Monday, September 30, 2019

(Mini) Monday Spotlight: Sui Zhen


Moving to Monday due to the incoming long weekend in NSW, it's time to celebrate Melbourne-based artist Sui Zhen.

On Friday, Sui Zhen released Losing, Linda, via Dot Dash / Remote Control Records. Sui Zhen released her debut album, Two Seas, back in 2012, so maybe some readers maybe familiar with her, however for me Sui Zhen is a nice, new talent.

Sui Zhen recently performed at Dark Mofo, Meredith Festival, and Inner Varnika. Later this year, Sui Zhen will also feature on a new Møzaika EP, and will contribute a track for an upcoming compilation for Munich's Public Possession label. 2019 is a big year for this talented Melbourne act.

You can stream Losing, Linda below whilst discovering some of her older sounds below.

As I usually say on a Sunday, today is the day to start a new working week, end September whilst maybe discovering your favourite new act, right here, right now.

The (Mini) Monday Spotlight/(Mini) Sunday Spotlight will be back mid October, following the NRL grand final weekend.






Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - Good Boys


Oh the kids of today, they protest, they swear, they do drugs.... what's changed? Nothing really, just social media..

Good Boys is nothing new, however it's one of the funniest films I have seen in ages. Man I needed a laugh last night so this was a welcome return to the cinema for me.

Seth Rogan was one of the producers, by the language and themes in the film, you could see his fingerprints all over it.



The three beanbag boys, Jacob Tremblay as Max, Keith L. Williams as Lucas & Brady Noon as Thor all shine as this wonderful friend group.

I don't remember getting into this much trouble in sixth grade, however these boys pull it off.

The film also doesn't over stay it's welcome clocking in at under one and a half hours, with so many F bombs, not to mention the laugh out loud moments.

In my session, I had a loud thigh slapper, the lady would comment, laugh hysterically and then for her final move, she would slap a thigh loud. This is the magic of comedy in a movie cinema experience. When other people have such strong reactions to the comedies you know it's a winner.

Good Boys isn't Good, it's Great, 4 Stars.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - Ad Astra


Oh Brad Pitt, it's really your year, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was a smash, now you have the latest space thriller on your resume.

Following Trump and Morrison agreeing on NASA attempting to go to Mars, this is a timely release.

With Pitt and an all star supporting cast including and not limited to Tommy Lee Jones, Liv Tyler (mainly through FaceTime style videos), Donald Sutherland and a number of other familiar faces, Pitt gets some heavy support.



Ad Astra isn't the best space film, but it's an interesting thriller with some amazing action and space sequences.

If you love the news about a visit to Mars, you will love this, as in the future apparently we can get as far as Neptune.

It's slightly longer than two hours, but does pack a lot in, in that two hours.

I did enjoy this, I just didn't love it, 3 Stars.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Sofi Tukker


Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern make up Sofi Tukker the duo based in New York who released their new EP Dancing on the People on Friday.

Prior to this Sofi Tukker scored a play as part of Apple's unveiling of the iPhone X with the song Best Friend. Not to mention you have to be living under a rock if you don't know their 2017 Grammy nominated song "Drinkee".

In December 2018 their debut album Treehouse was nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album whilst featuring popular tunes like Batshit and Fuck They.

Sofi Tukker are a fun duo with no doubt many more party made hits to come. So being Sunday why not discover your next favourite act right here.

Below some highlights from their career to date and Friday's new EP featuring the hit single Swing.

See you next week or tomorrow for another trip to the cinema for my latest film review of Ad Astra.







