*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“What are we all doing here?”
Death’s Roulette (Uno para Morir) released on May 5th 2023 on Paramount+. The Spanish thriller film stars Who Killed Sara’s Manola Cardona, Maribel Verdú, Carla Adell, Juan Carlos Remolina, Adriana Paz, Dagoberto Gama, and Fernando Becerril. The film runs for approximately 90 minutes.
Seven strangers wake up in an isolated mansion only to discover that they have each been chosen for a deadly and twisted game.
Here is the trailer:
Death’s Roulette is addicting from the opening sequence, bringing us a fun mix of Escape Room and Saw with a touch of Who Killed Sara? to make things over-the-top in the best way possible. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Paramount+
Starts off with a bang!
There is no set-up or fluff to deal with in this one. The audience is thrown right into things and I was completely hooked by the opening of this film. The premise may have been done before, but this film takes a step back from horror and re-invents this idea into more of a murder-mystery-thriller, which worked really well here.
Images courtesy of Paramount+
If you’ve been missing the addicting series, Who Killed Sara?, you’re in luck! Manola Cardona stars in this film and does a fantastic job. The entire cast played their parts really well and I was on the edge of my seat until the very end.
Plenty of insane twists and reveals!
Sure, some of them are a bit outrageous, but they are SO ENTERTAINING! As long as you just go with it, you’ll enjoy them more.
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Paramount+
The brief flashbacks weren’t really necessary…
There weren’t too many of them, but I honestly didn’t need them at all. They took away from the fast-paced intensity and felt more filler than anything else.
I also thought there may have been one too many twists at the end, but I appreciate that the film didn’t let us off the hook so this wasn’t a major con.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Paramount+
I’m in!
Crazy, addicting, and so intense from start to finish!
If you’re looking for an entertaining thriller to just simply enjoy, you’re in the right place. This film has some outrageous moments, but it is really entertaining and a lot of twisted fun!
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Death’s Roulette 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…
*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*
“Whatever you do, don’t let them win…”
Escape Room: Tournament of Champions is the sequel to 2019’s Escape Room. The film premiered in theaters on July 16th 2021. It stars Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Holland Roden, and Indya Moore, and runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.
After winning and surviving the escape room the first time around, Zoey and Ben are determined to take down the mastermind behind the game, bringing them to a set of coordinates in New York City. However, they quickly discover that they are back in the dangerous game along with a previous group of winners.
Here is the trailer:
Escape Room: Tournament of Champions is filled with new games and challenges to keep us on our toes, but does the second film have enough of an edge to measure up to the original film? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Sony Pictures
Exciting new setting.
Getting around New York City is basically like one big puzzle so I thought it was brilliant to have it as the new setting for the Escape Room sequel. I thought the games were really intense and I loved that we just jumped right into things. We got a little bit of set-up and some flashbacks to remind us about where we left off at the end of the first film, but once the games started back up again, it was a fast-paced roller-coaster ride of adrenaline.
Impressive twists and reveals.
I am a big fan of the first film even though I thought it went a little bit off course with the ending. However, it did set things up for a second film so I guess there’s that. I was a little bit worried that the second film would feel slightly routine since we already knew what was going on, but we were thrown several curve balls along the way and there was one major reveal that had me almost screaming in my seat.
Well played!
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Sony Pictures
Annoying use of flashbacks.
I understood the point of the recap/flashback in the beginning of the film. It reminded us about what happened and it also helped fill in the blanks for a new audience. However, the film continued to use the flashbacks later on to remind us how certain characters felt about one another. I thought this was slightly insulting to the audience (we can figure this out on our own) and unnecessary, but it didn’t take up too much time so I’m over it.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Sony Pictures
I’m in!
This film was intense from start to finish. It was really entertaining and a lot of fun. I thought it was just as strong as the first film and I think fans will be happy with it. I still can’t get over that major reveal!!!!!!
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Escape Room: Tournament of Champions 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 comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!
**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**
“Follow me…”
No Escape premiered on Hulu in January 2021, but the film was previously released back in September. The original title of the film was Follow Me for reference. The film stars Keegan Allen, Holland Roden, Denzel Whitaker, and George Janko. It is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes long.
A popular vlogger wins a trip to Russia with his friends and is invited to an exclusive escape room. He plans on streaming his experience to his viewers, promising them the adventure of a lifetime, but things start to go wrong when it turns out that the threat may be real.
Here is the trailer:
No Escape looks like it is worthy of a quick watch for those of us looking for an edge of your seat thriller, but does it do enough to set itself apart from movies like Escape Room? Let’s find out…
The Pros:
Images courtesy of Hulu
Delivers on the gore.
Think Hostel and Escape Room combined and you have No Escape in terms of the amount of violent gore you see. While this movie is a thriller in a lot of ways, I would warn sensitive viewers about these scenes because some of them were very hard to watch.
However, I thought this helped elevate the movie. It didn’t hold anything back in terms of that. If you want to see gore, you’re in the right place.
Images courtesy of Hulu
Fast paced.
While there is some set-up in the beginning of the film, it didn’t take away anything from the pacing. This movie moved really quickly and kept me guessing. This is exactly what I wanted to see in a film like this.
