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 30 November, 2015)
Once again the creativity of the Unknown Mentalist thinking skills, shine through. with his new work. And like all his creative thinking a pleasure to read and apply stimulating my own mind as I learn from this creative mind
Excellent well done. Recommended to try at least one of his works or if like me all.
Kube Rishi
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mind Legend (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 28 November, 2015)
Excellent value for money. A total game changer as far as Rubik cube “Mentalism” is concerned. Without giving away too much, those in the know DO understand the difference between Rubik Magic & Rubik Mentalism. Two different worlds. I am not a regular Rubik enthusiast but was impressed with the product description to take the plunge and happy that I did. Path breaking ideas and thinking. Got exactly what I clearly and easily understood from the description. I am a convert now !!! The author has crammed this ebook full of practical and usable but unconventional ideas. Nothing held back. I am going to use a lot of this stuff.
Kube Rishi
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Wes Cameron
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 27 November, 2015)
Ad copy is misleading - where it states no memory work this is true but it makes no reference to the fact that you are required to refer to written/printed information.
You are also required to write over a cube which in essence makes it look 'odd' and unusable for anything else. NB When has writing black on dark blue been easy to read. The instructions for writing up the cube are also quite confusing.
Not the best idea(s) I've read for use of a Rubik Cube. If the author has video of him performing these routines I'd really like to see.
Kube Rishi
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Bhupesh Dave (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 27 November, 2015)
Pyramids and Dark Light are easily my favorites – a couple of basic Rubik principles have been creatively used. A lot of quality thinking has obviously gone into structuring the routines – the themes, the storylines, script, patter. It is so detailed and so thorough that sometimes it borders on seeming like a scholarly thesis for a doctorate. So this is definitely not an armchair hobbyist’s cup of tea. The Zerogram technique is just the tip of an iceberg and holds the potential for much further exploration. Now my ultimate aim is to be able to perform Limitless, which in my opinion is the crown jewel here and possible only for the seasoned and highly skilled mentalist.
Kube Rishi
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Prof Max (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 26 November, 2015)
If my memory serves me right, this is the first time ever that the unique features of a 3x3 Rubik Cube have been exploited in such depth for doing some great mentalism routines.
I tried a couple of these on a few of my students (teenagers) and it just blew them away. These youngsters are very much aware of the billions of possibilities on a Rubik Cube and this fact further heightens the impact.
Kube Rishi is like a lifetime of returns for a one time investment. The esoteric theme of life, destiny and destinations elevates the overall flavor of the routines.
Of course, this is not a typical Rubik Cube magic act where the focus is on the cube all the time and what is being done with the cube.
The big plus here is that the entire audience focus is on the performer and his 'special' abilities and the cube is reduced to a mere tool.
Also the fact that the performer does not have to keep on fiddling with the cube and the cube itself is with the audience most of the time is the killer feature.
Kube Rishi
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Doc Harris
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 26 November, 2015)
After reading the manuscript, I got the “why didn’t I think of this myself” feeling and I am sure you will get it too. Some brilliant applications of some seriously smart principles of Rubik’s Cube. The totally hands off approach is a true mentalist delight. Of course, this will bloom further in the hands of the serious mentalist and may not be suitable for the beginner.
Kube Rishi
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Balasubramanian Chandran (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 26 November, 2015)
So far, I was aware of Rubik cube magic by some great names and have always liked it. But now this approach to doing solid mentalism with a Rubik cube is very novel and refreshing. The routines are surely meant for the worker. The scripting and the themes have an air of mystique about them. The audience will get inexplicably drawn into the performer’s web, almost as if some spell has been cast.
Kube Rishi
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Kumar BNS (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 26 November, 2015)
Please don’t base your purchase decision on my comments. Because I am a self-confessed, chronic fan of the Unknown Mentalist’s works. So my opinion will be highly biased. According to me this is a ground breaking work on rubic cube mentalism. I expect nothing less than absolute fresh thinking from this author, which is what this release is filled with.
Kube Rishi
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Peter Arcane (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 25 November, 2015)
Save your cash unless you're not fussed about trashing a cube by writing all over it.
I'm sure this is amazing in the hands of the self-confessed lazy bug known as the Unkown Mentalist. For myself I'm struggling to see that amazement.
It's true there's no need to memorise the cube but to get the best out of these ideas you would need to memorise some other pieces of information.
Would this fit into a typical Rubik cube act, which is what I'm sure the majority of possible purchasers will ask - the simple answer no.
