#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

Could this be a breakthrough Australian film? THE DRESSMAKER is one of the most interesting and out there Australian films I have seen in years. Nice to also see young Kate Winslet giving an Australian film a crack too. Aside from Kate it's an all star Australian cast with Judy Davis playing Mad Molly Winslet's mother, Liam Hemsworth playing the sexy eye candy, Sarah Snook just showing us she is EVERYWHERE right now, Rebecca Gibney (for all the Packed to the Rafters fans) , Hugo Weaving, Barry Otto, Alison Whyte, Gyton Grantly, Genevieve Lemon and a cast of thousands more stars from the big screen, stage and small screen.



Did you spot them all in the trailer?

So the film starts well enough, is rather funny, super quirky and then shouldn't takes a dark turn and remains dark once that turn has been made. The huge cast are all wonderful and all highly animated. It comes from the team of Muriel's Wedding and Mental and it does all work (much more so than Mental) and I think in years to come this could be an Australian film we all look back on and think wow what an achievement.

Me and my two lady friends all enjoyed the film but once it went dark it really changed the light hearted start of the film. I did however miss the very start for he film which I generally hate with a passion however it all seemed like a simple set up of Kate returning to her small Aussie rural town and the town folk having rather small minds and in the theme of the Daily Telegraph headlines people believing in fear and authority fears when if you dig a little deeper the story is much simpler and less evil.

So back to the film, I enjoyed this and believe this will clean up at the AACTA Awards next year. Here are this years nominees and I will go over these and pick my winners based on what I believe are the real winner soon, so hold tight please. Now actually back to the film, the film went by super quick and I enjoyed all the crazy, but the dark turn will turn off some members in the audience. Speaking of which for an Aussie film and an opening night (first day open) it was well attended for an Aussie picture.

The Dressmaker it was the first of two Aussie films I took in this week (Alex & Eve review - tomorrow) and I am proud this country is making some fun and well told stories. The Dressmaker rates a solid and camp 4 Stars.

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

So cheap thrills come quick and fast in THE LAST WITCH HUNTER the latest Vin Diesel film, but sometimes you know you just need a check your head at the door film to ease yourself onto the unemployment couch.

Yes day one of me not getting up in the morning and hulling my ass into Surry Hills started yesterday and man I did well I saw 2 films (The Dressmaker review will be posted tomorrow AM), had lunch with a lovely friend, dinner with 2 more friends, a massage and managed to walk (by myself and at times with the dog) a grand total of 15.31KM. Thanks iPhone 6S whatever make I have.



Now back to my first movie of the day. I love a 10am session, it's always filled with single movie goers like me (single I mean solo viewers) and the odd random who laughs to loud, or makes too much noise, love it, it adds to the experience and atmosphere. And let me tell you anything external (not on the screen) adding to this film was a good thing.

Vin Diesel is looking a little over it, Michael Caine was a random selection for some old priest dude and Elijah Wood made a big screen return. And nice to see Elijah wearing a horrid skivvy at one point. Fuck I hated wearing skivvys as a child.

Anyway so the film is a basic action film (they kept the running time down which was brilliant) with a start, a clear finish and middle where the conflict was well established, mission put into place, cast members work together to catch/kill the said last witch queen.

So is it any good? Currently Hoyts are doing this great thing where they gave me a coupon for a $9 ticket, you use that and you gain another, so for $9 yes as this film would suck on a TV screen at home but if you haven't seen the likes of The Martian, Black Mass, Crimson Peak, Legend or the Walk yet, maybe give this a go.

The Last Witch Hunter it is about as average as the title of the film, 2.5 Stars. Happy Halloween (almost) xo

The Walking Dead... Glenn

SPOILER ALERT!!!

So if you watched AMC's the Walking Dead this week and you happen to have an internet connection, this happened.... Glenn died! What? That's right Glenn Rhee was brutally murdered, killed by the walkers.

Glenn is easily the most attractive male character in the Walking Dead like EVER but now he is gone (although the internet is buzzing that's it not true - he lives?), so who will I lust after now?

Played by Steven Yeun this has been the role of a lifetime for the young actor, the Walking Dead is one of the most watched shows EVER. ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS only can dream of the ratings that the Walking Dead achieves week in week out.

I was a bit bored with the first two episodes of this series however some of the Walker scenes this week were intense, how much extras and how many hours of make up went into this weeks epic episode. That's the thing with the Walking Dead it's all quietly, quietly and then boom it EXPLODES.

The body count this week was huge, the action was massive and the drama was at fever pitch. It's episodes like this that make the Walking Dead easily one of TV's best action/drama series (not to mention a highly successful spin off in Fear the Walking Dead).

