Tag: Jordan Peele

Spoiler-Free Review of “Nope” in Theaters: Characters to Root for!

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

“It was fast…too fast…”

NOPE released in theaters on July 22nd 2022. The sci-fi horror film (written, directed, and produced by Jordan Peele) stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Brandon Perea, and Michael Wincott. It runs for approximately two hours and ten minutes.

OJ and his sister, Emerald are working on their family’s horse ranch when they encounter something mysterious in the sky.

Here is the trailer:

NOPE is eerie and entertaining filled with edge-of-your-seat moments and characters that are so incredible to watch on screen. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Best characters I have seen in a while!

I adored the brother/sister bond between OJ and Emerald. Kaluuya and Palmer were electric on screen. I was completely invested in what happened to them, which made this film that much more entertaining. Even though this is a sci-fi horror film, there is a lot of heart in it as well and the performances here were absolutely incredible.

Brandon Perea was so much fun as Angel and brought in some well placed humor.

Loved him!

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

A mystery that draws you in…

There was an unsettling and mysterious vibe throughout this film. It took a while to fully develop, but there were plenty of nail-biting moments sprinkled in. I was thoroughly satisfied with the ultimate reveal and I think the intensity continued to build up more and more, creating something truly immersive and spectacular to experience.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Takes a while to get going…

The first half of the film dragged a little for me. I was fine with the slow burn approach, but I personally enjoyed the second half a lot more. The pacing was a lot stronger. That being said, there were still plenty of incredible moments in the first half to enjoy.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

I’m in!!

An intense and entertaining watch worth your time!

I really enjoyed this film and I think it was unique and a lot of fun. Jordan Peele created something truly magical on screen once again!

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

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Lovecraft Country” on HBO: Jaw-Dropping Terror

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

“Stories are like people…you just try and cherish them and overlook their flaws but their flaws are still there…”

Lovecraft Country is a new series from executive producers Misha Green, Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams. The show premiered on August 16th 2020. It will feature 10 episodes, airing weekly (approximately 55-60 minutes in length). The show stars Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, and Courtney B. Vance.

Based on the novel by Matt Ruff, Lovecraft Country introduces us to Atticus Freeman, a former African-American soldier who is on a quest to find his missing father during the 1950’s. His uncle and former childhood friend agree to help him, as they encounter threats involving racism and the supernatural along the way.

Here is the trailer:

Lovecraft Country starts off with an out of this world opening that will immediately have you questioning reality. While the show brings us some frightening horror that will leave goosebumps on your flesh, the real terror is embedded within the racism and white supremacists, reminding us that monsters and evil can come in many forms.

But, has Lovecraft Country done enough to continue capturing our attention week after week? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Lovecraft Country HBO 1
Images courtesy of HBO

A talented cast with lots of potential.

The characters are intriguing, but we have a lot to learn about them. However, I can say that the performances are already beyond brilliant. I just hope that we get the character development we need because these three actors are so incredible and I want to continue watching them shine across the screen.

Lovecraft Country HBO 2
Images courtesy of HBO

The last thirty minutes of the pilot episode are beyond terrifying.

My attention may have been wavering throughout the setup of the episode. The pilot is actually quite long, but when I got to the last thirty minutes, it was like time stood still. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and there were some moments that actually truly frightened me. I definitely felt the J.J. Abrams vibe here, but it worked. More please! Although…I might have to watch with the lights on.

Lovecraft Country HBO 3
Images courtesy of HBO

Visually breathtaking.

The lighting and the colors used were just stunning. I also thoroughly enjoyed the soundtrack. It really helped transport me somewhere else without overdoing it.

The Cons:

Lovecraft Country HBO 4
Images courtesy of HBO

Slow moving at times.

It felt like there was a lot of setup throughout the episode, but almost for the wrong things. I wanted to know more about our main characters, but my attention began to trail off several times and this was a long episode.

I’m not really sure what this show wants to be.

While I knew that there would be several genres blending together in this show, I was a little lost at the end. There are elements of sci-fi, horror, and drama, but I’m not sure if the show has necessarily claimed its true identity just yet. However, I’m still invested enough and I would like to find out more.

So am I in or out?

Lovecraft Country HBO 5
Images courtesy of HBO

I’m in about 75 percent! The last thirty minutes changed my tune quite a bit. The show reveals a lot and really exposes the horror of Sundown towns and extreme racism. There is enough going on to give this show the potential to become something truly magnificent. However, I’m hoping that its wavering identity doesn’t get in the way because this talented cast deserves an entertaining story. Either way, I’m planning on watching the remaining episodes and I have high hopes.

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

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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!

**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!

Do you love horror series? Of course you do! Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon. It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals! 

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Twilight Zone” Reboot

“You’ll have to decide how much you are willing to give to the Twilight Zone” and I think this pretty much sums up my thoughts on the series so far.  Welcome to The Twilight Zone 2019 reboot, hosted by Jordan Peele.  The original Twilight Zone series ran from 1959-1964 with five seasons and 156 episodes.  The show was created by Rod Serling and it has been rebooted several times now as a 1983 film, a 1985 TV series, a 2002 TV series, and now with the latest addition in 2019.

The new series is airing on CBS All Access and you can currently watch the first two episodes as of April 1st 2019.  I did a free week subscription to check them out if you don’t already have CBS All Access. The season will feature 10 episodes. Starting April 11th, the episodes will air weekly (On Thursdays) from my understanding.  The show has a lot going on and it definitely tries to pay tribute to the original series, but I wasn’t really blown away by the plot for the first two episodes.  The episodes run about 55 minutes in length and I constantly found myself checking the time, as it felt like it was dragging.  I think that the episodes could have given us the same impact and mystery within 30-40 minutes.

The performances are believable and well done and we will get to see an amazing cast featured, which is definitely a positive.  I also thoroughly enjoyed Jordan Peele’s narration, as I found myself ready to embrace the Twilight Zone.  However, the story-lines for the first two episodes were somewhat predictable.  I invested myself into the mystery, but I quickly found myself guessing the outcome.  I appreciate that the show is trying to make its mark within our own society to stand out, but it failed to capture my undivided attention.  Both episodes were slow moving, but they did have some redeeming moments.  This was slightly underwhelming; however, as I typically make my determination of a show within 3 episodes.

From my understanding, the third episode (releasing April 11th) featuring Sanaa Lathan, is the best one so far and is actually really well done and unique.  I will definitely circle back and give this episode a chance, as I am a big fan of Sanaa and I would like to see her performance.  However, I’m wondering why the series did not lead with this episode if it is so outstanding?  I think that many viewers may tune out after watching the first two episodes, which really didn’t do much, especially since you need to continue with some kind of subscription to keep watching.

I appreciate that the show is trying to do something unique within our own society and time, but I found myself wanting to check out old episodes of The Twilight Zone instead.  Overall, I still think that you should give the show a chance to make your own determination and check out the first two episodes, which did have some redeeming qualities, but I’m not sure that the series will truly stand out on its own the way it was intended to.

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

**I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy dark fantasy, 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!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Feb 2019

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

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!

Do you love horror series?  Of course you do!  Please also check out 12 Nights of Horror Series Coming Soon.  It’s your home for everything you need to know about new and returning horror television series including new trailers, premiere dates, reviews, recaps, and renewals!