Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was my first of three films I finally took in this weekend. Next week you will catch a further two Return to Cinema (take two) 2021 reviews.
Starring Simu Liu as Shang-Chi alongside Awkwafina, Meng'er Zhang, Ronny Chieng, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Michelle Yeoh, Ben Kingsley, and Tony Leung.
Shang-Chi is forced to confront his past when his father Wenwu (Leung), the leader of the Ten Rings organization, draws Shang-Chi and his sister Xialing (Zhang) into a search for a mythical village.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the first Marvel Studios film with an Asian director and a predominantly Asian cast.
The film was filmed in Sydney in February 2020, with additional shooting occurring in San Francisco. These additional scenes are easy to tell at the start of the action packed film.
After watching Black Widow at home over the last (and god help us, hopefully FINAL) lockdown. I realised these movies 100% belong on the big screen. Disney+ may be trying to keep us all home, this film would honestly suck on most home screens.
I loved seeing all the excellent action back on a big screen with a big ass sound system. Simu Liu is outstanding as the lead, Awkwafina is an excellent sidekick.
I cannot wait for future, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings films.
In the end credits scenes we see Wong introducing Shang-Chi and Katy to Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers. They discover that the ten rings are emitting a mysterious signal. In a post-credits scene, Xialing becomes the new leader of the Ten Rings after telling Shang-Chi that she was going to disband the organization.
This was an excellent popcorn action film. Maybe the best of the three films I saw over the weekend. Time will tell. God it's good to be back at the cinema! 4 Stars!
Wentworth has finally concluded. The series commenced all the way back in May, 2013, concluding this Tuesday gone, 26 October 2021. Legacy was the 100th episode of the Prisoner remake.
How did it all end? SPOILERS ahead! Good news though, the entire series is now on Binge. It's no longer a Foxtel exclusive, FINALLY!
Spoilers after this exciting reunion video. Be warned!
Judy realizes Lou is still intending to bomb her way out of prison. Judy fails to stop Lou, with the bomb happening mid episode! They really did go out with a bang!
Meanwhile The Freak (who overheard annoying Judy's bomb plot) runs off to inform Rita. Rita confronts Lou, which quickly escalates into a brutal fight. This is the Rita the beater smackdown that has been building all season. It returns later in the episode too!
During the smackdown, the mobile phone – with the recordings on – falls from Lou’s pocket. They are both slotted.
In the slot, Rita tries to talk Lou out of the bomb, but Lou resists.
Ann stages a bogus transfer to the court house for Judy, knowing that Judy will not stand a chance of survival, if she is near to where the bomb is detonated. And guess what? Ann was right! However Ann doesn't have much chance either. Read on!
Unable to talk Lou out of the plan, Judy reluctantly tells Ann of the attack. Ann gloats that she already knows. Judy is unable to tell anyone else.
The bomb explodes outside the prison, destroying most of the unit, whilst killing Gary Sweet.
Rita, Lou, Ruby and Boomer all manage to escape. Is there a spin-off/sequel in the works? Me thinks YES. Keeping all these key players alive. It's a given in a few years.
Ally however remains trapped amongst the rubble. She tries to retrieve the mobile phone.
Vera regains consciousness and finds Judy’s impaled remains amongst the rubble. Vera realizes Ann had known about the attack and deliberately orchestrated Judy’s death. Ann strangles Vera. Just as Vera passes out, she is saved by the Freak, who pulls Ann off her and snaps her neck, killing her instantly.
This was like something out of a horror film!
The moment of the episode for me was The Freak carrying Vera out of the prison to safety. Outside, she tells Vera she rescued her, so Grace would not be deprived of a mother. Vera is grateful. The Freak then turns and walks away, disappearing into the night. Next spin-off idea, the Freak on the outside as Australia's female Dexter???
When declared unaccounted for by Linda, Jake and Will are relieved, believing her to be dead but Vera says nothing. Knowing full well a cold blooded murdering psycho is on the loose in Melbourne. First the Rona, now the Freak!
Lou tries to escape the perimeter fences but is apprehended by Rita. Smackdown Version 2.0!!
She is arrested and charged for her crimes. Ally is carried out to safety. As Rita, Ruby and Boomer greet her, Ally reveals she had managed to retrieve the phone for Rita and Ruby, thus proving their innocence.
