Spring Season 3 Ender - Ramy

Back in August 2020, I discovered Ramy. I smashed both seasons back to back on Stan. It's one of those random Hulu titles that slipped through the cracks, got a deal outside of Disney+ and streams on a competitors platform.

The third season premiered on September 30, 2022. All ten episodes landed on Stan, giving me another show I discovered through the fog of COVID to catch up on.

These shows are building up, whilst some are being cancelled, there is a lot more content out there now, that I first discovered through the fogs, the large amounts of home life during 2020/2021.

Ramy has been praised for its portrayal of American Muslims when most Western pop culture depictions are "usually as the bad guys"

Ramy follows "a first-generation American Muslim who is on a spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighborhood. 

It explores the challenges of what it is like being caught between an Egyptian community that thinks life is a moral test, and a generation that thinks life has no consequences."

I compared it to Insecure in my first post. There is some random sex in season three, however it is more about a young guy, trying to find love, faith and purpose. Something we can all relate to. It gives viewers a different point of view.

A series that is based in New Jersey but tackles problems all 30-somethings have in this modern world. Love, lust, faith, meaning. Yeah it's a comedy, but it is also deep.

It was a fine third season, it does end on a possible final ending, however I could see Hulu renewing this for a fourth and final or possible many more seasons to come.

In Australia you can get back into Ramy (if like me you watched it previously) or you could be discovering for the first time. Like a number of series there was over a two year gap between seasons two and three. However this is a damn easy watch. I was done quick smart, even with all my weekly shows continuing.

Praise be, it's Halloween today, allowing me to catch up!

Merlí: Sapere Aude Ends.

Merlí: Sapere Aude was one of those pandemic series I watched when there was nothing else to watch. Season one landed at the convenient pandemic viewing time of 5 December 2019.

The series is a sequel and spin-off of the Merlí series which I also binged during years of on and off again lockdowns. Snap or otherwise.

Pol Rubio (Carlos Cuevas), is the main character from the original Merlí series. Pol enters university to follow in the footsteps of his idolized professor at high school, Merlí. 

On Netflix the second and final season, consisting of 8 episodes, just landed, so I totally smashed it over the weekend on the Central Coast. For context "Sapere Aude" is Latin for "Dare to be Wise".

Cast members from the previous series include: Carlos Cuevas as Pol Rubio, David Solans as Bruno, Ana María Barbany as Carmina Calduch, Boris Ruiz as Alfonso, Assun Planas as Glòria, and Francesc Orella as Merlí.

Some new faces also join, Pablo Capuz as Rai, Pol's classmate, Azul Fernández as Minerva, María Pujalte as María Bolaño, and Gloria Ramos.

Season two was less sexy, but more in the feels with Pol getting some health news. Like Dynasty airing its last episode in no man's land, not really a seasonal finale or a binge. Merlí: Sapere Aude 100% has amazing eye candy with Carlos Cuevas, however it also has real life issues explored in a raw and honest way.

The sexual health, alcohol abuse, romance/relationships all feel more real than a US series. Definitely a US Network series that's for sure.

It's bold, much more original than an American college drama. So if you have Netflix, want some college drama, Merlí: Sapere Aude has 16 easy to consume episodes.

Spring Minseries Ender - The Patient

The Patient is another adult drama streaming on Disney+ in Australia, Hulu stateside.

Premiering back in late August, the series concluded October 25. Consisting of ten episodes, The Patient stars Steve Carell, Domhnall Gleeson, and Linda Emond.

Basically, a therapist (Steve Carell) is held captive by a serial killer (Domhnall Gleeson) who seeks help to curb his homicidal urges.

Episode ten, The Cantor's Husband was one tense TV episode. The series which could have been a stage show, basically all set in the one basement of Gleeson, come to an epic conclusion.

No spoilers here, however the finale really made me happy I sat through all ten episodes. It's no secret Carell is not my favourite actor of all time. However this was an interesting concept with an interesting conclusion.

Disney+ has really got some great content, making it a hard decision to see if I will keep my subscription past the three month trial end date next week.

So if you need a miniseries to see you through Halloween, The Patient maybe for you.

See you next time...

Spring Season 1 Ender - House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon SOME SPOILERS ALERT (below the trailer) ! It did air yesterday afternoon Australian time. What y'all been doing!

The independent prequel to Game of Thrones, which starting airing back in 2011 until 2019.

