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Hocus Pocus

Hocus Pocus

List Price: $14.99
Your Price: $11.24
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: excellent work
Review: This is a movie about the Sanderson sisters who, after three hundred years finally comes back to life with a mission: to steal the lives of young children before the black flame candle is out or perish forever. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy fit in their roles as the three lovable withches. Sarah is perfect as the fun-loving sister who does not take life seriously and her character is totally different from that of Bette's; a no-nonsense typical fairy tale witch who preys on the fears of children and adults alike. Kathy is brilliant as the peacemaker and sound of reason to the Sanderson family. This movie not only talks about witchcraft but it also highlights common themes, like sibling rivalry, the angst of teenagehood and of course the popular theme that good wiill always triumph over evil. Each theme is cleverly interwoven to create a harmonious flow of an explicit plot with comic effects. Indeed, the presence of Binx, the talking cat, does add a touch of classy humour, even if it's a bit dark(the humour not the cat). The spells add a dark intensity to the mood and atmosphere of the entire movie (as seen in the scene where Winifred spat out a curse that will release them to earth). The Gothic element in the story makes it worthwhile to watch and believe me, the ending is exhilarating. The rating of this movie is best summed up through Sarah's spell of attracting the children: Come little children, I'll take thee away, Into a land of enchantment. Come little children, The time's come to play, Into my garden of magic. Truly, this is a movie worth watching. After all, isn't it the wishes of most parents to see their children disappear(until the holiday's over)? This movie will surely allow you to live out this fantasy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great Halloween film for the entire family!
Review: This is one movie the entire family will sure to love. There's something for everybody: comedy, horror, romance, drama....etc. Anyway, Hocus Pocus is about 3 witch sisters from the 1600s during the Salem Witch Trial days. After sucking the life out of Emily, Thackery's beautiful kid sister, Thackery finds the home of the 3 witches in the woods (this is in the 1600s, of course) and the 3 witches (Winifred Sanderson, Sarah, and Mary) catch Thackery in their house trying to rescue Emily and turn him into a black cat forever. The witch sisters are caught by the townspeople and they hang the sisters for killing Thackery.

300 years later (or, in the present day), a teenage boy named Max, his younger sister, Dani, and their parents move to Salem, Massachusetts from Los Angeles. Max falls in love with this girl in his class named Allison who's very rich. On Halloween, his teacher tells her class the story of the 3 sisters who sucked the lives out of every child to make themselves look younger and beautiful.

Max doesn't believe in the story at first. On Halloween night, he has to take Dani trick-or-treating and they end up going to this large house that happens to be the home of Allison, Max's crush. Dani believes in the story about the 3 witches and when Max suggests going to the house of Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, Dani doesn't want to go 'cause she believes in the story.

To prove that Max thinks he's right, they all go to the house which is in the cemetary. They get there (which had been turned into a meuseum) and find Thackery as the cat. Thackery tells them not to light the black candle (which brings the witches back to life) but Max does, anyway. And of course, the witches do come back to life.

The witches now try to suck the lives out of all the children to make themselves younger. Max, Allison, and Dani have to stop the witches and destroy them before sun rise or else they will suck the lives out of all the children and Thackery will stay a cat forever.

Hocus Pocus is a really funny and good movie. It might not be an Oscar winning material, but it's very entertaining and enjoyable. It's a movie that is good if you just want to kick back and relax. The best time to see this movie is probably on Halloween (at night, of course!) Hocus Pocus is one movie that everyone will surely enjoy! Go and see it!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: If Kids like it, more power to them....
Review: They say Hocus Pocus is too scary for kids under 8. And it may be too lame-o for kids over 9. Kids ages 8 to 8 1/2 may like it. Or, an adult with an IQ of 78, like me, may like it... but probably not. I checked Hocus Pocus out to see if it would make a good gift for my niece's 13th Birthday. She's a sweetheart, but I'm afraid this movie would be too corny for that age. The witches' performances are nice, but really just one note... okay, two notes -- kooky and witchy. (My expectations were over-high for the talented Parker and Midler). And it's hard to hear their dialogue, with the garbled ancient times accents, and loud sound effects. (If you've ever said "turn it down," you may be too old to enjoy this dvd). Most of the movie is "whoaaaa!" As in, "There's some witches! Whoaaaa!" "Special Effects, whoaaa!" The very loud soundtrack on 5.1 lets us constantly know: "magical... Whoaaa!" On the plus side, the kids are very charming, and the message of spirits and souls living on is a good one. The family is great too. And there is good humored spoofing on youth rap imagery. So, Hocus Pocus is probably good for good spirited, young kids. Adults may want some reading material or knitting stuff around while it plays.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Fun Halloween or Anytime Movie, One of the Best.
Review: Three aged witch sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) are brought back to life after three hundred years when a teen virgin taking his little sister (Thora Birch) trick-or-treating scoffs at a local legend and lights a black flame while trying to impress a girl.

