Spoiler-Free Review of “Don’t Breathe 2” in Theaters: A Worthy Sequel

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

“Now you’ll see what I see…”

Don’t Breathe 2 is the sequel to Sam Raimi’s Don’t Breathe, which came out in 2016. The sequel premiered in theaters on August 13th 2021. The film stars Stephen Lang, Madelyn Grace, Brendan Sexton III, and Stephanie Arcila. It runs for approximately an hour and forty minutes.

The original film was absolutely fantastic. It really nailed the suspense vibe while presenting the audience with some terrifying moments that had your heart beating right out of your chest. While the original film focused on the not so bad guys breaking in, the sequel presents us with a role reversal to switch things up.

Here is the trailer:

Don’t Breathe 2 has a lot to live up to and it’s difficult for a sequel to have the same impact with its audience since they know what to expect the second time around. Does Don’t Breathe 2 do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

The role reversal works!

If you were concerned about the role reversal in the sequel, you can rest assured that it translates very well. I had my doubts as well, but I knew it would be difficult for the sequel to capture the same suspenseful feel the second time around since we knew what Norman was capable of.

In a way, the films reminded me of the first two Purge movies. The first Purge movie worked because it was this creepy home invasion story and The Purge: Anarchy moved things out into the open to show us the chaos going on beyond the four walls of someone’s home.

Don’t Breathe 2 managed to follow this successful formula so that it didn’t become stale or overdone. The suspense is still there, but in a different way, which worked in the film’s favor.

Lots of brutal violence to go around.

This film doesn’t hold anything back. I thought that it successfully balanced moments of suspense with edge-of-your-seat action that allowed us to witness some very bloody kills and attacks along the way. It wasn’t overdone, but it was extremely effective in my opinion.

The Cons:

Mixed thoughts about our anti-hero.

I can’t ignore the fact that Norman is a murderer and a rapist, but yet we are supposed to root for him in this film. That being said, the sequel did a good job of helping us change our minds somewhat, even though it can’t really change the monster he used to be. The people he is up against are despicable human beings, he’s an animal lover, and we also have the young girl he is trying to protect, which tips the scale.

Whether you love him or hate him, you’ll find yourself rooting for him during key parts. He doesn’t hold anything back in this film and his skills are pretty extraordinary. Seriously, don’t mess with this guy!

I don’t think that the slate can be wiped clean for him, but I like a good anti-hero arc to change things up.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!

This movie was intense, brutal, and filled with edge-of-your-seat moments!

It was very entertaining and a solid sequel. It changed the tone of things quite a bit, but I thought it all worked well, allowing us to experience something new to keep us on our toes.

*There will be no spoilers in this review, but I recommend sticking around until after the ending credits.*

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Don’t Breathe 2 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 “The Forever Purge” in Theaters: Murder Ever After

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

“The Purge can no longer be contained…”

The Forever Purge is the fifth film in the popular franchise. It takes place after the events in The Purge: Election Year. The NFFA has re-instated the Purge once again, as we follow a new set of characters in Texas. The film stars Ana de la Reguera, Josh Lucas, Tenoch Huerta, Cassidy Freeman and Leven Rambin. It runs for 103 minutes.

It’s no secret that I absolutely love The Purge franchise. I recently re-watched the four prior movies and I adored the short-lived television series, which ran for two seasons. I appreciate that the Purge always tries to do something different in each of its installments.

In The Forever Purge, we are introduced to a couple who traveled from Mexico to the United States to find a better opportunity. It seems like things are going well for them until they experience their first Purge in America and all hell breaks loose as old rules are thrown out the window.

Here is the trailer:

The Forever Purge is rumored to be the last film in the franchise so the bar is set pretty high for this one. Does it deliver or does it pale in comparison to the other films? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Ana de la Reguera is bad-ass!

I love Frank Grillo as Leo Barnes in the Purge films so I needed someone like that to really kick some ass. I recently watched Ana de la Reguera in Army of the Dead, but she is the best part of The Forever Purge movie. The Purge may unleash the crazies, but you do not want to mess with her…

More please!

A new take on the Purge.

If you watched the trailers, then you know that this Purge is going to last well past Purge night. In the series, we explore the idea of life after the Purge and I appreciate that we always get something a little bit different in each film to prevent things from feeling stale and overdone.

In the first film, we focus on a home invasion, the second film brings us into the heart of the city, the third film explores true change, and the fourth film shows us the very start of the Purge.

In The Forever Purge, we learn what would happen if Purge night extends past that night. Chaos spreads quickly as the creation becomes completely untamed. I’m not sure that this is a fitting end for the franchise, but it was a different take on things. I also kind of really enjoyed the Western-Cowboy setting to change things up from the urban ones we are used to.

