Movie Matinee Madness - Widows

All star casts do not come much better than this! Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Jacki Weaver, Carrie Coon, Robert Duvall, and Liam Neeson.



I'm going to keep this short as I am tired and this is a no brainer, Widows is a brilliant movie, Viola Davis completely slays as lead Veronica Rowlings.

Her dog always completely steals the scene on a number of occasions.

Jackie Weaver has a small but solid role and Cynthia Erivo is one of my favourite scene queens of 2018. After her great role in Bad Times at the El Royale, her hella fierce role in Widows makes her the complete package.

Widows is heads and shoulders above many other recent thrillers, this is a great film and deserves all the critical love it's currently getting.

4.75 Stars, so close to being perfect!

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Season 1

After I truly struggled through the second season of Ozark with it's dark scenes and mumbling main cast, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was a breath of fresh air on Netflix.

I think I smashed all ten episodes in a week and now eagerly await the holiday special arriving on December 14.

So two weeks to wait and I honestly can't wait!

The reboot of Riverdale styled Sabrina is awesome, it's very inclusive and modern with a pansexual, a student struggling with gender issues and of course witches and warlocks.

It is totally Riverdale 2.0 with a little more violence and a bit more supernatural.

Even though Riverdale Season Three has toyed with witches and black magic this season, a crossover totally looked possible until The CW decided to pass on Sabrina and it went directly to Netflix for an easy series to binge.

This has been my easiest binge in ages, it's addictive, the cast and characters are interesting, Miranda Otto is divine as Zelda and Chance Perdomo is beautiful as Ambrose.

Credit must also go to main star Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina, she is as wholesome as previous Melissa Joan Hart but also sassy and new. I like.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a missed opportunity for some diversity on The CW, they do have a number of comic book shows but this is a step up from The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and even some of the filler episodes of Riverdale.



Go on it's a wet and miserable day in Sydney, there is worse stuff to waste your time on, give Chilling Adventures of Sabrina a go today, DO IT!

Movie Matinee Madness - Robin Hood

It's had terrible reviews and a fairly bad start at the box office, the latest Robin Hood is not a hit, but I still enjoyed it.

I'll keep this review short as I was actually intending on seeing Widows, but bad traffic forced me to see the latest re-imagination of a old tale.



Taron Egerton is hot, it's strange seeing Tim Minchin in an international film, alongside fellow Aussie Ben Mendelsohn who seemingly always plays the bad guy.

Jamie Foxx is also in the casting mix and whilst some of the action scenes are impressive, it's a little all over the shop.

Throwing in Mr 50 Shades of Grey, Jamie Dornan, they really try and apply to all markets with a big and most popular cast.

Robin Hood, 2018 will be forgotten fairly quickly and may even pick up a Razzie or two.

2.5 Stars for the shirtless Taron Egerton scenes and some of the action was pretty impressive for a Saturday afternoon at the pictures.

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Clea

It's the final Mini Sunday Profile for 2018, yes December is around the corner and it's time to look back at the best of the year, movies, TV and more!

So let's shine the spotlight on today's act, Clea hailing from Brisbane has just released her debut album, Vermillion.

Clea Pratt as she is known to family members has had a couple of singles and an EP prior to her debut dropping so let's check out some highlights from the young up and coming singer songwriter.

You can check out a couple of older tunes and more info on her Triple J Unearthed profile - HERE.

Room 104, Season 2

I binge watched all of Room 104 Season 1 when I had a long weekend in Melbourne. It's addictive, interesting to watch with different characters each episode making it a whole new show/story every week.



HBO doesn't have too many 30 minute shows at present, with Silicon Valley and Veep delayed, Girls concluding and Barry resting until next year when season two returns.

So it is refreshing for a short sharp HBO premium drama/comedy or sometimes even a touch of horror. Yes even the genre changes week on week.

Michael Shannon has had the standout rapping crazy moment so far this season and with two episodes over a weekend, it's even easy to binge with a new episode every Friday and Saturday night. Meaning the series will conclude before Christmas, 2018.

I do hope this will be renewed for a third season, however viewer numbers are nothing to write home about and the show airing almost double episodes may not be a good sign, however for now, it's enjoyable AF!

Supergirl Season 4.

Supergirl has always had a few political messages from time to time, however this season is next level. Taking political stories straight from the NY Times and Washington Post, Supergirl has gone full Left Vs Far Right.

The first six episodes of the fourth season have been really enjoyable (even with this political leaning) with a few cast changes and a new enemy I am looking forward to the Elseworlds episodes in coming where I need to catch up on The Flash and watch my one Arrow episode of each season.



It's Thanksgiving in the US so it's a good time for me to catch up on my series, with How to Get Away with Murder, Station 19 and Shameless already all having their Fall finales, with American Horror Story, The Purge and Mayan's MC also recently finishing.

