25+

YEARS oF
EXPERIENCE

Janet Grant and the Creation of Hey Guess What I Saw
“Film reviews with honesty, heart, and no hype.”
Hey Guess What I Saw began with curiosity, a camera roll full of movie stills, and a
voice determined to speak honestly about what’s seen on screen. The blog was built to give readers a clean, direct look at film and streaming culture. No jargon. No overhype. Just context, clarity, and care for the craft of storytelling.

I’m Janet Grant, the creator behind Hey Guess What I Saw. I’m a writer, critic, and
storyteller who works across film, literature, and children’s stories. I write entertainment stories, movie, and series reviews for The Caribbean Camera, a Toronto-based Black- owned newspaper that highlights community voices and independent media. That work helped shape my approach: tell the truth, write with purpose, and respect both the artist and the audience.
This blog was born from that same intent. Social media moves fast, and much of film
criticism today follows that speed. But I wanted a place where writing could slow down without losing precision. Each review on Hey Guess What I Saw reflects time spent watching, researching, and thinking. Readers will find perspective rooted in real experience and factual reference, not empty praise or recycled buzzwords.

Purpose of the Blog
Hey Guess What I Saw is about helping you decide what deserves your attention. It’s also about documenting how film and television mirror our lives. Every post aims to answer three questions about the film or event:

1. What is the film/event trying to say?
2. How well does it say it?
3. Why does this matter now?

The reviews and essays will focus on new releases from festivals such as TIFF,
CaribbeanTales and international streaming platforms. They will also include smaller features that deserve notice, especially those highlighting underrepresented voices in cinema. The blog will continue the same clean, objective style I use for The Caribbean Camera: short sentences, verified facts, and no filler.

Writing Approach
The writing style is simple on purpose. Every review uses active voice and avoids unnecessary words. No marketing talk. No loaded phrasing. The goal is to bring clarity to complex ideas without diluting them.

You can expect:
Honest and balanced reviews supported by credible sources. Direct opinions labelled as opinion. Step-by-step reasoning for every critique.
Fact-based analysis when discussing budgets, audience data, or critical response. Transparent sourcing for any numerical or industry claim.
If something cannot be confirmed, it will be stated clearly. Each review and the commentary will link to verified production details or interviews when available.

About My Background
My work as a writer has always connected emotion with accuracy. I create children’s stories that teach kindness, honesty, and courage. I also write for adult readers who want meaning behind entertainment. The combination of those two worlds keeps my writing grounded and empathetic.
Before building Hey Guess What I Saw, I had already been writing but not publishing original stories for children ages two to twelve. Each story explored themes of truth, friendship, growth, and the spirit of giving. That focus on moral clarity shaped my later work as a critic. Whether writing for children or adults, the goal remains the same: say something worth remembering, and say it with care.
My reviews are written for readers who want context without confusion. If a film explores loss, love, or legacy, the writing focuses on what the story achieves and what it misses. When interviewing or reviewing artists from Caribbean or diasporic
backgrounds, the goal is representation through accuracy, not assumption.

Vision for Hey Guess What I Saw
This blog serves as a bridge between professional film review writing and my personal perspective. It will feature:
Festival coverage with factual summaries of screenings, premieres, and entertainment events. Reviews of screening and new releases from major and independent studios. Conversations with filmmakers and actors, when available, are supported by cited
material.
Reflections on film culture, audience trends, and true, creative storytelling. The name, Hey Guess What I Saw, reflects the spirit of discovery in entertainment. It’s conversational but grounded in observation from a person who truly loves film. It
suggests you’re hearing from a friend who has something worth your time.

For Readers and Viewers
Readers should expect reliable context and concise insights. Every article is written with transparency in mind so you can verify information yourself. You’ll know where facts come from, what opinion is, and what remains uncertain. The blog’s tone is designed to feel direct, approachable, and human. You won’t find vague praise or inflated descriptions. Instead, you’ll find focused reviews that make
space for your own judgment.
Hey Guess What I Saw isn’t only about film as entertainment. It’s also about how stories reflect identity, grief, joy, and hope. Some posts will look at the craft of performance. Others will focus on the emotional truth of a story. Each review may be personal at times, but it also aims to meet readers where they are through curious, thoughtful, and open conversation.