Spoiler-Free Review of “Whalefall” in Theaters: An Emotional and Intense Ride!

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

“It’s what I came back for…”

Whalefall released in theaters on October 16th 2026. The survival thriller film (based on the novel of the same name) stars Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin, Jane Levy, Emily Rudd, Elisabeth Shue, and John Ortiz. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Following the death of his father, Jay returns home to California and decides to dive off the coast in search of his remains. After getting swallowed by a whale, he must figure out a way to escape and survive before his oxygen runs out.

Here is the trailer:

Whalefall is a thrilling watch packed with well thought out layers that balance out the story in a compelling way. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Edge-of-your-seat intensity.

My heart was racing during this film. It was so tense and claustrophobic. If that’s not your thing, be warned about that. I powered through my own issues with it and absorbed it all on the big screen, which was such an experience!

This film was utterly terrifying and so many moments made me so uncomfortable, but I was wide awake watching this one and rooting for Jay the entire time to figure out a way out of an impossible situation.

Images courtesy of 20th Century Studios

So emotional and absorbing.

I knew that this movie would be an intense trip from the trailer, but I wasn’t expecting to connect with it as much as I did. A lot of that had to do with the well placed layers and memories between Jay and his father. They triggered some of my own memories as well and a lot of scenes hit very close to home.

I thought the scenes transitioned back and forth in such a seamless and necessary way. This wasn’t just a film about survival. It was also about coping with grief and discovering who you really are. I left the theater in tears and I’ve still been thinking about it. It really had such a powerful effect on me.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of 20th Century Studios

I don’t have any.

No notes. This film was as perfect as one could be.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of 20th Century Studios

I’m in 100 percent!!!

(5 out of 5 stars)

WHALEFALL is a ferocious, terrifying, and touching watch with outstanding performances. This film had such a profound effect on me, stirring up so many feelings at once. One of my favorite films of 2026!

I truly hope more people go to see this in the theater.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on WHALEFALL 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 supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Crystal Lake” on Peacock: Linda Cardellini is Bloody Fantastic!

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

“Some of us are meant to wear masks…”

Crystal Lake premiered on October 15th 2026 with all eight episodes available to stream on Peacock.

The slasher prequel series (based on the Friday the 13th franchise) stars Linda Cardellini, Will Catlett, Gwendolyn Sundstrom, Devin Kessler, and Nick Cordileone. Each episode runs for approximately forty-three to fifty minutes.

After a traumatic accident involving her son, Pam Voorhees attempts to deal with her grief at Camp Crystal Lake, but holds on to the hope that her son is still alive since they haven’t recovered a body. Her grief shifts to confusion and anger as she begins to unleash a rage within her connected to her dark past.

Here is the trailer:

Crystal Lake has plenty of gory kills to be excited about while giving fans the backstory of the legendary Pamela Voorhees, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock and A24

Guts and gore galore!

When I think about the Friday the 13th franchise, I associate it with fantastic bloody kills and lots of sex. This series understood the assignment here and did not hold back in these departments. The kills were extremely gory. They pushed the envelope a number of times, but that’s what I expected and hoped for with this series.

I was initially worried that they would water everything down, but they embraced the slasher aspects of the films and delivered some bloody great moments here.

Images courtesy of Peacock and A24

Linda Cardellini delivers!

She really embraced the role of Pamela Voorhees and made it her own while still paying respect to the original performance by Betsy Palmer. Some of her facial expressions were spot on! There were so many layers explored in this prequel series and I thought she embraced them all well, giving the audience the chance to sympathize with her while still being afraid of what she was truly capable of. The journey of descent into madness and rage was very well done and a lot of that was because of Cardellini’s portrayal.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Peacock and A24

Dragged things out too long.

I think this series should have been six episodes max. There were some standout episodes that were very well done, but a lot of them felt forced, as if they were stretching things out with unnecessary fluff just to fill the eight episode goal. This created a few pacing issues but I did still manage to make it through all eight episodes very quickly.

I also thought they made a few odd choices that strayed from the story of the franchise, which had me scratching my head. I’m not sure how fans of the original series will feel about them. I preferred the nods at the original films instead.

Not every character needs a prequel and while I think Cardellini sold us on this with her incredible performance, I was left wanting a little bit more from the plot. I still thoroughly enjoyed my watch; however, and appreciate that we finally got another entry to the franchise.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Peacock and A24

I’m in!!!

(3.5 out of 5 stars)

Crystal Lake delivers overall with plenty of gory kills and entertaining moments, elevated by an incredible performance by Linda Cardellini. 

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

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!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Carrie” (2026) on Prime: A Fresh and Modern Take on the Original!

