Price$44.95
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedJul 03, 2009
The Unusual Suspect DVD
Matthew Wright
(Based on 1 review)
You will see six high-impact performance pieces that have been audience-tested over hundreds of performances then join Matthew in the studio to learn how and why these routines work. Each routine has been meticulously thought out and honed to perfection. These are routines that you will learn and immediately be able to use in your own repertoire. Each piece is accompanied by a brilliant presentation and also high entertainment value.
On this DVD you will learn:
Calzaghe's Opener:
A workhorse card routine that is full of energy, magic and really lets them know that you have arrived! This is the piece that Matthew will immediately get into upon approaching a group of people.
Final Destination:
Matthew's highly visual ending to his three fly routine - it begins in the classic way but on the final coin, they actually see it float across - has to be seen to be believed. Performed LIVE in the bar, then every detail is covered in the explanation, including setup, performance and another of Matthew's great presentations!
Mental Mullica:
A fantastic prediction effect using the premise of money, a bet and whole lot of entertainment. This routine will put your Mullica wallet to full use and uses no forces of any kind, just a very devious method!
Mint:
Matthew has taken a classic effect by Derren Brown and given it his own unique twist and presentational angle that makes this a real-world worker. A thought of card vanishes from the deck, only to reappear in a mint packet that has been in full view the whole time!
Mullica's Nightmare:
A wonderful alternative presentation for the ambitious card that is well removed from the norm. Matthew has added another of his unique presentational slants and some creative thinking to turn this into a routine that is so much more than a card repeatedly rising to the top of the deck!
The Big Finish Card Trick:
Multiple selection routines come in all shapes and forms but in this particular version Matthew has created a handling specifically to be performed under-fire in almost any conditions. This is an excellent routine that gets everyone involved and builds in terms of method, structure and once again a brilliant presentation.
"Matthew has created one of the best close up shows I have ever seen. His balance of drama, humour and jaw dropping technique is refreshing! Students of our art will be delighted with his first offering to our magic community."
- Jeff McBride
Running Time Approximately: 2hr 06mins
Reviews
(Top ▲)
On to the effects
Calzaghe's Opener (4.5/5):
This is a good effect and a good opener in a set. I'm not 100% convinced that it's the best effect for opening cold at a table. However, that aside, it's still an incredible effect. It's a multiphase interactive card effect that gets multiple people involved and is very high impact. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars is that you need to also have a "card to wallet" wallet and an Omni Deck, so if you don't already have these two items, doing this effect will cost you more money.
At the end of the explanation of this effect you'll learn two excellent ideas that are quite possibly worth the price of the DVD. For that reason, I think I'll bump the rating up to 4.5
Final Destination (4/5):
Again another brilliant routine. First of all, one of the simplest, least convoluted and cleanest 3 fly I've ever seen. Secondly, Wright's solution for the final coin is to literally have it slowly float from his left hand to his right hand. Again, I docked it a little bit because you need to own a couple of special coin gimmicks, one of which you have to modify.
Mental Mullica (4/5):
I see a trend developing . . . 5 star tricks that I knock down a point because you have to own expensive props. This one requires a Mullica Wallet and special deck of cards. But again, the effect is killer. There's a lot of fun by play in the presentation, and there's a nice gambling hook with the routine. Beautiful.
Mint (4.5/5):
While this one also requires a gimmicked deck (Kennedy's Mind Power Deck), Wright does teach a method without it, but that still requires a bit of a special deck. However, it's much more likely that you'll have this alternative option kicking around the house. Also, I think it's actually a better effect as well. That aside, this is just a super clean thought of card to impossible location with a very solid presentational premise/hook.
Mullica's Nightmare (4.5/5):
Talk about a presentation piece. The routine really showcases Wright's audience management and interaction skills as well as his technical prowess. It's an excellent combination of a few different plots all rolled up into one smooth and powerful routine.
The Big Finish Card Trick (3.5/5):
I've never been a huge fan of multiple selection routines, mainly because they're too long. However Wright has a good solution for that problem by revealing several cards at once. The kicker ending is card from mouth. I've also never been a fan of that because it's just disgusting, and Wright's is no exception . . . it's pretty nasty with the faux gagging and coughing, etc. However, if you like multiple selection routines and card in mouth, you'll love this version. It's pretty streamlined and straight forward.
The bonus section contains some live footage that will be useful in helping you learn a particular concept used in a few of the effects. It's the kind of thing that has different outcomes each time you do it. Seeing it performed multiple times for different audience members really helps solidify the technique.
The average of the effects alone is 4.2 Stars. Add in the little extras that you learn from watching a pro plus the bonus extras, and you've got at least a 4.5 star product. However, in today's market, $45 is a bit high for 6 routines, especially when five of the routines require you to own some pretty expensive props that you may not have. Granted, some of these props are things you probably should own, but I totally get not wanting to spend $45 dollars only to find out that I've got to fork over at least another $200 or more dollars for the gimmicks I'll need.
Final Verdict 4 stars with a Stone Status of Gem!