"The Worst Witch" is a made-for-TV movie released in 1986. It is based on the book series of the same name by Jill Murphy. The movie centers around the adventures of Mildred Hubble, a young witch who attends Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. Despite her best efforts, Mildred often finds herself in various mishaps and gets into trouble. The 1986 DVD release of "The Worst Witch" is a nostalgic treat for fans of the original movie. The DVD includes the full-length feature film, which runs for approximately 70 minutes.
Praise for Magic for Beginners
“A sorceress to be reckoned with.”—The New York Times Book Review
“[Kelly] Link’s stories . . . play in a place few writers go, a netherworld between literature and fantasy, Alice Munro and J. K. Rowling, and Link finds truths there that most authors wouldn’t dare touch.”—Lev Grossman, Time
“She is unique and should be declared a national treasure.”—Neil Gaiman
“Funny, scary, surprising and powerfully moving within the span of a single story or even a single sentence.”—Karen Russell, The Miami Herald
“This is what certain readers live for: fiction that makes the world instead of merely mimicking it.”—Audrey Niffenegger
“[These] exquisite stories mix the aggravations and epiphanies of everyday life with the stuff that legends, dreams and nightmares are made of.”—Laura Miller, Salon, Best Books of the Decade
“A major talent . . . Like George Saunders, [Link] can’t dismiss the hidden things that tap on our windows at night.”—The Boston Globe
“The most darkly playful voice in American fiction.”—Michael Chabon
“I think she is the most impressive writer of her generation.”—Peter Straub
“Link’s world is one to savor. [Grade:] A”—Entertainment Weekly
“Intricate, wildly imaginative and totally wonderful . . . will fill you with awe and joy.”—NPR
This proves just one of several benign but inexplicable phenomena that begin to pull apart the family newly moved into the house as surely as a more sinister supernatural influence might. Also very good was The Stone Animals , about a family who leaves Manhattan and moves into a country home upstate, only to discover that, slowly but surely, all of their possessions have become haunted.
The DVD includes the full-length feature film, which runs for approximately 70 minutes. It also includes bonus features such as interviews with the cast and crew, behind-the-scenes footage, and even some deleted scenes that didn't make it into the final cut of the movie. "The Worst Witch" is known for its charming and quirky characters, including Mildred Hubble, Miss Cackle, and the strict Miss Hardbroom.
Book Review: Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link
After finally putting down the borrowed copy of Magic for Beginners which I’d been reading on and off for the past week, I can make two definitive statements:
1) Kelly Link is a very gifted writer.
2) I suck at short stories.
I really gave it my all, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to read all eight stories in this collection. I managed to get through six (although for two, my reading might better be described as skimming). If you read my blog post from a few days ago (see it here), you’ll know that I pick up short story collections rarely and reluctantly, but in this case, I’d heard enough high praise for Kelly Link to decide to give it a go.
I absolutely loved the first story in the collection, “The Fairy Handbag”, narrated by a teen girl whose recently deceased, oddball grandmother has appointed her the guardian of a magical handbag. According to Grandmother Zofia, the people in her little village of Baldesziwurlekistan all picked up and moved into the handbag hundreds of years ago in order to escape a terrible invasion, and have lived there happily ever since. “The Fairy Handbag” is weird and wonderful, and I was thoroughly enchanted.
Also very good was “The Stone Animals”, about a family who leaves Manhattan and moves into a country home upstate, only to discover that, slowly but surely, all of their possessions have become haunted. I’m not sure what any of it actually meant, but I love some of the imagery used, especially this brief glimpse of the pregnant wife who can’t stop painting and repainting the rooms in the house:
He found Catherine standing on a ladder in the kitchen, one foot resting on the sink. She was wearing her gas mask, a black cotton sports bra, and a pair of black sweatpants rolled down so he could see she wasn’t wearing any underwear. Her stomach stuck out so far, she had to hold her arms at a funny angle to run the roller up and down the wall in front of her.
