Saturday, December 31, 2016

Best Movies of 2016


BEST hyped film of 2016 - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

BEST jump out of the seat film - Don't Breathe / The Shallows (two way tie)

BEST Teen drama/coming of age/comedy blah - Hunt for the Wilderpeople

BEST film of 2016 - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

BEST small film - Room

BEST 3D movie - Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (4D)

BEST Aussie Movie - Goldstone

BEST Music film - Sing Street

BEST controversial film of 2016 - NA, 2016 was way straight. The only thing controversial was TRUMP!

BEST Drama - The Girl on the Train / Nocturnal Animals (two way tie)

Friday, December 30, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Another Boxing Day film as we head into New Years Day film releases, it's time to check out ALLIED



I gave Hacksaw Ridge a miss this year due to faitgue on war films so I find myself interested in why I choose Allied over La La Land last night. Oh yeah that's right musicals generally suck asshole on the big screen.

Other films aside Allied has it's moments and clocking in at just over 2 hours it has time for "moments".

Brad Pitt is dashing as always (even at 53 there would be no kicking him outta bed) and Marion Cotillard is a total glamour puss.

The film looks a million bucks and there is one action scene that is off the chart but other than that the film does drag in the middle as the plot ever so slowly unfolds. If you had watched the trailer you know whats coming and when it finally does come it's the whole is she, or isn't she?

Rogue One and the Star Wars reboots have effectively killed the big blockbuster film, nothing WOW arrives on Boxing Day as Rogue One is still slaying at the box office for at least another month.

Even the kids movies (Trolls and Sing) seem a little lacklustre. Indian film Dangal always seems to have lines before I enter my selected session and I am not sure the US hype has been replicated in Australian for Moana. Even poor old Red Dog sessions seem to be shrinking quicker than the Australian film industry.

Other than my above observations at the cinema this (Allied) isn't a bad film but it isn't great either, it's a 3 Star film at best and as much as I was slightly swept away when I left the cinema, all was forgotten come the morning.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


I wanted to ask James Franco WHY HIM? In starring in this rather average Boxing Day comedy release.



Why Him? Isn't bad in a sense it's just come after a long line (or two movies in close secession) films about the holidays that throw in a few fucks and a few dirty jokes. See Bad Santa 2 and Office Christmas Party.

So forgive me if I read this film wrong.

James Franco is hot (nice abs in the above screen grab) and always worth watching on screen and Megan Mullally whilst stealing a lot of scenes also has this expression on "Why in the wide world of fuck did I sign up for this?".

I didn't love the female lead Zoey Deutch which also didn't help it's cause with her and James Franco just not looking right together. Maybe I am too excited for Franco's next film I am Michael?

Okay so lets break it down for easy Summer reading, do you want an easy to consume comedy? Yes, well this is for you. Do you want something equally as funny as Bridesmaids with a killer cast, maybe watch something else on Netflix, like the Sense8 Christmas special, yay for Christmas specials that don't suck old uncle Jack's hairy balls.

So Why Him? It's not the greatest Summer release (i.e. It ain't no Rogue One) I give this a pass 2.5 Stars.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Star Season 1.


The follow up series to Fox's most successful drama (at present, we looked at the least successful Scream Queens last week) Empire, Lee Daniels returns with STAR.



Star did well after the recent mid season finale for Empire being watched by close to 7 million viewers and showcasing some great new and existing talent.

The cast is varied and between newcomer Jude DeMorest (as the lead) and Queen Latifah this show is going to have wide appeal. Not only that but Daniels again covers race, sexuality and gender heavily and does not shy away from the Black Lives Matter movement.

Benjamin Bratt is also a great find in the cast alongside Rock n Roll legend Lenny Kravitz. Naomi Campbell is also cast to star in an upcoming episode and no doubt like Empire Star will have a number of sensational musical guests. I would also love to see a crossover between Empire and Star, maybe down the line?

So at this time of the year I already raised alarm Australian networks just rest on their laurels, hope the Australian public are brain dead enough to watch a day and a bit water race from Sydney to Hobart or a paint drying episode of a dying five day cricket test match or they could be savvy enough to be into this new hit drama. Or Homeland is apparently popping up online early to showcase it's first episode ahead of New Years. I am 100% moist at the thought of Homeland returning.

Back to Star after a paragraph post Christmas rant and honestly the musical sequences in this show are like the ones that used to make Empire. I was 100% into the first episode and almost lost my shit during the trailer for coming this season on Star.

I see a bright (pardon the dodgy dad pun there) for this show, it was a slower start than Empire had although I think a younger more edgy cast and the Atlanta setting makes this show DOPE.

It's no Donald Glover Atlanta edgy but the shows are catchy and I genuinely like the three girls. Star is officially your next show to get hooked on.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Shooter Season 1.


Ryan Phillippe returns to TV after his lead role in the US Secrets & Lies. That was an Australian show remade in the US and lasted longer than it's original Australian outing.

Phillippe was outstanding alongside Rose Byrne and Glenn Close in Damages back in 2012, now he takes on a role made famous by Mark Wahlberg in the 2007 film of the same name. Yes I thought the film was average when I watched it back in the middle of the year but Phillippe since being a stud muffin in the I Know What You Did Last Summer film reminds me of High School days.

He has aged exceptionally well if not better looking now than in his Cruel Intentions past.

Phillippe was a massive star back in the late 90's and showed us he could disco too in 54. What a sex symbol.

Shooter is nothing original, it's another cat and mouse action drama but it's done well and being renewed early for a second season this is perfect Australian Summer viewing. When the Australian networks are resting there talent (or lack thereof) the US networks and Netflix are bringing us some entertaining and amusing viewing.

Shooter is not going to make any Best of 2016 lists but it's a solid effort for the Wahlberg and Phillippe produced action drama. Well worth a look, new episodes are uploaded weekly on Netflix in Australia or it airs on the USA Network (same as Suits and Queen of the South) state side.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


First up Merry Christmas dear readers and next up, SPOILER ALERT it's a five glowing star review for ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY


Yes Rogue One is the first of three (I read somewhere there is a Bobba Fett and the next one is a young Han Solo film featuring Donald Glover) stand alone films.

After the brilliant return to Star Wars last year with The Force Awakens we get another early Christmas present with a brilliant Star Wars story. This time wedged between earlier films Revenge of the Sith & A New Hope.

The brilliant film sees an epic end battle, plans around the death star captured and hiding on an exotic Imperial base somewhere in space.

With an all star amazing cast from HBO champion of 2016's the Night Of Riz Ahmed really is one of 2016 brightest stars across TV & cinema, there is former Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen, Aussie Bloodliner Ben Mendelsohn, Diego Luna from last years film and Theory of Everything's Felicity Jones.

It's hard to fault a film with such a solid cast like this, all do well in their respective roles and the story is epic, the action sequences second to none and the way the stories interlock with previous films, outstanding.

As a huge Star Wars fan from years back this is excellent, a brilliant pre/post Christmas distraction, Star Wars have really killed the anticipation for New Years and Boxing Day films. Well at least for the next four Summers.

5 Stars.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Sense8 Christmas (Season 2) Special


I have been extremely positive and upbeat about several amazing series lately, sadly none of them are Australian network shows, forcing my hand to say the death of commercial TV is near. Maybe sooner than the next CEO fucking his way through the female staff at his network. At least the next sex scandal could involve two men or a bisexual encounter. Well that would happen if there was some creativity living in the Australian TV landscape.

I return to talking about positive news stories, SENSE8, the Christmas special, pure brilliance.



I do have a boner to pick with Sense8 though, the second ten episode series will not arrive until May 5, 2017. Honestly that is WAY too far away.

