Hi everyone, I was wondering which set would be a better purchase John Guastaferro's Brainstorm or the Tommy Wonder Set? I did do a search and the reviews are all possitive, but if it were between the 2 sets, which is better? Thanks in advance

If you are a serious student of magic, Tommy Wonder's Dvd is choise. Tommy teaches not just tricks but even the psychology, choreopgraphy, even the emotions involved. Tommy's Dvd is Choc Full! From close up to Stand up.

John's Dvd is also great but I would have to pick Tommy. Just make sure you get John's dvd too later on.

Anything by Tommy Wonder is worth looking at. Although I haven't read his books yet, I hear they are much better than the dvds.

Tommy wonder would definately be the choice. However, some of the material you will not be able to perform because it is impossible to make or you just wont go thru the trouble to make it althought the effects are phenomenal. Eg, The Ring, The Watch and The Wallet, Nest of Boxes.

Brainstorm without a doubt would be my choice. Lots of startling but quite easy card magic. Tommy Wonder stuff is good, looks like real magic but I guess it won't be performed by 99.99% of those who've watched it. Just my view though!

I agree with Gary. If you want to buy videos just to be able to say you've seen a magic legend, go with Wonder. If you want to buy a video with practical and creative magic that you can/will actually perform, there is no doubt that John G's videos are the best of the year in that category. (tied with the Alexander dvds). I have the Books of Wonder and have said this before on this board. Sure it is great looking through the eyes of someone like Tommy Wonder, but unless you are Bob Villa, forget about it. Even Bob would struggle with some of these creations.

Tommy Wonder, hands down.

Peo

Thanks a lot guys. I respect and appreciate all of your opinions & advise.

The reviews on both DVD sets have been good.

Yes, I have heard that some of the effects on the Tommy Wonder DVD's would require an engineers degree to create.

BUT....

I have also heard that the value in these DVD's is in Tommy's thinking about magic/effects/etc.

So....

If you want a set you can use to help improve everything magical about you through thinking, practicing, application, and reflection, then the Tommy Wonder DVD's are for you.

If you are after a little bit more "instant gratification", then go with the Brainstorm set. Either seem like a good buy, but the Wonder DVD's will last you far longer through your career.

Tommy, Tommy, TOMMY!!!!!!

John is excellent also, however.

I'd go with Brainstorm. If you're looking for some hard hitting stuff that you can actually perform go with it. Wonders stuff is unbelievable, but not very practical--for me at least. If your new or looking for more tricks for your arsenal--go with Brainstorm.

Well, I haven't seen Tommy's DVDs, but I have both of the books, and I can say that some of his material requires a lot of preperation and construction, but he has some other material that is easily acceptable, such as Deja Revurse. While I haven't seen Tommy perform most of his work, I'm sure the DVDs are just as good as the book, if not better, for the reason that you can watch him perform his tricks. So, after all is said and done, my vote is for Mr. Wonder.

John's are all cards ( that's ok ).

Tommy shows why he is Master and revered.

I am going to watch the performance segments on my Wonder DVD's right now!!!!

Again I think this boils down to what you prefer in a magic video/dvd/book. If you like theory, Wonder is for you. I personally hate theory regardless of who it is so I prefer dvd's with practical mindblowing material. John G delivers here. Creative thinking that produces practical material that is different from what you have seen before. Take my views with a grain of salt however. After 20 years in this biz I'm slightly jaded and prefer my theory over the theories of others. To each his own I guess.

Thanks again everyone. I do like theory and (obviously like all of us) like mindblowing effects, so I just purchased the Brainstorm set. I will puchase Tommys set soon (after Banachek's new dvds). Take care.

Yeah, Brainstorm is full of great useable material