About Hokum and Bits

Post 2016:

Every story needs a hook or a bit. Makes sense. Gotta draw people in. More importantly, you need to drum up interest from people in the business of distributing art. They need to feel like they’re selling something unique.

This arrangement works out sometimes. Most times it doesn’t. For instance, I’m reading a book right now in which people speak to each other using lines from Shakespeare. It makes sense in the story, but talk about a bit.

Anyway, I want to write a little about Hokum. A creepy story about a guy in a place that’s haunted. It’s pretty scary and entertaining and I liked it.

To say much more would be to ruin it, I suppose, but I’ll offer some general statements. The story is tight and doesn’t waste a bunch of time. It feels slow and deliberate, but there’s no useless scenes or pointless shots. Okay, there might be, but I didn’t notice.

You’ll have to trust me and check it out if you’re in the mood for a good story with some serious creepiness and the occasional laugh. Beautifully shot, acted well. The main character is—well, he’s not nice. I believe he could exist. Good stuff.

It’s interesting trying to explain, because the “hook” isn’t blatantly evident. To say “old hotel in Ireland where lonely writer gets haunted” makes it sound like a billion other deals. I guess it kind of is. But this one is good. I guess the bit is that this writer/director is decent at his job and most people are either hacks or lean on bits.

There are some scary moments. And if you’re in the mood for a story bookended by a parched conquistador in a vast desert, this is right up your alley.

I know. Random. But it works. Cheers and see you after.