Hi! As you saw in a recent post, Johnny and I checked out Sweets & Geeks this past week and had the best time shopping till we dropped. Sweets & Geeks features something for every possible fandom imaginable and had countless forms of collectables including board games, plushies, backpacks, Funkos, and everything in between. Johnny and I are especially partial to a good board game and he began his shopping in that department. In no time at all, he returned with two games in hand: A new expansion of Horrified as well as AC/DC Monopoly! 😀
Johnny is the biggest AC/DC fan ever and it brought me such joy to take him to their show in Cleveland a few years back. A themed Monopoly board of his favorite band was a no brainer to purchase and we had a blast breaking it out with our birthday BFF, Cliff, a few days later. I may have gotten my butt kicked seven ways till Sunday but I’ll get my revenge next time! Check it out:
Monopoly is one of those games that people either love or hate and I have never met anyone who fell right in the middle. Although I agree that it is a tedious game at times, Johnny and I love it and were so happy to add the AC/DC board to our collection. Granted, we only have one other Monopoly a la Legend Of Zelda but it is a collection of two, nonetheless! There is never anything special or new about the themed Monopoly boards and the game play forever remains the same. However, it’s just fun to play on a board centered around one of your favorite things! They also make a great gift – my sister loves her Britney Spears Monopoly board that I got her for Mother’s Day! (I eventually want to get that one too! Long live the queen!) ❤
When Johnny, Cliff, and I dived into our AC/DC Monopoly, we had the band blaring on vinyl and settled in for a heated competition. I am saddened to report that the competition was neither heated nor successful for me and I think I went bankrupt in forty minutes lol. What can I say, I was trying to make some money moves and all of them fell through. Such is the game, though, and regardless of winning or losing, the company couldn’t be beat. I can’t wait to play again soon and avenge my honor to the tune of High Voltage rock!!!!!
If there is an AC/DC super fan in your life, this Monopoly board is a must. Whether it’s a loved or hated game, it sure makes a great collectable!
Do you have any themed Monopoly boards? What is your favorite board game? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hi! Prior to dating Johnny, I wholeheartedly admit that I was a horror movie snob. I was all about the atmospheric, moody, psychological thriller scary movies and nothing else would do. I didn’t care for silly slashers, couldn’t be bothered with creature horror films, and turned up my nose at anything remotely campy. All of these examples, however, are exactly what Johnny loves and I certainly changed my tune after he took me to school on all of his favorites. I recently saw Buddy with a friend, which is a comedy horror that checked all of the boxes of Johnny’s scary movie must haves. This movie was not great but I don’t think I would have slightly liked it without my further education from Johnny! Let’s discuss in a spoiler free setting, as always, but first I’ll be placing a trigger warning for gory violence and disturbing content. Here we go:
^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!
It’s Buddy! is a Barney style children’s show featuring a huge orange unicorn named Buddy. At his playhouse it is fun and games, dance parties and songs, and learning lessons like apologizing or being brave. When all of the kids participate and smile, it is an excellent day at Buddy’s. If they don’t comply… not so much. After a little boy refuses to learn a dance routine, Buddy snaps and the remaining playmates are terrified. Freddy, Oliver, and Hannah thought that Buddy loved them. Was he lying this whole time? One thing is for sure, the kids need to get to the real world and fast.
In the real world, we come across a perfectly normal family. A mom named Grace, her husband, and their two sons. There is something bothering Grace, though. Something that feels missing and she can’t shake it. Deep in her being, Grace believes that she has another child out there and takes matters into her own hands by hiring a psychic. The psychic insists on contacting the spirit in the house that is plaguing Grace but it isn’t a pesky ghost or poltergeist at all. It’s Buddy and he needs a new friend.
Grace knows that Buddy is behind her missing child and when he invites her into the television later that night she joins him as the new clubhouse nurse. The kids and Grace only have one chance to get back to the real world and danger lurks at every turn. Buddy is intent on closing this horrific episode out with a song and it is up to them to stop it. Will Grace’s family become whole? Will the other children get to return home too? Watch Buddy to find out!
