Spoiler-Free Review of “Loki” on Disney+: Mischief and Mayhem

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

“Guilty of being the god of mischief? Yes…”

Loki premiered on Disney+ on June 9th 2021. The series will feature six weekly episodes that air on Wednesdays. Each episode runs for approximately 40-50 minutes. The show stars Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

The series takes place after the events of Avengers: End Game, as the god of mischief embarks on a confusing adventure of his very own, as he tries to figure out his place in the world.

Here is the trailer:

Loki has the potential to reel its viewers back into the MCU while charming us with one of our favorite antiheroes, but does its confusing plot get in the way of pure greatness? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Tom Hiddleston is charming as ever.

Loki has always been one of my favorite characters and whether you love him or hate him, there’s an undeniable presence and charm to Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal. He is witty, devious, and beyond entertaining, and having a show completely dedicated to him seems like a brilliant idea to me.

I’m excited to see him really flourish in his own show and I have to say that Owen Wilson is doing a fantastic job of keeping up. I was worried that he might be a little bit too cheesy or over-the-top, but his dry humor is balancing nicely with Loki’s and they are both really fun to watch on screen.

More please!

The antihero can be redeemed.

If you haven’t watched all of the Avengers movies yet, you probably shouldn’t be watching Loki, but his moment of redemption was needed, but it also left me wanting more from our beloved character and we basically get a second chance to see Loki go on a real path toward self-discovery and purpose. There is a lot to this character and he isn’t just a trickster. He has a lot of layers and I am excited that we will finally be able to uncover his full potential in this series.

The Cons:

Muddled and confusing.

I’m not going to lie, I was really confused by the first episode. There is A LOT going on and the TVA is not making things easy for the viewers at home. The mystery is intriguing enough to keep me coming back for more, but I’m hoping we can get some concrete answers soon since we only have six episodes to explore.

I am giving the show a chance despite the confusing premise and pacing issues especially since I was equally confused with the beginning of WandaVision and that quickly became one of my favorite shows of the year.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

Tom Hiddleston is charming and entertaining enough to keep you coming back for more, but this show has some real potential. There is a lot going on and I hope that the pacing picks up with the coming episodes, but it has captured my attention and I am really interested to see Loki’s character develop even more.

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

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Things Heard & Seen” on Netflix: Amanda Seyfried challenges horror tropes

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

“What do you want?”

Things Heard & Seen is a horror thriller film that premiered on Netflix on April 29th 2021. The film stars Amanda Seyfried, James Norton, Rhea Seehorn, and Natalia Dyer. It runs for approximately 120 minutes.

Based on the novel, All Things Cease to Appear, the film centers around a couple who relocates to the Hudson Valley. Their house has a lot of history in it as a darkness emerges and secrets are revealed in their marriage.

Here is the trailer:

Things Heard & Seen has a lot of unsettling horror sprinkled throughout the film, but it does have a very familiar premise that may seem overdone. Does the film do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Amanda Seyfried puts forth a valiant effort.

I’m already a fan of hers, but I think she was born to be in horror films. There is just something really magnetic and believable about her. Throughout the film, her character deals with a lot of terrifying ordeals. Her marriage is not what it seems and the house she has just moved into clearly has something lurking in its walls and yet she still manages to think things through rationally which was really refreshing to see.

Moves away from tropes.

This film could have very easily fallen into many of the familiar tropes and plot devices we see in these types of horror thriller films and yet it decided to do thing differently which was really refreshing.

We didn’t have the typical jump scares and slow-moving walks through the dark. Rather, an unsettling terror built up as Amanda Seyfried’s character handled things as a normal person would in real life. She investigates different things in the house but in a smart and practical way.

When she discovers that some kind of spirit might be in her house, she looks into it without skipping a beat.

I also thought the ending was unique and I liked how the evil actions in her everyday life overshadowed the supernatural presence.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Slow pace.

This movie really didn’t need to be two hours long. I thought the pacing was really slow and it prevented this movie from reaching its full potential. It just felt like so much was dragging and I stopped paying attention during several scenes because I just wanted to figure out what was going on at the root cause.

Nothing truly extraordinary.

