Winona Ryder, a talented and versatile actress, has played various roles throughout her career. One standout role is her portrayal of witches in several films. Ryder has demonstrated her ability to embody the mysterious and dark world of witchcraft with her unique performance. One of the most well-known witch roles of Winona Ryder is in the 1990 film "Edward Scissorhands," directed by Tim Burton. In this movie, she plays the character of Kim Boggs, a young woman who befriends Edward, a lonely and misunderstood creature with scissors for hands. Although not a traditional witch, Kim's character brings an enchanting and otherworldly element to the story.
Compact Disc - 978-1-78706-964-0
I highly recommend Rules for a cozy and emotional autumn read; I felt my throat tightening as I reached the end because I didn t know how to say goodbye. I get it What s to love about a holiday where you put on cheap costumes, get drunk, do stupid things dressed as a sexy Pokemon and then regret them hungover at your desk the next morning.
Although not a traditional witch, Kim's character brings an enchanting and otherworldly element to the story. Ryder's acting skillfully captures Kim's curiosity, innocence, and vulnerability, making her character relatable and endearing to the audience. Another notable witch role of Winona Ryder is in the 1996 film "The Crucible," based on Arthur Miller's play.
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman review – an enchanting prequel to Practical Magic
T he almost supernaturally prolific American author Alice Hoffman has taken a busman’s holiday this year to pen a little fan fiction: a prequel to her own bestselling novel Practical Magic. The original book became the 1998 Hollywood romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as witchy sisters Gillian and Sally Owens. Now, in The Rules of Magic, set in 1950s New York, we are treated to the backstory of Gillian and Sally’s great-aunts, Frances and Jet.
Like all the females in the Owens family tree, Frances and Jet are witches descended from Salem escapee Maria Owens. More than 300 years ago, the teenage Maria was seduced and abandoned by Salem trial judge John Hathorne (real-life great-great-grandfather of Nathaniel Hawthorne, who added a “w” in his name to deflect the inevitable question).
The fact that Maria’s lover was a state-sponsored serial killer of women led the young witch to conclude – erroneously, one hopes – that all men are a bad thing. Thus before she went to her grave Maria decided to protect her female descendants by casting a spell to ensure that every male who loves an Owens woman will die, horribly and fast.
This spell makes life difficult for Frances and Jet, especially when they become sexually aware teenagers. In the summer that they go to stay with their Aunt Isabelle, at least four local lads – including an adorable pair of 17-year-old twins – come to shocking ends. Aunt Isabelle is sanguine about the whole thing, and encourages the girls to keep on loving boys anyway, saying wisely: “When you truly love someone and they love you in return, you ruin your lives together. That is not a curse. It’s what life is, my girl.”
It’s all the great circle of death, we comfort ourselves, as we stroll through the scented garden of Hoffman’s prose
The girls’ brother, the irresistible wizard Vincent Owens, has a different problem. As a youth, he breaks the hearts of endless girls, before realising that he is gay. Yet just as he’s starting to enjoy himself, he remembers that he too is cursed to die young.
Hoffman has a soothing touch, so we quickly get over the various horrific tragedies with which her latest book is littered – any one of which would pole-axe us personally for life. It’s all the great circle of death, we comfort ourselves, as we stroll through the scented garden of Hoffman’s prose. In the book, Aunt Isabelle trades love remedies for women’s diamond rings. Hoffman herself has a spell for which any writer would trade a crate of diamonds – the ability to turn out one enchanting bestseller after another, more than 30 novels to date, and probably more by the time I have finished this review.
She seems to have been a sad child – “Unhappiness was trapped in the house like a bubble”, she once told the New York Times. So maybe it’s not surprising that so many of her works deal with dead or abducted children as well as with magic – it’s a sort of fascinated grave-digging with bucket and spade, followed by the planting of flowers that bloom overnight . while inside the house, the cauldron bubbles o’er with tiny finger bones.
Fun fact learned from this book: “Abracadabra” is a word from Aramaic, the ancient language spoken by Jesus, and it means “I create what I speak”. A good incantation for writers, I assume. Hoffman must say it every morning.
- Helen Falconer’s latest YA novel is The Hawthorn Crown (Corgi). The Rules of Magic is published by Scribner. To order a copy for £14.44 (RRP £16.99) go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. Phone orders min p&p of £1.99.
T he almost supernaturally prolific American author Alice Hoffman has taken a busman’s holiday this year to pen a little fan fiction: a prequel to her own bestselling novel Practical Magic. The original book became the 1998 Hollywood romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as witchy sisters Gillian and Sally Owens. Now, in The Rules of Magic, set in 1950s New York, we are treated to the backstory of Gillian and Sally’s great-aunts, Frances and Jet.
This historical drama portrays the infamous Salem witch trials, and Ryder plays the character of Abigail Williams, a young woman who falsely accuses others of witchcraft. Ryder's portrayal of Abigail is intense and captivating, showcasing her ability to embody both the seductive and manipulative aspects of witchcraft. Her performance as a ruthless and calculating character adds depth and tension to the film. Furthermore, Winona Ryder takes on the role of a witch in the popular Netflix series "Stranger Things." In the show, set in the 1980s, Ryder plays Joyce Byers, a mother who becomes embroiled in supernatural events when her son goes missing. While not explicitly stated as a witch, Ryder's character showcases traits commonly associated with witches, such as resilience, determination, and a connection to the supernatural. Her performance in "Stranger Things" highlights her versatility as an actress, seamlessly blending elements of horror, drama, and parental love. Overall, Winona Ryder's portrayal of witches in various films and TV shows demonstrates her versatility as an actress. She brings depth, complexity, and intrigue to these witch characters through her unique approach and talent. Whether it be a misunderstood young woman, a manipulative accuser, or a resilient mother, Ryder's performances consistently captivate audiences and highlight her ability to embody the witch role with skill and authenticity..
Reviews for "Behind the Scenes of Winona Ryder's Witch Transformations"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with Winona Ryder's portrayal of the witch in this movie. I felt like she lacked the mysterious and captivating presence that is typically associated with witch characters. Her performance felt flat and uninspiring, and I couldn't connect with her character at all. Overall, I think the casting for this role was a miss and it took away from the overall enjoyment of the film.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - Winona Ryder's portrayal of the witch in this movie was completely underwhelming. I expected a powerful and enchanting performance, but instead, I got a bland and forgettable one. Ryder seemed disconnected from the role and failed to bring any depth or intrigue to the character. It felt like she was just going through the motions, and it was evident in her lackluster performance. I was extremely disappointed and wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - Winona Ryder's witch role in this film was a letdown. She didn't bring anything new or interesting to the character, and it felt like she was simply playing a stereotypical witch without any real depth. Her performance lacked the charisma and charm that often make characters like this captivating. Overall, I was unimpressed with Ryder's portrayal and it ultimately detracted from my enjoyment of the movie.
4. Emily - 3/5 stars - While I didn't hate Winona Ryder's portrayal of the witch in this movie, I found it to be quite mediocre. She didn't bring anything particularly unique or captivating to the character, and it felt like a missed opportunity to showcase her talent. I think there are other actresses who could have brought more depth and complexity to the role. While Ryder's performance wasn't terrible, it didn't leave a lasting impression either.