I feel a bit torn about Buddy because there were parts of it that I liked and parts that dragged and I consider that difficult to do in a barely hour and a half flick. Buddy’s clubhouse was uber fun with nods to Barney and Pee Wee’s Playhouse that I deeply appreciated. What dragged, in my opinion, was the repetitive and relatively tame nature of the film. There were parts that literally felt like we were just watching an off brand Barney episode and that’s a massive bore for a room of adults. In fact, it was almost painful until more major plot points were introduced like Grace and her family.
Buddy did provide laughs and a couple of jump scares but it was overall a very average flick. I actually REALLY liked the plot but I didn’t like the execution of it and there were parts that were just plain weird AF. If you watch Buddy, you will know exactly what I’m talking about! Was this a movie worth seeing? If you’re looking for a very different, semi horror comedy then I guess? I left the theater feeling neither here nor there either way but was definitely glad that it was a short movie!
I am going to rate Buddy with a threeout of ten stars. I don’t think this is one to go see in the theaters but it could be a laugh if you are watching at home!
Did you see Buddy? What did you think about it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello! This past weekend Johnny and I had the best time seeing Josh Groban at Blossom Music Center for his Stage, Screen, And Symphony tour. Did we purchase tickets as huge fans of his music? Not necessarily. They were cheap and we got them for a laugh because we love when Josh Groban shows up in obscure comedies that we love like Tim And Eric’s Awesome Show Great Job. However, due to circumstances that I would only define as miraculous, we left the concert venue as super fans reeling from as close to a spiritual experience as I have ever had lol. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss mine and Johnny’s turn of good fortune:
Blossom Music Center is a venue that’s broken up into two parts. There is the covered pavilion where you can get close to the stage for beaucoup bucks or you can post up on the lawn beyond it for the low low. Unless the difference in price between both locations is marginal, Johnny and I always get lawn seats and did the same for Josh Groban. After getting a couple of drinks, we made our way to a primo spot on the lawn where our view of the stage wasn’t great but we could still see the screen really well. While it isn’t ideal, it is the best that you can hope for when you’re on the grass! Little did we know, our view was about to get so much better.
At seven o’clock sharp the show began sans opener and The Grobes took the stage singing Pure Imagination from Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Not to mention that his concert was set to the music of the Akron Symphony Orchestra which was way cool! Although we just had a jumbo screen view, we were mesmerized by hearing Josh Groban perform because he truly does have the most beautiful voice and presence. We were then shocked out of our stupor by a Blossom employee asking us if we wanted to be upgraded to pavilion seats FOR FREE!!
Johnny and I happily accepted and assumed that we were gifted with back or mid pavilion seats. Not! An usher took our tickets and we followed behind all the way to the front. We started from the lawn and ended up four rows in front of the stage, giving us a perfect view of The Grobes in all of his glory. In all of our years of attending Blossom shows, nothing like this has ever happened before and we genuinely couldn’t believe it. It was like stepping into an alternate reality and all we could do was just sit back in our confusion and utter delight and enjoy the show.
As you guessed from the name of his tour, Josh Groban performed songs from the stage and screen set to a symphony lol. He performed charming renditions of songs like What I Did For Love, Skyfall, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, and On My Own just to name a few. The piece de resistance was seeing him tap back into his role has Sweeney Todd for The Barber And His Wife which was absolutely magical. It makes me even more excited for mine and Johnny’s Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett Halloween costumes this year! I wanted to see his run as Sweeney Todd SO badly and this was the best consolation prize!
Throughout his set, Josh (We’re on a first name basis!) shared stories, told some jokes, and sang his little heart out. Let’s be real, Josh Groban only has one lane – that being emotional ballads lol. He sticks to what he knows and does it oh so well! It was awe inspiring to hear him, of course, but it was just freaking crazy to be that close to him. Johnny and I were not fifty feet away from the guy we bust a gut over for Groban Sings Casey! When we were on the lawn, we didn’t plan on staying for the whole show. Once we were upgraded, we were glued to our seats until his encore of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. We made our way to the car as he sang the beloved tune and it was like being sent off into the sunset after an amazing Blossom adventure.
Johnny and I are still in a state of shock from our concert experience and are not fully convinced that it was real. You’re going to have to pinch us!
