Spoiler-Free Review of “Just Beyond” on Disney+: Kid Friendly Horror Comedy

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“What is this place?”

Just Beyond is a new horror comedy anthology series inspired by the works of R.L. Stine. The series premiered on October 13th 2021 on Disney+ with all eight episodes available to stream now. Just Beyond stars McKenna Grace, Lexi Underwood, Cedric Joe, Henry Thomas and Nasim Pedrad. Each episode runs for approximately 25-30 minutes.

Each episode explores a different phenomenon as our characters are immersed into a world filled with aliens, witches and ghosts.

Here is the trailer:

Just Beyond attempts to bring us more kids friendly horror with some fun and spooky premises, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Stand-out episodes.

I really loved episodes one and four in particular. Each episode had its own unique story, but I almost thought some of these episodes could have actually branched off into their own shows. They were really intriguing and I loved the characters!

They also found just the right balance of creepy fun for both kids and adults.

A new entry for kids horror.

Kids horror has been releasing some solid entries lately and I liked that this series took a different approach. The series could have easily attempted to channel Goosebumps or even the new Are You Afraid of the Dark? reboot, but the horror comedy angle was different and I think it worked in a lot of ways.

The Cons:

A disconnect at times and slightly repetitive.

Since I really liked some episodes more than others, it was difficult binge-watching all of the episodes in this anthology series because it lost some of its magic with each episode.

I also thought that a lot of the themes were similar and maybe this show would have benefited from releasing its episodes weekly to prevent things from becoming too stale.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

This series is fun for the whole family (although you probably want to monitor the content of each episode for your kids) and it gave us another welcomed entry into the kids horror genre.

Overall, it was a fun watch with lots of potential.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Just Beyond in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Loki” on Disney+: Mischief and Mayhem

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Guilty of being the god of mischief? Yes…”

Loki premiered on Disney+ on June 9th 2021. The series will feature six weekly episodes that air on Wednesdays. Each episode runs for approximately 40-50 minutes. The show stars Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

The series takes place after the events of Avengers: End Game, as the god of mischief embarks on a confusing adventure of his very own, as he tries to figure out his place in the world.

Here is the trailer:

Loki has the potential to reel its viewers back into the MCU while charming us with one of our favorite antiheroes, but does its confusing plot get in the way of pure greatness? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Tom Hiddleston is charming as ever.

Loki has always been one of my favorite characters and whether you love him or hate him, there’s an undeniable presence and charm to Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal. He is witty, devious, and beyond entertaining, and having a show completely dedicated to him seems like a brilliant idea to me.

I’m excited to see him really flourish in his own show and I have to say that Owen Wilson is doing a fantastic job of keeping up. I was worried that he might be a little bit too cheesy or over-the-top, but his dry humor is balancing nicely with Loki’s and they are both really fun to watch on screen.

More please!

The antihero can be redeemed.

If you haven’t watched all of the Avengers movies yet, you probably shouldn’t be watching Loki, but his moment of redemption was needed, but it also left me wanting more from our beloved character and we basically get a second chance to see Loki go on a real path toward self-discovery and purpose. There is a lot to this character and he isn’t just a trickster. He has a lot of layers and I am excited that we will finally be able to uncover his full potential in this series.

The Cons:

Muddled and confusing.

I’m not going to lie, I was really confused by the first episode. There is A LOT going on and the TVA is not making things easy for the viewers at home. The mystery is intriguing enough to keep me coming back for more, but I’m hoping we can get some concrete answers soon since we only have six episodes to explore.

I am giving the show a chance despite the confusing premise and pacing issues especially since I was equally confused with the beginning of WandaVision and that quickly became one of my favorite shows of the year.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

Tom Hiddleston is charming and entertaining enough to keep you coming back for more, but this show has some real potential. There is a lot going on and I hope that the pacing picks up with the coming episodes, but it has captured my attention and I am really interested to see Loki’s character develop even more.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Loki in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “WandaVision” on Disney+: Delightfully Intriguing

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“My wife and her flying saucers…”

WandaVision premiered on Disney+ on January 15th 2021 with the first two episodes available to stream now. There will be nine episodes in total that will air weekly. The series stars Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Kathryn Hahn. Each episode runs for approximately 30-35 minutes.

If you are familiar with MCU, then you know that this series may initially seem strange and misplaced based on the events that occurred in the Avenger films. Nonetheless, we are presented with a sitcom series featuring Wanda (Scarlet Witch) and her husband, Vision. Things are not as they seem as we find ourselves trapped within a television-centric nostalgia that is not without its own unique charm and mystery.

Here is the trailer:

WandaVision may be the most unique release we have seen yet in MCU, paying its respect to timeless sitcom classics while presenting us with clever Easter eggs and the promise to unfold the mystery at hand, but does it do enough to keep viewers coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Undeniable chemistry.

While I always noticed a spark between these two in the films, there really wasn’t enough time to devote to it with everything else going on. WandaVision gives us the chance to finally see just how charming these two can be together and I have to say that it’s even better than I could have imagined.

The love is believable and even though it’s clear that things are not as they seem, the connection between the characters keeps us invested in their well-being. Seriously, these two are adorable!

Images courtesy of Disney+

Welcomed TV nostalgia.

The show really owes a lot to series like The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bewitched, and I Love Lucy, embracing all of these classic shows effortlessly without becoming stale in the process. I especially enjoyed the second episode and was actually really laughing at several parts, allowing myself to treat this show as what it is meant to be…a sitcom.

Images courtesy of Disney+

Fantastic supporting characters and guest stars.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum, Emma Caulfield was fantastic and I always love watching Kathryn Hahn, who nailed the nosy neighbor vibe with flair. Pretty much every guest star has really added to the show and based on the cast listed, I can’t wait to see everyone else.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Strange and confusing.

I’m all for strange and confusing and there have already been several well placed Easter eggs and hints at a bigger mystery going on, but it is really confusing at times. Perhaps we will get to everything in the later episodes, but I think that the series can take a page out of Pleasantville’s book and give the audience just a little bit more.

That being said, I am intrigued by the mystery and love the concept of being trapped inside a television sitcom (if that’s what is actually happening here), but I think some viewers may be turned off and lose interest if we aren’t given more hints soon.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Disney+

I’m in!

This show is really different and unique, but it also presents us with so much charming nostalgia. I can’t wait to watch the next episodes and I think that as long as the mystery picks up, this show will develop into something truly fantastic!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on WandaVision in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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