Monday, July 30, 2018

Movie Matinee Madness - The Breaker Upperers


Why is New Zealand creating indie hit after indie hit and the Australian film industry is reduced to releasing films on Stan? I am not sure, but the Breaker Upperers follows Boy, Hunt for the Wilder People and The Piano and other NZ films I need to check out.

Written and created by the brilliant Madeleine Sami & Jackie van Beek, they also star in this wonderful indie break out hit.

It's super unpolished, it features a bundle of NZ cameos and honestly this has some real Get Krackin' antics.



Like Australia, New Zealand has some serious cultural cringe and this is done so well in this 82 minute film. Yes less than an hour and a half, The Breaker Upperers brings the comedy and the cringe worthy moments hard and fast.

With a dance sequence and some serious relationship drama, the movie hums along at a steady pace.

So if you like comedy and something that is far removed from recent Hollywood movies, this film is for you.

I was uncomfortable in parts, but overall I enjoyed myself a 4/5, that's 4 Stars.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Phantastic Ferniture


What happens when Ryan K Brennan is on the drums, Liz Hughes out on guitar and Julia Jacklin tackling up the vocals, you get Phantastic Ferniture.

With the debut nine track album landing on Friday, Julia Jacklin has been busy. After releasing some of her own music (seen and heard below), it is time for a very fine side project.

Fuckin n Rollin has been one of the biggest indie hits on radio of late and it's great to get more of an idea what this Sydney three piece is up to now the album has landed.

So it's Sunday night, get into some new music and maybe discover your next favourite act. Or get your ears around new Mac Miller HERE.

Until next time...







Saturday, July 28, 2018

US Summer Dramas Update


As Colony wrapped up this week with one of it's lowest audiences for one of the least successful USA Network series. Never airing on Australian TV I found this show interesting for the first season, however it quickly lost the plot.

The USA Network after originally thinking The Sinner would be a one off, renewed the series with a new story and character which will begin this week. Last year the series was one of the most talked about shows when it hit Netflix.

Shooter and Queen of the South are currently at the mid points of their third seasons. Queen of the South has been ace, however Shooter is losing viewers and the plot almost faster than Colony did.

My prediction Shooter will be cancelled or given a fourth and final season. Queen of the South should be safe for a fourth season in my mind.

The Affair over on Showtime has been meet with mixed responses this season, however has been given a fifth and final season to air in 2019.

Qunatico has just aired it's second last ever episode and man this show needs to go. When ABC kill a show, they really go all out. Not since Agent Carters train wreck second season has a show been such an epic fail. From it's hit first season to it's shit all over the shop third season RIP Qunatico, the swan song airs next week.

It's almost time to farewell The 100 too, it's second last episode for the season airs next week. Animal Kingdom is almost wrapping up for the year, with good news it returns for Summer 2019. Same goes for TNT mate, Claws. In Australia both shows are aired week to week on Netflix and Stan respectively.

I haven't started Hit the Floor yet, but look forward to it. It moved from VH1 to BET for it's fourth short season.

Sharp Objects is not grabbing me as much as I thought it would, be still HBO is lucky to have another critically well received series. Not huge viewer numbers but HBO shows tend to have a large number of repeats/encore screenings and folks tuning into catch up services.

Summer Dramas have been hot this year in the USA, the standout is Animal Kingdom and Claws, whilst Shooter, Colony and Quantico have been the weaker performers.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Dead Lucky


SBS has been a champion for four part drama mini series of late. Earlier this year the Special Broadcasting Service gave us Safe Harbour, a third and final season of comedy series The Family Law is in production and last year we had the brilliant Sunshine.

Dead Lucky is set in Sydney, Central Park (so close to my TV watching house) features and a very multicultural cast is alongside Rachel Griffiths.

With a strong cast and a criminal on the run, this crime mystery is a much needed Aussie drama showcasing local talent and modern multicultural Australia. Particularly Sydney, it's like damn if I see another Aussie drama with an all white cast I will scream. Unless it's filmed in far North Queensland or Pauline Hanson's mind, this is not the Australia I know and live in.

Other than the brilliant Wentworth (which may need saving!) Australian TV is in dire shape. And with Channel Nine buying Fairfax today, times may get even more troubling.

