The Craft

The Craft

Epitome of the 90's

Title: The Craft

Length: 101 min

Ratings: R

Some of you readers if not most, have already seen The Craft. It's one of those movies, if you are fan of the genre (Witch Movie Genre), that you tend to stumble across easily. Especially if you were a growing teen in the 90's. Though if you actually haven't seen the movie and you're wondering about watching it or thinking about watching it; you've come to the right place. The Craft takes place around a group of girls that go to a catholic school in California. Though just like typical high school students the urge to use their powers in a responsible manner is easier said than done.

The story centers on a girl named Sarah (Robin Tunney) who's just moved into her new home in LA. Even though Sarah isn't happy about the move she isn't keen on rudely voicing her opinion. Even a mentally disturbed homeless man baring a snake doesn't seem to damper nor brighten Sarah's melancholy mood. Soon school starts and Sarah nervously goes to her first day of school and like all new kids at school the day is full of ups and downs. In lab she's can't find a partner in class and is given the cold shoulder by a group of three girls. Bonnie (Neve Campbell), Rochelle (Rachel True), and Nancy (Fairuza Balk). However, she soon catches the eye of a popular jock named Chris, whom Sarah becomes very interested in.

Though in an odd twists of events the group of girls boldly approaches her and apologize for their rude behavior. Sarah can't help but feel drawn to the group of girls and follows them to an occult store. Inside her new group of buddies are sneakily taking objects who the owner, Lirio notices. Sarah makes her way towards a hung blanket until Lirio stops her. They briefly converse with each other as Sarah pays for her random purchases. Night falls and Sarah continues to follow the group of girls through a very shady and crowded street. The creepy homeless man returns and frightens Sarah across the street. All four girls stare at the man as he crosses the street before getting hit by a vehicle. The girls run for it and discuss the event. They carry on with the discussion which freaks Sarah out and walks home.

Time passes and Sarah's back in school, though the whole school hears about her date with Chris Hooker. Chris spiteful about Sarah not going to his house with him spreads a viscous rumor, instantly tarnishing Sarah's reputation. However all four girls have their own problems as Rochelle deals with racism, Bonnie with her appearance, and Nancy at home. Together all four girls find comfort and friendship with each other as they discover and play around with the craft. Eventually their friendship is threatened when a few bad choices in spells comes back three fold as karma dishes out a good spoonful of payback. The Craft starts out fairly well though others might feel disappointed with the ending. Over all the movie is entertaining it delivers a lesson about playing with fire. The movie made an impact on 90's youth in it's day. It was one of the first that didn't use silly audio tracks or cheesy special effects to represent when magic is being done. I recommend you watch it whenever you have time to spare with an open mind.

Title: The Craft

Length: 101 min

Rated: R

Year: 1996

Director: Andrew Fleming

Starring: Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True

Over All Score: B

Entertaining: B- The movie is even pace with plenty of scenes of magic being used.

Storyline: B- Story is not as original as when if first came out. Viewers might find the ending scenes a bit long.

Acting: A, Good Acting, actors put their best effort in, you actually believe they might be High School students.

Cinematography: B- No outstanding shots, the effects are great and not cheesy, no over tinting. Over all good quality.

Music: A- Score had some music from great artist and most people will find some of the music memorable.

Outcast

Outcast

The Urban Beast

Title: Outcast

Length: 98min

Ratings:NR/R

Outcast, is Non-Rated, but clearly it should be rated R if not PG-13. Though this Irish horror flick differently knows when to use the gore and how much. This isn't a movie for children period. In my personal opinion it's not a gore flick, there are a few scenes of it, along with nudity, swearing, and of course sex. The story in my opinion was interesting and the air of magic feels very real and very alive in Ireland. I think this is my overall reason why you should consider seeing this movie.

The story takes place poverty stricken complex in Ireland. Mary (Katie Dickie) and her son Fergal (Niall Bruton) are searching for a place to live. It's apparent that Mary and Fergal are hiding something and obviously on the run. The story progresses fast as Fergal meets his neighbors, Petronella (Hannah Stanbridge), her friend Ally, and Patronella's younger disabled brother Jitta. Instantly Fergal and Petronella are attracted to one another but don't exactly communicate well. They also meet the local male thugs of the complex as well. While Fergal is socializing his mother Mary is setting up a warding spells through out the house.

The story progresses and we come to a dark and angry man, Cathal (James Nesbitt) getting some symbolic tattoo work on his back. We soon realize he's after Mary and Fergal and is not afraid to go through any lengths necessary, including delving into the world of magic. He soon meets up with another tracker Liam, who has more experience in using magic and shows him the basics as they team up for the hunt for Mary and Fergal. Meanwhile Fergal hangs around outside getting even closer to Petronella and are both typical teenagers with hormonal needs and finds it hard to keep their attraction a secret to his mother.

