Binged 2021 - Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens - Season Two

Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens stars believe it or not, Awkwafina. The sensation who recently co-stars in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

The 33 year old makes a tight series around young Nora, who lives with her father and grandma, in (you guessed it) Queens.

Nora's grandma Lori Tan Chinn (Orange is the New Black) steals every scene she is in. Some of her appearances in season one, I still rewatch to this very day.

Paramount Plus now have the rights to Comedy Central shows in Australia, so I waited patiently till the entire season dropped recently. The season concluded last month in the USA, however I did binge this fast within around a week.

All ten episodes easy to watch.

A third season has not yet been announced so one will have to wait and see if the series returns for a third run.

After a COVID related finale, there is plenty of new ground to cover with Nora and the Queens setting.

BD Wong is also wonderful as Nora's dad Wally.

There were some touching moments along with some real fun in the second run. Nora is a real odd ball but super likeable along with laugh out loud funny. Following another year from hell, 2021 is the year you need series like Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens. Please Comedy Central give us a third season!

Binged 2021 - You - Season Three

The third season of You has reached new heights. It's a cult show that literally everyone is talking about. The same month as the ten episode third season landed the show was green lit for what looks like a very different season four. If you saw episode ten of season three, you know what I mean.

Season three picks off with Joe Goldberg's & Love, with child, heading to the fictitious Californian suburb of Madre Linda.

Starring Penn Badgley, Victoria Pedretti, and Saffron Burrows, Shalita Grant, Travis Van Winkle, Dylan Arnold, Tati Gabrielle & Michaela McManus who portrays Joe's new neighbour, shown at end of the second season. That was a tiny cliffhanger, which gets resolved real fast in the third season.

In the third season, Joe and Love are married and raising their newborn son, Henry.

As their relationship dynamic takes a new turn, Joe continues to repeat the cycle of obsession with a burgeoning interest in Natalie Engler, the next door neighbor. 

This time, Love flips the script to ensure that her dream of having the perfect family will not be torn away so easily by Joe's compulsive actions. 

However, after Love takes care of the Natalie problem, Joe turns his obsession to Marienne, a librarian who shares a troubled childhood in the foster system. Further complicating Love and Joe's relationship, Natalie's stepson Theo falls head over heels for Love.

There is a lot to unpack after the batshit crazy third season, however a hard reset presents itself at the end of season three as we see a new location for Joe. Small spoiler alert. 

I really enjoyed the third season. Whilst there was almost a two year break for the season, I got right into this over the few weeks it took for me to smash out.

The season's ten episodes were a very easy watch. Joe and Love have one hell of a relationship whilst some of the new players really ramp things up this season.

Penn Badgley really is awesome as Joe, so if you need a series to hook into across all this wet late Spring weather, there is a reason why people like You. It's addictive, it's camp, it's damn fine. Stream it now on Netflix.

Return to Cinema (take two) 2021 - No Time to Die

No Time to Die is my fifth venture back to the cinemas since the last long ass lockdown. Am I enjoying cinema as much as I was prior to this lockdown? I'm unsure. Has streaming actually broken our desires to go to the cinemas.

This was Daniel Craig's in his fifth and final outing as the fictional British MI6 agent James Bond. 

Starring Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Rory Kinnear, Ralph Fiennes, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, Ana de Armas, David Dencik and Dali Benssalah also starring. 

In No Time to Die, Bond, who has left active service with MI6, is recruited by the CIA to find a kidnapped scientist, which leads to a showdown with a powerful adversary.

Billie Eilish performs the theme song, which ended up coming out way before the film. The 13 February, 2020 to be exact.

No Time to Die, eventually had its world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 28 September 2021. Almost 2 years after it was initially scheduled for release. Apparently it was first scheduled for release in November, 2019.

My one major issue with No Time to Die was its length. Almost three hours in length, add in cinema ads, it was three hours. So on a Friday night after a long ass week, an 8-11pm film was not my jam.

I honestly did nod off a few times. It was an action packed Bond affair, however it was slightly complicated, long winded along with jumping all over the place. Rami Malek (Mr Robot) was fine as the villain. However this was not really my jam.

No spoiler alerts, however with so many gun shots fired at the 53 year old Craig, how does every shot manage to miss Bond? How does he always end up with super young women? How does everyone Bond shoots ends up dying?

Maybe I am just getting old, want some more real, but for me No Time to Die was a bit of a snooze fest. I'll pass it for a decent ending. 2.5 Stars.

November TV Finales - Love Life - Season Two

Love Life now in its second season just concluded. I started it late on Stan (airing on HBO Max in other territories) but binged the shit out of it.