End credits. So after 8/9 seasons. Australia's biggest drama in years is over. Sad but true, no more teal Tuesdays.
I enjoyed (for the most part) the entire last ten episodes along with the finale. A lot was unsaid/undone. Who knows what kind of mother Boomer will make? Can Will Jackson ever find love? Will Jake and Vera reconnect? Will Lou continue to be Top Dog somewhere?
I really think a sequel is on the cards. Maybe even Franky could come back!
OK well in other news, I finally made it back to the movies again! Come back for Return to Cinema (take two) 2021 - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, tomorrow.
American Horror Story: Double Feature is the first season of AHS that spilts its season in two. Does it work? Well...
The season premiered on late August, with part one: Red Tide kicking off the tenth season. This in my mind was the best part. Featuring for the first time in AHS history, Macaulay Culkin. Whilst joining regulars, Frances Conroy, Leslie Grossman, Billie Lourd, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Adina Porter, Lily Rabe and Finn Wittrock.
I really enjoyed the first six episodes, however part two: Death Valley was not as ideal.
Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Cody Fern and Neal McDonough star. It features conspiracy theories (like they need anymore oxygen right now) along with aliens and former real life presidents at Area 51.
The last four episodes were a bit of a mess. Death Valley had everything from male pregnancies to Marilyn Monroe and Steve Jobs.
Yep if it sounds like a mess. It was.
Red Tide was definitely the best story we have seen on American Horror Story for a while. I enjoyed parts of American Horror Story: 1984, but like most seasons, it lost its way midway through the nine episode run.
Six episodes dedicated to one of these stories is more than enough. Maybe the latest spin-off American Horror Stories is the way forward.
American Horror Story, all seasons stream on Binge in Australia. Whilst I believe some of the seasons stream on Netflix. The anthology horror television series has been renewed for multiple seasons. Meaning it won't disappear from our screens anytime soon.
Lauren (Katherine Parkinson) is a divorced, hectic mother-of-two who is looking for sex without commitment. With the help of best friend and co-worker Alex(Rowan Witt), they develop a spreadsheet.
Or more like a database of sex options. Customised to ensure variety and order amidst the chaos of her life. Unexpectedly she finds slew of needy men, which even a well-managed excel tracker can't control.
The series also stars two Curry brothers, Stephen Curry as Matt & Bernard Curry as Nathan along with some Wentworth favourites. Boomer AKA Katrina Milosevic as Ange who plays Laurens boss. Will Jackson AKA Robbie J. Magasiva as Jake, Lauren's ex husband.
So that is Bernard, Katrina and Robbie all from Wentworth!
Local favourite Christie Whelan Brown plays Nancy, Jakes new girlfriend. Laurens parents are Zahra Newman as Helena and Kerry Armstrong as Carol.
It's an all star cast, an easy AF local watch. Now streaming on Paramount Plus. The newest streamer has now launched/relaunched two great Aussie series. Five Bedrooms (which will be back in 2022 for a third season) was another easy Binge of mine recently!
With Dexter launching next month along with other interesting series from the past on the latest platform I am already a bit of a fan of the Channel Ten off shoot. For more information for streaming platform in 2022, read HERE.
So Spreadsheet is your next binge! It launched Wednesday, I am finished by Friday! I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. Check it out now.
Ann has literally lost her marbles. Even the Freak is looking more normal than Ann. Following that Judy Bryant torture scene. WOW!
OK so here is to the second final, EVER episode!
Top dog, Lou (Kate Box), rallies the inmates against Rita (Leah Purcell), creating tension amongst H Block. Ann (Jane Hall) forces Vera’s (Kate Atkinson) hand when she lashes out at Judy (Vivienne Awosoga).
Ferguson (Pamela Rabe) ends up in court. However she randomly pleas guilty. So life in prison, or does she think Lou will pull off an escape? With The Freak following?
Rita and Lou's power struggle continued. However I am getting tired of Rita's storylines which never really go anywhere. The dead cop? Her being a cop? Why she never wears teal? Anyway...
Righting her wrongs with a moment of redemption, Marie (Susie Porter) takes a stand. Sharing a tender scene with Allie (Kate Jenkinson). Little did we (or Allie) know this would be her swan song.
Throughout the episode 19, Ruby (Rarriwuy Hick) & Marie clashed over where loyalties lie. The pair have history, Ruby’s reservations are logical, but the team-up potential is appealing. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time two enemies put their differences aside to take on a greater threat.
