Spoiler-Free Review of “Stranger Things” Season 4 Volume 2 on Netflix: Intense from Start to Finish

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

“Without heart we’d fall apart…”

Stranger Things season four (volume 2) premiered on Netflix on July 1st 2022 with two new episodes available to stream now. The sci-fi horror series stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, and Natalia Dyer. Each episode runs for approximately 90-140 minutes.

Our beloved group is put to the test as they face off against Vecna in an epic battle.

Here is the trailer:

Stranger Things season four started off with a bang, but does volume 2 stick the landing with the final two episodes of the season? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Doesn’t hold back…

Volume 1 was absolutely fantastic to watch, but we got a lot of set-up and flashbacks so there were some breaks from the intensity. Volume 2 takes us on a thrill ride and never stops. It really felt like more of a movie and I loved every second of it. There were so many edge-of-your-seat moments in this one, along with a lot of really heartfelt and heartbreaking ones. The music was AMAZING and there was one musical moment in particular that I will be re-watching over and over for years to come for sure. Wow! Talk about entertaining…I think it’s safe to say that this was definitely one of my favorite seasons yet.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Other characters prove their worth!

I really liked that we got enough time to explore each character in volume 1 and I am happy to report that volume 2 filled in the blanks with a few other characters that needed a little bit more time and development. Everyone proved that they were worthy to the group in different capacities and I loved watching their journeys.

That’s why I like this show so much. It’s not just about the superhero. It’s about everyone else too. The show reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in that way. You have this one powerful girl who is destined to save the world, but her friends are just as capable and powerful and they all show just how special they are over the seasons.

The same thing can absolutely be said about the characters in Stranger Things. That’s why it makes it so incredibly hard whenever we lose one of these characters. There will be no spoilers in this review, but wow. I shed quite a few tears during volume 2.

A finale to be excited about!

That last shot took my breath away. We are all set up for the final fifth season of the show and I am confident that it will be out of this world. The only problem is…we have to wait for it!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Unanswered questions.

That was a lot to take in and now I have all of these unanswered questions stirring in my brain. It’s not really much of a con, but I loved this season so much and it’s really hard to come up with something I didn’t like. I am sure that everything will be resolved in the final season, but there’s a lot left to explore and I’m just hoping that this series can finish strong because these characters all deserve a satisfying ending and so do we!

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!!!

A satisfying conclusion to a fantastic season!!!!!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Stranger Things season four (volume 2) in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A Halloween they’ll never forget…

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!

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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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Girl in the Woods” on Peacock: Can another Chosen One make an impact?

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

“Deep in the woods lies a secret door…”

The Girl in the Woods released on October 21st 2021 on Peacock with all eight episodes available to stream now. The supernatural drama series stars Stefanie Scott, Sofia Bryant, Misha Osherovich, Will Yun Lee and Leonard Roberts. Each episode runs for approximately 25-30 minutes.

A young runaway flees a cult destined to protect the world from the monsters beyond the door when she crosses paths with two new friends in West Pine, Oregon, as their two worlds collide.

Here is the trailer:

The Girl in the Woods has a familiar formula that has worked for shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the more recent Warrior Nun, but does this show do enough to find its own identity? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Creepy flickers here and there.

The door that Carrie is sworn to protect can unleash monsters from our nightmares and some of the ones we see are actually kind of terrifying and creepy in a good way. I think that the premise is a decent one and the woods can be terrifying on their own, creating a supernatural mystery that has some potential.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Peacock

A chosen one without any edge.

Shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Stranger Things, and even Warrior Nun understood the importance of having an empowering chosen one to really light up the screen. Unfortunately I didn’t really connect with our chosen one in this series…at all.

The acting wasn’t horrible, but there was just no personality and even though we are supposed to understand that she grew up away from society, I needed more layers to truly care about her.

I actually connected more with the two friends who had some redeeming qualities. We form another type of Scooby gang (which had its moments), but it wasn’t enough to spark any real interest here.

Really predictable…

I really made a valiant effort to connect to the mystery even with the bland chosen one, but a lot of the reveals were just so predictable and uninspiring. There were moments meant to create some kind of emotional response in the audience and yet I found myself frustrated and really bored unfortunately.

