Making a Murderer - Netflix strikes GOLD and 2016 is looking DAMN HOT!

The most talked about Netflix series (doco) over the Summer period and I am writing about it almost at the end of the long, wet, sometimes hot, stormy, bushfire infested, flooding Summer of 2015/2016.

It's been a shit Summer right, Spring was better, Autumn will almost definitely be better and Winter will be cold, wet and almost a repeat of Summer just without those random hot days, followed by a cold wet one.

Anyway Netflix has continued over Summer world domination, blocking VPN's, adding content, renewing House of Cards for a fifth season ahead of the fourth season air date, had great reviews for Jessica Jones, adding another season to it's already growing belt of Superhero shows. Speaking of Luke Cage (the next Netflix Marvel attempt is likely to land in November), along with The Get Down's Part One, coming in August.

Along with these shows, the re-worked Fuller House and Love are coming next month, Luke Cage maybe in November (Twitter clue recently online), the above mentioned House of Cards Season4 coming March 4, Orange is the New Black June 17 and finally again at Marvel Daredevil Season Two coming on March 18, making it an 11 month rest since we got the brilliant Season One last April.

All this on the way and Australian TV networks are excited that after the Tennis and Cricket we get another season of MKR and Australia's Got Talent. Wow I think $10 a month is sounding pretty fucking good right now!

So Making a Murderer it compelled millions to talk about it online, it was the first thing I heard about returning to my local boot camp, my place of casual Summer work, at lunches/breakfasts/dinners out, at Summer parties, it was inescapable.

People everywhere were talking about Steven Avery, people everywhere were outraged at the judicial system in Manitowoc County. A place I had never heard of before this. So I jumped in binged all 10 hours worth of this well made and truly distressing documentary.

What I found was pure incompetence, frightening lack of justice and also my understanding of the criminal system was lacking. That said I was still thinking to myself at the end if not Steven Avery who committed this crime, how did it happen, why was it on his property, how did the police get away with what they did with his previous case??????

More questions were left unanswered by the end than answered and perhaps this is why the show has been such a success.

The team at Netflix is 100% at the top of their game, HBO and Showtime in the USA must be scared, the long time running kings of drama now have a major competitor. Not only cable in the US but commercially operating stations worldwide should be on notice. No one watches standard TV anymore, and by no one I mean no one in the targeted key demos advertisers want to reach. Anyone under 39 is too busy working, checking their smart phones, playing on social media, stalking on social media or just generally having a life.

Netflix is pure perfection right now and like Uber and Airbnb the business models across many areas are changing and changing fast. If you are sitting back now (like Channel 7,9 and 10 have been for the past number of decades) hoping things will remain the same, well I have news for you even without broadband and the NBN nationally Australia is online and changing rapidly. Sorry local stations it's time to change or face the reality of the taxi industry in Australia, some hotel chains or actually your own ratings numbers, which really are quiet telling at present that Australia is in bed with Netflix already.

That Movie Gay #2016

Please ignore the next review if you are easily offended or don't like people preying on Zac Efron like he is a piece of man meat as that's what the review for DIRTY GRANDPA beholds, here is the unedited fully rude as trailer...



Now I love ZAC EFRON first up, I used to work with another Gay in a former workplace and he loved Zac back in High School the Musical days and I thought he was on Meth (and that's when Meth wasn't a thing) but Zac is one of those guys who has gone from blah to fuck my ass you are super hot as.

In this film he does the Macarena with only a stuffed toy over his junk, bares his perfect rear end multiple times and is void of a shirt for the majority of the second half of the film.

Now to the film as the Zac Efron sexiness is my main reason behind the star rating of this very average gross out/sex/nothing is off limits comedy.

Look it has redeeming features which most reviewers will overlook but this people probably avoid spending time with some of the most wise and experienced people in our lives, our grandparents. I for one spend Saturday nights with mine having meat and three veggies.

I have spent 2 out of the last 4 Saturdays with my Grandma and Grandpa and my Grandpa doesn't say fuck or buttfucker often but he does find sex funny like a grade 3 school boy making me see this film through his eyes, my eyes and a very general public eye.

Yes all the swearing and sex is a bit much, Aubrey Plaza's character Lenore is horrific and if I was a girl I would be super pissed a character like this was on the big screen in 2016 but Zac Efron adds such appeal for women (and maybe even more men like me, and look he is 28 now so he is no longer jail bait nor looks like, he is BUFF as in this film) and like Neighbours 2 (the original one of my favourite comedies of the past few years) he loves to go topless.

Now overall aside from the being nice to your older relatives and spending quality time with them, the rom com element of the film is so predictable a 3 year old would have guessed who Efron would end up with and De Niro (I have not mentioned him till now as this was such weird casting, but a man gotta work right?) his final scenes were just weird and fucked up. Most fucked up was the opening funeral scene in which Efron's Grandma who has just passed has the most random of get togethers.

