Wednesday, August 31, 2016

We Need to Talk about Orange is the New Black | Season 4


So on August 20 I was up to episode one and now a few days later I am done, yes all thirteen episodes done and dusted. I have to wait until 2017 for some more Piper and gang.

So what the hell just happened? Poussey Washington? My favourite (or one of them) characters and her amazing relationship with Soso.

Spoilers aside this season was amazing and Poussey and the Litchfield gang really managed to move me, I almost had to miss my Sunday Church - Body Attack class due to heartbreak.

Lot's of other folk have done more in-depth and amazing articles on this heartbreaking season and you can check em out here:

Vulture
Washington Post
Bustle

Sorry for the lack of posts this week has been busy and next week I head off on a cruise to Moreton Island. Maybe there will be live updates, maybe not, the internet is super expensive :(

See you round suckers...




Sunday, August 28, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


What happens when a film is so deep and tries to cover so many issues that midway through you think, fuck that I need a funny break, that was my Sunday morning with the heavy INDIGNATION.



Logan Lerman leads up this coming of age, Jewish Uni affair that ends nicely after a whole heap of shit going down in the middle that is like, so what the author of the original book was a huge left leaning dude that wants to take on the world?

I am all for being being progressive (I like to think of myself as progressive) but this film just tackled, love, sex, religion, growing up, divorce, relationships and everything else in between making me feel exhausted.

Admittedly the ending was a saviour as midway through I was like damn how is this going to play out. This week has been extremely dodgy for new releases (Ben Hur remake what? - doesn't anyone remember the abortion of a live show at ANZ Stadium years back?) at the cinema so one had to go to the retirement village otherwise known as Dendy Opera Quays.

Man the average age at that cinema is like 92 (in the shade).

So this film is one for a rainy day, if you feel like thinking and need a lengthy film to curl up in front of the TV to this is it.

2.5 just passing for the decent ending stars.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping


So I heard this was no longer getting an Australian release....



So I found a way of viewing it and I have a feeling this would have also bombed in Australia like it did State side.

Andy Samberg is as handsome as fuck and the cameos are off the chain but overall there is nothing new here, which is a shame because it could be great. With an all star cast and an all star list of cameos this was mildly entertaining but not super amazing.

Why has 2016 been such a year for flops, Ben Hur is currently the biggest stinker in the US not even making a fourth of it's $100 million dollar budget. Suicide Squad at least has broken even and escaped dreadful reviews but it's second week was a bit of a misfire after a surprisingly good result at the box office - opening weekend.

Let's hope 2017 we see less remakes and maybe some original ideas, is it too much to ask for an original idea?

Can;t wait though for The Girl on the Train, that shit looks next level.

Friday, August 26, 2016

Music Update


So y'all know by now I love my little music space online Flashing off the Record, I feature a record every week, bring you the 20 hottest tracks of the week on a Friday and over the weekend I feature another big act with a major release that week.

This week and month has been a huge time for music so I am here on my regular BLOG catching up with what I have missed during the week:

* There have been a huge number of festival announcements, Falls Festival (now almost national), Bluesfest & Parramatta's the Plot festival.

* Frank Ocean has released a visual release (of sorts) and instead of Boys Don't Cry, we got Blonde.

* Empire of the Sun are back with two new tunes.

* And finally we get killer new released TODAY from De La Soul, Rainbow Chan (my feature on Flashing off the Record all this week), Cassius, Glass Animals, Just a Gent, Britney Spears and even Celine Dion.

Music is the international language, we are coming into the warmer months in Australia and to help you on Flashing off the Record I will also have a Spring Music List each Sunday for the next few Sundays.

Happy Friday dear readers and get amongst some of the BEST new Music! Here is a sample now....





Wednesday, August 24, 2016

How Bat Shit Crazy Can UnREAL Season 3 Be, huh?


So Season 2 of UnREAL was fantastic, it tackled real, current issues, it went deep and darker than the first season and we knew from the very start we were in for a third wild season, but how much wilder can the series be in it's third outing in 2017?

Rachel and Quinn were two of the most evil characters on TV this year, Darius was a hotter and blacker bachelor than Adam (in season one), however Adam when he returned, hot damn!

The men in UnREAL like Devious Maids are always HOT, excluding Chet of course.

Lifetime does a great job of providing eye candy for us gays and our lady friends into the male form.

I am dying to see how crazy the third outing will be but I don't know how much more over the top this show based on reality TV can go.