The HBO series is set about 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, descendant of the eponymous royal house, and 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms is united by the Targaryen Conquest. It portrays the beginning of the end of House Targaryen, the events leading up to and covering the Targaryen civil war of succession, known as the Dance of the Dragons.

House of the Dragon premiered on August 21, 2022, with the first season consisting of 10 episodes. 5 days after its premiere, the series was renewed for a second season. 

Episode one was watched by over 10 million viewers, the biggest in HBO's history. This is a huge effort for HBO now there is so much streaming compeition.

So where did season one leave us?

On Dragonstone, Princess Rhaenys announces King Viserys's death and Prince Aegon's usurpation.

Shocked, Rhaenyra suffers a miscarriage. Prince Daemon, believing Viserys was murdered, urges war. 

Ser Erryk brings Viserys' crown and Rhaenyra is declared queen; Ser Otto arrives to present Aegon's terms for Rhaenyra's concession; she prevents Daemon from killing Otto and delays answering. Privately, Daemon is angered by Rhaenyra's desire to negotiate peace, and dismisses the dream about the "promised prince". 

Rhaenys persuades a still-recovering Lord Corlys to pledge House Velaryon's allegiance to Rhaenyra's "Black" faction; Daemon plans to recruit more dragonriders, and he awakens Vermithor, a large dragon.

Rhaenyra sends Princes Jacaerys and Lucerys as envoys to secure Houses Arryn, Stark, and Baratheon as allies. At Storm's End, Lucerys meets Lord Borros Baratheon, who refuses to support Rhaenyra for offering him nothing. 

Prince Aemond is also present, who at Aegon's arrangement would marry Borros' daughter. Aemond demands an eye from Lucerys as retribution. Borros allows Lucerys to leave on his dragon, Arrax, but Aemond pursues him on Vhagar. 

The fractious dragons defy their riders' commands, and Arrax burns Vhagar. Incensed, Vhagar kills Lucerys and Arrax, stunning Aemond. Daemon informs Rhaenyra of Lucerys' death, devastating and enraging her.

Like all other HBO titles House of the Dragon streams on all Foxtel platforms including Binge. With ad's coming soon. FML, Foxtel will never learn! Ad's on a streaming service! GROSS!

Spring Season 2 Ender - Power Book III: Raising Kanan

Power Book III: Raising Kanan is the third book in the Power series. It is also the only prequel (so far) focusing on the early years of Kanan Stark (the character first played by executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson), as he gets into the drug game.

Set in the 1990s, the fashion, the music is all on show. But what was really on show in the season two ender was a blood bath. The last five minutes was hectic AF!

The second season premiered on mid August, concluding yesterday on streaming platform Stan. A few days ahead of the season two premiere, the series was renewed for a third season.

With Power Book III: Raising Kanan and House of the Dragon both concluding on the same night, my TV dance card is starting to free up a little!

So tomorrow expect my take on The Black Queen from HBO's mega hit series House of the Dragon.

For now Power Book III: Raising Kanan concludes for some time. There is no word when Power Book II: Ghost or Power Book IV: Force will return. So for now our TV screens are free from G Unit TV!

It must be said, Patina Miller as Raquel Thomas still is the absolute queen in this series! She nails every episode!

Until Ghost or Force is back on our screens, it's a Power free summer by the looks of things!

Happy Monday, dear readers!

AACTA 2022 Nominations | Predictions

Nominations have been announced today, here are my predictions for the Awards held at The Hordern on Wednesday, 7 December and screen on 10 repeated on FOX Docos. Predictions bold and in red.

Television nominees:

Best Children’s Program

Bluey – Charlie Aspinwall, Sam Moor, Daley Pearson – Ludo Studio (ABC)

First Day – Kirsty Stark, Kate Butler – Epic Films and KOJO Studios (ABC)

Little J & Big Cuz – Ned Lander, Colin South, David Gurney, Alicia Rackett – Ned Lander Media (ABC, NITV, SBS)

MaveriX – Rachel Clements, Trisha Morton-Thomas – Brindle Films (ABC, Netflix)

Rock Island Mysteries– Timothy Powell – Fremantle (Network 10)

The PM’s Daughter – Tristram Baumber, Willison Alice, Kieran Hoyle – Fremantle (ABC)

