Spoiler-Free Review of “The Hardy Boys” Season 3 on Hulu: Saved the Best for Last!

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

“No loose ends…”

The Hardy Boys (season 3) premiered on Hulu on July 26th 2023 with eight final episodes available to stream now. The series stars Rohan Campbell, Alexander Elliot, Bea Santos, Keana Lyn, Riley O’Donnell, and Bailee Madison. Each episode runs for approximately 42-44 minutes.

Based on the iconic book series, this new re-imagining of The Hardy Boys takes place in the 1980’s. Frank and Joe Hardy are back one more time to solve a new mystery plaguing the town of Bridgeport, but will they find all the answers they are looking for?

Here is the trailer:

The Hardy Boys flew under the radar for quite some time, but it was a fresh and fun take on the teen mystery genre without all the drama in-between. Does the final season measure up? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Bailee Madison livens up the show!

She was a welcomed new character and I have to say that she really breathed some new life into this series. I love all of the characters on this show, but they needed someone new to spice things up and I think she accomplished that and then some.

We also got to see some returning favorites as well, which made sense for the final season.

A few solid twists and ends the way it should.

I have to admit that I was thrown a few times during the final season. I loved the twists and that last one really had my head spinning.

Season three may have packed in a lot, but I think that it successfully closed out its story while still leaving the door open for more mysteries beyond the series. Everything was wrapped up neatly, which I appreciated.

The Cons:

Rocky start.

The beginning of season three felt really complicated and more sci-fi than anything else. When I think about The Hardy Boys, I envision traditional mysteries. It’s fine that it dabbles over to the sci-fi side, but the opening few episodes felt really odd to me.

Thankfully we moved on from that and the final season quickly became my favorite season yet.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

The final season of The Hardy Boys delivers with excellent pacing and fantastic reveals while managing to end the series in a satisfying way for mystery fans everywhere.

I’ll miss this series. It was a lot of fun!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Hardy Boys 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 “Haunted Mansion” (2023) in Theaters: A Haunting Good Time!

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

“There’s no such thing as ghosts…”

Haunted Mansion (2023) released in theaters on July 28th 2023. Based on the Disney ride, the remake fantasy comedy film stars LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Rosario Dawson, Danny DeVito, Owen Wilson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jared Leto. It runs for approximately two hours.

After a woman and her son encounter some ghosts in their new home, they enlist the help of some spiritual experts to get rid of them.

Here is the trailer:

Haunted Mansion brings plenty of nostalgia for fans of the theme park ride while creating a delightful new story filled with spooky fun and heartwarming moments. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

An entertaining story with welcomed nods at the Disney ride.

I almost forgot about the 2003 version of this film starring Eddie Murphy. The new remake has nothing to do with that story (although you will see some of the same familiar ghosts floating around).

The new mystery is captivating enough and has a charm of its own. The haunted mansion ride at Disney World was always one of my favorite rides and it was really cute seeing some of those familiar characters pop up again, making this a fun tribute to that while branching off into its own mystery.

Fun characters!

We got a fantastic cast in this one and they really delivered with their characters. At first I wasn’t sure about how I felt about this group, but I quickly fell in love with them and I think they elevated this film in a lot of ways.

It was easy to root for them all and the dynamic between them was wonderful.

The Cons:

Takes a while to find its groove…

The first half of this film felt a little unsure of itself. A lot of the humor didn’t land for me and the ghosts didn’t really do too much damage so I was quickly losing interest. Luckily that changed and the second half of the film really found its magic.

I wouldn’t say that this is a perfect film by any means, but it was still an enjoyable ride and I think that was the point.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

A charming kids-friendly horror entry!

If you’re a fan of the Disney ride or in need of a quick film to watch with the kids, there are plenty of enjoyable moments in this one.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Haunted Mansion 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 “Talk to Me” in Theaters: A Freaky and Absorbing Watch!

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

“Light the candle to open the door…blow it out to close it…”

Talk to Me released in theaters on July 28th 2023. The supernatural horror film stars Sophie Wilde, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, and Alexandra Jensen. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

A group of friends discover the thrill of conjuring spirits using an embalmed hand, but they unleash something dangerous in the process.

Here is the trailer:

Talk to Me hooks you from the very start, reminding us that it’s a never a good idea to invite in the dead. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A disturbing concept executed in a satisfying way.

I’ve seen my fair share of supernatural horror films, but many of them fail to deliver on the sinister premise, relying more on jump scare tactics. Talk to Me stepped away from that and delivered by manifesting real fears. I wouldn’t say that anything was that scary, but the idea behind it was terrifying and I thought that it showcased this in an imaginative way on screen, never letting the audience off the hook.

