James Sanden

In addition to being a Chicago magician, I’m also a magic reviewer, which means I review products designed for magicians for My Lovely Assistant, one of the largest magic product review sites on the internet.  It’s a great gig for a couple of reasons.  First, I simply enjoy writing.  As a professional magician, besides scripts for my magic shows, there’s little need for writing outside of advertising copy (and this blog, which is my other writing outlet.)  Second, being a reviewer requires that I think critically about magic products, identifying pro’s and con’s, determing the value to the average magician, etc.  I look at products from a more practical perspective.  Given that my natural inclination is to just acquire information without processing it (we magicians tend to love our secrets), bringing thought to the learning process is a good thing.  I also love the variety of products I get to review.  Sometimes I review items suitable for close up magic, other times for a stage magic show, but I also get to review kids show products as well.  Similar to writing, this allows me to exercise different parts of my magical brain.

My latest review is a DVD of close up magic called “Sick” by Ponta the Smith.  (You can see the trailer below.)  It’s a beautiful example of coin magic that isn’t taught with much detail.  (Here’s the entire magic review.)  Despite the lack of instruction, I still loved the DVD.  I might even include some effects from it in future magic shows.