Tag: 1980's

Spoiler-Free Review of “Cocaine Bear” in Theaters: An Absolute Blast!

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

“This is your brain on drugs…”

Cocaine Bear released in theaters on February 24th 2023. The thriller-horror-action film (directed by Elizabeth Banks) stars Keri Russell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, Ray Liotta, and Margo Martindale. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

After a bear consumes a large amount of cocaine, it goes on a killing spree in a Georgia forest.

Here is the trailer:

Cocaine Bear is a bloody delight with plenty of insane violence and humor that actually lands. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

The perfect balance of gore galore and laugh out loud moments.

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE when a movie can accomplish this without skipping a beat. This movie was so much fun to watch from start to finish. It didn’t hold back in the violence department, but it also knew not to take itself too seriously at all, making this such an effortless watch.

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

The best ensemble I’ve seen in a while!

It didn’t matter how small their part was…EVERY single character was a lot of fun. The actors did a great job with the content. Usually in films like this, I’m not really rooting for anyone, but I actually cared about quite a few characters, which had me more invested.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Don’t expect an amazing plot…

There were quite a few people in my theater who did not seem too thrilled with this film and I even saw a couple actually leave. I don’t know what they expected with this movie, but you won’t get a well-layered plot.

As long as you go into this understanding that this film is meant to be silly and outrageous, you’ll have a good time though.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

I’m in!!!

Bloody, bonkers, and an absolute blast!

I couldn’t ask for anything more with a film like this.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Cocaine Bear 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 “She Came from the Woods” in Theaters: Campy Fun

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

“You have to make the threat feel real..”

She Came from the Woods released in theaters on February 10th 2023. The horror-comedy film stars Cara Buono, Clare Foley, Spencer List, and William Sadler. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

Set in the 1980’s, a summer camp celebrates the end of its season by conducting a blood ritual, but things go horribly wrong when they accidentally unleash an evil spirit who hunts them down one by one.

Here is the trailer:

She Came from the Woods has a super fun premise and some bloody entertaining moments, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Mainframe Pictures

The horror-comedy moments are brilliant!

The best parts of this film involved the campy moments. There were some parts that had me laughing out loud. This film wasn’t afraid to be a little darker with its comedy, which worked in its favor. I loved the overuse of gore and the banter was actually a lot of fun once the film found its groove.

Strong second half.

I much preferred the second half of this movie to the first. It was really entertaining and even though some of the twists and reveals were a little out there, I just went along for the ride and enjoyed it. This film wasn’t afraid to kill off characters and it really put forth a valiant effort to channel films like Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp while still finding a voice of its own.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Mainframe Pictures

Takes itself too seriously at times…

I personally loved the horror-comedy aspects of this film and even the trailer made it seem like this would be a campy good time. It did have moments of this, but the film also went off on several tangents and tried to be too serious. 

The first half of this film was also really slow-moving. The dialogue was painful and the acting wasn’t great, but thankfully things picked up once the evil was unleashed…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Mainframe Pictures

I’m in about 75 percent…

B-movie campy horror fun with plenty of entertaining moments.

This film was far from perfect, but I think horror fans have a lot to enjoy with this one. I just wanted it to fully embrace the horror-comedy angle because that’s where the magic was, but overall I enjoyed my watch.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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

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

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

**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 “My Best Friend’s Exorcism” on Prime Video: YA Friendly “Jennifer’s Body” has some Potential

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

“We’ll always be friends…”

My Best Friend’s Exorcism released on Prime Video on September 30th 2022. Based on the novel of the same name, the teen horror comedy stars Elsie Fisher, Amiah Miller, Chris Lowell, and Rachel Ogechi Kanu.

Set in the 1980’s, the friendship between Abby and Gretchen is tested when one of them gets possessed by a demon.

Here is the trailer:

My Best Friend’s Exorcism has a cute premise with a killer soundtrack, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Fun idea with a great soundtrack!

