Faiuza Balk is an American actress who is known for her unique and eccentric roles in films. While she may not be the most conventional or mainstream actress, she has certainly made a name for herself in the industry. Born on May 21, 1974, in Point Reyes, California, Balk developed an interest in acting at a young age. She made her film debut in 1983 with a minor role in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." However, it was her performance in the 1996 film "The Craft" that truly put her on the map. In the movie, Balk played the character of Nancy Downs, a troubled and rebellious teenager with a keen interest in witchcraft.
In the movie, Balk played the character of Nancy Downs, a troubled and rebellious teenager with a keen interest in witchcraft. Her portrayal of Nancy was intense and unapologetic, showcasing Balk's talent for diving into complex and dark characters. After her breakthrough role in "The Craft," Balk went on to appear in numerous other films, including "American History X," "Almost Famous," and "Personal Velocity: Three Portraits.
Faiuza balk the wotst witch
I gotta be real – for the most part in this Halloween TV Party, I intended on covering primarily animated specials. These are the stuff I grew up watching and what I most dearly connect with the holiday all the way into adulthood. I do plan on mixing it up a bit by throwing in a couple of live-action TV specials here and there (as I’m doing right now), but I just want to make this fact a bit more concrete moving forward. Okay, now that we’ve got that settled, here’s what I watched recently!
The Worst Witch is a British made-for-TV film that is based off a successful series of children’s books by Jill Murphy. It aired first on HBO and then on the Disney Channel during the Halloween season, up until around 1996 – which explains how I never saw it as a kid, since I was too young to have discovered TV! As the title alludes, this film is about a young witch-in-training named Mildred (played by Fairuza Balk in only her second role since Return to Oz) who has been deemed the “worst witch” by both her peers and instructors, in a sort of proto-Harry Potter institution. The bulk of the narrative in the first half shows a number of instances wherein she struggles to keep up with other witches – mixing potions, casting spells, flying on her broomstick. To add insult to injury, even her assigned cat is a gray and white tabby instead of a black cat like the rest of her classmates, since her headmaster claims to have run out of black kittens.
Immediately, the cheapness of this film’s aesthetic is clear. While the costumes are just the right amount of garish to be more endearing than anything else, the set design is a tad more painful to look at. The flying scenes are accomplished by a tremendously gaudy green screen effect; in many of the shots, the clipping is so distractingly poor. Even more ridiculous is the decision to add voice-acting for the cats, with numerous scenes given this annoying, “meow, meow, meow” backing noise that doesn’t really work. Still, there is something pretty charming about the cheapness of this production. This is pretty much sealed sometime in the first act of the program where we see a troupe of witches cackling and plotting the downfall of the school, while singing a fun musical number dancing around a bubbling cauldron. It’s this kind of campy goodness that makes the Halloween season so great.
But let’s clear the air by mentioning what has got to be the very best thing about this special – Tim Curry as the Grand Wizard (don’t read too much into that title, please). His character is introduced as a special guest for the school’s annual Halloween fest. He isn’t in the movie for very long, but he does bring the second of the movie’s two musical numbers through what I could only describe as a 70s psychedelia music video. It’s an ungodly amount of green screen and just as cheap-looking as the previous instances of green screen – but even better. Really, this scene just has to be seen to be believed. I’m sure that if I had watched this movie at all as a youngster, I would have eaten up these visuals and the accompanying song as well!
As for the non-campy parts of this special… well, there aren’t too many. But it’s comforting to see that Fairuza Balk demonstrates an impressive amount of vulnerability and range at such a young age. It soon becomes clear that much of Mildred’s failures are actually a result of senseless bullying by fellow classmate Ethel, and the special becomes more of a tale of how Mildred can rise above this while also finding her place in the world. It’s quite a pleasant, wholesome adolescent tale, while having enough of the spooky Halloween aesthetic to keep things interesting. It’s one I’d surely recommend to any young witch who hasn’t yet uncovered this magical treat. Bonus points as well for Charlotte Rae playing two entirely different (twin) witches with unique looks and personalities – and playing them both super convincingly!
