Cinema So Far

Has horror gotten better—or are today’s movies still chasing the ’70s and ’80s?

James, Alex, Travis, and Kevin get together for a scary edition of Cinema So Far, debating horror’s greatest era and sharing the movies and shows that belong on your watchlist.

From Friday the 13th and Freddy Krueger to Hereditary, The Witch, and Sinners, we argue about practical effects, modern filmmaking, nostalgia, and whether a great horror movie needs to do something new. Plus: childhood movie trauma, The Blair Witch Project’s unforgettable marketing, Elvira memories, and a few wildly unnecessary soundboard interruptions.

IN THIS EPISODE:
• Revisiting Friday the 13th—and getting caught by that ending.
• Freddy vs. Jason vs. Michael Myers: picking your childhood horror allegiance.
• Gremlins, Chucky, and the little monsters that scared us growing up.
• Horror’s golden age: classic monsters, ’70s and ’80s favorites, or right now?
• Modern horror vs. the classics: inspiration, innovation, and remake fatigue.
• Ghost hunting, Ouija boards, The Exorcist, and why real life can be scarier.
• Widow’s Bay, Stephen King adaptations, and our Halloween viewing traditions.
• Watchlist picks including Halloween, Silver Bullet, Hocus Pocus, Trick ’r Treat, and The Descent.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Which decade gave us the best horror movies? And what’s the ONE movie you watch every Halloween? Drop your picks in the comments.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Elvira Cold Open
00:28 What We Watched: Supergirl & Obsession
03:11 Halloween Traditions & Childhood Mischief
09:15 Spooky Season Viewing & The Crow
11:15 Revisiting Friday the 13th
14:47 Freddy vs. Jason vs. Michael Myers
18:35 Childhood Horror: Gremlins, Chucky & Critters
20:42 What Was Horror’s Golden Age?
25:58 The Blair Witch Project’s Marketing
27:19 Modern Horror vs. the Classics
31:58 Bloody Mary & Childhood Scares
34:17 Ghost Hunting & Ouija Boards
36:19 The Exorcist, Faith & Supernatural Horror
38:37 Why True Crime Hits Harder
40:30 Soundboard Chaos, Danhausen & Elvira
45:18 Halloween Watchlists & Widow’s Bay
47:31 Carrie, Stephen King & Remake Fatigue
49:25 Halloween Movies We Revisit
52:18 The Descent & Stand Against Evil
53:39 Wrapping Up

ABOUT CINEMA SO FAR
We’re friends who like getting together to talk movies and TV—the favorites we grew up with, what we’re watching now, and the opinions we can’t agree on. Pull up a chair and join the conversation.

Subscribe for more movie discussions, TV talk, and friendly arguments. Listen to Cinema So Far on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Content note: Explicit language, adult humor, and horror-related discussion. Includes spoilers for Friday the 13th and discussion of scenes from other horror films.

#CinemaSoFar #HorrorMovies #HalloweenMovies

Does Resident Evil Have to Follow the Games?

Five friends. Plenty of opinions. And a movie guessing game that’s harder than it looks.

Cinema So Far kicks off its roundtable format with James, Sydney, Alex, Travis, and Kevin getting together to talk movies and TV—from Marvel fatigue and Stephen King adaptations to horror remakes that have us asking, “Do we really need another one?”

The big debate: what does a video game adaptation actually owe the game? Using Zack Cregger’s approach to Resident Evil as our starting point, we discuss whether an adaptation needs familiar characters and storylines—or whether capturing the atmosphere and survival horror is enough.

We also get into:
• Narnia and The Dark Tower adaptation chatter.
• Spider-Man, ScreenX, and immersive theater experiences.
• Robert Downey Jr., Doctor Doom, and the MCU’s multiverse.
• Carrie, American Psycho, and the limits of remaking classics.
• Clayface and the potential for superhero body horror.
• Our very different relationships with horror movies.
• Silent Hill, Fallout, The Last of Us, Zelda, and Castlevania.

To finish, we play “What the Frame?”: identify famous movies from progressively zoomed-out screenshots. Guess early for more points, second-guess everything, and see whether you can beat us. There’s a bonus movie quote challenge, too.

Your turn: which video game adaptation got it right, and which movie should Hollywood never remake?

Follow Cinema So Far wherever you listen, leave a review, and watch on YouTube to play along with the screenshot game.

Content note: strong language and discussion of movie plot details. Upcoming-project and casting chatter may include speculation.

Is this finally the great Resident Evil movie fans have been waiting for?