Nine has struggled to showcase Aussie drama of late with the cancellations of Love Child and House Husbands, only Doctor Doctor and the new series (yet to air) Bite Club to air later this year. It looks a little shit however with a strong cast and again focusing on crime, it could be a winner. And my word do Nine need a winner. Australian Ninja Warrior (a show I actually enjoyed last year) saw the show reach almost 2 million viewers an episode, now it's lucky to get close to 1 million. The episode order has expanded but viewers are tuning out, fast.

So back to SBS and Dead Lucky, with this current landscape SBS has a chance to showcase it's fine dramas. IT grew an audience thanks to Optus stuffing up the World Cup, they now have sports fans watching the Tour de France, so turn these viewers into commercial deserters. Commercial TV is in a dire situation and nothing seems to be working, streaming is booming and even the Logies are rewarding everyone but the big three networks.

Dead Lucky is nothing new, but it's casting is bold and whilst being the regular crime game, it covers some important social issues along the way.

I will return to SBS on Demand for the final three episodes and give SBS on Demand more time even with The Handmaid's Tale done for 2018.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Who Is America?


Good question these days, but Sacha Baron Cohen is going there....

The other more important question is Who is Watching? America is a funny place these days, highly divided, potentially likely to have a second civil war and led by a lunatic, so what does a Brit with an Aussie wife know about America?

Episode One we saw Bernie Sanders and the Kinderguardians and now in episode two we see Dick Cheney and an unknown to most Jason Spencer become famous overnight for all the wrong reasons.

Apparently online activity was huge for episode one, however official ratings are not super exciting for US broadcaster Showtime.

In Australia Stan are excited to have the show airing weekly for seven weeks and honestly I seem to be the only one in my inner circle giving this show a chance.

Here are some highlights so you can make up your own mind. It's not everyone cup of tea (party) but I sure am enjoying how far he can push the enevelope. Bring on the Sarah Palin episode!



Sunday, July 22, 2018

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Emily Wurramara


Hailing from Brisbane and recently releasing her debut record, it's Emily Wurramara. You can find some old school Emily Wurramara sounds on her JJJ Unearthed page HERE discover more on her site HERE and listen and witness some of the sounds and video below.

Following on from Naidoc Week Emily is a true star in the making, her single Black Smoke is honestly on of the most beautiful songs released in recent years.

Emily will soon hit the road with fellow artist Alice Skye who is also amazing, so a double bill with these ladies, unmissable.

Discover more new artists, here every Sunday or more developed artists on Flashing off the Record. Posted later tonight will be tonight's Sunday Spotlight on The Internet. Next week will also be EP feature week for the third time in 2018, so tune in for some killer EP's all week long...









Saturday, July 21, 2018

Movie Matinee Madness - Oceans 8


I never bothered with the original (remake) of Oceans 11, 12 and finally 13, so I was interested to see if the ladies could this heist action film work? The answer isn't simple as the set up and the character development is a little dull and we have been here a billion times before, however the cast is much more exciting than Matt Damon and Brad Pitt.

Don't get me wrong I like Brad Pitt, but Matt Damon's work has been on the slide for years now.



So do Sandra and Cate do well together as an all girl heist troupe? Yes and No. Helena Bonham Carter works better in Tim Burton films and Rihanna has finally got her music career in a more edgy direction which I am loving, so does she have room for film and music? Maybe, but we all remember Battleship.

Again Sarah Paulson stole the scenes she was in making me even more excited for more of her in American Horror Story this September.

The problem with these large ensemble films is the star you go to see never gets the screen time or plot lines you would like or want to see.

Anne Hathaway is getting into Matt Damon territory of being annoying and James Corden was a strange casting decision.

The whole story plays out well, looks a million bucks and has done OK at the box office. If you are up for a popcorn film before the end of the school holidays this may work. It's not brilliant but it's OK.

3 Stars.

Friday, July 20, 2018

Emmys 2018 Nominations | Predictions


A bit late sorry folks, here are my Emmy guesses for 2018, go The Handmaid's Tale, GO! My picks BOLD and Red....


