The Blue Ridge Witch is a term used to describe a mythical figure that is said to inhabit the Blue Ridge Mountains of the eastern United States. This witch, also known as the Blue Ridge Haint, is said to possess powerful magic and have a deep knowledge of herbal remedies and potions. According to folklore, the Blue Ridge Witch is a solitary figure who lives deep within the mountains, often in a secluded cabin or cave. It is said that she has the ability to communicate with animals and spirits, and is highly respected by the local community for her healing abilities. The Blue Ridge Witch is known for her extensive knowledge of plant medicine and is often sought out by those in need of a remedy for an ailment or injury. She is said to possess a vast garden of rare and potent herbs, which she uses to create her potions and remedies.
She is said to possess a vast garden of rare and potent herbs, which she uses to create her potions and remedies. It is believed that her potions have the power to heal not only the body, but also the soul. Despite her reputation as a skilled healer, the Blue Ridge Witch is also said to have a mischievous side.
H.P. Lovecraft’s Witch House Review
PLOT: A college student who believes geometry is the key to inter-dimensional travel starts having terrible nightmares in a house where a witch may have carried out human sacrifices.
REVIEW: First published in the pages of Weird Tales magazine in 1933, legendary horror author H.P. Lovecraft’s short story The Dreams in the Witch House has been brought to the screen twice before. Once for the 1968 film The Crimson Cult, which had an impressive cast that included Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, Barbara Steele, and Michael Gough. That was such a loose adaptation, Lovecraft wasn’t even given credit. Decades later, Stuart Gordon gave Lovecraft credit and kept the title intact for his 2005 contribution to the Masters of Horror series. Now the story has gotten the low budget indie treatment with director Bobby Easley’s new film H.P. Lovecraft’s Witch House (watch it HERE)… and this really goes to show how much of a tough act Stuart Gordon is to follow.
Easley’s Witch House was filmed at the historic Hannah House in Indianapolis, Indiana, a place that is said to be haunted – but for the purposes of this movie, the Hannah House (as it is still referred to by the characters) is in a town named after a Lovecraft location, Miskatonic. The character we follow into this place is college student Alice Gilman (an actress credited as Michelle Morris on the film itself, but as Portia Chellelynn in the marketing), who is working on the theory that sacred geometry is the key to inter-dimensional travel. It just so happens that a previous tenant at Hannah House did crack the secrets of inter-dimensional travel and you would think that stories of this might be what inspires Alice to rent a room in the place. After all, the Gilman character in Lovecraft’s story purposely moved into the Witch House because of its history. But that’s not the case here. Alice simply moves into the Hannah House / Witch House because there’s a vacancy and her violent ex, who once beat her so badly that she miscarried their child, is on the loose. She needs a place to hide out while working on her theory, so the Hannah House it is. As soon as she enters the house, she feels like she belongs there. And the “suggested geometric shapes” in her attic room are perfect for her studies!
Alice’s housemates in this place are her landlady Etta (Shonda Laverty), Etta’s deeply religious, alcoholic brother Joe (Joe Padgett), and Etta’s niece Tommi (Julie Anne Prescott), who is around the same age as Alice. Etta and Joe are only a presence for key moments, but Alice ends up spending a good amount of time with Tommi – who helps her look into the history of the Hannah House. Which is when she finally finds out she’s living in a “Witch House”, as it used to be home to Keziah Mason (Andrea Collins), a servant girl who was accused of carrying out human sacrifices – the sacrificed being children – and was burned at the stake. Tommi also manages to seduce Alice so easily, it’s like she’s James Bond levels of irresistible, leading to a gratuitous sex scene. Paving the way for more gratuitous moments of nudity and scenes of Alice in her underwear. But given that the best Lovecraft adaptation we’ve ever seen (Stuart Gordon’s Re-Animator) features a gratuitous scene where a nude female is assaulted by a severed-but-living head, it’s tough to fault other Lovecraft-inspired filmmakers for trying to spice up their movies with bare flesh.
The story of Keziah Mason inspires Alice to work occult symbols into her studies and to look up the Necronomicon. She also starts having intense nightmares about occult practices, Keziah, and the witch’s buddy Brown Jenkin. If you’re familiar with the source material, you’ll know that Brown Jenkin was described as being a rat with a human face, something that Gordon was able to effectively bring to the screen for his adaptation. Of course, this one didn’t have the budget necessary to create Brown Jenkin, so the character is represented through shots of a regular rat and a scuzzy-looking human. While Alice is there dreaming, someone is stalking around the town of Miskatonic, abducting children. It looks like history is repeating itself. And somehow, even though Alice is an established Lovecraft fan – she’s reading Lovecraft the first time we see her – she never ponders how it could be that she’s living something similar to The Dreams in the Witch House. Maybe she’s too terrified. Maybe the adaptation is too loose. Or this oversight could be explained by the final moment of the film, which will have many viewers groaning and rolling their eyes.
