Season of the Witch DVD and Blu-ray Release Review

Season of the Witch is a highly entertaining, action packed film, well worthy of a 4 star rating. It is the latest offering from director Dominic Sena, who brought us Swordfish and Gone on Sixty Seconds. Although this is a very different type of feature (a period supernatural thriller), it does carry the trademark excitement and suspense that we have come to expect from Sena.

The film is set during the time of the crusades, and feels both dark and somehow claustrophobic, set as it is in a time of religious fervour and witch-hunting. The settings and locations are spectacular as well, capturing the feel of the era beautifully.

The script is well written and the story is fast-paced and thrilling, with sufficient surprises to keep you on your toes and features a stellar cast, including Nicholas Cage (National Treasure, The Rock), Ron Perlman (Name of the Rose, Hellboy) Claire Foy (The Promise) and Christopher Lee.

As you would expect from such a line-up the performances are all excellent, Nicholas Cage and Ron Perlman make an impressive double act as the knights who returned 'early' from the crusades and are charged with delivering a witch to a monastery for trial. They seem to strike just the right balance of action and comedy with this one, and it is their interaction which makes the film. Claire Foy is also very convincing as the witch.

Also included on the disc is a behind the scenes "Making Of" Featurette.

In summary, Season of the Witch is a thoroughly enjoyable film, well worth a watch (or several!) and is highly recommended.

Season of the Witch is available to buy on DVD and Blu-ray from June 27th 2011

Nicolas Cage Most Quotable Moments

To celebrate the release of Season of the Witch on DVD/Blu-ray this Monday 27th June, we look back at some of Nicolas Cage’s most quotable on-screen moments.

10. “Airport Jail?” Honeymoon In Vegas (1992):

The first of our impatient Nic Cage-in-a-queue clips. In this one he famously goes off on one for being stuck behind the world’s most annoying passenger.

9.  "How could somebody misfile something" - Vampire's Kiss (1988):

Nic Cage plays a publishing executive who has been bitten by a vampire and here his poor secretary suffers at the hands of some very erratic behaviour.

8.  "I never disrobe before a gunfight " – Drive Angry (2011) Contains nudity, sex and violence:

Nic Cage plays Milton, who in this scene engages a group of rogues in a gunfight during sex. Only Cage could pull this off. Destined to become a classic.

7.  "You’re buying, my friend” Season of the Witch (2011):

Any scene involving Nic Cage and Ron Pearlman as 14th century Crusader’s engaging in pre-and-during battle banter has to make the list.

6.  "Not the bees!" - The Wicker Man, (2006):

This one verges on almost disturbing as poor Nic Cage is tortured and endures some very nasty bee-stings. Whilst not a fan favourite amongst his films, this scene is already being regarded as a classic for the over-the-top cries and pleads for help.

5. “Zeus' Butthole” The Rock (1996):

Nic Cage, playing nerdy FBI agent Stanley Goodspeed tries to put together just how John Mason (Sean Connery) breaks them out of an Alcatraz prison cell.

4. “'I wanna take...his face..OFF” Face/Off (1997):

Nic Cage does trippy, only it’s actually John Travolta stuck in Nic Cage’s body and he’s on drugs ... oh well you get the point, it’s a classic scene from this John Woo actioner...

3. “Hey, have you ever been dragged to the sidewalk and beaten until you pissed blood!” Matchstick Men (2003):

The second of our impatient Nic Cage stuck-in-a-queue scenes. This one sees Cage as an OCD ridden con-man who doesn’t believe in the art of standing in line. Underrated film and performance from Cage.

2. “I’m like a prickly pear” Leaving Las Vegas (1995):

Cage won his Oscar for his portrayal of avowed alcoholic, Ben, who travels to Vegas to drink himself to death. And here he lets out the crazy quite well. In this scene, in his almost constant drunkedness, he falls over by a hotel pool and starts blurting out nonsense to street-smart hooker Sera, played by Elisabeth Shue.  

1. “Put the Bunny, back in the box” Con Air (1997):

Hands down the most quoted and famous Nic Cage line sees our hero Cameron Poe face off against a fellow convict aboard Con Air and command that he place his daughters stuffed bunny back where he found it.

Season of the Witch coming to DVD and Blu-ray soon

From the distributor that brought you the box-office-breaking The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo comes this supernatural action adventure starring Nicolas Cage as the knight charged with fighting the greatest evil known to man.

From one danger zone to another, a returning knight (Nicolas Cage) and his comrade (Ron Perlman) are thrust on a perilous and action-filled journey that will push them to their limits. As they uncover the dark secret of a cursed girl (Clare Foy) and engage in battle with a mighty and sinister force, the fate of the world rests in their hands.