And now for the second special of the day, 1979’s The Halloween That Almost Wasn’t. I see this one often on lists of the greatest classic Halloween specials, though I never watched this one myself until last year. Like The Worst Witch, this aired seasonly on the Disney Channel until 1996; on the year of its first airing, it even won an Emmy! It concerns the infamous Count Dracula being jarred by rumors of Halloween potentially coming to an end, after which he bands together a group of the world’s most famous monsters and spooky figures to settle the matter. It soon becomes clear that the Witch had initially sparked the rumor, sick of how demeaned she feels each year, and writes up a list of demands Dracula must follow in order for her to comply and Halloween to continue to exist.
I gotta be honest: although I know this special is beloved by many, it’s really hard for me to get into. First of all, these costumes and sets are hilariously cheap – yes, even cheaper than The Worst Witch! Although seeing that this is a comedy and there are few things funnier than grown adults acting completely earnestly in garish Halloween costumes… I guess it succeeds there. Secondly, though, the humor of this special relies primarily on flimsy one-liners and slapstick gags – including the ol’ Scooby-Doo doors effect. I think there’s something to be made of the fact that these monsters feel that the new generation no longer fears them and the ridiculous humor sort of plays upon this… but I just don’t find much of it very funny. And I’m sure that this itself is the way time has aged such humor, but on its own it tends to move at a snail’s pace.
Overall, not a whole lot happens in this special. Just a bunch of shenanigans, with a final, heartwarming resolution that conveniently ties everything up. I will admit that I enjoyed this special more with this second viewing than I did with the first last year, so maybe that means I’ll come around to it with subsequent viewings? Bah, who knows. Oh, by the way, this particular Halloween special ends with a totally random disco party over the end credits, which is the most 1979 thing about it! That alone makes it well worth your time, I think.
I gotta be honest: although I know this special is beloved by many, it’s really hard for me to get into. First of all, these costumes and sets are hilariously cheap – yes, even cheaper than The Worst Witch! Although seeing that this is a comedy and there are few things funnier than grown adults acting completely earnestly in garish Halloween costumes… I guess it succeeds there. Secondly, though, the humor of this special relies primarily on flimsy one-liners and slapstick gags – including the ol’ Scooby-Doo doors effect. I think there’s something to be made of the fact that these monsters feel that the new generation no longer fears them and the ridiculous humor sort of plays upon this… but I just don’t find much of it very funny. And I’m sure that this itself is the way time has aged such humor, but on its own it tends to move at a snail’s pace.
" She brought her unique energy and charisma to each role, often playing characters that were outsiders or had a dark edge. Balk's ability to fully embody her characters and bring them to life is a testament to her skills as an actress. While Balk may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of her contemporaries, she has remained a respected and admired figure in the industry. Her distinctive look, which includes her striking blue eyes and intense gaze, has made her instantly recognizable to fans and critics alike. In addition to her acting career, Balk is also a talented musician and has released several albums over the years. Overall, Faiuza Balk is a fascinating and talented actress who brings something unique to every role she takes on. Her fearless approach to acting and her ability to fully immerse herself in her characters make her a standout in the industry. While she may not be the "worst witch," as the title suggests, she certainly knows how to captivate audiences with her performances. Whether she's playing a misunderstood teenager or a troubled adult, there's no denying that Faiuza Balk is a force to be reckoned with in the world of acting..
Reviews for "Faiuza Balk: The Worst Witch and the Importance of Empathy"
1. Amanda - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Faiuza Balk the worst witch". The plot just seemed really disjointed and confusing, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them, which made it hard to care about what was happening. Additionally, the writing style felt sloppy and rushed, with numerous spelling and grammatical errors throughout. Overall, it was a frustrating read that fell short of my expectations.
2. John - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Faiuza Balk the worst witch". The story was incredibly boring and the pacing was all over the place. It felt like nothing was happening, and when something finally did happen, I found myself not caring at all. The dialogue was also really weak and forced, making the interactions between characters feel unnatural. I was hoping for a captivating and enchanting read, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.
3. Melissa - 2 stars - "Faiuza Balk the worst witch" was a letdown for me. The writing style was dull and lacked any sense of excitement or adventure. The main character, Faiuza Balk, was supposed to be the worst witch, but I didn't feel any growth or development in her character throughout the book. The plot was unoriginal and predictable, making it hard to stay engaged. Overall, it lacked the magic and charm that I was hoping for in a witch-themed novel.