It’s now October so it’s time for a recap of my monthly watches and reviews, so here’s what I’ve watched last month in September. The shows that I will be reviewing are: Hit & Run, Lucifer (Season 6), Midnight Mass (this show is so good), and Squid Game (this show is wild, and I loved it). And these are the movies I will be reviewing: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, The Old Ways, Secret Obsession, Psycho (1960), Psycho II, Psycho III, Malignant, Psycho IV: The Beginning, Psycho (1998), Splinter, Cell, and Intrusion. Keep on reading to check out September’s monthly reviews.
TV Shows
Hit & Run – Season 1 (2021) – Rating: 3.5/5
After a tour guide’s (Segev) wife is killed in a hit & run in Tel-Aviv he searches for his wife’s killers who have fled to the US. Little does Segev know he’s about to uncover some truths about his wife and the secrets she kept from him. As I was watching the show during the first few episodes I wasn’t sure what secrets his wife could have kept from him I was thinking maybe some infidelity but not the secrets that Segev uncovered. Hit & Run is an Israeli-American spy thriller drama. The show at times is a little slow paced and drags but it’s also interesting how much Segev goes through to find out more about his wife’s secret life. The show ended in a weird cliffhanger way, so maybe there will be a second season. Hit & Run is a thrilling show that drags at times but if you are into spy thrillers I’d say give this show a watch.
Streaming On: Netflix
Lucifer – Season 6 (2021) – Rating: 3.5/5
Well the sixth and final season of Lucifer is here. Picking up where season 5 left off, Lucifer has been chosen to become God, so of course Lucifer has some tasks he wants to perform to ensure that he is worthy of being God. I did like that we saw more of Amenadiel, Ella, Maze & Eve…even Dan and not just in ways we typically see them. The addition of Carol was great too. I like the cases that Chloe and Lucifer have worked throughout the seasons, but this season we didn’t see much of that. (You’ll see why) One of the problems I had with this season was Rory (sorry to say it lol) her arrival I feel like caused some problems lol and this season felt a bit dramatic to me. Also I needed more Trixie. Season 6 is mostly satisfying, fun, not one of my favorite seasons, but fans will still enjoy the series finale.
Streaming On: Netflix
Midnight Mass – Season 1 (2021) – Rating: 5/5
Midnight Mass is so good and I loved it. Don’t expect Midnight Mass to be like The Haunting series because it’s not and I loved every minute of it. We do see some familiar faces from The Haunting series as well as some new faces, and the cast gave stellar performances. This show is a slow burn but it works in the favor of the show and I think that it’s beneficial for how the plot unravels. Some of the themes in this show are faith, religion, forgiveness and the themes are explored very well. The cinematography, the setting of the show, and the score is so atmospheric, chilling and perfect for the series. The horror elements in this show were more so the dangers of religious fanaticism. Midnight Mass is suspenseful, tense, brilliant, well written and one of the best shows of the year.
Streaming On: Netflix
Squid Game (2021) – Rating: 5/5
So Netflix does it again and released another hit series. Squid Game has a little bit of everything: it has mystery, drama, thrills, action, suspense, and some emotional parts (I’m looking at you episode 6). The acting in the show was great and I liked what the actors brought to the characters, some you liked and rooted for, and there were some you disliked lol. The show was well paced and the plot was interesting. These childhood games they were playing were simple yet nerve racking and a bit sinister resulting in some gore. And although the show has dark situations there are bright colors all which I thought were visually nice. And of course I enjoyed and appreciated the reveals and unexpected twists we got to see. Squid Game is a brilliant series; it’s creative, fresh, entertaining, binge worthy, and I loved it !
Streaming On: Netflix
Movies
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) – Rating: 5/5
One of Marvel fans most anticipated movie of the year is officially out and it is amazing. I’m so happy that the AAPI community can have the representation in this film that the black community had with Black Panther. I loved the cast I loved that they each added something to the film and the characters were relatable. Simu Liu is just perfect as Shang-Chi he plays the character well and it just feels right; So happy and excited for him to be a part of the MCU getting the love he deserves. Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Fala Chen, Michelle Yeoh, Meng’ er Zhang, and Ben Kingsley were great in their roles and gave authentic performances. Loved the storytelling and how in the beginning of the movie we were introduced to the ten rings and their power. The world building, the visual effects, and the cinematography in this movie are awesome, mystical, and stunning. One of my favorite things was the action, the martial arts and fight choreography which was amazing and done so well. I just love martial arts fight scenes it’s just so exciting to watch. I could go on about this film, I really love and enjoyed this movie. This is one of MCU’s best origin/solo movies. And that mid credit scene has me super excited to see more of Shang Chi in Marvel’s future films/shows. Shang-Chi is fun, exciting, visually stunning, amazing and a must see for Marvel fans and non Marvel fans !
