Witchy Entertainment

"Goddess of the Vale" by Jonathon Earl Bowser

Artist: Jonathon Earl Bowser - Used with permission

     

Films

 

The Craft - I quite enjoyed this film.  Four girls meet, become friends and decide to form a coven, but things start to get out of hand when the power goes to their heads.  It was very entertaining and I feel that it also showed some valid lessons such as the Rule of Three and also the dangers of meddling in stuff that you're not ready for.  7/10

 

Teen Witch - This was also quite an entertaining film.  A teenager wishes to be the most popular girl at school and (would you believe it?) her wish is granted.  Again it also illustrated a vital lesson - be careful what you wish for, you may just get it.  It is OBVIOUSLY an 80s film though and so looks a little 'dated' now - but still good. 6/10

 

The Blair Witch Project - I didn't even bother going to see this one!  It looked like a load ... and the people who DID go to see it told me that it was a load!!  Apparently the constant motion of the camera on the big screen also induced a lot of motion sickness.  As I haven't actually seen this myself (nor do I wish to) I do not feel that I can fairly grade it.  If you have seen it and would like to review it, please feel free to post onto my Guestbook or email me - and I'll post your review here.

 

Warlock - Another 80s film, though this one doesn't seem to have aged.  The Warlock is sent to the future to recover the Devil's Grimoire.  Richard E Grant puts in an excellent performance as the witch-hunter who must track him down with the help of modern-girl Lori Singer.  I really enjoyed this film (though, from a factual viewpoint it was utter twaddle!!) 7/10

 

The Wizard of Oz - A classic of our time.  Who hasn't heard of Dorothy, the tin man, the lion and the scarecrow?  The witch in this one was wicked, of course (you can always tell by the green tinge to the skin!) and, unfortunately had an equally-evil sister.  However the Good Witch of the West saved the day and managed to get Dorothy back home!!  7/10

 

Snow White - The modern version of this old film, starring Sigourney Weaver as the evil stepmother.  I found this film quite disturbing (there's something unsettling about watching a Fairy Tale in a flim, though I can always accept them as cartoons!)  A little frightening in places - and sometimes a little gory!  I didn't enjoy it. 4/10

 

The Sword In The Stone - A classic Disney animation starring Merlin and little Arthur.  Magical is the only word for it!  8/10

   

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark - A classic!  What every female witch would love to look like!  Elvira inherits her aunts house and 'recipe book' and immediately tries to sell them both (unsuccessfully).  Her cookery takes on a new twist when she tries out a couple of the recipes!!  Elvira is by far a one of the best witchy films to ever grace our screens.  It may not be factually correct from a Wicca point of view but, hey, who cares!  If you haven't seen it - DO !!  9/10

    

I Married A Witch - A classic film from the silver-screen era (black and white) starring Vernonica Lake as a very attractive witch who escapes from the tree that she was imprisoned in and tries to get even with the descendant of the guy were put her in there.  Extremely funny and, as I said, a classic.  8/10

  

Arthur's Quest - Arthur is sent to the present by Merlin, who then has to come here himself to recover the 'future' King.  A very entertaining film - though Merlin spent most of the programme trying to regain his powers - we did get some funny periods when he was trying to use them with a 'jet-lag' effect.  A good one. 7/10

   

The Witches of Eastwick - I really enjoyed this film too (but I enjoy anything that has Cher in it).  I thought (as always!) that Jack Nicholson played a wonderful part.  three bored women 'conjur' up the man of their dreams, who quickly turns into the man of their nightmares.  Again, a good illustration of the 'Be careful what you wish for' adage.  Of course, none of it was 'Wicca-correct' but it is just entertainment, after all! 7/10

 

Practical Magic - Two sisters (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) search for the love of a good man, despite a family curse that means anyone they truly love will die.  I found this film very disappointing - it just didn't live up to my expectations.  I also found the ending, where everyone in the town decides to persecute them no longer, just because they finally decide to come out of the broom closet, very 'twee'.    4/10

 

