Hidden Mysteries: Salem Secrets - Witch Trials of 1692

Salem Secrets takes you into the haunting tale of the 1962 witch trials. Four your girls are suffering from an outbreak of mysterious fits and tantrums, rumored to be caused by Witchcraft. As Constable Hawthorne, it is your job to investigate these rumors and uncover the truth about these strange attacks that have been afflicting the town of Salem. Things may only get worse if you can't find the answers in time in this twisted Hidden Mystery game.

Price: $19.99

Click here to buy from Amazon

Review: Season of the Witch (US - BD RA)

Not to be confused with George A. Romero’s tale of housewives gone mad, or the ill-fated (eventually rediscovered) third film in the Halloween series, Season of the Witch follows two Templar Knights, Behman (Nicolas Cage) and Felson (Ron Perlman), who desert the Crusade after finding themselves disaffected by the innocent bloodshed. The duo is discovered while moving through medieval Europe, and taken to  Cardinal D'Ambroise (Christopher Lee) as prisoners. D’Ambroisie, who is dying of the bubonic plague, orders Behman and Felson to escort a ‘witch’ suspected of cursing his land with the plague to a special monastery capable of determining her alleged evil. In no position to refuse, the deserters agree, gather a team, and take to the dangerous road ahead.

Nicolas Cage has become a brand name…and not the brand name he’d want. He makes movies so bad lately it’s hard to remember he also makes good, or at least okay movies with just as consistent a frequency (I count three genuinely good films since 2000). The question we tend to ask ourselves when faced with the unmistakably bad Nic Cage films (and it’s usually quite obvious which ones are going to be bad) is what kind of bad movie is he going to make – a fun bad movie, the kind you want to watch with a big group of friends while laughing, or a truly bad movie, the kind you’d rather not watch at all. Season of the Witch lies somewhere between the two, but is a definitive failure for Cage who is never the best thing about the middling feature. In fact, I’d argue the film is better every time he’s off screen. The lesser-known British cast classes up the joint a bit, and Ron Perlman continues his reign as the best reason to watch a bad movie, but Cage is a black hole of sleepy deliveries. It’s amusingly simple to tell which projects Cage cares about by his performances. His Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans and Kick-Ass performances might have been skewed and strange (I happened to like both), but at least they constituted effort. Assuming I’m correct in these assumptions, Cage cared exactly zero rat’s asses about Season of the Witch.

I wasn’t expecting much from the plot given the trailers, and I wasn’t disappointed. I am surprised to learn that for some reason Bragi F. Schut’s spotty script was a hot property when it was written a decade ago, and since there aren’t any other names credited as working on rewrites I have to assume the studio interest came out of a desperate need for a nap. The basic idea is kind of neat – mixing elements of the historical Crusades and Knights Templar with supernatural and realistic horrors – but the execution is vapid at best. The characters are shallow (Perlman and Cage are supposed to share some kind of back story bromance, but there’s nothing to beyond their word to indicate they met each other before the first frame of the film), and driven mostly by solitary traits. There’s nothing beyond what each actor brings to the performance to make us love or hate these people. Schut makes a play for a bit of a twist at the end, which is kind of admirable, but there are so many bizarre holes in his plotting, and vital questions left unanswered, that much of the ‘evil plan’, as it were, doesn’t make sense.