Will we see Steven Yeun as the dependable and loveable Glenn again on the Walking Dead? Time will tell and time is ticking as it's about to have it's mid season cliff hanger before returning on Valentines Day 2016, how romantic!

RIP Glenn (The Walking Dead), maybe?

Dannii Minogue is..

So CAMP and amazing I have to say I had the best time @ Dannii Bingo this past Sunday, can anyone else believe it's hump day already this week? Fucking hell right, and with a few US shows on break this week what I am going to waste my time on, no Empire, no Scream Queens HELL NO!

Back to the purpose of this post DANNII, she was so sweet, so funny and was helping raise money for her chosen charity. Dannii seems to be at home on stage with two drag queens and a room full of gays. Fresh from X Factor rehearsals Dannii took to the stage, looking gorgeous, and not to mention tiny next to two tall trannys.

Dannii has always been the one out of the spotlight whilst Kylie is set to release a recording artists suicide a Christmas Album. Oh Kylie, love pet, what happened to the Impossible Princess days.

Dannii is simply stunning and really gave it her all, hair flicking and mincing around that stage like no ones business.

I had a blast, won no prizes but fell head over feet in love with the younger (in my mind more fabulous) Minogue.

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

Another Sunday morning Movie Session, another gangster picture, this time it was time for a bit of Johnny Depp & BLACK MASS.



Now not long ago I saw the brilliant Legend with Tom Hardy so it was hard not to sit there in the dark and compare the two films, however Black Mass is pretty damn good as well.

It's been a great run of movies lately and with Bridge of Spies, Holding the Man (when the hell am I going to get to see this, shame on you Hoyts and Event Cinemas in the city for not showing this local release, shame) & Pan (jokes that movie looks all sorts of fucked up) all to see when I become a full time lady of leisure this Thursday. Heaven. That is not before I shoot off to Bali again, so gang look out for plenty of pictures and shit coming live and direct from Bali real soon.

But back to Black Mass, lead by Depp this also stars an Aussie killing it at present Mr Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon and a large number of great supporting actors.

Like Legend having an Aussie in the mix also made me proud, we are doing so well at present with all our actors killing it on TV or the big screen overseas, well done.

So it features all the violence of a season of Underbelly however less the quote of boobs and nudity.

I enjoyed seeing another true story unfold on the big screen for me to think man we have had some evil folk roam this Earth (and that's just the folk in Canberra in this fine brown land). Unlike the Cray brothers James "Whitey" Bulger was just plain evil. Depp played this well and was equally as creepy and unpredictable as the mad cray brother.

So I think I am done for gangster/crime films for a bit but this was an enjoyable Sunday film, much better than the paper thin Paranormal experience from yesterday. I am giving this Black Mass, 3.5 Black and mostly Evil Stars.

Joel Creasey & Gen Fricker ARE..

Both extremely different but highly amusing, Joel delivers a great story about Celine Dion in Vegas whilst Gen brings a couple of comedy songs to the stage.

I was lucky enough to check out the Just for Laughs stand up series at an extremely busy Opera House this Friday gone.Not only was their loads of Just for Laughs on but Velvet and STC had shows on downstairs, Anything Goes was boring the pants of the audience in the Opera Theatre and no doubt something else was in the concert hall. Oh yes it was Russell Brand excuse me.

Just For Laughs is at a perfect time of the year, Melbourne Cup is coming, Christmas is coming and people are totally on the fucking edge. Sydney Comedy Festival is also at a good time, around Easter, a round of School Holidays and when people realise fuck it's a new year and there are limited public holidays on the way.

Back to Joel and Gen. I have seen Joel a while back, I have heard Gen on Triple J weekend breakfast and once filling in normal breakfast. Don't get me wrong she is good on the radio but better when paired with another co host.

Solo on stage she is so tiny and so cute that comedy really doesn't seem to be the place for her, but after a bit she warms up and is more impressive than two of the other comedians on this night. For Gen she was the only lady with Joel joined by three other comedians (notably Ivan Aristeguieta - who now calls Australia home after relocating from Venezuela) and a male MC.

So Gen did well for the Girl Power element of the night. Look she is no Amy Schumer and I mean really who is, she is fucking tops and no one can talk about ladies intimates like she can. I feel mean comparing her to Amy but even with Joel it's like we already have Josh Thomas, Tom Ballard on the gay blonde comedy scene and Rhys Nicholson slays it with the gay card too.

So comedy will always have you the audience drawing comparisons to other comedians who address similar issues.