The first season was epic and aired all the way back in June, 2015. So it's already been a long time between drinks so if you need a recap ahead of watching this sexy Summer show there is one loaded onto Netflix right NOW!

This show is so global, so beautifully filmed, it's just outstanding, it is truly Donald Trump's worst nightmare, GLOBALISATION on screen.

It's contrast of countries and destinations it's filmed in this is just pure escapism and brilliant TV. I honestly am so in love with this show as I watch the closing minutes of the spectacular five star Christmas special.

Now all I want for Christmas is season 2 to hurry the mother fuck up!

Binge worthy and outstanding, Sense8 Season One and two hour Christmas special are on Netflix now. Yet another reason to sign up and join the revolution streaming is here to stay and below is my top 6 Netflix dramas and moments of 2016:

1. HOUSE OF CARDS - Season 4 - March, 2016
2. ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK - Season 4 - June, 2016
3. THE GET DOWN - Season 1 (well half, thanks for nothing Baz) - August, 2016
4. CHELSEA DOES - January, 2016 (still watching but love the piece on racism, LOVE)
5. EASY - Season 1 - September, 2016
6. STRANGER THINGS - Season 1 - July, 2016

Friday, December 23, 2016

Scream Queens, last ever episode???


Scream Queens is honestly Fox's worst rating show and with new players like STAR, LETHAL WEAPON and 24: LEGACY all following on from other shows (Star is by Empire's team), movie to TV remakes Lethal Weapon and spin offs like 24: Legacy it's hard to imagine the show will return for a third and final season.

Even with a slightly lame cliffhanger and more eye candy than you could poke a stick at Scream Queens has always struggled.

Season One had a better villain in the Red Devil and the Green Meanie's reveal(s) were kinda lame and WAY too early. Jumping the gun this did and also it left the viewer thinking, why am I continuing with this. When Scream on MTV did a better job and even added a spin off two hour Halloween edition of the show. Appearing to be it's third and final 6 episode season next year Scream will continue nicely I hope.

Scream Queens needs a to do a nice Looking style TV movie wrap up. The only thing remaining to be answered is does Chanel survive the returning Red Devil? All the other characters either died in the second season or there was an almost perfect wrap up for all the characters futures.

I enjoyed the series as it's camp over the top nature was a bit of light fun and a nice distraction to the cunty lead in to Christmas.

Will Scream Queens do a third outing or a TV movie? Time will tell but it don't look good.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Shameless Season Finale Leaves you..


Yearning for more.. and thank god it's back for an eighth season in 2017.

Season 7 has been beyond brilliant and there was a moment when Emmy Rossum's pay dispute could have seen the show cancelled. Now that would have been diabolical and right before Christmas!

But thankfully Rossum has struck a pay deal.

This season saw Ian and Mickey's love (maybe) come to an end..



And the whole Gallagher gang dealt with the death of one of their own in one of the saddest moments of the brilliant series.



Showtime really has a winner on it's hand with this brilliant family drama, comedy.

I can hardly wait for it to return in 2017, until then Homeland returns next month and something tells me they were banking on a Clinton for president.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016 (Outdoor Cult Classic)


Oh 1995 I was 13 and full of rage, until I saw CLUELESS


I too was TOTALLY Clueless in 1995 and was starting to realise what I was and what life was all about. I was a basketball referee and had a paper run, I was hustling my ass off the Central Coast ASAP!

But back in 1995 Alicia Silverstone was a thing and Paul Rudd was equally as much of a star. Paul Rudd has done a lot better for himself with Alicia opting for the more B Grade films.

The soundtrack was one of my favourite things, Luscious Jackson, Beastie Boys, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Radiohead, Jill Sobule and Coolio.

The movie has dated that well but it's still a cult classic and in all honesty the experience at Ben & Jerry's outdoor cinemas was a little budget and last night in Sydney it was like Winter. Overall though it was a romantic clear night with stars in the sky and on the screen. Clueless it may not be the worlds best film but damn it was a lot of fun and the fashion!

Sunday, December 18, 2016

TV Hits of 2016


1. SHAMELESS - Season 7

Just brilliant


2. HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER - Seasons 2 & 3* (returning January 2017)

For some strange reason this show only gets better and is Shonda at her BEST!


3. QUANTICO - Season 2* (returning late January 2017)

Best looking cast on TV, FULL STOP!


4. SUPERGIRL - Season 2* (returning late January 2017)

The most fun superhero show on TV right now.


5. SCREAM QUEENS - Season 2

My guilty pleasure, I love to hate, but can't wait to watch this Ryan Murphy season


6. AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ROANOKE

Most coherent in the series, best story so far with it never outstaying it's welcome and also being the scariest season to screen.


7. PLEASE LIKE ME - Season 4

Best local comedy series but an honourable mention to UPPER MIDDLE BOGAN. Well done ABC.


8. WENTWORTH - Season 4

Australia's best TV show by a HUGE long shot. Season Five is filmed and in the can, coming to a screen early-mid 2017.


9. THE BLACKLIST - Season 4* (returning late January 2017)

This show is actually getting better, lets hope the spin off THE BLACKLIST - REDEMPTION is equally as addictive.


10. HOUSE OF CARDS - Season 4

That final scene - fuck my ass! Intense!


11. VEEP - Season 5

Easily the best comedy. Laugh out loud after laugh out loud moment, brilliant!


12. DIVORCE - Season 1

Brilliant new Sarah Jessica Parker series, thank god it's renewed.


13. INSECURE - Season 1

I loved this series, with GIRLS concluding this is a brilliant replacement.


14. ATLANTA - Season 1

Outstanding, Donald Glover is officially the hottest man alive!


Saturday, December 17, 2016

Empire, Please Like Me & Shameless


I have been very busy in the lead up to that time of the year where everyone runs around mad, gets grumpy, looses there shit when they cant get a car park.

However I have been thrilled watching the final episodes, seasonal finales and potential last episodes of some shows.

EMPIRE has been a little average this series and maybe with the launch of the new Lee Daniels show STAR (which had just under 7 million live viewers on it's debut) he is a little distracted.

Like Ryan Murphy it's tricky with multiple projects all at once. Murphy struggled with AMERICAN HORROR STORY and SCREAM QUEENS and GLEE and out of the ordinary came the multiple award winning brilliance of AMERICAN CRIME STORY.

EMPIRE appears to be losing touch of it's signature hit music moments and becoming too much of a soap opera revolving around a completely over the top blended family.

PLEASE LIKE ME suffered a blow ahead of it's fourth series with Pivot the US network which loved it suffering closure. The show has never been a ratings hit in Australia and honestly I was surprised this show was continuing when shows like Miss Fishers Murder Mystery is out in the wilderness.

Josh Thomas is a star but the show is niche and when the ABC has to defend every little thing that goes to air, it's risky having a show like PLEASE LIKE ME on air. Not to mention some truly woeful ratings.

SHAMELESS made headlines for all the wrong reasons with a pay dispute with lead Emily Rossum holding up the eighth seasons green light. The show is the jewel in Showtime's crown lately with THE AFFAIR looking to wrap up and RAY DONAVON a Summer series the channel is quickly becoming HBO's poor cousin.

SHAMELESS has been truly fabulous this season and I really cannot imagine Monday (Australian time) nights without the Gallaghers. Thank god HOMELAND is still going strong which is the only other saving grace for Showtime with the series set to run until 2019 (with the series renewed up to season eight (expected to be it's last)).

