Ranking my Top 10 Television Shows of 2022: Which Shows Made The Cut?

It’s that time of year again! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2023, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 10 TV Shows of 2022.

While some returning shows continued strong, others fell off slightly. Meanwhile, some other new shows completely captivated my attention, paving their way into my top 10.

Without any further delay, let’s get to my list!

My Top 10 Television Shows of 2022 are:

10

Peacemaker

I didn’t know how I felt about this particular character getting a spin-off series at first, but this show was an absolute blast to watch. It had lots of action, humor, and amazing supporting characters that stole the show at times.

9

Stay Close

My top ten list wouldn’t feel complete without adding a Harlan Coben series and Stay Close did an exceptional job of hooking the audience from the very start with surprising reveals, insane twists, and two wacky villains who somehow made everything work seamlessly.

8

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

After a few other PLL spin-off series, I managed my expectations with this one, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. Pretty Little Liars always had undertones of a teen slasher and this series made it a reality, bringing us some intense chase scenes and a solid mystery surrounding our new characters.

7

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Whether you’re a fan of the book series or watching this for the first time, you’re in for a beautiful and emotional ride. At first glance, this series seemed like every other coming-of-age teen series on television, but it quickly stood out with moving performances and characters to root for.

6

Only Murders in the Building (season 2)

Season one was absolutely fantastic to watch and I was thrilled that our beloved trio was back for season two. While it didn’t pack the same punch as the first season, it was still a lot of fun with a decent mystery at its core.

5

Wednesday

Jenna Ortega was so incredible in this series! I loved the vibe of this show. It really allowed the character of Wednesday to shine with a welcomed YA feel that never overdid it with the teen drama. This was such a delightful treat!

4

Better Call Saul (final season)

Incredible performances, a satisfying ending, and some truly intense moments that made television history. This series was absolutely fantastic and I will miss watching it!

3

All of Us Are Dead

I didn’t think I needed another coming-of-age zombie series, but this South Korean series was one of the best shows I have watched in a long time. It was brutal and bloody with incredible characters. I absolutely loved this one and could not stop watching it!

2

The White Lotus (season 2)

Season two was much better than season one. The characters were fantastic with a returning favorite and the mystery was much more interesting this time around. I loved the setting and that ending was incredible!

Honorable Mentions:

Ozark (final season)

The Flight Attendant (season 2)

Archive 81

Killing Eve (final season)

Who Killed Sara? (final season)

What We Do In the Shadows (season 4)

Welcome to Eden

Drum roll please…

1

Stranger Things (season 4)

Season four was jam-packed with so many epic moments! I loved the 80’s horror vibe and the music was the best it’s ever been. Season four really allowed some of its characters to shine while giving some newcomers a chance to light up the screen as well in the best way possible. This show is always so entertaining, but season four took things to the next level!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments about your favorite television shows of 2022. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing in the new year!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking my Top 10 Films of 2022: Which Movies Made The Cut?

It’s that time of year again! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2023, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 10 Films of 2022.

There are still a lot of movies that I have not seen yet, but I wanted to highlight some of my favorites of the year so far!
My Top 10 Films of 2022 are:

10

The Fallout

Beautiful, touching, and gripping from start to finish. Jenna Ortega was an unstoppable force in 2022 and she really showed off a different side of her in The Fallout.

9

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Hilarious, entertaining, and a blast to watch, featuring a dynamic duo worth getting excited about. This movie was really unique as well and Nicolas Cage proved once again why he is absolutely brilliant.

8

See for Me

A modern version of Wait Until Dark that was so suspenseful from start to finish. Our two main leads were incredible on screen and there were plenty of twists and turns that had my adrenaline pumping.

7

Scream (2022)

Scream (1996) happens to be my favorite movie of all time so I had mixed expectations going into the new film. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It did a fantastic job of providing fans of the original with plenty of nostalgia while still keeping things fresh and new with lots of bloody kills and shocking reveals along the way.

6

Fresh

The date movie from hell! Twisted, deliciously dark, and bold! I loved this film from start to finish. Our two main leads were electric on screen and that ending still replays in my mind from time to time.

5

Fall

A chilling thriller that kept me off even the smallest step ladder for quite a while. This film was meant to be watched on the big screen. It was so intense and brutal with a shocking twist I never saw coming.

4

Prey

A prequel done right with an electric female lead! Plus, I loved her furry sidekick! This film was so well done and such a pleasant surprise.

3

The Black Phone

One of the best horror films I have seen in a long time. Ethan Hawke was such a terrifying villain. There were so many elements in this one that had me completely immersed in the outcome.

2

X

Sex, drugs, and gore galore. This film pushed so many boundaries in the best possible way. It was bloody fantastic to watch on screen with characters to root for and some seriously twisted moments.