Gen I did love you, playing a musical instrument, being dumped and being super cute all at once, loved it. Also like the fact you kill it on Triple J and not NOVA or one of the other irritating commercial networks.

Joel and his Celine story really had the room in stitches, like gay or not Celine Dion is a fucking funny subject manner. Joel did ask and insist that all gays like Celine, but honey boo boo do I have news for you, I can't bare that witch, give me Azealia Banks, Banks (for that matter while I am on singers with Banks in their titles), Florence Welch (Florence + the Machine) anyway over Celine on my iPOD. I cannot stand the whole you are gay you must like:

Kylie
Madonna
Lady Gaga
Celine Dion
Barbara Streisand (well I like the DuckSauce song but that is it!)

or fucking Whitney Houston. BORING!

But Joel did kill it, his story he had to stop a number of times due to people just losing it. Joel is confident, infectious and despite his turn on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Outta Here he is not too clapped out yet.

Joel I am very proud and want to see you live again. Gen keep at it kid, you're great and a nice friendly voice to hear early mornings (weekdays or weekends) on Triple J.

Next Stop the MOVIES.

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

So I have officially seen all the Paranormal Activity films now after this morning scaring the shit out of me with the latest instalment PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE GHOST DIMENSION.



So have you seen all of these films? Well i you answered no, give yourself 88 minutes off the movies and do something else with your time, if you have you need to just see this out. Apparently this is the final film but there is maybe still to come on this spooky series. There is a lot of ca$h to be made in the horror genre and this film series has completely cashed in.

The first film was made of only $15,000 and ended up romping in $193.4 Million at the box office, in anyones eyes this return on investment is HUGE.

However the whole Katie saga is getting tired, and so is the fact these stupid individuals continue to film everything even when their lives are in huge amounts of danger.

I found the characters in this instalment completely ridiculous with all of them investigating strange noises, going upstairs when they should just leave the house or just plain being completely stupid. All in all it scared me many times and the tension these style of films builds is off the chain.

Realistically I now believe this franchise has been milked for the final time, opening weekend and there were around 6 people in my session it's hardly going to have a good first weeks box office.

I am looking forward to the next scary franchise and one can only hope they can make a good scary film on a budget similar to the first Paranormal film.

This one gets a ghostly 2.5 Stars, it passes as it scared me and that's the main objective of this series right?

The Beautiful Lie.

I was excited about this Australian drama coming out of the stables of John Edwards and Imogen Banks, but it's not all good news here for the National Broadcaster the ABC on this drama series.

Edwards and Banks have produced the brilliant Tangle, the continuing (I'm not sure why) Offspring, is this ever coming back? Puberty Blues re-boot, Party Tricks which I gave one episode a go and gave up on (I never do this BTW) and Gallipoli which I never gave a go as we OVER did Anzac Day this year BIG TIME, note to TV Channels in Australia, can you give this a wide birth next year? Thanks.

So to The Beautiful Lie, with the usual suspects appearing in this series Sarah Snook (Australia's new IT girl, replacing Asher Keddie and Rebecca Gibney), Dan Wyllie (so over this go, sorry mate but you are always the same character and always super annoying, sorry), Cather McClements, Gina Riley (Life is good now that Kath & Kim is dead and buried), Roger Corser (looks like John Edwards and Imogen Banks have a new favourite male lead), Celia Pacquola (a comedian and an ABC favourite right now - appearing on Utopia right now in it's second season) and Sophie Lowe.

So there you have it an all star cast and a cast well known to various viewers from commercial networks to the ABC. However this story is nothing new, The Affair (US) does this so much better and with a much smaller and more interesting cast.

Affairs and romances are interesting but these characters did little to interest me unlike their previous work Tangle. Maybe Tangle was more edgy and featured better characters including Justine Clarke's surprisingly good lead and the dreamy Don Hany was also a great addition to this series.

I would have to loved to have loved this show however like me the viewers for this drama really weren't present, it debuted to 540,000 viewers, this will only drop as it goes head to head with new US series Quantico (getting rave reviews from the US and good ratings to boot) and Limitless (oh Bradley Cooper) so it's going to be an up hill battle.

Unfortunately The Beautiful Lie is just not original enough nor interesting enough to be another landmark Australian drama like Wentworth, East West 101 or previously mentioned Tangle.

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

So Spring has sprung in Sydney and the weather is mega random, from hot one day and dry as a nun's nasty to cold, wet and windy as fuck forcing me indoors on a day off to see the fee good, food porn flick BURNT.



I hate Masterchef, MKR, The Hot Plate and any other food porn reality show on Australian TV, but for some reason on the big screen food porn is OK with me. Particularly at the start of the film with it's electro/soul/jazz pumping music in the background.

