The property was snapped up by Disney, which promptly sucked the life out of it, turning it into a scrubbed and innocuous coming-of-age tale. Too bad.
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
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Reviews Counted:23
Fresh:13
Rotten:10
Average Rating:6.1/10
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: When two boys (Vidal Peterson and Shawn Carson) become involved in the evil plans of Mr. Dark, a magical carnival owner (Jonathan Pryce), they find themselves in danger and responsible for the... When two boys (Vidal Peterson and Shawn Carson) become involved in the evil plans of Mr. Dark, a magical carnival owner (Jonathan Pryce), they find themselves in danger and responsible for the survival of their entire town! Mr. Dark has a devilish ability to grant wishes, which he uses to his advantage. When he realizes that the boys have discovered his secret, he sets about tracking them down, along with the creepy Dust Witch (Pam Grier). This spooky Ray Bradbury story is enhanced by the wonderful cast performances, particularly those of Jonathan Pryce and Pam Grier, who are scary enough to stop anyone from hoping for a wish come true! [More]
Starring: Jason Robards, Jonathan Pryce, Diane Ladd, Royal Dano
Starring: Jason Robards, Jonathan Pryce, Diane Ladd, Royal Dano, Vidal Peterson, Shawn Carson, Mary Grace Canfield, Richard Davalos, Jake Dengel, Jack Dodson, Bruce M. Fischer, Ellen Geer, Pam Grier, Brendan Klinger, James Stacy, Angelo Rossitto, Peter D. Risch
Director: Jack Clayton
Director: Jack Clayton
Composer: James Horner
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Release:
Aug 3, 2004
Reviews for Something Wicked This Way Comes
Possibilities for a dark, child's view fantasy set in rural America of yore are visible throughout the $20 million production but various elements have not entirely congealed into a unified achievement.
The plot concerns a mysterious carnival outside a small town in the early 1900s that grants the wishes of the town's citizens, with dark consequences.
Try as I might to get into this movie, based on the classic Ray Bradbury tale, I've found myself blocked by its off-putting ways.
Ultimately, though, it's an uneasy blend of horror and whimsy, with the allegory being hammered a little too hard for comfort. It's also marred by some dreadfully tacky special effects and set designs.
A lively, entertaining tale combining boyishness and grown-up horror in equal measure.
Bradbury's tale connects fear and dread to concupiscent desire and disordered regret fantasies of wealth or women, preoccupation with lost beauty or physical ability.
A film that does not seem to know whether it wants to be genuinely frightening or a fantasy fable.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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