Spoiler-Free Review of “Yellowjackets” Season 2 Premiere on Showtime: Trippy Goodness

*This is a spoiler-free review for season 2 so feel free to read on!*

“Nobody can help you…”

Yellowjackets season 2 premiered on March 24th 2023 on Showtime. This season will feature eight weekly episodes. It stars Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sammi Hanratty. Each episode runs for approximately 53-55 minutes.

After surviving a plane crash in the middle of the wilderness, a high school girls soccer team attempts to keep going with no hope of rescue. Years later, they try to cope with the horrific events that took place after the crash as new characters emerge from their past.

Here is the trailer:

Yellowjackets instantly became one of my favorite shows, providing us with two compelling timelines and characters to root for in the midst of some trippy madness that somehow just works. Does season 2 deserve a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Dives back into darkness without holding back…

Season 2 jumps right back into things and quickly submerges us into some disturbing dark content. It’s clearly not afraid to unleash something twisted and outrageous, making the season 2 premiere such a compelling watch. I dropped my jaw at several moments and this is only the beginning!

Introduces new faces.

We already have our fair share of characters, but one of the most interesting characters of season 1 makes her first appearance in the present day timeline, which should shake things up for some of our other survivors.

We also get another timeline thrown into the mix and I hope we get to explore it more without overdoing things.

Either way, I’m intrigued!

The Cons:

A lot to keep track of…

I highly recommend that you watch the recap at the beginning of the episode to stay up to speed. But you still need to pay attention to a lot of different characters and timelines, which can be slightly overwhelming.

Similar to LOST, this series is branching off into several unique stories and I just hope that each character gets enough screen time because they all deserve it!

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

Season 2 starts off with a bang and is not holding back!

I can’t wait to see what happens next and it’s safe to say that Yellowjackets is still just as fantastic as ever!

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

**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 “Plane” in Theaters: The Action Movie I’ve Been Waiting For!

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

“One minute at a time…”

Plane released in theaters on January 13th 2023. The action film stars Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Danielle Pineda, and Tony Goldwyn. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-seven minutes.

After their plane is struck by lightning, Captain Brodie Torrance is forced to make a risky landing on a dangerous island. When his passengers are taken hostage by a group of rebels, he teams up with a prisoner from the flight to get them back safely.

Here is the trailer:

Plane is filled with non-stop action and plenty of intense moments that will make your heart pound. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Edge-of-your-seat moments from start to finish!

This film was so intense! I felt my own heart pounding and I was completely captivated by what was going on. There was never a dull moment. The pacing was on point and the action was fantastic.

I’ve been extremely excited to watch this movie ever since I saw the first trailer and it did not let me down. It reminded me of LOST if it were remade into an action film. I loved every second of it and I think it’s safe to say that this film just earned its spot as one of my favorite action flicks.

Butler and Colter make a great team!

Wow, they were both AMAZING in this! It’s usually hit or miss for me with Gerard Butler movies (even though I like him as an actor). This one worked extremely well; however, and having Colter there made it even better. I’d be more than relieved if they were coming to rescue me. They were bad-ass and then some!

The Cons:

Far-fetched at times…

I’m not really complaining, but there were some moments that were really unrealistic and far-fetched. I just went with it and enjoyed the ride, but there were some moments that will have you scratching your head for sure…

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Plane does not disappoint!

Book your ticket now and enjoy the ride!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Plane 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 “1899” on Netflix: Eerie and Bizarre

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

“The brain is deeper than the sea…”

1899 premiered on Netflix on November 17th 2022 with all eight episodes available to stream now. The German horror-mystery series (from the creators of Dark) stars Emily Beecham, Andreas Pietschmann, Aneurin Barnard, and Mathilde Ollivier. Each episode is approximately 50-58 minutes.

Passengers on a ship heading to New York get caught up in a mystery after finding an abandoned ship in the middle of the open sea.