However at the end of the episode following Sheila and Reb, another main character has bitten the dust. So will Gary Sweet stop the bomb next week? Will Ann go even more bat shit crazy? What will Vera, Jake and Grace get up to?
I just want Will to get a happy ending too. It was heartbreaking seeing him so upset over Marie's destined death.
While I have loved the series, it really does need to wrap up next Tuesday evening. I am exciting for it. But in all honestly it's run i's course. The Freak returning from "the dead" was a bridge a little too far in the end.
Scenes from a Marriage is the latest HBO miniseries kicking goals.
Developed, written and directed by Hagai Levi is an English-language remake of the 1973 Swedish miniseries of the same name by Ingmar Bergman. It was presented at the 2021 Venice Film Festival. While premiering on Binge/HBO mid September.
This is an adaptation of the 1970s Swedish miniseries focusing on a contemporary American couple, Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain.
I binged all five episodes back to back just ahead of Succession's third season taking the regular Sunday HBO spot. HBO has now had a very good run of miniseries, Mare of Easttown, The Undoing, The White Lotus (now added to series) with most likely more to come.
I highly recommend this five part series. Outstanding. Not to mention the behind the scenes, opening (and very final scene) scene set up through COVID safe measures. Loved this peak behind the production curtains.
Second last episode of Wentworth starts soon! What a month of TV finales!
The Premise is a five part, 30 minute anthology series streaming now in Australia on Binge. Created by B. J. Novak, it commenced streaming mid September. The fifth and final episode aired earlier this month. However I binged all five episodes in one evening.
Each episode tells a single character driven story about a current world issue. This series has been in the works since July 2019. FX ordered a two-episode pilot order for an anthology created by B. J. Novak and produced by FXP.
In May 2020, FX picked up the series.
Across all five episodes, Lucas Hedges, Kaitlyn Dever, Jon Bernthal, Boyd Holbrook, Ben Platt, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Daniel Dae Kim star.
With every episode being a new story (similar to American Horror Stories recently) it's a mixed bag. One episode is great, edge of your seat stuff (Moment of Silence) while others fall flat (Butt Plug).
I enjoyed these quick five, short stories. It's a bit of a hidden treasure on Binge. However in the USA it airs on FX on Hulu which really is kicking goals right now!
Squid Game (Korean: 오징어 게임; RR: Ojing-eo Geim) is offically the biggest TV show on the planet!
South Korean TV again is killing it right now with the survival drama series streaming on Netflix.
Starring Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, and Kim Joo-ryoung. The hit series was released worldwide back in mid September.
The series revolves around a contest in which 456 players, all drawn from different walks of life but each deeply in debt, play a series of children's games with deadly penalties if they lose for the chance to win a ₩45.6 billion prize.
Hwang had conceived of the idea based on his own economic struggles early in life as well as the class disparity in South Korea. Though he had initially written it in 2009, he was unable to find a production company to fund the idea until Netflix took an interest around 2019 as part of their drive to expand their foreign programming offerings.
Squid Game received critical acclaim and attracted international attention. Within a week of its release, it became one of Netflix's most-watched programs in several regional markets. At launch, it attracted more than 111 million viewers, surpassing Bridgerton as the network's most-watched series to date.
Seong Gi-hun, a divorced and indebted chauffeur, is invited to play a series of children's games for a chance at a large cash prize. Accepting the offer, he is taken to an unknown location where he finds himself among 455 other players who are also deeply in debt.
The players are made to wear green tracksuits and are kept under watch at all times by masked guards in pink jumpsuits, with the games overseen by the Front Man, who wears a black mask and black uniform.
The players soon discover that losing a game results in their death, with each death adding ₩100 million to the potential ₩45.6 billion grand prize.[a] Gi-hun allies with other players, including his childhood friend Cho Sang-woo, to try to survive the physical and psychological twists of the games.
This is honestly one of the most addictive, original (if you remove the Hunger Games comparisons) series I have seen this previously lockdown. Whilst superhero, cop, medical and fire fighting series are here in huge numbers. A real study into inequality in our modern society in wealthy countries is lacking.
Yeah I love me a bit of 9-1-1 and Station 19, but this series is truly exciting. Every episode was edge of your seat stuff. A second season is honestly a must. Netflix (like with Money Heist) are onto an international winning series.