Now why I was sold on this film was Amy Schumer, yes Amy Schumer, her SNL intro the other day was fucking brilliant and her comments on Bradley Cooper, well sold me on this film.


So did you laugh? Well like her amazing Live at the Apollo hour set I was beside myself.

So back to Burnt, the cast is strong, Bradley Cooper (as Amy mentioned), Uma Thurman (what has happened to her lately), Omar Sy & Emma Thompson.

It's a melting pot of stars but Cooper is the main focus in this drama with a touch of romance (both gay and straight - CUTE), lots of food porn, redemption, comedy and a bit of self help along the way.

So how does it rate? Well I have had a super run of films lately so you came along at a bad time Burnt, however I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Burnt is cute, feel good and perfect on a wet, random and raining cats and dogs Spring Day. Burnt gets 3 Michelin Stars (that is also a major plot point in the film BTW). Laters...

So Much Travel.. So Little Time, Where has 2015 Gone...

2015 has been a massive year for me thus far, if you are a loyal reader I have seen a fuck load of movies, watched a shit load of TV whilst I have been blogging like a mad man and been to so many places around this country and beyond this year.

Locally I have clocked up around 13 visits up and down the M1 to the Central Coast and to our nearest territory I have visited Canberra once in August, towards the end of their bitter Winter. January started my Australia all over ventures with my first of two stops in Melbourne before a month of interstate/international travel off in February only to return to Melbourne in March.

April saw me hit my equal most visited spot Bali (I depart for the fine island next Saturday - HOORAY) before May a month long Mothers Day in NSW and Australia.

June I gave Singapore a red hot crack before a quiet July catching up with all my Summer US shows. And August and September saw me do more local (Australian) travel to Canberra & Brisbane. It had been ages since I had some time in Brisbane before now and I totally loved it.

If you were reading the BLOG back in September you will know the movies are super cheap up there (love you Cineplex) and the weather is divine. The people aren't half bad too. This month sees me really clock up the travel with another and my final 2015 trip to Brisbane before Bali (as mentioned earlier) next Saturday to celebrate Halloween.

I am so blessed to have had a massive amount of time on the road and on the planes this year, I have had a wonderful time at all my stops and it is so great getting off to all these destinations.

I can't wait to see Bali again after being upset about what went down with the Bali Nine, it's time to give one of my favourite Island destinations a go again.

I will be all over the BLOG in Bali so look out folks and as I hit the road again to the Central Coast tomorrow please excuse a potential slow down in posts. I am hoping to catch another film again soon so keep an eye out for my next review.

Until then xo

BNE @ the Movies, all for $6, yeah you heard me, $6! (Well Almost) - Part Two October Version

I am beginning to love Brisbane and after my previous six week effort at the cinemas up North, I was back for round two. First film in line LEGEND.



I have to start off by saying how much I love Emily Browning, she is particularly fabulous in this role and I am sure after casting agents see this film their will be many more Hollywood roles coming her way. Unfortunately Sucker Punch (a former film she had a crack at Hollywood with) was fucking terrible, beyond terrible even. It was one of (if not) the worst films I saw that year.

Tom Hardy also starred in that fucking horror of a feature Sucker Punch but he is great as the two Cray Brothers in this Legend. This was a real talent to play two completely different twin brothers in this role and the technology for the scenes the two were together in (which was almost all of them) was second to none.

I enjoyed every moment of this film, it is slightly long, however this true crime story is a good gangster film and extremely well done. I would like to see Black Mass to dare to compare, but for now Legend to me is a near perfect Gangster flick, Hardy and Browning when playing a married couple or a brother/sister in are great. God bless you Emily Browning what a terrific export and what a long way you have come since a guest role on Blue Heelers.

Legend rates a big, bright and excessive 4 Stars.

Get the tissues ready for my second film and like the first another complete Australian legend Toni Collette stars in MISS YOU ALREADY.



I not only love Toni Collette but I LOVE Drew Barrymore in a different way. Toni Collette has done so much great way on Australia (and US TV), Australia and US films and she is just a true blue homegrown legend.

This film is such a true look at friendship. Two girlfriends who grow up, grow apart and celebrate all life has to offer.

This film was just so beautiful, so touching and I have to admit the damn lights at the cinema went up way too quick, I had snot coming out, tears and I was also making some horrid sounds. I was a sight,but this film was simply beautiful, I loved every moment, every moment the two killer leading ladies shared.

Miss You Already was just beautiful, 4.5 stunning Stars.

Finally to the horror/romance (yes there is such a thing as Horror plus Romance) CRIMSON PEAK.



