Best Movies of 2023 (Get Outta da House Cinema 2023)

OK real talk (again), 2023 could have continued to be a bad year for Hollywood.

Well other than Barbie and Oppenheimer. These two films alone, saved cinema for 2023. Cinemas finally thought they were back on track for 2023. Than came 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

Its taken the steam out of the Barbienheimer golden days of cinema of 2023. The Marvel movies are starting to be box office bombs, films that looked like they had been stored away for a rainy day have surfaced. While the reboots, the sequels and superhero rubbish is starting to not do as well as it once did.

What will the cinema be like in 2024? Let's hope its a more steady year with some original stories to be told. Both on the local and international front.

BEST hyped film of 2023 - Barbie 

BEST jump out of the seat film - Talk to Me

BEST Teen drama/coming of age/comedy blah - Sweet As

BEST films of 2023 -Talk to Me

BEST small (budget) film - M3GAN (12 million dollar budget, 181 million box office, cha-ching!)

BEST Aussie Movie - Talk to Me

BEST Music film - Barbie

BEST controversial film of 2023 - Saltburn

BEST Drama - Saltburn

I also have to mention Cocaine Bear as a notable mention for 2023's patchy 2023 year. It sounded insane, it was, but a hell of a lot of fun along the way!

Notable Stay in da House Cinema 2023 mentions:

BEST hyped film of 2023 - Extraction 2 (Netflix)

BEST Aussie Movie (TIE) - Run Rabbit Run (Netflix) / The Royal Hotel (Binge)

BEST Drama - Air (Amazon Prime)

Like Cocaine Bear above there are two non category Amazon Prime films which were loads of fun, Shotgun Wedding & Red, White & Royal Blue. Both are streaming now and super fun.

My wish for cinema in 2024. Less superhero rehashed shit. More wild films like Saltburn. More Australian stories. Hopefully The Dry 2 is also worth the wait in February.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - The Unusual Suspects - Miniseries

The Unusual Suspects is one of those shows I have had on my watchlist forever! Like literally forever!

Screening on SBS all the way back in June 2021.

Know you know I love a good four-part miniseries. Particularly a local one. This will also mark the end of the Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' blog series. To be creatively replaced with Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24'. Cause lets be honest, we still have three hot ass months here to come in Australia! On the southern hemisphere.

The series is primarily in English, with some parts in Tagalog. So what's the plot of this free-streaming local series on SBS on Demand?

A multi-million-dollar necklace is stolen from the home of self-made Filipina businesswoman Roxanne Waters during her twins' extravagant birthday party in Sydney's glamorous Eastern Suburbs. Sort of like Real Housewives of Sydney, just more likeable characters.

The ensuing police investigation threatens to expose cracks in Vaucluse's sparkling façade, shedding a light on hidden rivalries, shady business deals and forbidden affairs. Everyone is under suspicion, from social darling Sara Beasley, whose perfect life is crumbling fast, to her long-suffering nanny, Evie De La Rosa, a godmother of sorts for other Filipino domestic workers. 

With an all star cast including The Clearing's Miranda Otto as Sara Beasley, Aina Dumlao as Evie De La Rosa, Michelle Vergara Moore as Roxanne Waters, Peter O'Brien as Nick Parker-Smith, Strife's Matt Day as Garth Beasley, the incredible Heather Mitchell as Birdie, Wentworth's Susie Porter as Rae and loads more local legends.

I really enjoyed this little series. I am not sure why I sat on it for so long, however I did. I have through the US writers strike learned that in Australia our content, our stories are usually a lot more original than some of the cookie cutter US shit.

I am looking forward to the new Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' series. With finales, series like Paper Dolls, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, the latest Power run, The Tourist, True Detective and more to stream. Also the very loose, most wild and random The Curse will also conclude on Paramount+. That does break the mould of non-cookie cutting conforming superhero, procedural crime/hospital or first responder series.

Miranda Otto is a literal queen. For her alone, this is well worth a look!

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - NCIS: Sydney - Season One

NCIS: Sydney is the latest Aussie series to land on Paramount+. NCIS: Sydney is a spin-off of NCIS and its franchise, which follows a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigating crimes

Landing on the streamer mid-November, the series aired weekly concluding virtually on New Year's Eve! Hot on the heels of episode eight, the season finale, there are hot rumours a second season is incoming.

If you are not a subscriber and waiting for a free to air screening, apparently Network 10 will air the first season mid-2024.

The series is the first international spin-off for the NCIS franchise and features local Australian actors and producers. Although the show is set in Sydney, the closest real-life NCIS field office in Australia is actually located in Perth, which is 3,290 km away.

Set in Sydney, the show follows a joint task force that involves NCIS agents and Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers working together on investigations involving American military and navy personnel.

Starring Olivia Swann as Michelle Mackey, NCIS Special Agent-in-Charge, Todd Lasance as Jim "JD" Dempsey, Australian Federal Police (AFP) Second-in-Command, Sean Sagar (HOT!) as DeShawn Jackson, NCIS Special Agent (SA), Tuuli Narkle as Constable Evie Cooper, AFP Liaison Officer, Mavournee Hazel as Bluebird "Blue" Gleeson, AFP forensic scientist and Aussie favourite, William McInnes as Roy "Rosie" Penrose, AFP forensic pathologist.

McInnes fresh from his epic performance on The Newsreader season two, he is no stranger to Australian TV.

Blonde Ambition was a carry on from the previous episode Bunker Down, including a character (villain) who was introduced in the pilot, Gone Fission.

Yes at times the show was corny, yes it is very US network TV made on Aussie soil, however it actually got better as the eight episode run went on.

It's been a hit in the USA. Yes there has been very little competition this TV. However on CBS it even beats Survivor's 45th season.

Now no spoilers as this show may have skipped past a few of you, however if the rumours are true of a second season, it is totally all set up for one.

It leaves you on one massive cliffhanger.

What will happen to the NCIS team back at the Sydney HQ? I'd say this will be renewed early 2024 at this stage. That was a fun season finale!

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Bump - Season Four

Bump is back for a fourth season. Now becoming a Boxing Day tradition, the latest 10 episodes of this Sydney based series were a cinch to binge.

