Spoiler-Free Review of “The Idol” on Max: “Entourage” meets “Fifty Shades of Grey”

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

“Look at what she’s overcome…”

The Idol premiered on June 4th 2023 on HBO and Max with its first episode. There will be six episodes in total that will air weekly. The drama series stars Lily-Rose Depp, The Weeknd, and Rachel Sennott. Each episode runs for approximately 58-60 minutes.

After recovering from a nervous breakdown, a pop star named Jocelyn tries to get her career back on track when she begins a relationship with a contemporary cult leader named Tedros.

Here is the trailer:

The Idol has already stirred up a lot of controversy even before the premiere aired due to its sexually explicit and vulgar content, but is this show worth watching? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Max

Lily-Rose Depp steps into the role flawlessly.

She oozes style, perfection, and sex appeal and truly embraces this role. I’d love to see some more character layers and I’m hopeful that we will get there, but when you think about a pop star like Britney Spears (I assume that’s what they are going for), Lily-Rose Depp is checking off all the necessary boxes and then some.

She has been commanding the screen with her electric presence.

There are a lot of characters in this one so it’s hard to see who else could steal the show, but so far I am also loving Rachel Sennott (Bodies Bodies Bodies) and I think she could be a real contender if she gets enough screen time.

Images courtesy of Max

Something to talk about…

There has been a lot of controversy along with many negative reviews about this show even before it aired. Let’s be honest, that gives people something to talk about and the show is pushing enough envelopes to strike up a conversation with its audience. Whether it’s love or hate, this show will definitely be a topic of discussion for weeks to come.

On another note, I like the music so far and I also think that the series is shot in a stylish way. It needs a lot more than that to keep me coming back for more, but it has some potential. It actually started off pretty strong, but it did go off course as the episode continued…

I’d personally like to see the series focus more on Jocelyn and her rise to fame, but it looks like we are heading in a totally different direction.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Max

Contrived and vulgar…

The dialogue is atrocious and so crude. It feels forced and very unrealistic. This series is clearly trying to make a statement and be outrageous with its sexual content, but a lot of it is not coming off in an organic way, which makes it simply feel silly and shallow.

I also think that the series is focusing on the wrong things and it thinks it is edgier than it actually is. The premiere episode dragged for a while and if things don’t pick up soon, a lot of people will probably tune out.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Max

I’m 50/50 on this one…

This series is not as bad as critics are saying and it does have some glimmers of potential, but a lot more needs to happen to keep me tuning in each week.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Idol 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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Review of “Nancy Drew” Season 4 Premiere on The CW: A Spooky Start to the Final Season

*Please note that some spoilers are ahead.*

“I work best under time pressure…”

Nancy Drew season 4 premiered on May 31st 2023 on The CW. The final season will feature 13 weekly episodes. It stars Kennedy McMann, Scott Wolf, Alex Saxon, Leah Lewis, Maddison Jaizani, Tunji Kasim, and Riley Smith. Each episode runs for approximately 42-46 minutes.

The final season of Nancy Drew opens up with a promising supernatural mystery involving missing bodies in a cemetery while Nancy works in her very own agency and tries to come to terms with the fate surrounding her and Ace.

Here is the trailer:

Nancy Drew is an underrated show that has had some fantastic moments along the way. The final season feels more mature, but also really promising. Can it stick the landing and wrap things up in a satisfying way for the fans? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of The CW

The mature feel is working.

Unlike Riverdale (which has had way too many time jumps), the progression of Nancy Drew feels a lot more natural. Nancy has her own agency, Ace is working at the morgue, and Bess is trying to make a name for herself on social media.

It almost had a Veronica Mars vibe, which I really liked. While there is still plenty of love drama to untangle here in the final season, it didn’t overwhelm the premiere and everything flowed at a natural and steady pace.

New characters.

The Drew Crew is amazing, but we already have a few new interesting characters in town. I’m not sure of their intentions just yet, but they could spice things up. A potential new love interest for Nancy could get in the way of her and Ace, but we’ll have to see how this unfolds. Either way, I’m intrigued.

Images courtesy of The CW

I LOVE the new mystery!

It really channels what this show is all about and is eerie and intriguing. It just feels very true to the series and I already have a few working theories. It has just the right amount of paranormal edge and I think it could lead this show to a worthy conclusion.