Look it's a little silly at times and the scares are few and far between and highly predictable but still I enjoyed this follow up to Pan's Labyrinth Guillermo del Toro does create beautiful but highly violent films.

Crimson Peak had the hard task of following the two above stellar films (also previous recent hits with me The Walk, Everest and the brilliant The Martian.

So I am going with 3 Stars for this visually stunning film and nice to see former Queer as Folk (UK Version) and Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam get a gig.

All three however are worth a look as is the beautiful city of Brisbane, thanks to all the lovely coffee suppliers for giving me my usual 300 cups a day, to all the great locals and all the gang @ QPAC, you are all just lovely, lovely xo

The Principle.

So I was extremely excited about the Alex Dimitriades mini series which is currently airing on SBS Wednesday/Thursday nights. Episodes One & Two aired last week and I smashed them both on a Lazy Sunday and was hooked immediately. The show is extremely relevant right now and was a realistic look at some of the issues faced by young males in their final years of high school now.

I am extremely looking forward to the final two parts Episode Three & Four this Wednesday + Thursday and really want to congratulate SBS for putting on this brilliant and gritty series. Unfortunately the commercial networks are happier renewing a dead and buried Offspring or creating new series for old favourites like Rebecca Gibney or Erik Thomson.

I always like the fact that Channel Seven just sees a cash cow like Gibney or Thomson and goes "well it worked on Packed to the Rafters so let's cast them in X". The producers of the Principle have done the opposite and seen a gap in the market for a gritty high school drama and delivered.

Australians can tell great stories however so often it's easier to make a copy cat or stay with something that is a proven formula and want challenge viewers. HBO & Showtime in America have shown us the Golden Age of TV with programs like Six Feet Under, Dexter & Game of Thrones and I believe joining the Golden Age of TV is The Principle. I look forward to seeing Alex Dimitriades winning the industry voted awards at the next Logies. Unfortunately I cannot see him taking out the publicly voted awards, however that is not everything.

Well done SBS this is a truly brilliant, fresh and remarkable series, it's a story for right here, right now in Australia.

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

I have not seen a 3D film in a while so the chance to see an advance screening of THE WALK in 3D, well hey why not.



OMG there were scenes in this film I just had to turn away, my word I hate heights however I loved this film. I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt and despite his nudity being brief (much like Justin Bieber's recently, boy is hung) it was still a delight to see in 3D.

So to the film, this was a great true story of a wonderful and half mad man and a wonderful building which is unfortunately still not standing.

I cannot believe someone would actually have wanted to do this stunt, nor had the smarts to pull it all of (spoiler alert - however this is a true story and with the internet you kinda would know the end game) and how he pulled it all off. A French man in America doing one of the worlds most dangerous stunts which never can be recreated, crazy.

So when this film is released to general release this week I highly recommend checking it on on the big screen, it is a must see on a large screen and with someone who you can grab onto their arm. I almost ripped the arm off the person sitting next to me. So stressful in parts.

Okay so The Walk, it's well done, well filmed, Joseph is his usual sensational stuff (nude and clothed) so I have say this is a brilliant effort and my third hit film in a row, 4.5 height defying stars, just a grand and outstanding effort, BRAVO!

Australian TV STOP it, I'm not used to this much GOOD stuff (I'm looking at you ABC & SBS)

I can't say much for Channel 10 who are still trying with TBL Families but failing on EPIC levels this season. Look I like the idea of getting people fit, but fuck man, the best thing is Sydney cutting buses up George Street, if you want to get fit watching the TBL Families won't help you one kilogram. That's my attack on Channel 10 for this Sunday, also actually you still pay Andrew Bolt so you guys FUCKING SUCK big time.

Channel 9, oh boy where do I start, The Verdict, well I wanted to hate it before I watched it and judge it, but wait I watched the majority of episode one on their pathetic catch up service (please Channel 9 IT take some tips from iView cause Jumpin or whatever it's called suck dogs balls) and shit it was bad. Karl is NO Tony Jones, nor should he be hosting a show like this. Lisa Wilkinson would be stunning but Karl you just don't cut it and look like a poor mans Tony Jones without the intelligence.

Why it also sucks:

1. Karl makes statements (sometimes questions) and a large (up to seven people at once) all talk over each other and make sweeping statements which have no evidence behind any of them.

2. You had an AFL player I had never heard of answering and discussing major issues WTF, I though the Footy Show had ended for 2015.

3. Jacqui Lambie and Mark Latham on one panel alongside hair in a can deer in headlights host Karl Stefanovic, fucking hell.

