"Song Strange Magic" Music has a profound impact on our lives, touching our emotions and connecting us with the world around us. One such song that has the ability to captivate and mesmerize its listeners is "Strange Magic." Released by the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) in 1976, this enchanting song has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with people of all generations. "Strange Magic" is a beautifully crafted composition that combines elements of rock and pop, with a touch of classical influences. Written and produced by ELO's frontman Jeff Lynne, the song showcases his exceptional talent as a songwriter and musician. From the mesmerizing melody to the heartfelt lyrics, "Strange Magic" creates an otherworldly experience for its listeners.
His attraction to the dark side of the subject is also evident in the love he had for Edogawa Ranpo’s horror narratives; A love that made him become one of the most important cinematographical translators of Ranpo’s oeuvre. Like with Edogawa Ranpo’s narratives, Ishii’s style began to be denoted as Ero-guro. This influence of ero-guro is also evident in Blind Woman’s curse, one of the last mainstream narratives Nikkatsu produced before switching to Roman Porno.
His attraction to the dark side of the subject is also evident in the love he had for Edogawa Ranpo s horror narratives; A love that made him become one of the most important cinematographical translators of Ranpo s oeuvre. While Blind Woman s Curse s narrative has thematic tones of loyalty, revenge, penance and mending one s ways, the narrative does not aim to explore these themes deeply.
From the mesmerizing melody to the heartfelt lyrics, "Strange Magic" creates an otherworldly experience for its listeners. The opening notes of the song immediately grab your attention, drawing you into a world of captivating sounds. The ethereal harmonies and intricate instrumentals create a sense of mystery and intrigue.
Blind Woman’s Curse (1970) review
“Pleasure (…) is to be extracted from the visuals (…) so beautifully framed by the cinematography, and from the way Meiko Kaji with her mesmerizing performance synthesizes the narrative’s mix of genres.”
Introduction
The King of Cult: Teruo Ishii. With such a prolific and eclectic career, it is no wonder that Ishii is called this way in Japan. And while his oeuvre is eclectic, a certain attraction to the more darker and the more weirder side of humanity has always guided him. This is for instance apparent in his choice to direct the 8 entries of ‘Joys of Torture’ series (1968–1973), a series investigating torture in Japan in a historical context.
His attraction to the dark side of the subject is also evident in the love he had for Edogawa Ranpo’s horror narratives; A love that made him become one of the most important cinematographical translators of Ranpo’s oeuvre. Like with Edogawa Ranpo’s narratives, Ishii’s style began to be denoted as Ero-guro. This influence of ero-guro is also evident in Blind Woman’s curse, one of the last mainstream narratives Nikkatsu produced before switching to Roman Porno.
Review
Late 1920s, pre-war Japan. Akemi (Meiko Kaji), the dragon tattooed successor of the Tachibana clan, has to kill Goda, a boss of a rival clan. In a fight with this gang, Akemi accidentally slashes the face of Goda’s sister Aiko (Hoki Tokuda), who wanted to protect her brother. She falls down bleeding. A black cat appears and starts licking the blood of the victim. Suddenly the coal-black beast attacks Akemi, cursing her.
Three years later, after serving her jail sentence, Akemi is faced with the Aozora-gumi, a rival clan who desires to take over her territory. An additional problem arises when members of the Tachibana family start to die one-by-one, each death a stark reminder of the curse she is burdened with.
While Blind Woman’s Curse‘s narrative has thematic tones of loyalty, revenge, penance and mending one’s ways, the narrative does not aim to explore these themes deeply. These themes – common themes in Yakuza-eiga, solely act as an essential narrative structure to fit in the hotchpotch Blind Women’s curse has become. The narrative is at once a Yakuza-eiga, a sword-fighting narrative, and a comedy narrative – with Ryohei Uchida’s butt as comical attraction – mixed with the ero-guro Ishii is so famous for. The hideout of Dobashi (Toru Abe) for example has a room of half-naked opium addicted prostitutes, besides trapdoors and hidden mirror doors.
Blind Woman’s Curse doesn’t aim to present a cohesive narrative or to fully develop or to answer all the plot-points it introduces. It is pretty clear that this narrative is first and foremost an exercise of style and a weird genre-mix that just aims to be fun and entertaining (Narra-note 1, narra-note 2). Unsurprisingly, this entertainment is mainly to be found in the visuals as such and at the level the eye (of the spectator) in the act of looking. And while this is already evident in the opening sequence of the narrative and in some other sequences that follow, it is only the final showdown that fully embodies this stylish enjoyment. Beyond the abundance of blood-splatter, which will surely appease the sword-fighting audiences, the visual poetry is to be situated in the way the (framing of the) dragon-tattoo – from head to tail – is entwined with the framing of the sword-fighting as such.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, that the cinematography of Blind Woman’s Curse is infused with some true visual artistry. And while this is most apparent in the framing of movement (i.e. the thoughtful application of slow-motion, zoom-ins, followings shots and other moving shots), this artistry is also evident in the attentive way in which characters are positioned in the narrative space and in how effective the lightning is handled in certain scenes (cine-note 1). Shigeru Kitazumi, the cinematographer, is really able to express his talent. And Teruo Ishii, he is successful in using Kitazumi’s talent to compose Akemi’s narrative in a very engaging way, even though the blend of genres lacks some fluidity. Furthermore, Hajime Kaburagi further supports the enjoyment of the narrative with the rhythm his music introduces.