So what can I recommend for Summer viewing? Come by tomorrow and I will award my hits of 2016, TV wise.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Triple J's Hottest 100


Here's what I voted for, you can vote NOW too:


Flume - Never Be Like You {Ft. Kai}
Drake - One Dance {Ft. Wizkid/Kyla}
Banks - Fuck With Myself
Beyoncé - Hold Up
Chance The Rapper - All Night {Ft. Knox Fortune}/Kaytranada Extended Joint
Tkay Maidza - Simulation
Solange - Don't Touch My Hair {Ft. Sampha}
Mac Miller - Dang! {Ft. Anderson .Paak}
Kid Cudi - Surfin' {Ft. Pharrell Williams}
AlunaGeorge - Mean What I Mean {Ft. Leikeli47/Dreezy}

Monday, December 12, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


After the huge disappointment of Bad Santa 2, why did I put myself through OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY?



Well I love a gross out comedy for starters and Randall Park, all I want for Christmas is for you to sit on my face, thank you and please cum again.

So Jason Batman and Jennifer Aniston is leaving behind her good girl Friends routine for another workplace related adult comedy.

The big question is, is this film funny at a time of the year when nothing is funny and everything is irritating as fuck?

Well yes and no, the start is one lame set up after another and mindless boring back stories of each of the extremely talented cast. Let's just say HBO was well represented from Veep, Silicon Valley & various other shows.

Once the party started there were a few more laughs to have but overall this missed the mark of Bad Mom's which was honestly one of my favourite comedies of the year. Like Bad Mom's to me this was about workplaces and the stereotypes of all the annoying people we work with 8 hours a day for 5 days a week.

It was also very much like Malcolm's Jobs and Growth which in itself is clearly failing, like the tech company featured in this film. When jobs are hard to hold down and there is no growth how can one fudge the figures, with comedy that's how.

This was not a great film but a distraction from the sad fact it's almost school holidays again and there is a family disagreement just around the corner.

3 Stars for the second Christmas comedy of the season.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


School holidays are here and here comes the kids of all ages films, first cab off the rank FANTASTIC BEASTS & WHERE TO FIND THEM.



This film was released last week, had several good reviews (as below from the terrific Marc Fennell) and honestly this was not on my list but when a free pass landed on my lap, whateves!



So after my Flume Friday (full review over HERE) I was tired, it was a monster week last week so a chilled Saturday afternoon film was perfection.

Words of advice here I have NEVER seen a Harry Potter film, nor do I intend on but this was visually spectacular and in a way brilliant.

A huge and stellar cast of Hollywoods legends and up-comers JK Rowlings book on the big screen looked a million (or $180M, according to the budget) bucks.

My only comment was Eddie Redmayne after the Danish Girl will always well look like a lady to me after that film. Eddie is great but the real star of this film is Dan Fogler as the non magical human.

I honestly enjoyed this film despite it being too long (2 hours, 13 minutes) for a fantasy adventure film but still it's Summer so one needs free air con.

For the school holidays this will have wide appeal and also it's pretty harmless fun, I am giving this as a non fan of the book series and Harry Potter films 3 brilliantly presented stars.

Friday, December 9, 2016

It's FLUME Friday, Full Review...


Tomorrow or the next day, or the one after that, I'm BUSY!

Christmas time is hell this year, hell I tell ya!

Here is some FLUME to warm up all you young up starts ahead of his two HUGE gigs at Sydney's Superdome (Commercial name is TOO shit for words).







More MUSIC stuff HERE

Boy BYE!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Monday, December 5, 2016

Triple J Album of the Year Poll


I love Richard Kingsmill's Album of the Year poll, it means the year is over (and what a cunt of a year it has been) and it means one of Australia's best radio announcer reveals his favourite records plus the amazing Triple J listeners album of the year.

I think Flume might take it out the listeners album of the year, whilst here is the ten records I voted for:

AlunaGeorge - I Remember
Anderson .Paak - Malibu
Weeknd, The - Starboy
Tkay Maidza - Tkay
Sia - This Is Acting
Solange - A Seat At The Table
Flume - Skin
Drake - Views
NxWorries - Yes Lawd!
Broods - Conscious

You can also vote HERE!

As the year wraps up I will have my movies of the year list (like last year) and more the year in music lists/reviews and specials than you can poke a big ass stick at.

Yesterday I crowned FLUME the male artist of 2016 on Flashing off the Record and next Sunday it's the ladies turn. So keep an eye out on Flashing off the Record.

See you round soon!

Saturday, December 3, 2016

GARBAGE.


Oh 90's WORLD! Garbage a few months ago announced they would play a run of A Day on the Greens with an all star line up and some gigs on their own along the way. Unfortunately it's not the 90's anymore as I had not seen the Hordern this empty in a while.

However I do love an older more well behaved crowd. People brought their kids, 90's World Version 2.0 t-shirts came out and the set list kicked off with 1996 radio single Supervixen.

The crowd was overjoyed at the older songs included in the set including second track I Think I'm Paranoid from the 1998 record Version 2.0.

I feel in love with Garbage around the time of I Think I'm Paranoid and I dug back into their first record and was an instant fan, so much so I travelled to Brisbane to see them along with Ben Lee & Sebadoh at Livid. The festival in 1999 featured a stellar line up including The Offspring, Suede, Powderfinger, Spiderbait, 28 Days, Gerling and so many more! Livid along with many other festivals died in 2003, with no festival in 2004 and the promised return in 2005 never happening. Sad really, it was fun.

Anyway like festivals unfortunately for Garbage the music world has changed, a lot!

Their last record Strange Little Birds vanished almost as soon as it was released and the previous record Not Your Kind of People suffered a similar fate.

The problem with some 90's bands is they are almost stuck in the 90's, Shirley Manson was a tour de force back in the day, she even appeared on the telly in a short lived Terminator series. However in 2016 Shirley liked to have a rant about how scary the world is getting (true that, girl) and the person in front of me answered stop preaching and sing. Oh boy.

As Shirley Manson has hit 5-0 it's great to see her still with as much stage presence as ever but I wonder whether it's time for her to try solo or a new genre. It's like Madonna, honey no one is buying you and Nicki Minaj!

My highlight of a patchy set list (the new songs mostly went down like a lead balloon) was the final encore number Cherry Lips (Go baby Go). The group decided to turn their back on their biggest hit When I Grow Up and my personal favourite Androgyny.

It was patchy and a majorly nostalgic night that I won't forget in a while and I applaud Shirley and the gang for still being iconic but I hate to say it, I like their old stuff better than their new stuff.

RELATED AUDIO







Thursday, December 1, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Let me start off with saying I saw this for free and it was the second time it was offered to me, second time the charm I was off to see A UNITED KINGDOM.



Now let me start with David Oyelowo is so gosh damn handsome. When he removed his shirt, DANG!

Rosamund Pike on the other hand was much more exciting in Gone Girl than this British biopic. Look the true story of Sir Seretse Khama & Ruth Williams Khama was extremely interesting and in 2016 we need stories like this of good beating evil or Malcolm Turnbull actually doing something useful or Bill Shorten being remotely interesting and/or inspiring.

So A United Kingdom it is just under two hours, the romance and the love story is sweet enough but I felt like I had seen this story a million times before on the big screen.

Look if there is nothing else on this Summer maybe give it a go, 2.5 Stars.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Why on Earth don't I love Clean Bandit's latest track.


I usually reserve my musical shit for Flashing off the Record (where this week I am featuring Justice's record WOMAN) but I just finished watching the UK X Factor elimination episode and I REALLY want to love the latest Clean Bandit single ROCKABYE, number one in many countries, but not even close to my number one tune right now.

