#Hard themes

[baristabomb]

...weird amount of dunmeshi fans have been saying being a caretaker in a relationship is the worst thing ever..marcille must want to killl everyone soo bad because doing things for people suuuucks sooo muchh

it's an act of love, not just a job i promise. we all want someone who's willing to take care of us in some way, just like how senshi shows care for others by cooking for them :'|

[grimreapersamael]

Review of “Skinamarink”

+ + + Warning: “Skinamarink” includes themes such as child abuse, family problems and self-harm, that I will talk about in the review. There are spoilers contained in 'my reflections' part, where I'll briefly talk about my view on the second meaning of this film. You can skip this part for a neutral conclusion. + + + “I can do anything. Kaylee didn't do as she was told. She said she wanted her mom and dad, so I took her mouth away.” ~The Entity to Kevin + + +

Introduction

The most cursed film. A nightmare fuel. Disgusted people exiting the cinemas in the middle of production. At the same time, praises over the form. One experimental horror that moved the Internet, because of subtle hints at a deeper meaning. Let's talk about the unnerving story, that took its name from an innocent, children song – “Skinamarink”. “Skinamarink” is a Canadian experimental horror film, that was directed by Edward Kyle Ball. This production, released in few cinemas around the globe at the beginning of 2022, got a lot of mixed reactions. A fair amount of people criticized the action for being slow-paced. Others couldn't watch the horrific fate of young protagonists. At the same time, some enjoyed the story, liking it for its distinctive style, as well as trying to find a metaphoric meaning for the cruelty. “Skinamarink” is about two children – 4 years old Kevin and 6 years old Kaylee – who are trapped inside their own house. As doors, windows, and their parents disappear, the siblings are left on their own against something. Personally, I liked this film, however I completely understand negative reactions.

The story and the presentation

Bringing up feelings familiar to everyone, in a way that only a portion of people will find enjoyable to watch. That's how I'd put “Skinamarink” into a one sentence. The main scare, that doesn't require any deeper delve into the story, is a constant atmosphere of the film. The action is slow-paced, because of almost static frames and overall silence. What's more, characters are often whispering, or their words are hardly understandable (To the point that you have to read subtitles). Frames are primarily constructed around the viewpoint of a child. Thereby, they're enhancing the appearance of a house by presenting either an unending darkness, or conversely, displaying only a limited portion of a room, making us unable to see what is happening. The darkness itself is an important part of presentation, as it triggers a natural fear of the unknown. There, we have our main basis for visuals of “Skinamarink” which is c h i l d h o o d f e a r. The reason for sleeping with a little light on. Hugging into your teddy bear tightly, as a way to feel more safe. The crying caused by a feeling of loneliness, once we don't see our parents nearby. This is what film visually represents. Something that all of us experienced at one point of their life, which is now brought up once we're older, almost forgetting this basic fear. What's more, the quality of whole production isn't a one expected in 2022. It was based on the popular genre of analogue horror. The choice is another way to enhance the unnerving feeling of “Skinamarink”, with a taste of nostalgia. This matches our memories much more, as production isn't as clear, as it could be. A similar effect was made by the choice of not showing us so much action, that I find to be a great way of playing with human tendency to fill up holes. It's hard to terrify with what's said, as much as you can with just leaving a few questions unanswered. “Skinamarink” makes sure that we feel bad for the main characters. They're children, unable to do a lot of things, as we found out as the story progresses. Siblings also can't understand a lot. We see their innocence, in little parts of their words or acts. The only people – beside themselves – that they could trust, disappeared into thin air.

My reflections (Story Spoilers ahead)

An experimental way to scare people and hard to swallow themes, would probably be enough to make me watch “Skinamarink”. However, this wouldn't be enough to catch my attention – especially for a time longer than around a week. As I mentioned before, I'm not fond of this production because of the literal story that “Skinamarink” gives us. I believe that the intriguing and thrilling part about this story lays in details. My mind wasn't filled with reflections about a physical torture or a childhood fear, but with theories. After a re-watch and the way that people on the Internet tried to break down the story, I got a forming picture of what the “Skinamarink” could tell us. For me, it is not a story about a paranormal entity, that got power over two kids. It's about an abusive household, broken family and a crippled young mind.

