22 Blows to the Head Review

All of the major magic magazines publish reviews of current and newly released magic material; DVD's, books, tricks, etc. I have found for the most part that the reviews are helpful. Very rarely do I find a review that I really disagree with. In this review we'll take a quick look at Jay Sankey's 22 Blows to the head.

I met Jay when he lectured for the Mile-Hi magicians back in 1985 (has it been that long?). Since then, Jay embarked on launching a career in comedy clubs and then came back to the magic community as one of the most prolific creators today. Jay has the unique ability to think outside the box in magic and offer creations that are really different. But, unfortunately, I do not think these offerings are that outside of the box when it comes to mentalism.

The effects:
1. Graffiti - A spectator's own name appears on a card!
This is one of the strongest effects on the DVD. The spectators will wonder how in the world a card in your pocket has their personal name on it.
2. Homocide - Russian roulette with a hole punch!
Jay will fool you with this one. My only complaint is that the "work" to accomplish the effect is repeated several times over and over again for subsequent effects. The warning: you can't do two of these effects in the same show.
3. Laying on of Hands - A kick-ass three phase demonstration!
4. Mute - Mentalism with jingle bells!
5. Simply Divine - So easy, so satisfying!
6. Resistance is Futile - The ultimate psychic packet trick!
7. Casualties of War - You'll love the presentational "hook!"
8. Divided Attention - A picture is worth a thousand words!
9. Fade Away - Jay has sold this item alone for 20 bucks!
10. Black Market - Mentalism with matches!
11. Mercurial Prediction - This drops the most jaded of jaws!
12. Symbolic - A very clever variation on a classic!
13. Shufflecutdeal - The spectator does everything!
14. Formal Affair - Jay's pet handling for bending a spoon!
15. Confession - "Out of this World" leaves the galaxy!
16. Reinactment - You'll grin like an idiot every performance!
17. Vital Statistics - A lean, mean, devastating machine!
18. Memory Lapse - Cause a spectator to forget a thought!
19. Greed - "Bank Night" with a difference!
20. Hide, Keep & Give Away - Three blows to the head!
21. Serial Killer - The best "reading" of a borrowed bill ever!
22. Locked Room Mystery - A terrifying "over the phone" effect!
A great effect for publicity or to book a show. The spectator receives a package with a deck of cards and he/she cuts freely. The magician then tells the spectator which four cards he chose, one of which the spectator has not looked at.

The remainder of the effects are self explanatory.

What I like: The effects are easy to to do, except perhaps the hide, keep and give away, which will require you know how to do a pass. They are for close up situations and will get the attention of the spectator.

I also like is Jay seems to have calmed down in this offering. In many of the DVD's Jay jumps around like a fellow who has forgotten to take his Ritalin. This is just a personal preference but I find the manic Jay to be very distracting rather than the straightforward descriptions that are on this DVD.

What I don't like:
1. Fire the camera man. Whoever filmed this might have thought he was being artsy. Though the scene cuts are fine, there are a few of the segments that seem like they were filmed on a boat rocking side to side- I find this annoying.
2. Fire the set decorator- This appears to be filmed inside of a huge open loft apartment. Though it is neat and clean, Jay bounces all over the place for each trick and uses cases, tables, etc. upon which to perform the effects. This is just a personal preference.

Personal opinion dept: 30.00 is a lot to spend for a DVD. But if you are just beginning mentalism this might be a good investment. There are 22 effects, half of which you could put into a show with little effort. So Jay delivers on this DVD a good buy for the money.

But I do feel there is a difference between a magician doing mentalism tricks and a mentalist doing mentalism. With the former, the spectator can think that the fellow is clever and is doing tricks. In other words, they have an explanation (however unplausible) in the back of their minds. With the latter, there is the "locked room" or reasonable doubt explanation. By that I mean a good mentalism effect ought to appear as if there is no solution or at least a reasonable doubt about a solution. For example, if you watch the movie "The Illusionist" Edward Norton carries a persona that makes you wonder whether he does have some powers. There's enough doubt to say that he might just be a clever magician. But there is the reasonable doubt (within the story line) that he might have a power of some sort. This means that one has to frame the mentalism with a persona that gives it an air of reasonable doubt. This likely means that one should be advised to take the material Jay has put out and wrap it around your own personality (read: this doesn't mean you should dress all in black).

Conclusion: again, if you're just getting into mentalism you might consider this a good buy.