Spoiler-Free Review of “Trigger Warning” on Netflix: Jessica Alba Gives it Her All…

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

“I can’t stay…”

Trigger Warning premiered on Netflix on June 21st 2024. The action thriller film stars Jessica Alba, Mark Webber, Gabriel Basso, Tone Bell, Jake Weary, and Anthony Michael Hall. It runs for an hour and forty-five minutes.

After returning to her hometown after the news of her father’s death, a special forces commando suspects that a violent local gang may be responsible.

Here is the trailer:

Trigger Warning is a familiar thriller by the numbers, but Jessica Alba tries her best to elevate it as much as she can. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Jessica Alba kicks ass!

OK, she’s the main reason why I tuned into this one and she was absolutely bad-ass. She didn’t just elevate this film…she CARRIED it. It was a lot of fun seeing her on the screen again and I hope she gets the chance to star in more action thrillers, because this is where she shines.

Can we also talk about how she hasn’t aged a day? I feel like I’m watching Dark Angel right now!

There were some cool fight scenes and some decent action as well, but don’t expect anything that new or exciting here…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Slow moving at times with painful dialogue.

I prefer fast-paced action thrillers and while this film had enough of these moments sprinkled in, it also felt really slow at times. Jessica Alba was fantastic, but some of the dialogue was cringe-worthy. Everything also felt very safe and predictable. I was hoping for a bit more here. I’m all for B movie action thrillers with a female lead, but I just wanted this film to break out into something truly raw and brutal.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

Trigger Warning is very much a “movie of the week” action thriller.

If you’re looking for a quick weekend watch, there is enough here and Jessica Alba is absolutely worth the watch. I just wanted some more substance.

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

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Halloween Kills” on Peacock: Evil Dies tonight…or does it?

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

“He needs to die!”

Halloween Kills released in theaters and on Peacock on October 15th 2021. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Anthony Michael Hall, Judy Greer, Cameron Elam and Kyle Richards. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Michael Myers is back after escaping from Laurie Strode’s trap as the residents of Haddonfield work together to stop him once and for all.

Here is the trailer:

Halloween Kills has finally arrived with tons of bloody kills, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Plenty of gory kills to look forward to.

The film delivers in this department. If you are looking for lots of blood and gore, you will not be disappointed. Michael Myers is ruthless and unforgiving and he has quite a few inventive kills this time around.

Images courtesy of Peacock

Characters to root for.

The residents in town really work together to put forth a valiant effort against Michael and I was rooting for a lot of them. Sure, they may be out of their league, but I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between all of the characters and of course it’s always wonderful to see Jamie Lee Curtis on screen.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Peacock

Messy plot.

I almost felt like they shot several pieces of the movie at different times and then just stuck them all together and hoped it would work. The first half of the movie took a while to get going for me, but I did think the second half was much stronger.

I also thought the film lost some of its edge this time around. The iconic music was present, but I wanted a little bit more suspense with Michael’s kills and some of them felt really over-the-top and almost silly, but it was still a lot of fun.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Peacock

I’m in about 75 percent…

Every horror and Halloween fan should absolutely watch this movie. There were some really entertaining moments and you will get plenty of gory kills to keep you invested. I had some issues with the plot and the overall pacing of the movie, which was slightly frustrating, but I still enjoyed my watch overall.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

HAVE A KILLER HALLOWEEN…

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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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 3 episode 4: “A Fantasy Land at Our Fingertips”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 4, we got a fun throwback to The Breakfast Club with a familiar guest star, fabulous outfits, and some epic music.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Thirty-Nine:  The Midnight Club,” Hermione announces that “Griffins and Gargoyles” has been officially banned, but this doesn’t stop the obsession with the game.  Meanwhile, Alice opens up to Betty about her personal connection to the game, presenting us with an entertaining flashback that will have you seeing your favorite characters in a new light.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 3 episode 4 are:

5

“Stay away from this game.”

In an effort to protect everyone, Hermione Lodge announces that she is officially banning “Griffins and Gargoyles.”  Only Veronica rightfully points out, “Newsflash Mom, banning something only makes it more interesting.”  Now that the player’s manual has spread all over town, everyone is intrigued by this new game, unaware of the dark consequences that come along with it.  Betty and Veronica have no interest in playing the game, but some of their loved ones may quickly find themselves caught in a web of obsession. 

4

“The world was a different place and we were very different people.”

Alice finally agrees to provide Betty with the truth and her story transitions us into a very different world indeed.  Inspired by the film, The Breakfast Club, we get to envision the parents of Riverdale as teenagers, played by many of their own children.  I thought that this was a really fun and clever way to gain our interest in the story.  Plus we get to see Cheryl rocking some adorable glasses and Betty trading in her preppy style for a bad-ass leather jacket.  The characters are all connected when they wind up in Saturday detention together and a group of strangers find themselves having quite a bit in common, as they all bond together.  Anthony Michael Hall guest stars as Principal Featherhead and we learn that Penelope Blossom was always caught in the middle of a cat fight or two.  During the flashback, we learn that the group found “Griffins and Gargoyles” in their teacher’s desk.  The game seemed like a convenient solution to boredom for the group, but the harmless game quickly turned into a “maddening obsession with the roll of a dice.” 

3

“I’m lost.”

During the flashback, we witness a touching scene between young Alice and young Fred.  Alice had just found out that she was pregnant and she confided in Fred about feeling lost and needing an escape from her life.  Alice explained that the game allowed her to do so, but that when the game was over, she was just her again.  This moment is heartwarming on its own, but it also reveals that there has always been some kind of chemistry present between Alice and Fred and perhaps between Betty and Archie as well.  Even though these romantic potential relationships shift toward a friendship instead, one cannot ignore the sweet moment presented here.

2

“Forever to the grave.”

After the group decided to have an “Ascension Party” and play the game “off board,” things started to go horribly wrong.  Alice thought she saw the same creature that Betty did and Principal Featherhead winds up dead.  Even though his death was ruled a suicide, it’s clear that someone poisoned him, utilizing the game to do so.  Everyone was high on “fizzle rocks” except for Alice, but they all realized that they could never speak about the game again.  They all made a pact to keep it a secret and go their separate ways.  Even though their friendships were over, they were still all tied together forever by this horrible secret.

1

“We can’t be silent anymore.”

After flashing back to present day, Betty asks, “Who poisoned the cups?”  Alice is convinced that one of them was a murderer and that Principal Featherhead was an innocent casualty, but who was it and why is that person bringing the game back now after all this time?  We still have a lot to learn, but Betty cannot stay away from this investigation despite her mother’s warning.  Betty promises her that she will not play the game, but she soon stumbles upon Jughead playing it, who is now fixated on it.  His obsession is obvious and it looks like Betty will need to figure out something fast before she loses Jughead.  Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale in the comments section below.  Happy viewing!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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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!

I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

Want to read more?  You can click the link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover