Thursday, December 31, 2015

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015


Happy New Year folks and let's finish the year with another Boxing Day film release, JOY.

Unlike Suffragette I didn't hate this film, I heard it was random and all over the shop the day I saw this and man was that reviewer right, this film is bat shit crazy.



After seeing the above god damn trailer a million and one times in my film going days in the lead up to this release I started off hating every inch of this film and trailer before deciding no I really love Jennifer Lawrence and now she is done with the Hunger Games I cannot wait to see what she does next. And here she is looking ever so vibrant, fabulous and that hair!

After seeing this film I learnt Joy Mangano EXISTS yes she is real and so is the Miracle Mop. I didn't really do my research well ahead of this film but in all honesty the trailer is just so random, but really this film is in a way too.

Her family is horrible, her mother is addicted to these god awful soap operas, her father (Robert De Niro - reunion from the Silver Linings Playbook), her children are always sick and her Grandmother is the only supportive one in Joy's manic life.

Her ex-husband is fairly irritating and her step sister, what a cunt. Joy is truly a film that released around this time of the year makes YOU the viewer sit up and think, what am I doing with my life? What could I do better? Why aren't I as fab as J-LAW? How did this whacky mop and TV gig (thanks to Bradley Cooper - reunion number 2 Silver Linings Playbook) all work.

I smiled, laughed and feel in love with Joy throughout this film, it's a little long and at times you think, what on Earth else can go wrong for this poor kid (I reference J-LAW as a kid after Hunger Games and her desired audience).

So for one of my final films of 2015 (I did also see Daddy's Home which will be reviewed tomorrow or the next day) I throughly enjoyed this, along with Star Wars it's been a good end to the year (excluding Suffragette) in the film world.

Joy, it ain't going to be everyone's holiday tale, but I loved it, 4 joyful stars, well done.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

When the City clears out in the Post Christmas Pre NYE No Mans Lands continues in Sydney


Sydney is dreamy in and around Christmas time/Post Christmas time, so it always astounds me when someone tells me, "We're leaving the city this Christmas". Once Christmas is done and dusted the city just clears, in Chippendale here where I blog the streets are clear, the parking is easy and all the small hipster cafes are shut.

Why would I choose to take holidays from this lovely City spot when holidaying all around the nation are families and large groups, no thanks give me the peace of this City anytime.

I love Sydney (sometimes I have an affair with my families Central Coast home) however for the most part I actually like Sydney. I have a great gym (also quiet at the moment but still sufficient eye candy), I have great friends, the food is fucking amazing, there are great outdoor spots and cinemas are everywhere, heaven.

Sydney in Summer or the no mans land between Christmas and that other horrid night filled with expectations and let downs New Years, there is no better place to live.

I always countdown to Boxing Day and the day everyone heads North, South, West, East just not in the City unless they are at Pitt Street Mall, BORING.

Shortly during this dreamy period I will bring you another Boxing Day film review ahead of my new 2016 movie review segment, That Movie Gay 2016. Coming Early 2016 I will give you a no holds bar review of every film I take in, in the new year.

Until tomorrow or soon, Happy Holidays.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

DVD Classic: This Is Where I Leave You


Do you know that moment when you put a movie on and realise, have I actually seen this already? That's the feeling I had when I rented (yes I'm old) This is Where I Leave You, a family drama instant classic from last year (2014).

Yes a movie a classic from only one year ago, hell yes.

Starring an all star cast including my personal favourite Rose Byrne, Jason Bateman, Jane Fonda (pure brilliance over the last few years, what a comeback), Tina Fey, Adam Driver (Stars Wars: the Force Awakens IT guy), Connie Britton and loads more awesome talent.

This is Where I Leave You is a truly great tale of a family who lose their Father/Husband and it is just a sublime holiday treat. Sometimes a dysfunctional family drama can be amazing and sometimes it can fall flat on it's dysfunctional ass, this is the first an amazing and fun look at how families deal with grief, loss and change over the years.

I have always loved Rose Byrne but Jane Fonda as the supreme mother in this film is particularly wonderful. She is being praised for her performance in the Boxing Day (limited, VERY limited release Boxing Day film, indie cinemas only) Youth, recently TV wise in The Newsroom she was brilliant and now on the Netflix comedy Grace & Frankie Fonda shines. Still to come is season two of Grace & Frankie (it has also been renewed for a third season despite the second even starting), and film wise Fonda has another two on the way. For a 78 year old she is having a great time entertaining us the audience.

Jason Bateman is so hit and miss it's good to see him in a hit. He was great in my Jump Out of the Seat film The Gift this past year and then on the flip side dreadful in Bad Words and Horrible Bosses 2.

