Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Big Little Lies


Ok HBO, this show is OUTSTANDING, and of course the brilliant Pacific Standard (Reese Witherspoon's production company). Pacific Standard had a slight judge of error with Hot Pursuit but Gone Girl & Wild were some of the best films made in the last ten years or so.

Reese is outstanding and I am completely in love with her now and have been since way before Legally Blonde. She is the bomb, point proved below, in less than one minute, shit!



Can you dear readers do yourselves a favour and tune into the seven episodes of this EXTREMELY well made TV series.

Now off Reese and onto the Australian book writer, Liane Moriarty, a Sydney author with 7 adult books and 3 children's books to her name. The one time I saw her on TV she was extremely humble, delightful and her book Truly, Madly, Guilty (hello fellow Savage Garden fan) is also being looked at by Reese's company for another project.

I am so proud my city is the place Liane calls home and also the fact HBO have jumped on another outstanding project. In a time of very average television this show is already showcasing fantastic roles for women of all ages (including Reese's two children in the show). Laura Dern (HBO darling from Enlightened, brilliant BTW), Nicole Kidman (outstanding in Lion, an Australian box office hit and a truly brilliant local piece of cinema), Shailene Woodley & Zoe Kravitz.

Ok I am not banging on about this anymore, this show is beyond brilliant, get onto it now!

Monday, February 27, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {The Lego Batman Movie}


How did Animal Logic an Australian company (in NSW) had a lot to do with this Lego film and yet it is released in Australia over two months later than in other territories, oh studios don't cry poor when you ignore Global release dates.



So other than my huge issue lately with global release dates, specific cinemas getting long or complete exclusive runs of films, let's look at The Lego Batman Movie ahead of it's March 30 release date in Australia. Just in time for school holidays again mums and dads of this fine brown land.

Clocking in at 104 minutes, it doesn't outlive it's welcome and the jokes and (animated) action just keeps on coming. 3D and at an IMAX cinema in downtown Bangkok this was a fun little film to see on a Friday night.

I am a huge Batman fan and do enjoy a few of the DC Comics TV shows currently airing (mainly on The CW) currently.

Some of the themes explored in this film are brilliant and perfect for the youth of this world. Working together, acceptance, the importance of family and again team work, many hands make light work.

In times like these we are facing good and quality POP music and films with a message are just what we need.

I really enjoyed this little film, it appears to be doing good business at the US box office so I predict when it lands in Australia expect some good things.

3.5 Stars, not as gritty as a recent Batman film and not as over the top cray cray as Gotham currently airing on FOX in the US.

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Guardians}


Will this get released in Australia? I doubt it but Blogs and the Internet are global so let's sit down and discuss Guardians. Guardians you say? Don't I mean Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2? No I do not, here is the trailer...



As we wait patiently for May 5 to tick around for Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2 we have to settle for a Russian film which borrows a lot of it's themes and ideas from American action films, this is Guardians.

Oh Russia and oh seeing a Russian film dubbed in English with Thai subtitles in a 4D Thai cinema, the 4D part was questionable as I had no 3D glasses and the effects were super random this time around for this 4D Bangkok special.

I think due to there being not a lot else on this film filled the action quota and also the 4D hole they so desperately need for an all year round cinema venue featuring Bangkok Airways class (like Gold Class except you get food as part of your ticket and a 15 minute Thai massage), a 4D cinema and an IMAX cinema along with loads of regular 2D cinemas.

I love my visits to the movies in Thailand and across 2 nights, 2 half days and a full day I took in two films, Guardians was one and the next is a production which the animation mostly took part in NSW (my home state) but will not be released until March 30.

So back to the Russian action film already greenlit for a sequel which is so obvious by the last five minutes of the film it would take a miracle for their not to be a second film.

Look the film only clocked in with a budget of five US million so some of the special effects and wardrobe are mighty average but overall the whole plot and story is one of Justice League, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Suicide Squad, you get the point any of those action films which require more than one "hero"/"main good guy/bad guy/questionable intentions guy".