Best Comedy Performer

Wayne Blair– Aftertaste

Patrick Brammall– Summer Love

Harriet Dyer– Summer Love

Tom Gleeson– Hard Quiz

Charlie Pickering– The Weekly with Charlie Pickering

Doris Younane– Five Bedrooms

Best Comedy Program

Aftertaste– Rebecca Summerton, Matthew Bate, Erik Thomson, Julie De Fina – Closer Productions (ABC)

Five Bedrooms– Nathan Mayfield, Tracey Robertson – Hoodlum Productions (Network 10, Paramount+)

Hard Quiz– Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)

Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell– Peter Beck, Beth Hart, Shaun Micallef – ITV Studios Australia (ABC)

Spicks and Specks– Rachel Millar, Anthony Watt            – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Summer Love– Wayne Hope, Robyn Butler – Gristmill (ABC)

Best Documentary or Factual Program

Books That Made Us – Darren Dale, Jacob Hickey – Blackfella Films (ABC)

Burning – Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, Eva Orner, Jonathan Schaerf, Jason Byrne – Propagate Content and Amazon Studios (Amazon Prime Video)

Fearless: The Inside Story Of The AFLW – Anne-Maree Sparkman, Cos Cardone, Luke Tunnecliffe, Becky Taylor – JAM TV (Disney+)

Miriam Margolyes Australia Unmasked – Laurie Critchley, Bethan Arwel-Lewis – Southern Pictures (ABC)

People’s Republic of Mallacoota – Lucy Maclaren, Joe Connor, Ken Connor – Renegade Films  (ABC)

The Family Court Murders – Madeleine Hetherton-Miau, Rebecca Barry, Mark Morrissey, Debi Marshall – Media Stockade with Said & Done (ABC)

Best Drama Series

Bump – Dan Edwards, John Edwards, Claudia Karvan, Kelsey Munro – Roadshow Rough Diamond (Stan)                 

Heartbreak High – Carly Heaton, Sarah Freeman – Fremantle (Netflix)   

Love Me – Hamish Lewis, Michael Brooks, Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia (Binge, Foxtel)                 

Mystery Road: Origin – Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey – Bunya Productions (ABC)   

The Tourist – Lisa Scott, Harry Williams, Jack Williams, Christopher Aird, Chris Sweeney, – Two Brothers Pictures (Stan)                        

Wolf Like Me – Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Bruna Papandrea, Abe Forsythe – Made Up Stories and Endeavour Content (Stan)                 

Best Entertainment Program

Eurovision – Australia Decides – Gold Coast 2022 – Paul Clarke, Stephanie Werrett, Emily Griggs – Blink TV (SBS)          

LEGO® Masters Australia – David McDonald, Di Yang, AJ Johnson – Endemol Shine Australia (Nine Network)          

Mastermind – Lucy De Luca, Anthony Watt – BBC Studios Australia and SBS (SBS)   

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under – Fenton Bailey, RuPaul Charles, Cailah Scobie, Amanda Duthie, Nicola Van der Meijden – World of Wonder and Warner Bros. International Television Production New Zealand Limited (Stan)                 

The Dog House Australia – Sarah Thornton, Ciaran Flannery, Samantha De Alwis, Naomi Elkin – Network 10 (Network 10)                 

The Voice Australia – Majella Hay, Beth Hart, Chloe Baker – ITV Studios Australia (Seven Network)          

Best Factual Entertainment Program

Back Roads – Brigid Donovan, Louise Turley – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)   

Gogglebox Australia – David McDonald, Danielle Vos – Endemol Shine Australia (Foxtel, Network 10)   

Muster Dogs – Michael Boughen, Monica O’Brien – Ambience Entertainment (ABC)   

Old People’s Home for Teenagers – Debbie Cuell, Tony De La Pena, Paulo Vivan, Brooke Hulsman – Endemol Shine Australia (ABC)                 

Who Do You Think You Are? – Maxine Gray – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia (SBS)

You Can’t Ask That – Frances O’Riordan, Kirk Docker, Josh Schmidt – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)   

Best Lead Actor in a Drama  

Mark Coles Smith – Mystery Road: Origin

Jamie Dornan – The Tourist

James Majoos – Heartbreak High

Sam Neill – The Twelve

Hugo Weaving – Love Me

Best Lead Actress in a Drama  

Isla Fisher – Wolf Like Me

Claudia Karvan – Bump

Kate Mulvany – The Twelve

Tuuli Narkle – Mystery Road: Origin

Bojana Novakovic – Love Me

Best Lifestyle Program

Gardening Australia – Gill Lomas – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Grand Designs Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Fremantle (Foxtel)