Best Drama Series:

The Americans
The Crown
Game of Thrones
The Handmaid's Tale
Stranger Things
This Is Us
Westworld

Best Actor in a Drama Series:

Jason Bateman (Ozark)
Sterling K Brown (This Is Us)
Ed Harris (Westworld)
Matthew Rhys (The Americans)
Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us)
Jeffrey Wright (Westworld)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones)
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid's Tale)
David Harbour (Stranger Things)
Mandy Patinkin (Homeland)
Matt Smith (The Crown)

Best Actress in a Drama Series:

Claire Foy (The Crown)
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid's Tale)
Sandra Oh (Killing Eve)
Keri Russell (The Americans)
Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld)

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:

Alexis Bledel (The Handmaid's Tale)
Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things)
Ann Dowd (The Handmaid's Tale)
Lena Headey (Game of Thrones)
Vanessa Kirby (The Crown)
Thandie Newton (Westworld)
Yvonne Strahovski (The Handmaid's Tale)

Best Writing for a Drama Series:

The Americans (Start)
The Crown (Mystery Man)
Game of Thrones (The Dragon and The Wolf)
The Handmaid's Tale (June)
Killing Eve (Nice Face)
Stranger Things (Chapter Nine: The Gate)

Best Directing for a Drama Series:

The Crown (Paterfamilias)
Game of Thrones (Beyond the Wall)
Game of Thrones (The Dragon and The Wolf)
The Handmaid's Tale (After)
Ozark (The Toll)
Ozark (Tonight We Improvise)
Stranger Things (Chapter Nine: The Gate)

Best Comedy Series:

Atlanta
Barry
black-ish
Curb Your Enthusiasm
GLOW
The Marvellous Mrs Maisel
Silicon Valley
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Best Actor in a Comedy Series:

Anthony Anderson (black-ish)
Ted Danson (The Good Place)
Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
Donald Glover (Atlanta)
Bill Hader (Barry)
William H Macy (Shameless)

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
Louie Anderson (Baskets)
Alec Baldwin (Saturday Night Live)
Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)
Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta)
Tony Shalhoub (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel)
Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live)
Henry Winkler (Barry)

Best Actress in a Comedy Series:
Pamela Adlon (Better Things)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel)
Allison Janney (Mom)
Issa Rae (Insecure)
Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish)
Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie)

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
Zazie Beetz (Atlanta)
Alex Borstein (The Marvellous Mrs Maisel)
Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live)
Betty Gilpin (GLOW)
Leslie Jones (Saturday Night Live)
Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)
Laurie Metcalf (Roseanne)
Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)

Best Writing for a Comedy Series:

Atlanta (Alligator Man)
Atlanta (Barbershop)
Barry (Chapter One: Make Your Mark)
Barry (Cahpter Seven: Loud, Fast And Keep Going)
The Marvellous Mrs Maisel (Pilot)
Silicon Valley (Fifty-One Percent)

Best Directing for a Comedy Series:

Atlanta (FUBU)
Atlanta (Teddy Perkins)
Barry (Chapter One: Make Your Mark)
The Big Bang Theory (The Bow Tie Asymmetry)
GLOW (Pilot)
The Marvellous Mrs Maisel (Pilot)

Best Limited Series:

The Alienist
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Genius: Picasso
Godless
Patrick Melrose

Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie:

Antonio Banderas (Genius: Picasso)
Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Benedict Cumberbatch (Patrick Melrose)
Jeff Daniels (The Looming Tower)
John Legend (Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert)
Jesse Plemons (USS Callister: Black Mirror)

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie:

Jeff Daniels (Godless)
Brandon Victor Dixon (Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert)
John Leguizamo (Waco)
Ricky Martin (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Edgar Ramirez (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Michael Stuhlbarg (The Looming Tower)
Finn Wittrock (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)

Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie:

Jessica Biel (The Sinner)
Laura Dern (The Tale)
Michelle Dockery (Godless)
Edie Falco (Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders)
Regina King (Seven Seconds)
Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story: Cult)

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie:

Sara Bareilles (Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert)
Penelope Cruz (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Judith Light (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story)
Adina Porter (American Horror Story: Cult)
Merritt Wever (Godless)
Letitia Wright (Black Museum: Black Mirror)

Best Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Sequel:

American Vandal (Clean Up)
The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (House by the Lake)
Godless
Patrick Melrose
Twin Peaks
USS Callister (Black Mirror)

Best Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Sequel:

The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (The Man Who Would Be Vogue)
Godless
Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
The Looming Tower (9/11)
Paterno
Patrick Melrose
Twin Peaks
Best Animated Program:
Baymax Returns (Big Hero 6: The Series)
Bob's Burgers
Rick and Morty
The Simpsons
South Park

Thursday, July 19, 2018

#SaveWentworth


Oh Foxtel, I praise you and now you do THIS!

