Ten Deep 08.05.10: Top 10 Magical Movies

Posted by Mike Gorman on 08.05.2010

Not an illusion! Yes, this week Ten Deep brings you a countdown of the Top Ten Magical Movies. Willow, Evil Dead, Harry Potter and others pull out all their tricks to try and claim the top spot. Come on in to find out which film cast the winning spell on 411’s Mike Gorman.

" Top Ten Magical Movies"


I was discussing this week's list with a friend and after I was done explaining, he said "Ok, but what is a ‘magical movie'?" My initial reaction was, of course, to get defensive and dismiss his probing but then I thought about it. What did I really mean? Are they simply movies that feature magic tricks? Must someone mention the word magic for a film to qualify?

The answer I found for myself is that these are the movies that feature the best presentation of magic in all of its forms. That means they could feature straight-out "men in top hats" calling themselves magicians or the use of spells and wands to create acts of wonder. They feature acts that are beyond the norm and exhibit a sense of the extraordinary juxtaposed against the ordinary. Magic as trick or mystic force granting the user powers and abilities is an important part of these films.

Some of these movies take us behind the stage curtain and show us what is at play and others just let us be pure observers of wondrous happenings. At the end of the day, when I think about magic on film, these are the movies rise to the top of my thoughts.


10. Bedknobs and Broomsticks





The special effects are dated and the premise is silly, but Bedknobs and Broomsticks stands tall as my favorite childhood film featuring magic. It is a Disney film that is often overshadowed by its more well known "cousin" Mary Poppins but it is really a great gem that mixes live action with some wacky animation, and throughout strives to bring magic to life. Not convinced this film deserves a spot on this list? Then let me say this, "The Murder She Wrote lady fights Nazis with brooms & suits of armor she brings to life." That's right, she fights Nazis with sing-song magic. Disney was hardcore.



9. The Prestige





The Prestige takes the audience on a long and twisted journey into the intense rivalry between two 18th century magicians. The film itself is structured like a classic stage magician's trick and has more twists than a woven rope. The film personifies the old adage "A magician never reveals his secrets" but takes you beyond the secrets into their world. Is there real magic at play here or is it all smoke & mirrors? You'll have to watch this one to find out.


8. Hocus Pocus





One of the sillier entries on this list, Hocus Pocus teaches us what might happen when a virgin accidentally lights a black magic candle in the home of some long dead authentic witches. The acting is this one is way over the top and at times is truly hilarious. Better Midler, Kathy Najimi and Sarah Jessica Parker have tour de force performances as the witchy sisters brought to the present; but the film is stolen by Thackary Binx, the black cat that cannot die. Really. He gets run over by a car and re-inflates. Now that is magic!


7. Willow





Proving that magic does not always come easy, Willow is an entertaining tale of power and responsibility. The magic of this movie is really in the quest our diminutive titular hero faces as he attempts to keep a baby princess safe from an evil queen. His spells might not always turn out as planned but there is a real sense of wonderment at play in this film and that makes it stand out among its peers.


6. Evil Dead Trilogy





The adventures of Ash in the Evil Dead films prove that magic is not always a happy, sunny thing. Sometimes it is a dark evil force that flows through a book called the Necronomicon; A book that releases the demon Deadites on our unsuspecting world, and must be stopped by the chosen one, aka Ash. Magic gets down and dirty in these classic horror films.



5. The Craft





In many films, magic is linked to women and their power. Here we see that magic can be used as a tool by the not-so-popular students in high school to make their dreams come true and take revenge on those who tormented them. The film itself is a story we have heard before, just interchange magic with some other thing that allows the underdogs to get popular. It takes a unique turn this time however as one of the girls realizes that maybe they have bitten off more than they can chew as they continue to summon greater and greater power. I'd like to write off this film as fun but not really life changing, but it clearly struck a chord in the lives of its core audience and definitely fanned the flames of the burgeoning goth culture in the most superficial way possible; it brought dark eyeliner and fishnet tops to suburbia.



4. Star Wars Series





I expect to catch some heat over this one but I am far from the first person to suggest that there are elements of traditional magic and sorcery epics at play in the Star Wars films. The "Force" and its mythology (well up until it became about little bugs in the Jedi blood… what? Why?) is a very well crafted tale of magic and mysticism. It is a power that can be used for good and evil. It is wielded by adapts and masters, personified as a craft that must be studied and passed down. I think that the best chapter to highlight this take on the Star Wars story is The Empire Strikes Back. Luke seeks out Yoda to learn about this power he possesses. Yoda is the wise sage who teaches the new apprentice how to embrace his craft. Sounds like magic to me. It may not be completely traditional but it is a great modern interpretation of the concepts.



3. Lord of the Rings Trilogy





The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the go-to franchise when it comes to displays of epic sorcery. Gandalf versus Saruman will long remain one of the greatest mystic rivalries every brought to film. The entire series is permeated with a sense of mysticism that enhances the many detailed environments that we journey to and through in these films. Magic is an accepted part of the characters' lives in one form or another. It does not stand out as an oddity but instead is an organic part of this universe.


2. Witches of Eastwick





Amongst the many series of films that populate this list, Witches of Eastwick is a self contained magical masterpiece that tells a tale of temptation; and features some of the coolest magic moments of all the films in this countdown. The story is simple; three women on the edges of society in a small town accidentally call forth the man of their dreams who may or may not turn out to be the devil. At first tempted by all he offers, they soon realizes that they are playing a deadly game and they must band together to get him out of their lives. But really, do any break ups go well? Did I mention that this devil is played by Jack Nicholson? Far from cool and subtle in this role, Nicholson embraces his performance with devilish glee and totally delivers. You will never look at a cherry the same way again after you see this film.



And lastly…



1. Harry Potter Series





I would have loved to have been able to get through this list without giving praise to the pop culture juggernaut that is the Harry Potter phenomenon but I could just not do it. While not always successful when it comes to their stories, these films have created a world where magic is alive and allowed us to marvel at it in all of glory. Like Willy Wonka made you want lick-able wallpaper or a chocolate river, the Harry Potter films make you want your own magic wand, a cloak of invisibility, and a school you can attend to learn the in's and out's of wizardry. Their success comes in the immersive experience they provide and the way they have allowed us all to watch the characters learn and grow. The final films will be released soon but I think it is pretty certain the magic will live on long after they are all on DVD in the years to come.

Someone at Warner Bros is smart and they have partnered with Universal Studios to create the recently opened Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. From all reports, they have gone to painstaking detail to recreate the environments of the films. Check out this tour of their Hogwarts Castle:




Did my bag of tricks not include your favorite magical movie? Please skip the curses and hexes on me, and just let me know about it in the comments section below!


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