The whole thing just seems overly complicated, convoluted and just too clever for its own good, based on that - not recommended.
NB: 7 of the 48 pages are ads for other UK products.
Brain Knewmerology
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Mind Legend (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 25 November, 2015)
A "no sweat" process for the performer. A "mind blowing" experience for the participants. No props to carry and nothing to reset. "Brain Knewmerology" is that rare skill which I will now carry with me all my life and use it to repeatedly stun audiences anytime, anywhere.
Contact Colors (Italian)
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Simone Scaravella
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 25 November, 2015)
Salve,
Il gioco è molto Bello !!!! Io già lo conoscevo, da COMPRARE !!!!!!!
ma....non era meglio forse lasciare l'audio in Inglese ed aggiungere i sottotitoli in Italiano ????
Hello, The Trick is very Strong !!!! I already know, all magicians need to BUY !!!!!!! but .... it was perhaps best to leave the audio in English and add subtitles in Italian ????
Pocket Minds
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Vanish Magazine
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 21 November, 2015)
You receive an excellently produced booklet which details the workings on this wonderful little mentalism routine plus a well produced card (size of a playing card) that allows you to perform some very strong piece of mindreading. The card is professionally made and will easily fit in to your wallet so it is ready to go anytime. The card will allow you to perform five different effects with a very novel presentation of reading your spectator’s minds. Imagine being able to do a book test without actually carrying around a book - this is pretty much what Pocket Minds allows you to do. For anybody who likes to give personal readings to spectators this is the perfect way to lead in to it. By combining readings and the mentalism in here you will have an incredibly powerful little tool that will really connect with your spectators.
There are several methods involved and one in particular is used for most of the routines but with different results. What is really clever, and the first time I’ve seen this, is if a spectator calls “NO” you actually have a reason for this ‘NO’ and it proves to be a kicker. This is incredibly clever and I think the best version I’ve seen of this principle. It is amazing how much you can get out of this card and you could even do 15 minutes of performance using this if you wanted. You can involve one person or several people so it is perfect for any condition from stage to walk-about or just casual performances when asked to do something.
Effect 1 - a person thinks of their birth date and they end up choosing a word from one of 40 on the card and you are able to tell them the word. This is very direct and I’ve long been a fan of this method and have used it myself in my own book tests.
Effect 2 - this is a great follow up to the first effect and means you can repeat it. If you are with a group of people you could perform several effects at once, which is how I prefer to use this technique. The only thing with this effect is making sure your spectator can add numbers up. I would suggest having them use their calculator on their phone.
Effect 3 - This is a very interesting effect and the method very clever. It uses symbols and colors that are on the card and just by having the spectator ‘think’ of a shape you are able to tell them which one of the six shapes is in their mind. The method reminds me somewhat of an idea by Neal Scryer although the performance is different. A method you need to try to see how well it works.
Effect 4 - In this effect a spectator is asked to think of one of five elements that are on the card. Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space. As well as being able to tell them which one they are thinking of you can do the addition of giving them a reading. The method is the same as Effect 1
Effect 5 - Spectators are asked to think of one day in a week and again you are able to tell them which day is in their mind.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
It is obvious that a lot of thought has gone in to producing this amazing little card. I can imagine mentalists carrying this with them at all times and producing some incredible experiences for people. There are ideas in the manuscript on how to use this with your business card and handing it out at the end. There are also bonus ideas such as words that will have more impact in your mentalism routine and phrases used for patter in mentalism. I’m becoming a huge fan of The Unknown Mentalist as he is creating some really practical and clever products. This is a great example of a working performer and a great thinker. As the famous saying goes - “NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!” This should be the motto for Pocket Minds!
Calendario Cartomagico
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Simone Scaravella (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 19 November, 2015)
Si sperava che un' Opera Del grande Aldo avesse una traduzione curata come meritava.
Su ogni pagina appare scritto Calendario "CARTROMAGICO" ( PAROLA SBAGLIATISSIMA )
nel primo gioco si parla de 4 di Cuori ! ma invece la carta interessata è il 4 di FIORI !!
ergo la traduzione di Alex Borsci è stata fatta frettolosamente e con i piedi.
La cosa più fastidiosa è che ho stampato il libro.
Invito l'autore a rimediare !!
