Spoiler-Free Review of “Wolf Like Me” on Peacock: Quirky Dramedy with Heart

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

“I haven’t been out in a really long time…”

Wolf Like Me released on January 13th 2022 on Peacock. The supernatural dramedy series stars Isla Fisher and Josh Gad. There are six episodes in total that run for approximately 22-26 minutes.

Set in Australia, a single father tries to connect with his eleven-year-old daughter when a woman named Mary crashes into his car. After their first date, she runs out the door, revealing that she has a supernatural secret.

Here is the trailer:

Wolf Like Me has a Santa Clarita Diet vibe with fantastic characters, but does it find its balance between drama and comedy? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Great chemistry between Gad and Fisher.

Both actors did a fantastic job with this series. I thought they had really terrific chemistry together. Both characters had a lot of layers and there was pure magic when they were together, which really elevated this series for me.

Short episodes.

This show was extremely easy to binge-watch. Each episode is just under a half hour and there are only six in total. Even though this series is a slow-burn one in a lot of ways, I thought the length of the episodes helped the pacing. Each episode did just enough at the end to bring you back for more.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Really heavy at times…

It’s not easy finding a balance between comedy and drama. I thought that the moments of comedy were actually spot on and I enjoyed them. There were also some really heartfelt moments too that just worked. This is one of those shows where it’s really more about the characters than the plot surrounding them.

However, some of the more emotional moments were really heavy and depressing at times, which made it difficult to jump right back into the moments of comedy without feeling slightly unhinged.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Peacock

I’m in about 75 percent…

Overall, I really enjoyed this series. I thought that it had a quirky charm to it and the characters were easy to connect to. At times the plot fell slightly flat, but the interactions and moments between the characters made up for it in a lot of ways.

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

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Brazen” on Netflix: Alyssa Milano gives it her all

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

“She didn’t expect to die that night…”

Brazen released on January 13th 2022 on Netflix. The mystery thriller film based on the novel by Nora Roberts stars Alyssa Milano, Samuel Page, Emilie Ullerup and Malachi Weir. The film runs for approximately an hour and 35 minutes.

Famous author, Grace Miller desperately tries to solve her sister’s murder with the help of a neighbor detective, as she soon stumbles upon dark and dangerous secrets along the way.

Here is the trailer:

Brazen has a decent premise with a guilty-pleasure mystery core, but does this film do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A mystery that pulls you in.

I actually thought the mystery was a solid one. I was pulled in and I loved the secrets revealed along the way. There were plenty of twists and turns thrown our way as well to keep us invested until the end of the film.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Alyssa Milano puts forth a valiant effort.

As soon as I saw that she was starring in this film, it made me want to watch it that much more. The Charmed alum really tried her best with this one and she kept me watching even when things started to fall apart. I genuinely believed her performance and I was rooting for her the entire time.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Lifetime-esque nonsense.

I normally really like guilty-pleasure thrillers that have a slight Lifetime feel, but this one channeled it a little bit too much. There were ridiculous romance scenes that didn’t make sense with what was going on and a lot of overacting and silly dialogue. Even though the mystery was a good one, it was often drowned out by some of this unnecessary fluff.

Really predictable…

I was hoping for a major twist, but I saw the reveal at the end coming a mile away. It was just so obvious and I don’t think the film executed it properly. Perhaps I should have read the book instead because this was really disappointing.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one…

If you enjoy guilty-pleasure soapy thrillers, you can absolutely give this one a whirl, but I think you are better off watching My Secret Obsession on Netflix instead, which did a better job of balancing the Lifetime feel. The mystery is decent enough, but I would manage your expectations accordingly with this one.

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

 

 

Spoiler-Free Review of “Scream” (2022) in Theaters: Fans have something to be excited about!

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

It’s always someone you know…

Scream (2022) released in theaters on January 14th 2022. The fifth installment of my favorite franchise of all time brings us back to Woodsboro as a killer dressed as Ghostface threatens the town once again. The slasher horror film stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Dylan Minnette, Jack Quaid, Jenna Ortega and Marley Shelton.

Sidney Prescott thought that she was done with Ghostface for good, but a new killer emerges twenty-five years later, targeting a group of teens in this new “requel.”

