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When does watching a movie become something we feel like we have to document?

Krloz sits down with Chris Higgins, AKA Bearded Film Guy, for a conversation about Letterboxd, movie discovery, ratings, film culture, and the increasingly complicated relationship between watching movies and creating content about them.

We start with Chris's podcast Beyond the Blood, a show built around using physical-media audio commentaries as the starting point for deeper conversations about genre films. From there, the conversation moves into Letterboxd and the pressure that can come with logging, rating, reviewing, and comparing your movie-watching habits to everyone else's.

Chris talks about why he had to rethink the way he uses Letterboxd, how ratings can affect the way we actually experience a movie, and why having a different opinion from the crowd shouldn't turn into a fight.

We also dig into “contentification” — the idea that movies can become content to be consumed, ranked, reviewed, posted, and monetized rather than simply experienced. Where does genuine film discussion end and content creation begin? And what happens when social media incentives start influencing how we talk about movies?

Physical media naturally enters the conversation through movie discovery, ownership, bonus features, and the idea that learning more about a film can completely change how you see it.

In this episode:

• Chris Higgins and the origins of Beyond the Blood
• Why audio commentaries can change how you experience a movie
• Letterboxd and the pressure to constantly log and rate
• When movie watching starts feeling like a competition
• Rating movies vs. simply enjoying them
• The pressure to agree with popular opinion
• Film criticism, disagreement, and having your own perspective
• The “contentification” of movies
• Social media, movie influencers, and authenticity
• When physical media can lead to deeper movie discovery
• Why bonus features and film history matter
• Chris's Letterboxd Top Four and the movies he owns physically
• SCREAM AT 30: Scream, Letterboxd, ratings, reputation, and the horror canon

Follow Chris: @beardedfilmguy

Listen to Beyond the Blood.

Listen to the episode "Short Night of Glass Dolls''

Follow Steve: @afterhoursvideo

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Obsession is going to the Oscars; or at least Focus Features is going all in on an Oscar campaign. With the studio submitting Curry Barker’s Obsession in a long list of categories, the question isn't simply whether the movie deserves to be nominated. How does it actually stack up against the competition?

In this special episode of The Physical Cut, I go category by category through Obsession’s Oscar campaign, comparing its chances against movies that have already arrived and some of the biggest contenders still coming later this year. From makeup and cinematography to acting, screenplay, directing and eventually Best Picture, we're looking at where Obsession has a legitimate path, and where the campaign might be stretching a little too far.

And yes, there are some categories where I think Focus Features should absolutely be putting its money. There are others where I'm wondering what the hell they're doing.

In this episode:

• Obsession’s Oscar campaign and the 15 submitted categories
• Makeup & Hairstyling
• Sound and the horror advantage
• Original Score
• Costume Design
• Production Design vs. Project Hail Mary
• Cinematography and why this might be Obsession’s strongest craft category
• Casting and the importance of Inde Navarrette to the campaign
• Supporting Actor: Cooper Tomlinson and Andy Richter
• Why Michael Johnston may have a better chance in Supporting Actor
• Film Editing and the Curry Barker/Sean Baker comparison
• Original Screenplay vs. The Invite, Mother Mary and other contenders
• Best Actor
• Inde Navarrette and the Best Actress race
• Curry Barker vs. Christopher Nolan and the Javis for La Bola Negra
• The crowded Best Picture race
• My final Obsession Oscar scorecard

The Oscar race is still developing, and plenty of major 2026 releases haven't even arrived yet. So this isn't about pretending we know exactly what will happen on Oscar night.

It's about where Obsession stands right now.

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On this episode of The Physical Cut, Krloz sits down with Matt from Asterisk Video, a small physical media business based in West Virginia that grew out of Matt and his wife's own collecting habits.

What started with trying to downsize duplicate VHS tapes eventually became a business built around hunting, restoring, cleaning, testing and selling physical media at events across the country. Matt talks about what it actually takes to source vintage VHS tapes and other physical media, and why the work behind the table is often much more complicated than collectors realize.

