Tag: Open 24 Hours

Spoiler-Free Review of “Last Straw” on Demand: Has Its Ups and Downs

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

“You’re working the late shift…”

Last Straw released on Demand on September 20th 2024. The horror thriller film stars Jessica Belkin, Taylor Kowalski, Joji Valley Otani, and Jeremy Sisto. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty minutes.

Nancy is working the late shift by herself at her dad’s diner when a group of masked assailants show up and begin to terrorize her.

Here is the trailer:

Last Straw is similar to films like Open 24 Hours and Hunt Her, Kill Her, but it attempts to put a spin on the home invasion genre with its twist. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Shout! Studios

The music and the setting worked.

I kind of really dug the music. At first, it felt a little distracting, but then I thought it started to compliment the vibe of this film really well. I loved the setting as well. I love thrillers that are mostly set in one place, really making you think about the character’s surroundings and how they can use them to their advantage.

Jessica Belkin was good as Nancy. I wasn’t sure how I felt about her at first, but as the movie continued, I was rooting for her more and more. She had some bad-ass and brutal moments worth noting and was very creative in some of her survival tactics, which is something I always love to see.

Images courtesy of Shout! Studios

Throws a twist our way.

I like that this film tried to give us a different spin on the home invasion genre. I’m still not sure if the twist landed enough for me, but I do appreciate the effort. I usually prefer straightforward thrillers within this genre. Sometimes less is more, but I think this film went for it and tried to do something a little different to stand out, which is worth noting.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Shout! Studios

Over-complicates things…

I really wanted to love this movie, but it did go off the rails once the twist was introduced. It wasn’t bad by any means, but I think it wasted too much time on character back stories and explanation. I didn’t need to see things from all angles. I just needed to see this film through from beginning to end. The opening twenty minutes were super slow as well.

When I think back on it, there were only about thirty worthy minutes of this film. They were solid enough, but there was a lot of fluff to sift through, which was frustrating.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Shout! Studios

I’m 50/50 on this one…

Last Straw over-complicates things with its twist, but it does have a few brutal moments worth sticking around for.

I just wanted something more here, but it was decent enough for a quick movie of the week.

If you like this genre, I’d recommend watching Alone (2020), Open 24 Hours, and Hunt Her, Kill Her first.

I hope you enjoyed the review and please feel free to share your thoughts on Last Straw in the comments section!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, HER NIGHT FROM HELL HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN…

After working the night shift, Ashley becomes entangled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a local street gang, forcing her to come up with a plan to survive the night by turning the tables on them.

Ashley must fight for her life and take them out one by one if she wants to make it to morning…

My young adult revenge thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Make it Through the Night is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Night Shift” on Demand: Spine-tingling Haunted Hotel Flick Delivers

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

“I know it seems a little spooky here…”

Night Shift released in limited theaters and on Demand on March 8th 2024. The supernatural horror mystery film stars Phoebe Tonkin, Madison Hu, and Lamorne Morris. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-two minutes.

Gwen takes a job working the night shift at a remote hotel that she suspects may be haunted.

Here is the trailer:

Night Shift is a chilling version of The Shining meets Open 24 Hours with a worthy lead and an eerie premise. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Quiver Distribution

Genuinely scary!

I jumped quite a few times with this one and was impressed by the way it effectively created a lingering feeling of dread and terror with each scene. It was unsettling and really creepy! It’s been a while since a horror movie has actually frightened me and I thought this one did a great job of creating suspense in a single location.

Images courtesy of Quiver Distribution

Phoebe Tonkin is terrific!

I’m already a fan of hers from The Originals and have always thought that she would excel in horror movies and I was right! She dominated the screen and did an exceptional job with her portrayal, making this film believable and even more unsettling. I liked the other characters as well even though they didn’t get too much time to shine.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Quiver Distribution

Mixed feelings about the twist.

Sure, it was unpredictable and really out there, but I’m still not sure how I feel about it. It disrupted my watch slightly and changed the overall tone of the movie, but I appreciate this film taking a risk with it and thought it was entertaining enough. 

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Quiver Distribution

I’m in!!!

Night Shift is a chilling and satisfying treat for horror fans. It’s short, spooky, and it gave me nightmares in the best way possible!

I went into this one with lower expectations and was pleasantly surprised with the end result. 

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Night Shift 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 “Hunt Her, Kill Her” on Demand: Brutal and Bad-Ass!

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

“Ever worked in a place like this before?”

Hunt Her, Kill Her (formerly titled Night Shift) released on Demand on April 14th 2023. It previously had a limited theatrical release on March 3rd 2023. The horror-thriller film stars Natalie Terrazzino. It runs for approximately an hour and twenty-eight minutes.

Karen starts a new job as a night shift janitor, which quickly escalates into a fight for survival when several intruders break in.

Here is the trailer:

Hunt Her, Kill Her is a tense and violent thriller with a strong female lead and a simple formula that works. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Trauma One Entertainment

A terrifying premise that gets better and better with each scene!

I love when a simple thriller like this excels. It’s clear that this film had a lower budget and yet it used what it had and went for it without holding back. Wow! The setting and premise were really creepy, enhancing the overall tone of the film.

We didn’t get very much set-up and started off things rather quickly, never giving the audience a chance to come up for air. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and there were some moments that made my jaw drop in the best way possible.

Each scene built up so much intensity and there was a twist that made this film pop even more. In a lot of ways, this film reminded me of Open 24 Hours.

This was my type of thriller and then some!

Images courtesy of Trauma One Entertainment

A resourceful female lead to root for!

I love a strong Final Girl and when she can be ruthless and inventive with her kills, that makes me love her that much more. Terrazzino held her own and really dominated the screen. I was cheering for her the entire time and loved how bad-ass she was. Wow!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Trauma One Entertainment

I needed a few more details…

Don’t get me wrong, I love that we jumped right into things with minimal fluff and set-up, but I needed a little bit more to fill in some blanks. Once we got to the twist, I was scratching my head a little bit because I needed a touch more to truly appreciate everything. This wasn’t a major con, but I think it would have helped me connect to Karen even quicker if we got a few more layers earlier on.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Trauma One Entertainment

I’m in!!!

Hunt Her, Kill Her brings a night from hell to life with a fantastic performance by Natalie Terrazzino, keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

I’ve been anxiously waiting to watch this film and I was super bummed that it didn’t release in my local theater. I’m happy to report that this film exceeded my expectations! I absolutely loved it!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Hunt Her, Kill Her 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!