Pointing at only few clues, we know that children are having problems in their family. They don't want to talk about their mom. We aren't given any direct reason, but we know that she's somehow connected to the monster that torments them. However, later, there's a moment almost opposite to their earlier words. I don't find it to be brought up by people in their theories, but Kaylee wanted her parents. She wanted to see them. Both dad and mom. These same people, that we know children, are reluctant to speak about. I find it to be such a great way on how desperate they're in their situation. Maybe, they don't want to speak about mom, but when monster is trapping them, both of them just don't know any better. If we go by the metaphorical meaning for paranormal activities, it's safe to assume that it could be a sign, that mother wasn't always abusive. Perhaps Kaylee wishes for her mom to be like she was before? The interpretation itself – of course – is optional and subjective. Personally, I like to believe in this, as it nicely connects to the theme, that was also present in other movie from Bale titled “Heck”. The difference mostly comes from the directness in “Heck”, where in “Skinamarink” it's a speculation.

Conclusion

“Skinamarink” was an interesting movie to watch. I admire the visuals and specific aura, that builds up into a worthy experience. Fear, wonder and compassion come together, for us to decipher its story. It isn't for everyone, but I highly recommend giving this piece of artwork a try. If You're about to watch this movie, I wish You an enjoyable evening with this production. For those who already watched it, I'll gladly read Your thoughts on this movie and Your theories. No matter, if you read it in the darkness of the night, or in the light of the day, I wish You a lovely time. To the next evening, whether it may be another review, photograph, or a drawing. ~ A.K. Samael

+ + +

[potato-lord-but-not]

NOBODY’S SOLDIER

[theoldkyokodied]

One wedding and three funerals

Background paintings under the cut

[lucidloving]

Mieko Kawakami, Heaven // Langston Hughes, Good Morning, Revolution: Uncollected Social Protest Writings // Madeline Miller, Circe // Bob Ross // Cameron Awkward-Rich, "Meditations in an Emergency" // Mary Oliver, "For Example" // @catadromously // J. R. R. Tolkien, The Two Towers // Maria Hornbascher, Waiting // @catadromously

[ctkira]

outfit swap

pixal -> cyrus

nya -> kai

[star-trekster]

Have you ever danced with the devil

In the pale moonlight?

[butterflyscribbles]

“Just like your dad…so eager to serve others as the soup has only just begun to simmer…

Give it time.”

AU where someone very different was waiting for MK after he stepped into the pillar🐷💜

[juniper-clan]

Moon 26: Part 1

PREVIOUS l NEXT

[foxflamingo]

*sigh*… I got dragged into the show by the gay ass purple fairy

I know he dragged you down too 🫵

[mayasaura]

Protesilaus' body went into the incinerator headless. That fragment of a tooth Ianthe gifted to Palamedes is all that remains of the remains of Dulcinea. This is the closest they ever come to touching. If anyone needs me, I'll be at the bottom of the nearest well.

[francishabilis]

I like them a lot they are sooo silly

they are the healthiest unhealthy couple ever

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Turtle Takedown Teamwork.