It has all the ingredients for a HIT single for me, Clean Bandit tick, Anne-Marie tick and a revival to even test Craig David's (more on him below) sensational return, Sean Paul.

But something for me just does not click. Anne-Marie is sensational and put it down on solo singles Do It Right and Alarm, whilst being a surprise guest on Illy's hit single Catch 22. I first heard her on Rudimental's amazing single Rumour Mill and it's been all love from me towards Anne-Marie.

And Sean Paul, where do I start. Back in 2003 I was busy getting busy and getting down to some Queen Bey with Baby Boy. Recently Sean Paul also rebreathed life into Sia's hit Cheap Thrills sending the single all the way to number one in the USA.

So why does this song not click with me? I think lyrically it is rather weird and I have to say Clean Bandit's best tracks have been with the sensational powerhouse otherwise known as Jess Glynne.

I am hoping for better tracks from all three of the these folks on this UK Number One but for now as above I can not get Craig David's new tracks of my iPod. I am obsessed with 16 and don't get me started with some of his amazing recently collaborations.


Craig David along with the Weeknd's latest hit record Starboy are two of my favourite recent releases as we gear up to head into a sexy Sydney Summer.

RELATED AUDIO











Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Insecure Season One.


Oh the drama, the heartache and the sexy AS fuck men.

HBO continues to deliver outstanding drama and comedies and this is part drama, part comedy. Insecure follows the lives of Issa and Molly and I am so gosh damn happy after the finale a second series is in the works.

Based on a web series Awkward Black Girl this series was eight brilliant episodes with lots of laughs, sex and bad language. My kinda show.



If you like your ladies sassy and your men smoking hot, this show is outstanding.

This Summer/Christmas give yourself a laugh and give Insecure a go.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Looking the TV series finished it's run with a neat TV movie ending, but does life end in a neat bundle like a TV Movie?


Short answer NO, long answer, MAYBE..

HBO did right by it's fans but as far as storytelling goes sometimes life does not end up in neat parcels like the last scene of the homosexual drama does.

HBO took a risk on this series and gave it two full seasons, the TV movie and the show rated poorly and was nowhere near a Girls or Game of Thrones HBO blockbuster BUT it gave a voice to different types of gays. Multicultural gays, diverse gays and Jonathan Groff.



Murray Bartlett gave an Aussie take on the show and honestly it was interesting seeing different aged gays and how the gay world reacts to age. A once wise older gay once told me that the older you got the more invisible you were to the world. It's true as I hit my mid thirties.

Neat endings for shows are sometimes bitter sweet, you are happy the characters you have grown to love get the endings they may or may not deserve but at the same time some things will never be answered.

Looking did a great job in the tele-movie, one more racy sex scene, some closure and a celebration of gay marriage and how it does not break society or make people think it's okay to engage in sexual relations with animals.

Looking may not have reached the millions it intended to but in the end it was a solid body of work and another outstanding title HBO has given TV fans and gays like myself.

Goodbye LOOKING!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Today I saw a thought provoking and interesting alien film, probably the most thought provoking and meaningful science fiction film I've seen. It's called ARRIVAL.



So not a lot can be said about my second Amy Adams film in what seems like as many weeks without giving anything away. I hate people spoiling shit for me, whether it be a film, a TV show (like now I am just catching up on Sons of Anarchy, and hell no I want to know where it ends, I am only up to season 4, shit!) so I will save you that drama.

Arrival is a beautifully shot film, it looks a million bucks (well it's budget was around $47 million) and Jeremy Renner is also spectacular in his role.

Amy Adams was outstanding, sublime and simply stunning in Nocturnal Animals, although this film she is more grounded, more real and her acting capabilities do both extremely well.

This film had me googling the meaning of the ending once I got home and as expected I was sort of on the right track. The film will stay for me for a while as it really got me thinking and I like that in a film. Arrival is pretty god damn impressive and I give it a solid 4 stars. Well done team beyond Arrival.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Oh dear, in 2003 we meet Billy Bob in the original Bad Santa now it's time for BAD SANTA 2.



So the first one was original, crude and funny, this was was slightly less original, slightly more crude and at times funny but not full steam ahead funny. I didn't really know why Kathy Bates joined the cast and why they thought a second movie was in order.

Poor old Billy Bob he really looks worse for wear these days. Kathy Bates did a great job in American Horror Story this year but this was far from her best work.

The plot has the usual things going to shit, crude hook ups and some rather awkward scenes. I enjoyed it for the most part but I can only bring myself to pass this film as Bad Santa was highly enjoyable as a stand alone film, but there was really no need for a sequel.

2.5 Stars.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

My picks for Triple J Breakfast Hosts - 2017


SO my computer flipped out last night, I drafted the below and wished to have posted it today, instead Triple J did press releases thoughout the day like THIS. So the below is like, good if you are not up to do with all the news posts and what not out there on the interwebs n shit:



Don't think I'm a no it all BUT I am so gunning for Kyran and Gen. The duo have been slaying on weekend afternoons and honestly they are two of the best and cute presenters on air right now.

I wanted to love Veronica and Lewis when they also had a similar shift to Kyran and Gen before transferring to Drive weekdays but some of their gimmicks this year have been shit that even Kiis FM would pass on.

Kyran and Gen seem to generally just love being in the same room as each other and I totally want to hear more of the two, but too be honest I never listen to Breakfast radio.

Weekend Arvos are way more my thing but if Kyran and Gen go to the early slot can the dreamy Michael Hing, Ronny Chieng or Nazeem return to Triple J weekends?

I have listened to Triple J since 1997/1998 and honestly Kyran and are up there with some of my favourites like Helen Razer, Chris and Craig doing Today, Today and the early days of Nina Las Vegas.

Matt & Alex have been fun but a change is really as good as a holiday so best of luck boys with wherever life takes you xo

Monday, November 21, 2016

Left Vs Right


I used to say I was proudly left leaning, dislike freaks like Andrew Bolt & Miranda Devine with pride but as I age I desperately want a more centred media, government and community.

Why?

Because the far left and far right are way too fucking extreme and both just feed off each others downsides.

The far right are pure evil, Mike Pence and Sir Donald Trump are scary mother truckers and let's not start on 2GB's dreamy announcers but the far left and the teams of professional protestors who attend any creep fests oooppppss I mean Reclaim Australia, United Patron Front rallies are only adding to the problem.

The far right and bloggers/columnists like Andrew Bolt love a "rude" and Leftist thugs, this only fuels his columns, his pathetic excuse for a nightly television drama and his rants in my favourite toilet paper the Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun.

So what do I want? People to agree, work together and put aside their differences and compromise. In all relationships, loving relationships, working relationships and families one needs to COMPROMISE and currently with the deadlock in Australian politics and the divide in the USA after the Trump election win is doing NO ONE any good.

In Australia with the lunatic One Nation party with Pauline Hanson at the helm and the Greens and team Xenophon either blocking or ignoring bills in front of them. Why are there trouble makers in the Senate like Ms Lambie? Because the people of Tasmania are sick of Kevin, they disliked Julia, they couldn't bare Tony and Malcolm is not living in real Australia, he lives in a mansion for fucks sake.

But the general public too need to come together, it's an uncertain time we face, but with unity and respect people power will rule. PLUR, Peace, Love, Unity and Respect thats what we need more of in the press, the parliament and in the public.

Come on Australia (world if you are reading) we are better than Trump, we are better than screaming Hilary, we are GREAT, we always have been and we don't need to be great again because as humans we have the potential to continue to be and always be great!

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Triple J has had a GREAT Australian Music Month BUT...


