Spoiler-Free Review of “Old People” on Netflix: Creepy and Disturbing in the best way possible!

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

“What’s wrong with the old people?”

Old People released on Netflix on October 7th 2022. The German horror film stars Melika Foroutan, Maxine Kazis, Daniela Galbo, and Stephan Luca. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

A woman attends a wedding with her family, but ends up trying to defend them all when a group of old people at a retirement home go on a violent killing spree.

Here is the trailer:

Old People is completely bonkers, but so violent and terrifying, making your skin crawl. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Super creepy!!!!

This movie was so terrifying and disturbing. It does not hold back with the gore and violence and even the calm moments are creepy. This film nails the vibe it was going for and then some. If you’re looking for a mashup of X and The Visit, you’ll find a bloodbath of horror goodness with this one.

Characters to root for.

There were some characters that were really annoying and infuriating, but there were a few that were absolutely fantastic! I was really rooting for them and they elevated this film so much. Films like these are always much better when you actually care about what happens to the characters and I thought the film did a good job of presenting us with a flawed, but relatable family.

The Cons:

Takes a while to get going…

The beginning was a little slow for me. I was anxiously waiting for something to happen and we did get there, but not until the 45 minute mark. If you’re thinking of tuning out, at least get to that point and sit back and enjoy some bloody crazy violence.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending either, but the middle of the film was so good that I’m not too bothered by it.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Bloody, creepy, and so entertaining!

Don’t expect any thorough explanations, but the meat of this film is definitely worth a watch and then some!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Hocus Pocus 2” on Disney+: The Witches are Back!

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

Beware the black flame candle….

Hocus Pocus 2 released exclusively on Disney+ on September 30th 2022. The sequel to the cult Halloween classic stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Doug Jones, Sam Richardson, and Tony Hale. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

When Becca and Izzy accidentally light the black flame candle, they re-summon the Sanderson sisters back to the town of Salem.

Here is the trailer:

Hocus Pocus 2 brings plenty of nostalgia for fans of the original film with a few new tricks up its sleeve. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

They still got it!

The original film premiered in 1993 so it’s been quite a while since we last saw the Sanderson sisters. I’m happy to report that these three still have it and then some! They were so much fun to watch on screen with delightful chemistry. It’s like they never left! There are plenty of new obstacles to get in their way and distract them, but whenever these three step on screen, they’ll put a spell on you for sure!

The new characters had their charms as well. I particular liked Tony Hale as the mayor, who added some quirky fun and Doug Jones continued to be a scene stealer in this film!

Lots of Easter eggs and nostalgia for fans of the original.

I personally really enjoyed the Easter eggs in the sequel. It channeled the vibe of the original film but it also found a new voice and story of its own. I was worried that things would feel redundant, but the new spin kept things fresh enough to keep me entertained until the end.

The Cons:

Doesn’t hold a candle to the original…

Let’s be honest, it never was going to live up to the original film. I think it put forth a valiant effort with the nostalgia, but since it leaned on that quite a bit, I would have enjoyed seeing a few other familiar characters pop up in town.

Even though I enjoyed the new characters, they didn’t get the chance to truly shine or reach their full potential.

The musical numbers were fun, but they didn’t have the same punch this time around either.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

A fun sequel with plenty of bewitching moments featuring our beloved Sanderson sisters.

The original film is one of my favorite movies, but I think that the sequel did a decent enough job after all this time.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Hocus Pocus 2 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 “Lou” on Netflix: “Taken” style Thriller has some Intense Moments

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

“Turns out I’m not done yet…”

Lou premiered on Netflix on September 23rd 2022. Produced by J.J. Abrams, the action thriller film stars Allison Janney, Jurnee Smollett, and Logan Marshall-Green. It runs for an hour and forty-seven minutes.

When a young girl is kidnapped during a storm, her mother teams up with her neighbor to track her down, who has a few secrets of her own.

Here is the trailer:

Lou has plenty of intense moments built in with a believable performance from Allison Janney, but does it do enough to earn a a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The simple moments are perfection!

This film definitely had a gender-swapping Taken feel with some sprinkles of Alone with its setting in the wilderness. The first half of this movie was so good! I was on the edge of my seat and that early fight scene was fantastic! The formula may have been used before, but it worked and was exactly what I was looking for.

Top-notch performances!

