Spoiler-Free Review of “The Curse” on Showtime: A Disconcerting Watch

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

“We have a chance to make something really, really good…”

The Curse premiered on Showtime on November 12th 2023 with its premiere episode. There will be ten weekly episodes in total. The dramedy series stars Emma Stone, Nathan Fielder, and Benny Safdie. Each episode runs for approximately 60-62 minutes.

A newlywed couple begins to shoot a reality television series documenting their efforts to make housing more eco-conscious and affordable for the small community of Española. However, their efforts are complicated when a girl puts a curse on them, prompting their reality producer to exploit some of their flaws off camera, which puts a strain on their relationship.

Here is the trailer:

The Curse takes a stab at uncovering some of the problematic issues behind typical HGTV series, making this a unique and intriguing watch, but does it do enough to keep us coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Emma Stone is mesmerizing on screen.

She’s so talented and terrific in everything, which helps this series quite a bit. There are already a lot of layers to unfold with her character and within her marriage. Her expressions and cheerful delivery are worth noting. She’s a force to be reckoned with and I’m curious to find out more about her character.

Odd and unique.

I really didn’t know much going into this series, which actually helped. There’s a lot going on and things are odd, bizarre, and all over the place, which could be a good or bad thing. So far the premiere episode held my attention enough, but I need to see where we go with all of this content.

The Cons:

Where’s the hook?

I don’t really know where we’re going with this series. I’m not even sure what kind of show it is and while there is interesting content going on, I’m just worried that this show can quickly fizzle out or lose steam as it continues. It was originally billed as a comedy, but it seems to be more of a dark drama. I’m all for giving it a shot for a few more episodes, but I’m not sure if there’s enough here for ten of them.

The episodes are also on the long side, which can drag things out even more.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

The Curse is unlike anything else on TV right now, which works in its favor, but I don’t really know what I’m signing myself up for just yet.

Either way, consider me intrigued!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, HER NIGHT FROM HELL HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN…

After working the night shift, Ashley becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a local street gang, forcing her to come up with a plan to survive the night by turning the tables on them.

Ashley must fight for her life and take them out one by one if she wants to make it to morning…

My young adult revenge thriller comes out November 30th 2023! I hope you enjoy!

Make it Through the Night is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Not Okay” on Hulu: Thoroughly Entertaining with a Strong Message

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

“I want to be known…”

Not Okay premiered on Hulu on July 29th 2022. The dramedy film stars Zoey Deutch, Mia Isaac, Dylan O’Brien, and Nadia Alexander.

A lonely and desperate photo editor invents a trip to Paris to impress the boy she likes, but ends up getting caught up in a consuming lie in order to become “a somebody” on social media.

Here is the trailer:

Not Okay creates a story that is completely relevant in the world we live in, showing us just how harmful a lie can be to those who have survived through an actual trauma, while showing us the other side of the spectrum. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Zoey Deutch is incredible!

I am already a huge fan of hers, but she is fantastic in this. Danni is not a likable character by any means, but she is relatable in a lot of ways and I thought that Zoey Deutch really portrayed this role in a believable way. Danni could literally be a number of lonely and confused girls on social media right now trying to make a name for themselves.

Mia Isaac was also really terrific as Rowan and truly moved me with her speech at the end. Wow…

Highlights an accurate depiction of trying to become “somebody” on social media.

I was surprised by how much I really liked this film. I think it did a phenomenal job with the subject matter and the ending was truly moving. I think it’s very easy to think of one of the characters as a “villain,” but the film also shows us that people are capable of change, even though it may take something extreme to finally realize what it means to be seen and to be heard without being constantly judged.

The Cons:

Not a fan of some of the supporting characters…

I don’t really have too many cons for this particular movie. I wasn’t a fan of some of the supporting characters (mostly Colin), but I totally get the point of him so it wasn’t a huge issue. It just made me scratch my head at how ridiculous some people can be when they’re trying to be someone they’re clearly not. This is exposed in the film; however, so I can’t really actually fault it. I just grew tired of hearing him talk after a while…

That being said, Dylan O’Brien did a great job with what he was given!

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

An accurate and relevant watch well worth your time!

Zoey Deutch is fantastic and that was probably one of the best film endings I have seen in a long time…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Not Okay 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!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Wolf Like Me” on Peacock: Quirky Dramedy with Heart

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

“I haven’t been out in a really long time…”

Wolf Like Me released on January 13th 2022 on Peacock. The supernatural dramedy series stars Isla Fisher and Josh Gad. There are six episodes in total that run for approximately 22-26 minutes.

Set in Australia, a single father tries to connect with his eleven-year-old daughter when a woman named Mary crashes into his car. After their first date, she runs out the door, revealing that she has a supernatural secret.

Here is the trailer:

Wolf Like Me has a Santa Clarita Diet vibe with fantastic characters, but does it find its balance between drama and comedy? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Great chemistry between Gad and Fisher.

Both actors did a fantastic job with this series. I thought they had really terrific chemistry together. Both characters had a lot of layers and there was pure magic when they were together, which really elevated this series for me.

Short episodes.

This show was extremely easy to binge-watch. Each episode is just under a half hour and there are only six in total. Even though this series is a slow-burn one in a lot of ways, I thought the length of the episodes helped the pacing. Each episode did just enough at the end to bring you back for more.