Look it was hot outside, it was cool inside, the 4D effects made the film better, the dubbing was average and the main army/war lord lady was like a young Russian Hilary Clinton with a limited wardrobe of pant suits and a face like thunder.

It was fun and props must be given for keeping it well under 2 hours, good solid editing team. Look it probably won't get a release date near you, it could become a cult film of sorts and some may end up seeing this thinking it's another Marvel film, but hey, let's hear it for the Russians and my first EVER Russian film at the cinema or otherwise. 3 Stars.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Bangkok x Almost Home Time


Yes that's right folks it's almost time to pack my bags for the fourth and final time as after four hotels, multiple taxi rides, a return ferry trip across into Indonesian waters, two international flights and two hotel transfers to and from ferry terminals.

Bangkok is as always a fantastic destination, however after my huge travel day you may have noted a break from the BLOG as I in general needed a break.

The heat (like a few weekends in Sydney and heatwave days) hit me like nobodies business. That oven like temperature you get as you exit the BTS or any large shopping destination. And shopping destination and large tourist traps are taking over the large land mass in downtown Bangkok, some of these centres are almost the size of Sydney suburbs like my very own Chippendale.

After now seeing a 4D Russian film (review to come) and IMAX film I feel a bit more chilled like on Bintan Island when I finished the first full book I had read in what felt like a decade.

Bangkok is busy, the traffic is off the rails and the people seem not there usual friendly selves. It is still within the year mourning period of there extremely popular and likeable King. As the city has white and black ribbons and white flowers and shrines everywhere this King was truly a man of the people and extremely popular among the locals and visitors alike.

I have had a great trip to Asia this time around and look forward to a brief visit over the June Long Weekend in coming months, but for now it's almost time to say goodbye and I will post a few more bits n pieces once I am back in sunny old Chippendale, unless the news is right and there is days of rain on the way. Not to worry some more quality TV to catch up on.

Morning folks and happy weekend...

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Thursday Day in Australia, Travel Day in ASIA


Yes today is one of those days on holidays where you set a wake up call with reception, hit the buffet breakfast early and get ready for multiple modes of transport.

Yes it's first of all a buggy to breakfast/reception, a transport vehicle to the ferry terminal, a ferry back to Singapore, a taxi to Singapore Changi airport, a cheap ass Tiger flight to Bankgok, a taxi to the next Conrad hotel and then I think I will collapse in a bundle at the hotel.

The day on paper looks long, but Bangkok is honestly one of my favourite destinations so all the transfers, modes of transport will all be worth it.

Next the buffet breakfast is easily one of my highlights of the day and I thank god in Asia Soy Milk is such a thing. As needing to be as diary free as possible is tricking sometimes away but always in Asia it is made easier to avoid.

Tomorrow makes the last FULL day away and Saturday afternoon it's back to a flight I almost missed 12 months ago. Please, please hope I don't make it two missed flights from two.

Until later goodbye for now Australian or international readers wherever this may find you.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Goodbye Singapore, Hello Bintan


Bintan Island, a short 45 minute or so ferry trip from sunny Singapore was the way we commenced into the middle of holiday week February, 2017.

Our time in Singapore was chilled and brief but super fun, I love the food, the people and most of all I love being on holidays.

Bintan is chilled, quiet, lush and green and so different from my island holidays to Bali. It's not packed with Aussies (Europeans yes) and it's a more chilled, zen kind of Indo holiday experience.

Our hotel is divine and of course it's on a beach with a golf course on the other side.

The people are friendly (like Singapore) and the fact I throw in a few Indo words for good measure always goes that extra little mile.

Next stop and the final stop before a few chill days in Sydney is Bangkok, Thailand, a common place for me to travel too and there are some amazing regular things to tick off the list, see a 4D movie, get the best Pad Thai in downtown Bangkok, hit up the shops, eat Thai desserts and smash the Conrad's breakfast buffet.

