Tag: Jurnee Smollett

Spoiler-Free Review of “Lou” on Netflix: “Taken” style Thriller has some Intense Moments

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

“Turns out I’m not done yet…”

Lou premiered on Netflix on September 23rd 2022. Produced by J.J. Abrams, the action thriller film stars Allison Janney, Jurnee Smollett, and Logan Marshall-Green.  It runs for an hour and forty-seven minutes.

When a young girl is kidnapped during a storm, her mother teams up with her neighbor to track her down, who has a few secrets of her own.

Here is the trailer:

Lou has plenty of intense moments built in with a believable performance from Allison Janney, but does it do enough to earn a a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The simple moments are perfection!

This film definitely had a gender-swapping Taken feel with some sprinkles of Alone with its setting in the wilderness. The first half of this movie was so good! I was on the edge of my seat and that early fight scene was fantastic! The formula may have been used before, but it worked and was exactly what I was looking for.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Top-notch performances!

Allison Janney was seriously bad-ass in this movie! I’d now love to see a team-up with her and Liam Neeson because she might be able to give him a run for his money! Logan Marshall-Green is always fun to see as well and I thought all of the performances were well done.

The dog, Jax, was a scene stealer!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Over-complicates things with its reveal…

I didn’t hate the reveal, but I thought it took away from the gritty and simple formula that was working so well in this film. There was so much intensity early on and some of that faded away once things were out in the open. The pieces of the puzzle made sense and I was fine with the ending, but I guess I just wanted this film to embrace its early vibe and just go with it.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!!!

If you enjoy action thrillers, there’s plenty to like in this film. Allison Janney is incredible and there are enough suspenseful moments to keep you invested from start to finish.

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

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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!