The story entitled “Magic for Beginners”, equally weird and oddly touching, is the tale of a fifteen-year-old boy and his friends who are obsessed with a mysterious TV show called The Library. Or is this story about characters on a TV show called The Library who are obsessed with a TV show called The Library? At one point, main character Jeremy wonders “about what kind of television shows the characters in television shows watch.” Kind of made my head spin.
Kelly Link’s writing is lyrical and full of unconventional images and similes. Just two of the many that made me smile:
He feels like a tennis ball in a game where the tennis players love him very, very much, even while they lob and smash and send him back and forth, back and forth.
The disco ball spins and spins. It makes Jeremy feel kind of carsick and also as if he has sparkly, disco leprosy.
Kelly Link has great talent, and I truly enjoyed the stories I read. The fact that I couldn’t get through all of them certainly has more to do with me as a reader rather than with the quality of the book. If you enjoy short stories, and get a kick out of worlds weird and twisted, I’d definitely suggest giving this collection a whirl.
Praise for Magic for Beginners
“A sorceress to be reckoned with.”—The New York Times Book Review
“[Kelly] Link’s stories . . . play in a place few writers go, a netherworld between literature and fantasy, Alice Munro and J. K. Rowling, and Link finds truths there that most authors wouldn’t dare touch.”—Lev Grossman, Time
“She is unique and should be declared a national treasure.”—Neil Gaiman
“Funny, scary, surprising and powerfully moving within the span of a single story or even a single sentence.”—Karen Russell, The Miami Herald
“This is what certain readers live for: fiction that makes the world instead of merely mimicking it.”—Audrey Niffenegger
“[These] exquisite stories mix the aggravations and epiphanies of everyday life with the stuff that legends, dreams and nightmares are made of.”—Laura Miller, Salon, Best Books of the Decade
“A major talent . . . Like George Saunders, [Link] can’t dismiss the hidden things that tap on our windows at night.”—The Boston Globe
“The most darkly playful voice in American fiction.”—Michael Chabon
“I think she is the most impressive writer of her generation.”—Peter Straub
“Link’s world is one to savor. [Grade:] A”—Entertainment Weekly
“Intricate, wildly imaginative and totally wonderful . . . will fill you with awe and joy.”—NPR
The movie is a mix of comedy, fantasy, and adventure, making it enjoyable for both children and adults. With its colorful and magical setting, it transports viewers into a world of witches and spells. The 1986 DVD release of "The Worst Witch" is a great addition to any movie collection, particularly for fans of the book series or those who enjoyed the original movie. It allows viewers to relive the magic and excitement of the story and provides some extra content to enhance the viewing experience. Overall, "The Worst Witch" is a delightful and entertaining movie that has stood the test of time..
Reviews for "The Worst Witch' on DVD: Exploring the Special Effects of the 1986 Film"
1. John - 1/5
I recently purchased "The worst witch 1986 DVD" and I have to say it was a huge disappointment. The quality of the DVD was extremely poor with blurry visuals and a constant presence of scratches and skips. The audio was also very distorted and difficult to understand. It felt like watching an old VHS tape rather than a DVD. Additionally, the special features promised on the cover were non-existent. Overall, I regret buying this DVD and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2/5
I had high hopes for "The worst witch 1986 DVD" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The storyline was confusing and poorly executed, making it difficult to get invested in the characters or their journeys. The acting was also subpar, with many of the performances feeling forced and uninspired. The production value was low, evident in the cheap-looking costumes and sets. While the concept had potential, the execution left a lot to be desired, making it a lackluster viewing experience.
3. Emily - 1/5
I found "The worst witch 1986 DVD" to be a complete waste of time and money. The plot was uninspiring and predictable, lacking any depth or originality. The acting was wooden and unconvincing, making it hard to connect with the characters or their struggles. The special effects were laughable, with obvious green screens and poorly edited scenes. It's disappointing to see such a beloved story being butchered in this manner. Save your money and skip this DVD.