Episode #343 - ‘Practical Magic’ - Tequila Necromancy

10/31/21 • 143 min

1 Listener

It’s a ReWatchable Halloween Special! Continuing our run of 2021 movie episodes, we are here to bring you our thoughts about the 1998 fan-favorite spooky rom-com, Practical Magic. Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, this weird and witchy tale tells the story of the Owens sisters, who are as blessed with magic as they are cursed to lose the men they fall in love with. Five ReWatchable hosts have gathered on Halloween to tell a tale of love, loss, raising the dead, and of course, magic.
Fun Facts

In case you missed it, we are on Subjectify Media now.
Episode 37 of Not About The Weather has a great explanation of what exactly happened and why we’ve got a new website.
Our fun facts are themed: what’s your favorite Halloween TV special? The winners include Buffy, Supernatural, Stranger Things, How I Met Your Mother, and Boy Meets World.

Practical Magic

Interestingly, all our Americans are newbies today, and our superfans are the international hosts.
Kendra had not heard of this movie til two weeks ago.
Karen was expecting scarier - like The Craft!
Danielle had seen a famous scene on Tiktok which both set the scene and did not prepare her at all.
Natalie saw this movie in the cinema in the 90s.
Is this a feminist movie? Kind of. It’s very women supporting women, but also weirdly women versus women. Starting with the whole Maria Owens situation.
Pro tip: don't curse your own family line, it goes against the biological imperative.
So much happens in the first 20 minutes. Some hosts expected the set up of the first 20 minutes to be the whole movie. But no.
The aunts casting a love spell on Sally might be well meaning but it’s creepy as hell.
Natalie’s theory is that they are breeding her to keep the family line going. Gross.
The Faith Hill “This Kiss” scene is a pretty huge pop culture moment.
Everyone in this movie has a lot of hair and it is wonderful.
Should Gilly, the romantic, have gotten the chance at true love?
Was Jimmy a vampire. No. Well, maybe. Well, no. But. Maybe?
The newbies did not expect the sisters to be murderers.
Let alone double murderers.
Was the whipped cream disgusting or inspired?
If you don’t make your own necromancy ingredients, store bought is fine!
Gary the Cop shows up chasing Jimmy down for Jimmy’s crimes, so he doesn’t seem to be concerned about harm befalling Jimmy.
But he does have to uphold the law, and these women are not good at covering up crimes.
Did Sally, like, make Gary with her spell?
Is the Owens curse objectively real? Is it naive to just not believe in it?
If you claim that it’s down to belief only, then Sally killed her husband by believing in it.
Karen wasn't expecting to be thinking about the theoretical workings of magic this hard for this movie.
It’s called Practical Magic! You didn’t think we may discuss the practicality of magic?
Are soul bonds ethical? What about free will?
Natalie has read a Supernatural AU of Practical Magic featuring Dean and Sam as the witches and Cas as the cop.
But seriously, Sally’s spell. Is it Google Maps or The Sims? (Just go with it.)
Natalie delivers some tea about soulmate compatibility. Depressing or inspiring? You decide. Karen is very upset.
Just when you thought this movie was over, it is not over!
The climax depends on reaching out to all the women who hated them and drawing back the fear curtain.
This movie fits into every category. Horror? Romcom? Family drama? Sure.
This movie is quite famously full of queer themes, even though it isn’t about lesbians.
There’s some chat about why fictional incest is a trope here too. (Just go with it.) We look at why media is incapable of showing intimacy between people without coding it the same way romantic intimacy is coded.
A real witch put a curse on this movie. It’s an extreme cult classic in so many ways!
Favorite scenes.
Favorite lines.

This episode’s superfans are: Maj Elisabeth and Natalie Fisher.
This episode’s newbies are: Kendra Cleary, Karen Rought, and Danielle Zimmerman.

ReWatchable: A TV Re-Watch Podcast is dedicated to rewatching completed cult classic or unjustly cancelled TV shows with a team of both superfans and newbies. Join us for analysis, commentaries, character discussions, and more for each show we choose to tackle.

In case you missed it, we are on Subjectify Media now.
Episode 37 of Not About The Weather has a great explanation of what exactly happened and why we’ve got a new website.
Our fun facts are themed: what’s your favorite Halloween TV special? The winners include Buffy, Supernatural, Stranger Things, How I Met Your Mother, and Boy Meets World.

