Spoiler-Free Review of “Madame Web” in Theaters: Dakota Johnson Gives it Her All

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

“I can see the future…kind of…”

Madame Web premiered on February 14th 2024 in theaters. The superhero action film stars Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O’Connor, Tahar Rahim, Adam Scott, and Emma Roberts. It runs for approximately an hour and fifty-six minutes.

After facing a near death experience, Cassandra Webb begins to show signs of clairvoyance as she realizes that it is her destiny to protect three young women from a villain connected to her past.

Here is the trailer:

Madame Web brings us another superhero film set in the Spider-Man universe, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Dakota Johnson puts forth a valiant effort.

Honestly, I really wish she had gotten a better film. She was the BEST part of this movie. I’ve always liked her as an actress and thought she was truly exceptional here. Even though she had to work with dull dialogue and predictable plot-lines, she really was a likable character and I think that if the focus had been more on her and her actual origin story, I may have liked this one a lot more.

The rest of the cast was full of recognizable faces to be excited about as well. I really liked Cassie’s relationship with the three girls, but I’m not sure it was fleshed out as well as it could have been. There was some serious potential here though.

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

The nods at the time period worked.

This film was primarily set in 2003 and the music was great and on point. I think that this film really tried to channel this time period in an authentic way. In fact, I almost fell out of my chair at one cameo scene shown later in the film. I’m still excited about it! This helped lighten things up a little bit. There were a few scenes that were actually done really well and had me excited. I just wish there were a lot more of them…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

Messy and lacking in action…

This is billed as a superhero action film, right? Well, it needed A LOT more in that department, which was really frustrating. I thought the overall plot felt really messy…almost as if it were thrown together last minute. There were also certain moments that should have been fleshed out more so that the audience would actually invest in caring about these characters.

The dialogue was absolutely dreadful at times and the choppy editing gave me a headache. Sometimes less is more. I would have much preferred some simple fight scenes as opposed to that chaotic light show that was on display.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

I’m 50/50 on this one…

I don’t think this film was as bad as everyone is saying. It wasn’t good, but I’ve seen a lot worse and there were some redeeming moments here. That being said, I’m super frustrated because this movie could have been so much better and Dakota Johnson deserved that. Either way, that cameo was still the best part of the movie for me…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Madame Web 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 new young adult horror thriller is out now! 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 “Freaky” on demand: The Slasher Version of “The Hot Chick” is lots of fun

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

“Having balls sucks.”

Freaky was released on November 13th 2020. The film stars Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton, Celeste O’Connor, and Misha Osherovich. The film runs for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

After four teens are brutally murdered by a serial killer, wallflower Millie winds up being chased by the very same killer the next day. After being wounded by a ritualistic weapon, they end up switching bodies the next morning. And so the Freaky Friday fun begins…

Here is the trailer:

Freaky has been done before in several comedy films, but Blumhouse cleverly adds in some slasher gore to liven this plot up. Does the killer idea work out or does it fall flat? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Blumhouse Productions

Vince Vaughn is the best part of the movie.

I felt a lot of nostalgia for “The Hot Chick” with Rob Schneider during this film, but in a very good way. Vince Vaughn was laugh out loud funny and his bond with Millie’s two best friends was amazing. I thought that they all played good parts and the chemistry between them all was believable and a lot of fun.

Gory and inventive kills.

Images courtesy of Blumhouse Productions

The comedy was there, but I was a little worried that the kills would be glossed over, but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of violent gore present in this film. This allowed the film to truly embrace its horror/slasher side with flair.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Blumhouse Productions

The wallflower act.

I know Kathryn Newton from Supernatural and I was really excited to see her in this role, but I’m not sure that I really bought the shy, nerdy girl vibe. We’ve seen this in a lot of teen movies and all of a sudden the girl takes off her glasses and something magical happens. I think that Kathryn did a great job once she was playing the serial killer, but I wanted a little bit more from her before that. Either way, I’m a fan.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Blumhouse Productions

I’m in!

This movie was a lot of fun. It nailed the horror comedy vibe and actually brought us a lot of gore too which was great. If you enjoyed Happy Death Day and Ready or Not, this is another great film to add to your watch-list. Enjoy!

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