There was no real humor in this show either and the lighting was so dreary. The episodes are only about twenty-five minutes each, which should make this easy to binge-watch, and yet I found myself checking the time, which is never a good sign in terms of pacing.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Peacock

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

If you are going to use a popular formula, you need to really make sure it delivers and this one just felt extremely forgettable. I needed so much more from this show and even though there were some glimmers of potential sprinkled in, the creepy vibe was stifled by the uninspiring main character and the overall predictable and bland feel of the show.

I’d recommend re-watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer instead.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Girl in the Woods 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 “Sailor Moon Eternal” on Netflix: In the Name of the Moon…

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

“Moon Cosmic Power, Make Up!”

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie premiered in early 2021, but it is now officially available to stream on Netflix as of June 3rd 2021. The film/series is broken up into two parts. Each part runs for approximately an hour and twenty minutes.

Following the Dream arc of the manga series, Sailor Moon Eternal introduces us to the Dead Moon Circus after an eclipse emerges. The circus is filled with potential villains and dangers, as each of our favorite guardians go through a personal dream/nightmare that could have deadly consequences.

Can the guardians defeat the evil and their nightmares to save the world?

Here is the trailer:

Sailor Moon Eternal feels more like a new season rather than a film, but it manages to capture the 90’s nostalgia from the cartoon series that holds a very special place in my heart. Is the new film worthy of a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Captures the essence of the original series.

While there were mixed reactions about the Sailor Moon Crystal series that came out in 2014, the 90’s cartoon is one of the best things I have ever watched and when I look back on it, I realize it also probably created my love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

There is a chosen one who must keep her identity a secret, a mysterious love interest, and a great balance of action, comedy, and drama sealed with a message of love and friendship.

The show is iconic and it’s difficult to get back to that level, but I thought that Sailor Moon Eternal felt very much like the original and I absolutely loved that.

Intriguing plot.

Also like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, we channel some “Nightmares” and “Restless” vibes, as Sailor Moon and her friends each have to deal with a personal nightmare that comes to life. I thought that this helped me connect with each of the characters that much more and I was hooked by the familiar plot, which is usually pretty entertaining.

The Cons:

A lot to remember…

It’s been some time since I have watched Sailor Moon so there was a lot to remember. I started to piece things together, but you have to go into this movie knowing something about Sailor Moon or you will feel completely lost.

I’m not sure if this film will connect with a new audience, but I think that fans of the original will feel right at home.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

This movie brought me right back to the original series and I loved every minute of it. If you are a fan of Sailor Moon, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how well the new movie channels the nostalgia of the original series while still bringing in some new welcomed additions and elements.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Sailor Moon Eternal 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 comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Lucifer” Season 5B on Netflix: Emotional Perfection

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

“Everyone deserves a second chance…”

Lucifer follows the devil himself, who decides to take a vacation on earth while teaming up with Detective Chloe Decker to solve crimes. Season 5B features the remaining eight episodes of the fifth season. It premiered on May 28th 2021 and all episodes are available to stream now. The show stars Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Kevin Alejandro, D.B. Woodside, and Lesley Ann-Brandt.

After some epic moments in the first half of the fifth season, Lucifer now has to deal with his family head on. The episodes present the audience with a roller coaster ride of emotions as we laugh, cry, and root for our favorite characters against all odds.

Here is the trailer:

Lucifer Season 5B was truly moving and entertaining from start to finish. There were some standout episodes, but the crescendo of moments mirroring Lucifer’s quest to find himself have a serious impact, leading to a cliffhanger ending that will leave you wanting even more.

So, is Lucifer season 5B worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Great guest stars and returning favorites.

If you watched season 5, then you know that God has arrived. There has been a lot of family drama between the angels, but God really was a delight to watch and I thought Dennis Haysbert was truly outstanding and a welcomed addition.

I was worried that the family drama might become overdone, but it really helped shed some light on the dynamic between all of the characters and it also brought us some hilarious moments as well.

We also got to see several familiar faces throughout the second half of season 5, but there will be no spoilers here. Let’s just say that you’ll be happy to see them!

Images courtesy of Netflix

Standout episodes and performances.

Much like the first half of season 5, there were some more standout episodes that really had me entertained. Season 5, episode 12 was a welcomed surprise. Some of these episodes actually really had me channeling some Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well, which is a good thing.

I don’t like to make too many comparisons to one of my favorite shows of all time, but there really was a great balance throughout the second half of the season that deserves some serious recognition.