The film made an effort to do things differently. Its ending has a lot of meanings embedded in it and I think it had a great cast to work with even though I absolutely hated James Norton’s character.

We had glimmers of real potential throughout the film, but I’m not sure it reached its full potential and things took way too long to unfold in the end.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one.

I’m in for Amanda Seyfried, but I’m out on the overall slow and boring pace of this film. This watch was kind of frustrating because I thought that the film really did make an effort, but if it had gone a little bit further with some other tweaks, this film could have actually been really eerie and thought-provoking.

I loved the idea of women coming together to finally be heard and the focus on the horrors of the people who surround us rather than what we cannot see, but it failed to deliver in a lot of other areas.

I don’t think that you need to move this to the very top of your watch-list, but Amanda Seyfried’s performance is worth checking out if you don’t have much else to watch.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Things Heard & Seen 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 “Mare of Easttown” on HBO Max: Compelling new Mystery

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

Kate Winslet returns to the small screen!

Mare of Easttown premiered on HBO and HBO Max on April 18th 2021. The series is set to air seven weekly episodes. It stars Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Angourie Rice, Guy Pearce, and Evan Peters. Each episode runs for approximately 50-55 minutes.

Kate Winslet stars as Mare, a local small town basketball hero who now is a detective. A new case is thrown her way that connects to an unresolved mystery from her past, involving the daughter of one of her former teammates. As Mare attempts to deal with the harsh reality of her own life, she tries to put the pieces together to solve this mystery.

Here is the trailer:

Mare of Easttown presents us with a bleak view on life, but its intricate details and compelling plot draw us in to this new mystery as we attempt to discover the truth along with Kate Winslet’s character. Is the series worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Kate Winslet delivers.

I’m already a huge fan of Kate Winslet and she is one of my favorite actresses of all time. In just the pilot episode, she has managed to completely captivate the audience with her gritty portrayal of Mare.

Mare is far from perfect and she is dealing with a lot in her life, as we slowly start to unravel some of the tragedy that has taken place in her past.

I’ve seen a lot of shows featuring a small town detective immersed in a compelling mystery, but sometimes they can get lost in the midst of the plot.

That doesn’t happen here. Kate Winslet is so magnetic on screen and even in the quiet moments, you find yourself drawn to her, which makes this show that much more interesting in my opinion.

She is the one drawing us in and the mystery almost takes a back seat.

Incredible story-telling.

Every detail of this show is so well done. Even though there is this dark and depressing undertone, it doesn’t overwhelm the show. Every character and every moment shown to the audience is important in some way.

I often get bored with some of the set-up and fluff, but I didn’t feel that way here. I thought that everything was really interesting and when we finally got to the reveal at the end of the pilot episode, I was completely immersed into this show.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Slow burn approach.

This isn’t necessarily a con to me at all. I actually think that the slow burn approach works with this particular show because Kate Winslet is so strong and the other performances really hold up as well.

However, if you are looking for a fast paced action thriller, you won’t get that here. I think that the slow burn reveals are rewarding enough and I can’t wait to learn more, but prepare for a slower pace overall.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m in!

Mare of Easttown is gritty, compelling, and all consuming. It is already so interesting and intriguing with just the pilot episode and I can’t wait to find out more. Kate Winslet is incredible and I can already see an Emmy in her future…

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

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 “The Nevers” on HBO Max: Steampunk Buffy

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

“We’re meant to be as we are…”

The Nevers premiered on HBO and HBO Max on April 11th 2021. The series is set to air six weekly episodes for part one and then the remaining six episodes of part two will air at a later date. The series stars Laura Donnelly, Ann Skelly, Olivia Williams, and James Norton. Each episode runs for approximately 50-55 minutes.

The latest series created by Joss Whedon is set in Victorian times, following a group of women who are “touched” with special abilities. Our main characters run an orphanage and try and protect other women with these unique abilities from unknown threats in this fantasy steampunk-esque new world.

Here is the trailer:

The Nevers may seem extremely similar to Whedon’s other shows at first glance, but it does have a new unique setting to explore with a mysterious plot tangled in a tale of female empowerment. Does it do enough to stand out from its predecessors? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Leading ladies worth our time.

