If you're looking to add a touch of holiday magic to your home entertainment collection, the Holiday Magic DVD is a perfect choice. This DVD features a compilation of heartwarming and festive movies and specials that are sure to get you into the holiday spirit. With the Holiday Magic DVD, you can enjoy a variety of holiday classics all in one place. Whether you're in the mood for a heartwarming family film like "Home Alone" or a beloved Christmas special like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," this DVD has it all. You can immerse yourself in the magic of the holiday season with beloved characters and heartwarming stories that have become timeless traditions. One of the great things about the Holiday Magic DVD is that it offers something for everyone.
One of the great things about the Holiday Magic DVD is that it offers something for everyone. Whether you're watching alone or with family and friends, there's a movie or special that will appeal to everyone's tastes. From animated favorites like "Frosty the Snowman" to romantic comedies like "Love Actually," this DVD has a wide range of genres and themes to choose from.
manny's book of shadows
“The Dreams in the Witch House” first appeared in the July 1933 issue of Weird Tales.
Although often dismissed by critics, H.P. Lovecraft‘s The Dreams in the Witch-House is actually one of my favorite of his latter tales. I’ll admit that it is imperfect, but it is also admirable in it’s scope. Lovecraft mixes Gothic Horror with really high brow Sci Fi. And therein lies the problem. Lovecraft gets so technical and oblique in his descriptions of Walter Gilman’s night-time sojourns that it gets a bit distracting. Also, he introduces elements that don’t really pay off, like the mention of the Elder Things which goes nowhere or even the Black Man of the Witches (an avatar of Nyarlathotep) who never makes a proper appearance and is only glimpsed furtively running around with the witch, Keziah Mason, and her familiar Brown Jenkin. Then there is the all too familiar xenophobia creeping in with Lovecraft’s descriptions of the Polish immigrants, who are portrayed as brutish and uncouth.
Even so, I got a kick out of some of the scenes where Gilman sees Keziah and Brown Jenkin in the outer spheres either as weird geometrical congeries of bubbles and polyhedrons hinting at their earthly forms or when they are seen outright making cryptic hand gestures to guide Gilman to the desired portals into the dream dimensions. I also like the hints of how Keziah used her secrets culled from ancient tracts, like the Necronomicon, to find a way to escape Salem Gaol during the infamous Witch Trials of 1692. The horror elements of the tale are terrifying and very dark: witch’s Sabbaths, black books and child sacrifice, all told in a very effective and convincing way as only Lovecraft can do.
Variant title poster for Curse of the Crimson Altar (1968).
I think the tale has definite cinematic potential and indeed it has been adapted a couple of times before. First in the 1968 film Curse of the Crimson Altar, featuring the triple threat of Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee and my beloved Barbara Steele! It is a very loose adaptation however that, although entertaining, has very little to do with the source material. Stuart Gordon‘s 2005 Masters of Horror adaptation H. P. Lovecraft’s Dreams in the Witch House is much closer to the story, but still makes some notable changes. For starters, Gordon and co-writer Dennis Paoli eschew most of the Sci-Fi parts and only hint at the geometrical basis of the dream travel. They focus on the horror elements but change Gilman’s college buddy Frank Elwood to attractive single mother Frances Elwood, who is presented as a potential love interest, and whose baby ends up replacing little Ladislas Wolejko from the original tale in the final confrontation between Gilman and Keziah.
DVD cover for Masters of Horror 2005 adaptation by Stuart Gordon.
All in all, I think it’s a much more daring and ambitious tale than critics give it credit for. Even August Derleth was critical of it, which made Lovecraft a bit self conscious I think. For more on that, check out the Wikipedia entry here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dreams_in_the_Witch_House#Reception.
It remains, in my estimation, a great work of dark fantasy and I also think, given a thoughtful reworking, it could make a fascinating film.
I think the tale has definite cinematic potential and indeed it has been adapted a couple of times before. First in the 1968 film Curse of the Crimson Altar, featuring the triple threat of Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee and my beloved Barbara Steele! It is a very loose adaptation however that, although entertaining, has very little to do with the source material. Stuart Gordon‘s 2005 Masters of Horror adaptation H. P. Lovecraft’s Dreams in the Witch House is much closer to the story, but still makes some notable changes. For starters, Gordon and co-writer Dennis Paoli eschew most of the Sci-Fi parts and only hint at the geometrical basis of the dream travel. They focus on the horror elements but change Gilman’s college buddy Frank Elwood to attractive single mother Frances Elwood, who is presented as a potential love interest, and whose baby ends up replacing little Ladislas Wolejko from the original tale in the final confrontation between Gilman and Keziah.
Not only does the Holiday Magic DVD offer a selection of beloved films and specials, but it also provides bonus features that add to the overall experience. These bonus features may include behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with cast members, and even sing-along options for some of the most popular songs featured in the films and specials. These extras enhance your viewing experience and allow you to dive deeper into the holiday magic. Whether you're hosting a holiday gathering, looking for a way to relax during the festive season, or searching for the perfect gift, the Holiday Magic DVD is a must-have. It brings together the joy, warmth, and enchantment of the holiday season into one convenient package. So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, cozy up on the couch, and let the Holiday Magic DVD transport you to a world of holiday cheer and enchantment..
Reviews for "Celebrate the Magic of the Season with this Captivating DVD"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with this "Holiday Magic" DVD. The concept sounded great, but the execution fell flat. The whole thing felt clunky and poorly edited. Additionally, the selection of holiday movies included on the DVD was lackluster. I was expecting a wide variety of classic films, but instead, I got a handful of mediocre, generic movies. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this DVD to anyone looking for quality holiday entertainment.
2. Brian - 1 star - The "Holiday Magic" DVD was a complete waste of money. The movies included were not well-known or popular holiday films, leaving me feeling like I had wasted my time watching them. The quality of the DVD itself was also subpar - I experienced frequent buffering and playback issues. Furthermore, the bonus features promised on the packaging were practically non-existent. Save your money and look for a more reputable holiday movie collection.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the "Holiday Magic" DVD, but it failed to deliver. The selection of movies was underwhelming, with most being poorly made and low-budget productions. The overall presentation felt cheap and hastily put together. I found myself bored and uninterested in the films, despite it being the holiday season. I would suggest skipping this DVD and opting for a more established collection of holiday movies.