Tuesday, October 31, 2017

AACTA 2017 Nominations | Predictions


My predictions, bold and in red, more info found HERE

Drama Series

Cleverman
Glitch
Janet King
Top of the Lake: China Girl
Wentworth

Best Telefeature or Mini-series

Blue Murder: Killer Cop
Seven Types of Ambiguity
Sunshine
Wake in Fright

Best Television Comedy Series

No Activity
Rosehaven
True Story With Hamish & Andy (Nine Network)
Utopia

Reality Series

Australian Survivor
Little Big Shots
MasterChef Australia
My Kitchen Rules

Best Light Entertainment Television Series

Australian Ninja Warrior
Gruen
Hard Quiz
Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery

Documentary

Casting JonBenét
David Stratton: A Cinematic Life
Deep Water: The Real Story
Whitely
Zach’s Ceremony

Lifestyle:

Destination Flavour Singapore
Gourmet Farmer
Grand Designs Australia
Selling Houses Australia

Children’s:

Little Lunch
Mustangs FC
Nowhere Boys: Two Moons Rising
The Wild Adventures of Blinky Bill

Lead Actor in a Television Drama:

David Dencick, Top of the Lake: China Girl
Sean Keenan, Wake in Fright
Richard Roxburgh, Blue Murder: Killer Cop
Hugo Weaving, Seven Types of Ambiguity

Lead Actress in a Television Drama:

Toni Collette, Blue Murder: Killer Cop
Marta Dusseldorp, Janet King
Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake: China Girl
Pamela Rabe, Wentworth

Best Performance in a Television Comedy:

Daren Gilshenan, No Activity
Debra Lawrance, Please Like Me
Celia Pacquola, Rosehaven
Rob Sitch, Utopia

Guest or Supporting Actor in a Television Drama:

Anthony LaPaglia, Sunshine
Ewan Leslie, Top of the Lake: China Girl
Matt Nable, Blue Murder: Killer Cop
David Wenham, Wake in Fright

Guest or Supporting Actress in a  Television Drama:

Emma Booth, Blue Murder: Killer Cop
Tina Bursill, Doctor Doctor
Andrea Demetriades, Seven Types of Ambiguity
Nicole Kidman, Top of the Lake: China Girl

Direction in a Television Drama or Comedy:

Leah Purcell, Cleverman
Matthew Saville, Please Like Me
Glendyn Ivin, Seven Types of Ambiguity
Jane Campion, Top of the Lake: China Girl

Direction in Light Entertainment or Reality:


Australian Ninja Warrior, Gary Deans
Australian Survivor, Richard Franc
Julia Zemiro’s Home Deliverym Damian Davis
MasterChef Australia, Richard Franc

Best Screenplay in Television:

No Activity, Trent O’Donnell
Rosehaven, Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor
Seven Types of Ambiguity, Jacquelin Perske
Utopia, Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch

Best Cinematography in Television:


Blue Murder: Killer Cop, Bruce Young
Seven Types of Ambiguity, Bonnie Elliott
Top of the Lake: China Girl, Germain McMicking
Wake in Fright, Geoffrey Hall

Best Editing in Television:

Blue Murder: Killer Cop, 
Bill Russo
MasterChef Australia, Karen Crespo
Seven Types of Ambiguity, Joe Rodrigo
Utopia, Phil Simon, Santo Cilauro

Best Sound in Television:

Cleverman, Tim Chaproniere, Emile De La Ray, Matt Stutter, Paul Brincat, Nigel Scott, Chris Sinclair
Seven Types of Ambiguity, Stephen Witherow, Justin Lloyd, Ian MacWilliams, Dan Young, Nigel Croyden, Stefan Kluka
Top of the Lake: China Gir, Luke Mynott, David Lee, Tony Vaccher
Wake in Fright, Stephen Smith, Liam Price, Paul Brincat, Shanti Burn

Music Score in Television:

Blue Murder: Killer Cop, John Gray
Cleverman, Samuel Scott, Conrad Wedde, Lukasz Buda
Top of the Lake: China Girl, Mark Bradshaw
Wake in Fright, Antony Partos, Matteo Zingales