Selling Houses Australia – Nicole Rogers, Caroline Swift, Kam Vurlow, Howard Myers – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia (Foxtel)  

The Cook Up with Adam Liaw – Bruce Walters, Samantha De Alwis – SBS (SBS)

The Great Australian Bake Off – Alenka Henry, Howard Myers, Kylie Washington – BBC Studios Australia (Foxtel)

The Living Room – Sarah Thornton, Tamara Simoneau, Rachael Brand – Network 10 (Network 10)

Best Miniseries

Barons – John Molloy, Michael Lawrence, Liz Doran, Justin Davies, Nicholas Cook – 2 Jons, Micanical Media, Fremantle (ABC)                               

Savage River – Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford – Aquarius Films (ABC)   

The Twelve – Hamish Lewis, Ian Collie, Ally Henville, Rob Gibson, Michael Brooks – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia and Easy Tiger Productions (Binge, Foxtel)                        

True Colours – Penny Smallacombe, Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey – Bunya Productions (SBS)          

Underbelly: Vanishing Act – Kerrie Mainwaring, Matt Ford – Screentime (Nine Network)   

Best Reality Program

Amazing Race Australia – Paul Franklin, Rikkie Proost, Chris Culvenor, Sophia Mogford – Eureka Productions (Network 10)                 

Australian Survivor: Blood V Water – Amelia Fisk, Drina Maruna, Adam Fergusson, Di Yang – Endemol Shine Australia (Network 10)                 

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – Ben Ulm, Riima Daher, Alex Mavroidakis, Beth Hart – ITV Studios Australia (Network 10)                 

Luxe Listings Sydney – Paul Franklin, Chris Culvenor, Rikkie Proost, Evan Wilkes, Anastassia Gerakis, Jake Hargreaves – Eureka Productions (Amazon Prime Video)                               

MasterChef Australia – David Forster, Eoin Maher, Simon Child – Endemol Shine Australia (Network 10)          

The Bridge – Amelia Fisk, Lucy Connors, Toby Trappel – Endemol Shine Australia (Paramount+)  

Best Stand-Up Special

Geraldine Hickey: What A Surprise – Geraldine Hickey, Frank Bruzzese, Kathleen McCarthy, Lauren Moore – Guesswork Television (Paramount+)                    

Ronny Chieng: Speakeasy – Ronny Chieng – All Things Comedy and Netflix (Netflix)

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022 Gala Supported by Oxfam – Various Performers,  Rachel Millar, Kellie Williams, Susan Provan, Claire Hammond – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)                            

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022 Opening Night Comedy AllStars Show – Various Performers,  Rachel Millar, Kellie Williams, Susan Provan, Claire Hammond – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)                            

Tom Ballard: Enough – Tom Ballard, Frank Bruzzese, Kathleen McCarthy, Lauren Moore – Guesswork Television (Paramount+)                    

Tommy Little: I’ll See Myself Out – Tommy Little, Kevin Whyte, Kathleen McCarthy, Nikita Agzarian – Guesswork Television (Amazon Prime Video)                                

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama

Steve Bisley – Mystery Road: Origin

Brendan Cowell – The Twelve

Daniel Henshall – Mystery Road: Origin

Damon Herriman – The Tourist

Thomas Weatherall – Heartbreak High

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

Hayley McElhinney – Mystery Road: Origin

Jacqueline McKenzie – Savage River

Heather Mitchell – Love Me

Brooke Satchwell – The Twelve

Magda Szubanski – After the Verdict

Best Digital Series or Channel

A Beginner’s Guide to Grief – Renee Mao, Julie Byrne, Kate Butler, Linda Ujuk, Anna Lindner

Black As – Joseph Smith, Dino Wanybarrngu, Chico Wanybarrnga, Jerome Lilypiyana, David Batty

Iggy & Ace – A.B Morrison, Monica Zanetti, Melissa Kelly, Hannah Ngo

It’s Fine I’m Fine – Clare Delaney, Iain Crittenden, Florence Tourbier, Stef Smith

Jimmy Rees POV – Jimmy Rees

Ozzy Man Reviews – Ethan Marrell

The Masked Cinema 2022 - See How They Run

Currently playing now in Sydney is The Mousetrap. This long running play, plays a fairly large part of this whodunit film.