Here is the trailer:

Scream (2022) brings together our favorite characters from the original film while introducing a new generation to Ghostface, making us fear answering the phone once again. Does the new film deliver with gory whodunnit goodness? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

For the fans.

The fifth film gives fans of the original plenty to be really excited about. We have returning characters, some welcomed surprises, and lots of nods to some of our favorite moments in the films. I thought the film did an excellent job with this nostalgia without overdoing it.

It just worked effortlessly and I loved all of the Easter eggs along the way. Scream is my favorite movie of all time and this film honored that in an effective way.

I also thought that there was a seamless balance between the original story and the new one. Everything connected and just worked, making this film really entertaining.

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Not afraid to make fun of itself.

I really loved the well placed humor sprinkled into the film and I loved that it didn’t take itself too seriously. It recognized its place in the franchise and gave us plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to appreciate.

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Welcomed new characters keep you guessing.

I really thought that some of the new characters did an excellent job fitting in and some of them were scene-stealers for sure.

Stand-out performances: Jenna Ortega as Tara and Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy.

This made me like the film even more because I didn’t need Sidney to be on screen in every scene to be entertained. A lot of the new characters really held their own.

I thought that the film embraced its whodunnit mystery and kept the audience guessing for the most part. The kills had a different feel to them, but it still kept the vibe from the original going, which is important.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Some performances were lacking…

I thought that the cast did a great job for the most part, but there were some performances stronger than others. While I loved a lot of the new characters introduced to us, a lot of other characters felt mostly filler and I didn’t really care if they made it out or not.

I also thought there were a few plot holes and some unnecessary tangents as well, but overall I was thoroughly entertained.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Paramount Pictures

I’m in 100 percent!

I absolutely adored this film and I thought it did a great job of keeping the audience entertained. The film honored its fans with lots of nostalgia while giving us plenty of gory kills and surprises to be excited about!

A worthy entry to the franchise!

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “A Discovery of Witches” Season 3 on Shudder: All things must come to an end…

**This is a spoiler-free review for season 3 so feel free to read on!**

“Welcome home…”

A Discovery of Witches season 3 premiered on Sky TV, Sundance Now, Shudder, and AMC plus on January 8th 2022 with the first episode available to stream now. There will be seven episodes in total that will air weekly. The series stars Teresa Palmer, Matthew Goode, Malin Buska, and Owen Teale. Each episode runs for approximately 45-50 minutes. 

Picking up right where we left off at the end of season two, A Discovery of Witches season 3 will be the final season of the series, mirroring the All Souls Trilogy books. Diana Bishop and Matthew return to present day, as they prepare for a final battle with Peter Knox.

Here is the trailer:

A Discovery of Witches season 3 has a lot to jam-pack into the final season to stay true to the book series as we root for Diana and Matthew against all odds. Will it end the series on a high note? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A Discovery of Witches spoiler free 1

Images courtesy of Shudder

Keeps things short…

I think it’s really smart that this is going to be the final season of the show. There are three books in the series and even though many other shows have gone on for several other seasons past the books, sometimes this can be a mistake. I think the series has been really strong so far and this allows the writers to end things the way they want to.

Better pacing.

My only con throughout the seasons has been the pacing. Things can drag here and there, but I think that season 3 is already off to a much better start in terms of this. Since there is so much to squeeze into the final season, we aren’t wasting any time and we are jumping right into things. Let’s keep this going!

The Cons:

A Discovery of Witches season 3 spoiler free 2

Images courtesy of Shudder

A lot to remember.

I really should have re-watched the first two seasons or re-read the books again because there is SO MUCH to remember. This isn’t necessarily a con but I feel like I need a cheat sheet to keep up at times. You may want to at least watch a full recap before jumping into season 3.

So am I in or out?

A Discovery of Witches season 3 spoiler free 3

Images courtesy of Shudder

I’m in!

I simply adore the book series and I have been a fan of the show so far. I really can’t wait to see how things unfold for the final season! Diana has so much left to show us and I honestly can’t wait!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on A Discovery of Witches (season 3) 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 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 355” in Theaters: “Ocean’s Eight” Spy Edition

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

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend…”

The 355 premiered in theaters on January 7th 2022. The action thriller film stars Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Penélope Cruz, Lupita Nyong’o and Fan Bingbing. It is approximately two hours long.