I am hoping to binge Sabrina for a bit of a 90's flashback this weekend so stay tuned for more reviews and likely if Supergirl continues to impress or when I get around to The Flash I will see if season four continues to impress.

However so far so good with Supergirl, Season Four.

Movie Matinee Madness - Suspiria

Tilda Swinton playing three roles, Thom Yorke from Radiohead providing the music and Ms Grey herself Dakota Johnson, it's time for Suspiria.

A remake of the 1977 by Call Me By Your Name director and producer Luca Guadagnino, this film has some seriously horrific scenes.

Let's just say that dance sequence with Johnson and the mirrors, horrofying...



It's a very long film, it clocks in at well over 2 hours and a half and divides the film into six acts.

A huge cast with Swinton playing three roles (I didn't know this till I went on Wikipedia), Johnson not playing sexy but actually dancing really well and Chloe Grace Moretz has a smaller role.

A coven of witches in Berlin, it sounds spooky and it's all sorts of fucked up in this German/English film.

Suspiria is screening around the place in only very select cinemas.

3 Stars.

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Stand Atlantic

Hailing from Sydney, the three piece Stand Atlantic have just released their debut album. Following two EP's the groups debut was featured on Triple J, featuring a number of catchy pop punk tunes.

The group has toured with a number of international bands as well as local boys Short Stack.

So on today discover your new favourite band from Sydney, Stand Atlantic....

Movie Matinee Madness - Boy Erased

Oh dear ScMo had no answer around Gay Conversion Therapy so this film for me was a little to close to home.

I went in knowing Nicole Kidman was in it, Joel Edgerton had something to do with it and Troye Sivan had a song from the film. No not Bloom.



Boy Erased is actually a true story, firstly that is frightening and secondly with the end credits we learn 700,000 USA LGBT folks go through this. Success rate, probably fairly low.

Lucas Hedges as lead Jared was amazing, growing up with preacher father Russell Crowe and camp hairdresser mother Nicole Kidman it was a tough start for the kid.

The movie made me feel rage, sadness and desperation for the lead and other characters. Being gay is not a choice and unfortunately the bible or cult like behaviour can change a persons sexuality.

This is a powerful and inspiring film, nice to see so many Aussies and Kiwi (Crowe) involved.

This shined a spotlight on a troubling practice which I hope in Australia can proudly take a stand, show some leadership and direction and stamp out this practise. I know our current baseball hat wearing fair dinkum PM is a bible basher, but this is serious, this is about mental health and acceptance.

Boy Erased is a tough but great watch, 4 Stars.

Movie Matinee Madness - The Girl in the Spider's Web

It's been a long time since the American The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo, so Claire Foy AKA the Crown is set to bring another Millennium book to the big screen.

Critics haven't been too kind to this film, however they didn't love Bohemian Rhapsody or Venom (though Venom did fucking suck) either. Both these films have gone on to achieve great box office.

So does Claire Foy pull off Lisbeth?



The action sequences are great, including a motor cycle taking off over a frozen lake, whilst some of the plot twists feel extremely predictable.

Looks it's hard to be original in 2018, so for a Sunday afternoon action flick this was pretty alright. I will be publishing my end of year best of list and unfortunately I can't see this making it, however that's not to say this is bad.

With a third Claire Foy film under my belt I can honestly say I am a fan girl.

The Girl in the Spider's Web is interesting and I love a female action lead, 3.5 Stars.

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Glades

Glades hailing from Sydney are an awesome three piece who recently released a terrific debut album, To Love You.

With singles like Do Right, NotAbout You and Eyes Wide Shut, the trio are on a real winner. With ear worms like the singles, the album almost feels like a bit of a best of.

The band have only been around since 2015, however I see a bright future for this stellar crew, check out their album and some amazing visuals below. Go Glades, I look forward to many more great pop releases from y'all..

Black Lightning | Season 2

Four episodes in, it's time for a break for the second season (this year alone) for Black Lightning. After debuting on The CW back in January for it's first 13 episode season, a bigger 16 episode season two is currently airing week to week on Netflix down under.

Dropping a bit in the live ratings and not being part of the Arrowverse means no crossovers with Supergirl, the Flash and Arrow but the show picks up viewers on the DVR and no doubt internationally this show is a bit of a sleeper comic book hit.

As the new show aired at the tale end of the 2017-2018 season it was a quick turnaround to get Black Lightning back on air.



Returning to the US next week (Australia the week after) Black Lightning embarks on a two part The Book of Blood episode arc.

The show has thus far been a critical success again and Tobias Whale continues to cause terror to the Pierce family.

The show is an easy in the background non connected series which not only tackles crime and superhero stuff but political issues and issues America is facing in real time.

Black Lightning is mostly refreshing and we are lucky to have it airing here on Netflix alongside CW stable Riverdale as well.

Next up from The CW I need to give All American a go...

