With a new Candyman reboot coming out this year, co-written by Jordan Peele, I thought it would be a good idea to visit the film that inspired this reboot in the first place.

I actually started this film awhile back, but on that day I was so tired that I didn’t get the film at all. Embarrassingly enough, I only made it through the first ten minutes. I was surfing Netflix and I saw the poster for it again, and I felt that it deserved my full attention this time.

The film opened to a beautiful, but also ominous ballad. I was surprised to notice that the score was by Philip Glass, one of my favorite composers. There is something sinister about this musical arrangement, but also slightly romantic in a Sweeney Todd type of way. This score is prevalent through out the runtime, but it is executed at the most convenient times in the film. It enhances the tone and mood of the characters onscreen.

The character we follow, namely Helen played by Virginia Madsen aren’t weighed down by the typical horror cliches we are used to. These are characters that are motivated, but don’t make the most idiotic decisions.

Helen plays a grad student who is doing a piece on the Candyman, as well as the folklore surrounding it. What starts as an interesting project that was made for academic purposes, turns into a investigative report with dire consequences. Through Helen’s research we come to understand the lives of those who have been affected by Candyman, and it makes this so called legend a lot more personal to those it has effected. Candyman’s identity remains hidden until, the second act of the film, which is where we get our first look at what he is capable of. The gore is effective, and the character of Candyman is played marvelously by Tony Todd, whose voice pierces the minds of all those who hear him.

Overall, Candyman is one of those horror films that may seem forgettable on the surface, but once you take the time to immerse yourself in this world, with these characters, you will come to find that there are things that make this film a hidden gem.

I was in the mood for a slasher film and decided to watch one that I had heard of, but was not too familiar with. The only film or tv show I had seen, that got any inspiration from the character of Chucky, was a few episodes about a dummy from Goosebumps. Apart from that, I went into this film blindly.

The film follows a simple plot, in that a single mother get’s her son a doll for his birthday that is possessed by the soul of serial killer. It’s always nice when a director or writer, has an idea this original and just goes with it. Who would’ve thought you could turn something as seemingly harmless as a children’s doll, and turn it into a monster. I have to give Tom Holland props for bringing this character and idea to the big screen.

With most slasher films that I’ve seen, as much as I have enjoyed them, I have to admit how bad or over the top the acting is. That wasn’t really the case here. All of the character’s did a fine job in their respected roles. Each actor inhabits their roles, and brings something different to the table. These aren’t insanely good performances in terms of horror classic standards, but they are sufficient enough. We are introduced to them, have a pretty good grip on who they are, and more importantly, we can root for them.

It’s got a nice steady pace, that never drags, and is easy to follow. Narratively, it stays on target for a majority of the runtime. As for the runtime itself, well it’s just over the 90 minute mark, and doesn’t over stay it’s welcome.

The best part of Child’s Play, is that it’s self-aware. It knows what it wants to accomplish, and doesn’t try to be anything else. This is evident in the performances, story structure, and violence.

Overall this film does merit the title of being a classic, simply because it took an interesting idea and brought it to life.

After a few weeks, I have finally finished my MCU binge. I had seen all of the Marvel movies to date, but not too long ago I felt the urge to revisit them and watch them in chronological order. I started from Phase 1, the first film being The Incredible Hulk, all the way to Phase 3 with the last film Spider-Man: Far From Home. In preparation for this post, I thought long and hard about what it was going to be. Would it be a Ranking? Analysis? Or a reflection. I found it easier to just lay out all my thoughts on the table.

I really like the MCU movies, to put it simply. I mean what’s not to like? Interesting characters, who are different and have distinct personalities, but are also full of charisma. Creative set pieces and visuals. The list goes on. When the MCU falters, it usually has to do with being overdramatic, formulaic, inconsistent in terms of narrative, etc. The marvel movies, in my personal opinion, are the kind of movies you can just turn off you’re brain off to, and be entertained by the given runtime. I don’t like the MCU is breaking any boundaries in terms of characters, story, or any aspect of filmmaking, and that is completely fine.