Streaming on Stan, the series was originally a NYD hangover cure, launching on 1 January 2021.

The series created by Claudia Karvan and Kelsey Munro, originally was set around an inner city high school, the series centres around Oly, an ambitious and high-achieving teenage girl who has a surprise baby and the complications that ensue for two families.

Since then, a spin-off series set in the same universe, Year Of, landed mid this year, sadly no news on a renewal for this series.

The fourth season of Bump went into production in July, starring OG stars Nathalie Morris, Carlos Sanson Jr, and Claudia Karvan. Fun fact Bump is now one of the longest-running local scripted shows on air outside of serials Home & Away and Neighbours.

This season lands two new characters too, a Mayor in Steph Tisdell and Dylan Alcott in the Inner West Councils office.

Now full-grown adults, Oly (Nathalie Morris) and Santi (Carlos Sanson Jr) we have finally caught up to the actors age. The couple are still working as a team with their challenging seven-year-old Jacinda. 

Vince (Ioane Sa’ula), Talia (Henrietta Amevor) and Ariel (Matilda Ridgway) have parented young Malik too, adding a second child to the Bump mix.

Reema (Safia Arain) has a much more interesting season this season, in a father created love triangle.

Season four deals with a number of social and current issues. Angie played by Aussie legend Claudia Karvan climate change moments feel a little preachy at times. We all understand about climate change now, the more interesting story of the park, Shauna (Steph Tisdell) and the land sale. This is left up in the air meaning a fifth season may happen?

Oly’s works with Shauna, creating loads of drama at work and at home with handsome AF Santi (now in Paper Dolls too!) and very curious Jacinda’s. 

Bump has proven to be a phenomenal hit internationally in addition to domestically, with broadcast deals with the CW Network (US), which sadly axed the second season a few episodes in.

Also streaming on BBC (UK), ProSieben (Germany) and CBC (Canada).

The show has recently received nominations from the 62nd & 63rd Annual TV Week Logie Awards & the 12th AACTA Awards.

This was one hell of an easy watch on Stan. Stan has had a killer year with local releases. Ten Pound Poms, Black Snow, Scrublands, C*A*U*G*H*T and Bump spin off Year Of, all found audiences and critical acclaim.

I have my fingers crossed we will see Bump return on Boxing Day 2024.

Happy summer streaming folks!

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Vigil - Season Two

Vigil has returned for its second season. Without submarines, we are now dealing with drones!

Its another six-part first series, streaming on Binge right now! Starring some faces from season one along with some new season two faces. Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Gary Lewis, Dougray Scott, with Romola Garai.

Season two is set in Scotland, along with the fictional Middle Eastern nation Wudyan.

When a prototype Air Force combat drone is compromised and kills several soldiers during a joint demonstration in Scotland, Silva’s team are tasked with finding the perpetrator. She travels to joint Al-Shawka Air Base in the fictional Kingdom of Wudyan, a controversial ally in the Persian Gulf, and discovers a wider conspiracy intertwined with current regime's collaboration with the British government and private enterprise on drone development.

Season two was a mega easy watch. I was surprised how quickly I got back into the UK thriller.

Season one felt a long time ago, which it was back in 2021. However I was late to the Vigil fanbase. 

This felt a lot less closed in after the submarine dramas in season one. A third season is yet to be announced, however I feel the BBC would be stupid not to give this military based series another run.

It has drama, intrigue, its fast paced. While covering some LGBTIQ+ topics.

If you enjoyed Homeland, this is a more modern UK take on the US spy series.

Binge is kicking goals this summer. With Rhys and Joel's fun Xmas special, Strife, Found, The Real Housewives of Sydney's rebooted second season, Aussie thriller in the outback the Royal Hotel and UK rom-com series Smothered.

So if you are not on Binge, get the fuck on it now! This is not a sponsored plug, I honestly can't stand paying the Murdochs, but there is some serious quality content on this streamer!

Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (3D)

I missed the latest Marvel film, however its the school holidays, public holiday season, so why not check out, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

It is the sequel to 2018's Aquaman (2018), while this is the 15th film and final instalment in the DC Extended Universe. 

James Wan is an Aussie hero, getting the big gigs over and over. Honestly his previous outing M3GAN was a lot better than this later superhero romp!

Returning for the sequel, Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry / Aquaman, with long time Wan collaborator Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Randall Park, Dolph Lundgren, Temuera Morrison, Martin Short, and Nicole Kidman. 

This time around underwater, Arthur must work with his half-brother Orm (Wilson) to prevent Black Manta (Abdul-Mateen II) from killing his family and using the cursed Black Trident to overheat the world while searching for the lost seventh kingdom of the seas.

The sequel has received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $120.1 million worldwide, to date. This is against a budget of $215 million. Will this superhero film, make budget?

But now to my review. This film was completely forgettable. Honestly this was a bit of a waste of a Boxing Day afternoon. Happy I had already binged the most part of Bump before heading to a random 3D screening.

This also did not need to be 3D. I also thought 3D films weren't a thing anymore.

If you see one film this summer, don't make it Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. 2 stars for this being the last DC dribble. For now.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - The Real Housewives of Sydney - Season Two

The Real Housewives of Sydney (abbreviated RHOS) is back for 2023. Well the dying days of 2023. 

Focusing on the personal and professional lives of women living in Sydney, Australia. The Sydney version was cancelled back in 2019 after one season due to some nasty behavior.

However a revival was announced back in April. The 10-part revival of the series was announced to stream exclusively on Binge. Making December a big month for Australian content in Binge, following the fabulous Strife with Asher Keddie.

Binge confirmed the cast with Krissy Marsh and Nicole O'Neil returning to the series, following their season one performances. I remembered them. But its O'Neil's condescending tone that gets me every time. Total Stepford wives vibe.

New cast members this season including a villain Kate Adams, a wag Terry Biviano, the wild child, Caroline Gaultier, Ariana Grande wannabeVictoria Montano, and sweet Sally Obermeder.

The second season landed mid-October. Following the ten episodes, a recap/reunion special was announced on late November, hosted by blonde bombshell Joel Creasey.

