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Welcome back! I'm working on a collection of scary stories and one of my entries includes witches. After all, witchcraft played an interesting role in American history and it still remains in our culture today. So, I'm going to share my favorite movies about witches. Ironically, most of my choices aren't horror films. Let's dive right in!
Beautiful Creatures This movie has many flaws, but it's unique and quite entertaining. Witches and warlocks either join the dark or light when they reach age sixteen. It's a little bit like a CW soap opera, but I find the story and mythology intriguing. One young witch encounters her corrupt mother and a really big adventure ensues. This movie is fun if you enjoy the YA genre. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe This film is a classic. It's the best entry in the Narnia series with a fascinating setting and elaborate fantasy elements. A group of children stumble into a fantasy kingdom through a closet and they meet all kinds of magical creatures. However, an evil witch wants to destroy them and take over the kingdom. It's a blockbuster adventure for viewers of all ages. The Covenant I suppose men can be witches too. According to this film, the magical talents from Salem only run in the male bloodlines. This movie isn't amazing, but it's fun and a decent way to kill ninety minutes. In fact, a lot of the dialogue is laughable. Basically, The Covenant is an enjoyable guilty pleasure. Just watch it without thinking too hard. The Craft This cult hit isn't particularly scary, but it has cool characters and their actions reap severe consequences. The Craft shows a lot of gray morality and I think quite a few teenagers can relate to their situation. Let's face it. Teen relationships are often messy and complicated. It makes a very entertaining movie about witchcraft with a goth twist. Dark Shadows A conflict between a vampire and a vengeful witch sounds like a fun movie. This dark comedy has many throwbacks and references to the seventies with campy wit. It has many of Tim Burton's signature quirks, such goth influences, elaborate costume design, and dark fantasy elements. This film is an entertaining PG-13 viewing without major scares. Drag Me to Hell Make sure you never piss off a witch. An elderly witch places a curse on a banker who refuses to extent her mortgage. The witch soon dies and haunts the banker beyond the grave. Now this young woman must find a way to destroy the curse, so she won't be dragged to Hell by demons. This comedic horror film has a good combination of scares and laughs. It's little more than a high profile B movie and I think that's the point. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them This spinoff from the Harry Potter franchise is quite entertaining and whimsical. It includes some elements from the Wizarding World, but the subject matter is significantly different. This film has a much bigger emphasis on magical creatures instead of witchcraft. It's a refreshing change of pace from the long lasting Harry Potter series. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets You might think it's cheating to include two films from the Wizarding World, but I would say both franchises should be on this list. The Chamber of Secrets is my favorite entry in the main Harry Potter series with spells, a dark mystery, creatures, and our favorite characters at Hogwarts. It's a dark movie, but teen viewers will probably enjoy the story. Hocus Pocus This fun and campy Disney film is a Halloween staple. The witches in this film are diabolical and silly at the same time. Hocus Pocus was definitely intended for younger audiences, but it's suitable for adults as well. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are a mischievous trio of witches who are raising trouble in the modern era. Hopefully, a group of kids can vanquish them before the entire town falls under their spell. The Last Witch Hunter Some movies on this list don’t have a ton of substance, but The Last Witch Hunter is a fun and quickly paced blockbuster with a variety of witches. It has some humor, great action sequences, and plenty of fantasy elements. There’s never a dull moment. It’s too bad we never got a sequel. The Little Mermaid Who can forget Ursula the Sea Witch? Despite The Little Mermaid’s light tone, the main antagonist is a dark and fiendish villain who collects souls from gullible mermaids. It sounds like quite a nightmare. Of course, a classic story and great music also helps. Ariel might not be my favorite Disney princess, but this film is super re-watchable. Mercy Here’s one of the few true horror movies on this post. A devoutly Christian woman makes a bargain with cosmic entities to bring good fortune to her life. She used a book of dark magic for decades to suit her needs until it eventually corrupted her soul. Now she’s planning to sacrifice her grandson to the ancient Gods and he needs to find an escape plan. Mercy is also one of the few witchcraft films that ties into the Cthulhu mythos. Mulan The remake of Disney’s Mulan includes an antagonist who was labeled a witch by individuals who fear her powers. In fact, this film includes numerous characters with psychic powers, including Mulan and the Emperor. This version of Mulan might not have Mushu or the animated film’s music, but it’s a very mature take on an ancient fairy tale with great characters and action scenes. Practical Magic This charming romcom showcases two sister witches who are trying to eliminate their family curse. Apparently, any men who fall for the women in their family die prematurely. Practical Magic is definitely more humorous and dramatic than scary, but it’s still a fun Halloween viewing. The Skeleton Key I suppose this horror film has outdated views about Voodoo, but it’s still interesting and creepy. The Skeleton Key keeps the audience guessing until the very end. It’s a nice blend of horror and mystery with a slow burn. This movie also proves good horror doesn’t need a huge budget. Sometimes less is more. Sleeping Beauty Maleficent is