Monday, September 30, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 4


TV Show 27 - Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Could Essie Davis be the new world leader in CAMP. Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is easily one of the campiest things on TV and totally appeals to more than just the gays.

Essie Davis is divine and the outfits she fronts up in are divine.

I was so happy to hear the ABC gave this show another go, I have said it before in this list but it's so good the ABC is actually commissioning good Aussie dramas and comedies.



So for a camp Friday night check out Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries on ABC1.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Lovelace


When you think of the Porn industry it conjures many things, as a male many rude bits but Lovelace explores the Deep Throat star Linda Lovelace. It's gruelling in parts and her vile husband is just so easy to hate. It's a real all star cast list here thanks to Wikipedia:
It doesn't take a genius to realise that this is a dream line up of the who's who in Hollywood right now. I loved every minute of this movie, the disco music, the fantastic acting and the story was intriguing. I can't recommend this movie enough, I had a great time.

I have to say I am going to struggle to rate this film as I was outraged by what critics listed on the Wikipedia page had to say about the film. So it's up to you have a look below:


Ok so my Star Rating: 4.5 Stars, excellent!

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 5


TV Show 26 - The Following

Definitely the most exciting show of 2013 and the Kevin Bacon factor goes into overdrive. To say I can't wait for Season 2 is an understatement. Season 1's finale was one of the biggest season finales I have seen in years. This year we have seen a lot of disappointing finales (Glee Season 4 finale, Dexter last ever episode, Gossip Girl finale) so to my surprise this was AMAZING!



This season had my whole family talking. Great performances, great twists and amazing story-lines that all just built up to that wicked finale. Before it airs again next year get yourself familiar with this amazing action/thriller series.

It's not just the action but all the character development and the way the story just hooks you in. Compelling television right here.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 6


TV Show 25 - The Big C

Get your tissues out ladies & ladies, but also don't forget to LAUGH, what a series about Cancer could be funny? Really are you shitting me?

The Big C had an epic Season 1, a great Season 2 (that made me shed a tear) and an average season 3. Then came the final four hour long Hereafter season, take a look below:



Every season had me a little emotional but all four episodes in the Hereafter final piece were so magic, so emotional and so beautifully done. The cast in this show is amazing, the final scenes were just so well done and Laura Linney just deserves every award that comes her way.

Get the tissues ready cause shits gonna get real, this show was just amazing. It is a pleasure to list this as one of the 30 shows you must catch up on. Happy weekend viewing.

Friday, September 27, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 7


TV Show 24 - Girls

One word for today's show - GIRLS

YEs it's one of the most blogged about shows and one of the most talked about HBO shows on right now. Lena Dunham has created a real hit and her boobs sure get a lot of attention when they constantly come out episode after episode.

Girls has been ground breaking and a great replacement for Sex & the City on HBO. It's Girl Power and I love it. Teaming up good music, great fashion (well not always for Lena Dunham) and great current story lines.

I can't lie this show ROCKS!



Hurry up Season 3, the wait is killing me!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Mood Indigo


Talk about your so Frenchy so Chic, this movie is so Chic, no one knows what is going on, it's a real trip but visually a bit of a fun ride. If you have a spare hour and a half (the original was two hours ten minutes - happy I saw the 90 minute version) then this might be for you:


It's random, it's at times extremely strange, it's a love story (which zooms from first meeting to marriage in only a few scenes) and it's French, so what are you waiting for??

If the trailer scared you a little then the movie will just freak you out, maybe not one for the run of the mill cinema goers but I give it a random as fuck 3 stars.

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 8


TV Show 23 - Recovery

Remember when music shows actually had bands playing live and played good music? Well Recovery on ABC way back when was the show which launched Dylan Lewis, Leigh Whannell (multi million dollar Aussie film producer and horror king), Jane Gazzo and more....

Oh Recovery Saturday mornings from 9am back in 1996-2000 saw ABC TV and Triple J go from radio to TV and inter-grate such great new and massive bands at the time.