See How They Run starring Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Ruth Wilson, Reece Shearsmith, Harris Dickinson + David Oyelowo kicks off in 1953 London. 

Agatha Christie's play The Mousetrap celebrates its 100th performance, and the sleazy American director Leo Köpernick (Adrien Brody) attempts to convince the producer John Woolf to allow him to direct the film adaptation. After Köpernick's drunken behaviour towards the female lead Sheila Sim leads to a fistfight with her husband and co-star Richard Attenborough, Köpernick is killed backstage by an unseen assailant.

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, however what does this bedroom critic think?

Firstly with Black Adam opening today, if you want to see, See How They Run, make it this week.

Saoirse Ronan as Woman Police Constable Stalker completely steals the show with some real quirky English one liners.

I have in the past seen the Mousetrap at Sydney Theatre, so there were elements of the film that triggered memories of the live show this film revolves around.

It's interesting a murder occurs almost playing into an Agatha Christie style play/film.

I loved whodunits growing up. I loved Clue plus the game Cluedo. So I have to pass this for being some fun taking me back to my youth. 3 Stars.

The Masked Cinema 2022 - Halloween Ends

Halloween Ends is the end of the latest Halloween trilogy. Is the ending satisfying or disappointing AF like The Watcher? Read on dear friend.

The sequel to Halloween Kills (released around the same time in 2021), is the thirteenth instalment in the Halloween franchise.

This trilogy commenced back in 2018 film, serving directly in the Halloween timeline, of the 1978 OG film.

Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Rohan Campbell, Will Patton, Kyle Richards & James Jude Courtney.

So far the finale has received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the performances, kills and musical score. While others deemed it a weak conclusion to the trilogy, with some criticism aimed towards the climax. Critics nonetheless deemed it an improvement over its predecessor, Halloween Kills.

I enjoyed the dark, creating a serial killer storyline. However the other storyline, the one where after a mob attack, multiple ways to die, Michael Myers / The Shape returns.

It starts off slow, while building to pushing young Corey Cunningham to the edge.

We have had so many horror films this year, so if you are gonna release one it needs to stand out. This film sadly doesn't stand out.

Maybe the strong start to the trilogy was a sign that this should have just been a one off reunion film with Michael dying in the burning house at the end of the first film.

It plays out a bit like a soap opera, with a family, a town under siege. America's obsession with violent crimes, this does make the film feel a little like it glorifies the everyday American crime story.

Halloween Ends marks the end of the road. With one strong storyline, I'll pass this bad boy, 2.5 stars.

Spring Minseries Ender - The Watcher

Following Dahmer, Ryan Murphy is back with The Watcher on Netflix.

Continuing that multi, multi, multi million dollar deal with Netflix comes another true crime story.

Based on the true story of a married couple who, after moving into their dream home in Westfield, New Jersey, are harassed by letters signed by a stalker named The Watcher.

The miniseries landed last week. I got sucked in, smashing the entire seven addictive episodes in the entire weekend from Friday to Sunday night. 

The Watcher based on a 2018 article for New York's "The Cut" by Reeves Wiedeman.

Starring Naomi Watts as Nora Brannock & Bobby Cannavale as Dean Brannock this latest true crime story while being addictive, has a massively disappointing ending, leaving the viewer feeling robbed. Feeling time poor after watching yet another Ryan Murphy vanity project, you do feel ripped off by the ending.

No spoilers here, however don't hate me if you get to the end, thinking what on Earth did I just sit through.

It sucks you in, treats you like a chump at the end, then you just want to move onto the next pre-Summer drama.

True crime and horror are all the rage right now. Tomorrow it's back to the cinema with some more horror. Come back to find out what horror film I sat through. For now, The Watcher streams all seven (less than an hour each) episodes on Netflix. For more Ryan Murphy for all those suckers out there like me, American Horror Story returns this week.

Spring Season 1 Ender - She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law has definitely been the best Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)/Disney+ series in a while.

She-Hulk is the eighth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, following Jennifer Walters, a lawyer specializing in cases involving superhumans, who also becomes the green superhero She-Hulk. 

Starring Tatiana Maslany stars as Walters/She-Hulk as the lead. Whilst Jameela Jamil, Ginger Gonzaga, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Segarra, Mark Linn-Baker, Tess Malis Kincaid, Tim Roth, Megan Thee Stallion, Benedict Wong, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jon Bass, Rhys Coiro, Griffin Matthews, Patti Harrison, Steve Coulter, Charlie Cox, Brandon Stanley also star. 