Yes our second Conrad hotel on this trip and I cannot wait.

Well it's almost time for the breakfast buffet again, oh I love holidays and the ease of breakfast done and dusted for you in the morning, what a slice of heaven.

Happy Hump Day workforce of Australia!

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Singapore Gardens by the Bay


Feels like I only just got here but it's time today to head to somewhere I have never been (nor dreamed of going) before, Bintan Island.

It's a little island off Singapore but in Indonesia. It looks amazing and I am sure I will make time to completely chill.

After a day and night of shopping, seeing the Gardens by the Bay it is time for one final buffet breakfast @ the Conrad (lovely hotel btw) and bid a fond farewell to Singapore. I will however be back for a quick stopover on the June Long Weekend.

Oh the June Long Weekend, the only thing in our way is Easter, St Patricks Day, Mardi Gras 2017, a WA election, more madness from Trump and time in shutdown city AKA Sydney.

That is a quick point I wanted to make though, driving (in an Uber) down Orchard Road last night (a Monday night) and seeing a vibrant, cultural city alive and well made me miss the days gone of Sydney's youth.

Sydney has now become a place of over development, poor planning and a premier who fucked the State every which way* (*excludes the Star) and has essentially killed the night life and global city that was once known to some as Sydney. Yes we still have the harbour and the Opera House but fucking hell man, a bridge, some water and a place where the dying subscribers of Opera Australia hang on a Wednesday matinee is not enough for a global village.

Oh Sydney every time I leave you I feel you get less and less glamorous and more and more dull, sorry dear friend but your kind of like so five minutes ago, ciao from Singapore and Bintan Island, Good Morning!

Monday, February 20, 2017

I'm in Singapore MOTHER FUKKKKKAAAAASSSS


God I love this clean, Global city, it is ethnically diverse, highly organised and the food is amazing.

Singapore like Hong Kong is one of those Asian destinations that feels almost like you could be anywhere, across from our hotel there is an Outback Steakhouse, Starbucks, H&M and other retailers you could find in almost any other major city.

The people are friendly and welcoming and the city (despite my jet lag) has so much to offer from amusement parks to shopping, cultural experiences to thousands of dining choices and everything in between.

This is one of those destinations I can just keep returning to, it's amazing, the heat is nothing like Sydney at present and yes it is hot but your not in a puddle after walking for ten minutes.

Tomorrow I am off to Bintan Island ahead of returning back to my second home (or it feels like it sometimes) Bangkok.

Will keep all you lovely folks posted on the holiday good times. In the meantime over at Flashing off the Record if you need some music in your life, it's EP feature week for another year. And today it kicks off the the unstoppable Flume.

Go there NOW for good music all week long, a Fresh Friday Countdown on Friday (that sort of speaks for itself right) and a throwback to the 90's on Sunday.

Cheers for now live from Singapore...

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Riverdale Season 1.


The CW has struggled with it's new titles this year Frequency and No Tomorrow both struggled to find audiences so it's third time lucky with Archie Comics live action series Riverdale landing on Netflix in Australia and The CW in the USA.

The CW largely relies on superhero comic book stars for their schedule to fire and now we have a comic book star in a more Twin Peaks, murder mystery style thriller-mystery come drama.

With lot's of tangled webs and four episodes in I am starting to really enjoy this show. How to Get Away with Murder and Girls might still be my favourites currently airing but this show is surprisingly addictive.

It reminds me a little bit of Twilight with the teen angst and the multiple love triangles but once you get past this and the Miss Robinson love interest it's all good. Here is a wee trailer of the show so when The Blacklist goes on (another) break you can add this show to your viewing.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

ASIA Today


There is a God. However with that posts may/could/may not be light. Hopefully I get to jet off to the movies this morning ahead of my flight so expect another big film review and maybe radio silence.

