What Can We Learn From Advanced Movies About Filmmaking?

Jumping into CoryxKenshin's content is one of my favorite little rabbit holes — his combo of genuine reactions, sharp humor, and cinematic editing makes a lot of his horror playthroughs feel like mini-movies. If you're a new fan wondering where to start, I’d point you toward the series and videos that show off his timing, personality, and the kind of atmosphere that hooked me in. First stop: 'P.T.' — it’s short, maddeningly tense, and Cory’s reaction-driven commentary turns the whole thing into a compact horror short film. It’s perfect for someone who wants to see what he does best without committing to a huge playlist. After that, dive into the 'Outlast' playthroughs. Those videos are classic Cory: he balances being legitimately scared with comedic beats, and the editing often pumps up the cinematic tension. The pacing in those episodes makes them feel like a full-on horror movie trilogy at times — long stretches of dread, sudden jolts, and plenty of “did that really just happen?” moments. If you like the idea of a sustained, story-driven scare, 'Outlast' is a fantastic next step. It’s where his personality shines because you get the full range: the screams, the jokes, the cutaways, and the little asides that make rewatching so fun. Next, check out his 'Five Nights at Freddy’s' series, especially the entries that lean into story elements like 'Sister Location' or the later-numbered games. FNAF is a great showcase of Cory’s energy — he’s hilarious when things go wrong, and his reactions to the lore-heavy moments are gold for newcomers who want both jump scares and a sense of narrative. For a different flavor, try 'Amnesia: The Dark Descent' or 'Layers of Fear' if you want psychological dread more than jump-scares. Those playthroughs have a slower-burn vibe and feel like watching someone explore a haunted house in real time, which makes them oddly cinematic and immersive. If you want variety, don’t skip his highlight compilations and sketch-style videos — they give a quick hit of his humor and charisma without the long runtime of a game series. Also, his 'Alien: Isolation' sessions are fantastic if you prefer tense stealth-horror where every step matters; those videos have a claustrophobic, movie-like tension that keeps you glued to the screen. For true new-fan onboarding, I usually recommend trying one shorter piece like 'P.T.', one long-form (like 'Outlast'), and one personality-heavy series (like 'FNAF'). That mix shows off why people love him: comedy, authenticity, and top-tier reaction content. All that said, what hooked me the most was how personal his commentary feels — you’re not just watching someone play a game, you’re sitting next to a friend who’s genuinely freaked out one minute and cracking jokes the next. Give those selections a go and you’ll quickly see why his videos feel like mini-movies worth bingeing; I guarantee you’ll laugh, jump, and probably rewind the best moments a few times. Enjoy the ride — his stuff still gets me every time.

For a creator like CoryxKenshin, calling some of his uploads 'movies' feels like fan shorthand more than a literal filmography, but if we treat 'movies' as his longer, cinematic-style or story-driven videos and highlight compilations, the average runtime lands in a pretty consistent sweet spot. From what I’ve tracked across his library — gameplay episodes, horror reactions, themed specials and the occasional skit — most of those videos cluster between ten and thirty minutes. If I had to give a single number, I’d say the average runtime is right around twenty minutes, give or take a few minutes depending on the era and content type. Breaking it down helps make that average make sense. Standard gameplay uploads, especially for games like 'Five Nights at Freddy's' or 'Dead by Daylight', usually run about twelve to eighteen minutes: enough time for a good chunk of play and the classic Cory blend of scares, jokes, and reactions. The more cinematic or edited pieces, where he’s building a mood or telling a short story, push toward twenty-five to forty minutes, but those are less frequent. Streams, collabs, or anniversary specials can spike to an hour or more, but they’re outliers and don’t drag the mean as much because uploads of regular episodic content are far more common. So weighting all of that, twenty minutes ends up being a solid, realistic estimate that matches what I actually click on when I’m bingeing his channel. What I really like about that average is how it mirrors his pacing: concise, energetic, and respectful of viewer time. Those ~20-minute videos are long enough to feel satisfying, to build tension in a horror run or land multiple jokes in a row, but short enough that you can watch two or three when you’re on a break. It’s part of why his content stays so rewatchable for me; each episode feels complete and punchy without overstaying its welcome. So yeah, treat twenty minutes as the ballpark number, and expect pleasant surprises when he drops something longer or goes full stream mode — both are part of the charm.

