Summer Slack TV Finales - Somebody Somewhere - Season One

Somebody Somewhere is my latest HBO TV obsession. Forget Euphoria, the series everyone is talking/tweeting about. This is the real hidden gem of the latest TV season.

Lead by Bridget Everett, created by Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, this seven episode gem premiered on January 16, 2022. 

And just like that, the season finale has aired. Luckily earlier in February, the series was renewed for a well deserved second season.

Set in Manhattan, Kansas, the series follows Sam (Everett) as she deals with a midlife crisis after the death of her sister.

The series which is inspired by the life of Bridget Everett who plays the lead role and is also an executive producer.

Jeff Hiller is a real scene stealer. From loving Zumba to singing, Hiller as Joel is a heart warming, fun friend that has a super relationship with lead Sam.

Also joining the cast are Mary Catherine Garrison, Danny McCarthy, Mike Hagerty, Murray Hill, Jon Hudson Odom, and Heidi Johanningmeier.

The series was filmed in suburban Chicago, primarily in Lockport and Warrenville. 

The creators chose Chicago as a filming location because of the talent pool available; Hannah Bos said, "We cast a lot of roles out of Chicago, and the talent pool was insane. It was exciting to have so many choices for so many roles. I'm biased because I love the Chicago style of acting — which I feel is very grounded, very real, very nuanced — and we had many wonderful actors to draw on to fill our world in."

I loved this latest HBO comedy/drama. It was fun, heartfelt whilst being super entertaining over it's short seven episode run.

Being a HBO title of course this airs on Foxtel/Binge in Australia. Get around this original, delightful series NOW!

The Masked Cinema 2022 - Death on the Nile

Death on the Nile is sort of the follow up to Murder on the Orient Express. Back in 2017 we fell in love with traditional whodunnit's again.

Based on the 1937 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. Christie is back in vogue.

Following the massive cast in Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile features another diverse all star line up. Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, and Letitia Wright. 

Kenneth Branagh & Tom Bateman return from Orient Express. They discover the bodies start to pile up on the ill fated cruise along the Nile.

I used to love Clue as a child, I think I enjoyed the Orient Express. Don't get me wrong I did enjoy this to a degree. However it all felt rushed while sort of not having much to say.

Once the murders happened we were halfway towards the end of the film. With a black and white flashback into Hercule Poirot prior life there felt like there was a little bit of filler.

Whilst spectacular I did feel I built this film up a little too much.

Still it was a bit of old school whodunnit fun, 3 stars.

The (Non) Masked (Home) Cinema 2022 - Fistful of Vengeance

Fistful of Vengeance is the Netflix feature film follow up to Wu Assassins season one.

Starring Iko Uwais, Lewis Tan, Lawrence Kao, JuJu Chan, Pearl Thusi, Francesca Corney, Jason Tobin, Rhatha Phongam and Simon Kuke.

The film landed February 17, 2022, on Netflix. I watched it over two sittings on the weekend. It was average AF.

Fistful of Vengeance will see the Wu Assassin team reunite in Bangkok to avenge the death of one of their own, only to find that their new enemy is an ancient threat armed with otherworldly powers.

I remember enjoying the martial arts in season one of Wu Assassins, so that element was fine. However the acting, storyline, dialogue was fairly lame AF.

I am not a fan of Netflix original films usually. I don't know I am old school, I prefer seeing a film at the cinema, made for cinema. So many of these Netflix films seem to just get created to add quantity over quality on the worlds biggest streamer.

Lewis Tan is handsome AF, however not even him in a white tightly fitted singlet can save this film. At just over an hour and a half, at least it doesn't over stay its welcome.

Fistful of Vengeance streams now on Netflix, whilst also streaming now on Netflix is Snowpiercer, episodes weekly, Inventing Anna, Bridgerton season two (soon) and the OG season one of Wu Assassins.

Until next time. Good night.

The Masked Cinema 2022 - Marry Me

Marry Me stars Jennifer Lopez as Kat Valdez who is going to live marry Maluma. Instead she goes all Married at First Sight with Owen Wilson. I know who I would choose.

Kat Valdez who decides to marry a stranger holding a "Marry Me" sign (Owen Wilson) after learning that her on-stage partner Bastian (Maluma) has been having an affair. 