I can't wait for a follow up as if you have watched the series, One Lucky Day (Unsu Joeun Nal 운수 좋은 날) left you on a real cliffhanger.
So do yourself a favour, get onto Netflix, lose yourself in nine hours of gripping TV on the cooler October nights we are still experiencing. Bring on summer baby!
I have been rather busy with October TV Finales, so Wentoworth recaps slid aside for a brief minute. However it's time to catch up on episodes Collateral and The Abyss
Episode 17 - Collateral:
Allie’s on the verge of breaking point after finding Ruby in bed with Zaina. Allie feels that she is worth nothing now that she lost all sensation from the waist down.
Rita is curious to understand why Marie hasn’t yet informed the women that she is a cop. Whilst Marie reveals to Rita that Lou holds the officers responsible for Reb’s death.
Rita lags to Will that he and the other staff are in danger causing an angry Linda to confront Lou and physically threaten her.
Dr. Miller realises just how deep he is in with Joan after what she did to Eve. He is certain that she will not be able to contain her murderous urges.
Boomer gives Gavin a blow-by-blow account of what to expect with her hidden camera footage. This story line is not really going anywhere. Until Boomer and Gavin, shag. Gross.
However Gavin is caught trying to smuggle the camera out. Linda AKA Smiles is the one to make the discovery, then demands the month's extra pay from Ann. Who is getting more loose by the week!
Ann checks its contents and discovers an accidental recording of Lou and Judy discussing the bomb escape and notifies a National Security Officer (Gary Sweet, does he appear on every Australian TV series at least once?)
Gary Sweet, insists waiting until they are caught red-handed with the equipment.
Vera and Will enlist Allie’s help in having Miller removed from the service. Having been rejected by Ruby in the showers, Allie loses control and repeatedly stabs her legs with a shiv which Miller puts down to PTSD.
While Miller is comforting Allie, she kissed him and is informed by Vera and Will that they know the truth about Joan and give him the opportunity to resign peacefully or they’ll report him for taking advantage of a prisoner.
Lou believes that Joan is lagging to the officers and puts her hand in the steam press, but later slaps a deceitful Marie when she finds Zaina’s phone on voice recorder planted in her cell.
The women of H1 reluctantly welcome Marie to their unit. As Joan’s court case draws closer, and with Miller’s career now in jeopardy, she decides it’s time to bring the photos of Vera, Will and Jake out into the open. Cliffhanger, until we get into episode 18, the third last episode before... maybe a BIG bang!
Episode 18 - The Abyss:
In receipt of the photo, Vera confronts Joan, warning her she is prepared to confess all to her role in the burial, as the crimes she’d be facing are far less severe than the ones facing Joan.
Joan reminds Vera that it is Grace who would suffer, should Vera be jailed.
Backed into a corner, Will summons Joan to his office and concedes, agreeing not to stand in the way of she and Dr Miller, in exchange for her silence. Joan agrees.
Later, the police visit, having discovered the fake passports that Joan had obtained for her and Grace. Realizing she was planning to kidnap her daughter, Vera plans to poison Joan. When Jake inadvertently intercepts the poison and nearly swallows it, Vera retracts, upset that she almost had stooped to Joan’s level.
Joan secretly makes her own attempt to kill Vera, in the library. Her attempt never happens following Ann entering the library when Joan is lurking.
Ann rips Vera a new one for failing to help her with a personal matter the previous evening.
Rita watches a news report relating to the assassinated United States Secretary of State and deduces that Judy was responsible.
Believing Marie lagged on her and Judy’s escape plan, Lou plans to punish Marie with the steam presser. Marie fights off Lou’s henchwomen with a blade and is slotted by Linda.
Boomer takes a pregnancy test and is ecstatic when it comes back positive.
Rita is visited by the police and charged with Detective Morelli’s murder. Ruby too is charged as an accessory. Her solicitor warns Rita that while the evidence does support her version of events, it equally supports Jones’ and a jury is more likely to accept his version.
Rita is devastated. Upon learning of this, Judy invites Rita in on the escape attempt, in exchange for her silence. Rita considers, much to Ruby’s disgust.
Lou then obtains the phone Marie had used to record all their conversations and listens to her illicit conversation with Detective Jones. Therefore uncovering Rita is/was an undercover cop.
