Watch Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar is a British mystery film that was released in 2019. It is part of the Agatha Raisin television series based on the novels written by M.C. Beaton. The film follows the story of Agatha Raisin, a former public relations executive turned amateur detective. The plot of the film revolves around Agatha Raisin who is living in the Cotswolds.
-Amy Strieter, Wildlife Writer
The Black Witch can migrate over water and has been found on each of the Hawaiian Islands and the Caribbean Islands; they have even been spotted flying over open water near offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Because of our timely rains and climate change, several Black Witch Moth records have been set, meaning the moths have appeared further north earlier in the year than ever.
The plot of the film revolves around Agatha Raisin who is living in the Cotswolds. She becomes intrigued when a wealthy and glamorous local aristocrat named Lady Mary, who has recently moved to the village, is found dead after attending a party at her mansion. Agatha suspects foul play and decides to investigate the murder.
Black Witch
Habitat and Range
Both dry and moist forest habitats are suitable for the black witch.
This moth can survive as far north as southern Florida and as far south as Brazil and Peru, as low as sea level and as high as 3,048 m in elevation. At night it can be found hovering near lights both in towns on the coast and high up in the Andes Mountains.
Physical Description
This very large moth is patterned in different shades of brown and has one darker comma shape on each forewing. Females have an additional pink-purple marking across each wing.
Biology and Natural History
With the moniker from Mexican folklore, “Mariposa de la Muerte,” meaning “butterfly of death,” the black witch moth should perhaps be a little more frightening. Because it is mostly active at dawn and dusk, in these half-lit times the large moth’s flittering flight pattern resembles that of a bat. If disturbed while resting during the day, the moth will rush out of its hiding place, which also resembles a bat’s behavior. It should be noted that neither moths nor bats are dangerous.
This moth is drawn each night to bananas and fruits that grow high in the forest canopy. During daylight hours, black witches seek out darker corners of the forest such as tree hollows or rock crannies.
A capable distance flier, the black witch moth travels all over the continent throughout the year in unpredictable movements. The moth breeds in Mexico and even farther south, but from August to October it may be found in California, New York, Minnesota, Kansas, and even southern Canada.
Diet
As an adult, this moth sucks the juices of rotting fruit. As a caterpillar, it consumes the leaves of host plants mostly from the bean family (Fabaceae).
Height/Weight
An adult’s wingspan is about 15 cm; females can grow a little larger than males.
Taxonomy
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Sources
Henderson, Carrol L. Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica. University of Texas Press, Austin, 2002.
Hogue, Charles L. Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press: Berkely and Los Angeles, 1993.
Hogue, C. L. and Janzen, D. H. in Janzen, Daniel H. Costa Rican Natural History. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983.
Kricher, John. A Neotropical Companion: an introduction to the animals, plants, and ecosystems of the New World tropics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1997.
-Amy Strieter, Wildlife Writer
As Agatha delves into the investigation, she uncovers a web of secrets and hidden motives among the villagers. She discovers that Lady Mary was planning to open a new Egyptian museum and had acquired a valuable artifact known as the Ishtar Cup. Agatha suspects that the curse of Ishtar might have played a role in the murder. Throughout the film, Agatha encounters various suspects who all have their own reasons to want Lady Mary dead. As she gets closer to the truth, Agatha finds herself in danger and must race against time to solve the mystery before the killer strikes again. Watch Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar is a thrilling and captivating film that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. It combines elements of mystery, suspense, and humor to create an entertaining viewing experience. The film showcases the Cotswolds' picturesque setting and features a talented cast, including Ashley Jensen in the lead role as Agatha Raisin. Overall, Watch Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar is a must-watch for fans of mystery novels and detective films. It delivers an engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers engaged. Whether you're a fan of the Agatha Raisin novels or just enjoy a good mystery, this film is sure to satisfy your suspense cravings..
Reviews for "The Supernatural Element of Ishtar in "Watch Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar"
1. Laura - 1/5 Stars
I was highly disappointed with "Watch Agsth and the Curse of Ishtar". The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence. The characters were poorly developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The constant jumping between different time periods disrupted the flow of the movie and made it difficult to follow. The special effects appeared cheap and unimpressive. Overall, this film failed to capture my attention, and I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in the end.
2. Mark - 2/5 Stars
I had high hopes for "Watch Agsth and the Curse of Ishtar," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The plot was exciting in theory, but it was executed poorly. The pacing was off, and the movie dragged in some parts while rushing through others. The dialogue was often cringe-worthy and filled with cliches. I felt that the acting was lackluster and the characters lacked depth. Despite some visually impressive scenes, the overall experience was underwhelming, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating adventure.
3. Sarah - 2.5/5 Stars
"Watch Agsth and the Curse of Ishtar" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The story had interesting elements, but it was convoluted and lacked proper explanations. The editing felt disjointed, making the transitions between scenes jarring and confusing. The film relied too heavily on jump scares and lacked genuine suspense or tension. Additionally, the acting was mediocre, and I found it difficult to care about the characters. Overall, this movie had some visually appealing moments, but the weak script and lack of coherent storytelling made it a forgettable experience for me.
4. John - 1.5/5 Stars
"Watch Agsth and the Curse of Ishtar" was an absolute mess. The plot was filled with holes, leaving many unanswered questions. The pacing was all over the place, and the movie dragged on for what felt like an eternity. The acting was subpar, and the characters were uninteresting and lacked depth. The supposed twist at the end was predictable and failed to truly surprise or engage me. With so many other great options available, I would recommend skipping this disappointing film.