Tonight I head to Melbourne, last weekend I spent the weekend in the Nation's capital. No it's not a Tourism Australia paid post, it's Australia all over, and what is there to do in Canberra over a weekend in Spring?
Floriade of course! Now in it's 30th year, Canberra plays host to flower lovers the nation all over. Here are a few snap shots and my food recommendation is actually at the Canberra Centre, Dobinsons, good value, nice food and a breakfast to keep you going throughout Lunch, YASS Canberra YASS.
Wow critics either love or hate Mother! And me I don't know if I loved or hated it. It felt like a few films in one and really for a sneaky Wednesday night outing to the cinema, it was as heavy as fuck in some scenes.
With horror and Jennifer Lawrence everywhere you look at the cinema these days it was refreshing to see her outside of her Hunger Games days, but I was afraid, very afraid in parts.
Javier Bardem is freaky as fuck and Michelle Pfeiffer is refreshing to have back on the big screen. Ed Harris fresh from Westworld is creepy as hell and Kristen Wiig is honestly bizarre in her role.
This film will not appeal to many people and a friend at work questioned my choice of film for the evening, however I had only seen the trailer and had not read too much into the plot of spoilers.
It was tense for the most part but I agree with what I have now read the ending was all over the shop.
That said I do like Lawrence and I enjoyed parts of the film, so will pass it with 2.5 Stars. Goodnight dear readers.
HBO does sex well, so it's no surprise newcomer The Deuce is a new drama based around the NYC porn industry and hooking on the streets.
Already renewed for a second season the eight episode first season is three episodes deep already, it's a David Simon fan and critical favourite filling the Sunday night void left by Game of Thrones.
HBO also says goodbye to Ballers this week so it's critical the (former) US drama king gets some new hit shows on the air stat.
The Deuce has star power as well with James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal leading a very talented and fine cast. Not only do they get nude often, but the cast knows how to drop an F bomb.
The series will not be everyone's cup of tea but I think it's a step in the right direction for HBO to rebuild and try (at least try) and be competitive against the giant drama machine known to many now as Netflix.
To see more about the new drama, check out the trailer below, it's dope!
Last night at Sydney's iconic Hodern Pav I was lucky enough to see the divine three piece from London, London Grammar.
The trio now on their second record are here playing sold out shows with a few more next week. The church of London Grammar was open and booted off with a marverlous version of Rooting for You.
From that moment the group had the crowd eating out of their hands, from Help Me Lose My Mind (a bit more rock n roll than the original Disclosure track), Wasting My Young Years, Hey Now, Big Picture and then came the "final" song Strong.
With all the hits the group came back for a three track encore. Now I don't love encores usually but I do like Oh Woman, Oh Man which was track two in the encore.
Their latest album Truth is a Beautiful Thing is stunning, If You Wait their debut was drop dead divine so it was really nice to spend my Thursday evening with the divine, sublime and supremely talented London Grammar. Hannah Reid's voice is exactly as amazing as on their records which is now a rare thang.
After Pablo Escobar died in Season 2 (Spoiler Alert), we move onto the Cali Cartel. Not as glamorous as the past two seasons, but look I am only on episode three.
However the series really does look a million bucks, I mean I was watching it thinking wow, Aussie dramas have a lot to live up to, this looks like it actually costs a mint to make.
Pedro Pascal continues his role as the mega star DEA agent Javier Pena and the Cali Cartel in the early episodes I have smashed are violent as fuck. Yes the violence goes to new levels. Like most TV shows in this Golden Era or TV, violence is font and centre and at times challenges the viewer.
The series has already been renewed through to season four and the show has been one of the streaming giants biggest titles.
The trailer above has been viewed (at time of post) 3.4 million views so socially and virally (which is important these days to shows to measure their reach) this show is a certified hit.
Drug dealers and true crime has always been popular, Underbelly flogged this category into the grave. We are in love with and fascinated with criminals, yet demonise them in the next breath. Strange.
I am interested to see where series three wraps up and get myself good and ready for season four next year. I do thin true crime is getting a little tired, however Netflix continue to deliver the cream of the crop and not only true crime dramas but The Keepers as a doco was amazing.
The streaming giant really is slaying it right now, I look forward to them uploading their next mega hit.
YASS Queen! It was Friday and I saw as FUCK needed a comedy, Girls Trip 100% delivered. It felt like forever since I had been to the movies, with working, gym classes and Ariana bitch I've been busy!
Girls Trip is that Friday film that mixes rude humour and friendship and I saw it with two work girlfriends who as a trio we identify as Destiny's Child.
I am thirsty for Queen Latifah returning in Empire Version 2.0 AKA Star September 27 with a crossover (apparently) episode with said show Empire. Shit!
Now to Girls trip, along with the Queen, Jada Pickett Smith (Gotham, Will Smith's wife and shortest Girl in the Flossy Posse), Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish, this film is laugh out loud, piss yo self funny.
Starring in cameo rolls a swag of musical talent from Mariah (Empire reference number two), Ne-Yo (I think his been in Empire), Faith Evans, P.Diddy and loads more! This movie is a cameo magnet.
For a budget of just under thirty million, the film has currently taken in 130 million big ones. In the recent cinema climate, this is huge. Along with a decent box office return the film has been well received by the critics.
I enjoyed my return to the cinema and this film had some great one liners, scenes and eye candy. I enjoyed this as much as I expected to going in and give it a glowing 4 shiny as fuck Stars.
After a VERY slow first three episodes I am happy to report the Marvel miniseries picked up the pace around episode four/five. Once the action started the show finally started to make sense.
Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist make The Defenders who take on The Hand.
Joining the motley crew is Colleen Wing, The Night Nurse AKA Claire Temple, Karen Page and Elektra has gone bad under the guidance of Alexandra played by Sigourney Weaver.
It's a mish mash of comic book stars all thrown into the one series. All Jones, Daredevil, Cage and Iron Fist's friends and family have come along for the ride.
As the drama unfolds and The Hand grows stronger the action gets a tougher. I have to say Iron Fist wasn't great, The Punisher looks more gritty and the other three series have all been a big improvement on Agent Carter's TV effort (towards the end, season one was fine).
The show was released mid August but with all my US Summer dramas, the excellence of Get Krackin' on the ABC, it's been tough to stay onto of Netflix seasons. Next up I am keen to dive into Narcos Season 3.
Netflix is still the streaming giant and whilst Stan doesn't have the series that Netflix has on it's books and this is solid, particularly for the action variety.
The Defenders isn't perfect but still it beats reality TV on our hot 30 plus degree entry to Spring.
American Horror Story's seventh season commenced this week and it's called "Cult".
Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Cheyenne Jackson return to the AHS series and Murphy TV kings & Scream Queens Colton Haynes, Emma Roberts & Billie Lourd join the fold.
Ryan Murphy has recently announced he is following Shonda to Netflix with a new series starring, surprise Sarah Paulson so will he soon leave US free to air TV too?
I loved the last series last year Roanoke and I think ten episodes worked well with this "horror" format.
So this series Clowns are back in vogue and the US election is front and centre.
Donald Trump is truly terrifying and so are clowns, however with It about to land is it clown overload? I wasn't 100% sold on the first episode, it was slightly down on last years first episode. You actually need to go back to season two for a season opener to rate as bad as this week's episode.
But do ratings mean everything or is social media and online comments more important? Not that I know all about social media.
I will be interested to see where this goes. With eleven episodes to play out we have ten more to come most likely to wrap up before Christmas 2017.
Until mid next week, American Horror Story make me proud, I love Ryan Murphy's work and I have to say I can not wait for American Crime Stories next instalment.
Could this be the sleeper hit of 2017 and airing in Australia on SBS of all places, yes The Handmaid's Tale is easily the biggest new show of 2017. On Hulu and scooping a massive 11 nominations at this years Emmy's this series is one to hang out for in 2018.
Yes already renewed for a second series, one of the most binge worthy shows of the year, this series is near perfect, addictive and brilliantly acted.
Originally a book in 1985 by Margaret Atwood, it doesn't really paint a good picture for America under Trump.
It's strange this series was created in uncertain times, the book has been passed around my office, the series has been smashed by most of my friends and it's an internet sensation and a huge with critics world wide!
Australian networks had the shits when this show went gang busters but they continued with the Block, Hells Kitchen Australia and some of love show on Network Ten. With their heads buried in the sand it is no wonder Channel Ten has no pulse and Seven and Nine are flatlining, hard.
The Handmaid's Tale is exceptional, from start to finish, I was hooked, compelled and disgusted.
It's not easy to watch in parts but so well done. Aussie Yvonne Strahovski is so easy to dislike as a bible bashing freak and husband Joseph Fiennes plays a weak and miserable individual.
Elisabeth Moss as the featured Handmaid is brilliant and will go far after this role whilst it's great seeing Samira Wiley back on TV after her shock OITNB departure.
Ann Dowd is a miserable mole (similar to her role in The Leftovers) and Max Minghella is handsome AF.
If this is a world the conservatives of the world want, I'm happy to be a progressive liberal who sees little to no value in most religions.
Honestly watch this NOW, it's beyond amazing, 12/10 EASY!
Australian films and Australia's love affair with downloads. This will start as more of a lecture to the big cinema players in Australia AKA Hoyts and Event Cinemas.
I will get to the review of Killing Ground, but first I need to get this out. Here is the trailer first and then hold my weave back cause, bitch I'm going in....
One: Australian Arts Minister Mitch Fifield (Oh yeah this is the same dude who had no idea Channel Ten was being purchased by the Americans, good one), can you make sure Australian large cinema players Event Cinemas and Hoyts give Australian films a go at the Box Office. I live in Sydney, Hoyts - Broadway and Entertainment Quarter (formerly Fox Studios) no sessions of the Killing Ground for the opening weekend. Event Cinemas George Street, one session per day. At 4 fucking 40 PM!
This film had more sessions in it's advance screenings last weekend. So my prop to Minister Fifield, legislate that Australian films can at least have a minimum of four sessions per day for an opening weekend. Anything less is a waste.
Two: Why block pirate/torrent sites yet allow Foxtel to command control over content whilst the back end does not even support demand for shows like Game of Thrones?
Torrent sites are part of the problem, but if you don't have money to waste year round on Foxtel, or the movie you want to see has no session times, how does one get content?
Three: When are people/cinema owners going to give Choovie a go? The idea is brilliant and you may shift more tickets, meaning more sales of popcorn and all the other shit you sell in your cinemas.
So yes I am mad, the Australian cinema scene/entertainment game is dying a slow painful death like the NRL. You need to embrace the likes of Netflix and get with the Choovie pricing model.
Now to this movie, I loved it, the scenery was great, Pedersen was brilliant as the villain and at 46 still looking a little sexy.
This will unfortunately unlike my above argument not be everyone's cup of tea but it was one of the most thrilling movies I have seen in a while. When the tension builds and the story gets going, it really gets going.
Impressive stuff and despite being difficult to track down and see, I enjoyed this 3.5 Stars.
