YASSS Queen: Day Fourteen - Finale

As June comes to a close, EOFY strikes and Winter is almost at the halfway mark we say goodbye to all the amazing ladies who have made YASS Queen month! Great to see Una before the end of the month and I hope to head off to the pictures this weekend as I launch into Instagram, oh geez. Yes this Blog along with Flashing off the Record will go social.

Time as promised to honour some of the best women in News in this country. Firstly to the women I wake up with in the morning, Virginia Trioli and Del Irani.

 



Of the evening I love a week bit of Leigh Sales & Emma Alberici...





Yes I love the ABC and looking abroad it's 100% all the way.... SAMANTHA BEE, YASS QUEEN!

Thanks to all the ladies that have made this BLOG shine, shine, shine!

Silver Screen in 2017 {Una}

After the appalling All Eyez On Me, it was tough to return to the cinema, however Australian theatre director's Benedict Andrews delivers with Una.



Ben Mendelsohn and Rooney Mara are brilliant in this drama. I won't spoil anything about this film, but the leads in this film are outstanding. I cannot forget to mention Riz Ahmed, who is outstanding in everything I have seen him in. From The Night Of to his guest appearance in Girls.

Ruby Stokes as young Una is also marvellous and this film really does shine and stick to a tight 94 dramatic 94 minutes.

This is not for everyone and after Don't Tell I have probably seen my share of child sexual abuse stories for a while but the original play Blackbird turned into this film, is a stunning vision by Andrews.

Mara as Una is a wonderful talent, 3.5 Stars.

YASSS Queen: Day Thirteen

As June wraps up it's time to look to the middle of July and my BLOG's unfortunately have to go Social. Yes that's right I personally have distanced myself from social media and will only post on Instagram at this stage. It may change I may give it up, but July is Insta July. Both my BLOG's will share the one account so you will get all your music news, feature album or weekly spotlight in one place.

I hate to give into socials but I would like to get my word out there, further to the world of Trump and the madness beyond I'm taking it to the streets.

As we have celebrated some wonderful women this month across Film, TV and the music world it's almost time to wrap it up. I will be reviewing some more films later this week as honestly Transformers may not be my bag anymore.

Another post hopefully tomorrow will list out some of Australia's best women in news (maybe a few internationals too). It's been real this month and blogging on the quiet side for a while, it's time to reach the millions (hopefully).

YASSS Queen: Day Twelve

What better way to almost conclude YASS Queen, June with LA four piece, HAIM.

Their second album Something to Tell You will be out July 7th. Pray to God (get it) their second release is as stellar as my album of 2013 Days are Gone.

After working with Calvin Harris and being the darlings of the indie pop scene these girls are all killer no filler, so let's conclude the weekend with some amazing Haim, July 7th it's a date!

YASSS Queen: Day Eleven

Wentworth Season 5. Where does one begin, no Bea Smith from that shocking Season 4 finale, the Freak getting more and more freaky, Franky Doyle back in the slammer, Franky and Gidget, Ali and Franky, Juicy Lucy, Liz Vs Sonia, Vera and Jake, I could go on and on!

Season 5 was outstanding, it was easily one of the best seasons and with every episode, every twist the series just built, by episode 12 I was close to having a heart attack.



The Freak was amazing with her promotion to Top Dog, as Kaz Proctor never really had it in her. Liz and Sonia's strange relationship/tension left us with one of the biggest cliffhangers, will Sonia live? Also will the Freak die being buried alive by the handsome AF Will Jackson?

I believe the Freak cannot not, Sonia maybe but the Freak is easily one of the biggest villains on TV. Forget superhero villains, the Freak is badass and ruthless. Unlike the Joker, the Penguin or the Riddler, the Freak is brutal, real and honestly we all know a Freak. In the workplace, family or at least we can imagine.

Why is this a YASS Queen post, because the cast (largely women) are all brilliant, diverse and so amazing. Maxine and Doreen two of the most entertaining inmates are now gone, but never fear I have a feeling Season Six will being us some frightening new inmates.

No news is leaving Melbourne yet despite the fact it's filming now and will not air until 2018. How horrible, will the Freak live? Will Kaz survive as Top Dog after already being knocked off once? And what will become of Jake and Will, and not to mention poor old Vera.

YASSS Queen: Day Eleven

It's been a while between drinks dear blog and ladies of the world in my YASS Queen final week. I endured the amazing Wentworth Finale, Is Male Privilege Bullshit on ABC2 and have been less than impressed Lorde's Melodrama record.

