Spoiler-Free Review of “Fakes” on Netflix: A Blast to Binge-Watch

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

“All good things come to an end…”

Fakes premiered on September 2nd 2022 on Netflix. There are ten episodes in total that are all available to stream now. The Canadian comedy series stars Jennifer Tong, Emilija Baranac, and Richard Harmon. Each episode is approximately 22-26 minutes.

Best friends, Zoe and Becca, start their own fake ID empire, but things get complicated when their life of crime stumbles out of control.

Here is the trailer:

Fakes is very much Booksmart meets Teenage Bounty Hunters with a flair of its own, but does it do enough to become your next worthy binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A fun concept with super short episodes.

I personally really liked the premise for this one. It really gave off some Teenage Bounty Hunter vibes in a good way. I had so much fun watching this and it was very easy to binge-watch with the shorter episodes.

The soundtrack was awesome and the main characters were likable for the most part. I also liked how the series did episodes from different perspectives to give this show a unique voice of its own.

Richard Harmon is the best part of the show!

I’m already a huge fan of his from The 100, but he really gave this series a much needed edge. He is hilarious, but he also had some deeper layers, which I appreciated. He is a scene stealer for sure!

The Cons:

Starts off a little unsure of itself.

The first two episodes were a little iffy for me. I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep tuning in, but I was hooked by the time I got to episode three. The series really found its voice then and I also started to connect to all of the characters a lot more at this point. Not all of the humor landed, but there were enough entertaining moments to enjoy.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

This was a super fun watch with great characters and a really cool concept that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you’re looking for something light and fun to shake things up, you’re in the right place.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fakes 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 “Anatomy of a Scandal” on Netflix: A Guilty Pleasure Binge-Watch with a Twist

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

“It meant nothing…”

Anatomy of a Scandal is a new limited series drama from Big Little Lies creator, David E. Kelley. It released on April 15th 2022 on Netflix with all six episodes available to watch now. The series stars Sienna Miller, Rupert Friend, Naomi Scott, and Michelle Dockery. Each episode runs for approximately 44-48 minutes.

When a scandalous secret comes to light, Parliamentary Minister, James Whitehouse is put on trial, as he risks losing his job, his family, and the respect of the people.

Here is the trailer:

Anatomy of a Scandal will remind you of shows like The Undoing and Big Little Lies, but it manages to tell a new story of its own with powerful performances. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Addicting with a twist I did not see coming!

I love David E. Kelley shows, but I didn’t know if I would like this one based on the premise. I started the series Saturday morning and quickly finished it within one day because it was very easy to binge-watch and I had to know what happened next with each episode.

We also got this twist that I did not see coming. If you’re looking for your next guilty-pleasure binge-watch, you’re in the right place.

Fantastic cast.

I thought that everyone really played their part well. I liked all of the actors in this series and I was drawn in more because of their performances. Some of the scenes were a little over-the-top but I sort of expected that with this type of series. Plus, Sienna Miller’s wardrobe was incredible!

The Cons:

Weird slow-motion camera views and silly dialogue at times…

I didn’t really get the slow-motion falls throughout this series. I think that they almost glossed over the real reactions and emotions we were seeing, which wasn’t really necessary in my opinion. Some of the dialogue was painful to get through (especially in the earlier episodes) but I think this improved over the episodes or perhaps I just got used to it. The flashbacks were also done in a chaotic way and I would have liked a more seamless transition during certain ones.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

Addicting with an insane twist worth sticking around for!

If you enjoy David E. Kelley and Harlan Coben-esque series, you’ll enjoy this one as well.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Anatomy of a Scandal 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 new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen releases on November 12th 2020! Available for pre-order! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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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:

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.

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:

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?

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…

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 “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (2021) on Prime Video: A Re-imagining Done Right

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

“You can never really know anyone…least of all yourself.”

I Know What You Did Last Summer premiered on Prime Video on October 15th 2021. The teen horror drama series (based on the Lois Duncan novel and the iconic film series) stars Madison Iseman, Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman, Ashley Moore and Bill Heck. There are four episodes in season one available to stream now. The remaining four episodes will air weekly. Each episode runs for approximately 45-48 minutes.

