The concept of witchcraft has evolved significantly over time, with a progressive roadmap emerging to understand its diverse aspects. Witchcraft, often associated with magic and supernatural powers, has a complex history that spans centuries and cultures. While it has been feared and condemned in many societies, there has also been a growing recognition of its significance as a spiritual practice and a source of empowerment. In ancient times, witchcraft was often associated with nature worship and the belief in spirits and deities. Shamans and healers were revered for their connection to the spiritual world and their ability to commune with unseen forces. In these early societies, witchcraft was seen as a means to tap into the natural energies of the earth and harness them for various purposes, such as healing, divination, and protection.
That sums up American Poltergeist: The Curse of Lilith Ratchet. Maybe you’ll dig it with a bottle of vodka and a few friends. Probably not. I’m a certified connoisseur of cheese, after all, and I want those lost 103 minutes back.
While the film s prologue drops us in medias res with a pair of women running from a ghoulish presence, only to meet their demise, the film truly begins with Alice KateLynn E. The box contains the shrunken head of Lilith Ratchet along with a rhyme for how to play a game; a hot-potatoesque bit of fun that brings about the wrath of a vengeful demon in the form of a cruel woman who wants you to feel her pain.
In these early societies, witchcraft was seen as a means to tap into the natural energies of the earth and harness them for various purposes, such as healing, divination, and protection. However, as organized religions gained prominence, witchcraft became increasingly demonized. It was perceived as a threat to the established order and seen as a form of heresy.
American Poltergeist: The Curse of Lilith Ratchet Movie Review
What do you get when you combine a Woman in Black evil force, Bloody Mary-style hook, and Final Destination plot construction? Actually, I’ll step back a second. What you should get is one hell of a nasty little horror flick rooted in classic fare. What you get in American Poltergeist: The Curse of Lilith Ratchet, however, is a messy and unintentionally comedic film that looks like a late-night Skinemax offering without the T&A.
American Poltergeist: The Curse of Lilith Ratchet presents the tale of Alice (KateLynn E. Newberry; Mother Krampus 2: Slay Ride) and Lauren (Brianna Burke; Fighting the Sky), two friends who shoplift an ornately carved wooden box from a local hippie emporium. The box contains the shrunken head of Lilith Ratchet along with a rhyme for how to play a game; a hot-potatoesque bit of fun that brings about the wrath of a vengeful demon in the form of a cruel woman who wants you to “feel her pain”. They bring the object to Hunter Perry (Rob Jaeger; Chill: The Killing Games), host of the popular podcast Beyond the Veil. Quicker than you can say “this is a shitty idea”, the game is played at a club party and all hell breaks loose.
From the silly open (I’ll hide in the bathroom behind the see-through glass shower door!), you quickly realize you’re in for something that doesn’t have much of a budget. Here’s the thing, though: that is perfectly fine in and of itself. There are many things that can elevate a low-budget movie past its meager finances: quality performances, believable dialogue, cinematographic style, even a commitment to campiness (if that’s what you are going for). The issue for American Poltergeist comes in its lack of any of those qualities.
The combination of the mediocrity of the overall performance and the HD-cam gives the look of something that you’d see on Cinemax at three in the morning. I seriously kept waiting for the lesbian sex scene to start…and not just because of my proclivity for that. The rather canned quality of the dialogue and utter lack of any drama simply feels so soft-core, you won’t be able to shake the feeling that you’re about to see some boobs (which you never do, for the record).
Furthermore, when the look of your evil force is pure Woman in Black and there’s not a hint of gothic inspiration anywhere in sight, it’s just jarring. It’s the definition of square peg and round hole. Crissy Kolarik does an adequate of playing the part of Lilith Ratchet with attempted menace, but the HD doesn’t do the makeup any favors, and the result is that of a cut-rate haunted attraction feature.
With a running time of 103 minutes, The Curse of Lilith Ratchet feels interminably long. I have no issue with horror going past the 90-minute mark, but you’d better be bringing some tension to the proceedings. The protracted scenes of grieving after each character death are, frankly, some of the poorest I’ve ever seen. Don’t cry in a movie if you can’t pull it off. Period.