The Cons:

Don’t lose sight of what makes The Purge work…

The Purge is terrifying because it is something that could actually happen…

The world is a scary place and we witness horrible and unspeakable crimes every day. It wavers very close to reality and that’s what makes it frightening. We don’t need added jump scares. This just felt completely out of place. I also didn’t really like the day setting for the film because the terror unleashing at night had a more chilling impact in my opinion.

In addition, all of the Purge films are political in a lot of ways, but this film really pushed the envelope with that…

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

Overall, I thought this film delivered and was highly entertaining. It brought plenty of action and brutal moments and it kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. While there were some rough edges and inconsistencies, I thought this was a decent entry into the popular franchise and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Is this truly the end of The Purge franchise?

Well, it’s rumored to be, but I’m hopeful that The Purge will return and bring back my favorite character of the franchise. You never know…

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 5 Episode 1: “Climax”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 5 episode 1 season premiere, we were reminded how quickly life on Riverdale can turn into a Jamie Lee Curtis movie…

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In last night’s episode, “Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax,” everyone gets ready to attend the prom, but is this the end for some of our favorite couples? Meanwhile, the videotape killers continue to wreak havoc while Betty and Jughead try to get to the bottom of everything.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 5 episode 1 are:

“I’m beating it.”

I think it’s worth mentioning that Hiram Lodge is now suddenly getting better because he is beating up everyone in town. Veronica calls the doctors to confirm, but we know it’s only a matter of time before Hiram sinks his teeth into some other dark scandal.

“So you’re my competition.”

After the cancellation of Katy Keene, we knew we would be seeing some of the characters from that spin-off show pop up in Riverdale and K.O. Kelly is the first one. Veronica suggests that they have an exhibition boxing match so that Archie can prove his worth to the navy scout.

Images courtesy of The CW

Archie really puts up a fight and he may have actually been the winner in my book, but K.O. takes the victory and Archie has a fit, saying he won’t apply in the future.

I think Archie needs to find his true calling before he spins out of control…

“This one’s for you Archiekins.”

Poor Veronica. After finding a song that Archie wrote, he throws it in the trash and tells her that it is no good, but of course we know that she is going to get up on stage and perform the song that he actually wrote for Betty to make things extremely awkward for everyone.

Images courtesy of The CW

Betty and Archie exchange a few glances and ultimately, Archie breaks up with Veronica at prom. He tells her about the kiss, but they decide not to tell Jughead, but it looks like Varchie will be heading in different directions after graduation.

I have a feeling that Hiram is going to take away that “deputy mayor” offer pretty quickly…watch out, Archie!

While I’m sad about this break-up, I think that Archie really needs to find out who he is without someone. Maybe he needs another spiritual road-trip or something…

“Was there ever any doubt?”

Varchie is not the only couple to have some major obstacles to get through during prom. We start off with some cute and hilarious moments with Choni, as they petition to be co-queens of prom.

They have my vote for sure!

Later on, Cheryl asks about meeting Toni’s grandmother and is upset to find out that she has to pretend that she is not her girlfriend. Cheryl takes things into her own hands and goes to see Toni’s grandmother, which leads to more drama.

We find out that Toni’s grandmother doesn’t want her dating Cheryl because she is a Blossom and they have wronged their family for too many years.

Images courtesy of The CW

Toni is able to show up to prom with Cheryl and we watch them become prom queens, but the moment is short-lived.

Toni tells Cheryl to give her some time, but Cheryl broke my heart when she was crying in Nana Rose’s lap, explaining that she is destined to be alone.

I really hope that Cheryl and Toni find a way back together, but if I’m being honest, they needed this. There hasn’t really been a lot going on in their relationship lately and perhaps this will allow them both to grow as characters and I’m hoping that they can find a way back to each other.

All hail, Choni!

“To surviving this town…”

While all this drama is going on, we also get Betty and Jughead teaming up to bring down the videotape killer or killers. They even go to visit Bret in jail to get some intel and are told to make a snuff movie, allowing us to witness Cheryl and Reggie show off some of their acting skills. Loved the wig, Cheryl!

Images courtesy of The CW

David at Blue Velvet Video knows that it is a fake, but Betty turns over the tape of her father when he was a young boy and says he is the Black Hood. They get the invite they have been looking for and end up crossing paths with Jellybean (what?) while trying to figure out who the director behind the curtain is.

During prom, the music is cut short and we witness another film where masked strangers are murdering Dave, proving it is not him. I have to say that these killers have been giving me some Purge vibes and I want to know more.

Archie gets a video at his doorstep and it looks like this is going to unlock even more rage inside of him so we’ll have to see how this plays out.

Overall, the season 5 premiere felt slightly chaotic and all over the place. I realize this episode was actually supposed to be part of season 4 before shooting was put on hold because of the pandemic, but I’m feeling a little overwhelmed and I’m hoping we can put some of the drama aside and focus on the mystery at hand.