Much of Witch House’s mercifully short running time is dedicated to the nightmares Alice has. Trippy sequences that are soaked in colorful lighting. Easley has said that he was drawing inspiration from Italian genre filmmakers while making Witch House, so the lighting must be his tribute to Mario Bava and Dario Argento. The nightmares are certainly the most visually interesting parts of the movie, as the low budget is very apparent in the overall look of the film. A cheap look is easily overcome when the story and/or characters are interesting enough… but the storytelling here is very messy and scattered, and the characters aren’t interesting. So Witch House very quickly becomes frustrating and difficult to sit through. My favorite thing about it was the fact that the end credits kicked in after just 75 minutes.
Witch House might find some appreciative viewers who are intrigued by the strangeness of the dream sequences, but I found the film to be poorly crafted and a bit of an endurance challenge. As far as adaptations of The Dreams in the Witch House go, I would not recommend this one… but if you do check it out, at least it won’t take up much of your time.
Witch House is now available on Digital, VOD, and DVD.
The story of Keziah Mason inspires Alice to work occult symbols into her studies and to look up the Necronomicon. She also starts having intense nightmares about occult practices, Keziah, and the witch’s buddy Brown Jenkin. If you’re familiar with the source material, you’ll know that Brown Jenkin was described as being a rat with a human face, something that Gordon was able to effectively bring to the screen for his adaptation. Of course, this one didn’t have the budget necessary to create Brown Jenkin, so the character is represented through shots of a regular rat and a scuzzy-looking human. While Alice is there dreaming, someone is stalking around the town of Miskatonic, abducting children. It looks like history is repeating itself. And somehow, even though Alice is an established Lovecraft fan – she’s reading Lovecraft the first time we see her – she never ponders how it could be that she’s living something similar to The Dreams in the Witch House. Maybe she’s too terrified. Maybe the adaptation is too loose. Or this oversight could be explained by the final moment of the film, which will have many viewers groaning and rolling their eyes.
Legends tell of her casting spells and hexes on those who have wronged her or the people of the mountains. It is said that her hexes can cause anything from mild inconveniences to great misfortune, and that it is wise to stay on her good side. While many believe that the Blue Ridge Witch is a fictional character created by the imaginations of the locals, there are those who claim to have encountered her firsthand. These encounters are often described as haunting and surreal, with witnesses reporting strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena. In conclusion, the Blue Ridge Witch is a fascinating figure of folklore who is said to possess incredible powers and knowledge. Whether she is a mere legend or a real being shrouded in mystery, the Blue Ridge Witch continues to capture the imaginations of those who hear her tales..
Reviews for "Exploring Blue Ridge's Top Music and Festival Events"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my experience at Blue Ridge Kitchen. The service was incredibly slow and the staff seemed unenthusiastic and disinterested. The food was also rather underwhelming - the flavors were bland and the portion sizes were small. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for a satisfying dining experience.
2. Emily - 1 star - I had high expectations for Blue Ridge Kitchen, but it fell short in every aspect. The restaurant was noisy and crowded, making it difficult to have a conversation. The menu was limited, and the food I ordered was lacking in taste and presentation. The prices were higher than average for such mediocre quality. Save your money and try another restaurant in town instead.
3. Alex - 2 stars - The ambiance at Blue Ridge Kitchen did not match the hype surrounding this place. The interior was quite tacky and outdated, making it feel like a diner rather than a trendy eatery. The service was subpar, with long wait times for both the food and drinks. The menu options were also limited, and the portion sizes were small for the price. I would not recommend dining here if you're seeking a memorable and enjoyable dining experience.
4. Sarah - 2.5 stars - I had mixed feelings about Blue Ridge Kitchen. While the food was decent, it definitely did not live up to the praise I had heard. The flavors were average, and the portion sizes were on the smaller side. The service was slow, and the waitstaff seemed overwhelmed and unorganized. Overall, I was underwhelmed by the overall dining experience.
5. Michael - 1 star - Blue Ridge Kitchen was a complete disappointment. The food was overpriced for the quality and taste it offered. The presentation was lackluster, and the portion sizes were minuscule. The service was slow and inattentive, with the staff constantly forgetting orders and getting our requests wrong. Save yourself the disappointment and try a different restaurant in the area.