Saturday, September 21, 2019

Emmys 2019 Nominations | Predictions


Just in time for Monday, my guesses, bold and in red, full info on the awards HERE

Drama Series
Better Call Saul (AMC)
Bodyguard (Netflix)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Killing Eve (AMC/BBC America)
Ozark (Netflix)
Pose (FX)
Succession (HBO)
This Is Us (NBC)

Comedy Series
Barry (HBO)
Fleabag (Amazon Prime)
The Good Place (NBC)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime)
Russian Doll (Netflix)
Schitt’s Creek (Pop)
Veep (HBO)

Limited Series
Chernobyl (HBO)
Escape at Dannemora (Showtime)
Fosse/Verdon (FX)
Sharp Objects (HBO)
When They See Us (Netflix)

Television Movie
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (Netflix)
Brexit (HBO)
Deadwood: The Movie (HBO)
King Lear (Amazon Prime)
My Dinner with Herve (HBO)

Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman (Ozark)
Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us)
Kit Harington (Game of Thrones)
Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul)
Billy Porter (Pose)
Milo Ventimiglia (This Is Us)

Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones)
Jodie Comer (Killing Eve)
Viola Davis (How to Get Away With Murder)
Laura Linney (Ozark)
Mandy Moore (This Is Us)
Sandra Oh (Killing Eve)
Robin Wright (House of Cards)

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson (Black-ish)
Don Cheadle (Black Monday)
Ted Danson (The Good Place)
Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method)
Bill Hader (Barry)
Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek)

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate (Dead to Me)
Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll)
Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag)

Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Mahershala Ali (True Detective)
Benicio Del Toro (Escape at Dannemora)
Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal)
Jared Harris (Chernobyl)
Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us)
Sam Rockwell (Fosse/Verdon)

Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Amy Adams (Sharp Objects)
Patricia Arquette (Escape at Dannemora)
Aunjanue Ellis (When They See Us)
Joey King (The Act)
Niecy Nash (When They See Us)
Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon)

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones)
Julia Garner (Ozark)
Lena Headey (Game of Thrones)
Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve)
Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones)
Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones)

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones)
Jonathan Banks (Better Call Saul)
Nikolaj Coster-Waldeau (Game of Thrones)
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul)
Michael Kelly (House of Cards)
Chris Sullivan (This Is Us)

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Anna Chlumsky (Veep)
Sian Clifford (Fleabag)
Olivia Colman (Fleabag)
Betty Gilpin (GLOW)
Sarah Goldberg (Barry)
Marin Hinkle (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live)

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Alan Arkin (The Kominsky Method)
Anthony Carrigan (Barry)
Tony Hale (Veep)
Stephen Root (Barry)
Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Henry Winkler (Barry)

Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Patricia Arquette (The Act)
Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us)
Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects)
Vera Farmiga (When They See Us)
Margaret Qualley (Fosse/Verdon)
Emily Watson (Chernobyl)

Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Asante Blackk (When They See Us)
Paul Dano (Escape at Dannemora)
John Leguizamo (When They See Us)
Stellan Skarsgård (Chernobyl)
Ben Whishaw (A Very English Scandal)
Michael K. Williams (When They See Us)

Competition Program
The Amazing Race (CBS)
American Ninja Warrior (NBC)
Nailed It (Netflix)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)
Top Chef (Bravo)
The Voice (NBC)

Variety Talk Series
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS)
Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS)
Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)

Structured Reality Program
Antiques Roadshow (PBS)
Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives (Food Network)
Queer Eye (Netflix)
Shark Tank (ABC)
Tidying Up With Marie Kondo (Netflix)
Who Do You Think You Are? (TLC)

Unstructured Reality Program
Born This Way (A&E)
Deadliest Catch (Discovery Channel)
Life Below Zero (National Geographic)
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked (VH1)
Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix)
United Shades Of America With W. Kamau Bell (CNN)

Host for a Reality or Competition Program
James Corden (The World’s Best)
Ellen DeGeneres (Ellen’s Game Of Games)
Marie Kondo (Tidying Up With Marie Kondo)
Amy Poehler & Nick Offerman (Making It)
RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race)

Variety Sketch Series
At Home With Amy Sedaris (truTV)
Documentary Now! (IFC)
Drunk History (Comedy Central)
I Love You, America With Sarah Silverman (Hulu)
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Who Is America? (Showtime)

