The black spell of Robert Cast is a well-known tale that has been passed down through generations. It tells the story of a powerful wizard named Robert Cast who was infamous for his dark and malevolent magic. He possessed a deep knowledge of the dark arts and used it to manipulate and control others. The main idea of the black spell of Robert Cast is the devastating power that it held over its victims. The spell was said to be so potent that it could control someone's thoughts, actions, and even their very soul. Once cast upon an individual, there was no escape from its clutches.
Following the thrilling Kennedy Center play of Long Way Down in 2019, another award-winning book from best-selling author Jason Reynolds becomes an exciting world premiere in a co-production with Theater Alliance. This faithful stage adaptation explores 10 tales of what happens after the dismissal bell rings.
The yellow-and-orange tinted grit of the film s dark photography, filmed by an often frantic lens and clumsy framing, feels similarly second-hand and under-realized. Almost 20 years after having created The Black Rider , in 2009, Robert Wilson directed Carl Maria von Weber s 19th-century romantic opera, The Freeshooter Der Freischütz , which was based on the same ghost story as this work.
Once cast upon an individual, there was no escape from its clutches. It is said that the black spell of Robert Cast was created using forbidden and dangerous magic that delved into the darkest corners of the occult. Many believed that the spell was so powerful because it drew its energy from the very essence of evil itself.
Spell
Set amid the familiar, gritty grounds of a backwoods thriller, “Spell” attempts to summon the terrors of “The Hills Have Eyes” in a “Misery” package, with little jolt and even less cinematic elegance to go around.
On paper, there is some appeal to the film’s shtick—a predominantly black cast telling the story of a captive man stranded in the Appalachian Kentucky suggests something fresh could come out of this well-worn formula of grimy witchcraft horror. But director Mark Tonderai (“House at the End of the Street”) and writer Kurt Wimmer (“Salt”) don’t show any interest in deconstructing a tried-and-true recipe. Instead, the duo indulges in various box-ticking elements that are at best serviceable: squeaky floorboards, rusty door hinges, sweat-soaked exertions towards an escape route and even a pair of truly grotesque scenes involving injured feet (just to earnestly make good with that “Misery” reference) are among the frequent offerings of “Spell.”
AdvertisementIf that’s enough to pique your interest in a hoodoo horror aptly releasing the day before Halloween, cozy up under a blanket and lean in to follow the story of Marquis T. Woods, a thriving businessmen leading a happy family life in his luxury home, equipped with all the cutting-edge trimmings of an upper-class existence. “Spell” is quick to disclose to the audience that life wasn’t always peaches-and-cream for Marquis, however. Through overdone flashbacks, we learn that the self-made young man succeeded after leaving behind a troubled past and an abusive father somewhere in Appalachia. But that past finds him against the odds, leaving Marquis with little choice but to face it head on. Learning that his cruel father has passed away, he decides to take his family—his supportive wife Veora (Lorraine Burroughs) and two teenaged kids—on a trip to attend his dad’s funeral.
Conveniently enough, aviation happens to be among Marquis’ many sophisticated interests. Except this time, the private plane that he pilots crashes, leaving Marquis at the mercy of the kind and curiously friendly Eloise (Loretta Devine, delivering a freakishly polished performance in spite of her under-written character), who volunteers to nurse the survivor back on his feet. Though the shell-shocked, badly injured Marquis is quick to suspect something’s off when he wakes up in the old woman’s secluded attic tucked away deep in the woods. With his family gone missing without a trace and being offered a series of vague excuses for his off-the-grid situation—such as the remoteness of even the nearest hospital and lack of any modern devices like a phone— Marquis swiftly discovers he can only rely on his own instincts and survival skills to flee Eloise’s sinister plan while pretending to comply with her routine in the interim.