I did love seeing everyone dressed up for prom and Betty’s dress was my favorite! But, do you think Jughead could have taken off his hat just this once?

Stay tuned, Riverdale fans!

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

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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Ranking “The Purge” movies from Best to Worst

“Commencing at the siren, any and all crime, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours…”

Since The Forever Purge is premiering this weekend, I thought it would be the perfect time to go back and binge-watch all of The Purge films. I’m a huge fan of the franchise and I also absolutely loved the television series. I’m still disappointed that it was canceled, but I’m looking forward to seeing The Forever Purge.

There’s just something about these films. They are highly entertaining and addicting! The masks are creepy, the death scenes are cringe-worthy, and the characters truly make you want to root for them. Each film reveals another aspect of Purge Night, which prevents these movies from feeling repetitive while still keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Please note some spoilers are ahead.

Without any further delay, let’s find out exactly how I ranked The Purge films and why.

1

The Purge: Anarchy

The sequel is rarely better than the original movie, but I absolutely adore the second film in the franchise and it is my absolute favorite one. Released in 2014, The Purge: Anarchy stars Frank Grillo, Carmen Ejogo, Kiele Sanchez, and Zoë Soul.

While the first movie focused on a home invasion, the second film gives us a chance to see Purge Night on the streets. We follow Frank Grillo’s character, Leo, who is the ultimate bad-ass of this franchise. Leo is looking to Purge after losing his son, but he runs into a group of strangers and decides to intervene to help save them.

Standout Purger:

Who can forget the Purger in the creepy God mask? The wave really seals the deal and makes you want to run for your life. I absolutely love that the mask later appeared in The Purge series (season 2), giving us a fun Easter Egg and a bit of an origin story.

2

The Purge

The original Purge film really came out of nowhere. It was a lower budget film and it ended up being very successful. Released in 2013, The Purge stars Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Edwin Hodge, and Adelaide Kane.

Hawke’s character, James, designed the security system for their home, as he stays in with his family on Purge Night, confident that they will be safe. However, things take a drastic turn when his son lets a bloody stranger into their home to save him, which angers some local Purgers.

The original film has a completely different feel from the other films. We focus on one individual family and their fight for survival. The film is chilling and extremely entertaining and we really connect with this family.

Standout Purger:

The Purge 1 2 — Images courtesy of Blumhouse

The leader of this group of twisted Purgers is quite sinister. He even takes off his mask and tries to reason with James and his family. However, once he doesn’t get what he wants, he proves to be quite ruthless and a worthy opponent.

3

The Purge: Election Year

The Purge 3 — Images courtesy of Blumhouse

In the third film, we finally take some time to look into the mysterious NFFA and their ties with the government. Released in 2016, The Purge: Election Year stars Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mykelti Williamson, and Betty Gabriel.

Once again, the amazing Leo is back and better than ever. He has somehow landed a job as the head of security for Senator Charlie Roan, giving us even more bad-ass fight scenes. Seriously, he’s unstoppable. Senator Charlie Roan is running for presidency and wants to put an end to Purge Night, but the loyal followers of the NFFA refuse to give up without a fight.

After an assassination attempt is made on Charlie’s life, she and Leo end up on the streets and run into some characters who try to help protect her, recognizing what is at stake. The third film has quite a lot of action, but there is a lot going on and it gets carried away at some points.

Standout Purger:

The Purge 3 1 — Images courtesy of Blumhouse

Who could forget the candy girls? I mean, it seems like a stretch for someone to Purge over a candy bar, but these girls are ready to seek out revenge on Joe’s deli and they show up dressed to the nines in a car covered in twinkling lights. Talk about making an entrance…

Fun fact: Elizabeth Mitchell starred in my favorite show, Lost, and the infamous Apollo Bar is the candy bar in question. Gotta love a great Easter Egg!

4

The First Purge

The annual Purge had to start somewhere, right? The First Purge is a prequel to the franchise, allowing us to witness the first actual Purge that took place. Released in 2018, the film stars Y’lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, and Marisa Tomei.

The prequel focuses on an experiment in Staten Island. Residents are offered $5000 to stay home on Purge Night and others are given incentive to actually participate. After the dismal results, The NFFA decides to send in some guns for hire to make it appear that Purge Night is more successful than it actually is, as a group of characters fight for survival throuhgout the night.

The film has a lot of set-up, which gives it a much slower feel. However, the main action sequence toward the end of the movie featuring a raid on the apartment is extremely well done and may be my favorite scene of the entire franchise.