Are you a Josh Groban fan? Are you going to a concert soon? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello! This past week I enjoyed seeing one of this summer’s most fun popcorn flicks called The End Of Oak Street starring the incomparable Anne Hathaway. This is a very good year for my girl and I loved seeing her in The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Odyssey. She will also be in Verity coming out in November, I believe, which I do plan on seeing just because it’s her even though I hated the book with a passion lol. But I digress. The End Of Oak Street was a wild ride that moved rapidly with nonstop thrills, the occasional jump scare, and dinosaurs galore. Honestly, Jurassic World who? The End Of Oak Street was the fresh take on dinosaurs that we all needed and left the latest installment of Jurassic World in the dust! Let’s discuss in a spoiler free setting, as per ushe:
^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!
The year is 1982, it’s summertime and the living is easy. Kind of. Denise, her husband Greg, children Audrey and Brian, and family dog Starbuck live in a picture perfect suburban neighborhood. Families barbecue, children play together, and you can always count on a neighbor for help. Behind closed doors, however, Denise and Greg’s marriage is strained and their kids are constantly hearing them bicker. Denise goes through the motions while her husband works odd jobs and delivers pizza and when everyone is asleep, she heads to the basement to work on a book she is writing in secret.
Denise’s elderly neighbor is editing her book and after wrapping up their session requests her help. A strange plant grew out of nowhere in her yard and they each have no idea what it could be. Denise snaps a picture on her Polaroid camera, uproots the plant, and heads to the library to investigate. To her surprise, the librarian tells her this plant has been extinct since the time that dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The following night, a huge storm takes place with bright lights flashing that definitely doesn’t look like lightening. The power in the neighborhood goes out and Denise’s family hits the hay in the hopes that the storm has passed and the power will be on when they wake up.
That is not the case and what’s worse, Starbuck is nowhere to be found in their backyard. Greg and Denise decide to look for the dog together while the kids hold tight and step into an unfamiliar new world. Their neighborhood has turned into Jurassic Park overnight! The landscape has changed to lush greenery, mountainous terrains, and huge lakes and dinosaurs wander in search of something tasty to eat. Within minutes, the street devolves into chaos with families trying to escape, many of them not making it beyond their own front door.
Greg and Denise book it back to their kids and begin the process of boarding up their home. But they can’t stay there indefinitely and need a plan to get themselves back to 1982. Their daughter, Audrey, suggests that they could have entered a portal to go back in time and that could have been the bright light they saw during the storm. The trick is for that light to appear again, find it, and avoid the dinosaurs at all costs. Will this family learn to work together and make it home alive? Or will they be stuck on Oak Street forever? Watch the movie to find out!
If you are looking for a short and sweet action packed movie, then you can stop your search. The End Of Oak Street has you covered! This flick clocked in at one hour and forty minutes and after the brief introduction to the family and neighborhood every scene was more insane than the next. The threat of the dinosaurs was so palpable I found myself holding my breath as they wreaked havoc creating close calls that were centimeters away from disaster. Not only were the dinos fearsome but they were so well designed and it was such a nice change of pace to see these creatures in a movie other than Jurassic Park.
The only thing I really didn’t care for in The End Of Oak Street was the son, Brian, who was just whiny and annoying the whole time. My beloved Anne Hathaway made up for it in spades, though! It was wild to see her wielding a gun and being a total badass because I’m so used to her girl next door roles. As she always does, she played the part so well and my eyes were never not on her even when dinosaurs were mauling her neighbors lol. If you are an Anne Hathaway fan like me, this is a must see. Even if you’re not, this is a must see because this was one of the most exciting action movies I have seen in ages!
Overall, I am going to rate The End Of Oak Street with a nine out of ten stars. If Brian wasn’t so cringy it would have been a perfect ten!
