#COVID-19 CATCH UP TV - Evil

It's back, #COVID-19 CATCH UP TV this time, it's Evil from CBS or in Australia it streams on STAN.

Already renewed for its second season, Evil got a sneaky early renewal back in October 2019 following only its first few episodes.

The show concluded in the USA in January of this year with its 13th episode. A show called Evil with 13 episodes. Oh yeah they did.

Featuring Luke Cage himself Mike Colter along with Katja Herbers, Michael Emerson, Aasif Mandvi, Kurt Fuller, Marti Matulis, Brooklyn Shuck, Skylar Gray, Maddy Crocco, Dalya Knapp and Christine Lahti.

Aussie Patrick Brammall also stars as Andy Bouchard, Kristen's (Katja Herbers) husband. That guy is everywhere in Australian TV, from lead in Glitch to Upper Middle Bogan and STAN original No Activity.

Evil is an interesting supernatural with a side of horror procedural series. Unlike CSI's and your Law & Order series, this has a bit more of an overarching series theme going on.

The basic Wikipedia synopsis is, a skeptical forensic psychologist (Herbers) allies with a Catholic seminarian (Colter) and a technology contractor (Mandvi) to investigate purported supernatural incidents.

The show is an extremely easy watch. I think I got through all thirteen episodes in one week. Yes there is not much to watch right now, but really this was better than your average US network crime series.

If season two comes to STAN I will give it a go.

(Mini) Monday Spotlight: Dro Carey

(Mini) Monday Spotlight is back, this week we are staying local with Sydney producer Dro Carey.
Over the best part of the last decade Carey has given us a steady stream of EPs, mixtapes, one off singles and mixes.

Songs like ‘Queensberry Rules’ featuring KUCKA, really caught my attention early on. Fast forward to a few Fridays ago and his debut album, Nothing Is A Solo Project is finally here.

13 tracks span across Nothing Is A Solo Project featuring a number of guests whilst overall being a damn smooth ride.

The album is produced, and mixed by Seekae’s George Nicholls, Nothing Is A Solo Project is the Dro Carey album fans have been waiting for.

So discover an artist who has been drip feeding us tunes for a while now, but finally we have a full body of work. Check it out plus some older standalone singles below.

Enjoy Monday!

#COVID-19 CATCH UP TV - LOL: Last One Laughing (Australia)

I haven't watch much on Amazon Prime, however all around Sydney I have seen billboards for LOL: Last One Laughing (Australia).

So my latest #COVID-19 CATCH UP TV is hosted by Rebel Wilsons as she observes Australian comedians challenged not to laugh for six hours.

Dilruk Jayasinha, Frank Woodley, Nazeem Hussain, Anne Edmonds, Ed Kavalee, Becky Lucas, Joel Creasey, Nick Cody, Sam Simmons and Susie Youssef are all thrown in a room, challenged not to smile or laugh.

Anne Edmonds is fabulous, Joel Creasey is a lot of cheeky fun and Sam Simmons is just weird AF.

The show gets crazy as more comedians get eliminated. The good news is Anne Edmonds does give Helen Bideo a run whilst also trialling out a mean new character, Carol.

This will not be everyones cup of tea, however it was a bit of fun whilst watching in the background during those long non live entertainment filled nights.

Now The Boys is back on Amazon Prime I might give the streaming service more of a go. For now though LOL: Last One Laughing (Australia) is an easy six episode watch, streaming on Amazon Prime.

#COVID-19 CATCH UP TV - The Baker & The Beauty

#COVID-19 CATCH UP TV is back! After a film review and this weeks (Mini) Monday Spotlight, its time to head back to the TV for the one and done The Baker & The Beauty.

The Baker and the Beauty premiered on ABC (USA network) on April 13, 2020, I'm not sure how long after it came to STAN in Australia but it's here now!

The series is an adaptation of the Israeli romantic-comedy series Beauty and the Baker. I have added this to my Amazon Prime watch list. So expect a review soon(ish).

The show stars former Dynasty Crystal number one, Nathalie Kelley, handsome lead Victor Rasuk, Michelle Veintimilla and singer, musical love David Del Rio.

