Spoiler-Free Review of “Red Notice” on Netflix: Indiana Jones Rip-Off is Actually a lot of Fun

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

“What are we stealing?”

Red Notice premiered on November 12th 2021 on Netflix. The action-comedy film stars Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot. It runs for just under two hours.

An Interpol agent attempts to catch the world’s most notorious art thief, but quickly realizes this task is far from easy…

Here is the trailer:

Red Notice is basically Indiana Jones meets National Treasure in a lot of ways, but it does have a great cast and a lot of flashy effects to hold your attention. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Fun banter between the cast.

I really liked the dynamic between all three characters in this film. I don’t think that any of the actors really strayed from their comfort zone, but that’s okay. The film was a lot of fun because of this dynamic and I can’t say enough good things about Gal Gadot’s wardrobe.

I’d love to raid her closet!

I was worried that this film would miss the mark in the humor department, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was actually laughing. The humor worked for me, which was something I struggled with when I tried to connect with Netflix’s Army of Thieves.

An entertaining heist.

Even though this film seemed like a rip-off of Indiana Jones, National Treasure and even Jungle Cruise in a lot of ways, it still had an interesting and fun heist at its core, which kept me invested in the movie.

The Cons:

I didn’t need all of the flashy effects…

It’s obvious that a lot of money went into these effects, but I honestly didn’t need them. The best part of the movie was the banter between the characters and the mystery behind the heist. Sure, there were some fun action sequences that kept up the pace, but the effects just felt cheesy and overdone.

Predictable.

I’ve seen this type of movie before and while I enjoyed it, it didn’t really do anything that original. It does throw a few curve balls our way (which I appreciated), but don’t expect to watch anything truly extraordinary here.

It was still entertaining though…

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

Even though I knew what to expect with this movie, I had a blast watching it. It was entertaining and actually really funny. I loved the dynamic between the characters and thoroughly enjoyed my watch.

If you’re looking for a quick comedy-action film to enjoy, you’re in the right place!

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

**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 “Old” on Demand: Creepy Concept

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

“Sounds like a great memory for us…”

Old originally released in theaters back on July 23rd 2021. The M. Night Shyamalan thriller is now available to watch on demand. The film stars Vicky Krieps, Gael García Bernal, Thomasin McKenzie, Alex Wolff, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Rufus Sewell, Ken Leung, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Embeth Davidtz. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-eight minutes.

Several families meet on a tropical vacation when they all end up being invited to the same secluded beach. However, things start to go horribly wrong when it appears that the island is somehow making people age at a rapid rate as they race against the clock to figure out a way off the island.

Here is the trailer:

Old creates an unsettling vibe with a horrifying concept, but does the film check off enough boxes to be worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A mystery that reels you in with an incredible setting.

I can always tell how much I like a movie based on how much I am paying attention. This is one of those movies that hooked me from the start. The setting is beyond breathtaking and the concept is really unique and horrifying. I needed to understand what was happening and I could not look away while I was watching.

The way this film was shot was so well done and the eerie soundtrack really elevated it that much more for me.

Something truly different.

It’s really hard to come up with something original and fresh these days. The film is inspired by the book, Sandcastle and I think that it truly managed to accomplish something new. The kind of horror we witnessed was different and yet it was just as disturbing (if not more so) than some of the more gruesome and terrifying things I have seen.

That scene in the cave though…yikes!

The Cons:

Cringe-worthy dialogue at times and not enough character development…

This was really frustrating because we actually got a fantastic cast to watch. However, the dialogue was just a little bit too on the nose for me. I’m all for well-placed hints, but some of the ones we got were beyond ridiculous. The audience can figure this out on their own…

I also think that the characters really needed to be fleshed out so much more. We got sprinkles of it toward the end of the movie, but I just wanted more especially since I loved the overall concept so much.

Mixed thoughts on the ending.

I think this is one of those movies that people will either really love or really hate. I was drawn in completely and once we got to the ending, I didn’t want the credits to come because I had so many thoughts going through my head. This really made me think, but I’m still not sure how I felt about the ending. I just had too many questions at the end that weren’t fully answered.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

I could not stop watching this movie and I think that it did truly present us with something new and different. This movie really makes you think a lot about things and it explored a new kind of horror in an effective way.