It's been a HUGE year for Australian music, with my only two album of the year nominations being Australian:

1. SIA
2. Flume

Both artists have had incredibly BIG 2016's. Cheap Thrills and Never Be Like You have been two of the biggest anthems of 2016 and This is Acting and Skin have easily been the best two records of the year.

As the ARIA's loom and both Flume and SIA are highly tipped to win their respective categories Triple J has also been sharing the love with some Australian music lists (Unearthed 100) and announcing the J Awards during the week. I have to say I was highly disappointed SIA didn't receive a nomination for the instant pop classic record This is Acting and when Flume was beaten by DD Dumbo for the album of the year, well.

Yeah I get it DD Dumbo is a rising star but so is Flume, he is still hella young and his album has been an international and local smash record.

Oh well.

I usually reserve the right to BLOG about music on Flashing off the Record but I have been busy with countdowns, Sleigh Bell's brilliant new album Jessica Rabbit and this weekend I bring back the music lists. All music lovers love a list right?

Let's look at the Unearthed 100 best discoveries what a great list of new and upcoming Australian artists and so diverse. Honestly Australian music (thanks partly to this site and JJJ) has never been healthier and never with more internationally successful acts.

From #1 Flume to #2 Courtney Barnett and #3 The Rubens the list is brimming with outstanding talent. With Tash Sultana taking out this years Unearthed Artist of the Year it is gonna be another big year for the site and artists lifted off it.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard not only have the best name in the biz but took out two awards and capped off the awards for the year.

Below for your Saturday is a mixture of Sia, Flume and JJJ favourites to recap the musically (Australian) week that has passed.






























Friday, November 18, 2016

Rose Byrne is delightful, shame her play..


Isn't.

The reviews have been less than glowing and that isn't a new thing in Sydney and the usual suspects love a good scathing review!

Look Rose Byrne is sublime but this play is anything but. It's dated view of women in the workplace and honestly I am not 90% sure the movie biz works like it is portrayed in this play I am 100%.

Lately movies have been all about profit margins and no substance, the last School Holidays was a perfect example of this. Sequels are greenlit ahead of stories with a real message.

Speed the Plow is not what I am going to talk about, I am here to be positive and say how outstanding Rose Byrne is and how outstanding her career has been and continues to be.

Following an outstanding run on Damages with none other than Glenn Close for 5 seasons, Rose became a Hollywood heavyweight. Become a surprise comedy legend in Bridesmaids, Spy, the Neighbours films and Get Him to the Greek (actually that was one of the films I didn't love of hers to be 100% honest). Not only becoming one of Hollywoods leading women in comedy, Rose took her turn in the horror genre, becoming a leading lady once more in the Insidious series.

After Horror Rose again gave a crack at something fresh in a revisit to the musical hit Annie. Then to cover all bases Rose became an X-Men star.

Rose is an outstanding Australian and next to Sia one of my long time favourites since back in the Two Hands days with the late great Heath Ledger.

It was great seeing Rose live on stage (and so close Row F in the Stalls) she is a real star, you can feel it, even from Row F in the stalls!

Thanks Rose for a lovely Thursday evening last night, Speed the Plow is an opportunity to see this Hollywood legend in her former hometown now, she is stunning and fresh, more info HERE

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Please Like Me Season 4.


Now in it's fourth season the ABC (and sorta Pivot (USA)) show that has been for gays and Australians what Girls in the USA has been for twenty something trendy ladies.

Please like Me, started off well and has grown in episodes but for it's fourth season it is a slim 6 episode season. With Pivot closing in the States last month and the ABC cutting costs it could spell the end for Please Like Me and Josh Thomas on the ABC. Thank god we have have Benjamin Law's The Family Law returning to SBS next year.

Gay Australians are rarely seen as raw as they are presented to the audience as in Please Like Me and as a gay it is refreshing to see this representation on Australian free to air TV. Foxtel gives lesbian love a great go with Wentworth and free to air tries to give gays a go in series but Please Like Me is all about the gays.

Josh Thomas is great in stand up and after last week's episode of the series I found myself falling for this awkward breakout hit all over again.

Well it's 9:30pm on Wednesday night RIGHT NOW, so why not flick over to ABC and give it a go, or if your reading this at a later time, feel free to switch on iView.

Looking forward to seeing Rose Byrne too on another note in Speed-the-Plow tomorrow night, lets hope the show is better than the reviews :(

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Affair Season 3.


The Affair is one of those shows that desperately needed a name change after series one, the affair happened, season 2 the divorce happened and now, well now who knows...

The Affair is interesting it's award winning (Golden Globes & Satellite Awards), well cast and a Showtime instant classic.

Leads Dominic West, Maura Tierney & Ruth Wilson are all brilliant! Joshua Jackson has also grown up a lot since Dawson's Creek too.



There is a lot happening in episode one and like last season episode one aired online earlier than Showtime in the US. This means I now have to wait till either 21 November or 27 November for the next instalment of this great US drama.

This show is like Divorce and Insecure not one to watch with partners, it's crazy, sexy & cool but covers some themes you may not wont to bring up with your better half.

Dominic West is also strangely sexy for 47 year old gentleman and that is a plus.

Showtime currently has a great roster with Shameless proving to be outstanding in it's 7th outing, Homeland will be outstanding when it returns and Ray Donovan just concluded and addictive season.

This is much watch TV and I cannot believe we are almost saying goodbye to some US shows that fall into the 2016-2017 TV season. American Horror Story will conclude this week and I already fell head over feet for Atlanta, so I need The Affair in my life right now.

Till next time, BYE!

Monday, November 14, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Isabelle Huppert as ELLE is fabulous!



In all honesty I usually do not like foreign films (call me an uneducated Trump voter if you will) but I loved, loved, loved this film.

It was full of inner city left leaning older folks at a 10.15am session in Newtown the day of the Newtown Festival so every hair dyed, tattooed, green voting Inner Westie was out.

This film was dark, interesting and a graphic subtitled look into modern and complex relationships.

Elle is honestly a great little thriller that almost has a whodunnit feel to it as well so in saying that, no spoilers HERE!

Isabelle Huppert is flawless as the lead, stunning, brilliant and such a lead! I cannot highly recommend this film enough, after seeing the god awful Jack Reacher film this week, this was high class and definitely in line for a US remake in years to come, outstanding.

4.75 Stars.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

American Horror Story Season Six is easily the best to date.


I have been impressed by this years American Horror Story since it commenced a couple of months back and as it wraps up this series has honestly held my attention the entire run.

American Horror Story is known to jump the gun a bit and the later episodes tend to draw around half the viewers the early episodes draw but Roanoke has been a revelation. It almost recreated itself mid way through the series and got a whole new lease of life.

Hotel was completely off the rails towards the end and the sex and Lady Gaga factor just sent it over the edge however I hope this almost thriller version this years wraps nicely.

It's been a bloody blood fest but we have seen worse on US television recently with the return on The Walking Dead.



You don't get much from the finale promo (spoiler alert if your not up to date), but I think this will be a classy end to a truly brilliant season.

10 episodes seems to suit Murphy and let's hope with Scream Queens season 2 wrapping with ten this season it may get back on track as it finally returns after the election and World Series Baseball.

To be honest I am hoping the already renewed seventh outing will be titled American Horror Story: The Trump Years, however apparently Murphy already has a plan and the wheels are well and truly in motion.

In my eyes this season has easily been the most consistent and enjoyable by far, well done Ryan Murphy, credit given where credit is due.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


As unbelievable as yesterday was I let belief and any sense of reality slip out the door when I stepped into a dark theatre to watch JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK



After America fucked up yesterday (royally) why need see some dumbed damn American trash in the form of the latest Tom Cruise film. The sequel to the Jack Reacher this time is titled Never Go Back.