It is light-hearted and fun but a little scary for a Disney flick as the witch sisters must find children and suck the life from them to regain their own youth.

Good vehicle for Midler and Parker as the bumbling witches wisecrack their way through an action-filled Halloween night. Ten-year-old Thora Birch (American Beauty, Ghost World) is typically witty and very cute.

Some themes are a bit racy for a Disney feature and very young children might find some scenes a bit scary, but these are what help make this movie entertaining for the whole family. It's Halloween fun.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Halloween Treat For Everyone
Review: This movie is criminally underrated. First of all, the film wasn't the flop people think it is. It did over 45 million at the box office. Okay, that settled, let's dig in. Three witches from the 1800's are hung for taking the souls out of children in Salem, Mass. Present day Salem, a lonely teen resurrects the three hags accidentally while visiting their old cottage that has turned into a mini museum. The witches, well cast and perfectly played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, set out on Halloween night to take the souls from the children as they trick or treat. The three lead actresses are perfect in their roles. They really bring them to life. This is a fun, light hearted film that the whole family can enjoy. The setting and decoration is perfect and has that great Halloweeny feel. There's also a funny cameo by Penny Marshall and Garry Marshall as husband and wife(but who are real life brother and sister in case you didn't know). This is a real great vehicle for Bette Midler. She fits perfectly. You'll also recognize Thora Birch(American Beauty)as the little sister. The film is a wonderful family treat that will delight and entertain the whole family.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Any witch way you slice it...Hocus Pocus is fun!
Review: I never understood the negative reviews for Hocus Pocus. We went to the theatre anyway and thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Bette Midler is hammy, yes, but it's Bette! She's playing a beaver-toothed, child chasing 17th century witch in a Disney flick. What else is there but hammy?! Kathy Nijimy, with her Dairy Queen hair and lopsided grin, is a hoot. And Sarah Jessica Parker, the curvaceous, third sister, does Sex In the City...Salem-style! (stictly PG of course!) Thora Birch has yet to reach her brooding, raven-haired American Beauty stage, so she's still adorable! And to top it off, there is Zachary Binx, the talking black cat...an obvious inspiration for Sabrina, the Teenage Witch's Salem! My seven-year-old daughter loves this movie! I finally purchased the video today (we had been holding out for a DVD release) to save myself the video rental fees! If you're not a "serious student of film" and can sit and watch and just enjoy a fun movie...rent Hocus Pocus for a test drive...and then buy it!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very Entertaining
Review: This movie was entertaining from start to finish. Bette Midler was perfect for the lead witch role and played off perfectly her two partners in crime. The children were well played without too much "cutesy" stuff to make you gag.

It was nice to see this type of film that did not rely on special effects to keep you entertained. Shows what a good script, actors and direction can do for a film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Best Movie Of All TIME!!!!!
Review: This (For me)is the best movie of all time. I know it by heart and watch is at least once a day and I'm not tired of it. I've seen this movie well over 1000 times and I just love it. Imight be the biggest fan of this movie because no one else seems to love this movie as much as I do. It beats out any movie ever made, no questions asked!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Awesome
Review: I'm a 16 yr old who still watches Disney(So sue me, I hate MTV and the Pop rage). I never knew this movie was in theatres until I read these reviews! I just finished watching Hocus Pocus on TV tonight and thought I'd look it up on Amazon to see if it were on DVD/VHS. This movie is a classic, and I watch it every time it comes on. I have the soundtrack, which consists of like 2 songs, on Kazaa Media. It's the greatest halloween movie of the 90s for kids, and even teenagers, because I know alot of kids at school like it as well. Hope this review will help someone out! I would recommend this movie to anyone-my dad says it's one of the few things SJP did that was decent acting, lol!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: HALLOWEEN CLASSIC at my home!
Review: This is one of those movies you start watching and can stop! I saw it when it was in the theatre (three times) its a great movie. The acting is very funny, Sarah Jessica Parker is wonderful as Sarah! This movie a boy lights the black light candle and brings these witch back to the current day. Which was 300 years in the middle, and oh yeah it's halloween night. So kids are trick o' treating which they are not used to. There is someone dressed like the devil. (they think it is the real devil) They meet up with a talking cat, Binks. A walking courpes... well..

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS MOVIE!! It really is very good.! Great for the WHOLE Family!

Jessica


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