The Bachelor currently airing on Channel Ten here in Australia could be nowhere near as delicious as this US scripted drama.

UnREAL easily one of the best US Summer dramas, can't wait for Summer (US) 2017 for another camp and wild ride!

Monday, August 22, 2016

Rohan Browne is


A leading man without the household name of Adam Garcia, but so deserving of leading man status.

Rohan Browne was a brilliant replacement for Adam Garcia in certain performances of Singin in the Rain in Sydney. As Garcia has pulled out a window opened for Browne. He was the absolute bees knees in Strictly Ballroom (a show I have to be honest with you dear readers I had a bit to do with) as Ken Railings.

Browne has been a star performer for years now and also appeared on one of my favourite Australian TV shows Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

Browne is one of those nice guys in an industry of cunt rags that you really want to see do well for themselves. This is evident from his Instagram account and his expressed love of the new record (or project) by Frank Ocean.

After seeing the downright horrid first act of Anything Goes a musical based around the same time as Singin in the Rain this was a huge improvement.

Anything Goes was one of those horrid passion projects that to me was something that maybe would have been okay in the 1970's but it is 2016 (I did however see this in 2015). Singin in the Rain is outdated (yes) and some of the laughs are cheap thrills (hey Sia) but really Singin in the Rain looked a million bucks in comparison to the lacklustre production of Anything Goes.

Musicals are a big gamble these days and for young talented actors like Rohan Browne there is no shortage of work despite shows like We Will Rock You cancelling it's final two seasons after a fairly tough East Coast run.

It's hard to say where Musicals will be in five years as Australians embrace Netflix, Deliveroo, Foodora and anything online which keeps Australians indoors and out from spending money at a local theatre.

If I had a choice and it was still Winter, I would rather stay home and watch the Get Down again instead of venturing out into the cool.

In my mid thirties it takes a handsome devil like Rohan to get me out of the house.

Well done Rohan you helped (along with the lovely Nadia Coote) the ageing product of a Hollywood musical into 2016, however will kids give up Pokemon Go and photographing their meals to venture into the theatre is yet to be seen? Or maybe they are all at Aladdin. Cause let's face it the average age at Singin in the Rain was 75 to death row.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


A good week of films this week with The Shallows and now WAR DOGS screening at a cinemaplex near you.



War Dogs is a true story with a lot of made up bits, including the drive in Iraq. Based on the true story of Miami boys Efraim Diveroli and David Packouz. The stats at the start of the film astounded me, the costs and the profits of war terrified me more than terrorism itself.

Admittedly a film using the tag "by the director of the Hangover" is not a huge selling point for me with the way that series wrapped up but that said this is a true story about two young blokes with a bit of bad language thrown in for good measure.

Sure Jonah Hill looks frightful with his spray tans and his rather large frame and Miles Teller just goes from strength to strength. He is truly wonderful.

This film is interesting, insightful and funny all at once and a big departure from my previous experience with the fantastic Shallows and even to an extent the brilliant Bad Moms recently.

It's honestly been a good few weeks at the movies and I am marking high again today, this gets a solid 3.5 Stars, good storytelling, fascinating topic and man Miles Teller if you were giving me a massage, shit!

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Orange is the New Black | Season 4


It's been a long 8 months since I last sat down to some Orange is the New Black. Yes Season 3 I waited closed to 6 months to watch but this season I have Wentworth as a distant memory and I am ready for some more female inmates.

Here was my mid season take on season 3 - HERE

So in February 2016 the show received a further three season order, taking the series up to seven seasons.

Like Homeland these large season orders can be great for fans but scary for creators. Like The Get Down (recently viewed and binged by me upon it's launch last week) has been adored by fans, hated by critics.

Baz has never had a good run with critics, but his die hard fans always stand up for his work, regardless of how good (The Great Gadsby) or bad (Australia) it is.

Netflix has a full body of amazing shows House of Cards, Bloodline, the Marvel live action series (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and the series will grow), Grace & Frankie and more. Netflix leads the subscription platform in Australia with everything from game changing docks like Making a Murderer to this Orange is the New Black.

As I wrap up episode one of Season 4 with the knowledge I have twelve more this season to smash and thirty nine more episodes ordered this series remains one of my guilty pleasures.

Taylor Schiling is a fab lead and like Bea Smith (Danielle Cormack) she is a fan favourite. Unfortunately for one of these lady prisoners there TV time is over.

So Orange is the New Black, it's back and will be in our lives and referenced in pop culture until at least 2019 (ironically the same as Homeland).