Marie tries to warn Rita, but by the time she is released from the slot, it is too late. Lou outs Rita to the entire prison in the exercise yard. Marie and Ruby try in vain to intervene. Rita is brutally beaten by Lou’s squad. The episode ends with another cliffhanger. Two episodes remaining, who will survive?
Five Bedrooms season two landed on Paramount+ mid August this year. With all the finales and all the week to week shows. I was a little behind catching up on this former Network 10 drama.
The second season was set premiere on in 2020, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the second season was rescheduled to air in 2021. Meaning the series moved from Network 10 to streaming service, Paramount+ (the 10 affiliated second attempt at streaming, following 10 All Access).
Five Bedrooms stars Roy Joseph, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke, Kate Jenkinson and Hugh Sheridan. Season two sees Rodger Corser (Doctor Doctor and others) joining the cast to guest star as Stuart, Liz's (Kat Stewart) ex-husband.
Season two sees joy, romance, heartbreak and drama. Also a new five bedroom house.
This was one of the easiest watches of the past (gotta be last) lockdown. Stephen Peacocke is one of the easiest on the eyes in Australian TV. He recently was featured on the surprisingly good RFDS.
Five Bedrooms must also be doing something right as like Evil yesterday Paramount+ have already announced a third season. Filming has already begun with the show most likely to air in 2022. Paramount+ is starting off fairly well. Last year when it was launched as 10 All Access it was DOA, now I feel with the Showtime content, upcoming Paramount+ originals, plus Paramount library I think this could be a streaming service here to stay.
Evil stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Michael Emerson, Aasif Mandvi, Kurt Fuller, Marti Matulis, Brooklyn Shuck, Skylar Gray, Maddy Crocco, Dalya Knapp and Christine Lahti.
This is one of the first exclusive Paramount+ series since it launched in Australia. Prior to the second season starting, the series was renewed for a third season. Most likely to commence in 2022.
The second season has a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Now that is high! Evil slips into the streaming world with a spooky second season that doubles down on the scares without losing its sense of humor.
It's slightly odd, it feels a little like a modern day X Files with a religious streak.
I enjoyed the 13 episodes which commenced all the way back in June. Mike Colter is dreamy AF while the show is fairly fast paced with the added bonus of having the freedoms of course language now it's playing on a streaming platform.
It also got a little more sexy this time around.
The first season commenced on Stan. Now if you are a fan you need to get onto the Paramount+ train. Dexter's reboot starts next month, I am intrigued by American Rust (a new Showtime original, Stan missed out on) and can't wait to watch the OG Melrose Place series again.
I will also review the second season of Five Bedrooms. Similar to Evil, it commenced on Channel Ten. Now it's an exclusive Paramount+ title.
Heels is the latest drama to stream on Stan, commencing mid-August. In the USA Heels streams on Starz.
Two brothers and rivals, one a villain, or "heel" in professional wrestling, the other a hero, or "face" play out scripted matches as they war over their late father's wrestling promotion and vie for national attention in small town Georgia.
Arrow's Stephen Amell was cast as lead, Jack Spade, whilst Alexander Ludwig was cast as his brother, Ace Spade.
Alison Luff stars as Jack's wife, Staci Spade, Chris Bauer (True Blood), Allen Maldonado, James Harrison, and Kelli Berglund, Mary McCormack also feature in the eight episode wrestling drama.
Heels was an original drama, whilst I have no interest in wrestling I found myself captivated to this series.
Alexander Ludwig is a beast of a man. He is a vision on the small screen.
Heels is an interesting watch. If you have a spare few hours, this is an easy one to knock out. Also I will get back to my regular Wentworth reviews soon. Too many October TV Finales over the past few weeks!
Also I will get back to the movies ASAP! Thank fuck Sydney has reopened!
The third season of The Masked Singer Australia premiered back on Monday, 13 September 2021. With Anastasia being revealed as the Vampire, therefore the winner of the third season.
It was a much bigger season for names, season one struggled to pull decent names. For example Rob Mills and Cody Simpson (his girlfriend appeared in this season, which was maybe the biggest letdown of a reveal) were the biggest names of the opening season.
Then lockdown happened. Celebrities availability opened up, big time!
Kate Miller-Heidke and Christine Anu for me were highlights in the second season. However the lowlights were Channel Ten stars like Julia Morris and former tennis player, Mark Philippoussis.