The conversation also dives into the current state of VHS collecting, the rise of younger collectors discovering the format, collecting for nostalgia versus aesthetics, horror's relationship with physical media, boutique labels and artwork, and where Matt thinks the physical media market is heading.

And because no episode with a VHS collector would be complete without it, Matt shares the story of the time his rental copy of Scream broke at the worst possible moment.

In This Episode

• How Asterisk Video grew from downsizing a personal collection into a physical media business
• Building a business around VHS, DVDs, Blu-rays, 4Ks and other physical media
• Hunting for inventory through flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores and collections
• The work involved in cleaning, repairing, testing and restoring VHS tapes
• Why horror collectors have become such a major part of the physical media community
• The new generation of VHS collectors and the appeal of the format
• Nostalgia vs. collecting for aesthetics
• Why movie artwork can be just as important as the movie itself
• Original artwork, boutique labels and the debate over new cover designs
• What collectors often misunderstand about the physical media community
• The emotional stories and memories behind people's collections
• Rewind Rolodex and resources for VHS collectors
• Where Matt sees the future of physical media heading
• Advice for anyone starting a physical media collection
• Scream at 30: Matt's unforgettable story about renting Scream on VHS

Follow Asterisk Video on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with their inventory, upcoming events and latest finds.

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What makes a film worthy of the Criterion Collection? Krloz sits down with Ron from Why This Film? to talk about Criterion, physical media collecting, and the idea behind his podcast: exploring the collection one spine at a time.

Ron shares how his curiosity about Criterion led him to start Why This Film?, where conversations with critics, historians, writers, professors, and filmmakers go beyond simply asking whether a movie is good or bad. We talk about how those conversations have changed the way he watches films, the importance of Criterion's supplements and essays, and the experience of discovering films outside the mainstream.

We also get into Criterion collecting, blind buys, Letterboxd, underrated releases, and what makes a film worth revisiting. Plus, Ron takes on a quick Criterion rapid-fire round.

In this episode:

• Why Ron created Why This Film?
• Criterion Collection and physical media collecting
• Film deep dives, criticism, and the value of supplements
• How conversations can change the way you watch movies
• Discovering lesser-known and international filmmakers
• Criterion blind buys, underrated releases, and collecting regrets
• Films Ron would love to see join the Criterion Collection

Find Why This Film? Website: whythisfilm.com Instagram: @whythIsfilmpod

If you enjoy the episode, follow, subscribe, and share The Physical Cut wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also follow us on Instagram for more physical media, collecting, and movie culture.

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Every movie collector remembers their first Criterion.

In this episode of The Physical Cut, Krloz sits down with Derick McDuff, host of the Underrated Movie Podcast, longtime Barnes & Noble bookseller, and WatchMojo contributor, to explore why the Criterion Collection has become one of the most respected names in physical media.

From working the legendary Barnes & Noble Criterion Sale to recommending hidden cinematic gems every day, Derick shares what it's really like helping collectors build their libraries, introducing newcomers to classic cinema, and discovering films that deserve far more attention.

Together, they discuss how physical media creates deeper connections with movies than streaming ever can, why film recommendations matter, and how Criterion continues to preserve cinema through outstanding restorations, special features, and collector editions.

Whether you're buying your very first Criterion release or have hundreds on your shelf, this conversation celebrates the joy of film discovery and the culture behind collecting.

In this episode:

• Why the Criterion Collection is so important
• Inside the Barnes & Noble Criterion Sale
• How to start collecting Criterion the right way
• Film recommendations for first-time Criterion buyers
• How social media influences movie collecting
• Physical media vs. streaming
• The value of special features and film preservation
• Why collectors still love browsing physical stores
• Underrated movies every film fan should discover
• Why owning movies still matters in the streaming era

We also dive into conversations about John Waters, David Lynch, Godzilla, The Red Shoes, The Princess Bride, Scream, Scream 2, Scream 3, The Elephant Man, and many more films that continue to shape film culture.