American-Italian Filmmaker Martin Scorsese once compared the MCU to theme parks. Scorsese stated “Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.” Because of this statement, there was of wave of backlash, but Scorsese still stands by what he said then. When I first heard of his comments, I was surprised. I didn’t hate him for it, but I disagreed. As time has passed on, I can’t help but acknowledge that there is some truth to that statement. The only comic book/superhero movie that I can think of, that truly challenged it’s audience, was and still is, The Dark Knight. Now I am not gonna compare the two franchises or films within them, but Marvel hasn’t made a movie with that kind of impact. Marvel is for the most part, looked at as a spectacle, a franchise that stays in it’s lane for the majority of the time. From time to time, we will get a movie from the MCU, that is a little bit more mature than the others. It is always a nice surprise and we leave the film with a little bit more than what we came in with. However, most of these movies are the same in many aspects.

Maybe it’s the fact that I have seen a wide variety of cinema, and my film taste has been sculpted differently each time. The MCU isn’t the most important franchise in the world, but they are fun movies that we can sometimes become attached to whether we are aware of it or not. It is also a nice form of escapism.

As I have gotten older, I have explored new varieties of film. I believe that when you are a cinephile or lover of cinema, there will come a point in time when you will be recommended a certain genre or type of films that you are not used to. Certain types of films that are arthouse and experimental have molded what my taste in film is today. I would like to focus on a genre a film that isn’t quiet as well known to the mainstream audience, but has garnered a small, yet serious cult following. That genre is known as Extreme Cinema.

What separates Extreme films from others is it’s excessive use of violence, torture, and sex. These are the kinds of films that when viewed, critics and audiences alike turn a blind eye towards them. But there are some people who actually enjoy these types of films, and try to champion this genre. These are the kind of films that are highly controversial, and so extreme that at some showings there are paramedics who are there to help in case someone has a physical reaction, such as a seizure, which has happened before.

I was compelled to make this post after I watched a film titled A Serbian Film, which was banned in multiple countries. As these films usually go, I found myself shocked and horrified by what I was experiencing and witnessing onscreen. This was not the only time I have felt that kind of feeling. Before seeing this particular film, I was already introduced to the genre and had seen many films within it. Surprisingly, I think I have become an advocate for this type of genre. Not necessarily an outspoken one, but I have found that when extreme cinema comes into the conversation with colleagues and friends, I defend this genre.

The first extreme film I saw was Requiem for a Dream. I had already seen a decent amount of horror films, and films I thought were shocking at the time, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the strength of this very film. I remember vividly a feeling of despair the swept over me, that lingered for longer than I would’ve thought. “How can a movie make me feel so gross?” I pondered to myself. This feeling of repulsion, albeit strong, was also met with a desire to know more. Why did I react the way I did? Why did it feel so personal? These are the kind of things film can do to us. They can evoke feelings deep within us, that we might keep hidden, and put them right in the spotlight. It can question and answer the deepest parts of human nature, and of the world around us.

These thought provoking and hard hitting questions and ideas that we hold can be brought up in film, especially extreme films. That’s why it’s called extreme. It challenges our thoughts, what we believe to be moral and ethical, what’s conscious or subconscious, who we are as human beings and so forth. There are no limitations. All is possible in the hands of the director and everyone else who is involved in bringing these types of films into the world.

Admittedly, films that are known as being extreme or having extreme aspects, could also be classified as being exploitative. There a films that are made, just for the sake of being shocking, to scar the audience. With very little substance, and no other redeeming qualities. I completely understand that perspective and agree with condemning those movies. However, I think it would be unfair to dismiss all extreme films, as being hollow and unapologetically sadistic. That is simply narrow-minded thinking.

In conclusion, I feel that extreme cinema is not a dying genre and it is something that more people need to appreciate. The themes, subject matter, and imagery that are conveyed have the ability to make the viewer re-evaluate themselves, their life, every part of their being. That should be commended.

Speak is a novel that was written by Laurie Halse Anderson in 1999, it was later adapted to film and directed by Jessica Sharzer in 2004. She co-wrote the film due to the occasional problems on set, that hindered her ability to stay completely true to the book. There are minor differences between the book and film, but for the most part it stays pretty on target. Today I would like to focus solely on the impact and influence on the book. Though if the book was never written, this film would not exist. If you haven’t read the book, I would highly encourage you to do so. Also if you want to read the book or watch the movie than don’t look further because there will be spoilers.