4. The twitter feed sucked. I really doubt this show was even live.

5. With only five episodes to air Channel 9 must be thinking thank god, we came third in our time slot and just had over 500,000 viewers (NATIONALLY).

So The Verdict was the worst new show of the week joining a long list of failing titles, Celebrity Apprentice, The Block season 75 (75 seasons this year alone), ACA and I could list more I just cannot be bothered.

Channel 7, man you are coping online flack for your so called "Fast Tracked" US shows, mainly Heroes Reborn.  Look I commend you on trying more drama and less poor reality in your schedule (you must have learnt a lesson from the pathetic Restaurant Revolution - who on Earth thought this show had legs) with the X Factor surprising me and not being a dogs breakfast maybe singing shows still have some life in them.

So now it's to the good after the bad, The Principle is impressing EVERYONE I talk it, how fantastic to see a show so topical at the moment getting great word of mouth (the best form of advertising I think) but not great ratings. However it's up on the brilliant Better Man from last year on SBS. SBS is still killing it with it's non competitive, multi cultural and brilliant food shows and the best news Ph & Co will be back. Alongside that a comedy from one of Australia's best columnists the divine Benjamin Law.

ABC is bringing back the brilliant Please Like Me, after international acclaim and critical love Josh Thomas's series is back for season 3. Thank god a trendy gay who likes decent things back on TV a real role model. This however is not the best part of ABC this last week and next, the work they did on Mental As again this year has been beyond brilliant. If you are a Tony Abbott Liberal voter you may disagree with me but there has never been a more important time to support YOUR ABC.

Mental As, just brilliant, ABC you rock and the programming over the last week online, on the TV and radio has been varied and diverse and amazing.

I love the ABC and will continue support an alternative to the dull and stupid commercial TV this country continues to churn out. Channel 10, 9 & 7 lift your socks over the Summer series please, dear god, please. And Channel 10, it's time to go Andrew Bolt.

American Horror Story | Hotel

Quoted on Variety as "Let's Take this Garbage to the Curb" and titled "American Horror Story: Hotel isn't trash - It's Garbage. Well look I know it's been 20 years since Garbage released their debut self titled album but that's a lot of use of the word Garbage. Now Variety it's not all bad, it's very violent and weird in parts but I honestly enjoyed this a lot more than I enjoyed some other episodes of the American Horror Story franchise.

Now Ryan Murphy is having a rough time with Scream Queens so it would be a disaster if two shows were epic fails however the early ratings for American Horror Story were positive and Lady Gaga was delicious on the small screen.

Slightly down on last years Freak Show first episode but higher than Coven, Asylum and the first season Murder House. I hated Coven I thought it was a great cast WASTED. This series it's a great cast and I am not sure where it's all going. Time will tell if it turns out to be a Scream Queens red hot mess but I have hope in this season.

Murphy is also hoping his all star casting will work for upcoming American Crime Story - The People Vs O.J Simpson (debuting on FX in Feb 2016) and his strike rate will improve again. That said only Shonda Rhimes is as busy as he is, with Greys Anatomy still on, Scandal kicking goals and How to Get Away with Murder just smashing it. Her next series and hopeful ABC smash The Catch will commence in 2016.

Overall American Horror Story's latest story Hotel is good and I will continue with this ride, however my dance card of shows right now is at capacity. Man what a lot of stuff to park my old ass on the couch with.

Also look out for my review on The Principal, the new SBS drama I hope to catch up with on the weekend.

The Leftovers Season 2.

The Leftovers was an interesting Winter (Australia - US Summer series) last year and returns this year in the peak September/October period. The first season really interested me, 2% of the worlds population vanished into thin air, an interesting concept and one that is the opposite to Glitch (ABC Australia TV), The Returned, Resurrection and European versions of these same shows.

It became a little same same but not really that different after watching these shows. At least the Leftovers 2% of people are fucking off and NOT returning.

The show is one of those cult shows, where people will either love it or hate it, there is no grey area, no in between, just love or hate. There is a problem with this sort of programming as it's hard to grow an audience once you have reached all who will enjoy this sort of thing.

However with critical acclaim and a second series now on and continuing to grow it's cult following as well as hopefully some new viewers.

News sows come and go but it is always hard settling into that difficult second series where comparisons will always be present and people will always say, "oh season one was so much better than season two", the story lines were better and it lost it's way a bit in the second outing.

People are hard to please and like music not everything creatively people will produce will turn everyone on, however for me the Leftovers intrigues me and I am going to stick with this one, a new town (Miracle) this season where they had no one "vanish" and a new interesting family. A lot happened in episode one and it set things up to be rather interesting this time around.