A CIA agent joins forces with agents from other countries to track down a dangerous drive that could put the world in immediate danger.

Here is the trailer:

The 355 has an all-star female cast with plenty of kick-ass moments, but does it do anything truly extraordinary? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The 355 Spoiler Free 1

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Fabulous cast!

I loved every single one of these ladies and Diane Kruger really stole the show for me! They all brought plenty to the table with stunning outfits and bad-ass moves to keep us entertained for the most part. They were the best part of the movie and I loved the dynamic between them all.

The 355 Spoiler Free 2

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Lots of action.

The film delivered in this department. There were some pacing issues here and there, but there were plenty of chase and fight scenes to keep you invested. I loved the opening chase scene the most, but there were a lot of other satisfying moments to keep you rooting for these ladies throughout the movie.

The Cons:

The 355 Spoiler Free 3

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Predictable and by the numbers…

Even though I enjoyed this film, it didn’t really do anything truly unique or extraordinary. I’ve seen this type of movie before and while I’m all for a film that highlights female empowerment, the movie really struck the audience over the head with this and fit very neatly into tropes and clichés.

Everything just felt really generic and the cast honestly deserved a better plot.

Needed some humor.

I enjoyed Ocean’s Eight a lot more because there was humor involved to balance out things and while this film attempted to channel that vibe, it didn’t execute it as well. It made me focus more on the generic plot and even though I loved the actresses in the film, many of the characters needed some more layers as well.

So am I in or out?

The 355 Spoiler Free 4

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

I’m 50/50 on this one…

I loved the cast and there was plenty of action to keep me watching, but I just wanted so much more for this movie. It just felt like something I have already seen before. There’s plenty to enjoy, but I wouldn’t say that you need to rush out to see this one…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The 355 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

Watching Girl Number Thirteen

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 “Anxious People” on Netflix: Whodunnit Mystery with Heart

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

“Appearances can be deceptive…”

Anxious People released on December 29th 2021 on Netflix. The Swedish dramedy mystery series stars Alfred Svensson, Dan Ekborg, Carla Sehn, Marika Lagercrantz and Sascha Zacharias. The limited series features six episodes available to stream now. Each episode is approximately 25-30 minutes long.

A bank robber holds a group of strangers hostage at an open house event and then vanishes from the scene, as a father and son cop duo try to figure out what really happened.

Here is the trailer:

Anxious People has a quirky charm creating an interesting mashup of Only Murders in the Building and Nine Perfect Strangers, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Good balance of humor and drama.

It’s not easy nailing a dramedy and somehow Anxious People makes it look easy. There is a lot of emotional and heartfelt content here, but there is also a really fun mystery and tons of light humor similar to Hot Fuzz in a lot of ways to keep things light. I personally loved the balance and I was surprised by how much I actually liked this show.

Short episodes.

If you are looking for something quick to binge-watch, you’re in the right place. Each episode is just under a half hour and the pacing works really well. We focus on a different witness in each episode, weaving the pieces of the mystery together for us in a compelling way.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Takes a little while to get going…

Even though I was entertained during the first two episodes, I was also really confused and I think that the series was attempting to find its way. I wasn’t really sure what type of show I was watching, but once I got to episode three, I felt right at home and I thought the show found its groove, reeling me in for more and more.

Since there were only six episodes, I would have liked to have been brought in right from the start, but I think it managed to find its way in the end.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

This show really had a great balance and presented us with a fun mystery at its core, but it was also about the characters and their interactions, which made this such a heartwarming watch. I genuinely loved the vibe and I thought that it had a satisfactory conclusion, making it an easy binge-watch to enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Anxious People 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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Spoiler-Free Review of “The Silent Sea” on Netflix: An Intense Watch

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

“We have an important mission…”

The Silent Sea premiered on Netflix on December 24th 2021 with eight episodes available to stream now. The South Korean sci-fi thriller series stars Gong Yoo, Bae Doona, Lee Joon, Kim Sun-Young and Heo Sung-tae.

