Once upon a time, in a world full of magic and wonder, there existed a magical school unlike any other. This school was not situated on land, but rather, it was an enchanting busy submarine deep beneath the ocean's surface. This extraordinary academy served as a sanctuary for young wizards and witches to explore the depths of their powers and to master their magical abilities. As students descended into the depths, they marveled at the incredible marine life that surrounded their floating school. Colorful fish with scales that shimmered like precious gemstones swam alongside their submarine, creating a spectacle that was beyond imagination. The school's windows allowed students to gaze upon magical coral reefs and mystical creatures that roamed the deep.
The school's windows allowed students to gaze upon magical coral reefs and mystical creatures that roamed the deep. The school's interior was just as mesmerizing as the surrounding underwater scenery. Hidden passages and secret rooms filled with spellbooks and magical artifacts lined the corridors, providing endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Look of the Week: The eccentric style of the Practical Magic aunts
Welcome back to Look of the Week, celebrating the best in TV and film sartorial excellence, past and present across sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and other genre classics!
From Anjelica Huston to Veronica Lake, witches on screen have long possessed a wardrobe dripping in style and elegance. You don’t need magic powers to have sartorial prowess, but there is an advantage in having the ability to change your outfit at the flick of a finger (looking at you, Sabrina). The mid-20th century explored the domestication of witches in I Married a Witch, Bell, Book and Candle, and Bewitched, but one thing each of these women has in common is an impressive wardrobe. Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is contemporary in setting, but the aesthetic matches the ‘60s period in which the comic book is set. Now another famous pair of witches will be spending time in this era of mini-skirts, flower power, and leopard print.
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Earlier this week it was announced that HBO Max has ordered a one-hour pilot based on Alice Hoffman’s Rules of Magic, the prequel novel to Practical Magic. Set in 1960s New York City, this adaptation will follow Frances and Jet Owens — long before they were aunts — along with their brother Vincent as they navigate this time of societal change with the powers they possess. Will Frances and Jet embrace the trends of this period or stick to the turn of the 20th-century garb as worn in the 1998 version of Practical Magic?
Costume designer Judianna Makovsky is behind Frances (Stockard Channing) and Jet’s (Dianne Wiest) eccentric aunt attire, which makes it impossible to pinpoint exactly how old they are and when they grew up. While nieces Gillian (Nicole Kidman) and Sally (Sandra Bullock) are decked out in head-to-toe ‘90s velvet slip mini dresses and floral maxi skirts, their guardians look like time travelers. The sisters themselves might have some enviable looks, with the announcement of this prequel it is time to give Frances and Jet their style dues.
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
The movie opens with a flashback to Gillian and Sally’s youth, in which we see Frances and Jet looking similar in appearance to the present-day scenes; they haven't really aged or changed over the last two decades. Favoring layered and luxurious fabrics, the aunts' wardrobe matches the Victorian home they inhabit.
Parasols, lace gloves, and wide-brimmed hats give the impression that they are about to break out the high tea at any given moment. They are the kooky Americans who are off to cause chaos on a cruise liner (maybe the Titanic) or overseas at Downton Abbey. It isn't all decadent numbers, as they have the perfect high-neck Victorian mourning attire for those grief-stricken moments. It might be a cliché for a witch to wear black, but they wear it well.
Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Even their pajamas fall into this luxurious category, which is ideal when dancing around the kitchen indulging in the concept that is “midnight margaritas.” They’re not the only ones, as Gillian’s slip resembles something she would wear out of the house. It’s a scene infused with joyful exuberance (with a dark underbelly) and it will be remiss if the prequel doesn't show the origin of this drinking tradition.
Before Russian Doll got Harry Nilsson stuck in your head for days, Practical Magic's use of Nilsson’s “Coconut” in this iconic scene is just one of the many incredible soundtrack moments from this movie. Stevie Nicks wrote two new tracks for the film and there is a thread of her shawl-loving style in the aunts’ aesthetic.
They are far from matching, though, as Frances is the more adventurous of the pair, which mirrors the style contradictions of their nieces. She wears black gloves to Jet’s white. Her eyeshadow is smokier, her lips redder. The gold lamé ensemble eschews the turn-of-the-century styling for something far more ‘70s. Frances' hair is wilder, including the twig-like accessories and the exaggerated wide-brim hats to her sister’s bee-keeper inspiration. Everything is caftan-adjacent delivering comfort and class. There is a strong IDGAF attitude from both women, but Frances is who will keep the party going. No doubt the costumes will draw heavily on this personality trait in the prequel.
Single aunts of a certain age who live together often circle a thrust-out-of-time styling. In Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, witch aunts Zelda (Miranda Otto) and Hilda (Lucy Davis) Spellman are far older than they look, which is reflected in their wardrobe that leans toward the ‘30s and ‘40s. The mid-20th century is the witch style time to shine. In Pushing Daisies, they’re not witches — even if the neighborhood kids think they are — but Chuck’s (Anna Friel) aunts Lily (Swoosie Kurtz) and Vivianne Charles (Ellen Greene) share this theatrical costume quirk. As with Sabrina, Pushing Daisies is a heightened world that is stylized in the overall production design. Meanwhile, Practical Magic is very much set in the real world. Sure, there is magic, but the time-warp aspect is reduced to costume design only.
