Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Heartbreak High (2022 series) - Season Two

Heartbreak High is back baby! In Term Two we get fresh hottie from Dubbo (with secrets), a new sports teacher (former Recovery host, Stan Bump star Angus Sampson) and a mystery assailant.

We also get into the election cycle on a school level scale. As race for school captain is a major storyline throughout the second season @ Hartley High.

Rebooted for Netflix, the first season received universal praise from critics, while the second season divided critics and audiences. I must say, season one was super woke, but season two with Sampson's character kind of went a little far.

We see a large number of season one's cast return. Ayesha Madon, Thomas Weatherall, James Majoos, Chloé Hayden, Asher Yasbincek, Will McDonald, Gemma Chua-Tran, Bryn Chapman Parish, Sherry-Lee Watson, Brodie Townsend, Chika Ikogwe and Rachel House. 

Sadly hunky Josh Heuston only has a very small role in this season. BOO!

With Sam Rechner, Kartanya Maynard and Angus Sampson joining the series as newcomers in the second season.

Season two landed earlier this month. But you all know I don't have Netflix anymore. Sadly. Lucky I was cat sitting for the neighbours who do.

So I binged all eight episodes filled with songs from The Veronica's, Tina Turner, Cub Sport, Mallrat, Nia Archives and more.

Yes some episodes are like one giant music video!

Season one won a pile of awards. Including an International Emmy Award, while receiving 15 AACTA Awards nominations, including Best Drama Series, winning six. How will season two fair at the next AACTA awards? I don't think it will do as well against a strong run of Aussie series. Total Control's final season, Binge's already renewed Strife, Prosper, the second big season of The Newsreader along with Amazon's The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart.

So the verdict on season two?

Well..... The season ended with a year 11 prom in flames with Flame Trees playing out by legendary Sarah Blasko. It also had an open ended finale with year 12 on the horizon. Will Netflix give this Aussie original another go? I think it will based on previous accolades.

Maybe without Angus Sampson trying to be a schoolyard Trump or Sky News after dark commentator.

Either way nice to see streaming giant, Netflix investing in Australian content. Even if it is just another reboot. Did you miss the news about incoming reboots? Melrose Place, Heroes, X Files and more may all be on the cards. Oh baby Jesus!

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - The Swarm - Miniseries

The Swarm (German: Der Schwarm) is a German co-produced sci-fic miniseries, adapted from the novel by Frank Schätzing.

Der Schwarm depicts the struggle with aggression by a mysterious deep sea intelligence that is reacting to human-caused environmental damage.

With a huge budget of €40 million, making Der Schwarm the most expensive German TV production (produced in English) of all time. The series had its world premiere at 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in Berlinale Series back in February 2023.

I have to admit, I slept on The Swarm on Binge (in Australia), as it premiered on ZDF back in February to March, last year.

In an interview, Barbara Eder (one of the directors, alongside Luke Watson and Philipp Stölzl) confirmed that there are ideas already for a second season, but their implementation has yet to be decided after the figures for the first season have been evaluated. As when I watched the final episode, it does end on a bit of a, to be continued.... note.

The eight episode run features European actors, Cécile de France, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Jack Greenlees, Lydia Wilson, Krista Kosonen, Alexander Karim, Leonie Benesch and German star Barbara Sukowa with Japanese actors Takuya Kimura and Takehiro Hira. 

As the series got an airing on the new The CW, it also features american actors Rosabell Laurenti Sellers and Dutch Johnson, and Canadian Joshua Odjick. With a story on a global level, it's great to see so much diversity across the cast. Nice to also see Vancouver, BC get into the mix.

For me though the first six episodes were the series best. it did start to lose a bit of steam as the series continued.

As the US network 2023-2024 (shortened) TV season (which The Swarm was part of The CW's lineup) is coming to an end. I will 100% be getting though a number of my watchlist series.

I am also hoping to use my neighbours Netflix whilst cat sitting to smash the latest Heartbreak High season. So look out for that, alongside new local SBS series, Swift Street. An easy new binge bringing Melbourne's multicultural streets to the small screen.

For now though, it's Anzac Day, so while taking a minute/a break/a well deserved day off, The Swarm streams on Binge. Where High Country will conclude next week, The Girls on the Bus from HBO MAX is currently streaming alongside most likely the final season of The Cleaning Lady.

See you soon besties.