Production Design in Television:

A Place to Call Home, Fiona Donovan
Blue Murder: Killer Cop, Murray Picknett
Seven Types of Ambiguity, Jo Ford
Top of the Lake: China Girl Annie Beauchamp – Foxtel/BBC First

Costume Design in Television:

A Place to Call Home, Lisa Meagher
Blue Murder: Killer Cop, Damir Peranovic
Top of the Lake: China Girl, Emily Seresin
Wake in Fright, Mariot Kerr

Monday, October 30, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Home Again}


After seeing the critical disaster The Snowman it was time to step into another mine field, Home Again.



Reese Witherspoon is riding high after the HBO TV success, Big Little Lies, I'm not sure Home Again will be remembered for it's brilliance. However I saw this Sunday morning, a morning when it's nice to be others, leave your troubles at the cinema door.

As much as this shit would never go down, Home Again is not a terrible film, Reese always shines, Hot Pursuit was also a bit of a miss fire, but after Big Little Lies we can not hold the occasional flop against her.

Supporting Reese is Candice Bergen better known as Murphy Brown, the handsome Pico Alexander as her young toy boy and Michael Sheen as her ex.

Her two girls actually have some of the best lines but don't expect a laugh out loud comedy.

It's more just one of those "nice" films, no swearing, no nudity and no real sex scenes between Reese and the younger toy boy (who also randomly babysits her kids).

Home Again is not a five star but far but it was way more enjoyable than I expected, three stars.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Superhero Sundayz


Supergirl is in Season three, The Flash it's fourth and Legends of Tomorrow is settling into season four. Whilst on FOX Gotham has turned Dark Knight in it's fourth season where everyone has died returns from a very shallow grave.

Supergirl explores LGBTQI themes, whilst The Flash has an Australian bisexual actor, LOT has a bisexual female character and Gotham has made the Penguin in lust of The Riddler. So there is a lot of gay superhero stuff going on which makes for fun Sunday catch up viewing.

Three of these series feature on the CW and of course Gotham as mentioned is on the FOX network.

Sundays for me is the day for chill (aside from the occasional spot of Body Attack, but followed by Body Balance, I chill to the core) and these Superhero series all help calm the nerves for the week ahead.

If I had to rank them Gotham as a Batman lover and it's dark nature would have to be equal top ranker with Supergirl. Supergirl mixes good one liners (although the best were always from Calista Flockhart AKA Cat Grant) and action and romance.

The Flash is struggling a bit in my mind making Legends of Tomorrow a strange second place. This show is a bit all over the shop but it has managed to find it's feet a little more in the third season. The Flash seems to struggle with boring lead character and the supporting characters are left trying to work with what they got. It will be interesting to see how The Flash stands up in the Justice League film.

We also have Thor on at the big screen this week and Justice League out next month. If your a superhero fan you are spoilt for choice right now, not to mention the even darker The Punisher coming to Netflix November 17.

More US TV reviews incoming as we head to the pointy end of 2017...

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Three Summers}


Look out Australia another Aussie film is on the way, Three Summers from English-Aussie Ben Elton.

Starring some of Australia's favourites including this week's Q&A darling Magda Szubanski, Michael Caton, Deborah Mailman, John Waters and Jacqueline McKenzie as well as Irish star Robert Sheehan and Home & Away alumni Rebecca Breeds.


So with Thor coming out tomorrow, this little Aussie number might struggle against some big hitters. That said this movie is sweet as. A ethnically diverse Folk Festival in WA is the scene over you guessed Three Summers.

Romance is in the air, acceptance is in the air and we get a local of left leaning politics in the mix. It's a classic feel good film with a big handful of cheese but like I always say it's nice to have some other than a superhero, sequel or blockbuster an just have a "nice" film.

No murders and dark storyline like The Snowman last week and unlike Thor this is a simple down to Earth tale.