In this episode of Cinema So Far, James, Sydni, and Alex review Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil and debate the question dividing audiences: Is it a genuinely great Resident Evil adaptation—or simply a great horror-comedy set inside that universe?

We compare the perspectives of longtime video-game fans and more casual viewers, discuss the movie’s surprising amount of comedy, and break down how its structure recreates the experience of playing a Resident Evil game. From limited ammunition and locked doors to the shotgun, diamond key, infected dogs, Umbrella Corporation, and other Easter eggs, we examine what the movie gets right about the franchise.

We also discuss Austin Abrams’ unlikely hero, the movie’s practical effects, its biggest scares, and the ending that left us frustrated, impressed, and hoping for a sequel. Finally, we give our ratings and rank Resident Evil, Weapons, and Barbarian.

Full spoilers for Resident Evil throughout this episode.

In this episode:

• First reactions from longtime fans and casual viewers
• Whether the movie feels like Resident Evil or a parody of it
• Zach Cregger’s horror-comedy style
• Austin Abrams as an inexperienced, unconventional hero
• How the movie becomes more recognizably Resident Evil as it progresses
• The influence of The Thing, Die Hard, and video-game storytelling
• Practical effects, CGI, snow-covered sets, and falling zombies
• Our theatrical experiences and audience reactions
• The movie’s best scares and jump scares
• Infected dogs, fused bodies, tentacles, and biological weapons
• Video-game camera angles, weapons, keys, puzzles, and limited ammunition
• Easter eggs for longtime franchise fans
• Whether Umbrella Corporation felt naturally incorporated
• The balance between horror, comedy, and tension
• The antidote and the movie’s divisive ending
• Whether the story leaves room for a sequel
• Our final ratings
• Ranking Resident Evil, Weapons, and Barbarian

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. Wherever you listen, leaving a review helps the show more than you know.

Let us know in the comments: Did Resident Evil work for you as an adaptation, and where does it rank among the franchise’s movies?

That’s a wrap on this episode of Cinema So Far.

#ResidentEvil #ResidentEvilMovie #ResidentEvil2026 #ZachCregger #AustinAbrams #HorrorMovies #HorrorComedy #VideoGameMovies #MovieReview #MoviePodcast #CinemaSoFar

What happens when getting exactly what you wished for becomes a nightmare?

In this episode of Cinema So Far, James, Sydni, and Travis dive into Obsession, Curry Barker’s twisted horror film about unrequited love, dangerous wishes, and the terrifying difference between loving someone and possessing them.

We discuss our first reactions, the film’s low-budget success, Curry Barker’s rise from YouTube, and the performances that make the movie’s most uncomfortable moments work. Then we get into the biggest questions: Is Bear actually the villain? Is the real Nikki trapped inside “Wish Nikki”? What exactly happened during the bottle scene—and what does that brutal ending mean?

We also compare the finished film with its original script, debate its plot holes and foreshadowing, and discuss why Obsession rewards a second viewing.

Then Sydni puts us through a series of Obsession-inspired questions about dangerous wishes, current obsessions, impossible choices, and dating red flags.

Full spoilers for Obsession throughout this episode.

In this episode:

• How Obsession inspired Sydni to explore acting and writing
• Curry Barker and the That’s a Bad Idea YouTube channel
• Our first reactions and how the movie improves on a rewatch
• The film’s cinematography, performances, scares, and dark humor
• Why its themes of longing and codependency feel painfully relatable
• The “nice guy” trope and whether Bear is the real villain
• Ian’s role in everything that happens
• The movie’s foreshadowing and hidden details
• Real Nikki versus Wish Nikki
• The disturbing bottle scene
• The customer-service phone call and mysterious shopkeepers
• Sarah’s shocking death
• Differences between the script and finished movie
• Breaking down the final wish and Nikki’s screams
• What we would wish for—and how it could go horribly wrong
• What each host is currently obsessed with
• Would You Rather?
• Dating red flags and green flags
• Our final ratings

If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. Wherever you listen, leaving a review helps the show more than you know.

That’s a wrap on this episode of Cinema So Far.

#Obsession #ObsessionMovie #CurryBarker #IndeNavarrette #MichaelJohnston #HorrorMovies #HorrorPodcast #MovieReview #MoviePodcast #EndingExplained #CinemaSoFar

Tumbleton burns. Alliances collapse. Rhaenyra crosses a line. And somehow, Ulf manages to screw over EVERYONE.

Welcome back to Cinema So Far, the podcast where good friends talk about great cinema.

