How do real witches feel about all this Hollywood hocus-pocus? EW asked Wiccan Phyllis Curott to conjure up some answers.
Witches Practical Magic's sororal enchantresses Sandra Bullock
and Nicole Kidman Pros ''They capture the real flavor of a love
spell,'' says Curott. ''It's a spell to find a soul mate — not just
to make someone fall for you. Also, Bullock says, 'There's no
devil in the craft.' It's very important for everyone to realize
that.'' Con During one spell-casting ritual, a dove is
slaughtered. ''They made that up,'' says Curott. ''We don't kill
things. Most of us are vegetarians.'' Verdict The film was
''powerful and accurate. I got a major rush just because of the
aesthetic.''
Rating: 3 witches hats
Witch Sabrina, the Teenage Witch's Melissa Joan Hart Pros ''I
like Sabrina because she isn't doing baneful magic,'' notes
Curott. ''Baneful magic violates our most basic rule: 'As ye harm
none, do what ye will.''' Cons Curott says Sabrina's talking cat,
Salem, ''is very cynical. He's really in existential crisis — he's
unhappy being a cat.'' Verdict ''I can't wait to see Sabrina go to
college.''
Rating: 4 witches hats
Witches Charmed sisters Shannen Doherty, Alyssa Milano, and
Holly Marie Combs Pros Shannen Doherty. ''I've known a lot of
witches who were a lot like her,'' Curott affirms. Cons The
sisters stick thorns into a voodoo doll to rid themselves of a
troublesome warlock. ''There's no such thing as a warlock,'' says
Curott. ''If I hear the word warlock one more time, I'm going to
put a hex on Hollywood.'' Verdict ''They need a witch on
staff...[but] they haven't offended me. The bad stuff was
harmless. Overall, I'm thrilled. It's another important step.''
Rating: 2 1/2 witches hats
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