Salem - Season Three (2016)

With this being eight days into NaNoWriMo, I am spending time breaking down my own characters in my book. While my project is supernatural in nature, it is not a straight supernatural entry. With that in mind, I decided to binge watch the final season of Salem over the past couple days.

Plot/ The witches’ plan to remake the New World by bringing the Devil to earth and making Salem his capital, but the Devil is a liar, and instead of a New World free from murderous Puritan hypocrisy, his own plan will bring nothing but death and slavery with the ultimate aim of leading humanity to destroy itself. And there’s only one person on earth who can beat the devil — the very witch that birthed him, his mother, Mary Sibley — the only problem is she’s dead. Or is she?

In some ways, I am upset that I finished watching Salem and really think that I may have to break down and purchase it. In many ways, Season Three takes the series to an entirely different arena featuring an insane storyline the delved in many different and darker directions. In fact, the writers seemed to embrace ever taboo that was thought of and decided to bring them to life on the screen. In many ways, this season came across as a modern, almost more action-packed version of something that would have been perfected by Argento or Bava during their artistic peak. The cinematography, performances, practical special effects, and storyline are amazing, and the character development is brought to life perfectly by the cast (Marilyn Manson was crazy) and honestly, it was a shame to see the series end. Yes, there are still some dialog issues that felt out of place and too modern for the period and there were a few disjointed moments that felt out of place, but those issues are extremely minor and did not impact the overall feel of the series in any way. In the end, this was a series that left the air too soon and one that should be seen (especially now that it is available on the different streaming services). If you have finished Stranger Things and are in the mood for a darker more adult period piece, give this series a shot. You may be like me and become a huge fan.

Salem - Season Two (2015)

For some reason, I have been trapped in a Saw mood lately and while I could continue with a review of Saw V, I decided that I needed to go a different direction tonight and catch up on something I should have written about a few days ago. The next review is for Salem Season Two from 2015.

Plot/ the consequences of the Grand Rite are apparent: Salem is afflicted by a terrible plague and a witch war is on the horizon. Mary is reunited with her son; trying to seize power, Mercy kills the Elders, effectively starting an open fight with the remaining witches; Anne is learning about her powers while keeping them secret; John's fate is revealed; Cotton deals with his failures and his father's death. But Salem's biggest threat comes in the form of the Countess an original witch that is trying to raise the devil. It's soon revealed that the Dark Lord himself possesses Mary’s son, and this starts a full-scale witch war that could destroy the town—and the entire world.

After thoroughly enjoying season one of Salem, it was a no-brainer to dive back into it during the month of October with season 2. What I found when venturing into this is something that pushed the limits even further than it did during the first season. While this fictional tale was interesting and at times somewhat over-the-top, the quality and depth of the storyline made it interesting and the subject matter was perfect for viewers like me that love dark and violent period pieces that are loosely connected to real events. This one definitely continued with the action, the torture, the blood, and the explicit sexual tension that made the first installments adult friendly. In this case, the added details to the storyline with the Grand Rite and the Dark Lord may turn some viewers off, but for me, this was the perfect step that the series should take. As in season one, the characters are interesting and the cast is solid, the cinematography and effects are tremendous, and the action and atmosphere do a great job working in tandem to create an entertaining show. Unfortunately, the series is still littered with historical inaccuracies and the performances are still a touch uneven, and the dialog isn’t where it should be for a period piece. Fortunately, these flaws are easily overlooked and do little to bring the series down. In the end, while this one may not be on the top of the list for some people, it is an entertaining and dark journey into a different time and a series that talks about some subjects that should be talked about. In many ways, the social commentary sprinkled into the storyline speaks volumes about where we are in society today, and that alone makes it a must-see.

Salem - Season One (2014)

Period pieces have always been one of the things that I like to take in when attempting to find something to watch. After spending multiple hours in the colonial period at Friendship Hill, I decided to change some things up today. It has been a while since I have reviewed any type of true television show. But now, after finishing season one of Salem (2014), I figured I would give it a shot once again.