O'Neil was not in attendance due to a family commitment. Which there was plenty of shade about!

Not a huge reality fan, however this was some mindless fun. All episodes (except season one, that is MIA) stream now on Binge. Good work Binge for providing a load of end of year local content!

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Rap Sh!t - Season Two

Rap Sh!t or Rap Shit is round two Issa Rae and HBO (Max). This was also the second run of the thirt something minute sexy-comedy. Season two premiered on early November, airing week to week, concluding last night on Binge. Season two was originally set to debut in August, but was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

The Miami-based rappers (Aida Osman and KaMillion) sound a lot like Yung Miami and JT (City Girls) who are also co-executive producers.

Season two was a lot. Will it be enough for HBO Max to give it a third outing? End of year cancellations are currently coming in. With this ending only recently, I feel good or bad news for the series is just around the corner.

Spoilers below for episode eight, the finale, Under Construction. Also a total of a brilliant Missy Elliot record.

Francois and the girls have a successful recording session with Pardison Fontaine. Pardison asks them questions about their personal lives to better understand their artistic vision, which Shawna hesitates to discuss. 

At a meeting with Alex, she reveals that Red Bull is offering a deal in which they retain their creative control and masters, though they are interested in an EP with Lamont as a producer. 

At Melissa's birthday party, Mia's card declines when she attempts to pay for the bounce castle and asks Lamont for help. Tiffany's presence at the party disgruntles Mia. 

During a dance battle, Melissa accidentally hits Tiffany's daughter, Lulu, and Lamont blames Mia for instigating it. 

Consequently, he declines to work with Mia again. Shawna and Maurice spend time together before he surrenders, and he invites her to his going-away party. Francois calls Shawna and previews their new track but is livid when Shawna informs him of the girls' deal with Red Bull and threatens to scrap the track if they continue with Chastity. Mia and Shawna discuss what to do about the ultimatum. 

Chastity crashes Alex's meeting with Kirk and convinces him to give the girls a better offer. Upset at being undermined, Alex ends things with Chastity. Shawna goes live and puts Gat on blast for using Lord AK as clout. Her reaction elicits the attention of big-name female rappers and Francois implores her to take advantage of the notoriety. 

The girls fire Chastity as their manager, choosing to continue with Francois. Having sacrificed so much for the girls, Chastity leaves heartbroken. 

Maurice prepares to leave for prison and gives Stanley his phone, telling him he never deleted the recordings. Chastity meets with Gat and Reina, and the girls debut their new single BBW on TikTok.

Will we see a third season of the Miami duo's rise to fame? I am guessing not. It was delayed from its OG start date, series are being cancelled left, right and centre. While Warner (HBO) and Paramount might be merging in the future. That means a lot of shows will get the chop!

Stay tuned still a few more Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' posts. NCIS Sydney next week while Real Housewives of Sydney's rebooted second season will also land soon. Maybe even the fourth season of Sydney's favourite family series, Bump on Stan.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Tell Me Lies - Season One

Gosh I'm surprised Tell Me Lies has been renewed for a second season. On Hulu too. In Australia of course, it streams on a good value Disney+.

Based on the 2018 novel by Carola Lovering, this has The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes, just a lot more sex. I mean a lot more. The sex lasts all the way to the season finale. Like they sex ALL the TIME!

I am playing catch-up on this one as it started streaming on Hulu back in September.

Tell Me Lies follows a relationship between Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco as it unfolds over the course of 8 years after meeting at college.

Set in 2007 at a fictional upstate New York school called Baird College, this drama chronicles a turbulent but seductive romance between college freshmen Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and college junior Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White). 

Although their relationship starts off like any other campus romance, they quickly become entangled in an addictive entanglement that will forever change not only their lives, but the lives of everyone around them.

It (for the most part) is fairly stock standard young adult fun. College girls, college jocks, sex, drugs, parties and lake houses.

When we land at episode ten, the final party of the school year is hit by a wave of truths, secrets, and a shocking act of betrayal that threatens both a long-standing friendship and two relationships.

The music really hits the right indie cords, however the storyline are mega cliche.

It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, however no air date has been set for the second season. The show also does (somehow) have a high score of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. Also on a side note, American Horror Story scream queen, Emma Roberts is also one of the producers.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Smothered - Season One

Smothered was a super easy watch! All six episodes landed on Binge, December 7. Or if you like week-to-week they air on 7:30pm Friday December 8 on FOX8. But come on, fuck that!

Starring Danielle Vitalis, Jon Pointing and Aisling Bea. Smothered has a killer soundtrack, with love in the air. Its a romantic time of the year (mixed with stress and anxiety) so this six episode comedy was a nice distraction.

So what's the story morning glory? Sammy (Vitalis) and Tom (Pointing) meet on a night out at karaoke and start a no-strings-attached affair for a limited time on the condition that they will never speak to each other again after three weeks.

The UK comedy series Smothered, created by Monica Heisey (Workin’ Moms, Schitt’s Creek).Vitalis  is from the excellent HBO series I May Destroy You, along with Netflix series, Black Mirror) while handsome Jon Pointing previously featured in Big Boys.

Early on we discover that there is another woman in Tom’s life… his six-year-old daughter Ellie. This throws the next few episodes up into the chaos.

However there are other dramas ahead for the new lovers.

I have leaned into these easy breezy, short, fun UK series this past season. I love a quick six episode run. Binge has done well to get this along with other UK series on their platform.

The music (I have to say again) featured is all killer, no filler. Even Aussie Fisher gets his anthem Losing It in the mix. What a tune! Still to this day!

Anyway it's almost Christmas however there are still finales of NCIS Sydney (I think) along with Rap Sh!t's second (and final season? - not yet renewed) season while tomorrow night I will jump into Binge's Real Housewives of Sydney reunion with Joel Creasey.

Until then. Later!

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - A Murder at the End of the World - Miniseries

A Murder at the End of the World finally aired after originally set to be released late August, but was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The miniseries landed on Hulu in the US mid-November/Disney+ in Australia. The seven episode run, marks the second television project by Marling and Batmanglij after The OA.