I have a checklist of things that could have been improved and I wanted so much more for the characters, but overall I really was surprised by how much I actually liked this movie.

I think that there will be a lot of mixed reviews and different opinions on this but I think the film creates a conversation worth having.

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

READ 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 “The Chestnut Man” on Netflix: Twisted and Engrossing Mystery

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

“I was assigned to a rather special case…”

The Chestnut Man released on Netflix on September 29th 2021 with six episodes available to stream now. The Danish crime drama series stars Danica Curcic, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Iben Dorner and David Dencik. Each episode runs for approximately 52-55 minutes.

A figurine made out of chestnuts is found at a gruesome crime scene as two detectives quickly discover that it may be linked with a past case.

Here is the trailer:

The Chestnut Man is brought to us from the same original creator of The Killing, luring us in with another dark and gripping mystery. Does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Channels the vibe of The Killing.

Much like The Killing, this mystery is dark and unsettling, but it also draws you in completely. I thought the mystery was a good one (really disturbing at times) and I was completely invested during my watch. The pacing also worked extremely well. There were only six episodes which worked in the show’s favor.

Sometimes these types of shows can get lost along the way, but I thought that each episode did plenty to keep us coming back for more.

A new partnership to be excited about.

I really loved these two together on screen. I thought that the dynamic worked well and each character had enough individual layers to make you truly care about what happened to them. This show could have easily gotten lost in the mystery and it still took the time to explore these characters and their partnership.

The Cons:

A lot of moving pieces at times.

I don’t think this is really a con, but you need to pay attention to this show or you might miss something. There are a lot of sub-plots going on but I didn’t think they were too overwhelming. However, some were slightly unnecessary.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

I’m so glad that I found this series because it really was such a compelling and dark mystery. I needed to be in the right mindset to watch it, but it was a powerful show with really fantastic story-telling and I hope it gets the attention it deserves.

If you enjoyed The Killing, you will feel right at home with this series.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Chestnut Man 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 “Dexter: New Blood” on Showtime: The Dark Passenger Returns

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

“Tonight’s the night…”

Dexter: New Blood premiered on November 7th 2021. After the series finale in 2013, the show is back with ten new episodes that will air weekly. The show stars Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Jones and Jack Alcott. Each episode runs for approximately 52-55 minutes.

Ten years have passed since Dexter Morgan left his home in Miami, as he starts over as Jim Lindsay in upstate New York.

Here is the trailer:

Dexter: New Blood gives fans another chance to connect with their favorite serial killer as a different kind of monster emerges in a new setting. Does Dexter: New Blood do enough to make up for its disappointing series finale? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Michael C. Hall is as brilliant as ever.

Even though it’s been quite a long time since we have last seen Dexter Morgan on the small screen, Michael C. Hall makes us feel right at home. His portrayal of Dexter Morgan is still spot on to the point that you think he has truly been starting over his new life for the last ten years.

The voice-over narration still works and we now get a new dead relative for Dexter to bounce ideas off with which was a welcomed presence.

The potential to make things right.

Dexter is one of my favorite series of all time but I was thoroughly disappointed with the series finale. The new series can really set things right for our favorite character, but it needs to make sure it is balancing familiar connections and premises with something new and unique to keep things fresh. So far there is a lot of potential in the new series with different characters and a new mystery to keep us invested, but it needs to be careful about recycling old plots…

The Cons:

What’s really new with Dexter?

Sure, we have a brand new setting and new characters, but the plot seems all too familiar. I’m not really complaining because I love this plot, but the show needs to be very careful with how it proceeds.