Look most people will hate this film, some reviewers (Today's - Saturday Telegraph for example) gave this film 0 stars, I am not like them. Yes at the moment we are spoilt for choice, great dramas (Spotlight, The Big Short, Joy & Room), survival at the greatest odds (The Revenant & The Hateful Eight) and along with these there is some other shit The 5th Wave for example out there, so Dirty Grandpa is not the best nor worst on offer.

You will either laugh a little (most of the funny bits are in the red band trailer above - SPOILER ALERT) or just be plain offended, I was neither, I laughed a bit, got moist at Efron's performance and thought about how special my Grandfather is to me. Dirty Grandpa, it's polarising, it's the way some films will also be 2.5 passing stars for Efron's hard as fuck chest and sexy buttocks.

That Movie Gay #2016

It's award season and another film hotly tipped for a bag load of awards is SPOTLIGHT, and I see why.



It is nominated for 6 Oscars and I have a feeling it will at least win one of these. It had no joy at the Golden Globes from it's 3 nominations but we all know the last Golden Globes were a bit... a bit, shit.

So Spotlight sees the return of Michael Keaton to another great film after Birdman last year and Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams are fabulous too. Liev Schreiber is much better suited in this after the flop of the 5th Wave.

Spotlight like the Royal Commission in Australia right now shines the spotlight through their newspaper on sex abuse and the catholic church in Boston. This topic is always not easy to take and also by the end of this film you feel a little uneasy.

It doesn't paint the church as extreme assholes but it does enough and explains the story enough to know how deep this goes. Spotlight is sensitive to all parties and is so well done.

As far as dramas go this is pretty top notch (not as top notch as as unique as Room, but still good) and the acting is first class and what a stellar cast.

I was largely impressed by this film and currently I have to say there is some quality stuff at the cinema right about now.  Spotlight is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, it's an adults only affair so lucky School Holidays is finally fucking over, this film rates a rock solid 4 Stars. Tough viewing but brilliant.

Spotlight today, more Dance Music and Australian Music Month, when will it end?

Hopefully heading off to see this weeks biggest film release SPOTLIGHT so come back here for a THAT MOVIE GAY #2016 review. Of course January has been huge for me and the cinema so check below at some of this years (and last) biggest films reviewed in my own unique style.

Flashing off the Record will crack on with the Dance Tracks of 2015 this Sunday and a brand new Fresh Friday Countdown tomorrow. Will Flume continue his 2016 run at number one? Who said releasing a song at the sleepy end of the year is a bad thing, this song is heading to Summer Anthem status, good timing for his Laneway performances at the sold out Sydney & Melbourne crowds.

Australian Music Month wraps this Sunday but never fear I have a feeling another month long celebration of Australian Music is well on the way. Stay tuned to Flashing off the Record for more details.

Sia's 7th record This is Acting has leaked online (which is a shame, but it's 2016 so what doesn't leak) so on a flip side this album is brilliant and will be the first official Feature Album of 2016 all next week on Flashing off the Record.

Now I will leave you with a touch of Aussie music, again outta Sydney and bringing some fine new guests along for the ride, Urthboy has a new album coming out in March and here is the follow up to the Bertie Blackman guested single Long Loud Hours, Second Heartbeat:



If you haven't had a chance to this Stan Grant speech last year (released around Australia Day, good timing Centre for Ethics) is a must watch 8 minutes of pure brilliance.

Australian Music Month - Must Close this Sunday

No further extensions possible, until maybe April???

Sales speak over, yes Australian Music Month departs this Sunday as I cannot believe it January comes to a quick close. February is here Monday and then we move into Easter ahead of another Aussie tradition, Anzac Day.

Controversially I was a little over Anzac Day last year, however this year April for me might be all about local Australian Music releases, that will be on my other BLOG Flashing off the Record as I have a HUGE movie schedule this week (and beyond).

Yesterday I announced the BRILLIANT Hermitude as my Australian Album of 2015.

Dark Night Sweet Light was such a brilliant release, they were amazing live and I just love there hardworking, touring and great outlook on life. Brilliant stuff boys and such a fun Summer album.

Next yesterday I announced my second round of killer songs in 2015, Major Lazer, MO and DJ Snake's 2015 anthem was my Number One.

Over on Triple J, they gave there Hottest track to former Unearthed champions the Rubens, for their track Hoops.

I am going to enjoy their 200 - 101 list this Sunday from 10am. My votes in this years hottest 100 were as follows:

Yeo	Icarus
Cosmo's Midnight	Walk With Me {Ft. KUCKA}
Sia	Alive
Jamie xx	I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times) {Ft. Young Thug/Popcaan}
Jamie xx	Loud Places {Ft. Romy}
Kendrick Lamar	These Walls {Ft. Bilal/Anna Wise/Thundercat}
Kelela	Rewind
Illy	Swear Jar
Hermitude	Searchlight {Ft. Yeo}
GoldLink	Spectrum

So as you can tell only 4 of my 10 made it in the countdown, I also totally forgot to vote for Disclosure and a number of other tracks/artists. So here is hoping some of my other cuts will make it in. I must say I was surprised when the The Rubens took out the top spot.