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

“They can only hurt you if you let them…”

Carrie is a new show based on the Stephen King novel of the same name from The Haunting of Hill House creator, Mike Flanagan. The supernatural horror series premiered on October 7th 2026 with all eight episodes available to stream now. It stars Summer H. Howell, Samantha Sloyan, Alison Thornton, Siena Agudong, Joel Oulette, Matthew Lillard, and Amber Midthunder. Each episode runs for approximately 50-60 minutes.

A sheltered girl with telekinetic powers is bullied and tormented after joining school, leading up to a violent and traumatic incident at the prom.

Here is the trailer:

Carrie has plenty of familiar faces from The Haunting of Hill House world with lots of new talent as well, exploring a different version of the horror masterpiece in today’s modern world. Is this series worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

A clever take.

I didn’t know that I needed another version of Carrie, but this was such an unexpected gem. I was hooked from the first episode and I absolutely loved the approach. It managed to pay its respect to the original story while still branching out into its own identity, adapting to today’s world.

Normally I feel that reboots or new versions of films slap on the social media aspects with little effort, but this one actually used it effectively. So many real life issues were tackled here without hitting us over the head with what lessons we’re supposed to learn. They just transpired organically, which is not always easy to achieve in teen shows. This was such an emotional watch and the story-telling was top notch. Mike Flanagan always delivers and this series is no exception!

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Exceptional performances.

Summer H. Howell did a great job as Carrie. I sympathized with her character so much and thought she was fantastic. I was blown away by Samantha Sloyan, who honestly deserves an Emmy for her portrayal of Mrs. White. She was chilling on another level. Another standout was Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen. She embraced the mean girl role so well while still giving us layers. I really enjoyed the exploration of all of the characters here.

While my sympathy mainly went toward Carrie, I found myself forming connections with several other characters as well, seeing things from different perspectives. Mike Flanagan’s world building has always been so eloquent and masterful in all of his series, unraveling details and reveals in such a compelling way and I felt that throughout this series. I was invested in so many characters and was heartbroken when some of them met their demise.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime

I want more!

I really don’t have too many cons for this series. While I’m sure not everyone will be a fan of everything that happened in the last episode, I really enjoyed it. Yes, it strayed from the source material, but I don’t need to see the same story again so I was fine with this. I preferred everything happening in Carrie’s world but I understood the need to expand the story beyond that. By the time I got to the end credits, I was already wishing for a second season. I read that Flanagan’s dream is to have this extend to a three season arc, which would be fantastic.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in 100 percent!

Carrie is sheer perfection with a well-layered story that unfolds in such a powerful and relevant way.

The best show I’ve watched all year!

If you enjoyed Mike Flanagan’s previous series, you’ll find plenty to love in this new entry that isn’t afraid to take some risks with the source material.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Carrie 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!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Other Mommy” in Theaters: Jessica Chastain Gives it Her All

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

“Do you remember where you were before that?”

Other Mommy released in theaters on October 9th 2026. The supernatural horror film stars Jessica Chastain, Jay Duplass, Arabella Olivia Clark, Sean Kaufman, Dichen Lachman and Karen Allen. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-three minutes.

A young girl befriends a mysterious entity that poses as her mother to distract herself from the marital problems of her parents.

Here is the trailer:

Other Mommy channels Coraline with a sinister and familiar premise, but does it present us with anything new in the process? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Jessica Chastain puts in work!

She is a fantastic actress and is no stranger to being in horror films involving a mother figure. She starred in Mama back in 2013. I thought she really went all out here. She had some genuinely eerie moments and really elevated this film as much as she could. Some of those facial expressions were off the charts! The rest of the cast did a good enough job as well and it was great to see Dollhouse’s Dichen Lachman. I’ve always been a big fan of hers.

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Super creepy premise!

The opening of this film was well done. It had me on the edge of my seat and there were a few times I genuinely jumped. I may be looking under my kitchen table for the next few weeks…

I thought things were genuinely scary when we didn’t know what was happening. This was executed well, but once things started to be revealed, everything spiraled out of control into a messy plot I’ve seen numerous times before…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

The second half goes off the rails…

And not in a good way. I don’t even know where to start. The effects were awful and the plot felt very unsure of itself, as if they were figuring things out as they went along. Once everything was out in the open, it lost that chilling magic from the first half.

This film also failed to do anything new or unique here, recycling a plot I’ve seen way too many times in horror films (the family is dealing with a trauma that mirrors the threat, they seek out some expert who can make sense of things, and ultimately need to come together as a family to stop it).

These characters also continued to make some of the dumbest decisions ever!