The Cons:

Really heavy at times…

It’s not easy finding a balance between comedy and drama. I thought that the moments of comedy were actually spot on and I enjoyed them. There were also some really heartfelt moments too that just worked. This is one of those shows where it’s really more about the characters than the plot surrounding them.

However, some of the more emotional moments were really heavy and depressing at times, which made it difficult to jump right back into the moments of comedy without feeling slightly unhinged.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Overall, I really enjoyed this series. I thought that it had a quirky charm to it and the characters were easy to connect to. At times the plot fell slightly flat, but the interactions and moments between the characters made up for it in a lot of ways.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Wolf Like Me 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 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 “Anxious People” on Netflix: Whodunnit Mystery with Heart

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

“Appearances can be deceptive…”

Anxious People released on December 29th 2021 on Netflix. The Swedish dramedy mystery series stars Alfred Svensson, Dan Ekborg, Carla Sehn, Marika Lagercrantz and Sascha Zacharias. The limited series features six episodes available to stream now. Each episode is approximately 25-30 minutes long.

A bank robber holds a group of strangers hostage at an open house event and then vanishes from the scene, as a father and son cop duo try to figure out what really happened.

Here is the trailer:

Anxious People has a quirky charm creating an interesting mashup of Only Murders in the Building and Nine Perfect Strangers, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Good balance of humor and drama.

It’s not easy nailing a dramedy and somehow Anxious People makes it look easy. There is a lot of emotional and heartfelt content here, but there is also a really fun mystery and tons of light humor similar to Hot Fuzz in a lot of ways to keep things light. I personally loved the balance and I was surprised by how much I actually liked this show.

Short episodes.

If you are looking for something quick to binge-watch, you’re in the right place. Each episode is just under a half hour and the pacing works really well. We focus on a different witness in each episode, weaving the pieces of the mystery together for us in a compelling way.

The Cons:

Takes a little while to get going…

Even though I was entertained during the first two episodes, I was also really confused and I think that the series was attempting to find its way. I wasn’t really sure what type of show I was watching, but once I got to episode three, I felt right at home and I thought the show found its groove, reeling me in for more and more.

Since there were only six episodes, I would have liked to have been brought in right from the start, but I think it managed to find its way in the end.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

This show really had a great balance and presented us with a fun mystery at its core, but it was also about the characters and their interactions, which made this such a heartwarming watch. I genuinely loved the vibe and I thought that it had a satisfactory conclusion, making it an easy binge-watch to enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Anxious People 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 “The White Lotus” on HBO Max: I’m On Vacation!

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

“Have a nice vacation…”

The White Lotus premiered on HBO Max on July 11th 2021. All six episodes are available to stream now. The limited series stars Alexandra Daddario, Jennifer Coolidge, Steve Zahn, Jake Lacy, Murray Bartlett, Sydney Sweeney, Brittany O’Grady, and Connie Britton. Each episode runs for approximately 60 minutes.

Written and directed by Mike White, the satire-dramedy follows several people on vacation in Hawaii as they attempt to deal with their issues while interacting with the staff at the White Lotus Resort and Spa.

Here is the trailer:

The White Lotus has a fantastic cast and a good balance of dark humor and drama to make a statement, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Exceptional characters.

I wasn’t really sure what I was going to get when I started watching this show, but I found myself really connecting to a lot of the characters. Some of them were outrageous and extreme while others were just trying to form a true sense of self-realization. None of the characters were perfect. In fact, they were all far from it and constantly making mistakes, but I thought this made this show that much more real and interesting.

Standout character for me: Paula (O’Grady).

A reveal worth waiting for.

The beginning of the series introduces a mystery, but it fades into the background for the majority of the show. However, once you get to the last two episodes, you start to piece things together as you discover everything with your own eyes, which I thought was extremely satisfying and I’m still in shock.

Addicting with heart and humor.

There wasn’t really a lot going on in this show, but there was also SO MUCH going on when it came to the characters. When I got to the end of the first episode, I was intrigued but I didn’t really know what I was watching.

There were some moments that were really dark and dramatic and others that actually really had me laughing out loud, which created a necessary balance to keep me coming back for more. This show was more about the characters, but it also cleverly used satire to make a point about social class and how difficult it can be to accept any kind of change.

The Cons:

Extreme at times.

I know it’s HBO, but some scenes just seemed way over-the-top and slightly unnecessary. I also think that some episodes could have been a little bit shorter to keep the pacing going.

Supporting characters needed to have more development.

I really liked so many of the characters, but I thought we spent quite a bit of time on some without really developing others that were so interesting. I realize that’s sort of the point in some ways, but I really would have liked to focus more time on them because they were a lot more interesting than some of the other plot points going on.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

This show was really unique and I think it successfully created a dialogue worth having. The characters were great and there was a steady balance of dark humor and drama going on to keep you coming back for more.

While there was a mystery lingering in the air, it took a backseat to the characters and I think that was a smart decision after watching the entire show in one day. The show was really more about the people and the decisions they made. I was left with chills at the end of the season and that ending really did shock me.

The White Lotus will be returning for season 2 but with a different cast and setting.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The White Lotus 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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