Tag: Timothy Olyphant

Spoiler-Free Review of “Justified: City Primeval” on FX: Raylan Givens Returns!

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

“You’re just the man for this…”

Justified: City Primeval premiered on July 18th 2023 with the first two episodes available to watch now on FX (next day on Hulu). There will be eight episodes in total that will air weekly. The sequel series stars Timothy Olyphant, Vivian Olyphant, Boyd Holbrook, Adelaide Clemens, and Aunjanue Ellis. Each episode runs for approximately 50-52 minutes.

While on a road trip with his daughter, Raylan Givens encounters a couple of criminals that set him on a new path and case in Detroit, Michigan.

Here is the trailer:

Justified City Primeval gives fans another chance to connect with their favorite Deputy U.S. Marshal in a brand new setting with new dangerous foes. Is the sequel series worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of FX

He’s still got it…

As if there was any doubt! Timothy Olyphant steps seamlessly back into his role of Raylan Givens. He looks like he hasn’t aged a day and sports his gray hair with style. He’s as bad-ass and charismatic as ever and I’m loving the dynamic between him and his daughter. I think it’s really cool that his daughter in real life is playing her.

We have some other interesting new players in town and so far I think that Boyd Holbrook is really lighting up the screen as well in the best way possible. I can’t wait to see the scenes between him and Olyphant continue because I think we’re in for an entertaining showdown for sure…

Solid opening!

I wasn’t sure if I’d like this sequel series or not but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the opening episodes. I was pulled right back into things and I think that this case has a lot of potential so far. We’ve got a worthy villain and a lot of other details that need to be explored.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of FX

The setting feels off…

I get that the series had to move away from Kentucky, but that felt like home for Justified and so far I’m not really feeling the urban setting so much. Maybe I need to get used to it or maybe it’s just that feeling of nostalgia that’s missing, but I think the modern Western vibe worked better in the original setting.

We’re also missing a few fan-favorite characters (mostly Boyd Crowder). I knew they wouldn’t be appearing in the series and their story-lines were wrapped up at the end of Justified, but it feels a little empty without them.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of FX

I’m in!

I have been anxiously waiting for this series to arrive and so far I am completely invested. It’s so great to see Timothy Olyphant playing this character again and I think we have enough potential here to keep us coming back each week.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Justified: City Primeval 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 young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Full Circle” on Max: A Riveting Crime Thriller!

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

“It never begins…and thus it never ends…”

Full Circle premiered on Max on July 13th 2023 with the first two episodes available to stream now. There will be six episodes in total. Two episodes will release each week. The crime thriller mini-series stars Claire Danes, Timothy Olyphant, Zazie Beetz, and Dennis Quaid. Each episode runs for approximately 40-48 minutes.

A kidnapping in New York City connects several strangers, revealing long-held secrets along the way.

Here is the trailer:

Full Circle has a talented cast, an addicting premise, and plenty of layers to keep the audience coming back for more. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Max

All-star cast!

I’ve been waiting for Claire Danes to dominate the television screen again and she’s paired with Timothy Olyphant…talk about a dream come true! But that’s not all. We also have the charming Zazie Beetz and a number of other fantastic actors. There is a lot of talent here and I’m just hoping each character gets enough time to shine in six episodes. So far they are doing a great job and I’m waiting for Claire Danes to channel her inner Carrie Mathison already!

Images courtesy of Max

A solid hook.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this series at first, but by the time I got to the end of episode one, I was completely hooked and I was immediately pressing play on the next episode. I wish I didn’t have to wait for more episodes because this series is really addicting and I already have a lot of working theories.

This series doesn’t follow your typical crime thriller formula, but it is still doing enough to captivate our attention completely and I can’t wait for the rest of the puzzle pieces to come together. This is a consuming watch already and I can’t wait to see more!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Max

A lot to keep track of…

At one point I thought I was watching two different shows. Be prepared for a lot of sub-plots. I am confident that everything will connect by the end of each episode, but you do need to pay attention to this one. This style may not be for everyone, but so far it isn’t getting in the way of the crime mystery at the center.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Max

I’m in!

Full Circle is an engrossing watch filled with plenty of secrets and thrills to keep you tuning in each week.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A VACATION TO DIE FOR…

Blood Rose Island Ad

When sisters, Nina and Gemma are vacationing in Hawaii with their friends, they get invited to an exclusive party on a private island that seems too good to be true. There’s only one rule…they can’t miss their ferry at midnight or they’ll have to wait until morning to leave the island. Only they didn’t realize that breaking this rule meant they would be hunted down on the island one by one.