On paper the show looks like an easy breezy summer soap. And really that is exactly what it is.

Sadly (like Grand Hotel and other before it) it was cancelled after one short nine episode season. It feels like the show was just burnt off in the USA at the end of the regular season whilst COVID was really taking hold.

These one and done series often leave you on a hope and a wish that a second season will pick up where the finale leaves you. Not on your Nelly!

The Baker & The Beauty is cute and easy to watch, it streams on STAN now.

COVID-Cinema 2020 - The Translators (French: Les Traducteurs)

The Translators (French: Les Traducteurs) is a French thriller film directed by Régis Roinsard. It was released in France late 2019, however with the whole COVID-Cinema 2020 experience more international films are showing up on our screens. MMMMMM culture.

The plot revolves around book series Dedalus is a best seller trilogy, with a last book being eagerly awaited. Nine translators are confined in a bunker, under a french manor, to work on it. Despite the secrecy, the first pages are leaked online.

Basic plot but this thriller has more twists and turns than the road to Hana, Maui.

I really enjoyed this. The nine translators Alex Lawther as Alex Goodman, (English),

Olga Kurylenko as Katerina Anisinova, (Russian), Riccardo Scamarcio as Dario Farelli, (Italian), Sidse Babett Knudsen as Helene Tuxen, (Danish), Eduardo Noriega as Javier Casal, (Spanish), Anna Maria Sturm as Ingrid Korbel, (German), Frédéric Chau as Chen Yao, (Chinese) Maria Leite as Telma Alves,  (Portuguese) and finally Manolis Mavromatakis as Konstantinos Kedrinos, the Greek translator.

You are left guessing and suddenly the explanation comes thick and fast. No spoilers though here.

If you like a murder mystery/old school thriller? Well this is for you. It's a bit of fun and let's face it, we all need a distraction right now.

(Mini) Monday Spotlight: Yours Truly

It's time for another (Mini) Monday Spotlight this time, the spotlight is on Yours Truly. Not me, the Sydney group who just gave us their debut album, Self Care.

Yours Truly are Mikaila Delgado on vocals, Teddie Haron on guitars, Lachlan Cronin also on guitars and Bradley Cronan on drums.

Yours Truly in their short career have already played international festivals like Download Festival (UK), Riot Fest (US) and Good Things. 

Their debut EP Too Late For Apologies and follow up 2019 release Afterglow was only a preview. Now we have the well titled for 2020 Self Care debut.

Gaining millions of worldwide streams and dedicated homegrown fans, a popular Like a Version performance, Yours Truly have a bright future. So if you haven't discovered Yours Truly yet, get amongst it now. They have also scored the feature album on Triple J this week!

Until next week..

 

#COVID-19 CATCH UP TV - I May Destroy You

 I May Destroy You was only released early in June this year, however June and the start of winter 2020 seems a lifetime ago.

So this HBO/BBC One drama is heavy, whilst being light at the same time. Any story about sexual abuse is going to be full one, however Michaela Coel as Arabella Essiedu delivers a personalised account of her own experience of sexual assault.

I May Destroy You is one hell of a road, from Italy back to Coel's London, it approaches the topic of sexual abuse head on. Not to mention her good gay friends Kwame's own experience.

The show examines the impact of social media on our everyday life and dealing with trauma.

If you are looking for a light watch this is 100% not for you. It's brutal, raw and real. The music however (particularly in a throwback to Arabella at school) is exceptional.

I'm not sure whether this is meant to be binged or watch over a period of time. It was aired week to week on both HBO/BBC One. I almost feel like it was a bit too much to take in, in one week (or it could have been less) like I did.

If you have Binge or Foxtel (drama pack or something else) you can seem I May Destroy You now. It's well worth a look at how a night out can go so badly.

Until next time.

COVID-Cinema 2020 - The Secrets We Keep

COVID-Cinema 2020 continues with The Secrets We Keep. What a wild ride The Secrets We Keep is. Starring Hanna superstar Joel Kinnaman as Thomas and Noomi Rapace as Maja, this is 100% a stage play type of film. Low number of main characters one major scene setting and lots of drama.



