Monday, January 28, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - Mary Queen of Scots


Ok with The Favourite I said I didn't like period films, however that film shocked me and was brilliant, Mary Queen of Scots is the kind of film that makes me dislike period pieces.

Poor Margot Robbie had a good run prior to this, I, Tonya was terrific, I even liked Suicide Squad and hope the Harley Quinn spin off happens.



So I liked Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird however as the main role in this deadly boring (towards the end) royal romp, Saoirse deserves better roles moving forward.

Ismael Cruz Córdova plays a heartbreaking role and one of the most intense and only interesting parts of the film.

It's hard to release two films so close to each around the Royals.

It's not a long film, however the last leg of the film is horribly drawn out along with the scene with no historical accuracy, the two queens meeting through loads of sheets/washing being hung up!

Guy Pearce was the other Aussie in the mix for this Royal film which I believe will struggle to make it's budget back.

Mary Queen of Scots is a bit of a snooze fest, I'll pass it for Margot and Soirse trying, however it's just not great, maybe check out The Favourite or something else, 2.5 Stars.

Sunday, January 27, 2019

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Ella Hooper/Killing Heidi


It' the Australia Day long weekend, ramp up the rage Australia. When did it get so controversial? I am all for moving the date, I am all for hearing the arguments, but as a nation that does the square root of fuck all, for once can we just do SOMETHING.

After that it's actually time to celebrate a true national treasure. Yes her time on Spicks and Specks the reboot was not great but musically Ella Hooper is royalty. Killing Heidi unfortunately vanished quick smart after some of the biggest Aussie anthems of all time.

Remember Weir and Mascara! YASS!

Ella Hooper this past Friday released a new solo single, her and her brother Jesse released a top album as The Verses back in 2010. Seasons was not as big as there earlier Killing Heidi work, however it was still a solid effort.

It's the Hottest 100 so here are some Hottest 100 facts, Weir, number two in 1999, Mascara was number fourteen that same year! Superman Supergirl, number 70 the following year 2000 and that same year Live Without It came in at 92.

Ella Hooper you are a legend and it makes me proud to celebrate two big Aussie acts to start the year back to back (Cub Sport - HERE) with no doubt many more to come!












Thursday, January 24, 2019

#SUMMER-BINGE-FEST - Orange is the New Black, Season Six


As a long weekend approaches it's time for some more binge-worthy TV. Now I must admit I always save Orange is the New Black for Christmas/New Years and this year I was a little late.

Season six originally was released late July 2018, over a month later than usual so I was in check with the shows release schedule with my own personal viewing schedule.

The season picks up after last seasons, season long riot. Now I must say as I binge this, then wait a full 12 months or so, I sometimes forget the characters and where they are at. However by about episode six I was back on board.

At the time of publishing this I am knee deep in the finale before the seventh and final season airs sometime this year.

As much as I am looking forward to closing this chapter in my TV life, OITNB has given us some great one liners and Jenji Kohan is a legend in my books. I loved Weeds (oh Hunter Parish, where art thou?), adore GLOW and must saw I am interested in her joint project to air on Lifetime (YOU and UnReal) American Princess.

Lifetime doesn't have a great track record, but thankfully in 2019 we have a life line/safety net for shows like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, YouTube or anyone else but Lifetime (the network for 40 plus women and gay men, well me)!

OITNB is hard to watch sometimes after stellar seasons of Wentworth, which deals with bigger issues whilst with a local backdrop. OITNB has always had comedy at it's centre with big issues outside of the comedy.

Where Wentworth uses characters like Boomer to bring comedy to the show to break up tension and dealing with death, illness, past issues, OITNB sort of squeezes in drug addiction, female rights, race relations and more while swearing a shit tonne.

A lot of critics said this season was a vast improvement on the last, I enjoyed the riot however have always (like Jessica Jones) found the pacing a little slow. With 13 hour long episodes, there always seems to be some filler.

Don't get me wrong this is worth and look and honestly OITNB we have come this far together, let's finish it!

OITNB is streaming now (all six seasons, seventh season release date TBA) on Netflix.