So if you have a moment over this Post Christmas/Pre New Years period, give this one a red hot go.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Orange is the New Black | Season 3


Joining the cast this year (Season 3) is Ruby Rose, Australia represent! This series aired on Netflix in it's entirety around June this year, it's now December and in that no mans land period of post Christmas Pre New Years Eve, so what the hell Netflix let's give this lady jail comedy-drama another go.

I was not a huge fan of Season 2, Wentworth in Australia also airs around the same time and two lady prison shows at once is a bit much. It's kind of like Devious Maids and Mistresses in the US, you can only do some much Camp Drama (a new genre) in one week.

The thing about Orange is the New Black is the show has so many characters and so much going on it's hard for a big TV nerd like me to catch up and follow on. With no series two recap at the start of episode one I found myself on Wikipedia looking up hints as to where season two wrapped up.

Season two aired all the way back in June 6, 2014 so commencing this around December 2015 and in the nature of Netflix pure binge of all 13 episodes in one go that wraps up almost 18 months since watching the last series.

In between that 18 months I have smashed a fuck load of good/bad and super average TV. I almost need to do a Best of TV list like my previous best of movies list below.

So Orange is the New Black, does it deserve a fourth season? Which has already been renewed by the TV/entertainment giant Netflix. I am not sure, the first series was great, it was an instant Netflix hit like House of Cards. Like House of Cards, OITNB also has a cult following (mostly lesbians) and is always worked into pop culture discussions. Some Netflix shows like this have become such cult favourites almost overnight and created their own brand.

This is the strength of Netflix creating household names within their own household name brand.

As I am only up to episode 7 I cannot comment on all 13 episodes however I do hope to be done before New Years Eve/Day.

Next up I hope to catch up with Girlfriends Guide to Divorce which like Mistresses and Devious Maids seems to be in the Camp Drama genre.

Until then Happy Holidays and all the best for 2016 you crazy kids xo

Sunday, December 27, 2015

American Crime | Season 2


From writer/creator and director John Ridley sees his mid season US series American Crime return. After a load of critical acclaim and award nominations and recognition this ABC (US station) limited episode drama starts up with a new crime and a few new cast members.

Like American Horror Story (and soon not to be confused American Crime story) & True Detective this anthology series creates a new story each season and recycles some cast in completely new roles. This has worked extremely well for American Horror Story with cast changing and evolving over multiple series. It is also great for shows that a story in a season starts and fans of the show grow bored, but return for a whole new idea next year.

The first season of this show was a bit groundbreaking for ABC, taking a break from the usual light hearted Desperate Housewives, Revenge style story telling. This show was more like a cable drama, a HBO light or less risqué Showtime show.

Viewers started well with over 8 million, but ending with only half that with episode 11 wrapping with just over 4 million. In my eyes season two is due for a better run as it's one episode less being a nice even Steven 10 episode run and starting January 6 (first episode online already) and wrapping up early March 2016. I love a short and sharp, NO interruptions run. Homeland did this so well this season, started early October, done before Christmas.

So my thoughts on the first episode of this 10 episode second season, not bad, not bad at all. Felicity Huffman has a completely different role, as does Timothy Hutton and Lili Taylor goes from a recurring member to a regular cast member.

I really did enjoy the set up of this first episode and hope it holds its own for the entire 10 episode run, unfortunately Murder in the First (a similar styled show on TNT) did not did this and by the end of it's 12 episode run it had really run out of steam and I was surprised TNT green lit a third season.

Must say whilst on TNT very excited about the TV series adaption of Australian film Animal Kingdom. Watch this space for news on that.

Anyway over the long weekend waste some more time away, also appearing online is the first episode of new FOX series Second Chance (formerly known as the Frankenstein code and then Lookinglass), but maybe don't get too attached it's already been reduced to an 11 episode order and speaking of getting attached the final few episodes of Wicked City (ABC's first cancellation and I am sure not the last for the 2015-2016 season) have also begun appearing online.

The poor boys of Gossip Girl, Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford's new series have both been poorly reviewed and watched by US audiences.

Also I am finally getting on top of Orange is the New Black season 3 and have not spotted Ruby Rose yet but I am enjoying more than the second series and I think having a longer break after smashing the living shit out of the brilliant Wentworth I was ready for some more ladies prison action.

Until next time, Happy Holidays xo

Saturday, December 26, 2015

CAN. NOT. EVEN. WAIT. FOR. THIS.


This show has gotten better and better as the seasons roll on and I see no reason for Showtime to put an end to the stunning family drama Shameless. This artwork below just continues to show the amazing creative behind this jewel in the crown for Showtime's drama roster.