WTF, I know ratings are a little lower than past seasons, but c'mon Foxtel. This show has been sold to over 90 countries and Netflix fans in the USA are loving it sick! So sick this # may make Foxtel or Netflix move on this like a bitch to get an eight season.

Hold on, they are only on season six, but season seven was renewed way back in April this year. So I guess they had an end game in mind, have a strong season six, farewell fan favourite Franky Doyle (SPOILER ALERT) but that montage at the end of one of the episodes with her finding happiness, actually was the end.

With Bea Smith long gone, the two main top dogs and fan favourites are already gone, The Freak is TBA but I guess with her in the poster for this season, I do expect her to potentially return.

So Foxtel why add big names like Susie Porter and Leah Purcell, and as of this week Leah Purcell's character seems to be a little more interesting....





Wentworth has really upped it's YouTube game in 2018, so time will tell whether Netflix or even local player Stan gives the show an eighth season? Or will Foxtel wake up and realise they need to keep this fan favourite? Nothing like a strong fan base to help save a show!

Monday, July 16, 2018

Movie Matinee Madness - Skyscraper


The Rock is back! This time in Hong Kong, along with 90's legend Neve Campbell.

Back in the late 90's Neve Campbell was a Scream queen and wholesome family favourite on Party of Five. Now she is The Rock's wife in this surprisingly good action/thriller.



So you can guess I actually enjoyed this film, I was expecting the worst, however it turned out so damn good!

Look it's easily thrown away as a simple popcorn film, and it is, it's a US Summer blockbuster, but hey from time to time we need distractions, from Trump, the World Cup, Malcolm Turnbull etc etc, life is stressful and the movies is a place to escape the crap. So honestly Skyscraper achieves it's main goal, great action scenes, big plot and a lot of The Rock's bulging muscles being shown off. Not to mention Neve Campbell actually kicks some bad guy ass too!

No awards (maybe a Razzie or two) coming your way Skyscraper but it was a fun bit of escapism, 3 stars.

Sunday, July 15, 2018

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Odette


Born in England and now calling Sydney's Inner West home, it's today's mini Sunday Profile artist, Odette. Over on Flashing off the Record, it's all about Donald Glover today, Mr Childish Gambino.

Winning over fans with her debut album, To a Stranger, Odette has been a fixture on Triple J Unearthed for a number of years now.

For some old school Odette, from her Unearthed origins, head over HERE

Recently Odette, won a whole new group of fans taking on Gang on Youth's on Triple J's famous Like a Version segment. Take it to the Heart has been one of the most played tracks on Triple J of recent times and for good reason, it's a damn catchy song!

So take some time this Sunday to discuss a great new, local artist.






Saturday, July 14, 2018

Bastille Day - MixTape


Yay for France, BONJOUR! I am totally having a chocolate croissant today, it's Bastille Day, the day before my birthday!

I usually save my music posts for Flashing off the Record, however it's time to jam to some French tunes, it's the weekend, it's Bastille Day and we are finally halfway through Winter 18'

Enjoy, see you tomorrow for a profile on young artist, Odette.

















Friday, July 13, 2018

Sharp Objects


HBO is trying to create 2018 Big Little Lies with Amy Adams led series Sharp Objects. Yet another book (this time from Gillian Flynn) turned TV series on America's premium cable station HBO.

So to put this in context Gillian Flynn was the author behind one of my favourite films, Gone Girl.

I was not 100% sold on episode one but really keen to keep up with the next seven episodes. I do love a six or eight episode mini series however, we all thought Big Little Lies was a one season run, however I will be happy to see Reese across from Nicole on the screen again!



So if the trailer doesn't grab you (it did grab me) maybe give it a miss, despite it being the Summer in the USA, there is still tonnes of good shit on right now, like Animal Kingdom and Claws.