I can’t wait to find out more!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of The CW

The love curse could get old…fast.

Look, I get that we need to drag this romance out, but I just don’t want it to overpower the show. Nancy Drew thrives when it focuses more on the actual mystery and I just don’t want it to spend too much time on this will-they-won’t-they dilemma.

I’m all for Nancy and Ace winding up together in the end, but I want to enjoy my watch of the final season without it feeling weighed down by unnecessary drama.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of The CW

I’m in!!!

Season 4 started off with a lot of promise and I’m hopeful that our characters will all get a chance to shine because they deserve it.

I can’t wait to find out how it all ends and I highly recommend that you give this show a chance because it really is an absolute gem!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Nancy Drew (season 4) 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 “Fatal Attraction” on Paramount+: Less than Sizzling…

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

“I chose to lose control…”

Fatal Attraction is a new erotic thriller series based on the iconic film of the same name. It released on April 30th 2023 with the first three episodes available to stream now. There will be eight episodes in total that will air weekly. The series stars Joshua Jackson, Lizzy Caplan, Amanda Peet, and Alyssa Jirrels. Each episode runs for approximately 53-59 minutes.

A toxic affair damages the family and reputation of Dan Gallagher in this re-imagining of the 1987 film.

Here is the trailer:

Fatal Attraction attempts to provide some layers and background for these familiar characters, but does it translate well on the small screen? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount+

Solid cast.

Joshua Jackson is no stranger to steamy love affairs and played one of my favorite characters on Showtime’s The Affair and Lizzy Caplan starred in Masters of Sex…so these two seem perfect to get this erotic thriller off and running. I like both of them as actors individually and they were the main reason why I tuned in. I’m a fan of the original film and I don’t think that anyone can come close to those performances, but it certainly helped having some familiar faces on the screen.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount+

Slow, dull, and NO chemistry!

Where do I start? The episodes were on the long side already and I felt like it took three hours just to get through one. The pilot was excruciatingly slow and boring. We randomly skip back and forth between timelines and I was so confused at times.

While I like both Joshua Jackson and Lizzy Caplan, I just didn’t feel the chemistry between them. It felt so formulaic and forced. There was no charge between them. It just felt like two actors going through the motions.

I’m sure the series will pick up, but I’m already so bored out of my mind and I feel like I honestly wasted my time with this one.

This film should have been left alone and I don’t think that the series is doing anything that new or unique even though it promises to.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount+

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

Not everything needs a re-imagining or remake and this is the perfect example. I’d recommend re-watching the film instead. 

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

Girl Number Thirteen Lurking Promo

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.

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Love & Death” on HBO Max: Candy Returns…

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

“I will drag you through this…”

Love & Death premiered on HBO Max on April 27th 2023 with three episodes available to stream now. There will be seven episodes in total that will air weekly. The limited drama series (based on the true story of Candy Montgomery) stars Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons, Krysten Ritter, Lily Rabe, and Tom Pelphrey. Each episode runs for approximately 54-58 minutes.

Just less than a year later, we get another rendition of the true crime story involving Candy Montgomery and her best friend, Betty Gore.

Here is the trailer:

Love & Death brings us another talented leading lady and a chilling case, but did we really need another series on this crime so soon? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Love & Death no spoilers 1

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Talented cast.

I’m a big fan of Elizabeth Olsen and the rest of the cast is very talented as well, which almost makes me want to re-watch a series that I’ve already seen again just to see their take on things. 

Fantastic soundtrack and vibe.

The music may be the best part of this series. It has been transporting me back in time seamlessly. I love the fashion and overall vibe as well. Even though I’m familiar with the plot and the ultimate outcome, I think I have been enjoying these aspects more in this series over Candy.

The Cons:

Love & Death no spoilers 2

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m not sure we really need this series…

If you haven’t seen Candy yet on Hulu, you’ll probably get more out of this series. Since I did watch that series less than a year ago, I feel like I already know everything that’s going to happen and I’m not sure that this series is doing anything that new or different this time around.

Also, as much as I love Elizabeth Olsen, I think I preferred Jessica Biel’s grittier portrayal. Elizabeth Olsen still seems so elegant and charming so I’m not sure she was the perfect match for this particular role. That being said, she’s still absolutely wonderful and talented. I’d watch her in pretty much anything…

The pacing is really sluggish so far. Candy only had five episodes and I was weighed down by that pacing as well, so having more episodes this time around that are longer is already problematic for me…

So am I in or out?