This season saw Macy Gray, Ben Lee and Killing Heidi's Ella Hooper all appear. This for me was like a 90's superstar playlist.
Jack Vidgen and the Mullet's Axle Whitehead were the biggest letdowns. So who knows who will sign up for the show next year. It was a massive commitment watching the show three nights a week as peak US TV heated up. Lucky for lockdown. Which is now OVER! Thanks for the memories Gladys.
Vigil is the latest six-part series to take the world by storm. Well that is before Squid Game landed on Netflix!
The series commenced on BBC One back in August. I smashed the entire six episodes over the previously long weekend. Which really was a Labor Day weekend. Bye Gladys, Bye John or is it Giovanni Domenic as well as bye Transport Minister Andrew Constance.
Either way following a pile of finales in October lets get back to the Binged 2021 series.
It stars Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Shaun Evans, Paterson Joseph and Martin Compston. Produced by the same production company as the huge hit, Line of Duty.
The series is set in Scotland, however a preview for Australia's future, much of the action takes place on a nuclear-powered Vanguard class submarine.
Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva of the Scottish Police Service is sent to HMS Vigil, a Vanguard class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, to investigate a death on board, which takes place shortly after the mysterious disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler.
Her investigations, and those of her colleagues ashore, bring the police into conflict with the Royal Navy and MI5, the British Security Service.
The series is gripping. From episode one you are lured in. By episodes four, five and six, it's just a full on binge. Which is funny as the series literally airs on Binge in Australia.
With monster ratings in the UK, Vigil has been a big smash in 2021. Now I just have to sit down and catch up on Line of Duty! Until tomorrow, when I take a long overdue look at The Masked Singer, Australia's third season.
Like Animal Kingdom yesterday, Riverdale has completely lost the plot in its fifth season. Similar to Billions (which also wrapped in this big week of finales) Riverdale returns sooner than you think. November 16, 2021 to be exact. Yep next month!
KJ Apa continues as Archie Andrews, Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper, Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge, alongside Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones. SPOILER ALERT. This is also the last season featuring...
Mark Consuelos as Hiram Lodge.
This follows his wife, Marisol Nichols as Hermione Lodge leaving previously.
A quick recap of the 19th episode of season five. So Betty graduates to the title of Special Agent at the FBI, then opens the Riverdale field office.
Veronica vows to exile Hiram once and for all after he is responsible for a fire at Pop's. Jughead and Tabitha burn the office of the Lodge Ledger to get revenge.
Toni and Fangs struggle to maintain control of the Serpents.
Cheryl learns that her ancestor was burned at the stake by Jughead, Archie, and Betty's ancestors and demands they apologize at the town forum. She vows to use her good to create a school for troubled girls on Thornhill's grounds, and unincorporated from Riverdale.
Veronica and Reggie rekindle their romance as they plan for a casino in town.
Archie names Tabitha, Toni, Alice, and Frank to the town council to help reincorporate Riverdale.
Betty and Archie decide to begin a romantic relationship themselves, but as they are about to have sex in Archie's bedroom, they find a bomb under the bed that is about to go off.
The bomb is left by Hiram as his final act in the series. As Hiram drives away, Archie's house is seen blown up in a fiery smoke. The smoke over Riverdale is some of the worst special effects all season. Legit.
So hot Gossip ahead of Season Six of this train wreck series?
Cheryl invoked a centuries-old curse spoken by her ancestor Abigail while she was burned alive as a witch, and a cold wind blew through Riverdale as a result. The curse was originally on the ancestors of Archie, Betty and Jughead, so Cheryl’s curse could spell trouble for those three when Season 6 kicks off with a five-episode event, dubbed “Rivervale.”
Sabrina (yep the recent Netflix Sabrina reboot) will turn up in Episode 4, titled The Witching Hour(s), where she’ll assist Cheryl as she performs a dangerous spell. Not sure when Riverdale will return in 2022 or how many episodes they will spin out this next season. However lets hope season six is not as much of a mish mash of crazy that season five was.
In Australia, Riverdale streams weekly on Netflix.
Animal Kingdom based on the 2010 Australian film of the same name by David Michôd.
You know when some shows have been on for too long? Well that is the case for Animal Kingdom. Seasons one, two and three were great. Season four started to drag, whilst season five was a total drag!
