HOCUS POCUS (**1/2)

(1993) Amazing how, after 23 years of hearing about this movie and seeing bits and pieces of it on cable, I finally sat down and watched it (thanks, Liv!).  Even more amazing, considering how big a fan I am of Bette Midler - who by far is the most bewitching (yeah, I went there) part of the film ... which opens in old Salem, Massachusetts, when the three Sanderson sisters (Midler, Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker) are hung for being witches.  Three hundred years later, a teenaged boy and his sister resurrect the ditzy trio, who set out after the children of Salem on Halloween to use them as part of a potion that will enable the sisters to live and be young forever.  The three ladies are charming, Midler a joy to watch as usual, but maybe with all the years of hype the film just came off as "okay" to me; sweet, funny, loving Bette's number during the Halloween dance ... but I didn't find myself laughing hysterically or being particularly glued to the screen (oh, and the little girl really got on my nerves).  Good, but - alas! - just average for me.  (rated PG)