The dynamic duo of Amalia True and Penance Adair is a dream come true and these two won me over immediately. They have great chemistry together and will immediately give you some Buffy and Willow nostalgia.

Amalia is very much like Buffy in a lot of ways with her quick wit and fighting skills while Penance’s quirky humor and strengths involving technology scream Willow. While many critics see this as as a con, this formula works.

I did see the similarities which helped me connect with them as a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I am confident we will be able to peel back more layers of each character as the episodes air and hopefully we will get to see what truly makes both of these ladies tick and how their abilities work.

Either way, we’re off to a good start because if I don’t care about the characters, it’s hard to keep me invested.

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Fun fight scenes with flair.

I’m all for a well thought out fight scene and some clever puns and maybe that’s the Buffy fan in me, but it makes for some pretty entertaining television.

The fight scenes were really fun and I loved the costumes and setting. This show could have easily fallen into the trap of too much talking and fluff in Victorian times like The Irregulars, but there is already more action and humor embedded in to balance things in a better way.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of HBO Max

Villain rip-off.

I didn’t mind a lot of the similarities I saw during the show. I’m all for a show about female empowerment and the quirky friendship already felt authentic to me just from the pilot episode.

That being said, I thought the new villain, Maladie was a bad rip-off of Drusilla, who is one of the most iconic villains in television history for me. It just felt overdone and stale and I expected a lot more here.

Messy start and a bad rep.

There’s a lot going on in the opening episode which left me confused about a lot. We are introduced to a lot of characters and this show can easily lose focus if it isn’t careful. I think that as long as it focuses on the main characters and the mystery behind the “touched,” it will do enough each episode to keep us coming back for more.

I want to judge this show on pure entertainment value, but there are already a lot of unfavorable reviews and a lot of discussion involving Joss Whedon, who created the series. Even though he left the project and we will have a new showrunner for part 2, the show feels very much like a Whedon show.

Olivia Williams appeared in Dollhouse, Jane Espenson was a writer on Buffy, and the themes and characters follow a Whedon formula so it will be hard to separate him from it completely.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of HBO Max

I’m in!

There will certainly be a lot of talk about this show for a while, but I’m going to give it a chance because I think there is enough substance there. The characters are really likable and I kind of really dig the steampunk Victorian vibe.

The show started off a little bit messy and all over the place, but I think once it finds its groove and settles into its main plot, it can be pure magic. The ending of the pilot episode had me on the edge of my seat and I immediately wanted to watch the next episode.

I think that as long as you go into this show with an open mind, you will be entertained.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new 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 “Tell Me Your Secrets” on Prime Video: Lily Rabe puts forth a Valiant Effort

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

“It’s dangerous to be afraid…”

Tell Me Your Secrets premiered on Prime Video on February 19th 2021 with ten episodes available to stream now. The series stars Lily Rabe, Amy Brenneman, and Hamish Linklater. Each episode runs for approximately 50 minutes.

The series follows Karen/Emma, who was romantically involved with a serial killer. She is released from prison and goes into witness protection, but the mother of one of the victims is determined to get some answers about where her daughter is and resorts to working with a former criminal to do so.

Here is the trailer:

Tell Me Your Secrets has a talented cast while giving us vibes of Big Little Lies and The Undoing, but you have to wonder why TNT passed on the show a few years ago. The show has a lot of potential, but sometimes less is more. Does Tell Me Your Secrets do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Lily Rabe is brilliant.

I was already a fan of hers from American Horror Story, but she really is such a talented actress and I hope to see her in more and more. She really breathed so much life and depth into her character and she kept me coming back for more.

The rest of the cast is fantastic too although I think Amy Brenneman might have over-done it a little bit. Either way, I witnessed some incredible performances despite the lacking plot.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Too many sub-plots.

I understand that the show was attempting to link three characters together, but it felt like there were way too many plots going on and I didn’t have the energy to keep up. It’s actually really frustrating because I think that if this show had just focused on Lily Rabe’s character and her chance to start over, it might have been a lot more entertaining.

It just got over-complicated and the pacing really dragged for me.