Sticks the landing!

Everything was building up to the climax of this movie and I was worried that it would take too big of a risk or finish in a safe way, but I was pleasantly surprised by the end result and I thought it brought everything full circle.

The Cons:

Not a huge fan of our main character…

I understand and accept that we don’t always have to fall in love with our main character. Being flawed and misunderstood makes it more of a real portrayal and the exploration of grief was well done. The actress did a great job, but I just didn’t like Mia’s character.

She made really dumb decisions and continued to do so over and over again…

They added in some layers for her and ties to a family, but she was frustrating to watch and I was a little less invested in her fate because of this. I didn’t really care for the supporting characters either. No one stood out for me.

This may come down to preference, however.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

A satisfying watch that will chill you to the bone.

Talk to Me lives up to the hype and brings the supernatural genre back to life.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

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 “God Is a Bullet” on Demand: Blood-Filled Cult Flick has its moments

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

“You gotta tell me what you know…”

God Is a Bullet released in limited theaters on June 23rd 2023 and is now available to rent on demand as of July 25th 2023. The cult thriller film stars Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maika Monroe, Jamie Foxx, Karl Glusman, January Jones, and Chloe Guy. It runs for approximately two hours and thirty five minutes.

When a detective’s daughter is abducted by an evil cult, he accepts the help of a former member to track her down.

Here is the trailer:

God Is a Bullet features an exceptional cast and a killer premise, but is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Talented cast.

This film was filled to the brim with talented actors. The performances were solid and some actors were almost unrecognizable in their roles. They really went all in here and did the best with what they were given. The chemistry between Monroe and Coster-Waldau was off the charts. I really enjoyed the dynamic between these two characters and it was the strongest part of the movie.

Violent, bloody, and an immersive concept.

The bloody violence was extreme in this, so if that’s not for you, I’d recommend steering clear. I thought it enhanced the already dark tone of this movie. The overall concept really pulled me in and it’s even more horrifying to me that this is inspired by true events.

The Cons:

Way too long and failed to focus on the most intriguing plot points…

I am never a fan of movies over two hours in length and this one was no exception. Things felt very heavy and dull and the film had way too many moving pieces and characters. The magic was between our two main leads and the quest for revenge (which was the most interesting part of this movie) and yet we continued to branch off into unnecessary plot points that didn’t do this film any favors.

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

God Is a Bullet has some terrific performances worth noting, but it dragged out its plot for too long and was mostly predictable.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on God Is a Bullet 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 “Cobweb” in Theaters: Creepy AF!

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

“I heard something…”

Cobweb released in select theaters on July 21st 2023. The horror film stars Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Cleopatra Coleman, and Woody Norman. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

Peter begins to hear something inside his bedroom wall, but his parents insist that it is only in his imagination. Peter is determined to find out what lies beyond the wall, unlocking dangerous secrets in the process.

Here is the trailer:

Cobweb weaves together an unsettling story filled with plenty of disturbing and hair-raising moments. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Unsettling from start to finish…

This movie didn’t waste any time with unnecessary fluff or set-up. We got right into the creepy stuff and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. This film was very effective at creating an eerie tone and even some of the conversations and small moments felt very unnerving, adding to the overall vibe.

In a lot of ways, this film sort of reminded me of a mix of The Black Phone and Barbarian. It explored tangible fears while keeping the audience guessing about where the real threat was.

Insane final act!

I already thought this movie was freaky enough, but then we got to the final act and my jaw dropped. It was crazy in the best way possible. I haven’t been this excited about a reveal in a horror movie in a long time. It grabbed hold of the audience and never let go, effectively giving me some new nightmares in the process!

Wow…

The Cons:

The characters make some really bad decisions…

Look, I get it. We wouldn’t have a movie if they didn’t, but I was almost yelling at the screen at some points. I just don’t get it when characters decide to investigate things on their own without calling anyone…

It’s not realistic, but I’ll leave this alone because the movie was so fantastic.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

A terrifying and captivating watch that will stick with you long after it’s over!

This movie was such a fantastic surprise and an absolute must see watch for horror fans!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

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 “Half Sisters” on Demand: Twisty Thriller has its moments

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

“First one to find it gets to keep it…”

Half Sisters released on demand on July 21st 2023. The horror-thriller film stars Sydney Winbush, Kristy Dawn Dinsmore, Ryan Findley, and Katie O’Grady. It runs for approximately an hour and seventeen minutes.