Have you seen The End Of Oak Street? What did you think about it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hi! I recently enjoyed a shopping trip with my brother to Belden Village Mall as he had some gift cards to spend and I am always down to browse. It was honestly crazy being at a mall because it is the last place I think of when I want to shop. You all know that I am a TJMaxx girl! However, I think my extensive tenure working retail at Summit Mall more than makes up for my lack of going now considering I basically lived there lol. We hit up a couple of stores at Belden Village and had a great time seeing what’s good. I’ve got to give credit when it’s due because their Hot Topic ruled and I just could not say no to these hilarious graphic Ts:
When I saw the I ❤ Hot Dads shirt a la Twilight on display, I literally clutched my pearls. I am very familiar with the Twilight franchise as I had a client who adored it and, I’ll tell you what – I sure do love those hot dads lol. Sweet Charlie and Carlisle are never far from my mind and have always ranked high in my hot dad category so it’s nice to have a shirt to celebrate that. It really is too funny and I cannot wait to see the reaction I get when I wear it out in public. Twilight fans UNITE! I didn’t think it was possible that this shirt would continue to give to me but then I noticed what was underneath them on the shelves and truly couldn’t believe my eyes…
There were Supernatural shirts!!! I have another client who got me and Johnny hooked on Supernatural and we have been loving watching a couple of episodes every night. Supernatural is essentially just CSI but with ghosts with episodes that are jam packed with humor, crappy effects, and mystery. It’s a blast! Johnny and I have actually looked up Supernatural Ts before but all of them pale in comparison to the one I found at Hot Topic. It reminds me of those tie dye shirts of wolves howling at the moon at different angles and it cracks me up. I was beyond excited to show Johnny as soon as he got home and we have decided to schedule who gets to wear it and when lol. What can I say? We’re super Supernatural fans!
Shout out to Hot Topic for gifting me with these Little Treat Ts. I am obsessed!
Do you like to shop at the mall? What’s your favorite store? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hi! This past weekend I enjoyed a fabulous viewing of the latest blockbuster, The Odyssey. I went into it not really knowing what to expect and, I admit, I was a bit ambivalent. Primarily because the almost three hour run time is daunting and I was worried I was going to have to go to the bathroom the whole time lol. I am pleased to report that I didn’t need a potty break once and that this lengthy flick simply breezed by. By the time it was over, it was like no time had passed at all and I was genuinely sad that it was done. It was SO good and I wanted more!! Before we begin our spoiler free discussion, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Odyssey for animal cruelty. You ready? Let’s go!
^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!
Odysseus, King of Ithaca, led the Trojan War and it is now time to make his way home to his wife and son, Penelope and Telemachus. It will be no easy feat to make his way back to his kingdom but he has his soldiers who are loyal and his love for his family to guide him home. And then… It all goes to Hades in a hand basket and for twenty years, everyone believes King Odysseus to be dead. In that time, Penelope is being courted to take up a new king but her heart only yearns for her husband. She confesses her fear of attacks on her kingdom to her son and Telemachus decides to go on his own adventure to locate his father.
Through interweaving story lines, we see Telemachus’s quest as well as what went so horribly wrong through Odysseus’s memories. On his journey home from war, he and his crew don’t just face the elements of hellacious storms and a lack of wind to sail, but mythical creatures that block their paths. They have run ins with a cyclops, Circe the witch, and sirens. One by one, his faithful soldiers are being killed off until it is only Odysseus left.
After years of travel, Odysseus falls under the care of Calypso who is a nymph and becomes infatuated with him. Rather than help him return home, she drugs him with an amnesia inducing flower. She denies Athena’s request to bring Odysseus home but does encourage him to remember what brought him to her in the first place. This could not come at a moment too soon as tensions raise in his kingdom for Penelope to select a new king. It is time for Odysseus to reign once more if he can make it back to Ithaca. Will he survive to return as husband, father, and king? Watch The Odyssey to find out!
I have no comments on The Odyssey but to sing its praises. The star studded cast was top tier and everyone was acting their hearts out. The cinematography? Moving. The scenery? Awe inspiring. The pacing? Chef’s kiss. Three hour movies can feel like they are dragging but The Odyssey plowed forward at such a rapid pace. The timing that Christopher Nolan created was spot on. Lulls in the story were instantly replaced by nonstop action and I was fully engrossed the entire time. In fact, it felt very similarly to watching a Lord Of The Rings movie, which was a delightful hit right in the nostalgia.
