Tag: Jessica Jones

Spoiler-Free Review of “Echo” on Disney+: A Marvel Series to be Excited About!

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

“Everybody should love something that much…”

Echo released on January 9th 2024 on Disney+ with all five episodes available to stream now. The Marvel series stars Alaqua Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Devery Jacobs, Chaske Spencer, and Zahn McClarnon. Each episode runs for approximately 40-50 minutes.

Maya Lopez first appeared in the series, Hawkeye. Echo explores her origin story as well as the events that take place after Hawkeye, as she tries to come to terms with where she comes from and who she’s meant to be.

Here is the trailer:

Echo brings Marvel series back to life with plenty of bad-ass and inspiring moments to appreciate. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Bloody entertaining fight scenes.

I love how this series wasn’t afraid to unleash some fantastic fight scenes without holding back. In a lot of ways, this series reminded me of Daredevil, The Punisher, and Jessica Jones, taking on an edgier and more mature tone. It does take place in that world, but I was afraid that everything would feel flashy and overdone, but this wasn’t the case. The fight scenes were really impressive and I thought that Maya was bad-ass and then some!

Images courtesy of Disney+

Brings back familiar characters without taking away from our main story.

Marvel fans will be excited to see some familiar faces in this one, but I appreciated that Echo didn’t get lost in the cameos. Rather, it kept its focus on Maya and recognized that this is her story and journey.

I also appreciated that this series was short and sweet. So many streaming series have gone back to the weekly episode approach and I was happy that Disney+ released all five episodes at once, making this one very easy to binge-watch. Everything was really well-paced and I thought it had a satisfying conclusion.

I also loved the connections to ancestry and culture. I thought it really helped this series stand out among some of its predecessors, giving us a rising hero with believable and authentic layers.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Disney+

Some of the trippy flashbacks were confusing…

At first, I was a little thrown off by the flashbacks, but they made sense by the time I got to the end of the series so this wasn’t a major con. They felt a little rushed at times, but I didn’t need this series to be really drawn out either.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Disney+

I’m in!!!

Bloody, bad-ass, and beyond entertaining!

It’s been a while since I have really enjoyed a Marvel series, but Echo was a welcomed surprise. I really loved it!

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

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My performance of the week ending 6/22/19 on TV goes to…

Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones on Netflix’s Jessica Jones, season 3.  Even though I was extremely underwhelmed and disappointed with season 3 and the end of the series, there was one redeeming light that kept my attention and that is the talented and captivating Krysten Ritter.  Please note that I have not included any major spoilers for your convenience.  I have always been a fan of Krysten Ritter, but she really found her perfect role in this series, as she embraced it completely and really nailed the conflicted character.  Even though Jessica sometimes comes off abrasive, Krysten still makes her incredibly charming and brings a likability to her, as you find yourself sympathizing with her circumstances. 

Jessica has been through so much, but she still tries to repair and hold on to her friendship with her adoptive sister, Trish, but that proves to be quite the challenge in season 3.  A lot of the episodes in season 3 moved incredibly slow and it felt like more of an obligation for me to watch, but I continued to be impressed by Krysten’s performance and it is worth mentioning here.  Unfortunately Krysten couldn’t save the show enough to make this an entertaining watch for me, but I am still a fan and I can’t wait to see what role she takes on next!

What’s next for Jessica Jones?  Well not much, since this is the end of the Marvel series on Netflix, but I am somewhat pleased with how they left the end of the show, deciding not to leave us with any loose ends that will continue to bother me later.  I won’t give any spoilers here, but I think that Jessica Jones has been battling her own inner conscience for the entire series, which has been far from easy for her.  While she previously just accepted being broken in some episodes, she does try to do the right thing, which makes her a reluctant hero, but a hero nonetheless. And I think that’s why we can all relate to her so much.  She’s an everyday hero who has to deal with her own struggles in her life, but she still tries to make a difference.

If you do decide to sit through season 3, you will see Jessica and Trish’s views clash on how to make things right, which comes down to one’s moral compass.  Sometimes it seems like the answer is to run away, but Jessica ultimately decides to face a lot of her problems head on, which makes me root for her that much more.  Even though we are saying goodbye to Jessica Jones, I think it’s important to recognize Krysten Ritter’s performance throughout the series.  Krysten really elevated the show and mesmerized me with her portrayal again and again.  Bravo!

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?  Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery?  Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I really hope you enjoy!

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

Dreaming of Wonderland Series Blog

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

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Ranking my top television shows of 2018 on Netflix: Binge-watching throughout the year!

Greetings TV Fans!  While I have not gotten a chance to binge-watch every show on Netflix, I did have time to catch up on quite a few series from 2018 while I anxiously wait for new episodes to return.  While some old favorites of mine didn’t quite make the cut with their new seasons, other new series pleasantly surprised me.  Netflix has done a good job of successfully providing me with the binge-watching we all crave once in a while with its lineup.  Who am I kidding…all the time! 