Sharp Objects is my replacement for Handmaid's Tale on my TV dance card and it may well be as depressing and slow (in parts) as the Hulu original.

Sharp Objects is on Foxtel on Mondays, USA Sunday nights on HBO.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

The Handmaid's Tale Season 2 Finale


If you haven't watched it on Hulu/SBS on Demand, don't read this, simple.

So from Season One, the book season, the show has upped the game and gone from ten episodes to thirteen. Tonight we watched episode thirteen and it was gripping AF for the entire hour.

This season has had HUGE moments, slow moments and lots of BUILD.

Eden was one of those huge moments, Serena's wake moments and the trip to Canada. The show has been brilliant in it's second season, the show itself is brilliant, critics love it and unlike a lot of dramas of late on Australian TV week to week, this is one of those water cooler shows.

Now, tonight, Aunt Lydia, WTF? June/Of Fred WTF? and that last scene! Serena is truly done by the end of the episode, she is broken and less one finger. I want so much for Serena to completely go full blown rebel.

Elisabeth Moss has seriously landed the role of a lifetime, it's honestly one of the biggest TV dramas right now and Hulu are just so lucky to have a massive hit on their hands. In Australia SBS has scored big time with the show. Along with Optus's fuck up of the World Cup, SBS will have a huge week with the final of Handmaids Tale and Croatia Vs France.

I can hardly wait for season three and I am so happy the show got an early renewal. Hulu would have been mad not to keep this tale of power and fear going.

Where will we land in season three, will Trump still be president or has equally bad, scary AF Pence taken over? Joking but America kind of is heading this way right? Well maybe Middle America. Like when Kanye was cool, Middle America packed in.....

OK, I loved this hour of TV it was up there with a Wentworth finale, this was good shit. Well done and thank you for the last twelve weeks/thirteen episodes.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Kota Banks


Hailing from Sydney's North, Kota Banks has released a couple of singles and boom last Friday we saw an entire Mixtape, Prize released and streaming online.

Following Zoom and Holiday NLV Records signed artist delivers brilliant pop music with an edge. At only 23, this Australian/Italian singer/songwriter has a bright future on the Australian pop scene, she has not only performed on large live stages but written tunes for other artists Cxloe, Supercruel and Singapore’s pop sensation Tabitha Nauser.

Australian music is bringing out some many amazing talented new artists right now and Kota Banks is at the top of that list. Appearing on Triple J Unearthed and scoring a feature on the brilliant Friday Night Shuffle this past Friday, Banks could very well be you're next favourite Summer Festival artist. Find more Here on JJJ Unearthed

Next Sunday another fab Australian new artist, Odette, but for now let's dip into some new music with Kota Banks!











Saturday, July 7, 2018

Album of the Year Updates incoming...


So far this year I have one solo album standing out above the rest, it's from VANCE JOY and his second release, Nation of Two.

It's the mid point of the year and reflecting on the first half of 2018 it's easy to say this year has had some top releases and some FLOP releases, however let's focus on the positive.

Here is a look (and listen) to some of my favourite albums of the year, maybe not Album of the Year worthy but still fairly top notch.

VANCE JOY released his album Nation of Two at the tail end of Feb, 2018 and was easily the best release of the first three months however THE WEEKND delivered a top notch EP, My Dear Melancholy out of nowhere at the end of March.

In April we received CARDI B to the world, but better than that and having way more game, KALI UCHIS released her debut Isolation. Packed with guests this was a damn fine release. KYLIE's Golden album fell from the charts almost as quickly as it rose to the top of them, whilst JANELLE MONAE released an outstanding piece of work, Dirty Computer.

POST MALONE broke records with his release Beerbongs and Bentleys, whilst LEON BRIDGES continued to shine with his May, 2018 release Good Thing.

ARTIC MONKEYS album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino was meet with mixed reviews, whilst critics remained moist for COURTNEY BARNETT's second album, Tell Me How You Really Feel.

By late May/June CHVRCHES delivered pop magic on Love is Dead, PUSHA T started KANYE's 7 track album release frenzy and THE PRESETS Hi Viz was outstanding. THE PRESETS really returned to form, earning a feature release from me on Flashing off the Record, a Triple J album of the Week and well sold tour across the nation.

