Magic Tricks

There's s saying that if you want recorded credit for effects that nobody else will ever perform then get them published in the Linking Ring, ideally without illustrations. This DVD is kind of like that.

I've never met Jeff Sheridan and get the sense that in person he is a wonderful person and a delightful performer. However, this DVD has him looking like a disembodied and somewhat ghoulish head/hands. Also, between the (lack of) sound quality and his extemporaneous presentation he sounds a bit like Christopher Walken.

Once passed the production issues there is a ponderous series of effects, many just different versions of the same thing and most that are, sorry other reviewers, not worth performing. For example, He has a nice idea for a T/R card except there's only one tear, the card can't be signed, it can't be selected, and it can't be examined either before or after the effect. Likewise, other effects he teaches have versions that already exist and provide more impact with less effort. Also, many of the effects need to be openers or require cagey get-readys involving fiddling in pockets or behind a performance case.

That said, there is an interesting false knot described with the first effect that, along with getting the DVD as an "Open Box" special, makes me feel not so bad about buying it.