Standout Purger:

They really nailed the creepy vibe and then some with Skeletor. He is the first official Purger in history and let’s just say that he is having the time of his life…

So, what’s next for The Purge? Well, the television series has been canceled, but I highly recommend that you watch it. It was a lot of fun! The Forever Purge is supposed to take place after Election Year, so hopefully it will bring something new to the table. I’ve heard rumors that this may not be the last Purge film after all and I’m hopefully that a certain vigilante named Leo Barnes returns!

Stay tuned for my review of The Forever Purge! (in theaters July 2nd 2021)

Where to watch The Purge films: As of July 2021, films 1-2 can be streamed on Peacock. Films 3-4 can be watched on FXM or on Hulu with live TV. The Purge television series can be watched on Peacock and Hulu.

Which films did YOU enjoy most?

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Purge films in the comments section below. Thank you 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! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Ranking my Top 10 Television Shows of 2019: Which Shows Made The Cut?

Greetings TV Fans! I hope you all had an amazing holiday and I wish you all the best for the upcoming New Year! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2020, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 10 TV Shows of 2019.

While some returning shows continued strong, others fell off slightly. Meanwhile, some other new shows completely captivated my attention, paving their way into my top 10.

**Please note some spoilers are ahead.**

Without any further delay, let’s get to my list!

My Top 10 Television Shows of 2019 are:

10

American Horror Story: 1984

AHS 1984 FX 1 — Image courtesy of FX Network

Who doesn’t love the 80’s? The first half of the newest season of AHS was so much fun. The music was to die for and it really gave us this campy comedy horror vibe that also presented us with some fun throwbacks to horror movies we all know and love.

Emma Roberts did a fantastic job leading the cast and we got plenty of twists and turns along the way. While the second half of the season fell off for me, I still was entertained, rooting for my Final Girls to kick some ass!

9

The Punisher (Season 2)

The Punisher Netflix 1 — Image courtesy of Netflix

So I am a huge Jon Bernthal fan and I really think that he plays this role to perfection. Bernthal is always a little rough around the edges, but that’s part of his charm and he is so believable as Frank Castle. I absolutely loved the first season of the show and while I anticipated that this show would be canceled after season 2, I knew that it would provide us with a lot of action and it did!

8

The Purge (Season 2)

The Purge USA 1 — Image courtesy of USA Network

Last year, The Purge (season 1) was my absolute favorite show of the year. I am a huge fan of the movies and I didn’t go into the series with very high expectations, but it was bloody fantastic! It’s hard to live up to something so spectacular and while season 2 fell slightly short for me, it still was such an entertaining watch.

The new characters were great and I loved the inside look into the NFFA. Fans got a chance to see a world outside of Purge Night, which was so interesting. They presented us with so many new layers, while sprinkling in some super fun cameos and Easter eggs too!

7

Riverdale (Season 3)

Riverdale CW 1 — Image courtesy of The CW

Riverdale is definitely one of my favorite shows, but after all of the Black Hood dark twists in season 2, season 3 got a little bit weird. We entered the world of Gryphons and Gargoyles and learned about The Farm, which was really bizarre and confusing, but there were still so many moments that kept this show going strong for me.

The Midnight Club flashback episode was fantastic and Cheryl Blossom was pretty much born to star in the Heathers musical episode, reminding me why I love this show so much!

6

The Walking Dead (Season 10)

I have been watching TWD since it first started and I loved the earlier seasons so much. The show fell off for me along the way and I often felt like I was watching out of obligation. However, the second half of season 9 and the beginning of season 10 made me a true fan once again.

The Whisperers are fantastic villains and we are finally getting some screen time for some of our favorite characters. I mean, who doesn’t love seeing Daryl and Carol making friendship bracelets for one another? Keep it up, TWD!

5

Unbelievable

Not the typical type of show that I usually watch, but I heard really great things about this show and decided to give it a try. There were some parts that were difficult to watch, but the performances were so real and inspiring. I could not stop watching this show and I thought it was so thought-provoking and important.

4

Killing Eve (Season 2)

Killing Eve AMC 1 — Image courtesy of AMC/BBC

While season 1 allowed us to really focus on Eve’s quest to take down Villanelle, we got to really know Villanelle in season 2. Jodie Comer’s performance was beyond fantastic and I was so excited for her Emmy win! The dynamic between Eve and Villanelle took some unexpected turns in season 2 and we were left with a major cliffhanger at the end of the season, but this show is so addicting and I can’t get enough! More please!

3

Stranger Things (Season 3)

Stranger Things Netflix 1 — Image courtesy of Netflix

I am a huge fan of Stranger Things, but I was slightly underwhelmed by season 2. However, season 3 came back with a bang, giving us so many fun 80’s moments. Some of our favorite characters truly got to shine and we also got some fantastic new characters that I welcomed with open arms. I think season 3 may be my favorite now, but I was so entertained by the watch and I can’t wait to see how it all ends!

