The magic theme is a popular topic in literature, film, and folklore. It captivates the imagination and brings a sense of wonder and enchantment to readers and viewers. The magic theme often features characters with extraordinary powers and abilities, magical creatures, and mystical realms. In literature, the magic theme is prevalent in fantasy novels such as J.R.R.
This movie was cheaply made and it looked like it. However, luckily, they didn’t try to have fanciful special effects so it looked a touch better than some of the previous films I had to review. It was still liked kind of drab, the story wasn’t interesting, and the whole magic tree (that was sentient and could talk to Mark) was not the most compelling object to center a plot around. There was nothing here that added any entertainment value that would make it worth your time.
The kid had no redeeming values that I could discern, so it made me wish someone would chuck the little jerk into a well and keep him down there until he decides to stop being a massive douchenozzle. She tells him there s a magic seed inside Santa and he is to plant it on Thanksgiving night under the wishbone of a turkey under the darkness of the moon and he also has to recite some spell while turning the ring three times.
R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and J.K.
Film Review: Magic Christmas Tree (1964)
After watching The Magic Christmas Tree, I have a question: Did people in the 1960s just hate children? Or was it just the people in the movie industry? Only people that strongly detest kids would make some of the family-oriented movies I’ve been asked to review that came from that era. These are not films that you would let someone watch for enjoyment. No, you make someone sit through a movie like this as a form of punishment.
The Magic Christmas Tree centers on Mark, a child showing all the signs of being a budding sociopath. He goes over to the house of an old lady he believes is a witch, just to prove that he’s brave or something to that effect. Once he gets there, he ends up helping the old lady get her cat out of a tree, and in the process, manages to fall out of the tree and smack his head. Instead of this being his demise, which would have saved me some suffering, this just makes him the movie go from black and white and into color. He also realizes that the old lady is truly a witch, and she, as a way of thanking him for getting her cat out of the tree, gives him a special seed that grows into a magical tree capable of granting him three wishes. However, it doesn’t take long for Mark to use the wishes in destructive ways, forcing him to learn a valuable lesson. (Though, to be fair, I’m not sure if he learned anything and was just saying what people wanted to hear like the little psycho I suspect him of being).
Let me make this clear, you really shouldn’t check out this movie or look it up. It’s not worth the smallest increment of your time unless you really want to watch a film centering on one of the most unlikeable children you’ll have the displeasure of having to watch. Mark is pretty much a selfish brat. Sure, he helps out the old lady with her cat, but mainly because he’s kind of cajoled into it.
Once he has a tree that grants him wishes, he uses his first wish to give him the power to make things do whatever he wants them to for an hour and immediately goes on a rampage causing chaos around his town. Because he wasn’t done showing us what a psychopath he is, he decides to use his next wish to have Santa all to himself for all of Christmas Eve so Santa will give him everything he wants. The kid had no redeeming values that I could discern, so it made me wish someone would chuck the little jerk into a well and keep him down there until he decides to stop being a massive douchenozzle. It is hard to sit through a movie when the main character is as detestable as Mark.
When discussing this movie, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the acting. Or better yet, how much I wish actual acting was involved. To say the entire cast was terrible would be an understatement. Everyone showed the emotional range of marionettes. Almost everyone delivered their lines as if they were completely dead inside and all that was left were empty husks of the people they had once been. If you could fill out the cast with the living dead, I’m sure the end results would be similar.
I doubt a single one of these people had taken any kind of acting or drama classes. If they had, then the person who taught them should be forced to give these people their money back. I would have felt bad for this cast if not for the fact that after a while of suffering through this film, I began to hate these people. I began to hope that they had felt the same level of misery making the film that I felt watching the freaking thing.
This movie was cheaply made and it looked like it. However, luckily, they didn’t try to have fanciful special effects so it looked a touch better than some of the previous films I had to review. It was still liked kind of drab, the story wasn’t interesting, and the whole magic tree (that was sentient and could talk to Mark) was not the most compelling object to center a plot around. There was nothing here that added any entertainment value that would make it worth your time.
The best thing I can say about the film is that its run time was mercifully short, and that’s the only good thing I can say about it as well. Don’t watch it, don’t look directly at it, and pretend like you never heard of the thing. You’re better off that way.
A young boy, Mark, pesters an old witch, who curses him with a sassy, indestructible pine tree that can grant him three wishes. He immediately goes about imposing his dickish will on the people of his town, ruining their day for his own juvenile amusement. Not content to lord over the town, Mark promptly imprisons Santa Claus, deciding he, and only he, should have Christmas that year. And then a giant and his magic scrying stream gets involved. I suppose there are Christmas-adjacent themes to this, about not being a greedy little bastard, but every aspect of this is so amateurish that its hard to take anything seriously. I know there's a Rifftrax of this, and I'd assume that's the more enjoyable version of this. Though, the lightly passive-aggressive tone the tree takes is kind of funny.
Rowling's "Harry Potter" series. These stories transport readers to magical worlds filled with wizards, witches, and fantastical creatures. The use of magic in these novels adds an element of excitement and suspense to the plot, as characters navigate through challenges and adventures. Film also incorporates the magic theme through visual effects and storytelling. Movies like "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" transport viewers to magical realms and showcase characters with magical abilities. These films often use special effects to create spells, enchantments, and magical creatures, captivating audiences of all ages. The magic theme also plays a significant role in folklore and mythology. Tales of witches, fairies, and sorcerers have been passed down through generations and continue to enchant people today. These stories often teach moral lessons and explore the power of magic and its impact on characters and their journeys. In addition to literature, film, and folklore, the magic theme can also be seen in various forms of entertainment such as stage shows and video games. Magicians perform illusions and tricks that appear to defy the laws of nature, leaving audiences amazed and entertained. Video games often feature characters with magical abilities, allowing players to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy and adventure. Overall, the magic theme brings a sense of awe and wonder to audiences of all ages. It allows us to escape reality and enter a world where anything is possible. Whether in literature, film, or folklore, the magic theme continues to captivate and inspire imagination..
Reviews for "The Magic Thief's Expertise: The Skills and Knowledge They Possess"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I found "The Magic Thief" to be incredibly boring and predictable. The plot was lacking in originality and the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and therefore had no investment in their journey. The writing style was also subpar, with clunky sentences and awkward dialogue. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable fantasy read.
2. John - 2 stars
"The Magic Thief" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The world-building was weak and the magic system felt underdeveloped. The pacing was all over the place, with slow and tedious parts followed by rushed and confusing events. The main character was also quite annoying and difficult to root for. Despite my initial excitement, I found myself increasingly disinterested as the story progressed. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a better fantasy novel.
3. Emily - 1 star
I found "The Magic Thief" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was uninteresting and filled with clichés. The writing was lackluster and lacked any depth. The world-building was poorly explained, leaving many questions unanswered. The characters were forgettable and lacked any real development. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would advise readers to choose something else from their reading list.
4. Jason - 2 stars
"The Magic Thief" had potential, but it fell short in execution. The main character's voice felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with him. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprising twists or turns. The pacing was inconsistent, making it difficult to stay engaged. While the author had some interesting ideas, they were not fully realized and left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was left disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to others.