Daniel Ingram is a Canadian composer and songwriter primarily known for his work in the television and film industry. He has composed music for numerous animated shows, including the popular television series "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic." Ingram's work on this show has received ample praise and admiration, particularly for his ability to capture the essence of friendship through his music. Friendship is a central theme in "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic," and Ingram's musical compositions play a significant role in conveying the power and importance of friendship. His songs have become iconic among fans of the show and have inspired a sense of unity and connection among viewers. Ingram's ability to compose catchy and heartfelt songs that resonate with audiences is a testament to his talent and understanding of the subject matter.
Of course, the key element of Winnie's ensemble is her green cloak. For the original movie, it was dyed fabric green and then sprayed with bleach to get the pattern. As Perez joked, "I'm like, 'That's not very 17th century!'"
For the 2022 take on the iconic piece, he hand-embroidered a silk-velvet fabric with real crystals before adding a pattern of the three moons and the three goddesses so that it would tell the story of Winnie s witchy origin. After playing one of TV s biggest fashion icons, Parker had a lot of ideas about the costume, specifically the gown s sleeves, which were mesh in the original movie.
Ingram's ability to compose catchy and heartfelt songs that resonate with audiences is a testament to his talent and understanding of the subject matter. His compositions evoke emotions and create an atmosphere of joy, empathy, and unity. The melodies and lyrics in his songs often convey messages of friendship, love, and acceptance, inspiring viewers to cherish and celebrate their relationships.
"Hocus Pocus 2" Needs More Hannah Waddingham
If you're on the fence about watching "Hocus Pocus 2," Hannah Waddingham's cameo is more than enough reason to slam that "play" button. The British Emmy winner stars in the Disney sequel as Mother Witch, a silver-haired sorceress who gives the Sanderson sisters their spellbook. Despite her pivotal role in the trio's villain origin story — I mean, who would they be without Bookie? — Waddingham's Mother Witch has criminally limited screen time that clocks in at less than five minutes. (She appears for approximately three minutes and 24 seconds, for anyone who's planning to write a formal letter of complaint.)
Performance-length concerns aside, let's unpack and appreciate Waddingham's masterpiece of a scene, shall we? When a young Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson (portrayed by Taylor Paige Henderson, Juju Journey Brener, and Nina Kitchen, respectively) flee Salem, MA, to the Forbidden Woods, they encounter a red-and-black-feathered bird that swoops down from a tree branch and transforms into Mother Witch. With glowing eyes, curly hair, and silver face gems, she's a mesmerizing sight to behold in the otherwise drab forest.
After giving the girls a good sniff and realizing they're different than the children she typically snacks on, Mother Witch relinquishes her menacing facade and conjures up the leather spellbook with a nonchalant flick of the shoulder. "Happy 16th birthday, child," she tells Winnie while bestowing the gift, plainly adding, "I'm a witch; I know things." The latter line isn't the only GIF-worthy statement Mother Witch utters during her short-lived time on screen; her explanation for eating children is equally as iconic:
Mother Witch vanishes as quickly as she arrives, only leaving behind a flurry of dead leaves, never to appear again in the film. I thought maybe she'd pop back up toward the end when Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) face off with the Sanderson sisters in the woods, but alas, she's nowhere to be seen*. (*likely off eating children to maintain her youthful appearance)
Perhaps the most criminal part of Mother Witch's short-lived cameo is the fact that it doesn't include a musical number. The Sanderson sisters sing not once but twice (thrice if you count their ending-credits performance!) during the movie, but Waddingham's powerhouse voice takes a backseat. A seasoned theater star who's graced the stage in multiple West End and Broadway productions, Waddingham deserved to show the movie's audience her singing chops, just as she occasionally does on Apple TV+'s "Ted Lasso."
On the plus side, though, Mother Witch does present one of the many nostalgic Easter eggs tucked away in "Hocus Pocus 2." As many viewers were quick to observe on social media, her costume — a black fringe-lined cape layered over a blood-red gown — bears a striking resemblance to the witch costume Dani Dennison (Thora Birch) wears on Halloween in the original "Hocus Pocus." It's unclear if that was a deliberate move by the costume designer, but either way, the similarities are pretty hard to ignore.
"Hocus Pocus 2" is still an entertaining watch, even despite Waddingham's lack of screen time — it's campy, nostalgic, and just what the doctor ordered to get me in the fall spirit — but it would've been even better if Mother Witch and her bad-b*tch energy played a bigger role. If a third Hocus Pocus movie ever does come to fruition, consider this my personal plea to Disney for more Mother Witch.
The impact of Ingram's music on the show's audience goes beyond mere entertainment. His songs have become anthems for friendship, reminding viewers of the value and power of this bond. Through his musical creations, Ingram has helped build a community of fans who share a deep appreciation for the show's themes and values. Ingram's work on "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" has demonstrated the magical and transformative nature of friendship. His music has touched the hearts of viewers worldwide, reminding them of the importance of compassion, understanding, and supporting one another. The power of friendship shines through in his compositions, making them truly magical. In conclusion, Daniel Ingram's contributions to "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" have sparked a profound appreciation for friendship and its transformative power. Through his music, he has created a sense of unity and connection among fans and inspired them to celebrate and cherish their relationships. Ingram's talent and ability to capture the essence of friendship in his compositions make him a truly remarkable artist. Friendship truly is magic, and Daniel Ingram's music has brought that magic to life..
Reviews for "The Magic of Daniel Ingram's Songs: A Celebration of Friendship"
1. Sara - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to watching "Daniel Ingram: Friendship is Magic" as I am a fan of the show "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic." However, I was disappointed with this concert film. The visuals were lackluster and the performance seemed uninspired. There was a lack of energy and enthusiasm from the performers, which made the whole experience quite dull. Overall, it failed to capture the magic and joy that made the show so popular in the first place.
2. John - 1 star
As a fan of Daniel Ingram's work on "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic," I had high expectations for this concert film. Unfortunately, it fell short in every aspect. The sound quality was terrible, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the music. The editing was also poorly done, with awkward transitions and mismatched footage. It felt like a rushed and amateurish production that failed to do justice to Ingram's talent. I was extremely disappointed and would not recommend this film to anyone.
3. Emma - 2 stars
I was excited to see "Daniel Ingram: Friendship is Magic" as I am a big fan of the show's music. However, the concert film left much to be desired. The camera work was shaky and inconsistent, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the experience. The visual effects were also underwhelming and did not enhance the performance in any way. Additionally, I felt that the concert lacked a cohesive narrative or structure, leaving me confused at times. Overall, it was a disappointing watch and I was left wanting more from this supposed celebration of friendship and music.
4. Alex - 3 stars
While I appreciate the effort put into "Daniel Ingram: Friendship is Magic," I was not completely satisfied with the end result. The concert film had its moments of brilliance, particularly when Ingram performed some of the show's most iconic songs. However, I found the pacing to be inconsistent and the song selection occasionally questionable. Additionally, the lack of interaction with the audience made the whole experience feel distant and detached. It was a decent watch for fans of the show, but it could have been so much better with some improvements in direction and presentation.
5. Jessica - 2 stars
As a longtime fan of "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" and the music of Daniel Ingram, I had high hopes for this concert film. Unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations. The concert itself felt rushed, with little time given to each song or any meaningful storytelling in between. The setlist, while including some fan-favorite tracks, was not as comprehensive as I had hoped. The lack of enthusiasm from both the performers and the audience further dampened the experience. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to truly celebrate the music and magic of the show.