I actually think we should never haven gone back because really this was a lame and uneventful B (maybe C) grade action film.

The action scenes felt forced, the storyline was piss weak and the days events made my head hurt and the lame dialogue in this Tom Cruise produced film did nothing for my headache.

The recent Mission Impossible films were SO much better than this and Tom has it in him but this was rather lame and I am not surprised this film has not done big business.

Hopefully the next film I see is more like the last two (Nocturnal Animals & The Accountant) as this was a bit of a BLAH cinema moment, 2 Stars.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


What happens when a film looks so damn good, you cannot divert you're eyes, you must be watching NOCTURNAL ANIMALS.



An all star cast joins writer, director and producer Tom Ford. After his 2009 film a Single Man, Ford returns with this dark and delicious tale.

Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhall, Laura Linney, Michael Shannon, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer and a list of supporting actors who are equally amazing.

This tale is dark as fuck, but I was hooked by visions played out in front of me.

Again like yesterday not going to give anything away as this film takes you on a massive ride. Nocturnal Animals is not for the faint hearted with an opening credits scene to make ones eyes water. Jake shines as does Amy, 4.5 Stars for this physiological thriller.

Monday, November 7, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Well haven't I had a break from my regular movie going self, so it was heaven on a Sunday morning to buy a soy latte and settle in with THE ACCOUNTANT.



Ben Affleck is now a certified adult male action star, he is the latest Batman, he is Christian Wolff. I cant give too much of the plot away as this thriller takes a few fabulous twists and turns!

John Lithgow and JK Simmons make up the older male cast members and Anna Kendrick is again versatile and divine in this role.

This movie is part thriller and part drama, it builds slowly but gets to where it has to, and then end you have no idea where it is going!

Ben Affleck is starting to redeem himself after some questionable past roles. There is a new and improved Daredevil, He's Just Not That into You was Meh and let's be honest I am hoping Justice League is a better outing than Batman Vs Superman as really that was ALL about Wonder Woman.

The Accountant was a well return to adult films at the cinema, The Accountant is a great thrilling ride, 3.75 Stars.

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Melbourne Cup, Halloween are OVER, what's next??


What a week it's been and there is a reason I ain't be posting, medical tests, working it, finally returning to the movies, catching up on my shows, heading back to the gym to complete 3 body balance classes and god only knows what else.

Man I love body balance, what a class, what a way to relax and think, use your body for good and just chill.

So the bogan fest that is Melbourne Cup is done and dusted. Yes I'm un-Australian but now the rest of the world thinks we are drunken fouls. Actually if you look at who we look to govern the country drunken fouls is a kind description.

Back in 2010 the fabulous Marieke Hardy wrote this piece about steering clear of the Cup and now more Australians are following in her delightful footsteps. The world has spoken according to the reliable News.com.au and we fir in with Hilary's basket of deplorables.

And speaking of Hilary and the USA when did Australia fall head of feet for Halloween, even in my inner city suburb houses were decorated like at Christmas time and kids got ready to get fat (fatter).

Is it just me getting old and hating the world or do we seem to celebrate the most moronic events in Australia nowadays?

I'm not big on Christmas nor Easter either but can't we celebrate and unite like young Vanessa Marian is currently doing out at Auburn? Something like this and contributing to our future and not just our present to me seems like a more fulfilling reason to celebrate. Maybe that's just me.

I do however want to celebrate the beyond brilliant Samantha Bee again this weekend, what a diva, so fab, here is another cut from this weeks episode.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


I finally returned to the cinema for a strange experience, it was, well.. DOCTOR STRANGE



After a long run of Marvel films and super hero films ahead of Doctor Strange we need something new, something different and well Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton sorta bring it. Swinton and Cumberbatch not two names I thought I would say with Marvel in the same sentence but here it is.

With Marvel now running out of big names to cast in their franchises it's an interesting experiment this Doctor Strange film, part Inception, part every other super hero film, this looks great but the story (particularly the beginning) is a bit WTF!

Will they even bother with a sequel to this film? Will this live up to other Marvel films that have come before it? Well maybe not but our next outing is not until 2017 with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Oh how will we cope till May 2017.

At least there is Iron Fist coming to Netflix in March 17, 2017 (otherwise known as St Patricks Day).

So is Doctor Strange any good? My last film The Girl on the Train was outstanding, this was far from outstanding but from having a few tests and a camera down my mouth and up my ass this was a far more exciting evening my day.

Cumberbatch, Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Swinton and Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) lead a fab cast, but there is something missing or is it just we have seen this all before and honestly there are moments this films morphs into Inception Part Two.

I enjoyed this for the most part, but it isn't as great as Deadpool or as action packed as an Avengers film, so I'll give this one 2.75 Stars.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Back to the Movies...


Tonight, as Australia has embraced Halloween ahead of Australia's big day to drink, spew and gamble as it's Melbourne Cup Eve!

I am off to see Marvel's latest Dr Strange. I know after Luke Cage I needed some Mavel space but anyway it's on like Donkey Kong tonight! After surviving needles and camera down my mouth and up my ass it's time to treat myself so I am doing a similar thang to Gold Class.

So it's Melbourne Cup Eve, Halloween and we are totally on the homeward stretch to Christmas...

This week over on Flashing off the Record we are celebrating the latest release from Birds of Tokyo and last night we got down with TKAY! So have a peek over HERE.

Until That Movie Gay returns tomorrow, laters and Happy Halloween...


Sunday, October 30, 2016

Just over 2,400 Posts now...


It's Sunday, I look down the barrel at 2,400 BLOG posts, some small, some large, some about film, some about music and mostly some just keeping it random.

Back in my hey day 2007 was the year this BLOG first hit the intranet, a lot has changed since then.

I created another little BLOG all about music Flashing off the Record but one thing remains the same, no social media and I pose the question is it worthwhile dropping the whole no social media to get my rambles out there?

I have no real interest in social media right now nor have I recently so I am leaning towards no. Organically I would love to grow readership but wouldn't every blog, every newspaper?

Anyway today I have to fast for a few gross tests tomorrow, so it's TV, TV and more TV today, I feel that I have lost my love for the movies lately. School Holidays was a wasteland for films and now I just can't get my movie groove back on.

Insecure is the latest 30 minute HBO comedy that I am catching up on today, here is a sample below.



I finally finished up Luke Cage this morning which was enjoyable but given me another reason to stay away from the cinema this week, I think I have had my quota of Marvel this weekend and honestly I could not do Doctor Strange on top of 13 almost hour long Luke Cage eps.

I did absolutely love the Girl on the Train but for some reason I am enjoying my cinema break and Netflix n Chill sessions.

2,400 posts in with Halloween tomorrow, Melbourne Cup Tuesday, what a delightful week we have ahead. Look out for another 2,400 coming to y'all soon!

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Blindspot Season 2.


After seven episodes Blindspot season 2 has ditched the tattoos and introduced Jane's mothers terrorist group Sandstorm. Another Aussie Luke Mitchell has joined Sullivan Stapleton for this NBC carbon copy of the Blacklist.

This show has serious parallels to the Blacklist replacing Reddington's Blacklist with Jane's Tattoos for each case/episode.

Once the tattoo is cracked, clues are put together, case solved, no good guys harmed, credits roll, next episode. Rinse & repeat.

Like the Blacklist this grew tired and the Blacklist has since evolved and truly become one of my favourite US shows over there main TV season. With a spin off in the works for the Blacklist I wonder whether Blindspot will get the same treatment with the introduction of Sandstorm.



