Black Magic (1975)

Lately I’ve really been into Asian magic films. From Eternal Evil of Asia to the Boxer’s Omen, magic films get to the heart of a culture’s taboos and superstitions. Unfortunately Black Magic only got to the heart of my boredom.

In this very 70′s shaw film we have a black magic sorcerer whom can make your dreams come true if you can pay. Enter man A whom is going to marry woman A. Woman B wants to marry man A so she enlists the help of man B whom wants to marry woman B for her money. It gets kinda complicated. Let the spells and heart break begin!

Ok so I guess that’s not the best synopsis but this isn’t the best film either. Most of the film’s run time is dedicated to the interrelationships of the characters and things don’t start getting really interesting until after the love spell has been cast. The spells are unique but there’s only one sorcerer fight and its pretty weak overall. Add to that the flat image with zero attention to interesting lighting or any cinematography of any kind. Imaging the dry look of most shaw films without any crazy awesome fights but alot of dialogue. That’s pretty much what you get with Black Magic.

Released onto dvd at the same time as the far superior Human Lanterns and the penultimate Boxer’s Omen, Black Magic falls short of expectations and revels in its medocrity in every way.

4/10

Gore: mild

Nudity: none