‘Wizards’: Does animated 1977 art film belong in the canon, or in the geniza?

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Today, 12:06 pm

Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use.

This week, we spend the entire episode on the iconic Haifa-born animator Ralph Bakshi’s 1977 sci-fi adventure “Wizards.”

WATCH the full episode here:

Distributed by 20th Century-Fox, the loose premise sets the film about 5,000 years in the future, following a World War III that left Earth so full of radiation to split humanity into fairy-type creatures and mutants.

The majority of the raunchy ride builds up to a battle between twin brothers — two wizards who represent magic or technology.

Definitely not a kids’ flick, the animation is violent and emphasizes several female fairies’ — ahem — assets.

Hoffman delves deeply into why this is a foundational film and explains the ongoing resonance of Bakshi’s work. Borschel-Dan is much less impressed.

Let’s hear who gave this film an “oy,” “meh” or the prized “not bad” this week on The Reel Schmooze.

The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out the previous The Reel Schmooze here:

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