Along with Lopez, Wilson and Maluma, John Bradley, Sarah Silverman, and Chloe Coleman also star.

Principal photography took place in Manhattan in October and November 2019. It was delayed twice from an original February 2021 release date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marry Me ended up arriving just in time for Valentine's Day 2022. Premiering in Los Angeles on February 9 whilst simultaneously available on Peacock Premium on February 11, an NBC streaming platform. Hence the large NBC late night show Fallon presence throughout the film.

A soundtrack album of the same name by Lopez and Maluma was also produced. The lead single, titled "Pa' Ti", was released on September 24, 2020, and debuted at number nine on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs, marking Lopez's highest chart debut in the United States since 2017.

The film received mixed reviews from critics, however I....... loved it! Rom coms (also Owen Wilson) are not high on my must see cinema list. However this was sweet while being a nice distraction of troubles in Ukraine, the Winter Olympics, Dragon cover songs and the real life drama on MAFS which this film could very well be based on.

Lopez shines in this pop star role. Whilst Maluma really just plays himself. Wilson is sweet as a maths teacher recently divorced with a sweet child. The real winner is Sarah Silverman. She really steals every scene she is in.

First Wives Club TV show star Michelle Buteau as Melissa (one of Lopez's team) tries to steal scenes however Silverman delivers serious gold whenever she is on screen.

I enjoyed this way more than I though, 3.5 romantic AF musical stars.

Summer Slack TV Finales - Five Bedrooms - Season Three

I gave Five Bedrooms debut episode a shocking review when it first debuted. However it really grew on me. Season Two was an easy as binge last October for me. Season two was full of drama, love but some really heartbreaking storylines too.

Returning cast include Roy Joseph, Doris Younane, Katie Robertson, Kat Stewart, Stephen Peacocke,  Johnny Carr whilst Rodger Corser joins via FaceTime from time to time this season as Stuart, Liz's (Kat Stewart) ex-husband.

With Liz returning from the UK, Harry still out of love, Ben and Heather on the rocks whilst Ainsley has a much more positive season with Simmo.

Only currently available on the streaming service, Paramount+. However I heard rumours season two might get a run on Channel Ten.

In October last year it was announced that a third season had been renewed. This premiered on New Year’s Day 2022, however with The Tourist and a buffet of Australian treats landing around the same time I put this on ice.

Like season two it was a very easy watch! It was also landed roughly five or six months after I smashed season two.

With Neighbours on the chopping block, maybe Channel Ten will need to reach out to the writers and get more Five Bedrooms heading to Paramount+ then Ten at a later time to get their Aussie drama quota up.

With no real cliffhanger though, Five Bedrooms could have maybe closed the door on the interesting share house drama, where modern Aussies work together to achieve the Aussie dream of buying their own home.

With interest rates on the rise, home prices continuing to go up, this show makes for an interesting look into how Aussies live, own property and discuss mortgage repayments, side hustles to achieve those pesky mortgage payments.

Paramount+ is starting to impress me, with new Showtime series like Yellowjackets and American Rust landing. I think I might keep paying another monthly streaming fee.

Summer Slack TV Finales - Queens - Season One

Queens is an American musical drama television series that premiered on October 19, 2021, on ABC. Starring musical superstars Eve, Brandy, Naturi Naughton from 3LW along with starring in Power & Nadine Velazquez.

Eve, Brandy, Naturi & Velazquez are Brianna, Naomi, Jill and Valeria once appeared as the "Nasty Bitches" in the 1990s. This is the same era, Eve, Brandy & Naturi were household musical names. Eve's Let me Blow Your Mind was a monster anthem back in the day.

Together, the four of them not only turned the world of hip-hop upside down but also achieved legendary status through their music. The four women are now in their forties, unworldly and largely estranged from one another. By reuniting the four, there is now a chance to return to old fame and prestige. But will the former megastars, also known as Professor Sex, Butter Pecan, Jill Da Thrill, and Xplicit Lyrics, manage to achieve this ambitious goal?

The 13 part first season could be there last. The show has been one of the lowest ranking series this US TV season.

Sadly the show has hardly been given a look in. Buried at 10pm on the TV schedule on Tuesday evenings, it's no wonder hardly anyone is watching it live. However even with 7 day later ratings the show hardly gets much of a rise.

With Eve missing for the line share of the back end of the season, it was nice to see a wee surprise in episode 13.