Still to come on Flashing off the Record, a list of the Top 20 Dance Singles of 2015 this Sunday evening, a FRESH Friday countdown on Friday and more hits and memories from my 200 BEST songs of 2015.

What a great year for music 2015 was, let's hope 2016 is just as great. If Rufus and Sia's new albums are anything to go by 2016 will be great again for Australian music. PS Sia's new album has leaked.

That Movie Gay #2016

Transgender became a lot more fashionable 2015 when Call me Cait hit the stands, and THE DANISH GIRL continues this.



So Leo has the Oscar this year, I am yet to see Trumbo or Steve Jobs but this by Eddie Redmayne has nothing on Leo in the brilliant and Australian #1 movie The Revenant and unfortunately for yet another white guy Matt Damon in the Martian was a slightly forgettable film. Yeah at the time I loved it, but now it's kind of like that was a thing back then but all these sneaky films coming out at the front of mind are so much better.

Now to the actual film, Alicia Vikander was great and a beautiful support (however Jennifer Jason Leigh from the Hateful Eight should 100% get the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress - she was flawless) for Redmayne and looks amazing on screen.

Ok so the thing about this film is it's like Carol, it's beautiful on the surface but there is not much substance to back up the beauty.

Yes it's based on true events but is it a true reflection of where the trans society are in 2016? I know and know of trans people and it's not all glamorous events and beautiful clothes, it's a struggle, struggle to pay bills for operations, a struggle to fit in, a struggle to find love.

But all that aside if you look at this as entertainment and an Oscar nominated film this film is better than some of the other nominated works. It's up for 4 awards (the same as my five star recent favourite Room) and is beautiful but I left the cinema thinking will I remember this film in a few months to come (like the Martian)? Most likely not, will I recommend this to others like I have done so actively for Room? Most likely not. Don't get me wrong when I was in the moment of this film I was in that moment but Redmayne's character never spoke to me like others on the screen in the past have.

Honestly this film like Carol suffers the hype machine and the expectation that this is a great piece of work when films like Straight outta Compton were completely ignored (besides Best Original Screenplay) at this years awards. Straight outta Compton was an extreme Box Office success story, had great performances and in the time were in (like this film for Trans people) was wonderful. Police vs a Hip Hop group and a true story - brilliant! Yes they avoided some of the bad behaviour members of the group got into, but I am sure the Danish Girl in real life did not only get bashed once and was not always the most beautiful and sought after woman at fancy parties.

What I am getting at is this is such a white, glaze over the real issues and just keep moving on.

This has been a long review mostly about what I think about the Oscar nominations so I will wrap this up with an Australia Day score for the DANISH GIRL, 2.5 Stars for one of the best looking films on the big screen right now. The ending was also beautifully done, but again in real life I am sure it was not so beautiful.

Australian Album of 2015, revealed Tuesday - STRAYA Day MATE

From 9am Tuesday morning (Australia Day) my Australian Album of 2015 will finally be unveiled. I posted last time around the first five nominations and here are the raining five to make up my ten best Aussie records of 2015.

Check out the first five album nominations HERE and my complaints about a very ordinary and at times vile Sydney Summer 2015/2016.

Tomorrow on Flashing off the Record, sales wise you can check out the Top 20 Australian Albums of 2015 and also on Tuesday the Top 100 songs of the year will be revealed. 200-101 have already been posted HERE and you can dare to compare against Triple J's list and various other online lists.

It's been a great start to the year for Australian music with Flume topping the iTunes singles chart yesterday with his latest track (in my mind a vast improvement from Some Minds his previous single) ahead of his Laneway Festival performances. Rufus also dropped an excellent second album yesterday Bloom and Sia's 7th album is dropping on Friday.

In the meantime like last week here is another choice Aussie cut as part of my Australian Music Month across the two blogs (would have liked to have done more here however films take priority and there is loads of Aussie stuff on Flashing off the Record - so head there NOW!), this is Paces outs of the Gold Coast joined by former Adelaide (via the UK and now calling Sydney home) vocalist and upcoming superstar Jess Kent. Enjoy!

That Movie Gay #2016

Brilliance at this cinema this week has now struck three times, today with ROOM. Advance screenings at selected cinemas this weekend ahead of opening in Australia next Thursday ROOM is a must-see, if you are slow, a MUST SEE!



Brie Larson does not just shit on Cate's performance in Carol, she demands the Oscar this year for the best female actress. She is beyond outstanding. Jacob Tremblay brought me to tears on more than one occasion.

The entire film is simply brilliant and there is no mistaking this is an award winning film with an extremely talented cast, brilliant script and it is done beautifully.

If you see one film this Summer, I have to say SEE ROOM!

The story is simple, but so well done, the interaction between mother and son is so touching, their relationship is so special and so real. I was on the edge of my seat a number of times, compelled for the entire 117 minutes and will not stop talking about this film for months to come.

It's so refreshing to see a compelling and engaging drama that beyond lives up to it's hype. The worst thing about awards season is films getting too much hype but in reality the film does not live up to half the hype.