Two feuding half sisters reunite in their old farmhouse as they soon discover that an inheritance check for one million dollars has been hidden somewhere on the property. Only things get more complicated when several masked intruders show up as well.

Here is the trailer:

Half Sisters has a clever premise that pulls you in with several twists to keep you guessing up until the end. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Decent acting and premise.

I thought both of the main actresses did a terrific job with what they were given. They both had to go all out in certain scenes and they didn’t hold back.

I really liked the premise of this movie. I thought it was a clever spin on the home invasion genre and it wasn’t afraid to go in a different direction when given the chance. The pacing was solid for the most part and this was a quick watch without too much fluff in-between.

The Cons:

Distracting bright lighting in the flashbacks…

I thought that the flashbacks were necessary and they helped moved the plot along, but they were presented with this blinding sunlight around them. It was distracting and I couldn’t really see what was going on.

I appreciate that this was a lower budget film and I’m all for supporting indie and lesser known film creators, but it made it difficult to focus on what was transpiring during these scenes.

Over-the-top twists…

I think it will come down to preference, but I thought this film had one too many twists. I like when films take risks with their twists and this one definitely did so, but I sort of preferred the first half of the movie. Sure, it was a plot I had seen before for the most part, but it was really entertaining.

Once the twists started being revealed, things went off the rails really fast. That being said, there were still plenty of shocking moments sprinkled into the mix.

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

I loved the idea around Half Sisters, but I think it went off the deep end a little bit with its twists.

That may just be my take, however.

Either way, there was enough here to keep me invested until the end of the movie.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Barbie” in Theaters: A Dazzling Delight that is “Kenough” for Me!

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

“Women can be anything…”

Barbie released in theaters on July 21st 2023. The fantasy-comedy film (based on the toy by Mattel) stars Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Michael Cera, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, and America Ferrera. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty-four minutes.

Barbie and Ken are enjoying their seemingly perfect lives in Barbie Land when Barbie begins to “malfunction,” causing them to travel to the real world to find out the source of the problem.

Here is the trailer:

Barbie is super fun, pulling us into a magical world filled with pizzazz and nostalgia. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Ryan Gosling steals the show!

I expected Margot Robbie to be flawless as Barbie and she was, but Ryan Gosling was the BEST part of this movie! He definitely understood the assignment and went all in with his portrayal of Ken. He was laugh-out-loud funny and completely charming.

The other supporting characters did a good job as well. Michael Cera was a lot of fun (I wish he got more screen time) and I thought that America Ferrera gave an honest and relatable performance.

Nails the Barbie vibe and nostalgia.

I loved the vibrant colors, fashion, and music in this film. It was spot on and it really nailed the Barbie vibe with bubble gum pop perfection. It was hard not to smile during this film. It was a blast to watch and I appreciated how much effort it put into being authentic to the history of Barbie while still having a good time.

This movie also had some empowering messages about self-worth in it and a few life lessons as well, which I did not expect. I appreciate that it tried to transcend past an idea and actually created something heartwarming and imaginative in the process.

The Cons:

Takes itself too seriously at times…

Barbie excelled when it was having saucy fun with its content and narration. While I appreciated some of the heartwarming moments, I thought it lost some of its initial magic toward the end. I still enjoyed it, but it almost felt like I started watching a completely different movie…

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Playful, offbeat, and so much fun!

There’s something in it for everyone.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Fear the Night” on Demand: Maggie Q Shines in “You’re Next” style Thriller

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

“Do all you can to survive…”

Fear the Night released on demand on July 21st 2023. The horror-thriller film stars Maggie Q, Kat Foster, Gia Crovatin, and Ito Aghayere. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

Tess, a war veteran with a jaded past, has mixed feelings about attending a bachelorette party in the middle of nowhere, but when a group of masked intruders show up to do them harm, she must figure out a way to survive the night.

Here is the trailer:

Fear the Night reminds us that it’s never a good idea to mess with Maggie Q, bringing us some bad-ass and bloody moments worth cheering about it. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

She’s the Queen for a reason!

Maggie Q is one of my all-time favorite actresses. I’d pretty much watch her in anything and every single time she appears on screen, she reminds us just how talented and bad-ass she is.

She is so good in horror films and I love when she gets the opportunity to play to her strengths. This movie is your standard home invasion thriller in a lot of ways, but it felt so much better at times because of its leading lady and I almost felt like this movie was made just for me. Seriously, I loved it!

She was the best part of this movie and did not disappoint! I hope that she continues to play roles like this in the future because she’s so good at them.