I used to love a music festival and I will always enjoy local tales, along with a great Australian soundtrack featuring Little Birdy, Goyte/Kimbra, Sarah Blasko, San Cisco and loads more Double J/Triple J favourites.

I will be generous for this film because it's far from perfect and some of the mixing and editing from scene to song is a little sloppy. 3 Stars.

Saturday, October 21, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {The Snowman}


I didn't realise before I stepped into the cinema how bad the reviews were for The Snowman, however reviews are one thing but what did I think you say?



It's been a while since we have had a proper crime thriller, horror, yep plenty of that, crime yep that is covered too, but a real whodunnit? Not so much.

With a huge cast and a best selling novel to use, The Snowman for me was a good time out at the cinema for a Saturday 10am session.

Fassbender is fantastic, Val Kilmer has not been in anything for God knows how long has it been since I have seen Chloe Sevigny in something?

Do you like thrillers? If you said yes to your computer/iPad/iPhone/devices screen well give this a go, it makes a change from the incoming superhero films, Geo Storms and family favourites left around after the recent school holidays.

I was impressed by this film and it's solid cast, it's a little violent in parts and I guessed the killer towards the end but honestly I'm not sure whether the critics had seen some of the other shit currently screening, Home Again (why Resse why?) or who has three hours plus trailers for Blade Runner 2049, also not loved by the critics.

I enjoyed this 4 Stars.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Wake in Fright, not so Frightening but


Channel Ten is in serious trouble. They won the ratings for the first time since September 2016 last night.  That is over a year ago, that is before CBS brought them, that is before Lisa W joined them, that is before they lost the Simpsons and other titles.

Channel Ten needs help and fast, The Wong Girl has been a flop and most likely wont get a third season, Offspring returned to a Luke warm reception this season, Wake in Fright the miniseries was a train wreck. Less than 300K viewers for the second part.

With a huge cast including TV it boy of 2017 Sean Keenan, David Wenham (fresh from Iron Fist), Alex Dimitrides, Gary Sweet and Robyn Malcolm. How did this show suck so hard? Well actually it was OK (mainly when Keenan was nude) but man those ratings must hurt someone at Channel Ten drama. And have you see the teaser trailer for Sisters, FUCK.

It looks SOOOOOOOOO bad.

Anyway mainstream media is really hurting, Channel Ten are just an easy punching bag, but numbers speak volumes at Ten. What advertiser in their right mind unless they were just using Sophie Monk's dating romp, would think advertising on the network would help flog their products.

Thank god for Netflix and US networks like HBO and Showtime. As the new US season ramps up I will have more solid reviews and not so much observations about struggling Australian media. Unless we are talking about the ABC which this week literally killed it. Hilary Clinton, Get Krackin', Q&A with Mr Barnes and iView still reigns supreme in Australia for catch up TV.

Happy Friday y'all...

Thursday, October 19, 2017

YESFEST: MixTape


My other music BLOG is currently blocked up with new music central, Beck's new record but we need to talk about YesFest, the line up is ALL KILLER no filler, let's look at the highlights.

The event is next Sunday - 29th of October and I have mentioned nothing about the Yes or No debate till now, now we have music.

Tickets HERE












Wednesday, October 18, 2017

How to Get Away with Murder Season 4.


If your not up to date or watching Season 3, go HERE first and get on some streaming device or service and watch now.

So I'm up to date and three episodes in, this series is weird. First up Annalise is going solo and a bit rogue, the kids are without Wes and Jimmy Smits has joined the cast.

Now there is a big issue here, Shonda (Shondaland queen) has now signed on with Netflix and is jumping ship from ABC sooner rather than later, so could this be the fourth and final season?

No one knows what will happen when Shonda is over Netflix, will Greys Anatomy get a 14th season? Scandal is already set to finish up this season with it's 7th and The Catch & poor old Still Star-Crossed have already had the axe fall on them.

For the People is another ABC Shonda show which is yet to launch and I believe their is a firefighter spin off of Grey's on the way.

This is now more about Shonda than HTGAWM, which is maybe because it's getting dull, it's missing something and not just the handsome Wes, but something.

