The Worst Witch is a children's book series written by British author Jill Murphy. The first book in the series was published in 1974, and it has since become a beloved classic. The story follows the adventures of a young witch named Mildred Hubble, who attends a magical school called Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. In 1986, The Worst Witch was adapted into a television series, with Tim Curry taking on the role of The Grand Wizard. Tim Curry is a highly acclaimed actor known for his versatile performances in both film and theater. He has appeared in numerous iconic roles, including Dr.
He has appeared in numerous iconic roles, including Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pennywise the Clown in the miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's It. Curry's portrayal of The Grand Wizard in The Worst Witch was highly memorable.
Review: ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ reduces horror legend to silly jumps and scares
What we call the Conjuring Universe has become a sprawling franchise of big-budget horror-lite spookfests that pull from every urban legend, folk tale and ghost story one can imagine, usually involving vengeful feminine spirits and the women with whom they do battle. We’ve got hauntings, possessions (“The Conjuring” and “The Conjuring 2”), creepy dolls (“Annabelle” and “Annabelle: Creation”), demonic nuns (“The Nun,” obviously) and now, the ancient ghost of a murderous mother in “The Curse of La Llorona,” directed by Michael Chaves, making his feature debut.
Six movies in, there are a few hallmarks of the freaky franchise kicked off by director James Wan in 2013. The films are often set in the 1970s and feature dizzyingly long tracking shots that give the camera (and therefore, the audience) its own set of eyes to reveal or conceal the things that go bump in the night. The look, feel and dynamic movement of the films gives the loosely connected series an aesthetic DNA. It helps here that it’s literally genetic — “The Curse of La Llorona” cinematographer Michael Burgess is the son of “The Conjuring 2” cinematographer Don Burgess, and he shot second unit footage on that film and “The Nun.”
The victims of our latest Frightening Female Phantom (all these ghosts have the same makeup effect, don’t they?) are Anna (Linda Cardellini), a widowed social worker, and her two kids, Chris (Roman Christou) and Sam (Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen), trying to get by in 1973 Los Angeles. When Anna makes a welfare check on one of her troubled clients, Patricia (Patricia Velasquez), she unknowingly invites the menacing spirit of La Llorona into her life. The weeping woman, clad in billowing white garb, has roamed the Earth since 1673, when she drowned her two sons in a jealous rage caused by her husband’s infidelity, then drowned herself. Now her demonic spirit stalks new children to replace hers. It serves as a spooky story and warning tale in Latinx households — behave, or La Llorona will get you.
Advertisement“The Curse of La Llorona” is a combination ghost story and haunted house horror flick sprinkled with folksy mythology and shamanic rituals. It relies heavily on jump scares rather than anything existentially terrifying, and there are some leaps in magical logic that don’t quite make sense. The script, which must have consisted of dozens of pages reading “La Llorona screams in someone’s face,” or “someone is dragged down a hallway,” is lightweight at best. Surprisingly, the only other writing credit for team Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis is the heartstrings-tugging cystic fibrosis teen romance “Five Feet Apart.” Bittersweet teen love is their thing; horror, not so much.
The “Conjuring” spinoffs are like Xerox copies — each new iteration comes out to diminished returns. The structure, ideas and style are there, but there isn’t the same heft of themes or slick craft Wan expressed in his two “Conjuring” films. “The Curse of La Llorona” is middling B-movie schlock that goes for the low-hanging fruit: sequences you know will end with some kind of jump, bump or scream, and jokes that cut the tension and indicate everyone here knows what’s up. We certainly do. Wail as she might, the silly, not scary “The Curse of La Llorona” never reaches the operatic heights that the best of the franchise can offer.
Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.
‘The Curse of La Llorona’
Rated: R, for violence and terror
Spiritual attacks send various characters flying through rooms and into ceilings. Doors are slammed, and people are dragged. La Llorona has the ability to burn those whom she touches (apparently via her tears), and we see her use this ability quite often: People scream in pain and terror when she grabs them, and several characters bear the wounds of these encounters.
He brought both charm and mischief to the character, capturing the essence of magical power and authority. His distinct voice and charismatic presence added depth to the role, making it a standout performance in the series. Despite being a villainous character, Curry's portrayal of The Grand Wizard was also comical and entertaining. He brought a sense of fun and whimsy to the role, balancing the character's menacing qualities with light-heartedness. This made the show engaging for both children and adults alike. In addition to Tim Curry's performance, The Worst Witch television series became known for its colorful and enchanting world, captivating storytelling, and strong female protagonist. It became a favorite among young audiences, inspiring a generation of children to embrace their own individuality and pursue their dreams. In conclusion, Tim Curry's portrayal of The Grand Wizard in The Worst Witch series is a memorable and iconic representation of a magical character. His performance added depth, charm, and humor to the story, making it an enduring and beloved adaptation of the original books..
Reviews for "Behind-the-Scenes Glimpse into Tim Curry's Preparation for 'The Worst Witch"
1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "The Worst Witch" with Tim Curry. The acting is terrible and the storyline is so weak. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and found myself getting bored within the first few minutes. I don't understand why this movie has such a cult following. Save yourself the time and watch something else instead.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Worst Witch" with Tim Curry, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The special effects were dated and cheesy, making it hard to take the movie seriously. The acting was also quite lackluster, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, it was a forgettable experience and not something I would recommend to others who are looking for a quality fantasy film.
3. Mark - 2 stars - "The Worst Witch" with Tim Curry was a disappointment for me. The storyline seemed promising, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was off, and the plot felt disjointed. Additionally, the performances were subpar, making it hard for me to invest in the characters or their journey. I had high hopes for this movie, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to them. I would suggest looking elsewhere for a better fantasy film.