Oh holidays how I lust for this one, it feels like it has been forever, Melbourne over New Years was nice but domestic.

See you on the other-side of Asia y'all xo


Thursday, February 16, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Fifty Shades Darker}


Fifty Shades Darker is one EPIC movie event experience and nothing else. Here is the trailer.



Universal Pictures know this sequel is a dog with SOME of the worst dialogue in modern cinema, however released around Valentine's Day with a KILLER soundtrack and millions of fans of the book worldwide, it doesn't matter Fifty Shades Darker is a hit.

Sia's Helium sounds amazing on the big screen with massive sound behind it and it just shows Sia is clearly one of the worlds most talented artists right now.



Look a lot of you reading are expecting me to pull this apart and say how shit it is, surprise, I cannot be bothered, it is what it is and the saying goes:

YOU GET WHAT YOU GET AND YOU DONT GET UPSET

This film is and does what it says on the packet, it's a book to film movie with very poor dialogue and a storyline that is super paper thin with the third and final film being set up nicely.

Vancouver looks stunning as always as that is where it is filmed to cut costs and it also looks very similar to US city Seattle where the viewer is lead to believe it is filmed.

I can't say much else than this is almost like a 2 hour commercial for the soundtrack and book as the music plays a MASSIVE part in this series.

Look you get what you have read elsewhere, it's poorly written book gets the Hollywood treatment and honestly fans of the book will either love it or ate it, but either way they are still buying tickets.

2 Stars. Mainly for the terrific Sia song, her second in as many months from hit movies, well done Sia.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Girls Season 6.


What a fucking brilliant first episode, loved it!

It's the sixth and final season of Girls and Lena and the gang maybe saving some of the best till last. I laughed out loud, gushed and was beside myself that Riz Ahmed appeared on yet another HBO show.

After he popped up on Netflix's The OA Riz is really getting cast in the best of the best TV shows to binge. The Night Of where he came onto my radar was easily one of HBO's best efforts of recent times and his addition to the first episode of Girls season six was just outstanding.

And better still as a surf teacher - WHAT?

I have enjoyed this show for years now and I have to say it's bittersweet it's back and ending in nine short weeks.

Girls is a cult classic and Lena Dunham love her or hate her has given TV one of it's most interesting characters in a long while.

Where and how will Girls end it's dream run? We will find out in 9 short weeks. For now let's bask in Hannah getting naked at every given opportunity.

Monday, February 13, 2017

Billions Season 2.


Billions isn't Showtime's biggest title by a long shot, it's a quiet achiever and it's first episode for the second season has been released online for our viewing pleasure.

Season one was not too bad, and it saw Showtime favourite Damian Lewis (Homeland anti hero seasons 1-3) return to the fold.

After all the drama of season one season two is back with more drama to bring us Showtime loyal viewers who are wondering why we stuck with The Affair season three, what is happening in Homeland season six and why can't Shameless just run all year round.

Yes Showtime delivers some top notch and challenging shows to watch and Billions and it's dialogue heavy episodes are sometimes tough to stick at all the big monologues.

That said I enjoy watching these deeply flawless greedy characters each week and look forward to the remaining 11 or so episodes of the second season of this very dark Showtime drama.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Moonlight}


I'm not going to lie, last week Hidden Figures blew my mind now another story from the USA blew my mind and stole my heart.

Moonlight is delightful, it's a great story, well told over three parts, Little, Chiron & Black. Janelle Monae is the common thread between the two wonderful films from late last year.

Trevante Rhodes has another five films on the way after the success of this brilliant film. Rhodes plays Black in the last part of the film where the amazing story comes to an abrupt conclusion.



That would be my only short fall of this film, it's sudden and dramatic ending, other than this the film is a stellar effort, the second from director Barry Jenkins.

The beauty of the film, the tender nature of the story and the three timelines are equally heartbreaking.