2

Game of Thrones (Season 8)

I thought that GOT would pretty much be a given as my favorite show of the year, but the final season took some interesting twists that I’m still debating over. That being said, the performances were brilliant, the action was intense, and we also got some heart-warming moments in the midst of the heartbreaking ones.

I loved seeing Arya’s “Not Today” moment and Jon Snow’s reunion with Ghost was very special for me. This show will always be one of my all time favorites and overall, I was thoroughly entertained.

Drum roll please…

1

The Witcher

This show was such an unexpected and pleasant surprise. Even though the show started off a little slow, it kicked things up a notch and quickly became my favorite show of the year! The characters and performances were beyond fantastic. The action was out of this world and the dark magic was so intriguing.

This show was fast-paced, fun, and addicting. I never thought that I would even like this show and it somehow blew all of the other shows out of the water for me. Cheers to The Witcher!

The Witcher Netflix 2 — Image courtesy of Netflix

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments about your favorite television shows of 2019. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

**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!

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My performance of the week ending 12/21/19 on TV goes to…

Paola Nuñez as Esme Carmona on USA Network’s The Purge season two.

The Purge season one was such a welcomed surprise last year and I wasn’t sure that a new group of characters would be able to live up to it, but Esme Carmona gave me someone to truly root for. Paola Nuñez’s performance was inspiring, heartfelt, and powerful.

**Please note major spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up on the series.

As soon as season two began, Esme immediately became my favorite character. I thought it was so interesting that she worked for the NFFA, but had a moral compass. The more secrets Esme uncovered, the more she was in danger, but her quest for the truth was truly inspiring.

We have seen members of the Resistance in the previous movies and season, but Esme’s transformation and discoveries as a part of the NFFA were truly unique, showing us just how corrupt the system was. Esme could have easily stayed quiet, knowing full well what the NFFA was capable of, but she continued to take huge risks to get justice for those who were wronged by the system, including Professor Adams, who was very near and dear to her heart.

Once we glimpsed into Esme’s past, I was even more intrigued by her character. Esme did not always follow the rules, but she fought for what she believed in and family and friendship were so important to her. Esme’s dynamic with her sister was heartbreaking, which made the scene with her father that much more compelling and understandable.

During the season, I was really hoping that Esme would team up with Ryan and she did, which helped develop her character even more. As Ryan and her grew closer, we got to see a softer side of Esme, making her even more likable. Not too many characters tend to survive on Purge Night so I didn’t want to get my hopes up about these two, but I thought this gave Esme’s character even more layers and it made the season finale that much more shocking.

What’s next for Esme? Well, not much if you watched the season finale, but that doesn’t mean that her actions were done in vain, as they actually inspired a Resistance movement. Esme’s face was the symbol of this movement, as her friends refused to let society forget about who she was and what she stood for.

Nuñez was able to channel so much strength into Esme’s character. I was captivated by her every single time she was on screen and I truly believed in her cause. The quest toward truth and redemption is never an easy one, but Esme Carmona’s courage reminded us that our lives depend on it and we should keep fighting for answers one day at a time.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

The Dreaming of Wonderland Book Series is available here!

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Purge” season 2 episode 10: “The Purge Doesn’t Work”

Happy Wednesday TV fans! After watching USA network’s The Purge season 2 episode 10 season finale last night, we were reminded that “the truth is the only thing more powerful than this regime, so demand the truth no matter the cost…your lives depend on it.”

Please note MAJOR spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “7:01 AM,” Esme attempts to tell the public the truth, but the NFFA is not going to let her make this broadcast without putting up a fight. Meanwhile, Ben and Marcus face off, Ryan’s group is ready to blow things up, and Michelle’s life hangs in the balance.

My top 5 moments from The Purge season 2 episode 10 Season Finale are:

“There is no way in hell that I’m gonna let you die.”

Marcus is not questioning things any longer and it looks like he has finally found his true purpose at the Triage center. Michelle is not doing so great, but Marcus is able to save her life. It looks like Michelle was actually trying to make things right after all and I have to say that I’m perfectly fine with that.

Marcus deserves a chance at real happiness and it looks like he and Michelle will continue to work with the Resistance to help others in need.

Will we get to see Marcus in any future Purge movies as a result? We know that the Triage center always plays a major part and I would love to see more from his character.

“Don’t tell me this was all for nothing.”

Meanwhile, Esme breaks into the NFFA command center and is trying to release the footage from Olivia Hughes’s murder off Purge, but she can only send the file to the broadcast room, which really doesn’t leave her a lot of options.

Vivian meets up with her in the stairwell and agrees to grant her access into the room, but of course their boss, Curtis, breaks up the party. Curtis initially seems like he believes Esme, but ends up shooting at her and poor Vivian is shot instead.

