MOVIE DISCUSSION:

Melvin is joined by Stephen and Shirleon again to discuss the much-awaited sequel to the Halloween cult-classic, Hocus Pocus 2!

Topics: 

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 37-minutes discussing the Avatar Remaster, as well as Cameron's Avatar in general. Also, a reappraisal of our interests in a sequel. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 
• Brief introduction to Hocus Pocus 2 before realizing we want to talk about the cultural impact of the first Hocus Pocus. 
• Melvin doesn't remember much from Hocus Pocus other than the film being congested with sexual frustration, an extremely weird trait to be had in a PG flick, but not unexpected for a Michael Eisner era Disney production. 
• As for Hocus Pocus 2, Melvin felt the slapstick gags were very successful and the film contained a myriad of clever yet simple jokes. 
• Mary's Roombas in Hocus Pocus 2 are the comedic antithesis to Thor's goats in Thor: Love and Thunder. 
• Despite some successful comedy, Hocus Pocus 2's ending truly contains some ridiculous nonsense, and all three of us have individual gripes to share.
• For Melvin, the ending fails because it converts the Sanderson Sister's from slapstick villains into bizarre, unfun sympathetic figures. 
• For Shirleon, the drama wasn't earned for the finale, nor did the visuals come together in a convincing manner. 
• For Stephen, "I guess I've kind of been sandbagging here. I hated this thing from the first shot." 
• There's a mutual irritation over the continued misrepresentation of puritanism in fiction. 
• Hocus Pocus 2 is conscientiously releasing during a time when Wickenism and the witchy-aesthetic is culturally in full-swing. 
• Disney has produced a lot of content lately that has perturbed the cultural christian crowd. What's a healthy response, or at least filter, to apply when watching content that isn't just alternative, but also rated PG? 
• At the end of the day, this routine, cyclical, tired conversation is benefited by one response: pray for wisdom. Certain topics do not produce binary, eternal answers. In this case, wisdom is needed in balancing the myriad of influences that come not only in filmmaking but living in a complex multicultural environment. 

Recommendations:  

• Betrayal at The House on The Hill (Board Game)
• The Munsters (2022) (Movie)
• The Complete Stories by Flannery O'Connor (Book)

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