Heavy and depressing.

I really enjoy mystery thrillers, but this particular one felt so dark and depressing. I just couldn’t get in the right frame of mind to watch it. Even the music was so strange and it didn’t do the show any favors.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Unfortunately I’m out on this one…

I really think that Lily Rabe did a great job and was probably the only saving grace of this show. There were some interesting things going on in the show, but my focus was split too much and I couldn’t connect to the other story-lines. If you are looking for a thought-provoking thriller, I recommend watching The Undoing instead.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Tell Me Your Secrets in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new 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 “Behind Her Eyes” on Netflix: What did I just watch?

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

“You can never know everything about a person…”

Behind Her Eyes premiered on Netflix on February 17th 2021 with six episodes available to stream now. The limited series stars Simona Brown, Eve Hewson, and Tom Bateman. Each episode runs for approximately 50 minutes.

Based on the book of the same name, the series follows a single mother named Louise who meets a handsome stranger at a bar. Later on, she discovers that he is actually her new boss and married. Louise ends up also befriending his wife as this love triangle thriller begins.

Here is the trailer:

Behind Her Eyes initially feels like a typical Lifetime-esque thriller, but it branches out into an unpredictable mystery with many twists and turns. However, is the final reveal worth the wait? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Sympathetic characters.

I’ve seen plenty of thrillers where the crazy woman gets obsessed with a girl or a guy and becomes completely unhinged throughout the movie. While I was initially expecting to get that here, I was surprised at how normal Louise was. Yes, she makes mistakes and continues to do so throughout the series, but you see that she is a good person and is just really lonely.

Adele has her own set of issues and we’re not really quite sure what to make of her just yet, but there is this magnetic quality to her.

Louise’s son, Adam, is my favorite character and actually brought us some warmth and humor along the way.

David is just…eye candy, but we wouldn’t really have a show without that, would we?

Images courtesy of Netflix

The suspense builds and those twists…

I couldn’t figure out what was going on in this show and I was initially confused by the trippy dream sequences and some of the connections, but the show did enough to build suspense in each episode to keep you coming back for more.

Netflix was advertising this thriller as having a major twist and they were right about that. I’m still not sure how I feel about either of the twists, but I will admit that they had me stumped and shocked so that’s something noteworthy.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Slow moving at first.

The first three episodes really dragged for me and the episodes felt super long. I stuck around because I was hoping that the reveals would pay off, but I hate it when it feels like a chore to watch something. Even the sex scenes were just kind of meh…

The acting also left something to be desired, but I kind of expected that.

Switching genres with no warning.

There will be no spoilers here, but I honestly thought the change in genre felt jarring and out of place. I’m sure that the book did a much better job of executing this, but I almost felt like I had changed the channel and started watching a different kind of show.

Yeah, there were major twists, which I appreciated, but I’m still not sure if I even liked them…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m 50/50 on this one…

I am honestly really torn on this show. I feel like I put in a lot of work to get to the reveals and when we got there, I had this moment where I literally said out loud: what did I just watch?

Yes, there are twists and if you are looking for something unexpected, you will get that here. The show kept me invested and once I got to episode four, the pacing was much better and held my interest.

But then after the weird reveal, we also got another reveal on top of that. Was it shocking?

Yes!

Did I like it?

I still don’t know and I think that is why I am so torn on this one. The show effectively created a conversation; however, and many fans are reacting to the ending, which is a good thing, but I just don’t know if I liked the show after putting in all that effort.

Is it worth a watch? I wouldn’t say you need to move this to the top of your list, but it does fulfill that Lifetime thriller guilty pleasure binge-watch while throwing you for a complete loop.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new 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 “Clarice” on CBS: The Silence is Over…kinda

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

“To be a survivor, you have to be a victim…”

Clarice premiered on CBS on February 11th 2021. Episodes will air weekly and are also available to stream on CBS All Access. The series stars Rebecca Breeds, Michael Cudlitz, Nick Sandow, and Kal Penn. Each episode runs for approximately 52 minutes.

The series takes place one year after the events that occurred in the iconic film, The Silence of the Lambs. We follow the untold story of Clarice, as she tries to piece her life back together again while taking on some new disturbing cases.