Practical Magic

Interestingly, all our Americans are newbies today, and our superfans are the international hosts.
Kendra had not heard of this movie til two weeks ago.
Karen was expecting scarier - like The Craft!
Danielle had seen a famous scene on Tiktok which both set the scene and did not prepare her at all.
Natalie saw this movie in the cinema in the 90s.
Is this a feminist movie? Kind of. It’s very women supporting women, but also weirdly women versus women. Starting with the whole Maria Owens situation.
Pro tip: don't curse your own family line, it goes against the biological imperative.
So much happens in the first 20 minutes. Some hosts expected the set up of the first 20 minutes to be the whole movie. But no.
The aunts casting a love spell on Sally might be well meaning but it’s creepy as hell.
Natalie’s theory is that they are breeding her to keep the family line going. Gross.
The Faith Hill “This Kiss” scene is a pretty huge pop culture moment.
Everyone in this movie has a lot of hair and it is wonderful.
Should Gilly, the romantic, have gotten the chance at true love?
Was Jimmy a vampire. No. Well, maybe. Well, no. But. Maybe?
The newbies did not expect the sisters to be murderers.
Let alone double murderers.
Was the whipped cream disgusting or inspired?
If you don’t make your own necromancy ingredients, store bought is fine!
Gary the Cop shows up chasing Jimmy down for Jimmy’s crimes, so he doesn’t seem to be concerned about harm befalling Jimmy.
But he does have to uphold the law, and these women are not good at covering up crimes.
Did Sally, like, make Gary with her spell?
Is the Owens curse objectively real? Is it naive to just not believe in it?
If you claim that it’s down to belief only, then Sally killed her husband by believing in it.
Karen wasn't expecting to be thinking about the theoretical workings of magic this hard for this movie.
It’s called Practical Magic! You didn’t think we may discuss the practicality of magic?
Are soul bonds ethical? What about free will?
Natalie has read a Supernatural AU of Practical Magic featuring Dean and Sam as the witches and Cas as the cop.
But seriously, Sally’s spell. Is it Google Maps or The Sims? (Just go with it.)
Natalie delivers some tea about soulmate compatibility. Depressing or inspiring? You decide. Karen is very upset.
Just when you thought this movie was over, it is not over!
The climax depends on reaching out to all the women who hated them and drawing back the fear curtain.
This movie fits into every category. Horror? Romcom? Family drama? Sure.
This movie is quite famously full of queer themes, even though it isn’t about lesbians.
There’s some chat about why fictional incest is a trope here too. (Just go with it.) We look at why media is incapable of showing intimacy between people without coding it the same way romantic intimacy is coded.
A real witch put a curse on this movie. It’s an extreme cult classic in so many ways!
Favorite scenes.
Favorite lines.

Previous Episode

Episode #342 - ‘The Matrix’ - Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

ReWatchable is back in action with a series of specials for the remainder of 2021. In honor of our Sense8 round, we’ll be covering the Wachowskis’ Matrix trilogy in advance of the 4th instalment this December. Today we bring you a ReWatchable deep dive into the original, iconic, philosophical and plain legendary 1999 classic that is The Matrix. Looking back at The Matrix after 20 years, how does it hold up? Join us as we follow baby Keanu Reeves out of the simulation and discover just how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Fun Facts

We are no longer found on Hypable - we are now on Subjectify Media! Read all about it in our relaunch article: Reintroducing ReWatchable: And our next round is... - Subjectify Media
Karen is making her grand return to ReWatchable after 2 years away and the move couldn’t be more fitting!
Natalie informs the group that Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein) from Ted Lasso can perform the Muppet Christmas Carol in approximately 6 minutes. Watch it now, if not for the Ted or the Muppets, then for the dedication.
Kendra watched the entire Matrix trilogy for the first time in the past few months to celebrate her anniversary, however her partner cannot watch a movie or read a book without spoiling it.
But Kendra’s real fun fact is that she is about to embark on a Halloween cookbook review spree for Subjectify so stay tuned if you want some spooky treats (and of course she is going all out to have her friends sample her cooking!)
With the closing of Hypable, Brittany uncovered some deeply locked away memories from her time covering a few shows that should never be named.