First up Melodrama, look Green Light and maybe even Perfect Places will end up being two of the biggest tunes of 2017, but as a full album it's just over 40 minutes, features Flume and a reprice for Liability and sequel for Sober. So really it's 9 tracks instead of the advertised 10.

I think full length albums are hard for artists especially young artists like Lorde who have had a massive career with only one album under her belt. This album felt like an extended EP and not a full length album. It's great in parts but in others the tempo changes too rapidly, it's up tempo, down tempo.

Look I still love Lorde and other blogs give her 4/5 and it may grow on me but for now it's more a collection of tunes not a full body of work AKA an album.

Tuesday's TV was off the chain for females:

Wentworth - 10/10 finale (spoilers to come, you've been warned and I waited a few days to discuss)
Love Child - This has to be the last season right? Ronan Keating as draw card, really?
Hack Live - Is Male Privilege Bullshit on ABC2?

Well to Hack Live (I will leave Love Child to a solo post) this was controversial for all the wrong reasons, Miranda Devine being called a C%&t on live TV (well actually just referring back to a past Clem Ford Tweet/Social post) and Mens Rights Activists talking nonsense. For example poor old Daisy Cousens, Australia's poor mans (woman's) Milo Yiannopoulos and the worst thing is she likes Milo, still.

Milo is a fraud, much like Pauline Hanson he says things to get media coverage, out right from the likes of Clem Ford and then more air time and followers. It's actually really boring.

So Hack Live was really doomed from the get go, it was like a poor man's Q&A with added swears.

Look is Male Privilege Bullshit? Yes and No they is privilege on some many levels? I am white and have white privilege with a white surname, I am gay so I loss some privilege. I am no muscle Mary so I loss more gay privilege, I could go on.... It's boring and in culture today we all start somewhere, some higher than others but in all honesty it's all bullshit.

As my Dad taught me as a child and he taught me many good lessons, never judge a book by it's cover.

So on that note it's a Friday drawn out lecture. Tomorrow you will get my beyond glowing review of Wentworth, Season 5. Only problem is it's not back to 2018. I'm sad...

YASSS Queen: Day Ten

So after finally finished House of Cards - Season 5, after appearing on Netflix, May 30, I think I did well dealing with the fifth and possibly final outing for the US political drama.

Now you may wonder why I am talking about House of Cards whilst it's YASS Queen month, two words: Robin Wright.

Now slight or major Spoiler Alert: Robin Wright owns season five and at the very end... Wait for it, don't read another word, you've been warned. She becomes President Underwood, following another president Underwood.

She was ruthless, stellar and honestly she is one of Netflix's biggest and brightest stars. Yes Kevin Spacey is calculated and full on, but Robin Wright has always been brilliant in this series.

I will bang on a bit about TV this week as the series which Australian women actresses have been waiting for Wentworth comes to a close for it's fifth chapter. Unlike House of Cards, Wentworth has kept us on the edge our seats week in, week out. House of Cards however this season was very slow paced and aside from Wright and the brilliant return of Neve Campbell to TV, this was a bit of a tough watch.

Don't get me wrong House of Cards has become a cult TV hit and for Netflix it has meant big numbers, both streams of the series and new members and that is what the streaming game is all about, more members, look at Foxtel trying to be fancy and rebranding the same old shit with a new coat of paint.

House of Cards and Wonder Woman showcases how truly fabulous Robin Wright is, please if they make a second solo Wonder Woman film, allow her more screen time, please!

House of Cards streams on Netflix now and Wonder Woman is still on the big screen NOW!

Silver Screen in 2017 {All Eyez on Me}

Okay the bad news for All Eyez on Me is Notorious (The Notorious B.I.G film) and Straight Outta Compton came before it. WARNING: Spoiler Alert - This is NOT a good film.



Straight Outta Compton, won awards, went onto scoring a huge box office and become a successful and well reviewed biopic. All Eyez on Me, lacks the stars, the brilliant big budget feel of Straight Outta Compton and also the originality of the Notorious back in 2009 looking into the world of hip hop.

This felt like a Lifetime TV movie in parts with acting, old footage used with new with clumsy editing and at times a ridiculous pace where we get introduced to Snoop, Jada Pinkett Smith and god the actress playing Faith Evans, GIRL.

It's nasty, cheap and at times one of the longest and most dull films I have seen in 2017. Shame for All Eyez on Me I saw the brilliant Rough Night earlier this week and Wonder Woman last weekend, because this is an EXTREMELY lame attempt at the world of hip hop and a huge star in Tupac.