Here is the trailer:

1899 is chilling and intriguing with a compelling mystery at its core, but does it jam-pack in too much? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Does enough at the end of each episode to keep you coming back for more…

At the end of each episode, there was another piece of the puzzle unlocked. Of course it created more questions, but I think the series did a good enough job hooking its audience with a unique mystery.

In a lot of ways, this series reminded me of a mashup of Ghost Ship, LOST, and The Terror. Unlocking the mystery was the best part of the series for me even though I had mixed thoughts on the ending.

Decent main character.

I had a little bit of trouble connecting to a lot of the characters, even though this series adapted a LOST style with character-centric episodes and flashbacks. However, the character of Maura had the most layers and kept me invested. I think she was a strong lead with a sympathetic story.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

This series dragged…

The pacing did not do this show any favors. The episodes were on the long side and the pacing felt so slow. I drifted off a few times because of this.

The series was able to bounce back at the end of each episode, but wow was this slow at times.

I also think there was way too much overstuffed into this show. The main mystery was interesting, but there were so many other parts and a lot of characters to focus on. This is not one of those shows you can tune in and out of. I felt like I needed to take notes the entire time to keep up and even then, I still had a lot of questions and was not thoroughly excited by the ending reveal…

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

This series had an interesting hook and a solid mystery, but the pacing really worked against it and I wasn’t a fan of the ending.

I have a feeling that some people will absolutely love this show because it is unique and I can see why, but it was a bit of an exhausting watch overall for me personally.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on 1899 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 “Resident Evil” (2022) on Netflix: Jam-packed but Entertaining!

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

“The world ended a long time ago…”

Resident Evil premiered on Netflix on July 14th 2022. All eight episodes are available to stream now. The action horror series (based on the popular video game franchise) stars Lance Reddick, Ella Balinska, Tamara Smart, Siena Agudong, and Paola Núñez. Each episode runs for approximately 48-50 minutes.

Fourteen years after a deadly virus caused the apocalypse, Jade Wesker fights back to find a way to make a difference, revealing what happened to her father and sister back in the year 2022.

Here is the trailer:

Resident Evil brings us an intriguing story for one of the franchise’s most notorious villains while introducing us to a new timeline filled with plenty of Easter Eggs for fans of the franchise. Is this series worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

All hail Lance Reddick!

I was already a huge fan of his. I loved him on Fringe and LOST, but wow was he fantastic as Albert Wesker. He brought so much to his character and performance and was the best part of the series for me!

There were some other standout characters as well, including young Jade and Billie. I thought both actresses did a really great job with what they were given and they were very believable as sisters.

Paola Núñez dominated in this series! I wanted her to get even more screen time because she was a scene stealer for sure!

For those of you concerned that you won’t be seeing the regular players featured in this new series, there are plenty of new characters to be excited about so don’t worry!

Images courtesy of Netflix

A layered story with plenty of reveals worth sticking around for.

I appreciated that this series actually took the time to flesh out a well layered story. We even got some character development, which was sometimes missing from the films that favored the action scenes. In a way, this show felt like a mashup between zombie teen series like The Walking Dead: World Beyond (but better) and the previous Resident Evil films.

There were some really great reveals and if you feel confused at first, most things will be explained by the time you get to the end of the series.

There were also plenty of Easter Eggs for fans. I really liked that this series payed respect to the games while creating a new world of its own in the process.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

One timeline was a lot stronger than the other…

The series jumped back and forth between the 2022 and 2036 timelines, but I much preferred the 2022 one. I was fully invested in this timeline and every single time we jumped back to the 2036 one, it didn’t have the same impact and it interrupted the natural flow of the story.

I think this improved as the series went on and the connections to the future started to make more sense, but it severely slowed down the pacing in the earlier episodes, which was frustrating at times.

Most of the action took place in the 2036 timeline so it does have its moments, but I really enjoyed the story-line in the past a lot more.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!!!

This series was far from perfect, but it was really entertaining and I LOVED the new characters. As long as you manage your expectations accordingly, you will find a lot to be excited about and I truly hope it gets picked up for a second season!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Resident Evil (2022) 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!

**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 Wilds” Season 2 on Prime Video: “We’re not the only people on this island and we all know it!”