Who will make it off the island alive?

I hope you enjoy my new island thriller!

Blood Rose Island is available here!

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Ranking the “Scream” movies from Best to Worst

“What’s YOUR favorite scary movie?”

A timeless question for sure and the start of it all in the popular Scream franchise. With Courtney Cox’s recent announcement about confirming her role in Scream 5, I thought it would the perfect time to re-visit the other Scream films and rank them from best to worst.

There’s just something about Scream. It has it all. It nails the comedy, it gives us plenty of slasher horror scares, and it is just one of those movies you can watch over and over again. Trust me, it would alarm you how much I have actually watched these movies…

Please note some spoilers are ahead.

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

1

Scream (1996)

Scream
Images courtesy of Miramax

The original film is the best one by far. It is actually my favorite movie of all time and I think that it really set the bar for slasher movies in the 90’s and the early 2000’s. The opening scene was so shocking the first time I watched it. I remember thinking that Drew Barrymore was going to be the star of the movie and then so much for that.

However, Neve Campbell was the perfect Final Girl as Sidney Prescott. I pretty much loved every single character in this movie and I still think that Tatum deserved better.

Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich also made quite the tag team and I will be forever woozy watching them.

Scream 1
Images courtesy of Miramax

There’s just something about the original movie that stands the test of time for me. I find something new every single time I watch it and I am so impressed by all of the clever Easter eggs and references sprinkled in to give fans a sense of nostalgia while creating something iconic at the same time.

Standout Death: 

Drew’s shocking demise in the opening scene of the movie is probably one of the most brutal and violent deaths. It still upsets me when I watch it now, but Tatum’s encounter with the garage door was also really memorable.

Scream Tatum
Images courtesy of Miramax

I mean, she did want to be in the sequel…

2

Scream 2 (1997)

Scream 2 Movie
Images courtesy of Miramax

The sequel actually really holds up. There is even a hilarious class discussion where sequels come up. It’s hard to live up to the original, but Scream 2 does a fantastic job of keeping up the pace.

We get a new environment for Sidney in this film. She’s in college now, which was a welcomed change as we got to meet new characters and say hello to some familiar faces as well. A copy cat killer is on the loose with the release of the movie, “Stab,” which actually ends up starring Tori Spelling. Well played!

There is a sense of maturity in the second film and some shocking reveals as well. Mickey, the creepy film student played by Timothy Olyphant, is a welcomed addition. We get a roommate for Sidney, a boyfriend, and some sorority sisters thrown into the mix. The second film really doesn’t hold anything back and wasn’t afraid to kill off a main character…even though I wish he would have stuck around.

Standout Death: 

Sarah Michelle Gellar’s demise was unfortunate, but this scene was pretty epic. I still yell at the television screen and tell her to use her Slayer strength, but SMG doesn’t always luck out in horror movies…

Scream 2 Sarah Michelle Gellar
Images courtesy of Miramax

We still love seeing her anyway though!

3

Scream 4 (2011)

Scream 4
Images courtesy of Miramax

It’s been quite some time since we checked in on Sidney, Gale, and Dewey, but Ghostface is back and ready to shed some new blood. We get a new set of characters in the fourth film and are introduced to Sidney’s cousin, Jill, played by Emma Roberts.

As the familiar kills return, everyone is danger…including Sidney. We get a shocking twist in this film that made it worth the watch and a lesson about not “fucking with the original.” Well said!

Standout Death: 

The word “clear” comes to mind for sure. Jill’s death was quite “shocking.” I also thought that Kirby deserved a lot better and really showed off her knowledge about horror films. There are some theories floating around that she could still be alive (similar to Stu) since we never actually saw her dead, but either way, she deserved better!

4

Scream 3 (2000)

Scream 3
Images courtesy of Miramax

Yeah, so on to the third film. It is my least favorite in the franchise. Courtney Cox’s micro bangs may have been the real horror of this film, but the third film always just fell a little flat. Part of that probably has a lot to do with the change in writer, but Scream 3 does have some entertaining moments.

I loved that we were able to see Randy on video with his rules about trilogies…even though Scream moved past the three films. There are some comedic moments between Gale and fake Gale along with Dewey, but the film just didn’t have the same balance of comedy and slasher fun that I was accustomed to.