Apparently it's been getting good reviews, I'm not 100% sold and I don't even know if I care what the flashbacks, flash forwards are for?

How to Get Away with Murder is a good show and I hope it gets better as it sets into the series. Let's face it, it'll be on for a few more weeks break for a long Christmas/NYE break and return around Australia Day. Last season it wrapped late November (next month, it only started last month) return late January and concluded late February.

Stay tuned more TV and hopefully a movie or two this weekend. Sorry for the lack of posts this week and recently. I'm dog sitting + BUSY!

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {American Made}


After recently completing Narcos Season 3 (AKA the season less Pablo Escobar) I needed some time between cartel stories and cartel movies of sorts. This is the story of Barry Seal and the flying of contraband between South America and the former Democratic United States of America. Now they are not so United right?



Tom Cruise has actually had some hits in recent years, Jack Reacher, Mission Impossible, Edge of Tomorrow, lets just forget the (apparent) dogs breakfast The Mummy reboot.

I even really enjoyed Rock of Ages, so much so I think I owe the DVD somewhere.

Tom is the main star in this film and really it's a glamorous look at the drug trade and an interesting insight into the extension of the already explored Narcos world. This time just 100% English and no Spanish.

Sarah Wright is stunning and plays Cruise's wife Lucy Seal, also starring Jesse Plemons from Friday Night Lights plays the local sheriff and Jayma Mays from Glee (where the F has she been).

It's not a perfect film, it really does make this lifestyle look easy and not risky at all, however the abrupt end puts that to an end.

Cruise despite all his flaws is choosing most decent films lately and this was enjoyable. I give it a solid 3 Stars.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Dynasty (2017 TV series), Season 1.


The CW does camp revivals well (generally speaking) and it is a nice break from the string of DC comic book series they currently have on the roster.

In the past they did 90210 (for a grand total of 5 seasons) and Melrose Place for a lonely one season, maybe because it brought one of the original cast members back from the dead, spooky!

The Sex & the City prequel was also meet with a luke warm reception.

However here comes Dynasty in 2017, originally screened in 1981-1989. The show boosts several stars from former popular soaps, Grant Show (Melrose Place - the original), Rafael de La Fuente (Empire), Australian Alan Dale (Neighbours in Australia, The OC & Lost) & Nick Wechsler from Revenge.

The first episode had sex, intrigue, family ties been strained and more drama and fashion than a soap I had seen since Revenge and Cookie's wardrobe in Empire.

Grant Show was a mystery hit in sleeper fan favourite Devious Maids and his resurrection and the The CW's global deal with Netflix could save this series. Riverdale has been an international smash hit (with a large thanks to Netflix streaming the series) and this week launched to a huge live audience for the super sized season return.

Netflix and The CW are a match made in heaven, more comic book series, more camp new dramas from Shondaland and Ryan Murphy are on the way and potentially the Sabrina the Teenage Witch Riverdale spin off maybe to also feature on the streaming giant.

So could Netflix save this new drama? Dallas did reasonably well on TNT a few years back with a sexy cast and thin plot. I am excited about this series and hope to hell the handsome as hell Rafael de La Fuente sticks around.



So if you have Netflix, give it a look this weekend, if you are in the USA maybe take a look on The CW.

More TV reviews and opinions incoming.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Star Season 2.


Like it's parent show Empire, season 2 of Star has just been supersized, this week it's episode order has risen to 18. Meaning we will likely see the series in two parts, half this year, the other half 2018.

Empire generally starts September, wraps early December and returns the following March, will this be the same for this FOX series?

Star picks up where the brilliant season one wrapped with lives in the balance and more drama than an episode of Sophie Monk and the Australian men wanting a media/modelling career show.

Star has never lived up to it's parent Empire but it did start with a rather lame crossover. This despite Naomi Campbell starring in Star as Rose Spencer-Crane and Empire as (the now deceased) Camilla Marks-Whiteman. Increasing she has a double barrel surname in each series.