Chris Messina as Lewis, Maja's husband and gets himself in deep. This is a remake of Death and the Maiden (1994), in turn based on the 1990 play of the same title by Ariel Dorfman.

It starts off slow but the pace really speeds up after the first 15 minutes.

There is some excellent performances in this film which has been given a very limited release here in Australia. Luckily enough I have Palace Cinemas, Dendy, Hoyts and Event Cinemas all within walking distance from my house.

In 2020 where film s get exclusively released on streaming services, limited releases and region based releases it is a different year indeed for the cinema scene.

This is a worthwhile release which I highly recommend, no spoilers here, you may have seen the original but hey, get amongst it.

3.5 Stars.

#COVID-19 CATCH UP TV - Vida

New blog review piece #COVID-19 CATCH UP TV is well and truly up and running now. So for all those shows you missed, it's time to catch up. Yes the weather is warming up but there is always time for Vida.



Yes todays catch up series is from USA pay channel, Starz (Power, P Valley and Spartacus) and focuses on two sisters, Emma and Lyn.

Literally from Wikipedia this sums up the stars and main plot. Melissa Barrera, Mishel Prada, Carlos Miranda, Maria-Elena Laas and Roberta Colindrez star in Vida. It tells the story of two Mexican-American sisters who move back to their childhood home in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles after the death of their mother.

Shit hits the fan often, the sex is full on and Stan in Australia have backed a winner in gaining access to all Starz programming.

Vida is an interesting watch over three easy to watch seasons. With the episodes averaging around 30 minutes in length, you can breeze through all three seasons relatively quickly.

I like Emma and Lyn for different reasons but it was Johnny Sanchez who kept me bingeing episode after episode. what a talent Carlos Miranda is.

Vida is streaming on Stan now, if you liked Insecure and Ramy give this one a go.

#COVID-19 CATCH UP TV - See

See is the latest Apple+ series I have caught up with, following miniseries Defending Jacob (2020), Servant (since 2019, season two to come), Little Voice (since 2020, TBA season two, unlikely in my mind) &The Morning Show (since 2019 season two to come). I have been told Ted Lasso (since 2020, season two to come) is a good view, being a thirty minute sitcom, it may be next on my radar.

So Apple TV+ for readers out there, how does it rate? Well the content is a little bare but what I have checked out thus far the quality definitely makes up for the quantity.

In a big name win for Apple Jason Momoa stars as Baba Voss the lead in this science fiction, end/rebirthing of the world series.

Already renewed for a second season to be filmed in beautiful British Columbia, See originally started airing in November 2019 along with the launch of Apple TV+. Remember November 2019, what a great time to be alive!



So is See worth 8 hours of your life? Well a little less than 8. I actually enjoyed the series and why I say beautiful British Columbia, is the scenery and forrest they inhabit, is so beautiful. NSW Nationals take a look at how beautiful the great outdoors can be.

Franz Drameh as Boots from Legends of Tomorrow continues his filming career in and around Vancouver. Like a number of the characters Boots changes sides, alliances like I do underwear.

Jason Momoa is outstanding, the action scenes are big budget stuff and I can't say enough about how beautiful BC looks on the small screen.

The show hasn't been a critical success, however in a time of limited new drama offerings this serves as an impressive visual feast.

See, season one streams now on Apple TV+.

(Mini) Monday Spotlight: Wafia

It's been a long time coming. Like yesterday's Sunday Spotlight for me on Disclosure. I have been a long time fan of Wafia.

With the release of her wonderful EP Good Things, it's time for Wafia to shine with her very own (Mini) Monday Spotlight.

In 2015 I discovered her debut EP XXIX, with the heavenly lead single Heartburn.

2016 was all about collaborations, kicking off with Window Seat in collaboration with the New Zealand producer Thomston. Following this was the start of Wafia working with Ta-ku. They released a joint EP called Median. The EP features a story about compromise in relationships, which both Wafia and Ta-ku experienced independently in of each other in their lives.

