Rating: Summary: A Must OWN! Review: The film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic ``The Witches" is a breathtaking spectacle that will delight a variety of viewers. Anjelica Huston is simply outstanding as "The Grand High Witch." She is the perfect actress to portray the dark, albeit laughable, character.Luke (Jasen Fisher) is a young boy living with his grandmother, Helga (Mai Zetterling). Helga regales Luke with stories of witches, dangerous creatures who seek to harm children. I particularly liked the lack of Americanization in this film, as opposed to a similar counterpart, the adaptation of ``Matilda." The film stays true to the book for the majority. Unfortunately, the happy ending, which was loathed by Roald Dahl himself, detracts from the seemingly perfect adaptation. In any event, 'The Witches' is sure to be a hit among kids (and adults as well). Anyone who has enjoyed the book is sure to enjoy this film version.
Rating: Summary: Great Movie About Bad Witches Review: The great thing about "The Witches" is that it isn't only an exciting, imaginitive fairy-tale, but it's a dark comedy as well. While not completely faithful to the book, its differences are forgivable and likable. It has the same combination of mild scariness and wittiness that Roald Dahl put into his other stories, like "Matilda." The story is mainly about Luke and his Norweigan grandmother, Helga. She tells him stories about Witches, creatures that look like women to fit into society but are really magical monsters that loath children. They are bald, have no toes, have claws for fingernails, among other abnormalities. Helga and Luke go on a vacation to a hotel, where things set off at a bad start as Luke finds himself stuck in a metting of the witches of England. Anjelica Huston gives a great performance as the Grand High Witch, the formiddable leader of the witches, who has grave plans to destroy all the children in the world. When Luke falls prey to them, he and Helga form a plan to destroy all the witches in the hotel. A great thing about this movie is the characters. Helga and Luke are characters that are easy to love and root for. There are funny supporting characters such as the hotel manager, the maid he is in love with, Bruno Jenkins, and the single witch who actually is not evil. Anjelica Huston's witch is scary, but you almost find yourself liking her. It's like when you watch the "Silence of the Lambs" movies and find yourself liking Hannibal Lecter. Of course, this movie isn't too violent or gory like those movies, but there is still the sense of adventure and danger. I reccomend this movie to everyone except small kids, who it might be a little too scary for. It is a wonderful film with great special effects by Jim Henson. There are only a few fairy tales that are as good, like "The Wizard of Oz" and a few Disney movies. Not even "Harry Potter" compares to this one.
Rating: Summary: Great Movie About Bad Witches Review: The great thing about "The Witches" is that it isn't only an exciting, imaginitive fairy-tale, but it's a dark comedy as well. While not completely faithful to the book, its differences are forgivable and likable. It has the same combination of mild scariness and wittiness that Roald Dahl put into his other stories, like "Matilda." The story is mainly about Luke and his Norweigan grandmother, Helga. She tells him stories about Witches, creatures that look like women to fit into society but are really magical monsters that loath children. They are bald, have no toes, have claws for fingernails, among other abnormalities. Helga and Luke go on a vacation to a hotel, where things set off at a bad start as Luke finds himself stuck in a metting of the witches of England. Anjelica Huston gives a great performance as the Grand High Witch, the formiddable leader of the witches, who has grave plans to destroy all the children in the world. When Luke falls prey to them, he and Helga form a plan to destroy all the witches in the hotel. A great thing about this movie is the characters. Helga and Luke are characters that are easy to love and root for. There are funny supporting characters such as the hotel manager, the maid he is in love with, Bruno Jenkins, and the single witch who actually is not evil. Anjelica Huston's witch is scary, but you almost find yourself liking her. It's like when you watch the "Silence of the Lambs" movies and find yourself liking Hannibal Lecter. Of course, this movie isn't too violent or gory like those movies, but there is still the sense of adventure and danger. I reccomend this movie to everyone except small kids, who it might be a little too scary for. It is a wonderful film with great special effects by Jim Henson. There are only a few fairy tales that are as good, like "The Wizard of Oz" and a few Disney movies. Not even "Harry Potter" compares to this one.