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Reasonable Doubt - Season One

Reasonable Doubt is just another show I slept on. Cause it landed all the way back in September 2022!

Created by Raamla Mohamed for Hulu, streaming in Australia on Disney+, the series stars Emayatzy Corinealdi as a corporate defense lawyer navigating challenging high-profile cases.

Reasonable Doubt stars McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Aderinsola Olabode, and Michael Ealy. 

Reasonable Doubt was renewed for a second series back in April of last year. One year ago and still no word on the second series. However the first nine episodes were an easy ass binge. I did all nine this past weekend. Yes I watched a lot of TV and a few films in the mix this past weekend.

The first season has generally received positive reviews from critics. The series was created by former Scandal writer Raamla Mohamed, while loosely based on the experiences of celebrity attorney Shawn Holley.

Holley is also a producer for the show, with Kerry Washington directed the series pilot. Kerry Washington received a nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series at the 2023 Black Reel Awards for Television

So what's it about?

Jax Stewart (Corinealdi) is a successful defense lawyer at an up-scale Los Angeles law firm. She navigates difficult cases amid a separation from her husband (Freeman) and the reappearance of a former client (Ealy) she worked with in her previous job as a public defender.

What did other critics say? Daniel D'Addario of Variety asserted, Reasonable Doubt plays like the juicy soap Shonda Rhimes would never write; its excesses, often, grab and hold our attention. Yes it totally has Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder vibes.

Nina Metz of Chicago Tribune gave the series a grade of 3 out of 4 stars and said, "There's a lot to like about "Reasonable Doubt," which is sharp and fun and moves at a good clip. And it's smart about keeping things just this side of ridiculous." Yep the old HTGAWM six months earlier flashback after a cliffhanger we work towards, does keep you guessing, however there is some trashy side stories to work through across the nine episodes.

But Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly hit the nail on the head. She gave the show a B+, stating, "Reasonable Doubt is enjoyably Shonda-esque, in that it's a steamy, speed-plotted soap built around a morally ambiguous female power player whose life is filled with ridiculously attractive men. But Mohamed also weaves in frank and nuanced stories about marriage, parenting, and the importance of (and challenges with) female friendships," and complimented Corinealdi's performance.

Yep the men are sure attractive!

This was a fun, easy escape from the day-to-day working 9-5 life.

If you have Disney+ and need something new to watch, give Reasonable Doubt a try!

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Challengers

The 2024 IT girl is back. Zendaya is a queen! As we wait for Euphoria season three, this little romp might keep us hooked on her. Well Dune: Part II was Zendaya in sci-fi mode, in Challengers she is a glamourous former tennis champ, now her husband's tennis coach.

However with flashbacks we see a love triangle play out between Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist.

Challengers comes from Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes. 

Throughout the film, we follow a professional tennis champion who plots a comeback with the help of his wife, a former tennis prodigy who retired after an injury, as he goes up against another player, who also happens to be his former best friend and wife's former lover.

Challengers opened last week. An interesting school holidays film really. It has some seriously homoerotic imagery throughout. That sauna scene! So it is no wonder, the film received critical acclaim. While having a banging, brash soundtrack by legends Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross. 

Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a former tennis prodigy turned coach after a career-ending injury, is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend, who is also Tashi's former boyfriend.

So if you are fans of tennis, love triangles and/or Zendaya, this film is totally for you!

I enjoyed it, even though it was a later Sunday evening session. The session was also largely packed into a smaller cinema. Even though it was a smaller cinema, it had engaged young things watching every full on scene without playing on their phones. That is a win for director Guadagnino if you ask me.

This last few weeks cinema has really picked up. The year started fairly bleak following the strikes on 2023. I am happy to say cinema has it's mojo back!

4 Stars.

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Monkey Man

Monkey Man is another fun, action packed revenge film. Think John Wick but in Mumbai. The film has some serious  political and social undertones. Monkey Man explores themes of societal challenges, including corruption, discrimination, caste system, poverty and the experiences of the Hijra community in India.

Dev Patel stars while this is his directorial debut. He even broke his hand in the process of filming this film in Indonesia.

Alongside Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash Tripathy, Vipin Sharma, Sikandar Kher, Adithi Kalkunte, Sobhita Dhulipala, Ashwini Kalsekar, Makarand Deshpande, Jatin Malik, and Zakir Hussain all star.