Starring Emma Corrin as an amateur detective who attempts to solve a murder at a secluded retreat. The supporting cast includes Marling herself, Clive Owen and Harris Dickinson.

A Murder at the End of the World follows Darby Hart, an amateur detective. Darby and eight other guests are invited by a reclusive billionaire to participate in a retreat at a remote and dazzling location. When one of the other guests is found dead, Darby must use all of her skills to prove it was murder against a tide of competing interests and before the killer takes another life.

The series starts off with Darby Hart, an amateur detective, skilled hacker, and author of the true crime book The Silver Doe written about her experience trying to solve cases of female murder victims in the United States with her former partner Bill. 

She gets invited to a secluded retreat by billionaire Andy Ronson, along with eight other guests. At a welcoming dinner Darby is shocked to see Bill sitting across from her, considering the two had not seen each other in the last six years. 

Later that night, Darby goes to visit Bill's room, but he does not answer the door when she knocks. She then goes outside to check on him through the window. To her surprise, she sees Bill covered in blood and gasping for his life. 

When Darby tries to call for help, Bill pleads with her to stay with him as he eventually goes unconscious. In a flashback, Darby and Bill explore the former residence of a suspected serial killer and discover the remains of the first victim in the basement. A mysterious figure suddenly appears and holds Darby and Bill at gunpoint. Presumably the following morning, Darby wakes up to find that Bill had left her.

Like a futuristic whodunnit, we look to each of the guests (if they survive) to who the killer may be? 

The killer cast includes Clive Owen, Harris Dickinson, Alice Braga, Jermaine Fowler, Joan Chen, Raúl Esparza, Edoardo Ballerini, Pegah Ferydoni, Ryan J. Haddad, and Javed Khan.

A Murder at the End of the World streams on Disney+ now. Perfect summer holiday viewing.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Lawmen: Bass Reeves - Season One

Lawmen: Bass Reeves follows the whole Yellowstone vibe. Therefore it's on Paramount+ while being produced by Taylor Sheridan. 

It's another American Western television series set in the yesteryears, based on the life of the first African American Deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi River, Bass Reeves.

The series landed early November, with a double episode drop. Following weekly back-to-back episodes. The first season (I originally thought it was a miniseries), concluded Sunday evening.

David Oyelowo is the lead Bass Reeves with Dennis Quaid, along with Forrest Goodluck, Lauren E. Banks, Barry Pepper, Donald Sutherland, Joaquina Kalukango, Lonnie Chavis, Rob Morgan, Ryan O’Nan, Justin Hurtt-Dunkley and Shea Whigham

If you are up to date you can read a full recap HERE.

If westerns are your thing, hit play below, log into Paramount+ and get bingeing on all eight episodes.

New TV blog series incoming in early 2024. RATED will also be published dropped on New Year's Day ranking a pile of TV series I have watched since the weather turned well, warm.

Stay in da House Cinema 2023 - The Royal Hotel

The Royal Hotel is now streaming on Binge, following a short run at selected cinemas. The wild 90 minute ride is set in a remote Australian pub. Starring Ozark's Julia Garner alongside Aussie legend Hugo Weaving.

Directed by Kitty Green, who has previously worked with Garner, the Aussie feature also stars Jessica Henwick, Ursula Yovich and Toby Wallace. It is inspired by the 2016 documentary Hotel Coolgardie by Pete Gleeson.

US backpackers Hanna (Garner) and Liv (Henwick) take a job in a remote Australian pub for some extra cash and are confronted with a bunch of unruly locals and a situation that grows rapidly out of their control.

The Royal Hotel premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on 1 September. It takes a minute for us to get to know Hanna and Liv, but once their short stay in Sydney is over, the film really picks up the pace.

It was a fairly enjoyable at home, local film to sit down to on a hot summer's Saturday afternoon. Bring on autumn I say!

The Royal Hotel is nothing like the wonderful Royal Hotel, I have fond memories of in Blayney near Orange, but it sure packs a punch or two.

3 Stars.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Fellow Travelers - Miniseries

Fellow Travelers 100% did not shy away from those crazy sex scenes.

Based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon, featuring Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey.

The eight episode romp centers on the decades-long romance between two men who first meet during the height of McCarthyism in the 1950s. 

Landing on Paramount+  (this is one of the first Paramount+ with Showtime, last Showtime originals I'm guessing) late October, concluding yesterday.

After a chance encounter in Washington, D.C., in the 1950s, Hawkins Fuller (Bomer) and Timothy Laughlin (Bailey) start a volatile romance that spans the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, the drug-fueled disco hedonism of the 1970s and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, while facing obstacles in the world and in themselves.

Was this as good as some other miniseries kicking around at present? Yes and no, the final episode was moving, however at times it took the gay stereotype to tee.

Matt Bomer is always great, even when his character is totally unlikable.

Paramount+ have really been delivering in this later quarter. With quality Showtime series coming before this, new local content along with Paramount+ original titles. Also unlike Binge this app ALWAYS works well, saves where you are up to when moving between shows, apps.

Fellow Travelers will not be everyone's cup of tea, it does feel like one of the last Showtime series we get following the merge with Paramount.

Oh shit one week till Christmas EVE!

Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

As we head into the school holidays for the end of 2023, this may be my last film review for a very patchy year of films.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is 100% for the older teens on school holidays as we head into a prequel for 2012's The Hunger Games OG trilogy.

Based on the 2020 novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, this is the fifth instalment in The Hunger Games film series. 

Starring a fairly impressive all-star cast of Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, and Viola Davis. 

In the Hunger Games universe, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is set 64 years before the events of the first film.

Following the events that lead a young Coriolanus Snow on the path to becoming the tyrannical leader of Panem, including his relationship with the Hunger Games District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird during the 10th Hunger Games. Now Ms Lucy Gray sings a lot during this close to three hour film.

With commercials and Hoyts promos, this film is very close to three hours in run time.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes comes a long while after the first film. I had no idea of what happened in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 back in 2015, so to remember the first films plot. That was tough.

Look visually the film was good. It was tense, had some interesting themes from modern life. Also a splash of super predictable romance. Not predictable, the amount of singing from one of the leads in the film.

