In the What Are You Remembering? thread, I recently posted about my favorite episode of The Twilight Zone, titled The Chaser (1960), which channels the "be very careful what (or who) you wish for" vibe in a light-hearted way.

I was reminded of it after seeing a trailer for a new indie supernatural horror film, Obsession, coming May 15, 2026. It seems to project the same "be very careful what (or who) you wish for" theme, but in a dark and sinister way. I definitely intend to see it.

In my previous post, I mentioned looking forward to seeing Obsession when it's released in the US on May 15, 2026. Today, I watched a very cool review of the film by movie critic Emma Wolfe of SpookyAstronauts. She saw it at a film festival in September 2025 and gave it 10 out of 10 stars, calling it one of the best movies she's ever seen. Her review is amazing and really makes me look forward to seeing it.

Warning: During her review, Emma drops a few f-bombs. If you're sensitive to that language or if it's inappropriate for your surroundings, do not watch the video below.

Last night I watched Mercy (2026), which is a sci-fi film about an AI judge presiding over a murder trial as judge, juror, and executioner. The story's premise is very good, but the script and acting missed the mark with me. The most alarming aspect of the movie is its dystopian presentation of a near-future Earth where virtually everyone and everything in society is under constant video, audio, and electronic surveillance, and the AI judge has immediate access to all of it. I rate the movie 4 out of 10 stars.

4⭐ A weak movie that didn't work for me overall — fell flat. 😕📉

I recently watched Ex Machina (2014), which is a sci-fi film about a programmer brought to a remote estate to evaluate an advanced AI android. The premise is interesting, but for me the script and acting were weak. The movie ultimately felt shallow and underdeveloped, with less imagination and depth than it needed. I rate the movie 4 out of 10 stars.

4⭐ A weak movie that fell far short of its potential. I would not care to rewatch it. 🫤⬇️

There are three new films I intend to watch in the near future, including:

Midwinter Break (2026): A mystery/drama following a long-married couple who take a trip to Amsterdam. The getaway stirs buried memories and old wounds that test their relationship. This looks like something Alfred Hitchcock would write.

Obsession (2026): Planned release on May 15, 2026. The film is a horror movie that can best be described as a love story with the premise "be very careful who and what you wish for." Early reviews have been extremely strong, and the premise is that a wish is fulfilled with a terrifying cost.

Queen at Sea (2026): A dark drama starring Juliette Binoche as a daughter dealing with her mother's dementia, and a family situation that turns into a moral and legal crisis. This one also looks like something Alfred Hitchcock would write.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents is an excellent series that strongly resembles The Twilight Zone. One of my favorite episodes is titled Into Thin Air. A woman (played by Hitchcock's real daughter, Pat) and her 75-year-old mother check into a hotel in Paris, France in 1889. A short while later, her mother disappears into thin air without a trace. Any more details would prove to be a spoiler. LOL!!! 😂🤣

I rate the episode 8 of 10 stars. It's an imaginative story, and the mystery aspect is compelling.

8⭐ — An outstanding episode that I really enjoyed. Loved it! 🎉👏

Into Thin Air

I recently watched Midwinter Break (2026). It's a mystery/drama about a long-married couple whose trip to Amsterdam brings old memories and buried wounds back to the surface. The acting was good, but the film dwells heavily on sadness, malaise, and marital stagnation. It became a chore to sit through. For me, it was too boring to recommend. I rate it 3 of 10 stars.

3⭐ Pretty boring. Not much to recommend here. 🚫👎

I recently watched Shelter (2026). It's a standard Jason Statham action film. Once again, he plays the hard-edged lead in a story built around violence, danger, and survival. It's watchable and has a few decent moments, but it never rises above average. The plot feels too generic, and nothing about the film leaves a lasting impression. For me, it was okay, but not memorable. I rate it 5 of 10 stars.

5⭐ Average at best. Watchable, but forgettable. 😐🎬

I have too many Alfred Hitchcock Presents favorites to name, but one episode I really enjoyed rewatching recently was The Glass Eye (1957), featuring William Shatner. I rate it a strong 8 of 10 stars. A very imaginative plot. Stop reading here to avoid spoilers. Otherwise, scroll below for details.

A clip from The Glass Eye (1957)

Spoilers:
A lonely woman becomes infatuated with a traveling ventriloquist who tours with his dummy sidekick. She follows the act from city to city and soon begins writing to the ventriloquist, who writes back. The two continue their correspondence while he remains on tour. On stage, he appears to be a tall, well-dressed man operating his grotesque little dummy in the act. Eventually, he invites her to meet him in his hotel room, but asks her to keep the lights low and not come too close during their initial meeting. She ultimately breaks that rule and reaches for his hand, but it falls off! The shocking truth is that the man she believed was the ventriloquist is actually the lifeless dummy, while the grotesque little dummy is actually the human ventriloquist! It's a wild twist. The grotesque little man's final outburst of "Get out!!! Get out!!! Get out!!!" is unforgettable as he jumps up and down on the table, shouts at her, and raises hell! LOL!!! 🤣😂

8⭐ Excellent episode! This one is great fun to watch. 😄🍿

Another Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode I enjoyed rewatching recently was Salvage (1955). I rate it a strong 7 of 10 stars. The plot is tense, imaginative, and gripping. Stop reading here to avoid spoilers. Otherwise, scroll below for details.

A clip from Salvage (1955)

Spoilers:
Dan has just been released from prison. He blames the lovely Lois (Nancy Gates) for the death of his brother, who was shot and killed by the police after she revealed his hiding place. When Dan corners her alone, he's ready to kill her, but Lois, broken by despair, tells him to go ahead because she has nothing left to live for. Surprised, Dan changes tactics. Pretending to forgive her, he helps her build a rich, happy, and successful life, business, and future, even placing her on the verge of marriage to the man of her dreams. Then, once she finally has everything to live for, he shoots her dead at the height of her happiness, exacting the revenge he sought all along, and he makes sure she sees it coming. 😱

7⭐ Excellent episode! A really great twist and well worth repeat viewings. 🔁😊