With Jim Sabatini

Season of the Witch

Rated: PG-13
Reviewed by: Frank
Release date: January 7, 2011	Released by: Lions Gate Films

The Season of the Witch is filled with dark, foggy and ambitious battle sequences, part of which are by crusaders killing non believers and the other part, crusaders protect the witch. Initially at all looks interesting but it fails to come together in any compelling style.

After a decade battling the enemy that is quite often composed of kids and women, the words of the church and king which say kill the non believers to save their souls becomes hollow. Two somewhat heroes Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman walk away from the army and the indulgences (sin forgiving actions) which they have pledged to do to atone for their early in life sins.

It all leads them to the task of bringing a witch to a monastery where she will be judged and probably hung or drowned. The girl is credited without a name but Anna slips out at one point as the accused witch becomes the focus of the film. Perhaps the film could have been called the possessed girl a more accurate title.

The girl has a variety of emotions which range from suddenly kind but able to battle off a couple of strong adult crusaders when her mood changes. Not quite the style of a witch.

Battling through dark winter locations filled with fog and wolves the small band carries the girl in her cage on a cart to her destination which is established in one of the first battle scenes.

The pieces may be there but the motivation of the characters is weak and not quite clear even when all is revealed.

This is a typical January release film, not much expected and not much given.