Allison Janney was seriously bad-ass in this movie! I’d now love to see a team-up with her and Liam Neeson because she might be able to give him a run for his money! Logan Marshall-Green is always fun to see as well and I thought all of the performances were well done.

The dog, Jax, was a scene stealer!

The Cons:

Over-complicates things with its reveal…

I didn’t hate the reveal, but I thought it took away from the gritty and simple formula that was working so well in this film. There was so much intensity early on and some of that faded away once things were out in the open. The pieces of the puzzle made sense and I was fine with the ending, but I guess I just wanted this film to embrace its early vibe and just go with it.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

If you enjoy action thrillers, there’s plenty to like in this film. Allison Janney is incredible and there are enough suspenseful moments to keep you invested from start to finish.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Lou 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 “Do Revenge” on Netflix: Dark Comedy Pays Tribute to 90’s and 2000’s teen films in the Right Way!

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

“In this story, nothing is as it seems…”

Do Revenge released on Netflix on September 16th 2022. The dark teen comedy stars Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, Austin Abrams, Sophie Turner, and Sarah Michelle Gellar. It runs for two hours.

Inspired by Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train, Drea and Eleanor team up to get revenge on each other’s tormentors.

Here is the trailer:

Do Revenge manages to find the perfect balance of 90’s/2000’s nostalgia while creating something for the new generation with two electric leads. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Camila and Maya rock!

Both actresses have a large fanbase from Riverdale and Stranger Things, but I thought they both held their own in this film and were a great duo. Both of their characters were flawed, but they were also so much fun to watch together and I loved the fashion!

Tastefully pays tribute to some of my favorite movies without overdoing it…

We got a recreation of some of my favorite scenes in teen films from the 90’s and 2000’s with a clever choice of soundtrack, along with Sarah Michelle Gellar playing the headmistress. I can’t think of a better choice for the queen of Cruel Intentions.

Even though there were plenty of nods at these films, Do Revenge still managed to find its own voice and this is where the magic happened. The comedy actually landed and I think it’s safe to say that I would happily clear a space on my DVD shelf for Do Revenge to go right along with Mean Girls, Cruel Intentions, Clueless, Easy A, 10 Things I Hate About You, and She’s All That. It’s honestly that good!

The Cons:

A little too long…

I prefer movies that run for 90-100 minutes max, especially movies like this. I think that this film dragged a little bit past its welcomed runtime, but I still had a blast watching it so this wasn’t a major con.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Finally! Netflix gets it right with this teen comedy!

I thoroughly enjoyed this film and I think it found the perfect balance it was looking for. Well done!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Do Revenge 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 “Wedding Season” on Hulu: In Love with a Criminal

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

“I object…”

Wedding Season premiered on September 8th 2022 on Hulu. There are eight episodes in total that are all available to stream now. The thriller-comedy series stars Rosa Salazar, Gavin Drea, Jamie Michie, and Callie Cooke. Each episode is approximately 34-37 minutes.

Stefan attempts to talk the love of his life out of marrying the wrong guy, but things get complicated when her new family is murdered and Stefan becomes the main suspect.

Here is the trailer:

Wedding Season has a killer fun premise with likable leads, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Great chemistry between Stefan and Katie.

Rosa Salazar is quickly becoming one of my favorite new actresses and she dominates the screen in this one. I actually really liked Stefan’s character as well and I enjoyed the Bonnie and Clyde-esque adventures. There was believable chemistry between them and a spark that lit up the screen.

The thrilling moments were a lot of fun!

I really enjoyed the moments in the present day timeline and I thought these two were so much fun to watch. Stefan’s reactions to what was going on were hilarious and I was actually on the edge of my seat quite a few times. This series had elements of a light thriller with a dangerous romance to keep us invested.

The Cons:

Tries to do too much…

While I enjoyed the mash-up of rom-com moments and thrilling action, this show attempted to cram a lot into thirty minute episodes. Sometimes the flashbacks were slightly confusing and I much preferred the present day timeline. The friend characters were OK and served their purpose, but there was some unnecessary fluff to sift through.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Overall, this was an enjoyable watch and I loved Rosa Salazar’s character, but sometimes less is more and I think this series over-complicated things a little too much at times. That being said, I still was satisfied with my ride and there are plenty of entertaining moments up until the very end.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Wedding Season 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 “Last Light” on Peacock: Welcome back to TV, Matthew Fox!