There is a lot of talk about “change,” but so far the struggle seems all too familiar. We have nine more episodes to go so I’m hoping to truly see a change in our favorite character so that things can resolve in a satisfying way, but I’m also looking for something new and bold to shake things up.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

I have been anxiously waiting for this series to arrive and so far I am completely invested. It’s so great to see Michael C. Hall on the screen again and I’m confident that the series will present us with a worthy ending this time around!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Dexter: New Blood 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 is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt 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 “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…

READ 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 “My Name” on Netflix: Fierce Revenge Story

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

“If I find him, then I will kill him…”

My Name premiered on October 15th 2021 on Netflix with eight episodes available to stream now. The South Korean revenge action series (originally called Undercover) stars Han So Hee, Ahn Bo-hyun and Hee-Soon Park. Each episode runs for approximately 45-50 minutes.

After a young girl’s father is murdered, she devotes her life to revenge, training under a powerful crime boss who agrees to help her find the person responsible.

Here is the trailer:

My Name delivers with a powerful female lead and some killer fight scenes, but does it do enough to separate itself from other revenge plots? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Fantastic fight scenes!

There was so much action in this series and I loved it! Ji-Woo kicked some ass and the fight scenes were intense, bloody, and really inventive at times. The series was smart to have a jam-packed fight scene at the end of every episode to leave you wanting more. My adrenaline was pumping during this show.

I haven’t been this excited about fight scenes since Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

A character to root for.

Ji-Woo really was such a fantastic character. She had so many layers and my heart broke for her again and again. She’s just one of those characters you find yourself automatically rooting for. The actress did an amazing job with her portrayal. I really believed all of her emotions. It’s difficult balancing emotion with edge and somehow she seamlessly connected the two.

The Cons:

A revenge plot I’ve seen before…

I’ve seen this type of plot before and while I enjoyed it thoroughly, it didn’t stray from this popular formula too much. I think that it had a real intensity and edge to it with a few reveals that were worth sticking around for, but other aspects were predictable.

I still loved this series, but I would have liked a little bit more originality here.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

This series really put the audience on an emotional roller coaster ride. The fight scenes were out of this world and Ji-Woo was such an incredible character to watch. I loved this series and while the ending was bitter sweet in a lot of ways, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this show because it really did a great job of reeling me in!

Intense, brutal, and a worthy character to root for against all odds!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

My new young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt 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 “Last Night in Soho” in Theaters: An Alluring Mystery

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

“You have to pretend you’re someone else…”

Last Night in Soho released in theaters on October 29th 2021. The psychological thriller horror film stars Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Michael Ajao, Matt Smith and Terence Stamp. The film runs for approximately an hour and fifty-five minutes.

A young fashion student from the country gets an exciting opportunity in London, but quickly finds herself being transported to the 1960’s as she uncovers a mystery surrounding a woman named Sandy.

Here is the trailer:

Last Night in Soho unravels a mystery in a unique way, creating a welcomed kind of chaos that will captivate your attention. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The music, the fashion, and the setting transport you somewhere else in the best possible way.

I always pay attention to the music soundtrack and the fashion in all films, but wow did this movie truly impress me. I honestly felt like I was going back in time and I loved every moment of it. The music was really powerful and it actually really enhanced the overall tone of the film. It wasn’t just background music…it complimented the scenes and really added an authenticity to them.

Captivating performances.

I’m always so impressed by Anya Taylor-Joy and she truly was stunning and magnetic in this film. I was pleasantly surprised by the performance by Thomasin McKenzie. She was so incredible and I thought these two really had a great dynamic on screen.

A gripping mystery that hooks you from the start.

I could not take my eyes off the screen during this film. The mystery was so interesting and I thought that everything was revealed in such a different way. I’ve seen a lot of psychological thrillers, but this one was truly extraordinary. The reveals were well placed and the overall pacing was solid as well.

The Cons:

Chaotic at times.

I wouldn’t necessarily call this a con because it was a maddening chaos that I embraced. It added to the overall vibe of the movie, but it is one of those movies you need to pay attention to. I would recommend watching it all in one sitting or you may feel slightly disconnected to the overall story.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

A fascinating watch!

This movie was stylish, immersing, and riveting!

It really struck a chord with me and I thought the unique story-telling really suited this film. The performances were incredible and this may have just become one of my favorite films of the year!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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!