Real character development.

We’ve seen Lucifer grow over the seasons, but I thought that Tom Ellis did an exceptional job in the second half of the season. When we got to the big moments, he really had me in tears and there were a lot of heartbreaking moments to deal with, but I felt like we had a worthy redeemed hero to guide us through them, which made me care about the show even more.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Needed more Deckerstar.

I shouldn’t really complain because we got plenty of that in the first half of the season, but I was missing some of the epic moments at first and I also thought that Chloe didn’t really seem like herself. There was a lot of talk about sacrifice, but I lost part of what makes Chloe who she is and I had some mixed thoughts on it.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

Season 5 really stepped up to the challenge. There were some really fun moments, but there were also some really heartbreaking ones too that still have me in tears. I think these moments were necessary; however, as it gave the show the fuel it needs to become something truly extraordinary as our characters start to realize who they are and who they can still become and I’m excited to be along for the journey.

I can’t wait to see what happens next in season 6!

Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Lucifer season 5B 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 “WandaVision” on Disney+: Delightfully Intriguing

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

“My wife and her flying saucers…”

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

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

Here is the trailer:

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

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Undeniable chemistry.

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

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

Images courtesy of Disney+

Welcomed TV nostalgia.

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

Images courtesy of Disney+

Fantastic supporting characters and guest stars.

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

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Strange and confusing.

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

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

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Disney+

I’m in!

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

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new 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 “Teenage Bounty Hunters” on Netflix: Addicting In All The Right Ways

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

“What if we become the best Bounty Hunters in Atlanta?”

Teenage Bounty Hunters is a new series from executive producer Jenji Kohan (Weeds, Orange Is the New Black). The show premiered on August 14th 2020, featuring 10 episodes available to stream now (approximately 45-50 minutes in length). The show stars Maddie Phillips, Anjelica Bette Fellini, Kadeem Hardison, and Virginia Williams.

Teenage Bounty Hunters introduces us to twin sisters, Sterling and Blair, who are accidentally mistaken for bounty hunters when they run down a “skip” with their dad’s car. They start to realize that they are actually quite skilled at the job, giving them a new sense of purpose, as they are guided by their new mentor, Bowser.

Here is the trailer:

Teenage Bounty Hunters doesn’t hold anything back, as it immediately jumps into a raunchy, darker humor with lots of action and drama too. The show is a good mix of Veronica Mars and Saved! while also paving the way for its own identity.

But, does Teenage Bounty Hunters do enough to become your next worthy binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Teenage Bounty Hunters Netflix 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Out of this world performances.

“Twin swear!” Seriously, these two are beyond fantastic. You immediately believe that they are sisters and are completely invested in everything that gets thrown their way. I love when they embrace their bad-ass side while chasing down “skips,” but there is also a vulnerability to them. They are growing up and carrying a lot of baggage too, but they are real, believable, and hilarious!

Teenage Bounty Hunters Netflix 2 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Laugh out loud funny and super entertaining.

The show nails the darker, raunchy humor and then some. It’s been a while since I have actually laughed out loud at a show and this show delivers! Sure, some of the humor may be a little over the top and could come down to preference, but it just works effortlessly.

The chase scenes involving the “skips” are the best part of the show and we get to witness some pretty spectacular skills from the Wesley sisters. More please!

Teenage Bounty Hunters Netflix 3 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Great chemistry and rapport between characters.

Bowser is basically the Giles (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Keith Mars (Veronica Mars) we have been searching for. He takes the girls under his wing, but certainly has to put up with a lot to get them ready for each job while dealing with a lot of teenage drama that he did not sign up for.

But when it comes down to it, there is something really genuine and sweet about this relationship and it was one of the best parts of the show.

The Cons:

Teenage Bounty Hunters Netflix 4 — Images courtesy of Netflix

The religious undertones are a little overwhelming.

I personally didn’t mind them and they gave me some Saved! nostalgia, but they may be a deal breaker for some. Sometimes the religious references felt forced and out of place, but they didn’t turn me off to the show completely. I get what the show was trying to do and accepted that, but it was a little heavy at times.

So am I in or out?

Teenage Bounty Hunters Netflix 5 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent! I had high hopes for this series and it did not let me down! As soon as I started watching it, I couldn’t stop. It is the perfect binge-watch to get you through the weekend and I recommend that you move it to the top of your list. I am officially obsessed with this show!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

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

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!