My kind of thriller…

I LOVE horror-thriller films like this. Give me a girls trip or a party gone wrong with some bad-ass ladies out for blood. In a lot of ways, this film reminded me of a mix between You’re Next and Black Christmas (2019). There were some really satisfying moments sprinkled in with plenty of intensity. There were a few really brutal kills too that caught me by surprise.

The Cons:

Some questionable decisions…

It seemed like the bad guys made a lot of dumb decisions throughout this movie. Maybe that was intentional to really lean into the whole girl power vibe, but I was scratching my head during a few moments.

I was a little confused about some of the tension in the beginning of the film between Tess and the other characters. I didn’t need this movie to be longer than it was, but a few more details would have been helpful.

I also just need to say that Tess was pretty much the only redeemable character. It was hard to root for some of the others because they were just so awful…

On another note, the ending didn’t really gel with the rest of the movie. I get the point of it completely, but I think the film had the opportunity to end in a few different ways that might have packed more of a punch.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Maggie Q delivers in this satisfying thriller that will have you cheering for her from start to finish.

If you enjoy home invasion thrillers with strong female leads, you’ll find plenty to appreciate in this film.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fear the Night 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 “Natty Knocks” on Demand: Horror Legends Star in this Campy Halloween-themed Flick

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

“I’ll come for every one of you…”

Natty Knocks is a horror film that released on July 21st 2023 on demand. It stars Danielle Harris, Bill Moseley, and Robert Englund. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

A babysitter and a group of kids cross paths with a dangerous serial killer connected to an urban legend in their town on Halloween eve.

Here is the trailer:

Natty Knocks gets us into the spirit of Halloween with a cast made up of horror legends, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Horror dream team!

The cast was out of this world in this one! It was so much fun seeing Danielle Harris, Robert Englund, and Bill Moseley on screen. They each played their character really well and gave the audience something to cheer about.

Killer fun!

As long as you manage your expectations, you’ll have a lot of fun with this B horror movie. I love finding new gems that can fit right into my Halloween lineup and the mashup of supernatural and slasher elements were really entertaining.

The kids did a great job in this one too and that ending was a blast!

This film successfully channeled some campy fun in an effective way. I loved the premise and the second half of the film was thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

The Cons:

Takes a while to get going…

The film started off really strong, but then things died down a little bit while we waited for the kids to stumble upon everything. At times, it felt a little filler, but we eventually got back on track and I thought that the film finished strong so this wasn’t a major con.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

If you’re looking for some Halloween fun starring some horror legends, then you are in for a real treat with this one.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Justified: City Primeval” on FX: Raylan Givens Returns!

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

“You’re just the man for this…”

Justified: City Primeval premiered on July 18th 2023 with the first two episodes available to watch now on FX (next day on Hulu). There will be eight episodes in total that will air weekly. The sequel series stars Timothy Olyphant, Vivian Olyphant, Boyd Holbrook, Adelaide Clemens, and Aunjanue Ellis. Each episode runs for approximately 50-52 minutes.

While on a road trip with his daughter, Raylan Givens encounters a couple of criminals that set him on a new path and case in Detroit, Michigan.

Here is the trailer:

Justified City Primeval gives fans another chance to connect with their favorite Deputy U.S. Marshal in a brand new setting with new dangerous foes. Is the sequel series worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

He’s still got it…

As if there was any doubt! Timothy Olyphant steps seamlessly back into his role of Raylan Givens. He looks like he hasn’t aged a day and sports his gray hair with style. He’s as bad-ass and charismatic as ever and I’m loving the dynamic between him and his daughter. I think it’s really cool that his daughter in real life is playing her.

We have some other interesting new players in town and so far I think that Boyd Holbrook is really lighting up the screen as well in the best way possible. I can’t wait to see the scenes between him and Olyphant continue because I think we’re in for an entertaining showdown for sure…

Solid opening!

I wasn’t sure if I’d like this sequel series or not but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the opening episodes. I was pulled right back into things and I think that this case has a lot of potential so far. We’ve got a worthy villain and a lot of other details that need to be explored.

The Cons:

The setting feels off…

I get that the series had to move away from Kentucky, but that felt like home for Justified and so far I’m not really feeling the urban setting so much. Maybe I need to get used to it or maybe it’s just that feeling of nostalgia that’s missing, but I think the modern Western vibe worked better in the original setting.

We’re also missing a few fan-favorite characters (mostly Boyd Crowder). I knew they wouldn’t be appearing in the series and their story-lines were wrapped up at the end of Justified, but it feels a little empty without them.

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 Timothy Olyphant playing this character again and I think we have enough potential here to keep us coming back each week.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

My 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!

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