So where does Star see it's main girl band in season 2? Star, Simone and Alex start off with a troubled slow start to their career, however I feel life is about to get better for the three piece.

Mike Epps & Jussie Smollett make nice additions in episode one and something tells me there will be some more special guest stars to make season two watchable.





The music sequences are fun and it's hard not to imagine Queen Latifah in anything other than the brilliant Girls Trip but she is great as Carlotta Brown the queen of wigs in this season.

Amiyah Scott as Cotton is also another stand out and Benjamin Bratt may still be in the mix. But you must tune into to find this out for yourselves.

It's peak US TV season again so check back regularly for more TV reviews and news from this TV freak.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {IT}


Only half of the story is told in the 2017 picture It or It: Chapter One, Chapter Two is coming September, 2019.



As I had a two film weekend I was looking a little more forward to Kingsman but left the weekend more fond of It. And the box office is loving It, with a smaller budget and a release around that new peak holiday season Halloween It has proved to be a rare hit in 2017.

The music, the 80's, Pennywise, this was a great film, not only scary but dealing with bullying, inclusion and more issues in the just over 2 hour running time.

It felt a lot shorter than Kingsman and after checking Blade Runner's running time I may have to watch this on Netflix.

So It is it worth it on the big screen? 100% yes! I loved the scares, the suspense, the tension built and all the characters in the film.

Is this suitable for kids with some of the young foul mouth characters in the film? 100% no, its a bit gory in parts and there is a bit of bad language throughout the horror picture.

I'm going high for this film, 4 Stars, a good time out at the cinema.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Silver Screen in 2017 {Kingsman: The Golden Circle}


Following the 2014 Kingsman: The Secret Service which you may remember my review HERE and guess what I like it, so did a lot of folks so here comes the sequel. Not only that we are looking down the barrel of a trilogy and maybe some Statesman spin off films.


Now the second film has not been meet with as much excitement from the critics, however I for one was excited about Julianne Moore and Elton John joining the cast. Elton John, WTF? Yes there is a fuck load of WTF moments in this sequel.

Channing Tatum and Halle Berry also join the US side of the Kingman, they are the Statesman.

The action is out of the control, the first scene verges on ridiculous and so does some of the film. Poppy Land is insane, featuring Sir Elton John and US favourites like a diner and nail saloon.

The movie does really drag on in parts and the 141 minute running time (along with a fuck tonne of trailers and ads beforehand) made this for a long but very full 3:30pm Saturday afternoon session.

For a movie that is not for School Holidays crowds this films is doing remarkably well and may not require a good review. Before let's face it, the first film was top notch.

Do critics or self made social media or blog posters have more pull than say an ABC or SMH reviewer these days? Does anyone watch TV or read conventional reviews anyway?

This film is far from perfect, the action sequences are top notch, the inclusion of Moore and John were great however not enough to make this bloated action film as good as the first.

The Golden Circle is fun, but not the best action film of 2017, 3 Stars.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

My Fair Ladies, Beautiful Aladdin



After a divine weekend of food and general Melbourne good vibes last weekend it's time to reflect on the last few live entertainment events I've been to.


Let's look at Sydney first and recently I was lucky enough to attend the opening night of My Fair Lady and a preview of Beautiful. After missing several shows in Sydney it was nice to revisit the theatre in my hometown after a decent break.

I did however see The Bodyguard a little while back which was a pleasant surprise. Although jukebox/movie conversion musicals are usually a little blah, The Bodyguard feature all the hit songs from the movie and some other Whitney hits.

The Bodyguard featured the usual good looking chorus and some hot routines, mainly the opening number, Queen of the Night.

The Bodyguard will conclude it's run in the super packed Melbourne Theatre scene very soon.

I never made it to the Opera Australian/GFO My Fair Lady @ the stunning Opera House but the Capitol Theatre hosted a beautiful and perfect opening night recently. 

My Fair Lady wraps next week, so get your skates on, I'm not sure it will be back anytime soon as Opera Australia and GFO have Evita, starring Ms Tina Arena up next September, 2018.

