Race to Witch Mountain is a science fiction adventure movie that is available for streaming on Netflix. The film was released in 2009 and is a remake of the 1975 Disney movie Escape to Witch Mountain. It follows the story of two alien siblings who have crash-landed on Earth and are on a mission to save their own planet. The main characters, played by Dwayne Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb, embark on an action-packed adventure as they try to evade government agents and find their way back home. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and meet new allies who help them on their journey. Race to Witch Mountain offers a thrilling combination of suspense, humor, and heart.
Race to Witch Mountain offers a thrilling combination of suspense, humor, and heart. The visual effects and action sequences are well-executed, keeping viewers engaged throughout the movie. The film also explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of family.
Wicca
A pentacle , a pentagram enclosed by a circle, is used by many adherents of Wicca. This symbol is generally placed on a Wiccan altar to honor the elements and directions. Commonly worn as a symbol of protection.
One of the best descriptions of Wicca is provided by Starhawk a prominent author, high priestess and founder of the Reclaiming tradition of Witchcraft.
She asserts that Wicca “is not a religion with a dogma, a doctrine, or a sacred book; it is a religion of experience, of ritual, of practices that change consciousness and awaken power-from-within. Beneath all, it is a religion of connection with the Goddess, who is immanent in nature, in human beings, in relationships.”
Major Beliefs:
Due to the decentralized nature of Wicca, it is difficult to make general claims about specific beliefs and practices which can differ widely among adherents. However, there are some broad generalities that apply to the majority of practitioners. As an earth-based or nature religion Wicca focuses on the connection between humanity, nature, and the divine. The general understanding is that the divine is present in humans and in all aspects of nature creating a web of mutual interaction. Most Wiccans conceive of the divine as being manifested as “two deities-Goddess and God-who appear in different forms in different seasons of the year.” Sometimes the Goddess and God are believed to be different aspects of a cosmic oneness. The divine does not exist in a different plane of existence, like heaven for example, but is fully present in the world at all times.If only one deity is worshipped, it is almost always the Goddess which is then reflected in an emphasis on the divine feminine.
Wicca advocates for celebrating personal identity and shared humanity. It is a creative and life-affirming practice. Some adherents are members of a coven, or small group. Covens maintain their own unique traditions and hierarchal structure. Most Wiccans are solitary practitioners, thus providing maximum flexibility in individualizing the religion. Wiccans are encouraged to adopt the elements that best suit their needs and to modify or discard others. It is seen as a living religion; thus, rituals and beliefs may evolve over time. There are, however, a few core tenants that are recognized by (almost) all Wiccans:
- The feminine being at least as important as the masculine
- The importance of preserving the environment
- Moral behavior as determined largely by the individual
- Positive attitudes towards human sexuality as a gift of the Goddess
- Celebration of the passage of the seasons
- Any action that makes an individual feel alive and happy, as long as it does not harm others, is considered positive
The Triple Goddess is viewed as three distinct aspects or figures united in one being. These three figures are often described as the Maiden, Mother, and the Crone , each of which symbolizes a separate stage in the female life cycle and a phase of the moon.
The symbol of the Horned God. In common Wiccan belief, he is associated with nature, wilderness, sexuality, hunting, and the life cycle. He is the consort to the Triple Goddess or other archetypes of the mother goddess.
Wicca has connections to ancient practices but also adapts to meet the current needs of practitioners. There are numerous books, articles, and websites that discuss the basic tenets of Wicca and lay out step by step instructions for various rituals and spell work. However, these simply offer structure and guidance; none of these are held to the level of scripture or taken to be definitive or necessary. While some other religions present their beliefs as monolithic and unchanging, lack of a textual history and centralized authority means that for Wiccans the emphasis is on individual interpretation and experimentation which allows for adaptation, so practices remain relevant.
Wiccan Ethics
One of the most widely accepted beliefs is to live in accordance with Craft Law which is summed up in the Wiccan Rede: “an it harm none do what ye will.” In other words, an individual may engage in any act that is pleasing to them. However, if doing so will negatively affect others, Wiccans are compelled to stop and weigh the consequences versus the benefits of doing so. There are no set rules for how to live in accordance with this creed; instead, individuals are empowered to make their own moral decisions based on their empathy for others. For Wiccans morality is not based on fear of divine punishment. Acts that other religions consider sinful or taboo, such as the use of mind-altering substances, nudity, sexual intercourse, and magick are viewed as a celebration of life and acts of worship.