Fantastic twist.
There will be no spoilers here, but wow what a twist. My jaw literally dropped when I saw the final reveal and I am still in shock. I even kept watching after the credits rolled because I was floored by this twist. Well done!
The Cons:
Images courtesy of Hulu
Uninspiring characters.
I really wasn’t overly invested in any of the characters except for maybe Cole. Can we also just take a quick break to mention that Keegan Allen plays a character named Cole Turner…as in Cole Turner in Charmed!!!!
Anyway, getting back on track…Cole is not a bad character, but the majority of the friends felt very filler and I wanted to be slightly more invested in their well-being.
So am I in or out?
Images courtesy of Hulu
I’m in 100 percent!
I really thought I was going to get a watered down version of Escape Room when I started this movie and I was pleasantly surprised to watch such an entertaining horror thriller. The twist was fantastic and I highly recommend this movie if you are looking for a quick thriller that packs a bloody punch!
I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on No Escape 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!
Happy Friday TV fans! Have you ever wanted to play the escape room game? It’s a trend that is happening all over and of course the gang from Patty’s Pub has to get in on the action. After watching the FXX network’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 13 episode 2 last night, I realized that while teamwork may be the most important element needed to win the game, the gang always has something else up their sleeves so that they wind up the winners. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In Wednesday night’s episode, “The Gang Escapes,” the gang puts their best effort forward to excel at the escape the room game, but realize that a lot is at stake especially when “power plays” are introduced along with some much needed “riffing.”My top 5 moments from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaseason 13 episode 2 are:
5
“Don’t judge me nerd.”
Dee is very excited to participate in the escape the room game and even begins looking for clues before she is technically allowed to. We quickly find out that Dee has already played this particular escape game and was looking forward to showing off her detective skills to the group. Only unfortunately for Dee, the gang decides to lock her in Dennis’s room, which is completely soundproof. More on that later. Dee tries to team up with the woman running the escape room game, but is upset when she doesn’t jump at the chance to get back at Dee’s friends, reminding Dee that the game is supposed to be about communication and teamwork and that this makes her uncomfortable. Dee hilariously replies, “let’s see how comfortable you get when they get frustrated and start smashing all your shit,” proving that she knows her friends better than anyone else. As if right on cue, the smashing begins.
4
“That’s power play.”
The gang begins to disagree on who the leader should be so they decide to break up into teams: Mac and Dennis and Charlie and Frank. Dennis feels the rush of power and is excited that they have a clue in their grasp. However, he begins to get distracted by Frank’s obnoxious chewing of gum, recognizing it as a power play and classic angry Dennis makes an appearance. Dennis begins freaking out and yells, “Can I riff? I’m just riffing now. Will you go get my gum?” Mac does his best to obtain the gum from Charlie, but Frank also explains that this could be considered “power play,” confirming Dennis’s theory on becoming the “head cow.” I don’t understand it any better than you do, but it is absolutely hilarious that both Dennis and Frank recognize the potential power play going on here.
3
“You didn’t say the safe word.”
While Dee is locked up in Dennis’s room, she accidentally triggers his laptop, which dims the lights and makes the bed even vibrate. A message comes up on the laptop with Dennis surrounded by hearts and greets her by saying, “welcome sexual conquest.” Dee begins freaking out, not wanting any part of her brother’s creepy sexual playground, but the message continues to go on while Stacey Q’s, “Two of Hearts” song begins to play, which you can listen to here! She desperately tries to turn everything off, but is scolded when she doesn’t use the safe word. I’m still wondering what that is. Poor Dee!
2
“To us as men!”
Mac and Dennis finally come to an agreement with Charlie and Frank, as they all sit down for a summit to discuss the terms of their negotiation. Charlie hilariously works in a new accent and says that they can commence with the turning of the key as long as he can remain “the speaker of the tribe.” They commend themselves on a job well done as men and turn over the lock and key clues so they can win the game. Only they quickly realize that this was only the first clue in the escape game and there are like 20 or 30 more things to complete. Whoops.
1
“You really were the quarterback.”
In the beginning of the episode, Dee really wanted to show the gang that she was capable of being a good leader and said that she wanted to be the quarterback of the team. While the gang initially reminded her that this is only a title reserved for men, Dee ends up changing their minds. Dee escapes Dennis’s sex dungeon by climbing out the window to his surprise, as he mentions that no one else has been able to do so. Dee accidentally falls off the ledge and says she is going to sue the makers of the game. The woman who ran the game explains that nothing like this has ever happened before. Luckily Dee is all right, but she is at the hospital with the rest of the gang by her side. The woman reluctantly takes their photo even though they didn’t win the game, but they quickly convince her that they did in fact win in their own way. The gang tells Dee, “You really were the quarterback,” allowing her to rejoice in a temporary moment of victory. The gang certainly proved to be up for any challenge, but I’m still not sure they understand the concept of teamwork. Either way, a win is a win and I am definitely on team Sunny!Stay tuned!
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia below in the comments section. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
@TV_Fanatic_Girl
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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 outand 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 linkdirectly below for a free preview. Thanks for your support!