Still in Sydney across at the casino it's Beautiful - The Carole King Musical. Now I am no huge Carole King fan however this musical was like Once (Melbourne only a little while back and another movie to musical).

It also had Jersey Boys feels, the music industry side/jukebox songs and old people reliving the times of their lives.

Yes this is aimed at the general music theatre audience, the grey rinse club.

However I loved every minute of Beautiful and the toe tapping finale, I Feel the Earth Move Under My Feet - YASSSS Queen Carole King, YASS.

Now to the super sexy Aladdin, now Disney and sexy don't usually go hand in hand, however the cast of Aladdin at Her Majesty's Theatre are damn HOT.


I saw understudy Aladdin and he was ace, I was front row in the beautiful dress circle at the theatre and all the boys in the chorus and leads (mainly Aladdin require full attention). HOT!

Great musical and a lot of fun for all, the first act feels a little long however I think it's cause I was busting to piss.

Melbourne is also featuring the biggest Australian hit musical in years Book of Mormon, I will wait for Sydney. It will play the Lyric Theatre early 2018. Dream Lover also makes a comeback with David Campbell in Melbourne around December this year and believe it or not Priscilla is also heading back on the road. Kicking off in Melbourne.

The only major musical currently playing I will miss is Kinky Boots, I am sad I never say it in Sydney however I heard mixed reviews so maybe I will see it when it likely makes a ten year comeback. Everything seems to wait roughly ten years before returning.

One of the most awful movie musicals (and a sequel is on the way, FUCK NO) Mamma Mia! is also returning soon, opening for Malcolm T and the other white men in Canberra next month.

The Wizard of Oz is also coming, Muriel's Wedding will hit Sydney Theatre, Jersey Boys is back after Clint Eastwood's horrific film version and Doctor Blake AKA the Rocky Horror Show is heading back on the road, AGAIN.

That is all for theatre for a while, it's hopefully back to the movies this afternoon and in the morning again, school holidays is finally coming to a close again real soon.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Australia All Over - MELBOURNE


Another weekend away, another progressive city. This long weekend (NSW or VIC if you count Grand Final Friday public holiday) I spent the weekend eating food, seeing friends and finally after missing Aladdin in Sydney, seeing it at the beautiful Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne.

What a great city, I love Melbourne or I have loved every piece of Melbourne as the slogan goes.

But it's back to Sydney this afternoon, I look forward to returning to non stop roadworks, rude people and dodging vomit on the street every morning as I walk to work. Maybe it's time NSW goes South and discovers you don't have to be a cunt everyday and smile some. It takes less energy to be happy than a miserable old mole.

Just saying, here are some happy snaps from the weekend. That is Australia all over done and dusted for Spring, next month (hopefully) the BLOG goes to Japan. Look out world.







Sunday, October 1, 2017

Room 104


HBO have a new thirty minute series from the Duplass Brothers (Togetherness - 2015 & 2016 (2 Seasons)) which is so addictive on this long weekend I have managed to almost catch up on all 22-28 minute episodes since it begun late July, 2017.

The anthology nature of the series with each episode being a new story in the hotel Room 104, leaves you wanting to know the nature/genre of the next instalment.

From James Van Der Beek to newcomers, the series is extremely interesting and brings to life some very interesting mini stories.

Like American Horror Story hitting reset every season, this series hits refresh every episode. And let's be honest I needed another 30 minute show on my roster.

HBO needs new content and a series like this (while not rating well, yet) airing Fridays and bringing interesting stories from proven critical hit makers the Duplass brothers. I loved the short run of the comedy series Togetherness and some of their films have been top notch.

Dealing with interesting and varied themes it's no wonder HBO has given this a second season. Will it stay on Friday nights and on over a US Summer next year is anyone's guess.

Friday nights on HBO also feature the wonder Real Time with Bill Maher so the network is really building a premium Friday night in.

This show is one you can pick up any time, start from whatever episode and know each episode will not end with any questions remaining, Room 104 concludes it's first season on October 13.