The Wiccan Rede is related to another guiding principle, the belief in the Rule of Three, which states that whatever energy you put out into the universe will come back to you threefold. If you put out positive energy, you will attract positive things into your life. Wiccans interpret the Rede and the Rule of Three as advocating not just avoiding harm but actively seeking to help others, preserve the environment, and spread love.
Wicca in Daily Life
Wicca can be understood as a practice of self-love as well as self-empowerment. Unlike other religions Wiccans “do not view release from the physical world as the goal of religious life. Rather than a burden, life in the body is viewed as good, and physical pleasure is a blessing that should be sought rather than avoided.”What is not sought is perfection. Many Pagans regard the gods not as perfect unchanging beings, but as evolving just like humans. People do not join Wicca because they see humanity as dysfunctional and the world as broken, yet they are also well aware of the problems of life. Hence many are active in social and political causes such as supporting feminism, ecological protection, tolerance, and human rights. Making the world a better place is seen as a spiritual act. Wicca does not claim to solve all problems through magick but engaging with the magicks of this world is a way to elicit positive change.
As part of the great effort not to think, the jural conception of morals, the notion that morals are, like geometry or blind-man’s-buff, amenable to ascertainable and universally binding laws, has been of unquestionable usefulness to the race, but it has enjoyed a popularity out of all proportion to its usefulness. Some of its drawbacks may most conveniently be noted in connection with Hebraism, which is its fullest and most enduring expression. Mr. Dewey and Mr. Tufts remark that the Decalogue is the mother of casuistry, and that the habit of looking to law for guidance ‘fixes attention not upon the positive good in an act, nor upon the underlying agent’s disposition which forms its spirit, nor upon the unique occasion and context which form its atmosphere, but upon its literal conformity with Rule A, Class I, Species 1, sub-head (1), and so forth. The effect of this is inevitably to narrow the scope and lessen the depth of conduct. It tempts some to hunt for that classification of their act which will make it the most convenient or profitable for themselves. With others, this regard for the letter makes conduct formal and pedantic. It gives rise to a rigid and hard type of character illustrated among the Pharisees of olden and the Puritans of modern time.’
As a Netflix user, you can easily access Race to Witch Mountain and enjoy this exciting sci-fi adventure from the comfort of your own home. It is a great choice for anyone who enjoys action-packed movies with a touch of fantasy. So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and get ready for a thrilling ride with Race to Witch Mountain on Netflix..
Reviews for "Witch Mountain's Influence on Modern Fantasy Films: A Netflix Perspective"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Race to Witch Mountain" on Netflix. The story felt incredibly cliché and predictable, with no real surprises or twists. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their journey. The special effects were also underwhelming, failing to bring the magic and wonder of Witch Mountain to life. Overall, it felt like a generic and forgettable family adventure film that offered nothing new or exciting.
2. Mark - 1 star
I did not enjoy "Race to Witch Mountain" at all. The plot was weak and failed to hold my interest throughout the entire movie. The dialogue was cheesy and had me rolling my eyes at times. The acting was subpar, with Dwayne Johnson delivering a lackluster performance that made me question his casting in the first place. The film relied too heavily on CGI effects, which were poorly executed and took away from the overall viewing experience. I would not recommend wasting your time on this uninspiring and forgettable film.
3. Emma - 2 stars
"Race to Witch Mountain" was a letdown for me. The film had so much potential with its intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver a compelling story. The pacing was off, with slow and uninteresting moments that made me lose interest. The chemistry between the main characters felt forced and unnatural, making their interactions hard to believe. The action sequences lacked excitement and felt repetitive. Overall, it was a disappointing watch that didn't live up to its promising concept.
4. Mike - 1 star
I had high hopes for "Race to Witch Mountain," but it turned out to be a disappointment. The storyline was predictable and lacked originality, leaving me bored and unengaged. The acting was subpar, with no standout performances to hold the film together. The dialogue was cringeworthy at times, filled with cheesy one-liners and forced humor. The special effects were lackluster and failed to create a sense of awe or wonder. It's definitely not a film I would recommend to anyone looking for an exciting and fresh adventure.