The IMDB synopsis for Speak is as follows “After a blurred trauma over the summer, Melinda enters high school a selective mute. Struggling with school, friends, and family, she tells the dark tale of her experiences, and why she has chosen not to speak.”

I watched this film during high school, after I had finished reading it with the class, we watch the movie later. My english teacher explained that this film had premiered once at a festival and went straight to video. That makes sense given that this film isn’t as well known to most people. But little did I know of that weight that this film carried.

We follow the character of Melinda Sordino who is entering high school as a freshman. Our first introduction of Melinda is her in her bedroom with lines drawn on her lips, as if they were stitched together. The flash backs of the incident are interwoven into our current plot. Thus we get a good understanding of where our main protagonist was and is.

To me the significance of nature is evident through out the film. How someone can be so traumatized by a specific event that the physical environment and atmosphere in which they were in can work against them. To illustrate my point further, during the sequence where Melinda was recalling the incident, the immediate aftermath of when she is raped, it shows her in the car looking up at the tree screaming and crying. This scene proved to me, that even something as trivial and beautiful as a tree, when associated with something horrific, can have deteriorating effects that leaves a sting which can continue on for however long. But also how the individual can use that fear to their advantage. For instance, on the first day of school in the art class, Melinda draws a tree. This at first may not seem like much, but when you truly think about the significance of that tree, you understand it’s place in Melinda’s life. Melinda then goes on to draw different variations of that tree, more and more illustrations of it on a variety of canvas’s. By the end of the film, Melinda shows her art teacher all of her creations on the wall, which are the many trees that she drew. The art teacher recognizes the beauty of it and so does Melinda. Something that once was a source of discomfort, can be turned on it’s head and made into something deeply personal, but beautiful. This played a very small but beneficial part of Melinda’s healing process.

This film is also a very honest and realistic portrayal of someone, particularly a younger person, who is dealing with trauma. You have to credit Kristen Stewart’s excellent performance, and Jessica Sharzer’s great direction. This is a slow film, but it feels very much warranted. It is reflective, touching, devastating, but emotionally resonant. That’s why I feel like it has aged so well, it still feels relevant even for today’s standards. It’s not overly cheesy or sappy every emotion feels right and earned. This film is personal for a lot of people and more people need to see it.

DreamWorks Animation has come a really long way. They have made some of the most beloved animated films of all time. Most notably, the Shrek series. Sure, DreamWorks had popular titles like The Prince of Egypt, Chicken Run and even El Dorado as a start, but it is Shrek that has become the most iconic above all the others. I think DreamWorks credits Shrek for there success. A question has come up since the dawn of time, Shrek or Shrek 2? When the second Shrek film came out, it was rare to find people that enjoyed it more than the first one. Those who did were definitely in the minority. Times have changed, when asked that same question again a surprising majority favor the sequel over it’s predecessor. To answer that question to the best of my ability, I will be comparing the two films using a criteria of different factors.

1. Soundtrack

One of the main reasons why these two movies are so popular is because of the sound tracks. I mean who can forget the opening to Shrek with All Star by Smash Mouth playing in the background. It’s one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history. I’m exaggerating of course, but honestly it’s really good. There is also the sequence where Shrek defeats all of the guards when he arrives at Duloc. The song Bad Reputation by Joan Jett is used during this scene which helps to provide for the comedic moments, but overall for how badass it is. There are many more songs used in this film, but my favorite one has to be Hallelujah. The use of this song and the montage scenes that go along with it evoke a sense of anguish.

In the case of Shrek 2, most of it’s musical moments are performed by Jennifer Saunders who plays the Fairy Godmother. With her presence and surprisingly good vocals, she is able to make these songs unforgettable. I am of course referring to when she sang the fairy godmother song to Fiona and when she sings Holding Out for a Hero at Fiona and Prince Charming’s wedding. When Shrek and the gang come to far far away land, Funky Town is blared. This song is able to provide for this Hollywood-esque environment, also letting us know that we aren’t in the swamp anymore. Changes by David Bowie is also played in the film during an integral part of the story.

In conclusion, I believe Shrek takes the cake for the better soundtrack. The musical accompaniment of the scenes were executed better than Shrek 2. I am not saying that the songs were better, but that the execution of them was. For me, the songs from the first film were more memorable.