Watch in theaters
The Old Ways (2020) – Rating: 3/5
The action in this movie starts pretty quickly, meaning you don’t have to wait too far in the movie for the plot to start taking off. A reporter (Cristina) returns to the Mexican village where she grew up to write a news article about her village’s culture/traditions. After exploring a cave she wakes up and she’s tied up. A bruja, the bruja’s son, and Cristina’s cousin tells her that she is possessed by a demon. The different ways in which the bruja and her son attempts to exorcise the demon is interesting and of course not like what we usually see in possession movies. The movie does have a few scares when it pertains to the demon. The ending of the movie takes Cristina on a different path but I think the audience would probably expect that. The Old Ways is a refreshing possession movie, it’s creepy and interesting. If you’re looking for a possession movie to watch I’d say give this a watch.
Streaming On: Netflix
Secret Obsession (2019)- Rating: 3/5
So I’m probably one of the few people who enjoyed this movie. When Jennifer (Brenda Song) wakes up with amnesia after an accident, her husband is there to care for her. When she have flashbacks about the night of the accident she realizes that she’s still in danger. This movie has a good cast line up featuring Brenda Song, Mike Vogel, and Dennis Haysbert who all give solid performances. The audience has a pretty good idea that something isn’t right about Jennifer’s husband which we watch unfold. Secret Obsession isn’t a bad movie I guess people feel like the movie is too predictable but I found the movie enjoyable, although you still have a few questions after watching the film. Secret Obsession is an engaging, well paced thriller that you’ll enjoy watching for a Friday night movie.
Streaming On: Netflix
Psycho (1960) – Rating: 5/5
I’ve seen this movie plenty of times and it’s one of my favorites. Psycho is such a classic horror movie. I love the suspense that this movie gives the viewer while watching it. The reveal of the killer is another part of that suspense, and the twist at the end is brilliant. And let’s not forget about the music score throughout the film, it’s so iconic. The cast and performances were great, Anthony Perkins is so good as Norman Bates. And the part that gives me goosebumps every time I watch this movie is at the end when the psychiatrist explains who committed the murders and why. Psycho is one of my favorite movies. It’s brilliant, suspenseful, classic Hitchcock horror, and a movie I definitely recommend watching.
Rent/Buy from Amazon Prime Video
Psycho II (1983) – Rating: 4.5/5
Set 22 years after the first film, the movie follows Norman after he is released from the mental institution and returns to the house and Bates Motel to continue a normal life. Norman’s past continues to haunt him as someone begins to murder the people around him. The cast gave great performances and once again Anthony Perkins nails it as Norman Bates. It was interesting to see an expansion of Norman’s character. I haven’t seen this movie in a while so it was nice to give it another watch. In this sequel you are rooting for Norman and are sympathetic towards him. Trying to figure out who was doing the killing is the biggest mystery in the movie, so you can expect to see some twists. Psycho 2 is engaging, suspenseful, gripping and a well done sequel to the 1960 classic.
Streaming On: Peacock TV
Psycho III (1986) – Rating: 3.5/5
Anthony Perkins directed this film which takes place one month after the events in Psycho II where Norman is still running the motel and still has the corpse of Emma Spool sitting up in the house. Some visitors to the hotel are a nun, a guy whose plan is to head to LA as a guitarist, and a reporter who is trying to solve the disappearance of Mrs. Spool. The movie still touches up on Norman’s psyche and just him still trying to cope with him and his mother’s relationship and what we witnessed from the previous films. This movie gave me 80s slasher vibes as opposed to the suspenseful/whodunnit genre that Psycho and Psycho II has, nevertheless this sequel isn’t a bad film. One thing I couldn’t help but notice is how some of the dialogue from the first Psycho movie is in this film which gives it a repetitious feel. Psycho III is entertaining, fun, silly at times but it is a decent sequel.
Streaming On: Peacock TV
Malignant (2021) – Rating: 5/5
Malignant is the latest horror film directed by James Wan. For those that don’t know James Wan is one of my favorite horror directors. So upon hearing that Malignant would be released this year I was so excited because I love what he creates. As I was watching the movie I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with the main character Madison played by Annabelle Wallis and I cannot pinpoint what in my mind I thought was happening or what could happen, all I know is that when the audience gets the big reveal my mouth was gaped open and my eyes were wide in shock. I enjoyed the cast and thought they were great in their roles. Also I could not keep my eyes off of George Young who plays Detective Kekoa Shaw, that man is attractive. I loved the cinematography, the music, and the camera angles (James Wan always perfect those camera angles), he always knows how to create a terrifying atmosphere and that’s what I got with Malignant. James Wan has stated “Don’t go in expecting The Conjuring, this is a different beast. Wherever you do, AVOID SPOILERS ! Knowing as little as possible is the best way to experience this film.” And he was right this is different from the horror films he’s done and I think it’s great he wanted to do something different. And yes knowing very little about the film was the BEST way to experience this movie. I also have to praise Ingrid Bisu and Akela Cooper for their part in writing this movie, they knew what horror fans wanted. Malignant is a game changer. It’s gruesome, terrifying, memorable, entertaining, brilliant, it’s an absolute blast for horror fans, and one of my favorite films of the year !
