Monday, July 31, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {War for the Planet of the Apes}


Apparently the final in the trilogy of this reboot, War for the Planet of the Apes was sensational. Honestly the themes explored in this movie were straight from the CNN headlines. Good v Evil, Measured v Insane, I loved every minute of this 140 minute epic.



I wont spoil much or give any of the plot away as this film to me was almost perfect in every way. The action scenes were 10 out of 10 and I feel the last few movies have been building to this epic moment and with every movie they are getting better and better.

Woody Harrelson is like the Donald Trump/Steve Bannon in film. A raving lunatic and has little interest in facts and compassion. Whereas Caesar is honestly the most beautiful thing. His face, his everything he is a leader, a visionary and in moments in this film he completely breaks your heart.

How can an animated ape break your heart. That in my mind is success. Success on the highest level of making this film.

I left this film wanting more, hoping maybe there will be more Ape films, I enjoyed this, loved this and unfortunately for action films the bar is higher now.

Atomic Blonde was great but this was greater. Outstanding, near perfect, actually, 5 Star perfect. Loved, loved, loved this film.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Somewhere Between | Midnight, Texas


Summer in the USA used to bring me such trashy Summer joys like UnReal, Devious Maids, Scream and Mistresses. Now that was last year, this year two of these series have been cancelled and two were delayed or moved into peak screening time in the USA.

UnReal appears to be a big winner from not airing over Summer, it moves to peak screening time and has been renewed early for a fourth season. Most likely it's last too, Lifetime only gave the more popular Devious Maids four seasons.

Scream is currently getting a Queen Latifah face lift with rapper Tyga and C.J. Wallace (son of the Notorious B.I.G & Faith Evans) and will air in 2018.

So Summer relies on some new (or old, depending on how you look at a Korean series remake) shows to fill the void.

Somewhere Between is a remake of Korean series 14 Days: God's Gift and is average at best however it is filmed in the beautiful setting of Vancouver. Airing over two nights, 2 of the total 10 episodes have already aired to similar ratings of ill-fated ShondaLand series Still Star-Crossed.

Still Star-Crossed has sunk to below a million viewers now and it's finale is about to sneak off our screens today (USA time).

The second new series impressed me a lot more than Somewhere Between, it's Midnight, Texas. Debuting at over 3.5 million viewers, Charlene Harris's second book to TV adaptation this could be a sleeper hit for NBC.

After True Blood concluded in 2014 it's been a while since we have had a good supernatural mystery series on US TV.

Midnight, Texas has a sexy cast and a True Blood feel on network US TV which may work, and since Charlene created this series as a trilogy of books, will we see a second season next Summer? NBC have few hits at the moment (excluding This is Us) and they have buried Blindspot in it's likely third and final series on Friday nights. The Blacklist is not growing and with almost nowhere to go for season five this is likely to take a bow this season.

Is wider America ready for a Southern supernatural hit? Hopefully because we need Summer trashy dramas/mysteries.

I will be interested this time next year at what is screening in the sleeper TV months in the US.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Atomic Blonde}


Action, action, action, Atomic Blonde was sensational. Beat the shit out of that god awful last Jason Bourne film and Charlize Theron, HOT! Even James McAvoy in a mesh singlet, HOT! What a cast, what an action packed little film. Well little is a lie, it was close to two hours, but with a mad car chase seen and some super violence packed with a punch, an ice pick or anything within Charlize reach.


The soundtrack as well is thumping, with hot 80's electro you feel at times like you are in a high energy disco.

This film along with Baby Driver is really setting a new high standard that I hate to say most comic book films are starting to fall way behind. I put this next to Spider-Man and man in comparison Spider-Man sucks shit.

Marvel, DC, listen the fuck up, here is the standard, catch up or suffer an intelligent action loving audience lapping up your second grade scraps.

This is like Baby Driver rather outstanding, refreshing and a decent take on the tired, clapped out spy thing. 4 bright neon as fuck stars.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Gypsy Season 1.


Addictive? Yes, grade A trash? Yes and has some of the worst reviews round. Is Gypsy another Netflix fail?



Not really, it's actually a bit of cat and mouse fun. Naomi Watts stars and I believe she is also in the producing team. It feels very self indulgent, but at the same time you cannot turn away from this drama-thriller.

Netflix has had a few hiccups on their radar but nothing like Australian TV. Gypsy has also seen an off screen romance develop between Watts and Crudup.