Loveo & Death no spoilers 3

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m in about 75 percent…

Elizabeth Olsen puts forth a valiant effort here and this is a fascinating case to see unfold on the screen, but the timing of this series seems odd and unnecessary. I’m in for now, but I’m hoping to see some drastic changes to keep me invested.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

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

Scream Hunt is available here!

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

 

Review of “Riverdale” Season 7 Premiere on The CW: The gang time travels…again

*Please note that some spoilers are ahead.*

“The year is 1955…”

Riverdale season 7 premiered on March 29th 2023 on The CW. The final season will feature twenty weekly episodes. It stars Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse, KJ Apa, Camila Mendes, and Madelaine Petsch. Each episode runs for approximately 42-46 minutes.

After Bailey’s Comet threatened to destroy Riverdale for good, the gang got transported back in time to when the Archie Comics first took place. Only no one remembers what their lives were like before except Jughead.

Here is the trailer:

Riverdale was one of my favorite series for the longest time with crazy plot twists, insane cults, and love triangles that made our heads spin. As the seasons continued, the show became really far-fetched and lost its way, but the final season may be able to finish the series strong after all. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of The CW

This time jump is a lot more promising…

I wasn’t a huge fan of the time jump into the future after the gang finished high school. It felt forced and it never really worked for me personally. Well, the gang gets a second chance at high school…only this time they are back in 1955, which will give fans of the original comic series something to be excited about.

The costumes and music are a lot of fun and the series is even tackling important issues during this time period.

Old characters return.

The parents of Riverdale were pretty much phased out after the first time jump, but now we get to see some familiar faces return, which has actually been a lot of fun so far. I’m curious to see who else will come back for the final season since many of my favorite characters left the show at various points.

There also seems to be some hints at one of my favorite ships reigniting. Fingers crossed Choni fans!

We’ll have to see how all of this works out and things might get messy when the gang finds a way back to their original time…or universe. 

The Cons:

Images courtesy of The CW

Some characters regress…

While I was super excited to see Toni getting some well deserved screen time, other characters like Tabitha were barely around, which was slightly worrisome. I’m also not sure how I feel about Veronica’s character dealing with more nonsense surrounding her family when she worked so hard to break free of that.

Cheryl and Kevin are back in the closet and Betty doesn’t have the same fire within her that I’m used to seeing.

I’m hoping that our characters can remember who they are because they are all so fantastic to watch, but I’m worried about certain plots feeling recycled…just merely in a new time setting.

Our characters deserve better than that.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of The CW

I’m in about 75 percent…

Season 7 starts off with a lot of potential and I’m hoping that this show can redeem itself and finish strong, but we still have a ways to go.

Either way, I’m a lot more excited about this season and it’s already a lot stronger than the last two seasons I watched so there’s definitely some hope here!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale season 7 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 “Inside” (2023) in Theaters: Willem Dafoe is Insanely Brilliant

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

“Art is for keeps…”

Inside (2023) released in theaters on March 17th 2023. The psychological-survival thriller film stars Willem Dafoe. It runs for an hour and forty-five minutes.

An art thief gets trapped inside a luxury penthouse with nothing but priceless pieces of art as he must figure out a way to survive.

Here is the trailer:

Inside features a captivating performance by Willem Dafoe in a simple, but chilling thriller. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Focus Features

Fantastic performance!

I don’t think that ANYONE else could have played this part to perfection other than Willem Dafoe. It’s like he was made for this role. Even in the quietest moments of the film, he was so magnetic and fantastic on screen. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him and was so blown away by his performance.

He has such a talent for revealing raving mad energy in the best way possible.

Thrilling in an unconventional way.

I didn’t really know what to expect with this one, but I was surprised by how interested I was in such a lackluster setting. Sure, the actual penthouse was stunning to look at, but there’s not too much going on and yet I still couldn’t look away from the screen because these simple dilemmas were much more terrifying to me than something extreme and ridiculous.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Focus Features

Pacing issues at times…

This film had an overall slow feel, but luckily Willem Dafoe elevated it, especially when he actually started talking…

If you’re looking for lots of thrills and action, this is not your type of movie. I’m not sure that this film is for everyone and that’s OK, but I think you should manage your expectations accordingly.