Monkey Man has received generally positive reviews from critics. The banging soundtrack, hard hitting action sequences, makes this an intense, wild ride.

The pumping tunes, the lack of guns, hand to hand combat made this film standout from your everyday action film. I enjoyed this two hour full throttle combat film a lot more than I thought I would. The final showdown was insanely fun! BYO fireworks!

OK no spoilers, this film was fire. A lot of fun, glad some decent movies are finding landing. Also Dev Patel is looking fine! How much working out have you been doing, damn!

4 Stars.

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Big Mood - Season One

Big Mood commenced on Stan late last month while Channel 4 in the UK the same time. The six-part series is written and created by Camilla Whitehill, starring Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West.

Advertised as riotous comedy-drama that follows Maggie (Coughlan) and Eddie (West). OK episode one was funny, but it becomes much more of a dark comedy with more emphasis on dark than comedy as the six episodes roll on.

Maggie and Eddie have been best friends for 10 years, through thick, thin, and multiple eyebrow trends. But with their thirties looming and Maggie’s mental health spiralling, can their friendship survive? 

Also appearing in the series, Sally Phillips, Amy Gledhill and Freya Parker, with a guest appearance from Joanna Page, playing herself.

Now I wanted to like this as I love a UK short and sharp series now. But this was a little tough to watch.

If you are having a rough time right now, maybe give this one a miss. Stan really needs to work on getting some more content deals signed. Currently the content is a little inconsistent without any regular original series of their own dropping.

At least All American is back on week to week. I did also discover a random Showtime one and done comedy which I am also half way through, I Love That for You. Which is truly FAB! I cannot wait to finish that bad boy! Eight episodes of pure fun!

Sadly Big Mood, wasn't enough to put me in a good mood.

TV Update

So if you have missed it, my second quarters TV blog series is well and truly up and running. Yes from seasons to quarters, my TV posts will now be a little more structure. The latest series is Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24'.

Keep an eye out for posts related to American Horror Stories latest season, Delicate soon. Along with the third season of Chucky wrapping and new Aussie drama with serious The Dry vibes, High Country.

I am also scrapping the at home version of film reviews from streaming services. Meaning it's cinema or bust for my Post Strike Cinema 24' series.

I did love the Netflix Gillian Anderson/Billie Piper (Day and Night baby!) SCOOP film. I also watched the cute Aussie film FIVE BLIND DATES on Amazon. Fabulous. Townsville and Sydney, never looked so good!

The cast for this Aussie feature is ace too. Led by Shuang Hu, with Desmond Chiam, Tiffany Wong, Renee Lim, Tzi Ma, Yoson An and Rob Collins. I have to agree with the review that the film was "feel good and comforting". It definitely ticked my mothers film requirement boxes and mine. Even my 88 year old father liked it!

OK so all that out of the way, next month means business for the network series shows I watch from the US of A.

Following the strikes, it's been a short USA TV season. Nice short, sharp ten episode (or in some cases 12, 13) runs. None of the bullshit 22 episodes of filler, filler with the occasional killer episode. That said Shanola Hampton as Gabrielle "Gabi" Mosely's second season of Found (Binge, USA - NBC) unfortunately will be 22 episodes .

So of my (limited) US network shows I am awaiting on here is the current state of US play, before their upfronts and a number of season/series finales next month.

So May is D Day! Station 19 (already) confirmed to concluded with the shortened seventh season will end next month. New to the USA alphabet network, ABC 9-1-1 has already been renewed for an eighth season. I will be waiting for Disney+ to get the seventh season. Sadly Channel Seven has first run rights in Australia.

ABC has a strong number of shows returning next season, along with also saying goodbye to the Good Doctor next season. Making way for a new Ryan Murphy series, Dr. Odyssey. Speaking of Mr Murphy, will the other 9-1-1 show jump ship and move across? 9-1-1: Lone Star was postponed this year, so we are still waiting for season five. I have a feeling FOX might let it go to ABC. Time will tell.

Now to CBS, their lineup is stacked. Fire Country has been much better in its second season. That said the scripts and dialogue are still a little corny. This network has so many shows renewed already, I feel my Queen Latifah lead film version of The Equalizer might end next month.

The film series recently ended, so it could be good timing. Also this show has no real path forward. 

Now over to The CW. The trainwreck network! With the final season of Superman & Lois pushed back to the 2024-2025 season. The final ten episodes were announced last year. Alongside the fourth season of the caped hero pushed back, spinoff series All American: Homecoming will also return after a year or so break.

