Corpse Bride

 

Corpse Bride tells the story of Victor Van Dort, a shy groom who, while practicing his wedding vows alone in the woods, accidentally awakens Emily, a deceased young woman who believes he has married her.

The stop-motion film exudes classic Tim Burton charm, reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas, with its gothic visuals and whimsical energy. Fans often point out the shared character designs and unique style present throughout Burton’s movies, which ties his filmography together.

While technically a musical, it sprinkled in just enough dialogue so that it didn't feel like one. The film explored themes of love, promises, and the search for true happiness. At its heart, Corpse Bride is a coming-of-age tale for Victor and Emily. It drew audiences in, with just enough character development to make Victor and Emily easy to invest in and root for. Their personal journeys brought a level of engagement and emotion that kept me engaged throughout the film. However, much of the supporting cast serves more as background, with simple traits and limited depth, mainly acting as playful or dramatic foils for the central pair.

With its sweet, easy-to-follow story and memorable plot twist, Corpse Bride was a delightful, unique, imaginative animation and heartfelt storytelling, making it a one-of-a-kind animated classic.

Sleepy Hallow

Sleepy Hollow is a 1999 a dark fantasy, folk slasher horror set in 1799. It follows Ichabod Crane, played by Johnny Depp, as he investigates a series of decapitations in the remote village of Sleepy Hollow, blamed on the Headless Horseman.

The script balanced dramatic tension with humor, keeping the dark tone lively. The straightforward, absorbing mystery came with a satisfying twist, elevated by Burton’s atmospheric visuals, period costumes, and haunting soundtrack.

Johnny Depp led a strong cast, anchoring the story with a quirky and clever performance. Still, most supporting characters remain underdeveloped, and the film notably lacked diversity, a frequent critique of Burton’s casting.

Despite these flaws, Sleepy Hollow stood out as an engaging and beautifully crafted gothic horror essential for fans of the genre.

Scream VI

 

Scream VI (2023) continues the story from Scream (2022), following the surviving teens of the latest Woodsboro murders as they move to New York City in search of a new beginning, only to face another Ghostface killer.

As the first film in the series without Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott, it proved the franchise’s strength under directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. The film delivered an engaging, self-aware story that cleverly played with horror tropes while improving on Scream’s (2022), plot twist.

It featured solid character development, particularly for the new generation of survivors, making it easy to stay invested. Having the veteran Courteney Cox return as Gale Weathers kept the original films top of mind, while Melissa Barrera as Sam Carpenter and Jenna Ortega as Tara Carpenter continued to provide strong female leadership that drove the narrative with energy and depth.


The film also amplified the brutality of its killer, delivering one of the most vicious portrayals of Ghostface yet. With intense choreography, sharp direction, and surprisingly heartfelt performances, Scream VI did a nice job of honoring its roots while continuing on this bold new path for the franchise’s future.

Scream (2022)

The 2022 film Scream, the fifth installment and direct sequel to 2011's  Scream 4, takes place 25 years after the original Woodsboro killings. A new Ghostface begins targeting teens connected to the town’s dark past, drawing the final three survivors from the first attack back into the chaos.

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the film blended sequel and remake elements in a self-aware, meta style that felt both familiar and fresh. The plot cleverly mirrored the original Scream but faltered slightly with an unoriginal twist and some overused jump scares.

A major highlight was its representation, featuring people of color in prominent roles with meaningful development, which added authenticity to the cast. The film paid homage to the deceased Wes Craven’s style while pushing the franchise forward. The new directors raised the stakes by putting legacy characters in real danger and delivering more intense, realistic violence, with Ghostface using brutal, drawn-out attacks. However, the killer’s seemingly superhuman strength still strained believability.

Despite some missteps, Scream (2022) successfully honored its roots while charting a new future for the franchise.

Scream 4

Scream 4, released in 2011, picked up 11 years after Scream 3, set ten years after the original Woodsboro murders. The story followed one of the survivors, on a book tour in their hometown, promoting their autobiography about healing and finding a new life after surviving immense trauma, only to face a new Ghostface killer targeting a fresh group of teens.