Some things seemed a little unrealistic to me and had me scratching my head, but I just went with it.

There were also some gross scenes to sit through so be aware of that…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Focus Features

I’m in!!!

A unique thriller featuring a chilling and intense performance!

This film was far from your average thriller and it really held my attention up until the very end. It had me thinking about it well after the film was over as well.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Inside (2023) in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “School Spirits” on Paramount+: A Charming YA Supernatural Mystery

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

“Welcome to the club…”

School Spirits released on March 9th 2023 on Paramount+ with the first three episodes available to stream now. The remaining five episodes will air weekly. The YA supernatural mystery series stars Peyton List, Kiara Pichardo, Kristian Flores, and Spencer MacPherson. Each episode runs for approximately 44-48 minutes.

Maddie winds up stuck in limbo in her high school as she attempts to investigate her own mysterious disappearance with the help of other ghosts who reside there.

Here is the trailer:

School Spirits is a delightful mix of Ghosts and Nancy Drew with a mystery that really pulls you in. Is this YA series worth your time? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount+

Light and fun.

This series could have easily overdone it with teen drama and excess fluff, but it already managed to find the perfect balance of mystery and fun from the very start, which is not always easy to do. 

The show is filled with likable characters and I really like Maddie, which has kept me more invested in the mystery revolving around her own disappearance.

The episodes aren’t super long and the pacing has been on point for the most part, knowing just how to hook the audience at the end of each episode, reeling us back in for more.

Images courtesy of Paramount+

A solid mystery.

Sure, it may not be that original, but I’m already forming my own list of suspects and I really want to know what happened to Maddie. The time jumps were a little jarring at first, but I started to get used to them as the series progressed, giving us more clues to ponder over. I’m hoping for a shocking reveal, but it’s too early to tell how this mystery will unfold. 

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount+

Weekly episodes…

I watched the first three episodes in one sitting and was ready for more, but we’ll have to wait for the rest of the episodes to release each week, which is a bummer. This is one of those shows where you get really wrapped up in the story so I’m just afraid that viewers may forget to tune back in or could lose interest without the binge-watching option available. You may be better off waiting until all the episodes drop before watching this one…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount+

I’m in!!!

School Spirits has a super cute premise and a charming cast with an addicting mystery at its core.

This series has been a pleasant surprise so far and I can’t wait to watch more episodes!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

Girl Number Thirteen Lurking Promo

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “You” Season 4: Part 1 on Netflix: A New Setting does wonders for Joe

*This is a spoiler-free review for season 4 (part 1) so feel free to read on!*

“It’s you…or nothing…”

You season 4 (part one) released on February 9th 2023 on Netflix with the first five episodes available to stream now. The remaining five episodes in part two will be available to stream on March 9th 2023. The thriller-drama series stars Penn Badgley, Tati Gabrielle, Charlotte Ritchie, Tilly Keeper, and Lukas Gage. Each episode runs for approximately 45-50 minutes.

Joe Goldberg attempts to make a fresh start as Jonathan Moore in London, but he winds up caught in the middle of a dangerous whodunnit mystery.

Here is the trailer:

You (season 4, part 1) is off to an entertaining start, luring us into Joe’s twisted world once again with a few new twists to liven things up. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

You season 4 part 1 no spoilers 1

Images courtesy of Netflix

Sometimes change is good!

After the explosive season three ending, Joe left the US to start over, but can he really leave his past behind? Well, probably not and it will most likely continue to haunt him, but he’s got a new gig working as a professor in London and a new identity. There are still some ghosts lingering from his past; however, and we’ll have to see what else emerges once part two releases, but I absolutely love some of the changes to the show already.

The setting works for the most part and we have a brand new bunch of characters that all have a secret or two. Joe is transforming more into an “anti-hero” this time around, playing the role of the amateur detective. I have to say that Joe’s voice-over narration has been so incredibly funny and entertaining. I used to find him a little whiny when he obsessed over someone, but change looks good on him so far and I was actually laughing out loud quite a few times.

I also absolutely LOVE that the writers decided to turn the tables on him in season four. It’s genius! It’s really allowing Joe to shine and it’s preventing things from feeling too repetitive.

Fantastic pacing!

