Half Magic is a magical flick that took the world by storm. The movie revolves around the adventures of four children who stumble upon a magical coin that grants them half of whatever they wish for. Each child quickly learns the power of the coin and begins using it to their advantage. The characters in Half Magic are both relatable and endearing. There is Jane, the oldest and most responsible of the group, who wishes for a way to escape her mundane life. Mark, the only boy in the group, wishes for a father figure to fill the void left by his absent dad.
The enormous spacecraft that will head to Jupiter’s moon Europa uses four large reaction wheels to help keep it oriented.
Engineers and technicians at NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California recently installed four reaction wheels on Europa Clipper, which will rely on them during its journey at Jupiter s icy moon Europa. Just as NASA s Mars rovers rely on robust wheels to roam the Red Planet and conduct science, some orbiters rely on wheels, too in this case, reaction wheels to stay pointed in the right direction.
Mark, the only boy in the group, wishes for a father figure to fill the void left by his absent dad. Katherine, the shy and imaginative one, wishes for the courage to stand up for herself. And finally, Martha, the youngest and most innocent of the group, wishes for her dog to talk.
The Magic of Storytelling
A captivating spectacle of storytelling and self-discovery.
Xavior Crowley, Staff Writer | February 19, 2021
Derek DelGaudio’s In and Of Itself.
An old home VHS tape plays, a scene with bustling and boundless youth at school. It takes you back. It cuts abruptly and pans across a wall of cards, all labeled with “I AM” and a different role of the world. Audience members take a journey, discarding their name for a title. You feel like the experience is your own.
“If you go back all the way to the beginning of recorded history, storytelling has been there,” Zaki Hamid, EvCC’s film and mass media professor, says. “It started on cave drawings and evolved from there. Everything from books, stage and movies and so on. Why do we have kids? It comes from really passing on something to the next generation.”
Think about the scattered perspectives of the world – how beliefs and feelings travel. A storyteller’s opportunity is not upon a specific moment, but in the moments found by a willingness to learn.
Zaki Hamid, EvCC film and mass media professor. (Courtesy Photo from Zaki Hamid.)
“You see the humanity in others, and that’s something that is just so deeply needed,” Hamid says.
Derek DelGaudio’s In and Of Itself is not satisfied with telling an uninvolved story. DelGaudio’s documentary emphasizes storytelling in an intricate performance which thrusts you into a free-fall of misdirection and steers you into the toils of self-conflict in the endeavor at self-discovery.
“It left me questioning what to believe,” Beth Peterson, head of EvCC’s drama department, says. “You ask how so many things are an illusion? It’s about perception, identity, influence. There is so much in it.”
The original Off-Broadway theater production ran for more than 500 shows at Daryl Roth Theatre; it now presents as a Hulu exclusive film. DelGaudio explores the illusions and complexities of identity through a story of theatrical existential crisis. A theater show encouraging audience members to use self-reflection and empathy without ever asking. Rather, commanding it.
The one-man show recounts heartfelt stories of his life and the untold stories of many others. Through six acts he brings awareness to consciousness and the struggling turbulent perception of all stories, an illuminatingly relevant exploit.
“One of my teachers said, ‘Everything I know about anything, I learned from theater.’ And I get that, in a way it exposes you to topics that you might not know anything about. It exposes you to different views, different perspectives. And the ones that are done well will have that effect on you.” Hamid says.
The method of the story is an extension of its ubiquitous meaning: in a book, you are entranced by something unexplainable; in a movie something untouchable, and in a theater something indisputable. Every great story has a message that transcends its own narrative.
“There’s something that happens inside of a theater that it could be quite magical when it hits,” Hamid says.
“There’s a universal quality in theater,” Peterson says. “Theater is relevance – it needs to be heard.”
“Theater helps us understand the problems of our world and what to do moving forward,” Peterson says. “There’s a human connection through it. To be impacted in a profound way.
Beth Peterson, head of EvCC’s drama department. (Courtesy Photo from Beth Peterson.)
“Something magical happens. There exists a common communication. An ephemeral quality. It happens one time and then is lost.”
Trying to focus on its proposed intention. DelGaudio creates an immediate reaction with storytelling as he applies your connection to him, and more importantly to his audience.
