Tag: Anna Kendrick

Spoiler-Free Review of “Another Simple Favor” on Prime Video: A Gorgeous, but Unnecessary Sequel

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

“Let me fill you in on how we got here…”

Another Simple Favor released on Prime Video on May 1st 2025. A sequel to the 2018 film, the dark comedy thriller stars Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Michele Morrone, and Allison Janney. It runs for approximately two hours.

Stephanie reluctantly agrees to be Emily’s maid of honor, traveling to Capri for an elaborate wedding, but she finds herself caught up in a dangerous scheme for revenge.

Here is the trailer:

Another Simple Favor tries to channel the quirky dark charm of the first movie with a layered mystery, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Incredible fashion to compliment a beautiful scenery!

I loved Blake Lively’s wardrobe in the first movie and of course I had high expectations for the sequel. The film did not disappoint in the fashion department. All of Blake Lively’s outfits were to die for! They took my breath away. Wow!

I also loved the setting. This movie was definitely aesthetically pleasing.

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Fun seeing Anna and Blake on screen together again!

While the banter wasn’t quite the same this time around, I still enjoyed seeing these two back together on screen. There were some fun moments sprinkled in and I think they both did the best they could with what they were given.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Over-complicated things…

Where do I start? Well, this movie felt very forced to me. The humor didn’t land the way it did with the first movie. It just felt like they were trying too hard to capture the essence of the original film, but it didn’t feel very genuine.

The mystery didn’t hook me either, which was disappointing, and the reveals were beyond silly and all over the place.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m 50/50 on this one…

Another Simple Favor felt like a scrapped season of The White Lotus, but there were some guilty pleasure elements and noteworthy fashion to indulge in. 

Overall, this film seemed very messy and unsure of its direction and I don’t think it was needed.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

CHECKING OUT WAS NEVER AN OPTION…

A weekend getaway goes horribly wrong when Charlotte suspects that a guest at her bed-and-breakfast has gone missing. A heart-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay is available below! I hope you enjoy!

We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Woman of the Hour” on Netflix: A Powerful and Unnerving Watch!

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

“What are girls for?”

Woman of the Hour released on Netflix on October 18th 2024. The crime thriller film (based on true events from the 1970’s) stars Anna Kendrick (she also directed the film), Daniel Zovatto, Autumn Best, Tony Hale, and Nicolette Robinson. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-five minutes.

An aspiring actress reluctantly agrees to appear on a televised dating game show, unknowingly crossing paths with a serial killer.

Here is the trailer:

Woman of the Hour is an unconventional thriller with an engrossing story at its center. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Anna Kendrick and Daniel Zovatto are incredible!!!

This might be my favorite performance by Anna Kendrick yet. She was FANTASTIC in this and lit up the screen. I was cheering for her during so many key moments. I am even more impressed that she also directed this film.

Daniel Zovatto nailed the vibe he was going for. He was sinister and creepy with twisted charm. I was blown away by his performance.

Images courtesy of Netflix

So intense!

There were so many moments during this film that had me holding my breath. I was on the edge of my seat and could not look away from the screen. Normally I like my thrillers filled with action and adrenaline, but this one managed to stimulate that same feeling of intensity while approaching the thriller genre in a different way. It was very effective and it really had me contemplating a lot.

There were so many important messages and themes in this one, but I never felt like the writers were hitting us over the head with them. They worked with the plot seamlessly, making us care about each one of these characters that much more.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The transitions were distracting at times.

This isn’t a major con because I absolutely adored this film and understood what it was going for, but it was hard jumping around to past events when I was so engaged with what was going on during our present timeline. I was just connecting to one narrative in particular so whenever we switched over, I lost that enthralling feeling momentarily.

Don’t get me wrong…I thought each one of those plot points were necessary so we understood who we were dealing with, but I think the transitions could have been tweaked slightly to connect everything in a seamless way.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!!!

Woman of the Hour is a smart and captivating thriller that will make your heart pound!

I had a feeling that I would enjoy this one, but it exceeded my expectations and then some. 

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

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Self Reliance” on Hulu: Jake Johnson and Anna Kendrick are Absolutely Charming!

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

“Congrats…you’ve been selected…”

Self Reliance premiered on Hulu on January 12th 2024. The comedy-thriller film stars Jake Johnson (he also wrote and directed the film), Anna Kendrick, Natalie Morales, and Andy Samberg. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

Tommy receives a mysterious invitation to participate in a game where he is hunted for thirty days. If he survives, he wins a million dollars, but his friends and family think that it’s all in his head, making him question his own sanity along the way as he tries to come up with loopholes to stay alive.

Here is the trailer:

Self Reliance features a quirky and fun performance by Jake Johnson, who lights up the screen with the always delightful Anna Kendrick by his side. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Hulu

An entertaining premise.

Think the comedic version of The Game and that’s kind of what you get with Self Reliance. The concept behind this film is pure genius and I think that it executed everything really well for the most part. As long as you recognize that this is more of a comedy than a thriller, you’ll enjoy your watch.

The opening was really strong and I was just as curious as Jake Johnson’s character, which motivated me to see this one through until the end.

Images courtesy of Hulu

The chemistry between Johnson and Kendrick is the best part of the film.

I thought I was all in for this killer game and yet I was more intrigued by the bond forming between Johnson and Kendrick’s characters. If you enjoy Jake Johnson’s dry humor, you’ll get plenty of that here since he also wrote and directed the film. Once Anna Kendrick joined the mix, things got a lot more entertaining and I thought they were magic together on screen.

I almost wish we got even more screen time for them together.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Hulu

Needed some more thrills…

Since this was billed as a thriller, I expected a little bit more in this department. I still enjoyed my watch overall, but I think it would have been more enjoyable to see Jake Johnson’s character in real danger more often. The times that this did happen were kind of watered down and they lacked the suspenseful edge I was hoping for.

I also had mixed thoughts on the ending. I didn’t need anything that complicated, but  I would have welcomed a clever twist to really throw the audience for a loop…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Hulu

I’m in!

Self reliance is offbeat, quirky, and a lot of fun.

This film wasn’t perfect, but it was unique and the performances by Johnson and Kendrick made it worth the watch.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Self Reliance 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…

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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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