This is one to avoid, maybe wait till it appears on Netflix, I pronounce All Eyez on Me, a complete fail for 2017, 1 Star.

YASSS Queen: Day Nine

At 36 (a year older than me) Beth AKA Mary Beth Patterson has done it all. In 2010/2011 Beth gave us a glimpse of her doing dance music. With a solo track and collaboration with Simian Mobile Disco she was stepping out from her role as front woman for Gossip.

In 2009 from Music for Men, Heavy Cross became a worldwide hit! However it was 2007 when my ears discovered the wonders of Standing in the Way of Control. Great throwback!

I was lucky enough to see Gossip at the Enmore Theatre years ago and they were outstanding. So I was excited to discover Beth dropping another solo record yesterday. It was a big day for new music yesterday and Beth along with Lorde, Big Boi and Royal Blood all gave us new records.

Beth recently married her girlfriend who also served as her best friend since 18! They married in the most marriage friendly destination in the USA Maui, Hawaii.

Beth is all killer and no filler, she makes great music, writes, is politically active and has a voice of an angel. YASSSS Queen, it's all about the ladies all June long!

YASSS Queen: Day Eight

It's finally here Lorde's second album and she will be playing the Opera House forecourt in Sydney, YASSSS Queen!

Lorde's Green Light has easily been one of 2017 biggest hits to date. Royals and Tennis Court are two of the best pop songs in years gone by and her collab with Disclosure Magnets was a match made in heaven.

Lorde's Melodrama is out on the shelves now and could be one of the biggest pop moments of 2017.

Lorde is still only 20 and totally ahead of the game and I cannot wait to see what is in the future of this bright pop star. Her upcoming tour is going to be epic in November and you can find all the details HERE

Now for your Friday soundtrack with LORDE...

Silver Screen in 2017 {Rough Night}

Did the world need another raunchy sex comedy with all female leads? YES! Cause it's YASSS Queen month.



Rough Night I was reluctant to pay the price of a ticket for, I was worried like Snatched all the funny bits were in the above trailer, however they are not.

Rough Night was actually really fun and the screening I went to Sony went above and beyond, maybe they saw how badly Snatched did at the box office.

Look Rough Night will win no awards, get probably get bad reviews but when we have fear shoved down our throats daily across other media outlets, lets embrace laughter and fun. Laughter is great for you, especially in Winter. And more importantly these girls are great, have great chemistry and the gags are thick and fast.

There are lots of sex jokes and there is some male eye candy too. Scarlett Johansson is much better in this film than that last sci-fi effort Ghost in the Shell. Zoe Kravitz is also delightful and after her brilliant role in Big Little Lies she is one to watch.

Kate McKinnon as an Aussie was a bit rough (Rough Night!) but overall the cast were a lot of fun, Alice played by Jillian Bell had the line share of great laughs.

I enjoyed this, have a look this weekend if your not too busy with the final weekend of Vivid. Yay Sydney is going quiet again after this weekend! 4 Stars, fun times ahead for lucky viewers of a film that doesn't shy away from the C bomb.

YASSS Queen: Day Seven

Unfortunately I can only have one feature album a week (on my music blog: Flashing off the Record) with this weeks honours going to London Grammar. I have already featured lead singer of the groups here for our Queen of a month. So today I keep the spotlight on music with SZA.

SZA has released an instant urban hit in CTRL, after a couple of mixtapes and an EP we finally see a full length release from this St Louis star.

The album is super sexy and cool and after listening to it in full yesterday I am more of a fan than I was when I heard her hook on ScHoolboy Q's jam Neva CHange.

So this short week (it's Hump Day already, DAMN) let yourself indulge in some outstanding new music.

Tomorrow Rough Night reviewed for it's opening weekend in cinemas.

Silver Screen in 2017 {Wonder Woman - 3D}

It's a month about Queen's so what better film to see in 3D and apparently a vibrating chair???

So Wonder Woman, 2017 has already brought us a number of comic book films, Power Rangers (or toy range), Logan, The Lego Batman Movie (which Wonder Woman as a lego figure appears in) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 have we already had enough for one year? No must be the answer as Wonder Woman has done well with critics and box office alone.

Currently sitting at over $430M at the box office, Wonder Woman has been a bit of a hit (currently the 8th highest grossing film of the year thus far) and with Baywatch DOA she has little competition right now.



Gal Gadot is stunning, not beautiful simply FLAWLESS. I missed the start of this film which I usually hate however by the time I walked it, it seemed it was a boring back story on WW. Did we need this with her already being introduced to film audiences through the critically panned Batman V Superman?