This film was pretty much a mashup of Jennifer’s Body and Saved! If you enjoy those films, you’ll find some decent content here, but the scares are really watered down. I am a big fan of the author, Grady Hendrix, and I had high hopes for this one. It did have plenty of entertaining moments to enjoy even though the plot went off course as the film continued…

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Believable performances and a friendship to root for.

The friendship between Abby and Gretchen kept me around until the end. I thought both actresses did a really great job and Chris Lowell was a scene-stealer! Some of the issues seemed heavily based in tropes and you’ll get your typical high school drama in this one, but the friendship made it feel more authentic at times.

The Cons:

My Best Friend's Exorcism no spoilers 3

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Watered down scares…

I wouldn’t have minded the watered down scares so much since this was more of a YA film, but there were a few scenes that had the potential to be really incredible if they had gone a little bit darker with them. Don’t expect to see too much horror in this one, although there are some glimmers here and there.

The plot also went off the rails, which was disappointing, especially since it started off really strong and with a lot of potential. I think it still found its way in the end, but I’m not sure it really honored the novel as well as I wanted it to.

So am I in or out?

My Best Friend's Excorcism no spoilers 4

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in about 75 percent…

A fun idea with a believable friendship, but it needed a little more edge at times. Overall, this was a decent watch, but I just wanted a lot more.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on My Best Friend’s Exorcism 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 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 “The Hardy Boys” on Hulu: A New Mystery to Uncover without all the drama

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

Welcome to Bridgeport…

The Hardy Boys premiered on Hulu on December 4th 2020 with thirteen new episodes available to stream now. The series stars Rohan Campbell, Alexander Elliot, Bea Santos, Keana Lyn, Riley O’Donnell, and James Tupper. Each episode runs for approximately 40-43 minutes. 

Based on the iconic book series, this new re-imagining of The Hardy Boys takes place in the 1980’s. After a family tragedy, Frank and Joe Hardy move in with their aunt as they try to piece together the mystery in front of them.

While the series may initially give off some Riverdale and Nancy Drew vibes, it manages to leave the majority of the teen drama behind, focusing on the mystery and the connection between these brothers.

Here is the trailer:

The Hardy Boys is following in the footsteps of modern takes on Nancy Drew and Riverdale, but its simple formula may actually set it apart. Does it do enough to stand out from its predecessors? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The Hardy Boys Hulu 1

Images courtesy of Hulu

Smart choice of time and setting.

Unlike Riverdale and The CW’s Nancy Drew, which both take place in current times, The Hardy Boys takes place during the 1980’s. This actually works to its advantage, as we rely more on how to truly solve a mystery without using modern technology, channeling a lot of nostalgia from the original novels.

We also get a great soundtrack and a small town setting that has a lot of secrets to be uncovered.

Let the mysteries begin!

The Hardy Boys Hulu 2

Images courtesy of Hulu

Believable bond between the brothers.

I think this is important and much like the Winchester brothers on SPN, we get a really strong connection right away between Joe and Frank Hardy. It makes us that much more invested throughout their involvement in the mystery and we care about what happens to them.

There are also some stand-out characters like Biff, who really lit up the screen. While Biff was originally a male character in the book series, girls have some serious sleuth skills too!

The Cons:

The Hardy Boys Hulu 3

Images courtesy of Hulu

The mystery is just kind of okay…

It’s not bad, but I have to admit that some of the mysteries on both Riverdale and Nancy Drew have caught my attention more. I think that the mystery gets better in the later episodes, however.

Too many episodes.

I think that The Hardy Boys would have actually benefited more from running weekly episodes instead of having them all available at once. While I love a good binge-watch, there are thirteen long episodes and the mystery kind of dragged as a result of this. 

So am I in or out?

The Hardy Boys Hulu 4

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in about 75 percent.

While it took me a little longer than I would have liked to get into this show, I did start to become hooked around episode five. The characters started to really grow on me and the mystery reveals were well placed. I think that the show does enough to form its own identity separate from The CW shows, but I wouldn’t say that you need to move this one to the top of your watch-list just yet. However, it does make a fun watch when you have time.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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!