With just over one million viewers for the season (maybe series) finale, Queens returning for the 2022-2023 season could be a big ask. Queens was a fun, easy breezy watch with some 90's queens on the small screen, however I think I still preferred the now cancelled Star with Brandy back on the Fox network.

Summer Slack TV Finales - Guilty Party

I found Guilty Party late on Paramount+, however completed it in the summer time when a lot of US dramas are  currently on hiatus.

I'm talking Station 19, All American (along with its new spin off series), Superman & Lois, Batwoman and more.

Starring Kate Beckinsale, Geoff Stults, Jules Latimer, Tiya Sircar, Alanna Ubach, Laurie Davidson and Andre Hyland, the ten episode run commenced on October 14, 2021.

A journalist Beth Burgess (Kate Beckinsale) with a tarnished reputation focuses on a story about a woman who denies murdering her husband.

Originally Isla Fisher was cast to star in the series, however by December, Fisher would exit the series due to concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Kate Beckinsale was then cast to replace her.

Filming begun in March 2021 in Calgary, a nice change for series usually filmed in the next province British Columbia. With Batwoman, The Flash, other Arrowverse series along with others all filmed in Vancouver.

With some nice twists and turns, Guilty Party concluded mid December, so I can post it under the Summer Slack TV Finales series.

Will it get renewed? Do we need to see some of these awkward characters return for a second season? Paramount+ has a number of original series, this is not the best half an hour series, I loved Aussie series Spreadsheet far more. However Kate Beckinsale as Beth is an interesting leading lady. 

It's not perfect. Nothing is these days. However Guilty Party gets better and better with the episodes leading to a big ending. Whether it gets a second season or not Paramount+ are making some interesting series.

Summer Slack TV Finales - The Book of Boba Fett - Season One

The Book of Boba Fett is the latest Star Wars franchise TV series on Disney+. 

The events take place after the events of the film, Return of the Jedi. It also serves as a spin-off from The Mandalorian. The Book of Boba Fett exists alongside The Mandalorian and its other spin-off Ahsoka.

Temuera Morrison stars as Fett, along with Ming-Na Wen and Pedro Pascal. 

All reprise their roles from The Mandalorian and other Star Wars media. Several attempts were made at developing a standalone Star Wars film centered on Boba Fett before Lucasfilm began prioritizing its streaming series, such as The Mandalorian. 

The Book of Boba Fett premiered on December 29, 2021, running for only seven episodes. 

With some seriously dope action scenes, Boba Fett and Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) attempt to make a name for themselves in the galaxy's underworld by taking over the territory once controlled by Jabba the Hutt.

It literally shows in episode one the survival after that massive Return of the Jedi sand fight. I enjoyed the earlier episodes whilst the latter three became more like an extension of The Mandalorian.

Even starring Pedro Pascal AKA The Mandalorian along with of course Grogu.

Coming in May to the Star Wars universe is Obi-Wan Kenobi, the TV series. Six episodes more of premium Star Wars TV action.

Disney+ is on a roll with these series, although The Book of Boba Fett has been less well received The Mandalorian. Which did have a year off in 2021, with a third season expected to drop this year.

No news on a second season of this series. No word on if its like some of the Marvel series just a one off miniseries. However with programming landing all year round with Disney+ maybe they will roll the cameras on a second season.

This wasn't the best of Disney+ series. The Mandalorian set the bar high! I have high hopes for Obi-Wan Kenobi however wonder exactly how many of these spin-offs, extending the Star Wars galaxies can land before peoples interest starts to fade.

It's a mixed bag this seven episodes of the Star Wars anti hero Fett. So if you liked Return of the Jedi you will like The Book of Boba Fett.

The Masked Cinema 2022 - Blacklight

Blacklight is one of this week's Valentine's Day releases. Alongside big blockbusters like Death on the Nile & J-Lo lead Marry Me.

So an American action film staring Liam Neeson whilst being filmed in Melbourne and Canberra, how will this fair at the box office versus such big hits? Time will tell, here is my say.

 

FBI operative (Neeson) gets involved in a government conspiracy; Emmy Raver-Lampman, Taylor John Smith, Aidan Quinn, Aussies Tim Draxl as Drew Hawthorne, Claire van der Boom as Amanda Block & Yael Stone as Helen Davidson all star.

