Santana's "Black Magic Woman" is a classic rock song that has captivated audiences for decades. The song was originally released in 1970 on Santana's album "Abraxas." Since then, it has become one of their most well-known and beloved songs. The song starts with a mesmerizing and haunting guitar riff that immediately grabs the listener's attention. Carlos Santana's distinctive guitar playing is one of the defining elements of the song, and his soulful and passionate performance is a highlight throughout. The lyrics of "Black Magic Woman" tell the story of a seductive and mysterious woman who has the power to captivate and control men.
Interestingly. Fisher apparently did not watch the 1931 Frankenstein film, which may have been a very good decision. In Curse, it’s easy to see that this is a person who knows exactly what they are doing and where they want their film to go. Every camera movement means something and every piece of dialogue is necessary. There are even several scenes with little to no dialogue as if to emphasize this point. A love story is used to add to the story rather than just to give characters something to do. The relationships here never feel forced like they are so often in other films. The whole film is so superbly built as well. The pace is perfect, and you’ll be on the edge of your seat for the climax of the film.
The opening credits, with a blood red background and dramatic music, now feel very typical Hammer Horror, especially from this period of the mid to late 1950 s. Fisher abandoned the monochrome documentary look of Quatermass in favour of the lovely pastels and lurid primaries of Eastmancolour, and the half-modern half-fairytale world of the James Whale version gave way to a meticulous mid-Victorian Switzerland, complete with elaborate sets, hairstyles and costumes.
The lyrics of "Black Magic Woman" tell the story of a seductive and mysterious woman who has the power to captivate and control men. The song's lyrics are simple yet evocative, perfectly complementing the hypnotic music. The song's popularity was further boosted by its inclusion in the iconic 1999 film "The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan.
Late to the Party: The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
No. After watching Hammer’s The Curse of Frankenstein, I can confidently say that he is not. He makes a great one, but he is not the ultimate monster. Oh, and by the way, the monster can appropriately be called Frankenstein. It’s technically Victor Frankenstein’s son, so his last name would be Frankenstein. Just sayin’. Moving on!
“DID YOU EAT MY LAST TWINKIE!? WHAT DID I TELL YOU!?”
The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) does a lot of things right. For one thing, the monster here is downright terrifying. Christopher Lee plays the creation here, and although his iconic voice is missed, his stature, paired with the wonderfully terrifying makeup, makes for a very effective creature. In 1957, the monster (in full color, no less) would have horrified audiences through and through. The first Hammer Horror film would feature more blood, more color, and more terror than the Universal Studios version from 1931.
The frights are here indeed, but they are few and far between. The film underutilizes Christopher Lee in an almost criminal way; the focus is more on the relationship dynamics between Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing), his tutor-turned-assistant Paul Krempe (Robert Urquhart), and Frankenstein’s arranged fiancee, Elizabeth (Hazel Court). Straying from both the Universal film and the original novel, Victor Frankenstein is an absolute madman here. An evil genius; strong emphasis on evil. He will go on to kill people for his creation. He will treat people like dirt, only to come to them for help when he needs them. He will have no regard for anyone besides himself and completing his project – which, as you can guess, is animating a body pieced together from separate parts.
The cinematography in this film is one of the best parts about it. The Curse of Frankenstein makes clever use of zooming and also framing; not something you’d expect from a monster flick from the late 1950’s. Set design and coloration are both given much detail. The film is expertly made and is a joy to watch. It’s always refreshing to watch a monster film and have everything given proper attention, as opposed to only t
he main attraction.
So, maybe in that regard, I’m wrong about my assessment of Christopher Lee being underutilized. Maybe that’s exactly the point. The scenes in which he is shown on film are highly effective, and not only because he looks scary. There are scenes which exemplify extreme pity; the monster is eventually shot and the brain is damaged. Once revived, it is like a pathetic dog, chained up and forced to behave like a puppet. My heart sank at the sight of this, making me feel angry towards the mad doctor and his selfishness and the embarrassment that this creature who never asked to be created is forced to feel. While it lacks the playfulness that Universal’s picture had, it makes up for it in stern emotion and psychological themes.
The scene in which Lohan's character performs a lip-synced version of "Black Magic Woman" helped introduce the song to a new generation of listeners. In the age of technology, YouTube has played a significant role in increasing the song's reach and ensuring its endurance. Numerous live performances and covers of "Black Magic Woman" can be found on YouTube, allowing fans to enjoy different interpretations of the song. Moreover, the official music video for "Black Magic Woman" has garnered millions of views on YouTube. The video showcases Santana's electrifying stage presence and showcases the band's incredible musicianship. Overall, "Black Magic Woman" is a timeless rock song that has stood the test of time. Its unforgettable guitar riff, soulful lyrics, and captivating performance have made it a must-listen for any fan of rock music. Thanks to YouTube, the song continues to reach new audiences and solidify its place in music history..
Reviews for "Santana's 'Black Magic Woman': A Journey Through Latin Rock"
1. John - 2 stars - I have to say, I was really disappointed with the "Santana black magic woman" YouTube video. The audio quality was terrible, and it was hard to understand what was being said. Additionally, the video itself was very low-resolution and pixelated. Overall, it was a lackluster experience, and I won't be watching it again.
2. Sarah - 1 star - This rendition of "Black Magic Woman" by Santana on YouTube left a lot to be desired. The vocals were completely off-key, and it was painful to listen to. The video editing was also choppy, making it difficult to follow the performance. I was expecting more from such a renowned artist. Unfortunately, this was a disappointment.
3. David - 3 stars - I've always been a fan of Santana, but this particular performance of "Black Magic Woman" on YouTube didn't quite live up to my expectations. The audio mixing seemed off, and the instruments often overshadowed the vocals. It felt like a missed opportunity for a powerful rendition. While it wasn't terrible, I can't say it was one of their best performances either.
4. Emily - 2 stars - As someone who loves the original version of "Black Magic Woman," I was excited to find a video of Santana performing it on YouTube. However, I was let down by the quality of the recording. The video was shaky and incredibly blurry, making it difficult to fully enjoy the performance. It's a shame because I know Santana is capable of delivering fantastic performances, but this was not one of them.
5. Mark - 1 star - I watched the "Santana black magic woman" YouTube video with high hopes, but I was sorely disappointed. The audio was distorted, making it hard to appreciate the music. Additionally, the video quality was extremely poor, almost like it was recorded on a low-quality cellphone. I expected better from such an iconic artist.