Movies 130: Season of the Witch

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As soon as I found out that Robert Sheehan(Kay) was going to be in this, I couldn't hardly wait to see this film. I loved him in Cherry Bomb with Rupert Grint. Granted, this perhaps is more of a fantasy than a historical based film, and American accents were used...I would have so loved to hear his Irish brogue. He is on the UK hit MISFITS which is a British version of HEROES..but better.

OK...Just had to get that in before I forgot.

Naturally, you have a very action pack cast with Nicholas Cage(Behmen) playing an old knight of the crusades who has fought for God long and hard, village after village until one day he starts to question his orders when the village is only full of women and children that they've killed. He along with his best friend Ron Perlman (the original Beast and Hellboy fame) aka Felson become deserters in this very early A.D. movie. Of course, they are found out at a village that they learn of all the horrible things that have been going on with the Plague. Naturally, the church blames it all on one girl that they claim is a witch. Its there in the gallows that they decide ..to save themselves from a hanging. Take the girl across a journey and let the monks decide her fate. This is where alter boy Kay(Sheehan) comes in, wanting to be a knight.

Perhaps I would have been fonder of the film if British accents had been used, but hey..you forget that after awhile, and who would dare want to mess up Cage's signature manly voice?

The film really focuses on how the church treated 'witchcraft' of that time in a very historical fashion. Perhaps to make you doubt what might be happening here. And Claire Foy, the girl, makes a very convincing girl who is trapped. Yet soon enough, she has each on their journey doubting themselves.

The film is fun with its action and dry humor. Some amazing fighting scenes which really keep you at the edge of your seat. Stephen Campbell Moore as the priest, along with Stephen Graham from Empire Boardwalk round out the cast in this thrilling tale. Stephen is even British. And to think they all had to have American accents due to one actor. OH ..Well...

I really enjoyed the film. Yes, Nicholas Cage has still got it, but I'm not sure for how much longer. I'm glad he's making films like this. And I'm happy that Sheehan will be seen to more American audiences. Naturally, it had to inspire me with a premise of fan fiction. But I won't get into that. Its always great when a film can be that inspiring. Only, it wasn't Nick that inspired me, but Robert Sheehan's Kay..instead.

Storyline: A 14th century Crusader returns to a homeland devastated by the Black Plague. A beleaguered church, deeming sorcery the culprit of the plague, commands the two knights to transport an accused witch to a remote abbey, where monks will perform a ritual in hopes of ending the pestilence. A priest, a grieving knight, a disgraced itinerant and a headstrong youth who can only dream of becoming a knight join a mission troubled by mythical hostile wilderness and fierce contention over the fate of the girl. When the embattled party arrives at the abbey, a horrific discovery jeopardizes the knight's pledge to ensure the girl fair treatment, and pits them against an inexplicably powerful and destructive force.

9/10