Monday, January 21, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - Glass


My first offical film release of 2019, past films Instant Family, The Favourite and A Star is Born were all released in 2018, so it's great for my first film release for the new year.

Glass is the follow up to both Unbreakable and Split, all falling under the Eastrail 177 Trilogy, Bruce Willis, Samuel L Jackson and James McAvoy all come together for this great film.

Sarah Paulson is also wonderful as Dr Ellie Staple, I love Sarah in all her Ryan Murphy TV appearances, so it was great to see her up there on the big screen!



Glass has a lot going on, James McAvoy alone slays with 23 different personalities.

I was told the last 40 minutes of this film was batshit crazy, however I really enjoyed the entire ride.

I almost forget everything about Unbreakable where this whole film started, released in 2000 and with the number of films I see it's no wonder I forgot some plot points.

From Animal Kingdom and the original film Spencer Treat Clark has really done well from the original film. From a gay surfie in Animal Kingdom this is a totally different role for the 31 year old actor from LA.

Glass is a great watch, well made and with enough twists and turns to keep you in the moment for the entire run time.

Glass is a solid 3.5 Star film, great job M.Night Shyamalan.

Sunday, January 20, 2019

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Cub Sport


The (Mini) Sunday Spotlight is back for 2019! After concluding with an Aussie act last year, why not start out with a Brisbane act who have made a few headlines of late.

Cub Sport have just released their third self titled debut album, it was featured this week on Triple J and has had a lot of press around it and the band.

The band are also about to embark on a national tour, so go out and support some local live music!

In the meantime here are some tracks from their latest effort as well as tracks from their first two full length releases.

Well done Tim, Zoe, Dan and Sam (all three letter first names, cute!) on a great pop release! Let's see how the crew go in this years Hottest 100 in around a weeks time!








Saturday, January 19, 2019

#SUMMER-BINGE-FEST - The Family Law | Part II


The finale of The Family Law was just beautiful, I blogged about this mid week and I really smashed the last three episodes, so let's look at the tail end of the season.

This series (the last) was mega easy to binge, 20 odd minutes, lot's of laughs and so much feel good TV magic.

I cannot write enough good words about how powerful this series was, with the coming moment, Ben's realisation he could be a happy young gay man and the family all coming together.

Blended families are a part of Australian life now, as much as some would like to think marriages end, kids move on, new step parents come into our life.

This show covered so much in the last six episodes, it honestly was some of SBS's best work.

The world needs serious dramas on SBS like the Handmaid's Tale and Safe Harbour but it is great to see a feel good, comedy that everyone can relate to.

As I gay man I get the gay coming out major plot line, having an Asian family on Australian TV, this is so great and so many Asian youth can finally see themselves on TV, families who have gone through divorce and separation.

The Family Law even though it's only midway through January, this will be one of my favourite TV moments of 2019, especially that fabulous talent show at the end. It sure is raining men!

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

#SUMMER-BINGE-FEST - The Family Law


SBS generally stays in their lane with hard hitting dramas, predominately with a strong ethnic lead. The Family Law is not hard hitting but it brings a strong Asian cast to Australian TV, long before Crazy Rich Asians hit the cinemas.



I loved seasons one and two, was waiting for Benjamin (played by the outstandingly awkward Trystan Go) to finally come out.

As the real life Benjamin Law is out and proud, speaks wonderfully well when he appears on Q&A, The Drum or any other ABC show they need a panel and even writes well for the SMH.

It's hard for Trystan Go as even though he is the focus of the show, he is often overshadowed by Fiona Choi as his mother, Jenny.

The show is funny, warm, endearing and a treasure on the current Australian TV lineup.

For the young audience it is hoping to draw to SBS, it started Saturday night and loaded all six episodes directly after to SBS On Demand.

Like the brilliant ABC iView, SBS On Demand is miles ahead of it's rival networks catch up services.

The Family Law is a Summer comedy dream, six by 20 odd minute episodes, short, sharp and I am down to my last three final ever episodes.

Midway through season three has been just heaven, Takaya Honda is such a dreamboat too.

The Family Law, stream it now, SBS On Demand!