I got through all five episodes in one day and it was a binge-watcher’s dream! I thought each episode did just enough at the end to lure us in for more. This was always such an entertaining show, but I’m loving all of the tweaks and improvements in this department. I never felt like I had to sit through too much fluff, which was great.

The Cons:

You season 4 part 1 no spoilers 2

Images courtesy of Netflix

We have to wait for the rest of the episodes!

I really don’t have many cons at all. I’m not a fan of some of the new characters, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed my watch and I can’t wait for the rest of the episodes to drop. This season is checking off all the boxes and then some!

So am I in or out?

You season 4 part 1 no spoilers 3

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

You (season 4 part 1) is addictive in all the right ways with some clever new improvements.

I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on You (season 4, part 1) 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 “Missing” in Theaters: Matches the Intensity of “Searching” with Solid Twists

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

“I just need to know that you’re safe…”

Missing released in theaters on January 20th 2023. The mystery-thriller film (from the creator of Searching) stars Storm Reid, Nia Long, Ken Leung, and Daniel Henney. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

June desperately tries to find her mother after she and her boyfriend mysteriously vanish in Colombia, unlocking secrets about her past along the way.

Here is the trailer:

Missing is so much more than a loose sequel of Searching, creating something truly suspenseful with exceptional twists and reveals that will have you on the edge of your seat. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment

Exceptional intensity!

When I first watched Searching, I was completely captivated from start to finish. I loved the use of social media and technology to reveal a unique mystery, allowing the audience to take their mystery-solving skills to the next level.

I was slightly worried that Missing would lose that originality, following a familiar formula I had seen before, but I was blown away by how engrossing this movie was. I may have even liked it better than Searching, although they both were so good so it’s honestly hard to choose between them.

Missing uses the same approach and even presents us with some welcomed Easter eggs and cameos, paying tribute to the original film, but it also branches off into something different and possibly even more chilling this time around.

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment

The twists were FANTASTIC!

When the first major reveal happened, I was all in. I thought it matched the reveal in Searching and then some. But then the movie decided to go even further with it and throw another insane twist our way that almost had me applauding in my seat. I didn’t see these reveals coming and yet they were still really plausible and realistic in this situation, which made them that much more intriguing.

I loved them!!!!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment

I don’t have any…

When I think about what I want to get out of a mystery-thriller movie, Missing checks off all the boxes and then some. The computer angles take a little time to get used to, but if you have seen Searching then you shouldn’t really mind this and I never thought it took away from what was going on.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Missing is absolutely fantastic and even better than I could have hoped for!

If you enjoy mystery-thrillers, you’re in the right place.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

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 rulethey 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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Last of Us” on HBO Max: A Solid Start

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

“You are all that matters…”

The Last of Us released on HBO Max on January 15th 2023 with the premiere episode. There will be nine episodes in total that will air weekly. Based on the video game of the same name, the post-apocalyptic drama stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, and Anna Torv. Each episode runs for approximately 45-80 minutes.

Joel embarks on a dangerous journey across post-outbreak America with a girl named Ellie.

Here is the trailer:

The Last of Us is a worthy video-game adaptation filled with dangerous threats and heart-wrenching emotions. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Exceptional cast.

I’m a fan of Pedro Pascal and already he is leading this show in such a powerful way. His character has plenty of layers and trauma to deal with, making him a character to root for and then some. His bond with other characters is also effective as well, bringing us plenty of emotional moments that were actually really believable in a series premiere, which is not always easy to do when the audience hasn’t fully connected to everything yet.

I was super excited to see Fringe’s Anna Torv in this, who is no stranger to playing a complete bad-ass so I’m excited to see more.

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Bold start.

I love a series that is not afraid to do something unexpected and shocking (even though fans of the video game will understand what is going on from the start). Either way, I thought this was such a strong premiere and it did plenty to keep fans of the video game franchise happy, while still providing enough content for viewers who may not be as familiar with the plot.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Jam-packs in a lot.

From time jumps to new characters to everything in-between, the premiere is really overstuffed with so much and felt like more of a movie at times. The series needs to be careful otherwise it may start to feel like every other post-apocalyptic show that has aired already. I think that it has enough heart and content to separate itself for now, but we’ll have to see how this develops as the episodes continue.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m in!

It’s been a while since I saw such a strong premiere episode for a television series and it’s safe to say that The Last of Us is heading in the right direction!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Last of Us 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…

Scream Hunt is available here!

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