The Leftovers, it's not for everyone but I'm in xoxo

Gotham Continues to Impress Me & Australian TV actually lifts it's game

After killing off one of my favourite additions to the Gotham cast I am still equally impressed with the shows direction in the tricky season two. Like albums for hype artists second seasons of hyped up TV shows sometimes struggle to find ratings/viewers from the first season and continue to get media attention.

Gotham I do strongly believe will probably wrap this year (next year as it's a split USA TV season thing 2015-2016) but as many Fox network shows are in the same basket it really could go either way. Unfortunately it's a cut throat world in the US TV market and with many new shows launching it's a dog eat dog world right now.

I do hope however as above not confident that the show will be back for a third outing.

Whilst on a positive note, Australian TV has also taken a turn for the better with the wonderful ABC launching a second year of Mental As. This was amazing programming last year and this year it returns with more focus on Australia's growing Mental Health problems.

This brings to the mainstream many issues and shows Mental Health is normal and not something to run scared from, to actually face up to the BIG issues.

Also this week The Principle commences it's four part series on SBS. It's great to see SBS back in the drama game, East West 101 was one of the best dramas to ever air in this country, with it's diverse cast and many issues and themes covered, it was brilliant TV.

Q&A on Monday the Mental As edition was particularly brilliant (as always - Tony Jones is a pure gem) however will the new copy cat show on Nine The Verdict manage tonight or will it be some poor man's Q&A. My prediction epic fail and after earlier programming like the Block and beat up bogan issues like ACA it doesn't exactly have a strong intellectual lead in like Q&A does.

Unfortunately for Channel Nine they should just stick to Sports and bogan reality shows. Sports (live) over the weekend proved this was the final frontier for live TV with epic ratings for both Grand Finals, AFL & NRL.

Again thank god for the ABC, Mental As is brilliant and is a wonderful incentive from OUR ABC.

Homeland Season 5 is STILL gripping and wonderful television.

Many dramas/new hype shows lose their shine after a couple of seasons (or one in the case of many) but Homeland (and mainly Claire Danes) continues to reinvent (the way Madonna and Kylie used to before they got OLD and lame) itself and become somehow relevant every year when a new season rolls around.

Homeland's debut episode for Season Five was exciting, a return to form and set the season up to be a cracker.

The extremely Rupert Friend also returns (which helps for the eye candy factor) and Miranda Otto joins the cast showing just how many Aussies are killing it on US TV right now.

Homeland is Showtimes top jewel in their programming crown. Unlike HBO with a giant like Game of Thrones Showtime is a little more modest but still has such great hits as Ray Donovan (which just aired it's superb third season), Shameless (brilliant comedy based on the UK series, returning January 2016) & Masters of Sex.

Claire Danes really is stellar and their is a reason why she has taken out so many awards, this is a series to watch, check out the short trailer below:

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

For my 2,100 post it's appropriate that I see a BIG, bold and true event story blockbuster EVEREST.

Now the trailer did nothing for me (to be honest I see that many movies and nearly all of them I saw this trailer ahead of it and by the 15th well....) but I am learning more and more that is not the tell tale sign that I will love or hate a film.



So please don't judge a book by it's cover, this is brilliant. Fitting after seeing the near perfect The Martian yesterday (review below) it's hard to return to the cinema to see another film in case it's a disaster.

Well this film was a disaster but that was the (sad at times) matter of the film based on true events. I never know what is true and what is drama when something like this so large scale is shown on the big screen.

The cast like yesterday's picture is beyond brilliant and it's such a big ensemble. Sometimes this can backfire however not in case. Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty - successful former Home and Away Aussie film star) as Rob Hall leads an all-star cast including and not limited to Robin Wright, Jake Gyllenhaal (chest hair and all), Josh Brolin, Martin Henderson (such a handsome Kiwi) and Keira Knightley.

So if any of the above cast float your boat this is well worth a look in.

Now the end is rather bleak but the journey there is brilliant. The scenery and way this film is shot is brilliant, I was in love with it. There was limited flaws with this film however it was not a 5 star outing. Still I am going as high as the hills with a near perfect 4 Stars.

Everest is BRILLIANT a must see at the big screen, if all movies were made this well and on this large scale there would be no online piracy, this is a big screen at the movies event moment. GREAT.

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

It's so nice to enjoy the long weekend and what else is nice for a change is to see a near perfect film, that film is THE MARTIAN.