I really enjoyed this film as you may be already able to tell, but Marc Fennell from Triple J and the Feed has also done some sweet pieces on the film as below:




I have to say I am extremely disappointed at Hoyts for not screening this film and instead opting for a million sessions of Fifty Shades Darker (which I will consume on Valentine's Day) and not offering diversity, I will take my business elsewhere, even dirty old George Street Event Cinemas.

Apart from this side issue (not at all related to this film) please make sure you see this award winning (with many more to come no doubt) film, it's outstanding. I'm not going easy on films as this is my second big FAT 5 Star film review in 2017. Well done cast, crew and the entire team behind this exceptional film.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Santa Clarita Diet


When I was waiting patiently in the 40 degree heat for How to Get Away With Murder to air I hopped on Netflix and looked into the new Drew Barrymore series Santa Clarita Diet.

I had only heard a little bit about the series and had a few recommendations, so I went in with an open (although slightly cloudy mind due to the heat) mind.

I was not super disappointed by it's always nice having a 30 minute show on your dance card when you mainly watch one hour long HBO/Showtime dramas.

It's been a while since I have seen Drew Barrymore in a show/film and to be honest the last one I did Miss You Already with one of my favourites Toni Collette. I cried like a baby and in this Horror/Comedy I don't think I'll be crying.

One episode in and I am not 100% sold however I am keen to watch more once some of my regular season shows wrap in a few weeks (How To Get Away with Murder, The Royals and Girlfriends Guide to Divorce).

Yes TV shows are already wrapping for the 2016-2017 season and the Summer (USA) shows and mid season fillers like The Catch (Season 2) are almost here and thank god for Big Little Lies on the way on HBO.

Back to Santa Clarita Diet and I will leave you with the trailer and advice for NSW, Eastern Australians to stay inside, look after your parents and check in on your older relatives. Cool story Scott Morrison taking coal into Parliament House as a prop this week, the week of a huge heatwave effecting the very people (questionable people at that) who voted you back in.





Scott Morrison and your Liberal (are they really liberal? Not really) fools can laugh it up now, but it's 40 degrees in Sydney and you score a massive pension for being a massive fool during question time. Well done mate, I hope your Cronulla Sharks lose every game this year.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

24: Legacy Season1.


Fresh from her role in Homeland Miranda Otto and Jimmy Smits join handsome Corey Hawkins from The Walking Dead and fresh from playing Dr Dre in Straight Outta Compton.

With a top cast and a lot of shit apparently going down 24: Legacy is going head to head with Otto's last show Homeland weekly on Sundays and Monday nights in the USA. Which terrorist show will come up trumps?

So in Australia an audience of 17.4 million, WTF, AMAZING, the Channel 7 CEO would have sex with someone else inappropriately!

But no 17.4 is the lowest rating post Super Bowl show since 2003, with Alias.

Who gives a shit though about ratings, 24: Legacy like those 24 series before it is fun, pure fun. Unreal and completely unrealistic but pure escapism and that's what we all need in the Trump/Brexit/Bernardi era.

With two episodes down over two nights we have another ten to come, here is a brief (thirty seconds) look at episode three. I'm sold, fun, brain at the door kinda TV, nice.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Hidden Figures}


OUTSTANDING! Is the one word to describe Hidden Figures which finally lands in Australia after Valentine's Day.

Released around Christmas in the USA and going straight to number one @ the box office (big task around Rogue One's monster release) and creating a whole lotta awards hype!



Cookie Lyon I mean Taraji P. Henson is terrific as real life maths superstar Katherine Goble Johnson and the rest of the cast, hell yes! Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae (damn girl you walking on the tight rope) and Mahershala Ali (yes the man from Moonlight).

Believe it or not Kevin Costner also makes a bit of a comeback and so does Kristen Dunst however it's all Henson, Spencer and Monae's film. The real Hidden Figures.

