Black Magic Woman (1991)

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

"Diane Abbott" (Amanda Wyss) and "Brad Travis" (Mark Hamill) are an unmarried couple who work together in an art gallery. As it so happens, one night at an art exhibit Brad meets a young woman named "Cassandra Perry" (Appolonia Kotero) who seduces him the next night. Eventually, however, he breaks off his affair with Cassandra and as might be expected this infuriates her. It's then that he learns that Cassandra is a powerful witch who has placed a terrible curse upon him that makes him extremely ill. Having already sought medical help with no results he is then taken by his maid "Carlita" (Abidah Viera) to a practitioner of black magic who subsequent cures him. Unfortunately, he warns Brad that the person who placed the curse upon him is extremely powerful and that he doesn't have the knowledge or experience necessary to help him afterward if that person chooses to continue. And it's then that he discovers that Cassandra is far from finished with him. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was one of those films that had potential but didn't quite have the actors or direction necessary for the task at hand. For starters, although Appolonia was definitely attractive her scenes involving an erotic nature were never fully realized. Likewise, neither Mark Hamill nor Amanda Wyss appeared to full demonstrate the right emotional ingredient necessary for their characters. At least, that is how it seemed to me. That being said, while I don't consider this to be a terrible film by any means, I thought it could have been much better and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly below average.

Black Magic Woman (1991) is a low-budget, sleep-inducing waste of time. For a film that claims to be an erotic thriller, there sure is little sex on display or even anything remotely sexy at all. About the best you'll get are a few shots of Apollolina in the nude and Mark Hamill in tight, revealing underwear.The "thriller" elements are even more laughable. The story utilizes every tired cliché in an attempt to horrify. It's almost embarrassing how hard it all fails. Even the cheesy Robot Monster film from the 1950s had more genuine chills than this.The direction, acting, and editing are all sub-par. And the twist ending is just eye-roll worthy. This film is a total waste of time and will only ruin the "Black Magic Woman" song for you forever. Especially with that stupid remix version of it which plays over the credits.

I agree with most of the above comments, I thought the brief scenes with Bonnie Ebsen were the hottest of the movie, It seemed like the had some chemistry together. I was well paced and the ending did surprise me, I must wonder what became of the director, if she moved on to do other things for the production company? I don't know. I liked that the film seemed to be colorized a bit dark. All in all a fair outing for a largely unknown cast and crew, with Hamill as the exception of course. I think the lead actress was part of Princes band, or back ground singers, that included Vanity, I have not seen either of them in anything since, that I am aware of. Bonnie Ebsen was in an NBC sit com, a few years before this movie.

I first remember seeing this on an HBO free weekend. And, I was delightfully surprised how much I liked it! The ending TOTALLY took me by surprise. *Possible spoiler, here.* Fans of HIGHLANDER: THE SERIES (who only know her from there) will probably barely recognize Amanda Wyss. And, sure; there were obvious similarities to "Fatal Attraction." But, there were also similarities to that Martin Sheen thriller, "the Believers." This had half the budget of either one. As far as I'm concerned, however, it was better than both of them put together!