Watch in theaters and streaming on HBO Max
Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990) – Rating: 3.5/5
This movie serves as both a third sequel and a prequel to 1960’s Psycho. A radio host played by CCH Pounder discusses the topic of matricide with Norman’s former psychologist and Norman calls the show using an alias to explain why he killed his mother, both Pounder and Perkins are enjoyable to watch and their phone conversation even creates some tension. Norman’s mother, Norma played by Olivia Hussey did a really great job and so did Henry Thomas who plays a young Norman. The relationship between this mother and son duo is weird and makes you feel uncomfortable at times. Talking to the radio host Norman confesses he’s going to have to kill again and the radio host tries to figure out who and why. Overall this movie is a good prequel and a good sequel to wrap up Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates. Psycho IV is interesting, well acted, effective, and engaging.
Streaming On: Tubi TV
Psycho (1998) – Rating: 2/5
Okay so this movie is a shot-for-shot remake of the 1960 film. The movie’s modernness is one of the things that throws me off. The acting is okay although the actors give more bland performances and the characters felt flat. The one scene that I thought was great was when Marion fell asleep in her car and the police officer approached her and it felt like I was watching the scene from the original. To include random images during the stabbing scenes was weird to see. I couldn’t take this film seriously because there were a few scenes where I was laughing. This film also lacked suspense and tension. The ending where the doctor explains Norman’s psyche is my favorite but in this film it didn’t give me goosebumps like the scene normally does in the original. This remake is boring, awkward and not my favorite of the Psycho films.
Streaming On: Peacock TV
Splinter (2008) – Rating: 4/5
This movie was a nice surprise and I enjoyed watching it. When a couple’s camping trip changes they head to a motel only to run into two crooks who takes them hostage and when they stop at a gas station things take a turn. They are attacked by the gas station worker who’s infected. Splinter is a fast paced film, which I like. There’s a splinter parasite that attacks people and it changes them. The majority of the movie takes place inside the gas station, which suited the film. This movie has some great gore and body horror, which I also loved. The performances by the small cast was good. I wished we got some background on where the creature/parasite came from but other than that, I enjoyed this film. Splinter is creepy, entertaining, fast paced, a fun thriller, and an underrated gem that I’d recommend watching.
Streaming On: Tubi
Cell (2016) – Rating: 3/5
This movie is fast paced and it doesn’t take long for the action to start. At an airport an electronic signal is broadcasted and those who are on their cellphones turn into rabid killers. The beginning of the film where the signal can be heard and the attacks happen had my jaw dropping, I was shocked how fast everything was happening and those attacks were wild and continued throughout the movie, followed along by some weird behavior of those doing the attacking. John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, and Isabelle Fuhrman star in this film and they gave decent performances. While this isn’t my favorite Stephen King adaptation I thought it was a good watch, it reminds me of a zombie movie fueled by cellphones and electronic signals.
Streaming On: Tubi
Intrusion (2021) – Rating: 3.5/5
So this movie was better than I thought. Freida Pinto and Logan Marshall-Green star in this film and gave decent performances. The film’s runtime is 92 mins. and the movie is well paced. I thought the film was interesting and the ending was pretty good. To me the movie wasn’t boring, and it held my interest. The plot and the thrills were good and kept me entertained. I also appreciated the twist in the film. I’m not gonna lie though, I was annoyed at some of Meera’s actions, I’m thinking why are you trying to play detective lol. Is this one of the year’s best films ? No, but I do think it’s thrilling, entertaining, and watchable.
Streaming On: Netflix
5/5: Love It, Must Watch
4.5/5: Amazing
4/5: Great
3.5/5: Very Good
3/5: Good
2.5/5: Pretty Good
2/5: Meh (Not Impressive)
1.5/5: Bad
1/5: Horrible
This wraps up my September movie and show reviews. Have you watched any of these films or shows ? Let me know in the comments below. As always thanks for reading and I’ll see you for my October round of monthly watches.
Flamingo Lifestyle 
Great post – but I have not seen all of these movies – not yet at least – Happy Halloween 🎃🎃🎃🎃😀
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Thank you ! 😀 Happy Halloween !
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