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

“We’ll get to the bottom of it…”

Last Light released on Peacock on September 8th 2022 with all five episodes available to stream now. The environmental thriller series stars Matthew Fox, Joanne Froggatt, Amber Rose Revah, and Alyth Ross.

A global oil crisis unfolds when Andy Yeats is summoned to the Middle East, now separated from his family as all chaos breaks loose.

Here is the trailer:

Last Light has a solid premise with a fan favorite lead, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Matthew Fox is the best part of the series…

Let’s be honest, Matthew Fox is the main reason why I tuned in to this show. LOST is my favorite series of all time and I’ve been waiting for this series to come out for over a year just to see Matthew Fox in it.

While I had some issues with the series, I can say with confidence that Matthew Fox delivered a believable performance. He elevated this series in a lot of ways and it was great to see him on screen.

The other actors did a good job with what they were given.

Some action here and there…

Even though I could see most of the twists and reveals coming, there is some action to enjoy. I thought the opening episode was a lot stronger than what followed, but the show has enough going on to keep you invested. Peacock was smart to release all five episodes at once because I’m not sure this would have translated well as a weekly series.

The Cons:

Not as thrilling as I wanted it to be…

The series is not bad at all and very watchable, but I wanted a lot more “thrilling” moments because Matthew Fox is just so good in these types of roles and he deserved a lot more here. I didn’t mind the story-lines splitting up between the different characters, but everything seemed a little bit too predictable and neat to really keep me on the edge of my seat.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Matthew Fox is fun to watch and there’s enough going on for five episodes to enjoy, but I would manage your expectations accordingly. This was an OK thriller, but it could have been a lot better.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Orphan: First Kill” on Paramount+: A Bloody Entertaining Prequel

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

“She is an exceptional con artist…”

Orphan: First Kill released in theaters and on Paramount+ on August 19th 2022. The horror film stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Julia Stiles, Matthew Finlan, and Rossif Sutherland. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-eight minutes.

In the prequel to the fantastic film, Orphan (2009), we discover what happened to Esther when she first traveled to America to impersonate the missing daughter of a wealthy family.

Here is the trailer:

Orphan: First Kill tells an origin story that is bloody and brutal, reminding us just how twisted Esther can be. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

All hail Isabelle Fuhrman!

She was absolutely fantastic in the original film (which I re-watched last weekend) and she was EXCEPTIONAL in the prequel. It couldn’t have been easy for her to reprise this role so many years later and there were some workarounds behind the scenes to execute this seamlessly, but I thought she was magnetic on screen and so twisted!

Julia Stiles was really great too and I’m so glad I am seeing her in more stuff lately. If you haven’t checked out The Lake on Prime yet, she’s very entertaining in that one too. I’ve missed her and I thought she was so much fun to watch in this one!

Bloodier this time around!

The opening scene was out of this world and I loved that this film felt more bloody and violent. I really enjoyed the first film, but it mostly built up around that intense twist. This one really allowed Esther to shine in such a diabolical way and it really worked, making this a fantastic prequel.

The Cons:

The twist didn’t have the same punch…

Don’t get me wrong, it was a solid twist and I really thought that the writers made a valiant effort with it to keep us entertained and invested. I liked it and thought it worked just fine, but I don’t think that anything could have measured up to the twist in the first film, which almost caused me to fall out of my seat in shock.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Esther is back and better than ever in this clever and twisted prequel!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

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 “Emily the Criminal” in Theaters: Aubrey Plaza Shines

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

“Do you want to make $200 in an hour?”

Emily the Criminal premiered in theaters on August 12th 2022. The crime drama-thriller stars Aubrey Plaza, Theo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Jonathan Avigdori. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-seven minutes.

Emily has been attempting to pay off her student debt, but finding a decent job becomes challenging because of her past criminal record. Desperate to make ends meet, she gets involved in a credit card scam as a dummy shopper.

Here is the trailer:

Emily the Criminal is an intriguing story filled with thrilling moments and a brilliant performance by Aubrey Plaza. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Aubrey Plaza is fantastic!

I am a huge fan of Aubrey Plaza. She typically does well in comedy films, but I much prefer her in darker movies like Ingrid Goes West. This is where she really shines in my opinion. I had high hopes for this one and I think that she delivered and then some!

She drew me in immediately with her portrayal of Emily. This was a darker role for sure, but she managed to express so many different emotions as well. I think this was probably my favorite performance by her yet and I am so happy I got to see this one on the big screen!