Overall like 2023 in my cinema series, Get Outta da House Cinema 2023, this year has been passable, maybe not super memorable but my best of film will drop soon. However for now The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes playing its third or fourth week, passes at 2.5 stars.

I think it's also still at the new Sydney IMAX where I was originally meant to see this film. Beware though, tickets at Sydney's IMAX are not cheap. Consumer warning people!

Golden Globes TV 2023 Nominations | Predictions

My predictions in bold and red (as usual, if you are a regular reader):

Drama Series

1923

The Crown

The Diplomat

The Last of Us

The Morning Show

Succession

Musical or Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary

Barry

The Bear

Jury Duty

Only Murders in the Building

Ted Lasso

Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Made-for-TV Movie

All the Light We Cannot See

BEEF

Daisy Jones & the Six

Fargo

Fellow Travelers

Lessons in Chemistry

Best Female Actor in a Drama

Helen Mirren, 1923

Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us

Keri Russell, The Diplomat

Sarah Snook, Succession

Imelda Staunton, The Crown

Emma Stone, The Curse

Best Male Actor in a Drama

Brian Cox, Succession

Kieran Culkin, Succession

Gary Oldman, Slow Horses

Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us

Jeremy Strong, Succession

Dominic West, The Crown

Best Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

Elle Fanning, The Great

Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building

Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face

Best Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy

Bill Hader, Barry

Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building

Jason Segel, Shrinking

Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building

Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

Jeremy Allen White, The Bear

Best Female Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Made-for-TV Movie

Riley Keough, Daisy Jones & the Six

Brie Larson, Lessons in Chemistry

Elizabeth Olsen, Love & Death

Juno Temple, Fargo

Rachel Weisz, Dead Ringers

Ali Wong, BEEF

Best Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Made-for-TV Movie

Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers

Sam Claflin, Daisy Jones & the Six

Jon Hamm, Fargo

Woody Harrelson, White House Plumbers

David Oyelowo, Lawmen: Bass Reeves

Steven Yeun, BEEF

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown

Abby Elliott, The Bear

Christina Ricci, Yellowjackets

J. Smith-Cameron, Succession

Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building

Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Matthew Macfadyen, Succession

James Marsden, Jury Duty

Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear

Alan Ruck, Succession

Alexander Skarsgård, Succession

Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television (new category)

Ricky Gervais, Ricky Gervais: Armageddon

Trevor Noah, Trevor Noah: Where Was I?

Chris Rock, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage

Amy Schumer, Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact

Sarah Silverman, Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love

Wanda Sykes, Wanda Sykes: I’m an Entertainer

Motion Picture – Drama

Anatomy of a Fall

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Past Lives

The Zone of Interest

Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Air

American Fiction

Barbie

The Holdovers

May December

Poor Things

Motion Picture – Animated

The Boy and the Heron

Elemental

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Suzume

Wish

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement (new category)

Barbie

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

John Wick 4

Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 1

Oppenheimer

Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language

Anatomy of a Fall

Fallen Leaves

Io capitano

Past Lives

Society of the Snow

The Zone of Interest

Best Female Actor in a Drama

Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon

Carey Mulligan, Maestro

Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall

Annette Bening, Nyad

Greta Lee, Past Lives

Cailee Spaeny, Priscilla

Best Male Actor in a Drama

Bradley Cooper, Maestro

Leonardo DiCaprio, Killers of the Flower Moon

Colman Domingo, Rustin

Barry Keoghan, Saltburn

Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer

Andrew Scott, All of Us Strangers

Best Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy

Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple

Jennifer Lawrence, No Hard Feelings

Natalie Portman, May December

Alma Pöysti, Fallen Leaves

Margot Robbie, Barbie

Emma Stone, Poor Things

Best Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy

Nicolas Cage, Dream Scenario

Timothée Chalamet, Wonka

Matt Damon, Air

Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers

Joaquin Phoenix, Beau Is Afraid

Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction

Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer

Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple

Jodie Foster, Nyad

Julianne Moore, May December

Rosamund Pike, Saltburn

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers

Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Willem Dafoe, Poor Things

Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon

Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer

Ryan Gosling, Barbie

Charles Melton, May December

Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things

Best Director

Bradley Cooper, Maestro

Greta Gerwig, Barbie

Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things

Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer

Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon

Celine Song, Past Lives

Best Screenplay

Barbie

Poor Things

Oppenheimer

Killers of the Flower Moon

Past Lives

Anatomy of a Fall

Best Original Score

Poor Things

Oppenheimer

The Boy and the Heron

The Zone of Interest

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Killers of the Flower Moon

Best Original Song

“What Was I Made For?”, Barbie

“I’m Just Ken,” Barbie

“Dance the Night,” Barbie

“Peaches,” The Super Mario Bros. Movie

“Addicted to Romance,” She Came to Me

“Road to Freedom,” Rustin

Stay in da House Cinema 2023 - Heist 88

New streaming movie Heist 88 is now on Paramount+, with some help from SHOWTIME. It aired in the Stats late September. So better late than never for me to catch up with this true crime story picture. Very short true crime story picture. Just over 80 minutes. This impacts the ending. More on that later.

A criminal mastermind (two-time Emmy® winner Courtney B. Vance, husband to 9-1-1's Angela Bassett) decides to pull one last job before going to prison and recruits a group of young bank employees to steal $80 million dollars in a daring and brazen assault on the U.S. banking system. 

The film jumps into hyper speed after a slow start. Therefore the ending just happens, the credits role. No ending notes on the screen before or after the credits. Random.

The film also touches on house music in Chicago, poorly paid minimum wage workers while punking the system.

While the ending felt rushed, the overall pacing of the film was a refreshing surprise after 2023 has become the year of 2.5 hour plus films.

I'll pass this one on Paramount+. For me, this is my go to streaming service of the summer, with Paper Dolls and NCIS Sydney streaming weekly along with loads of decent content to catch up on.

Heist 88 rates 2.5 Stars.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - The Couple Next Door - Miniseries

Streaming on Binge is the new UK romp, The Couple Next Door.