Reliving the Same Day in Movies and Television: I’m totally having Déjà vu right now!

“Oh yeah, it means someone’s thinking about you while they’re masturbating. I get it six times a day.” (Danielle in Happy Death Day)

Reliving the same day again and again may seem overused in film and television, but somehow it still works, bringing new and inventive material our way without ever feeling stale and overdone.

So, what is it about Déjà vu?

After recently watching and thoroughly enjoying the rom-com movie, Palm Springs on Hulu, I started to think about how many movies and television shows center around Déjà vu. Not to mention that some of our favorite television series of all time tend to have at least one episode dealing with some kind of time loop or Déjà vu.

While Groundhog Day still remains as the movie I automatically think about when it comes to Déjà vu, Happy Death Day certainly made a splash and proved that horror comedies can flourish using this theme. There has to be an element of comedy or the concept can become a little repetitive…pun intended.

Some television series also took a stab at Déjà vu, but they were short-lived.

Remember shows like Tru Calling and Day Break?

No? I’ll remind you because they were actually pretty fantastic and addicting, but they did not last very long. Tru Calling (starring Eliza Dushku) was canceled after the short second season and Day Break (starring Taye Diggs) only got one season.

Netflix’s Russian Doll also explored this concept more recently.

But let’s not also forget some of our favorite television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and Supernatural. They have some pretty amazing stand-out episodes featuring the concept of a time loop or reliving the same day. Honestly, this list goes on and on and I’m sure that if you take a look back at some of your favorite shows, you will most likely find an episode that deals with some kind of time travel or Déjà vu.

Here are my standout episodes:

Supernatural

Episode “Mystery Spot” (Season 3, episode 11).

Sam continues to relive the same day over and over as Dean dies. He must find a way to save him before time runs out.

Buffy Life Serial — Images courtesy of Hulu

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Episode “Life Serial” (Season 6, episode 5).

Buffy attempts to find a job, but ends up stuck in a time loop while working at the Magic Box. This brought us some welcomed comedy for sure.

Charmed

Episode “Déjà Vu All Over Again” (Season 1, episode 22).

Phoebe realizes that she is repeating the same day over and over again. She must figure out a way to save her sisters from a demon, but a new threat is thrown her way at the end of each day.

So the theme of Déjà vu still works, but why? You would think that this would become overdone and yet I find myself enjoying this theme more and more. I think it’s because it allows us to discover something new each time.

Either the character needs to learn a lesson, a life needs to be saved, a sacrifice has to be made, or we have to start looking at something or someone differently than we used to. Maybe it’s even ourselves. I personally welcome this theme and I will always go into it with an open mind, but I think that in order for it to continue to be successful, it needs to do something slightly different each time while maintaining a steady balance of humor as well.

What are YOUR thoughts on Déjà vu in movies and TV?

Feel free to post some of your favorite movies and shows centering around Déjà vu in the comments section below!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Warrior Nun” on Netflix: It’s not easy being a Chosen One

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

One girl destined to fight against the demons of the world. Sound familiar? The premise screams Buffy the Vampire Slayer with religious undertones, which instantly sparked my attention, but sometimes a comparison is not always a good thing.

Warrior Nun premiered on Netflix on July 2nd 2020. It features 10 episodes (approximately 45-48 minutes in length). It stars Alba Baptista, Toya Turner, Emilio Sakraya, and Thekla Reuten.

Based on the manga style comic book character, Warrior Nun Areala, the show focuses on Ava. After waking up in a morgue, she discovers that she is far from dead and now possesses supernatural abilities as the chosen Halo Bearer. She faces new threats and demons while also searching for her own identity along the way.

Right away, I was completely hooked by the premise. The trailer was actually quite good and I’m all for a show that features a strong female character taking on the apocalypse, but does Warrior Nun do enough to make it stand out from its predecessors? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Warrior Nun Netflix 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Delightful performances.

Standout performances go to Alba Baptista as Ava and Toya Turner as Shotgun Mary. They are believable and they really helped me connect more with these particular characters. There is subtle humor and sarcasm going on mixed with some real life altering scenarios, which gave us a good balance throughout the show.

These nuns kick ass!