The cast are all very good looking, which is nothing new but this show is all about looks, indulgence and lust.

Will a second season happen? Well without spoiling anything the door is left wide open in the closing frame of episode ten. I like the fact too this is another ten episode in and out series. 13 episodes works for network and cable TV but for binge worthing viewing 10 is a good, even number.

Sometimes Orange is the New Black or House of Cards seems to drag with an extra filler episode her or there.

Gypsy, it's fair from perfect or Netflix's best work but their below par effort is a lot more exciting than some of the competitors bullshit currently being served up. It is however still the Golden Age of Television.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {The Beguiled}


Not to be confused with the 1971 film, this is the 2017 Sofia Coppola film, starring Aussie lady of the moment Nicole Kidman.



After stunning TV audiences with Big Little Lies and giving Australia one of the biggest and most talked about true story films of 2017, Lion. It's been a good year for Nicole.

In other news Kirsten Dunst was a vile white lady in Hidden Figures and had a very small role against the trio of pioneers in that film. However Coppola seems to like Dunst and she plays a pivotal role in this gothic looking, sensationally filmed movie.

It looks a million bucks, the costumes are heaven and Colin Farrell is rather handsome as the one and only male lead.

Is this one of the best films of 2017? No not by far, and it is a little long and slow in parts and that being said it's a 94 minute film.

The slow pacing in the first half makes the conclusion a bit of an anti climax.

These negatives aside, this is one of the most beautiful films of 2017 and it continues Kidman's return to form in my books. It's not perfect but it sure would beat Transformers. 3 Stars.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Flashing Off the Record - Album of The Year - Nominations


Back in March I announced it will be a different competition this year for the Album of the Year, it actually didn't have to be an album, but I have made it a double up competition this year, on Boxing Day I will publish the Album of the Year and then on New Years Day I will publish the Anything but an Album of 2017. Both will be published on Flashing off the Record.

In March Drake's More Life playlist was nomination number one for the Anything but an album of 2017. Now L D R U join's Drake in the race.


L D R U (aka Drew Carmody) out of Sydney has had a string of singles that have made all of Australia (and the world in the case of Keeping Score) dance. Keeping Score was a massive success, Next to You, To Be Free and the brilliant Me have all been brilliant dance friendly tracks.

L D R U you are the king, well done for this MixTape, an Anything but an Album nomination for 2017.

Now to the BIG one, two Album of the Year Nominations. Not one but two and one is here for Splendour in the Grass, it's HAIM! In 2013 they gave us a sensational record, Days are Gone. It was my favourite for the year and really got the girls onto the world stage.

HAIM made us wait a LONG four years before the brilliance of Something to Tell You.


The sisters are back and back better than ever. Right Now, Want You Back and Little of Your Love have all made impact on the radio here and abroad.

The girls have been here for Splendour, done a CD signing in Newtown, Sydney and continued to be that effortless cool that marketing departments at record companies can only dream of. So who are HAIM facing off for the Album of 2017? Well they are also from the USA and feature Rihanna and U2 on their 4th studio album.

It's King Kendrick Lamar and DAMN.

Kendrick Lamar is unstoppable, HUMBLE. has been a monster hit, DNA was an audio assault and Loyalty shows a softer side. As does outstanding cut Love featuring Zacari.


God this album is good, I am in love with every song on this record. Kendrick and HAIM really are leading the pack this year and in coming months more albums with join them before the big Boxing Day announce.

Tomorrow I head back to the movies and on Flashing off the Record we will have a new feature album after focusing on Lana Del Rey today.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Game of Thrones Season 7.


Game of Thrones x Ed Sheeran, WHAT? Yes Ed Sheeran the original Galway Girl himself, that Ed Sheeran. Maybe that explains the high numbers of viewers, 10.11 million in fact. This is interesting as the show opened up at 2.22 million viewers when it begun in 2011.

It feels like a lifetime ago since this show aired for the first time on HBO.

The show has gained and gained momentum and now is so big that it completely fucked up Foxtel's new streaming service or maybe not new just refreshed streaming service.

Foxtel had a lot riding on this series returning, a lot of new subscribers to a more basic streaming service. Don't get me wrong Foxtel is kicking goals around Wentworth however their monopoly around series like Game of Thrones and other HBO series really sucks for Aussie viewers. Like viewers who would pay week to week on iTunes for new episodes.

Now before posting the below trailer to this post I noticed (as of 19 July) the trailer has 22.8 million views. That is insane, HBO and Foxtel (in Australia) really will be lost without this show when it wraps next year with it's eighth and final series.



That said some spin offs are in the mix (apparently) and unfortunately for me the dragon lady AKA my favourite character is already calling it, no dragon prequels or spin offs.

Where will the world be without the biggest show on TV? Will the Walking Dead just reign supreme? Will Westworld get a shit load more popular or will Netflix (despite a few flops lately - I'm watching Gypsy currently, oh dear) just slay.

Anyway we have to steer clear of online spoilers and hope Foxtel Now or Play or whatever the fuck rebranding they are calling works for episode two.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Claws Season 1.


Girls who rule the world! Or GIRLZ who rule the nail salon. This new TNT series (originally set for HBO) is halfway through it's first season and a second season will most likely air next US Summer.



Niecy Nash fresh from Scream Queens (Cancelled now after two seasons), Carrie Preston (True Blood), Judy Reyes (unrecognisable from her goody two shoes Devious Maids role), Karrueche Tran (Chris Brown's ex girlfriend) lead this cast of misfit nail technicians in Florida.

It's sexy, funny, action packed and features some interesting dance/pool dance scenes. It could be my breakout hit of the US Summer season. That said there is not much competition this year.

If you liked Niecy Nash as one of the breakout stars in Scream Queens as security guard Denise, you will love this. It's camp, over the top and best of all easy to binge, so line some episodes up this Winter and smash away dear TV lovers.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Spider-Man: Homecoming}


So three years after the Andrew Garfield two Amazing Spider-Man films, we're back! With the franchise being revisited for the third time since 2002.

Tobey Macguire and James Franco kicked it off it the early 2000's and now we have young Tom Holland as a high school Spider-Man introduced in the last Captain America film.



So we had a bit of the back story in the last Captain America film so it's no surprise he is back in this film via videos at Peter Parkers school.

However as the Marvel world interweaves we see Iron Man join this film and so many Avenger references it's almost like a 133 minute promo piece for the next Avengers film.

Donald Glover AKA Mr Childish Gambino has a small role which is nice, Michael Keaton almost reprises his award winning role as the Bird Man and Marisa Tomei plays Peter Parkers aunt.

This Spider-Man has been well reviewed and a sequel is coming this time in 2019, he will also join the next Avengers film.

It's not perfect but it's not bad. Marvel has done well in the past, and it's future with a new Thor film, Black Panther and said Avengers film looks to keep them leaps and bounds ahead of DC.

I wasn't 100% sold on Tom Holland as a hero, I mean he is 21 in real life but checking out a "15" year olds abbs feels a little wrong.

It's not a game changer for the superhero film but it's a decent film, 3 Stars.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Dear White People


I recently loved GLOW on Netflix, I was in for something even more loveable in Dear White People.



Dear White People is easily one of the most sensational shows I have watched on Netflix. Airing late April 2017 (mid US mega TV season) this show does deal with race, but so much more as well.

Logan Browning as Samantha White is insanely good, her other current (well not sure if she is moving over to BET with Hit the Floor) as Jelena Howard is such a contrast. A socially unaware diva, but on Dear White People, damn GIRL!

As a gay the character of Lionel Higgins is an outstanding revelation and such a nice portrayal of a gay growing up through college/university/general growing pains.

Being black in the USA seems all sorts of fucked up right now, being anything in the USA seems fucked up right, did you see mad old Kellyanne Conway, she was in the wildness for a while and now she is back with vengeance! GIRL



Back to Dear White People, it's because of people like Ms Conway this show is so fantastic, I loved every second of these short but to the point and direct as fuck episodes.

The world needs change, the world needs visionaries like Justin Simien and leaders to lead not loose slogans to follow.

This show has thank god been renewed for a second season and I for one, CANNOT wait. See you next season, this was one of the best shows of 2017 thus far. Easily.

Friday, July 14, 2017

Why Australia Needs Ninja Warrior


Australia has a new favourite TV show and I for once don't mind. The show has been one of the most watched shows since it started. It launched this Sunday gone with a monster 1.6 million viewers. Nine continued the strong start to the week with a huge Origin audience (2.49 million) on Wednesday to boot.

So while Masterchef hangs around like a fart in a lift on episode 51 (or thereabouts) and Channel 7 had another week of affairs in the press.