Christopher Nolan is a visionary and he guided his cast and crew with such care. The Odyssey is a HUGE story to tackle and everything about this movie felt so perfectly in place. I could tell that he put his heart and soul into making this movie and I could literally feel the tenderness with each passing scene. My favorite parts outside of all of the incredible performances was the cyclops and the visit to Circe’s island. Those parts were freaking crazy and I absolutely loved the way the cyclops looked. Honestly, I loved everything about this movie and would be more than happy to see it again. This is a flick that is a must see in theaters!!
I am going to award The Odyssey with the coveted ten out of ten stars. I seriously cannot recommend it enough and expect big things from it in the upcoming awards season!
What did you think about The Odyssey? What is your favorite lengthy movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hi! Over three years ago Johnny and I saw Hadestown at Playhouse Square and it will forever be one of my favorite memories. This show was a light in an otherwise very dark period of my life and it moved me so deeply. The music, the story, everything about it we loved and Johnny and I still talk about our night at the theater like it was yesterday. I was incredibly excited to learn that the live recording with the original primary cast at the Lyric Theater in London was coming to theaters and just had to go. I have had it marked in my calendar for months for a date night! We went this Friday at the Cinemark with my dad as a surprise guest and had the absolute best time. I am so glad he got to share in the magic of Hadestown with us!
^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!
Hadestown tells the love story of Hades and Persephone and Orpheus and Eurydice set to the tune of jazz, gospel, and blues. It is breathtaking, heart breaking, and one million percent awe inspiring. It was such a delight to see those who originated the characters that I adore so much perform and I have been waiting for it for a long time. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cast recording. However, it is so crisp and pure that it almost sounds like a Disney album and I wanted that grit that only comes from a live performance. Hadestown: The Musical is a must see for anyone that feels the same way and it was so refreshing to hear the music like it was meant to be heard.
I know this is going to ruffle some feathers but Johnny and I wholeheartedly agree that the cast we saw at Playhouse Square was better than this one. It’s just a true statement because they were lol. Our Orpheus had a much stronger falsetto. Our Hermes commanded the show in true vaudeville fashion. Our Eurydice and Persephone had far more oomph. And, don’t even get me started on our brooding Hades because holy WOW. And, listen, that’s not to say that the OG cast isn’t wonderful too and maybe my sentiments would be different had I been in the audience for one of their shows. My expectations from our cast are just too high that anything else seems less than.
All of this sounds like I’m bashing the OGs but I’m simply stating my opinion and that also includes how much we enjoyed the live recording anyways. It really was fabulous and I was elated that my dad came with us because what he did the following day will tell you everything you need to know… I met up with my parents and nieces for an outing to the local library for a tea party and when I got there my dad proudly showed me the cast recording CD in his hands to check out. He had the biggest smile on his face and thanked me and Johnny again for our fun night on the town. And it sure was! Amazing music, amazing company, and an amazing experience to have altogether. ❤
I am going to award Hadestown: The Musical with the coveted ten out of ten stars. If you are a theater enthusiast then you are not going to want to miss this limited showing. RUN don’t walk!!!
What are your thoughts on Hadestown? What is your favorite musical? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hi! As soon as I get home from work, mine and Johnny’s routine goes like this: Chat about our day and then turn on our shows! There is literally nothing better than sinking into the couch with my main squeeze and watching one of our programs together and I revel in it every day. It’s so nice to kick my feet up, relax, and let the stress of the work week melt away as we get lost in something good and it is one of my favorite things in the world. ❤ Our current lineup consists of the following:
Supernatural:
One of my client’s all time favorite shows is Supernatural and the odds and ends I have seen were intriguing. So much so, that Johnny and I recently decided to give it a go. There are fifteen seasons of Supernatural and after watching just one episode together, we couldn’t believe we hadn’t watched it before! Supernatural is the saga of ghost hunters and brothers, Sam and Dean, who travel across the country solving murders with a paranormal aspect. It is basically CSI but with ghosts and we are so there for it! This show is hilarious and has amazing eye candy a la Dean and we are completely hooked. Also, if you are a fan of the show and didn’t know – the guy who plays Dean is in a band called Radio Company and they freaking RULE. You are in for a treat if you give them a listen because holy cow Dean has some PIPES!!!