Variety Special (Live)
The 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards (NBC)
The 61st Grammy Awards (CBS)
Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All In The Family’ And ‘The Jeffersons’ (ABC)
The Oscars (ABC)
RENT (Fox)
72nd Annual Tony Awards (CBS)

Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
Carpool Karaoke: When Corden Met McCartney Live From Liverpool (CBS)
Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (Netflix)
Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé (Netflix)
Springsteen On Broadway (Netflix)
Wanda Sykes: Not Normal (Netflix)

Informational Series or Special
Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown (CNN)
Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee (Netflix)
Leah Remini: Scientology And The Aftermath (A&E)
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman (Netflix)
Surviving R. Kelly (Lifetime)

Friday, September 20, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - Rambo: Last Blood


Sylvester Stallone at 73 reprises his role as Rambo and man for a film just over an hour and a half, the first half of this film felt long.

I was wondering what an R Rated film was like in 2019, the simple answer is gore porn. The final Rambo show down is just every imaginative way for a bad guy (in this case Mexicans) to die.



The story is basic, it's revenge served violent coming from an older gentleman. It basically is every Liam Neeson film revisited with Sly as the main man.

I thought this was average at best.

Nothing new here, however the time slot worked for me, a nice way to bring in the weekend, a film on a Thursday night, surprisingly with a fairly decent audience.

Look I have seen a lot of better films recently, so I have to be tough, 1 gore porn filled star.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

The Righteous Gemstones


Wanna laugh?



As HBO gets ready to farewell sports inspired comedy Ballers, nerd comedy Silicon Valley and hopefully will pick up some awards for the recent final season of Veep, here is HBO's newest comedy.

The Righteous Gemstones is good fun, with lot's of laughs on the way. With an all star cast including leading man John Goodman and Pitch Perfect star Adam DeVine.

If you need a break from the news, reality TV and politics, this is a perfect escape.

Nine episodes will air this year (we are already four in, the first a double/hour episode, then thirty minutes after that) with a second season already renewed and locked and loaded for next year.

HBO has a few more tricks up it's sleeve with the departure of Game of Thrones. Watchmen is coming soon however for now, The Righteous Gemstones is a perfect new show to give you a giggle at a Hillsong inspired church family.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - It Chapter II


It Chapter Two is here following the 2017 film It, based on the famous book by Stephen King.

Set in 2016, 27 years after the first film, the sequel has an all star adult cast replacing the coming of age younger, original Losers' Club.

Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, and Andy Bean join Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise.



Now look I loved the first of the two chapters, was as I keen on the second, not as much, it's long run time (adding 30 minutes from the previous film) was a real downfall. In parts it felt extremely clunky, drawn out and predictable.

The adult stars are great, however the opening is a little confronting as a gay from a small minded part of NSW, Australia.

With a long string of horror films released in 2019, will It Chapter II be forgotten as just another film trying to put the fear of god in us? Who knows but more horrors are on the way with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (already released in the USA), 47 Meters Down: Uncaged(already released in the USA), The Dead Don't Die, Black Christmas and Doctor Sleep all still to come in 2019.

Yes I jumped a few times, yes I wanted to see how it all played out after part one and not seeing the original nor reading the book.

It Chapter II is screening now and people seem to like it (whoops), so my verdict is 3 solid clown shaped stars.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Mabel


Daughter of Neneh Cherry and UK record producer Cameron McVey. Her brother Marlon Roudette is also part of the Big City Life group, Mattafix, so one could say Mabel is from a famous AF family.

Mabel released a mixtape Ivy to Roses in 2017, a number of the songs also appeared on her debut album High Expectations released last month.

Now we have a stripped sessions recording from this upcoming star. Her track Don't Call Me Up has been huge, peaking at number 16 in Australia selling over 70,000 copies whilst the song has also charted in Belgium, UK, New Zealand, Sweden, the US and more!

Mabel has worked with Jax Jones, Raye, Rich the Kid, Stefflon Don and more.