Sunday, January 13, 2019

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Returns Next Sunday


Welcome to 2019, the new year is here and new music is incoming. Next week local crew Cub Sport release their third studio album.

The four piece hail from Brisbane and as a Summer special I am shining the spotlight on a band who have been kicking around a little longer than most of my 2018 (Mini) Sunday Spotlights in a countdown to Australia Day 2019.

Come back next Sunday for a feature on QLD's finest Cub Sport, their new self titled album will be out on Friday!

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - Instant Family


Feel good movies, sometimes they are shit or sometimes they just make you smile and maybe even cry a little....

Instant Family, well....



I loved it, smiled ear to ear and was at a point where tears were forming.

I have always loved Rose Byrne, had mixed feelings of late about Marky Mark so this was to be a no brainer.

Marky Mark has done a lot, underwear model, recording artist, main man movie star and TV producer. Rose Byrne equally as fab, from Damages on TV to her early roles in Two Hands with Heath Ledger and apparently she worked at Bakers Delight in Balmain.

The two are joined by the extremely beautiful Octavia Spencer and a great Grandma Sandy role by The Americans villain Margo Martindale.

If you watch the trailer, you get it, this film came out late 2018 in the US of A and has been met with fairly nice reviews. It's a nice film, it's easy viewing, the two leads are delightful and some nice messages come out of this film which banked on getting a later release in the school holidays.

After Mary Poppins and Aquaman have done great business this is a film for all ages and even folks in the mid thirties like me.

It's heartfelt, fun and very sweet, Instant Family gets four solid family fun stars.

Friday, January 11, 2019

#SUMMER-BINGE-FEST - Jessica Jones, Season Two


Like mother like daughter. A moment happens in episode six that changes the season, I was warned, and it wasn't the moment I was waiting for....

Jessica Jones is the last standing Defender as the axe at Netflix has fallen on Iron Fist (currently watching season 2), Daredevil and Luke Cage.

The Punisher's second (and possible final season) airs next week and the third planned and renewed season of Jessica Jones is still TBA.

The cast of Jessica Jones is great, the story is long winded but action moments, well have their moments.

Lacking a villain (in a sense) was one of the main criticisms of season two following David Tennant's Kilgrave in season one. However Aussie Rachael Taylor and co-worker Eka Darville both shine. As does Carrie-Anne Moss as the horny power lesbian.


I left watching this season for over nine months and honestly I not sure I will watch season three the minute it drops. The show would do with having less episodes to tighten up the storylines. Like Iron Fist maybe a 10 episode season three creators?

Jessica Jones is streaming now, along with all the Marvel shows on Netflix before Disney takes over the world with their new streaming service to crush the competition...

Thursday, January 10, 2019

#SUMMER-BINGE-FEST - Bloom


Upon completion I was not 100% sure what I thought about Bloom, it had a strong start, a rather slow middle and a fairly underwhelming end.

Sure it has Jackie Weaver (well for a bit) and Bryan Brown along with Ryan Corr near nude for a late of the first half. But something is missing.

It felt a lot like Glitch but in place of the dead returning, the sick and/or old were returning to their (sometimes more randy) youth.



Bloom doesn't however out stay it's welcome only living on our small screen for six episodes.

It dropped on New Years Day and gave Stan another Australian Original series. I am not sure if it would be back for a second series or whether I would want another six episodes.

Bloom is fine Summer viewing, however it's not as good as the recent Mystery Road in terms of Australian drama and ABC appears to have a jam packed good line up for 2019 in that category.

Bloom it's streaming right now on STAN and in recent terms of Australian drama, you could do a lot worse.

Monday, January 7, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - A Star is Born


I did see this film back in late October/November and on the eve of the Golden Globes I thought hell, let's see it again. It's A Star is Born. You can check out my former five star review HERE and also check out the Golden Globe 2018 winners HERE. Unfortunately for Lady Gaga a Golden Globe was not for her, however Shallow took out the Best Original Song.

Shallow was written by a shag of talented folk, Mark Ronson, Lady Gaga herself, Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow) and Anthony Rossomando.

It's not just Shallow that shines in A Star is Born, both Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper are near flawless. The movie itself is paced well, it's beautiful the songs look and sound amazing on the big screen and I just had to see it again play out on the big screen.