Plot/ Season One follows Mary Sibley, a witch conspiring with other witches to bring forth the Grand Rite, as she brings forth hysteria among the Puritans of Salem. Her former flame, John Alden, returns after years of absence, complicating her wicked plan.

While I did bypass this when it first premiered, after finishing season one, I have to ask myself why. For me, this interesting mixture of historical fact and pure fiction has turned out to be one of the most entertaining series that I have watched in some time and I look forward to starting season two later tonight. For fans of dark and violent shows on television, this one should sit near the top of your list. Between the action scenes, witch tortures, and executions, there is enough blood to go around. Couple that with some gratuitous sexual situations, it is clear that this a show for adults. The characters are interesting, the storyline may not be authentic, but it is intriguing, and the cinematography and effects are outstanding. Yes, there are a ton of historical inaccuracies with both the setting and the characters, the performances are uneven, and the dialog lacks an authentic time period feel, but those did not hurt the overall feel of season one.

For some, this show will not resonate in the same manner as it has with me, and that is understandable. However, the network and writers should be applauded for the way they take on the subject manner without fearing a backlash. Sure, season one was not perfect, but it definitely should have opened some eyes on the hypocritical nature of some religious practices that still take place in the world today. If you have not got into this one, give it a shot; just don’t expect to find a watered-down trip back to Salem.  

Salem Witch Trials (2002)

After watching Witchery yesterday before practice, I found myself in a witchcraft mood last night when I got home. So, I did what I always do, and turned to my streaming services to find something that would help quench my appetite. I eventually settled on the 2002 entry Salem Witch Trials for my journey into the occult and witchcraft.

Plot/ A masterful work accurately details the current consensus of what exactly occurred to prompt the colonial witch trials.

This was another movie (mini series) that I somehow missed during my time in the Navy. In fact, when I saw it last night, I thought it was a documentary. I am excited that it wasn’t. What I found was an entertaining journey into the times of the Salem Witch Trials, one of the historical events that helped shape my interests as I have grown older. The ensemble cast led by Shirley MacLaine and Kirstie Alley was tremendous and the performances definitely were in harmony with the dark storyline. The cinematography was outstanding, the storyline was layered, and the entertainment and educational value really came together. While the film does have a drawn out feel, because it was a miniseries, that was to be expected. In the end, the story of the Salem Witch Trials and the hysteria that overtook society is something that can never be forgotten in our history. It is part of the fabric of our Nation and demonstrates what can happen when greed and panic become one. This may not be perfect, but it is a story (and movie) that must be seen and remembered. If you have not watched it, find it on Amazon and check it out.

7 Witches (2017)

Last night, not only did I miss one of the best episodes of Twin Peaks to grace the screen, I was away from the computer and could not keep my posting streak. I did get to see an awesome concert with The Regrettes in a very intimate setting at Mr. Smalls Funhouse so that at least made the evening entertaining. To catch up today, I decided to finish with the 2017 independent entry 7 Witches.

Plot/ As their big day approaches Cate and Cody should be celebrating, they've got their family with them, they've rented an island for the big day, but unbeknownst to them, their wedding falls on the day when a 100-year-old curse comes to fruition. Instead of celebrating, they find themselves fighting for their lives as a coven of witches risen for revenge.

I knew nothing about this one when I picked it up at Family Video, and because of that, I was thoroughly satisfied with what I found. While there were some clichéd moments toward the end of the film and the idea may not have been overly original, it was an entertaining film that came across as a mix of art house cinema and a larger budgeted suspense flick. The characters were interesting, the cinematography was atmospheric and solid, and the pacing was fitting for the short run time. Yes, there are the clichés and the short run time will definitely turn some people away, but those elements are minor flaws in this intriguing flick. In the end, this one has just enough of a horror vibe to be somewhat satisfying. Yes, it is not the most original film out there, but it is better than many entries in the low budget arena. Give it a shot.