The bright spots come in the form of unintended hilarity. The séance scene (of course there’s a séance scene!) is comedy gold, with Lilith (seen only by the medium) physically grabbing the medium’s head and moving it around (à la Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam) as she hams up her intensity. Even better is the devastatingly alcoholic character of Mrs. Miller, Lauren’s widowed mother. She drinks constantly (and with absolute believability), intoning at one point, “Sometimes life throws you lemons, and lemons go great with vodka!”
That sums up American Poltergeist: The Curse of Lilith Ratchet. Maybe you’ll dig it with a bottle of vodka and a few friends. Probably not. I’m a certified connoisseur of cheese, after all, and I want those lost 103 minutes back.
Grades:
This page includes affiliate links where Horror DNA may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The combination of the mediocrity of the overall performance and the HD-cam gives the look of something that you’d see on Cinemax at three in the morning. I seriously kept waiting for the lesbian sex scene to start…and not just because of my proclivity for that. The rather canned quality of the dialogue and utter lack of any drama simply feels so soft-core, you won’t be able to shake the feeling that you’re about to see some boobs (which you never do, for the record).
The rise of Christianity and the subsequent Inquisition led to the persecution and execution of countless individuals, mainly women, who were accused of practicing witchcraft. **Yet, despite these dark periods, witchcraft persisted, and in recent centuries, a progressive perspective towards witchcraft has emerged.** This modern understanding recognizes witchcraft as a spiritual and magical practice that celebrates personal empowerment, connection to nature, and personal growth. Contemporary witchcraft encompasses a wide range of traditions and beliefs, from Wicca and Paganism to various forms of witchcraft inspired by different cultural and spiritual backgrounds. Modern witches embrace the idea that witchcraft is not synonymous with evil or malevolence but rather a path of self-discovery and personal transformation. They believe in the power of intention, symbolism, and energy manipulation to create positive change in their lives and the world around them. Magic, in this context, is seen as a tool for manifestation, healing, and spiritual development. **A key aspect of the progressive roadmap to witchcraft is the emphasis on inclusivity and diversity.** Witchcraft today welcomes practitioners of all genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. It is a space for individuals to explore their own unique spiritual paths and find solace in a community that shares similar beliefs and practices. In conclusion, the concept of witchcraft has undergone a significant transformation over time. From its ancient roots as a practice connected to nature and spirits, it became a persecuted and marginalized belief system during the Inquisition. However, in recent centuries, a more progressive understanding of witchcraft has emerged, recognizing it as a source of personal empowerment and spiritual growth. Modern witches emphasize inclusivity and diversity, creating a space where individuals can explore their own unique paths while finding community and support..
Reviews for "From intuition to action: The progressive path of witchcraft"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was disappointed with "The progressive roadmap to witchcraft". The content was unclear and confusing, making it difficult for a beginner like me to follow along. The author seemed to assume that the readers already had some prior knowledge about witchcraft, which made it inaccessible for someone starting out. I was also hoping for more practical guidance and exercises, but the book focused more on theory and history. Overall, I didn't find it helpful for my journey into witchcraft.
2. John - 1 star - I found "The progressive roadmap to witchcraft" to be filled with misinformation and misleading advice. The author seemed more interested in pushing her own agenda and promoting her own beliefs rather than providing accurate information. There were also several instances where cultural appropriation was evident, which is not respectful or ethical. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for genuine and respectful guidance in witchcraft.
3. Emily - 3 stars - As someone who has been practicing witchcraft for a few years now, I didn't find "The progressive roadmap to witchcraft" to be very useful. The content mainly covered basic concepts that are well-known within the witchcraft community, which didn't offer any new insights or information. While it may be helpful for complete beginners, I didn't feel like it added much value to my own practice. I also found some of the author's beliefs and ideas to be too rigid and dogmatic, which didn't align with my own personal beliefs.