Here is a look at the latest trailer, happy weekend team...

Friday, August 19, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Can Blake Lively compel an audience for an entire 88 minutes in THE SHALLOWS?

Short answer hell YES.



Finally a few movies in a couple of weeks where the run time has been way under 2 hours. Also I have to admit I LOVE a shark film and I am also a survival thriller fan. Blake Lively has done fairly well since completely the brilliant Gossip Girl back in 2012.

This film to me was not only filmed here in NSW but for me scared the pants of me getting back into the ocean.

There is a chance this could be my favourite thriller of 2016 and also one of my all time favourite films of 2016. I am not going to do any spoilers as the tension in this film is intense, the thrill ride is like a major roller coaster and Lively really rises to the occasion of a mostly one person film.

The Shallows is an outstanding piece of cinema and easily the best film of the week, 4.5 big fat Jaws inspired Stars.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

The Kettering Incident - Finale - An Olympic Alternative


The Kettering Incident wrapped up this week, mid/near the tale end of the Rio Olympics which have been interrupted by drug cheats, people being robbed and a green pool. Over one million Australia's are watching the Olympics each night which in my mind isn't huge, but I guess that's one in twenty four people in this fine brown land.

But really WTF happened on this weeks episode, I googled it and noticed I was not alone in wondering what did I just watch, why did I stick with this weird as fun Tasmanian filmed show and would anyone at Foxtel be brave enough to renew this?

Yes it is no Secret City and it is a long way of the amazing success that is Wentworth.

I enjoyed this show briefly however the ending was completely underwhelming and I was super disappointed to have stuck this out. Yes the cast was good but again nowhere near the high standard set by the limited series event Secret City.

I would love a second run of Secret City but to be frank and 100% honest please lets just leave the Kettering Incident, Tasmania looked great but the ending to this series was just 100% disappointing. Sorry Foxtel you have been giving us winners for a while and basically anything that is an alternative to the highly dull 2016 Rio Olympics.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Devious Maids - Season 5???


Summer's most camp US soap (Aussie Winter) finished up with yet another cliffhanger (no spoilers here) and we are left wondering will Devious Maids return for a fifth (and final, or can this low rating Lifetime drama continue on) season?

It ended with this years mystery solved, some questions answered, some more shirtless hotness and of course a wedding or not?



So will the beautiful Jesse (Nathan Owens) return for another abb fest in 2017? One can only hope, as mad as this show is and as over the top and camp it's a heap of fun. From crazy one liners to the endless flesh fest of all the handsome male cast, it's a real Aussie Winter Warmer.

Well done to the team of Devious Maids as much as the ratings weren't there, the show was fun and as always a good little season long mystery to boot. Almost 816,000 Facebook fans cannot be wrong, this show is a fun little distraction from the everyday doldrums.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Weekend Binge: The Get Down


I don't know how I did it but I smashed the entire 6 episodes in one weekend. After refreshing Netflix like I did Apple Music the week before waiting for new music from Frank Ocean I waited until Saturday and then smashed the six episodes of The Get Down almost in one sitting.

Oh the beauty of binge TV and Netflix loading all episodes in one shot.



The characters, the disco, the big dance sequences it was all well wicked!

I got much more into it as I got through the episodes. The more the singing and dancing increased, the more I enjoyed myself.



So do yourself a favour and get on Netflix and download the soundtrack while your at it, like Stranger Things Netflix is onto another winner.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


You want action by the numbers, JASON BOURNE is for you.



I went into this film only seeing the 2012 Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner in place of box office favourite Matt Damon in this film series.

To be honest the first three films (200, 2004, 2007) never interested me and I know why, Matt Damon is not a great action star, nor is this series that interesting. The car chase scene in Las Vegas in this scene is a good chunk of this very by the numbers, tick those action boxes Hollywood popcorn film.

We have a hero/villain, we have a female assistant, we have a new technology, we have a corrupt Government, we have a plot twist you could see from Las Vegas happening in Washington DC and overall this film literally was just a trip down every other action movies lane.

I really struggled to remain awake and/or interested in the second half of this film. After travelling around various continents of the world, this whole film just felt like any other 2 hour or so action picture that Hollywood is shoving down our throats by the dozen.

Unlike Suicide Squad and the recent comic book attack on the box office, Bourne has no super powers, nor is he that interesting. This was cinema at it's most lazy, 1.5 Stars for Julia Stiles and the constant erratic continent jumping.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

The Get Down.


