Clever, yet Foolish::Unsusceptible, yet Vulnerable

Double Indemnity, Baby

Kayla Christine Steward

December 27, 2014

1. In film noir, many of the male leads are weak, frustrated men. While you are watching Double Indemnity, make a mental note of Walter Neff's characteristics. What kind of man is he? What is his relationship like with women?

Double Indemnity is a film noir filmed in 1944 directed by Bill Wilder.  In this movie, wickedly greedy and vulnerable man by the name of Walter Neff, is seduced and trapped by a cold and evil woman known as Phyllis Dietrichson. Walter Neff is Phyllis Dietrichson's insurance agent and she uses his position to her advantage. She, in result, manages to seduce Neff into murdering her husband and obtaining her husband's accident policy. The plan goes accordingly, but after time goes by, Neff and Dietrichson begin to become suspicious of each other and of each other's motives. The plan, in turn, becomes even more complicated when Walter Neff's boss, Barton Keyes who is an insurance investigator, takes the investigation of the murder into his own hands. As the movie moves forward through the flashback's from Walter Neff's point of view, each character seems to be introduced to their predetermined fate, which in time leads to Phyllis and Neff both killing each other, and Keyes finding out that the crime Neff committed was not an accident.

With the knowledge of the synopsis of the movie, it is now important discuss the characteristics of Walter Neff, what kind of man he is, and what his relationship is like with women.

When it comes to Walter Neff, he is perceived as a very ordinary, but well known and successful insurance salesman. Throughout the movie you begin to see how he appears to be a little conceited, always ready to project his understanding of how insurance works, and is eager to display and prove how smart and clever he is, especially when it comes to covering up his crime. He is very blunt and direct, but he does it in a way that is almost satisfyingly flattering and appropriate, with also a hint of sarcasm. Some of the phrases he uses in the movie are, "Suppose you get down off your motorcycle and give me a ticket", "Same chair, same perfume, same anklet", and "Yes, I killed him. I killed him for money- and a woman- and I didn't get the money and I didn't get the woman. Pretty, isn't it?". In these phrases, he tends to use a "matter-of-fact" tone, and almost facetious, but he does so in a way that it is calm and collective enough to keep whoever he is talking to hanging onto every word he says. He possesses an a image of a sarcastic, yet clever gentleman, but in turn, this leads to his ultimate downfall.

When it comes to women, Walter Neff knows his way around pretty well. His sadistic and clever charm tends to woo the hearts of many dames and in turn, leads to him being a sly, yet handsome heartbreaker. However, when he meets Phyllis Dietrichson, he figures that she is just another pretty face waiting to get a glimpse of Mr. Walter Neff. What he doesn't realize, is that Mrs. Dietrichson has another view on their relationship. In this situation, it is almost as if Neff and Dietrichson switch roles, and now the woman gets to play the role of the hard to get man. By this occurring, Neff becomes weak and vulnerable, and Dietrichson swoops in and takes the opportunity being given to her. His relationship with her compared to other women is different because it's no longer just a one night stand or fling, it has turned into a complicated love cover up in which he has to fight and sneak to keep it going strong. I believe the real significance of this relationship is that Neff is use to relationships and issues being easy to overcome and solve, but when it comes to the crime he and Phyllis Dietrichson committed, he is in a hole and can no longer use his charm and good looks to dig himself out.

Three Witches and Their Late Night Flicks

Three Witches and Their Late Night "Flixes"

By:Kayla Steward

Hello and welcome to the Flicks of the Witches! We are the witches from Macbeth, and this is our compilation of our favorite movies to watch when we're not busy prophesying and trying to fix the problems of mortals debating on whether to choose life or death. You'd think people would get the idea that whether or not they know their fate, they're going to end up fulfilling it anyway! But, back to our queue! 

This queue is compiled of our top four most favorite movies of all time. Each movie is so very relatable and fits the needs of us as witches. We are constantly tired of watching these stupid romantic movies and comedies that are so unrealistic and don't conform to our needs of a good flick. But now we have found five movies that not only can we watch over and over again, but are perfect escapes from constantly having to worry about everyone's needs and that give us a sense of understanding. As if the creators of each movie knows exactly how we feel and how underestimated we are as witches!

