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Witchy films for the Pagan Soul Pt. 1 - Practical Magic to Ken Anger
By an Amazon.com customer
Practical Magic (Snap Case)Practical Magic (Snap Case)
Buy new: $5.99 / Used from: $4.16
Pros: Shows magic used for good and how it can bring people together, herbs using for healing, sympathetic magic. Cons: It's very chick-flicky.
The Craft (Special Edition)The Craft (Special Edition)
Buy new: $8.49 / Used from: $2.17
Pros: Follows Wicca closely, the film had real witches watching over those points. It also follows the Rede well. It still depicts spells, rituals (rituals will actual Gods in them, not some kind of Charmed godless Wicca) and chanting. Cons: It's a teen movie, again crappy soundtrack (annoying teen indie rock vs. the icky folk rock of Practical Magic).
The Worst Witch (The Movie)The Worst Witch (The Movie)
Buy new: $12.99 / Used from: $7.65
Pros: It has a Wicca part as an extra on this DVD, that a reviewer warned parents about. Scandalous! I haven't seen it but I read a review online that was so funny, I need a copy of this. Cons: It's so bad it hurts. Viewing this might actually cause your eyes to bleed...at least the ten minute Tim Curry video where every 80's effect known to man is used in it.
The Mists of AvalonThe Mists of Avalon
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $5.74
Pros: Feminist retelling of Arthur myths, including a strong stress on the values of the Old Pagan ways vs. the New Christian ones. Has one killer fertility ritual in it, hot! Cons: It isn't as good as the book, but that is about the only thing, highly recommended.
The Wicker Man (Two-Disc Special Edition)The Wicker Man (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Buy used from: $40.00
Pros: Lots of good folk magic, folk music and Golden Bough Scottish witchery. Cons: It was followed by a crappy remake. People get on it because it makes pagans look like devil worshipers that sacrifice people any chance they get.
The Wicker Man (Widescreen Unrated/Rated Edition)The Wicker Man (Widescreen Unrated/Rated Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $0.01
Pros: The costumes are nice, great to see Ellen Burstyn as a pagan. I bought this one cheap, like for $3...probably reflects on the success of this remake, for the 10 minutes at the end whatever other little pagan bits I could find. Cons: Where Wicker Man 1973 was full of song and life, the 2006 is full of death.
Macbeth / McKellen, Dench (Thames Shakespeare Collection)Macbeth / McKellen, Dench (Thames Shakespeare Collection)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $9.61
Pros: Seldom seen on lists, where would witches be without the "bubble bubble toil and trouble" of this play? Witches seen in a neutral light for the most part but the writing is lovely and reminds me much of a good ritual. Cons: None really, Dame Judi and Ian do some fine work.
Sleepy HollowSleepy Hollow
Buy new: $8.49 / Used from: $2.73
Pros: Katrina is a white witch, need I say more? Cons: Not much.
The Skeleton Key (Widescreen Edition)The Skeleton Key (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $1.34
Pros: Features Catherine "Cat" Yronwode as the film's hoodoo advisor. What does hoodoo have to do with witchcraft? A lot as I found out taking classes on the subject alongside of my Wicca training. Features authentic hoodoo items and rituals. Cons: None as yet. Kate Hudson, perhaps? :)
Charmed: The Complete SeriesCharmed: The Complete Series
Buy new: $162.99 / Used from: $143.40
Pros: They use magic for good, though I was never impressed that the writers never included the girls doing anything religious, like thanking the goddess for their gifts, a lot of spellwork and feminine power. Cons: No mention of a goddess or god even though they say they are Wiccan. No veneration of nature either. It could have been easily written in.
Gypsy 83Gypsy 83
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $2.95
Pros: Sara Rue before she went blonde and lost all that weight, poor thing looks like a stick now. Though this isn't a witchcraft movie, it has a lot of subcultural stuff a lot of witches like...Stevie Nicks, goth girls and arthouse movies. Cons: The bathroom sex scene is not very tasty.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Collector's Set (40 discs)Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Collector's Set (40 discs)
Buy new: $166.99 / Used from: $112.44
Pros: Willow does some great magic and some of the tenants are explained, yet in a TV type manner. Some nice rituals. Magic for good, most of the time. Cons: Again, no mention of religion or a goddess, unless Willow was a Jewitch. Black Willow I guess, though I loved her, gives others a bad view that witches stressed out to their limit will try to destroy the world.
Bell, Book and CandleBell, Book and Candle
Buy new: $21.99 / Used from: $13.48
Pros: Family friendly romance. A lot of the magic parts are fun. Cons: None really.
I Married a Witch [VHS]I Married a Witch [VHS]
Buy used from: $9.99
Pros: Veronica Lake, nice romance story. Good use of magic. Cons: There is a thing in this, as well as Charmed, to make pagans or witches look ditzy.
Bewitched - The Complete Seasons 1-5Bewitched - The Complete Seasons 1-5
Pros: Witch as housewife. Cons: Witch as housewife.
Harry Potter Years 1-5 Limited Edition Gift SetHarry Potter Years 1-5 Limited Edition Gift Set
Buy new: $50.99 / Used from: $32.60
Pros: I think it might have created thousands of new Wiccans even though it wasn't it's aim. Magic is fun! Cons: As with others, I would like to see magic and religion married in some way, pagan religion, I mean.
The Secret GardenThe Secret Garden
Buy used from: $3.33
Pros: Spell works that heals, dancing around a fire. Cons: Not much.
