Tag: Ireland

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Watchers” in Theaters: “The Woods are Lovely, Dark and Deep…”

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

“They say it draws in lost souls…”

The Watchers released in theaters on June 7th 2024. The supernatural horror film (written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan) stars Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Oliver Finnegan, and Olwen Fouéré. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-two minutes.

A young artist gets lost in a mysterious forest in Ireland. While looking for shelter, she unknowingly traps herself with three strangers who are being stalked by mysterious creatures when the sun goes down.

Here is the trailer:

The Watchers presents the audience with a layered mystery containing lots of chilling potential, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Breathtaking scenery.

I’ve been seeing a lot of film entries lately set in Ireland and each time, I am presented with some of the most gorgeous scenery ever. Everything in this movie was visually striking. I felt like I was stepping into a watercolor painting filled with mystery and intrigue. Simply magnificent to look at on the big screen!

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

The lore and mystery were really interesting.

I thought the first half of this movie was so well done. It grabbed my attention and I really wanted to find out what was going on. Certain aspects of this movie reminded me of LOST. It was truly interesting to watch unfold and I found myself getting invested in the outcome.

Oh, and the bird was a scene-stealer and my favorite character by far…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

The first half was a lot better than the second half…

I still found it interesting enough, but I think it attempted to do a little too much. It went completely off the rails in the final act. I’m all for wild twists and reveals, but this one felt overstuffed with them, which ultimately took away from the eerie build-up in the first half of the film.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

I’m in about 75 percent…

The Watchers explores a layered mystery with chilling potential, but it loses steam with its excessive reveals.

This was a complex and intriguing watch overall, but it didn’t stick the landing.

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

**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 “In the Land of Saints and Sinners” in Theaters: A Solid, Authentic Thriller

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

“There’s more to me than this…”

In the Land of Saints and Sinners released in theaters on March 29th 2024. The Irish action film stars Liam Neeson, Jack Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Desmond Eastwood. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Set in Ireland during the 1970’s, Finbar Murphy hopes to leave his past as an assassin behind him, but when a group of terrorists arrive in town, he must choose between revealing his secret past and protecting his friends and neighbors from harm.

Here is the trailer:

In the Land of Saints and Sinners is not your average Liam Neeson film, presenting us with a captivating crime thriller deep rooted in genuine moments, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Gorgeous scenery and solid performances.

This is the second film in the past month that I have watched set in Ireland and once again, the setting did not disappoint. It was breathtakingly beautiful and I thought that this film was really well shot.

The performances were exceptional as well, elevating this film into a crime thriller of a higher standard, which was refreshing to watch.

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Not your typical Liam Neeson film…

It’s been years since Taken and The Grey have come out and I’m not sure that any film will ever come close to those, but Liam Neeson has starred in numerous action thrillers ever since that simply have not measured up. Don’t get me wrong, some of them have been very entertaining and I will continue to watch every single one, but I’ve been waiting for another worthy film and I think we came pretty close here.

While the premise was a familiar one for Neeson, this film felt very different and unique. It didn’t rely on a gimmick or flashy concept to reel the audience in. Rather, it presented us with something more organic and real, which actually really resonated with me.

The second half of the film was really intense and brilliant. Sure, it didn’t quite pack the same punch as some of his other films, but I’m not sure that it needed that. It transcended past those films, making this a thoughtful and more layered watch, which I really appreciated.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

Takes a while to get going…

The first half was pretty sluggish even though there were some key moments sprinkled in. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action flick, you won’t get that here. We do eventually get to some action worth the wait, but be prepared for a slower paced film overall.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films

I’m in!

In the Land of Saints and Sinners is a smart and well-crafted crime thriller worth your time.

This film was not what I expected, but it delivered and allowed Liam Neeson to truly shine.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on In the Land of Saints and Sinners 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!

**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 “Irish Wish” on Netflix: Lindsay Lohan’s Rom-Com Goes Through the Motions…

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

“It all happened so fast…”

Irish Wish premiered on March 15th 2024 on Netflix. The rom-com film stars Lindsay Lohan, Ed Speleers, Alexander Vlahos, Elizabeth Tan, and Jane Seymour. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-three minutes.

When her dream man gets engaged to her best friend, Maddie makes a wish in Ireland for true love and ends up switching places with her friend as the new bride-to-be. But things get complicated when she begins connecting with someone else, leading her to question what she really wants after all.

Here is the trailer:

Irish Wish attempts to follow in the footsteps of Lindsay Lohan’s other recent Netflix rom-com, Falling for Christmas, but does it have the same magic and charm? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Gorgeous setting.

I loved that this film took place in Ireland and I thought that the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Lindsay Lohan’s wardrobe was really cute as well and I liked the use of bright colors. Everything popped well on screen, which made this aesthetically pleasing at least…

Images courtesy of Netflix

Some cute moments sprinkled in.

I just wish there were more of them! I’ve seen my fair share of rom-coms and while there was a lot missing from this one, I did feel some chemistry between our two main leads and I liked when the focus was on them. Lindsay Lohan gave it her all here, but unfortunately she wasn’t able to completely save this movie…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Lacking genuine charm and humor.

I REALLY wanted to like this movie, but so much felt forced here. I’m always looking for charm and some humor in films like this and a lot of that did not translate well. This film was predictable, but that would have been fine if it had brought us some real moments to get excited about. There were a few glimmers of potential, but they were quickly stifled.

It just felt like everyone was simply playing a part and reading through a script rather than embracing something I could connect to. Normally I cry at least once during films like this and that didn’t happen because a lot felt like they were just phoning it in. I expected more here…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one…

Look, of course I’m always going to continue to watch Lindsay Lohan films, but she deserved a MUCH better movie.

There were some sweet moments in this one, but it was lacking in genuine emotion and charm. I’d recommend re-watching Falling for Christmas instead…

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

**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 Wonder” on Netflix: Florence Pugh does it again!

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

“Believe in their stories with complete devotion…”

The Wonder released on Netflix on November 16th 2022. The psychological period drama stars Florence Pugh, Kíla Lord Cassidy, and Tom Burke. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-nine minutes.

A nurse travels to Ireland during the late 1800’s to investigate a girl who has stopped eating for four months and miraculously still lives.

Here is the trailer:

The Wonder is chilling and powerful featuring another stellar performance by Florence Pugh. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Florence Pugh is out of this world…

She is quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses and really gave a powerful and captivating performance in The Wonder. She is the main reason why I tuned into this one and she did not disappoint. Even during the quiet moments, her presence was electric, creating a character with so many layers and dimensions.

Images courtesy of Netflix

An eerie mystery.

From the odd soundtrack to the quiet setting, this film was filled to the brim with an overall chilling quality that only amplified the mystery surrounding Anna. The story was unique and strange, but it also created an interesting conversation connecting what women faced in the past and the present. I can honestly say that I haven’t seen anything like this before and I don’t even have a film to compare it to. 

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Pacing issues at times…

Things did move at a slower pace at times and I needed to stay alert during my watch so that I wouldn’t miss anything. That being said, Florence Pugh did enough to keep me invested from start to finish. If you’re looking for a film with a lot going on, you won’t find that here. This film had a more simplistic approach, but it was still just as effective (maybe even more so) than other films that might have handled this mystery in a different way.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

A captivating, unique watch with a brilliant performance by Florence Pugh.

The Wonder is like nothing I have seen before and it was such an experience watching it.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

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!

**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!