I have to admit as reviewing this again it makes me sad it did not win any major awards, Gaga and Cooper really put there all into it.

Bohemian Rhapsody was great, but A Star is Born really was a better film with music at it's heart and with such wonderful new music, music that has appealed to listeners since the soundtrack was released is a little bit of a let down nostalgia always seems to win.

I will be interested to see how the music fairs at the Grammy Awards next month, however for me reviewing the film again, it is still an amazing five star film, it's so real, raw and brilliant.

If you haven't had the chance to see it (what have you been doing the last two months or so?) make sure after it's Golden Globes snub you get along to a cinema before it gets replaced with more lacklustre school holiday films. Here are some of the musical highlights from the spectacular film.





Saturday, January 5, 2019

#SUMMER-BINGE-FEST - Mystery Road


Returning back to an Australian icon, Aaron Pedersen and Judy Davies, it's time for a movie to TV spin-off. Generally reserved for US efforts like Lethal Weapon, Limitless, The Exorcist, Fargo, Taken and the Terminator series. So good on Australia for resisting popular titles like The Castle, Muriel's Wedding and Strictly Ballroom the TV series.

Mystery Road has already been on the big screen twice, so it's not completely unimaginable that it could be a week to week mini series. However not a mini series anymore it returns to the ABC in 2019 for a second season - full description featured on the ABC 2019 Upfronts HERE



The ABC has excelled over the past years with Glitch earning critical acclaim, Harrow was popular and Miss Fisher and the now absent Doctor Blake were all huge drama hits.

Mystery Road was the big winner at the 8th AACTA Awards, winning best series, best supporting actor and actress, best editing and best original score. Hell it beat Wentworth and SBS powerhouse Safe Harbour.

Six episode runs are excellent, SBS is loving four run and done stories and they do them well. Long running series don't seem to work well in Australia. Even the commercial networks love an eight episode season.

This season packs in so many Australian greats from familiar talents like Ernie Dingo and Deborah Mailman to great newcomers.

This was an excellent binge. I do love Summer to catch up on some excellent TV. ABC has done well loading full seasons over the Summer of cricket and tennis.

It's also nice seeing Tasma Walton return to the small screen and Kris McQuade will always be Jacs from Wentworth season one to me.

After binging this and wondering how it could be Wentworth I see it now, it covered a lot, showcased a lot of talent plus it looks a million bucks.

Mystery Road is outstanding, get on iView now if you missed it in June/July last year like me. TV does not get much better than this!

Friday, January 4, 2019

#SUMMER-BINGE-FEST - Jack Ryan


Unlike House of Cards, this is actually DOPE! Sometimes on holidays you need to just wind down at the end of a day with a TV episode (or two) and Jack Ryan, well I smashed that on my recent Bangkok trip.



After watching Amazon's Homecoming on our free trial it was time to give another series a go, Jack Ryan. Eight episodes, easy as.

It's your usual terrorist/action series, however the acting and action scenes are ace. Abbie Cornish represents Australia and a lot of women (and some men) as Jack's girlfriend. Ryan played by John Krasinski has already been played by on the big screen by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck and Chris Pine. What a list!

The series has already been renewed for a second series shifting to South America this time from the Middle East. It could get political.

As my forced leave period comes to an end I promise to try and smash through a final few TV episodes, my list is ever growing with Stan's new Australian Bloom out now and the second season of The Punisher coming January 18. Although with Netflix clearing the cupboards of all Marvel shows maybe this will be the last season.

Jack Ryan, it's streaming now on Amazon and it is honestly well worth a look.

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - The Favourite


Have you ever been to the movies before really knowing much about the film, had watched the trailer or read much about it? Well that was me today at The Favourite.

I was mind blown by the performances and Emma Stone finally redeemed herself after that woeful film Aloha.

The Favourite features Stone, Olivia Colman and Rachel Weisz in this period bedroom hoping drama.



Apparently it's not very historically accurate however the story is interesting all the same. Queen Anne is outrageous, the language is wild and does deserve the MA rated it's been given in Australia and the costumes are fab.