Season of the Witch seems to have been made for a large grouping of niche fandoms, and in the end will likely end up pleasing no one. Hard horror fans won’t like it because it pulls its punches, and wallows in sentiment. Historical epic fans won’t like it because it makes about as much historical sense as one of the Stephen Sommers Mummy Movies (you’re likely to find more facts in Amando de Ossorio’s Blind Dead films, which feature blind, blood drinking zombies), and the battles hold about as much weight as an amateur rugby match. This is a slow, droning, lifeless plod between unspectacular set-pieces – like the time the witch gets loose and they unspectacularly recover her, or the time the party unspectacularly cross a rickety bridge, or the time they briefly fight wolves and lose unspectacularly. It all culminates in an unspectacular monster showdown. The brief behind the scenes material on this disc actually keys us in to why the film is so fractured and incomplete. The dopey first act Crusades battles, and the digital effects-infused climax were both added after principle production wrapped, and are the weakest, most narratively detached and cheap looking scenes in the film. The battles were shot almost entirely on a green screen back-lot, and look entirely bargain basement – and not in a stylistically sound way like 300 . There’s something handsome about the scenes actually directed by Dominic Sena (a once promising director that never went anywhere), at least in terms of empty visual calories, but handsome looks aren’t nearly enough to maintain a dull, predictable story.

It’s a crummy movie, but it looks good from a purely graphic standpoint, and this Blu-ray transfer is almost flawless, at least based on the intentions I’m assuming were set by the production. According to the imdb.com specs Season of the Witch was shot using ARRI Media digital cameras, making this another brand, along with RED, I can set above the more expensive, digital-blur inducing Sony and Panavision cameras (I’m not really familiar with this stuff, but to my eyes the bigger company cameras are consistently weaker). The stylized colour timing mostly swings between two extremes. The first extreme is that of high contrast photography that highlights the massive differences between black and white. These scenes, usually daylight, are tinged a sickly blue-green, and feature incredible depth of detail. You can practically count the dead leaves, gnarled branches and hairs on Perlman’s head (if you were in to counting things). The other extreme pertains mostly to night scenes and interiors. These are even darker, and are usually highlighted by harsh, neon blues and oranges. These scenes feature slightly less harsh contrasts, more grain (which usually adds some nice texture, and might have even been augmented digitally themselves), and slightly less pure blacks (which once again, kind of look purposeful). The general sharpness of the image, even when the camera and characters are swishing about, is enough to make the sub par digital effects stick out as smudgy, including both the obvious (creature animation), and the subtle (fog effects).
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track included here is a bit disappointing. I had to turn up my receiver loudly enough that I was initially afraid I’d disconnected a wire, or picked the wrong audio option. The low volume levels lead me to assume this is an over compressed track, and the general (though slight) lack of LFE punch or rumble seems to verify my assumptions. Beyond the compression this track gets the job done in terms of your basic action/horror expectations. There are directional cues that wander throughout the channels, more subtle additions that give a sense of immersion, and some aggressive clanging swords. Dialogue is appropriately centered, and consistently clear, though the lower volume levels do play havoc with some of the quieter performances, and some of the ADR work is mixed too loud over louder action effects. It works, but it’s all pretty underwhelming, as is Atli Örvarsson’s Howard Shore-lite musical score, which continually threatens to turn memorable, but never quite makes the leap.

The mercifully brief extras begin with seven deleted scenes, and an ‘unrated’ version of the prologue (10:00, HD). The movie didn’t need to be a second longer, and none of these scenes are particularly good, but they do add a smidge of much needed character development, and point us towards the possibility of a stronger cut of the film (which could only be an improvement). Not to mention the fact that anyone that would cut a Christopher Lee cameo short is clearly a bad person (glares at Peter Jackson). ‘Becoming a Demon’ (8:30, HD) explores the process of adding creature effects to the film with producer Alex Gartner, Tippett Studios art director Nathan Fedenburg, Tippett Studios CG Supervisor Aharon Bourland The character was changed to look more like an explicit monster, rather than a girl with skin problems after original production ended. I assume this had something to do with test audiences wanting something more from the lackluster film. In reality, the original ‘creepy girl’ edit is a better scene that makes more sense, and holds a lot more weight. You can see for yourself, as the scene is included as an alternate ending (9:20, HD). ‘On a Crusade’ (6:00, HD) covers the opening act battle scenes that were added in reshoots, featuring interviews with Gartner, stunt Coordinator Andy Armstrong, and 2nd unit director (I think that’s code for ‘guy that took over when Dominic Sena was fired’) Vic Armstrong. These include storyboards and basic behind the scenes footage. Things are completed with a trailer.