Meiko Kaji is a truly exceptional in her role as Akemi and her mesmerizing presence is sensible captured and even exploited by the cinematography. The many close-ups – and in some instances even extreme close-ups – framing her face and her piercing gaze underline her elegant beauty, turning her elegance into a vehicle that keeps on enticing the male gaze.
People who expect to find thematic depth in Blind Woman’s Curse will be left disappointed, but this expectation constitutes a misunderstanding of the narrative as such. Blind Woman’s Curse is a narrative that needs to be enjoyed at the level of the surface of the narrative, at the level of the flow of imagery. The pleasure for the spectator is to be extracted from the visuals, the visuals so beautifully framed by the cinematography, and from the way Meiko Kaji with her mesmerizing performance synthesizes the narrative’s mix of genres.
Notes
Narra-note 1: As the narrative is first and foremost an exercise of style to be enjoyed at the level of the gaze, one shouldn’t think to deeply about the narrative. If one does think deeply about the narrative, it rapidly becomes clear that some plot-aspects remain undeveloped.
Narra-note 2: The presence of Tatsumi Hijikata as the hunchback has no real substantial narrative value, but his Butoh performance, a performance art he developed, is nevertheless a strange experience that, coupled with his other short appearances in the narrative, enforces the weirdness of the narrative space.
Cine-note 1: One aspect that is also worth mentioning is Ishii’s pleasing use of geometry to create a frame within a frame.
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The main plot thread is fairly simple. Akemi (Kaji) is the head of the Tachibana yakuza clan, and in the opening battle – shot in slow motion in the rain, because of course it is – she accidentally blinds the sister of a rival gang’s leader. A black cat, never confirmed as a bakeneko but dripping with echoes of Japanese folklore, leaps in and laps up the blood of the blinded woman. Thus a curse is born that pursues Akemi until several years later when another rival gang tries to usurp her territory, and she has to fend them off while her comrades are picked off, one by one.
The use of synthesizers, string instruments, and layered vocals add depth and richness to the overall composition. As the song progresses, the lyrics unfold, painting a picture of a love that is both magical and mysterious. The lyrics speak of a love that is all-encompassing and transcendent, defying logic and reason. It explores the enchantment of falling in love and the inexplicable emotions that come with it. The chorus, with its catchy and memorable melody, perfectly captures the essence of this strange magic. "Strange Magic" has a timeless quality that resonates with listeners, regardless of the era in which it was released. Its universal theme of love and enchantment makes it relatable and relevant even today. The song's popularity has been further cemented by its inclusion in popular films and TV shows, introducing it to new generations of music lovers. In conclusion, "Strange Magic" is a song that possesses a rare and magical quality. Its compelling melody, evocative lyrics, and masterful production make it a standout piece of music. It is a testament to the power of music to transport us to another world and evoke feelings of love and enchantment. "Strange Magic" is a song that continues to captivate and mystify its listeners, proving its staying power in the ever-changing landscape of music..
Reviews for "The Witches' Brew: Examining the Strange Magic in Songs That Celebrate the Occult and Supernatural"
1. John - 2/5 stars - "I found 'Song Strange Magic' to be quite disappointing. The plot was confusing and didn't make much sense, with characters appearing and disappearing without any explanation. The animation was also lacking, and the musical numbers didn't add anything to the overall story. I had high hopes for this film, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me."
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "I couldn't stand watching 'Song Strange Magic'. The story was incredibly cliché, the dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the humor felt forced. The characters and their motivations were not well-developed, making it difficult to care about any of them. Additionally, the animation quality was disappointing and didn't live up to the standards of other animated films. Overall, I regretted wasting my time on this film."
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - "I had high expectations for 'Song Strange Magic', but it failed to meet them. The storyline was predictable and lacked any real depth. The songs felt forced and didn't enhance the narrative; rather, they felt shoehorned in for the sake of having musical numbers. The characters were forgettable, and their actions often didn't make logical sense. Overall, it was a forgettable and mediocre film that didn't live up to its potential."
4. Emily - 3/5 stars - "While 'Song Strange Magic' had some good aspects, it wasn't enough to redeem the overall experience. The animation was visually appealing, but the plot felt disjointed and rushed. The characters lacked development, and their interactions were often frustratingly inconsistent. The music didn't stand out and was forgettable. Overall, it had potential but failed to deliver a cohesive and enjoyable story."
5. David - 2/5 stars - "I wasn't impressed with 'Song Strange Magic'. The romantic storyline was predictable and lacked any real depth. The humor felt forced and fell flat most of the time. The animation quality was decent, but it didn't compensate for the lackluster plot and uninteresting characters. I was disappointed by this film and wouldn't recommend it to others."