The Matrix

Superfans: how many times have you seen this movie? What has stuck with you? What has changed?
Newbies: In thinking about the movie as a pop culture classic, what were you aware of going in?
The world building is very intricately designed thanks to the work put in off screen.
Trinity opens the series to establish the premise that there is another layer to this environment where an us versus them battle is happening outside the parameters of the world we know.
Do the special effects hold up today? A lot of effects were either invented or honed specifically for this movie. It truly changed the game for Hollywood, we had not seen ANYTHING like this in Western cinema. More reading: (link) (link - slight spoilers for Reloaded)
Practical effects helped the movie's action feel real. The Wachowskis drew from Hong Kong action movies with lots of martial arts and they hired fight choreographers from those movies to get it, so there’s lots of wire work and practical stuff. The lobby shootout is ALL practical VFX except painting out the wires that let them do the stunts.
“There is the world that people think is real and the reality beneath that” -- the Wachowskis speak to gender transition throughout the film. The Matrix, according to them, has always been a trans allegory. More reading: (link) (link) (link) (thread) (thread)
The imagery of meeting Neo for the first time when he is detached from reality (sleeping) is quite fitting.
Let’s discuss Neo’s character development, specifically: is it good? Does the Matrix affect this? Are we meant to interpret him through that lens?
If you ever visit Natalie she can take you on a Matrix tour of Sydney.
Is there a better Chosen One story where the appointed one has a choice? Is there even another one that offers a choice?
The first moment that the rules of reality do not apply and we get a glimpse of Neo figuring something out about the world he's in is when he asks for his phone call.
Neo is apparently not put off by the whole bug removal thing and decides to follow Trinity to Morpheus.
Would you take the red pill or the blue pill? Also, fuck right-wing co-opting of this reference. Did everyone see Lilly Wachowski dunking on Ivanka Trump over this?
Morpheus and the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar save the flus...

Next Episode

Episode #344 - ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ - Sex Church

ReWatchable’s journey into the Wachowskis’ Matrix trilogy continues with The Matrix Reloaded. Our hosts unpack a highly philosophical sequel that leans heavily on action sequences, sex, and monologues providing very few breadcrumbs for our hero Neo to follow on his journey. Is what the Architect reveals enough to leave us wanting more? Join us as we try to keep our attention focused on what it all means.
Fun Facts

As a reminder: we are no longer found on Hypable – we are now on Subjectify Media! Read all about it in our relaunch article: Reintroducing ReWatchable: And our next round is... – Subjectify Media
Brittany recently rewatched Yuri on Ice!!! twice and has been singing “Theme of King JJ” on a loop ever since.
Kendra was the one person in the world to go into Eternals not spoiled for the end credit scene.
Karen is having dreams about Natalie making pies for the stars of Ted Lasso.
And speaking of Ted Lasso, Natalie shares a fun fact not about herself but about a third tier English football team. Will this make Brittany watch Ted Lasso? Stay tuned.

The Matrix Reloaded

Was the Matrix always intended to be a trilogy?
Would one Matrix movie have been enough?
This isn’t the sequel we’re looking for, but it’s the one we have
Six degrees of How I Met Your Mother
How much action is too much action?
Pick your first action in the Matrix and your outfit!
Zion is not a flashback to serve as Morpheus’ backstory, but rather a real, very big place for humanity!
Morpheus is not loved by Lock, but he is a headliner of Zion Coachella
We get a slice of life: Morpheus’ influence, Neo’s reception, Link’s tie to the mission, and also Gina Torres is there
However, it quickly dissolved into 36 hours of leave sex and a giant rave
Can we trust the old White guy? Apparently we can!
Neo can’t seem to grasp the bigger picture here
The spoon didn’t do much for us here
Seraph has a nice short scene that has a purpose and progresses the plot!
The Oracle gives us a lot of insight in a very short amount of time and there are a lot of rebel programs that are existing in the major network
Persephone we have your back 100% if you just want to stab Merovingian.
Time to play a round of: Do you really have autonomy or not?
The fight scene that lasted 1000 years
At least the Keymaker is adorable and gets to have a heist scene moment
We meet the Architect who seems a bit annoyed that Neo actually has a choice in this programming and that he has to wait to let it play out
What exactly happens to Trinity?
Neo fights the machines with his mind and we get a cliffhanger!
But before we go, what did we think of the romance?
Favorite Scenes
Favorite Lines

This episode’s superfans are: Karen Rought and Natalie Fisher.
This episode’s newbies are: Brittany Lovely and (kind of) Kendra Cleary.

ReWatchable: A TV Re-Watch Podcast is dedicated to rewatching completed cult classic or unjustly cancelled TV shows with a team of both superfans and newbies. Join us for analysis, commentaries, character discussions, and more for each show we choose to tackle.
During our rewatches, we stay spoiler-free for our discussions on an episode-to-episode base, to give our newbie hosts and listeners a chance to discover things fresh! We ask that listeners also don’t discuss any spoilers for the shows we’re watching ahead of that episode’s discussion in their feedback to us or on our social media.
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