Standout Death: 

The explosion killing Tom was kind of shocking, but overall the death scenes were all just kind of okay in this movie…

Overall, the Scream franchise is iconic for me and it always will be. Let’s not forget that we also got a short-lived television series on MTV. The first two seasons were actually pretty decent, but the third one was all over the map. However, I do know some fans who actually enjoyed it and there were some fun cameos.

Scream 5 is looking to release some time in 2021, which would be the 25th anniversary of the films. I am looking forward to seeing it, but I also think that we need to shake things up and kill off another main character.

Our Final Girl, Sidney Prescott, has certainly been through a lot over the years, but she will continue to be my favorite Final Girl of all time and I will always root for her.

Which Scream films did YOU enjoy most?

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on the Scream 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…

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READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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5 Guilty Pleasure Thrillers to Enjoy while Staying at Home

Happy Throwback Thursday! Staying at home has really allowed me to enjoy a lot of new television series and movies. However, there are some old favorites that I wanted to return to. Netflix has recently been releasing some guilty pleasure Lifetime-like thrillers such as Secret Obsession and Dangerous Lies, which really got me thinking about some of my own personal favorite guilty pleasure thrillers.

While nothing compares to watching these films for the very first time, there is this rush I get whenever I watch them. Sure, some of them are somewhat predictable and have outrageous plots, but that’s why I love them. They are the perfect films to binge-watch staying at home while enjoying a nice glass of wine and a snack…or two.

Either way, these films will certainly provide you with some edge of your seat tension to shake things up while staying at home. Please note spoilers have been left out for your convenience. Enjoy!

My top 5 Guilty Pleasure Thriller films of all time are:

5

Red Eye

Red Eye
Image courtesy of HBO

Released in 2005, Red Eye stars Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy and is directed by Wes Craven. A lot of people forget about this movie, but I actually saw it in theaters and loved it!

Synopsis: Hotel manager, Lisa boards a plane and sits next to a charming stranger. Things seem to be going well until the stranger reveals that he has an ulterior motive for sitting with her. The plane ride is filled with unexpected twists and turns.

I have probably seen this movie over twenty times and while I know the plot very well now, I just can’t stop watching it. It’s over the top sometimes and predictable in certain moments, but the film pulls you in and brings you back to those edge of your seat moments without skipping a beat.

Where to watch: HBO demand

4

Sleeping with the Enemy

Sleeping with the enemy
Image courtesy of STARZ

Released in 1991, this film stars Julia Roberts and Patrick Bergin. Before I had cable TV, this movie was always on as the Saturday night movie on The WB. I used to watch it all the time because I didn’t really have many other options, but I quickly became obsessed. It’s actually one of my mom’s favorite movies and I still think twice about keeping my towels in order. Watch out for that music…

Synopsis: An abused wife fakes her own death and tries to start her life over, but her husband attempts to track her down to make her life a living hell.

Where to watch: STARZ demand

3

A Perfect Getaway

Perfect Getaway
Image courtesy of STARZ

Released in 2009, A Perfect Getaway stars Milla Jovovich and Steve Zahn. This thriller has one of the best twists I have ever witnessed. Sure, I know the twist now, but I still love watching this movie. It has some really great stars in it, including Timothy Olyphant and Chris Hemsworth! Plus, the movie takes place in Hawaii! You can’t get much better than a vacation trip gone wrong when you’re stuck staying at home.

Synopsis: A newly married couple travel on their honeymoon in Hawaii, but quickly realize that they may be hiking with a dangerous threat. Secrets are revealed and their survival is put to the test.

Where to watch: STARZ demand

2

The Call

The Call Halle Berry
Image courtesy of Amazon Prime

Released in 2003, The Call stars Halle Berry and Abigail Breslin. I absolutely adore this movie! I have probably seen it more than all the others on this list and Halle Berry is beyond amazing as 911 operator, Jordan. This movie screams guilty pleasure thriller. It is fast paced and has a shocking ending that will leave you completely satisfied.

Synopsis: After a young woman meets her demise while on the phone with 911, Jordan is traumatized. She sticks to training new 911 operators, but when a similar call comes through from a young woman, she is forced to push her demons aside in order to try and save her before history repeats itself.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime with add on, VUDU, FANDANGONOW

1

Double Jeopardy

Double Jeopardy Movie
Image courtesy of STARZ

Released in 1999, Double Jeopardy stars Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones. This is my go-to movie and probably the one that first got me interested in this guilty pleasure thriller genre. While there are certainly a lot of movies that fall into this category, there’s really nothing like Double Jeopardy. It stands in a class of its own and always will for me.