The 1980's flashbacks of early Smurf, really wore thin after a while.
Honestly I am hoping they cut the flashbacks in the final season to air next year.
This episode we saw, the Codys rob the port, but they are discovered and are forced to flee both the man that they are robbing and the police; however, the heist is successful.
This was where the series was heading, it was all over quick smart!
After getting her cut of the money, Frankie leaves the country while Ren, continuing to ignore Craig and living with her cousins, attempts to send a friend to collect both her and Nicky's things only to have Craig refuse.
Enraged at Pete's lies about the cocaine, Pope confronts him with J and rips one of Pete's eyes out as a punishment for his actions, threatening to do worse if he doesn't give them their cut within a week.
The Codys share a family dinner where J and Deran, finally working together as the leaders of the family, outline their plan to sell off Smurf's apartment buildings and buy a series of businesses to launder their money through like J's bowling alley and to everyone's surprise, Deran decides to start laundering money through his bar which had previously been just his legitimate side business.
I really though Deran would hit it off with his new barman. Didn't happen. BOO!
As they celebrate, the police discover a body buried at a new housing development: Catherine Blackwell who has been missing since Pope had murdered her years before.
This show has long past its expiry date. Streaming in Australia week to week on Netflix, season five was a thirteen episode struggle to watch.
Without Smurf (flashback Smurf doesn't count) this series has completely lost its way.
With a very small cliffhanger/plot to set up season six, I wonder what they will do with the final season.
There is a lot to wrap up in the final few episodes, which will likely return next June/July. Until then its a mega busy TV month in October! Plus the movies finally reopens on MONDAY!
Billions is returning way sooner than we could have imagined! The sixth season and is set to premiere on January 23, 2022. While other Showtime titles will move to Paramount Plus in Australia, Billions is staying put on Stan.
Spoiler alert the sixth series, will not see the return of lead, Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis). Like in his major departure from former Showtime hit series, Homeland, Lewis has bailed possibly making the sixth season the final season.
Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti),Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff), Taylor Mason (Asia Kate Dillon), Mike "Wags" Wagner (David Costabile) along with Corey Stoll as Michael Thomas Aquinius Prince continuing as Axe's obvious replacement.
The trailer is already all over the internet, series six is a matter of months away following a very spilt fifth season.
The addition of Corey Stoll was fine, however he may not have the same billing as Lewis. The fifth season had multiple twists and turns, had a slight mention of COVID, while continuing the greedy money play of some of the most vile characters on premium cable TV.
I enjoyed season five (despite the year long gap in between the season) however I feel the show (like many others) has run it's course. Showtime will be desperate the reboot of Dexter (New Blood) is a hit. The station was snubbed at this years Emmy's whilst its upcoming series are not the strongest.
Showtime is clearly missing a series like Homeland or OG Dexter to draw in crowds and critics. It's a tough game getting eyeballs right now. There has never been so much on offer. Speaking of guess who finally got into Squid Game?
Dynasty has already been renewed for a fifth season all the way back in February. Meaning the SPOILER - Fallon cliffhanger is to be resolved. The fourth season of Dynasty began early May of this year.
,The series ran its 22 episode course with few interruptions. We even got a sneaky double episode ahead of the recent season finale.
Starring one of the OG stars Elizabeth Gillies as Fallon Carrington, Grant Show as Blake Carrington, Daniella Alonso as Cristal, Sam Underwood as Adam Carrington.
Also starring Robert Christopher Riley as Michael Culhane, Sam Adegoke as Jeff Colby, Rafael de la Fuente as Sam Jones, Adam Huber as Liam Ridley and Aussie Alan Dale as Joseph Anders. SPOILER #2, this OG will not appear in season five.
I do also feel season five could be the last.
The bloated season five cast also features Maddison Brown as Kirby; Michael Michele as Dominique Deveraux, Elaine Hendrix as Alexis Carrington Colby (formerly played by Nicolette Sheridan) and Eliza Bennett as Amanda Carrington, Alexis's secret daughter by Blake. This was another addition to the family tree in season four.
There was some bat shit crazy stuff in the series fourth season. A cat fight, a major death (which was teased for weeks with a funeral attending by multiple cast members) along with some outrageous fashion.
Streaming in Australia in bulk at the end of each season on Netflix. It must be said Netflix must pay a fortune for this series. No one watches it on Friday nights in the USA live or on demand on the CW app.