IT was always cooler than Video Hits, it was a high school kid favourite and a cult classic. Recovery now RIP but will forever live in my heart like this...



I miss music on Australian TV and no Channel V just doesn't cut it. I would love you ABC if Recovery came back onto our TV screens, am I asking too much? I think not.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 9


TV Show 22 - Wentworth

A recent addition to the Australian TV scene and a mighty good one at that! Wentworth is a look back at Prisoner with the settings in the current times with new actors all doing their best at the women's prison business. It came out (luckily) just before the Netflix series Orange is the New Black and apparently this is not the only two shows about to tackle ladies doing bad things. Keep an eye peeled.

With filming just starting for season 2 Wentworth could be Foxtel's next "Love my Way" or "Tangle". They sure are making some fantastic Australian content for the rich folk (Foxtel subscribers) to enjoy.

I am looking forward to season two and just hope it is as amazing as the first. Finally an Aussie drama that takes risks, doesn't play the safe Rafters card, what a relief!



The countdown is well and truly on for Wentworth Season 2!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 10


TV Show 21 - One Tree Hill

Running for an incredible number of seasons (9 to be exact) and kicking off in 2003 this CW teenage drama did well and where Friday Night Lights was all about American Football this was all about my previous favourite sport Basketball.

With a great cast and like Gossip Girl and other CW dramas a great soundtrack too and a good music focus all up really.

Look it was a little cheesy at times but 9 seasons and some big issues covered, I'm not going to lie it was easy to place this show on my list.

If you get a spare 100 weekends give One Tree Hill a chance, you will be hooked pretty early on!



My holiday is super soon so the BLOG will go from a TV Blog to a Travel blog real soon, so if you liked Getaway (I will not judge, Catriona Rowntree started out on Triple J, believe it or not?) then this BLOG will be for you, 4 parts of Asia covered with my unique view on things.

Laters XOXO

Monday, September 23, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 11


TV Show 20 - Desperate Housewives

Marc Cherry, after 180 episodes Desperate Housewives ended with a bang and a finale done well. It's rare so when done well it should be rewarded. Desperate Houses begun in 2004, I was living in Canada at the time and this show had it's fair share of water cooler moments. Borrowing cast members from Melrose Place and various other shows Desperate Housewives became one of the most loved female dramas of all time.

Desperate Housewives will go down as one of my favourite series of all time and now with Devious Maids Marc Cherry has continued this camp fun into the Latino setting of LA.

I loved so many things about this show, so let's look at the below now and remember the good times, the camp times and the fun times of Desperate Housewives:



It's a series I need to own on DVD cause it's going to age well and I would love to have a marathon when I can finally retire and put my old feet up.

Only a few more shows to come before my Asian GAP YEAR! Or gap few days to be more accurate.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 12


TV Show 19 - True Blood

Alan Ball started off the list of amazing shows with his masterpiece Six Feet Under and he continues on the list with his former baby True Blood. At the end of series 5 Alan Ball handed over the madness to Brain Buckner. Yes the first season was amazing, the next three were great and the fifth only so so and the last a bit on the lame side. However it is still one of the shows I truly look forward to.

I am excited they have called it quits at the end of series 7. I hope it just goes off with a complete bang (unlike previous series Gossip Girl which I am just finishing now) or is that a complete fang???



So that's where it all started, where will it finish? Who knows, only time will tell. Look forward to welcoming it back to our screens for one last time next Summer (USA Summer, our winter).

Saturday, September 21, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 13


TV Show 18 - The Walking Dead

A spin off of sorts has just been confirmed and this show is only going from strength to strength getting great ratings and building on an already strong fan base. From a comic book to a hit AMC TV series the Walking Dead shows that Zombies are as popular as Vampires, if not more popular.

Let's have a sneak peek at Season 4:



It's coming in October so get set everybody!