Luckily, we find out at the end of the episode that Vivian is actually all right and is now working for the Resistance.

Go V!

“You’re trying to play God, but you’re not God. I AM!”

OK psycho Ben, you need to calm down. Ben wakes up in the Triage center after Marcus brought him there to help him and he decides to return the favor by brutally murdering a bunch of doctors with a scalpel, claiming that they are robbing Purgers of their rightful kills.

Marcus ends up facing off with Ben and is able to stop him, but he doesn’t kill him. Rather, he leaves him outside and says that the Purge will take care of him, but Ben somehow makes it out of there OK and is now left being creepy as ever with his God mask.

I guess if there is a Resistance, there still has to be a group dedicated to the Purge and it doesn’t look like Ben is going to stop the violence anytime soon.

“You see, it is a lie.”

After Ryan and his crew are able to blow things up and successfully steal their score from the Jackals, things are looking up for them, as they decide to head down to Panama to start new lives. Only Ryan cannot leave Esme behind and decides to go after her.

Ryan tells Esme that he is where he’s supposed to be and plans on stalling the NFFA to give Esme enough time to broadcast her message, hoping that they will be forced to arrest Esme rather than kill her.

Ryan shows off some impressive shooting skills while Esme is able to successfully broadcast her message. She explains that the Purge doesn’t work and goes into detail about Professor Adams and her study, revealing footage of the NFFA breaking into Olivia’s house off Purge.

Ryan is eventually killed and the NFFA comes face-to-face with Esme, but it is now after 7:00 AM and yet they still get the call to take her out.

Esme is shockingly killed and the NFFA claims that her broadcast was “fake news,” but Esme’s actions are not in vain.

“Our country deserves better.”

At the end of the episode, we learn that Darren is leading the Resistance movement, which features an image of Esme in the background, trying to tell the truth while fighting against the NFFA. Vivian and Turner are also working for the Resistance, giving Turner a chance to really become someone worthy.

Marcus and Michelle are there as well and Ryan’s group ends up wiring his share of the money to the movement so that they can really make a difference, uniting our characters together. Well, I guess except for psycho Ben, who seems to do better on his own.

Overall, this was a jam-packed season finale with so many twists and surprises. I loved the fun cameo from Ethan Hawke in the beginning and I have to say that the season finale presented me with some twists that I did not see coming.

I hope this paves the way for a season 3 because I’m certainly not done with The Purge series just yet!

Stay tuned!

What did YOU think of the season 2 finale? Did you predict who would survive?

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Purge” season 2 episode 9: “It’s Time to Celebrate”

Happy Wednesday TV fans! After watching USA network’s The Purge season 2 episode 9, Ms. Lorelai’s Corner for kids taught us that “The Purge gives your mommies and daddies the freedom to accomplish things they never thought possible.” You know, like murder…

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “Hail Mary,” Purge Night is officially here, as our main characters are all tested. Meanwhile, Ben gets a wake-up call, Marcus tries to fight fire with peace, and Esme winds up in a dangerous situation.

My top 5 moments from The Purge season 2 episode 9 are:

“He won’t stop until you’re dead.”

Clint and the neighborhood watch are out for revenge, surrounding Marcus’s house. Their plan is to smoke Marcus out, but he refuses to fight fire with fire, recognizing that he would become just like them. Marcus explains that there has to be another way, but can one really reason with someone on Purge Night?

“I’m trying to give you a gift.”

We learn that Ben has had the urge to Purge since he was little, enjoying Ms. Lorelai’s Corner a little too much, while taking his anger out on his action figures. Glad to see that the NFFA is shaping the youth of America so well.

Ben tells Turner that he wants to give him a gift and says that he has to Purge Scotty or he will kill him. Turner has been a coward throughout the entire season and he doesn’t stand up to Ben here either, finally giving in to the pressure to survive.

After going out to enjoy the festivities of Purge Night, Ben finally gets a reality check when he is surrounded by a group of Purgers wearing God masks. Ben tries to tell them that he’s on their team, but they are out for blood and he better start running…

“I need to turn you into a ghost.”

Esme continues her plan to shut down the NFFA headquarters, working with the resistance member she met with before. Esme needs to be turned into a ghost so that the NFFA cannot hunt her down, but things go horribly wrong when the van crashes, leaving Esme right in the middle of the city on Purge Night.

The bounty is quite the incentive, as Purgers start to recognize Esme, so she better make a run for it. Let’s hope she can make it out of this alive, but it will not be easy.

You can do this, girl!

“Let’s go be thieves.”

Ryan and his group continue with their plan to break Tommy out, as Tommy and several other inmates are volunteered as tribute for an annual Purge Hunt for rich people. Ryan pays his way in, but things get tricky when they find out that they will all be using weapons that their ancestors used.