Yes that's right Megan Thee Stallion also appears in this series! As does Netflix star Charlie Cox back as Daredevil.

She-Hulk has been addictive over all of nine episodes, concluding on October 13. The series premiered on August 18, 2022 on Disney+.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law premiered on August 18, 2022, and will consist of nine episodes, concluding on October 13. She-Hulk also serves as the last television series of Phase Four in the MCU. 

In the finale we saw Walters is released from DODC custody, but is forced to wear an inhibitor to prevent her from transforming, and loses her job at GLK&H. 

Nikki and Pug infiltrate an Intelligencia event, where they learn that Phelps is HulkKing and Blonsky as the Abomination is serving as a motivational speaker. Walters arrives at the event and confronts Phelps, who injects himself with her blood and transforms into a Hulk. 

After Titania and Banner unexpectedly appear in the ensuing fight, a confused Walters destroys her inhibitor and breaks the fourth wall to confront the show's writers in Marvel Studios: Assembled. 

She meets with K.E.V.I.N., an artificial intelligence that claims to be in charge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's storyline decisions, and persuades it to rewrite the finale, to which it reluctantly agrees.

 

Returning to her show, she finds Phelps and Blonsky have been arrested. While celebrating with her family and Murdock, Banner returns from Sakaar with his son Skaar. After regaining her job and being cleared of all charges, Walters vows to continue her work as a lawyer and a superhero. 

In a mid-credits scene, Wong breaks Blonsky out of prison and takes him to Kamar-Taj. So could a second season be on the way? By all the talk online, interest in season one, like Loki I think we will get another round of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law streams now on Disney+ alongside Loki, Marvel films, Andor the latest Star Wars series and much, much, more!

The (Non) Masked (Home) Cinema 2022 - Here Out West

It's unusual for the ABC to feature original films on the National Broadcaster, however Here Out West breaks that trend.

I believe it just concluded streaming on the free ABC iVIEW, however for more information you can go HERE.

It took me a number of viewings to get through the entire collection of short stories that made up Here Out West. Showcasing the awesome multicultural diversity of Sydney's west, the cast is extremely diverse. 

You can read a full glowing review HERE from excellent Australian TV blog, TV Tonight. Otherwise scroll below for my unique score.

The main story line bringing all storylines together is, a baby is kidnapped from hospital by a desperate grandmother. Her flight sets off a chain of events that bring together complete strangers over the course of one dramatic day.

We see a closing night of a Chinese restaurant, a nurse of a double shift sending love and most likely money back to the Phillipines, a young Aussie Vietnamese successful business man balancing both traditional family life and a high powered role.

Along with various other aspects of trying to make it out in Sydney's West. It's touching, raw and engaging. Sydney's west has a lot to offer, so Here Out West only really touches the surface.

Unless you like all the different short stories, you may wish for the current story to hurry along. Either way this was a decent watch. 2.75 Stars.

The Masked Cinema 2022 - Smile

Kevin Bacon's daughter, Sosie Bacon is the lead in the latest film currently playing at a cinema near you. Smile landed either last week or the week before playing the horror fans while in my session a bunch of under 15 year old's were kicked out for not having photo ID on them. It took me back to when I saw the OG Scream film back at Erina Fair, having to provide photo ID.

Based on his 2020 short film Laura Hasn't Slept, has Bacon as a therapist who, after witnessing the bizarre suicide of a patient, goes through increasingly disturbing and daunting experiences, leading her to believe what she is experiencing is supernatural. 

Alongside Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner, Caitlin Stasey, Kal Penn, and Rob Morgan also star.

Originally set for a streaming release through Paramount+ (my subscription just expired before getting to watch Yellowjackets - BOO!), however the studio opted to release the film theatrically after strong positive test screenings. 

The film received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised the jumpscares, production values, and Bacon's performance, though some noted the similarities to other horror media, such as It Follows and The Ring.

I did find it a little predictable, with spoiler alert, no real explanation of what caused the smile. I left feeling like horror has really been a little overdone in 2022. With TV series, films and life in general all having horror elements on the daily.

I can't say this was my favourite horror film of 2022 nor film of 2022. I will pass it though as it did give me the odd jump scare. 2.5 Stars. Sosie Bacon one to watch!