Between Median and Good Things, Wafia gave us a string of top notch pop singles. From Bodies to the extremely popular I'm Good.

Finally Good Things is here featuring a number of tracks Wafia has been drip feeding us for a number of months now.

So if you are not aware of Wafia yet, go get it. Wafia has a killer voice and always works with the best producers for the best sounds.

Until next week....

COVID-Cinema 2020 - Mulan

COVID-Cinema 2020 with a difference, streaming from home on Disney+

Mulan has bypassed the cinema, will this be the "new normal" following COVID? For decades the cinema has relied on Disney to bring in the big bucks to cinemas. Now Disney is turning its backs on their traditional distribution channel. Will this work? Could anyone other than Disney pull this?

With the film being charged extra via your Disney+ subscription is there any value paying extra for your Disney+ account to get the film early?

All the answers (well maybe) are below.



Disney+ is in a good place. Early subscriptions were high, The Mandalorian was an early hit whilst COVID has also brought on a huge love of nostalgia.

The Mandalorian returns next month for its high anticipated second season, so Mulan is a nice buffer till then.

Full transparency, I never saw the original film. I was told it was good, however I do prefer some live action, particularly when the live action nature means Yoson An gets shirtless (often for Disney).

Yifei Liu as Mulan works well despite the fact she has drawn some controversy to the project. Liu looks effortless in the fighting scenes and does Disney well.

I would have loved seeing some of the sweeping scenery scenes on the big screen and battle scenes, its a big film and despite having a fairly large TV, it didn't feel the same. Seeing Tenet on the big screen really proved the need for cinemas post-COIVD.

This marks an interesting folk in the road for cinema and films. Yes we have had semi successful Netflix films before, however this is different, this is Disney. I am not employed or owe favours to any cinema chains/groups but I do wish this was given a go at the cinemas even after maybe an exclusive release on Disney+ first. Well actually you get it free with your membership if you wait till December.

The film has just been released in China whilst attracting average reviews. The live action project by Disney is currently a little hit and miss.

I enjoyed this, however I would have enjoyed it more in Gold Class or Lux. Just saying...

3 Stars.

COVID-Cinema 2020 - After We Collided

After was a real hoot in 2019, the angst the tension. Now we go into book 2, After We Collided.

Aussie Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin whilst How to Get Away with Murder vet, Charlie Weber also stars as creepy Christian Vance.

So this film comes out in the USA late October, so Australia wins again with early release films.

However what is the quality of these early release films? After was a bit of a dogs breakfast. I was very mean, here is a paragraph - 

God the reviews were bad, but shit this was some Twilight basic type shit. Who read this fucking book? Are they OK? After was badly acted and poorly cast, with no real names except an unrecognisable Selma Blair this is a summer stinker. But a sequel is on the way.

For the full review go HERE

OK so does the sequel beat the original? It's slightly better whilst being full of drama and a lot more sex than the original by memory.

Let's give this 2 stars for coming to Australia early.

#RATED - #COVID-19-BINGE-FEST Binges

1. Younger, Seasons One - Six (Catch up, #THROWBACK, Season Seven airdate TBA)

2. Elite, Seasons One - Three (Season Four airdate TBA)

3. Mrs. America, FX limited mini-series

(equal) 4. Insecure, Season Four

(equal) 4. After Life, Season Two (Renewed, Season Three airdate TBA)

5. Merlí, Seasons One - Three (Catch up, #THROWBACK, Spinoff Merlí: Sapere Aude below)

6. Love, Victor, Season One

7. Ramy, Seasons One - Two (Season Three airdate TBA)

8. Dead to Me, Season Two

9. Money Heist, Parts One - Four (Catch up, #THROWBACK, Part Five airdate TBA)

10. Sex Education, Seasons One - Two (Season Three airdate TBA)

11. Ozark, Season Three

12. Vice Principals, Seasons One - Two (Catch up, #THROWBACK)

13. Homecoming, Season Two

14. Homeland, Season Eight

15. Prodigal Son, Season One

16. Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, Season One

17. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, Netflix limited mini-series