Big news on this female love is, is director Patty Jenkins is the first female director of one of this action films, and fucking hell, she does an incredible job. The action scenes are 10/10, the film looks a million bucks and the cast is first rate. Robin Wright, Chris Pine and Danny Huston join the spectacular Gadot.

I enjoyed this a lot, my partner and better half was bored and I get that too. It is LONG, 2 hours 21 minutes exactly, but aren't all comic book films nowadays?

This was in my books though a long way ahead of Logan, much more interesting than Guardians of the Galaxy and I cannot compare it to Power Rangers, different league, completely.

Look if you like this genre and it's stars, this is for you, it even features one of two new Sia songs to be released recently.

I am going out on a limb, this could be DC's moment to shine over Marvel. 4.25 Stars. Well done Wonder Woman, sensational.

YASSS Queen: Day Six

Last month was May Day, all about TV around the globe but mostly Australian and American. Actually maybe that's a lie maybe 100% Australian and American and one Australian show leads the way for women, women of all ages, races and sexual preferences. It has to be Wentworth.

Recently renewed for a sixth season (and hopefully not the last) this show has continued to go into unchartered Australian television territory. This season has seen the drama levels raise to eleven and the inmates face their worst enemy, The Freak.

One by one Joan Ferguson has gone on a rampage as an inmate eventually becoming Top Dog. From Governor to Top Dog, Joan has people on the outside, people on the inside and also the screws on her side.

Last weeks episode (almost a week since airing at the time of this post) pushed viewers to the brink again. The Freak has not only scared me shitless once or twice this season she has said to me TV Week awards Wentworth needs more Gongs!

So I started this in Hong Kong and will complete it in Australia after a lengthy flight so this will not be lengthy as I will just preview tomorrow's post, a review of Wonder Woman! Yay! A film about killer Amazon women, hooray!

Lastly on Wentworth, here is a fan look at the prequel to this seasons wild finale! Last seasons finale was a sizzler however I think this season might step it up another notch (if possible).



PS - taken from a fan site so this video may vanish from YouTube due to copyright. That said it's promoting Australia's top drama, so really it's super promotion, just saying...

YASSS Queen: Day Five

All this week on Flashing off the Record I have featured Halsey and her record hopeless fountain kingdom. It's a stellar pop release and she was one of my YASS Queen posts the other day (you can find it HERE if you're interested) and as the long weekend sets in, in Sydney and other parts of Australia it's almost time for a new mid week feature album.

I will be featuring next week, drum roll please....

So today I shine the spotlight on the terrific front woman Hannah Reid. We are spoilt for choice with female records this June as this coming Friday Lorde's long awaited second album is almost upon us.

So in anticipation of new music from London Grammar let's take a look at some previous hits.

YASSS Queen: Day Four

It's time now to celebrate the ladies of some films I missed at the cinema but caught up with whilst flying around Asia for the Queen's Birthday Long Weekend. And really the whole holiday gave me the idea to celebrate the better sex.

The sex that has to go through periods once a month, give birth to thunder c%*t's like Donald Thump and not be able to push it back and ask for a refund, the sex that gets paid less in a lot of jobs but in my eyes is deserving of oh so much more.

So to Anna Kendrick & Kristen Stewart, two young actors (or is it actresses) who have done their fair share of work of the past few years. Be it the wonders of Pitch Perfect to the not so wonderful sequel or falling for a vampire when a werewolf is actually better looking.

Both starred in smaller films than their usual affair and I happened to equally like both. Table 19 & Personal Shopper (actually a French film from last year).

Table 19 started slow but also featured the adorable and Getting On favourite June Squibb. Lisa Kudrow was also not 100% annoying too.

Personal Shopper was a lot more unexpected. Kirsten Stewart was actually really good and the setting and fashion in the film adds to films impressive presentation of this tale of Maureen.

So if you get a minute over this long weekend, or weekend depending where you are give these two smaller films a chance, both Kendrick and Stewart shine for my month long salute to the Queens of the world..

YASSS Queen: Day Three

I didn't expect to see three movies in three days and therefore my focus on Queens and Women who Rule the World has been a little, well shit.

I go to Hong Kong too tomorrow for the June Long Weekend so I a little nervous that well I am neglecting the queens of the world, so shall I look back at the Queen's who made the three movies I just recently took in.

First up from the incredible Patty Cakes Australian Danielle MacDonald.



Next up the Baywatch Queen and Quantico anti-hero Priyanka Chopra, did you know she used to be a singer? And even got Pitbull on board for a song? What, what?