Honorable Mentions:

The Wonder

No Exit

Thirteen Lives

Barbarian

Drum roll please…

1

The Menu

Deliciously twisted and so entertaining! Anya Taylor-Joy does it again! Last Night in Soho was my number one pick of 2021 and I have to crown this queen again in The Menu. This film had the perfect blend of horror comedy and intense thrills. I am beyond excited that it will be releasing on HBO Max in January so I can watch it again and again!

I hope to see more films from 2022 soon, but I hope you enjoyed the list!

Did you have a favorite film of 2022? If so, drop it in the comments!

I wish you all a happy and healthy new year and can’t wait to review more new films in 2023! Happy viewing!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Nanny” on Prime Video: Chilling Performance

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

“Jobs like this, they don’t fall from the sky…”

Nanny premiered on Prime Video on December 16th 2022. The psychological horror-thriller film stars Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Sinqua Walls, and Morgan Spector. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

Aisha takes a job as a nanny, hoping to earn enough money to bring her son to the United States, but a dark presence begins to slither into her dreams, threatening to shatter her sanity.

Here is the trailer:

Nanny weaves together a foreboding mystery that hooks you until the very end. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A layered mystery.

Aisha had to deal with quite a lot while being a nanny for a wealthy, but clearly troubled couple. The dynamic between her and the parents was interesting enough on its own, but there were also these dark dreams and hallucinations sprinkled into the mix, along with Aisha’s own struggle to reunite with her son. While this film could have easily felt overstuffed and unfocused, it did a good job of balancing out all of the elements, refusing to let its audience off the hook.

I loved the imagery and connections to folklore. They really gave this film such a unique feel. The ending was also unexpected, but really well done.

Strong female lead.

Anna Diop was beyond fantastic in this. She really put forth so much effort into the portrayal of her character and truly made this film into something unique and intriguing just by her mere presence. She nailed every single scene and gave her character so much strength during pivotal moments.

The Cons:

Needed more of an edge at times…

Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the dark imagery and vivid dreams, but I also wanted them to embrace some horror elements a little bit more. There were several moments that could have been truly terrifying if they had gone a little bit farther with them. I didn’t need anything really grotesque or extreme, but submerging a little bit more into the horror side of things would have worked really nicely with the overall tone of this film.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

A consuming mystery enhanced by a stunning performance that honestly left me with chills.

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

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Apology” on Shudder: Intense and Emotionally Brutal

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

“The hardest part is the not knowing…”

The Apology released on Shudder on December 16th 2022. The holiday horror-thriller film stars Anna Gunn, Linus Roache, and Janeane Garofalo. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

Twenty years after the disappearance of her teenage daughter, a recovering alcoholic is preparing to host her family’s Christmas celebration when there is a knock at her door during a winter storm from an old friend with a secret.

Here is the trailer:

The Apology features a powerful and gripping performance by Anna Gunn with some edge-of-your-seat moments of intensity. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Anna Gunn is beyond brilliant.

I tend to associate her with the annoying character of Skyler White on Breaking Bad, but wow was she incredible in this film. There weren’t too many characters in this so she needed to command the screen and she did so in a big way! She showed so many emotions and I thought her character was very believable, making you want to root for her that much more.

A simple, but effective premise.

I love simple revenge thrillers and I thought this film took on a different approach, which I actually really enjoyed. We could have had her character running around outside in the snow or finding different ways to call for help, but she mostly had to focus on her own wit and resources. The ending was powerful and even though there was quite a bit of talking in-between, it made the scenario seem that much more horrifying and realistic in a lot of ways.

The Cons:

Reveals too much too quickly…

My biggest issue with this film was that we found out the hook way too soon. Sure, there were other details that needed to be revealed, but I would have liked for things to drag out a little bit more before we realized the situation that our main character was in.

I also thought her character deserved a little bit more development, especially since Anna Gunn was so incredible in this role. It would have helped me connect with her character even more. Either way, I still enjoyed everything.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

A gut-wrenching emotional performance combined with a simple, but effective premise, making this a unique watch from start to finish.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rule…they can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island 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 Mean One” in Theaters: Campy Christmas Chaos

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

“You’re a monster…”

The Mean One released in theaters on December 9th 2022. The holiday horror film (inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas) stars David Howard Thornton, Krystle Martin, and Chase Mullins. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

After witnessing the murder of her mother, Cindy returns to her hometown twenty years later when the monster responsible resurfaces.

Here is the trailer:

The Mean One turns a classic holiday tale into a campy slasher film, which does have a few redeeming qualities. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Sleight of Hand Productions

Fun twist on the story.

With Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey on its way for 2023, it seems like this may have paved the way for more classic tales to turn into mindless slasher films and so we have The Mean One, which is a slasher take on How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

There have already been a few versions of The Grinch, but this one decided to really destroy all holiday cheer with a monster that will rip you to shreds if you even think about humming “Jingle Bells.”

Even though it was campy and silly, I liked the spin on the story and I’m always up for a campy slasher film.

Violence galore.

The blood effects were pretty cheesy and poorly done, but there were actually a few decent kill scenes that were entertaining. David Howard Thornton brought his killer charm from The Terrifier and easily embraced this role, giving it as much as he could.

The Cons:

Shaky camera effects and poor quality…

I actually felt dizzy a few times watching this. The camera angles felt odd and really shaky. There was poor lighting and some of the worst transitions into scenes I have ever seen. The gore effects needed some work as well.

The acting wasn’t really that great either, but the film did channel some campy fun. If you enjoy B-horror movies, you’ll find some things to enjoy. I just wanted this film to put in a little bit more effort in all departments. I also thought this film should have released exclusively on a streaming site like Shudder instead. My theater was practically empty on a Friday night…

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

The Mean One has some campy slasher fun with the classic holiday tale, but the poor quality got in the way several times.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island 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 “National Treasure: Edge of History” on Disney+: A New Treasure Hunt to Indulge In

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

“Remember the treasure I told you about?”

National Treasure: Edge of History premiered on Disney+ on December 14th 2022 with the first two episodes. The remaining episodes will air weekly. Based on the popular film series, the series stars Lisette Olivera, Zuri Reed, Jake Austin Walker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Harvey Keitel. Each episode is approximately 48-50 minutes.

Jess searches for answers about her family when she stumbles upon clues that may lead her to a famous lost treasure.

Here is the trailer:

National Treasure: Edge of History branches off into a new story without Nicolas Cage, but does the new series do enough to keep fans invested? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A mystery with potential.

I love a good treasure hunt mystery and there is already a lot of potential with this one. The cast is likable enough and it’s embracing the young adult angle, which is working so far. I’m looking forward to getting more into the actual treasure hunt aspect, but so far it’s heading in the right direction.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is a lot of fun!

I loved seeing her in Wednesday and she is already dominating the screen in the best way possible in National Treasure. She looks incredible as always and is really channeling the female villainess vibe, which is working in her favor. More please!

The Cons:

Falling into the standard YA tropes…

This isn’t a huge con, but I want to keep watching this show and I’m slightly worried that it will fall into overused tropes I see in countless shows and reboots that are trying to be “fresh” for a new generation. I actually really like the new characters so I’m hopeful the show will settle down into its own identity without having to rely on these tropes, but they have the potential to make this show forgettable…

We’re also missing a key main character, but I’m crossing my fingers that he’ll show up in some capacity…even if it’s later on.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

I love a good treasure hunt movie and the YA spin is fun, but I’m hoping for more substance as the episodes continue.

I’m hopeful we’ll get there!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on National Treasure: Edge of History 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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Wonder” on Netflix: Florence Pugh does it again!

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

“Believe in their stories with complete devotion…”

The Wonder released on Netflix on November 16th 2022. The psychological period drama stars Florence Pugh, Kíla Lord Cassidy, and Tom Burke. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-nine minutes.

A nurse travels to Ireland during the late 1800’s to investigate a girl who has stopped eating for four months and miraculously still lives.

Here is the trailer:

The Wonder is chilling and powerful featuring another stellar performance by Florence Pugh. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Florence Pugh is out of this world…

She is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses and really gave a powerful and captivating performance in The Wonder. She is the main reason why I tuned into this one and she did not disappoint. Even during the quiet moments, her presence was electric, creating a character with so many layers and dimensions.

An eerie mystery.

From the odd soundtrack to the quiet setting, this film was filled to the brim with an overall chilling quality that only amplified the mystery surrounding Anna. The story was unique and strange, but it also created an interesting conversation connecting what women faced in the past and the present. I can honestly say that I haven’t seen anything like this before and I don’t even have a film to compare it to.

The Cons:

Pacing issues at times…

Things did move at a slower pace at times and I needed to stay alert during my watch so that I wouldn’t miss anything. That being said, Florence Pugh did enough to keep me invested from start to finish. If you’re looking for a film with a lot going on, you won’t find that here. This film had a more simplistic approach, but it was still just as effective (maybe even more so) than other films that might have handled this mystery in a different way.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

A captivating, unique watch with a brilliant performance by Florence Pugh.

The Wonder is like nothing I have seen before and it was such an experience watching it.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island 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 “Christmas Bloody Christmas” on Shudder: Campy Fun

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

“A killer Santa Claus…”

Christmas Bloody Christmas released on Shudder on December 9th 2022. The holiday horror film stars Riley Dandy, Jeff Daniel Phillips, and Sam Delich. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-seven minutes.

