Tag: Vignette style

Spoiler-Free Review of “Strange Darling” in Theaters: Love Hurts in this Captivating Cat-and-Mouse Thriller

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

“Are you a serial killer?”

Strange Darling released in theaters on August 23rd 2024. The American thriller film stars Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, and Barbara Hershey. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty-six minutes.

A one night stand spirals out of control into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.

Here is the trailer:


Strange Darling is a dangerously fun and inventive thrill ride featuring two worthy performances. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Magenta Light Studios

Willa Fitzgerald gives her best performance to date!

I’ve been a fan of hers since she starred on MTV’s Scream series, but this was something truly special. She went all out with her performance and it deserves to be talked about for a very long time. She was PERFECTION in this role.

I reserved my ticket for Kyle Gallner and he was nothing short of remarkable per usual. He’s been starring in a lot of unique horror gems lately and it was great to see him in this one. Keep them coming!

Images courtesy of Magenta Light Studios

The non-linear approach to revealing the story was refreshing and unique!

This was not your average thriller by any means. It had welcomed twists with edge that were revealed in such an effective way. You really had to pay attention during this one to fully appreciate it. The vignette style kept me invested, redefining expectations in horror and thriller films. I loved this approach and I think it really paid off, making this such a treat for viewers.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Magenta Light Studios

Predictable at times.

Don’t get me wrong…there were some wild twists in this one. You should go into the film without knowing much. I didn’t watch a single trailer for this and I was the better for it. That being said, I was able to predict the twist right away. It didn’t make it any less incredible, but you can piece together everything without that much effort.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Magenta Light Studios

I’m in!!!

Strange Darling is a mind-blowing cinematic experience for viewers, breaking away from the mold of standard serial killer thrillers with its visionary approach.

This film is truly something special!

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

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “Angelyne” on Peacock: Emmy Rossum is Mesmerizing!

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

“I am not a woman…I am an icon.”

Angelyne premiered on Peacock on May 19th 2022 with five episodes available to stream now. The drama series based on a true story stars Emmy Rossum, Max Allen, Martin Freeman, and Hamish Linklater. Each episode runs for approximately 45-48 minutes.

We learn about the mysterious Angelyne and how she rose to fame by appearing on billboards in the 1980’s.

Here is the trailer:

Angelyne uses a fake documentary style to tell the story of this female icon with a talented lead and a fascinating story. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Angelyne Spoiler Free 1

Images courtesy of Peacock

All hail Emmy Rossum!

I am already a huge fan of Emmy Rossum and she is the main reason why I tuned into this series, but wow did she surprise me with her performance! She completely transformed herself. She was so convincing and captivating on screen. The rest of the cast did a decent job as well, but she was the star for good reason and she did such a brilliant job with her portrayal. I think she honestly deserves an Emmy nomination.

Stunning!

Fun vignette style.

I really loved the way the episodes were done. Each episode told a different part of the story with someone who was a part of Angelyne’s life at one point or another. It was interesting seeing different perspectives. The episodes were light and fun, but they also covered some emotional content as well. I liked that the episodes didn’t reveal too much and let the audience decide who was telling the truth. It paid respect to the real Angelyne, maintaining her mysterious allure.

The Cons:

Angelyne Spoiler Free 2

Images courtesy of Peacock

I wanted more!

Normally I like seeing only five or six episodes in a series so that I can get through it quickly. However, when this limited series ended, I immediately wanted more! I became a fan and now I want to see more adventures involving Angelyne!

So am I in or out?

Angelyne Spoiler Free 3

Images courtesy of Peacock

I’m in!

A stylish and captivating watch from start to finish! Emmy Rossum is perfection!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Angelyne 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 is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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

Spoiler-Free Review of “Black Summer” Season 2 on Netflix: Step Your Cardio Game Up

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

“We did what we had to do…”

Black Summer season 2 premiered on Netflix on June 17th 2021 with eight new episodes available to stream now. Each episode runs for approximately 40-50 minutes. The show stars Jaime King, Christine Lee, Justin Chu Cary and Zoe Marlett.

The unofficial prequel of Z Nation brings us into a new icy setting, as our favorite characters attempt to survive during the zombie outbreak while dealing with other threats along the way.

Here is the trailer:

Black Summer season one was a welcomed surprise, but can season two keep things going at a fast pace without becoming overdone? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

The new icy setting is a welcomed addition.

I suppose that you can only run away from these super fast zombies for a certain amount of time so it makes sense that we switch up the setting for the second season. The zombies are just as terrifying, but winter can be even more deadly and brutal. I thought this worked to the show’s advantage as our favorite characters had to deal with more than just surviving the dead.

A true zombie series.

While I watch the shows in the TWD universe, things have become less frightening in a way. The walkers move at a slow pace, our survivors know that they can outsmart them, and even some of the kids can take them out so are they really that terrifying?

Well sure, but the zombies on Black Summer will have you rethinking your entire cardio routine. Seriously, I need to get in serious shape if I want to outrun them. This series does not slow down at all. There isn’t any fluff in between and we basically are just along for the ride while everyone attempts to survive in this horrific new world. It’s bloody, violent, and a true depiction of what life would probably be like if the zombie apocalypse actually occurred.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Confusing at times.

I actually really like the vignette style of the show and I think it helps maintain the fast pace, but things can get really confusing at times. I had to piece together who was who and where we were in the timeline, which can get slightly exhausting, but at least there is plenty of action to make you forget about this. 

No real attachment or story-line.

Other than Rose and her daughter, Sun, and Spears, I couldn’t really care less about any of the other characters even though there were some new additions with potential. It’s hard to get attached to characters when they could die at any moment and even the returning characters needed a little bit more air time for true character development although we certainly did witness some with Spears.

There also isn’t really anything major going on with the plot or story-line. If you are looking for something complex and layered, you won’t get that here. You’ll just get lots and lots of zombies tearing people apart so I guess it depends on your preference.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in!

I kind of needed a break from advanced story-telling. Sometimes you need a mindless show you can just watch and enjoy. There is plenty of action, gore, and zombie entertainment in this series. As long as you manage your expectations, you will highly enjoy the second season!

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

**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!