The spell of the Bridge Hollow book is a captivating story that transports readers to a world of magic and mystery. The book follows the journey of a young girl named Alice who stumbles upon a hidden bookshop in the small town of Bridge Hollow. Little does she know that this bookshop holds a secret - the ability to transport readers into the world of the books they choose. As Alice picks up the Bridge Hollow book, she is immediately drawn into a world filled with mystical creatures and enchanting landscapes. The vivid descriptions and engaging plot make it feel as though the reader is right there alongside Alice, experiencing the magic firsthand. Throughout the story, Alice encounters various challenges and discovers hidden truths about herself and the world around her.
Netflix’s The Curse of Bridge Hollow presents an inoffensive way to introduce younger audiences to horror. The road to its predictable ending is paved with ok performances and decent monster magic, although there isn’t much – if any – humor to be had. That said, one could certainly do worse when it comes to picking a family-friendly movie to watch for the Halloween season.
Young teenagers who are new to horror will probably appreciate that the monsters aren t nightmare inducing; most are appropriately scary given its PG-13 styled content. She does well enough in playing the frustrated teenager, but what is lacking is any real emotion, despite being in several scenes that called for it.
Throughout the story, Alice encounters various challenges and discovers hidden truths about herself and the world around her. With each turn of the page, the reader is kept on the edge of their seat, eagerly awaiting what will happen next. The spell of the Bridge Hollow book lies not only in its captivating storyline, but also in its ability to spark the reader's imagination and transport them to a place outside of their everyday lives.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow - Review
This post might contain affiliation links. If you buy something through this post, the publisher may get a share of the sale.
Posted Oct. 14, 2022, 10 p.m.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow is now streaming on Netflix.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow’s October release on Netflix is timely. The autumn vibes and playful yet spooky sentiments typically ascribed to a family-friendly version of Halloween cements its foundation. Because of this, any inclination to view it through a critical eye is subdued; the desire to just go with the flow and have fun is strong. Unfortunately, The Curse of Bridge Hollow has enough flaws that it’s not always easy to just enjoy the seasonal treats.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow has a familiar premise. Howard Gordon (Marlon Wayans), an overbearing but ultimately loving science teacher, struggles to identify with his mildly rebellious teenage daughter, Sydney (Priah Ferguson). Conflicts arise whenever a “suggested” course of action negates personal desire – self-defense classes and small-town living supersede ballet and a reluctance to change area codes. The latest clash stems from Sydney’s belief in the supernatural. After learning of the town’s openly dark past, she tries to warn her father of a looming threat. Howard has a hard time believing in otherworldly matters, though. Even after witnessing various Halloween decorations spring to life, he believes that there has to be a logical explanation. Chaos ensues.
What’s presented is a Halloween experience that tries to mesh comedy with light horror. In certain aspects, the film succeeds. Small children might giggle at brief uses of profanity or the eccentric townsfolk who are somewhat obsessed with all things creepy. Young teenagers who are new to horror will probably appreciate that the monsters aren’t nightmare inducing; most are appropriately scary given its PG-13 styled content. And parents hoping to share a bit of Halloween magic can do so without offense, their mileage for horror aimed at younger audiences notwithstanding.
What mires some of the fun is how bland The Curse of Bridge Hollow can be. As loud and wacky as the townsfolk are, they fail to intrigue. Most are there to support the main characters as a means of delivering exposition and/or a few extra screams during chase sequences. Lauren Lapkus and Rob Riggle are ok enough as Mayor Tammy and oddball neighbor Sully respectively, but their apparent attempts at comedy fall flat. Kelly Rowland, who plays Howard’s wife, Emily, is also just fine. Though her presence isn’t meant to drive the story sans a few key moments, she doesn’t really bring anything unique to the role.
Thankfully, Wayans’ Howard is somewhat likable. His experience as a comedian and overall charm works here. And while the relatable father and daughter conflict does the heavy lifting, making it easier to root for him, it’s a nice change to see Wayans in a more subdued role…even if that means fewer laughs than normal. Ferguson’s depiction of Sydney, on the other hand, is a little disappointing. She does well enough in playing the frustrated teenager, but what is lacking is any real emotion, despite being in several scenes that called for it. One would hope to see a more spirited performance from her, something more akin to her portrayal of Stranger Things’ Erica Sinclair. Instead, a lot of her lines feel phoned in – a lot of telling instead of showing.
It suffers from being one of the more mundane Halloween films released this year.
That’s the biggest issue with The Curse of Bridge Hollow: it’s mostly, well, hollow, with a sprinkling of charm here and there. And considering how it doesn’t present a unique version of this particular premise all that well, it suffers from being one of the more mundane Halloween films released this year. It isn’t outright bad. Sitting somewhere between Eddie Murphy’s The Haunted Mansion and Jack Black’s Goosebumps, it won’t ruin an evening of popcorn and soft drinks. It just isn’t as good as it could have been.
The Verdict
Netflix’s The Curse of Bridge Hollow presents an inoffensive way to introduce younger audiences to horror. The road to its predictable ending is paved with ok performances and decent monster magic, although there isn’t much – if any – humor to be had. That said, one could certainly do worse when it comes to picking a family-friendly movie to watch for the Halloween season.
This post might contain affiliation links. If you buy something through this post, the publisher may get a share of the sale.
That’s the biggest issue with The Curse of Bridge Hollow: it’s mostly, well, hollow, with a sprinkling of charm here and there. And considering how it doesn’t present a unique version of this particular premise all that well, it suffers from being one of the more mundane Halloween films released this year. It isn’t outright bad. Sitting somewhere between Eddie Murphy’s The Haunted Mansion and Jack Black’s Goosebumps, it won’t ruin an evening of popcorn and soft drinks. It just isn’t as good as it could have been.
The themes explored in the Bridge Hollow book are universal and relatable, making it a story that resonates with readers of all ages. Friendship, courage, and the power of believing in oneself are recurring motifs that serve to inspire and uplift. The spell of the Bridge Hollow book lies in its ability to transport readers to a world where anything is possible and where imagination knows no bounds. In conclusion, the spell of the Bridge Hollow book is a captivating and enchanting tale that takes readers on a journey to a world of magic and mystery. Its engaging plot, relatable themes, and vivid descriptions make it a must-read for anyone looking to escape into a world of wonder..
Reviews for "The Bridge Hollow Book: An Unconventional Gift Idea"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - I could not get into "The Spell of Bridge Hollow Book" at all. The storyline felt disjointed and hard to follow, and the characters were flat and uninteresting. The writing style was also incredibly dull and lacked any sort of emotional depth. Overall, I found this book to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. John - 2/5 stars - "The Spell of Bridge Hollow Book" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver on its promises. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot twists were predictable and cliché. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, I was quite disappointed with this book and would not read anything else from this author in the future.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "The Spell of Bridge Hollow Book", but it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was overly descriptive and dragged on, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The characters were also poorly developed, and I found it hard to relate to or care about any of them. Unfortunately, this book was a letdown for me.
4. David - 1/5 stars - "The Spell of Bridge Hollow Book" was a complete bore. The plot was unoriginal and lacked any sort of excitement or suspense. The writing felt amateurish and lacked finesse. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining read.