Hercules:

Now this movie is for children, and we know this. But it is absolutely entertaining and brings humor to us as witches! We love how as soon as the witches come into play, the movie automatically deepens in suspense. The way the witches grip Hades on to each word of their description of his fate against Hercules is scrumptious. The way they build him up to think he will rule, but will soon be defeated by Hercules is prices. Of course the overall movie is very kid-friendly, yet satisfyingly amusing, it still make us as witches still feel like we are in control and that we have so much power when it comes to the fate of others. The witches in this movie are very stern, yet clever. They tell Hades what he wants to hear and also what he needs to, but it is so very relatable how it all turns on him and no matter how he tries to avoid his fate, destiny is right there to kick him in the butt. We recommend this movie to any powerful woman, or even man, who love a good movie that understands what it's like to be a clever witch, with a keen sense of humor and entertainment.

Twitches:

Twitches is probably one of the most ironic of movies for witches to watch, because in this movie, not only do the twins not want to be witches, but they when they do realize they have to be witches, they use their power to protect the ones they love. Granted, we are all a bunch of magic suckers for a good family movie, but we also enjoy a little sense of relief and difference. We as witches aren't all about power and fate, we also like to have fun and help the people we love. The three of us treat each other like sisters. Triplets if you will! This movie was gripping and moving, but also very powerful. Even though the girls didn't to be witches, they put aside their wants and needs for good of their mother's life. It teaches a lesson to all witches out there that being a witch isn't all about cursing people and casting spells, it's also about protecting one another, no matter the cost. We loved the separated at birth, but bonded by magic theme. It really made us appreciate the bond we share as witches even more.

The Originals

Okay, so this series is probably our all time favorite series. Not just because of the huge variation and percentage of witch in this show, but also because we all have a sweet spot for a good-looking vampire or werewolf. Shh, don't judge! But anyways. We all love this series. Each episode has you gripping to the edge of your seat. The suspense is killer and the twists are spectacular. Each episode leaves you hanging at the end, and it's funny because we could very easily conjure up a spell to figure out what the next episode is about. But what fun would that be! The show is very realistic and shows much appreciation to witches everywhere. The use of nature and the idea that nature and our ancestors are what fuel our magic and keep us strong and powerful. We as witches are forced to use nature as our power sources, and many times mortals underestimate that. But not this show. This show shows so much appreciation and recognition of the hard work we put in into keeping the balance of the world even and steady. We recommend this to anybody, but especially witches when they're feeling a bit neglected or under appreciated.

The Crucible

Now you might find this one a bit ironic. Considering the fact that the entire movie is about exposing fake or real witches and murdering everyone who claims to be a witch or have accusations made against them about being witches, but anyways.This  movie is about romance, which is something that we aren't very fond of, but it's not too romantic to the point that we have to stop the movie. We enjoy this movie not really for a reason at all, but the fact that it makes us appreciate how appreciated witches are in our world. In this movie, if you're a witch, you're automatically deemed evil and cruel and doomed to cast hell upon every creature with a pulse, but in our world, we are the help. The closure. The givers. We do not take. If someone is in need of a prophecy or a spell to make some of their troubles go away, we will fulfill those needs and wants, within circumstances at least. This movie has you questioning constantly whether or not the girls are faking the sorcery "cast" upon them, or if it's real. It's a movie that doesn't involve a lot of action. but not a lot of talking either. It makes you root for, ironically, the mortals, rather than the "witches". We recommend this movie to anyone, but specifically witches. Especially after a long day of nonsense rhymes, catching frogs and leaves for potions, and the constant repetition of the phrase "bubble, bubble, toil and trouble".

There you have it! It is a short list, and may grow in the near future, But if you're a witch or you're into the whole witch-vibe, you now know where to look for a good "Witch-Flick" for the night! Stay tuned next month for more of our reviews as the "Three Witches and Their Late Night Flicks!"