After a fatal accident, a group of friends are stalked by a killer one year later, causing secrets to emerge and friendships to be tested.

Here is the trailer:

I Know What You Did Last Summer is the series I have been waiting for. It gives us some welcomed nostalgia for the original film series while finding a voice of its own, but is it worthy of YOUR next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A solid twist on the original.

I’ve seen plenty of reboots and adaptations of films and I didn’t really know what I was going to get with this series, but I was pleasantly surprised by the twist thrown our way. There will be no spoilers in this review, but I thought that this show channeled the original vibe of one of my favorite films while finding a unique voice of its own.

You don’t mess with the original and this series understands that. Rather, it takes a new approach and a new setting to keep us entertained and it was the right call.

I also love that the series sprinkles in some Cruel Intentions and Cruel Summer vibes as well to give this series an edge.

Plenty of gore to satisfy the slasher fans.

The teen series takes a page out of Slasher’s book and presents us with plenty of gore and nudity galore. I’m not sure it needed all of that, but the gory kills are pretty solid and it helps balance out a lot of the teen melodrama you can expect in this type of show.

The Cons:

The killer needs to toy with them more…

I appreciate that this series is finding its own way with a different story, but if we are going to put up a message on a mirror, then I would also like to see the killer really mess with the group more. So far we have seen some horrific kills and some text messages pop up, but I want more.

Part of what made the original film so terrifying for me was the way that the killer lurked around and made the characters question everything and everyone around them. Someone already chopped off their hair without the killer’s help and while the pilot episode makes an attempt at this, I think that it could really add to the vibe of the show without copying the original film too much.

I also think that the characters seem to cope really easily with the death of those around them. I want to connect to all of them and it sometimes makes them come off as completely heartless, but I think that some of them are going to end up showing true remorse so I’ll see how this plays out in the next four episodes.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

I was genuinely impressed at how well this show executed everything. The twist worked and it really helped me connect to this show. It balanced the perfect amount of nostalgia from the original film while presenting us with something new and really addicting!

There are some rough edges to work through, but overall this is a really entertaining series and it is delivering with plenty of gore, twists, and reveals.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on I Know What You Did Last Summer in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A Halloween they’ll never forget…

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 “Panic” on Prime Video: Let the Game Begin

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

“Every small town has a secret…ours has a game.”

Panic premiered on Amazon Prime Video on May 28th 2021 with ten episodes available to stream now. The series stars Olivia Welch, Ray Nicholson, Jessica Sula, Mike Faist, and Camron Jones. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes.

After graduating from high school in a small Texas town, the seniors compete in a secret dangerous game to score a chance at a competitive cash prize that will grant them an escape from their boring lives. The series is based on the book of the same name by Lauren Oliver.

Here is the trailer:

Panic may initially appear to be a standard YA series filled with tropes and drama, but the show manages to hook its audience with the very first episode, reeling us in for more and more as the clever plot reveals the secrets and mysteries behind the game. Is Panic worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Draws you in with adrenaline filled episodes.

This show was very effective at maintaining a fast pace even with some of the drama and set-up sprinkled in. I was invested from the start and by the time we got to the explosive end of the first episode, I needed to know what happened next and this continued to happen with the remaining episodes.

The episodes are only about 45 minutes in length but I often felt like I was only watching for five minutes because I was so drawn in.

Addicting premise with characters to root for.

The game itself is actually really interesting and intense. I found myself playing along with the characters, but it also helped to have really interesting characters to root for. I thought that each character had a lot to offer, but Heather, Ray, and Natalie were my favorites and I wanted each of them to succeed for different reasons.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Predictable teenage drama.

This is a YA series and we do get quite a lot of teen drama sprinkled into the mix. There is the obvious love triangle, the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, the girl who is trying to do right by her family, and the supportive best friend. There was nothing truly unique or extraordinary here, but I kind of dug some of the drama and it wasn’t enough to overshadow everything else going on.

Also, it seemed like the cops were just really dumb in this show. It’s a small town so it shouldn’t be this hard to crack the case, but as long as you go into this show expecting to see some tropes and unrealistic moments, you will still be highly entertained.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in 100 percent!