So why near perfect, well the length is a wee bit long and some of the science talk lost me at times, but that said I bloody loved this film. No more negative it's all about the positives from here. Matt Damon is extremely washable and the cast is beyond brilliant. In Australia now the FAB Donald Glover (AKA Childish Gambino) was an adorable science nerd, Kate Mara was brilliant as always, Kristen Wiig had the easiest gig of all time just standing behind Jeff Daniels and getting emotional from time to time and Michael Pena is always wonderful.

The Martian is the best space film in years, I enjoyed Gravity with George & Sandra but this is a lot better.

The drama and the thrill just gets better and better. Every minute of this wonderful film. Ridley Scott is back to making hits after a few misses.

I usually don't buy into all the blockbuster bullshit but honestly sometimes sitting back and enjoying a well told story and seeing great actors having a blast in Mars is just too good for words.

I won't say another bad thing about this film aside from it's length which it actually did hold my attention for the large majority.

This is a killer blockbuster and a shame it came out at the tail end of the School Holidays as this would have been perfect for some of the high school kids on break.

I don't do this often but this is as good as it gets, 5 big fat space ass Stars. Now to the super sexy Donald Glover AKA Mr Childish Gambino, hope you killed it at Listen Out in Sydney yesterday...

How to Get Away with Murder Season 2.

What a great cast, what twists and what did we learn from Season One? Well to stick to a good thing and run the season like Damages with a court room drama with strong female leads and a flashback season starter and the pieces come together episode per episode.

It's great stuff and I believe this is easily one of the best free to air dramas in the USA today.

The cast is extremely good looking and joined this season by the wonderful talent of Famke Janssen (Nip/Tuck TV royalty) and the majority of the season one team returns. Jack Falahee is extremely handsome and newcomer Kendrick Sampson is equally as dreamy.

Apparent from all the eye candy this show is extremely addictive and well written, I am 100% sold on this series and I believe like Shonda's other series this one is here for the long haul. ABC would be mad to get rid of this extremely brilliant series.

How to Get Away with Murder what a perfect way to start a long weekend with.

Gotham Improves, Blindspot is a Great New Series and Scream Queens, well....

Is actually shit and a total red hot mess. Episode Three continues to show this series has 80's music in mind, murder in mind, fashion in mind, gay themes in mind, a huge support and starring cast, 90's music and cliches galore.

Overall all this in the mixing bowl equals a RED HOT mess!

Ryan Murphy has also stated that the ratings were poor on it's first night due to younger females keen to watch horror shows/movies in Daylight hours, right that explains how a lot of shows rate poorly.

So Scream Queens, not ideal however I want to see this through to see who the killer(s) turns out to be. I am almost positive there will be two or more killers. This was given away in the Backstreet Boys fight scene.

Now to Gotham where young Cameron Monaghan (Shameless Star - Returning Jan 2016) is the standout new bad dude. The show had a rocky return and a rather patchy season one, however season two is really on the way up.

Unfortunately Gotham has never reached the heights of other Superhero series but the show could be turning around for the better, here is hoping anyway and only time will tell.

Blindspot has been a real winner for NBC, it's pilot leaked online, created buzz and then had a brilliant 10.61 Million tune into watch it when it debuted two weeks back. Episode two was a fine episode and was completely action packed, it had a solid 9.11 Million tune into watch the show. Apparently another 9 episode scripts have been ordered so season two looks like it could be a shoe in.

Blindspot is much easier to follow than the other breakout action series on NBC The Blacklist. This returns tomorrow BTW. Thursdays are getting huge in the US for TV (Fridays for all us Aussie's) with The Blacklist returning, How to Get Away with Murder getting real, Scandal still killing it, Heroes Reborn launching and Grey's Anatomy in it's 12th (yes 12th) season. Wow.

Looking to the Weekend, Homeland launches it's 5th season and The Leftovers returns, oh boy thank god Monday is a Public Holiday. Victorians enjoy your AFL Grand Final day off today xo

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

I was lucky enough to be in the small(ish) crowd of people at THE INTERN Girls Night Out Hoyts night last night. One I'm not a Girl and Two I am not a huge Anne Hathaway fan however the girl won me over in this film.



There is a monster support cast joining Anne Hathaway and Robert DeNiro. Both have a good connection and the story is super cute. Rene Russo is also another pleasant surprise in this film. From Nancy Meyers who has the chick flick down to an art form, this has a lot of oh thats cute moments and why is she staying with him.

This film had me smiling ear to ear from start to finish, it's super easy to watch and well act with as above an extremely talented support cast.

As to the night itself, Girls Night Out at Hoyts this is a super fun night and the next one will be Aussie film, The Dressmaker.

The Intern is aimed squarely at the females of the species (and some of us Gays) but overall it's a great little film, 3.5 Stars.