**This is a spoiler-free review for season 2 so feel free to read on!**

“I don’t want to give up…”

The Wilds season 2 premiered on Prime Video on May 6th 2022 with eight episodes available to stream now. The series stars Sarah Pidgeon, Mia Healey, Sophia Ali, Reign Edwards, and Rachel Griffiths. Each episode runs for approximately 50-55 minutes.

The show is about a group of teenage girls who end up stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes. After a major discovery in that season 1 finale cliffhanger, the audience discovers that the girls are not alone on the island, which introduces us to a new group of survivors with plenty more twists and reveals along the way.

Here is the trailer:

The Wilds season 1 was such a fantastic surprise. I expected to see a LOST rip-off and instead I was transported into a compelling and intense watch with incredible characters. Season 2 splits its focus between the girls and the boys, but does it still do enough to keep up with the magic of the first season? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Just as addicting as the first season.

It took a little while to get going, but I was completely hooked for season 2 and the reveals were even more extreme this time around. I didn’t think it was possible to top that season 1 finale, but rest assured that you will get plenty more outrageous plot twists to keep you coming back for more.

Character relationships flourish.

Part of what made The Wilds so amazing was the incredible characters. These girls had layers and then some. We witnessed some heartwarming and heartbreaking moments between them and season 2 allowed some of the new relationships a chance to grow and change, really bringing these characters together in an unexpected way.

The Cons:

The boys split our focus…

Look, I think the boys got a bad rep. Even though it was a slower start for me, there was some real potential here and some characters who absolutely deserved some screen time. My only issue was that the balance between the two groups never felt that seamless. The boys also had a harder time gaining our affection and attention because we already knew what was happening here…

We didn’t peel back as many layers with the boys and things felt rushed and chaotic at times because there is only so much you can jam-pack into each episode.

That being said, I think that things started to really work together in a more cohesive way once we got to the final episodes…

Oh yeah and another cliffhanger. Let’s not wait 18 months to get season 3 please!

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Addicting and intense with layered characters worth our time!

Season 2 may not be as good as season 1, but there is plenty to be excited about, making it worthy of your next binge-watch.

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

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Wilds” on Prime Video: So Much More than a “LOST” Rip-Off

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

“We should have died, but we didn’t…”

The Wilds premiered on Amazon Prime Video on December 11th 2020 with ten episodes available to stream now. The series stars Sarah Pidgeon, Mia Healey, Sophia Ali, Reign Edwards, and Rachel Griffiths. Each episode runs for approximately 50-55 minutes.

The show is about a group of teenage girls who end up stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes.

Sound familiar? Well, it certainly screams LOST with its premise, but the twists and reveals lead us down a unique path that begs to be explored.

Here is the trailer:

The Wilds attempts to find a balance between mystery and survival while exploring the past of each stranded girl with flashbacks. While I can’t dismiss the similarities between both shows, does The Wilds do enough to stand apart from LOST? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Believable characters with layers.

When I first started watching this show, I was worried that these girls would quickly blend into uninspiring stock characters. The party girl, the Christian girl, the athlete, the outcast…

The list seemed to be all there and yet each and every one of these characters took that stereotype and stomped on it completely, revealing what truly makes them tick. Each character has struggled in some way or another, but their journey really helped shape them into characters to root for, which is important in a show like this.

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Quickly forms its own identity with addicting and intense reveals.

While the first episode will really make you think of LOST and Lord of the Flies, the show quickly finds its footing and actually lures us into an enticing mystery that is very different. The twists were well placed and each reveal pulled me in that much more, which made this binge-watch friendly.

The episodes were almost an hour and I didn’t even mind because I was so hooked.

And that ending…wow!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

The trailer doesn’t do this show justice…

From the trailer, I thought that I was going to watch a LOST rip-off with a lot of teenage melodrama. Instead, I got a thought-provoking emotional thrill ride that may have been one of the best things I have watched in a long time.