I do love a British six-part run. Based on the Dutch series New Neighbours, the UK version stars Eleanor Tomlinson, Sam Heughan, Alfred Enoch, Hugh Dennis and Jessica De Gouw. Australia's own De Gouw!

Plus Alfred Enoch playing a much more sexy role than his long running role in How to Get Away with Murder.

Evie and her husband Pete move next door to traffic-cop Danny and yoga instructor Becka and strike up a friendship, but a night of passion between Evie and Danny could have consequences.

For me this was a sexier Desperate Housewives on a street very similar to Wisteria Lane.

Streaming on Starz in the US of A, where you can normally find Sam Heughan of Outlander fame.

This wasn't the most original series, however it was a bit of fun. With some sexy scenes (particularly with Heughan), sex games gone wrong and a street pervert, its suburban drama on hyperdrive.

All six episodes stream right now on Binge.

AACTA 2023 Nominations | Predictions

Nominations were announced over the weekend, here are my predictions. Predictions bold and in red.

Television nominees:

Best Drama Series

Bay Of Fires (ABC)

Black Snow (Stan)

Bump (Stan)

Erotic Stories (SBS)

Love Me (Binge)

The Newsreader (ABC)

Best Narrative Comedy Series

Colin From Accounts (Binge, Foxtel)

Deadloch (Amazon Prime Video)

Fisk (ABC)

Gold Diggers (ABC)

Upright (Foxtel)

Utopia (ABC)

Best Miniseries

Bad Behaviour (Stan)

In Our Blood (ABC)

Safe Home (SBS)

The Clearing (Disney+)

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (Amazon Prime Video)

While The Men Are Away (SBS)

Best Lead Actress in a Drama

Kate Box – Erotic Stories

Aisha Dee – Safe Home

Bojana Novakovic – Love Me

Teresa Palmer – The Clearing

Anna Torv – The Newsreader

Sigourney Weaver – The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart

Best Lead Actor

Tim Draxl – In Our Blood

Travis Fimmel – Black Snow

Joel Lago – Erotic Stories

Sam Reid – The Newsreader

Richard Roxburgh – Bali 2002

Hugo Weaving – Love Me

Best Acting in a Comedy

Celeste Barber – Wellmania

Kate Box – Deadloch

Patrick Brammall – Colin From Accounts

Harriet Dyer – Colin From Accounts

Kitty Flanagan – Fisk

Nina Oyama – Deadloch

Helen Thomson – Colin From Accounts

Julia Zemiro – Fisk

Best Documentary

Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story – Paul Goldman (Dir.), Bethany Jones, Paige McGinley – Mushroom Studios

Harley & Katya – Selina Miles (Dir.), Blayke Hoffman, Jo-anne McGowan, Aaliyah-Jade Bradbury – Stranger Than Fiction

John Farnham: Finding The Voice – Poppy Stockell (Dir.), Mikael Borglund, Paul Clarke, Martin Fabinyi, Olivia Hoopmann – Beyond Oz in association with Blink TV Production

The Dark Emu Story – Allan Clarke (Dir.), Darren Dale, Belinda Mravicic, Jacob Hickey – Blackfella Films

The Giants – Laurence Billiet (Dir.), Rachael Antony (Dir.), Helen Panckhurst – General Strike and Matchbox Pictures

The Last Daughter – Brenda Matthews (Dir.), Nathaniel Schmidt (Dir.), Simon Williams, Brendon Skinner – Gravity Films

This Is Going To Be Big – Thomas Charles Hyland (Dir.), Jim Wright, Josie Mason-Campbell – Truce Films and Fremantle Media

To Never Forget – Peter Hegedüs (Dir.), Jaclyn McLendon, Bobbi-Lea Dionysius – Soul Vision Films

Best Comedy Performer

Tom Gleeson – Hard Quiz

Jim Jefferies – The 1% Club

Luke McGregor – Taskmaster Australia

Rhys Nicholson – RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under

Nina Oyama – Taskmaster Australia

Charlie Pickering – The Weekly with Charlie Pickering

Natalie Tran – The Great Australian Bake Off

Cal Wilson – The Great Australian Bake Off

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

Alycia Debnam-Carey – The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart

Marg Downey – The Newsreader

Michelle Lim Davidson – The Newsreader

Heather Mitchell – Love Me

Leah Purcell – The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart

Brooke Satchwell – Black Snow

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama

Tim Draxl – Erotic Stories

Alexander England – Black Snow

William McInnes – The Newsreader

Bob Morley – Love Me

Hunter Page-Lochard – The Newsreader

Guy Pearce – The Clearing

Best Entertainment Program

Dancing With The Stars – Peter Beck, Kylie Washington, Deb Spinocchia – BBC Studios Australia (Seven Network)

Eurovision Song Contest 2023 – Grand Final – Paul Clarke, Emily Griggs – Blink TV Production Pty Ltd (SBS)

Lego Masters: Grand Masters – David McDonald, AJ Johnson, Di Yang – Endemol Shine Australia (Nine Network)

Mastermind – Lucy De Luca, Kylie Washington, Deb Spinocchia – BBC Studios Australia (SBS)

The 1% Club – John Leahy, Deb Spinocchia, Kylie Washington – BBC Studios Australia (Seven Network)

The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition – Rikkie Proost – Eureka Productions (Network Ten)

Best Children’s Program

Barrumbi Kids (NITV, SBS)

Beep and Mort (ABC)

Bluey (ABC)

Crazy Fun Park (ABC)

The PM’s Daughter (ABC)

Turn Up The Volume (ABC)

Best Stand-Up Special

Aaron Chen: If Weren’t Filmed, Nobody Would Believe (YouTube Premium)

Celeste Barber: Fine, thanks (Netflix)

Hannah Gadsby: Something Special (Netflix)

Jim Jefferies: High & Dry (Netflix)

Lizzy Hoo: Hoo Cares!? (Amazon Prime Video)

Rhys Nicholson’s Big Queer Comedy Concert (Amazon Prime Video)

Best Comedy Entertainment Program

Hard Quiz (ABC)

RocKwiz (Foxtel)

Taskmaster Australia (Network Ten)

Thank God You’re Here (Network Ten)

