"Clutch" DVD by Oz Pearlman
Suggested Retail USD$20.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 6 Out of 10

"Clutch", a new release by Oz Pearlman, is, unfortunately, an older plot with little new to the method that is saved from complete worthlessness by Pearlman's thoughts on the theme and presentation.

Just reading the description for this one is enough to produce yawns from the more traveled of our number. A spectator selects a card, the card is lost in the deck, the deck is put into a spectator's pocket, the performer reaches in and withdrawals the selected card.

Whee.

Okay, so I'm jaded just a tad. Okay, so I'm jaded just a lot. But when you've seen this thing everywhere from Mark Wilson to Darwin Ortiz, you get that way. Usually, a striking new thought, a clever line of presentation, or the like can snap me out of it. Usually, Pearlman is more striking and clever himself. Here, I was left feeling, well, let down.

The big thing with "Clutch", apparently, is a high level of openness and fairness. I'm not even going to count how many times the word "fair" is used in the ad copy; we'll just say it's used a lot. Unfortunately, it's just not all that fair. True enough, the deck is borrowed. Likewise, the spectator picks any old card, returns it to the deck, and shuffles the deck. Then the performer puts the cards into the card box and closes it. Oops. Not so fair. And at that point I pretty much lost interest.

But being fair myself, Pearlman did his best here. This is, simply, the way it's done. Pearlman added a couple of touches to keep palming out of the picture and added a nice control to things to eliminate some of the more painfully overdone sleights, but in the end, this is really still the same-old-same-old.

And, really, that's not bad at all.

Pearlman saves us from a re-tread here by his presentational pieces and his thinking about this routine. Making it almost a challenge of an effect, Pearlman adds some much needed theatrics here that really sell this. I can believe this plays well for him for two reasons: he's worked on this thing for ages and it shows, and this truly is a classic because it plays so well.

However, if you've been exposed to this routine at all, you're not likely to find much new here to satisfy you. Plainly and simply, you'll be disappointed. The dreaded phrase "That's it?" will come from your lips and you'll be unhappy.

If you're newer to things, maybe not a rank amateur but let's say a neophyte, then "Clutch" is a fine place to learn a great classic routine and a couple of killer sleights that you'll need to pick up eventually anyway.

And really, that's who is likely to benefit most from "Clutch".

"Clutch" DVD by Oz Pearlman
In a Blink: 6 Out of 10

Material: 2
This is an old trick, redone with a couple of sleights to make it a little more "hands-off" but the working is still essentially the same and likely to disappoint anyone that's been around the block a time or two. The only saving grace? Pearlman's presentional points and thinking which save this from being a complete waste of time for all but beginners.

Practicality: 10
One thing you have to say about "Clutch": it's extremely practical. Have cards, can do. It's as simple as that.

Quality of Production: 7
This was a bit of a let-down, what with the shaky-cam and all. Still, though lower than usual, the production values won't stop you from learning this effect.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Pearlman does his usual masterful job of teaching everything -- and I do mean everything -- about his material.

Presentation: 10
And here's the big thing: Pearlman's presentation, a challenge if you were to classify it, along with a moderately open handling and perfect theatrics breath some life into this classic.

Shane

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