Publisher's Synopsis
A double bill of children's feature films. In 'Matilda' (1996) the exceptionally gifted and intelligent Matilda (Mara Wilson) is ignored by her stupid parents Harry (Danny DeVito) and Zinnia (Rhea Perlman). A keen reader, Matilda's dearest wish is to be sent to school, but the establishment Harry selects is Crunchemhall, run by the brutal Miss Trunchball (Pam Ferris). Trunchball's cruelty to her pupils causes Matilda to vow revenge, and her newly discovered telekinetic powers give her the chance to do so. In 'A Simple Wish' (1997) seven-year-old Anabel (Mara Wilson) wishes for a fairy godmother after the death of her mother, but is surprised when her angelic guardian appears in the form of Murray (Martin Short). There is trouble from the outset, with Murray turning Anabel's dad into a statue rather than winning him a part in a new Broadway musical; but the problems really begin with the arrival of Claudia (Kathleen Turner), a former fairy who has turned to the dark side. Claudia has stolen all the other godmothers' wands, and now all she needs to become all-powerful is Murray's wand.
