Times, dates, and life happened yet again, and we had to pivot.
In last week’s newsletter, we said In the Grey, but you’re getting Obsession. Josh is chasing a Guy Ritchie high that hasn’t hit in quite some time. No hate to the guy *smirk* but his recent filmography has not made us rush down to the local AMC. So, the producers overruled Josh and made the executive decision to change to the sophomore film of one of the founders of the TikTok comedy group, That’s a Bad Idea.
History has shown us that sketch comedians like Jordan Peele can deliver high-quality, insanely fun, and sometimes unwanted, unforgettable scenes. We also wanted to see what Josh’s jump-scare count would be, since all we’ve been hearing is how horrifying Obsession is. Let’s get into it!
Here’s what we have for you this week:
Concession Stand Scorecard: Obsession
Watchlist Worthy: Actually Anthony Michael Bourdain this week
ICYMI Pod: Oldies, but Goodies! Marty Supreme and Movie Theaters
This week’s movie - Obsession
Letterboxd Description:
BE CAREFUL WHO YOU WISH FOR…
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
Best Watched With
Your Toxic Ex and anyone who has ever asked someone out
End Credit Thoughts
Have you ever been on either side of unrequited love? Well, if you have, we’ve got JUST the movie for you. Curry Barker is here for the horror throne with his sophomore film, Obsession. It is set in modern times with a handful of best-in-class performances and a small yet solid supporting cast. Our entire theater was cackling one moment, with our mouths agape the next. What a ride!
There was a genuine level of hype for this movie in the Twitter bubble (no, we don’t refer to it as X. What, did you X about the movie? No, you drafted a tweet about it. Get lost if you disagree).
Anyways. We went into this level-headed, a solid and creepy trailer that seemed like a cautionary “be careful what you wish for” tale. And boy did Curry and his cast deliver. Inde Navarrette was unbelievable. Her non-verbal acting was engaging from the START, even before shit got evil and weird. It is amazing what someone can communicate on-screen with just their face. She was genuinely scary.
Without spoiling the movie, there were a handful of scenes where she just flipped a f*cking switch, going from the sweet, loving girlfriend to a sinister presence. Opposite Inde was Michael Johnston, and we were not familiar with his game at all. He pissed us off plenty of times and was an incredible co-lead for this film.
A few things stood out about Obsession. First is the tension. It was unbelievable throughout! They didn’t resort to age-old horror gimmicks, leaning fully into gore without a story, so the tension isn’t tension; it ends up being just a sick stomach from blood on screen. Instead, they developed the story and our characters in such a patient way that the gory payoffs were genuinely unsettling.
Second, it pulled absolutely NO punches. Many horror films threaten to get weird, to break the rules, or get darker, but end with some gentle or therapeutic resolution. Nope, not Curry! He said “f*ck it we ball” and took us down a terrible path and then left us at a dead end with no resolution, just upset stomachs — not just from the gore but from the devastating ending.
The big screen elevated this, as did the crowd. When we realized our jaws were on the floor, we looked around and saw the same with everyone else, including some with their eyes closed. Hell yeah, Curry! Please don’t stop making horror.
See this on the big screen, please.
Josh Jump Scare Count: 20+
Want to know more about our individual ratings of movies?
Follow us on Letterboxd:
@justjoshperez
@ericharrison
@kellyharrison
Tony by Matt Johnson
Letterboxd Description:
“I was — to be frank — a spoiled, miserable, narcissistic, self-destructive and thoughtless young lout, and badly in need of a good ass-kicking.”
A 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life.
I know everyone is a one of kind person. We’re all different with our unique mannerisms, our idiosyncrasies (yes, I like this word and use it a lot. Shoutout Sean from Good Will Hunting) that separate us from sameness. But Anthony Bourdain truly felt like one of a kind. I have friends and family with different interests and lived experiences, and yet, similiarly impacted and influenced by Bourdain.
In profound ways, unexpected ways, I hear people from all walks of life share appreciation and love for this man we’ve never met. But they speak as if, not only that they know Bourdain, but Bourdain knows them. Like he was able to open the bottom drawers of our souls, then light a cigarette and crack open a beer to chat about what was found.
And now we are getting a biopic. And I think he’d probably hate that it’s being made. Selfishly, I am stoked. Sorry, Bourdain. I hope you understand my excitement.
-JP :)
Also Directed by Matt Johnson:
Blackberry (2023)
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (2025)
Marty Supreme: Spoilers #67
🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube
Marty Supreme streaming on HBO Max!
Movie Theater Experiences | Keep Cinemas Alive! #55
🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube
Eric and Josh discuss various topics centered around their experiences with movies and movie theaters. They touch on the excitement and nostalgia associated with midnight premieres, particularly reflecting on films like ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Titanic’.
Tune in next week for | Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Follow us on:
Instagram: @_sweetandcondensed_
TikTok: @SweetAndCondensed
Youtube: @SweetAndCondensed