True love, star crossed lovers and hip hop + a sprinkle of disco, it must be Baz Luhrmann right? With a kaleidoscope of colour an almost ridiculous budget ($10 million per episode, $120 million for all twelve episodes) it's THE GET DOWN.



Following the return to cinema success with the Great Gatsby after the mixed response to Australia, Luhrmann and Martin return with disco, dance and music with the Get Down.

It's visually stunning and almost like a music video with a non stop soundscape in the mix of love, drama and saucy dancing.

I am almost at the end of the 120 minute pilot but this looks like a weekend binge series. Six episodes have been released, the soundtrack is on iTunes and we wait to see when the remaining six episodes will air.

Will there be a second series too? Time will tell as next for Netflix is more Marvel in the form of Luke Cage. A character character after Jessica Jones and will appear in the Netflix on steroids mini-series the Defenders, a Marvel giant!

Back to The Get Down, this is classic Baz with love at the centre of the story, with big afros and hair, this is a big dose of fun from NYC.

Stay tuned for more The Get Down posts.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


So there are times when you are nervous as shit a film is going to suck big dirty ass hairy balls, that's how I felt going into BAD MOMS, but man was I pleasantly surprised.



The trailer does not paint a pretty picture for Bad Moms but man it over delivers. The laughs after the first slow ten minutes are non stop, the pity party near the climax is thankfully short lived and Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell & Kathryn Hahn make a terrific threesome.

The cast (including the sexy as fuck Jay Hernandez) are amazing, Christina Applegate as a super bitch, priceless, Jada Pinkett Smith as her offsider outstanding. I can't say enough good stuff about this film, I honestly loved it to death, a laugh a minute and honestly I didn't want it to end.

If you do one thing this weekend, or see one film this weekend it's Bad Mom's outstanding, 4.5 Stars.

The new Church of Body Attack


I haven't been to church since my parents forced me to Sunday School which I enjoyed as a young child but one day we stopped going and I never asked to return. I now find myself on Sunday craving my 4pm gym hit of Body Attack for around 55 minutes.

Unlike a church it's loud, sweaty and plenty of talent to keep an eye on.

You enter nervous, ready to work and most of all ready to sweat.

By the end of the 55 minutes you feel spent, yet full of energy, a second wind comes over you making you ready to take on the week ahead.

When Sunday afternoons can be a moment of sadness that the weekend is coming to a close and a new week is upon us, Body Attack has made a positive change on how I look to the week ahead and close off another week.

Thanks Body Attack teachers y'all are cool and make a room full of sweaty bodies bumping and grinding to some hardcore aerobics and the odd push up and plank amazing fun!

Monday, August 8, 2016

HBO, BBC co pro strikes GOLD (bad Olympic reference)


The Night Of is a modern masterpiece which had me hook, line and sinker after the pilot. Such a brilliant pilot and such a deep, dark, gritty hit HBO (with some BBC Worldwide help) have on their hands.



The ratings have only risen for this latest addition to the Golden Era of TV and heading into the final 3 parts of this epic season I reckon this show might get to the two million live US viewers.

After the Australian networks have allowed Channel Seven to just outright win the ratings war, thank god for US dramas, like seriously.

I have not been this blown away by a series for months. Unfortunately this missed my US Summer Drama feature week, but this is honestly the hit of the Summer and maybe the new series/mini-series of 2016.

Just outstanding.

Well done again HBO.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Another month, another comic book film and this time it's the DC comics turn with SUICIDE SQUAD.



With a great cast, a continuation on from the critically panned and pretty average Batman V Superman we see DC bring us a motley crew of anti heroes. Of course they work together and turn good? Or do they.

We see out next DC film in June next year with the brilliant Wonder Woman returning for her own effort. After being the saviour in the Batman and Superman romp that is one to look out for.

But back to this, another critically panned film and an overstuffed effort helps this film easily let down those who wanted another more inspiring comic book live action film.

That said Margot Robbie and Will Smith shine in this film, whilst Viola Davis is also fabulous taking a break from her How to Get Away with Murder duties.

Overall I'm not going to say much more about this, we just had comic con and there are a million more of these films on the way and the soundtrack is surprisingly brilliant for this film.

Is this going to break box office records?, NO (my session had a total of four people including me present, it's opening weekend people), is it going to get any good reviews? NO, but honestly it's not all bad here, let's pass it with 3 Stars.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


When one has super low expectations sometimes one is surprised and that is how my Friday night went when I stepped into ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS: THE MOVIE.