Rating: Summary: The Vitches of Inkland Review: The situation with this movie is simple; It's Nic Roeg's wonderful film of one of Roald ("Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") Dahl's typically brilliant children's books, and it is terrific. Funny, smart, bizarre, creepy, all that you could ask. As for the DVD release, well, if the studio will release a WIDESCREEN VERSION (Which this one should've been to begin with, jeez, what are these people thinking anyway?)in place of the crappy pan & scan version contained herein, then I'll buy it in a heartbeat. Until then, I can record it off of cable looking this lousy for free.
Rating: Summary: Kiddy Scary!! Review: The Witches is a book based on the book written by on of the best selling author of all time, Roald Dahl. When a boys mum and dad are killed he moves to live with his grandmother and they take a trip to England in a huge motel. But what they expect isn't what they meet. As the Grand High Witch (as mentioned by grandmother at the beginning of this story) and the pack are there out to catch all the children in the hotel as possible.
Rating: Summary: The Witches Review: The Witches is a GREATT movie!!! When I was young I used to rent it every time we went to the store. It would be an excellent choice for anyone!!!!!
Rating: Summary: Heh-heh-heh! The Witches is a smash hit!!! Review: The Witches is a story about when Luke & his grandma go on vacation. They meet the Grand High Witch!!! The witches are going to turn all the kids in England into mice! Can Luke & his grandma stop them? Find out!!!
Rating: Summary: 5 star film 0 star DVD!! Review: This DVD is a joke. No widescreen, no extras, just the VHS version transfered to a DVD. I won't buy this release and neither should you. Instead send an e-mail to the company that produced this and ask for a decent release of this marvelous film. I was rather amused at the Pagan comments made here, this film has nothing to do with paganism it is a children's book about fairy tale Witches..period end of story. Anyone thinking this would have anything to do with paganism obviously doesn't understand the difference! The film is wonderful and brilliantly acted by the entire cast....a happier ending is tacked on than the original book but it is still a wonderful story. And full of humor and wit, well worth renting and waiting for a DECENT DVD release...
Rating: Summary: The Witches. Review: This is a fabulous story about witches. It is about a Grandmotheer on a search to find the Grand High Witch. But the witches have a secret plan and that is to make the children into mice with a formula. My favorite part of this movie iswhen the girl is kidnapped by the witch and she appears in the painting and she grows older with time and then disappears. Made in 1989 this is a classic anyone will enjoy. I recommend this movie.
Rating: Summary: A Must! An Absolute Must! Review: This is the kind of movie you can watch over and over, and each time you'll find something new to laugh at. Trying to mimic (rather pathetically) the hilariously delivered lines in the film, has yet to lose it's novelty between me and my friends. The film certainly does do justice to the classic Roald Dahl novel about the adventures of Luke, a young boy staying at an English seaside hotel which happens to be inhabited by the entire population of English child-hating witches and their supreme leader, the grand high witch, who are all under the guise of nice charitable ladies. The special effects are dazzling in combination with the delightful British humour which is contributed to by a number of familiar faces- Rowan Atkinson (Blackadder, Mr Bean)as the dry illtempered hotel manager, Jane Horrocks (Little Voice) as the fed up secretary, as well as Bill Paterson and Brenda Blethyn (Secrets and Lies). Yet the most fabulously larger than life performance is given by Anjelica Huston who plays Eva Ernst aka The Grand High Witch. The actress rightfully lets it rip, pumping energy and eccentricity into the character whist also displaying subtlety and composure when needed ie while she is in public view, disguised as chairman of the Royal Society for the prevention of cruelty to children. The film is accessible to all and has the ability to tickle the dryest of hearts. Stocked with nice touches, even the extras are part and parcel of the fun. DO YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR A FAVOUR AND WATCH THIS FILM!
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