The first time I watched Labyrinth, The NeverEnding Story, and E.T., I remember being struck not just by their fantastic scope but by the very craft that went into building these fantasies. Thanks to the use of animatronics, puppets, matte paintings, and more, these films spun stories that were at once otherworldly yet tactile. I didn't feel like I was just watching a movie — I felt like I could step through the screen and be part of the adventure.

That feeling of childlike wonder returned while watching A24's The Legend of Ochi, the feature debut from writer/director Isaiah Saxon. The Legend of Ochi's gorgeous practical effects place it in the tradition of nostalgic genre films, even when its story doesn't always measure up.