Erased (2016)

Title: Erased
Rating: R
Run Time: 23 minutes
Release Date: January 8, 2016
Genre(s): Anime, Series, Suspense
Production Co.: A-1 Pictures
Director: Tomohiko Itou
Starring: Chinnosuke Mitshushima, Aoi Yuuki, Minami Takayama


Who would I recommend this to?
You?

What is this about?
A man who can travel back in time to stop tragic events, it sent back 18 years to prevent a classmate from getting kidnapped after he's framed for his mother's murder.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Soon.

Where does it take place?
Hokkaido, Japan.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It had good ratings and I like time travel.

How did I like this?
I was immediately hooked! I was rooting for Satoru to fix the past, but I also desperately wanted to know who was really behind all of this. I had my suspicions, which felt obvious, but I didn't really get the ending.

Why was he doing this? He just came across as a stereotypical villain with the whole "I would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for you pesky kid!"

Have you seen Erased? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Cruel Summer - Season 2 (2023)

Title: Cruel Summer
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 40 minutes
Release Date: June 5, 2023
Genre(s): Drama, Suspense, Series
Production Co.: Freeform
Director: Bill Purple
Starring: Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck


Who would I recommend this to?
Everyone who likes DRAMA and INTRIGUE and CHAOS!

What is this about?
A small town is shaken up when a local teen winds up dead.

When would be a good time to watch this?
NOW.

Where does it take place?
The pacific northwest. "Chatham."

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because Season 1 was excellent.

How did I like this?
I am deceased! I was worried this one wouldn't hook me like the first, but I was IN IT! I only partially figured out whodunit, and a couple of other reveals, so I was SHOOK! I knew a huge twist was coming, but that didn't keep my jaw from dropping.

I love millennium music.

Have you seen Cruel Summer? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Strays (2023)

Title: The Strays
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Release Date: February 22, 2023
Genre(s): Suspense
Production Co.: Air Street Films
Director: Nathaniel Martello-White
Starring: Ashley Madekwe, Bukky Bakray, Jorden Myrie


Who would I recommend this to?
Do you like boring "intellectual" thrillers?

What is this about?
A woman's carefully planned life falls apart when some strangers come to town to see her.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Never.

Where does it take place?
England, somewhere.

Why did I decide to watch this?
The girl doing my hair thought it looked interested, and the preview did.

How did I like this?
It started off intriguing when we see Neve in her new life and becoming paranoid. But then we have to watch the whole beginning section again from the perspective of the strangers, and it quickly became less intriguing because obviously she's not hallucinating like we were led to believe. The final scene was just way too over the top, and the ending was predictable and unsatisfying.

Have you seen The Strays? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Heart Shot (2022)

Title: Heart Shot
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 19 minutes
Release Date: February 17, 2022
Genre(s): LGBTQ+, Suspense, Short Film
Production Co.: Story Ink
Director: Marielle Woods
Starring: Elena Heuze, Nia Sondaya, Bethany Michelle Curry


Who would I recommend this to?
I guess if you like incomplete artsy short films...

What is this about?
A teen girl with a mysterious dangerous past that isn't so past.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Never.

Where does it take place?
No idea.

Why did I decide to watch this?
It seemed intriguing.

How did I like this?
I didn't. At all. It simply felt like an extended preview rather than a full story. There's no character development, no plot, no conclusion, no suspense. It just is.

If this were to become a longer form series or movie, I'd watch it though.
 

Have you seen Heart Shot? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Evil Eye (2020)

Title: Evil Eye
Rating: NR
Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Release Date: October 13, 2020
Genre(s): Thriller
Production Co.: Amazon Studios, Blumhouse Productions
Director: Elan Dassani, Rajeev Dassani
Starring: Sarita Choudhury, Sunita Mani, Bernard White


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes superstitious thrillers.

What is this about?
A mother becomes paranoid when her daughter meets a man who reminds her of a man from her own past and believes it's a curse.

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you have a moment for something interesting.

Where does it take place?
New Orleans, Louisiana and Dehli, India.

Why did I decide to watch this?
My mom watched it and thought it would be something I'd like, as someone who does wear an evil eye bracelet.

How did I like this?
My mom was right. This movie hooked me early on. Superstition is a weird thing. Is it true, is it paranoia, something else? The ending was surprising! It could have gone either way and I thought I knew which, but was wrong. But then that final scene...WTF?!

Have you seen Evil Eye? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Snakes on a Plane (2006)

Title: Snakes on a Plane
Rating: R
Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Release Date: August 18, 2006
Genre(s): Action, Suspense
Production Co.: New Line Cinema
Director: David R. Ellis
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips


Who would I recommend this to?
Me.

What is this about?
A witness to a murder's plane is hijacked by venomous snakes!