Credit: Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Jessica Jones creator Melissa Rosenberg will be taking this witchy journey back to the 1960s for HBO Max, where she will be joined by Dana Baratta as an executive producer and writer. Other details are thin on the ground, so much of this is speculation at this point based on the novel. In the Owens' house in Practical Magic, everything is pretty relaxed. However, this is not how Frances and Jet grew up; their mother has strict rules, “No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic.” Can we expect red shoes and black attire to feature in the TV series in an act of rebellion? The costumes will likely deviate from their go-to looks in Practical Magic. Released in 1958, the movie Bell, Book, and Candle is closest in time period and place to Rules of Magic, and to dress like a witch in NYC, Frances and Jet can’t go wrong in using Kim Novak’s Gillian for their mood board.
Fashion has long since turned to witches for inspiration and considering those with magical powers that have come before on screen, it is no surprise. Make room for the younger versions of the Owens to join their stylish older counterparts in this fashionable coven.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author's, and do not necessarily reflect those of SYFY WIRE, SYFY, or NBC Universal.
They are far from matching, though, as Frances is the more adventurous of the pair, which mirrors the style contradictions of their nieces. She wears black gloves to Jet’s white. Her eyeshadow is smokier, her lips redder. The gold lamé ensemble eschews the turn-of-the-century styling for something far more ‘70s. Frances' hair is wilder, including the twig-like accessories and the exaggerated wide-brim hats to her sister’s bee-keeper inspiration. Everything is caftan-adjacent delivering comfort and class. There is a strong IDGAF attitude from both women, but Frances is who will keep the party going. No doubt the costumes will draw heavily on this personality trait in the prequel.
Each classroom was built with transparent walls, allowing students to observe the marine life outside while studying the ancient arts of spellcasting, potion brewing, and elemental control. The teachers at the magic school were highly skilled wizards and witches, passionate about their craft and dedicated to passing on their knowledge to the next generation. They guided their students in understanding the intricacies of magic, encouraging them to tap into their unique talents and embrace their creativity. Outside of classes, students had the opportunity to partake in various extracurricular activities. They could join the school's Quidditch team and vie for the title of the best underwater fliers. They could also explore the vast and mysterious ocean, practicing their magical abilities and encountering mythical creatures along the way. But life at the magic school was not all fun and games. Students faced challenges and tests, pushing their magical abilities to the limit. These trials tested their bravery, wit, and problem-solving skills. They taught them resilience and the importance of teamwork, as they often had to rely on their fellow classmates to overcome seemingly impossible hurdles. As the years passed, the students grew into powerful wizards and witches, ready to take on the world. Equipped with their newfound knowledge and skills, they left the busy submarine to embark on their individual magical journeys. Some would become defenders of the ocean, utilizing their abilities to protect the fragile marine ecosystems. Others would dedicate themselves to unraveling ancient mysteries and uncovering lost magical artifacts. Regardless of their chosen path, the students carried with them the memories and experiences of their time at the magic school within the busy submarine, forever grateful for the transformative education they had received. In conclusion, the magic school within the busy submarine was a place of enchantment and growth. It provided a unique and captivating environment for young wizards and witches to harness their talents and immerse themselves in the wonders of the ocean. The school's lessons extended far beyond magic, instilling in its students a deep appreciation for the natural world and the limitless possibilities that lie within their grasp..
Reviews for "Aboard the Enchanted Vessel: Experiences in a Magic School's Busy Submarine"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Magic School Busy Submarine" based on the description, but I have to say I was pretty disappointed. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. Overall, the book felt rushed and poorly developed. I expected more from a magical school adventure.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I couldn't finish "Magic School Busy Submarine". The writing style was awkward and the dialogue felt forced. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed. The author seemed to rely on cliches and predictable twists. I found myself losing interest quickly and by the halfway point, I had to put the book down. It's a shame because I was looking forward to an engaging fantasy read.
3. Mary - 2/5 stars - "Magic School Busy Submarine" fell short of my expectations. The world-building was lacking and I struggled to visualize the settings. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and confusing action sequences. The book lacked a cohesive structure and felt disjointed. I was left feeling unsatisfied and disconnected from the story and characters. Overall, it was a disappointing read for me.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - I found "Magic School Busy Submarine" to be a mediocre read. The writing style was simplistic and lacked depth. The characters felt flat and lacked authenticity. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused about how it worked. The book had potential, but it needed more development and polish. Overall, it was a forgettable and lackluster reading experience for me.
5. Emily - 1/5 stars - I regretted picking up "Magic School Busy Submarine". The writing was unengaging and lacked creativity. The plot was predictable and full of cliches. The character development was lacking, making it hard to care about their fates. I struggled to stay interested and had to force myself to finish the book. It felt like a waste of time and I wouldn't recommend it to others.