Following Heated Rivalry, Boots is the other gay series that caused a stir, streaming on Netflix back in October. It will be my final catch up for the Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 series, before I hit publish on the #RATED post for some NYE inspiration.
This military comedy/drama series was created by Andy Parker, based on the memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White.
Boots follows Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer) , a closeted gay teenager from Louisiana who enlists in the United States Marine Corps alongside his best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh).
Set in 1990, when the military excluded gay people from service, the story depicts their boot camp training under Sergeant Sullivan (Max Parker), a drill instructor who takes special interest in Cope.
Boots also stars Ana Ayora, Blake Burt, Cedrick Cooper, Dominic Goodman, Nicholas Logan, Kieron Moore, Angus O'Brien, Rico Paris, & Bates Motel's very own, Vera Farmiga.
When the series first started streaming on Netflix back in October, it received positive reviews from critics.
But then came the backlash from conservatives and The Pentagon under the Trump administration. Gotta love the arts under King Don.
Therefore, Boots was canceled after one season earlier this month.
Now, unlike Heated Rivalry, aside from the shower scenes, this wasn't horny at all!
Also it really wasn't that good. Proving my theory of Netflix being quantity over quality. There are good titles (like the final season of Squid Game, I have finally started), however a lot is just average. Like Sirens, this wasn't bad, but when we have HBO Max, Paramount+, Apple TV, Stan, Amazon, you really need to lift your game. No wonder why Netflix wants to buy HBO.
So how'd Boots end? With a whimper if you ask me. I'm pretty sure (as it was based on a book) this could have just been a neat and tidy miniseries. Either way, as the end of Boot Camp is around the corner, the recruits face a final test like no other that has them relying on brotherhood to make it past the finish line.
John and Cody receive terrible news. Cameron learns a surprising revelation that could jeopardise everything he worked for. Sullivan makes a life-altering decision.
So as the final credits rolled, another Netflix show goes off to the TV graveyard quietly. Here is hoping Netflix offer some stronger titles in 2026.
Bring back the 90's and a Nicki Minaj jam! The snake is back, baby! Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) have been best friends since they were kids, and have always dreamed of remaking their all-time favourite movie: the cinematic classic Anaconda.
When a midlife crisis pushes them to finally go for it, they head deep into the Amazon to start filming. But things get real when an actual giant anaconda appears, turning their comically chaotic movie set into a deadly situation. The movie they’re dying to make? It might just get them killed!
Anaconda is a meta reboot of the classic, 1997 film, Anaconda. Believe it or not, this is the sixth instalment in the Anaconda film series.
Alongside Rudd & Black, Steve Zahn, Westworld's Thandiwe Newton, Daniela Melchior & Selton Mello star, with a couple of special cameos.
Anaconda (thus far) has received mixed reviews from critics, whilst grossing $43.6 million worldwide. It has almost made budget! Yes, films still can make their budgets!
God I loved all the cheap shots at Hollywood, including "there are no new ideas right?". So true for the year of film that was 2025! Honestly this sums up 2025 really. A funny, piss take of the current state of cinema. Cause let's be honest, it's a little grim.
That said, I had a ball watching this film. And the cameos! WOW!
Will this win any awards when award season rolls around next year? HELL NO. Will anyone remember this film? Nope. But if Sony do intend to keep this franchise alive (which if you get the clues at the end) I reckon this old rubber snake has a film or two left in the franchise.
Honestly The Housemaid and Anaconda could have been the two best films of the last twelve months and I have seen them both in the past few weeks!
Sirens is a comedy limited series created by Molly Smith Metzler, based on her 2011 play Elemeno Pea. Streaming on Netflix back in May, I am finally catching up with the Julianne Moore and Kevin Bacon five episode run.
Sirens has received generally positive reviews from critics. Set over the course of a single weekend at a luxurious beach estate, the series explores themes of gender, power, and social class. Sirens is described as an incisive, sexy, and darkly funny exploration of women, power, & class!
Devon (Meghann Fahy) thinks her sister Simone (Milly Alcock) has a really creepy relationship with her new boss, the enigmatic socialite Michaela Kell (Moore).
Michaela’s cult-ish life of luxury is like a drug to Simone, and Devon has decided it’s time for an intervention. But she has no idea what a formidable opponent Michaela will be.
Want to know more about this fun, trashy, little Netflix run....
Devon, a sharp-witted but troubled young woman, becomes increasingly alarmed by her sister Simone's unsettling entanglement with her new employer, the enigmatic and controlling billionaire Michaela Kell.
When Devon decides to track down Simone and impulsively invites herself to Michaela's opulent estate on the fictional island of Port Haven, tensions quickly rise.
As Devon observes the psychological dynamics at play, she grows convinced that Simone is caught in a toxic and potentially dangerous friendship.
