"Function 9" DVD by Calen Morelli
Suggested Retail USD$39.95
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Function 9", a DVD by Calen Morelli, is a rare thing: a collection of effects with both little-used and well-used items where every piece is creatively strong, visually striking, and entirely entertaining. Morelli has hit the ball out of the park here.

I have to admit, I haven't been following Morelli's work. This one got me interested because of two pieces that just sounded right up my alley. I ended up pretty much glued to the tube, watching Morelli's stuff and enjoying it and then watching the explanations to see some of the slickest, clearest thinking to come along in a while. This is tremendously good stuff.

There are only nine effects, so let's look at them a bit closer.

"VGH(a)" has a selected card jumping from the deck to your hand, then from your hand to the spectator's. This one would be just as pedestrian as you could ask for except Morelli adds some touches to make this visual and magical. Watching the card almost appear to slide around was a treat and a head-cocking moment.

"VGH(b)" takes the added pieces from "VGH(a)" to create a visual version of Paul Harris' "Grasshopper" effect. Morelli puts it in the hands, which is a good touch, but the visuals here are the best part. Both "VGH(a)" and "VGH(b)" are fairly easy to perform, though a bit "knacky" in a couple of places.

"Pen in Bottle" had me yawning while the pen and bottle were produced from Morelli's shoe, but then before I could blink twice that pen was inside that bottle and I was a goner. Morelli shows some excellently twisted, gutsy, thinking here that works and works well. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely worth a look.

"Transport" was the one that I was captivated with from the ads. When I saw it, I was hooked. A rubber band, wrapped around your cellphone, vanishes as visually as you could want and appears on the spectator's phone that they've had in their hands since the start. This is one of those "worth the price of the disc" things you sometimes hear about.

"Suspended" is another one that is so good it's scary. You begin with a rubber band held between your hands and stretched out. Another rubberband hangs on it. Suddenly, the top half of the stretched rubber band vanishes, leaving the hanging rubberband, well, hanging out in space. This one is as pretty as it is weird.

Now "Loaded" did do much for me. A chosen card vanishes to appear under your foot or in your hat, then the deck, minus the chosen card, likewise vanishes to appear under foot or under the hat. This is pretty slick, and looks good, but it's just not my thing. It's definitely workable, though, and it might fit you where it didn't me.

"Friction" was like a sucker effect meant strictly for me. A rubber band is held, a bill is looped over it, then the bill penetrates the band. As I watched this, I was sure it was the old dodge that went out of style with Grant (you know the one I mean). Then all of a sudden, Morelli put the bill back on the band, but just barely, leaving it attached at just one of the folder corners. My jaw dropped. He got me good with this one. This one will be a winner for many a performer.

"Sugar Free" has a piece of Dentyne Ice jumping from it's bubble-plastic card to your mouth in a flash. This looks good and is easily done, but just one of those things that doesn't fit me all that well. The working, though, is one to be seen just to appreciate the sneakiness Morelli used here.

Lastly, there's "Transit". I can tell you right now I'm not leaving the house without this one. A rubberband is wrapped around the index finger and, with a wave but no cover, the rubberband jumps to the middle finger. Then to the ring finger. Then to the thumb of the opposite hand where it's handed out. This is beautiful work here.

That should give you an idea of what you're getting here. I'm not covering everything -- there are a few bonus things here and there that are pretty intriguing in their own right -- but this is the main stuff that reflects Morelli's talents most accurately.

Or, put another way: damn, this guy is good.

Now, there's some work to be done with virtually everything here: you're going to need to do some arts and crafts stuff. For those that are challenged by such things, don't worry. Morelli's material utilizes nothing all that complicated (or dangerous for us klutzes). We're talking very basic things here. And for the most part, once made, you won't need to "re-make" anything for a good while.

Yeah, Morelli's magic is creative and practical. Go figure.

I have to admit to not knowing much about Morelli's work, but if this is any indication at all what he's capable of, then we've got one clever, creative thinker out there who is pushing the envelope while keeping things workable and practical.

There's one one problem with watching "Function 9": as soon as it was over, I wanted more. And I'm going to be eagerly awaiting Morelli's next release... while I make rubberbands jump from one cell phone to the other and perform some of the other great pieces here.

This one is highly recommended and then some.

"Function 9" by Calen Morelli
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Material: 10
The material here goes all over the place, with cards, rubber bands, cell phones, gum... everything but the kitchen sink in play here. The only consistency is Morelli's clever thinking and that sets the bar high here.

Practicality: 9
This is what some would call "street" magic so Morelli created things with that venue in mind: other than losing some pocket space to the assorted gaff here and there, these are all very practical pieces.

Quality of Production: 7
The production values here are fine, though some of the camera work leaves a little to be desired and some editing for content would have made it more polished. Still, there is no real hindrance to learning the material here.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Morelli does a great job of teaching his material, going over it with a fine-toothed comb. Of particular note is the extra attention spent on constructing the gimmicks and gaffs. This is excellent work.

Presentation: 9
It's "street", so it's all about appearances and less about premise. Still, Morelli's material is good enough to be entertaining on its own, and flexible enough that those wanting more from a presentation can surely add it.

Shane

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