Tag: 1990's

Spoiler-Free Review of “Cruel Summer” Season 2 on Freeform: The Dangerous Secrets Return

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

“You coming here has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me…”

Cruel Summer season two premiered on Freeform on June 5th 2023 (episodes also stream on Hulu) with the first two episodes. The series is set to air ten weekly episodes. It stars Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck, and KaDee Strickland. Each episode runs for approximately 46-48 minutes.

The events we witness take place over one year from 1999-2000, involving a new set of characters and a new murder mystery to untangle.

Here is the trailer:

Cruel Summer is back and presents us with another mystery told from two perspectives across different timelines, but does it pack the same punch as the first season? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Freeform

Likable characters for the most part…

I’m not sure that anyone can outshine Jeanette and Kate from season one, but so far I like the characters of Megan and Isabella and I think the actresses are doing a good job with their portrayals. The friendship is a lot different this time around and so are the circumstances, which will make things feel fresh and new…even though it’s an already familiar premise.

I’m not a huge fan of the character of Luke, but I didn’t really like that actor on Locke & Key either so maybe that’s why. The other supporting characters aren’t really adding too much to the series yet. We need another Mallory to really shake things up…

I’m hopeful that we’ll get there.

The soundtrack is on point!

Similar to season one, season two is doing a solid job of bringing us back in time with some fantastic music. From Sugar Ray to Lit to The Spice Girls! The show is channeling this time well and I’m looking forward to the rest of the soundtrack in the remaining episodes. Some movie references would be nice too!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Freeform

The mystery needs more edge.

Cruel Summer season one was so addicting and I had so many working theories throughout my watch, which made it a lot of fun. While we have lots of drama and scandal in season two, the mystery just feels kind of lukewarm. We need a lot more to live up to season one.

The time jumps are trippy once again and maybe even more so this time around. They also feel a little rushed since this series takes place over one year rather than three summers. 

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Freeform

I’m in about 75 percent…

Cruel Summer season two has some potential and is doing just enough to lure me back for more, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the mystery in season one.

Either way, it should make a fun summer watch to indulge in!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Cruel Summer (season two) 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…

Main promo smaller

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!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Ghost Island” on Nickelodeon: Season Three has a Spooky Summer Feel

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

“Not every hotel is haunted…”

Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Ghost Island premiered on Nickelodeon on July 30th 2022. There will be four episodes in total that will air weekly. The series stars Telci Huynh, Dior Goodjohn, Luca Padovan, Chance Hurtsfield, and Conor Sherry. Each episode runs for approximately 50-90 minutes. 

Based on the original Are You Afraid of the Dark? series that aired in the 1990’s, this revival is now on its third season. Only we get a new cast, a new location, and an entirely new mystery. The Midnight Society is ready for the case when a group of friends stay at a hotel on Ghost Island, learning that room 13 may be haunted.

Here is the trailer:

Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Ghost Island has a spooky mystery at its core and a new group of characters to be excited about. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Nickelodeon

A fun new premise.

The summer release for the third season of Are You Afraid of the Dark? is perfect for this new premise. The opening scene is actually kind of terrifying and the setting is beyond gorgeous, transporting me right to Ghost Island along with our new characters. I’m anxious to find out more about what’s truly going on with this particular ghost mystery and I think that the series is off to a good start, hooking its audience right away.

More layers for our new characters.

I really enjoyed the first two seasons of the reboot series, but so far I am really liking these characters the most because we are actually spending some time on character development. Our main character has a trauma in her past related to ghosts and I think that this was a smart decision because it’s helping me connect to our new Midnight Society that much more.

The new characters are a lot of fun and I think that the younger generation will really connect with them.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Nickelodeon

Not as strong as season two yet…

I really like the new reboot series and I think it’s helping kids horror get some well deserved recognition so I don’t have too many cons here. The scares are watered down, but you should expect that. So far I still prefer season two with the Shadowman, but I’m keeping an open mind with this season because I think it has a lot of potential.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Nickelodeon

I’m in!

This show is so much fun to watch and I think it is really helping the kids horror genre flourish. I can’t wait to watch more and I’m ready to book my next trip to Ghost Island!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Ghost Island 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!