Season of the Witch has a lot in common with Christopher Smith’s Black Death, and though neither film is particularly great, I’d recommend watching Smith’s more pontifical and gruesome over this faceless bore. If you’re a fan of the era, and are looking for something off the beaten path, I also happen to have just caught Paul Verhoven’s Flesh & Blood the other day, and was relatively charmed by its off-kilter look at swashbuckling and the Plague. Other Plague and Knights Templar themed horror films more worth your time include Michael Reeves Witchfinder General, Michele Soavi’s The Church, and the aforementioned Blind Dead films. If you must see Season of the Witch I can at least ensure you that your HD set is in for a good workout, though your sound system will probably be a bit jealous. Extras are brief, but revealing.

*Note: The images on this page are not representative of the Blu-ray image quality

Review by Gabriel Powers Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English, Dolby Digital 5.1 FrenchSubtitles: English SDH, French, SpanishExtras: Deleted/Alternate Scenes, Alternate Ending, Becoming the Demon, On a Crusade, Trailer, Digital Copy
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Robert Sheehan, Stephen Campbell Moore, Ulrich Thomsen, Stephen Graham, Claire Foy, Christopher LeeGenre: Action, Adventure and Horror

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Halloween Fancy Dress - 3 ideas big for a Halloween Witch costume this year

Fancy dress witch has always been one of the most popular types performance at Halloween parties. After all, if you have been asked to appoint a typical female holding at the time of the year, there is no doubt that a witch Halloween costume is that most people would think of the holding.

In recent years, the range of available sites online specialist witch dress fancy outfits have increased considerably, and now you can choose among different types of costumes of witch. below, I arrived with three bright a witch Halloween costume ideas to help you choose what resistance to wear to the party this year.

Idea one: Harry Potter costumes

Undoubtedly, the addition of more popular for the kind of dress fantasies witch in recent years have been costumes inspired by Harry Potter films Witch and Assistant.The holding of Harry Potter and Hermione costume were among the outfits in dress fantasies witch preferred for boys and girls for some time maintenant.Cependant, with the first part of the seventh film due for release in November of this year, I expect the Voldemort Lord costumes to be a big hit among adults this Halloween.

Idea 2:Full wicked witch

Before Harry Potter exploded on the scene in the 1990s, the most famous witch was perhaps malicious Western, drew movie oz.La witch Wizard witch malicious West was Dorothy nemesis and out to avenge the death of his sister, the malicious Witch of the East.Witch costumes malicious you can buy are really of the holding that was worn by Margaret Hamilton in the film, actress annually and is a costume of witch Halloween delivered highly recommended, especially for the ladies a certain age representation.Don't forget to buy some green face painting to go with your outfit, and complete the desired appearance.

Three idea:Sexy Witch Costumes

For younger women among you, who are looking for a sexy outfit to wear Halloween, one day has choice be sexy.Ces witch fancy dress outfits witch costume based usually around a mini-dress black sexy and long underlined sorcières.Souvent Black Hat this type Halloween witch costume will come with some low stripey green and black, but it might you want to buy some additional accessories to accompany your outfit, as a progressive witches broom and a cauldron purse.

Where can you find witch fancy dress held these?

Witch Fancy Dress includes all these suggestions for a Halloween Halloween costume, and others still.

A word or two has words of the author.

Costs of Dan is an aficionado of life who writes regularly for the site popular FancyDressUK dress fantasies.

Sorcerer Halloween - costume rage among young women

As the Halloween festival, attracts countless costume shops adorn their Windows with different type style witch costume in order to attract customers. So, what aspect you'd like to go with? By singing diva teen sensation course or a character animated drawing are among the available choices. However, the underlying scary element common to all.

Imagine your daughter in costumes Halloween witch - the mistress of the dark magic with a thick staff in his hand.Can you believe how strikingly beautiful examine your damsel little? A witch get to instantly helps bring an element of spookiness to even more sober costume.