The film consumes you in its art of storytelling and leaves you clamoring for answers. Is it theater, a singularity, or something more?
“In plays, you have to invest. It’s live. You have to be committed. You can’t check out.” Peterson says, “It’s fascinating. I don’t know if I would specially call this theater. Theater uses the element of impersonation. He never tries to be something else… So by definition, is it really theater?”
These un-realizations are part of its mystique. To be enticed by a performance enough to examine the necessity of storytelling in all facets.
“Coming this year we will be bringing theater back. I have so many ideas. Perhaps using streaming and even building our own stages. Like our previous production, even using interactive elements to keep the audience engaged. I’m excited.” Peterson says. “Theater is a cockroach. It can never be destroyed. It comes back with vengeance.”
Storytelling defies description, whilst explaining itself in its first introduction. It divulges reality, whilst concealing it under a veil. It is what other people believe, whilst being everything it is not. It truly is, in and of itself.
“I AM” cards offering an identity to its audience members. (Screenshot from Derek DelGaudio’s In and Of Itself.)
The original Off-Broadway theater production ran for more than 500 shows at Daryl Roth Theatre; it now presents as a Hulu exclusive film. DelGaudio explores the illusions and complexities of identity through a story of theatrical existential crisis. A theater show encouraging audience members to use self-reflection and empathy without ever asking. Rather, commanding it.
As the children begin to make their wishes, they quickly realize that the coin’s magic is not as straightforward as they had hoped. Instead of their wishes coming true in their entirety, they only receive half of what they ask for. This leads to hilarious and unexpected outcomes. For example, Jane wishes to become an actress, but instead only half of her body transforms into a famous actress. Mark wishes for a father figure, but instead only half of a person appears. The movie takes the audience on a magical journey as the children discover the true power of their wishes and learn valuable life lessons along the way. They learn that true happiness cannot be found through material possessions or shortcuts, but rather through personal growth and self-acceptance. Half Magic also explores themes of friendship and the importance of working together. The children quickly realize that their individual wishes are not fulfilling without the support and companionship of their friends. Together, they embark on a quest to find the other half of the coin in order to reverse their wishes and restore balance to their lives. The film is filled with laughter, adventure, and heartwarming moments. It teaches valuable life lessons in a fun and entertaining way. Half Magic is a must-watch for both children and adults alike, reminding us all of the power of friendship, self-discovery, and the magic that can be found within ourselves..
Reviews for "The Role of Rituals in Half Magic: Enhancing Your Spells"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Half magic magix flick". The plot was predictable and cliché, and the acting was subpar at best. I found it hard to connect with any of the characters, as they felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. The special effects were also poorly done, taking away from what little enjoyment I could have derived from this film. Overall, I would not recommend "Half magic magix flick" to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed movie.
2. Mark - 2/5 - "Half magic magix flick" did not live up to my expectations. While the concept was promising, the execution fell flat. The pacing was uneven, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the film. The dialogue felt forced and at times cringe-worthy. Additionally, the character development was lacking, with the protagonists feeling inconsistent in their actions and motivations. Overall, "Half magic magix flick" failed to deliver on its potential and left me feeling underwhelmed.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I found "Half magic magix flick" to be rather forgettable. The story felt overly simplistic and lacked originality. The humor fell flat for me, with most of the jokes feeling forced and unimaginative. The acting was mediocre at best, with the cast failing to bring any depth or nuance to their characters. Overall, "Half magic magix flick" failed to leave a lasting impression and is not a film I would recommend to others.
4. Michael - 1/5 - "Half magic magix flick" was a complete waste of time. The plot was nonsensical and poorly developed, leaving me feeling confused and uninterested. The acting was cringe-worthy, with the actors delivering their lines in a robotic manner. The visual effects were also poorly executed, making the already weak story even harder to follow. I would advise anyone considering watching "Half magic magix flick" to steer clear and find something more worthwhile to watch.
5. Megan - 2/5 - I didn't particularly enjoy "Half magic magix flick". The story felt overly formulaic and lacked originality. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, leaving me feeling uninvested in their plight. While there were some humorous moments, they were few and far between. Overall, "Half magic magix flick" failed to leave a lasting impression and is not a film I would recommend to others.