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trentdotson
Reviews
Murder, She Wrote: O'Malley's Luck (1990)
Columbo meets Darby O'Gill
Currently blowing through the complete MSW. While Angela is always missed in the non-Jessica episodes, they're usually still enjoyable. Not O'Malleys Luck. The combination of Pat Hingle's cloying accent and skeezy manner had me rooting for the murderer. Just terrible.
The Witching of Ben Wagner (1987)
Mild message movie
"The Witching of Ben Wagner" is not "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," if that's the vibe you're seeking. If you're looking for a lesson, though, you've come to the right place. At least it's a worthy lesson. The problem is, "Witching" not only lacks magic, it lacks charm. The sole exception is the little girl playing Regina, who is uncannily pretty. The rest of the cast is pretty mediocre, starting with the little boy playing Ben and ending with Sylvia Sydney (the "name" actor on board), who as Regina's grandmother is creepy--and not in a fun way. The sets meanwhile are glaringly cheap (the elaborate paneling on the front door of the family's ramshackle "Victorian" is obviously painted on). Meanwhile the locations are quite beautiful. Too beautiful. The "witches" seem to be living in a national park. Which of course is exactly what the place is.
Overall, "Witching" isn't terrible. Undemanding kids will probably enjoy it.