ROOM is really one of those films you walk out of the cinema thinking, shit some movies just make me feel happy to be where I am at, great family, great friends, great partner and family in laws, healthy, not super smart or super rich but I get by. Room is just amazing and I can't hold back, 5 glowing shiny bright fat stars.

That Movie Gay #2016

What is going on right now, great movie after great movie (exception: Carol), today THE BIG SHORT.



The trailer playing in Australia cinemas before Christmas was an abortion and the marketing team that signed off on that, should be fired, now!

That said, this movie really impressed me (that of tens happens when the trailer is SUPER shithouse) so a killer cast, based on real events in the USA and a great script (laced with loads of F bombs) equals a 5 times Academy Award Nominated film.

Unfortunately they took home no Golden Globes (that said Lady Gaga did, so...) but does an award from the award season matter much? Not to me at all.

Brad Pitt, Christin Bale, Ryan Gosling, Finn Wittrock all brilliant, Steve Carell generally irritates me to no end, but in this he was ok and he has some of the only relations with female characters in this film. It is very MALE lead heavy and very MALE LEAD WHITE heavy, maybe that's why they got so many nominations at the recent Academy Award Nominations event.

All about the GFC and using lots of financial language this was a full on, fast paced wonderful ride through the fucked up shit the big banks put the US (and then Global economy) through. Sad to say nice guys always finish last and this film sums this up.

Amazing film, should win something at the Oscars, surely? And a great use of music and popular culture references throughout. Nice to see Aussie Margot Robbie get a second in the film and Selena Gomez for good measure.

The Big Short, it's the real deal, 4 solid as Stars, a great investment of one movie goers time.

That Movie Gay #2016

I hate Westerns, however THE HATEFUL EIGHT is near perfect and a great return to the cinema.

It's hot again in Sydney and the blockbusters (around the awards season) just keep on coming. Australia is getting most of these films now despite some coming out overseas earlier (much earlier in some cases).



In this Tarantino's 8th film (Kill Bill Part I & II is considered one I believe) he goes all out and I was lucky enough to see the 70MM version, brilliant! Although I can't say much for Event Cinemas George Street service or cleanliness of their cinemas and what is with people wearing no shoes to the movies, in the cinema and then in and out of the bathroom, back into the cinema, fucking gross man. And don't even start me with the white and red bodily fluid stains in cinema 12, it's a fucking nightmare in that cinema.

Fat Cats at Event Cinemas go to George Street and see what a hell fucking hole it is.

End of rant, back to the film, and The Hateful Eight is brilliant, long and a fun ride. The violence is as intense as it is predictable, Jennifer Jason Leigh (fab in Weeds and even a saving grace and the dying days of Revenge) is a scene stealer, she is pure brilliance in this film. Samuel L Jackson is outstanding and so random seeing Channing Tatum pop up (literally) mid way through the film.

Kurt Russell also an excellent choice. I enjoyed the 70MM experience, the scenery when it was allowed on the screen and the wee brake interval.

Yes a film with an interval.

Up for three Academy Awards, winner of one Golden Globe, this is a brilliant film all round, the hype machine has been insane for this film and rightfully so it's all it's made out to be, unlike Carol (sorry to kick the boot it, but that was a super average film).

Looking forward to also seeing Room this week and hope this good cinema feeling continues, The Hateful Eight deserves every inch of it's R rating and really is overly violent but also so well made.

This totally could have made my end of year list although it came out in the US late 2015 (to make the cut for the Award season) so maybe next Taratino film? Anyway star rating time, this deserves every inch of it's 4.5 bloody, western and brilliant Stars. Outstanding, loved every 187 minutes of it (The Roadshow version, general release 167 minutes).

That Movie Gay #2016

Chloe Grace Moretz had a bright career until THE 5TH WAVE came out.



Like teen novels this series is a 3 book trilogy, coming before it Twilight, The Hunger Games, The Insurgent/Divergent series etc, so this is not the first book series to turn into a film series.

Unlike Twilight and the Hunger Games this will not be a massive success, it's school holidays and I saw this with 5 other individuals, and in the current film climate there is not a whole lot else out there for teens. I know Star Wars has made it (I think) five weeks in a row at Number One in Australia but really, are the kids all still only watching this?

Anyway back to this picture, it's super average, the action scenes are average, Chloe has little to work with and the general storyline/plot is so half baked I was surprised Sony green lit this film project.

The best part about this film was it's duration, it wasn't too long. I am unsure if the other two books will be made into films but at this stage I would say no. Liev Schreiber is always extremely wasted in this film, was interesting to see what he does outside of Ray Donovan, but really he was wasted, however still handsome as fuck for his age.

Interesting as well Tobey Maguire produced this film, random. Other than this, it's another teen apocalyptic film with dire results for the human race.

Two Stars, one for Chloe, one for Leiv.

The Countdown to Triple J's Hottest 100 is on and..

Someone has analysed that fucking thing known as Social Media and developed THIS

The Tepid 100 it is known as, we have had the Warmest 100 and other Social media analyst predictions in the past and in 2016 the guessed winner is KING KUNTA by Kendrick Lamar.