Mary is upset that Fergal is seeing Petronella and girls in general. She goes through great lengths to protect herself and her son though Fergal is obviously tired of running and tired of being kept hidden. What's even worse there's a strange creature about feeding on the unsuspecting victims of the night. Cathal and Liam grow closer though Mary's spell work has them at dead end. The story shifts as we see Petronella and her family seeing a bitter mother who's tired of who's tired and frustrated with her children and clearly is fed up with taking care of her son Jitta who can't take care of himself. Petronella grows angry and runs to Fergal and give each other comfort. To be honest the romance in the movie is at best puppy love.

As the ending of the story nears, Cathal breaks the rules and uses magic that he wasn't allowed to use and finds Mary and her son Fergal. Cathal and Mary get in battle of fists and magic which is very subtle but intense. Petronella runs away from home with Fergal though teenage hormones gets the best of them while they get down and dirty on the play set. That's not the ending but I really don't have the means to ruin it for you. All I can say it's dark horror thriller and it's worth checking out. The movie is suspenseful and magic you feel is dark and real feeling. I don't think the story will please all viewers, may it not be scary enough- to wondering about the plot itself. It's an entertaining movie and over all refreshing.

Title: Outcast

Length: 98 min

Rated: NR/R

Year:2010

Director: Colm McCarthy

Starring: Katie Dickie, Niall Bruton, Hannah Stanbridge, James Nesbitt

Over All Score: A-

Entertaining: A-, Good story and unique plot, not much on the horror department. A very real and different look on magic. The language barrier sometimes had me wondering about the dialogue.

Storyline: B+, The story is complete but there is some parts where the viewer might be unclear. Questions might be unanswered.
Cinematography: The picture quality is good, there's obviously a budget to the film. It's urban views are crisp and color filtering isn't overdone. 

Acting: A, Didn't see anything bad/cheesy/ nor corny.

Music: C+, not much on the music or score, to be honest didn't quite here it much at all, which in this movie was a plus, wasn't distracting at all.

Bell, Book, and Candle

Bell, Book, and Candle

Classically Alluring 

Title: Bell, Book, and Candle

Length: 106 min

Ratings:PG 

The movie starts in an interesting item shop, full of ancient artifacts, as the credits roll. It wasn't too long that we see Gillian (Kim Novak) and realize how alluring she really is. Gillian, has her eye on Shepard Henderson AKA. Shep (James Stewart) from the very beginning, as she watches him make his way home towards his apartment. There Shep is startled when Queenie, a very nosy aunt of Gillian (Elsa Lanchaster) who's made herself comfortable in his home. Well her's aunts visit to Shep's home leads him to visit Gillian's, shop. Which they meet and discuss about holiday plans. Shep hears about the Zodiac club and decides to take his fiance to the snazzy mod club. Shep and his fiance Merle obviously don't fit in and have no idea what they've walked into. Shep luckily finds Gillian and Queenie and make their way towards their direction. It turns out Gillian knows Shep's fiance, Merle and takes advantage of her prior knowledge of her fears and with the help of her brother Nicky (Jack Lemmon) cause Merle to get very anxious. Anyone who suffers from anxiety knows how very unnerving that can be. This causes her to storm out the club with Shep following after.

We later find out why Gillian pulled that trick during the walk back. They soon exchange gifts with each other and decide to try out one of the magical ones. Gillian decides to try to summon an author of the book but instead Shep, comes running in thinking the shop's on fire and cuts the spell off short. Gillian and Shep get to have some alone time when she finds out that he's going to get married the next day. At least Gillian, has Pyewacket to give her some comfort when she hears the news and gives her  the courage to cheat.

Lets say you can figure out what Gillian's spell leads to. Soon Shep heads back to his office and low and behold it seems that author Sidney Redlitch (Ernie Kovacs) is there and a bit on edge about his new book. This leads to a very awkward meeting where Nicky takes advantage of an opportunity. As the time passes Shep becomes even more infatuated with Gillian, which forces her to make a hard choice between the life she always known or the one she's been yearning for.

Over all the movie is must see classic. Even though it's full of old school superstitions and contradictions that might offend some viewers. The movie is really entertaining and fans of these timeless actors should check it out.  

Title: Bell, Book, and Candle

Length: 106 min

Ratings:PG

Year:1958

Director: Richard Quine

Starring: Kim Novak, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon,

Over All Score: A

Entertaining: A, very fast pace movie and entertaining. You didn't have to wait long for juicy scenes.

Cinematography: B+, Probably one of the best of its time. Scenes and shots are done well.

Storyline: A The story it's self is unique, and not played out. Though viewers can come to their own reasons why.

Acting: A, acting is done with skill by the cast, everyone seems believable as their characters.

Music: Score B, Soundtrack N/A. Soundtrack is typical of its time, though it isn't abundant or underplayed. Gillian's tune is quite catchy.