Here is the trailer:

Clarice has the potential to bring us back into this world while telling a unique story. However, it is difficult to find the perfect balance between the films and a new show. Hannibal was very effective at doing this, but can Clarice accomplish the same? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of CBS

Rebecca Breeds is fantastic as Clarice.

It’s not easy stepping into a role like this and Rebecca Breeds certainly has some big shoes to fill. I was already a fan of hers and remember her from Pretty Little Liars and The Originals. I think that she is doing enough to honor the original performance while branching out and creating a more layered identity.

There are a lot of familiar faces in this cast. We have TWD’s Michael Cudlitz, Orange Is the New Black’s Nick Sandow, and Houses’s Kal Penn, which should give us a good character dynamic.

Good balance between past and present events.

The flashbacks bring us back to the film, but they don’t overwhelm the show. It looks like we will be following a weekly case formula, which could be very effective with a show like this. I thought that the new mystery was disturbing enough and Clarice stepped into her new assignment well.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of CBS

Nothing truly unique going on here.

While I thought that the pacing worked well for the opening episode, this show can quickly become stale and forgettable. The problem with it airing on a network like this, is that it becomes lost in the shuffle of every other crime show. I have seen plenty of television series premieres based on films and eventually, they run out of steam.

I think that Clarice has to pick up the pace and do something really different to keep us invested or it could find its way on the cancellation chopping block…

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of CBS

I’m in about 75 percent…

This show was really not bad at all. I think that some critics are being a little hard on it. The pacing worked and I thought that the moody flashbacks were necessary to remind us about the actual premise of this show.

I really want to like this show because I like Rebecca Breeds and I think it has the potential to do well, but it needs to step away from the crime drama formula and give us a lot more. I’m invested for now, but that could quickly change if nothing too drastic happens. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we will get there!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new 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 “Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows” on Nickelodeon: Season Two of the Revival Is Off to a Spooky Start

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

“Once you’ve been cursed, the Shadowman will come for you…”

Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows premiered on Nickelodeon on February 12th 2021. There will be six episodes in total that will air weekly. The series stars Bryce Gheisar, Malia Baker, Beatrice Kitsos, and Dominic Mariche. Each episode runs for approximately 50 minutes.

Based on the original Are You Afraid of the Dark? series that aired in the 1990’s, this revival is now on its second season. Only we get a new cast, a new location, and an entirely new mystery. The Midnight Society is ready for the case when their leader goes missing, but they may have inherited a dangerous curse in the process.

Here is the trailer:

Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows lures us in right away with an intriguing mystery and a scary villain that may actually give you some nightmares. It seems like season two has effectively found its own voice while bringing us some welcomed nostalgia along the way. Does season two do enough to keep us coming back for more? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Nickelodeon

Jumps right into the mystery.

While I enjoyed season one of the revival, there was a lot of set-up and fluff centered around the new stranger joining the Midnight Society and what that actually was. Thankfully, we skip all of that in season two and get off to a quick and chilling start.

While I’m still warming up to the new Midnight Society, I think that this was a wise decision and this anthology approach could actually allow this show to branch out even further in the future.

Welcomed nostalgia.

Images courtesy of Nickelodeon

If you are a fan of the original series, then you will be pleased with season two’s efforts to pay the show some real tribute. The character of Sardo is back in the revival. While he is played by a different actor, this character is the owner of the Magic Mansion and his presence is livening up the show for sure.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Nickelodeon

Watered down scares.

I wouldn’t say that this is necessarily a con, but this is a kids horror show and some of the scares and effects are a little cheesy. That being said, I think that the kids horror genre doesn’t get enough credit sometimes. The Shadowman is genuinely scary and there were quite a few moments that had me on the edge of my seat.

If you are looking for something truly scary, you won’t get that here, but as long as you manage your expectations, you will be pleasantly surprised.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Nickelodeon

I’m in!