So why does Australia need another reality franchise? Well for one this promotes fitness and being active. Being the best you can be. Not a weigh in race against others, it's YOU against the course. And that is what being healthy is all about YOU.

Yes if people don't make the course they are out, but there is no stupid long winded evictions after long ad breaks, it is fast and furious, you can be out in 30 minutes.

After talking to co-workers, local gym goers, randoms, this show is the water cooler TV moment TV networks have been waiting for. Netflix is so dominate at present (a review/story on Dear White People to come, PS it is AMAZING), Foxtel has slashed it's prices and advertising hardcore and pirates/Foxtel viewers can only wait for one thing.... Game of Thrones.

TV is a dog eat dog world and for once it's nice seeing audience members encouraging contestants and best still unlike other reality franchises this will be done and dusted in three or so weeks. No doubt next year it will be longer or they will milk two seasons in one year, but this is the first quality reality series in years.

Australia needs to take back it's sport loving, healthy national identity, we have become obsessed with the FAT of the West and adore/look up to the United States of Take Away & Fatty foods.

Australia this is your Winter test to get you ready for Summer or like me the City 2 Surf.

It is great to finally see something positive with limited back stories that involve crying and dull drama we have seem numerous times before. Thanks Channel 9 for having the balls to screen a series which is bringing families together at night to watch healthy contestants show off their healthy lifestyles, well done.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Baby Driver}


So one of the years most anticipated films is here, is it any good? HELL yes! Well that is the simple answer. The longer answer for the purpose of this BLOG is there is so much to like here.

1. Car chases and cars - tick
2. Attractive cast - tick
3. Kick ass soundtrack - tick
4. Sensational action sequences - tick
5. Sky Ferreira is Baby's Mum - TICK, Tick, Tick



Ansel Elgort loves music (well at least Baby and his multiple iPods does), director Edgar Wright loves music and this film features 30 odd songs across it's 113 minute run.

I also loved Jamie Foxx as Bats and Lily James as the love interest is heaven. I can't go past Lanny Joon who is sexy as fuck too and described as putting the Asian in Home Invasion - YES!

Kevin Spacey is also featured (and not as President Underwood) and plays bad, well and that is really no surprise dear Netflix fans.

So Baby Driver, car chases, robberies, action, a young romance, music from Beck, Blur, The Beach Boys and loads more, this is a hit. Apparently a sequel is in early discussions and it's no wonder why.

I had a blast at this film last night, 4.5 Stars, Excellent.

Monday, July 10, 2017

GLOW


Netflix continues to bring us superb series and GLOW is about as outstanding as they come. I should have watched this last month for my celebration of all things female and the YASS Queen month.

Alison Brie is Ruth and the main star of this terrific show. Her character is flawed and outstanding all in one. The music is super 80's and fun, the fashion is camp and Jenji Kohan of Weeds and Orange is the New Black fame lends her hand on the producing side to this next chapter in Netflix's drama/comedy domination.

While HBO struggles with only two remaining seasons of Game of Thrones and no big franchise to replace it, I hear True Detective will be back for hopefully a redeeming third season. Netflix is now officially the powerhouse TV company to keep up with.

Poor old Showtime was beaten by HBO, the US commercial networks never had much on the cable champions of the golden era of TV and AMC continue to be the dark horses with the hugely successful The Walking Dead (and less successful Fear The Walking Dead).

Back to GLOW, it is Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling and it is gorgeous, beautifully shot, beautifully set  and most importantly characters the audience can really back and identify with.

After struggling through the woeful third and final season of Bloodline this is definitely a redeeming Netflix series I have come to love the streaming giant for.

This is one of those series you can truly binge and just say goodbye to an entire Winter weekend in Sydney. I got nine episodes deep in one weekend alone. The thirty (odd) minute episodes just breeze by with a string of four letter words and great acting.

Highly recommend this, check out the trailer below and get ready to fall in love with the next sensation on Netflix.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {It Comes at Night}


Sadly this is nowhere near as Get Out and I was so gosh damn excited for It Comes at Night. Like All Eyez on Me in relation to 2Pac, this film lacked something, (something was lacking so much the man next to me was snoring so loud it scared me more than the film at times) can I tell you dear reader what that was?

It Comes at Night is scary and tense in parts however I found it slightly dull.



I don't want to give away spoilers cause that is mean, Joel Edgerton is great as normal however like his recent film The Gift it was a bit blah.