A record store owner just wants to spend Christmas Eve getting drunk, but her plans are interrupted when a robotic Santa Claus goes on a killing spree.

Here is the trailer:

Christmas Bloody Christmas is an absolute blast to watch as long as you don’t take it too seriously. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Lots of fun.

Sure, the plot was completely bonkers, but I had a lot of fun watching this one. Don’t expect to get any real answers about why a robotic Santa Claus is on the loose, but do expect to enjoy plenty of gory kills. I loved the use of color and how this film channeled an 80’s horror vibe in so many ways.

Riley Dandy is one to root for!

I absolutely loved her in this. Her character was fierce and then some! She was really inventive and I was cheering for her the entire time. She fully embraced this role and elevated this film in a lot of ways.

That ending image was perfection!

The Cons:

Takes a while to get going…

The film was on the shorter side, but we had to sit through some exhausting dialogue for quite a long time. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the random first-person camera angle in the beginning, but luckily this didn’t stick around for too long.

The first half wasn’t bad, but things drastically improved once Santa got going…

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

Campy goodness filled with gory Christmas cheer!

Christmas Bloody Christmas lives up to its name and is a bloody good time!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island 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 “Spirited” on Apple TV+: One too many musical numbers…

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

“We are in the business of change…”

Spirited premiered on Apple TV+ and is showing in select theaters as of November 18th 2022. The holiday musical film (inspired by A Christmas Carol) stars Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, and Octavia Spencer. It runs for approximately two hours and seven minutes.

The Ghost of Christmas Present takes on the challenge of trying to redeem an “Unredeemable,” when he starts to contemplate his own past, present, and future in the process.

Here is the trailer:

Spirited is jam-packed with musical numbers and an all-star cast, but did we really need another version of A Christmas Carol? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds make a good team.

I was slightly worried that they would feel mismatched in this, but once the film got going, I really enjoyed watching them together on screen. There was some fun banter and some entertaining moments sprinkled into the mix.

Octavia Spencer stole the show; however, and played my favorite character by far. She continues to be such a compelling presence in every film she’s in and this one was no exception.

Attempts to put a spin on the traditional story.

This film was not afraid to admit its inspiration and while it didn’t come close to Scrooged or even Mickey’s Christmas Carol, it did put a unique twist on things to freshen up the story. I’m not sure it all worked, but the intention was there.

The Cons:

Way too many musical numbers…

Honestly, they were so distracting and oddly placed. With the exception of one musical number that I actually thoroughly enjoyed, the other ones felt forced and awkward. Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell are not natural singers, which is fine, but every single time I started to connect to the story, the magic was broken when we burst into another unnecessary song, which also made the runtime of this film go on for over two hours…

The tap-dancing was on point though!

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Spirited has some entertaining moments and puts forth a valiant effort to do something different with A Christmas Carol, but the excessive musical numbers get in the way of real entertainment.

If you’re looking for a new holiday film to watch this year, I’d recommend Falling for Christmas or Violent Night instead.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island 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 “Darby and the Dead” on Hulu: Cute Premise

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

“Lonely life…popular death.”

Darby and the Dead released on December 2nd 2022 on Hulu. The supernatural teen comedy film stars Riele Downs, Auli’i Cravalho, Asher Angel, and Chosen Jacobs. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

After a near-death experience, Darby finds herself able to communicate with the dead, as she makes it her life’s mission to help ghosts with their unfinished business. However, things become complicated when Darby’s former best friend winds up on the other side.

Here is the trailer:

Darby and the Dead is basically a mashup of Ghosts and Boo, Bitch with two very likable leads and some fun moments, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Two leads to root for.

I thought both actresses did a great job with what they were given. They put forth a valiant effort and were very believable. I think they honestly saved this film in a lot of ways. I’d love to see them both appear in more because I think they both have a bright future ahead of them.

Entertaining premise.

Sure, I’ve seen this type of film before, but I still enjoy supernatural teen comedies and this one did have some moments worth watching. There was a genuine and heartwarming feel to it. The pacing wasn’t bad either, which helped.

The Cons:

Falls into too many tropes…

From the high school hallway montage scene to the cheer-leading tryouts and everything in-between. This film had such a cute premise, but it got swallowed up by the generic teen moments you would expect to see in any other similar film, which was disappointing. The film wasn’t bad at all, but it was very predictable and lost itself in teen comedy mediocrity too many times.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

I loved the premise and the two main actresses were a lot of fun to watch, but this film lost its way and leaned too heavily on teen drama tropes. I’d recommend watching Ghosts first…

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

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