Blockbuster:
Johnny and I simply adore a workplace comedy and enjoyed watching and rewatching the one season Blockbuster on Netflix. This show revolves around the last Blockbuster left standing and the irony is not lost that Netflix drove Blockbuster out of business lol. I so wish that this show didn’t get cancelled because it really is fun. The cast is an utter delight, the laughs are nonstop, and seeing a Blockbuster again hits right in the nostalgia. Highly recommend if you are looking for a quick and funny watch but don’t get too attached lol our viewings have only left us wanting more!
From:
We are avid fans of From and, I have to admit, we found season four to be kind of a dud. However, we went through serious withdrawals after it ended and decided to rewatch it as we eagerly await the fifth and final season. I’m really glad we are because I didn’t realize how much I had forgotten about the early seasons. So much so, that it kind of feels like watching it again for the first time. It is SO crazy to be back at the beginning and see how young everyone looks and pick up on things that we missed from our first experience with the show. I am highly disappointed in season four, but maybe it will be a bit better the second time around.
Obsession:
Watching movies doesn’t happen as often at chez nous because Johnny always falls asleep during them lol. But watching Obsession was a must as soon as it was released on Peacock! I hadn’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it in theaters and was chomping at the bit for him to see it too. Granted, we did pause halfway through so he could take a nap (no surprise there) but he loved it just as much as I did when we finished it. We both agreed that Obsession is, easily, one of the best recent horror movies out there and it was a triumph. The story line? Gripping. The acting? Unbelievable. The scares? Can’t be beat! I could watch it again and again and not grow tired of it. In fact, maybe I’ll give it a rewatch this weekend while Johnny snoozes!
TV time is the best time at my place and I can’t wait to see what Sam and Dean of Supernatural get into when I get home today!! 😀
What are you currently watching? Do you have any recommendations? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello! This past Sunday Johnny and I had an absolutely fabulous time going to see The Lion King with my entire family at Playhouse Square. It was freaking amazing! When I was about five years old, my family vacationed in Toronto and we saw The Lion King on our trip. I don’t remember much from it but I remember being so wowed by all of the costumes and that sentiment amplified as soon as all of the actors took the stage this weekend. It was awe inspiring to see giraffes, elephants, gazelles, and of course lions right before our very eyes! Whether you are young or old, if The Lion King is coming to your neck of the woods then it is a must see. You are going to love it!
The Lion King opened on the strongest note with “Circle Of Life” and within that first second, we were fully in and delighted in the magic of the theater that followed. The puppeteers, the costuming that transformed actors to animals, and the singing, dancing, and acrobatics made for the most spectacular show that blew the cartoon out of the water. It was such an immersive performance that it really felt like we were all on Pride Rock watching the scenes of betrayal and redemption along with the rest of the cast. From the small practical touches to the big blow out scenes, this viewing of The Lion King can only be described as triumphant.
My favorite songs of the performance have got to be Scar’s “Be Prepared” and the sentimental ensemble song of “They Live In You”. The piece de resistance song and scene, however, was when Simba looked to the stars for guidance in “Endless Night”. As he stargazed, the cast somehow assembled the image of Mufasa into the night sky and it was nothing short of glorious for Simba to see his father once more and know what needs to be done next: Take his rightful throne. Another major scene, the stampede was also particularly effective as it literally looked like hundreds of animals running towards Simba on a relatively small stage. There was dusty smoke billowing, the rumble of hooves, and the dread of the knowledge that something really bad is about to happen.
While The Lion King shined in its full scale production numbers, there were so many little moments that added to the sense of wonder. The ingenious costumes worn by the lionesses created the sleek curves of the animal as they danced. During water scenes, fish were projected onto the billowing cloths that formed the rivers. There were cast members twirling bird puppets on poles throughout the audience. Or, my personal favorite: When young Simba sang “Hakuna Matata” with his newfound friends, Timon and Pumbaa. To transition into adult form, young Simba swung off of the stage on a vine. One second later, adult Simba swung in to join the show. Every effect was so clever and intentional and it translated to every seat in the theater!
I am so thankful for this super special viewing of The Lion King with my whole family in tow. It was simply phenomenal and, without a doubt, a theater bucket list performance!
