u/PapaAsmodeus

Man, how wild is it that a lot of the best horror films nowadays are coming from YouTubers. TheRackaRacka just casually drips two of the biggest bangers to come out on quite some time and now Curry Barker (man that name makes me hungry) drops what may as well be Possession for a new generation

Obsession is so inspired in just about every aspect. The casting is so pitch perfect to the point where it feels like any other actors being in the roles would feel just plain wrong- and it's been a while since I've been able to say that about any film. Michael Johnston: handsome and charming enough to like him, dorky enough to sympathize with him, but he can veer into unlikability so well that you believe it. Inde Navarrette was SO talented that I hope she gets more work. She nails crazy effortlessly but also emotional vulnerability to a T. you can tell she had such a blast in the role and I hope she gets all of the work.

On top of that I just loved the feel and direction of the film. The claustrophobia caused by the 4:3 aspect ratio really does make a lot of scenes feel extra uncomfortable. There's so many creative and clever uses of blocking and camera shots (the restaurant scene especially). Even the music was pretty great; clearly inspired by 80s synth-based scores but more ambient rather than the synthwave that a lot of attempts at 80s synth scores go for.

Oh, and the ending... yeah, I sat in my seat for a while two minutes trying to absorb that. I can't wait to see this movie again.

I saw MK2 yesterday in IMAX and had a blast. Easily the best MK movie since the 95 one and it just had everything you needed- fun gore, fun fight scenes, lots of humour, etc. I'm a pretty big MK fan so I will say this one perfectly threaded the needle as far as a good adaptation and good movie.

I thought the IMAX footage was well utilized for the most part, but there was one part that made me laugh so hard.

It's when Johnny Cage stupidly decides to call Baraka a pussy for not wanting to fight Quan-Chi. So it sets it up as if they're about to fight. They get in the fight position and the aspect ratio expands (which happens in the game as well), but then it cuts to the next shot in scope format when Baraka decides going to fight Johnny instead.

That HAD to be IMAX trolling us (and a well done attempt at trolling too).

I did a double feature of Hokum and Michael last night, and I must say Hokum has left me thinking for quite a while. The director previously did 2024's "Oddity" which I also highly recommend (it's on Shudder).

It's kinda hard to say what kind of horror film it is because there's elements of folk horror, but then at times it also kinda feels J-horrorish and also at times feels psychological along the same line of 1408 (very underrated movie imo). This sounds like it should be a mess, but it comes together in a very satisfying way. The atmosphere of the film is really quiet and eerie; lots of dark lit shots that really make you feel uneasy at any given second. There are jump scares in the movie but they're not cheaply done; it helps that they're reserved for things that are supposed to be scary. Though unfortunately there are a few that are strictly for the audience as Adam Scott doesn't even know they're there, which might be the only issue I have with the film.

Also very well shot and Adam Scott gave a great performance. So much of the movie is just him on his own, and he really nails the challenge that presents. 7/10 for me, might become an 8 on the second watch!

It completely misses the point of the original Be Prepared in 1994. I know Adum touches on that a bit in the review, but here's the thing: the reason BP works so well as a villain song is because it's a look into Scar's mindset. He's stealthily telling the hyenas that he's manipulating them and they don't know it (It's clear from your vacant expressions, the lights aren't all on upstairs). It works so well on that level because he's a master manipulator who is always one step ahead of even Mufasa at any time and can weaponize it.

Beep Repair is... not even a villain song. I mean it ostensibly is by association with the original, but it's more of a viva la revolution song. He's singing it, as far as we know, as a way to pump them up and he gets them all chanting "be prepared". But what do they have to get pumped about? They don't even know who this guy is!!!