Jessica Chastain honestly deserved a much better movie…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

I’m 50/50 on this one…

(2.5 out of 5 stars)

Other Mommy had some genuinely creepy moments built in with a note-worthy performance by Jessica Chastain, but the crazy second half felt really messy and silly, which was disappointing.

You’re better off re-watching Coraline instead.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Other Mommy 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 supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “BELOW” on Netflix: Josh Hartnett vs. a Mysterious Sea Monster

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

Something’s in the water…

BELOW released on Netflix on October 8th 2026 with all six episodes available to stream. The supernatural horror thriller limited series stars Josh Hartnett, Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton, Rohan Campbell, Ruby Stokes, and Natasha Henstridge. Each episode is approximately thirty-seven to forty-seven minutes.

When a mysterious sea creature begins to terrorize a remote town, a fisherman must figure out a way to protect his town and family.

Here is the trailer:

BELOW manages to give us just the right amount of action and eerie moments without overstaying its welcome in this enjoyable limited series. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Recognizable cast.

OK, I was seated for Josh Hartnett and he delivered, leading a fantastic cast. There were so many familiar faces in this one and I thought everyone did a great job here. I don’t always get invested in characters in series where I know people are going to be picked off and yet I was drawn to each of them. I thought Josh Hartnett was terrific, but he ALWAYS understands the assignment. I’m so excited that he is appearing in more and more again.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Disturbing and creepy premise.

I thought this was just going to be the monster terrorizing everyone and leaving behind lots of bloody guts. Sure, we got our fair share of that (which I loved), but I also really enjoyed the weird stuff going on as well. There were more layers to this one, which helped it expand the lore without over-complicating things too much. There was definitely a good balance here to flesh the story out.

I thought the pacing was solid as well even though things did go off the rails a few times…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

That accent…

I love Josh, but I could not take that attempt at a Newfoundland accent. It was so distracting!!! I eventually got used to it but it was a bit jarring and laughable at times.

The series did go off the deep end quite a few times as well, but I thought it added to its quirky and weird charm overall so this wasn’t a major con. Just don’t expect too much logic here…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

(3.5 out of 5 stars)

BELOW is completely bonkers, but a lot of fun, packed with a decent balance of action and eerie moments.

If you’re looking for a quick binge-watch over the weekend, this one definitely fits the bill. Netflix should do more series like this.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on BELOW 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 supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Verity” in Theaters: Dakota Johnson Uncovers Dark Secrets in this Lifetime-Esque Erotic Thriller

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

“There is no light where we’re going…”

Verity premiered in theaters on October 2nd 2026. The erotic psychological thriller film (based on the novel of the same name) stars Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett and Anne Hathaway. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty-five minutes.

After agreeing to be a ghostwriter for famous author, Verity Crawford, Lowen uncovers dark and deadly secrets within her autobiographical notes as she begins to lose her grip on reality while dealing with feelings for Verity’s husband.

Here is the trailer:

Verity is a guilty pleasure thriller with plenty of juicy and twisty moments built in, channeling films like Gone Girl and The Housemaid. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

Stacked cast.

When I think about a dream cast, this one is definitely up there for me personally. I am a huge fan of Josh Hartnett, Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson and I loved the deranged dynamic between their characters. I would have liked some more one-on-one moments with Hathaway and Johnson, but the tension was there and I was definitely feeling it. While I wouldn’t say that anyone really blew me away with their performance in this, they all understood the assignment and delivered enough in this soapy thriller.

Lots of twists and turns.

The initial ones weren’t that shocking, but if you enjoy Lifetime-esque thrills, you’ll get some of those standard twists here. That last twist though…wow! The reveals kept me invested until the very end as I tried to piece together everything. I didn’t read the novel so I don’t know how much it strayed from the source material, but the reveals were entertaining enough for a rainy Sunday at the theater.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

Dragged things out too much.

I was never bored, but I think things could have been wrapped up a little bit sooner. This film really should have hovered around the 90 minute mark. On another note, the trailers for this seemed so diabolical and dark. We definitely got some sprinkles of chilling moments, but I think they could have pushed the envelope even more.

There were some steamy moments as well, but too much emphasis on biting furniture, which was laughable at times. I’m never complaining about a shirtless Josh Hartnett though…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

I’m in about 75 percent…

(3.5 out of 5 stars)

VERITY is a soapy thriller with enough twists to keep you entertained with a gorgeous cast and lovely setting.

The reviews I’ve seen so far on this have not been very positive. I don’t think the film was that bad at all. I enjoyed it but I also love guilty pleasure thrillers like this. Was it perfect? Absolutely not…but I’d give it a shot if you enjoy this genre.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Verity 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 young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Coven Academy” on Disney+: A Witchy Good Time!