Oh and don’t forget, there will be trophies this year!

Ryan is able to save Tommy and the others, but he ends up in a dangerous situation of his own. Luckily, the group is able to find him and save him before he is buried alive, but will they be able to pull off the rest of their heist now that Tommy is back in action?

I can’t wait to find out!

“You want to Purge me…Purge me!”

You tell them, Marcus! Marcus’s strategy seems to be working at first, as Sam suddenly realizes that he doesn’t have the stomach for the Purge after all. Marcus and Michelle save him and trade him for Clint, but Marcus tells Clint that he just wants to talk things out.

At first, Clint seems to be willing to compromise, understanding that the Purge will not bring his wife back, but he decides to stab poor Michelle in the neck anyway, trying to take her away from Marcus to even the score.

The rest of the group let Marcus go; now realizing that perhaps this wasn’t the best idea, but Michelle’s life is in immediate danger.

Marcus is trying to get Michelle to the Triage since the hospitals are closed, but of course things get more than interesting when they pick up Ben after almost running him down.

As we approach the season finale, there are a lot of players in place, but we’ll have to see how this all ends.

I am super excited for the cameo from Ethan Hawke in next week’s episode as well, bringing us right back to the original movie that started it all!

The Purge USA Network — Images courtesy of USA Network

Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Purge” season 2 episode 8: Candy Girls Just Want To Have Fun

Happy Wednesday TV fans! After watching USA network’s The Purge season 2 episode 8 last night, I realized that a girl’s gotta look her best for Purge Night. The right tutu, the right accessories, and of course the right weapons to really give you a killer look!

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “Before the Sirens,” we approach Purge Night, as Ryan and Esme begin to execute their plan to make things right. Meanwhile, Ben embraces his inner psycho and Marcus and Michelle get some last minute visitors before the annual Purge begins.

My top 5 moments from The Purge season 2 episode 8 are:

“We gotta get through the night.”

Easier said than done, especially when we see how many citizens are getting ready to release their inner Purge. I absolutely loved the opening sequence and thought it was a really fun Easter egg, bringing us back to the “Candy Girls” from The Purge: Election Year. I mean, she just wants her candy bar…

It seems like a lot of kids are inspired by The Campus Killer as well, wearing his God mask with pride, but the NFFA wants to be careful about promoting “off Purge violence.”

Either way, this should be a fun night filled with killer festivities, but I’m anxious to see how our main characters handle the pressure!

“No matter what happens tonight, I gotta keep you safe.”

Kind words from Marcus to his son, Darren, right before he breaks his arm. Marcus explains that the only way to keep his son safe from the NFFA is to get him into the hospital with a real injury. Hospitals are off limits during Purge Night, but we know that the NFFA is used to cutting corners to eliminate any threats to their vision and operation.

Marcus seems to have gotten over the shock and revelation from last week’s episode and is now ready to stand up to everyone, realizing that they will never stop until he does.

Go Marcus!

“So if this is our last meal, we should clear the air.”

Marcus and Michelle take a quick moment to have one last meal together, as Michelle prepares Marcus a sushi dinner to bring them back to their first date. Marcus and Michelle seem to be getting along quite well now, but did anyone else wonder if Michelle might have just poisoned Marcus?

I guess I’ve never really trusted her from the start even though I want to! But there’s always another twist…

Marcus’s ex-wife shows up at the door, claiming that she wants to help out on this Purge Night and Marcus seems to appreciate the gesture, but is surprised when he notices that the hit on him has been taken down.

Only things aren’t that simple, as we realize that the neighbors want to Purge Marcus themselves, so this should be interesting.

“I don’t think he’s sad anymore…”

No, it seems like Ben has embraced full on psycho mode, as he shaves his head and rocks out to death metal music to prepare for Purge Night. This is Ben’s night, but his fraternity brothers start to realize that perhaps Ben is acting a little bit too strange.

Did it really take you guys this long to notice this?

Turner leads the group and reminds them not to let Ben back in the house…only Ben’s already inside and decides to take his rage out on his fraternity brothers, leading to a deadly game of Beer Pong that may make you think twice about drinking on campus…

It looks like Ben has bigger plans for the cowardly Turner, so we will have to see how this goes, but I think it’s safe to say that Ben has completely stepped over to the dark side now.

“Let’s go get our boy!”

Ryan and Esme continue to be adorable together, but it looks like Esme is hiding her ultimate plan from Ryan. Esme understands that she is putting everything on the line to take down the NFFA and it’s clear that she doesn’t want Ryan to get caught in the crossfire, but she’s going to need some serious backup, even though I love my girl Vivian!

Ryan’s double cross with the Jackals works like a charm and the corrupt captain is killed after they jam the plane signal too early, so it looks like his plan is working. But now they need to break out Tommy, so we’ll have to see how this goes.