18. Yellowstone, Seasons One - Three

19. Mystery Road, Season Two

20. Love Life, Season One

21. The Great, Season One

22. The Last Dance, Netflix limited mini-series

23. Upload, Season One

24. The House of Flowers (Spanish: La Casa de las Flores), Seasons One - Three

25. Merlí: Sapere Aude, Seasons One (Renewed, Season Two airdate TBA)

26. Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, Netflix limited mini-series

27. All American, Seasons One and Two (Catch up, Season Three airdate TBA)

28. High Fidelity, Season One (Sadly cancelled after one season)

29. Snowpiercer, Season One

30. Stateless, ABC limited mini-series

31. Killing Eve, Season Three

32. The Secret She Keeps, Limited mini-series

33. 13 Reasons Why, Season Four

34. Hanna, Seasons One - Two (Renewed, Season Three airdate TBA)

35. Stargirl, Season One

36. Perry Mason (2020 reboot), Season One

37. Dynasty, Season Three

38. Defending Jacob, Apple TV+ limited mini-series

39. Crash Landing Into You,  Season One

40. The Outsider, HBO limited mini-series

41. The Politician, Season Two

42. Little Voice, Season One

43. P Valley, Season One

44. Toy Boy, Season One

45. Bloom, Season Two

46. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Season Seven

47. First Wives Club, Season One

48. Hungry Ghosts, limited mini-series

49. Informer 3838, limited mini-series

50. Run, Season One (Recently cancelled)

51. Day 8, Season One (German series, 8 Tage)

52. Altered Carbon, Season Two (Recently cancelled)

53. House on the Haunting Hill, Season One

54. Everything's Gonna Be Okay, Season One (Renewed, Season Two airdate TBA)

55. Party of Five (reboot), Season One (SBS On Demand, officially cancelled)

For my recent Summer viewing #RATED. And my recent US TV season finales go HERE! That is a heap of TV lists to keep you going for now :)

#COVID-19-BINGE-FEST - Mrs. America (miniseries)

Mrs. America was one of those shows I was desperate to watch, but during the dumpster fire that has been 2020, I got waylaid.

Featuring a sensational cast including two huge Aussies, Cate Blanchett and Rose Byrne whilst also starring Uzo Aduba, Elizabeth Banks, Margo Martindale, John Slattery, Tracey Ullman and Sarah Paulson.

In the USA this aired on FX whilst in Australia it's featured on Foxtel's services including the new one Binge.

The series details the political movement to pass the Equal Rights Amendment whilst focusing on Phyllis Schlafly and Gloria Steinem played by Cate Blanchett and Rose Byrne respectively.



The nine episode miniseries is a super easy and addictive watch. The series premiered in April of this year to widespread critical acclaim.

This show is up for a tonne of awards in the upcoming awards season, so no doubt it will get a lot more attention (which it rightfully deserves then).

This marks my final #COVID-19-BINGE-FEST, with over 50 (yes 50, I was clearly busy this COVID-19 season) shows rated tomorrow. So look out for this!

This will be the second Cate Blanchett series on the list, following her performance in Stateless.

Mrs. America is a terrific show exploring the rights of women and the people who stand in the way of progress. If you haven't watched it yet, get on it!

(Mini) Monday Spotlight: Two People

Today's (Mini) Monday Spotlight started out as Snakadaktal. However in 2014, the group called it a day.

But in 2016 Snakadaktal’s Phoebe Lou and Joey Clough formed Two People. The duo then released their debut record, First Body, in early 2019.

The group then performed this collection of songs live, ranging from Brisbane’s BIGSOUND to Austin’s South By Southwest.

The second album, aptly titled Second Body arrived a little over a week ago. Described as "an undeniable glimmer of hope in the darkness of 2020", Second Body is some perfect pop.

Phoebe and Joey are from Victoria, so they are currently in lockdown, so to them (as Two People) and everyone else in Melbourne, Victoria. Stay strong, continue listening to some new music and enjoy this warmer Spring weather.

