Spoiler-Free Review of “Love & Death” on HBO Max: Candy Returns…

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

“I will drag you through this…”

Love & Death premiered on HBO Max on April 27th 2023 with three episodes available to stream now. There will be seven episodes in total that will air weekly. The limited drama series (based on the true story of Candy Montgomery) stars Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons, Krysten Ritter, Lily Rabe, and Tom Pelphrey. Each episode runs for approximately 54-58 minutes.

Just less than a year later, we get another rendition of the true crime story involving Candy Montgomery and her best friend, Betty Gore.

Here is the trailer:

Love & Death brings us another talented leading lady and a chilling case, but did we really need another series on this crime so soon? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

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Images courtesy of HBO Max

Talented cast.

I’m a big fan of Elizabeth Olsen and the rest of the cast is very talented as well, which almost makes me want to re-watch a series that I’ve already seen again just to see their take on things. 

Fantastic soundtrack and vibe.

The music may be the best part of this series. It has been transporting me back in time seamlessly. I love the fashion and overall vibe as well. Even though I’m familiar with the plot and the ultimate outcome, I think I have been enjoying these aspects more in this series over Candy.

The Cons:

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Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m not sure we really need this series…

If you haven’t seen Candy yet on Hulu, you’ll probably get more out of this series. Since I did watch that series less than a year ago, I feel like I already know everything that’s going to happen and I’m not sure that this series is doing anything that new or different this time around.

Also, as much as I love Elizabeth Olsen, I think I preferred Jessica Biel’s grittier portrayal. Elizabeth Olsen still seems so elegant and charming so I’m not sure she was the perfect match for this particular role. That being said, she’s still absolutely wonderful and talented. I’d watch her in pretty much anything…

The pacing is really sluggish so far. Candy only had five episodes and I was weighed down by that pacing as well, so having more episodes this time around that are longer is already problematic for me…

So am I in or out?

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Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m in about 75 percent…

Elizabeth Olsen puts forth a valiant effort here and this is a fascinating case to see unfold on the screen, but the timing of this series seems odd and unnecessary. I’m in for now, but I’m hoping to see some drastic changes to keep me invested.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Love & Death 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 “Windfall” on Netflix: Offbeat Sunshine Noir

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

“This does not seem random to me…”

Windfall premiered on Netflix on March 18th 2022. The noir thriller film stars Jason Segel, Lily Collins, and Jesse Plemons. It runs for approximately 90 minutes.

A man breaks into a billionaire’s expensive home, but things take a turn for the worse when the homeowners return sooner than expected.

Here is the trailer:

Windfall brings us a sunshine noir style with a fantastic cast, but is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

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Images courtesy of Netflix

Lots of style!

Even though we can assume the film takes place during modern day, I instantly felt like I was being transported back in time. The musical score, the use of color, and even the introduction of the credits in the opening scene made me feel like I was watching an old movie with a Hitchcockian style.

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Images courtesy of Netflix

Not your average thriller…

I guess I was getting used to the guilty-pleasure thrillers releasing on Netflix, but this film really surprised me in a good way. Things were slightly odd and strange, but this film was very different and I think that helped set it apart from your average thriller.

A great cast and a shocking ending!

I absolutely loved the interaction between the characters and I thought I knew where this film was going, but it actually really shocked me with its ending, which made me like it that much more.

The Cons:

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Images courtesy of Netflix

Wavering identity…

The film started to switch genres here and there, which was slightly confusing at times. I didn’t know if this was supposed to be a thriller or a comedy. I don’t mind when films blend genres together, but I think that the film felt a little unsure of itself at times. Once things really started to get going, it eventually found its way.

So am I in or out?

Windfall Spoiler Free 4

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

Windfall was really unique and different. I loved the noir style and I thought that the cast did a fantastic job with a simple and effective formula.

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “Jungle Cruise” in Theaters: Book your ticket!

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

“You booked a river cruise and you can’t swim?”

Jungle Cruise is the newest Disney film based on one of its theme park attraction rides. The film premiered in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access on July 24th 2021. It stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, Edgar Ramirez, and Paul Giamatti. It runs for approximately 2 hours and five minutes.

Dr. Lily Houghton is determined to discover the mystery behind the Tears of the Moon legend as she enlists the help of a skipper to take her and her brother down the Amazon river to learn the truth.

Here is the trailer:

Jungle Cruise may seem similar to films like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Mummy, but it is packed with quite a lot to keep us entertained. Is it worthy of a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Disney

Great dynamic between characters.

I absolutely loved and believed the chemistry between Lily (Blunt) and Frank (Johnson). The supporting characters were a lot of fun as well and this really helped me connect even more to the film. I thought they were all just pure magic on screen!

Images courtesy of Disney

Perfect balance of humor and action.

This really is a great formula for entertainment and I thought this movie pulled it off. It was charming, funny, and filled with action and mystery. The movie was a little over two hours long, but I never felt like I had to check what time it was. The movie kept me invested the entire time and there was enough in it for everyone.

Images courtesy of Disney

Clever way of paying tribute to the Disney ride.

I always loved the Jungle Cruise at Disney. It was there when you first walked in and it was the perfect place to relax, cool down, and enjoy the scenic views. I thought that the film did a great job of paying tribute to the ride while having some fun with it. 

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Disney

Not that original and somewhat predictable.

If you love the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, you will feel right at home with this movie. There were a lot of similarities with the plot and set-up, but I love these types of movies and there was enough happening in Jungle Cruise to keep me entertained. Sure, the film is somewhat predictable, but it didn’t take away from the fun.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Disney

I’m in!

This film was a pleasant surprise. The characters were fantastic, the humor was well placed, and there was enough action and mystery to hold my attention. Pure magic and entertaining fun!

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

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!