TSCTW (The Smallest Card Through Window) by Magicshop

Again another DVD without dialogue by Ralf Ruolph of Germany/Hannoer. In this 20 minutes DVD, you’ll learn how to make the corner of a signed card penetrate a watch’s glass.

The DVD is easy to understand even though there are no dialogues. A choice of English and German subtitles are given to choose from.

You’ll need to prepare the watch. Preparation may take a little effort but will be easy when you are familiar with it. You can’t use any type of watches. The recommended watches are the cheap ones which you won’t have problems getting your hands on. There are some sleights involved which can be modified to suit your ability.  Ralf Ruolph recommends the watch to be given away as a souvenir. But if you do not want to give away, you can still keep the watch and use it again.

Some nice thinking here. A good effect that is not too difficult to do.

Recommended. 4/5 

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Triumph by Oz Pearlman and Penguin Magic

A DVD just on Triumph routines. There are many variations in this DVD, some of them requires the use of a table and some can be done standing up.

The Original Triumph routine by Dai Vernon is taught here. Oz has a nice patter which blends into this routine. 

Renegade is done on the hands and this is very easy to do. This variation works well in a walk-around situation as it is impromptu. 

Color Changing Triumph routine has a kicker ending where the card’s back changes color. This is another one that looks difficult but is easy to do. No special cards used but a simple set-up.

Four Ace Triumph, this version doesn’t require the spectator to select a card. Set-up is easy and this is a very good lead-in to a 4 ace routine.  

Emerge Triumphant looks like the original classic version except that it ends with a kicker where the deck arranges itself in a new deck order. A in the hand false riffle shuffle that makes this routine works is taught here. This move is taught in detail here. 

Triumph Transportation is a short routine. The deck is divided into 2 piles, one pile is mixed face up and face down whilst the other pile is all face down. The spectator holds the face down pile in their hands while the performer holds the mixed pile. The piles magically transport themselves, the spectators pile is now mixed and the performer’s pile is now all facing down. This requires some work but it’s strong as the magic happens in the spectator’s hands. 

The Middle Deal is a gambling based routine with no set-up. Again, this has the Triumph routine built in. You need to be able to do the second deal (you don’t need to be perfect) in order to perform it. The second deal is taught briefly here.

Oz Pearlman has also added “Up the ladder” false cut. This false shuffle really makes the deck  looks mixed up. It’s a very nice way of enforcing that the deck is mixed when nothing is happening at all. Besides this, he also teaches Daryl Martenez’s Cut Display. There is very fooling to the eye, easy to do as well as convincing.

A brief history of Triumph is included at the end of the video. Very interesting facts and credits.

Overall, I think this is a nice compilation of the Triumph routines. There is so many versions here and there’ll be one that suits you. Rating 4/5.

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Tivoliland 2 by Arthur Tivoli – DVD

This DVD was recorded in a real restaurant. You can choose the languages (English or French) in the DVD. The performance and explanation is in French and if you were to choose English, it’ll be a voice over. At times (during the explanations), Arthur’s voice is in conflict with the English voice over. This can be annoying at times as you are hearing 2 voices at one time.

The routines in this DVD are grouped into 3 sets. You can perform these sets to tables that are near each other without repeating effects that were performed before. The routines in the DVD are simple to perform, making a restaurant performer’s job easier; they’ll just need to concentrate on the presentation. The most difficult move in this DVD would be the Mercury fold, which most card workers will already know.

The routines blend well in each set. Certain sets need to be performed when you are sure that you will not be disturbed by the service staff. There are some effects that starts early at the beginning of the set but will conclude at the end of the set.  An example would be the bill in the cap. The bill is vanished at the beginning of the set and will only be produced at the end of the set. But you can always change it to suit your needs.

All the effects taught here are easy to do and they are workers. You’ll want to buy this to learn how to routine your effects. Arthur is a very good teacher which explains everything in detail. This DVD is recommended. Rating. 3.5/5

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Thread by Wayne Houchin

When I first saw this performed, I was like “Wow! That’s some crazy stuff.” After  watching the DVD, its still wowed me. The effect is shocking and it looks really convincing. This is the type of effect that will make people talk about for a long time.

There are 2 methods taught in the DVD. The first and main method allows you to perform only once each time you set-up. This method looks convincing and shocking. The other method allows you to perform as and when you want as long as you make the gimmick in advance. You can make several gimmicks to stand by which makes this method suitable for walk around performance.

Besides this effect, the Gypsy Thread is also taught here. This effect may not be new, but Wyane Houchin does a great job in teaching this effect. Gypsy Thread is a very nice effect and can be performed surrounded. It’s easy to do but you need to prepare the set-up each time you performed.

Overall, I think this is a very nice DVD but I have to warn you that performing it using the Geek method may cause harm in the long run. I’d probably do this for VIPs using the Geek method and use the sleight method for other performance.

Recommended 4/5.

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Thoughtless by Peter Nardi

This one is similar to Dean Dill’s Blizzard but easier to do. Though it involves the use of 2 decks, the effect is strong and easy to do. This effect is almost self-working. When I say almost, it’s because you have to do a half-pass. For beginners, don’t be intimidated by this sleight, you have all the misdirection to do the move and Peter Nardi explains how to do this clearly. This would not be a problem for beginners.

Peter Nardi has also added a streamlined version which is suitable for the walk-around magicians. The streamline version uses 1 deck but the effect is still as good. Overall, I think this is a strong effect and it is worth taking a look. 

Rating 4 /5

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Third Eye by Andrew Mayne – Book

Andrew Mayne has many items in the market. So are really good and some not bad. Unfortunately, this item doesn’t fall under the “really good” category.

This 16 page book has a total of 4 routines. All of them are book tests using a magazine. The first two routines use the same method. This method is not new and they are not foolproof. Andrew Mayne has thought out an out should the method fail. What I don’t like about the method is they rely on calculations. Some people are just not convinced when calculations are involved.

The other 2 routines’ method is a lot better. There are no preparations for all the routines and they can be done impromptu. If you are a fan of book tests, then this is for you.

Rating 3.5/5

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