"The Love Witch" is an online video that has gained significant attention and popularity among a wide range of viewers. This American horror-comedy film, directed by Anna Biller, has captivated audiences with its visually stunning cinematography and unique storytelling approach. The film tells the story of Elaine, a modern-day witch who uses love spells to seduce men but eventually finds herself trapped in a cycle of manipulation and toxic relationships. One of the standout features of "The Love Witch" is its vintage aesthetic, which pays homage to the Technicolor films of the 1960s. The film's vibrant color palette and meticulously crafted costumes and set designs transport viewers to a bygone era of glamour and romance. This intentional stylization not only enhances the film's visual appeal, but also serves as a commentary on societal expectations of femininity and the perils of conforming to traditional gender roles.
Owner Javi Bubar said when they opened that their goal was to bring something new to Dallas. "We do a lot of travel and we saw a similar concept in Bangkok and thought it would well received in Dallas," she said.
They also have some new lunch dishes including quintessential autumn item butternut squash soup and fish tempura, but that has nothing to do with happy hour, let s stay focused here, people. Magical Dessert Bar featured desserts in unicorn colors, with unicorn cakes, milkshakes, boba tea, cupcakes, cake pops, and lemonades in different flavors like mango, pomegranate, and berry-berry, in decorative colors.
This intentional stylization not only enhances the film's visual appeal, but also serves as a commentary on societal expectations of femininity and the perils of conforming to traditional gender roles. "The Love Witch" also stands out for its portrayal of female empowerment and the complexities of love and desire. Elaine, the protagonist, is portrayed as a deliberate and assertive character who uses her beauty and supernatural abilities to manipulate men.
At Deep Ellum’s Magical Dessert Bar, the Glitter Is Gone
The first time I walked past the Magical Dessert Bar in Deep Ellum, I experienced a visceral reaction. It was months ago—several weeks before the shop had opened. I was struck by a troop of large, plush, unicorns that were attached to clear string and hanging above the entryway.
“What the *f-bomb* is this?” I asked my companion. She shrugged. I pressed my face to the window. The space was dark, so it was difficult to fully assess the situation. I could see a sprawling counter, bright pink walls, and a gang of fuzzy, mythical creatures, with dopey expressions on their faces, flaccidly dangling from a ceiling, which was as pink as the walls.
A couple of weeks later, an Instagram post caught my eye: a tray of brightly colored unicorn cake pops and a caption, which read “Happy Thanksgiving to all our lovely fans. Everything Unicorn. Opening December 1st!” There were a set of gold hooves hovering in the top right corner of the photo.
Oh, dear lord, it’s the place!
I quickly scrolled past the image, to avoid throwing my phone across the room. But there was no hiding from Magical Dessert Bar.
There was a media tsunami, mostly glorifying the new, presumably whimsical, enchanting, over-the-top, playful, dreamy, dessert bar. Nearly everybody had something pleasant to say. It is apparently opening a second location in Houston. (If I read the phrase “sweet treats” one more time, I’m going to explode into a billion fragments of not-so-sweet goo. It’s going to be messy, and poor Shawn and Natalie, who sit next to me, are going to be left to deal with what’s left. So, please, stop typing that phrase. Do it for them.)
I knew I had to check the place out. It’s my job, after all. But I’d read Yelp reviews of how people waited, behind other people, for two and a half hours to wrap their fingers around overflowing milkshakes and cupcakes pierced with metallic gold horns. I’m not a huge fan of lines. So, I waited for the hoopla to fade and chose a dreary Tuesday afternoon (this week) to check it out. I figured that’d be a safe time, free of queues. I was right.
The shop is located amid a walk-through patio, between Elm and Main Street, next to the business’ sister shop, Chills 360. The space is lined with dark, wooden picnic tables. (Mine was festively sprinkled with soggy Fruity Pebbles, but we’ll get back to that in a minute.) There is no seating inside Magical Dessert Bar. So, be prepared to ingest your sugary snacks on a plain ‘ol table, next to a plain ‘ol brick wall. Maybe, if you really use your imagination, you can pretend that you’re in a medieval dungeon, or something. That kind of coincides with unicorn lore, right?
iPhone photography by me.
The interior is small. There’s enough room to look over the menu, which is displayed on two flat screen TVs; peruse the baked goods; snap an Instagram video of the bubblegum-pink white chocolate fountain; order; and then get the heck out.
Various unicorn figurines and toys line the yellow and purple sponge-painted counter. Glass jars, teeming with marshmallows, are on display. Trays of pink and white swirly doughnuts and heavily-frosted cupcakes, adorned with unicorn horns, scream: “LOOK AT ME!” One of the pink walls is decorated with tiny unicorn stuffed animals— they’re suction cupped to the plaster. Another is decorated with glittery wire birds, flowers, and butterflies. (I’d insert a joke about Michaels and glue guns, but that’s too easy. Instead, I’ll just tell you that it made me feel sad.)
I ordered a $14.99 “Monster Shake,” two $3.99 cupcakes (one chocolate, one vanilla), one $3.99 doughnut, and a $4.99 “Chocolate Kebab.” After tax, and tip, my total came to $40.82.
I sat outside at a picnic table—the one I mentioned earlier, which was covered in sticky cereal—and people-watched while I waited on the goods. There was a family celebrating a young girl’s birthday. She was dressed in a baby blue princess gown and was cute as a button. There was a mom, and, presumably a grandmother, with a small boy. He was drinking something that came garnished with cotton candy. There were three millennial-ish girls eating cake and drinking milkshakes. And another family, with small children, doing the same.