2. Plot

The IMDB plot summary for Shrek is as follows “A mean lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back.” This is a very simple and straightforward description of the story. I think that the majority of Shrek is essentially a road trip movie. Which isn’t a bad thing. The main characters of Shrek, Donkey, and Lord Farquaad are introduced and it isn’t long before Shrek and Donkey make there journey to find Princess Fiona. As the film progresses, we watch as our characters interact and connect onscreen. It than leads to drama that leaves Fiona fleeing from Shrek in the hopes of marrying Lord Farquaad. Through some dialogue between Donkey and Shrek, they both decide to go back to the castle, to win back Fiona. All in all, it’s a plot that’s easy to follow and makes for entertaining and funny moments. It has comedy, adventure, romance, and other ingredients to make for an engaging watch.

Shrek 2 takes a slightly different path. This is another plot summary, courtesy of IMDB. “Shrek and Fiona travel to the Kingdom of Far Far Away, where Fiona’s parents are King and Queen, to celebrate their marriage. When they arrive, they find they are not as welcome as they thought they would be.” Our protagonist and friends, who we know and love, have been introduced and now we explore them even further. We get to learn about Fiona’s heritage, upbringing, and parents. This creates for some effective tension between Shrek and Fiona’s father. As a result, we see Shrek and Fiona argue as a married couple for the first time. New characters are presented like Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother, and last but certainly not least, Puss in Boots. With the addition of these new players, comes more exciting drama that is brought to the screen. Some of which make us look at our old characters differently. Shrek is turned into a man, Donkey a horse. These drastic changes help pull the audience in, simultaneously bringing in more hilarious moments.

Shrek takes a simple plot and still manages to make it insanely entertaining. However, Shrek 2 wins. Shrek 2‘s plot allows us to explore the many relationships in this franchise, much deeper. The drama is far more compelling this time around.

3. Characters

The character of Shrek is so iconic, its practically become a household name. It was brought to life so wonderfully in the first one. Donkey is also a great character, the dynamic they have together is fantastic. It’s also nice to see the Princess Fiona isn’t depicted as a damsel in distress, but a charming and funny character. Lord Farquaad is one of best villains ever put to screen. But as much as I like him, he seems more like a spectacle than a interesting villain. His presence and the way he talks is funny, but deep down he’s just you’re typical bad guy trope. There are a few side characters are not as forgettable like Pinocchio or The Gingerbread Man, but for the most part the rest of them are disposable.

Like I said with the plot, Shrek 2 builds upon it’s already established characters. Shrek deals with some serious personal responsibility, and ponders his significance as an ogre. He and Donkey bring some more comedic moments when they are transformed into a man and horse. The Fairy Godmother is a villain that we understand a little bit better. We watch as she manipulates Harold for her personal gain. Prince Charming is also great as he plays this spoiled lover boy type of character. Then, Puss in Boots. Everything from his cocky demeanor to his adorable big green eyes is loveable. Some way, some how, the moment we see him onscreen we are easily won over by him.

What Shrek 2 does with it’s characters as a whole is much better than the first one. More character depth is given to Shrek and Fiona. What the supporting cast also brings to the table is enough to propel the plot to it’s fullest potential. So Shrek 2 is the winner.

I could list out a few other factors like funny moments or references, but that really varies from person to person. Choosing which Shrek movie I like more is like choosing what parent I like more. But in the end I would have to say that Shrek 2 is better. There are things I like in the first Shrek film that I like more, but as a whole, Shrek 2 is the better film.

If you haven’t seen the first two Shrek films, than you haven’t lived.

Every now and then there is an episode of a show or even an aspect of a film that will stay with you. For whatever reason it is, this scene or episode will have something in it that is unforgettable and truly worth pondering. That episode for me was Overcast from Death Note.

Death Note is an anime series that is about a very intelligent high school student who stumbles on a notebook titled “Death Note”, within the contents of this book it grants the user the ability to kill anyone just by writing down their name. Bottom line, it’s a terrific show and I will be doing a review on the entire series soon, but for now I would like to focus one specific episode. So if you haven’t seen the show and you want to, my advice would be to not look any further, for there will be heavy spoilers. Go check it out first.