It was hoped that a 'Opera Of great Aldo had a translation prepared as he deserved. Calendar appears on every page written "CARTROMAGICO" (WORD totally wrong) in the first trick you talk of 4 of Hearts! but instead the card in question is the fourth of CLUBS !! ergo the translation of Alex Borsci was made hastily and with his feet. The most annoying thing is that I printed the book. I invite the author to correct !!
Personal Secrets
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Chet Cox
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 19 November, 2015)
Long ago, I picked this up from Harry - in physical form. You already know that Harry Lorayne is an international treasure, and we're VERY lucky to have this available for a mere $5. There are at least four different, fairly easy effects in here that you can't wait to learn and perform. There is at least one which, even though I've read it and know how it's "done," fooled me when Richard O. presented it to my wife & me. This isn't "card magic." This is magic that happens to use cards.
*jeep! and God Bless!
Amazers with Karma Deck
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Venu Vinjamoori VivenMagic
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 17 November, 2015)
I'm very excited because The Unknown Mentalist has released some seriously good e-books in the past. One of them being "Amazers " which was my favorite. and i cant stop myself practicing for couple of times and performing forever.
Brain Knewmerology
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Venu Vinjamoori VivenMagic
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 17 November, 2015)
the secret of "Brain Knewmerology" is nothing but a simplicity, i have been fascinated by Mentalism and Mathemagic. the "Brain Knewmerology" is mix of both worlds. i recommend this for every performer. Hats off to the Unknown Mentalist
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About The Faro Shuffle: but were afraid to ask
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by David Lawson
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 14 November, 2015)
There is no ACAAN included for a 52 card deck. The one given is for a 51 card deck. If you are looking for AACAAN (almost any card at any number) then this one may be for you, but for ACAAN - keep looking.
Amazers with Karma Deck
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Balasubramanian Chandran
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 13 November, 2015)
This is a nice collection. The routines are not only easy and self working but very highly entertaining and baffling. I especially enjoyed performing Tryst & Twist. In my opinion, this set of routines also brings out the true potential of the Karma Deck. It was mind boggling to note that the Karma Deck is full of very special hidden principles and these routines have exploited these principles with full impact. I have also enjoyed the mentalism slant of the routines.
Square Skills
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Balasubramanian Chandran
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 13 November, 2015)
This is stuffed and crammed with so many ideas and so many routines that I think multiple complete acts can be created with just this material. Simply carry the MAD paper in your pocket and you are ready to do a complete act anytime, anywhere. Actually this could have been released in 2 or 3 volumes. Excellent value.
The Funniest Three Card Monte in the World
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Dave Arch (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 11 November, 2015)
Obviously this routine has been honed through years of performance to its essential essence - making it a keeper as far as I am concerned. I hope he publishes more from his working repertoire. I like his direct and entertaining style.
Mediums Unmasked
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Claudia Conner (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 29 October, 2015)
Interesting reading and the old newspaper review at the end is especially entertaining. Well worth the $8 spent.
Understanding the Tamariz False Clues Method
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jamie Iannaco
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 26 October, 2015)
The content of this small manuscript is certainly worthy of review. It provides a nice overall review for those that have read The Magic Way, Our Magic, Magic & Showmanship and Showmanship for Magicians. The focus is of course on the Tamariz Eliminating False Solutions method. Other principles are briefly reviewed from the above mentioned books to support this method.
My criticisms of the manuscript are that the author seems to have a bit of disconnect between the topics that are briefly reviewed and the writing has some descriptive flaws (may be translation errors). Ironically, eliminating contradictions in performance and effect design are preached in the text but some of the examples contain these same contradictions. Intellectual and knowledgeable readers will find themselves mildly distracted by a few of the things the author states as fact.
Overlooking the above issues, I’d still say that this manuscript succeeds in teaching the concept it was written to teach. I also recommend anyone serious about their magic be familiar with the content. I’d like to say that reading the original source (The Magic Way, Tamariz) will make this manuscript unnecessary however, the aforementioned book, although wonderful, was also translated to English and has its own shortcomings when it comes to teaching the details of applying the concept to existing presentations (I have not read the new edition that was edited). There are also points added in the explanations that are not addressed in the original source. A lot of this relates to how your character and presentation fit into the False solutions method.
So the bottom line: This e-book is another resource to think about the application of a powerful technique developed by one of the shining intellects of the magic world. It is well worth studying and also as a review for the magician familiar with the method. Sometimes it helps just having it explained to you in a different way. It will hopefully stimulate the thinking of those that may benefit from a refresher course.