A DonnaWorld Movie Review
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2
It would be difficult to review this movie without discussing its prequel, The Blair Witch Project. That movie was made by taking several thousand Polaroids of the actors, which were later organized then flipped in front of a rented Camcorder. This tape was then sold to Artisan Entertainment for 33 bucks and a large pizza. The money they saved on production went straight to marketing. The results were quite effective, as the final product earned millions of times its original investment, despite having unknown actors, no actual plot, and "special" effects which consisted of rock piles and sticks tied together.
In the sequel, the producers make the wise decision to increase their filming budget. Gone are the unknown actors: the sequel features Irish girl group B*Witched. The ordinary rock piles and stick figures have been replaced by fully computer generated sticks and stones courtesy of Industrial Light and Magic. However, just as in the original, the plot falls far short of expectations.
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 can best be described as a concert film. Its focus is on a B*Witched concert in Dublin, but in between each song the members (Keavy, Edele, Sinead, and Lindsay) don black cloaks and begin reading from a large book, the cover of which is inscribed "Book of Shadows." Although it's never explicitly stated, I believe this may be the same "Book of Shadows" from which the movie derives its name. Most of these passages are read in ancient Celtic. At least, I assume it's ancient Celtic. I know just enough Spanish to get me through Electrocute lyrics and Palo Alto street names, other than that all I know is plain English. There were subtitles, but they were in Celtic also.
It is unclear what the purpose of reading these passages is, since it never seems to accomplish anything. While one member, usually Keavy or Edele, reads in a low voice, the others walk about the stage lighting candles and drawing circles and stars with their fingers. Except for Lindsay, who spends most of her time kneeling to the side and staring directly into the camera.
After each passage is complete, the members of B*Witched remove their cloaks and begin singing their next song. But at the end of that song, they go right back into Celtic mode. Eventually, after singing "Blame it on the Weatherman," they simply walk off stage and the movie was over. Although the "Book of Shadows" portions were confusing, the actual concert scenes were brilliant (as can be expected from B*Witched) and therefore I give Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 an unprecedented FOUR Donnas.
DonnaWorld © 2000-2003 Robert Bray.