A group goes on an important mission to the moon to seek out samples that could help save the world, but something is lurking in the abandoned space station they are on, putting them all in immediate danger.

Here is the trailer:

The Silent Sea has an Alien feel with edge-of-your-seat intensity and complex characters, but does it do enough to be worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Chilling and intense!

From the music, to the setting, I thought this show really nailed the vibe it was going for. I don’t normally watch too many sci-fi series, but this one did a great job of reeling the audience in with each episode. There was a lot of mystery surrounding everything and the reveals were well worth it in my opinion.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Characters to root for.

While some of the characters were pretty much there to add to the body count, there were others that had a lot of layers. Dr. Song and Captain Han were both fantastic characters and it helped me care about the outcome that much more.

I thought the past flashbacks worked because they didn’t dominate the episodes. Rather, they gave us glimpses into the past lives of these characters and what made them go on the mission in the first place, which was an effective approach.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Pacing issues…

The episodes could have been a little shorter. I was hooked the entire time I was watching the show, but it did have some pacing issues going on. It took too long for things to happen, which was slightly frustrating at times.

I also don’t think you should go into this show expecting it to be the next Squid Game even though there were some similarities and some of the same actors appeared in The Silent Sea. If you treat it as a separate show, you will enjoy it more.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

This is not the type of show I normally watch, but I was surprised by how much it hooked me right from the start. It was chilling and intense with a great strong female lead!

If you enjoy sci-fi thrillers, you will feel right at home with this one.

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “Stay Close” on Netflix: Harlan Coben does it again!

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

“Do they know who you were in your previous life?”

Harlan Coben’s Stay Close premiered on Netflix on December 31st 2021. The mystery thriller series features eight episodes available to stream now. It stars Cush Jumbo, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Sarah Parish and Bethany Antonia. Each episode runs for approximately 42-48 minutes.

As Megan prepares for her upcoming wedding, her dangerous past comes back to haunt her, connecting her to a mysterious murder while threatening her new life and family.

Here is the trailer:

Stay Close follows Harlan Coben’s compelling and addicting formula perfectly, but does this series do enough to keep up with The Stranger and The Innocent? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

An engrossing mystery…

I’ve come to expect this from the Harlan Coben mysteries, but this series is no exception. I was immediately pulled in right from the start and each episode did plenty to bring me back for more. This show was so much fun to binge-watch. It kept me guessing the entire time and did a great job of revealing just enough to keep the audience fully invested.

Images courtesy of Netflix

A final twist I didn’t see coming!

I’ve gotten pretty good at piecing together Harlan Coben mysteries, but there is always one final twist that throws me for a loop and this may be the best twist I have seen so far! I am still in shock over it!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A lot to keep track of…

If you’re used to Harlan Coben mysteries, then you already know that there will be plenty of sub-plots to make your head spin, but everything eventually connects in the end. I wouldn’t really say this is a con, but you need to pay attention to everything and even if some characters seem slightly ridiculous, they’ll start to grow on you…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!!!

Stay Close is a fantastic mystery that will keep you guessing. I loved every second of it! I think it absolutely kept up with The Stranger and The Innocent, but it did something new and different as well! The mystery will keep you coming back for more, but this series has so much going for it and it is beyond worthy of your next watch!

Start the year off with an addicting thriller that will make you binge-watch to your heart’s content!

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

Ranking my Top 10 Films of 2021: Which Movies Made The Cut?

It’s that time of year again! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2022, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 10 Films of 2021. 

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

My Top 10 Films of 2021 are:

10

Fear Street Part Two: 1978

Fear Street 

Image courtesy of Netflix

I really enjoyed the entire trilogy, but part two was on another level. It really channeled the slasher vibe of Friday the 13th with lots of gore and fun sprinkled in to keep the audience invested, as we turned back time in the best possible way!

9

Wrong Turn (2021)

Wrong Turn 2021

Image courtesy of Showtime

It seems like there is a new reboot or reimagining popping up constantly, but Wrong Turn managed to really capture my attention. It’s very different from the original film and the sequels that I can really do without. It takes a creepy folk horror vibe and brings us a Final Girl worth getting excited about in a truly terrifying entry!

