 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Season of the Witch
- Review Date: January 4, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Fantasy
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Dull fantasy mixes violence, questions of spirituality.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Nicolas Cage adventure/fantasy -- which has both horror and action elements -- has plenty of fighting and violence, including violence toward women, some scary stuff, and horrific images of Black Plague victims. There's also a little language (including one use of "s--t") and minor nudity and drinking. Although overall it's not a particularly good movie, it does have some interesting, even educational facets -- including details about the Black Plague and the witch trials of the 14th century. (It's worth noting that this film has nothing to do with George A. Romero's 1973 movie Season of the Witch.)
What's the story?
Shocked by what they're asked to do during the Crusades, knights Behmen (Nicolas Cage) and Felson (Ron Perlman) decide to quit. Branded as deserters and outcasts, they're captured and offered one chance for redemption: They must transport an accused witch (Claire Foy) through perilous terrain to a remote abbey so that she can be properly tried by monks. They're accompanied by a ragtag group that includes a wannabe knight (Robert Sheehan), a suspicious priest (Stephen Campbell Moore), and a swindler (Stephen Graham) who knows the way. Unfortunately, nothing is quite as it seems, and this band of heroes may have more on their hands than just a simple witch.
Is it any good?
Directed by Dominic Sena, SEASON OF THE WITCH suffers from a general laziness. The action scenes are predictably shaky and awkward, the horror scenes are full of the usual CGI effects, and the period detail is often compromised for modern thrills (i.e. the characters head-butt each other during sword fights). Most of the actors simply look uncomfortable, suffering in their period costumes and period dialogue -- all except Perlman, who almost always looks like he's having a good time.
The long setup is dull, but the road trip itself actually has some strong sequences, notably the crossing of a creaky, rotting old bridge. But Sena and screenwriter Bragi F. Schut try to end their tale with a big surprise, and their logic falls flat. On the upside, there are some interesting details on the Black Plague and witch trials of the 14th century, so it's not a total loss.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's violence. How did it affect you? How does it compare to other violent movies you've seen?
The main character quits the Crusades because he comes to believe that killing in the name of God is wrong, but in doing so he becomes an outcast. Is he a hero or an anti-hero?
Do you think the movie offers an accurate portrayal of witch trials in the 14th century? What about the Black Plague? How could you find out more about both?
Is the movie scary? What makes it so?
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AGE
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
Very bloody and gory. The demon at the end burns a key character, ending with a pile of ash. The main character dies after getting stabbed multiple times (up close). People are seen with huge blisters on their heads. Lots of bodies litter the ground in the first scene. Godly things like the church and Jesus Christ throughout. Rotting bodies and decayed people are seen in some scenes.
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AGE
I actually kinda liked this movie. It had some good action scenes. I don't understand why it has a 4% on rotten tomatoes. The movie had some violent parts. I think it's iffy for 9+
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AGE
i rate this title IFFY for 13+
The good stuff
*
Role models:
After deciding during the Crusades that killing people may not actually be what God has in mind, Behmen quits and becomes an outsider. But in doing so, he routinely considers the spiritual weight in everything he does. He sometimes slips, but he's always trying to correct the mistakes of his past.
What to watch out for
*
Messages:
The movie has negative things to say about churches -- i.e. that they willfully murder entire armies in the name of God. The hero quits this service to live what is portrayed as a more spiritual life, one in which he can consider God's more forgiving side. He works hard to overcome the sins of his past. He slips from time to time, but his path is overall a good one.
*
Violence:
Heavy fantasy violence, with scary images of demons, witches, zombies, and possessed wolves. Also swordfighting and some blood, with lots of dead bodies. Violence is committed against women, including beating and hanging. The movie takes place during the Black Plague, and there are several horrific victims covered with terrible sores.
*
Sex:
A young woman is seen lying on the floor, naked, but no sensitive body parts are shown. The heroes are briefly seen celebrating in a tavern, with wenches sitting on their laps.
*
Language:
One use of "s--t." Other words include "piss," "bi-ch" "a-s," "d--n," and "h--l."
*
Consumerism:
Not an issue.
*
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
One character carries a flask and drinks from time to time. One quick shot of the two heroes celebrating, drinking in a tavern after a battle.
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Kid, 11 years old
January 29, 2011
AGE
AWSOME!!!
BEST MOVIE I'VE EVER SEEN!!!!
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AGE
The trailer doesn't even come close to depicting the horrible images, the worst of which is caused by the Black Plague. The demons are very disturbing, as are the numerous dead bodies from the plague.
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AGE
empty dull and awful movie.
Oscar (R) winner Nicolas Cage (National Treasure, Ghost Rider) and Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Hellboy II) star in this supernatural action adventure about a heroic Crusader and his fellow soldier who must transport a woman accused of being a witch to a remote monastery. The arduous journey across perilous terrain tests their strength and courage as they discover the girl's secret and find themselves battling a terrifyingly powerful force that will determine the fate of the world.
ok this movie sucked. i wasn't much excited about this movie, the trailer didn't impressed me at all. same was the movie. it was suppose to release in 2010 but the release date was constantly changed. so if there was some excitement, say for Nicolas Cage, it just Vanished. the reviews for this movie as you can see are very awful, i mean 4% is way too low. i hated it, don't like to use the word hate for a film, but i did. one of the worst film of the year and ever.
movie lacks a definite plot and a well written screenplay. screenplay is extremely poorly written. direction needs a lot of work. story sucks big time. visuals, graphics, visual effects are awful. cinematography is ok, art direction and costumes are average. the whole look of the movie is strange. plot and screenplay is almost empty, nothing is there in the movie. i wasted my time on it.
bad acting. badly written movie. kind of a horror supernatural thriller which rarely thrills or give chills. a B grade movie with well known actors. this movie just sucked, nothing else to say about this movie. please skip this movie.
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AGE
Total disappointment
My 10 and 12 year olds hid their faces and asked to leave within the first 10 minutes. They've seen plenty of PG13 movies but this was way too violent and graphic. FYI I have never walked out on a movie or asked for a refund. Guess there's a first time for everything.
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| Studio: | Rogue Pictures |
| Director: | Dominic Sena |
| Cast: | Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Stephen Campbell Moore |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 113 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 7, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | June 28, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic elements, violence and disturbing content |
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