The curse of vengeance is a destructive force that consumes individuals and communities alike. It is a cycle of anger and retaliation that can have devastating consequences. When one person seeks revenge against another, it often leads to a never-ending cycle of violence and pain. The curse of vengeance perpetuates itself, as each act of revenge only fuels further acts of retaliation. At its core, the curse of vengeance is a deeply ingrained desire to inflict harm upon those who have wronged us. It is a primal instinct to seek justice for ourselves and to right the wrongs that have been done to us.
Told partially through a documentary (thus giving off a found footage feel) and traditional narrative story-telling, The Witch Files captivated me at first when the characters mentioned that their town was rumored to have burned witches at the stake 300 years ago. To me, witchcraft is a forgotten subgenre of horror and fantasy, and I’m very happy to see that films like The Witch Files are trying to keep that torch burning. However, having seen so many movies and television shows and reading about Wicca and witchcraft, the script gets somewhat problematic when it comes to the basic fundamentals of the craft. You should never use magic for personal gain and/or revenge. That’s abusing magic, and it often comes with a price. This can be seen with the lead characters growing sicker and more debilitated as they used their powers more. I will give this praise for originality because I don’t think genre fans have seen this in a film yet – the body breaking down as the aura grows stronger. It’s a clever plot element worked into the movie, but I still would have liked to see more rules and regulations followed. And don’t get me started on the chanting. Obnoxious repetition and weak writing from the guys behind-the-scenes. Even if they used a made up language, I could have appreciated that more.
Camera Fiend Claire always carries a video camera with her and films almost everything, claiming that the camera helps her keep an emotional distance from events. Jacob Marley Apparel Not explicitly stated, but when Claire and MJ summon the spirits of everyone Jules has wronged to attack, they are all dressed appropriately for the era in which they died, so it seems likely that they re manifesting wearing what they were wearing at their time of death.
It is a primal instinct to seek justice for ourselves and to right the wrongs that have been done to us. However, when this desire for revenge becomes all-consuming, it can blind us to the consequences of our actions. The curse of vengeance is not limited to individuals; it can infect entire communities and even nations.
Review: Kyle Rankin’s The Witch Files
With The Witch still fresh in everyone’s mind and the “Charmed” reboot heading to television in less than two weeks, the release of The Witch Files is quite timely, to say the least. Although, it deviates its own path in Wiccan film history, while also coming off as a teen-aimed mix of The Craft and Mean Girls. The previous press release from Dark Sky Films states this as well, leading me to believe that we’re all in agreement that The Witch Files has a very specific audience. I want to make that abundantly clear from the get go – I don’t think members of the horror community will dig this movie if they’re over the age of 21. Everyone 21 and younger, especially women, should give this one a chance, especially around Halloween season. It’s spooky, magical fun with drama, mystery and a pinch of action thrown into the cauldron. Based on the screenplay by Kyle Rankin and Larry Blamire, The Witch Files follows five friends from different social circles who are thrust into the world of witchcraft after the new girl at school shows off her powers during detention. As their powers grow, and they begin to make any reality happen, one of their members defects from the coven and threatens them all. Then, it’s a battle against nature, magic and time as the remaining members rally to stop the evil that surrounds them and vows to take their lives. Directed by Kyle Rankin, The Witch Files stars Holly Taylor, Alice Ziolkowski, Britt Flatmo, Adrienne Rose White, Tara Robinson, Valerie Mahaffey, Paget Brewster, Ranin Brown and Jared Boghosian.
Told partially through a documentary (thus giving off a found footage feel) and traditional narrative story-telling, The Witch Files captivated me at first when the characters mentioned that their town was rumored to have burned witches at the stake 300 years ago. To me, witchcraft is a forgotten subgenre of horror and fantasy, and I’m very happy to see that films like The Witch Files are trying to keep that torch burning. However, having seen so many movies and television shows and reading about Wicca and witchcraft, the script gets somewhat problematic when it comes to the basic fundamentals of the craft. You should never use magic for personal gain and/or revenge. That’s abusing magic, and it often comes with a price. This can be seen with the lead characters growing sicker and more debilitated as they used their powers more. I will give this praise for originality because I don’t think genre fans have seen this in a film yet – the body breaking down as the aura grows stronger. It’s a clever plot element worked into the movie, but I still would have liked to see more rules and regulations followed. And don’t get me started on the chanting. Obnoxious repetition and weak writing from the guys behind-the-scenes. Even if they used a made up language, I could have appreciated that more.