If only the script could have paced its revelation of Eloise’s menacing intentions better. But Wimmer spends far too long dwelling on stock anxieties that don’t add up to much, disclosing the characters’ secrets a little too late. Eloise seems to be a part of an occult, has a voodoo poppet with the power of causing real harm, and keeps feeding Marquis plates of suspicious food, but who knows (or cares) where any of this is going when the filmmakers prove more interested in a paint-by-numbers yarn than the lean and mean tale “Spell” could have told? In that regard, the film hazily hints at some social commentary around class and race, only to abandon its Jordan Peele-esque inspirations prematurely. The yellow-and-orange tinted grit of the film’s dark photography, filmed by an often frantic lens and clumsy framing, feels similarly second-hand and under-realized. (One pointless slow-motion moment towards the film’s cathartic finale seems especially out of place.) Underneath all that, “Spell” effectively conjures up a pair of gross-out moments and consequent screams, but the angst it spreads throughout feels all too mild and forgettable to cast an unnerving curse. You know, the kind you’d crave from a horror film with lasting scares.
If that’s enough to pique your interest in a hoodoo horror aptly releasing the day before Halloween, cozy up under a blanket and lean in to follow the story of Marquis T. Woods, a thriving businessmen leading a happy family life in his luxury home, equipped with all the cutting-edge trimmings of an upper-class existence. “Spell” is quick to disclose to the audience that life wasn’t always peaches-and-cream for Marquis, however. Through overdone flashbacks, we learn that the self-made young man succeeded after leaving behind a troubled past and an abusive father somewhere in Appalachia. But that past finds him against the odds, leaving Marquis with little choice but to face it head on. Learning that his cruel father has passed away, he decides to take his family—his supportive wife Veora (Lorraine Burroughs) and two teenaged kids—on a trip to attend his dad’s funeral.
Those who fell victim to the black spell of Robert Cast were said to become mere puppets, completely under his control. They would carry out his every command, their own thoughts and desires extinguished. They were slaves to his dark will. Legend has it that Robert Cast sought to use the black spell to gain power and dominance over all. He desired to wield unlimited authority and feared no consequences for his actions. His lust for power grew insatiable, and he cast his spell upon anyone who stood in his way. However, the tale of the black spell of Robert Cast does not end with his victory. It is said that there was one who possessed the knowledge and skill to break the spell. This mysterious figure, known only as the Wise One, was able to uncover the counter-spell and free those who had been ensnared by Robert Cast. In the end, Robert Cast's reign of darkness was brought to an end, and his black spell was destroyed. But the legacy of his malevolent magic lived on, cautioning others against the temptation of such dark powers. The black spell of Robert Cast serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers that can come from delving into the forbidden and embracing evil. It teaches us that power gained through manipulation and control is ultimately fleeting and that true strength lies in love, compassion, and the ability to resist the allure of dark magic..
Reviews for "Robert Cast's Black Spell: A Tale of Power and Intrigue"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Black Spell of Robert Cast". The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth. The writing itself felt amateurish and rushed, with grammatical errors and spelling mistakes throughout. Overall, I found the book to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read. I wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for a well-crafted and engaging fantasy novel.
2. Michael - 1 star - "The Black Spell of Robert Cast" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was predictable and unimaginative, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The author tried to incorporate too many elements into the story, resulting in a messy and confusing narrative. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development. I found myself skimming through pages just to get it over with. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-written and captivating fantasy novels.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "The Black Spell of Robert Cast" to be highly disappointing. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I struggled to stay engaged with the story. The world-building was underwhelming, and I never felt fully immersed in the author's imagined universe. Additionally, the book lacked originality and seemed to borrow heavily from other fantasy novels without adding anything new or interesting. Overall, I would say this book fell flat and didn't deliver on its promises, leaving me unsatisfied and uninterested in reading more from this author.
4. Jacob - 1 star - "The Black Spell of Robert Cast" was a major letdown for me. The writing style was clunky and awkward, making it difficult to connect with the characters or become invested in the story. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, and I found myself constantly confused about what was happening. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, further hindering my ability to enjoy the book. Overall, I would not recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates well-crafted and smoothly written fantasy literature.