Will this actually be number one? If so, another spoiler another year, thanks social media. However if you want to know what tops my list of 200 songs for 2015, check in on Flashing off the Record on Australia Day evening and you will find the Australian Album of the Year and 100 all the way down to number 1.

I have already published number 101-200 on Boxing Day and you can view that HERE.

Don't forget on Flashing off the Record this month it's all about Australian Music, and I am so excited at the very end of the month the massive Groovin the Moo 2016 line up will be announced, who will this years headliner be? I am super excited for it and of course the return of Laneway Festival to Rozelle next month.

My highlights for this years Laneway? Well how about some of THE INTERNET or a touch of SHAMIR, maybe some HERMITUDE or GRIMES, what about GOLDLINK or local whiz kid FLUME and of course there is always time (especially on Sunday) for some CHVRCHES.

Tickets are still on sale for Laneway and some side shows, details HERE.

WORST SUMMER EVA - but it's Australian Music Month...

With over 176mm of rain soaking the CBD this far this month it's looking like a bleak, cold and mostly wet Sydney this January. As we have now gone halfway through January 2016 we are now midway through the worst Summer I can remember, actually November (Spring) was more fun in the Sun (I know I was in Bali for half of November) but Sydney's November was heaven compared to now.

Working outdoors currently and exploring the city regular I can feel a since of Sydneysiders being seek of carrying around umbrellas, packing jumpers and having loads of shoes drying (or attempting to) on cramped balconies across the (usually) sun soaked Summer city.

But it's not all doom and gloom for those back at work (SUCKERS) or slowly getting back into formalities for 2016 it's almost time for another public holiday and it would be totally un-Australian not to make a four day weekend of the Tuesday public holiday Australia Day celebration.

And on my music blog I have been exploring excellence in Australian Music and now I am halfway through my ten nominations for the Australian Album of 2015.

So far the below albums have made the cut as my BEST OF 2015.

Another five nominations will be unveiled from Monday on Flashing off the Record. You can view more about these five albums and view the 20 biggest charting Australian songs released (or re-released) in 2015 tomorrow evening.

Snakehips holds the biggest track of the week, this week with their tune "All My Friends" featuring Chance the Rapper and Tinashe who is starting a world tour and making a wee stop at Sydney's Enmore Theatre soon.

Australia is spitting out some great new music and only this morning this Aussie gem from Sydney bedroom banger FLUME.

PS - LANGUAGE WARNING on the first Flume song with some dirty F-bombs!!!

That's it kids, at least it's sunny on the old Central Coast xo

That Movie Gay #2016 (Double Feature GIRL Powered Thursday Edition)

It's Late Night Shopping, it's new movie day and in this Blockbuster edition of That Movie Gay #2016 you will read reviews (and commentary) for SISTERS (released last Thursday in Australia) and CAROL (released today in Australia).

First up in today's edition SISTERS.



We saw it in Trainwreck, it's alive on comedy stages across the country and the world, ladies are fucking funny and these two together - dynamite.

What works best for this film is Fey and Poehler together. Their solo scenes (whoops that sounds like porn) still work but together they are golden.

In a world of serious news, celebrity passings and terror fears the world needs to chill the fuck out and laugh out loud, shame the audience I saw this with were stuff as boards, deaf or for some reason a set of parents brought their child to this (basically it's a sex comedy in line with Trainwreck, female filth like Bridesmaids, that standard and yes the C word is featured - hooray!) film.

So my audience was a shocking indication of how this film should be viewed. I loved every second of this, I loved John Cena turning into a comedy star, Maya Rudolph was wonderful (a flashback to Bridesmaids brilliance) and the rest of the cast including Poehler and Fey's film parents were ace.

I can't say enough good things about this adult comedy, so happy to see an adult film appear in the swag of school holiday nonsense. 4 Stars for this fun, amusing and extremely well written feature. Good work ladies.

Now to CAROL, now that is TOTALLY different!



What happens when a film has been so built up that you leave thinking WTF, am I different, why am I not agreeing with the majority? Well that does happen to me a lot but in all honesty I did not 100% enjoy Carol.

I did enjoy Cate Blanchett and look Blue Jasmine from 2013 is still one of my favourite films of ALL TIME and her role in that was fucking superb, this however with the dreamy costumes, the rich husband, all felt a little same/same but this time instead of being bat shit crazy, she was crazy in love with a younger Rooney Mara. After seeing the beautiful true love story and battle for equality in Freeheld with the divine Julianne Moore late last year, this just didn't measure up.

I wanted to love this slow moving romance SO MUCH, believe me I did, I had only heard good things from critics and friends alike, the trailer looked brilliant and Cate, well she is fab. As is Mara in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (US version) and Sarah Paulson in multiple roles in the American Horror Story series.

The ending was my main issue and no spoilers here but I felt like Suffragette, like it was incomplete or something, that said there was no much to wrap up, however it just ended. Bang, roll credits the end, we sat through two hours and then credits...