When would be a good time to watch this?
Immediately, if you've never seen it or haven't seen it in a while.

Where does it take place?
A plane over the Pacific.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Snakes.

How did I like this?
This is one of the most fun movies EVER. I was 100% obsessed when it first came out, which should surprise no one. Agent Flynn's monologue is the most epic piece of literature ever recited and I'm not being ironic. SLJ is iconic.

I just hate Mary Kate (dog) getting eaten, which is why I can't rate it higher.

Have you seen Snakes on a Plane? What did you think?
It not, would you watch it?

 

Clue (1985)

Title: Clue
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 hour 34 minutes
Release Date: December 13, 1985
Genre(s): Comedy, Suspense
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures
Director: Jonathan Lynn
Starring: Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn


Who would I recommend this to?
Anyone who grew up playing Clue and likes cheesy movies.

What is this about?
Dinner guests become murder suspects! Whodunit?!

When would be a good time to watch this?
On a dark and stormy night.

Where does it take place?
The Boddy mansion on a dark and stormy night.

Why did I decide to watch this?
Because Clue is one of my all-time favorite board games. One of my dogs is Miss Scarlet.

How did I like this?
This movie is so fun! It captures the feel of the game perfectly, which is kind of weird. Tim Curry is perfect as always and there are quite a few similarities to The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Have you seen Clue? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

Cruel Summer - Season 1 (2021)

Title: Cruel Summer - Season 1
Rating: TV-14
Run Time: 43 minutes
Release Date: April 20, 2021
Genre(s): Series, Drama, Suspense
Production Co.: Iron Ocean Films
Starring: Chiara Aurelia, Olivia Holt, Froy Gutierrez


Who would I recommend this to?
If you like twists and turns and darkness and not knowing which way is up...this is for you.

What is this about?
A teen girl goes missing and another girl goes from geek to chic to freak over three summers.

When would be a good time to watch this?
ASAP.

Where does it take place?
Skylin, Texas. 1993, 1994, and 1995.

Why did I decide to watch this?
The internet was abuzz about it and it seemed interesting.

How did I like this?
I was hooked by the end of the first episode. What in the world is going on?! Every single episode had a twist. Some were subtle, some were huge, all were shocking. That finale though? OMG OMG OMG?!?!?!? Those last ten seconds?! That smile?! OMG OMG WTF?!?!?!

I really liked this format of having one episode follow Jeanette, then the next following Kate, and both alternating between the three subsequent summers. It kept up a nice pace and made you want to know the other girl's side of the story as you're watching.

Have you seen Cruel Summer? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

The Perfection (2018)

Title: The Perfection
Rating: MA
Run Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Release Date: September 20, 2018
Genre(s): Suspense, LGBTQ+
Production Co.: Capstone Film Group
Director: Richard Shephard
Starring: Allison Williams, Logan Browning, Steven Weber


Who would I recommend this to?
People who like WTF-type movies that keep you on the edge of your seat. Fans of nonlinear storytelling.

What is this about?
Charlotte and Lizzie are the best cellists from their former music school, but can there really be two bests...

When would be a good time to watch this?
Whenever you're in the mood for something weird. Maybe not at night though, since there are some jumps. Or maybe that adds to the experience for you....

Where does it take place?
Mostly in Shanghai.

Why did I decide to watch this?
My friend was doing my hair. It was new on Netflix, so she put it on.

How did I like this?
Seriously, WTF. The word we both used to describe it was "crazy." Once we thought we knew what was going on, something else would happen and throw us off! It was one insanity after another!

Have you seen The Perfection? What did you think?
If not, would you watch it?

You Get Me (2017)

Title: You Get Me
Rating: TV-MA
Run Time: 1 hour 29 minutes
Release Date: June 23, 2017
Genre(s): Suspense
Production Co.: Awesomeness Films
Director: Brent Bonacorso
Starring: Bella Thorne, Halston Sage, Taylor John Smith


Who would I recommend this to?
Fans of dark movies and suspense.

What is this about?
Tyler meets Holly and they spend a weekend together during the summer. Then she moves to be with him, but he has a girlfriend. Holly still believes that they belong together....

When would be a good time to watch this?
Maybe not when it's dark. It's not a horror movie, but there's a few jumps.

Where does it take place?
Sunny, smoggy Los Angeles!

Why did I decide to watch this?
I needed a Y for A to Z Blogging Challenge, and I'm a huge fan of fictional stalkers. If I can't have you, no one can!!!

How did I like this?
I really enjoyed it! Holly is clearly disturbed and Tyler is just a nice guy who made a mistake and now everyone around him is paying for it. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! What is Holly going to do next?!

Have you seen You Get Me? What did you think?

If not, would you watch it?