And as for Esme, well she needs to worry about this $500,000 bounty on her head. Watch out girl! The NFFA is coming for you!

It looks like our last two episodes of the season will focus completely on Purge Night, so our main characters will need to pull out all the stops if they want to survive.

Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Purge” season 2 episode 7: “You Cannot Trust Anyone”

Happy Wednesday TV fans! After watching USA network’s The Purge season 2 episode 7 last night, Ben reminded us that “you’re always going to be afraid until you see it for yourself,” but I’m not sure that applies to every situation…

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.

In last night’s episode, “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” Kelen tries to make a run for it, but Ben has other plans for their romantic weekend away. Meanwhile, Ryan and Esme clash over what to do next and Marcus and Michelle confront the neighborhood.

My top 5 moments from The Purge season 2 episode 7 are:

“Somebody tried to Purge me and now I feel like the bad guy.”

Marcus is clearly still in shock over this news, but now he’s ready to get to the bottom of things. Michelle promises to stand by his side, so I guess these two are now ready to make amends. I’m not sure if things will ever be perfect between Marcus and Michelle, but they do make a good tag team and Marcus is going to need all the support he can get at this point.

“We have to remain impartial.”

Vivian continues to have her doubts about Esme’s “treason” and begins questioning everything, but her boss reminds her that Esme cared a little too much and made things personal. Vivian is smart enough to realize that she should keep her mouth shut here and comes up with a creative way to reach Esme.

She puts up flyers in a dead zone with Dr. Adams’s used car for sale to get Esme’s attention and it works, but Esme warns her to be careful. Vivian seems ready and willing to help Esme fight against the NFFA, but she needs to watch out for their boss.

Something tells me he might already be on to Vivian…

“Pick up the knife and I’ll show you.”

Kelen is beyond freaked out after discovering the bloody God Purge mask in Ben’s bag. She tries to play it cool and tells his mother she wants to head back to school early, but Ben agrees to take her, realizing that she most likely saw the mask.

Ben confronts Kelen about it and she admits that she saw the mask, but Ben seems interested in keeping Kelen safe, claiming that they have such a strong connection. Kelen plays along at first, but after Ben finds the note she left in the bathroom about being kidnapped by The Campus Killer, all bets are off.

Ben tries to get Kelen to embrace the Purge by having her cut him with a knife, but Kelen decides to stab him in the leg and makes a run for it. Poor Kelen is struck by a car and Ben takes her breath away…literally. Ben is clearly devastated about Kelen’s death, but it doesn’t look like this has changed anything for him.

As we flash forward to two days before Purge Night, Ben is extremely pleased to see his mask on display to be sold to other potential Purgers. I guess you’re in the big league now, Ben.

Ben is gearing up for the big night, but how will he do once he runs into people who are just as dangerous as him?

“We ain’t running!”

After crashing a meeting at the neighbor’s house, Marcus discovers that someone named Clint has the biggest issue with him. Apparently, Clint’s wife was treated by Marcus and died after a complication. Clint reminds Marcus that he had assured him that she would be fine and didn’t even have the courtesy to come and tell him the news himself. He also explains that when he became his neighbor, he didn’t recognize him.

Marcus feels bad about what happened to Clint’s wife, but some things are out of his control as a doctor. The rest of the neighborhood is on crazy Clint’s side and Michelle reminds Marcus that “you can’t reason with grief.”

Clint tells Marcus that he can leave for good or he will Purge him.

Marcus and Michelle try to leave with Marcus’s son, Darren, who has gotten himself into trouble with the NFFA after helping Esme, but they discover that he cannot leave the state now.

Everyone returns home and Marcus says that he is not running anymore, which means we will most likely get an epic showdown between him and Clint.

Don’t forget that the entire neighborhood is after you too…

“I have to set things right.”

Ryan and Esme continue to work together, as Esme helps him find out the identities of the Jackals. Esme stays by Ryan’s side after his mother goes missing and I continued to get a lot of vibes between these two, but Ryan is upset with Esme after she explains that she was the one who tagged Tommy.

Esme explains that she needs to make things right and that the NFFA will continue to ruin lives until she does. After originally telling Esme to go, Ryan has a change of heart and tells her to stay, realizing that they have the chance to truly set things right together.

When we flash forward to two days before Purge Night, Ryan and Esme are romantically together now so I guess these vibes finally led to a relationship! Yay!

Now that they are together, will Ryan let his guard down?

Will both Ryan and Esme make it out alive?

We have only three episodes left this season, but I am super excited that they will take place on Purge Night, as it looks like a lot of this setup will now finally pay off!

Which characters will survive Purge Night?

I’m personally rooting for Esme and Marcus to survive, but we will have to see!

Stay tuned!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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