Magic Tree House Christmas in Camelot is the 29th book in the Magic Tree House series written by Mary Pope Osborne. In this book, the main characters, Jack and Annie, travel back in time to the mythical land of Camelot during the Christmas season. The story begins when Jack and Annie receive a mysterious invitation to spend Christmas in Camelot. They enter the magic tree house and are transported back in time to the medieval era. Once in Camelot, they meet King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The children quickly realize that Camelot is in trouble as they witness the knights losing their Christmas spirit.
Pretty much the horror fantasy movie I always needed. Almost wish there was a LOTR style 3 movie epic of werewolf fantasy mayhem. Seriously a lot of fun that suffers a little bit with some pacing issues. But hey, samurai vs an absolutely destructive werewolf, yeah, I'm gonna like it.
Mondo Macabro has gone the extra mile for this, the film s HD, North American, and English-friendly debut, including a new 4K scan of the original film negative and the option to watch the film in either 1. It s exactly the kind of audacious mash-up antics that fuel B-horror and were much needed following Night of the Werewolf s cannibalization of Naschy s already boilerplate storylines.
The children quickly realize that Camelot is in trouble as they witness the knights losing their Christmas spirit. Jack and Annie take on a mission to save the spirit of Christmas in Camelot. They must find the four special gifts: a simple wooden cup, a piece of tinsel from a Christmas tree, a box of paper snowflakes, and a rare golden ring.
The Beast and the Magic Sword (1983) Review
The Beast and the Magic Sword is a fantastical ride and an interesting take on the classic werewolf story.
Plot: Waldemar Daninsky (Paul Naschy) travels to Japan to seek a cure for his werewolf curse.
Story: If you had told me that there was a movie out there that combined the Universal Monsters classic horror monster, the Wolfman, with a story that took it back to 16 th century Spain and then onward to feudal Japan…I would have told you that was nuts. Yet, here I sit telling you that not only does such a movie exist, but I have seen it! It’s called The Beast and the Magic Sword, the 10 th film that Paul Naschy portrays the Waldemar Daninsky character, a figure fraught by a werewolf curse.
This is one of the more unusual stories you’ll come across. It’s hard to even qualify what you see on screen; this really does harken back to the old Wolfman movies, but it’s told in such a way that it’s nothing you’ve seen before. Things seem to be going a certain way, and then something will happen, and you’ll get blindsided by it, and the story will just go in a different direction, from historical epic to horror to pure fantasy. It’s a wild ride.
The acting is pretty good, and I have to say, the effects are great, very 80s and somewhat low budget, but you get a nostalgic feel, it’s not effects that come out of a computer. Everything is practical, which makes it feel more authentic. I do really like the Wolfman makeup – it literally harkens back to the Jack Pierce makeup on Lon Chaney Jr., which I always liked. I know that modern Wolfman makeup has tried to make the transformation more into a wolf than anything, but I like the humanoid concept of the creature.
As for thrills, you betcha. There’s some gore, which I didn’t expect, there are some good fights, and man oh man, the Wolfman at one point fights a tiger, and I mean, it’s an actual tiger; no CGI here. Not a quick fight either, you can see the blow by blow – I don’t know what they paid the stuntman who had to fight the tiger, but I guarantee you, it’s not enough. With all the transformations and tearing out of throats and fighting animals and the undead, there’s still a solid story behind it.
If there’s one criticism I have, it’s that most of the characters are relatively unremarkable. Waldemar has a couple of female companions, but they don’t make much of an impact on the story. Likewise, there’s a love angle they try at one point, but it feels like it comes out of nowhere and doesn’t quite fit. However, Waldemar is excellent, I really liked the Japanese scientist, and the sinister Japanese witch is terrific.
So, did I like the film? Yes, I did. It’s one of the most creative and imaginative versions of this type of story I’ve seen, and for that, it gets my wholehearted recommendation. It won’t be for everyone, I think – there’s going to be some people laughing at the relatively primitive effects or the semi-coherent narrative. For myself, having been a fan of the Universal Monsters for a long time, this provides an interesting twist on a popular legend, and for that, I applaud both the effort and the result.
The acting is pretty good, and I have to say, the effects are great, very 80s and somewhat low budget, but you get a nostalgic feel, it’s not effects that come out of a computer. Everything is practical, which makes it feel more authentic. I do really like the Wolfman makeup – it literally harkens back to the Jack Pierce makeup on Lon Chaney Jr., which I always liked. I know that modern Wolfman makeup has tried to make the transformation more into a wolf than anything, but I like the humanoid concept of the creature.
With the help of Merlin the magician, the children embark on an adventure to find these gifts. During their quest, Jack and Annie encounter various challenges and dangers. They come face to face with a pack of wolves, navigate treacherous forests, and even meet the mysterious Lady of the Lake. Along the way, they learn about the importance of friendship, courage, and the true meaning of Christmas. As the story progresses, Jack and Annie successfully find the four special gifts and restore the Christmas spirit in Camelot. They are hailed as heroes and are celebrated in a grand Christmas feast. Jack and Annie bid farewell to their new friends and return to the present, knowing that they have made a difference in Camelot. Magic Tree House Christmas in Camelot is a heartwarming holiday adventure filled with captivating storytelling and vivid imagery. Its themes of bravery, generosity, and the power of Christmas spirit make it a perfect read for children during the holiday season. Osborne's masterful blend of history and fantasy creates an enchanting world that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Overall, Magic Tree House Christmas in Camelot is a delightful addition to the beloved series. Children will be transported to a magical time and place, where they will learn important lessons while enjoying an exciting holiday adventure..
Reviews for "Knights, Castles, and Christmas: Journeying to Camelot with the Magic Tree House"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars - I was highly disappointed by "Magic Tree House Christmas in Camelot". Firstly, the story was extremely predictable and lacked any excitement or suspense. The characters were one-dimensional and their interactions felt forced. Additionally, the writing style was quite simplistic, even for a children's book. I expected more depth and complexity from this series. Overall, I found this installment to be quite lackluster and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Magic Tree House Christmas in Camelot" was a complete letdown. The plot was incredibly weak and seemed to be thrown together without much thought. The dialogue felt wooden and unrealistic, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters. Moreover, the pacing was all over the place, with unnecessary detours that added nothing to the story. I expected much more from this popular series, but this book fell far short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - As a longtime fan of the Magic Tree House series, I have to admit that "Christmas in Camelot" was quite disappointing. The storyline lacked originality and felt like a rehash of previous books in the series. The writing was also repetitive and often spoon-fed information to the readers, underestimating their intelligence. I found it hard to stay engaged and struggled to finish this book. Unfortunately, this was not one of the stronger additions to the Magic Tree House collection.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I was not impressed with "Magic Tree House Christmas in Camelot". The plot felt forced and lacked any real conflict or tension. Additionally, the characters' actions and decisions were not always well-motivated. The writing style was also quite basic, which made me question if this book was meant for a younger audience than the usual Magic Tree House books. Overall, I felt this installment was a miss and didn't live up to the quality of the previous books in the series.
5. Emily - 1 star - "Magic Tree House Christmas in Camelot" was a major disappointment for me. The storyline seemed like a hurried attempt to capitalize on the Christmas theme, lacking any depth or substance. The characters felt flat and uninteresting, and their actions were often predictable. I found it hard to stay engaged and had to force myself to finish it. I expected better from this series and would not recommend this particular book.