When I want a film where the stepmom is central and tossed in the spotlight — sometimes as heroine, sometimes as antagonist — the one that always comes up first for me is 'Stepmom' (1998). Julia Roberts carries that movie with warmth and a complicated charm as the woman who has to negotiate love, motherhood, and guilt; Susan Sarandon’s character gives the film emotional weight from the other side of the family divide. It’s a rare mainstream take that treats the stepmom role with nuance rather than just using her as a plot device, and I always walk away thinking about how messy real blended families feel compared to neat movie endings. If you want a sharper, more villainous take, fairy-tale retellings put the stepmother front and center. 'Ever After' gives Anjelica Huston a deliciously textured antagonist who’s equal parts fashionable and ferocious, and the live-action 'Cinderella' with Cate Blanchett leans into the theatrical cruelty and icy glamour of the stepmother role. Those movies made me appreciate that the stepmom can be a powerful dramatic engine — she can embody social pressures, class tension, or personal resentment. For something that slides into psychological territory, check 'The Hand That Rocks the Cradle' — it isn’t technically about a stepmom, but it explores the trope of an outsiderwoman inserting herself into a household and manipulating parental authority, which often overlaps with the fears and fantasies films project onto stepmothers. Beyond these, there are lots of TV and indie dramas that explore the role in quieter, more realistic ways, especially on Lifetime-style platforms or international cinema. Personally, I love watching the variety: sympathetic, sinister, comic, or conflicted — stepmoms on screen keep stories interesting in a way that biological-parent characters sometimes don’t. I always find myself rooting for the complicated portrayals the most.

Casting-wise, the two live-action names that always come up for Elektra Natchios are Jennifer Garner and Élodie Yung. Jennifer Garner introduced mainstream audiences to Elektra in the movie 'Daredevil' (2003) opposite Ben Affleck, then headlined the solo film 'Elektra' (2005). Her take leaned into the sleek, almost comic-book glamour of the character — dramatic red costume, staged fight choreography, and a movie-y kind of tragic romance with Matt Murdock. It was glossy and stylized, and Garner's physical performance sold the acrobatic assassin vibe even when the scripts tried to make her softer. Élodie Yung brought a different energy on television in the Netflix series 'Daredevil' (season 2) and later appeared in 'The Defenders'. Her Elektra felt more grounded, grittier, and morally ambiguous in a street-level, serialized world. The Netflix run gave more room to explore her history and relationship with Daredevil (and the Hand), and Yung leaned into brutal hand-to-hand combat and emotional weight. Personally, I enjoy both versions for different reasons: Garner’s cinematic flair and Yung’s raw, serialized complexity.

One of my absolute favorites has to be 'The Best Man', a classic that has truly resonated with so many of us. The story revolves around a group of friends navigating love, loyalty, and the chaos that comes with it all, especially as they prepare for a wedding. The film adaptation captured the warmth and complexity of the characters perfectly. It’s not just a love story, but a deep dive into friendships and the ways they can be tested when romance enters the picture. I loved how the film maintained the humor and heart of the book while introducing a stellar cast who brought these characters to life with such vibrancy. Sitting down to rewatch it with a group of friends always brings back those nostalgic vibes and reminds me of the importance of having each other’s backs, even when times get tough. Then there's 'If Beale Street Could Talk', which comes from James Baldwin's poignant novel. This narrative tackles love in the context of social justice, focusing on a young couple fighting for their relationship amidst the turmoil of racial injustice. The film adaptation did such an incredible job translating Baldwin's emotional depth and lyrical prose into stunning visuals. Each scene felt like a brushstroke on canvas, painting a heartbreaking yet hopeful portrayal of love against systemic adversity. I remember being captivated by how beautifully the film weaved their love story, despite the external pressures, and reflecting on both the beauty and struggles of romance in real life. Lastly, ‘Love & Basketball’ stands out for so many reasons! It deftly weaves sports and romance into an unforgettable narrative about two childhood friends who harbor dreams of basketball fame and of each other. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and the film explores the nuances of love, ambition, and sacrifice. Whether it's the game of basketball or the game of love, the commitments made by the characters showcase their growth over time. This story resonates with anyone who has ever balanced a relationship and personal dreams. I can’t help but smile when I think of the iconic scenes, and it sparks those memories of late-night viewings with some popcorn and a couple of friends who just get it.

