iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Big thanks to the folks on @characterissues.bsky.social for confronting the Jacob Gellar issue head on at the top of the episode. Well handled and we appreciate it 💜 @itsleah.bsky.social @fmruin.bsky.social

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Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Clark is an excellently characterized piece of shit. There’s more to Mary’s story than I initially thought. It’s good shit. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. The fact that this came from a 20 year old director is completely insane and amazing Spooky Moon Rating 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗 4.5/5

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Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Is it about dealing with an unfulfilling life? The dangers of generative AI? Processing unresolved trauma? How it doesn’t matter if we change & improve because ultimately we’re not in control of our lives? Yeah, sure. It’s open enough that you can read any number of themes into it and it’ll work

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Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

4. Backrooms (2026) I am SO glad that director (and original creator of the Backrooms series) Kane Parsons and writer Will Soodik didn’t try to do a Backrooms lore movie or origin story or something for this. Just making it an element of the story was the best possible idea #31DaysofSpooky

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Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I don’t understand the near-universal acclaim. I do understand the more recent “Ari Aster is overrated” takes. I’ve struck Midsommar off the list, because I’m just not gonna do that to myself again. All in all, not worth the 8 years of hype Spooky Moon Rating 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑 2.5/5 for Toni Collette alone

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Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It’s also not about grief in the way, say Babadook or Final Girls are. It just has grief feature prominently as a part of the plot. Granted I’ve only seen it the once, but I’m just not seeing how it’s actually *about* anything. It was just…bleak and cruel for the sake of being bleak and cruel

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Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It seemed like the vast stretches of nothing were only there to make the shocking scenes more shocking. And it’s not subtle with the story, so I know it’s not that I just “didn’t get it.” Not like there’s anything not to get, it’s actually pretty simple as far as horror plots go

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Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I love a good slow burn and I love a bummer of an ending…if they’re worth it. And while there were a few standout scenes that were definitely awesome, the film as a whole just dragged me down so that those scenes weren’t enough to justify sitting through the rest.

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Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

3. Hereditary (2018) I’m gonna get crucified for this, but I really *really* did not enjoy this movie. And not in the way I’m pretty sure you’re *supposed* to not enjoy it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s well made and well acted. It’s not a *bad* movie in any technical sense #31DaysofSpooky

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Chewie of The Mana Pool @themanapool.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

That overhead shot of the full length croc staring at Platt in the water sticks with me 🤌 It plays like a 90s Jaws-alike, probably because it literally is that. It’s a load of good old moviegoing fun, with action, tension, and comedy to keep everyone entertained. Spooky Moon Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 4/5