Jim Henson's the Storyteller - The Definitive CollectionJim Henson's the Storyteller - The Definitive Collection
Buy used from: $35.95
Pros: I follow a Greek/Roman pantheon, so 1/2 this DVD is Greek Myths, which is awesome. Cons: Not Wicca, more Strega, but I'm Strega and there will be more of this on here. Bare with me.
Season of the Witch/There's Always VanillaSeason of the Witch/There's Always Vanilla
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $7.99
Pros: Got some good rituals in it. Cons: I think the witches are seen as evil, though I don't mind that, I am here for the rituals.
Sabrina, The Teenage Witch - The Complete First SeasonSabrina, The Teenage Witch - The Complete First Season
Buy new: $20.99 / Used from: $15.59
Pros: It's really fun, it seems a witch always loses her mom early and then goes off to live with two crazy aunts. Cons: Another one of those shows that makes witches appear sort of dumb. I can forgive it though.
Little WitchesLittle Witches
Buy used from: $124.99
Pros: It has nude ritual in it. Cons: It's a bastard child of The Craft, but not as good, mainly a horror film, but I watch it for the rituals.
The Golden Compass (New Line Platinum Series Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)The Golden Compass (New Line Platinum Series Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $2.73
Pros: Highly underrated movie, about the little guys (minority religions) against the big guys (huge organized religions) though it's a kid's film. The Vatican tried to ban it, so of course, I wanted to see it more. Cons: Witches don't get enough scene time, they have more time in the book, which I also recommend. Sophisticated pre-teen and teen reading.
Hocus PocusHocus Pocus
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $6.65
Pros: It's fun and I love Sarah Jessica Parker as the dimwitted witch, though I have said I dislike witches being seen as dumb. Cons: Not all witches are evil.
The WitchesThe Witches
Buy used from: $19.77
Pros: Fun kids flick. Cons: Again, not all witches are evil.
The WitchesThe Witches
Buy used from: $34.27
Pros: Fantastic rituals, a bit ceremonial magic, but great. Cons: Evvvvvvvvvvvvil! (Not that I can't watch a film like this and love it, just warning you more PC types.)
The Witches of Eastwick (Keepcase)The Witches of Eastwick (Keepcase)
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $4.50
Pros: Again, it's fun, though I don't remember ritual in it. Cons: Witches work for the devil, so not only are we evil, but we have to report to a man. Horse hockey!
Escape to Witch Mountain / Return From Witch MountainEscape to Witch Mountain / Return From Witch Mountain
Buy used from: $16.74
Pros: Does a lot with the psychic-ness of witches, though I think the kids are actually aliens, but what witch doesn't feel like an alien in this world? Lots of fun with using the mind. Cons: Not much, only the alien subplot.
Teen WitchTeen Witch
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $8.66
Pros: Apparently any time you need help, a teen witch is within a stone's throw. Cons: It's from the 80's!
The Ninth GateThe Ninth Gate
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $1.98
Pros: It has some nice rituals in it, yes they are black magic, but based on ceremonial ones. Points out the stupidity of magic in general. Cons: Evil, but it has Johnny Depp in it!
Ancient Mysteries - WitchesAncient Mysteries - Witches
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $9.65
Pros: Good to show this one to your parents, especially if it contains Wicca stuff. Cons: Not sure if this is the program I saw.
The Haunted History of Halloween (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)The Haunted History of Halloween (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $7.76
Pros: Talks a bit about Samhain and the pagan rituals concerning it. Cons: Biased, but what can you do?
Haxan (Witchcraft Through the Ages) - Criterion CollectionHaxan (Witchcraft Through the Ages) - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $32.49 / Used from: $21.95
Pros: It's really cool. Cons: Another of those evil movies, but I love it.
MedeaMedea
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $15.52
Pros: Versions of this should be watched by those following the Greek/Roman pantheons and mythology. Medea was a witch who met a tragic end. Cons: Sometimes people can't handle Lars Von Trier, if you can't, find another version. Though I would put some arthouse in here.
Dead Can Dance - Toward The WithinDead Can Dance - Toward The Within
Buy used from: $12.98
Pros: So pagan it hurts. Cons: Ow, it hurt me.
Craftwise Volume 2: Cord MagickCraftwise Volume 2: Cord Magick
Buy new: $19.95 / Used from: $22.00
Pros: This is one of a series which I haven't seen, but I think it's a good idea. For people who don't have covens. Cons: It could be really badly made.
The Addams Family / Addams Family ValuesThe Addams Family / Addams Family Values
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $7.75
Pros: Grandma is a witch. Cons: Not really, Addams Family just misunderstood, not evil.
Embracing Goddess as DestroyerEmbracing Goddess as Destroyer
Pros: This sounds really good. Cons: It might not be.
Witchcraft: Rebirth Of The Old ReligionWitchcraft: Rebirth Of The Old Religion
Buy new: $22.49 / Used from: $14.59
Pros: He knows what he is talking about. Cons: Some Wiccan have traditions different than his, but I guess this is ok enough for the starter.
Lucinda's Spell (Special Edition)Lucinda's Spell (Special Edition)
Pros: Sexy witch in an indie film that isn't horrible. Cons: She's also a hooker.
The Films of Kenneth Anger, Vol. 1The Films of Kenneth Anger, Vol. 1
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $15.98
Pros: A lot of ceremonial magic. Cons: A lot of men working on cars, but you can skip those. Ta-duh, it was a magic leap to go from female fare like Practical Magic to the strong male vibe of Ken Anger, I feel I'm the only one that could do that, but witchery to me is ceremonial magic, hoodoo, crazy cults and Wicca all mixed up in a ball. Look for my second part of this list, coming soon!