Harry Potter films are indeed very popular and have sprouted whole discussions on what is a real witch or wizard. While they are cute, they are...  fiction. But that does not mean we witches don’t like them. On the contrary, if you approach them as fiction and pure entertainment, they can be quite fun. Sometimes there are elements of truth to what you see in the films, but they are so deeply buried in Hollywood’s rewrites that you would be hard pressed to find them. But that is not what movies are about. They are meant to be watched, and enjoyed for what they are... entertainment. When I look at entertainment, I am not looking for truths; I am looking for laughs, sit on the edge of your chair suspense and just a general good time. And over the years, Hollywood has produced some very good films on witches, and some absolute dogs. But, to be honest, some of the dogs can be quite funny, campy or just so bad you have to laugh. And that is why we watch them, is it not? To be entertained and to laugh, that is the real measure of how good a film is. I would like to offer some of my favorite witch based fiction and fantasy films that you can get on DVD. I present these as strictly from the viewpoint of good entertainment. They have no other value other than good fun. And with the “Halloween” season coming up shortly, everyone will be looking for that ‘haunting’ movie that will make them jump a little as they watch TV in the dark, or make the whole family “ooooo” and “ahhhh” with entertaining special effects and good story plots. What movies does a witch find entertaining? Let’s go down a list, with comments, on some of my favorites: Bell, Book and Candle THE classic. A great pairing of Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak. Throw in the acting talent of Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs, add a dash of Hermione Gingold and Elsa Lanchester and a Siamese cat named Pyewacket and you have my idea of a great ‘witches date flick’. Practical Magic A recent classic and a real favorite. Great acting, with Sandra Bullock at her best, great plot, and includes suspense, a love story and makes a great ‘date flick’. Hocus Pocus This film is too funny. I laugh till my sides hurt every time I watch it. Bette Midler is brilliant, Sara Jessica Parker is hysterical and Kathy Najimy fills out this bill for my most favorite three witches. Family entertainment, and guaranteed to entertain. The Witches of Eastwick Another “star studded” film, featuring the great acting of Cher, Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer. OK, so I lied&ldots; these are also my three favorite witches. And Jack Nicholson is BRILLIANT in this film. Not to be missed!!! Bedknobs and Broomsticks Angela Lansbury gives a fun romp that the kids will absolutely enjoy and parents will find delightful. The Witches Anjelica Huston leads in this film about witches in England and their extreme distaste for children. You will laugh at the ‘Witch Convention” and find the ‘sit on the edge of your chair’ excitement in the chase scenes. A good adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book. The Craft Many teens love this film, it is good entertainment, and can give a scare the first time through. Featuring Fairuza Balk who steals the show as the “bad little witch” and Neve Campbell, who is best known for her roll in the Scream Trilogy.   Other titles not necessarily “witchy” but sill fun! High Spirits I love Peter O’Toole. And this movie presents his comical side, his first rate acting talent, and is a great little story. Maybe overlooked, but never forgotten, it is not witch specific, but is a great film.   Death Becomes Her This movie is too funny. Featuring Bruce Willis, Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, this is a laugh and a half movie not to be missed.   The Addams Family and Addams Family Values You can’t have one without the other. Again staring Anjelica Huston playing a very believable Morticia Addams and the late Raul Julia, brilliant as Gomez Addams, this film also stars a young Christina Ricci as Wednesday and is just a bang-up late night double feature worth staying up late to watch.   Beetlejuice I had to throw this one in. So kinky, so off the wall, and that really is Michael Keaton under all that makeup playing a delightfully skuzzy Beetlejuice. A classic, as well it should be, directed by the genius of Tim Burton. Which brings us to:   The Nightmare Before Christmas The animation of Tim Burton and the music of Danny Elfman bring us haunting characters and memorable songs in this family rated and most entertaining film. Gotta love all of Tim Burton’s films, but these two stand out as most memorable and most bewitching. And finally: Total Camp!!!   The Rocky Horror Picture Show What list would be complete without Rocky Horry!!! Singing, dancing, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Meat Loaf!!! Not to be missed – The Time Warp! You can throw rice at the wedding; add your own replies and responses and throw toast all in the privacy of your own home! Gotta love this film!! Hope you enjoy my choices and you know where you will find me Halloween night – in front of my TV with a big bowl of hot popcorn, an assortment of my favorite witchy films and a blanket to hide under!