Card Stunts (VHS) Review

Official Review

January 5th, 2010 9:22am Rating:

Reviewed by Jeff Stone

Before reading the review, you should note that I have the DVD, not the VHS, so there may be some differences. Having said that, Gregory Wilson is a stud. I love watching him perform in front of an audience. He really knows how to have a good time and have fun with the audience, and most times it's all about having fun and less about the magic. Watching him perform is truly astonishing. This video, Card Stunts, is loaded with good solid material. His Heavyweight boxing routine alone is worth purchasing this DVD. This is a fast-paced routine where the card box appears and vanishes and the cards end up in the box and out of the box. Super smooth, and super entertaining. This was a Penguin Magic production, and the quality is top notch. The only major complaint I have about the product was the fact that he performed Paul Harris's effect Double Decker, but did not explain it. If you're familiar with Paul Harris and his work, you're likely familiar with this effect, but it would be nice to see his tips and pointers and his handling. I don't mind a DVD that has a performance only section if it's part of a trailer or an advertisement on the DVD. However, when it's part of the performance routine, and they don't teach it, it's a bit annoying. A lot of this material was Paul Harris-based. In fact, at least 4 effects were basically Wilson's handling of Harris effects. However, it's still worth it. Wilson brought some groovy ideas to the table. Phoenix Split is a variation of Las Vegas Split by Paul. Also, Reset with a Hook is, of course, Paul's Reset effect. This one, I will say that I liked Wilson's handling until the end. It was a bit anti-climatic. The end was supposed to be the "big change that makes this version better," but I'm not seeing it. Moving on, Boomerang Card of Death is awesome, and will likely take you the rest of your life to master, but so worth it. Another thing I've noticed about this and other Wilson videos is that sometimes the performance is done one way, and the explanation either leaves out a step or is different from the performance method. Such is the case in the performance and explanation of Boomerang Card of Death. Boxspring is a killer effect where the four aces "melt" through or "pop out" of the closed up card box. G Force is probably, in my opinion, the weakest link on the DVD. It's basically him forcing the same card on the same person 3 or 4 times in a row with a transpo at the end. It's all a bit confusing. Finally, Revelation in Spades is an excellent effect. This is basically a thirteen card revelation without having cards selected. I read Marlo's ten card revelation in his book Early Marlo. I thought the revelations were beautiful; in fact I use some of them to this day. However, I didn't like the idea of having 10 cards selected and returned. The rhythm and pacing of that can be a bit boring. Wilson's effect, Revelation in Spades takes the selection and return process out of the mix. This really is a thing of beauty to watch when Wilson performs it. As he points out several times in the DVD: he's a really lonely guy. It shows by how dang good he is. GEM!

Product info for Card Stunts (VHS)

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Card Stunts is Gregory Wilson's complete Close-up card act performed live from the Magic Castle. This is extremely visual card magic that hits 'em right between the eyes with speed, impact and mid-air acrobatics. HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING The card box magically and mysteriously jumps out of your pocket and back around the deck - TWICE. PHOENIX SPLIT Four aces magically appear at your fingertips one at a time -- with your sleeves rolled up. RESET WITH A HOOK A jacked-up, nitro-burning demonstration of derring-do that masterfully motivates why the four aces change place with the jacks. BOOMERANG CARD OF DEATH A playing card shoots from the middle of the deck, high into the air, reverses direction mid-flight and plunges back into the deck -- between two selected cards -- with only one hand. BOXSPRING One at a time, the four aces sneak our of a completely closed and ungimmicked card case. JOKE IN THE BOX Finally, 'Card Under Glass' without getting your cards wet. The bone dry (signed if you like) oker jumps from the deck and under the card box -- twice. Then, for the surprise finish, instead of under, it goes. . . inside the box. Gentlemen, start your Sharpies. G FORCE An unsuspecting spectator selects the same card three times in a row. You top things off with a transposition that leaves them in vertigo. REVELATION IN SPADES Find thirteen cards in a row - in perfect order.