With Anjelica Huston topping the bill as Morticia Addams the big-screen version of The Addams Family was never going to lack style. With Uncle Fester missing for 25 con artists try to convince the creepy kooky family that a ringer is the real deal. A grab for the family fortune meets with typical Addams-style detachment. No prizes for guessing the outcome, but the journey is a load of fun.
Clever comedy in which Bill Murray displays some brilliant comedic timing. A weatherman disgruntled with being sent to cover Groundhog Day yet again falls into a time loop and relives the day over and over again. The premise had the potential to be a crashing bore, but Murray ensures that each loop is tantalisingly different.
Army of Darkness D: Sam Raimi (1992) 81/96m
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The third Evil Dead flick has some uproarious fantasy trimmings when the 'hero' and his dilapidated Oldsmobile get transported back to the Middle Ages. A chainsaw and shotgun give him an edge, which comes in handy when he accidentally releases an army of sword-wielding skeletons. Although basically a splatter flick, director Raimi makes sure that tongue is firmly planted in cheek.
Hocus Pocus D: Kenny Ortega (1993) 96m
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Halloween classic with Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker starring as witches executed in old Salem for their crimes. When a 300-year-old curse lands them in modern Salem where they trade their brooms for vacuum cleaners. They set out to gain immorality by sucking the life out of trick-or-treating kids. Topnotch family comedy with Midler in particularly good form.
Matilda D: Danny DeVito (1996) 98m
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A girl neglected by her parents escapes into a fantasy world and exercises her mind so much she develops telekinetic powers. Her powers come in handy when she is sent to a school run by a really nasty principal. Based on the Roald Dahl story and featuring some delightful performances that keep it bubbling along.
Practical Magic D: Griffin Dunne (1998) 104m
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Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as sister witches with a problem. An age-old curse dooms any man in their lives to death, which becomes seriously aggravating when a really nice cop arrives on the scene. This film has plenty of detractors, but anyone looking for a little harmless fantasy escapism should find it enjoyable.
Dogma D: Kevin Smith (1999) 130m
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Controversial Kevin Smith (Clerks) comedy about two fallen angels trying to get back into Heaven. The film takes unbridled and hilarious aim at the Catholic Church, with the response including organised protests and even death threats against Smith. But with sizzlers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on board it was always going to be hard to keep down. As usual for Smith, frequent profanity.
Amélie D: Jean-Pierre Jeunet (2001) 122m
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A fabulously charming effort from Jeunet (The City Of Lost Children), with lots of implied magic all set in a Paris that doesn't really exist. A waitress from a dysfunctional family surmises that the best way to find love and meaning is to help with the lonely plights of others. Endearingly quirky and choc-full of sublime humour, although fantasy elements are subtle.