So it's time to discover one of pop's most upcoming artists, Mabel, happy Sunday!






Thursday, September 12, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - The Kitchen


Not really doing great business The Kitchen looks to be closing not long after it opened in Australia a week or so ago.

With a stellar cast including the Handmaid's Tale lead Elizabeth Moss and former it comedy lady Melissa McCarthy you would think this Irish mob wives tale would be a bit of a hit, however looking at it's budget vs box office, it's a huge flop.

With a budget of around $38 million, it has only taken in $15 million, that is taking into account it was open in the USA whilst I was over there on holiday.

Tiffany Haddish rounds off the three wives, and man is Tiffany Haddish the most brash.



Based in New York in the late 70's and 80's The Kitchen has a large body count even by midway through the film.

No one is safe in the mobster crime drama. There is a bit of a twist but the movie (like reviewers before me have stated) it feels a bit half baked, almost like a made for Netflix film.

That is the problem in 2019, films that are kinda so-so maybe should have just been uploaded onto a streaming platform for the masses to consume on a hungover Sunday afternoon binge fest.

I love Elizabeth Moss, but this is not her best outing, nor should she give up the Handmaid's Tale anytime soon.

It's great to see ladies up the front, but this is a bit dull, 2.5 Stars.

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

13 Reasons Why | Season 3


Is 13 Reasons Why the most addictive TV series on Netflix?

I found myself going into season three mainly thinking why is their the need for a third season? I also wondered... why did they give away the main plot point about Bryce in the main trailer? Is this the most dramatic group of teenagers in school on TV ever? Is this what been a high school student is like in 2019?

I found myself all weekend when I had a spare minute glued to the box, I had a goal to watch this season before all the big hit US network shows come back, however I got hooked and just smashed the hell out of it.

Online reviews are not great for season three, however season two was really not much chop either, remember it? If you answered no that is likely, it was dull AF.



Clay is so serious, your in high school mate, make mistakes be a kid, oh boy.

I did get extremely hooked however the end of this season was really weak. I am not sure it requires a fourth and final season, however like this I will most likely smash it like this season.

If you want a murder mystery, there are better ones out there, if you want teenage drama and drama at it's highest level, give this a go.

13 Reasons Why is one of Netflix's biggest shows, we have one more season to come before the big ass conclusion, let's just hope Tony and Caleb get a happy ending.

Monday, September 9, 2019

Cinema Slut #2019 - The Farewell


After a wee break from the cinema it was a relief to see a simply divine film, The Farewell. After being a Crazy Rich Asian Awkwafina, is front and centre in this beautiful film about grief when East meets West.

The Farewell is a beautiful true story based on a lie featuring grandmother Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen) being diagnosed with cancer, however her family decides not to share the news.



Awkwafina is so real, so raw and so simply divine in this film. From stealing scenes being wacky AF in Crazy Rich Asians to being completely natural and beautiful. I found myself captivated by her in scenes at the wedding and her with her now USA based family.

Awkwafina is a talent to watch for in 2019/2020, I love her, I loved this film and can't recommend it enough.

I don't want to give away too much however this film is equally funny, smart and so super sweet. A big thumbs up, 4.5 Stars.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: Mallrat


Following BIGSOUND 2019 in Brisbane, today let's feature an outstanding young Brisbane artist, Mallrat.

On Friday Mallrat released her third EP Driving Music, following singles with Basenji, Allday, E^ST, Golden Vessel and Cub Sport, Mallrat is on a roll.

Mallrat otherwise known as Grace Shaw is a Hottest 100 favourite, a touring favourite and considers Grimes, Skrillex, Sophie and Courtney Barnett influences.

So let's take some time to discover another exciting new artist on the back of BIGSOUND, here is some of Mallrats highlights thus far...










Friday, September 6, 2019

TV Incoming...


Yes Spring has sprung in Australia, whilst in the USA Summer is coming to an end so it's time to bunker down with some new series.