I cannot wait till January for this show and several others shows returning to cable and network US stations. Australian wise Benjamin Law's terrific comedy drama starts on SBS mid January. Excited!

Friday, December 25, 2015

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015


Where does one begin with STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, after years of hype, years of anticipation I was for one so excited to have been patient enough to have waited an entire week to see the first of the new trilogy in LUX (Hoyts version of Gold Class) on Christmas Eve. What a Christmas treat!



The only thing that for me was sad, was the ending, this could have gone on at least another hour and I hate long movies, y'all know that by now.

So I don't want to spoil this for anyone who has waited to see this for a special occasion of like me just wanted to have nice seats.

This is amazing, it topped my list for the best hyped film for 2015, a tie for my best film of 2015 and really it could have been a tie with the Walk for the best 3D movie, yes 3D is great for Star Wars.

This film is doing such big business and all we can do now is countdown until May 26, 2017 for the next instalment. The third in the new trilogy is also set for May 2019, so in the next few years Star Wars is going to break box office records 3 out of 5 years.

The marketing/release team did the best job ever releasing this ahead of Boxing Day (not that their is any competition) and New Years Day films. After my One Star review of the truly dreadful Suffragette (I love women but girl power is 10 times better than this!) the only film I can say I am looking forward to is Joy. I have seen the trailer 67 times and I hated the look of it at the start but when I realised the only other films this Boxing Day were:

Alvin & the Chipmunks (The Road Chip)
Daddy's Home
The Good Dinosaur
Suffragette

So it's not really any competition in that lot to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This film is a tour de force, not only is it movie ticket/DVD sales, toy sales, soundtrack sales, costume and clothing merch sales but this film has spread like wild fire. The amount of folks wearing/dressed in Star Wars merch lately is mad. I lose count of how many folks are getting around in the Force is with You stuff.

I love it and the dam have done an amazing job. This took me back to my childhood with the original films. My favourite Return of the Jedi and I just pray for more Ewoks in coming sequels.

This film to me is perfect in every sense of the word perfect. It's event cinema/movie at it's best, it's Gold Class perfection, it's a million light years ahead of recent blockbusters Spectre and Hunger Gamer, it's just brilliant.

For me Star Wars in the current film climate is an easy 5 Star film. Just brilliant, I will be going again this Summer loved it sick!

So there you go no spoilers, a random Christmas rant about the state of the latest releases and a flawless score, so get out there, avoid the Boxing Day sales and continue to grow Star Wars sensational box office.

Happy Holidays xo

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Best Movies of 2015


BEST hyped film of 2015 - Star Wars - The Force Awakens

BEST jump out of the seat film - The Gift

BEST Teen drama/coming of age/comedy blah - The Duff

BEST film of 2015 - Three Way Tie:

1. Spy

2. Trainwreck

3. Star Wars - The Force Awakens

BEST small film - Last Cab to Darwin

BEST 3D movie - The Walk (Joseph Gordon Levitt with a French accent, yes please)

BEST Aussie Movie - Three Way Tie:

1. The Dressmaker
2. Mad Max: Fury Road
3. Last Cab to Darwin

BEST Music film - Straight Outta Compton

BEST controversial film of 2015 - 50 Shades of Grey

BEST Drama - Two Way Tie:

1. Still Alice
2. Miss You Already

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Bad News, Good News


Sometimes bad news can actually be good news you know. At this time of the year our patience is tested, our relationships are tested and our time is tested. We all rush around to get those last minute gifts, we all panic that what we get our loved ones is good enough and shows how much we care about them, we all strive to make Christmas a memorable day. But why is one day so important over all the other 364 days?

I know I bang on a lot about Christmas not being the be all and end all but really why do we stress that the gravy is perfect, we have enough ice, the wine is the right wine or the gift is just right?

I have no idea why one day a year, at the end of a long (and after watching 7:30 tonight with the divine Leigh Sales, 2015 has been a cunt of a year right?) year there is so much pressure put on Christmas. And don't get me started on the expectations for New Years Eve.

So back to 7:30, the 15 minute clip of 2015 made me feel lucky, loved, healthy and grateful for what I have. I am not in a war torn country being destroyed by peoples mad thoughts on their faith, I am not a victim of domestic violence, I am not mourning a loved one over Christmas (although my dear great Aunt you are in my thoughts, but 103 was one hell of an innings) like victims of terrorism, the Chan and Sukumaran families of anyone who has lost someone this year.

I reflected upon some news with anger today, but after a great RPM (spin, bike class at the gym) with the amazing George, I realised life is grand, life is short and life needs to be taken by the handlebar (so to speak when in an RPM class).

2016 will be a better year, but 2015 has been a year (more so recently) I have shared with friends and family. A year of memories (some good and some bad), a year of learnings, a year of experiences, a year filled with local and international travel, a year filled with boot camp and challenges to my fitness and most importably a year of growing older and I hope wiser.

2015 a year of good (no Tony Abbott as a national embarrassment anymore) and bad (terrorism and international tears) news and 2016 will be another year of good and bad news stories but we all have to make the decision to live positively and I am a strong believer in living actively, testing yourself physically and challenging yourself. Learn to love yourself and learn to love your body.

That's my pre-christmas pep talk, same time tomorrow?

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

More rain, really? But it's Christmas...


I am not the worlds biggest fan of Christmas (and if you're a reader of this BLOG from time to time you will already know this) but rain on and all around Christmas. Poor tourists coming to Sydney thinking they might come into contact with a hot, sunny Christmas day. Not at this rate anyway.

So today is the first day in forever I can remember it raining from first wake (7am) right up until now (almost 6pm) and non stop. I reckon Sydney will be so super green by New Years Eve there is no need to waste all that money on the fireworks (Clover - we know you love the smell of smoke in the air after a few million dollar firework explosions).

So does rain make you lazy? Me - fuck yes, today has been one of those days I could easily write off, thank god I have plans tomorrow (as this weather is apparently here through Christmas and the all important Boxing Day) and Thursday I am finally seeing Star Wars. That said my Best of Films list is so on the way.

The Boxing Day films this year look a little average this year (another Chipmunks movie really???) and after suffering through Suffragette, bring on the New Years Day films. Point Break remake - FUCK YES!

Ok I am off to a new gym class I am in love with, CXWORX followed by Grit Series, two great classes one great gym, thanks Sydney Uni Gym, you all are the best xo

Sunday, December 20, 2015

We've Turned into a Nation of Looking Down (Not Up or Around)


This has been bugging me for a while, not because people keep bumping into me when I am trying to Vogue up George or Pitt Street but because we are becoming a nation of people missing out. And not via FOMO but because we are too nervous that if you don't keep on top of your Facebook or Insta or Snapchat you will miss something huge, like John eating a cronut in Summer Hill, OH NO, or Melody taking a selfie at Wet n (NOT SO) Wild Sydney.

Australia is all over smartphones, loves their iPhones, Samsung's and whatever the fuck else is out in this market sick. Australia's are developing hookers neck left right and off centre. Australia's are too bust looking down and not looking at what a amazing country (unless your on public transport and you dear speak Spanish - what was that story yesterday? What a complete Thunder Cunt, to pull someone up for speaking such a beautiful language as Spanish, how very Christmas Australia) and seeing all it has to offer.

Now Christmas is the time for people to get super stressed, worrying about the amount of food they will over carter at this years Christmas lunch and how much will end up in the bin this year. We do love waste right Australia?

So my Christmas gift to you dear readers today is the advice to look up this Summer, take in the sights, if anything it's hot so people wear less clothes, you can get a sneaky peek at some complete hottie wearing next to nothing. Hot!

Nothing on Social Media really matters, FACT, unless it's breaking news and your in a bushfire area, in the middle of a national disaster, or some terrible event which is happening more and more in the world right now.

So if you are just out with friends (like most normal people do at this time of the year), put your phone to the side, learn to listen again, engage in the person in front of you and not your 15 Insta followers who are just moist at the thought of your next selfie with a triple chin.

Australian's it's time to wake up and look up and chill, you will also not run into some other mug who is busy with their FOMO rage set to level 10.

Come on guys n girls this Christmas/Summer Slack period lets look up, WI-FI could drop out at any moment now.......

Saturday, December 19, 2015

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015


Oh SUFFRAGETTE, preview screenings (advance screenings, whatever you like to call it, although is it advance when the film was released early September in the UK) the weekend of Star Wars opening. Someone distributor must have forgot to check the release schedule as this weekend is about one film and it's definitely not Suffragette.

Now this is NOT a positive review at all and I will struggle to write much about this poorly made, dull and at times just bewilderingly bad film which had such potential. Not to mention the usual of Ms Meryl Streep for a mere 5 minutes.



I am all for women's rights and particularly the right to vote, but make me believe it in a more interesting way. Carey Mulligan was fine as the lead and Helen Bonham Carter was almost normal in a film, but overall the main things I took away from this film were the facts before the credits at the end of the film.

I was super disappointed after not being to the cinema in over a week to come out of the movies thinking, what a shitty ending and why did they make this film that way.