This week, James, Sydni, and Travis break down the House of the Dragon Season 3 finale — Episode 8, "The Treasons at Tumbleton." After an entire season of shifting alliances, political maneuvering, and dragons changing the balance of power, everything comes crashing together in an emotional, brutal, and genuinely unpredictable finale.

As always, this is a spoiler-filled discussion of the TV series. We break down the episode, our reactions, theories, favorite moments, and where this massive cliffhanger could take us in Season 4.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Battle of Tumbleton and why the Winter Wolves absolutely stole the show
• Ormund Hightower finally getting what was coming to him
• Daemon changing his battle plan to avoid sacrificing innocent children
• The brutal Daemon vs. Jon Roxton fight and Dark Sister vs. Orphan-Maker
• Ulf going completely rogue and turning the battle into absolute chaos
• Hugh's devastating discovery and what it could mean for his allegiance
• Why Rhaenyra's transformation might be the biggest story of Season 3
• Rhaenyra's increasingly dangerous belief that she has been chosen
• Baela finally challenging Rhaenyra
• Mysaria being dismissed—and her final warning about Rhaenyra
• Aegon's return and his confrontation with Aemond
• Why Aemond's guilt may completely change his character going forward
• Alys Rivers dropping a MASSIVE lore dump about Harrenhal, dragons, and the Children of the Forest
• Helaena's visions, her tapestry, and the heartbreaking way her story ends
• The ominous final imagery surrounding Rhaenyra
• The huge unanswered questions we're taking into Season 4

One of our biggest discussions this week is how dramatically the characters have changed.

🔥 Aegon's stock is going up while Rhaenyra's is absolutely plummeting.

Rhaenyra spent much of this story trying to avoid becoming the kind of ruler everyone feared she would be. But after everything she's lost—and everything she's done to hold onto the throne—we may finally be watching her become exactly that.

Meanwhile, Aegon somehow continues to become one of the most fascinating characters on the entire show.

And then there's Ulf...

Nobody planned for Ulf.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

Has Rhaenyra officially become the villain?

What did you think of The Treasons at Tumbleton?

And after everything that happened this season...

Who are you rooting for heading into Season 4?

James, Sydni, and Travis all gave this finale a 5/5, and now comes the painful part: waiting to see what happens next.

If you've been following our journey through Westeros, like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. We've covered House of the Dragon Seasons 1, 2 & 3, along with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and there's plenty more coming from Cinema So Far.

🎧 Also on the channel:

• Complete House of the Dragon episode coverage
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
• Fallout
• Movie & TV discussions

⭐ Listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app? Leave us a 5-star review—it helps the show grow more than you know.

And let us know what we should cover next!

#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD #TheTreasonsAtTumbleton #Tumbleton #CinemaSoFar #Season3Finale #TeamBlack #TeamGreen

One betrayal changes everything. One dragon changes the balance of power. And the Season 3 finale is almost here.

Welcome back to Cinema So Far, the podcast where good friends talk about great cinema.

This week, James, Sydni, and Travis break down House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 7, the penultimate episode of the season. With the endgame rapidly approaching, alliances are tested, loyalties begin to crack, and several characters make decisions that could permanently alter the fate of Westeros.

As always, this is a spoiler-filled discussion of the TV series only. None of us have read Fire & Blood, so everything you're hearing comes from our first-time reactions, theories, and speculation based entirely on HBO's adaptation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The biggest twists and betrayals leading into the Season 3 finale
• Which characters gained the upper hand—and who may have just sealed their fate
• The latest power struggle between Team Black and Team Green
• Daemon, Rhaenyra, Alicent, Aemond, and Aegon's most important decisions yet
• The dragons that could determine the outcome of the war
• New alliances that caught us completely off guard
• Our favorite performances and standout scenes
• The biggest surprises from Episode 7
• Our predictions for the Season 3 finale
• Who we think survives... and who probably doesn't

We also tackle one of the biggest questions coming out of this episode:

🔥 Has the war officially reached the point of no return?

Every conversation, every betrayal, and every strategic move feels like it's building toward one explosive finale.

If the writers stick the landing...

Season 3 could become the best season of House of the Dragon yet.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

What was the biggest shock of Episode 7?

Who made the smartest move?

And...

What are your predictions for the Season 3 finale?

If you're enjoying the journey, like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. We'll be back to break down the Season 3 finale, along with more conversations from across the world of Westeros.