Friday, September 20, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 14


TV Show 17 - Californication

Oh David Duchovny really went from one extreme to another, after X Files it really became the Sex Files for Mulder. And now young David is almost not young anymore (clocking in at 53) the sex scenes with younger women are just awkward.

Anyway this show has had it's up's (Season 3 - Kathleen Turner - GOLD!) and it's rather dull moments (Season 1 - Season 6 from time to time) but overall this show continues to entertain and with Season 7 on the way, the only way is up!



So mark it in your diaries it's coming back!

Still a few more shows on the way....

Thursday, September 19, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 15


TV Show16 - The Slap

Thanks again to the ABC for delivering real Aussie drama from a great novel from Christis Tsiolkas (also the author behind Head On the movie however the book was titled Loaded).

The Slap had some of the countries best actors combine and work so well together. It was a great basic story which really had depth and the drama was just so top notch. Australian dramas over the recent years have been SAFE, safe to the point of extremely boring, Packed to the Rafters, Winners & Losers, House Husbands & Offspring to me just scream BORING, pass me a xanax.

So I applaud the writers, directors, creators and actors for being bold and creating in my mind a real masterpiece.

Here is a look at it:



Good on you ABC, Tony Abbott hands off please.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 16


TV Show 15 - Queer as Folk (USA Edition)

I didn't really love the UK (the original) version but when Showtime (Bless that Network!) reworked it for the US market. Filmed in Canada but set in America (confusing huh?) and with likable and not so likable characters this made for a great drama.



Over five seasons and 83 episodes, we saw so much nudity, so much sex but also explored some really important issues. I think it was a bold choice back in the day for programmers proving Showtime have been pushing boundaries in the USA for a while now.

If you get a few spare weekends (I know in the lead up to Christmas - not likely) then give this show a spin, you'll get lot's of eye candy, great tunes from many different genres and some real outstanding acting.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 17


TV Show 14 - The Americans

I missed the first airing of this series and then completely smashed it over a weekend (nearly). It was really nice seeing Keri Russell shot back onto our TV screens. Let's just say it has been a while between drinks since Felicity finished up.

The Americans was like Homeland's Season One, edge of the seat stuff so I am hoping unlike Homeland Season Two aims for the stars.



Looks good right? Can't wait for Season Two it debuts in January 2014.

Still a load more amazing TV coming your way!

Monday, September 16, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 18


TV Show 13 - Summer Heights High, We Could be Heroes & Angry Boys

Chris Lilley where do I start? I am so excited for this:



Love him or hate him, he is fucking funny, maybe Angry Boys was a bit off track but Summer Heights High and We Could be Heroes are now cult Australian shows and here is why:



Pure GOLD! I am so excited for Chris Lilley to return to the FAB ABC.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 19


TV Show 12 - American Horror Story

The third season (Coven) is one of the most anticipated shows of 2013. The previous two "Murder House" and "Asylum" were great and a shows and considered to be an anthology series due to the nature of a lot of the cast hanging around but cast as completely different characters in completely different settings. This will continue for Coven and as below the excitement is building.....



Looks pretty creepy huh? I just can't wait! All kicks off in October, so stay tuned.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 20


TV Show 11 - Nip/Tuck

The drama's, the controversy, the surgical scenes and the series long bad guys and girls. Ryan Murphy's Nip/Tuck was a breakout cult hit for FX and Julian McMahon played such a FAB womaniser. I loved every season of this show but I must admit series 6 and the finale was so lame.



As much as the last series was a little disappointing season 5 was an epically long series but oh so trashy and good.

Nip/Tuck just another show to add to your list to smash out. I know the weather is getting better but for those simply too hot days, grab a box set, set the air con to 18 and grab the chips.