Have you seen a play or musical recently? How was it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Hello everyone and welcome to a back to back edition of Groovy Movies! Today, we are going to be discussing the horror movie that everyone has been raving about – Obsession. However, there is a slight change to the usually scheduled programming as this review won’t be fully spoiler free. The synopsis will, as always, not reveal any spoilers. However, as this movie has been out for a while, my opinions will include spoilers because I have A LOT to say and I can’t keep it to myself lol. Should you want to be surprised, that is when you should stop reading! Before we begin, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on Obsession for graphic and brutal violence, highly highly disturbing content (some of which involves animals), loss of autonomy, and abusive relationships. You ready? Let’s do it:
^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!
Baron (AKA “Bear”) is desperately in love with his best friend, Nikki, and is working up the nerve to tell her how he really feels. The trivia night him, Nikki, and their friends Ian and Sarah attend could be the place to do so. As Nikki and Bear chat on the phone about the upcoming event, Nikki is disappointed that her favorite crystal necklace fell down the sink. To surprise her, Bear stops in at a metaphysical shop to pick her out a new one. Then, something different catches his eye – a One Wish Willow. The packaging claims that your wish will come true if you snap the stick in half and he purchases that instead of a gift for Nikki.
Revealing his crush at the trivia night is a bust but he still has a chance when he offers to drive Nikki home. In fact, she straight up asks him if he has feelings for her and he lamely tells her how much he loves their friendship. Nikki heads inside and in his frustration, Bear makes his wish: That Nikki would love him more than anyone in the world. He snaps the stick and Nikki promptly returns back to his car, begging to stay with him because she can’t handle being alone.
After a very weird night for both Bear and Nikki, a relationship blossoms and it is picture perfect. Cooking together, watching movies, and basking in each other’s company. Then, things begin to take a dark turn as Nikki’s behavior alters drastically when she fears that she loves Bear more than he does her. Cuddling in bed turns into her standing awake at night while watching him sleep. Bear leaving for work means he has to break open a duct taped door. Even Bear leaving the room to go to the bathroom is too much for Nikki to cope with. This is so not the relationship that Bear had in mind.
As Nikki turns more violent, Bear tries to distance himself and turns to the One Wish Willow company for guidance. Unfortunately, the only way to break the wish will be Bear’s downfall. Bear’s friends no longer want anything to do with the formerly happy couple and both him and Nikki are growing more desperate. Will the wish for Nikki to love him more than anyone in the world be broken? Watch Obsession to find out!
Spoilers starting NOW!
Obsession might be seen through the eyes of Bear but make no mistake, he is not the victim in this movie. It is one thousand percent Nikki. And, if anyone watches this movie and thinks otherwise then they need a crash course in consent and what healthy relationships look like ASAFP. Through his wish, Bear strips Nikki of everything: Her care free spirit, her autonomy, and the ability to even love herself. Bear might be in love with Nikki but to have full control over a person isn’t love. To force someone into love isn’t love. And to want to simply alter the wish rather than cancel it as he talks to the One Wish Willow employee while aware of Nikki’s suffering definitely isn’t love.
Throughout Obsession, glimpses of the real Nikki come forth and it is absolutely heartbreaking to see and hear. Wherever the real Nikki is, she is in so much pain. She can see what is happening to herself, her body, and relationships that she once held dear and can’t do anything to stop it. All she can do is watch as “Freaky Nikki” (As she has been described) takes over. And what does Bear do as she continues to act out? Encourage her to tone down the crazy and be like the old Nikki so he can continue to keep her under his thumb.
Obsession was a full fledged horror movie with (Stating the SUPER obvious here) harrowing themes of consent, autonomy, and what happens when that is taken away from someone. The tension and atmosphere of Obsession was so rich and I could feel myself holding my breath because it felt like something major could happen at any given second. And it was all at Nikki’s expense. This was a gripping story carried beautifully by Inde Navarrette and she more than deserves the glowing reviews she has received. I was in awe of her performance and can’t stop thinking about it to save my own life. I want to see Obsession again SO badly because one viewing just wasn’t enough. If you are a horror fan, you do not want to miss out on this movie!
I am going to award Obsession with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This is, easily, one of the best modern horror movies I have ever seen and I cannot wait to see what Navarrette brings to the table in whatever she does next!
Have you seen Obsession? What are your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
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