So to set it up something big happens and movie basically ends, no explanation, no conclusion and just some bullet points and voting facts and figures to conclude a rather dull and dark affair.

I can't seeing this pulling in any cash over the Summer at the box office, a truly average film if ever I have seen one, 1 lonely and bored star for Helen, Meryl & Carey.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Does it Really Feel like Christmas?


Is it because I am sick or is it because there are sales at every store in Australia 24/7 these days that Christmas just doesn't feel like a thing in 2015.

With the news reporting on budget issues, this year more Australians are in debt and will get themselves into greater debt over Christmas & that housing prices (for those are in the market) are finally slowing right down.

The main positive I see during the Christmas period is the forced shutdown and quiet time in the city. Sydney is not exactly the most 24/7 city in the world I have visited but still to be able to walk down the street and there is some peace in the air.

I have been wanting to write about Stereosonic but now Soundwave is equally in as much trouble as the troubled dance music festival.

Now I don't like to kick a sick dog while it's down but Stereosonic and Soundwave are both completely dead in the water. Unlike the niche music festivals and regional festivals which are still drawing a crowd.

Laneway Festival, Groovin the Moo, Falls Festival and Blues & Roots all seem to be on the up and up however the lose of Big Day Out, Homebake, Future Music Festival & Harvest leave city markets with a lot less choice of the festival season.

Unfortunately music festivals (sad news during the festival season) seem dead once again, news of no Soundwave in 2017 and troubles in 2016 with Bring Me the Horizon not really confirmed and no signs of sold out signs for any cities, could this once HUGE festival really lost it's appeal? I heard rumours of unpaid bills from last year and AJ Maddah seems to create more drama than necessary so this is no surprise really. With music festivals no longer selling out, failing to snag a great headliner it's a tough game and then you add in deaths to the mix.

Steresonic once was a two day epic which was at the top of the game of selling tickets and bringing out the hottest on the dance scene. Unfortunately this year along with other dance events there have been causalities. Stereosonic's PR department and handling of these were less than average.

I would be largely surprised if this festival would return to the festival circuit in 2016. Downsizing from two days to one day this year, not selling out in key cities like Sydney would be hurting and the two deaths and multiple hospitalisations can not be helping their cause.

It has been described in the media that Steresonic has become a drug festival with music in the background. This is alarming. Can I say as a 33 year old who has done almost every brand of music festival (most of which are dead and buried now) I have never read some much negativity about the events and how they have been run.

I was at Big Day Out Sydney when Jessica Michalik passed away in a horrific mosh pit. Back in 2001 it was more about the music and less about the drugs. Drinking has always been huge at the festivals but hess new and dangerous drugs that have reared there ugly heads and potentially helped kill off more music festivals.

My favourite experience at a festival did have to be the once and one time only Tibetan Freedom Concert back in 1999 which was a completely drug and alcohol free event. I have to say this event had one of the best vibes ever I have attended and as I said before I had done almost every brand of festival:

Future Music Festival
Homebake
Groovin the Moo - Maitland
Livid - Brisbane
Splendour in the Grass
Dogbite (Now Groovin the Moo)
Laneway Festival
Shore Thing
Park Life
Good Vibrations (Now over, sad face)

So what's this got to do with Christmas? Nothing really, but it does show that Australia we need to look at where we are going, all this drinking, drug use around holidays. So please this Christmas/Holiday period, take care of your friends, families and fellow festival goers.

All the best these Holidays...

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Sick Bay


For the first time in almost (or just over, not 100% sure) I have vomited and by vomiting I mean extreme violence and pressure from the mouth and nose. I was sick as a dog Sunday night, Monday I was like an extra from the Walking Dead and today my body has done something so weird, it's bounced back, not 100% to my normal boot camp going self but this weird middle me.

Food is more attractive and I am being more adventurous than eating dry toast and vegemite.

So in summary in being sick I missed my Sunday night movie (thank god in a way or otherwise King Street Newtown would have copped it) and I missed an advance screening of Suffragette on Monday and have become glued to the new series Quantico from the troubled US ABC network. After several flops in 2015 ABC has seen Wicked City pulled from the air after only three episodes, Blood and Oil wrapping up with only ten episodes (and what a shitty ending by the way - so wish I didn't have to see out shows to see how the end game plays out) and the Muppets also under performing.

As I sit here catching up on the second last episode of the brilliant Homeland (thank god season six has been green lit) I wonder what tomorrow will bring on my second worst and most violent spell of gastro.