I went into this show thinking I was going to get a watered down version of The Hunger Games and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I became obsessed with this show. This show is absolutely worthy of your next binge-watch and I think that Prime Video is really stepping up its game with YA thrillers. After the success of The Wilds, I am hoping that people will enjoy Panic also because I would love to see a second season…especially after that ending!

This show was so entertaining and really addicting. If you’re looking for a fast paced show with lots of twists and reveals, you are in the right place.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Who Killed Sara?” Season 2 on Netflix: Addicting in all the Right Ways

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

“The path to vengeance always leads to two graves…”

Who Killed Sara? season two premiered on Netflix on May 19th 2021 with eight episodes available to stream now. The series stars Manola Cardona, Alejandro Nones, Carolina Miranda, Ximena Lamadrid and Eugenio Siller. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes.

The Mexican crime series, ¿Quién mató a Sara? season 2 still focuses on Alex’s journey of revenge, but it also unlocks more secrets of Sara’s past as we learn that things were not as they seemed, leading to devastating consequences.

Here is the trailer:

Who Killed Sara? season one was such a delightful surprise and was beyond binge-worthy, but can season two keep up the pace? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Thrills, reveals and cliffhangers during every episode.

Much like the first season, the second season also starts off with a bang. At the end of the first episode, I was literally hitting play so quickly to get to the next one and the show does a good job of replicating this clever formula during each episode to keep you coming back for more.

There are so many twists in the second season and the fast overall pace continued which made the second season just as binge-worthy as the first.

Pieces of the puzzle unlocked.

The first season aired in March and I was beyond thrilled to find out that we would get the second season so quickly. I had so many questions at the end of the first season and the second season helped us fill in the blanks by witnessing more of Sara’s past.

The flashbacks were necessary and important, as we started to piece together the mystery at hand while allowing us to connect with some of the other characters more.

The Cons:

Sub-plots and unnecessary fluff.

If you watched the first season of the series, then you know that you will be getting a lot of intense action, but you also will be getting some outrageous sub-plots and some unnecessary fluff and sex scenes. I think that the second season toned things down slightly, but some of the sub-plots were stronger than others…

Confusing time jumps.

The flashbacks to Sara and Alex’s past when they were teenagers made perfect sense to me and fit into each episode seamlessly. However, the second season also decided to add in time jumps during present day which were kind of confusing. We would witness an event and then in the next episode, see it from another character’s perspective, but I had to keep reminding myself about where we were in time and what was actually going on.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

I didn’t think that season two would be able to live up to season one and it exceeded my expectations. I watched all eight episodes in one day because I had to know what happened.

Who Killed Sara? is a binge-watcher’s dream. It is a non-stop thrill ride that will leave you guessing and wanting more with each episode.

The mystery is far from over based on that cliffhanger ending and I can’t wait for this show to return!

It looks like we should be getting a season three based on the message at the end of the credits, but we’ll have to wait for Netflix to confirm its release date.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! 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 “Shadow and Bone” on Netflix: Entertaining but Jam-Packed Fantasy

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

“The dark is a place that is full of monsters…”

Shadow and Bone premiered on Netflix on April 23rd 2021. The series features eight episodes available to stream now. It stars Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, Ben Barnes, Freddy Carter, and Amita Suman. Each episode runs for approximately 55 minutes.

Based on the popular Grisha book series, Shadow and Bone follows a mapmaker orphan named Alina Starkov who discovers a power within her that could change the world.

Here is the trailer:

Shadow and Bone is jam-packed with quite a lot, but it’s easy to get lost without proper context. While this show channels a familiar plot, it does have a lot going on to keep us invested. Does it do enough to stand out as a proper fantasy series? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Entertaining at its core.

The show is clever about the placement of events during each episode. While there is a lot going on, it does enough to keep you coming back for more, which makes this series binge-watch worthy. I thought the very end of the pilot episode was so well done and I was immediately hooked.

Much like Game of Thrones and The Witcher, the audience sits around waiting for a pay off, but when these scenes arrive, they are brilliantly done and you remember why you are watching the show in the first place.

Immersive world.

I thought that this realm or world was so intriguing. I’ve watched and read a lot of teen dystopian-esque fantasy series and it was really extraordinary to see this particular world come to life. I think it really worked in the show’s favor not having it take place in the “real world,” adding to the fantasy elements.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Wishy-Washy Chosen One.