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[roach-works]

ok im waffling on about fallout instead of having breakfast but i saw a criticism of how the prisoners were treated that's stuck with me.

spoilers!

so i think the criticism wasn't incorrect, per se: it condemned the way the show portrayed the vault dweller's naive intention to rehabilitate their murderous captives. it found fault with a common, and horrible, message that tv shows like to say, which is that carcerial violence and even the death penalty is the only effective way to deal with criminals, who are a fundamentally Bad category of human. im sick of that message too! but i think that wasn't what was going on here, actually.

so like, the vault dwellers had only ever experienced violent loss the once, and didn't really know how to cope other than denial and repression of the ordeal. but they were all hopeful and enthusiastic that their prisoners, the invaders that came to kill them all and take their stuff, could be eventually welcomed into the community as their comrades. the champions of this cause were nebbishy dorks and painfully out of touch academics. this is pretty normal for how prison reformers are portrayed, if extremely fucking annoying for those of us who ARE in favor of prison reform.

but so of course when the son of the former overseer, Norm, speaks up and suggests killing the prisoners, because why should they share resources with invaders who explicitly wanted to keep hurting them? why should they show mercy to their attackers? everyone is appalled by this suggestion. because they had to reinvent the whole concept of vengeance right then and there, because grudges and cycles of violence are anathema to a bottle society like theirs. they have been raised all their lives to forgive and forget and now, put to the test, they're recommitting to this ethos: get along, let the past go, look towards the future, believe the best of everyone.

but the prisoners die, anyway. the prisoners are killed with rat poison. and the thing is that Norm who suggested it didn't do it himself. and the prison guard who's blamed for it, even though she privately agreed with Norm that the prisoners are dangerous and unforgiveable, she didn't do it either. it's not a moment of triumphant, cathartic vengeance and it doesn't prove that there's no way to negotiate with terrorists and invaders but kill them like vermin because that's not what the message is meant to be.

the message is that norm stands there in the middle of these inconvenient prisoners, these corpses dressed in his own people's uniforms, and he looks at the new overseer. and he knows that she killed them, and she knows that he knows. she wanted him to know. this is her message and he's reading her loud and clear. and he doesn't look like a guy who's just been backed up by authority, who's just been validated in his desire for the ultimate control over those who have wronged him.

he's scared and pale and the music is ominous as fuck. and he's inside the cell, he's directly in the middle of it.

because what just happened is that he realized his entire society is being held prisoner, and the overseer is the one with the rat poison. and that he doesn't know, anymore, what freedom and safety and justice actually mean, just that he doesn't have them and he doesn't know where to find them.

that's what that scene meant. not that rehabilitative justice is a pathetic delusion of people who have no idea how to make hard choices.

but that before you advocate for killing prisoners, you might want to see how big that prison is, first.

and which side of the bars you're standing on.

[dykealloy]

[dittydipity]

going INSANE. what is he thinking. why did he say this. why does he do all of this. i am thinking so hard.

we know he's seeking arceus to recreate the world bc in his eyes the world is cruel and unjust and it needs to be destroyed and remade. he's set himself on a mission to create the better reality he's envisioned for his whole life.

but everything else he does. the way he spends his time on pasio making people smile with togepi. even if he justifies it as something purely transactional to get more customers, we know he doesn't really take his merchant job seriously. the way he loves his pokemon so much that they will pop out of their pokeball to excitedly tell whoever will listen how much they love volo back. him trying to capture these moments of happiness tangibly because they never last long and can be wiped away any second.

he still hangs onto hope so much despite what's implied to have happened to him. in spite of all the anger and bitterness that's festered in him, he doesn't really want to destroy everything as he says.

it all started with a wish for the world to be a better place, for the good in the world to outweigh all the cruelty. he's still trying to spread what happiness he can.

but at the same time his past drags behind him and reminds him that he can't afford to trust in the goodness of the world.

that self-assigned mission to usurp arceus's power and rewrite everything.. to him, it's his duty now. he has to do it for himself and, as he rationalizes to himself, for the world.

so he ignores the flaws and holes he finds in his own reasoning. he can't help but seek out the brightness and happiness and goodness that does exist in the world, yet he has to dismiss it to justify his goals.

... all this to try and explain to myself why volo's asking all these questions and making all these comments that seem to go against what we'd expect given his ulterior motive and plans. and it's like he's asking the few friends he has to remember him as the one who seeks joy, even when he does the worst to fulfill his dreams