Spring Minseries Ender - Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is the show everyone is talking about right now. Literally everyone. At work, the gym, the coffee shop. It is the water cooler series the Real Love Boat wishes it was!

Netflix hasn't had a hit for a while! Finally true gruesome crime comes to the rescue.

The life of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is extremely disturbing. To be honest I had never heard of him, until now. The first episode has you on the edge of your seat. It's intense, full on, creepy while reminding me of my past trusting people from the clubs, going to a randoms place. Man I was shook.

Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, this is Murphy's best work in a long time. After the very disappointing American Horror Stories season two, this is a serious return to form. Maybe that big pay day from Netflix was worth it after all?

Evan Peters stars as Dahmer, in which he will likely pick up some awards along the way. While Richard Jenkins, Molly Ringwald, Michael Learned, and Niecy Nash also star. Nash is sublime as the terrified neighbour who gets ignored from an extremely useless police force.

The police scare me at the best of times. However seeing the lack of action taken between 1978 and 1991 with Dahmer, I have lost even more faith.

The ten reverting episodes landed late September. It took me a few watches to get through the ten, however this was the best Netflix series I have watched in months and months.

The critics have given it mixed reviews, praising the acting but many deeming it exploitative. The spotlight needed to be shone on these shocking crimes, the lack of interest by the police and the failure to protect societies most vulnerable.

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is a difficult watch, but a compelling one. Check it out now on Netflix.

The Masked Cinema 2022 - Ticket to Paradise

How strange! I totally forgot to review, Ticket to Paradise. More strange, I actually liked this film!

Ticket to Paradise is a slightly predictable rom com with George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

As a divorced couple who decide to team up and sabotage the impending wedding of their daughter (Kaitlyn Dever). Arriving in Bali (really filmed in Australia) they try all stops to stop their daughters happiness. Random idea for a film plot, parents keep their children unhappy?

However, David and Georgia Cotton, travel to Bali after learning that their daughter, Lily, is planning to marry a man named Gede, whom she has just met. They decide to work together to sabotage the wedding to prevent Lily from making the same mistake they made twenty-five years ago.

Gede is drop dead gorgeous, Maxime Bouttier is a total 10 out of 10!

So before this film departs the cinema I should give it a real quick star rating. It's hard reviewing and thinking of a star rating over a week since I saw the film. So here goes..... 3 Stars for romance and sun. I have romance but no sun right now. Come on Sydney! This rain is seriously fucked up!

The Masked Cinema 2022 - Fall

Fall has a short and sweet cast, for a rather short and stressful film. Grace Caroline Currey, Virginia Gardner, Mason Gooding (Love, Victor) + the Walking Dead's Negan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

The main plot is two women who climb a 2,000-foot tall radio tower and get stranded at the top with no way down. This follows the adrenaline junkies and best friends, Becky (Grace Caroline Currey) and Hunter (Virginia Gardner), are climbing a mountain with Becky's husband, Dan (Mason Gooding). While attempting to secure a piton inside a small cave, a bat flies out at him, causing him to lose his footing and swing from the harness.

Small spoiler ALERT - 

Becky and Hunter try to save him, but the harness breaks when he tries to swing back to the rock face and he falls to his death. 

This leads to a flash forward, well 51 weeks later in fact. Becky has become a depressed alcoholic who has estranged herself from her father, James (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), because he suggested that Dan was not as good a guy as Becky had made him out to be. 

James encourages her to move on with her life, but Becky refuses and later contemplates suicide by overdosing on prescription medication. She is interrupted by Hunter, who invites her to climb the 2,000 foot (610 m) B67 TV tower in the desert. 

Though Becky is hesitant, she changes her mind and decides to go along so she can finally move on from Dan's death. They make the six hour trip to the tower, and while eating at a diner the night before the climb, they learn it was decommissioned years prior and is set to be demolished the following winter.

The film is good escapism, however it is extremely stressful. I did a super tough HIIT class before. I am not sure if I had more sweat in the Sprint class or the film.

It does go a little longer than it should. There is a moment in the film where I almost groaned out loud at one particular plot point. However overall this was an enjoyable outing to the cinema. Speaking of for some reason I never posted the rom com with Clooney and Roberts I saw recently. That will come soon.

For now, Fall gets a solid (or not so solid, depending on where you find yourself) 3 Stars.