William Jackson Harper replaces Anna Kendrick as Darby Carter as Marcus Watkins, seasons two's lead. Kendrick did reprise her role of Darby as a guest though in the second season.

Jessica Williams, Chris Powell, Punkie Johnson, Leslie Bibb, John Earl Jelks, Arian Moayed, Kimberly Elise, Ego Nwodim, and Blair Underwood. Keith David has the role of the season's narrator.

The second season was a wild ride. Like Mr Corman I hated the COVID bits, however this didn't last too long thank god!

William Jackson Harper is outstanding as Marcus. He was also hella ripped!

I like how honest and raw the relationships are portrayed. I honestly found this a refreshing series after the 2021 we've had. Season one was excellent, season two kept up the high standard.

A third season has not yet been renewed, however HBO Max are fairly kind, so I reckon a third, maybe gay love story will be on the way?

If you need a little 30 minute comedy/drama give this a go on Stan.

November TV Finales - Supergirl - Season Six/Series Finale

The sixth and final season of Supergirl, premiered in late March, before taking a break till late August after 7 of the 20 episodes.

The series joins The Flash, Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, set in the Arrowverse.

Former Glee star Melissa Benoist stars as Kara/Supergirl along with Chyler Leigh, Katie McGrath, Jesse Rath, Nicole Maines, Azie Tesfai, Julie Gonzalo, Staz Nair & David Harewood. Australian Peta Sergeant joins the cast as the series baddie.

Concluding now in November, Supergirl has had a good run since it commenced on CBC back in 2015.

The series concludes with 126 episodes under Supergirl's belt. Also launching fellow DC series, Superman & Lois recently. Supergirl has been a long standing series on my TV dance card since 2015. It will be weird with one less DC series on the TV calendar, however the last few seasons have been a little weak.

Concluding with a wedding along with a big reveal. The Supergirl double episode finale had it all!

As far as series finales go. This was good, not great. A number of special guests from past seasons, Mehcad Brooks as James Olsen / Guardian, Jeremy Jordan as Winn Schott, Chris Wood as Mon-El, Helen Slater as Eliza Danvers & Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant all appear in episode twenty.

Burning off the final two episodes ahead of The Flash and Riverdale returning felt a little bit of an anti-climax for the long running series. Oh well, it joins Arrow and Black Lightning in the Arrowverse universe heaven.

Now to try and finish The Morning Show and Love Life before the end of November. Why is there so much good TV after lockdown ended!

November TV Finales - Impeachment: American Crime Story

Impeachment: American Crime Story is the third season outing FX true-crime anthology television series American Crime Story. 

This was not the best season of the American Crime Story franchise. 

Consisting of a slightly bloated, 10 episodes the political sex storm commenced back at the start of September. A much darker time in Sydney's history.

The season portrays the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal and is based on the book A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Story of the Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down a President by Jeffrey Toobin.

Including long term Ryan Murphy friends, Sarah Paulson, Annaleigh Ashford, Judith Light along with Beanie Feldstein, Clive Owen, Margo Martindale, Billy Eichner, Cobie Smulders, Edie Falco, Taran Killam, Colin Hanks, Mira Sorvino, Elizabeth Reaser, and Anthony Green. 

Sarah Paulson is outstanding as the vile Linda Tripp. The audience/folks in the series really end up hating Tripp. Beanie Feldstein as lead Lewinsky is a funny little thing. You feel bad for her, whilst question, why? A lot of the run of ten episodes.

It could have been a tighter eight episode run with a much less fluff and chat. I felt like the finale just ended, like boom. Oh well that all just happened over ten episodes. A pile of talk, little action while not being that conclusive.

We all know he was Impeached, we all know after the Trump years it means nothing, so this one could be easily left for a rainy day. Oh hey that's most days this week in Sydney.

Not as good as the OJ season, not as sexy as The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, so it is a distant third place out of the Crime Story seasons. Let's hope the Studio 54 season is better.

Return to Cinema (take two) 2021 - Eternals

Eternals is yet another superhero film based on the Marvel Comic.

Starring Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie. 

In short, the Eternals, an immortal alien race, emerge from hiding after thousands of years to protect Earth from their ancient counterparts, the Deviants.

It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its themes and visuals, but criticized its exposition, pacing, runtime, and lack of character development. This is the first Marvel film in a while to receive negative feedback.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a much better Marvel film in my mind. Clocking in at 157 minutes, this film is totally a blown out action film. Give me a 90 minute action film any day please!

Marvel tried throwing everything at the film. Even including young Harry Styles in one of the end credits scenes. I didn't stay for the final end credits scene, I was tired it was almost 10pm on a Wednesday night.