This show could have easily gone a different way and instead it really surprised me. If you were thinking about skipping the show from the trailer alone, you should give it a try because it exceeded my expectations and then some.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in 100 percent!

This series was so addicting, but it also really dived deep into some emotionally stirring moments that created important layers for the show. Similar to why I love LOST so much, this show was about so much more than being stranded on an island after a plane crash. It was about character connections and moments of both strength and weakness colliding.

I loved this show so much and I am beyond excited that it already got picked up for season two because I need to know what happens next after that major cliffhanger!

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

**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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “The 100” season 7 episode 3: “False Gods”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s The 100 season 7 episode 3, I was reminded that “wanting to die and facing it are two different things.”

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “False Gods,” Raven makes a tough decision for the good of Sanctum, but has she crossed a line in doing so? Meanwhile, Clarke deals with her own actions and Wonkru learns the truth about Madi.

My top 5 moments from The 100 season 7 episode 3 are:

“Either we live together or die apart.”

I don’t know about you, but I found myself repeating Jack Shephard’s infamous line from LOST: “Live together, die alone,” but I suppose Russell Prime (Sheiheda) changed it up just enough…

The 100 7 3 1 — Images courtesy of The CW

Either way, Russell is about to be burned at the stake, but things get complicated when there is a divide between Sanctum. Clarke realizes that they will now need to keep Russell alive, which means that Sheidheda’s plan is working all to well.

“Fighting is what we are.”

During the episode, Clarke deals with the consequences of her actions, realizing that she lost herself when she called for Russell’s life. She stands before her mother’s grave and tells her that she will do her best to make her proud, but Clarke is clearly having a tough time here.

Clarke comes to the realization that they keep ending up in the same place and that perhaps “fighting is what they are.” We know that the end is in sight here, but is there a way for Clarke to help her people finally find some kind of normalcy and peace? Let’s hope so.

The 100 7 3 2 — Images courtesy of The CW

I am also loving the new friendship between Clarke and Gaia and perhaps there is a little bit more here to ship. I’m a Bellarke fan for life, but I can’t ignore some of the vibes being thrown our way.

“We’ll all die…”

Oh, is that all. As if Sanctum doesn’t have enough to deal with, Raven stumbles upon an unstable reactor that could destroy everyone. She is faced with a difficult task, but is up for the challenge with Memori’s help, but I’m not sure that everyone is going to make it.

The 100 7 3 3 — Images courtesy of The CW

Either way, let’s keep giving Raven and Memori screen time because they deserve it!

“We cannot ask The Commander because there is no Commander!”

Well, that makes things complicated. Raven is looking for members of Wonkru to volunteer as tribute to help her fix the reactor and she wants people she can trust. Indra, Clarke, and Gaia clash over whether or not to involve Madi, but Gaia ultimately decides to tell everyone that there is no more Commander.

The 100 7 3 4 — Images courtesy of The CW

Wonkru is outraged and Indra points out, “You just lost Wonkru.” There is now an even greater divide among the people in Sanctum, which I’m sure Sheidheda will use to his advantage.

It looks like Raven will need to turn to the prisoners for help now…

“You’re the Queen of doing the impossible.”

That’s a great way to describe our girl, Raven and our favorite cockroach is back in action as well. Only, the moral compass is certainly wavering back and forth here. After convincing the prisoners to help with the cause, Raven fails to mention how dangerous this task really is.

The 100 7 3 5 — Images courtesy of The CW

Since Murphy and Emori have Nightblood, they will most likely be fine with some radiation exposure, but others won’t be so lucky. Things get beyond tense when Murphy and Emori work to bring down the pressure, but when everyone starts getting sick, Raven realizes that the radiation is leaking more than she realized.

She recognizes that the prisoners will die and Murphy tries to get her to see reason and even points out that perhaps she can get in there and fix what is wrong. Raven clings to the delegation role here; however, and the few prisoners lose their lives in order to save the many.

It would have been nice to let them know that they were sacrificing their lives though…

Raven has done the impossible again to save her people, but has she just crossed a line? We’ll have to wait and see, but I don’t think things are going to calm down at all on Sanctum.