Synopsis: You can’t be convicted for the same crime twice. Ashley Judd’s character, Libby, eventually learns this when she is wrongfully convicted for the murder of her husband. After being released, she tries to track down her son and starts to learn that she may have been intentionally framed for her crime. Libby decides to get revenge while her parole officer tries to stop her.

Where to watch: STARZ demand

Which guilty pleasure thriller films do YOU enjoy most? 

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts on these movies and your favorites 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…

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A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

PLAY IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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

5 Spoiler Free Reasons why you should watch “Santa Clarita Diet” Season 3 on Netflix: ‘Til Death and then some”

“We’re like a cult…but without uniforms.”  So what happens when your wife dies and then comes back to life as a zombie?  Do you run away screaming or are you all in to support your family until the very end?  Joel Hammond has to deal with this very important dilemma in Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet, but lucky for us, this adventure comes with a lot of laughs.  Please note that major spoilers have been left out for your convenience so feel free to read away!  My top 5 reasons to check out Santa Clarita Diet Season 3 are: 

5

This show is just laugh out loud funny.

When I first started binge-watching this show, I didn’t really laugh that much in the beginning of season one.  Maybe I was trying to get used to the premise or maybe the jokes weren’t really landing, but something magical happened in the second half of the first season and for seasons two and three as well.  The dark horror comedy just works.  Maybe it’s the dynamic between the characters or maybe they just started being a little bit more comfortable with the humor, but I found myself constantly laughing out loud while watching this show.  Horror comedies are hard to come by now and I have to say that I absolutely love this show and hope that it continues to be picked up because it is really something fun and light to watch in between other series.

4

Abby has become a bad-ass character.

In season one, I didn’t really connect with Joel and Sheila’s teenage daughter, Abby, played by Liv Hewson.  However, I started to like her more and more in season two and she is absolutely fantastic in season three.  I love how she is the voice of reason and it often seems like she is the one playing parent to her own parents, which is funny on its own.  In season three, more of Abby’s potential is unlocked, as she starts to help out a lot more, proving to be someone you don’t want to mess with.  I also enjoyed more of the chemistry between her and Eric, played by Skyler Gisondo, which was actually adorable and not at all nauseating.  I hope that her character continues to grow more in future seasons if we get them and I would love to see her become some kind of slayer of the undead.

3

The guest stars are absolutely fantastic.

I love seeing unlikely guest stars on a show and Santa Clarita Diet continues to deliver on this.  I had so much fun seeing Joel McHale in season two as a competitive realtor, but this season we get a lot of fun from Ron, played by Jonathan Slavin, Tommy, played by Ethan Suplee, and of course Gary continues to be a standout character, played previously by Nathan Fillion and now by the amazing Alan Tudyk.  The list goes on and on, as the supporting cast does an amazing job of keeping the humor going and giving us some really interesting character dynamics.  It looks like we might even get our own team of evil fighters, now complete with uniforms.  The show doesn’t take itself that seriously, but that’s what makes it so incredibly amazing.  These characters just elevate the show that much more and provide us with a lot of entertainment along the way.

2

A major cliffhanger.

Season three allowed us to advance the Knights of Serbia plot, which was fun for sure, but we are left with a huge cliffhanger at the end of the season so we better get a season four to explore this more.  Each season gave us something more to look forward to and season three is no exception.  If you thought Joel and Sheila’s adventures were crazy and dangerous before, it looks like it is only going to get more complicated now.  I honestly can’t wait to see what happens next!

1

Joel and Sheila Hammond’s chemistry.

I dedicated a previous blog to Joel and Sheila Hammond’s relationship, but it really is the core of the show.  Timothy Olyphant and Drew Barrymore are absolutely fantastic together.  Their relationship is so real and sweet and you can’t help falling in love with them.  I mentioned in my previous blog that they may be my new favorite couple on television, as they are there for one another every step of the way.  Their love is beautiful and passionate, but they also have a strong friendship going and I love how they truly know each other.  They have inside jokes and they bounce ideas off one another that truly make you smile if you have someone like that in your life who just simply gets you.  These two are absolutely amazing and the show would not be as entertaining without them.  It looks like their marriage is going to be tested once again, but I am confident that these two will come out even stronger.  They make me really believe that true love does exist even if you have to deal with some messy drama along the way.  And it’s really, really messy!  I hope you enjoy season three as much as I did and I absolutely recommend it.  Ready to watch?

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

**I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Feb 2019

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

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