Spring Season 5 Ender - Cobra Kai

The fifth season of Cobra Kai started off a little lame, but ended with a big bang. By episode nine and ten, the series went into overdrive. The yet to be renewed Netflix hit series landed on September 9, 2022. Landing on nine months since the fourth season streamed on NYE 2021.

Will a sixth series be greenlit?

This is the third season to be released to Netflix, following its YouTube origin days. 

Head of the Snake was the finale episode, so for a recap and my general thoughts on the season, see below the trailer. Warning there are SOME SPOILERS below!

Kreese, in prison, tries showing mercy towards a cellmate, but it ends tragically when he is presumably killed in a fight. 

A vengeful Barnes, who hijacked the limo, decides to launch an attack on Silver and his senseis at his mansion, and Johnny and Chozen join him, but Daniel refuses, leaving him behind. Barnes is quickly subdued, while Silver and Chozen engage in a fight to the death, which ends with the latter being wounded. 

Meanwhile, Johnny almost gives up on defeating the senseis, but does so after seeing an ultrasound of his unborn baby and is later assisted by Barnes. At the same time, Tory helps the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang students infiltrate the Cobra Kai dojo and hack the mainframe to procure footage of Silver beating up Stingray, but when they find out the footage was deleted by Terry, they decide to upload the video of Tory's confrontation with Silver, in which he admits to rigging her match with Sam. 

Mitch betrays them because of the Cobra Kai students not calling him Penis Breath, warning them about the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang students' plan. A fight between the 3 dojos ensues, soon joined by Kim.

Devon switches sides and helps Tory fight Kim, while Eli and Demetri acquire the footage and join the fight. 

Anthony grabs the Cobra Kai tablet, and as the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang students protect him, he uploads and plays the video on the dojo screens via YouTube, disillusioning the Cobra Kai students. Daniel, Amanda, Carmen and a remorseful Stingray arrive at the dojo, as does Silver, who desperately talking to the Cobra Kai students, but they don't respond to him as his true colors are finally exposed.

Daniel challenges Silver to a fight using his training against him and finishes him off using a crane kick, which leads to Silver falling to the ground in defeat. Silver's students desert him, leaving their Cobra Kai shirts on him, and he is arrested when Stingray confesses to his false testimony. 

Tory and Robby reconcile with a kiss, and Sam and Miguel confess their love for each other. Chozen arrives being heavily wounded and is hospitalized, while Barnes steals a painting from Silver to compensate for his furniture store. Daniel, Johnny and their students celebrate their victory over Cobra Kai. However, unknown to everyone, Kreese is revealed to have faked his death by using melted Jell-O as fake blood, and escaped prison.

Cobra Kai is sorted left wide open for a sixth season, but really how much longer can it go on for? I am assuming a little longer since it's commonly in the Netflix Top 10. Well definitely here in Australia.

As another long weekend/public holiday comes to a close hopefully I will be back to the movies really soon! If you need some viewing today, some light hearted, easy to watch viewing on the Netflix, give Cobra Kai a crack.

Seeya next time!

Spring Season 2 Ender - Reservation Dogs

The little show that does, Reservation Dogs has just finished its second run. Ahead of being renewed for a third season late last month.

Created by Sterlin Harjo + Taika Waititi, it airs stateside in the USA on FX, while in Australia it streams on Binge.

The second season premiered on early August, running for an easy binge of ten episodes. Slightly more than the first season of eight episodes.

The series has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including a Peabody Award, two Independent Spirit Awards, and nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Awards and Golden Globes, and was named one of the best series of 2021 by many critics. 

The second season sees the Rez Dogs still experiencing grief over the loss of their friend, Daniel.

The foursome being broken apart and scattered, and missing each other. The "California dream" does not turn out the way they expected, resulting in more feelings of disappointment and abandonment. While they cope using humor, they also face increasingly more adult challenges. Financial and family responsibilities arise as they continue to try to figure out their lives.

The season features a number of almost standalone episodes all combined into one wild ride of a second season.

Reservation Dogs may not be everyone's cup of tea, however it has some soft tender moments, mixed with quality comedy.

As the US TV season ramps up, another series calls it a day for a while. Looking at the release schedule of the last two seasons, it looks like FX will bring this back to our screens again next August. FX has just released the return date for American Horror Story returning this month, with Atlanta also returning super quick for its fourth and final run.

Until next time, you may hear a little more about Cobra Kai's fifth season. Until then, happy long weekend and school holidays NSW!