The ending also was one of those where the lights sprung on straight away, the sleeping man next to me got one hell of a shock. The fact as well the film was only just over 90 minutes but felt like a three hour marathon told me the pacing of the film at times was so slow it was like the third and final season of Bloodline.

I didn't hate everything about this film but it wasn't great. After the suspense and the faboulous Get Out, I was wanting more from this film. I am not not surprised it only got a limited release in Sydney.

It Comes at Night has some talented folk it but it struggles to fire, 3 Stars.

Saturday, July 8, 2017

WOW! 25 Years Since Melrose Place


One of my favourite TV blogs to read daily noted this morning it's been 25 years since Melrose Place burst onto the screens back in 1992. The first series was a dogs breakfast but enter stage left Heather Locklear and the madness of Marcia Cross (AKA Kimberly) and who could forget Jane's kid sister Sydney (Laura Leighton).

In series one back in 1992 one season wonder Amy Locane (who) swanned around the pool area and impressed a much younger Grant Show (Jake) and Andrew Shue (Billy, who was so nerdy and cute back in the day). Then the drama and the beach fits became a weekly thing and the Australian show tagline was born Tuesday nights a Bitch!

Melrose Place came onto the screens when I was 10, wondering why on Earth I found another man (Andrew Shue, at times Grant Show) super attractive, this show was a sexual awakening as well as my early first love for US dramas.

Melrose Place was the product of Beverly Hills 90210 (later changed to 90210 for a CW revival which in it's own right lasted five seasons) and gave birth to the short lived Models Inc (which I always loved).

The CW also gave a lifeline to Melrose Place bringing it back for one season of 18 dramatic episodes in 2010. Unfortunately unlike 90210 it didn't find an audience on the youth network and it got pulled to make way for the likes of The CW hits like Vampire Diaries and Arrow and more superhero shows than one can poke a stick at. Funny thing is they are giving Dynasty a go at a remake this Fall (US for Aussie Autumn, however US Fall is our Spring).

Melrose Place, the memories and all in my birthday month, it reinforces (along with Grinspoon's debut recently celebrating 20 years of release) that I am no longer a young one anymore.

That said with age comes experience and I can truly say I have experienced a lot, more than a lot of (almost) 35 year olds.

Thanks for the memories Melrose Place, Models Inc and all forms of 90210, these were truly great shows back in my hey day.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Love Child Season 5?


The fourth season of Love Child has wrapped up and I think the axe is about to drop on one of Channel Nine's only dramas. The show was lucky to survive after a woeful rushed third season last year and this season it fumbled around with new cast members and a random guest appearance from Ronan Keating.

Love Child hobbled over the line with 532,000 viewers last night for it's final hooray and maybe the end of the road. With drama becoming increasingly expensive and Australian viewers tuning into more and more Netflix dramas is it even worth the Australian networks commissioning more dramas?

This week alone in the midst of Winter school holidays Home & Away last night managed 732,000 viewers, Wanted on Monday night on Seven scored 634,000 and last week Cleverman really struggled to launch it's second season with 151,000 viewers.

So are interested interested in drama on live TV? Netflix is huge down under, Wentworth was a popular and critical success and a successful import but with a number of titles failing to reach that magic million what does the future hold for Aussie dramas?

Love Child tied up so many loose ends as it wrapped up last night one can only imagine it's time for the axe to fall as it had a good four year run, in the current climate of networks in administration and struggling for viewers, more dramas may fall upon the wayside. Sadly.

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {The House}


I have never loved Will Ferrell and honestly the sequel to the not that funny Daddy's Home does look exhausting but I had to give him and Amy (Poehler) a go in The House.

Amy did Hilary well on SNL and was a star alongside Tina Fey in Sisters, so I was willing to let my hairs down in this latest Hollywood smut filled adult comedy.

Lennon Parham from a number of shows/movies was a bit of a standout.


Look this film is rather average, despite the fact there are some funny scenes, one liners, however at times slapstick takes over and the plot becomes ridiculous.

It does clock in at less than 90 minutes so it's short and sharp and to the point but it does in points fill like this could be a 60 minute comedy special on Netflix.

Not the greatest comedy this year but Snatched set the bar low, LOW. So I will pass this and Randall Park was still sexy as fuck as a Wall Street coke addict. Nice, my kind of man.

3 Stars.