Movie Matinee Madness - Bohemian Rhapsody

Well after a Star is Born during the week and Neil Armstrong's story in First Man, it has been a big week for me and the movies last week. So the question y'all want to know, was Bohemian Rhapsody any good?

Hell Yes, here is the trailer for some of the cinema magic, pure magic!



Rami Malek is outstanding as Mercury and the supporting cast are equally excellent. The story, the music, the challenges faced by Mercury and the group was intense. The film was long and the Live Aid concert at the end was a little lengthy but the story was one that needed to be told. Mercury and Queen really created and amazing sound with more recreations than Kylie and Madonna in a much shorter time period.

Everything about my love of music and the stories behind songs and how they happened was told in this remarkable ode to a band who I never loved, hated the We Will Rock You musical, but gosh I can admire their hard work and determination now.

Bryan Singer in the Me Too era is a questionable director and also someone who usually focuses their time on superhero films, so to me that was a strange pick but other than that, this was pretty special.

Event cinema is common at present with Crazy Rich Asians and a Star is Born slaying at the box office and getting loads of folks to premium sessions but this is also event cinema.

What a great Sunday afternoon at the cinema I had, 4 stars.

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Deep Sea Arcade

Hailing from Sydney, two albums in, duo Deep Sea Arcade recently released Blacklight, today it's their turn for a Sunday feature.

I remember first hearing their track Seen No Right back in 2012 and instantly falling for their sound.

Playing a number of local and international festivals, Big Day Out (RIP), Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley and the Great Escape in the UK to name a few.

Outlands was their debut in 2012 so it's been a while between drinks for the crew, take a listen to some amazing career highlights below and next week saddle up for some Glades.

Movie Matinee Madness - First Man

This is an actors film, Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy absolutely shine. I was warned it's a sad film with no feel good moments and that is almost true. However the landing (spoiler alert) is fantastic.

I wasn't super keen on seeing this, I let it go a few weeks and now after a tough AF Sprint class I gave this a go.



We've all seen a space movie or two, Gravity was brilliant a few years back and Apollo 13 was one of the biggest films of the late nineties.

So was there anything new? Not really but man is Claire Foy outstanding as Janet Armstrong and Ryan Gosling is excellent as Neil Armstrong.

Kyle Chandler also pops up in this film, the supporting cast are excellent and getting to star with rising cinema star Foy must be a bucket list item. Unsane was one of the best films of 2018 and I am dying The Girl in the Spider's Web. Could she be three out of three for 2018?

Who said finishes up on The Crown was the end of an acting career.

First Man will most likely depart from cinema screens in Australia soon, so if you are keen on some history and the lead up to that quote, That's One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind.

What a killer statement.

First Man isn't the best film of 2018 but it's fairly damn good, 3.5 Stars.

Mr Inbetween

The latest Australian drama/comedy series is Mr Inbetween.



It aired on FX in the US (same network as American Horror Story, The Americans and Mayan's MC) and Foxtel here in Australia.

This is true binge worthy TV, six episodes, each under 30 minutes, piece of piss.

Scott Ryan stars as Mr Inbetween, a fixer/hit man (think HBO's Barry) who falls for Brooke Satchell. The series has a number of guests including the way too handsome Firass Dirani and Matt Nable.

The show has already been renewed for a second season which is great news for Australian drama. We hadn't had too much in this space, I mean black comedy, violent, bad guy you actually want to like, kind of like Dexter. This guy is a dad, an ex husband and sometimes super friendly.

The show showcases some of Sydney's less exposed sights and is from the directing mastermind Nash Edgerton.

I look forward to season two in 2019, Mr Inbetween is streaming it's short entire first season now on whatever Foxtel platform you use.

Movie Matinee Madness - A Star is Born

All I had heard before walking into the cinema was good things. I had heard, it's sad, it's a little long, the music is great etc.

All true, however I was gripped, I was starstruck, I was in a trance by Lady Gaga.

I have seen her live at the peak of her pop fame, I loved her in American Horror Story and Telephone is still one of the best pop songs of all time. However after this a new Lady Gaga is born.



For all my praise of Lady Gaga her Just Dance, Poker Face gimmick era was not for me, nor did I think she could sustain this and her little monster following. Now she is mature, her voice is strong and make up and gimmicks aside, this is a brilliant film.

Not only does Lady Gaga shine but Bradley Cooper is divine and vulnerable. Honestly after Crazy Rich Asians I thought we had reached peak romance for 2018, I was wrong, Gaga and Cooper are just beautiful together.

Admittedly I had not seen any of the original films and aside from watching the trailer and hearing a few songs, I knew nothing about this film before stepping into the cinema.

She's Gotta Have It star and musical legend from Hamilton Anthony Ramos is outstanding in support as Gaga's friend.

This movie is another cinema moment, it's a movie experience, there is a reason it is slaying the box office and selling tonnes of soundtracks. This is the real deal. 5 Stars, beautiful, just beautiful.