So you want a Witch Hunt, eh?

Hey all. I know I kinda fell of the edge of the map...in the middle of a writing rut....but I just came across something that royally pissed me off.

I mean seriously. I feel completely insulted, and I'll tell you why because I think this pertains to all of us.

I'm sure by now most of you have heard of the new Nicholas Cage movie that's come out, Season of the Witch? Basic plot premise being this: It's the middle ages and the Black Plague is running rampant through Europe. Two knights returned from the Crusades are enlisted to transport the supposed source of the plague, a young girl accused of witchcraft, to a distant abbey to have special rites performed on her.

When previews for this movie first came on tv, I was pessimistic. "Great, another 'witch' movie" I thought "I bet its totally inaccurate." Then as we started getting more previews, I became more hopeful. It was revealed that Cage's character doesn't believe the girl is a witch but a convenient scapegoat for the Church. He vows that if he doesn't believe her to truly be a witch, he will not allow the Church to persecute her as they plan. "Hey" I thought "that doesn't sound half bad. Go movie!"

Now, however, my small hope has been utterly and completely decimated. I've not yet seen the movie, but as I discovered it has come out I've started doing research--checking playtimes, etc. Then I checked the movie's site. ((http://seasonofthewitchmovie.com/))

It seems, my dear fellows, that I was completely wrong to hope. The movie's site and select clips from the movie indicate that the girl IS in fact a witch--we're talking the medieval witchhunter's definition of a witch here, summoning demons, possessing corpses, and in general hell-bent on obliterating the world. They even have demonic possessed wolves in the movie. WOLVES!! Really, was the playwrite determined to give us the full medieval hysteria experience? "No really folks, witches ARE evil and are out to get you. The Inquisition had it right."

Yes, that hurt me and pissed me off. But the true crown of the matter, the one thing that REALLY enraged me about this movie, is the smartphone app that they offer to accompany the movie. Here, let me repost the description:


"Witches walk all around us. They are responsible for great devastation, performing harrowing evils from the guises of the shadows. Witches can be anyone – a cute stranger at the bar, a quiet coworker, your childhood friend, even your closest family member. When your very life is at stake, how do you distinguish a witch from a mere mortal? Welcome to the Season of the Witch "Witch Hunt" application. The app unveils the witches that are all around you. Download the app and begin your quest now." ((http://www.appbrain.com/app/witch-hunt/com.relativitymedia.sotw))


Really. Really? I AM the quiet coworker, I AM the childhood friend, I AM A WITCH! And for this, evidently, I must be burned. For my sin of identifying as a witch, for the evils of crimes I have not committed, my existence must be purged for the good of all.

No. I will not stand for this. I will NOT allow this movie to set back religious tolerance another century! I am this close to contacting the ACLU for concerns I have about my right of Freedom of Religion! The only thing that stays my hand is this: I have not yet actually seen the movie. Perhaps this is all just a mistake, a bit of ingenious marketing. Maybe this movie does have a twist. I don't know yet, but I'm going to find out before I pronounce judgement.

That app, however, should definitely be removed from the market.

Please, if anyone has seen this movie yet, comment. In general, comment, let me know your thoughts on this, let me know my voice is heard. This 'witch hunt' is not to be tolerated.