A full cinema gave this a huge round of applause this morning when I saw this uplifting and brilliant true story. In the eyes of Black Lives Matter movements and the current Trump administration, feel good and good stories like this and pop music need to rise up!

Hidden Figures joins a long list of outstanding films released in the first quarter of 2017.

Hidden Figures is a brilliant film and I cannot recommend this enough to y'all. I'm going big, another 5 Star film in 2017, just excellent.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

I love Sia more than life itself!


And her advice in this song, NEVER GIVE UP is so true right now!



I am moist all over her song with Brooke Candy and popped a post in homage to that song HERE. But it's true to NEVER GIVE UP. My post yesterday about Kate Fischer is all about not giving up!

This song is just so good at times right now. Like Lorde who was all about praising pop music and uplifting pop music recently, I am all about sending our positivity. No violent protesting, no taking people down online, let's just be NICE to people!

Sia is honestly the perfect pop artist we need right now, please Sia release another album in 2017, we need it.

PS I should be seeing Hidden Figures tomorrow so look out to me returning to the Silver Screen in 2017 real soon.

Happy weekend folks xo

Friday, February 3, 2017

Kate Fischer/Tziporah Malkah


The news (or gossip) story of the week is Tziporah Malkah ...



After watching Kate Fischer in the 90's and as a gay boy trying to figure out at age 12 what lust was all about, Sirens was a film which made me realise maybe I liked boys more than girls.

A lot has been said this week about Malkah, her alt right interest and the fact she thinks Pauline Hanson says what a lot of other Aussies are thinking. But after watching the above interview on the project with her, she really is a sad woman.

One could only look at before and after images and think who is this woman, unfortunately weight has also (according to News.com.au) been an issue. I was not 100% sure as to why she is at all interested in Milo - Alt Right pure evil movement ring leader and I wonder whether her downward spiral has lead her to this "alt right".

There has been a lot said around the alt right (Steve Bannon is now in the white house - FUCK!) and it's movement. It's not a movement which one hopes can go viral. There is a lot of negativity and falsehoods around the movement and in an era when I find myself saying, why can't we all just get along and respect each others differences, it's frightening to see someone going from almost marrying Packer to losing everything and moving into a women's shelter and seeking solace in the "alt right".

I really feel sorry for Malkah/Fischer, and I really don't think I'm a Celebrity... was the best option for her and her to share her views.

In 2017 we need to stand up and call out assholes, joining the likes of Milo and Bannon just creates a more divided world.

I feel great sadness for people like Malkah and invite you to join me at Body Attack, nothing can put you in a better mood than 55 minutes of cardio and camp songs, honey you were once a Siren, don't go down a dark path of the gross alt right, please!

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The Affair wraps up Season 3 with another..


Affair.

Cole and Alison and even Helen for that matter, where were they? Well at least Whitney got some last minute love.

Noah is one hatable character and this season as hot as Dominic West is an an actor, Noah became unbearable.

His actions, his insanity, his everything. Showtime has a habit of making characters you can not stand, I find Ray Donovan irritating but Noah Solloway, EHHHHHHHHHHH!

Noah in season three took asshole to a whole new level, and then some. The highlight though for me was Helen (again) and the rage that was Whitney early on or mid way through the season.

So the show finishes just before the Super Bowl and will return either late this year or whenever Showtime feels it can return.

Showtime has Homeland currently slaying (resting next week/this week for Superbowl Sunday), Billions back for season two soon, Shameless back at the years end for an eighth outing and Twin Peaks finally landing in May.

The Affair is really not Showtime's best work anymore, the first season was remarkable, the second was great and looking over their Facebook page, this season has been a little luke warm and not to mention all over the shop.

Where will Cole, Alison, Helen and Noah end up in Season 4? Where will Noah and Whitney go from Paris? Whats the go with Vic & Helen? And will Juliette stay in Paris or return to America? And one final question what the fuck is the go with prison guard Brendan Fraser?

See you later The Affair Season 3, that was one hell of a fucked up road...