The set also drags slightly in Disc 4, which is dedicated entirely to “Mentalism.” Watching ten different men in black turtlenecks guess your number is tedious if you’re not a hardcore enthusiast.
The Armchair Skeptic
Here is the warning label this set should come with: You will never enjoy a live magic show again. Ultimate Magic Video Collection
Once you learn the “Elmsley Count” or the secret behind “Cold Reading,” the innocence is gone. I watched a street magician on vacation do the “Cups and Balls” routine. A year ago, I would have applauded. Last week, I leaned to my wife and whispered, “He’s using a gimmicked final load and a misdirection sweep on the right.” She asked for a divorce. (Not really, but she was annoyed.) The set also drags slightly in Disc 4,
First, the production value is absurdly high. We’re not talking about a guy in a sparkly blazer filmed in a hotel conference room. This collection spans six discs, covering everything from Victorian parlor tricks to modern street magic that will make you question the laws of physics. I watched a street magician on vacation do