The Favourite is another Australian Boxing Day film, it is up there with Aquaman on different levels, I loved this film and laughed and was on the edge of my seat towards the end. Maybe cause I needed to pee after drinking too much Kombucha.

Either way this was a grand end of the year/start to the year film.

The Favourite is my favourite film this week, 4 Stars.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

#SUMMER-BINGE-FEST - House of Cards, Season Six


All I can say is WHY?

Season 5 ended and a lot were ready for the Netflix series to call it day, it didn't, Kevin Spacey happened and then the show got rewritten without him and cut from 13 episodes to 8. It was rushed, a red hot mess and the last episode, well don't. Don't start me.



If you stuck with this show from the start (2013, Netflix first original title) you may like me just want to see how it all ends.

Robin Wright did an alright job, however even she can not save this dogs breakfast.

Constance Zimmer added some fun to the series since she was free from her brutal run on UnReal, however the show maybe should have just bowed out with Kevin Spacey.

It's sad when shows that have a huge legacy leave on such a sour note.

Maybe binge it if you are up to date on all your series, however if you are knee deep in new Australian Bloom or watching Ray Donovan week to week, put it on the back-burner, it can most certainly wait.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - Aquaman (4D)


Yes new post title, new year, Happy New Year from your resident Cinema Slut. All 2019 I will continue to bring an unbiased approach to my take on films. I have no trained/qualifications/experience in reviewing/making/starring in or directing films, I just know what I like.

What I do however like at the minute is movies in 4D and I am so happy one of my local four cinema outlets has it, however for my first review of the new year I am still in Bangkok so this is based on my 4DX experience at Central World, Bangkok. And actually I have never been to this cinema before so it was a nice change from the busy one at Siam Paragon.

Here is the trailer for my first 2019 review...


Ok so this unfortunately (like Vice) will not make my list for Best Movies of 2019, why? Because it was one released in the last year (2018) and two I saw the film after my list for the year was published. It's flawed I know, but WTF. So actually this does fall under my Movie Matinee Madness titles as it was a 3:10pm session on New Year's Eve so technically. Anyway to the movie hot damn.

Now this was tipped to be the biggest film of Boxing Day 2018, why? Because their was no Star Wars, Vice was aimed at the more high brow crowd, as was The Favourite (next on my list to see) and Holmes and Watson, honestly why. Why!

New Year's Day sees a new Mary Poppins film, however Aquaman is currently doing solid box office. To date (1 Jan, 2019) over 750 million bucks, not bad for a 200 million buck film.

Filmed mostly in QLD (go the Gold Coast and surroundings!) and various other places, not as important as Main Beach, Aquaman looks incredible. And not just because Jason Momoa is a hunk of a man (not your usual leading man look) but those underwater scenes are killer!

A huge cast including our own Nicole Kidman and fellow male beauty Randall Park, they are joined by Amber Heard (remember her last experience in Australia with her doggies), Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and even long time Saw friend Leigh Whannell drops by.

A sequel is planned and by the looks of it, Randall Park & Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will play much larger roles. Not that, that is hard with Park appearing for all of two minutes until the end credits. So stay for the end credits, stay!

The use of actors from various other films/TV series makes this a great cast, whilst Wilson and Wan have worked together a lot on the Conjuring films, Wan is an extremely talented and brilliant mind with blockbusters of this nature. Mashing everything up together to finally deliver another good DC film.

Marvel won't be too nervous as Shazam looks like it's going to be a stinker or a weird success story. Side note end.

But really DC have had a tough time with movies, Justice League was a bit too overcrowded and tried to be an Avengers film, but kind of failed.

One downside, the music, it's some of the songs used in this film are beyond terrible, Pitbull's weird Africa mash up Ocean to Ocean and Skylar Grey's two songs, awful, leave it to Black Panther and Kendrick for music next time.

Other than the music, Aquaman actually is awesome! I think it'll be a while till we see Aquaman back on our screens, however I really cannot wait.

Aquaman is a solid film, school holiday fun, does not feel like almost 2 hours 30 minutes in the cinema seat nonstop fun filled action joyride.

4 Stars.