Look don't get me wrong it's better than you're average drama but around awards times and finally a big week of ADULT films (The Hateful Eight & The Big Short) and even a cute teen end of the world series The 5th Wave. So this film has a bit of a limited appeal (the audience I saw this with was 80% ladies, of that 60% of the 80% enjoyed the company of another woman) and I couldn't help but think back to SISTERS and Tina Fey's characters disinterest in becoming a lesbian due to the level of talking things through.

And maybe as a male that's why I lost interest multiple times, the constant talking.

Carol is not going to wet everyone's whistle (but the critics are moist for it clearly) 3 Stars.

That Movie Gay #2016

Leo DiCaprio can do no wrong. Since the early days of Romeo + Juliet Leo has surrounded himself by talent and involved himself in classy and good roles. The role of Hugh Glass in THE REVENANT could finally earn Leo an Oscar.

This movie is a brilliant tale of survival, revenge and human spirit. I was compelled by all close to 3 hours of this wonderful film. After winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor (Leo), Best Director and Best Motion Picture - Drama, this film (released just in time for all these awards) is on the way to a string of awards in the coming award season.



Tom Hardy also deserves a mention as a wonderful support to Leo in this amazing based on True Events tale.

The score to this movie along with "that bear scene" and the scenery (mostly filmed in Canada) is sublime and all adds to the TOTAL movie experience. Being released first in the USA late last year to be eligible for the 88th Academy Awards, this film is getting a larger US release now (nationally and not so limited) and a UK release on the 15th. So little old Australia is smack bang in the middle.

I have to be honest I was taken by the trailer (like Joy - which I ended up liking) but once you are in the cinema and in this world it's amazing. Easily one of the best Summer 2015/2016 films and I am not sure why I picked it for more of my Globes picks HERE.

From my Globes picks however I think I only got one right, sad face.

Anyway if you are in the mood for a film this week, easily one of the best on screen (along with the amazing Star Wars, but you have already seen this two or three times by now right?) right now.

My recent other picks for readers back to work and nothing to do are:

JOY

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

Or you can view my best of list for 2015.

So back to The Revenant, this is great, I can't say enough about this film and it will be one I talk about for a while or until I get around to seeing Sisters at least.

I have a feeling in between all the Super Hero films this year there will be some real gems (and don't get me wrong some of the Super Hero films will be tops too) and this is one, 4.5 WILD Stars, terrific.

Australian Music Month | Flashing off the Record

I love all things Australian, I loved Benjamin Law's The Family Law yesterday in the below post and all this month on Flashing off the Record I am loving Australian Music sick as.

Tomorrow the first nomination for the Australian Album of 2015 will be revealed. For the next two weeks 10 albums will be nominated and on Australia Day, Tue 26 Jan 2016 the Australian Album of 2015 will be revealed. Super pumped for that. Also on Australia Day my second part of my 200 songs of 2015 will be revealed including the Number One song of 2015.

This week I have explored excellence in Australian music, shining the spotlight on SIA, RUFUS, VANCE JOY, CHET FAKER & KEVIN PARKER. And today (as there weren't many ladies announced) I am bringing you a whole load of Australian ladies who made music their bitch in 2015.

All you ladies rock, thanks for being sick as in 2015 xo

B-Law & the Family Law

Head to SBS Facebook NOW (I know I hate FB) to watch this funny and heart warming Australian tale.

If you miss it on the Facebook this weekend, well it airs for six weeks from Thu 14 Jan @ 8:30pm. You can view a whole heap of extras over at the SBS website right now.

In Australia right now other than Tennis or Cricket this is a welcome change and seriously such a sweet and honest tale of families and grow up in this little country known as Australia.

Benjamin is an accomplished writer and I believe my favourite EVER Triple J Breakfast announcer Marieke Hardy is also the co script writer so I am happy. I miss you Marieke of a morning, funny, sassy and damn bright.

So it's nice to have a new Australian born and breed comedy to be proud (we have had a drought of late, although apparently Foxtel's Open Slather had some moments) of.

Well done to Benjamin and the team behind this series, I will be keen to see the next and final five episodes in coming weeks.

The Get Down | Sizzle Reel | Netflix takes a break from Superheroes

The year of the superhero is being given a short break on Netflix with the Get Down airing soon in 2016.

The latest work from Baz Luhrmann is an exciting take on New York in the 1970's, brilliant. A real break from the recent Daredevil, Jessica Jones and upcoming Luke Cage series shown on Premium provider Netflix.



No release date for the series is public yet, however at the end of the above trailer it mentions something about Part 1? What? Netflix's deal usually is all or nothing on the one day right? Like Orange is the New Black, new season, bang 13 new episodes to binge on right away or later.

Time will tell but this does look a lot of fun and a real point of difference from a lot of the other TV out there right now.

It's new movie day so hopefully I get off to Sisters or the new Leo/Tom Hardy film for my new segment That Movie Gay #2016.

That Movie Gay #2016

I said on Christmas I would return to see STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and continue to grow that out of control box office and yesterday was the day. This time no LUX, this time no 3D, yes it was the basic 2D version and still as good as the first time I saw it. (HERE)

You can click above to see the trailer and read my initial thoughts but really and truly this is a one of a kind series. In a year (2016) of super hero and revivals on the way, it is great to see a film of this nature to actually deliver.