EVIL LURKS CLOSE TO HOME

After years of brutal warfare in God’s name, a heroic knight (Nicolas Cage) and his closest aide (Ron Perlman) return from the Crusades drained of their taste for bloodshed and disillusioned by the Church. The knight arrives to find his homeland shattered by the Black Death, and having returned from fighting prematurely, both men are apprehended and forced to embark upon a dangerous mission to avoid prison for desertion. The knight is instructed to take a prisoner of the church, an accused witch thought to be responsible for the Plague, to a monastery where she will undergo a ritual to free their lands of her curse. Fearing her to be a scapegoat, the knight agrees to accompany her. But their route is treacherous, taking them across sheer-walled gorges and into the punishing depths of wolf-infested forests, and as the knights fellow travellers begin to succumb, one-by-one, to misfortune, it becomes apparent that his most terrifying enemy yet is much closer to home.

Oscar®-winner Nicolas Cage (Gone in 60 Seconds, Drive Angry 3D) fronts a distinguished cast in this supernatural action adventure, with Ron Perlman (Hellboy) as his worthy co-star and Claire Foy (The Promise), who gives an outstanding performance as the troubled girl Anna. Joining them are Robert Sheehan, Ulrich Thomsen, Stephen Campbell Moore, and Stephen Graham as Cage and Perlman’s fellow travellers, and Christopher Lee as Cardinal D’Ambroise.

Available on DVD and Blu-ray from 27 June 2011

WHY YOU HAVE TO LOVE NICOLAS CAGE

In a remarkable career, spanning over sixty films, Nicolas Cage has given us some of the most memorable moments in cinematic history. The Oscar winner may commonly get overshadowed by Cruise, Pitt and Clooney, however we feel justice must be served. Here are the five indisputable reasons why you just have to love Nicolas Cage...

He created the finest comedy character in modern cinema.

'Raising Arizona' is a cult classic for many excellent reasons. None more so than Cage's remarkable interpretation of leading role H.I. McDunnough. The actor honed a staggering combination of electric energy, deadpan delivery, physical dexterity and meticulous character definition. The Coen Brothers' second film is heralded by many as their finest ever comic work. The duo know that Cage defined the masterpiece; true genius was on display.

"The doc went on to explain that this woman, who looked as fertile as the Tennessee Valley, could bear no young. Her insides were a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase." How could we not love this man?

He turned seedy into beauty.

Who else but Cage could take a twisted tale, spun on fatal alcohol abuse, prostitution, violence and death, and turn it into a thing of beauty? Cage achieved this remarkable feat in 'Leaving Las Vegas'; making the twisted lead character not only seem human, but curiously likeable.

His delicate portrayal of a dangerously flawed character was like watching a master walk a tightrope. Instead of the audience being thrilled by the sensationalism of 'controversial subject matter', they were lulled solely into the captivating narrative of one individual and their final steps. Only Cage could have taken us on that path. The Oscar panel wholeheartedly agreed, awarding him 'Best Actor' for his portrayal of Ben Sanderson.

'Two for one' generosity.

Many actors can bowl us over with a stunning performance, only Cage can share remarkable 'two for one' generosity. In a staggering display, Cage played identical twins in the critically acclaimed 'Adaptation'.

These were identical twins with two very different personalities. The landmark work earned the actor international recognition, with BAFTA, Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations amongst the select acclaim.

The true test of our finest actors is their range and dexterity. In a career defined by contrasting roles, Cage's portrayal of Charlie and David Kaufman demonstrated in one clean swoop why he stands head and shoulders above his peers.

An action hero with an invisible mullet.

Playing an action hero may not be regarded as the greatest test for an actor. However, creating a believable one whilst simultaneously sporting the world's worst haircut? This was a test only Cage could master.

'Con Air' was a huge box office success and the lead man Cameron Poe (Cage), was the electric central character. Using all his skill and expertise, Cage somehow tricked the audience into forgetting that he had the ultimate anti-hero prop atop his head, the dreaded mullet haircut. Instead, we were carried along by an energised performance, effortlessly sucked into Poe's dashing bid to save the day.

Not since Hulk Hogan became a wrestling champion hero (more than twenty five years ago) has a haircut handicap been so deftly overcome. Nicolas Cage, we salute you.

He keeps us safe.

Trouble comes knocking on all of our doors at some point. When that moment arrives, it is reassuring to think that Nicolas Cage might be there to protect us. His latest role, as the swashbuckling Behman in 'Season of the the Witch', reminds us that, despite his haircut, Cage will always fight to the death to uphold our honour and keep us safe.

In his latest performance, Cage's Behman has a very big sword, cutting his way through all manner of nasty villains in a manner that makes us weak at the knees. Only Cage could command such a performance; displaying manly vigour, yet somehow letting grace and humility seep through the character.