So spoiler alert the best bits are mainly in the trailer and at times I found myself forced laughing around a gaggle of gays and fag hags but overall I enjoyed this film a shit load more than once thought!

So cameos is a BIG thing in this film and you can view a full list HERE and be blown away! The plot is thinner than a runway model and the way it all unfolds is highly predictable and almost entirely underwhelming.

That said I loved, loved all my UK X Factor cameos from Ryland and Nick Grimshaw plus La Roux AKA Elly Jackson was fab at the big Kate Moss party scene.

Let's be honest this a fans night out however it is a million miles better than the previous Kath & Kim film which was GOD-AWFUL. I really enjoyed this at the end of a LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGG ass week as really all one needed to do was park their brain at the door. I did more classy films last weekend so this week it's trash for days.

3 Stars for another TV show goes to the movies which we may/may not have 100% needed. At least it is this way and not Movie turns TV show like the upcoming 2016-2017 USA TV season.

Friday, August 5, 2016

Oh Lordy, did the World need another Sharknado?


Admittedly I'm watching it right now and not hating it, but man four of these TV movies for US network SYFY?



So this time around instead of Sharknado 3: Hell No!, it steals a reference from the recent Star Wars film. It also pays homage to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and we see Tara Reid show off her "force".

Oh boy it's over the top camp fun lead by Ian 90210 Ziering and was watched by close to 3 million US viewers when it first aired late last month.

For the last 4 years we have celebrated camp disaster films which makes the Shallows (upcoming Blake Lively film) look like a dog paddle around the public pool.

I have long loved trash and for some reason Sharknado is the king of all trash with reference to all sorts of pop culture and resurrecting careers like Reid's, Zeiring and even David Hasselhoff.

I have a feeling we are running out of US cities to terrorise with these so called Sharknado's so I have a feeling the series will need to go International for it's fifth instalment.

And although it has not been announced to be doing a fifth film, I'm sure it will.

So with all the rain in Sydney (5 days and counting) if you need something camp and light (incredibly light and with a paper thin plot) this is your go to.

Until tomorrow see you soon, BYE!

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Milo Yiannopoulos


What a wanker.

He returned on Andrew Bolt's show again this week, after Bolt had a massive bone on for him last time, watch his little eyes sparkle at this major big time attention seeker.

I have a feeling he is actually just doing all this for attention and the five minutes of fame factor.

Also admitting you attended the US Republican train wreck convention, he is clearly demented.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


Sitting at just under 45,000 views for the trailer, I would say GOLDSTONE has been mostly overlooked in Australia.



And that is a shame as this Aussie feature was BRILLIANT! And this in late July/early August is the first Aussie film I have seen all 2016 and I have seen a bucket load of films in 2016.

Jackie Weaver was 100% delicious in this film and Alex Russell is extremely easy on the eye, not to mention Aaron Pedersen is still rather dishy.

Aside from Jackie Weaver playing a vile mayor named Maureen, this film tackled a shit load of hot topics:

1. The mining industry
2. Aboriginal land rights
3. Alcohol abuse
4. Corruption
5. Human trafficking
6. Drink driving
7. Bribery
8. The stolen generation

And that's just for starters. This sequel to Mystery Road which I am not 100% sure if I caught (but will now) is an amazing crime/thriller and I was gripped to the screen for the entire film.

It won best film at this year's Sydney Film Festival and I hope it gets an overseas go, as really like Sing Street yesterday unless you live near a Dendy or indie cinema you would have missed this, and that is sad.

The scenery in the top end is top notch and there are some extremely important messages.

I liked this a lot and I would be surprised if I see another Aussie film better than this, this year, 4 Stars.

Monday, August 1, 2016

That Movie Gay #2016


I love a feel good film and SING STREET is an instant classic feel good hit!



From director John Carney (Once & Begin Again) comes another fun musical drama-comedy.

Based in inner city Dublin in the 80's we get an amazing soundtrack of 80's hits from Duran Duran to Hall & Oates this is one feel good fun night (or day) at the cinema!

The critics have had wet dreams over this film and its done OK business at the box office but a held back Australian release along with only showing at the more art house cinemas I cannot seeing it bringing in the big bucks here.

There are some damn catchy original shows featured as well as the well known ones like this.



I'm not going to bang on about this film as it's brilliant, you need to just take my word for it and as Molly used to say DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR!

Sing Street, it's fun and you leave with a Spring in your step. Yes it's Spring next month, HELL FUCK YEAH, 4 Stars.