The series will also relocate to Fridays mid season meaning it will likely air at a similar time next year. Feb/March 2022 till around October 2022.
This show has been fun in the past, however I feel like it's coming to an end. With most OG cast members jumping ship, this camp series has really run its course. Fingers crossed Fallon pulls through after that final scene!
Mr. Corman is the second Apple TV+ series to be cancelled after one season. Little Voice was the first.
Written by, directed by, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, you would think this series had legs. However after a few episodes this was a hard watch.
Once COVID hit the series, it was just awful. Watching someone super paranoid about COVID as entertainment? No thanks.
Mr. Corman is described as a deep cut into the days and nights of a public school teacher in the San Fernando Valley.
This is not Apple TV+'s best work. Actually it's close to its worst. With See, The Morning Show and more new titles on the way. This will be buried beneath some of the better series one of the latest streaming services has offered up.
If you need a 30 minute series to take a look at, try Hacks on Stan or Run the World also on Stan.
Concluding the long weekend of (Mini) October Long Weekend Monday Spotlights, Amyl and the Sniffers.
We made it to Monday after a regular weekend full of picnics.
So let's shine the light on pub rock/punk rock Amyl and the Sniffers from locked down Melbourne.
Amy Taylor, Bryce Wilson, Dec Martens and Fergus Romer are the ARIA Awards winners (in 2019), for their self-titled debut record winning the Best Rock Album category.
The band was formed by housemates Taylor, Wilson and Martens and former band member Calum Newton (AKA Candy) in Balaclava, Melbourne.
The four wrote, recorded, and released their first EP, Giddy Up, in a span of 12 hours.
Calum left the band to pursue solo music and was replaced by Fergus Romer.
They take their name from the Australian slang for amyl nitrite, also known as poppers.
Amy Taylor compared their music to the drug in an interview with Paul Glynn of the BBC: "In Australia we call poppers Amyl. So you sniff it, it lasts for 30 seconds and then you have a headache – and that's what we're like!"
Their sound has been compared to 1970s hard rock groups such as Iggy Pop and The Stooges and The Damned.
However, Taylor has cited a number of varying influences including Minor Threat, Ceremony, AC/DC, Sleaford Mods, Dolly Parton and Cardi B.
In February 2020, the self-titled album was nominated for the Australian Music Prize of 2019.
In July this year, Amyl and the Sniffers announced their second studio album Comfort to Me. Including lead single Guided by Angels, along with Security and Hertz.
Comfort to Me album was initially scheduled for release in early October 2021, however was pushed up to 10 September.
Until next time that's it for the (Mini) Monday Spotlight series. Back to TV tomorrow with big finale reviews of Dynasty, Mr Corman alongside Stan hit Billions. There will also be big hits like Vigil getting my verdict.
Ruby Fields has just given us her debut record, Been Doin It for a Bit. It was my feature album on my other blog. You can check out all the videos neatly unpacked HERE.
In 2018, she released her debut EP Your Dad's Opinion for Dinner. The EP gave us popular singles I Want, P Plates, and Ritalin.
Ruby's single Dinosaurs, has been her biggest single to date. It reached number 9 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2018. This single alongside Climate and Trouble were lifted from Ruby's second EP Permanent Hermit.
Fields' hometown is Cronulla, Sydney. She began songwriting when she was 11 and busking when she was 13.
Fields spent several years learning how to build guitars and repair music equipment from her friend's father. She grew up listening to bands such as AC/DC, Fleetwood Mac, and Guns N' Roses.
Gretta Ray hails from Melbourne, Victoria. Ray gave us her debut album, Begin to Look Around late August. Following a couple of EP's and singles, we finally got the 15 track release from Ray.
Featuring the singles Cherish, Passion, Love Me Right, this album is a divine listen. You can stream the full release below.
We meet Gretta back in 2016. She was the winner of the national Triple J Unearthed radio competition as well as the 2016 Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, with her song Drive.
Drive was an instant hit. Ray has also worked with Japanese Wallpaper, Odette, Xavier Dunn and Dustin Tebbutt. Whilst her hit Radio Silence was also nominated in 2020 at the APRA awards for the Most Performed Alternate Work of the Year.
So this long weekend discover a great Aussie debut album, it's Gretta Ray with Begin to Look Around.