I enjoyed Point Break the other day and honestly I love a super hero film, but one nearly every month, Deadpool next month, Batman V Superman March, potentially Captain America March/April and on TV Netflix will serve up the second series of Daredevil as well as new series Luke Cage. ABC (US) will also have more Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D and Agent Carter and Gotham, Supergirl, Arrow, the Flash and Legends of Tomorrow wrap up the DC comics.

So with so much sci-fi fantasy out there you need a movie like this to cut through. I am so excited for the spin off Star Wars film this year Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Apparently due to come out December 16 (a year on from The Force Awakens) this will ease the pain of waiting for the next episode.

Star Wars has had a comeback that can only be compared to if Madonna ever releases another album worth listening to. After those critical panned and not huge box office success prequels this is massive for the franchise.

Well done Star Wars I can see this running at least until February. Good news however we are not out of the holiday season the Tina Fey and Amy Poehler movie Sisters is out tomorrow as is the Leo and Tom Hardy pic The Revenant. Finally some new movies on the way after a less than exciting holiday period.

Star Wars go see it now, or again, brilliant, I wasn't wrong the first time it's a nostalgic 5 Star film.

Girlfriends Guide to Divorce | Summer Trash Viewing

Summer is a no go zone for TV and the trash is like a cockroach in a nuclear explosion, this seems to be the only thing that survives. In the US currently The Royals is still showing on E Network some Real Housewives is currently still screening and maybe the most trashy current Superhero series Supergirl is still airing the occasional episode.

So Girlfriends Guide to Divorce is the first scripted drama at Bravo (a station known for dodgy reality trash) but this is scripted drama trash. And like Mistresses and Devious Maids it puts ladies to the front.

The only problem when there are multiple shows exploring similar themes it becomes a little same/same and only a little different. Devious Maids is a brilliant show and written and created by the brilliant TV mind Marc Cherry with some help from former housewife Eva Longoria this show has given women, drama, scandals and heaps of sexy men.

Girlfriends Guide to Divorce lacks the sexy men, lacks the mystery and really just becomes another ABC style Mistresses, with divorce, broken relationships and children being caught in the middle the main story lines.

I think there is potential for this show despite me saying it's almost the worst of the three female dramas mentioned above. The cast is small and tight, just not that super interesting, however with time I may grow to like these ladies a little more.

The show is currently in it's second season and I would have to say I am not sure how long this show can run for. That said Mistresses continues to get renewed with few viewers and little social love.

So Girlfriends Guide two seasons in has over 181K likes on Facebook, Mistresses has over 387K and Devious Maids on a smaller network has over 744K likes. Crazy. Unfortunately in 2016 social media matters.

In summary on this random review/rant this is not the best trash on offer but it's not the worst as the Golden Age of TV really continues, bring on Agent Carter Season 2, the long awaited Hit the Floor Season 3 and the final three episodes of the Lady Gaga starring bat shit crazy American Horror Story. Also exciting is American Crime Story and the very similarly titled American Crime Season 2.

So much TV, so little time, and then there is films galore on the way too. Sisters is in cinemas this Thursday and still showing the amazing new Star Wars, Joy and Point Break.

That Movie Gay #2016

Is Hollywood completely running out of ideas that's films from 1991 are already being re-made or is the Patrick Swayze effect taking Musical Theatre by storm (Dirty Dancing/Ghost) spreading to  Hollywood and letting Aussie's become leading men. Well POINT BREAK is just another time that Patrick Swayze is being cast as an Aussie not that well known but had more work than Rob Mills or Kurt Phelan.



Aussies are all across this remake from leading man Luke Bracey and Teresa Palmer who is making a real name for herself in the US. Good on you!

Now lets move from bogan Aussie pride to a film review. Ok so sometimes I say leave your brain at the door and just sit back and enjoy whats on screen and this is one of those popcorn films.

I admit I never saw the 1991 original however after seeing this I will take a peek, but this film on the big screen with the big adventure moments is near perfect, with some huge stunts being performed and looking spectacular.

Being a remake and not being 100% amazing this film has largely had average to poor reviews and look I can see why, but if we are going to be negative about every unoriginal idea all Australian TV would be getting one star from TV reviewers as we look forward to welcoming back the twice axed Australia's Got Talent. Well clearly we do and they star in this film.

Look you could see Joy or Star Wars and have a better and more fulfilling time at the cinema however this was a lot of fun and it's undertones over homo erotic behaviour add to the camp fun.

It's not rocket science, it's a remake, deal with it high art critics, Point Break is sexy and a bit of summer fun 3 Stars.

Billions | Pilot

Damian Lewis returns to Showtime after his successful run in Homeland. Paul Giamatti is the other drawcard in Showtime's new drama series.

Airing alongside the brilliant Shameless (Season 6 episode 1 is also online and it's brilliant - btw on a side note) this show joins other Showtime dramas The Affair, Masters of Sex, Ray Donovan and a number of comedies.