I’m all for a story about a female chosen one and I had very high expectations for Alina Starkov. She has these really cool abilities and a great story to work with, but there was something lacking here. I thought that Jessica Mei Li gave a solid performance, but I had trouble connecting with her.

I want to be rooting for my female lead from the start and that didn’t really happen here even though there were some glimmers throughout the series of strength and potential. I think that the supporting characters captured more of my attention, which shows that there was a great cast, but I wanted more from our lead.

Fantasy by the numbers with awkward wide eyed stares…

You can check off each of your fantasy tropes with this particular series. I didn’t really mind them, but it didn’t help this series stand out from The Hunger Games and Divergent, which have similar plots.

I also could not take the constant wide eyed stares between the characters that seemed to last for over five minutes at a time. We can do a better job of creating moments without this…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in…

This series is packed with a lot. I think that fans of the book series will enjoy it for the most part. The series made a valiant effort to bring this world to life while introducing it to a new audience. You really have to pay attention to this show and probably need a guide to keep track of everything, but if you are looking for an entertaining fantasy binge-watch, you’re in the right place.

Overall, this series does enough to bring us into this world and I was invested and entertained throughout my watch.

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

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 “The Wilds” on Prime Video: So Much More than a “LOST” Rip-Off

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

“We should have died, but we didn’t…”

The Wilds premiered on Amazon Prime Video on December 11th 2020 with ten episodes available to stream now. The series stars Sarah Pidgeon, Mia Healey, Sophia Ali, Reign Edwards, and Rachel Griffiths. Each episode runs for approximately 50-55 minutes.

The show is about a group of teenage girls who end up stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes.

Sound familiar? Well, it certainly screams LOST with its premise, but the twists and reveals lead us down a unique path that begs to be explored.

Here is the trailer:

The Wilds attempts to find a balance between mystery and survival while exploring the past of each stranded girl with flashbacks. While I can’t dismiss the similarities between both shows, does The Wilds do enough to stand apart from LOST? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Believable characters with layers.

When I first started watching this show, I was worried that these girls would quickly blend into uninspiring stock characters. The party girl, the Christian girl, the athlete, the outcast…

The list seemed to be all there and yet each and every one of these characters took that stereotype and stomped on it completely, revealing what truly makes them tick. Each character has struggled in some way or another, but their journey really helped shape them into characters to root for, which is important in a show like this.

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Quickly forms its own identity with addicting and intense reveals.

While the first episode will really make you think of LOST and Lord of the Flies, the show quickly finds its footing and actually lures us into an enticing mystery that is very different. The twists were well placed and each reveal pulled me in that much more, which made this binge-watch friendly.

The episodes were almost an hour and I didn’t even mind because I was so hooked.

And that ending…wow!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

The trailer doesn’t do this show justice…

From the trailer, I thought that I was going to watch a LOST rip-off with a lot of teenage melodrama. Instead, I got a thought-provoking emotional thrill ride that may have been one of the best things I have watched in a long time.

This show could have easily gone a different way and instead it really surprised me. If you were thinking about skipping the show from the trailer alone, you should give it a try because it exceeded my expectations and then some.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in 100 percent!

This series was so addicting, but it also really dived deep into some emotionally stirring moments that created important layers for the show. Similar to why I love LOST so much, this show was about so much more than being stranded on an island after a plane crash. It was about character connections and moments of both strength and weakness colliding.

I loved this show so much and I am beyond excited that it already got picked up for season two because I need to know what happens next after that major cliffhanger!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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 “Truth Seekers” on Prime Video: The Paranormal can be fun

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

The dream team is back!

Truth Seekers premiered on Amazon Prime Video on October 30th 2020 with eight episodes available to stream now. The series stars Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Samson Kayo, Malcom McDowell, and Emma D’Arcy. Each episode runs for approximately 30 minutes.

The show is about a group of part-time paranormal investigators who uncover several mysteries involving ghost sightings.

While you may know Nick Frost and Simon Pegg best from Shaun of the Dead, this show tends to follow a different path despite its horror comedy label.