The Cheap Seats (Network Ten)

The Weekly with Charlie Pickering (ABC)

Best Factual Entertainment Program

Alone Australia (SBS)

Gogglebox Australia (Foxtel, Network Ten)

Kitchen Cabinet (ABC)

Old People’s Home for Teenagers (ABC)

Take 5 with Zan Rowe  (ABC)

Who The Bloody Hell Are We?  (SBS)

Best Documentary or Factual Program

Matildas: The World at Our Feet (Disney+)

Ningaloo Nyinggulu (ABC)

Queerstralia (ABC)

The Australian Wars (NITV, SBS)

War on Waste (ABC)

Who Do You Think You Are – Maxine Gray (ABC)

Best Lifestyle Program

Adam and Poh’s Great Australian Bites (SBS)

Gardening Australia (ABC)

Grand Designs Australia (Foxtel)

Love it or List It Australia (Binge, Foxtel)

Selling Houses Australia (Foxtel)

The Great Australian Bake Off (Foxtel)

Best Reality Program

Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains (Network Ten)

FBoy Island Australia (Binge)

Hunted Australia(Network Ten)

MasterChef Australia (Network Ten)

Real Housewives of Sydney (Binge, Foxtel)

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under (Stan)

Best Screenplay in Television

Black Snow (Episode 1) – Lucas Taylor

Colin From Accounts (Episode 3) – Harriet Dyer

Colin From Accounts (Episode 6) – Patrick Brammall

Deadloch (Episode 1) – Kate McCartney, Kate McLennan

The Newsreader (Episode 4) – Adrian Russell Wills

Best Cinematography in Television

Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe – Episode 1 – Aaron Farrugia

Deadloch – Episode 1 – Katie Milwright

Erotic Stories – Episode 2 – Tania Lambert

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Episode 1 – Sam Chiplin

The Newsreader – Episode 4 – Earle Dresner

Best Editing in Television

Aunty Donna’s Coffee Cafe – Episode 1 – Peter Bennett

Colin From Accounts – Episode 3 – Danielle Boesenberg

Deadloch – Episode 1 – Angie Higgins

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Episode 1 – Deborah Peart

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Episode 6 – Deborah Peart, Dany Cooper

The Newsreader – Episode 4 – Angie Higgins

Best Casting in Television

Colin From Accounts – Kirsty McGregor, Stevie Ray

Deadloch – Alison Telford, Kate Leonard

Safe Home – Nathan Lloyd

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart – Jane Norris

The Newsreader – Nathan Lloyd

More info can be found HERE

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Sort Of - Season Three/Series Finale

Sort Of is one of those COVID series I picked up. Basically one of those shows that popped up during a time where new content was rare.

Sort of the Canadian television sitcom, commencing in 2021, has now concluded.

Created by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, the series stars Baig as Sabi Mehboob, a non-binary millennial trying to balance their roles as a child of Pakistani immigrant parents. This season (the final) deals with the death of his father, the new relationship for his sister (including an expanding family) while Sabi also has relationship issues.

The short eight episode finale season, streamed on Stan over four weeks. Each Saturday two new episodes of raw emotion. Death of a parent is hard, this season we saw the stages over a timeline of passing of Sabi's father. Their frayed relationship with their mother and a bit of drama in Toronto along the way.

Following SkyMed it's great to see more Canadian TV on our streaming platforms. With original stories and different perspectives from US series. In October, it was announced that the third season will be the last. The final eight episodes commenced mid-November 17 on CBC, concluding yesterday. 

Sort of, is real, raw and full of heart. I enjoyed all three seasons. I am happy I discussed this series on Stan during those dark COVID years.

As we head to a conclusion of this year's TV season, Sort Of lands around a number of other TV finales. With Fellow Travellers, Lawman: Bass Reeves and Rap Sh!t all concluding in coming weeks.

I think this will be my biggest RATED post yet for Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23'. Who will top the list? My AACTA predictions too will land tomorrow.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Strife - Season One

Binge yesterday the latest Australian comedic drama, Strife, staring Asher Keddie. Set in the world of publishing and digital media, the series is inspired by Mia Freedman’s memoir, Work, Strife, Balance.

Alongside Keddie, Strife features Matt Day, Jonathan LaPaglia, Tina Bursill, Emma Lung, Alex Dimitriades, Maria Angelico, Rhys Mitchell, Olivia Junkeer, BeBe Bettencourt, Bryony Skillington, Lucy Ansell, Darcy Tadich, Lincoln Younes and Willow Speers. Yes it's an all-star Aussie cast.

With Younes slaying in role after role in 2023!

All 8 episodes (30 minute or less) episodes landed on Binge yesterday. I don't normally do this. But I watched the entire series in 24 hours!

It is that GOOD!

Matt Day plays Keddie's husband (well ex, sort of), while Jonathan LaPaglia plays Keddie's former boss.

Emma Lung is Keddie's BF while Alex Dimitriades is her husband wanting to open the marriage.

And yes there is even a cameo from one Kylie Minogue. More interestingly the scene was filmed at the new Grounds function centre in South Eveleigh! My work precinct. HUGE!

Asher Keddie plays Evelyn, a modern, imperfect woman. Following a redundancy package from a former media empire, Eve starts her journey from lounge room blogger to creating her own site in 2012.  

All this with two kids and navigating a marriage breakdown. The way episode eight leaves us, I feel like Colin in Accounts this might be Binge's next hit comedy series.

Yes it's funny AF. Like laugh out loud funny! This is honestly up there with Deadloch. Easily one of the best series of the Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' series. Which will (finally) come to an end soon!

So if you are on Binge, BINGE the shit out of this right now! My favourite Asher Keddie role since Love My Way!

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Heat - Miniseries

Heat is the latest British-Australian Channel 5 (UK)/Network 10 in Australia miniseries.

It landed in the UK, over four consecutive days from 11 July. Even though it had Blue Heelers royalty and Looking for Alibrandi star Miranda as leads, Australia got the series in October. Or for streamers like me, on Paramount+ this month.

Starring a UK/AU cast including Danny Dyer, Darren McMullen, Pia Miranda, and Jane Allsop. 