I am so unsure of how this came to be but Sydney a warning, it's going around says my local GP so look out. Apparently public pools are a breeding ground for it and god knows about some of Sydney's restaurants.

So hence less posts lately and I am finally back on top of Flashing off the Record and this weeks impressive feature CD below.


Until next time, good night and of course none of what I am going through compares to what the people of the Sydney Siege faced this time last year, so my thoughts are with you. My thoughts are also with families who are doing it tough this Christmas, Christmas is not an easy time for all so if you can help someone less fortunate out than yourself, that to me is what Christmas time is all about.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

73rd Golden Globe Awards Nominations | Predictions


My picks below in RED and BOLD

Best Television Series – Drama
Empire (Fox)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Mr. Robot (USA)
Narcos (Netflix)
Outlander (Starz)
Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Casual (Hulu)
Mozart in the Jungle (Amazon)
Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)
Silicon Valley (HBO)
Transparent (Amazon)
Veep (HBO)

Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

American Crime (ABC)
American Horror Story: Hotel (FX)
Fargo (FX)
Flesh and Bone (Starz)
Wolf Hall (BBC)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

Kirsten Dunst, Fargo
Lady Gaga, America Horror Story: Hotel
Sarah Hay, Flesh and Bone
Felicity Huffman, American Crime
Queen Latifa, Bessie
Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
Idris Elba, Luther
Oscar Isaac, Show Me a Hero
David Oyelowo, Nightingale
Mark Rylance, Wolf Hall
Patrick Wilson, Fargo

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama

Caitriona Balfe, Outlander
Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder
Eva Green, Penny Dreadful
Taraji P. Henson, Empire
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
Wagner Moura, Narcos
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical

Rachel Bloom, My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Jamie Lee Curtis, Scream Queens
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin
Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical
Aziz Ansari, Master of None
Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle
Rob Lowe, The Grinder
Patrick Stewart, Blunt Talk
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black
Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Regina King, American Crime
Judith Light, Transparent
Maura Tierney, The Affair
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall
Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline
Tobias Menzies, Outlander
Christian Slater, Mr. Robot

Friday, December 11, 2015

Kate Miller-Heidke | The Divorce


Over 4 nights the ABC brought to our screens a real Soap Opera. In the Summer months Australia networks treat viewers like second class citizens and give us sport, repeats, the occasional stuff that fails so miserably during the year it's the only place you can burn off the remaining episodes.

However the ABC has given us four delightful nights of this star studded local production.

I am NO Opera fan and that's no lie, but The Divorce is a camp slice of Summer TV heaven.

As my favourite American shows wrap up for the year/the Mid-Season/Christmas break it's time to discover some stuff I have missed out on completely or discover little gems like this The Divorce which will still be up on iView for a period.

Kate Miller-Heidke has always been a talent I have followed over the years from first hearing her haunting track "Space They Cannot Touch" around 11 years ago on Triple J. Yes Triple J used to play this divine diva.

But in 2009 Kate saw such great success with the brilliant "Last Day on Earth". Used on Neighbours this song went on to sell Platinum x3 (meaning 210,000 copies) in Australia alone. The album Curiouser also saw the brilliant tracks "Can't Shake It" and "Caught in the Crowd" which won an International Songwriting prize.

Kate crowd funded her fourth album O Vertigo and has had great success on the live stage with appearances in Jerry Springer: The Opera and now the Rabbits.

Kate is a super successful and brilliant Australian and next month like Kate and other talented Australian artists I will feature Australian music all January 2016 long, so pop by HERE to fall in love with Australian music. I have also voted in the Hottest 100 and you can see my favourite ten tracks there.

If you love you will love my other BLOG Flashing off the Record.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Jessica Jones.


So I loved Daredevil back in April 2015 (it then got renewed and I got moist) but Jessica Jones, I am two episodes in on this binge ride and I am not there yet.

Critically this show has been acclaimed as Bloodline, Daredevil and House of Cards. I have to say I completely lost interest in Orange is the New Black at the end of series 2 (maybe all the Wentworth/Women's prison dramas in my life was too much) but usually with Netflix series once I am in, I'm in.

The whole all episodes on X day sometimes give you a mammoth task of say like Jessica Jones 13 episodes in your face all at once. I am a huge fan of like what Scream Queens did, start with a double episode, finish with a double episode. But 13 hour long shows at once, can sometimes be a bit much.

That said I do like the cast and lead Krysten Ritter is great and an interesting new leading lady whilst Mike Colter is just plain handsome as Luke Cage (who will also get a series in 2016 on Netflix) and lastly Aussie (kiss of death) Rachael Taylor may have landed herself a role on a show that doesn't get cancelled immediately.

