Review: Zemeckis makes Dahl’s ‘Witches’ a brighter affair

No matter how you cut it, “ The Witches ” is a really disturbing tale. For many children of the era, Roeg’s “The Witches” was a first foray into horror and a traumatic one at that. Unfortunately for them, the Grand High Witch has decided to hold a convention there at the same time to hatch a plan that would turn the world’s children into mice. Oddly the strongest parts of the film are before the whole witch aspect kicks in when it’s just Grandma and Hero Boy getting used to life together after the horrific loss. Still Zemeckis has done a fine job with the film on the whole, which was a much-needed win after the dreadful “Welcome to Marwen.” It’s not going to be as iconic as Roeg’s, but it should provide some nice family entertainment at home for Halloween.