Determined to pull her sister back to reality, Devon stages an intervention—only to find herself drawn into Michaela's manipulative web.
If you binged this back in May, following the trailer will have no spoilers, but for those who want a recap of the finale, read on!
Ethan survives the fall from the cliff.
Morgan invites Devon on a month-long yacht trip, but she declines in favour of returning to Buffalo with Bruce.
Prompted by the kissing photo, Michaela fires Simone, leaving her in a state of shock.
Jose escorts Simone, Devon, and Bruce to pick up Raymond from jail, where he had spent the night sobering up. During the pickup, Simone runs off to say goodbye to Peter. Jose drives back to retrieve her.
At the gala dinner, Devon accuses Michaela of running a cult and being involved in Jocelyn's death—only to learn Jocelyn is alive, living in seclusion after a failed plastic surgery.
Peter tells Michaela he wants a divorce and confesses to feeling uninspired, resenting their childlessness, and fearing Michaela's collection of evidence of his affairs—meant to protect her under the prenuptial agreement.
He begins a relationship with Simone and asks Jose to escort Michaela out. Devon confronts Simone about her involvement with Peter. Simone invites her to stay at the estate with Bruce, but she declines.
On the ferry home, Devon runs into Michaela and apologises for her accusations, and Michaela encourages Devon to cash the $10,000 check she gave her. Simone, now mistress of the House on the Cliff, gazes out to sea with a satisfied smile on her face.
Next I'm on my Netflix catch up journey, I'm heading to Boots! Love a controversial series. NEXT!
Heated Rivalry is the horny Canadian sports/romance series everyone is talking about right now! The gay drama that has tongues waging, the world over. Streaming on HBO Max in Australia, the series being a Crave original in Canada.
Created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney, the series is based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers novel series.
Following two rival professional hockey players, Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose on-ice animosity conceals a passionate, secret romance.
Also starring, François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, Sophie Nélisse, & Nip/Tuck's Dylan Walsh.
Tierney began developing an adaptation of Reid's novels in 2023, with the series' development officially announced in January 2025.
In April 2025, Williams and Storrie joined the cast under three-season contracts.
Filming took place in Ontario and Quebec from April to June 2025, so hopefully season two will start production ASAP!
As the series was renewed for a second season earlier this month. No doubt it will get a third too! The series received critical acclaim, with praise for the directing, writing, and the lead actors' performances and chemistry.
Heated Rivalry also achieved strong audience viewership, becoming Crave's most-watched original series to date and HBO Max's top debut for an acquired, non-animated title since the platform's launch in 2019.
The horny drama, has been described by media outlets as a global sensation and a break-out critical hit. So how'd it end over Boxing Day? Spoiler below, be warned! I was hooked on this series. I was late to the party, but smashed all six episodes, almost back-to-back!
In the finale, The Cottage, Kip and his friends watch Scott on TV accepting the Most Valuable Player award, where he discusses his coming out.
Shane picks Ilya up from the airport and they head to Shane's cottage. Ilya is startled by a loon call, mistaking it for a wolf howl.
After Shane opens up about his parents, Ilya tells Shane his mother committed suicide when he was 12 and that he was the one who found her body. The following evening, Ilya suggests marrying Svetlana to obtain American citizenship.
When Shane asks him why he doesn't marry someone he'd truly love, Ilya admits he only cares about Shane. That night, Shane outlines a plan to start a suicide prevention charity together and an effort to transform their rivalry into a public friendship, while also having Ilya sign with a Canadian team in order to be closer to Shane.
Ilya finally tells Shane he loves him, which Shane returns.
The next day, they are kissing outside when they notice Shane's dad in the house, who hurriedly leaves. They go to Shane's parents' cottage, where they tell Shane's parents everything. While they suspected Shane might be gay, they're surprised by his involvement with Ilya.
In private, Shane's mom tearfully apologises for making him feel that he couldn't be honest with her. Over dinner, Ilya calls himself Shane's boyfriend for the first time. With Shane's parents aware of their relationship, Shane and Ilya return to Shane's cottage.
So romantic, but will season two be more dramatic? I smell drama incoming! Bring on season two. Come on Canada, let's go! Never has there been such a horny gay series, since Queer as Folk, the US version.
Almost time for my new streaming series, Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26. One more film review incoming too. Anaconda, hopefully Monday/Tuesday.
That said this film co-produced/directed by Paul Feig is pure holiday fun. Really what the world needs right now.
Based on the 2022 novel of the same name by Freida McFadden, the film stars Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, & Elizabeth Perkins.
The story follows a young woman with a troubled past (Sweeney) who becomes the live-in housekeeper for a wealthy family, the Winchesters’ (Seyfried & Sklenar). Their seemingly perfect life unravels when she discovers their household hides dark secrets.
