I’ve been a bit remiss in keeping up with what we’ve covered on the Dark Discussions podcast, so here are the 2019 movies we’ve talked about so far and where you can listen.

Escape Room

This movie takes a look at the recently popular escape room trend and turns a few things on its ear. It was a great ride. http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_368.html

Glass

This long-awaited closure to M. Night’s Eastrail 177 trilogy, which began with Unbreakable and continued with Split, was an interesting take on the super hero phenomenon. It was disappointing to many, but I enjoyed it. http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_370.html

Velvet Buzzsaw

Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo and Toni Collette are an absolute gas in this Netflix thriller that, despite its classic Poe-esque undertones, doesn’t take itself too seriously. So far, this is one of my favorite horror films of the year, and it’ll definitely make my best-of list.  The official description: “A feared critic, an icy gallery owner and an ambitious assistant snap up a recently deceased artist’s stash of paintings — with dire consequences.” http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_372.html

The Prodigy

“Bad seed” films are back in vogue, and while this movie makes a valiant attempt at something fresh, I found it extremely predictable. Its profoundly disturbing imagery just isn’t enough to save it. http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_373.html

Happy Death Day 2U

I missed this episode, but it’s my understanding that, despite a few small issues, this was a surprisingly good follow up to the super-fun Groundhog Day style horror flick, Happy Death Day. http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_374.html

The Golem

This quiet film, in the vein of The Witch, is from the makers of the found footage film Jeruzalem—although it’s completely different in feel and tone. In 1673 Lithuania, a Jewish woman tries to protect her village by creating a Golem—and gets some unanticipated results. Except for one unbelievable moment which proves modern movies can’t see beyond today’s sensibilities when dealing with the past, this is a fine film that explores grief and the struggle to overcome it. http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_375.html

The Hole in the Ground

This Irish film sports a confusing ending (not appropriately vague, just flat-out confusing) and a slow pace (not in a good way). While it has a couple of truly unsettling moments, they’re not enough to make up for its issues. It’s a “bad seed” film that, ultimately, offers nothing unique. http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_376.html

Us

Jordan Peele has quickly risen through the ranks due to his quality, multi-leveled dark films. Us deals with the haves and have-nots as well as the crisis of identity, and it’s more disturbing than his earlier foray, Get Out. http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_378.html

Pet Sematary

I couldn’t be on this episode due to prior commitments, but the guys have disappointing things to say about this (in my opinion, totally unnecessary) remake. http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_380.html

Braid

I also had to miss this episode, but this film—about a pair of women who screw up a drug deal and descend into dark worlds trying to pay back the dealer what they owe—is divisive, even though it’s gotten some high praise. http://www.darkdiscussions.com/Pages/podcast_381.html