The return to the cinema has been a little rocky this second lockdown return. I have to admit going to the cinema has not been as enjoyable after another four months without the cinema. I have ZERO interest in rushing out to see the latest James Bond film. I will eventually see it, however after this and The Last Duel I am a little tired of three hours sitting on my ass.

We had months to sit on our expanding asses over winter.

The Eternals looks visually great, just the storyline, dialogue, character development and ending, leaves the viewer a little cold resenting Disney/Marvel. God knows how the new Spiderman will fare.

I'll pass this just, for that gay kiss, 2.5 Stars.

Binged 2021 - Wakefield

Following my AACTA predictions yesterday, it is time to catch up with one of ABC TV's Australian dramas of 2021, Wakefield.

Wakefield is a psychological mystery revolving around the staff and patients who populate Ward C of a psychiatric hospital in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, centred on psychiatric nurse Nik.

Starring a cast of familiar faces, along with new faces. Lead by Rudi Dharmalingam as Nikhil "Nik" Katira, a warm empathetic nurse at Wakefield Psychiatric Hospital, son of Indian immigrants Rashaal and Jeshna, and brother of Renuka. Along with Geraldine Hakewill as Dr. Kareena Wells, the leading doctor of the ward, Nik's former fiancée, and wife of David. 

The evil/naughty nurse of the series, Mandy McElhinney as Linda, acting Nursing Unit Manager. With comedian come actor, Felicity Ward as Collette, a Wakefield nurse, friend of Nik, with a penchant for new age and self-development techniques. Another comedian joins the all star cast, former Triple J announcer,Sam Simmons one of the other Wakefield nurses.

Pacharo Mzembe is the other Doctor on site, Rohan Achebe. Joining other well known patients, 

Dan Wyllie, Harriet Dyer as Genevieve, Ryan Corr as Raff, Genevieve's husband, Harry Greenwood, Kim Gyngell, Richie Miller, Colin Friels and Guy Simon. 

The eight episode series, is at times a full on watch. It puts very elements of mental health under the microscope. I enjoyed the beautiful setting of the Blue Mountains along with the original story presented across the mini-series. I am not sure a second season would be possible, however I would watch that. Speaking of Total Control (another AACTA nominated series from the ABC) is back tonight from 8:30pm.

I recommend this series to anyone looking for something intense to watch. The ABC has had some big hits this year, Fires, now Wakefield and the return of Total Control. Lets hope we get more original, interesting Australian dramas in 2022.

I must get into other AACTA nominated series like The End & The Newreader shortly.

AACTA 2021 Nominations | Predictions

Nominations were announced last Sunday as part of Halloween celebrations. So better late than never, here are my predictions for the Awards held in early December. Predictions bold and in red.

Television nominees:

Best Drama Series

• Clickbait

• Jack Irish

• Mr Inbetween

• The Newsreader

• Total Control

• Wakefield

• Wentworth

Best Miniseries or Telefeature

• A Sunburnt Christmas

• The End

• Fires

• New Gold Mountain

• The Unusual Suspects

Best Lead Actor in a Drama

• Rudi Dharmalingam – Wakefield

• Guy Pearce – Jack Irish

• Sam Reid – The Newsreader

• Richard Roxburgh – Fires

• Scott Ryan – Mr Inbetween

Best Lead Actress in a Drama

• Deborah Mailman – Total Control

• Mandy McElhinney – Wakefield

• Miranda Otto – Fires

• Pamela Rabe – Wentworth

• Anna Torv – The Newsreader

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama

• Harry Greenwood – Wakefield

• William McInnes – The Newsreader

• Matt Nable – Mr Inbetween

• Stephen Peacocke – The Newsreader

• Justin Rosniak – Mr Inbetween

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

• Michelle Lim Davidson – The Newsreader

• Marg Downey – The Newsreader

• Harriet Dyer – Wakefield

• Rachel Griffiths – Total Control

• Noni Hazlehurst – The End

Best Narrative Comedy Series

• Aftertaste

• Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House Of Fun

• Fisk

• Frayed

• Preppers

• Rosehaven

Best Comedy Entertainment Program

• Dom and Adrian 2020

• Hard Quiz

• The Moth Effect

• Spicks And Specks

• The Weekly

Best Comedy Performer

• Mark Samual Bonanno – Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House Of Fun

• Kitty Flanagan – Fisk

• Tom Gleeson – Hard Quiz

• Broden Kelly – Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House Of Fun