With a number of Aussie's dropping, a familiar almost Taken plot being used with Neeson continuing to trick the bad guys, who are kind of meant to be the good guys in this film.

It's a wild ride with a car chase scene including a fully stocked garbage truck (apparently shot in the nations capital, Canberra) and Neeson not missing a shot. It's a familiar action film that only clocks in at 108 minutes, choice.

I will pass this for the Aussie content, the local jobs created during two/three years of COVID hell, so I give this a solid 2.5 gun blazing stars.

Summer Slack TV Finales - Claws - Season Four/Series Finale

Claws is finally over. Commencing in June, 2017, set in Palmetto, Florida, Claws is mostly filmed in New Orleans whilst airing on Stan in Australia.

With a long ass gap in between seasons three and four, we knew from the off set of season four this was the last hoorah for Niecy Nash, Carrie Preston, Judy Reyes, Karrueche Tran & Jenn Lyon.

Five manicurists at the Nail Artisans salon of Manatee County, Florida enter the traditionally male world of organized crime when they begin laundering money for a neighboring pain clinic and eventually work their way up to controlling their own criminal empire.

With Big Daddy taken care of in episode nine, the finale just had to tie up the loose ends of our favourite manicurists.

Desna always had plans up her sleeves, however the rivalry between her and Quiet Ann this season had been un predictable.

With a bit of a heist of a final ten minutes, the series did get to tidy everything up with a neat bow. No spoilers but the series did end with a definitive ending.

I enjoyed season one a lot, season two was ok while season three the series could have really called it a day. Without Roller this season lacked one major end game for Desna/the show in general, however over all this series was a damn easy watch.

It was bat shit crazy, it has wild scenes you would not see on any other show along with lots of crazy ass outfits.

Claws can be binged in full from the beginning to season fours explosive finale right now on Stan.

It's a big week of finales so strap yourselves in, more finales incoming!

Summer Slack TV Finales - Power Book II: Ghost - Season Two

Power Book II: Ghost is a sequel as well as a spin-off to the hugely successful Starz show, Power. Early into the second season, the series was renewed for a third season. Most likely to air at the end of 2022 or next year. With Power Book IV: Force also commencing this weekend just gone, the Power universe is huge!

Following a ten episode second season, Mary J Blige AKA Monet and Tariq turned up the heat whilst also got into some dangerous situations.

Power has always looked good, with hip hop stars popping up in roles like Method Man, 50 Cent and Redman all having minor or major roles in season two of the OG Power spin off.

Like the original this show is really more of a sequel, continuation with Tariq's mum, Naturi Naughton as Tasha St. Patrick, potentially getting her happy ending/series ending towards the end of episode ten.

The second season also saw the body count rise towards the back end of the season. Melanie Liburd as Caridad "Carrie" Milgram, Paige Hurd as Lauren Baldwin, Justin Marcel McManus as Jabari Reynolds, Daniel Bellomy as Ezekiel "Zeke" Cross, Daniel Sunjata as Dante "Mecca" Spears & Jimmy Saito as Chef Eric Kamura all have left the hit series.

Will Power Book IV: Force be any good with Tommy in Chicago? Will the prequel for 50 Cent's Kanan Stark,  Power Book III: Raising Kanan also return in 2022?

All I know is Power Book II: Ghost - Season Two was a wild ride, with plenty of violence, a touch of college sex and drama.

Like all Power crime dramas, Power Book II: Ghost - Season Two airs in Australia on Stan.

The Masked Cinema 2022 - The King's Man

The King's Man is the third instalment in the Kingsman film series. This film serves as a prequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) and Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017).

I loved the 2014 and 2017 film, so this had a lot riding on it for me! Did it live up to the first two films?

Lead Ralph Fiennes is one of the original Kingsman whilst Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance all join in the action romp.

The latest spy/action film focuses on several events during World War I and the birth of the Kingsman organization.

Originally planned for a November 2019 release date, like everything COVID-19 related this film came late.

Was it any good? The action scenes, tick, the plot a half tick, the length, too long, comedy value, some small laughs. Overall I was told to lower my expectations. I lowered them enough before entering a Saturday afternoon session to a pass mark of 2.5 Stars. I could have been kind and given it three stars, however the first two films really were a load better. Maybe the next film will get more than just a pass.

Summer Slack TV Finales - Firebite - Season One

Firebite created by Warwick Thornton airing on AMC+/Amazon Prime in Australia. The eight episode first season commenced on 16 December 2021.

Set in a remote mining town in the middle of the South Australian desert, the series centres around two Indigenous Australian hunters, Tyson (Rob Collins) and Shanika (Shantae Barnes-Cowan), on their quest to battle the last colony of vampires.

Rob Collins is literally everywhere right now. Slaying in Total Control, being the handsome leading man in RFDS along with roles in Upright, Mystery Road and of course way back when he was the lead in The Wrong Girl. Yael Stone from OINTB also stars.

The series began filming in August 2021, and is filmed in the traditional Country of the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara people of the Western Desert and Kaurna People of the Adelaide Plains in and around Adelaide, the regional town of Coober Pedy, and at the Adelaide Studios in South Australia.

So how do vampires in the middle of the Australian outback/dessert fair? It's an interesting concept however I did find myself slightly distracted through the last few episodes.

Collins is excellent, the finale serves up a bit of a cliffhanger, however this could be a little too niche for a second season. AMC love the blood sucking, dead humans through all their Walking Dead series, however I am not sure whether this Australian created series would be back for more middle of Australia carnage.

If you need a quick eight episode home grown series this might be for you, however if you haven't seen Total Control on ABC iview with Collins yet. Maybe give that a go first up.

The (Non) Masked (Home) Cinema 2022 - Ray Donovan: The Movie

Ray Donovan: The Movie wraps up the Showtime series I thought would end back in 2017. The series changed location from Los Angeles, California to New York City, New York as well as concluding with a seventh season in 2019/2020. Basically this show ended when the world went nuts!

The TV film is the follow up to the seventh and final season of the series of the same name, centring around the title character, portrayed by Liev Schreiber and the relationships with his family, including brothers Terry, Bunchy and Daryll, played by Eddie Marsan, Dash Mihok and Pooch Hall, respectively. 

It debuted on January 14, 2022 in Australia on the latest streaming service, Paramont+. Along with all new Showtime series. Poor Stan that is a MASSIVE content deal to lose.

Following on the events of the season 7 finale, Mickey (Jon Voight) is on the run, and Ray (Liev Schreiber) is determined to find and stop him before he can cause any more damage.

I wasn't a fan of season four way back in 2016, however it did somehow, end up getting better.

I am hoping this is where they leave Ray Donovan be now. It had its moment, having a solid run from 2013 all the way to 2020, whilst entering 2022 with this almost two hour long episode.

It's minimal, it's dark but it does answer those fan questions following the end of season seven.

No rating for this film as I will leave that to the films on the big screen. Speaking of, there are some big ones on the way this February!

Summer Binged 2021/2022 - Lie with Me

If you are after an intriguing, easy to watch, addictive four part mini-series, look no further than, Lie With Me.

Network 10 commenced airing this back in November, 2021. The Australian/British television drama series aired in the UK ahead of the country it was filmed in. Funny that.

The four parter centres on a British woman and her husband seeking a fresh start in Australia after infidelity threatened their marriage. They hire a young local nanny who isn't as innocent as she appears with deadly consequences.

Starring UK soap star, Charlie Brooks as Anna Fallmont, Aussie turned US star Brett Tucker (Station 19, Mistresses and more) as Jake Fallmont. Alongside Phoebe Roberts as Becky Hart, Alfie Gledhill as Liam Henderson the incredibly handsome gardener with smaller roles for Nadine Garner and Bert La Bonté as Phil.

I watched this on Paramount Plus, however I am sure it airs on the free Ten Play. Maybe with some annoying ad's.

This really though is Channel Ten's drama at it's best. They have had some seriously good short run series of late. The Secret She Keeps, Secrets and Lies (ok this is older, but it was great!) and the camp Playing For Keeps.

Channel Ten are kinda like the third wheel out of the two more powerful commercial networks in Australia. I am though enjoying Paramount Plus after they scrapped the shit Ten All Access, similar to its parent companies, CBS All Access. Strange still that Why Women Kill (an original) can be accessed free on SBS. Oh well.

Back to Lie with Me, this is an easy day binge if you need a rest after the not so Hot Vax Summer. The heat is intense in Sydney right now, so go on, do yourself a favour and indulge in some local drama.