Get your ears around some new music from a dup formerly winning Triple J Unearthed High in 2011, it's Two People.

COVID-Cinema 2020 - The New Mutants

What a dogs breakfast. This may be the shortest COVID-Cinema 2020 review in history.

Aside from missing Queen of the South this season, why did Alice Braga star as Dr. Cecilia Reyes in The New Mutants?

The latest X Men film following the disastrous Dark Phoenix, this one really puts a nail in the X Men coffin.

Gone are the days of Wolverine and Storm, this was a shit show.

1.5 Stars for the extremely handsome and under utilised Henry Zaga as Roberto "Bobby" da Costa.

Give this one a miss at all costs, no wonder the studio held it's release for three years, yes THREE years.

#COVID-19-BINGE-FEST - Snowpiercer (TV series)

Snowpiercer aired week to week on Netflix (in Australia) recently concluding mid July. Yes it took me a while to board the train (ha) but I got there.

I am about to retire #COVID-19-BINGE-FEST as I am now basically catching up on series I have missed of days gone by. I have a HUGE rated for all my #COVID-19-BINGE-FEST series. So once P Valley closes this Sunday, I finish Little Voice on Apple TV+ you will get a massive list of shows I have smashed during this staycation.

So to the post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller tbased on both the 2013 South Korean–Czech film directed by Bong Joon-ho.



Since Bong Joon-ho gave us Parasite, the world is now paying attention to his work.

The film (plus TV shows) origin actually originates from my birth year 1982. From the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, and Jean-Marc Rochette.

Starring a stellar cast including leads Daveed Diggs and Jennifer Connelly. The show has a lot of characters to get across fast.

The show also stars Mickey Sumner, Annalise Basso, Sasha Frolova, Alison Wright, Benjamin Haigh, Roberto Urbina, Katie McGuinness, Susan Park, Lena Hall, Sheila Vand, Sam Otto, Iddo Goldberg, and Jaylin Fletcher.

The show has already been renewed for a second season (due to air mid 2021) with Rowan Blanchard, Steven Ogg, and Sean Bean joining the main cast.

I am very keen to catch the film on Netflix soon or hoping like a few classics it may return to the cinema?

With modest ratings in the USA this was a gem over their lacklustre summer TV period. With hits like Claws, Animal Kingdom and Queen of the South all missing in action. It was game shows and crappy reality for days.

Snowpiercer explores and interesting future of all remaining humans on Earth (or are they?) travelling around the globe on a train, divided by class.

The show explores lots of themes whilst looking extremely stylish. It's an extremely easy ten episode watch, which I think I smashed through in around a week amidst all my other shows I had on the go.

Snowpiercer is streaming now on Netflix in OZ whilst it aired week to week on TNT in the USA.

COVID-Cinema 2020 - The Eight Hundred (Chinese: 八佰)

The Eight Hundred (Chinese: 八佰) is the latest in my COVID-Cinema 2020 series.

Making my second film of the weekend gone, this was gosh damn EPIC! With the plot of the film centring around the Defense of Sihang Warehouse in 1937 Shanghai.

Starring Oho Ou, Du Chun, Huang Zhizhong, Vision Wei, Wang Qianyuan, Jiang Wu, Zhang Yi, Li Chen, Yu Haoming, and Zheng Kai. Not to mention all the thousand extras, this was war on the big screen in epic proportion.



A few years back I was completely over war films, but pre COVID a film changed my mind. 1917 was amazing not only did it change the way I looked at war films, but the style of the film the one continuous shot, EPIC!

This however is huge, the battle scenes are intense, the tension is real and the violence sometimes is extreme. So basically like real wars. This was so interesting to me as usual American war films are so patriotic it's sickening, however this film had some serious propaganda throughout it too.

So I guess war films are meant to inspire domestic pride.

If you enjoy the war genre this is a must see, yes it has subtitles but the action is terrific.

I would like to understand more about this battle after seeing the film as well as my renewed interest in visiting Shanghai.

The Eight Hundred (Chinese: 八佰) is screening now, 3.5 Stars.