Movies for Winter: Halloween

Samhain/Halloween
October 31 & November 1

Craft, The

Although a knowledgeable and public Wiccan was consulted for this movie it wavers between Wicca and fancy. Of course the horror elements are from the director/producer/writers fancy. Still it has beautiful scenes such as those in the park and terrible scenes such as the entire ending with the snakes, bugs and such. I still like to watch it around Halloween and am particularly intrigued by the shop owner.

Hello Again

This 80’s movie stars Shelley Long. Shelley’s character dies and her sister, the witch, raises her from the dead. Hysterical.

Hocus Pocus

The real Halloween movie. Here we have classic fairytale witches set against innocent children. The backdrop of the city of Salem and the night of Halloween is enough to really tip this into disaster. It is saved by the witches themselves. So foul, so absolutely hysterically funny that the movie is one of my favorites. Bette Midler is wonderful and her rendition of “I put a spell on you” as she puts a spell on the adults is enchanting. Sarah Jessica Parker as the blonde ditzy witch is effervescent and funny. Kathy Najimy is able to hold her own and even give some back as the not bright, not dumb, straight man with a twist character. Get this movie now, if you don’t own it already.

Satan’s School For Girls

Originally made in 1973 and remade here for television in 2000 we have a predictable story with mediocre acting by beautiful people. The lead role is played by Shannon Doherty and since this is contemporaneous with one of the early seasons of Charmed the acting in both blend together. Kate Jackson is the one bright amusing spot. In this version she is the school headmistress. In the 1973 version she plays the lead role now done by Doherty. Still it is an amusing tale of wickedness and witches suitable for All Hallows Eve.

Sleepy Hollow

I LOVE this movie. It is so beautiful and so haunting. The acting is terrific and the story solid with a truly terrifying headless horseman.

Witches, The

Angelica Huston is a marvelous Grand High Witch. A young boy and his grandmother end up at a witches convention. And all witches, of course, hate children so the romp ensues with the boy being turned into a mouse.

Witch Mountain

• Escape to Witch Mountain
• Return from Witch Mountain
  As an afterthought I have added these two movies. In them two young siblings with “magical” powers are involved in several adventures. In the end of the first movie we find out that they are aliens from another planet living here.
• Race to Witch Mountain
  The ongoing adventures of Witch Mountain children.

Buffy Episodes

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Halloween” (season 2 episode 6)
  Someone from Giles’ past wreaks havoc on Halloween, causing Buffy and the gang to be transformed into their costumes.
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Fear Itself” (season 4 episode 4)
  The gang finds themselves in a real-life house of horrors at a Halloween party, in which a Fear Demon feeds on their individual fears.
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Family” (season 5 episode 6)
  Tara’s family makes a surprise visit to Sunnydale for her birthday, threatening to reveal a shocking secret that could endanger all of their lives.
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer “All the Way” (season 6 episode 5)
  After Xander announces his engagement to Anya, the gang throws a party for the couple. Meanwhile, Dawn sneaks out and gets into a dangerous situation.
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Him” (season 7 episode 6)
  Dawn and Buffy (and then Willow and Anya) fall for the school quarterback, whose jacket is enchanted. Meanwhile, Xander and Spike become reluctant roommates.