Ogle the Worst Witch is a British television film that was released in 1986. It is based on the popular children's book series written by Jill Murphy. The film follows the story of Mildred Hubble, a young witch who attends Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. However, unlike her classmates, Mildred is not very good at magic. She often finds herself in trouble and is considered the worst witch in the school. Despite her lack of skill, Mildred is determined to prove herself and become a good witch.
Illustrations of Gendered Conflict in Tomie by Junji Ito, via Viz
The reader is forced not only to imagine the movement of characters, the passage of time, and the impending doom but also viscerally experience an odor that evokes fear. The reader is forced not only to imagine the movement of characters, the passage of time, and the impending doom but also viscerally experience an odor that evokes fear.
Despite her lack of skill, Mildred is determined to prove herself and become a good witch. Along with her best friend Maud, she embarks on various adventures and tries her best to fit in. She also faces challenges from her rival, Ethel Hallow, who is a talented and snobby witch.
Uzumaki – by Junji Ito
Uzumaki is a horror manga series written and illustrated by Junji Ito. In the 3 volumes it follows Kirie Goshima, her boyfriend Shuichi Sato, and the citizens of the small, fictional Japanese town of Kurôzu-cho which is cursed by supernatural events involving spirals. Events such as her hair draining her , growing and hypnotizing others. Shuichi’s dad becoming obsessed with spirals. Even becoming snail people. The only place safe from all the mayhem and the curse is the old abandoned row houses which later are enlarged by the town. Kirie and Shuichi attempt to escape the town only to be unable to leave. On return to the town they find the row houses have become a giant spiral encompassing the town and that several years have passed. They reach the center of town to find a hole leading to a Cthulhu-esque ancient city below the town. Upon finding her parents dead in the ancient city she loses the strength to go on. With her final embrace with Shuichi it tell that the curse will end and begin again.
I found this manga from when I first came to Sheridan College when I joined the anime club. The president at the time sent it as a welcome to the club with a warning it wasn’t for everybody. When I read it i found it was different from conventional anime.
It differed from the usual suspects of anime at the time I read it (Bleach, One Piece, Naruto ect.) the characters illustrated where not the exaggerated eyed and crazy hair that was common for what I had read. These visual where more realistic which lead to more of a feeling of realism to the manga and make the horror scenes more impactful seeing a more realistic face become twisted and mangled as the manga and the curse progress. Though more realistic it still keeps some of the simplicity that manga has come to know. The change was at first welcomed to the atypical Shonen Jump style which started the curiosity to the manga. Reading further on, the story was what really kept me wanting reading the next chapter.
The story itself starts as just what seems like perhaps a lover’s story to flee the town so Shuichi to escape his parents. It turns into a journey to escape a curse that grips the town. Its pieced together the chapters with the main characters seeing the strange events happening around town. seeing the town slowly succumbing to the curse. Once finally resolved to leave the town the curse refuses them to leave and fast forward the passage of time. The story creates tension for the reader showing the progression of how the curse takes effect on the people slowly turning them into spiral horrors. I had read H.P Lovecraft’s Call of Cthulhu upon seeing the ending it reminds me of the sunken city R’lyeh as well as how the Deep Ones slowly corrupt those who hear there voices.
After reading this manga it has opened me into more interesting manga such as frakenfran and other non mainstream manga that are unusual to the generic anime formula. I find them to be far less predictable and more satisfying to enjoy. If your looking for something Cthulhu like and a darker manga then give Uzumaki a shot!
The hypnotic nature of the omnipresent spirals incites a comparison to varied forms of larger collectives such as hive minds, blended realities, and obsessive group behaviors that are mimetic in nature. The excellence of Ito’s body horror gradually climaxes into the cosmic reconstruction of Kurouzo-cho as a palatial singular organism. Others may view the curse of the spirals through the lens of individualism with the notion of spiraling through emotional instability or obsessive introspection. In both interpretations, Ito masterfully creates a void for readers to behold his art by veiling the source of the curse in the unknown.
The film is a light-hearted and fun adaptation of the book series and effectively captures the essence of the characters and their world. It explores themes of friendship, perseverance, and the importance of staying true to oneself. One of the main strengths of the film is its charming cast. Fairuza Balk does an excellent job of portraying Mildred Hubble and brings a sense of vulnerability and determination to the character. The rest of the cast also delivers solid performances, bringing the quirky and memorable characters to life. The film is set in a magical and whimsical world, with impressive production design that creates an enchanting atmosphere. The special effects, although dated by today's standards, still manage to capture the magic and wonder of the story. Overall, Ogle the Worst Witch is a delightful and entertaining film that successfully brings the beloved book series to life. It is a must-watch for fans of the books and anyone who enjoys gentle and endearing stories about friendship and self-discovery..
Reviews for "Halloween Nostalgia: Remembering 'The Worst Witch' 1986 as a Fall Classic"
1. Sarah - 2/5: I was really disappointed with "Ogle the Worst Witch 1986". The acting was subpar, with the main character lacking any charisma or depth. The plot was also quite weak and predictable, failing to hold my interest throughout the film. The special effects were laughable, making it hard to take the movie seriously. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and unenjoyable experience.
2. Alex - 1/5: I absolutely regret watching "Ogle the Worst Witch 1986". The film was poorly executed in every aspect. The acting was cringe-worthy, and the dialogue seemed forced and unnatural. The storyline was dull and unoriginal, offering no surprises or excitement. The special effects were incredibly dated and looked like something from the 1970s. I couldn't wait for it to be over and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emma - 2/5: "Ogle the Worst Witch 1986" was a major letdown for me. The performances were lackluster, with the actors appearing disinterested and delivering their lines without conviction. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow the story. The production quality was also low, with cheap-looking sets and outdated costumes. Overall, I was disappointed with this film and feel like it wasted my time.
4. Daniel - 2/5: "Ogle the Worst Witch 1986" was not what I expected. The acting was mediocre at best, and some of the characters were downright annoying. The plot lacked depth and failed to engage me, leaving me feeling disconnected throughout the movie. The special effects were also disappointing, feeling outdated and out of place. I had high hopes for this film, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.