My top television shows streaming on Netflix for 2018 are:

5. 13 Reasons Why (season 2)

4. Orange Is the New Black (season 6)

3. Ozark (season 2)

2. The Haunting of Hill House

1. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

While I am a devoted fan to 13 Reasons Why and OITNB, I was absolutely loving Netflix’s addition of some horror television series this past year.  The Haunting of Hill House was not loved by all, but I thought that it combined the perfect amount of bone-chilling moments with heartwarming ones.  My absolute favorite series on Netflix for the past year has to go to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which was deliciously dark with just the right amount of Riverdale pop mixed in.  I was also impressed with Ozark season 2, which had me hooked even more than season 1!

Honorable mentions:

Daredevil (season 3)

Tidelands

While nothing will compare to season 1 of Daredevil for me, I was impressed with season 3.  While it was slow moving in the beginning, it really picked up steam halfway through and allowed us to finally explore Karen Page’s character further, while also introducing us to a formidable villain.  Tidelands is your new guilty pleasure.  Trust me.  Sure, it may be filled with unnecessary fluff, but it’s the perfect weekend escape if you are looking for something light, sexy, and fun!

Disappointments:

Jessica Jones (season 2)

Insatiable

I absolutely loved the first season of Jessica Jones and I was very disappointed with season 2.  The entire season was slow moving for me and I am not sure if I can continue watching for season 3, but I will try and give it a chance.  I was also so excited to watch Insatiable, especially because I am a huge Alyssa Milano fan, but I found that the plot was all over the place.  The show had the potential to become a new cult classic, but it almost seemed unsure of its direction.  I will give season 2 a chance, but I’m looking for something that actually captures the dark humor that I crave.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own comments and thoughts about your favorite television shows on Netflix from 2018.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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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!

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 out and 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 link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover

 

 

The 2018 Mid-Season TV Premieres I am most looking forward to: Bring on the new episodes!

Since I covered my favorite shows from 2017 for all networks in previous posts, I wanted to also explore the television premieres that have not yet aired yet.  The holidays are over and the New Year is quickly approaching, which will bring an end to re-runs and the return of new episodes from some of our favorite shows.  However, I am most looking forward to television shows that have not had an official premiere yet.  While some of these shows already have 2018 premiere dates announced, others are still giving out an “early 2018” vague response, as I desperately keep refreshing the internet to see when they will be returning.  Please note some spoilers are ahead if you have not caught up yet on previous seasons.  Without further delay, the 2018 Mid-season TV premieres I am most looking forward to in no particular order are:

The 100

The Affair

Homeland

Ash vs Evil Dead

Jessica Jones

The 100 ended on a major cliff-hanger last season and I am counting the days until I can see Clark and my other favorite characters from Sky Crew return.  Did “Praimfaya” destroy everything?  Who else has survived?  Will Clark and Bellamy finally get together or will we be forced to endure their unspoken tension between each other for another season?  The questions are endless and I need some serious answers as we move into the new season and this new future world.  Either way, I know that The 100 is up to the challenge and will provide fans with non-stop action and drama.

The Affair had me slightly confused on where it would go after the end of season 3.  While seasons 1 and 2 continued to unravel mysteries and kept audiences guessing who would end up with who, season 3 ended on a different note.  At the end of last season, Noah is left outside staring into his family’s house on Christmas.  They are all clearly happy and at peace and he gets back in the cab not knowing where to go next.  Does he go after Alison or somewhere completely new?  It is very open-ended, but I am looking forward to The Affair getting back to its roots.  Perhaps this means introducing some more new characters into the mix and saying goodbye to others, but the show still has a story left to tell and I’m ready for more.

Homeland is another show that left fans with a jam-packed finale, finally saying goodbye to a main character we have come to trust and rely on in previous seasons.  At the end of the season, Carrie had been shut out of the White House, which has us wondering what threats will she have to deal with next?  Will she be able to trust anyone?  What will happen to Saul?  The unanswered questions will soon be revealed, as the show is set to premiere in mid-February.

Ash vs Evil Dead is coming back in February as well.  After a long hiatus from season 2, I am looking forward to the return of “ashy slashy” and friends.  Our favorite characters were left celebrating in season 2 and it seems like life may return to normal, but we know that evil is lurking somewhere close.  Ash cannot put his chain-saw arm into retirement just yet.  What kind of demons will he face?  Will the gang be reunited?  While we are unsure of the threats and set-up, we know we can count on Ash for hilarious over-the-top humor and campy horror.

Jessica Jones is scheduled to return to Netflix in early March 2018 along with Jessica’s quick wit and jaded past.  After defeating her enemy, Kilgrave in season 1, will she be able to put her life back together again?  Is he truly gone and if so, who will she be facing in the upcoming season?  Will we find out more about her past and explore her super-powers further?  While I am not sure where we will be going in season 2, I am along for the ride.  Jessica Jones may not be a hero we typically think of in the spotlight, but her character is deep and complicated and she has a way of showing the bad guy who’s boss while remaining true to herself.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post the shows you are looking forward to premiering in 2018 in the comments below.  Happy viewing and the countdown to 2018 is here!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl