Hocus Pocus

     Happy Halloween Sea Kings! Now that the Halloween time has officially commenced, it is time to reflect on one of the greatest movies that come with the holiday. And in my opinion, Hocus Pocus is one!

     Hocus Pocus, first released in 1993, details the excursions of three characters, Max, Dani, and Allison, and their spooky encounter with three ancient witches. At the onset of the film, a character by the name of Thackery Binx is introduced. Thackery, a young man living in Salem, learns that his sister Emily has been lured into the woods by a malevolent force. Thackery immediately rushes to save her, but shortly after his arrival, the malevolent force, in the form of three witches, discover him. He attempts to overcome the witches and save Emily, but his attempt proves feeble. The witches place a curse on him turning him into an immortal black cat, dooming him to live out his eternity with the guilt he feels for not being able to save his sister.

     The witches, also known as the Sanderson sisters, (Winifred, Mary, and Sarah) were hung on the charge of witchcraft in the year 1693 in Salem, Massachusetts just after they killed Emily.  Prior to being hung, their magic spell book, (supposedly gifted to Winifred by the Devil), revealed to them a spell which would bring them back to life on “All Hollow’s Eve” if a virgin were to light a special candle known as the black flame candle. But 300 years later, high school student Max Dennison, his sister Dani, and Max’s love interest Allison, attempt to have some Halloween fun by visiting the residence of the mythical Sanderson sisters. While there, Max attempts to impress Allison by lighting the black flame candle, unbeknownst to him, bringing the sisters back to life.

As a result, the Sanderson sisters are given a one-night re-emergence. This return, however, would be extended if the witches were to successfully concoct a potion to drain the lives of children, taking the lives to make themselves younger. Max, Dani, and Alison, with the help of Thackery Binx, struggle to keep the witches away from their spellbook containing the potion for the elixir and attempt to stop the Sanderson sisters from returning for good. After a long night, riddled with comedy and an unsuccessful attempt to burn the witches alive, the kids manage to defend themselves until sunrise, when the witches meet their end. At the conclusion of the film, all is well with Max, Dani, and Allison, and Thackery has reunited with Emily once again in the afterlife.