A magic wand is a tool commonly associated with magic, spellcasting, and sorcery. It is often depicted as a long, thin rod or stick that is usually made of wood or metal. Magic wands have been a staple in folklore, mythology, and various magical traditions throughout history. In many stories and legends, the magic wand is used by wizards, witches, and other magical beings to channel their supernatural powers and cast spells. The wand is believed to be a conduit for the magician's energy, allowing them to focus their intentions and manipulate the forces of nature or tap into mystical realms. The design and appearance of magic wands can vary greatly depending on cultural and individual interpretations.
Following the thrilling Kennedy Center play of Long Way Down in 2019, another award-winning book from best-selling author Jason Reynolds becomes an exciting world premiere in a co-production with Theater Alliance. This faithful stage adaptation explores 10 tales of what happens after the dismissal bell rings.
The yellow-and-orange tinted grit of the film s dark photography, filmed by an often frantic lens and clumsy framing, feels similarly second-hand and under-realized. Almost 20 years after having created The Black Rider , in 2009, Robert Wilson directed Carl Maria von Weber s 19th-century romantic opera, The Freeshooter Der Freischütz , which was based on the same ghost story as this work.
The design and appearance of magic wands can vary greatly depending on cultural and individual interpretations. Some wands are ornate and beautifully crafted, adorned with gemstones, symbols, or carvings. Others may be more simple and rustic in appearance.
Spell
Set amid the familiar, gritty grounds of a backwoods thriller, “Spell” attempts to summon the terrors of “The Hills Have Eyes” in a “Misery” package, with little jolt and even less cinematic elegance to go around.
On paper, there is some appeal to the film’s shtick—a predominantly black cast telling the story of a captive man stranded in the Appalachian Kentucky suggests something fresh could come out of this well-worn formula of grimy witchcraft horror. But director Mark Tonderai (“House at the End of the Street”) and writer Kurt Wimmer (“Salt”) don’t show any interest in deconstructing a tried-and-true recipe. Instead, the duo indulges in various box-ticking elements that are at best serviceable: squeaky floorboards, rusty door hinges, sweat-soaked exertions towards an escape route and even a pair of truly grotesque scenes involving injured feet (just to earnestly make good with that “Misery” reference) are among the frequent offerings of “Spell.”
AdvertisementIf that’s enough to pique your interest in a hoodoo horror aptly releasing the day before Halloween, cozy up under a blanket and lean in to follow the story of Marquis T. Woods, a thriving businessmen leading a happy family life in his luxury home, equipped with all the cutting-edge trimmings of an upper-class existence. “Spell” is quick to disclose to the audience that life wasn’t always peaches-and-cream for Marquis, however. Through overdone flashbacks, we learn that the self-made young man succeeded after leaving behind a troubled past and an abusive father somewhere in Appalachia. But that past finds him against the odds, leaving Marquis with little choice but to face it head on. Learning that his cruel father has passed away, he decides to take his family—his supportive wife Veora (Lorraine Burroughs) and two teenaged kids—on a trip to attend his dad’s funeral.
Conveniently enough, aviation happens to be among Marquis’ many sophisticated interests. Except this time, the private plane that he pilots crashes, leaving Marquis at the mercy of the kind and curiously friendly Eloise (Loretta Devine, delivering a freakishly polished performance in spite of her under-written character), who volunteers to nurse the survivor back on his feet. Though the shell-shocked, badly injured Marquis is quick to suspect something’s off when he wakes up in the old woman’s secluded attic tucked away deep in the woods. With his family gone missing without a trace and being offered a series of vague excuses for his off-the-grid situation—such as the remoteness of even the nearest hospital and lack of any modern devices like a phone— Marquis swiftly discovers he can only rely on his own instincts and survival skills to flee Eloise’s sinister plan while pretending to comply with her routine in the interim.
If only the script could have paced its revelation of Eloise’s menacing intentions better. But Wimmer spends far too long dwelling on stock anxieties that don’t add up to much, disclosing the characters’ secrets a little too late. Eloise seems to be a part of an occult, has a voodoo poppet with the power of causing real harm, and keeps feeding Marquis plates of suspicious food, but who knows (or cares) where any of this is going when the filmmakers prove more interested in a paint-by-numbers yarn than the lean and mean tale “Spell” could have told? In that regard, the film hazily hints at some social commentary around class and race, only to abandon its Jordan Peele-esque inspirations prematurely. The yellow-and-orange tinted grit of the film’s dark photography, filmed by an often frantic lens and clumsy framing, feels similarly second-hand and under-realized. (One pointless slow-motion moment towards the film’s cathartic finale seems especially out of place.) Underneath all that, “Spell” effectively conjures up a pair of gross-out moments and consequent screams, but the angst it spreads throughout feels all too mild and forgettable to cast an unnerving curse. You know, the kind you’d crave from a horror film with lasting scares.
If that’s enough to pique your interest in a hoodoo horror aptly releasing the day before Halloween, cozy up under a blanket and lean in to follow the story of Marquis T. Woods, a thriving businessmen leading a happy family life in his luxury home, equipped with all the cutting-edge trimmings of an upper-class existence. “Spell” is quick to disclose to the audience that life wasn’t always peaches-and-cream for Marquis, however. Through overdone flashbacks, we learn that the self-made young man succeeded after leaving behind a troubled past and an abusive father somewhere in Appalachia. But that past finds him against the odds, leaving Marquis with little choice but to face it head on. Learning that his cruel father has passed away, he decides to take his family—his supportive wife Veora (Lorraine Burroughs) and two teenaged kids—on a trip to attend his dad’s funeral.
The power of a magic wand is often linked to the materials used in its construction. Certain types of wood or metal are believed to possess magical properties or resonate with specific elements or energies. For example, wands made from oak are associated with strength and wisdom, while wands made from willow are believed to enhance intuition and healing abilities. In addition to spellcasting, magic wands are also used for various symbolic or ceremonial purposes. They can be used to mark the beginning or end of a ritual, to bless or consecrate objects, or to represent the authority and power of a magical practitioner. The concept of the magic wand has also been popularized in modern pop culture, particularly in fantasy literature, movies, and games. Wands are often depicted as essential tools for characters such as Harry Potter, Gandalf, or Merlin, adding a sense of wonder and mystique to the stories. While magic wands may only exist in the realm of imagination and folklore, they continue to captivate our fascination with the possibilities of magic and the supernatural. Whether as a symbol of power, a tool for spellcasting, or an iconic accessory in a fictional world, the magic wand remains an enduring and enchanting element in human culture..
Reviews for "From Harry Potter to Merlin: Famous Wands in Fiction"
- Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with the Magic fore wand. It promised to perform amazing magic tricks, but it was just a cheap plastic stick with some lights and sound effects. The tricks were so basic and unimpressive. I felt like I wasted my money on this gimmicky toy.
- John - 2 stars - The Magic fore wand was not what I expected at all. The instructions were confusing and the wand itself was poorly made. It didn't work properly and the magic tricks didn't even look convincing. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quality magic set.
- Emily - 2 stars - I bought the Magic fore wand for my nephew and he was excited to try it out. However, we were both disappointed with it. The tricks were too easy to figure out and the wand didn't work half the time. It was a complete letdown and I wouldn't buy it again.