One can not confuse this terrorist organisation Sandstorm with the below Darude classic!



What a Saturday anthem hey!

So Blindspot it's still a ratings success compared to some already flatlining new US shows (looking at you Notorious) and for NBC these procedural crime shows are the only thing keeping them going. Remember when they took a gamble on musical dramas like Smash, FAIL!

Tomorrow I hope to conclude the sex on legs that is Luke Cage and I am desperate to dip my toe in the new HBO waters with Divorce and Insecure.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

The Wrong Girl - Watching Live


Does Channel Ten think I am stupid? Rather than watching the Wrong Girl on a catch up device or something I watched it live to air. Man the Bachelorette promos were off the chain!

I know it's the final tonight after the explosive and romantic episode I saw the last drab five minutes of.

Selling romance on reality TV shit, I always knew it was a little off but not full on rancid off.

But back to the Wrong Girl and watching live, that will definitely be the last time. The ridiculous number of ads, the speedy way once one show is done the next comes straight over the top, like I tried to take in whats coming up next week promo and Madam Secretary was look BOOM!

The episode on a whole last night was a build up episode, with Jack and Lily finally getting it on. Jack is a dish AKA Rob Collins from Cleverman some time on stage in the Lion King Musical and now a Channel Ten drama they are actually getting right.

Like Secrets & Lies Channel Ten have got drama right. Despite it being leaps and bounds more fun and real than Doctor Doctor and the Secret Daughter this is the worst rating of the three however if Nine are keeping Love Child afloat, surely this will be back for another outing.

So a lesson learnt, not to watch live TV, always aim for iView or whatever the platform Channel Ten use.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

The Walking Dead, returns for a 7th outing


The Walking Dead has been in the headlines all week long after it's shocking return to the screens on Monday (Australian time). The ABC posted a brilliant article about this violent, torture porn first outing for the apocalyptic horror drama.

Two main characters bite the dust (no spoilers here) BTW, but the way they died the lack of drama or story for twenty minutes and the sheer horror and torture porn for the other half of the episode.

This is a show (like Game of Thrones) that has pushed the envelope for a while now, with Glenn almost dying a graphic and painful death last series, zombies dying with almost every piece of garden equipment and the spin off series Fear the Walking Dead taking zombies to Mexico and on the high seas.

We are set to see Negan the new villain run hell through the seventh series and possibly the eighth according to a comic book fan I was talking to about this character.

I do not offend easily but man it was hard to view some of this episode, the sheer brutality of the killing and the aftermath will be burnt onto my eyes for a longtime to come.

It's up to Game of Thrones to go out with a bang because with 17.03 million US viewers tuning into this first episode The Walking Dead is here to stay.

Heres a brief look at episode two.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Another Scream, this time to MTV, the Halloween TV Movie


MTV has given the late 1990's horror slasher film series a good hard crack with it's second season of Scream (the TV series) wrapping up in August and then a new 2 episodes aired recently for Halloween.

Adding a new Murder Island to the mix Scream went walkabout and added a new horrific tale and some new characters to be brutally murdered.

A cliffhanger leaves the viewers on the edge of their seats for a shorten (and most likely final) third season.

The third season will be aired in 2017 and we hope to eventually find out who the killer is and how they link it all together.



MTV has been ramping up their drama series with Teen Wolf existing since 2011 and a few other shows on their books. I think Scream has been a bit of fun over the US Summer and I do look forward to seeing how they will drag out the film series into a third and I would have to think final outing.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Ryan Murphy turns a corner, whilst at the same time going off course


I'll look at the take on the Scream franchise's TV movie made for Halloween tomorrow as my movie drought continues but today (tonight) lets head to another bunch of screamers, Scream Queens.

Also I will touch on the mid season reboot of American Horror Story - Roanoke.

Scream Queens is the on again off again show that FOX (in the USA) screen every now and then when they feel like it. If it's not a VP debate, it's world series and after 7 weeks you'll be lucky enough to see 5 ever so random episodes.

This last weeks episode saw the series shrink to under 1.5 million US viewers. Terrible.

We have seen a major cast member killed off and I have a feeling this show will also be killed off soon leaving Ryan Murphy with his American Crime Stories and Horror stories. Not to mention the upcoming Feud on FX with an awesome all star cast and a first season 8 episode run.

Murphy like the end of Glee seems distracted, all these projects and all these characters (based on real life folk or made up) are starting to all feel a little too camp.

When Murphy nails it like with American Crime Story, he kills it, but when things start to go pear shaped like Nip/Tuck Season Six, they really lose the plot.

Scream Queens was always going to struggle in a second series, being a horror show (like horror movies) there are only so many cast members you can kill off without the audience completely abandoning the series.

I love the high camp, culture references from week to week (or fortnight to fortnight) but do all middle Americans get all the culture references and snippy side comments if they are Trump voters? If Murphy wanted to make a smart and witty teen/horror series maybe FX, Showtime or HBO would be a better fit than US Network TV.

So Scream Queens in my spilt personality vote, is impressive yet the Green Meanie is a super shit villain compared to the more believable Red Devil.

With added Green Slime it almost makes the show a little comical.

The cast is outstanding, but the story lines in this series really need some work. Scream Queens could be Murphy brilliant instead it's Murphy distracted and not on par with the brilliant new series of American Horror Story - Roanoke which has turned yet another amazing corner.

Creating a show in a show and using the already outstanding cast in this way has boosted my interest in this already brilliant chapter. And 6 episodes in this year the show has not yet jumped the shark. Every year around this time (or earlier in Coven's case) the show loses the plot however this year we are on track.

Last week beating Scream Queens by almost a million viewers this series is the third best from the AHS franchise. Already renewed for a seventh outing I have a feeling Murphy is onto his longest living and best series to date here. As long as he doesn't get TOO distracted.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Supergirl Season 2.


Supergirl has found a new home for it's sophomore season and she has also found her cousin Superman.

With all these additions and filming moving to Vancouver (like the Flash) Supergirl is almost like a new series and that's not mentioning the fact it's shifted networks in the US of A.

The main drawcard to this superhero series is still Calista Flockhart, her one liners and outfits are outstanding and one of the most positive elements of the first season when we are offered so many options in this genre.

Yes the Superhero market is packed but like Jessica Jones it's brilliant seeing a lady on the screen kicking serious ass. Even though in the first two episodes Superman did equal butt kicking.

I enjoyed the first season of this show and two episodes in (of the 22 order this season) so I am in for the long haul this season, Melissa Bonoist you are my Supergirl.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Secrets & Lies (US Season 2)


An one season Australian show makes it double time in the USA, this time a new case and a new cast of suspects.

Juliette Lewis is the only returning character from the first series and the delightful Michael Ealy (The Following) takes over Ryan Phillippe main suspect role.

Also joining the cast this year are Terry O'Quinn (Lost), AnnaLynne McCord (90210 & Nip/Tuck) and Jordana Brewster (Dallas).

The Australian series was a short sharp 6 episode season, in the USA the ABC has drawn this out to a 10 episode anthology series. Like American Horror Story, American Crime Story, American Crime and a long line of anthology series in the USA this show has the luxury of hitting resetting the show at the start of every series.

I liked the first season however this second season seems to be stuck in a wee bit of a holding pattern. The show has stalled and I don't know how it can get itself out of first gear. Not only is the show not really moving along but the audience is not really growing.

Not to mention audiences had to wait over a year for the second series to land on our screens. However I want to know who or how this years murder happened so unlike American Gothic I will stick this one out.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Luke Cage - First Reaction ( I Know I'm Late to this....)