Thus far, the film has received positive reviews from critics, who praised Feig's direction and the performances of the cast (particularly Seyfried), as well as the film's plot twists and sense of fun.
Throughout the film, audiences into a twisted world where perfection is an illusion, and nothing is as it seems.
Behind the Winchesters’ closed doors lies a world of shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.
Honestly we haven't had a trashy thriller all year long really.
This was a lot of fun.
Not sure whether it would land on any of my end of year categories, best of. But it was, in a way one of the best films I've seen this year.
I don't often want to see a film again, however this was one of those films, I'd happily see again.
The Housemaid should stand out from some of the holiday shit currently on at local cinemas. Also this sure beats the hell our of watching the Ashes or the Sydney to fucking Hobart. YAWN!
I have had a major HBO season of catch-ups this week (and last) completing, I Love LA, IT: Welcome to Derry, The Chair Company and now second season of post-apocalyptic hit series The Last of Us.
Originally streaming between April & May, however I had just returned from holidays and backed up! Like I would be after a long haul flight.
So again based on the video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog, the season is set twenty-five years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection, which causes its hosts to transform into zombie-like creatures and collapses society.
The second season, based on the first half of the 2020 game The Last of Us Part II, follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) five years after the events of the first season, after they have settled into Jackson, Wyoming, with Joel's brother Tommy (Gabriel Luna) and Ellie's friends Dina (Isabela Merced) and Jesse (Young Mazino).
HBO renewed The Last of Us for a second season less than two weeks after the series premiered in January 2023.
Critics felt the season reinforced The Last of Us as the best video game adaptation, praising the action sequences, direction, performances, production design, and writing, though some criticised the pacing and considered the story to be incomplete.
The season was nominated for several awards, including 17 Primetime Emmy Awards.
The series averaged almost 37 million global viewers per episode. HUGE. The Last of Us could be HBO's biggest series right now. Apparently season three will land in 2027.
Part of the third season, will be the group travelling to Seattle to track down Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), who is set to be the focus of the third season.
So how did season two end you ask? Don't read on, like me if you are behind AF. This is the time of the year though to catch up right! Like I am doing now on the horny Canadian series Heated Rivalry also streaming in Australia on HBO.
Ellie regroups with Dina and Jesse, shaken by her own brutality against Nora. She shares a clue from Nora about Abby's location, then divulges the story of Joel's massacre.
Dina suggests they return home. Jesse and Ellie search for Tommy, but Ellie deduces that Abby is hiding in an aquarium and leaves to pursue her. Ellie is captured and nearly executed by the Seraphites, but escapes to the aquarium to find Owen and Mel.
She holds them at gunpoint and demands Abby's location. When Owen grabs a gun, Ellie fatally shoots him and the bullet strikes Mel, who reveals that she is pregnant; she asks Ellie to save the baby via a caesarean, to no avail. Jesse and Tommy recover a devastated Ellie and bring her back to the theatre.
Later, Abby ambushes them, killing Jesse, injuring Tommy, and holding Ellie at gunpoint. A gunshot rings out. Three days earlier, Manny wakes up Abby, having both been summoned by Isaac.
This season was awesome, heartbreaking and action packed! Bring on the third season which is meant to be longer! Also a fourth season is expected, which is no surprise with the numbers it's pulling. Impressive!
I Love LA is a new comedy, created, written by, & starring Rachel Sennott streaming on HBO.
Alongside Sennott, Odessa A'zion, True Whitaker, Jordan Firstman, & Josh Hutcherson star in this Girls for 2025 kinda series. The eight episode run started last month, while also getting renewed the same month.
Like all HBO series, there is bad language, sex and 2025 issues tackled head on. With limited comedies streaming on HBO of late, is this different to the Chair Company? Hell year, this one follows, a codependent friend group reunites, navigating how the time apart, ambition, and new relationships have changed them.
The season boots off with Maia's 27th birthday, she approaches her boss, Alyssa, for a promotion. Alyssa is hesitant, citing Maia's lack of experience in a managerial role.
Before their conversation is interrupted by a phone call, Maia describes her relationship with Tallulah, now an estranged friend living in New York City, as a time when she had a talent manager role.
Later, Maia arrives home to find that Tallulah has come to Los Angeles, as arranged by their friend Alani. Their reunion is awkward, and Maia says her request for promotion was successful.
At Maia's birthday party, the pair reveal they have both been lying about their successes, and decide that Tallulah will move to Los Angeles and live with Maia as a client.
The season goes full circle in the finale with the crew going to New York as Maia and Dylan's relationship hits rocky ground.
I will be interested to hear where this HBO takes us in season two. Likely we will have to wait till 2027, as HBO have a stacked line up with a load of new series incoming! Along with series like Euphoria and Industry, some which have been MIA longer than others.
Welcome to the TV world of content overload, where you wait years now for your favourite show to return!