Heat focuses on two families as they take a joint vacation amidst the bushfire season. Amidst the Australian bushfire season, Steve (Dyer) and Brad's (McMullen) families meet up for their annual vacation in the Victorian highlands, where secrets and lies are revealed.

Following recent dramas, Riptide and Lie with Me, Heat continues a huge commitment to Australian drama as 2023 draws to a close. With Paper Dolls just dropping its first three episodes on Paramount+, Total Control concluding next month and Bump's fourth season incoming. There is so much local drama right now!

In episode four the lies lead to drama, a huge fire and a hot, hot Australian summer.

These bite sized, four episode tales are my kind of drama for summer.

Heat wasn't perfect but it sure was a fun, fast watch. Stay cool folks!

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Waco: The Aftermath - Miniseries

Waco: The Aftermath is a five-episode series is a sequel to the 2018 miniseries Waco.

Years after we saw the dramatic conclusion of the Waco siege, it's time to see the aftermath.

Originally screening on Showtime in the USA April to May of this year. However in Australia, it recently landed on Paramount+.

This sequel series portrays the aftermath of the siege and the trials of the surviving members of the Branch Davidians.

Returning from the OG Waco, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, John Leguizamo, and Annika Marks.

The five episodes also explores the lead up to Timothy McVeigh's Oklahoma City bombings. An event even I remembered. I almost think I had a family visit to the USA when this happened.

The trailer credits also included stats of how many current "Patriot" groups there were in the USA. Terrifying.

A lot of the language used in this series could be taken straight from a Trump rally. The government is out to get you. Leave religion alone. These Davidians were sadly brainwashed, certified kooks. 

I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. It covered a lot. From the court case that followed the Waco siege to Timothy McVeigh.

Waco: The Aftermath streams now on Paramount+

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - Shining Vale - Season Two

Shining Vale could well be the most bat shit crazy show on TV. Starring Friends star, Courteney Cox, Greg Kinnear, Sherilyn Fenn, Mira Sorvino, Merrin Dungey, and Judith Light.

We had a rather long break between seasons one and two, with the second season premiering mid October. Both seasons have been directed entirely by women.

We continue to follow Patricia "Pat" Phelps, losing her mind, after that season one finale.

There is no news on a third season at the conclusion of season two. We are also still waiting on Starz to renew or cancel Tommy's Power series Force for a third run.

While Starz series normally air on Stan in Australia, Binge is the home of this Courtney Cox horror/comedy.

I have to say I really enjoyed the originality of season one, however season two felt a little too over the top. With Pat in episode one losing her filthy mouth no uttering a single swear word, like she was back on network TV in Friends.

It did leave Shining Vale open for a third series as husband Terry Phelps looks to be Shining Vale's new mayor.

It was an interesting ride this sophomore season.

Like an artists difficult second album, this felt like a difficult second season to create.

With shows dropping like wild at present, Starz is also in a decent position with BMF set to premiere in the second quarter of 2024, while they have two acquired series (Mary & George & Three Women) set to also air in 2024. Apparently Hightown has also filmed it's long awaited third season too.

So even after all the strikes, Starz have a fair bit of content up their sleeves. More likely more than most of the premium streaming/cable networks.

Oh well until next week, the Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' series continues with more finales incoming of Sort Of from Canada, along with me binging the hell out of the Waco follow up series on Paramount+.

Stay in da House Cinema 2023 - Fingernails

Fingernails is super indie. It streams now on Apple TV+. Well it landed on the streaming platform at the start of last month. However as you may have noticed I am playing catch-up right now.

Starring a brilliant cast, lead by Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White, and Luke Wilson. 

Cate Blanchett also serves as one of the film's producers, adding to the star power behind this streaming feature. 

Fingernails follows a woman who starts working at an institute that tests whether the love between two people in a couple is real. The film premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on August 31, while having a limited cinema release late October.

Riz Ahmed is outstanding while Jeremy Allen White flexs his acting muscles are being in one of the most loved series of the last few years, The Bear. Not to mention his outstanding role as Lip in the US version of Shameless.

With a great soundtrack, this film has so many indie vibes. Whilst being slightly predictable, Fingernails is an interesting look at love, the tests people will endure to see their compatibility.

This is not the most amazing film of the year, however the leads all do their best.

Apple TV+ have had a big few months with the recent third series of Morning Wars, the Godzilla Monsters, Monarch series, with more on the way!

Not bad, not perfect, but a decent little romantic drama. 2.5 Stars.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' - The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart - Miniseries

OK, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart gets off to a slow start, but once it kicks into gear, it turns into another great local series produced by Amazon Studios.

Unlike the FAB Deadloch, this is from the outset a miniseries based on the novel by Holly Ringland.

It maybe local, however the cast is lead by Sigourney Weaver, while FTWD star Alycia Debnam-Carey also stars alongside Asher Keddie, Leah Purcell, Frankie Adams, Alexander England, Charlie Vickers, Tilda Cobham-Hervey. Alyla Browne and Sebastián Zurita.

All seven episodes are shot across Sydney, regions of New South Wales and the Northern Territory. The NT scenes for me were absolutely beautiful!

Alice Hart escapes from a violent upbringing, is orphaned and moves in with her grandmother on a flower farm.

Young Alice Hart is growing up in a seemingly a happy environment. 

A kind librarian (Asher Keddie) becomes suspicious when she finds Alice covered in bruises. When Alice is taken to hospital, injured, it is revealed that her abusive father and expectant mother were killed in a fire under mysterious circumstances. 

When Alice's estranged paternal grandmother, June (Weaver), arrives to claim custody of her, it becomes clear that there is more to the story than meets the eye.

I enjoyed this miniseries on a whole. I also liked the fact that Amazon have started to really churn out some excellent Aussie content. I hope the rest of the world discovers series like Deadloch and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.

Australian stories have never been so important. So I will always recommend checking out some excellent new Australian works. Speaking of December will see Strife on Binge, Paper Dolls on Paramount+ joining weekly NCIS Sydney episodes. ABC have also confirmed in mid January Total Control returns for its third and final run.

Happy first day of Summer!