And this was my problem with The Witch Files overall. There is so much give and take that I don’t know how I’m going to rate this at the end. There were so many things that I liked, and so many things that made me go “why did they do that?” For starters, let’s be positive, I loved that the girls were duped by a half finished spell. Reading that was never a good idea, much in the same vein as Evil Dead. Don’t read phrases out loud that you’re not sure of! I loved that the main character is a high school journalist and captures her stories on camera because I did a lot of that myself in my younger years. So, I found some sort of relation with her enough to root for her survival. I liked the camera work and the cinematography, with the lake fire pit scene being my favorite in terms of look and quality. And I liked that the villain who sweeps in at the end had a definite and hidden agenda that transcended basic high school drama. She was more calculated than I expected. What I didn’t like, though, was some of the questionable acting. The girls do a fantastic job…at times, and other times needed another take to really perfect what they needed to convey. I also didn’t like that the production, as a whole, tried to accomplish too much with not enough budget. That resulted in some scenes and CGI coming off a little hokey.
The Witch Files was produced by Kyle Rankin, Scy Taylor, Holly Taylor and Paget Brewster. It features cinematography from Aitor Uribarri and editing by Kent Beyda and Tony Copolillo. I’m going to be honest. Being a somewhat independent and tamer version of The Craft meets Mean Girls wasn’t enough to sell me, which sucks because I really wanted to love this movie. I mean, yay witches! Fortunately, you get the opportunity to see the movie for yourself when it hits DVD on October 9th 2018 courtesy of Dark Sky Films. It will also be available on digital platforms, and that’s where I think your money is better spent. Overall, I’m not sure if The Witch Files is worth a full DVD purchase, but it’s certainly worth the price of a digital stream. It missed the mark for me, maybe because I’m outside of the target demographic other than liking witches, but it wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t great, either. Cool poster art, though. Final Score: 5.5 out of 10.
The Witch Files was produced by Kyle Rankin, Scy Taylor, Holly Taylor and Paget Brewster. It features cinematography from Aitor Uribarri and editing by Kent Beyda and Tony Copolillo. I’m going to be honest. Being a somewhat independent and tamer version of The Craft meets Mean Girls wasn’t enough to sell me, which sucks because I really wanted to love this movie. I mean, yay witches! Fortunately, you get the opportunity to see the movie for yourself when it hits DVD on October 9th 2018 courtesy of Dark Sky Films. It will also be available on digital platforms, and that’s where I think your money is better spent. Overall, I’m not sure if The Witch Files is worth a full DVD purchase, but it’s certainly worth the price of a digital stream. It missed the mark for me, maybe because I’m outside of the target demographic other than liking witches, but it wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t great, either. Cool poster art, though. Final Score: 5.5 out of 10.
History is filled with examples of conflicts that have been fueled by a desire for revenge. The cycle of violence and retaliation has left countless lives shattered and communities torn apart. The curse of vengeance perpetuates a never-ending cycle of pain and suffering. Breaking the curse of vengeance requires a conscious effort to rise above our primal instincts and seek justice in a more constructive way. It requires forgiveness and a willingness to let go of past grievances. This is not an easy task and often requires a great deal of inner strength and resolve. However, breaking the cycle of revenge is the only way to break free from the curse of vengeance. It is important to remember that seeking revenge does not bring peace or closure. The curse of vengeance only perpetuates pain and suffering. True justice can only be achieved through forgiveness and understanding. Breaking the curse of vengeance is a difficult but necessary step towards healing and moving forward..
Reviews for "Breaking the Curse: Finding Forgiveness in the Face of Vengeance"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars
I found "Curse of Vengeance" to be extremely predictable and lacking in originality. The characters were one-dimensional, and the plot was filled with cliches. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with the story or its characters. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars
"Curse of Vengeance" was a complete letdown for me. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to maintain interest throughout the entire novel. The writing style was uninspiring, and the lack of depth in the characters left me feeling disconnected from the story. Additionally, the climax was underwhelming and failed to deliver any sense of suspense or excitement. I regret picking up this book and would advise others to avoid it.
3. Emma - 2 out of 5 stars
I was expecting "Curse of Vengeance" to be an exciting and engaging read, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The plot was overly convoluted and hard to follow, making it a struggle to get through. The characters lacked development, and their motivations were unclear. The ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I was disappointed by this book, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
4. Michael - 2.5 out of 5 stars
While "Curse of Vengeance" had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver a compelling story. The writing was average, and the plot was predictable with no real surprises. The characters felt like cardboard cutouts, lacking depth and complexity. I found myself struggling to stay engaged, and by the end, I was left feeling underwhelmed. If you're looking for a truly thrilling read, this book is not it.