🎧 Also on the channel:

• Complete House of the Dragon Seasons 1 & 2 recap series
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reviews
• Weekly movie & TV discussions

⭐ Listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app? We'd love a 5-star review—it helps us grow and reach more fantasy fans.

#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD #Season3 #Episode7 #CinemaSoFar #TeamBlack #TeamGreen

The Faceless Men finally arrive... and one of the biggest mysteries in the Game of Thrones universe takes center stage.

Welcome back to Cinema So Far, the podcast where good friends talk about great cinema.

This week, James, Sydni, and Travis reunite to break down House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 6 — "Faceless Men." With only two episodes remaining, the tension continues to build as old prophecies, political schemes, and shocking revelations push Westeros closer to all-out war.

As always, this is a spoiler-filled discussion of the TV series only. None of us have read Fire & Blood, so everything you're hearing comes from our genuine reactions, theories, and speculation based solely on HBO's adaptation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The long-awaited introduction of the Faceless Men and what it could mean for the future of Westeros
• Connections between House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones
• Our favorite callbacks to the original series
• The political maneuvering happening on both Team Black and Team Green
• The mystery surrounding the latest dragon eggs and whether they connect to Daenerys' dragons
• Alicent, Rhaenyra, Daemon, Aegon, and Aemond's latest moves
• The growing importance of Corlys Velaryon and Alan
• Why every major character seems to be moving into position for the final episodes
• Our biggest theories heading into Episodes 7 and the Season 3 finale
• Favorite moments, funniest scenes, and our overall episode ratings

One of the biggest questions we tackle this week:

🔥 Are we finally seeing the foundation of one of the most iconic organizations in Game of Thrones lore?

This episode may not have featured a massive dragon battle, but it expands the world of Westeros in fascinating ways while laying the groundwork for what promises to be an explosive finish to the season.

If Episode 6 proved anything...

The endgame has officially begun.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

What was your favorite moment from "Faceless Men"?

Do you think the dragon eggs we saw have a larger connection to Game of Thrones?

And...

What are your predictions for the final two episodes of Season 3?

If you're enjoying the journey, like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. We'll be covering the rest of House of the Dragon Season 3, plus more discussions from across the world of Westeros.

🎧 Also on the channel:

• Complete House of the Dragon Seasons 1 & 2 recap series
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reviews
• Weekly movie & TV discussions

⭐ Listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app? We'd love a 5-star review—it really helps us grow and reach more fantasy fans.

#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD #FacelessMen #Season3 #CinemaSoFar #GameOfThrones #TeamBlack #TeamGreen

No massive dragon battle this week... but don't mistake that for a slow episode. The board is officially set, and every move matters now.

Welcome back to Cinema So Far, the podcast where good friends talk about great cinema.

This week, James is joined once again by Travis and Paul as they break down House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 5 — "Unbowed, Unbent." While this episode leans heavily into political intrigue over action, it's packed with major character moments, shifting alliances, hidden agendas, and the kind of conversations that make House of the Dragon so compelling.

As always, this is a spoiler-filled discussion of the TV series only. None of us have read Fire & Blood, so everything you're hearing comes from our first-time reactions and theories based solely on HBO's adaptation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why this might be one of the strongest dialogue-driven episodes of the season
• The hidden agendas unfolding on both Team Black and Team Green
• Which characters are quietly positioning themselves for power
• Why it feels like every piece on the board is moving toward one massive confrontation
• Our predictions for the season's inevitable major battle
• The political maneuvering that may prove more important than any dragon fight
• Which characters are gaining momentum—and which ones are losing control
• The biggest surprises from Episode 5
• Our favorite scenes and standout performances
• What we think Episode 6 has in store

One of the biggest takeaways from this week's discussion:

🔥 Sometimes the most important episode isn't the one with the biggest battle—it's the one that sets up everything that's about to happen.

This episode is all about strategy, alliances, and the calm before the storm. If our predictions are right, the payoff is going to be huge over the final stretch of the season.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

Did you enjoy this slower, political episode, or were you hoping for more dragon action?

And...

Which character do you think is making the smartest moves right now?

If you're enjoying the journey, like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. We're covering every episode of House of the Dragon Season 3 as they release, and we'll continue following the story all the way through the end of the series.

🎧 Also on the channel:

• Complete House of the Dragon Seasons 1 & 2 recap series
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reviews
• Weekly movie & TV discussions

⭐ Listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app? We'd love a 5-star review—it helps the show grow and reach more fellow fantasy fans.