May we meet again.

Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The 100 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

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

PLAY IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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

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!

Ranking the top 5 Songs Performed on “Lucifer”

Happy Wednesday TV Fans! After recently completing my first full watch of Lucifer, I have to admit that I am beyond obsessed. I can’t wait for Netflix to release the season 5 premiere date and I am already ranking Lucifer as one of my favorite series of all time.

Seriously, it’s so good! I highly recommend it!

One of the reasons why I love Lucifer so much is because of the wonderful musical numbers. Tom Ellis is absolutely brilliant and fantastic and somehow turns some already epic songs into unique and timeless renditions. At first I was slightly skeptical about the musical numbers, but I quickly adapted and welcomed them on the show.

The showstopping numbers are entertaining on their own, but I love how some of the performances truly highlight some key moments on the show and even elevate them to something even greater.

Tom Ellis is born to perform, but I also was surprised and impressed by some of the supporting cast members as well, who should think about performing more often.

The performances somehow mirror our own moods, which is not always easy to do. Shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed did a fantastic job with this previously, but it’s difficult to seamlessly throw in musical numbers and Lucifer just makes it look effortless.

I’m hoping that we eventually get a full musical episode and perhaps we can see something like that in season 5 if we’re lucky, but for today, I am going to be ranking my top 5 songs performed on the series so far.

**Please note some spoilers are ahead if you are not up to date on the series.**

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

My Top 5 Songs Performed on Lucifer are:

5

Luck Be A Lady

Song featured in Season 3, episode 6. Performed by Lucifer, featuring Ella!

In this episode, Lucifer and Ella head to Vegas to track down Candy. The team-up between Lucifer and Ella is hilarious on its own and they really make quite the duo! Ella looks absolutely stunning in her dress, but she also shares the stage with Lucifer during this performance.

Tom Ellis channels his Frank Sinatra with flair, but adding in Ella as one of the “Morningstar” backup dancers makes this number truly stand out. Hit him with your feather boa again, girl!

4

I Will Survive

Song featured in Season 3, episode 17. Performed by Axara and Lucifer.

After a pop singer’s life is in danger, she is supposed to remain on lockdown while the police figure this out, but Axara loves the spotlight and decides to perform to keep herself occupied. Only, Lucifer decides to stop the performance, but Axara refuses, forcing Lucifer to grab the microphone and…join in on the song.

The words actually match up with Lucifer trying to get Axara to leave, which is beyond hilarious and Axara may have just been outperformed by the original diva, Lucifer!

3

Eternal Flame

Song featured in Season 2, episode 14. Performed by Lucifer. Sings to Chloe.

After making fun of Chloe’s playlist, Lucifer takes things one step further. Chloe is trying to make her way through a club during an investigation and Lucifer decides to get on stage and dedicate one of her favorite songs to her.

This moment is beyond sweet and adorable and Chloe’s reaction is everything in the crowd.

Later on in the series, we get to witness Chloe and Lucifer slow dancing to “Only You,” which is another one of my favorite moments, but Lucifer’s performance absolutely deserves a spot on our list today.

2

Wonderwall

Song featured in Season 4, episode 9. Performed by Maze. Sings to Eve.

“Wonderwall” is already one of my favorite songs and happens to be performed on my absolute favorite series of all time, Lost. So, it’s safe to say that I have very high expectations here.

However, when Maze (my favorite character) decides to take a leap of faith and show a “grand gesture” to reveal her feelings to Eve, this song took on new meaning for me.

Maze’s performance is soulful and beautiful. Part of the reason why I love this performance so much is because we know that Maze rarely shows her vulnerability and she lets it all out in the open here, exposing her heart and reminding us that perhaps this demon really does have a soul after all…

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one pick are:

All Along the Watchtower (Season 2, episode 1)

Sinnerman (Season 1, episode 6)

Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Season 1, episode 9)

Drum roll please…

1

Creep

Song featured in Season 4, episode 1. Performed by Lucifer.

