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Reviews
The Good Witch's Garden (2009)
Pagan/Celtic Wiccan Bittersweet review of Good Witches Garden
No sequel can be as fresh or as original as the first. This statement applies to the Good Witch sequel as it does to every other movie. In both movies, I loved Cassies off handed: "go and do this
" and it just changes the person's life. For example: Going to a garden club meeting when you don't know one is happening may cause a grandpa to get the attention of too many eligible women. Another example: Paying attention to such a simple object as a old wood tool that is used to plant seeds can also change a persons life. This example is almost to much to expect from such a simple object, but it makes for a good way to advance the story. Witches Garden has the originals positives and minuses: The made for TV feel is still very much here, but the lightheartedness of the main characters and Cassies insistence on always seeing the good in people even when it is obvious they are up to no good still makes this "a feel good movie" above the rest. I guess my main gripe with the movie series after seeing both, loving the first and liking the second is summed up in one word: Jealously. Cassie is more magickal than any Pagan, Wiccan or Witch could ever hope to be in real life. I know a lot of people in the craft and no one has her kind of intuition, no one. Then again this is just a movie, and as such a fantasy. This movie, like the first, presents a much maligned group in a positive light and that is a rare thing that must be commended.
SPOILER ALERT: Why oh why, did Cassie insist on giving Nick Chason the benefit of the doubt even when it was obvious he was up to no good? I guess this is the characters one weak point: Not seeing the bad or selfishness in people. When you are told your whole life how bad/evil you are and that you are going to hell for your beliefs or because of the way you live, it only makes sense to react in a completely opposite way to all of the judgmental people in your life.
Again, I would recommend this as a coming out (of the broom closet) movie, although I think the first one would be better since it starts from the beginning and no explanations would be necessary of any of the back story.
The Good Witch (2008)
A Pagan/Celtic Wican review of "Good Witch"
Although the actors were not at all familiar to me, and the "feel" of the movie is typical made for TV movie/Hallmark fair, please don't let this stop you from seeing this great "feel good" movie.
It seems as if I have seen this movie a million times as it feels formulaic and clichéd but it somehow has a refreshing charm and character as told by a "witch" stranger who comes to a small town and moves into a mansion who no one notices at first. The closest movie I could compare this to in terms of theme would be Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988).
OK, now for the witchy part of this review: The only God/dess mentioned is Isis, the name Cassandra's familiar, a black cat. Her jewelry is non-descript, and I saw no alters or ritual tools in the background sets of her house (believe me I was looking for them), except for the most recognizable "witch" tool to muggles, a round broom that would appear at "magical" times throughout the movie with its own "magical" music. There are Native American tools (dream catcher) and New Age tools (Crystal), but this only shows her eclectic nature. The character is very good with herb and salve lore. There are no rituals depicted unless you can call reciting a mantra such as "I will not dream of bunnies" a ritual.
To cannibalize Starhawks quote, the main character in the story Cassandra "Changes everyone she touches" both directly and indirectly for the better. The theme of "the truth/answer/solution/magic is within yourself, you only need to find it" is pervasive throughout the movie and Cassandra is the catalyst that helps the other characters work through their problems. Cassandra answers can best be described as spoken by an "old soul," as she is very wise beyond her years.
Besides the general "feel good" nature of this movie, I highly recommend this movie as a "coming out" of the broom closet movie to show disapproving family and friends, as I cannot find one negative/incorrect treatment of Cassandra in this movie. In short it paints "wise women" in a very positive and accurate light. Some questions to ask after finishing watching this movie would be: "So what do you think of witches now?" Followed by "What would you say if I was/want to be one?" I can only hope to see more positive/accurate media portraying witches in such a good light.
Final Fantasy Origins (2002)
Video Game review on IMDb
It's bizarre, but evidentially IMDb is allowing Video games to be rated. So here goes: I have only played the first title in this two game set, named Final Fantasy I.
The game by todays standards isn't the best as far as graphics, sound or even story goes, but for 1988, it was groundbreaking at least for the NES which was the first game system it was released on. This is an updated version of the original NES Final Fantasy I game, complete with nicely rendered CGI openings and endings. The graphics have even been updated to "16 bit" quality. The playability is much better than the original NES version reminding me more of Final Fantasy IV (known as Final Fantasy II in the states). It is one of the more challenging titles from Square and I've played every final Fantasy they have come out with except for II and III. This game is a MUST for a Final Fantasy collector such as myself who likes to have 11 FF titles on their shelf ready to play in a PS2 at a moments notice. Now if Square would only release FF III as an updated version. Maybe they could include Illusion of Gaia ... heres hoping! :)
I'll rate this 7/10.