To provide context, Overcast finds our lead protagonist Light Yagami hot on the trail of finding out the people who are trying to get to Kira. When he goes to drop off his father’s clothes at the task force, he meets with a woman who’s fiancee was murdered. Light later discovers who the fiancee is and that the woman whom he is talking to is close to finding out his dirty little secret and his possible arrest.

The episode also shows the small task force discussing the case with L in a disclosed location, but where the real riveting moments are lie with Light and the woman. For the entire runtime of the episode, Light is persistently trying to get the best of this woman and execute her as soon as possible. This persistence isn’t new to us, we have seen how motivated and meticulous he is in his other endeavors regarding killing off people that get too close, but there is something different about this. For starters the only time he has truly felt challenged is when he is confronted by L. Even when he is confronted by L, he still invites the idea of a battle between him and L. His confidence is still there. When L converses with the woman, she seems to subvert his expectations. This woman is clever as well, in fact there are many moments where she fools him. Up until this point every one of Light’s plans (for the most part) have gone accordingly. This time around Light’s strategy has been close to being foiled. Fortunately, with Light’s power of wit and intellect he is able to maneuver around the curve balls that are being thrown right back at him. Earlier I stated that he was persistent through out the show, here he is relentless. Through trial and error he throws everything he’s got at her. He is so fixated on taking care of this problem that morality and ethics are completely abandoned. I mean you could say he abandoned those things when he first grabbed the notebook, but even than he had somewhat of a code. In this episode all of that is gone, it is as if he is turning into a shinigami himself. Every time he get’s the upper hand and assesses the situation in his mind, his hair and eyes turn to blood red. It is reminiscent of a demon, an evil force that has inhabited his spirit and body.

The environment is this cold place, that isn’t dark, but there is a gray sheen that coats the surfaces which makes for a dull and hollow atmosphere.

Eventually Light is given the real name by the woman, and he defeats her. Using the power of the notebook, Light decides to make her death a suicide. The scene ends with Naomi Misora which is the name of the woman, walking away from Light, in the direction of a small staircase leading to a noose and the top.

This episode is tense in a very smart way. Through brilliant dialogue, interesting characters, and a haunting score, this episode will always be memorable. It has a very chilling ending which is super effective.

The 1980’s was truly a great decade for cinema. Some of the most iconic films were made throughout the 80’s and would pave the way for other directors to follow. Today I would like to focus on a film that came out in 1985, which I have come to believe as being vastly under-appreciated. It has stood the test of time and it merits the title of Classic. This film is Clue.

The origins of Clue date back to the 1940’s where Anthony E. Pratt, an english musician, applied for a patent of a game he invented titled Murder. His wife helped him with the designs of the game and it was later purchased by Norman Watson, who made the trademark name Cluedo. The game was licensed to the Parker Brothers in the US, and the name was changed to Clue. It was a detective style game, where you try to solve the who, what, and where of the crime.

Jonathan Lynn who co-wrote and directed Clue, with the help of John Landis, had the arduous task of taking characters from a board game and giving them distinctive and convincing personalities. Stars like Carrie Fisher, Leonard Rossiter, and Rowan Atkinson were first considered to play the main roles. But due to circumstances, they eventually did not make the final cut.

The entire project was filmed on sound stages in Paramount Picture film studios in Hollywood. The set design was credited to Les Gobruegge, Gene Nollmanwas, and William B. Majorand, with set decoration by Thomas L. Roysden. The interior design was reminiscent of 18th and 19th century.

What makes the film so great is the characters. It benefits from a very entertaining cast, who do a fairly good job at inhibiting their individual characters. The show-stoppers are Madeline Kahn who provide the bulk of the films comedic moments. Not to mention the mysterious and charming Tim Curry who dominates the third act.

John Morris gives a pretty incredible score from start to finish. The set pieces and overall atmosphere brings you into this mansion with these characters. It does a fantastic job of bringing the board game environment to life. It’s cheesy and over the top, but aware of itself.

In more recent years, the brilliant Knives Out hit the theaters and made 311.5 million USD. This film has a similar formula of Clue and is a great modern day murder mystery. It’s films like Clue that are truly great and that make people, specifically filmmakers, want to preserve this genre or story.

I discovered this film when I saw a trailer of it on Youtube, it wasn’t long before I decided to give it a watch. Let me preface this review by saying I wasn’t excited for this film to begin with. It may have had Tom Hardy’s name attached to it, but the way it was marketed reminded me too much of other gangster crime drama’s that felt flat.