Tom Ellis is beyond brilliant during this performance. I think I have listened to this rendition a thousand times and may even prefer it to the original song…it’s that good. Part of what makes it so epic is it mirrors Lucifer’s own inner battle. Lucifer is at a breaking point and is trying to figure out who he really is and what his purpose is.

Every single breath he takes and every note makes you sympathize with his struggle, stirring so many emotions at once. This performance truly moves me and showcases just how incredibly talented Tom Ellis is. Perfection…

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments on your favorite songs performed on Lucifer. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural? Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery? Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon! Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well. I really hope you enjoy!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice 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 “V Wars” on Netflix: Ian Somerhalder and vampires…again

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

Much like zombie shows, vampire shows are always emerging, providing us with different takes on the legends we all know and enjoy. While some shows are much better than others, casting a lead who has already stolen our hearts as a bad boy vampire is not such a bad idea…

While you may feel like the story behind V Wars has been done over and over again, it does have redeeming qualities that make it a somewhat entertaining watch.

The show began streaming episodes on Netflix as of December 5th 2019 and currently features ten episodes for season one. It stars Ian Somerhalder (LOST, The Vampire Diaries), Adrian Holmes, Jackie Lai, Kimberly-Sue Murray and Laura Vandervoort (Bitten).

We follow Dr. Luther Swann (Somerhalder) after he is exposed to a virus, which surfaced from the ice after a climate change. After being quarantined with his best friend, Michael Fayne, Dr. Swann starts to realize that a deadly infection has been released, turning people into vampires, or Bloods, as they like to be called.

If you are a fan of shows like The Passage and The Strain, you will most likely be entertained by V Wars, but if you are looking for a more romanticized view on vampires, you may want to pass on this one.

The Pros:

V Wars Netflix 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Did I mention Ian Somerhalder?

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Somerhalder, but I was slightly worried that his character would feel like a ripoff of Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries, but this is a completely new character and role for Somerhalder. Dr. Luther Swann is our main protagonist and I have to say that I absolutely fell in love with the glasses!

Overall, I thought that Somerhalder did an excellent job with the role. There were times where I felt like his reaction was somewhat strange and repetitive, but as the episodes continued, he showed more and more potential.

More Laura Vandervoort please!

I am a fan of hers as well and I thought that her character, Mila, had the most potential. She gave me a Buffy Summers vibe for a little bit, trying to even the score and possessing some bad-ass qualities of her own.

That being said, I’m not sure why we kept her story in the background for the majority of the episodes. Somerhalder and Vandervoort stole the show for me and it looks like we are set up for a potential team up if we get a season two.

Violent vampires with some much needed gore.

I actually like that the show went in a different direction, focusing more on the Bloods having an infection. This gave it a Sci-Fi feel, but I think this actually helped the show stand out a little bit more. The connections to DNA were interesting and the paranoia and extreme measures from the government made you really think twice about things.

Plus, there was plenty of gore, although the vampires seemed to be all over the place and very messy! Either way, I loved the gore!

The Cons:

V Wars Netflix 2 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Confusing setup for supporting characters.

The show actually has a talented and extremely attractive cast, which worked in its favor, but I was confused when new characters were introduced. Other than the characters of Dr. Swann and Michael Fayne, I constantly had to check to make sure I was still watching the same show when we started following other characters.

I thought this was sloppy and careless. These supporting characters actually had a lot of potential so this was frustrating, as I felt like I had to go back several times to make sure I didn’t miss something.

Soap opera nonsense.

I’m all for a guilty pleasure, but sometimes it felt like we just randomly started a sex scene to see Somerhalder with his shirt off (not that I’m complaining) rather than to advance a plot or to develop relationships and characters. The plot and soap opera drama felt tiresome at times, but I think that the cast redeemed it as much as they could.

So am I in or out?

V Wars Netflix 3 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in! Let’s be honest, I was going to be in no matter what as soon as I saw that Ian Somerhalder was starring in this show. That being said, I went into this show with very low expectations, fearing that we may have another I-Land disaster on our hands. However, the show was surprisingly entertaining and fast-paced.

