90s Movie Review - Hocus Pocus

Director: Kenny Ortega
Genre: Family/ Adventure/ Fantasy
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 1993
Starring: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Thora Birch, Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, Amanda Shepherd, Larry Bagby

Description: A curious youngster moves to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17^th century.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 39: A MOVIE FROM THE 90S
 
Review: “Hocus Pocus” has been a cult film for years. In the year the film was released, “Hocus Pocus” was not popular at all. Over the years its popularity increased and now there are even plans to make a sequel for Disney+.
After moving to Salem, Max Dennison discovers an abandoned house with his sister Dani and their new friend Allison. Allison tells Max the story of the three Sanderson sisters. She tells him that they were evil witches who died three hundred years earlier, but would return one day is a virgin lit a special candle. Max doesn’t believe any of this and lights the candle, after which the Sanderson sisters return to Salem. With the help of a magical cat, the children must steal the witches’ special book to ensure that they cannot become immortal.
A major reason why “Hocus Pocus” works is Bette Midler. She plays Winniefred, the oldest and the meanest of the three sisters. She does this with such verve that it is actually impossible not to enjoy the performance. She is the one making the film scary for kids. The two sisters, Sarah and Mary, add the funny touch to the film. Some of the visual effects might be a bit outdated, but the humor works and the practical effects are good, so you can easily ignore the aforementioned.
I think “Hocus Pocus” is the perfect family film for this Halloween time. It’s funny and has the right amount of scare.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 166: Ghost World

Director: Terry Zwigoff
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Bob Balaban, Pat Healy

Description: With only the plan of moving in together after high school, two unusually devious friends (Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson) seek direction in life. As a mere gag, they respond to a man's newspaper ad for a date, only to find it will greatly complicate their lives.

Review: “Ghost World” is the adaptation of the American comic series with the same name. The base of the story is a comic book, but this is not a standard Hollywood comic book film. This film is about friendship, adulthood and cynism.
Enid and Rebecca are friends that seek a direction in life after graduating high school. When they respond to a newspaper add, it changes their lives completely.
“Ghost World” has one strong point: humor. The humor is so cynical, dry and sarcastic, I love that. Enid is someone who knows what she wants and has her opinion ready at all times.
The acting is solid, the humor is fantastic and I love some moments. Like the man waiting on the bus or the weirdo that terrorizes a convenient store.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 143: Patriot Games

Director: Phillip Noyce
Genre: Action/ Thriller
Runtime: 117 minutes
Year: 1992
Starring: Harrison Ford, Anne Archer, Patrick Bergin, Sean Bean, Thora Birch, James Fox, Samuel L. Jackson, James Earl Jones, Richard Harris

Description: When CIA Analyst Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) interferes with an IRA assassination, a renegade faction targets him and his family for revenge.

Review: When you’re looking for the American version of James Bond, we often think of Jason Bourne. But Jack Ryan could also be that man. Writer Tom Clancy passed away in 2013, but a left a great collection of stories. And Hollywood has used them a couple of times already. In “Patriot Games”, Harrison Ford takes on the role of Jack Ryan.
Jack Ryan is a CIA analyst, who works more behind the scenes. But he does have the best insights in certain cases and is very driven to enter the field. He isn’t an action hero, but determined to solve cases. Tom Clancy’s stories are more pollical inspired. “Patriot Games” is about the IRA. One fo the IRA men gets personal, when Ryan kills his brother.
“Patriot Games” is exciting and has a realistic tone. And the story is solid, because of Tom Clancy’s great work. Because of that, the movie rises above average, but it never overwhelms.

Rating: 3,5/ 5