#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD #UnbowedUnbent #Season3 #CinemaSoFar #TeamBlack #TeamGreen

The war pauses... but the tension keeps rising. And one new villain is quickly becoming impossible to ignore.

Welcome back to Cinema So Far, the podcast where good friends talk about great cinema.

This week, James is joined by Travis and special guest Paul (filling in for Sydni) as they break down House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 4 — "Tumbleton." After the explosive first half of the season, this episode shifts gears, focusing on political maneuvering, character development, and the calm before what feels like another massive storm.

As always, this is a spoiler-filled discussion of the TV series only. None of us have read Fire & Blood, so everything you're hearing comes from our perspective as fans following HBO's adaptation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Whether "Tumbleton" is setting up the biggest episodes still to come
• Our thoughts on Lord Ormund Hightower and why he's becoming one of the season's most intriguing villains
• Aegon's humiliating new reality and just how far the fallen king has fallen
• Larys Strong's survival instincts and why he's always playing the long game
• Daemon's return to the Eyrie and his growing relationship with Rhaena
• Sheepstealer's future and why Daemon makes a surprising decision
• Rhaenyra's struggles adjusting to life on the Iron Throne
• Corlys Velaryon's legacy and Alan's growing importance
• The mystery surrounding Aemond's disappearance
• Our favorite moments, biggest surprises, and predictions for Episode 5

We also dive into one of the biggest debates from the episode:

🔥 Is Rhaenyra starting to lose confidence... or is she simply realizing how impossible it is to rule during wartime?

While Episode 4 isn't packed with massive dragon battles, it's full of the political chess moves and character moments that make House of the Dragon so compelling.

Every conversation in this episode feels like it's setting the stage for something much bigger.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

What did you think of "Tumbleton"?

Did you enjoy the slower, character-focused episode, or were you hoping for more action?

And...

Who's becoming your favorite character this season?

If you're enjoying the journey, like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. We'll be covering every episode of House of the Dragon Season 3 as they release, plus more discussions from the world of Westeros.

🎧 Also on the channel:

• Complete House of the Dragon Seasons 1 & 2 recap series
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reviews
• Weekly movie & TV discussions

⭐ Listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app? We'd love a 5-star review—it helps the show grow and reach more fantasy fans.

#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD #Tumbleton #Season3 #CinemaSoFar #TeamBlack #TeamGreen

A new queen. A kingdom in chaos. And one decision that could change the entire war.

Welcome back to Cinema So Far, the podcast where good friends talk about great cinema.

This week, James, Sydni, and Travis break down House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 3 — "Rhaenyra Triumphant." After the explosive opening to Season 3, the action slows down just enough to explore what happens when power changes hands—and why ruling might be even harder than winning a war.

As always, this is a spoiler-filled discussion of the TV series only. None of us have read Fire & Blood, so you're getting our honest reactions, theories, and episode breakdowns based solely on HBO's adaptation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why this episode takes a very different approach from the previous two
• Rhaenyra's first real test as queen and the enormous weight of leadership
• Daemon's confrontation with Lord Ormund and the growing pressure on the Riverlands
• The behind-the-scenes realities of taking control after a regime change
• Why this episode feels more like a political thriller than a battle episode
• Rhaena's perspective and how the episode shifts focus to her journey
• The incredible music, cinematography, and cold open
• The family drama that's becoming just as compelling as the dragon battles
• Changes from George R.R. Martin's source material and what worked (and what didn't)
• Our favorite performances and biggest surprises
• Predictions for where the Dance of the Dragons goes next

We also debate one of the biggest questions coming out of Episode 3:

🔥 Is Rhaenyra truly prepared to rule... or is winning the throne only the beginning of her challenges?

While this episode doesn't have the massive battles of the season premiere, it delivers something just as important—character development, political maneuvering, and the consequences of everything that's happened so far.

Sometimes the most dangerous battles happen in the council chamber.

👇 Let us know in the comments:

What did you think of Episode 3?

Did you enjoy the slower, character-focused approach, or were you hoping for another action-heavy episode?

And...

Who gave the best performance this week?

If you're enjoying the journey, like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. We're covering every episode of House of the Dragon Season 3 as they release, along with more conversations from the world of Westeros.

🎧 Also on the channel:

• Complete House of the Dragon Seasons 1 & 2 recap series
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reviews
• Weekly movie & TV discussions

⭐ Listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app? We'd love a 5-star review—it helps us grow and reach more fantasy fans.

#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD #RhaenyraTriumphant #Season3 #CinemaSoFar #TeamBlack #TeamGreen