Bell, Book & Candle - A Classic 60s film starring Kim Novak.  She puts the guy who lives int he apartment upstairs under a love spell and then makes the major mistake of falling in love with him - thus losing her magical powers.  Will he stick around when he finds out what she's done?  Jack Lemmon is great as her exuberant brother.  8/10

 

Bedknobs & Broomsticks - Another classic 9aren't they all?) from 1971.  Angela Lansbury is the kindly witch taking care of some evacuee children - and then taking them on a magical journey.  The part where she enchants an army of armour to fight off a possible German invasion is fabulous!  8/10

 

Sleepy Hollow - An excellent (and quite quirky!) film starring Johnny Depp who was perfect for the role!  Miranda Richardson (my heroine!) plays two parts - both witches!  Christina Richie is another witch.  Christopher Walken is (of course!) the 'baddy'.  A must see!   10/10

    

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Television

 

 

Merlin - A mini-series shown on British television in 1999 starring Sam Neill and Miranda Richardson.  A very entertaining (and very long) adaptation of this lengendary story.  The special effects were brilliant and the mood was definately captured  (Hands up who didn't cheer when Mab was finally defeated!)  Definate thumbs up.  9/10

 

Bewitched - Well, what can I say?  The mother of them all .. Who hasn't seen Bewitched?  I grew up with this programme and I think that it definately paved the way for a whole generation of witches - all aspriring Elizabeth Montgomerys.  If you've never seen it - you just gotta !!  9/10

 

Sabrina The Teenage Witch - Another extremely good (and very funny) series.  Melissa Joan Hart plays an excellent part as Sabrina, but I also think that her aunts Hilda and Zelda are great.  And, as for Salem the cat - he's my reason for watching !!  (I want a Salem!)  10/10

 

Charmed - A brilliant series starring Marie Holly Combs, Alyssa Milano and Shannon Dougherty as three sisters who inherit witch-powers and have to ward off the Warlocks who come looking for them.  The special effects are fabulous.  I never miss a programme!  Besides being very entertaining and, at times, very funny - this is also an excellent 'introduction' to Wicca as they are constantly referring to the Rede (Harm None) and you can actually see them performing some of the spells.  As I said previously, none of the programmes are factually correct, but they don't need to be - this gives a good general and very positive idea of what Wicca and witchcraft are all about.  10/10

 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Buffy/s pal, Willow, is a Wicca (and actually became one during the course of the show, so we saw the transition).  She gives a very good and, again, positive idea of what it's like to be a Wicca and, yes, I know that it's not factually correct and you don't get all these lights, etc flying everywhere when you practice spells but, I don't care!  7/10

  

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Books

 

Sabrina The Teenage Witch - I haven't read any of these but, if the television series is anything to go on, they'll be excellent.  Though I think I'd miss Salem's voice....

 

Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Again, I haven't read any of these, but hopefully they'll be of an equally high standard as the series.

 

The Discworld Series - Terry Pratchett is, by far, the best writer to ever put pen to paper.  His book have to be read (and laughed at!) before they can be believed.  The witches are, by far, my favourite character, closely followed by the wizards.  I'm an avid reader of all of his work and a huge fan.  These are about withcraft, not Wicca - and excellent entertainment, though not Wicca-fact-correct (but who is to say that this isn't how the original witches thought and lived?  So it could actually be more correct than anything we find today)  10/10

 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - Another evil witch (strangely enough no green skin!)  who was vanquished during the course of the book, but I believe she returns in a later one of the series - no doubt to be vanquished again.  Good clean fun.

 

Harry Potter - No book collection would be complete without it!  Although originally designed for children this series of books is actually a very 'adult' read and gripping to say the least.  These books should carry a health warning of addiction!  Be warned!  10/10

   

Silver RavenWolf - has ventured into fiction writing with Witches Chillders.  These are aimed primarily at the teen market but I still found it a very entertaining  read and the storyline was girpping in the first one - Witches Night Out.  A definite must-have for all teen witches and a great read for the rest of us.  10/10

 

 

Have I missed any out?  If you can think of any other media entertainment featuring or about witches, wizards, warlocks, magic, etc - then please email me with the details and a review - and you could be featured here!  Thanks.

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