"Magic Castle Performance Live" DVD by Ed Ellis
Suggested Retail USD$25.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Ed Ellis' latest DVD offering, "Magic Castle Performance Live", is a worthy successor to his previous releases, excellently done, that not only shows Ellis' full performance of his previously released Magic Castle performance, but also tips the work on some things that make this DVD a solid gem.

In a way, this is a very schizophrenic disc. There's Ellis' "performance only" section of the titled routine. Then there's Ellis' in-depth look at flourishes involving a single card. Then there's his "card-in-shoe" routine. Finally, there's a beginner's section covering some basic card sleights.

It's a scatter-shot approach to making a magic disc, that's for sure. And truthfully, it feels disjointed to watch. But once you've put that past you, you're looking at some incredible material here that make this a must-have for card workers.

Take the titled "Magic Castle Performance Live". This is the full routine Ellis performed at the Magic Castle. While most of it is taught on previous Ellis discs, watching Ellis put the whole thing together is a lesson in structuring a professional card act. A careful eye will catch Ellis' meticulous work on timing, blocking, acting, cueing, and pretty much every other aspect of performance artistry. For the serious worker, this is worth the price of admission.

Ellis' "Single Card Style", though, is really what won me over. I flat-out don't like the flourishy flinging of cards around in some masturbatory expression of egoism (I'll save that poison for another time). So here comes Ellis with card flourishes. However, there's a difference in evidence here: when Ellis does a flourish, it's to add a bit of skill to the apparent magic, an accent mark to the impossible. It's a subtle melange, that mixture, and Ellis pulls it off beautifully. Here, then are almost three dozen ways of performing flourishes with a single card. "Style" this definitely is and, while it may not fit everyone, some will find this worth the price of the disc. For those keeping count, I'm of of those "some".

"Card From Shoe"... Now there's a routine I was never crazy about. Ellis' routine though ranks up there as one of the best versions out there. It's as natural a looking take on the classic as you could ask for, and listening to Ellis frame it for those times when you have an accident with your deck (meaning you're standing, but your deck is laying on the floor) was worth a chuckle or two. All in all, it's a nice routine and worth checking out to see Ellis' touches.

Perhaps with all this mastery in evidence, the "Beginner's Section" feels very much out of place. But Ellis' takes on the sleights -- little things at times -- are still a worthy inclusion on the disc and maybe, just maybe, teach a few dogs a thing or two.

Now, I'm biased: I love Ellis' work. It's consistently spectacular material from a stellar performer and never fails to give me a few new toys to play with. This disc is more of the same and that same is excellent stuff. For the card-worker, there's a lot to learn from here and you can't ask for a better, more experienced teacher.

"Magic Castle Performance Live" DVD by Ed Ellis
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Material: 10
There's much here for a card-worker to love. First is the titled routine, which is an education all it's own. Then there are the flourishes which are pretty and skillful without being showy. After that is a great "card-in-shoe" and a section for beginners but which is valuable to the more advanced worker as well. Simply put, this is one fine collection of material.

Practicality: 10
While a good section of the disc is performance only, what material is taught requires nothing more than a deck of cards and the benefit of Ellis' knowledge.

Quality of Production: 10
Once again, the production values of Ellis' discs are incredible and truly define what magical productions should be: multi-camera shoots, great camera work, wonderful sound, and all sorts of theatrical touches that make this both a pleasure to watch and simple to learn from.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Ellis is a phenomenal instructor and his teaching his shows his skills. Even the trickier work is broken down so well it's a breeze to work with. Big thumbs up here.

Presentation: n/a
Granted, the performance in an education in presentation, but when it comes to the rest of the disc, it's all in what you do with it.


Shane

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