It is true that everything that becomes too popular eventually become too common in time, as everyone tries to copy the same tendance.Si looking to be an obstacle to the crowd and get noticed before, you must work hard on your common witch costumes Halloween to examine non-so-common witch costume. Innovation is the key to adopt a common get and still end up by different, scarier and admirable than others.

There are over 100 witch styles available on the marché.Mais, it is you who must decide what Halloween witch costume style you want to go. Make sure your Halloween costumes are still different scary. The traditional idea of a witch was wearing an old cloak and tattered, hair disheveled, riding on a broom went long.

Modern Halloween witch must be still sexy yet admirable.Effrayant worrying.One of the safest means to adopt the witch up an innovative way to get is to adjust for any particular theme that you want to take as your Halloween costume.It might be inspired by Hollywood, cartoon, characters such as the Adams Family voodoo dolls, Mexican cowboys, .the COW-Boys ' trick is none of the themes chosen with a fuse witch Halloween costumes.

Overcome the old cloak and try the replacement by a sexy miniskirt in bold print, and then he teams up with scary low or pointed pen leather boots.To fill any aspect of the witch, make sure to include some items in your Halloween costume that shout their appearance pure.Il evilness could be a crooked smile that can be achieved with the right make up, frizzy hair looking let loose a pointed hat or a Gothic makeup.

Try experimenting with your high modern Halloween witch ainsi.La does need not cover completely in an ennuyeux.Équipe cloak those knee high boots with leather with a top seduce with a preference of malicious songs or crânes printed swooshing dessus.Essayez some hypothetical songs malicious when in the home of people parade Street Halloween and Yes, you will be presented as the ideal witch.

[If you are looking for costumes Halloween unique yet bizarre more ideas, see our directory of articles on costume Halloween .Diables and Gothic costumes to their corresponding, scary masks adorn them be an extractor displays this Halloween.Pour more information on Halloween costumes take in our vast group of items and us out here for more ideas scary-[http://halloween-costumes.powerful-reviews.com/ witch costume]

Sorcerer Halloween - costumes that you belong To The Circle witches?

Witches are part of Halloween for ages. These ladies have been driven and killed for their magical powers and spells which were against nature. However, not all are Witch and witch are wrong you can embody one with the witch Halloween costume of your choice. What styles can be really incredible and different now when it seems that so many styles have been used for years? Read on.

First of all, be assured costume manufacturers their collection renewal each year, you will find a large, beatiful and totally new costume for Halloween or any occasion yo wants.Let's first define your style and how you want consulter.Drôle, frightening, sexy, classy, the list is long and you can even mix a few styles.

Your witch costume should include a hat, concern it was included. If this is not you may be disappointed, but it must always be precised is. Now for specific styles, tons of colors exist, well black is of course the color of each character dark and mysterious Halloween.There is a lot of dresses short for a sexy outfit adult Witch and those more if you need something more compromised good élégant.Un is a witch dress that is split up to mid thigh. You can wear down with those sexy.

For adults as well as girls, this is where your choice of colors can be very interesting.Purple, blue or pink, orange you can really go with what you like most u.n. ' mind, Halloween is for fun but also to be different. Although black is certainly much you want to also set apart from others. You can at least add some other color to your set.

Help, think of ribbons to add your hat somewhere, perhaps. And accessories?Why not just jewelry, you may have a strange pendant and claim that it contains some very secret spell.And of course, a broom, therefore you can travel at the speed of the wind.

As we said earlier, you mix all styles.Indeed, a sexy witch can be very disturbing, with some work of maquillage.Il takes you a few minutes but will be well vaut.Un witch Halloween costume is always an intelligent choice and you can be sure to be on the topic and get compliments.

You can check many styles for girls and women, here is an example of sexy witch costumes.

You can also check all witch Halloween Costumes .click just!