And finally Australian legend Susie Porter, when on Earth will she end up on the cast of Wentworth? Well if you watched this week's episode another cell became free :)



Not to mention the extremely talented young lead in Don't Tell, Sara West..



I could hit POST without some music and a real QUEEN, a queen of the music scene Missy Higgins gave a track to Don't Tell and it's an underrated exceptional Australian tune.



It's nowhere near as big as Ten Days, Steer or Scar but this is still classic Missy, what an exceptional talent we have in Missy Higgins.

Silver Screen in 2017 {Patty Cake$}

I love an advance screening of a buzz worthy film like Patti Cake$. Ok I am not going to lie, this film was sensational! Australian Danielle MacDonald as the lead was outstanding and the Nana character played by Cathy Moriarty was top notch, but really all performances were brilliant!



It is every once in a while a film like this comes along, a small story but a great idea for a music film and there were dream sequence moments and parts of the film I thought this was a white Precious.

So for you to like this film, did you like 8 Mile? Do you like Hip Hop? Are Azealia Banks lyrics a little much for you? Well this film puts it down, with original music and a superstar in MacDonald.

I enjoyed every minute of this brilliant film, it is apparently set for release in Australia for September this year so keep an eye out. Just outstanding.

I don't want to spoil this too much for you as I went in completely blind but completely enlighten after I left the cinema. An easy favourite of 2017 thus far, 5 Stars.

Silver Screen in 2017 {Baywatch}

I enjoy nothing more than an Australian film, however my other main cinema love is TRASH! Time to enter a reboot, a famous 90's show that gave use Pamela Anderson and re, hot swimsuits, Baywatch.



But this is no PG-13 film, it's got lot's of choice four letter words, a fake penis scene (unfortunately no Efron dong nor the Rock dong) and a lot of ladies in clingy clothes. Oh and hello queen of Quantico as the bad boss bitch.

This is honestly a no brain, popcorn, flashback and 90's throwback.

I enjoyed this and had no idea I would see a YASSSSS Queen movie tonight (making it three in a row if your counting. At the time I left the cinema I was impressed, I dug the music, the Efron and the basic storyline. But other it's really just another Hollywood piece of Trump fluff.

Look if you need an easy, let your hair down and enjoy some sexy beach bodies on the big screen this Winter, this is your film. It's slick, well produced and it almost doesn't over stay it's welcome.

I can't see the sequel getting a look in after a poor turnout in the US at the box office, however I will pass this for some handsome, youthful and damn fine Efron action, 3 Stars. Also the nostalgia of Baywatch was a bit of fun, look out for Pammy Anderson @ the end.

Silver Screen in 2017 {Don't Tell}

I have seen a couple of Australian films this year and despite the fact I have had to seek them out attend strange session times at least this year there has been some Australian films shown at the cinema.

It's been a time of superhero films, reboots and sequels so a small Australian story based on a book and a real life event breaks the big screen mould.

And by small story I mean NO CGI or comic book references.



Don't Tell is a compelling and well acted piece that leaves you on the edge of your scene as the final scenes play out.

The film was highly entertaining and well acted from some of Australia's most well known actors, Jack Thompson, Susie Porter, Gyton Grantley, Martin Sacks, Rachel Griffiths and Sara West (in the screen cap above).

It's good to see an Australian film take the early stages of the Royal Commission into child sex abuse take this to the big screen. It's a hard story to take but it's a story we need to hear.

The stats at the end of the film are intense and horrifying the Royal Commission is one of the best things put into play in recent years.

You will leave this film mad at the school in question and also feel like the legal team behind young Lyndal with the verdict at the end of the film.

I enjoyed this and again editing was well done for this not to out stay it's welcome. 3.75 solid stars.

YASSS Queen: Day Two

Halsey is a queen and will be my Feature Album all next week on Flashing off the Record.

Halsey is a super Queen who has been on the scene since 2014 and already has two stellar albums to her name. Her recent Now or Never has been a bit of a hit and she has appeared on Justin Bieber's Purpose record and covered one of his totally sick new tunes on Triple J.

Halsey was also the voice on the Chainsmokers worldwide number one, Closer.

Halsey is my official first YASSSSSS QUEEN for June, proudly supported by the Queens Birthday public Holiday in NSW and other states real soon.

A Month Fit For Queens: COLD HARD BITCH

So it's Winter, day one, and day one of my ladies month or YAAAASSSSSSS QUEEN month.

So without further ado the last male on the BLOG for the next thirty days Jet, bring us home!



Now to some ladies who like it COLD!!!