"Watch Thunder and the House of Magic" is an animated film that tells the story of a young cat named Thunder who finds himself abandoned and alone. Seeking shelter, he stumbles upon a mysterious mansion owned by an old magician named Lawrence. Thunder soon discovers that the house is not just any ordinary house, but a magical one filled with enchanted objects and whimsical creatures. As Thunder explores the house, he befriends a group of talking animals, including a rabbit named Jack, a mouse named Maggie, and a parrot named Tinker. Together, they embark on an exciting adventure to protect their magical home from the clutches of an evil magician who wants to take over the house and use its powers for his own gain. With time running out, Thunder and his new friends must use their intelligence and teamwork to outsmart the evil magician and save the house of magic.
When you think of the word “fairy,” it’s no surprise images of tiny, dainty creatures with colorful gossamer wings come immediately to mind. We’re all familiar with the creatures of legend and lore, with some that are kind or benevolent, helping humankind, and other stories that tell of devious fairies who lure people into the fairy realm only to be lost to the world forever. But these are fictitious stories, the tales that captivated us as children, and the types of faeries associated with Celtic Witchcraft and Faery Wicca are far more than mere imaginings.
Pecti-Wicca, with a focus on the practices of the Ancient Picts, is a solitary Wiccan path, while Caledoni has a greater focus on Scottish traditions. Equinoxes, solstices, the New Moon phase, and even Samhain where the old Pagan year transitions into the new, are also ideal times to access the world of Fae and the Spirits.
With time running out, Thunder and his new friends must use their intelligence and teamwork to outsmart the evil magician and save the house of magic. Along the way, they encounter various challenges and obstacles that test their bravery and determination. "Watch Thunder and the House of Magic" is a heartwarming and visually stunning film that appeals to both children and adults alike.
American Book Review
Jack Zipes, the foremost American scholar of the world of fairy tales, opens his book with a brief reference to recent interest in fairy tales in scholarship and the genre’s proliferation in the media which demonstrate the unique impact fairy tales have on our lives.
Zipes states that it is impossible to provide any date or, for that matter, any approximation of a date for the “birth” of the fairy tale, a genre which depends on “the symbiotic relationship of oral and literary currents.” This leads to an exploration of the origins of human communication in which it is argued that all narratives are driven by the urge to be in power, to be relevant and are hence elitist. It is emphasised that the precursors of fairy tales related to belief systems, represented shared experience preserved in the oral tradition.
Tracing themes of conflict, notably as they cast a light on the dark side of human life, Zipes cautiously points to Sumerian precursors and then pays full attention to the Greek fables attributed, rightly or wrongly, to Aesop (c. 600 b. C.). He sees fables as stories of animals involved in human conflicts and he tries to identify fairy tale elements. He goes in depth concerning the literary versions of Puss-in-boots from the 16th and 17th centuries the origins of which reach back to India.
Employing Richard Dawkins’s theory of memes (a meme being a unit in cultural transmission), Zipes suggests that fairy tales are created out of pools of memes and are instruments used to preserve instinctual morality in changing environments.
The French term conte de fées, “fairy tale,” was coined by Baroness d’Aulnoy for stories she wrote and narrated in the salons of Paris in 1690-1710. She recycled much material that existed both in the oral tradition as well as in literature and Roman-Greco myths and tales. So did her contemporaries, mostly women who appropriated narratives involving fairies and other fantastic beings in alternate worlds outside the confines of the state and the church which, in their tales, were portrayed as weak.
It is argued that the spectacles of Italian opera exerted some influence on the fantastic narratives, and Zipes refers to d’Aulnoy’s own life (and those of many other women) for the importance of midwives, nannies as real-life fairies who were of paramount importance as protectors of girls and women in many cultures.
Homing in on the French author Charles Perrault’s Bluebeard, Zipes notes that this story, possibly the first written narrative about a serial killer, has a life of its own and is more well-known than the author. Elements from the story had been circulating long before 1695. It has been remade thousands of times both in literature and in other media. Zipes sees this as “part of a discursive process of remakings within the larger genre of the fairy tale.” In the same fashion that tales should be understood in their contemporary context, remakes should be so too. This is illustrated in a discussion of the French director Catherine Breillat’s Bluebeard (2009). It is concluded that whereas the first tale bears the imprint Perrault’s personality, experience and age, Breillat subtly changes Perrault’s male dominance and female curiosity in her film. Retellings of the theme will continue to be made as long as there are serial killers but they will also reflect changed mores.
Zipes turns attention to the nature of fairies and witches. He considers them as the mimetic seeds spread by pagan goddesses that have been transformed into benevolent and malevolent powers by misogynistic cultural processes. With an excursus on the Russian narrologist Vladimir Propp in which Zipes emphasises that Propp’s research was never subject to Soviet censorship, he homes in on the Slavonic, specifically Russian character of Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga appears in thousands of tales as an unpredictable power which seems to have antecedents in “Mother Earth” and who metes out gifts, rewards.
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Once, every village had a wise woman or cunning man who dealt with the wildfolk. Such people were common in Britain and Ireland right up until the end of the First World War. Their job was to maintain the balance between the human and fairy world, to mediate with the spirits, to solicit their blessings for good harvests, to repair any damage done to their relationships with humans, to placate the forces of blight, to heal and to remove curses. They inherited the mantle of the old Druids and the ancient priests and priestesses of the Pagan world, who became the witches and fairy doctors of later ages. Both the ancient Celts and Saxons had gifted individuals who were able to journey at will into the world of the spirits. In later times, these people were called witches, a name that comes from the Anglo-Saxon wicce, or wise one.
It teaches important lessons about friendship, courage, and the power of believing in oneself. The animation is beautifully done, with vibrant colors and intricate details that bring the magical world to life. The characters in the film are endearing and relatable, with Thunder as the lovable and curious protagonist who learns valuable lessons about loyalty and bravery. Jack, Maggie, and Tinker add humor and charm to the story, providing delightful moments of laughter. Overall, "Watch Thunder and the House of Magic" is a delightful and enchanting film that captivates its audience from start to finish. It is a perfect choice for a family movie night, offering adventure, magic, and heartwarming moments that will leave viewers of all ages with a smile on their faces..
Reviews for "The lessons we can learn from Thunder and the House of Magiic"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Watch Thunder and the House of Magic". The plot was extremely predictable and lacking any depth. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, making it hard for me to emotionally invest in their journey. Additionally, the animation and visuals were subpar, making the movie visually unappealing. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and unsatisfying experience.
2. Michael - 1/5 - I cannot believe I wasted my time watching "Watch Thunder and the House of Magic". The storyline was childish and uninteresting, lacking any true innovation or originality. The humor fell flat, and I found myself rolling my eyes more than laughing. The voice acting was mediocre at best, with no standout performances. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this film.
3. Emma - 2.5/5 - While "Watch Thunder and the House of Magic" had some charming moments, the overall execution was lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, at times dragging on and then rushing through important plot points. I also felt that the script was weak, with cliché dialogue and unmemorable one-liners. Furthermore, I found it difficult to connect with the characters as they lacked depth and development. Overall, it was an average animated film that didn't live up to its potential.