🎙 Guest: Derick McDuff – Host of the Underrated Movie Podcast

Follow Derick:

• Website: underratedmoviepodcast.com
• Instagram: @underratedmoviepodcast

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• Instagram: @thephysicalcutpod
• Website: KRPodLab.com

If you enjoy conversations about physical media, boutique labels, film preservation, Criterion Collection releases, movie collecting, Blu-rays, 4K UHD, horror, cinema history, and collector culture, be sure to subscribe and leave a review.

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Why did Obsession (2026) become one of the biggest horror success stories of the year? In this episode of The Physical Cut, Krloz is joined by special guest John (Spky_Szn95) to break down the unexpected rise of Cory Barker's breakout indie horror film and why audiences can't stop talking about it.

Together, they explore how a film made for under $1 million became a box office phenomenon through word of mouth, social media, and passionate horror fans. Is Obsession simply the most talked-about horror movie of 2026, or has it already earned cult classic status?

The conversation covers the film's psychological horror, atmosphere, cinematography, performances, marketing strategy, collector appeal, and the growing importance of original independent horror in a franchise-driven industry. They also discuss physical media, the upcoming 4K release, and why movies like Obsession prove collectors and horror fans can help shape a film's legacy.

The episode concludes with a special transition into The Physical Cut's year-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of Scream, where Krloz and John reflect on what Wes Craven's classic means to horror fans and collectors nearly three decades later.

In This Episode

• Why Obsession (2026) became a surprise horror phenomenon
• Can word of mouth outperform million-dollar marketing campaigns?
• Psychological horror vs. modern franchise horror
• Cory Barker's breakout success
• The performances of Indy Navarrette and Michael Johnston
• Horror collecting and the upcoming Obsession 4K release
• Why physical media still matters
• Is Obsession the next cult classic?
• Celebrating 30 Years of Scream
• Favorite Ghostface killers and the legacy of Wes Craven

Support the show by following us on Instagram and sharing the episode with your friends!

Visit KRPodLab for all episodes and to leave us voicemails, we would love to feature you in the show!

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The future of physical media has never been more uncertain. As streaming services grow and digital purchases become the norm, an important question remains: Do we actually own the movies and games we buy?

In this special crossover episode, The Physical Cut joins Super Wall Jump to explore one of the biggest debates in entertainment today. We discuss the differences between physical media and digital ownership, why movies and games continue disappearing from online storefronts, and what that means for collectors, gamers, and film lovers alike.

From licensing agreements that can revoke access to purchased digital content, to the importance of preserving alternate cuts, bonus features, and forgotten films, this conversation goes beyond nostalgia. We also discuss the role collectors play in protecting film history, the value of boutique labels like Criterion, discovering international cinema through physical media, and why convenience shouldn't come at the cost of ownership.

Whether you're a Blu-ray collector, a gamer, or someone who simply loves movies, this episode explores why physical media remains an essential part of preserving culture for future generations.

Topics Covered

• Physical media vs. streaming
• Do you really own digital movies?
• Why lost media matters
• Film preservation and collecting
• Physical games vs. digital downloads
• The future of Blu-ray, DVD, and physical media
• Criterion Collection and boutique labels
• Discovering international cinema
• Why collectors help preserve film history

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The Criterion Collection July Sale is one of the best times of the year to add new films to your shelf, and in this episode I’m sharing ten releases I think are absolutely worth picking up.

These aren’t ranked, and they aren’t necessarily the “greatest” films in the collection. They’re simply ten editions I return to, recommend often, and believe offer something special. Whether it’s the film itself, the restoration, the supplements, or the overall package.

From overlooked horror classics and unforgettable international cinema to modern masterpieces and a few hidden gems, these are the Criterion releases I’d point collectors toward during this year’s sale.

I also wrap up the episode by sharing the Criterion titles I picked up during the sale and the releases I’m still considering before the month ends.

Featured Films:

• The Innocents
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire
• La Haine
• Anatomy of a Fall
• The Worst Person in the World
• The Watermelon Woman
• A History of Violence
• Jules and Jim
• Targets
• Perfect Days

What are you picking up during the July Criterion Sale? Let me know on Instagram—I always enjoy hearing your recommendations.

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Personal: @krlozruben2.0

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