"Summer Movie File 203:Be-Witched"

I spend many a summer or sicks day from school watching old sitcoms. Although I always prefered I dream of jeanie I did watch Be-witched quite a few times.

Be-witched the latest movie that Hollywood figured to convert into a major motion picture was released a few weeks ago. Instead of a straight remake, the movie was about a washed up actor being cast as the male lead in an updated verision of the sitcom. The actor played by Will Ferell has an agenda to make the husband Darren the center of attention. So, he insists that a no-name (Nicole Kidman) is cast as his wife, based on the fact the can do the nose thing.

The catch of the film is, that ironically enough the unkown actress was more or less roped into acting by Ferell and turns out to be an actor witch herself. Micheal Caine plays her father, and the over worked actor looks like he is about to kill himself as he sleep walks from scene to scene.

The film gives some insight on all the re-tooling down to tv show before it even airs. Although, the screenplay gets murky at times to how many shows were filmed.

The movie morphs into a love story involving the two leads. Which is the first time that Will is molded as a romantic lead. In order to achieve this his antics are watered down a bit, and he comes accross more as a flawed charcter than walking bag of jokes.

The film veers in an really unfunny direction when Daily Show Alumni Steve Carrel shows up as the whacky Uncle Arthur. In fact its the supporting cast that sinks this film more than anything. Although filled with some talent the cast is misused and lacks purpose. Im convinced Jason Schwartzman will never return to Rushmore form. In addition Shirely Macline borders on annyoance (I guess thats the point) as the actress who plays the mother on on the new sitcom. Fellow Daily Show Alumni Steve Colbert and In Living Color David Alan Grier ought to fire their agents for such lousy parts devoid of anything funny to do. Grier would be better off playing the lead in straight to video movies.


A good movie stays with you a long time. This was one was a mass of fuzzy memories by the time my alarm went off the next morning. Despite some funny scenes (most notably Ferrell ranting about how his female co-star got better ratings with test audicences despite havign zero lines) the film is very disposable. Yeah, it brought in a fair share of green, but in a few years it will be tucked in the bargin bin totally forgotten. Even prat boy Ferrell worshipers are likey to use the DVD as a coaster for their beer as they chose to watch the much better Elf or Old School.

"The Return of Hockey"

Its offical, but the paper work. The NHL is back for the 2005-06 season. Thoughts? Anyone actually care?