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

“We like to keep a low profile…”

Coven Academy premiered on Freeform and Disney+ on October 1st 2026 with all twenty-one episodes available now. Each episode is approximately 13-19 minutes long. The YA supernatural series stars Malina Pauli Weissman, Louis Thresher, Tiffani Thiessen, Devon Sawa, Malachi Barton, Ora Duplass, Jordan Letwich and Keegan Connor.

After a family tragedy, Briar moves to New Orleans to stay at a boarding school, but soon discovers that she is actually a witch with magical powers and is being hunted by several supernatural threats.

Here is the trailer:

Coven Academy channels the supernatural shows of The CW from the 2000’s in an effective way, making this a fun treat for fans of the genre. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Starring a few legends!

When I first saw the trailer for this series, it looked like a lot of shows I have seen before. However, as soon as I spotted Tiffani Thiessen and Devon Sawa, I knew I would be watching every single episode. I was worried that they would have minimal screen time, but I am pleased to report that both of them got to flourish in their roles, elevating this series that much more for me. Tiffani Thiessen is still THAT girl and I even spotted her channeling some Valerie Malone from time to time.

The rest of the cast did a great job as well. I was worried that the characters would all seem filler and generic, but each of them got enough of an intriguing personality to keep me invested in their well being.

Images courtesy of Disney+

A coven to root for.

I was surprised by how quickly I fell in love with this group. Each character had their own quirky charm and I loved the friendship growing between them. It felt genuine and relatable, which is not always easy to achieve in series like this. I’m all for witchy shows and while some of the plot-lines seemed very familiar (a vampire with a soul etc), the real relationship between these characters kept things entertaining enough with lots of cliffhangers and twists built into each bite-sized episode.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Disney+

The quick episodes were distracting at times.

I was initially thrilled that the episodes were so short for this one, but as I kept watching, I found myself distracted by this on more than one occasion. There were a lot of moments that could have been fleshed out more and instead we got a quick, snappy cliffhanger to draw us into pressing play for the next episode. I would have been fine just watching all ten (normal length) episodes, which is what the math basically comes down to. This just felt like a gimmick to me and I’m not sure that it was needed.

Some of the effects were really cheesy as well. I’m more of a fan of subtle magic rather than explosions of it (Practical Magic 2 fell into this trap also). Again, this is a very familiar plot, but if you enjoy witchy shows, it still finds enough edge and bewitching fun to keep you watching until the end.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Disney+

I’m in!

Coven Academy understands the assignment, delivering on some magical fun with well-layered characters and quite a few entertaining twists and turns, making this a delightful watch for all ages.

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

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!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Practical Magic 2″ in Theaters: A Bewitching Sequel!

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

“No magic is stronger than sisterhood…”

Practical Magic 2 premiered in theaters on September 10th 2026. The sequel to the 1998 film stars Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Joey King, Maisie Williams, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest, and Lee Pace. It runs for approximately two hours and ten minutes.

The Owens family must once again fight the curse they thought they had banished years ago to protect their family.

Here is the trailer:

Practical Magic 2 transports us effortlessly back to two of our favorite witches in film, giving fans of the original plenty to be excited about while delivering with an entertaining new entry to the story. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Nostalgia intertwined perfectly with the new story.

Practical Magic is one of my favorite films of all time. The original film still warms my heart when re-watching it so many years later and I have been waiting for this sequel with anticipation. I loved the way the new film worked in the nostalgia. They could have easily beat us over the head with it, but they were very clever about the way they used it. It never felt forced. It just worked itself into the story perfectly, making this such an incredible watch for fans of the original.

If you’re craving a midnight margarita, you’re in the right place and you won’t be disappointed.

The new story is solid enough as well, focusing on Sally’s grown up daughters, which gave everything a fresh spin for anyone just being introduced to the Owens family.

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock were perfect!

The original film released in 1998 and you would think we were still there. Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock look exactly the same and easily embraced their roles as Gillian and Sally. I thought they were beyond perfect. They delivered so much in these roles and reminded me why they are two of my favorite witches of all time.

I loved the chemistry and banter between them once again and it was interesting to see how their characters have changed over the years while still managing to hold on to their quirks and charm.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Underused character.

Joey King was great, but I was disappointed that Maisie Williams was given so little to do…

I think they underused her. She is such a terrific actress so I was surprised by this. I didn’t need this film to be any longer than it was but there were plenty of opportunities for her to step up and do something great and that never really happened.

My other con (not a major one) is that their magic seemed more flashy this time around. I get that they now had a bigger budget and could show off some of the powers more, but I much preferred the cozy feel to spells, omens (blood on the moon), and subtle hints at magic rather than big explosions of them.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

I’m in!!!