another iconic witch who scared children for generations. The original Sleeping Beauty is surprisingly dark for a Disney movie. It’s also a decent action flick with a sword fighting prince, a kingdom covered in thorns, and Maleficent in her menacing dragon form. This classic is definitely my favorite of the earlier Disney animations. The Sorcerer's Apprentice I’m surprised to see so many Disney films on this post. This brisk action film has vague ties with Arthurian legend, such as Morgana le Fay as a villain. She doesn't appear until late in the movie, but The Sorcerer's Apprentice is still an entertaining fantasy adventure that's suitable for most age groups. The Sword in the Stone This early film in Disney animation is a surprisingly good chronicle about King Arthur's childhood. I particularly enjoyed a wacky spar between Merlin and his nemesis; Madam Mim. Magic, spells, and witchcraft play a significant role in this film and the story fleshes out a nice coming of age fable. The Witches I recommend watching both versions, including the original release and the remake from 2020. Both movies involve a boy who runs across a convention for witches. Apparently, witches really hate children and they turn him into a mouse. The original release is kind of dark, but it's still a kid's movie. The remake is much sillier with equally good entertainment value. Both versions are decent in their own right. The Witches of Eastwick It's hard to resist a dark comedy that stars Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer. This fantasy romcom features three local witches who fall in love with a demonic being. One would think a demon would have the upper hand, but these clever witches find a way to turn the tables on him. That’s my top 20 list about witches in cinema. Do you have any favorites that didn’t make it on my list? Share in the comment section. Do your best to stay safe. Between the pandemic and our tumultuous political climate, it’s a jungle out there! Keep the peace and I’ll see you guys next week. Have a great three day weekend!
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What a rocky start to 2021! Our chaotic political climate never surprises me. Maybe that’s why I’m so fascinated with the post-apocalyptic genre. However, today’s post is about something else. 2020 was a disappointing year for cinema because movie theaters were closed and most the popular films were delayed to 2021. Perhaps, we'll have better luck this year. 2021 has a really big movie schedule, but are we going to see delays again? I'm sure a handful of movies will get pushed back again, but more films will come out compared to last year. For now, I'm only including films with specific release dates. Let's check out my list!
Black Widow Release Date: 5/7/21 - I don't think Marvel can handle more delays. If Black Widow can't meet its May 2021 release, I believe Disney will put it on Disney+. It looks like an interesting blend of spy thriller and superhero elements. I really like Black Widow as a character, but it's time for her to leave Marvel. This film might be a really nice sendoff for Scarlett Johansson. Candyman Release Date: 8/27/21 - It seems odd to release a Candyman movie in August, but I've seen weirder. I just hope this film will be scary and interesting. Truthfully, the Candyman franchise was a cult hit, but the movies weren't particularly good. However, it might be a strong revival with topical ideas. A teaser trailer is available online, but most of the story remains mysterious. I'm very curious about this movie. Chaos Walking Release Date: 3/5/21 - Honestly, this movie doesn't look very good. However, I'm a sucker for post-apocalyptic fiction. It seems like an unusual setting where human beings speak telepathically. It also seems like women have been extinct for years, but one young lady comes out of the shadows. This movie looks really weird, but I hope it will be interesting. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Release Date: 6/4/21 - I almost lost interest in the Conjuring series until Annabelle Comes Home was released. That movie was so much fun. Maybe the third Conjuring film will entertain me as well. This movie is another part of the HBO Max transition, so we'll see if the deal sticks. I'm tired of delays and we could use more good horror films. Eternals Release Date: 11/5/21 - I guess this Marvel film is about the ancient Gods. It doesn't sound like a typical Marvel movie, but I don't mind. We need new material in the MCU anyway. I can't imagine Disney delaying this movie again, so we'll see what happens. Maybe we'll luck out and watch it on Disney+. The Forever Purge Release Date: 7/9/21 - Look at that! More post-apocalyptic violence! Supposedly, this film is going to be the final entry in the Purge series. That's probably true because the public forgot about this franchise a long time ago. I also think it's way too realistic for most viewers. For me, that's part of the appeal. The Forever Purge seems quite topical for today's situation, especially we just experienced a huge riot at the Capital just a few days ago. I have a feeling it will be delayed again or dumped on VOD, but we'll see. Free Guy Release Date: 5/21/21 - This film looks delightful and charming. Free Guy is about a video game character who wants to break out of the norm. Naturally, this movie appeals to me because I'm a gamer. This film isn't based on a particular game series, but it might be pretty decent. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney pushes it back again, but anything could happen. Godzilla vs. Kong Release Date: 5/21/21 - Despite huge drama with Legendary, Godzilla vs. Kong is probably coming to HBO Max in late May. I absolutely love Godzilla: King of the Monsters, so I'm looking forward to this one. This particular series isn't very popular in the USA, but I enjoy movies with giant monsters. I don't care about the Academy Awards. Bring on the rampaging monsters instead! Halloween Kills Release Date: 10/15/21 - Unlike most viewers, I felt disappointed with the most recent Halloween film. But that doesn't mean the sequel can't be decent. I'm a big fan of horror movies, so a classic revival will always be on my radar. Universal Pictures is planning a theatrical release, but maybe we'll luck out and watch it on streaming instead. Slash away, Michael Meyers! Jungle Cruise Release Date: 7/30/21 - Disney needs to release this film on Disney+ because it's not going to make money in theaters, but what do know? Fortunately, Jungle Cruise looks like a fun, lighthearted, and enjoyable adventure. I actually like their theme park adaptations. Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion were quite entertaining. Adding Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt also seems like a great idea. Hopefully, it will keep the summer release date. The King's Man Release Date: 3/12/21 - This prequel to the Kingsman series looks really fun, but Disney keeps pushing it back. Seriously, this film was supposed to come out in early 2019, way before the pandemic. The King's Man looks utterly zany and wild. It totally seems like my type of movie. Sometimes, it's nice to sit back and have fun. Hopefully, it won't get delayed again. Mission: Impossible-Libra Release Date: 11/19/21 - I don't know anything about this movie, but the previous Mission: Impossible film was excellent. Basically, I'm just looking for great action scenes and a decent story. Several of the Mission: Impossible movies were good, so I feel optimistic. Luckily, this one is coming out in November and the pandemic might be a little better at that point. A Quiet Place Part II Release Date: 4/23/21 - The first Quiet Place film was very good, but it also had pacing issues. I hope Part II will move along better and retain the original movie's substance. The trailers look quite promising. Again, I'm always gravitating to the post-apocalyptic genre. Let's run away from those monsters together! Resident Evil Release Date: 9/9/21 - Yeah, I know. All of the Resident Evil films are bad. But this one is a completely new reboot and it might be more faithful to the source material. Besides, this one is coming out on my birthday, so it must be good. Hollywood needs more video game movies. We just need directors and writers who understand the source material and care about it. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Release Date: 7/9/21 - It's nice to see a brand new character in the MCU. I don't know anything about the Shang-Chi comic books, so this IP is completely fresh to me. We also need more diversity in comic book movies. Black Panther was a great start and I believe Shang-Chi could be an excellent addition. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Spiral Release Date: 5/21/21 - I can't imagine Spiral, Godzilla vs. Kong, and Free Guy are coming out on the same date. But it's hard to tell because these film have entirely different audiences. Spiral is loosely connected to the Saw franchise. Actually, I hate most of the Saw movies, but this one looks interesting with crime thriller elements. Hopefully, it will have a decent balance of mystery and violence. The Suicide Squad Release Date: 8/6/21 - Will this soft reboot be any better than the first Suicide Squad movie? I certainly hope so. Most of the recent DC films have been quite strong, so this one might be good too. I'm just looking for good entertainment value. It doesn't have to be Shakespearean. If this movie fails, I'm sure next year's Suicide Squad game will be awesome. The Tomorrow War Release Date: 7/23/21 - This movie looks like a fun post-apocalyptic adventure. However, I hope it's not ripping off Independence Day. I don't think it will have a ton of substance, but that's not the point. In 2021, we need more fun movies. Waging war against alien invaders sounds like a great choice. It also sounds like a video game. Either way, I might like it. Venom: Let There Be Carnage Release Date: 6/25/21 - The first Venom movie was downright stupid, but it was fun. Stupid and fun can be a good combination. I realize the Venom series isn't comic book accurate and that's okay. Hopefully, this sequel will have plenty of humor and action scenes. Hey, Sony! When are you going to make a Venom game series for the PlayStation 5? Think about it. Wrong Turn Release Date: 1/26/21 - This soft reboot of the Wrong Turn franchise is the first release on my list. Allegedly, it's coming out for one day only in theaters. I imagine this film will have a digital release soon afterward. It looks like a fresh start to a long running horror series with a surprisingly topical subject. I'm sure it won't be for the faint of heart. The trailer looks incredibly violent. There’s you go! What movies are you hoping to see this year? Leave a comment. I’ll give you some general thoughts about this year and my future plans. Hopefully, the COVID vaccine will help us reopen America safely. It’s going to take time, so be patient. An entire world can’t receive vaccinations overnight. Leave the political drama far away from this blog. Joe Biden will be our new president very soon and it doesn’t matter if you voted for him. I’m still not planning to attend major events this year because it’s simply not safe yet. If the contagion gets a lot better in the second half of the year, maybe I’ll start visiting amusement parks and movie theaters, but I feel doubtful at the moment. Maybe I’ll find some steampunk and diesepunk news. Given the pandemic and our political adversity, post-apocalyptic movies could make a comeback and the punk genres tend to benefit from it. I’m also working on a horror anthology. Right now, I’m not setting any deadlines. I’m just working at a leisurely pace and ideas could change frequently. So, you’re going to see numerous blog posts about horror themes. Most of the time, I’m either at home or the office. That means you’re going to see countless posts about games, movies, streaming, books, writing, sports, and whatever else is keeping me entertained this year. As always, be safe and I’ll see you next week. Bye! |
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May 2019
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