I usually use my subject line of That Netflix Gay when I talk about the king of streaming but today I am only two episodes into this latest Marvel series airing on the giant.

Following on from 2015 hits Daredevil and Jessica Jones (where we meet Luke Cage), Luke Cage is one more of the Defenders who we will see in 2017 where they join the Iron Fist to battle crime.

Based in Harlem this is sexy, fun and has a whole lot of style, just think the Get Down as this also features some great artists including Faith Evans in episode two.

I do love me some Faith Evans and she drops one of her biggest tracks to date Mesmerized.



Mike Colter is super sexy as the lead and is a great superhero who works multiple jobs and is fairly invincible.

Fighting crime in Harlem and building on the Netflix Marvel empire seems like a breeze and no doubt a second series will be greenlit as like Jones and Darecevil this is classy TV.

The Punisher, Iron Fist and The Defenders along with continuations of the the above mentioned shows are also heading to Netflix meaning every comic book nerd has hours of time to waste and more reason to sign up to a $10 a month deal now.

I recommend this show highly and like me if you were waiting for some good word of mouth here it is, Luke Cage is not over the top like some previous comic book stories have been and it works well. The characters are well developed and the binge nature of Netflix also suits this sexy stylish crime show.

Yes it's mostly about crime and a bit about race, but as I start on episode three I think I have a few more hour on the couch smashing this series out!

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Deep Water Concluded and SBS did a brilliant job, brilliant!


SBS has been a champion of local drama of the past few years with East West 101, The Principal and now Deep Water will surely be a big favourite for the next ACCTA awards.

Yael Stone in all honesty never caught my attention in Orange is the New Black however Stone was outstanding alongside her real life husband Dan Spielman in this four part drama series.

Now talk about binge watching this series, with only four episodes under an hour this is a late night easy watch affair. It was so compelling and so moving as the story reached it's dramatic climax.

The real life component to this drama series just adds to it's brilliance.

Deep Water will go down easily as one of this years best Australian dramas, real gritty and shocking. Challenging at times to watch as a gay man who back in the day used apps to socialise so this was a bit confronting but very real.

I know my posts have been light this week and Deep Water has been heavy this week, that's because it's that good. I have more to talk about but time has been a little light this week.

Until next week (or maybe tomorrow) enjoy the weekend folks!



Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Westworld Season 1.


HBO has it's new Game of Thrones. Huge cast, huge amount of nudity, 100% amazing production values WESTWORLD is set to be the next big thing on HBO.



Like Netflix, HBO has had for some years the strangle hold on drama and adult comedies. HBO basically created the "Golden Age of Television".

Westworld is yet another sci-fi series based on a 1973 film and with J.J Abrams in the production team this is set to be a big hit. With over 3.3 million US viewers tuning into the first episode this could grow viewership quicker than it's HBO stable mate Game of Thrones.

With Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden & Luke Hemsworth (not Thor) leading an all star cast it's hard to imagine this show (if it gets a second series, which no doubt it will) will attract more high profile stars in the future.

TV really is the latest home for a lot of Hollywoods biggest and most notable stars.

Westworld really looks a million bucks and like Game of Thrones the action sequences are delicious.

With a lot of sex thrown in for good measure and nudity galore this will also attract another kind of HBO regular viewers.

I enjoyed the first episode and eagerly await tomorrow's second, as it's a holiday in the USA and Donald Trump looks set to get thumped in the next debate Quantico and Secrets and Lies are off, BOO! Y'all have been back for two weeks and your on a break already. That's why I love cable TV in the USA, holidays or not the shows generally run straight through!

Westworld, the next title in the USA Golden age of TV.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Deep Water, SBS strike GOLD with another mini-series about..


Gay men.

In place of Grindr a gay app is being used by a murderer and the murders seem to resemble murders in the late 80's to current cases.

Aussie Yael Stone returns from OITNB to an all star cast featuring the most fabulous Danielle Cormack. Not only is Bea Smith one of Aussie TV's best characters in years but Cormack has been all over Rake, East West 101 (former SBS program which was beyond brilliant), Underbelly: Razor and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

Noah Taylor also a former Rake star returns to Aussie TV after some time on Game of Thrones, William McInnes is hiding something and Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Dan Spielman, Craig McLachlan & Simon Burke  all add something to this outstanding mini-series.

SBS had a hit in my books with The Principal a while back (also featuring a gay man) and Better Man was outstanding.

It is a hard topic the film makers target in this series and it is well handled, Yael Stone as the lead is simply divine. I highly recommend drama lovers catch the remaining two episodes this week on SBS or SBS on Demand.

SBS you have really delivered here well done and please keep up the good work with dramas on local television.

Monday, October 10, 2016

That Netflix Gay #2016


Following my rave reviews of Netflix documentaries and the brilliant recent relationship comedy series release Easy, we now go to a Netflix film TALLULAH.



The official trailer has clocked in at over a million views and no doubt this film has done well for the streaming giant!

An all star cast follows Page's bad decisions and lies to kidnap a child in New York. That is a basic summary of the films major plot. But the cast is really key to this film, Ellen Page is vulnerable and outstanding as the lead and Alison Janney (like my previous review for The Girl on the Train) is outstanding.

With an all star cast from the TV (Dexter, The Big C) and the film world this movie is big budget stuff and if great stories like this continue to come from the streaming machine expect the film studios to start to panic.

Ellen Page as an adult is a real little star and her and Janney are just brilliant as this odd couple wrapped up in all the lies and deceptions that just spiral out of control.

If your a mother this might be tough viewing, if you a gay with no kids like me I wouldn't understand what it was like to lose a child. However if someone took my dog, SHIT would get real!

Tallulah like The Girl on the Train explores simple, everyday human emotions but this raw insight into these natural emotions is the real key to why this film works. From divorce to poverty, to child abduction and fear this film covers a lot of ground.

Impressive stuff and well worth a peek on your monthly Netflix subscription, 3.5 Stars.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Around two years to this day I saw a film that changed thrillers and the way I enjoyed the cinema experience, that film was Gone Girl, almost exactly two years after that comes THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN.



I have longed for the cinema after a woeful few weeks of School Holiday releases and this week one of the most anticipated films of 2016 hit the big screen.

Look I get it parents need shit for there brats to do during the holidays but really Hoyts, Greater Union and other cinema sites, can you remember you core audience 18-49 year olds plus the grey haired brigade. Seniors have time a plenty and young people have disposable cash and need to be attracted from their homes and Netflix subscriptions, because honey boo boo Netflix is turning out some top notch films as well as brilliant series and documentaries.

Sp after my social commentary it's time for me to sing the praise of this outstanding film. OK I am biased this film made me feel things, this film changed the way I viewed relationships, this film shined the light on the ugliness of domestic violence and the treatment of some women in horrific relationships.

The original book was written by a woman and the women in this film (particularly lead Blunt) was outstanding.

This movie used no special effects, no gimmicks, no superhero powers, no nonsense just human nature, real human emotions.

All the cast were outstanding and it's so refreshing seeing so much of Alison Janney on Netflix and the big screen. Justin Theroux was also great on the big screen after I have spent two years trying to work out the Leftovers and thinking fuck this man is good looking in a dirty, creepy and would probably fuck you nine ways into Sunday kinda way.

So The Girl on The Train, I loved it, the audience I saw this with I hear some dodgy remarks about casting and god knows what other small technical faults but for any faults this film has it makes up with it's raw message and it's building of tension and pure brutal honesty.

I loved this and will go so far as to say after Snowden the other week these are two outstanding films. Thank god School Holidays are over so we can see brilliant pieces of cinema like this, like Gone Girl I am going rogue for a rating, 5.5 Stars.