Yes, there were a lot of things that frustrated me and so much of it could have been presented better, but I thought the show was binge-watch worthy. Is this the best show I have seen about vampires? Absolutely not, but if you go into it ready for a watered down version of The Strain, you will be entertained.

Also, we are left with a major cliffhanger at the end and I would love to see Somerhalder and Vandervoort continue to team up for a season two if we get one!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice 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 I-Land” on Netflix: “LOST” Fan Fiction Gone Wrong

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

So I casually turned on Netflix yesterday and a trailer popped up for The I-Land. I immediately felt like it was a cheesy LOST ripoff, but the LOST fan in me was beyond curious, so I gave it a whirl and I ended up watching the entire show in one day. At first I thought that the show was meant to be a spoof, but I quickly learned that the show was trying to find an identity for itself, although I’m not sure it ever quite found it.

The I-Land is coded as a limited series and it features 7 episodes that are about 40 minutes in length each. It stars Natalie Martinez, Kate Bosworth, Ronald Peet, and Sibylla Deen.

Several strangers wake up on a deserted island and don’t remember anything about who they are and how they got there. Tempers immediately flare and mysteries start to unlock, attempting to give us LOST meets The Matrix. The strangers quickly realize that the island is extremely dangerous, but perhaps the biggest threat lies among them.

The Pros:

I Land 9 16 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Lots of twists and sharks…did I mention sharks?

The show does provide us with a lot of unexpected twists and turns, bringing us along for the ride. I love shark movies so I’m always up for some toothy predators and the show continues to provide us with some twists until the very end. Not all of them are satisfying, but they did keep my attention.

The cast.

I’m a huge Kate Bosworth fan and Blue Crush is one of my go-to guilty pleasure movies. After all, it’s a cruel, cruel summer. I also enjoyed Natalie Martinez’s performance in Into the Dark’s “Down” episode on Hulu, so I was excited to see her on this show as well. The cast had a lot of potential, but a lot of that potential was stifled by some poor dialogue, but I liked their performances and characters enough to care about what happened to them…at least somewhat.

The flashbacks.

The flashback pieces were actually really interesting and I wish the show had spent more time on this rather than on some of their outrageous plot shifts. In particular, K.C.’s flashback (Bosworth) was probably the most interesting part of the show and I don’t understand why these flashbacks didn’t start occurring until the show was almost over. They could have been introduced and sprinkled throughout the show, which would have probably prevented so many viewers from tuning out after watching 1 or 2 episodes.

The Cons:

I Land 9 16 2 — Images courtesy of Netflix

A really poor imitation of LOST.

The first episode literally opens with the main character’s eye opening, as she takes in her surroundings and sees the island. Does this sound familiar? That’s the exact opening of LOST and the similarities don’t stop here. We get a failed attempt at some kind of love triangle and the fade-out music sounds a lot like the soundtrack behind LOST, which honestly just irritated me. The show is actually different from LOST, but these obnoxious ripoffs will not help viewers tune in more if that was the goal.

The dialogue is atrocious.

I mean really atrocious. “Hey, you seem like a bitch…no you do!” “How do you think we got here? I don’t know.” Seriously it was like pulling teeth during certain parts and I don’t know why the most animated conversation involved a character’s right to sunbathe. Good thing those sharks broke up the party. I was cheering for them at this point.

The show is all over the place.

Once we get to episode 3, we start learning about the secrets of the island and we get more of a sci-fi feel. The first two episodes were so bad that I almost didn’t care at this point. However, since there were only 7 episodes, I continued to watch and we did get some interesting moments. I just don’t understand why we waited until the very end of the series to bring in some of these more worthy elements.

So am I in or out?

I Land 9 16 3 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Unfortunately, I am out on this one. The LOST fan in me is extremely annoyed and angry, but I’m mostly out because this show actually had a real glimmer of potential. If the show had focused more on introducing us to the interesting flashbacks, they may have actually kept their audience. The talent of the actors was completely wasted on this and the twist at the end was not very satisfying.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice 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!