Taylors former leading lady shows:

Crisis - cancelled by NBC
666 Park Avenue - Cancelled by ABC
Charlies Angels - 2011 reboot cancelled after only a few episodes and had critics and fans running for the hills.

So Jessica Jones, let's focus on the girl power positives, it is smart, well written and unlike the above mentioned Charlie's Angels the action scenes are wonderful.

The comic book/action series market in the US is currently so crowded, Arrow, The Flash, iZombie and soon to hit the CW Legends of Tomorrow is just on one Network alone. Then we have Gotham, Supergirl, Agent Carter, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and soon to air (however the pilot leaked all over the net) Lucifer.

Sometimes all this same/same but different (CSI franchise I'm looking at you) can be good for a few seasons but then the public find something else they have a taste that can only be filled by multiple shows on multiple stations on multiple days.

Netflix allows fans to really dig there teeth into a series and not do the whole September to May US TV season, however this can then lead to waiting close to (or depending on your binge) one entire year till the cliffhanger is resolved.

So I have to be bold and say by the end of episode two I am not yet in love but may fall in this with yet another Marvel hero. I have to say though the Deadpool trailer is really getting me excited for 2016 at the cinema. As the end of 2015 is well, all about Star Wars and other blockbuster franchises and not a lot else.

Ok so that's it for Pension Thursday, have a great day, bye for now...

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

All I can say is WHY?


Yesterday was one of those days where I pushed through a few too many early mornings and boot camps and found two articles which truly shocked me. American and their guns and Australia and someone thinking a ten year celebration of the Cronulla Riots is a good idea.

I don't know if it was just because I was tired or emotional but this shit is fucked up.

The US & guns:

This list is a disgrace, the NRA completely has blood on it's hands and I would challenge you to find another country with so many mass shootings in one year.

Australia thank god saw the light after only one mass shooting in Port Arthur.

Cronulla and the Ten Year Anniverasy which has seen the area lose tourism and become the end to all racist jokes:

This weekend the Party for Freedom (another kooky far right wing group) is not only selling insane merch but trying to have a celebration to mark the anniversary for one of the worst events in Australian history.

Australia needs to keep calm now and not pander to what terrorists want us to do, which is turn on one another. If someone is different and doesn't sell the vile institution of Christmas or Easter (which if we really look at ourselves, the only people winning at these times of the year are big business) don't judge them or think they are strange, we are all entitled to have different beliefs or traditions.

Some people may think I'm insane for labelling Christmas and Easter "vile", well look vile is a strong word but I recently volunteered at an event and Christmas isn't about how many gifts you give your child on this ONE day or at Easter how much chocolate you give them, it's an all round job.

I see myself as a giving person, all year round, not because I am told by the local shopping centre we have a 50% off Christmas sale.

So my point is people of Cronulla and the haters out there in the UPF, Party for Freedom or any of these other demented far right groups, difference in people, whether it be their religion, colour, traditions or values makes us all interesting to one another.

Imagine a world of all white, all straight, all Christian, all conservative, all married with two kids, all Bolt Report watching, 2GB/3AW (for my Melbourne folk) listening and Daily Telegraph/Herald Sun (agin for you Melbourne) reading folk. The world WOULD be fucking boring as bat shit.

Australia embrace difference, Australia learn to love again, Australia learn to accept we are a nation of many, white, black, Asian, Middle Eastern and everything in between and that's what makes us great.

So this Christmas, instead of being a statistic of eating too much and adding to our growing issue of Australian's overweight, stop and think of someone else, do a good deed, talk to someone outside your Facebook friends or Instagram followers, LIVE a little.

Rant over, Merry fucking Christmas, if ever the world needed HOPE (American & Cronulla I am looking at you) it's now.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

2,150 Posts and GROWING


Wow it's Summer it's warm and Christmas is almost here, my end of year lists are also well and truly on the way too!

Yes the Best Movies and categories of 2015 will be coming this month, here is a look at the list from 2014.

2015 has been an interesting old year for film, whether it's Australian cinema, outdoor cinema (how many fucking outdoor cinemas is there now) or just a good old Julianne Moore tear jerker. Not to mention Toni Collette making me cry at the cinema too, bitch.

Now on Flashing off the Record (my Music blog) there will be loads of Summer Music lists all Summer long, looking at Male Artists of 2015, Female Artists and this Sunday the hottest 20 songs of the last three months. So if you love a music list like I do, hop along NOW!

It's almost time as well to announce the Album of the Year (International album, the Australian album of 2015 will be announced on Australia Day) and next month both blogs will pay homage to Australian music as we gear up for Australia Day 2016.