Friday, September 13, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 21


TV Show 10 - 24

Can you believe this show is returning? Yes Jack Bauer will be back on our screens in 2014! After season 8 wrapped up in 2010 it felt action had left the TV schedule. The first season had me gripped and 24 episodes was not a chore at all, it was easy and addictive. It all started back in 2001 and had a gap over 2007/2008 with a TV movie in place of a full season with season 7 and 8 returning for 2009 and 2010.

I enjoyed this show so much and will definitely finish up season 8 before the special 12 episode "Live Another Day" season premiers next May.

Let's take a look at a past season:



24 will always go down as one of the best action series on television. Can't wait for a 12 episode hit next year, the countdown is ON!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 22


TV Show 9 - Dexter

Michael C Hall you have done it again! Six Feet Under totally already featured and as we watch the last hours of this amazing 8 year TV project we must remember DEXTER.

Dexter was one of those game changing TV shows and moved Showtime into the focus for creating some great television.

I have loved every season of this terrific thriller which at times is gory, funny and even sexy. Yes Michael C Hall can be sexy as can some of the remainder of the cast.



Oh it will be sad to say goodbye to this TV gem, but all good things come to an end. Dexter you'll be missed, Deb your foul mouth will be sadly not heard and a show that takes risks and doesn't play safe, man Australian TV execs listen up this is the way good TV should be made, thanks and goodbye.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 23


TV Show 8 - Melrose Place (RIP 1992-1999)

One of the BEST shows of all time makes us look back to 90's world and it's the killer bitch fest that was Melrose Place. Heather Locklear, Marcia Cross, Grant Show & Andrew Shue, oh man let's check this out:



A lot of these guys went onto better things, if you watched either Desperate Housewives or Devious Maids you would have seen these guys on the TV. They tried bringing this gem back in 2009 and failed, however it actually wasn't that bad.

If you can find this on DVD, go check it out, I still love every Melrose moment.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 24


TV Show 7 - East West 101

SBS tried it's hand at drama (Aussie Drama even) and won with this 3 season police drama with guts and heart to boot. A great cast, great writing and solid plot across the three seasons lead this to be one of my favourite Australian shows of all time.

Let's take a look at the great SBS show which finished up in 2011:



Don Hany and Aaron Fa'aoso really did a great job on this show, it left our screens too soon, yet sometimes it's better to go off with a bang than drag on (House Husbands - HELLO or maybe Packed to the Rafters).

Still loads more great TV to come, keep an eye out...

Monday, September 9, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 25


TV Show 6 - Gossip Girl

XOXO!

Yes the New York dream lived by young, attractive rich folk, now that is what TV is all about! TV is a form of escapism and I think this is best delivered from a show like Gossip Girl. The cast live wonderful (sorted) lives and drama generally is turned up to 11.

With a great looking cast and finishing up before the youth gave up on the journey it was sad for fans to farewell one of the CW's biggest shows (ever).



Unfortunately while looking for a clip I think I found out who Gossip Girl is, so I will not spoil it for anyone who is about to take the Gossip Girl journey. A journey well worth it in my books :)

So until tomorrow when I expose another TV favourite, XOXO

Sunday, September 8, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 26


TV Show 5 - Love My Way

The first season of this show completely broke my heart (like many other readers to I am sure) and I will not spoiler alert any readers who are like Love My Way, what?

This is where I discovered Asher Keddie and to be honest this is a much better program than Offspring. Asher's role had balls, she was unhinged but still loveable. Claudia Karvan is always sublime and before Dan Wyllie was on every Australian TV (even fucking Squizzy!) he was Asher's defeated husband.

Brendan Cowell is not nice to look at but he sure is talented and he rounded up the primary characters. I have to say Season 2 never reached the heights of Season 1 and Season 3 just felt like an after thought. So basically if you only do one Love My Way thing, do Season 1, it's ace, heartbreaking and funny all at once.

Let's take a quick look below:



Still a load more ACE TV to come!