(4.5 out of 5 stars)

Practical Magic 2 is packed with heart and spellbinding nostalgia, allowing Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman to step back into their roles seamlessly.

I laughed, I cried, and I once again found myself wanting to embrace my own inner witch. I loved this film so much. It wasn’t as good as the first film, but it really held its own, giving fans a new film to treasure for years to come.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Practical Magic 2 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Fall 2: Deadpoint” in Theaters: A Solid Sequel!

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

“No way down and no way to call for help…”

Fall 2: Deadpoint released in theaters on September 4th 2026. The adventure thriller film stars Harriet Slater, Arsema Thomas, Tom Brittney, and Virgnia Gardner. It runs for an hour and thirty-eight minutes.

After her sister’s death, Jax Hunter bonds with one of her sister’s college friends and the two make a pact to climb the dangerous Mount Kwan trail in Thailand to honor her.

Here is the trailer:

Fall 2: Deadpoint gives us plenty of extremely intense and nail-biting moments that will worsen anyone’s fear of heights even more. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

Just as intense as the first one!

I don’t think I’ve ever had as much anxiety watching a film as I did when I first watched Fall in theaters back in 2022. The film quickly became one of my favorites of that year so I was beyond excited to see the sequel. This one definitely takes fear to new heights. Once again, I felt that feeling of dread and fear wash over me while viewing this. This was such a consuming watch. You couldn’t pay me enough to even attempt something like this. Get ready for another intense ride!

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

The new characters give it their all.

Becky and Hunter were both really likable characters. I love that the sequel still incorporated them into the story with flashbacks. This film could have easily abandoned them and just focused on new characters, but the tie-ins really worked for me. I thought the new characters did a good job, but they also made some really dumb decisions as well.

Hey, let’s pay this handsome stranger $5000 so he can take us on an illegal trail that’s been closed for decades in a foreign country. What could possibly go wrong? I guess we wouldn’t have a movie without that so there’s that.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

The twist didn’t pack the same punch.

The first film had a FANTASTIC twist that I never saw coming. It was truly shocking. I guess since I knew the formula with these films, I expected something along those lines to happen in the sequel. The effort was there and I appreciate that they tried to do something a little different this time around, but it didn’t have the same impact on me. That being said, it was entertaining enough.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

I’m in!!!

(4 out of 5 stars)

Fall 2: Deadpoint steps up to the plate and delivers with another twisty, tense thriller. 

The first film was stronger, but I really enjoyed my watch of the sequel and I’m hoping they make that third film with those hints at the end.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fall 2: Deadpoint 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 supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Runner” on Prime:  Gal Gadot Gets Really Sweaty in this Phoned In Thriller

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

“This game is over…”

The Runner premiered on Prime Video on September 2nd 2026. The action thriller film stars Gal Gadot, Damian Lewis, and Alfred Enoch. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-five minutes.

During her morning run, a single mom and lawyer receives a call from a stranger who tells her she has an hour to kill his target or he will let her son die.

Here is the trailer:

The Runner has all the right ingredients for a fast-paced thriller with an overused, but entertaining enough premise. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

An entertaining premise.

I typically love quick, fast-paced thrillers like this. I want a simple, but effective formula and a solid cat-and-mouse chase that will keep me invested and on the edge of my seat. On paper, this film seemed like it would check off all of those boxes. It started off with potential and had a few moments of real suspense sprinkled in with a recognizable cast.

On the short side.

I did appreciate that this film did not try to drag things out for too long. An hour and twenty-five minutes was the perfect amount of time for this movie. It didn’t waste too much time with unnecessary fluff and got right to the point. Sure, there wasn’t much substance here, but at least it understood that part of the assignment.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Gal Gadot’s acting…

Don’t get me wrong…I really do like her and think she is absolutely gorgeous. However, her acting in this one was laughable and so over-the-top. I couldn’t invest in her character as much as I should have because of this. She just wasn’t believable to me at all and while the athletic moments in this were impressive, the dialogue was painful to sit through. She can do better…

Lacked the tense vibe I was hoping for.

It really should have been there based on the premise of this movie, but it didn’t translate well enough unfortunately. Everything just felt a little too neat here. With a little bit of effort, this film could have been so much better but its lazy execution was definitely noticed, which is a shame.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m 50/50 on this one…

(2.5 out of 5 stars)

The Runner is a watchable thriller with a few sprinkles of potential, but it could have been so much better with a little effort and a more believable performance by Gal Gadot.

This was a disappointing watch overall.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Runner (2026) 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 supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!