8

The Night House

The Night House

Image courtesy of Prime Video

A very different kind of horror movie that really stirred many of my emotions and created a powerful conversation about death and grief. This movie chilled me to my core and also made me contemplate things in my own life. You need to be in the right state of mind to watch this, but if you are looking for something beyond the average haunted house film, this is one to watch!

7

Free Guy

Free Guy

Image courtesy of Prime Video

This movie made me smile so much the entire time! Ryan Reynolds and Jodie Comer were a dream team and I just loved everything about this movie. The humor works and it is a nice escape to truly transport you somewhere else worth going! I loved it!

6

Pig

Image courtesy of Hulu

My favorite performance by Nicolas Cage by far! I didn’t know what to expect when I started this movie, but it brought me on such an emotional journey in an unexpected way. This movie was brilliant and touching. I think it really created an important conversation about grief and loss in such a unique way.

5

Till Death

Image courtesy of Netflix

I thought I had seen this type of movie before, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this movie and it became one of my favorite guilty pleasure thrillers of all time. Megan Fox puts forth a valiant effort and really reels us in as we witness her attempt to survive her chilling and deadly circumstances.

4

Candyman (2021)

Image courtesy of Prime Video

This film managed to continue the original story of Candyman in a relevant and effective way. The visual effects were chilling and stunning, creating a new kind of terror. I loved this film from start to finish and can’t wait to watch it again, but be careful about what you say in front of the mirror…

3

Malignant

Image courtesy of HBO Max

Completely bonkers but in the best possible way! This movie was like nothing I have ever seen before and I don’t think I truly appreciated it until I watched it a few times. Visually stunning, an effective music soundtrack, and an out of this world performance! We have really gotten some solid horror entries in 2021 and Malignant is leading the pack for sure!

2

Nobody

Image courtesy of Prime Video

Jam-packed with lots of action, Bob Odenkirk delivers in this fantastic fast-paced movie. This movie is right up there along with Taken, as it lets you tune out everything in the world and just focus on pure entertaining fun. This was the first film I saw back in movie theaters and I was beyond impressed!

Drum roll please…

1

Last Night in Soho

Image courtesy of Prime Video

An elegant and consuming film from start to finish. I loved every single second of this film. The fashion and setting were breathtaking and the performances were truly fantastic. This film is twisted and dark, but it has such an artistic flair to it as well. It captivated me completely and is my number one pick by far! An exceptional film worth getting excited about!

I hope to see more films from 2021 soon, but I hope you enjoyed the list! I wish you all a happy and healthy new year and can’t wait to review more new films in 2022! Happy viewing!

Ranking my Top 20 Television Shows of 2021: Which Shows Made The Cut?

It’s that time of year again! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2022, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 20 TV Shows of 2021. 

While some returning shows continued strong, others fell off slightly. Meanwhile, some other new shows completely captivated my attention, paving their way into my top 20.

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

My Top 20 Television Shows of 2021 are:

20

Shadow and Bone

Image courtesy of Netflix

Based on the popular book, this fantasy series packed a punch in a good way. There was a lot to keep track of in this magical world, but plenty to be excited about, making this a great binge-watch with terrific characters.

19

The Sex Lives of College Girls

Image courtesy of HBO Max

 

This show was such a pleasant surprise. It had an unrated Mean Girls vibe and was actually really funny and charming. I am so thrilled that this show got picked up for a second season and I can’t wait to see more!

18

Kevin Can F… Himself

Image courtesy of AMC

 

One of the most unique shows I have ever watched! I really thought this show was genius and it had such an interesting and dark concept. If you are looking for something new and different, give this show a whirl. It’s worth it!

17

Panic

Image courtesy of Prime Video

 

I really loved this show so much. I thought it was going to be really gimmicky and instead it was so addicting! The dynamic between the characters was fantastic and there was a romance brewing to swoon over and then some! I’m really disappointed it wasn’t picked up for a second season, but I think things wrap up enough in the first season to satisfy fans for the most part.

16

Hawkeye

Image courtesy of Disney+

 

This show had the perfect mix of action and humor. This unlikely partnership was actually really sweet and I thought that the show had a nice wholesome vibe that is family friendly. Plus, the dog is awesome! What’s not to love?