Saturday, September 7, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 27


TV Show 4 - GLEE

We all know Ryan Murphy is genius and this will not be the only Ryan Murphy involved TV show in this list. He seems to be spreading himself across multiple networks and involved with multiple shows. However Glee is one of his lightest (and sometimes darkest) shows. Let's take a look at one of my favourite performances:



With series 5 about to start and with the sad loss of Cory Monteith let's take a look at where they are headed:


With a 6th series already in the works it looks like the show will wrap there but not without some really memorable moments.

Friday, September 6, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 28


TV Show 3 - UNDERBELLY

The original and still the best (really - how bad was Squizzy? Clearly Channel 9 knew it was a dud by compressing it to 8 episodes over 6 short, short weeks) so let's not dwell on the franchise's downward spiral.

Let's take a squiz (LOL) at the trailer (not the best quality - much like a lot of the Aussie Drama out there - Wonderland anyone? Thought not...):



There you go so far I have given you three shows to smash over the weekend with the promise of two more over the weekend. Play nice over the weekend.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 29


TV Show 2 - Damages

So any reader of this BLOG will know I love Rose Byrne and Glenn Close ain't half bad either, so together along with a great special guests and amazing season long mysteries, Damages has become a favourite among many TV lovers, here is a sample why:



I was sad to see it go but after five years they knew when to hang up their boots. It ended on a high and  I think that Damages will always be remembered as a bit of a masterpiece.

Tune in tomorrow for show #3, until then, laters....

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

30 Days til my GAP Year Asia - DAY 30


So TV Show 1 - SIX FEET UNDER



So I am starting with a big one, yes TV came of age with shows like this. I adored Six Feet Under when I smashed all 5 series on DVD. I was so upset when I completed the five series journey. What a journey it was. And the finale is still one of the best final episodes EVER....

TV has come along way since this show ended, Alan Ball moved onto True Blood and Michael C Hall well he is Dexter.

So with only 29 days till I take off to the lovely land of ASIA keep tuned I have so much good (and a fair share of trash) to share with you.

Enjoy and dust off those Six Feet Under series and have a marathon night in tonight.

Monday, September 2, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Were The Millers


The gross out comedy films for 2013 just keep coming and add a former Friends star to the mix it's a hybrid ROM gross out COM.

So let's take a look first at this new film:



So there you have it, unfortunately for me a lot of the best bits were offered in the trailer I saw. So hopefully I didn't give you too much of a spoiler alert LOL

So is this film any good? Yes and no. Jennifer Aniston is not a good actress and basically her playing a stripper, it just doesn't work and thank god she plays an American mom for the most part of it.

Look for the most part I really enjoyed this film and it's revival of TLC's "Waterfalls" however with an overcrowded comedy market (like superhero and action films) films really need to stand up and be counted. This did for the most part the ROM addition to the COM was slightly daft but still it kept sucking me back in.

So We're the Millers, I am expecting a sequel and the box office figures look good for this one and I think despite it's downfalls it does deliver some genuine laughs. So here it is 3 Anal Stars 4 this latest comedy.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

What's On @ the Movies 2013 - Kick Ass 2


Had a great cinema experience yesterday and I was just thrilled to enjoy a mixed genre piece. Kick-Ass the original film was a surprise hit so it was always on the cards that a sequel would pop up. And the best thing about the sequel was (unlike some reviews I've heard) actually doesn't suck.

I actually just sat back (besides a quick run to the toilet - note to self, do not drink one coffee + a litre of mineral water before a 2 hour film + 20 minutes or more of trailers/ads) and loved the comedy (Hit Girl/Mindy delivers some killer lines that can only come out of a young girls mouth, the action scenes (were actually more fun than White House Down) & the coming of age moments, high school can be so cruel (even to a superhero).

So let's take a peek at a naughty trailer:



So this film is it for everyone? No, if you don't like violence or young kids behaving badly, steer clear but if you like an anti comic book movie, check it! Also in the pipeline Kick-Ass 3, YES!

So here we go 4 KICK-ASS Stars for Kick-Ass 2!