The Witcher is a popular fantasy TV series produced by HBO. It is based on a book series of the same name written by Andrzej Sapkowski. The show first premiered in December 2019 and has gained a significant following since then. The Witcher follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a Witcher. He is a skilled fighter with supernatural abilities who travels across a medieval-inspired world called "The Continent". Geralt becomes tangled in various adventures and encounters different creatures and characters along the way.
Geralt becomes tangled in various adventures and encounters different creatures and characters along the way. The show is known for its dark and gritty tone, complex storytelling, and stunning visual effects. It explores themes of destiny, morality, and the consequences of choice.
‘The Witches’ Remake Removed from HBO Max as Bizarre Warner Bros. Shakeups Continue
This week’s biggest news story in the entertainment industry, it was revealed last night that upcoming movies Batgirl and Scoob!: Holiday Haunt have been completely shelved by the David Zaslav-run Warner Bros. Discovery, despite both films nearing completion and over $100 million already spent to get them there. With Zaslav in control of Warner Bros., sweeping changes to current and future plans are being made, and this impacts upcoming horror films including Evil Dead Rise and Salem’s Lot, the latter of which was just bumped to next year.
There’s no telling what’s coming next from Warner Bros. Discovery, but the plot has thickened today with the news that several HBO Max Originals have been pulled from HBO Max. Variety first reported the news that Indiewire has now confirmed with more info, and included in the mix is the 2020 HBO Max remake of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, starring Anne Hathaway.
Variety had reported earlier today, “Within the past few weeks, at least six Warner Bros. movies have been removed from HBO Max.” Those titles that have disappeared include:
So what’s going on here? Indiewire’s report this afternoon suggests, “A person with knowledge of the decision told IndieWire the six movies in question are part of a long list of films and series being pulled off HBO Max and Discovery+ as Warner Bros. Discovery executives prepare to turn two SVOD (subscriber video on-demand) services into one.”
Indiewire adds, “The content being targeted for removal tends to be shows and movies that are not performing on the service but have an opportunity for a partial write off.”
“Content costs can be amortized — or assigned a cost that gets recognized by an entity across multiple years — over the program or film’s expected lifetime. If years on that timeline remain, a company can remove that asset from distribution and use its remaining cost balance to offset taxable income elsewhere,” the website’s report further explains and clarifies.
In other words, now that David Zaslav is in charge he’s looking to cut costs wherever he can, with more films expected to be removed and more WB changes expected to be made.
Stay tuned for more on this developing madness as we learn it.
If you’re looking to stream HBO Max’s The Witches (2020), you’re still able to rent the film on VOD platforms including Amazon. And it’s now available physically on DVD as well.
This exceptionally intelligent, atmospheric horror movie more closely recalls Ingmar Bergman than Wes Craven, as it centers on human foibles as well as dealing with a hint of the supernatural. In his feature debut, director Robert Eggers goes the extra mile to create authentic-sounding dialogue for the early 17th century, as well as costumes and sets, not to mention behaviors and beliefs. Even Mark Korven's eerie music sounds like something from another time or world.
The Witcher also incorporates elements of magic and folklore, drawing inspiration from Slavic myths and legends. Henry Cavill stars as Geralt of Rivia and delivers a captivating performance. His portrayal of the character has been widely praised by both fans of the books and newcomers to the series. The supporting cast, including Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg and Freya Allan as Princess Cirilla, also received positive reviews for their performances. The Witcher has been praised for its intricate storytelling, world-building, and attention to detail. It successfully balances action-packed fight scenes with emotional character development and political intrigue. The show has also been commended for its diverse and well-rounded characters, including strong female leads. Despite its success, The Witcher has also faced some criticism. Some viewers found the non-linear narrative confusing, while others felt that certain episodes lacked focus. There were also debates regarding the accuracy of the adaptation from the books. However, the overall reception has been highly positive, and a second season has been confirmed. The Witcher has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting a dedicated fanbase and spawning memes, merchandise, and even a popular song called "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher". Its popularity has also led to an increased interest in the original book series, further cementing its place in the fantasy genre. In conclusion, The Witcher is a gripping fantasy series that has captivated audiences with its compelling storytelling, complex characters, and stunning visual effects. Whether you're a fan of the books or new to the world of The Witcher, the show offers a captivating and immersive experience..
Reviews for "The Witcher's Impact on Pop Culture: Why It's More Than Just Another Fantasy Series"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch "The Witch" on HBO as I had heard great things about it. However, I was left highly disappointed. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow. The pacing was slow and it took forever for anything to actually happen. I also found the ending to be extremely disappointing and didn't understand what was going on. Overall, "The Witch" was a letdown and didn't live up to its hype.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I cannot understand why "The Witch" is so highly praised. It is one of the most boring and tedious movies I have ever watched. The dialogue was difficult to understand due to the accents and the plot went nowhere. The characters were uninteresting and lacked development. There were also some disturbing scenes that added nothing to the story. I would not recommend wasting your time on "The Witch."
3. Mike - 2/5 stars - "The Witch" on HBO was a major disappointment for me. It had all the elements of a horror film, but it failed to actually scare or excite me. It relied too heavily on atmospheric tension and lacked any real substance. The acting was mediocre at best, and the characters were one-dimensional. The ambiguous ending left me feeling unsatisfied and confused. Overall, "The Witch" was a forgettable and lackluster film.