"Siamese Twins" DVD by Bill Goodwin
Suggested Retail USD$20.00
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In a Blink: 5 Out of 10

"Siamese Twins", a DVD by Bill Goodwin, is an interesting take on the "Card Warp" plot, but unfortunately sacrifices a smooth handling for some interesting visuals and, in the end, is strictly something for "Card Warp" addicts only.

Unfortunately, I'm just such an addict and this one still left me cold except as an interesting novelty and not something I'd perform regularly if at all.

Also unfortunately, I can't put my finger on the reason.

"Siamese Twins" is a nice little routine. It's a multiphase piece with a card turning inside-out in a variety of ways (folded in quarters, in halves widthwise then lengthwise, etc.). It's easy to do, very practical, and at times has some pretty visuals.

But for all of that, I just can't find myself liking it much.

Maybe it's because this is less Roy Walton's "Card Warp" than it is Bob McAllister's "Fastest Trick in the Universe", done with multiple phases. The slower, deliberate "warping" in the classic has become lightning quick reversals in "Siamese Twins". Maybe that's it.

Or it could be the handling, which suffers from a pacing problem. Moves are done oh-so-slowly then -- bam! -- there's that lightning again and then the card is shown to have changed somehow. The level of suspicion there is just way too high for my taste. Maybe that's it.

Perhaps it's the whole video. The editing is so overwrought getting lost on which hand is doing what when is common. Goodwin's teaching is distracting to the verge of becoming annoying as he covers credits in detail while he's teaching his material. Laudable, certainly, but that's what the credit section of the disc is for, not when I've got a folded card in my hand trying to figure out where to go next.

I don't know, really. I just know that, in the growing compendium of "Card Warp" variations, this is an interesting one to watch and study but for me, that's where it stops. I'll stick to other flavors of the classic that appeal to me more and leave this one for others.

My recommendation? I'm much too on the fence with this one. This is one time I say watch the video and if it appeals to you, knowing a bit more about it, a blessing on your house and buy the thing; it really is something to study if you're into the whole theme. If the video doesn't do it for you, well, follow the course of nature and leave it be.

"Siamese Twins" DVD by Bill Goodwin
In a Blink: 5 Out of 10

Material: 7
It's an interesting take on the classic Card Warp, to be sure, but feels more like a multiphase take on Bob McAllister's "Fastest Trick in the Universe" than Walton's creation. With a few handling glitches but some nice visuals, this is something for aficionados of the original warp to take a look at if for no other reason than the novelty value.

Practicality: 9
You'll need to gaff the card but this is no real problem (it's quick and simple to do which is good since, like the original, you'll burn one every performance). Angles are not much of a problem. Overall, this is a very practical piece of work.

Quality of Production: 3
Way to many editing cuts that at times became simply too confusing to follow, but otherwise the production values were very good.

Quality of Instruction: 3
Goodwin did a good job of teaching his routine, but seemingly constant interruption for credits (which are covered in a separate section of the disc) slowed things way down and, more than once, became annoying.

Presentation: 5
A pacing that is just too suspicious in appearance hurts this one, but Goodwin's verbal component is a nice touch.


Shane

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