• Sarah Kendall – Frayed

• Nakkiah Lui – Preppers

• Luke McGregor – Rosehaven

• Celia Pacquola – Rosehaven

Best Entertainment Program

• Australian Ninja Warrior

• Lego Masters Australia

• The Masked Singer

• Mastermind

• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2021

• The Voice

Best Factual Entertainment Program

• Australia Talks

• Courtney Act’s One Plus One

• Gogglebox Australia

• Love on the Spectrum

• The Project

• You Can’t Ask That

Best Lifestyle Program

• Adam and Poh’s Malaysia in Australia

• The Cook Up with Adam Liaw

• Gardening Australia

• Grand Designs Australia

• The Living Room

• Love it or List it Australia

Best Reality Program

• The Amazing Race Australia

• Australian Survivor: Brains v Brawn

• The Block

• Luxe Listings Sydney

• MasterChef Australia

• The Real Housewives of Melbourne

Best Documentary or Factual Program

• Brazen Hussies

• Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire

• Life in Colour with David Attenborough

• Ms Represented with Annabel Crabb

• Old People’s Home For 4 Year Olds

• The School That Tried to End Racism

Best Children’s Program

• 100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone

• Bluey

• The Bureau of Magical Things

• Dive Club

• Hardball

• Kangaroo Beach

Best Screenplay in Television

• Mr Inbetween (Episode 6) – Scott Ryan

• The Newsreader (Episode 1) – Michael Lucas

• The Newsreader (Episode 5) – Kim Ho & Michael Lucas

• Wakefield (Episode 5) – Kristen Dunphy & Sam Meikle

• Total Control (Episode 1) – Stuart Page

Best Stand-Up Special

• Anne Edmonds and Lloyd Langford – Business with Pleasure

• Celia Pacquola – Let Me Know How It All Works Out

• Hannah Gadsby – Douglas

• Lano and Woodley in Lano and Woodley

• Rhys Nicholson Live at the Athenaeum

• Tom Gleeson – Lighten Up

Best Direction in Drama or Comedy

• Fires (Episode 2) – Ana Kokkinos

• Mr Inbetween (Episode 6) – Nash Edgerton

• The Newsreader (Episode 1) – Emma Freeman

• Wakefield (Episode 5) – Kim Mordaunt

• Wakefield (Episode 8) – Jocelyn Moorhouse

Best Direction in Non-Fiction Television

• Brazen Hussies – Catherine Dwyer

• Hannah Gadsby – Douglas – Madeleine Parry

• Love on the Spectrum (Episode 4) – Cian O’Clery

• Ms Represented with Annabel Crabb (Episode 1) – Stamatia Maroupas

• You Can’t Ask That (Episode 1) – Kirk Docker

November TV Finales - Stargirl - Season Two

The second season of Stargirl is also known as Summer School, which ran for thirteen consecutive weeks from August 10 on Binge. Usually these shows have multiple breaks throughout the season. Which sometimes allows a show to feel like it is severely dragging. No issues with that, along with the fact most episodes were less than 40 minutes in running time.

A third season, subtitled Frenemies, has already been green lit so 2022 will still see some DC superhero shows.

In season two, Stargirl and the Justice Society must contend with the re-emergence of former ISA member Shade and the threat of Eclipso. Meanwhile, Cindy and Eclipso work on putting together a new ISA called Injustice Unlimited.

Season one was initially a DC Universe original, season two the series transferred to teen/home of DC series The CW. Whilst in Australia we got the second season, week to week.

The finale was an action packed 38 minutes. 

Eclipso begins merging Earth with the Shadowlands. Beth and McNider struggle to rescue her parents from an illusion while the JSA fights Eclipso and his illusions. 

An amulet-less Rick recruits Grundy while Thunderbolt returns to Jakeem and repairs S.T.R.I.P.E. for Mike, but Eclipso defeats them all and kills Grundy. 

Shade returns and rescues Beth's parents. Courtney admits her hatred for Eclipso, allowing him to overtake her as his new host, but the JSA, joined by Starman, helps her regain control. 

Eclipso is weakened by Sportsmaster and Tigress and turned into a slice of toast by Thunderbolt.

Afterwards, Sylvester offers to teach Courtney more about the Cosmic Staff. Yolanda and Cindy decide to remain with the JSA while Mike and Jakeem start their own team. 

Beth locates McNider's family, so he departs to find them. Her parents also decide to stay together. At his father's mural, Cameron's grandparents reveal their cryogenic powers to him. 

Rick buries Grundy, but Shade states that Grundy could come back. 

Later, the Crocks move in next door to the Whitmore-Dugans. 

Then finally, at the Helix Institute, Louise Love informs Mister Bones about the heroes and villains living in Nebraska. They decide in season three, they will visit Nebraska.

Stargirl has been a wild ride this season. It hasn't lost too much since season one. The show is hardly original whilst at times the dialogue is super juvenile. That said with all that has gone on in the world, this is some nice escapism weekly.

I will welcome it back in 2022. No doubt it will be back middle of 2022, due to a large number of series currently airing/coming soon to The CW. 

Return to Cinema (take two) 2021 - The Last Duel

The Last Duel is a long ass film! Also my third film over one long ass weekend. So let's get it!

Directed by Ridley Scott based on the 2004 book The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager. 

Set in medieval France, the film stars Matt Damon as Jean de Carrouges, a knight who challenges his friend and squire Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) to a judicial duel after Carrouges's wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), accuses Le Gris of raping her; Affleck also stars in a supporting role as Count Pierre d'Alençon.

The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances and production values. However, it bombed at the box office, grossing $19 million against a production budget of $100 million.

I can see why it bombed. The film is broken into three parts. From three perspectives. The only problem is some of the scenes are completely replayed. The dialogue shared with the audience three times over.

OK so I saw three films this past weekend gone. I went from zero to 100 with the movie going. It took me a minute to get back to the cinema, once I did it was on for young and old.

The Last Duel though really didn't do it for me sadly. Matt Damon is just a bit much. Jodie Comer was awesome whilst there is something about Adam Driver from Girls.

If it's warm this weekend, there is nothing else to see, maybe give The Last Duel a go. 2.5 passable stars.

Return to Cinema (take two) 2021 - Halloween Kills

Halloween Kills is the sequel to 2018's Halloween. This is also the twelfth instalment in the Halloween franchise. 

Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and James Jude Courtney, who reprise their roles as Laurie Strode and Michael Myers. Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, and Will Patton also reprise their roles from the previous film.

The film, which begins precisely where the previous film ended, sees Strode and her family continuing to fend off Myers, this time with the help of the Haddonfield community.

The film has grossed over $97 million worldwide against a production budget of $20 million. It has also received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the creative kills and performances, but criticised its screenplay and lack of innovation.

A sequel (maybe the final Halloween film too?), Halloween Ends, is scheduled to be released on October 14, 2022.

The film had some serious WTF moments. Michael's ability to survive almost everything is a little over the top by the end of this film.

I can almost accept him surviving the fire at the end of the last film, however there is one scene in the film where you think, Michael is surely dead? Well, there is one more film to come right!

I enjoyed the first film, but this one felt a little forced. With it being Halloween, horror movies all the rage its not like there are many options to see at the movies if you don't like horror or Marvel.

Halloween Kills is a massive slasher, kill-a-thon but definitely unbelievable in so many ways.

I give this three stars for some serious tension building scares. It sure is nice though to be back at the cinema.

October TV Finales - Fires (Miniseries)

Fires is an anthology series about the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season megafires which devastated Australia, capturing the world's attention. Fairly timely given the talks happening in Glasgow right now.

Well if ever you wanted to hate Slo-Mo, this series makes you wonder how the creep sleeps at night.

With an all star cast across all six episodes, Eliza Scanlen, Hunter Page-Lochard lead as two young firefighters. They are joined across the episodes by international legends like, Sam Worthington, Richard Roxburgh, Sullivan Stapleton. Noni Hazlehurst, Miranda Otto, Anna Torv, Kate Box and more.

Episode six, leads to the truly horrific, New Year's Eve events. A picturesque holiday town looks like a war zone, as day turns to night. The sky turns blood-red, people rush to the water's edge for safety. Tensions rise, Sullivan Stapleton and Noni Hazlehurst try to assist respective youths across the episode.

It's another tense hour. The miniseries has really tackled a lot of the issues raised that summer. From people suspecting people of arson, to the devastating impacts of the fires on all aspects of the community.

The six episodes turned into a must watch for me. It has been some of the best hours of ABC drama in a while. I am enjoying Wakefield, however Fires is a much more compelling view.

As November commences, here is a look back a my star ranking for the October 2021 finales - 

1. Wentworth - Season Eight B/Series Finale

2. Fires (Miniseries)

3. Spreadsheet - Season One

4. Scenes from a Marriage (Miniseries)

5. The Masked Singer - AU - Season Three

6. The Premise

7. American Horror Story: Double Feature

8. Heels - Season One

9. Evil - Season Two

10. Billions - Season Five

11. Dynasty - Season Four

12. Mr Corman - Season One/Series Finale

13. Riverdale - Season Five

14. Animal Kingdom - Season Five

So in order there are a number of shows/seasons you can now binge all in one sitting as we head into the final month of Spring, 2021. What a strange year we have had in 2021.