"Charmed: Something Wicca This Way Comes" is the pilot episode of the popular television series Charmed, which aired on October 7, 1998. The episode introduces the three Halliwell sisters: Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, who discover that they are witches with unique powers. The episode begins with Phoebe returning to her childhood home in San Francisco after residing in New York. She stumbles upon the mystical Book of Shadows in the attic and recites a spell, accidentally activating the sisters' dormant magical abilities. This event triggers a chain of events that kick-start the sisters' journey into their witch destiny. As Prue, Piper, and Phoebe explore their newfound powers, they also face a new threat in the form of a warlock named Jeremy Burns.
"House Arrest" (PG)--Two kids lock their divorce-bound parents in the basement with orders to work it out. Light-hearted, wacky romp with underlying message about the impact of divorce on children. Gets its rating for some language and parent-trap plot.
Hunters bang away at the geese, a car wreck kills a parent and there s some mild language, but don t let that keep youngsters 8 and up from this affecting film. This adventure s 11-year-old spy is an especially good role model because she s one of the few young girl characters who can be a hero to girls as well as boys.
As Prue, Piper, and Phoebe explore their newfound powers, they also face a new threat in the form of a warlock named Jeremy Burns. Jeremy, who is obsessed with the sisters and their powers, seeks to harness their magical abilities for his own gain. The sisters must navigate their individual struggles and work together to fend off Jeremy's advances.
Movie review: Nicolas Cage in the mishmashy, benighted ‘Season of the Witch’
The age of chivalry has never looked dingier than in “Season of the Witch,” a sluggish mash-up of knight’s tale and creature feature. The movie proceeds in near darkness, perhaps to obscure its shoddy special effects, but the pervasive gloom is less discouraging than star Nicolas Cage’s indifferent performance. This is the sort of looney-tunes adventure that would have benefited from the actor at his most unmoored.
Cage plays Behmen, a 14th-century crusader who tires of righteous slaughter after a dozen years in the Middle East. When he and boon companion Felson (Ron “Hellboy’’ Perlman) head back to Europe, they’re marked as deserters by one of the saga’s many officious priests.
The two knights make remarkably good time and are soon in a section of Eastern Europe with a heavy Transylvania vibe. You know: forests choked in mist, near-impassable gorges, packs of voracious wolves with no fear of man. Also, for those viewers who like their menace sprinkled with history: the Black Plague.
Arriving in a pox-ridden town, Behmen and Felson are ID’d as deserters and offered a choice between a trial or a quest. They reluctantly choose the latter, which involves transporting an accused witch (Claire Foy) to a remote mountain monastery for judgment. On the way, the unnamed young woman seems meek, but she sometimes reveals the upper-body strength of an aerobics instructor. Perhaps her brawn means she’s a sorceress; in the movie’s prologue, three women are hanged as witches, and only two of them turn out to be innocent.
The intro’s mix of feminist history and old-fashioned heebie-jeebies is typical of “Season of the Witch,’’ which never commits to being any particular kind of movie. It has elements of the Ridley Scott historical epic, along with hidden-texts and secret-libraries hokum that suggests “The Name of the Rose” and “The Da Vinci Code.” It’s also a horror movie, complete with a cameo by British scare-flick patriarch Christopher Lee as a dying, pustule-covered cardinal.
Director Dominic Sena employs the sort of shock cuts typical of the horror genre, but the sudden flashes of gruesomeness don’t increase the movie’s overall velocity. A decade ago, Sena directed Cage in “Gone in 60 Seconds,’’ a car-thief caper that drove circles around its own silliness. But this film is slower than the midtempo Donovan ditty from which it borrows its title, and without that song’s sense of atmosphere.
Occasionally, “Season of the Witch’’ shifts into buddy-flick mode, but Cage and Perlman deliver their zipless repartee at half-speed, punctuated by long pauses that only emphasize the dialogue’s flatness. Writer Bragi F. Schut basically repurposes other movies’ taglines, so “We’re going to need a bigger boat’’ from “Jaws” becomes “We’re going to need more holy water.’’ In fact, the slow-talking knights do get more holy water, but they just waste it on the CGI villain. They should have poured it on the script.
Jenkins is a freelance writer.
Season of the Witch(95 minutes) is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, violence and disturbing content.
Jenkins is a freelance writer.
Throughout the episode, the sisters grapple with their evolving identities as witches. Prue, the eldest sister, struggles with controlling her telekinetic powers and balancing her personal and work life. Piper, the middle sister, discovers her ability to freeze time and must come to terms with her new reality. Phoebe, the youngest sister, embraces her newfound clairvoyant abilities and begins to uncover secrets about their family's magical lineage. "Something Wicca This Way Comes" sets the stage for the rest of the series, establishing the bond between the sisters and their commitment to protecting innocents from supernatural threats. It introduces viewers to the magical world of Charmed, complete with demons, warlocks, and the constant battle between good and evil. The episode also touches on themes of sisterhood, empowerment, and destiny. The sisters are initially reluctant to accept their witch status but ultimately realize the significance of their powers and the responsibility that comes with it. They must learn to trust and support each other, embracing their unique strengths to combat the forces of darkness. Overall, "Charmed: Something Wicca This Way Comes" lays the foundation for the captivating, magical world of Charmed and introduces viewers to the journey of the Halliwell sisters as they navigate their destiny as the Charmed Ones..
Reviews for "The Evolution of Magic in 'Charmed: Something Wicca This Way Comes"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to start watching "Charmed" since I'm a big fan of supernatural shows, but the pilot episode, "Something Wicca This Way Comes," left me disappointed. The storyline felt rushed, and the acting was quite mediocre. The special effects were also very outdated, making it difficult for me to immerse myself in the world of the show. Overall, I found the episode to be lacking in substance and failed to captivate me.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Charmed" has been highly recommended to me by many people, so I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, the pilot episode, "Something Wicca This Way Comes," was a complete letdown. The plot felt cliché and predictable, lacking any originality. The acting was stiff and unconvincing, making it hard for me to connect with the characters. Additionally, the dialogue was cheesy and cringe-worthy. I am reluctant to continue watching the series after such a lackluster start.
3. Amanda - 2/5 stars - I had heard great things about "Charmed," but the first episode, "Something Wicca This Way Comes," didn't live up to the hype for me. The writing felt weak, and the pacing was off, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The characters lacked depth, and their actions often felt forced or unrealistic. I was hoping for a more compelling introduction to the series, but sadly, this episode fell short of my expectations. I'm willing to give it another chance, but this episode didn't leave me eager for more.