The first film I watched from Trank was Chronicle. I enjoyed it more than I had expected and I thought that Trank delivered something entertaining for the found footage genre. He also made Fantastic Four, which I haven’t seen, and yet I heard the movie tanked pretty badly. An minor issue that I had with this film to begin with was that it’s premise, was too similar to The Irishman. But this flaw didn’t ruin the viewing as opposed to my other complaints.

One of my least favorite Tom Hardy performances to be completely honest. I get that we are seeing his character when he is old and decrepit, but if I didn’t subtitles on I wouldn’t have understood a single word that he said. He sounded like Donald Duck in certain scenes and occasionally was over the top. I get that this film is trying to be more of a self-reflection of Al Capone’s life, but it just fails at that for me. We see him with his family, friends, etc. But it seems like nothing is really going on of any interest, it isn’t building to anything. I could care less about the “action”, in fact I wish they didn’t resort to the sudden bursts of insane violence, because that just seemed like a cheap gimmick to hold the audience’s attention. I felt disconnected to the protagonist and the rest of the characters, for they seemed too unlikable.

I wouldn’t use the word disappointment, because I wasn’t hyped for this film to begin with. There wasn’t much for me to enjoy here.

I have felt the urge to express my thoughts on this film during numerous occasions, but I never had the capability to do so. Until today, After revisiting it once again.

Requiem for a Dream was a film that came out in 2000, directed by Darren Aronofsky. It was based on the novel by Hubert Selby Jr.. Aronofsky wrote the screenplay for this film. I first discovered it when I was 17 years old and I stumbled upon it when sifting through what to watch on Hulu. Truth be told, I knew nothing about it, only what Jennifer Connolly was in it. The poster for the movie looked interesting, and I divided right in without reading the synopsis. I knew nothing it. This was the best and worst decision on my part. After I had seen it for the first time I was stunned to the core. I felt a lingering cold and dreary feeling days after seeing it.

The film illustrates the lives of 4 individuals. Sarah Goldfarb, who is the mother of Harry Goldfarb. Marion Silver, who is the girlfriend of Harry. Tyrone C. Love, who is the friend of Harry and Marion. While these character’s have their own distinct dreams and aspirations, they share the similar problem. That problem being drug addiction. In the case of Harry and Tyrone, the abuse of drugs seems pretty obvious in the beginning. But the addiction and inevitable downfall of Harry, Tyrone, Sarah, and Marion is far worse than one can imagine. As I mentioned before, these characters have specific desires they are reaching for. Harry and Marion want to open a clothing store with Marion’s designs. Tyrone searches for a way to get out of the ghetto, and be accepted by his mother. Sarah get’s a call about being invited on her favorite game show, and after receiving this information she starts a strict diet to lose weight in order to fit into a red dress that she wore for Harry’s Graduation. These hopes that the characters have may be harmless, but it is still significantly undermined by the excessive use of drugs.

This film is a slow burn. The first act sets up the current situation between our characters. Through small and simple conversations, we learn about who they are and their relationships. The second act goes up a few notches in terms of intensity. The drug abuse becomes more prevalent, making it more stressful on the main characters. It’s subtle, but more noticeable than earlier. The final act is devastating. The characters hit rock bottom.

This is where Aronofsky seems more comfortable stylistically. His technical choices, while ambitious, work to his advantage. Given the subject matter, he is able to perfectly convey the swift pleasure of drug use followed by the terrifying repercussions. He also’s uses side by side shots that work pretty well too.

The cast is very great. Each one does terrific in their respected roles. The stand out being Ellen Burstyn, who gives a masterful performance. You care for her the most because she has the best intention’s at heart, but also that she is a good person. What happens to her in the third act is probably the worst out of the bunch.

The film shows us the we are creatures of our own demise. We easily and seemingly destroy our own lives for a quick thrill. Pain and suffering can and will be more long lasting as a result of our decisions. We won’t be able to retreat to what we once dreamed of because we will know full well at that point, that it will never happen to us. One of the last few moments of the film shows the aftermath of the addiction and our characters all in unison curling up in the fetal position.

Not for the squeamish or the faint of heart, but truly a memorable experience.