LYKKE LI shook me with RnB, urban vibes and beats whilst THE CARTERS aka JAY Z &  BEYONCE gave us one of the best singles of 2018 to date, APESHIT. Their collaborative album
Everything is Love was solid, only 9 tracks, but solid AF.

DRAKE, FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE and GORILLAZ concluded a strong June, 2018 with DRAKE breaking all sorts of records and following up a pack of hit singles with a two side album release, brilliant.

July is shaping up to be another huge month with albums from THE INTERNET, AMY SHARK and TIM CAMPBELL on the way. Joking about the last one BTW.

So 2018 has survived up some top records, Vance will be joined soon by another nomination or two, so keep your eyes on Flashing off the Record.

RELATED AUDIO:













Wednesday, July 4, 2018

The Affair Season 4.


Season 4 (maybe the last or if Showtime gives it another go, the fifth will be the final) The Affair is now back on airing until mid August. What perfect Winter viewing, well in my books :)

Noah, Cole, Vic, Alison, Helen and some others are back for another ride of adultery and difficult adult relationships.

I have always like this show, the last season in Paris was a bit all over the shop, but the introduction of the handsome AF Vic is a good one for me, sad thing is he is dying. That is not really a spoiler as you get the picture in episode one.

Episode two jumps back to Cole and Alison, trying to be business savvy and by episode three we are back in LA (yes LA, this show has jumped all over the shop) with Noah, Helen and Vic. Noah is trying to stick his dick in somewhere else he shouldn't so some things never change.

The show is fairly slow paced and we still jump around from the different perspectives, so the original element of the show is still there four years in.

Will the show get a fifth and final year? Time will tell, Showtime are usually pretty kind with renewals (except for White Famous recently) so I will keep an eye out.

In the next week we get a couple more exciting series, Sharp Objects, a mini series from HBO and Hit the Floor returns but on BET this time around.

The Affair, it's on now and as usual lot's of drama about, lot's just across two of the former democratic States of America.....

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Movie Matinee Madness - Sicario: Day of the Soldado


After the powerful 2015 Sicario film, a few years later we get a great sequel.

Building suspense, jumping from drama to drama this film uses powerful music and brutal scenes to bring you the viewer right into the drama at the US border and beyond.



With a powerful and frightening suicide bomber scene early on in the film, I was on edge for the majority of the film.

Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin lead this brutal tour de force to the frontline of the US/Mexican border drama.

With people smuggling more the focus in the second film, drugs take the back seat and the stakes are even higher with human lives literally on the line.

If you enjoyed the first film, you will enjoy this and by the ending and reading the Wiki page, a third film is also in the works.

Sicario Day of the Soldado is not perfect but I enjoyed it and after Adrift it was actually a perfect weekend of films. 3.5 tense AF stars.

Monday, July 2, 2018

Movie Matinee Madness - Adrift


The movie poster looks like another Nicholas Sparks novel, ehhhhhh, the trailer is what this is all about and man this is a powerful film, plus it's a true story.

Well there is some creative additions to the film, however it's mostly Tami Oldman's tale. Actually until the credits rolled I never knew before entering the cinema this was a true story, good to go into the cinema knowing little about the film.

I am trying to read up less and less on the films I am going to see and I can tell you know, it's a good way to go.



Shailene Woodley is fabulous, she was part of that amazing series Big Little Lies and now she is a dreamy leading lady on the sea. I love her, love this role and she shines as a true survivor. So much so she could have joined Kelly, Michelle and Beyonce (Queen Beyonce) in the DC line up.

I highly rated this film, I popped off and saw two films over the weekend and both were actually good, but this was a surprisingly good film. I was moved, engaged and so into this at sea drama. Well done all, a great film, a tough tale to tell and well edited to keep this around 90 minutes.

4 Stars.

Sunday, July 1, 2018

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Jorja Smith


At only 21 Jorja Smith has worked with Drake, Stormzy and Kali Uchis just to name a few. Imagine where she will be at 30. That said at the start of June her debut record was released after a string of singles and features.

Smith also worked with Lamar on this years sensational Black Panther soundtrack. So this Sunday let's celebrate an artist with a huge future ahead of her.

If Florence and the Machine is more you're thing, in about ten minutes (depending on when you read this) I will pop up a large full blown Sunday Spotlight on Flashing off the Record.