The fight scenes may seem slightly ridiculous. They are flashy and unrealistic, but they are also really entertaining and they kept the pace going. If you’re a Chosen One, I want to see some bad-ass fight scenes and Warrior Nun certainly delivered with that.

The Cons:

Warrior Nun Netflix 2 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Awkward voiceover narration.

I get it. We are trying to connect with Ava and learn more about her past to truly appreciate and understand what she has to deal with now. However, the voiceover narrations were awkward and out of place. They actually made Ava seem more whiny than she actually is and I could have done without them.

Too many episodes.

There are ten episodes and I think this show really could have been done in eight. When you have that many episodes, it really slows things down. There was unneeded fluff that made me lose interest several times throughout the show, which is a shame. Sometimes less is more…

This show is NOT Buffy.

I’ve seen multitple comparisons going on between this show and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While I can absolutely see the similarities and noticed some myself, this show is nothing like Buffy, which is in a category of its own. I think this actually hurt the show because it just falls flat in comparison. On its own, the show actually has a lot of redeeming qualities, but I’m not sure it will be able to break through these comparisons.

So am I in or out?

Warrior Nun Netflix 3 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in…about 75 percent. Overall, this show was pretty entertaining. I liked the premise. I liked the characters and I loved the kick-ass fighting scenes. Once I got over the disappointment that this show would not be in the same category as Buffy, I started to enjoy it more…especially once I got to episode 4.

That being said, there is a lot slowing down the pace of this series and the exceptional premise falls flat in several areas, but there is still enough substance and heart in this show. If you are looking for a supernatural type of binge-watch, I would recommend watching The Order before Warrior Nun, but there is certainly enough to enjoy throughout your watch.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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READ IF YOU DARE…

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Order” Season 2 on Netflix: Surprisingly Addicting with Amazing Guest Stars

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

“It can’t be a secret society if outsiders know your secrets…”

The Order season two premiered on Netflix on June 18th 2020. It features 10 episodes (47-50 minutes in length) and it stars Jake Manley, Sarah Grey, Adam DiMarco, Katharine Isabelle, and Louriza Tronco.

Secret societies, dark magic rituals, and werewolves are back for season two, as we pick up right where we left off.

Season two is jam-packed with quite a lot, but are we ready to sign up for the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The Order Season 2 Netflix 4 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Deliciously dark magic rituals.

I thought that season two did an even better job than season one with bringing us into some serious dark magic rituals. Whether our favorite characters were performing a spell or summoning a demon, there were some cringe-worthy scenes that really allowed this series to embrace its supernatural horror qualities.

The Order Season 2 Netflix 5 — Images courtesy of Netflix

More please!

Villaness worthy Vera Stone!

The Order Season 2 Netflix 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I don’t know about you, but I would love to see a spin-off series featuring Vera and maybe we could throw in Mary Wardwell (Lilith) from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. I think they would make a bewitching tag team.

Vera is the Villaness you love to hate, but we actually get to see several sides of her in season two, which added to the growth of her character. She’s strong, sexy, and a bad-ass magic practitioner you do not want to cross.

Her wardrobe is absolutely incredible as well!

Incredible Guest Stars!

The Order Season 2 Netflix 3 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Beverly Hills, 90210 fans will be beyond ecstatic when they see who appears on screen. I thought this was so much fun and I was cheering for these cameos/characters more than some of the main characters. The guest stars actually helped lighten up some of the heavy teen drama going on, which I appreciated. You won’t be disappointed!

The Cons:

The Order Season 2 Netflix 2 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Too reliant on ships.

Don’t get me wrong. I love a good ship and I didn’t even really mind the will-they-won’t-they vibe between Jack and Alyssa, but the show relied a little too much on some of these teen drama moments and it didn’t really need them. This made it seem like more of a watered down version of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Charmed (reboot) and The Vampire Diaries at times.

The Order is actually really dark and different on its own and when it centers around these ships for too long, you start to make comparisons…

A lot going on.

I wouldn’t say this is necessarily a con, but you need to pay attention. There are a lot of characters and a lot of plot twists. I strongly recommend watching season two right after season one or at least watching the recap.

So am I in or out?

The Order Season 2 Netflix 6 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in! This show is really entertaining and the twists and character dynamics will keep you invested. I actually may have enjoyed it even more than season one.

The Order is binge-watch worthy and I highly recommend it, especially since there is a gap in new shows and episodes right now.

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