"Kenton's Full House" DVD by Kenton Knepper
Suggested Retail USD$34.95
Available direct from Wonder Wizards
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"Kenton's Full House", the latest DVD by Kenton Knepper, is a collection of fun, quick routines whose methods are so simple they belie the power and the commercial value they carry.

I've always loved Knepper's close-up, "non-mentalism" pieces. They are, as a rule, always fairly simple to perform (which allows me to concentrate on my presentation) while being just different enough to be powerful pieces that leave a mark on spectators' brains. In some cases -- who am I kidding? -- in most cases, they are memorable enough to be something spectators will ask to see over and over.

So here we are with "Kenton's Full House", a collection of those close-up pieces that, once again, are easy to do but flat-out entertaining with at least one routine that may end up being your most requested performance piece.

The disc starts off with "Blues Balcony". In this one, two spectators choose cards which are returned to the red-backed deck. Using the tried-and-true presentation of the deck being marked, the deck is spread and the two cards found to now have blue backs. These are placed in front of the spectators, who cover their cards with their hands. The performer then tries to magically switch the backs of the selected cards with cards from the rest of the deck. In a nice visual moment, an indifferent card is waved over a spectator's hand and suddenly the back changes color from red to blue. The spectator lifts their hand and verifies their card is now back to red. When this is tried with the second card, the performer only gets "most of it" -- the face has now become blank.

Next is "Subliminally Wild". This is a quick packet trick that has always been one of my favorites. In this one, a few blank cards are shown along with a single card with a face but a blank back. Using "subliminal influence", the spectator continually picks the regular card from the packet. This is done a few times and, with the help of a little "suggestion", the performer shows her why she can't seem to do it (it would be telling to explain how this happens, but it's hilarious, especially after the fact). The suggestion is removed and all the cards are shown front and back to blank except the single card. This is one that folks will ask for over and over again.

"Kenton's Four Card Trick" is a very nice, very simple "twisting" routine. It's the usual thing (only in magic could we consider this "usual") where four cards turn face down one at a time. But in Knepper's version, right in the middle of the "twisting", the cards change from all red cards to black. This one is gaffed to the hilt but plays excellently. Add a couple of psychological touches and this is a winner.

"Slo-Mo Monte" is a "in the hands" monte-style effect. The "money card" is face down in a face up packet and jumps from the bottom of the packet to the middle over and over, then jumps to the top. Suddenly, one of the other cards magically changes into the odd card, which behaves in the same way. Finally, this card is put into the performer's pocket then jumps right back in between the other cards. Everything can be examined at the end and this is as simple a card effect as you can find. This is another of my favorites.

"Ultimate Diminishing Card" is Kenton's take on the modern classic. It's easy to do, nice and visual, and gets the reactions. While I'm not personally a fan of the effect, this is an excellent take on it and one worth a look.

I've saved the best for last: "Kenton's Legendary Sponge Ball Routine". This has been totally re-shot from the original, with better video and a live audience, and captures the routine in all its glory. This is, in short, one of the best sponge ball routines out there. It's quick, engaging, and entertaining... everything you could ask for. Throw in the laughs and some absolutely magical moments and this one is definitely, as the the ad says, "worth the price of the disc".

So that's the material and it's simply great stuff. As with any collection, everyone will have their favorites but for my money "Subliminally Wild", "Kenton's Legendary Sponge Ball Routine", and "Slo-Mo Monte" are worth the price of the disc. They are simply phenomenal works.

This is one I wholeheartedly recommend to those whose venues require quick, punchy, entertaining pieces that need a lot of maintenance. In other words, just about everyone.

Let's call this one "highly recommended" and then say, "That's an understatement".

"Kenton's Full House" DVD by Kenton Knepper
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Material: 10
These are some of Knepper's pet close-up routines and it's easy to see why. They all pack a rather simple method (sometimes striking in their easiness) but are fun, quick, entertaining pieces worth a gander by any stroller. This is simply excellent stuff.

Practicality: 10
As with any such collection, each routine has its own requirements, but taken as a whole set-ups are easy, resets quick, and angles not an issue. All in all, this is a very practical collection.

Quality of Production: 9
The sound and video are excellent, with only a slightly disappointing navigation being the only drawback here.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Knepper teaches everything excellently here, covering all the moves, timing, presentational points in detail.

Presentation: 10
If you know Knepper as a wizardly, almost other-worldly figure, you're in for a shock: these routines are all about fun. With little jokes here and there and quick stabs of magic to the spectator's brain, the presentations are all about simply being enjoyable and entertaining. In other words, they are commercial and they work.


Shane