Here is the trailer:

Truth Seekers has all the ingredients to quickly become a cult favorite among fans, but can Nick Frost and Simon Pegg pull off this mystery while maintaining their dry sarcastic humor? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

The perfect balance of paranormal mystery and quirky fun.

I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this show, but I was surprised at how quickly I became obsessed with it. I actually watched all eight episodes in one sitting and part of that is because of this balance. Sure, there are plenty of moments that will make you chuckle and laugh out loud, which we have come to expect from both Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, but the mystery itself is actually really good.

There are some investigations that are a little bit silly, bringing a welcomed SPN Ghostfacers vibe into the mix, but once we start unraveling the pieces behind the main mystery, I was hooked!

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Supporting characters are a delight.

I was slightly disappointed when I realized that Nick Frost and Simon Pegg would not be working together on the paranormal team. Simon Pegg plays Nick Frost’s boss, but I changed my tune when I was introduced to the supporting characters of the show who really lit up the screen and added to the dynamic perfectly.

The Cons:

Image courtesy of Prime Video

Simon Pegg’s wig…

Honestly it’s the only con I can come up with and they even poke fun at it later so I can’t really say that much about it, but it was really distracting!

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in!

I loved this series from start to finish. It was the perfect binge-watch and it was actually really cool to see Nick Frost and Simon Pegg in something a little bit different. They really nailed the paranormal investigator vibe while managing to sprinkle in their well-known humor. Bring on season two!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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 Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix: Your Move

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

“Chess isn’t the only thing in life…”

The Queen’s Gambit is a limited series that premiered on Netflix on October 23rd 2020 with seven episodes. The series stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Harry Melling, Moses Ingram, and Marielle Heller. Each episode is approximately 50-60 minutes in length.

Based on the 1983 novel of the same name, The Queen’s Gambit follows the journey of chess prodigy orphan, Beth Harmon, who embarks on a quest to be the world’s greatest chess player. Over the years, Beth deals with addiction and grief while struggling to prove her worth in the male dominated game to earn her rightful place. The series takes place during the 1960’s.

Here is the trailer:

The Queen’s Gambit has so many defining layers that draw you into this world immediately. While female empowerment automatically comes to mind, the story that is told extends well beyond that, reminding us that even those of us with extraordinary talents can damage everything with the choices we make.

The Queen’s Gambit is filled with aesthetic appeal, a talented cast, and an inspiring story, but is it worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Anya Taylor-Joy is perfection.

I was already a fan of hers, but she blew me away in her portrayal of Beth Harmon. She was magnetic on screen and so convincing down to the tiniest detail. Her wardrobe was fantastic and her emotions were so raw and convincing. I think she absolutely deserves some awards in the future for this role.

A story that pulls you in from the very start.

I didn’t immediately add this show to my watch-list and it’s not normally something that I would select on my own. However, I am beyond thrilled that I took this recommendation and I quickly found myself lost in the story.

There’s something about this story that transcends its premise. It has a lot of heart and inspiration embedded in its core, but it also doesn’t hold back when it comes to the mistakes and hardships either, which made me connect to it even more.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Important lessons that really strike a chord.

While I loved the female empowerment elements in this series, I thought that the struggle with addiction was even more vital. Spiraling out of control into addiction isn’t usually defined in one moment. It’s slow and develops over time. Perhaps it stems from a past event or something beyond our control, but when it starts to cripple and destroy the extraordinary talent that so many of us would love to covet, it’s absolutely heartbreaking to witness.

The series could have really hit us over the head with a lot of this and I thought that its approach was simple, but effective. I think that there were a lot of really important messages throughout this series that should not be ignored and when we talk about overcoming something in life, we are the only ones with the power to change it.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

I don’t have a single con to mention…check.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 1000 percent! Checkmate!

I honestly went into this show without knowing what to expect. I thought that it might be somewhat interesting, but I was worried that I would lose interest quickly. Well, I was completely wrong and I am so glad that I started watching this show.

It was one of the best shows I have watched all year and it truly resonated with me. I recommend that you move this to the top of your watch-list even if it doesn’t seem like your cup of tea…trust me, you’ll love it!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen releases on November 12th 2020! Available for pre-order! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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