The exploration of Nietzsche’s philosophical themes in films is fascinating, especially in those that dive into the complexities of existence and morality. One standout example that springs to mind is 'The Dark Knight.' The way the Joker embodies Nietzschean chaos challenges the notion of morality itself. Batman, representing order, is pitted against this chaotic force, embodying that famous idea of the 'Übermensch' and the struggle for meaning amidst societal norms. Another great film is 'Fight Club,' which taps into nihilistic themes and the critique of consumer culture, something Nietzsche often discussed. The protagonist's journey toward self-creation mirrors Nietzsche's concepts of personal freedom and the rejection of herd mentality. It’s like a psychological dance, where the characters battle not just each other, but their inner struggles, all while playing against a backdrop of existential philosophy. And we can’t forget 'Inception.' The layers of reality in the dream sequences connect to Nietzsche’s views on the nature of reality itself. It raises the question: how do we know what’s genuine? That’s a question steeped in philosophical debate that Nietzsche would have appreciated. Each layer the characters delve into highlights their search for truth, freedom, and the nature of consciousness. It’s interesting how these films employ music and visuals to bring these philosophical themes to life, creating an engaging dialogue between the audience and Nietzsche’s thoughts.

Browsing SSR Movies' current lineup feels like opening a mixtape from every corner of cinema — there's a delicious mix of crowd-pleasers, arthouse gems, and animated wonders. I dug through their catalog and here are the films I found that they currently include: 'The Shawshank Redemption', 'The Godfather', 'Pulp Fiction', 'Inception', 'Interstellar', 'The Dark Knight', 'Blade Runner 2049', 'Mad Max: Fury Road', 'La La Land', 'Whiplash', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', 'Parasite', 'Oldboy'. On the animation and international front SSR Movies also lists 'Spirited Away', 'Princess Mononoke', 'Akira', 'Perfect Blue', 'Your Name', 'Train to Busan', 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire', and the haunting 'Pan's Labyrinth'. There are also a few modern horror and social thrillers like 'Get Out' and 'Hereditary', and some documentary-style picks that pop up in their rotating sections. I love how eclectic this mix is — you can go from a Miyazaki dreamscape to a Tarantino night run in the same session. Personally, I keep circling back to 'Spirited Away' and 'Inception' on lazy weekends, they’re the kind of titles that always reward another watch.

If you want a crash-course in Soviet cinema that still feels alive, start with a few landmarks that show how daring, humane, and formally inventive those films can be. Begin with 'Battleship Potemkin' and 'Man with a Movie Camera' — they’re silent-era exercises in montage and rhythm that still teach modern filmmakers how images can shout. Then swing to emotional, human stories: 'The Cranes Are Flying' and 'Ballad of a Soldier' for tender, heartbreaking takes on war’s toll. For philosophical sci-fi that doubles as a thought experiment, don't skip 'Solaris'; for metaphysical, painterly cinema try 'Andrei Rublev' or 'The Mirror'. Finish off with something visceral like 'Come and See' to understand trauma on-screen, and a crowd-pleaser like 'Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears' to taste Soviet everyday life and humor. These choices give you technique, poetry, propaganda-era spectacle, and intimate drama — and after watching them I always feel like I’ve been lectured, consoled, and shaken all at once.