Blair Witch (2016)

After staying home last night and enjoying Viral, it was awesome that Mother Nature decided to hold off the rain and let me head out to the drive-in to see Blair Witch and Don’t Breathe. I love horror double features and it is always such a good time when both movies offer something different. The first review of those will be Blair Witch.

Plot/ After discovering a video showing what he believes to be his sister's experiences in the demonic woods of the Blair Witch, James and a group of friends head to the forest in search of his lost sibling.

I have heard so many different opinions on the Blair Witch that I had to break down and see it. Luckily, it was playing at the drive-in  (with Don’t Breathe) and I was able to catch it earlier tonight. What I found was interesting. Yes, it was not perfect and I can see where some people would be turned off, but I could also see why people would love it. I really believe there was a nice mixture of homage to the original trip into the world and enough originality to create a tremendously entertaining balance. The way the movie built atmosphere and transitioned was done incredibly well and it created some intriguing elements that ensure the viewer paid attention to. The performances were decent, the storyline was developed, and for a found footage film, it had some new approaches to creating some new angles for recording. Sure, the ending is a bit odd and there were some jump scares that felt cliché, but those are easily overlooked. In the end, this one definitely took me back to the original and actually reminded me of what a real found footage film should look like. Of course, it is not a perfect movie, but it is one that should be seen and enjoyed. Check it out!

Cherry Tree (2015)

While I have been spending a lot of time inside the world of Shudder recently, I still had one movie that I had to finish before completing my latest run through Family Video. What movie is that? It was the 2015 witchcraft themed entry Cherry Tree.

Plot/ Faith's world is turned upside down after she finds out that her beloved father is dying. When the mysteriously alluring Sissy Young becomes her field hockey coach, Faith finds a compassionate spirit and much-needed mother figure. Little does she know that Sissy is the head of a centuries-old witches' coven that uses the fruit of an ancient cherry tree in a secret ritual that restores life to the dead and dying.

When I picked this one out, I did not quite realize that I was in for a modernization (yet loose interpretation) of the classic Rosemary’s Baby. While it is not a quite a total copy of the classic, it definitely takes a large portion of the storyline from that source material. Unfortunately, it also does little to set it apart from many of the other witchcraft themed pieces that have come out in recent years. The story starts slow, picks up, and shows some potential before the problems start to cascade. More of an exploitation themed entry than anything scary, the scripting, and performances are uneven, and there is no atmosphere. Yes, there are some moments that could be shocking to some, but those are few and far between. In the end, this movie will likely fall into the love/hate category of films and will not be for everyone. Personally, I found it at least a little interesting, but then again, I am a sucker for witchcraft and the occult.

Holidays (2016)

I love being back into the swing of watching horror movies and blogging, it helps me keep my mind engaged as I dissect my next writing project. The next film that I watched was somewhat of a surprise, 2016s anthology Holidays.

Plot/ Nine filmmakers present horror stories that revolve around Valentine's Day, Saint Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Halloween, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.

When I put this one on, I had no idea what to expect as anthologies can be all over the board when it comes to coherent moments and quality. What I found with this one was much of the same with a mixture of uneven shorts featuring a wide array of approaches to the different holidays covered by the directors. Overall, the stories ranged from unbelievable to ludicrous, and touched on many different topics. Yes, there were a few that were pushed the limits (Kevin Smith’s Halloween comes to mind), but that was to be expected. Incredibly, the film featured some solid performances and some intriguing storylines (Father’s Day and Christmas were my favorites), although I am sure that it won’t appeal to everyone. In the end, if you live mindless horror anthologies, this one is for you. Give it shot!

Lily Grace: A Witch Story (2015)

After taking a journey into the surreal with Star Leaf, I needed to watch something different. That selection was the 2015 low budget entry from Midnight Releasing, Lily Grace: A Witch Story.