I got my order to-go, as there was no way I was going to be able to pack all of this in myself. Instead, I was going to be a nice lady and bring the sweets back to the office for my colleagues to try, too.
One by one, the items arrived. The kebab: three large marshmallows and three medium-sized strawberries, pierced by a wooden stick then coated in white chocolate (that’s been dyed pale pink), and dusted with peanuts and fuscia star sprinkles. Two cupcakes and a doughnut. And then, the milkshake. (It comes with a slice of rainbow cake and a red velvet unicorn cake pop.) I realize that getting the shake to-go messes with the presentation. But, I saw plenty of them that day, so I know what they look like. Tasting it was more important.
It was like slurping melted vanilla ice cream. I’ve had better milkshakes at Jack in the Box. The doughnut was dry. The cupcakes tasted like something you’d get at Kroger. The cake was like being punched in the mouth with a sponge that had been soaked in granulated sugar and food coloring. I didn’t get to try the red velvet cake pop, which was packaged in a clear wrapper, because Caitlin Clark mashed it up with her hands. (Something to do with her throughly enjoying the way it felt, squished, between her fingers. We threw it away after.)
I asked the woman working behind the counter about where they source their sweets. She told me they have an off-site bakery. I called yesterday and was told to call back. I called back and was told to call back again. They didn’t offer a manager’s number to dial, and they wouldn’t take mine. So I don’t have details to share with you. But at this point, it doesn’t matter if they bake these things in the fanciest oven in the universe; these desserts are bad.
They left a bad taste literally, but also figuratively, in my mouth.
Listen, I like mythological creatures, and glitter, and kitsch as much, if not more, than the average person. But this place feels tacky and cheap. It makes me sad that people, with children, would wait in line for this stuff and fork over all that money. It’s overrated (thanks to social media and media-hype) and expensive, for what you get.
You’d be better off picking up some sweets from your nearest bakery, decorating them with glitter and sprinkles and whatever else your heart desires, and creating the magic yourself.
Himalaya Culinary School will open next year.Courtesy of Kaiser Lashkari
However, as the film progresses, it becomes evident that this power comes at a cost, with Elaine becoming a victim of her own actions. This exploration of the duality of power and vulnerability adds depth to the narrative and invites viewers to question societal norms surrounding love and relationships. Furthermore, "The Love Witch" challenges traditional horror tropes by subverting expectations and blending genres. While it contains elements of horror, the film incorporates comedic moments and satirical social commentary. This blending of genres creates a unique viewing experience that keeps audiences engaged and entertained. Overall, "The Love Witch" is an online video that has captivated viewers with its visually stunning aesthetic, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. Whether it's the retro-inspired visuals, the exploration of female empowerment, or the subversion of genre expectations, this film has struck a chord with audiences seeking something fresh and unique..
Reviews for "The Love Witch: A feminist masterpiece explored in this online video"
1. Jennifer - 2/5 stars
I really anticipated watching "The Love Witch" after hearing all the rave reviews, but I was left disappointed. The film seemed to try too hard to replicate the style of 1960s campy horror films, but it fell flat for me. The acting was over-the-top and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Additionally, the plot was disjointed and lacked coherence, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I found "The Love Witch" to be a pretentious and poorly executed attempt at paying homage to a bygone era of filmmaking.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars
I couldn't stand "The Love Witch." Firstly, the visuals were overly saturated and the excessive use of bright colors felt like a tacky attempt to make up for the lack of substance in the film. Secondly, the pacing was incredibly slow, leading to a complete lack of tension or excitement. The performances were wooden and the characters lacked depth, making it impossible to connect with any of them. The film seemed more interested in presenting a faux-feminist agenda than in telling a compelling and coherent story. Overall, "The Love Witch" was a tedious and pretentious mess that I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars
As someone who enjoys films from various genres, "The Love Witch" failed to capture my interest. The constant reliance on outdated tropes and clichés made the film feel more like a parody than a genuine exploration of witchcraft and love. The frequent use of nudity and sex scenes felt gratuitous and unnecessary, detracting from any potential substance the film might have had. In addition, the dialogue was stilted and lacked realism, leading to interactions between characters that felt forced and unconvincing. Overall, "The Love Witch" is a forgettable film that tries too hard to be edgy and original, ultimately resulting in a disappointing viewing experience.
4. Michael - 2.5/5 stars
Although "The Love Witch" had its moments of visually stunning cinematography, I found the story to be lacking in depth and substance. The film appeared more focused on aesthetics and style rather than developing a coherent narrative. The performances ranged from mediocre to melodramatic, failing to evoke any genuine emotion or investment in the characters. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent and at times felt unnecessarily slow. While I appreciate the attempt to pay homage to older horror films, "The Love Witch" did not deliver on its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied.
5. Emily - 1.5/5 stars
"The Love Witch" failed to captivate me in any way. The over-the-top acting and exaggerated costumes only served to distract from the weak plot and character development. The film seemed more interested in creating a visually pleasing aesthetic than in telling a compelling story. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult to take the film seriously. Overall, I found "The Love Witch" to be a shallow and pretentious attempt at creating a modern cult classic that missed the mark completely.