Nicolas kind sir, there can be only one conclusion. We love you.

Season of the Witch In Cinemas January 7th 2011.
With thanks to Gas and Justin Stoneman for the above story

HOLLYWOOD'S GOLDEN GREATS: THE TOP FIVE WITCHES

Hollywood has given us many sensational witches over the years, with a long list of historic performances from the finest actresses. In celebration of the impending release of Nicolas Cage's epic new blockbuster 'Season of the Witch', we celebrate cinema's all-time top five witches. Hop on our broomstick and let us guide you through the expert star selection...

Susan Sarandon, Jane Spofford, The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

It is a challenge to pick the brightest light in the trio of star witches from this eighties classic. However, Sarandon just edges the pick ahead of Cher and Michelle Pfeiffer with an alluring portrayal of Jane Spofford. An understated power in the performance from the always-classy Sarandon conveys believability ahead of her sexy rival co-stars. Her on-screen electricity with Jack Nicholson rather helps as well.

The Witches of Eastwick caused controversy upon release, its misogynistic undertones left critics with easy ammunition for attack. However, with all publicity being good publicity, the film enjoyed rich box office pickings. Sarandon's turn as a classic screen witch delightfully helped the cause.

Anjelica Huston, Grand High Witch, 'The Witches' (1990)

Translating the wonderfully warped imagination of author Roald Dahl from the page to the big screen is never an easy task. However, Huston's interpretation of the lead witch helped make a difficult task look almost easy. Her deliciously engaging performance seduced and repelled in equal measure. The celluloid legend brought an unhinged intelligence to a role which engulfed the screen each time she appeared.

Huston may come from acting royalty, remarkably she was the third generation in her family to win an Academy Award, but we feel she truly ascended to the throne via this wholly unexpected route.

Angela Lansbury, Miss Eglantine Price, Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

One of Disney's finest ever productions is here to remind us that good witches can be just just as entertaining as their evil counterparts. Angela Lansbury, one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood history (how dare we forget six Golden Globes, five Tony Awards, eighteen Emmy Award and three Oscar nominations?), expertly propelled audiences through a flight of fancy that could thaw the coldest heart.

Screen legends Julie Andrews, Lynn Redgrave, Leslie Caron and Judy Carne were all in consideration for the prized role of Eglantine Price. However, Disney demanded and ultimately secured Angela Lansbury. A decision that history judges with a broad smile. 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks' heralded new technical advances, mixing animation with live action, but it will be best remembered for the magical spirit that Lansbury brought to an enchanted role.

Margaret Hamilton, Wicked Witch of the West, The Wizard of Oz (1931)

How could we not spotlight Hollywood's quintessential witch? In a story that captivated the world, The Wizard of Oz showcased Hamilton in a pivotal role. She excelled, turning the character into the most famous screen villain of all time. You think Freddy Krueger is scary? In the 1930s this green witch made a guest appearance in the nightmares of more people than you can imagine.

Hamilton's rise to glory is an intriguing tale. A former school teacher (who had previously only appeared in a handful of small roles), she grabbed a unique opportunity when the original 'Wicked Witch' pick, Oscar winner Gale Sondergaard, refused to wear make up that would make her look ugly. Hamilton had no such vanity holding her back, she swept into the role and captivated generations.

Claire Foy, 'Anna', Season of the Witch (2010)

Previously best known for her lead portrayal in BBC's 'Little Dorrit', Claire Foy announces herself onto the Hollywood stage with this groundbreaking performance. In a role that has so far captivated preview audiences, Foy expertly portrays a young girl whose innocent appearance may mask a dark and sinister force.

In the stirring tale, 14th-century knights transport a suspected witch to a monastery, where monks fear her powers could be the source of the Black Plague. The truth is expertly masked in a masterfully judged performance. Pay attention, upon release a new star is born.

Season of the Witch In Cinemas January 7th 2011.
Thanks to Justin Stoneman and Wired for the above

Season Of The Witch

Momentum Pictures have released the trailer, poster and images for the next great Nicolas Cage film - Season Of The Witch

Oscar winner Nicolas Cage (National Treasure, Ghost Rider) and Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Hellboy II, Sons of Anarchy) star in this supernatural action adventure about a heroic Crusader and his closest friend who return home after decades of fierce fighting, only to find their world destroyed by the Plague.

The church elders, convinced that a girl accused of being a witch is responsible for the devastation, command the two to transport the strange girl to a remote monastery where monks will perform an ancient ritual to rid the land of her curse. They embark on a harrowing, action-filled journey that will test their strength and courage as they discover the girl's dark secret and find themselves battling a terrifyingly powerful force that will determine the fate of the world.

In Cinemas January 7th 2011
© Momentum Pictures