All days in USA time and date, so Australian's add a day....

Monday THE DEUCE kicks off it's third and final run, adding to the list of shows ending in 2019 on HBO. Big names like Game of Thrones, Veep, Ballers and now The Deuce will all not return in 2020. Looking forward to seeing what HBO will roll out to fill those programming gaps.

Australian series on FX in the USA MR INBETWEEN returns on Thursday for another run, whilst HBO gives us interesting hotel series ROOM 104 on Friday.

Wednesday 18 September sees another return on FX, it's the long awaited 9th season of American Horror Story, this time it's AHS: 1984. No sure how many episodes this 80's slasher season will have, but let's hope it's a concise 10 episode run.

There are a few big weeks, week commencing 23 September, we see the return of 9-1-1 for a third season, the final season of Empire, joining Empire, How to Get Away with Murder will also conclude with it's sixth season whilst Ryan Murphy will see his Netflix series air all eight episodes, The Politician.

The start of October sees a few more big returns mostly on The CW, Batwoman commences, Supergirl, The Flash, Black Lightning, Riverdale all return whilst The Walking Dead has a big achievement, season ten without Rick Grimes returns.

Huge few weeks ahead it's time to catch up on Grand Hotel and smash the latest 13 Reasons Why season.

Monday, September 2, 2019

The Affair Embarks on it's Final Season


The eleven episode, ten week final season of The Affair commenced in Australia this week. It's 11 episodes over ten weeks in the USA, due to a double series finale.

Kicking off in the USA to a modest under 500,000 viewers, The Affair starts it's final season just over a year after the fourth finished.

I was surprised the show got renewed again, but hey Showtime is very generous.

The Affair starts with a bang, one cast member bows out and another could have their life in the balance. We start off where we begun focusing on Noah and Helen's life.

Noah is still Noah whilst Helen still swears like a trooper.

With no Alison or Cole this season we are left with some newer characters as well as Anna Paquin playing an older version of Joanie Lockhart.

I am interested to see how this show eventually wraps up. It's been a long time coming and honestly it started as an amazing show but when the title of the show became outdated so did the show itself.

Some of the characters are really unlikable, Alison's death felt rushed and random, it's not a crime show, more a relationship show, so to add murder to the mix was weird.

Well another ten episodes to go as a lot of circa 2014 shows will have their final curtain calls in 2019.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

(Mini) Sunday Spotlight: G Flip + Tones and I


Georgia Flipo AKA G Flip finally released her debut album About Us on Friday. After stunning our ear drums with singles like About You, Killing My Time, Stupid, Drink Too Much and a couple of others.

G Flip scored two songs in the 2018 Hottest 100, played SXSW in Austin following the release of her debut single and won Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year at the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) Awards.

But it's not just all about G Flip and her superb debut which scored a feature on Triple J this week it's a Sunday double, featuring superstar Tones and I too.

Tones and I did something no artist had ever done, scored all songs (six of them to be exact) in my Fresh Friday Countdown this past Friday gone, what a star!

Like G Flip Tones and I (aka Toni Watson) released her debut on Friday, this time it was an EP.

The Kids are Coming is an excellent collection of six tracks to soundtrack your 2019 to.

Dance Monkey is now up there with Bad Guy (Billie Eilish) as a front runner for the biggest song of 2019! It just took out my Winter Banger of 2019, welcome to Spring people!

Not only that all three of the singles thus far from the EP made the list.

Like G Flip Tones and I originates from the wonderful state of Victoria however she now calls Byron Bay home.

After busking and conquering the streets, Tones and I has now played Splendour in the Grass (in her new home town) and Big Pineapple Music Festival.

So funny chart fact about Tones and I, Dance Monkey has reached number one in Australia, Denmark, Ireland and Sweden. Now the Swedish know how to make a damn good pop song so this is huge in my eyes!

Both artists could easily be your new favourite acts, they are sensational talents and local to boot.

Take a listen to their new Friday releases below!