A thriller rooted in realness.

I was completely hooked by this story! These crimes really happen in society every single day, but it was so interesting seeing things from the criminal’s perspective. Emily could be literally anyone who is in need of cash and unable to get a fair shot at a job, which naturally made you want to root for her even when she was breaking the law. Once she got into this world of crime, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!

The Cons:

Some pacing issues here and there…

This wasn’t a major con, but there were some pacing issues throughout the film that slowed things down a little. I initially thought we were going to get more of a thrilling heist style movie and things didn’t have that fast-paced edge I was expecting, but I still think that the movie did enough to reel the audience in.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

Aubrey Plaza’s best performance yet!

A thrilling and captivating story!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

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 “They/Them” on Peacock: Kevin Bacon is the Leader of an Unsettling Conversion Camp

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

“This is a safe space for everyone…”

They/Them is a horror film that released on August 5th 2022 on Peacock. The film stars Kevin Bacon, Theo Germaine, Anna Chlumsky, Anna Lore, and Carrie Preston. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-four minutes.

A group of teens at a LGBTQ+ conversion camp undergo unsettling forms of “therapy” while a masked killer hunts them down one by one.

Here is the trailer:

They/Them has the potential to lure us in with some slasher fun, but it steers off into several different directions along the way. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Fun cast.

It was great to see Kevin Bacon in this film and it definitely gave me some Friday the 13th vibes at first with the setting. I have to say that I am loving his gray hair and his twisted charisma made him one to watch out for.

There were some other familiar faces and I also really liked a lot of the newcomers, especially Theo Germaine. Overall, the performances were decent in this one.

Strong start.

I really liked the premise of this film and I thought it had a lot of potential from watching the trailer. The opening scene was actually really terrifying and I thought it nailed the slasher vibe I was looking for. There were also a lot of worthy creepy moments throughout the beginning before we experienced the actual reveals.

The Cons:

Tries to do too much…

The film switched genres quite a few times and was really more of a psychological thriller. I actually forgot about the masked killer until we got toward the end of the movie and by then, it didn’t give me the satisfying ending I was looking for. We had so much potential with these characters and I really wanted this film to go in a different direction. I personally think it tried to do way too much and the execution and pacing suffered as a result of this.

There was also one scene I could have really done without. If you’re concerned about a certain character, I recommend that you skip past one particular part involving target practice. You’ll know it when you get to it.

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

There were some unsettling moments in this film and a decent cast, but it never fully captured the slasher vibe I was looking for.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

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 “Paper Girls” on Prime Video: Coming-Of-Age Time Travel Story has its Moments

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

“We could stick together…”

Paper Girls premiered on Prime Video on July 29th 2022 with eight episodes available to stream now. The sci-fi series (based on the comic series of the same name) stars Riley Lai Nelet, Ali Wong, Sofia Rosinsky, Camryn Jones, Fina Strazza, and Adina Porter. Each episode runs for approximately 42-45 minutes.

After Halloween night in the 1980’s, a group of paper girls start their morning route, but wind up caught in the middle of a time travel war.

Here is the trailer:

Paper Girls features a fantastic group of characters worth getting to know in the middle of a sci-fi time travel story. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Believable characters with layers.

The characters are the strongest part of this series. I really liked that they weren’t already friends at the beginning. It made their eventual bond together that much more compelling. They all learned so much from each other, but each individual was really strong on her own.

I’m also always happy to see Adina Porter in pretty much anything so that was a plus!

Starts things off right away.

I was worried that we would get way too much set-up with this particular series, but the pacing was actually pretty solid for the most part. We didn’t have to wait too long for things to actually happen.

The Cons:

Doesn’t really explain the time travel war/world that much…

I felt a little bit lost watching this. I didn’t really understand what was going on with the time travel war and I wanted more information. I felt like I needed a crash course before watching this. The focus was more on the journey of the characters, which was fine, but I wanted a little bit more sci-fi action to balance things out.

Some of the special effects were a little cheesy and silly as well, but if the series is targeting a younger audience, I’m not sure that it matters that much.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

This series has its moments and I absolutely love all of the characters. If you enjoy series like Stranger Things, you’ll probably find plenty to like with this particular one, but be prepared to do your homework on what’s actually going on with the time travel war.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Paper Girls 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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