After a 25-year hiatus since Scream 3, I finally revisited Woodsboro during my fall film marathon, and it was worth the wait. While the plot felt familiar and somewhat unoriginal on the surface, the film delivered a satisfying twist that captured the classic "whodunit" feel. It was also great to see the return of the original cast, adding continuity and emotional depth.

This film was Wes Craven’s final directorial work, showcasing his signature blend of horror and humor that broadened the genre’s appeal. It boldly shifted tone by reflecting the 2000s "torture porn" trend, presenting more graphic kills and pushing the franchise’s boundaries on violence. 

What truly sets this franchise apart is its self-aware humor and meta-commentary, making the violence less overwhelming, honoring the original trilogy’s spirit, while also challenging viewers to rethink modern horror. Because of this, Scream 4 was a sharp, witty, and brutally self-aware film that highlighted why Wes Craven was a master of horror.

K-pop Demon Hunters

 

K-Pop Demon Hunters is an animated supernatural action-adventure that follows global superstars Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who, when they’re not selling out stadiums, secretly moonlight as demon hunters to protect their fans from supernatural threats.

The story was engaging, easy to follow, and a lot of fun, with thrilling action sequences and impressive choreography that keep me engaged throughout. What stood out most for me was the film’s strong script and meaningful themes. It tackled powerful ideas about embracing every part of yourself, rejecting shame, and confronting the pressures of perfectionism. Lines like, “How am I supposed to fix the world, fix me, when I don’t have my voice?” explore deep internal struggles, while others highlight the dangers of hiding pain or neglecting parts of life in pursuit of perfection. One particularly striking message, The more I’ve hid the shame, it grew…you can’t fix it ’til you face it", underscores the importance of healing and self-acceptance.

The characters were well-developed and easy to root for, making the story’s emotional beats land with sincerity. While not a full-fledged musical, the film cleverly integrated music in ways that heightened connection without overwhelming the action. The soundtrack was catchy and vibrant, perfectly matching the upbeat tone of the film and amplifying its emotional impact. Despite the chaos and fear of the world, this movie felt like a much-needed shot of positivity, resilience, and authenticity.

Ultimately, K-Pop Demon Hunters is a celebration of authenticity, inner strength, and the power of self-acceptance, all wrapped in a flashy, fun, and stylish package. Even if you don’t normally watch animated films or musicals, this one is well worth your time.

Practical Magic

 

Practical Magic is a late 90s cult classic that blends witchcraft, romance, and family drama. Following two sisters, Gillian and Sally Owens, played by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock respectivly. Raised by their eccentric aunts in small-town New England, the story follows these women as they navigate a family curse that threatens to keep them from ever finding lasting happiness.

I decided to watch Practical Magic after hearing all the buzz about the upcoming sequel and realizing I had never seen the original. I went in knowing very little about the plot, which made the unfolding story, filled with unexpected twists, feel fresh and engaging. Some of those turns were a little over the top, but I think that they were part of the movie’s charm, balancing supernatural suspense with cozy romance.

What struck me most was how the film quietly embedded a serious and cautionary theme of domestic violence within its whimsical story. A toxic relationship becomes one of the movie’s darkest threads, reframing the family curse not just as a mystical tale of doomed love, but as a metaphor for cycles of abuse and the strength required to break them. Considering Practical Magic was released in the late ’90s, its willingness to showcase this issue so directly gave the film an added weight and relevance beyond its romantic-fantasy surface.

Like many cult favorites, the film succeeded because of its emotional contrasts. Kidman’s fiery, impulsive Gillian and Bullock’s steady, cautious Sally ground the story with performances that felt genuine and layered. Their chemistry made the bond of sisterhood believable and moving.

While the soundtrack was not very memorable, the visuals were impressive. The film leaned into its New England setting with an atmospheric charm. It’s the type of film that is perfect for fall with its quaint town setting, candlelit rituals, and autumn leaves that felt both cozy and eerie. The aesthetic aged beautifully, making it an enduring comfort-watch even as the story dipped into darker waters.  

In the end, Practical Magic was more than a romantic fantasy. It was a story about survival, sisterhood, and the courage to face both prejudice and abuse. It may lean into melodrama, but its heart was an engaging story with strong performances that made it become a beloved classic that still resonates today.