CinemAddicts: Our Hero Balthazar, You're Dating A Narcissist, Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, Dead Lover
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In this episode of CinemAddicts, hosts Greg Shusvasti, Eric Holmes, and Bruce Perky dive into a week of eclectic and often provocative cinema. They begin with a playful critique of the 'Stinko Vision' scratch-and-sniff gimmick tied to the surreal horror film *Dead Lover*, which they describe as a grotesque, stylized blend of Bertrand Mandico and Ed Wood, featuring a grave digger who falls for a man whose finger is the only thing left after he drowns. The hosts praise its bold, divisive artistry, though they acknowledge its niche appeal. They then turn to *Our Hero Balthazar*, a black comedy about a privileged New York teen who travels to Texas to stop a potential school shooter, only to become entangled in a manipulative, morally ambiguous relationship. The film is lauded for its sharp performances by Jaden Martell and Asa Butterfield, its commentary on social media fame, and its unsettling parallels to *Ace in the Hole*. The trio expresses frustration over the film’s limited theatrical rollout, highlighting the inequity in access for audiences outside major cities. The episode concludes with a deep dive into *You're Dating a Narcissist*, a rom-com starring Marissa Tomei as a psychology professor who tries to stop her daughter’s marriage to a charming but possibly narcissistic man. While the film is praised for its strong performances—especially Sherry Cola’s standout role—the hosts debate its message and predictability, ultimately giving it a solid 3.5 stars. The episode closes with Bruce Perky’s glowing review of the Netflix horror series *Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen*, a dark, atmospheric eight-episode thriller that builds a rich, symbolic world around a cursed bloodline and a wedding that may end in death. He calls it a standout horror series with a shocking twist, strong performances (especially Camilla Morone), and a deeply satisfying, layered narrative that rewards rewatching.
The Stinko Vision gimmick in *Dead Lover* is a bold, polarizing artistic choice that enhances the film’s grotesque, surreal tone, though it may not work for everyone.
In *Our Hero Balthazar*, the film critiques social media culture and the performative nature of activism, with Jaden Martell and Asa Butterfield delivering powerful, nuanced performances.
The limited theatrical release of indie films like *Our Hero Balthazar* highlights systemic inequities in film distribution, frustrating critics who want broader access.
*You're Dating a Narcissist* uses humor and character dynamics to explore psychological manipulation, with Sherry Cola’s performance standing out as a highlight.
Netflix’s *Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen* is a richly layered horror series that subverts expectations, blending folklore, symbolism, and psychological dread into a tightly wound, rewatchable narrative.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to CinemAddicts: The Week’s Cinema Lineup
The hosts open the episode with a playful introduction to the week’s film releases, teasing the eclectic mix of indie and genre films. They highlight the Stinko Vision gimmick tied to *Dead Lover* and express excitement for *Our Hero Balthazar*, setting the tone for a week of bold, unconventional cinema.
Dead Lover: A Gross, Stylish Frankenstein Tale
“If you're the type of person that goes to burlesque shows, you'd probably like this. If you're the type of person that owns every John Waters movie and every Ed Wood movie, this would probably be up your alley.”
Our Hero Balthazar: A Dark Comedy of Manipulation and Fame
“By going into the situation, does he make a situation worse because he's pulling the strings? Because how media pulls the strings may be in this case, in this day and age of the media, which is social media, people turn things around.”
You're Dating a Narcissist: A Rom-Com with Psychological Depth
“I wanted to choke the crap out of her sometimes. But that's not a failure of the movie. That's what her character is.”
Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen: A Masterclass in Horror Lore
“This is going to be definitely something that's going to stick around in my brain. And last thing I'll say, and then I'll get into a few spoilers. Another thing that really sold it to me was that when this was done, I went back immediately and rewatched the first episode.”
“By going into the situation, does he make a situation worse because he's pulling the strings? Because how media pulls the strings may be in this case, in this day and age of the media, which is social media, people turn things around.”
“This is going to be definitely something that's going to stick around in my brain. And last thing I'll say, and then I'll get into a few spoilers. Another thing that really sold it to me was that when this was done, I went back immediately and rewatched the first episode.”
“If you're the type of person that goes to burlesque shows, you'd probably like this. If you're the type of person that owns every John Waters movie and every Ed Wood movie, this would probably be up your alley.”
Hosts
Guest
Eric Holmes
person
Bruce Perky
person
Dead Lover
media
Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen
other
Greg Shusvasti
person
You're Dating a Narcissist
media
Our Hero Balthazar
media
Sherry Cola
person
Netflix
organization
Camilla Morone
person
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