Showtime and HBO have the monopoly on what was described originally as the Golden Age of TV, then Netflix churned out a number of huge series (House of Cards, Orange is the New Black and the list continues) and suddenly other US networks joined this movement like FX with Sons of Anarchy, American Horror Story and even some of the regular channels had a crack too.

So it's with great anticipation that Lewis returns to Showtime and a new drama commences on this powerhouse network.

Billions is setting itself up to be brilliant and I am excited about what was the pilot, opening with bondage scene and the typical amount of Showtime language this series I think will be well received by the critics and also by drama fans alike.

The US 2015-2016 has been a little ordinary for new shows with many being cancelled or episode orders being cut on the major networks however Showtime and HBO usually stand by their shows, so I am hoping with good word of mouth (with the pilot episode airing (online) around 3 weeks ahead of the scheduled debut and then the schedule debut will be followed by the second episode appearing online, nice) and the typical Showtime good promotion this show will be a success.

Billions is set in New York and is a real story about what happens in the world and leaves the comic book conversions to the CW, CBS and FOX. IT's always refreshing to see an interesting story with a good cast, so for me this is a new addition to my already packed schedule for the 2015-2016 viewing.

Why is Everyone Hating on the ABC NYE Coverage AGAIN??

OK, 2016 people should lay off the keyboards with cruel YouTube comments, Tweets, Facebook messages, and all that other shit. So why is News.com.au (owned by Murdoch's News Corp) is this because he wants the select few Australians who have Foxtel to host the Fireworks this year? Or SMH, really? Fairfax one of your old employees is ABC big wig Mark Scott.

This is such slow news day shit, looking all over Twitter, posting the hate displayed there and the bored housewives of this nation who are having such a bad night that they figure a quick insult to someone else may make them feel that little better.

Look people out there published in this story, you're tweets have given a lazy journalist (quoted as Network Writers, News Corp Australia) a quick and simple story.

Look on a non bias analyse, yes the hosts weren't perfect, Eddie Perfect is not everyone's bag (including mine), Ella Hooper could not be anymore more obscure and strange choice as they cancelled her revised version of Spicks and Specks. Yes she is no Myf Warhurst, but Eddie Perfect is no Richard Wilkins, but do we really need more Richard Wilkins in our lives?

Do the people who stay at home and say, well here's our NYE, coverage on TV and lets sit here and pick it to pieces. I have some advise for you and the News Corp Network Writers (you can't even put a name to these piss poor stories - c'mon):

1. Get out and leave the TV at home, see friends, see family or are you that miserable that no one can stand to be around you during the holiday season. Most likely after viewing these tweets.

2. Sign up for a free Netflix, Presto or Stan one month trial or with Optus or other providers they offer three months free, that is all Summer long of good streaming content. All you need is unlimited broadband. TPG is only around $60 a month. Even Centrelink will cover that.

3. Put your mobile down and look at yourself, what are you not happy with, are you overweight, are you sick of your weave, well fucking hell it's a new year do something about it. After being at the beach on New Years Day we are becoming a fat nation. It was almost spot the healthy sized person at the beach yesterday. It's not cool that as a size 32 male, it's almost impossible to find clothes that aren't 36 or over or shirts XL and even XXL. Especially in active wear what XXXXL guy needs a cute running singlet?

Ok so now I am on the attack a little but people, what I am saying is use your time for good, not to whinge about some shit the ABC does, if you keep this up you'll turn into one of these less than fine gentlemen.

So yes Australia I am off to the gym, so if something gets on your goat instead of reaching for your smartphone for a ratchet tweet, head out get some fresh air, walk, run, do your god damn body some good, and for fucks sake we live in Australia not a war torn or third world country, your first world problems Australia (NEWS.COM.AU I'm looking at you) are getting fucking bored. Peace, Out..

#I'mNotDavidNorMargaret, Film Reviews My Way 2015

Ok so I start my That Movie Gay #2016 reviews with films actually released in 2016 and valid to be in my end of year Best Movies of 2016 list. So to one of the 2015 Boxing Day films, it's time to hear about DADDY'S HOME.



Again nowhere near as bad as Suffragette (yes I have a complex about this film) but nowhere near as good as Joy, it's Boxing Day 2015 film against Boxing Day 2015 film.

I love Mark Wahlberg, don't really dig Will Ferrell so this was tricky, Mark is hot as a 44 year old hunk of burning love, Will at 48 could easily be mistaken as a mid 50's dull, uninspired and rather irritating older uncle you can't bear seeing at family get togethers.

Look we have all seen this rather lame school holiday pictures and I mean it is so obvious where this film will go, where it won't (with a PG rating) and why the studios continue to pop out these easy to market, easy to sit through (mostly) family friendly outings.

So with all it's bad points there are some good, it's super easy to watch (as I said above), it's rather cute in parts, Mark is dreamy when he takes his shirt off and Mr Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale is great in his small role.

Nothing new here, nothing groundbreaking but a passable and at times lightly amusing 2.5 Holiday Family Friendly Stars.