15

My Name

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

One of the most powerful female characters I have seen on television in a long time! This revenge series was so gritty and consuming. It brought up so many emotions, but I was there for the journey and I’m really glad that I gave this show a chance!

14

Yellowjackets

Image courtesy of Showtime

 

Dark and twisted with a cast to die for! This series is very much LOST meets The Wilds, but it has a lot of reveals still remaining. The past and present collide in this addicting series and I’m excited to see what season two brings to the table as well!

13

Hellbound

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

This South Korean horror drama series may be one of the most disturbing things I have ever watched, brought to us from the director of Train to Busan. In a lot of ways, this show is about how dangerous misguided faith in the wrong hands can be, as it shows how easily humanity can fall apart when real fear comes into play.

12

Who Killed Sara? (Seasons 1 and 2)

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

This show is the definition of a guilty pleasure thriller. There is the perfect blend of soap-opera drama mixed in with a compelling murder mystery that will throw so many twists and turns at you, that you will completely dismiss how ridiculous some of them are and just enjoy the ride.

One of the most addicting series of the year for sure!

11

Dexter: New Blood

Image courtesy of Showtime

 

I didn’t really know what to expect with this new series, but wow it has been absolutely brilliant! The show managed to bring back the original vibe of the series while creating something new and relevant for Dexter without overdoing it. I’m completely hooked! 

10

You (season 3)

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

My favorite season yet! The move to the suburbs was the right call for our favorite serial killers. The dynamic between Joe and Love really made this season exceptional and I was invested the entire time! Talk about a binge-watcher’s dream!

9

Mare of Easttown

Image courtesy of HBO Max

 

Emotionally stirring, an out-of-this-world performance by Kate Winslet, a heartfelt partnership, and a compelling mystery. This show was so well made and really showed off Kate’s range in the best way possible.

8

Clickbait

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

Another really addicting show and premise! I was hooked from the opening episode and I could not stop watching this show. As soon as I thought I had figured something out about the mystery, I was thrown in another direction and the show did a really fantastic job of keeping you guessing right up until the very end!

7

The Witcher (season 2)

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

A fantasy adventure filled with gore, laughs, and epic moments! This season really found its way and the dynamic between the main characters really elevated this show in so many ways, making it the perfect show to binge-watch before the end of the year. I loved it!

6

Lucifer (Final Season)

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

It’s not easy ending a series and I thought that Lucifer managed to truly make a final season for the fans. The episodes were fantastic, the characters all got a chance to truly shine and that ending had me in tears in the best way possible! I will miss this show but I do think that it really stuck the landing, which is far from easy to do!

5

The Innocent

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

My favorite Harlan Coben series yet! This series was beyond addicting. It had so many moving pieces but when everything came together, I was so beyond impressed with this particular mystery.

4

Only Murders in the Building

Image courtesy of Hulu

 

This show was so much fun! It had a really great mystery at its core, but the interaction between the characters and the clues they uncovered kept me laughing as well. It had the perfect balance of quirky humor and murder mystery fun. This show was such a wonderful surprise and I can’t wait to watch the second season!

3

WandaVision

Image courtesy of Disney+

 

This show was so unique and interesting. At first, I was slightly confused by what I was watching and yet I was entertained all the same and I loved the TV nostalgia thrown in. The show quickly transformed into something so amazing over the episodes. I looked forward to every single episode and by the time I got to the end, I was so emotionally changed by what I had witnessed.

Perfection!

2

Midnight Mass

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

An interesting take on horror with a Stephen King vibe that just worked! This series was disturbing on so many levels, but it also brought us so many beautiful and poetic moments too. I thought that the performances were absolutely incredible, creating a chilling series worth talking about!

Drum roll please…

1

Squid Game

Image courtesy of Netflix

 

If you haven’t watched Squid Game yet, you are missing out! This show quickly became one of the most watched shows all over the world and with good reason! This show sucks you in right from the start. The premise may seem odd, but once you start watching, you quickly become immersed into this story with relatable characters and games that will keep you on your toes!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments about your favorite television shows of 2021. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl