Heartstopper is the latest Netflix series I have smashed whilst on extended Easter leave.
Continuing my Autumn TV Finales series, this season will see so many finales across network (US) and streaming services. May is the finale month, marked with so many season/series finales. However Heartstopper is a British coming-of-age romance series that the world needs right now.
Based on the webcomic and graphic novel of the same name by Alice Oseman, it stars Kit Connor and Joe Locke.
Telling the story of Charlie Spring, a gay schoolboy who falls in love with someone he sits next to in his new form, Nick Nelson, while also exploring the lives of Charlie and Nick's friends: Tao, Elle and Isaac.
Released on 22 April 2022 I did indeed smash this series. Whilst trying to catch up with other Netflix series Snowpiercer (Australia) and Elite's fifth season. Gosh its raunchy compared with this sweet teen series.
Ok well back to Heartstopper...
This could be the sweetest show on Netflix right now. The storyline is so wholesome whilst they also managed to get The Crown's own Olivia Colman as Sarah Nelson, Nick's mother.
I enjoyed all eight easy to consume (less than 30 minute) episodes. Whilst Netflix's subscription base is going down. It's shows like this that cut through. Yes Netflix is overloaded with rubbish, but in between some of the tacky Netflix original films is gold, like Heartstopper.
So do yourself a favour, put your feet up for eight episodes of young love, hope and feels. It's a VIBE!
The Lost City is the latest in my The Masked Cinema 2022 series.
Starring Speed legend Sandra Bullock & Channing Tatum. Bullock is a novelist along with cover model (Tatum), who must escape a billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) and find the lost ancient city depicted in one of her books. Da'Vine Joy Randolph stars as Bullocks wild agent whilst Brad Pitt also stars.
Filming took place in the Dominican Republic from May to August 2021. The film has grossed over $128 million worldwide thus far making it a bit of a film success story in 2022.
To be honest the above trailer really covers a lot of the best parts.
Sitting through this film after seeing the trailer a number of times, I felt like I already knew where the film was going. The only surprise has to do with Mr Brad Pitt. No spoilers here though. Except the fact there is a random, weird, totally confusing mid credits additional scene.
I saw the film with a mostly full audience. Now for a film billed as action-adventure-comedy, it's a little light on the comedy side of things. A good tell tale sign is, audience laughter. There was very little during this screening. I don't recall laughing out loud once.
I really wanted to like this film. I liked what I saw of Tatum's body, along with the fact I like Bullock, a lot.
I'll pass this one, 2.5 Stars. Come on 2022, where all the good/decent films at y'all?
Real talk, I loved Catherine Tate's Nan, Derek, Lauren Cooper and the many other characters potrayed by this English icon. So it was no doubt I jumped onto Hard Cell.
Like Chris Lilley's We Could be Heroes or Summer Heights High, this mockumentary sitcom based in a women's prison is a hoot!
Developed by Catherine Tate, who also plays five of the main characters. The season consists of six episodes, which landed on Netflix on April 12.
I have neglected my Netflix series for a bit, but jumped straight onto this. Well I do watch the really bad Riverdale weekly. But that's out of habit.
Catherine Tate stars as Laura / Marco / Ange / Ros / Big Viv along with a great cast of mainly female inmates.
Her 2IC Christian Brassington as Dean is a hoot too. Tate and Brassington work so well together as the duo running the bat shit crazy prison.
With musical acts, bad plumbing, a lot of Pat's it's a wild six episode first season run. I do hope it returns for a second season. I smashed this whilst overseas in record time. It was an easy ass watch. Tate is just so good.
Years after the Catherine Tate show, Tate continues to slay. Laugh out loud comedy is what the world needs right now. This is exceptional. Get onto it now. Don't listen to the haters, yes Netflix is dropping viewers but there are still gems on the streaming service.
Power Book IV: Force is a sequel and third spin-off to Power, focusing mainly on Joseph Sikora as Tommy Egan.
The series takes a break from NYC, moving to Chicago. One of the hottest settings for US series right now. Shameless, Chicago PD, Med and Fire, right?
Season one premiered on February 6, 2022, on Starz, with a second season getting the green light in March. You can read a full on recap RIGHT HERE, however my quick summary below the trailer.
So there are a lot of finales right now! Minx also concluded last week. With HBO Max continuing to give us decent 30 minute, mature comedies.
I feel with Force was more adult Power Book II: Ghost. This sequel had big, big energy. Tommy always was a little more unpredictable than Ghost and Tariq.
With some familiar Power characters coming and going, this will be a fan favourite for any Power fans out there. Surely Stan would be super happy the Power Universe continues to live on, long after the series finale of Power.
Starz have some seriously quality dramas right now. My parents are already raving about Julia Roberts in Gaslit. Shining Vale was a fun little eight episode romp whilst P-Valley will return soon.
So if over all the recent long weekends you have caught up on your stories, give Power Book IV: Force a crack. Of course, streaming now on Stan, like all other Power series. There are currently three airing for those counting.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is the Nicolas Cage, fictionalised version of himself film. Cage stars alongside Pedro Pascal, Sharon Horgan, Ike Barinholtz, Alessandra Mastronardi, Jacob Scipio, Neil Patrick Harris, and Tiffany Haddish.
Haddish is everywhere right now. She steals every scene she is also in with this latest action/comedy/bio film. If ever there was a genre bending film it was The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. The below trailer may be a bit spicy too. You have been warned!
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent had its world premiere at South by Southwest in March. Released in Australia in time for yet another April public holiday.
The film received positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances and chemistry of Cage and Pascal. Pascal was particularly good in this film. A massive departure from his role in The Mandalorian/The Book of Boba Fett.
I really enjoyed parts of this film. It's short, genre bending, funny but also a little silly at times. It's a Cage showcase but others like Haddish and Patrick Harris.
If you are in the mood for a popcorn film, this one might be for you. 3 Stars for the Con Air/Face/Off throwback.
It premiered on Starz/Binge (in Australia - yes it is a Starz original NOT on Stan) on March 6 with a double episode. It hooked me in, hard!
Staring Courteney Cox, Greg Kinnear, Sherilyn Fenn, Mira Sorvino, Merrin Dungey, and Judith Light. This less than 30 minute (per episode) horror/comedy eight episode run is a mighty fine watch.
A dysfunctional family moves from the city to a small town after Patricia "Pat" Phelps, a former "wild child" who became famous through writing raunchy female empowerment novels, is caught cheating on her husband.
The house the family had moved into is a place where in the past, terrible atrocities have taken place. Nobody seems to suspect anything odd except for Pat who's convinced she's either depressed or possessed.
Pat has been sober for 16 years, but begins to feel very unfulfilled in life – she still hasn't written her second novel, she can't remember the last time she had sex with her husband and her teenage kids have grown up to the point they don't want their mother in their lives. Soon, the demons haunting the family's new home begin to appear much more real.
Unfortunately the series has not yet been renewed, however Starz has a good record of renewing their first season series.
While Power (the Tommy one) has been renewed already (airing at the same time of Shining Vale) I have high hopes for this Courteney Cox lead series.
Speaking of Cox this is a very big departure from her role in Friends. However it's a little like her role of Gail in the Scream film series.
I highly recommend this little gem on Binge. Whilst HBO series are getting all the hype this is one of the best Starz series I have seen in a while.
More Autumn TV Finale posts coming soon. May is a big finale month with both 9-1-1 series wrapping their latest seasons, Big Sky, Station 19, The Equalizer, Young Rock, The Blacklist and more!
It's not a trip to Thailand, the land of smiles without a local, Thai film.
SLR is the latest in the supernatural, horror genre. Thai style.
Dan, a photography major student, has been working on his thesis with professor Aim for years, but he can't complete it yet. One day, professor Aim gave an SLR camera to him for shooting the best work and sending it to her.
Dan is about to find out that it's a test of an evil camera, which gives him no way to run away. He has to choose between following or fighting with it. And he is going to let Nam, his girlfriend, and his friend, Great, to join in this horrendous fate, surrounding by death from this hell-like camera.
Starring an all star Thai cast Korapat Kirdpan, Cherprang Areekul, Sadanont Durongkaweroj, Nophand Boonyai, SLR starts out strong, however there is a moment where the film takes a weird ass turn.
I enjoyed the first half a lot, the second half a bit. It's an interesting take on the horror/supernatural genre. Trying to bring back old school photography in an iPhone/smart phone/camera world this was fun.
I enjoyed film, the Thai's do scary whilst also being fun well. SLR could be my jump out of the seat/horror film of 2022. Although I won't get ahead of myself, the horror genre has been really overcrowded the past few years.
Reacher reminds me so much of Jack Ryan. Is it just the fact it's another American crime/thriller streaming series on Amazon Prime Video. The show was renewed for a second season 3 days after its premiere. With a number of Amazon series taking ages to get their second series on the platform, how long do we need to wait for Reacher, Season Two?
Based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child, it stars Alan Ritchson as Reacher. A drifter & former military policeman who battles dangerous criminals throughout his travels.
The first season, based on Killing Floor, Child's 1997 debut novel, was released on February 4, 2022.
So I was a touch late to the party, however with USA drama's currently winding up or in full swing, it's time to catch up on some recent series. I still need to take on Killing Eve's final series along with the second outing of Starstruck.
However back to Reacher (who is hot AF btw) iZombie's Malcolm Goodwin and Willa Fitzgerald also star alongside the lead character Alan Ritchson.
This is a super easy yet fun watch. With a few plots twists & turns, it leads to one hell of a final showdown. If you need a long weekend watch, this eight episode action romp will definitely not disappoint. Even if it's for the shots of Ritchson changing/showering!
Morbius is my Thailand (well Phuket to be exact) film of choice this Easter holiday season.
Up until now the film has grossed over $146 million against a $75–83 million budget, making it the ninth highest-grossing film of 2022. Which for me says the bar is hella low in 2022. What did I think of the 9th highest grossing film of 2022? See below the trailer....
I had never heard of this Marvel Comics character Morbius, the Living Vampire. The film was produced by Columbia Pictures in association with Marvel.
Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, it is the third film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU). Starring Jared Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius, alongside Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris, Al Madrigal, and Tyrese Gibson.
The plot is thin, basically its Morbius becomes a living vampire after curing himself of a rare disease. While his friend (also with the same disease) becomes the villain.
The film received negative reviews from critics, who criticised the story, performances, and visual effects. I will join that chorus of negative reviews. The first Venom was bad, second one improved, however this was bad. Like real bad. From the session times in Australia/Thailand I do not consider this film a hit of 2022.
Bring on Lost City I say. I was completely underwhelmed. Stick around though for a cameo from one of the OG Batman's (I got Batman vibes from this film, see it and you will understand) Michael Keaton.
This may be another one of those Hollywood films that leads more people to just enjoying streaming services film offerings.
Ambulance is the latest action thriller film directed and produced by Michael Bay.
Not an original film idea, it is based on the Danish film of the same name by Laurits Munch-Petersen and Lars Andreas Pedersen.
Starring former IT man Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González. Ambulance follows two adoptive siblings turned bank robbers who hijack an ambulance and take two first responders hostage.
The trailer is so slick, I was instantly sold, however the end result was a little meeehhhhhhhhhh
The film received mixed reviews from critics, who saw it as a return to form for Bay, though the story received criticism.
It has grossed over $31 million worldwide, against a budget of $40 million. Maybe not the result Bay was hoping for.
I am holding out for Bullock and Tatum in the Lost City.
I'll pass it for Jake, 2.4 Stars. But also did the first responder need to look like Megan Fox y'all?
Billions is the latest series to have its finale for 2022. With the spilt season five only concluding last October, a January return was a quick turnaround. In February 2022, the series was renewed for a seventh season. Likely to air next January.
It dates back to series one commencing on January 17, 2016. Most seasons have had varying debut dates, March, February or May.
Heading into the sixth season Damian Lewis (Showtime legend from Homeland) as Bobby "Axe" Axelrod was replaced with Corey Stoll as Mike Prince. Neither are terribly bad people, however they are surrounded by strong women, Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff), non gendered genius Taylor Mason (Asia Kate Dillon) along with acid tongued side kicks Mike "Wags" Wagner (David Costabile).
I did think after Axe's departure, it would be a rough, disjointed season.
However after two Olympics in short succession, the Olympics bid for New York storyline was fun, then comes the Prince for President storyline.
Ben Kim is obviously my favourite side character. Is he asexual or just never going to date anyone?
Paul Giamatti as Charles "Chuck" Rhoades, Jr had a rough, varied season. Being the constant in the series, where will season seven take him? Will season season see these awful people call it a night?
If I am honest I enjoyed this season more than past ones. However seven seasons in, this is now entering Showtime long term, will it end this year or squeeze one more season out. Remember the last few seasons of Shameless.
Either way alongside Yellowjackets this still might be one of Showtime's biggest titles.
After 37 long episodes (including two reunions) the ninth season of Married at First Sight has concluded.
Commencing back on 31 January 2022 on the Nine Network, this series has surpassed the previous 8 seasons. With a glass breaking episode, an Onlyfans account photo sharing scandal and of course nice girl, gone bat shit crazy story of Olivia.
The "experts" return, Relationship experts John Aiken and Mel Schilling, along with sexologist Alessandra Rampolla.
Season nine saw 8 brides and 8 grooms together, whilst halfway through the experiment, the experts matched another 3 brides and 3 grooms together. The second batch were all bad matches. The first eight matches were also fairly average.
Aside from Mitch, Al and Daniel being eye candy. This shows how we can have such an appalling Prime Minister like ScoMo. The self obsessed nature of some of the contestants was truly terrifying. Olivia was an awful human being, however others were equally as vile.
It made for great drama this year have jokers/commitment-phobes like Al and Cody, in the mix with real life mean girls like Tamara and Olivia.
My favourite was the outrage after an arranged married between Dion (shown in extremely good light by the editors/producers) and Carolina went sour. Carolina followed (what we all do) our eyes after Daniel.
Looks, interests were all better paired between Carolina and Daniel. Dion just seemed exceptionally fake to me. The series either had interests in his upcoming property developments or there was an arrangement. Every other contestant was shown in way worse light than Dion.
For me if in "the real world" an arranged marriage was planned, it didn't work, so you move on, people would not turn on you. I felt this outrage (especially Mitch's drunken rage at a "boys" night) was over the top, staged and extremely fake. Good on Daniel and Carolina from my seat.
Overall whilst it was cringe, it was addictive AF. Some of the cast like Ella really surprised me that they couldn't find love. Either way it's over until 2023, however this series is the biggest show on Australian TV by a long shot.
Until next year MAFS! TV water cooler moments will be a bit more few and far between.
A second series will be on the way as it kind of left off with things in limbo.
Sort Of was nominated for the Outstanding New TV Series category for the 33rd GLAAD Media Awards in 2022.
It was the most-nominated television series at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards in 2022, with 13 nominations including Best Comedy Series.
I really enjoyed this light hearted series. Eight easy to watch 20 something minute episodes were all over in a flash.
I do love a 20 minute easy breezy series. When one is travelling to see the folks on the old Central Coast it's nice to have something easy and fun to watch. I binged Fisk once, now Sort Of joins my train riding binge list.
I am still to catch up on Starstruck's second series which might be next.
Sort Of is a solid gem you can find on Stan right now. Alongside the season finale of Billions tomorrow and almost the season finale of the latest Power series. Stan is constantly loading new content with a few new Australian releases on the way. However Sort Of is nice to see Toronto, Canada in the spotlight.
Upload's (created by Greg Daniels) second season premiered on March 11, 2022. It was a shorter season of 7 episodes compared to the first season, which had 10 episodes.
So therefore I was able to smash the 7, thirty something minute episodes pretty quick smart.
With 9-1-1, All American, Superman & Lois all off this week, it is one hella big catch up.
The second season has received an approval rating of 100% with an average score of 7.4/10 based on 10 critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The website's critical consensus is, Upload’s sophomore season goes into sleep mode just when it's revving up, but even a truncated instalment of this techno afterlife makes for terrific comedy.
Filming on the second season ran from January 25 to April 15, 2021. So it was sort of held back for a minute. Either way, I really struggled to remember the first season which aired back in May, 2020. Deep into our first ever lockdowns.
Starring, Robbie Amell, Andy Allo , Paulo Costanzo and Mackenzie Cardwell, Allegra Edwards, Zainab Johnson, Kevin Bigley & Josh Banday.
Robbie Amell cousin of Arrow AKA Stephen Amell, stars as lead Robbie.
The season was a really easy watch with no word on a third season. No spoiler however it did feel like a third season could be possible...
Upload streams on Amazon, which I am also trying to catch up on some series over the next week or so. With the latest, Reacher from February. An eight episode action series featuring dishy Alan Ritchson.
So if all this rain is keeping you indoors Sydney, here is another series to give a red hot crack!
More Than This is my second Paramount+ series/season for the week. No word of a second season (similar to other local 20-30 minute series Spreadsheet) however I think this was well enough for a second season to come around.
It landed early last month, meaning I had this sitting on my list for a good minute. However I watched the entire series in 24 hours.
The series was written by teen actor Olivia Deeble (Home & Away) and co-created with Luka Gracie both of whom also star in this series. Deeble worked on the show during the COVID-19 lockdown while she completed Year 12.
Starring a very multicultural cast, including writer Olivia Deeble As Charlotte, Bert Labonte (former theatre superstar) as Mr E, Luka Gracie as Jamie, Kamil Ellis as Alexander, Ellmir Asipi as Leon, Josh Heuston as Sammy, Oisin O’Leary as Benson, Celine Ajobong as Legs (Alegra), Tharanya Tharan as Emma and last but not least, Selena Brincat as Zali.
The series explores the unique challenges facing Australian teenagers as they come of age: social, family and school pressures, bullying, body image, relationships and sexuality.
There is a lot to take in across the six 30 minute episodes. It's a wild ride, with high school never being so intense.
From nude photos being shared across the school, pill taking going wrong at an under age party along with a good old game of spin the bottle also added in for good measure!
If you need a good local series to sink your teeth into, this is it. More Than This streams only on Paramount+
American Rust is another one and done US TV series. Created by Dan Futterman based on the novel of the same name by Philipp Meyer, the 9 episode series premiered on September 12, 2021.
In the USA it's on Showtime, meaning Paramount+ in Australia for new Showtime series. However sadly Super Pumped is still missing from the streaming app!
Starring Maura Tierney (Showtime's The Affair), Bill Camp, David Alvarez, Alex Neustaedter and Julia Mayorga, Mark Pellegrino, Dallas Roberts, Clea Lewis, Nicole Chanel Williams and Jeff Daniels.
Set in a small Rust Belt town in Pennsylvania, chief of police Del Harris (Daniels) takes on an investigation when the son of the woman he loves is accused of murder.
It has Mare of Eastown vibes all over it. It's dark, intense and at times disturbing.
The nine episodes really pick up the pace around episode five. It has a slightly slower pace, but picks up eventually.
If you have Paramount+, watched 1883, seen the Dexter reboot, this might be for you. I need to do Yellowjackets ASAP. Along with Mayor of Kingstown. This is quickly becoming a streaming service I am enjoying.
Until next time.... Oh and by the way, there will be some no post times over Easter. I am finally leaving the country after a long break!
Everything Everywhere All at Once had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11. I was lucky enough to see a sneaky preview last night in Sydney. Starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Everything Everywhere All at Once has received critical acclaim, however what did I think?
It was random whilst also being slightly long! Clocking in well over two hours, this was a wild three part ride. Part One Everything, Part Two Everywhere, then the much shorter part three, All at Once.
Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Wang, a Chinese-American woman who exists across multiple universes, was wild in this role. Glamorous but wild. You will also see the most random Jamie Lee Curtis of all time. I look forward to seeing her in the final of the three recent Halloween films later this year.
I can only pass this film. It was definitely the strangest film I have seen in a while. Everything Everywhere All at Once opens Thursday 14 April, 2022.