This show is a lot of fun and it presented us with a spooky mystery right away without too much set-up. I’m intrigued to find out more and I may be looking over my shoulder if the Shadowman appears…

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

My new 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 “Head Count” on Shudder: Beware the number Five

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

“A Hisji is a vengeful thing. Five times its name you never sing. With skin pale white and eyes of green. It’s something you’ve already seen…”

Head Count premiered on Shudder in February 2021, but the film was originally released back in 2018. The film stars Isaac Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, and Cooper Rowe. It is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

After visiting his brother out in Joshua Tree, California, Evan meets a group of friends who invite him over for some seemingly harmless fun, but all goes horribly wrong when they begin telling ghost stories around the fire and one becomes a disturbing reality, as they summon a paranormal presence unknowingly.

Here is the trailer:

Head Count leaves the jump scares behind and focuses more on a slow burn terror that latches on to you with intensity, but does its ambiguity get in the way? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Unsettling terror.

I think that this film really delivered with its slow burn approach. The pacing still worked and I was invested in what was going on the entire time. I thought that the fear really built up well and maintained suspense without revealing too much too soon.

Images courtesy of Shudder

Unique mystery.

I’ve seen plenty of films that involve a group of teens summoning an evil spirit by accident, but this film kept me guessing. I enjoyed the focus on numbers and the clues were well placed and chilling on their own.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Shudder

Forgettable characters.

There were a few glimmers here and there, but the majority of the characters were just kind of there for the ride. I didn’t really care about what happened to them and I wanted to feel connected to at least a few of them.

I thought that Camille and Evan were the best out of the bunch, but I just wanted some more layers presented to us.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Shudder

I’m in!

I thought that this movie really stood out and it kept me invested the entire time. The fear felt very real and unsettling. I thought that the ending was satisfying and even though it was left kind of ambiguous, that worked for me. Not everything was explained and I still have a lot of questions, but that means this film effectively created a conversation worth having.

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

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!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “1BR” on Netflix: Chilling and Disturbing

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

Sometimes when something seems too good to be true…it is.

1BR is a horror thriller film that released on Netflix on August 23rd 2020. The film is just over 90 minutes. It stars Nicole Brydon Bloom, Giles Matthey, Taylor Nichols, and Celeste Sully.

Sarah arrives in L.A., ready for a fresh start and is beyond excited to be selected for an apartment that seems to good to be true. She soon realizes that the over-friendly community may be hiding something, but once you move in, you can’t always move out…

Seriously, you can keep that security deposit…

Here is the trailer:

1BR cuts right to the chase, immersing us in a cult-like setting that will have you on the edge of your seat. As pieces of the puzzle unravel, Sarah must figure out where her loyalties truly lie, but the consequences of betrayal are beyond terrifying.

1BR keeps the terrifying thrills coming throughout the film, but is it truly worth a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

1BR Netflix 1 — Images courtesy of Netflix

We cut right to the chase.

There is a little setup in the beginning of the film as we are introduced to Sarah. We learn that she left her father to start over in L.A. and has a dream of becoming a costume designer while working as a temp in the meantime.

Sarah is a loner without any attachments, but that’s all we really know about her. Once she moves in to her new apartment, the weird occurrences and thrills are released, maintaining a fast pace throughout the film, which worked perfectly in my opinion.

1BR Netflix 2 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Extremely terrifying.

I was actually really frightened throughout this entire movie. There is this fear that cuts deep to your core when some unspeakable acts involve people. There’s nothing supernatural going on in this movie, which makes the terror that much more real.

Not predictable.

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I didn’t have everything figured out and the ending left me with even more questions, sparking up a conversation worth having. In that respect, it reminded me of films like Midsommar and Get Out. There is just a lot to talk about, which is a good thing.

The Cons:

1BR Netflix 3 — Images courtesy of Netflix

Not for sensitive viewers.

There is an advisory for gore and they are spot on. There were some scenes that were very difficult for me to watch. This is not necessarily a con, but I do want to put this warning out there.

So am I in or out?

1BR Netflix 4 — Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in 100 percent!

This movie was unique and disturbing without holding anything back. If you are looking for a terrifying thriller, you’re in the right place!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on 1BR in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

If you enjoyed 1BR, you may enjoy my horror thriller book, Dash and Seek. I’d love it if you would check it out in the link below! Thank you!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

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!