Plot/ After the death of his estranged father, Ron returns to his childhood home. His first night there he is visited by a supernatural being. Haunted by feelings of guilt, convinced this entity has something to do with his father’s passing, he stays to uncover the truth behind the witch named Lily Grace.

When I grabbed this one, I was unsure of what to expect. What I found was something different that took a basic storyline and created a solid low budget entry. While it is not terrible, it is also not that memorable. Full of heavy atmosphere and subtle dialog, the movie is definitely an unconventional but simplistic journey into something dark. Unfortunately, it does suffer from some of the same elements that plague low budget cinema, with uneven performances, an underdeveloped plot, and an odd pacing structure that focused on characterization more than the horror elements that were set to come. In the end, this one will not be for everyone, but it is an interesting piece of storytelling that does help pass some time on a chilly evening.

Curse of the Witching Tree (2015)

This long weekend has not been great for choosing horror movies in the house, although I did watch my fair share. Of course, I have been stuck in a small Ancient Aliens marathon as I continue to do some research for a project, so my mind may be a touch disconnected. Next up for review here at The Ringmaster’s Realm is the 2015 low budget entry Curse of the Witching Tree.

Plot/ An innocent woman, accused of murdering her son and hanged as a witch, curses a tree and the children who play around it. The effects of this act of revenge echo through the years and centuries, and restless spirits haunt the house where the bodies of the cursed children have been buried. A family moves into their new home, and begin to uncover the terrible truth behind The Witching Tree and the murdered children upon which they unknowingly sleep.

After suffering through Poltergeist on Friday, I honestly thought any movie I chose would be better, and I was right. While this movie is far from perfect, it served as the perfect way to wash that out of my mind. The storyline, while unbelievable, was interesting; the atmosphere was dark, and for a low budget flick, it had some moments. Unfortunately, while the backstory was interesting, there were excessively many clichéd and head scratching moments, the acting was uneven at best, and there were really no moments that stirred any type of emotional response (even the attempts at jump scares). In the end, even with a few entertaining moments, this one is not worth diving into. Yes, it may be better than Poltergeist, but that is not saying much at all. Stay away!

The Wicked (2013)

The weekend is finally here and I can relax. This holiday schedule at the institute has been a struggle with little to no continuity over the past three weeks.Couple that with the start of my Psychology of Play class and I need a small break. I also need to push forward with the movies from when Bren and the girls were gone. Next u up, the 2013entry The Wicked. 

Plot/ A Group of teenagers test the legend of an immortal witch and get more than they bargained for. 

When I saw this one I kind of expected a cliche file movie and that is exactly what I found. This folklore based story does have potential and featured an interesting story that could heaved been something decent with better execution. The acting is solid and what effects are used come off really well. Unfortunately, there is no atmosphere built inside this storyline and while the premise is interesting the script has a ton of plot holes and no characterization to speak of. In the end, this is another movie that falls short of its potential and becomes just another B-Grade horror flick that is in no way memorable. There are better options available, watch only if you have no other choice.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

Three of my daughters have been heckling me to watch some type of family-friendly Sci-Fi or Horror flick. While there are some out there, finding one that would appeal to three diverse ideologies and keep me even somewhat interested is a challenge. After some debate with the wife, i decided to give The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones a shot. 

Plot/ When her mother disappears, Clary Fray learns that she descends from a line of warriors who protect our world from demons. She joins forces with others like her and heads into a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld.

While I have never read the books and have no idea of the overall storyline of the series (honestly, I could care less), I will say that this movie is one of the better series flicks that the daughters have brought into the house. The acting was decent, the action sequences were outstanding and there was enough flow to keep things moving. Sure, there was little to no character development and the story felt compressed, but it was not terrible.  In the end, this one was not perfect, but it was a decent Sci-Fi / Fantacy flick that my daughters could watch. Sure, it was not my cup of tea , but it was not meant for me. Most importantly, although I would not watch it again, I did feel it was better than the sparkling vampires of Twilight.