It's been a huge year, I have travelled domestically, internationally, pushed through boot camp for almost the whole year, saw my beautiful mother endure 72 days in hospital and now have some me time to reflect on 2015.

So over the next few weeks as the movies dry up (I've seen a lot lately right) I will be posting a lot more posts that are not movie review related.

I can't believe I am up to post number 2,150 and over on Flashing off the Record this year alone I have posted 304 posts and counting.

So enjoy reading over Summer and Happy Holidays as the festival season is well and truly on, and those off to Parramatta today for The Plot have a wonderful time and I have to post about Parramatta soon, I have seen, read and been so impressed by what I am seeing coming out of Australia's next big city, well done.

If you do rock up at the Plot today please check out Tkay Maidza, she is truly brilliant live and support my local girl East from the Central Coast, great line up, here is a taste of it and some of the best new music coming out of this fucking brilliant country right about now.










Friday, December 4, 2015

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015


Another week, another Christmas tale, this time THE NIGHT BEFORE.



Before we go on, you either like Seth Rogan/gross out comedies or you don't and if you don't, maybe wait for me to review something else or discuss general shit, cause this if you watched the red band trailer above will not interest you.

The Night Before follows on from me seeing Love the Coopers last week and really I mostly enjoyed it, however this was next level laugh out loud comedy shit.

Joseph Gordon Levitt, is DIVINE and him and Miley on stage singing "Wrecking Ball" at a Christmas bash is AMAZING.

The cast is talented and like Miley, a sea of celebs drop by this Christmas film James Franco (the gay love affair between him and Seth Rogan continues), Tracy Morgan, Michael Shannon and the brilliant Lizzy Caplan as Levitt's love interest.

Anthony Mackie is not only handsome but brilliant joint Rogan and Levitt as these three Christmas musketeers.

Lines like "Pop That Pussy" in relation to Rogan talking about his unborn child in a future drug haze scene are too much (trust me you have to see this to laugh out loud like I did) and ignoring the recent drug deaths at recent Music Festivals in Australia, Rogans drug induced craziness is one of the standouts in this film.

Levitt comes off the back of the big box office bomb The Walk and is so much better just being that young, mid thirties, cool kid. He is just so fucking cool it pains me sometimes.

To say he is my Hollywood crush is an understatement. He is just to handsome for words.

OK so next up is the Star rating and I have seen some average ass films in the lead up to Christmas so this may seem high, but 4 jingle bell ringing and Christmas loving Stars, well done boys.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015


What the fuck is with me seeing films with sea in the title this week, so it's time to find us BY THE SEA.



Oh Brad, oh Angelina, this movie is beautiful but my oh my is it dull. The idea of an unhappy couple in a beautiful setting does sound off putting but it sucked me in. And can I just say straight up Brad Pitt is looking brilliant for a 51 year old man. And Angelina wearing the most camp and over the top clothes ever.

Ok so this is set seaside, Angelina is always completely dressed to the 9's. Her outfits would make Lady Gaga gush and when she finally loosens up, that woman is just stunning (a little skinning, but stunning all the same).

So this film, it's way too long, at times painful sitting through scenes of nothingness but the scenery again is just divine. France just looked so stunning and after the recent events in Paris it was beautiful to see this stunning country on show.

Look it wasn't great but it was a damn sight better than In the Heart of the Sea (review below) that I saw on Monday (opening tomorrow, with what looks like on the Hoyts website limited screenings, box office bomb here we come).

By the Sea, 2.5 Stars for Brad Pitt's sexy chest on show and Angelina's camp wardrobe, oh and the French scenery.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015


What happens when a film is an already well told tale and one known by all, throw some special effects and hope for the best and that describes my viewing IN THE HEART OF THE SEA {3D + Preview}.



So also what happens when all the best parts of the film are in the trailer? (we have all seen this in comedy trailers when included in said trailer all the major laughs are included) You sit there (for all 2 hours) ticking boxes of what you remember from the trailer.

Unfortunately the start of this film is so dull I made a pre Christmas to do list in my head three times over.

Chris Hemsworth can't save this Ron Howard directed epic adventure film. The film is based on the Moby Dick novel and the sinking of the Essex ship.

The whaling scenes are full on and one of the only things not included in the trailer. So if you are interested in seeing this film and want some surprises, don't hit play above.

The 3D actually does work in this film (unlike Hunger Games recently) which is becoming rare these days.

All this said it really is a 2 Star film, I can't pass this one. It felt so dull in points that you just wanted the Whale to appear again even on land. Going up against Spectre and Hunger Games it will be hard for this film to be a major box office success story.