The OG series All American is currently airing its 13 episode sixth season. Which is limping along. The ratings have fallen with limited original programming on the network. The CW is really on struggle street.

I would not be surprised like The Equalizer, if All American calls it a day at the end of this sixth season.

Next station that is really struggling, FOX. Man O Man. They lost their biggest series 9-1-1 to ABC, where it has grown in popularity. The Cleaning Lady sadly lost its leading man Adan Canto mid filming of the current third season. In Australia it streams weekly on Binge.

While the show started strong, it's one of those shows that could have ended after two seasons. I really believe of all the network series I watch, this will be the one that gets the chop. If they lose 9-1-1: Lone Star to ABC, the station is in real trouble. New series Rescue: HI-Surf is getting some buzz, however will it get the viewers it needs.

The station really lags behind on ratings. CBS and NBC are really killing it. While ABC have some good nights, shows that makes them miles ahead of poor old FOX.

Speaking of NBC, as above, I enjoyed the short and sharp new series Found. However will it work over 22 episodes, with multiple breaks and September - May run period?

Found was a lucky find as all my previous NBC series (The Blacklist and Young Rock) have since completed their runs.

Well that was a long post! So until next time! BYE

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Girls5eva - Season Three

Girls5eva has set the bar LOW in the Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' TV blog series. Failed Peacock series now Netflix's acquisition concluded it's (likely last) third series last month. 

Since 2021, Girls5eva  follows four women who were part of a girl group named Girls5eva, which was briefly popular around the year 2000 before fading into one-hit-wonder status. 

Their unfulfilled lives, reunite them to try to find musical success again. Peacock made the senisble  decision not to continue the series, following the second season airing.

Later it moved to Netflix for its third season, which premiered it's latest six episode run mid-March. 

This is the shortest season thus far. But did feel like a slog when watching it. Why did I watch it you ask? I have that awful obsession where I need to see shows through, to their bitter, bitter end. In some cases more bitter than others. Like remember Revenge? Or Empire. Fuck their last seasons were grime AF!

Joining the cast for season 3 include Adriane Lenox, Ron Canada, Thomas Doherty, Catherine Cohen, and Ingrid Michaelson. Netlfix had this in the can early as, filming for this season was completed before the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.

Spoilers below about the season finale. You have been warned!

In the season three finale (in my mind, maybe the final ever) it's two days before their Radio City Music Hall performance, the group has sold no tickets and has begun souring on each other. 

Wickie attempts to sell their documentary to a streamer, but pivots to faking a true crime documentary with Percy as the murderer. 

Dawn meets Richard Kind, who encourages her to seek moderate fame. Paula thinks that Caroline is her soulmate but learns that she has moved on. 

Summer manipulates resale bots to sell out Radio City. The group performs for their friends and family. Dawn gives birth and names the baby Lesley, after Wickie. Wickie's song Yesternights plays on the fictional finale of The Crown, and due to this newfound fame, is offered the chance to contribute to the soundtrack of a film.

It ends on a mini cliffhanger, however it's time to go Girls5eva! Also all those lazy Netflix title references and leaning into Prince Andrew and The Crown. Come on! I know Netflix saved your life once, however they are clear of the strike now, so they have content galore. Scoop on the other hand (speaking of Prince Andrew) was fab!

I do also need to watch season two of Heartbreak High! Will have to wait till I am cat sitting again for more Netflix. It is the one streamer I no longer pay for.

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Back to Black

Back to Black is based on the life of British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. An artist I adored. Rehab will still be one of the biggest songs of a generation. Likewise the record Back to Black was a game changer. Mark Ronson saw serious talent in this young lady. Sadly at 27 Amy passed away. This film was both a celebration of her life, whilst also being tragic.

Amy Winehouse is played by Marisa Abela, also known from her role in HBO's Industry. Which is apparently returning for a third season soon. Hopefully!

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and written by Matt Greenhalgh, alongside Abela, Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan, and Lesley Manville also star.

Sadly Winehouse passed, back in July 2011. Since then, several filmmakers attempted to create biopic projects but none of them progressed. 

Then in 2018, Winehouse's estate announced they had signed a deal for a film about her life and career. By July 2022, film studio, StudioCanal moved forward with production. Filming commenced in London from January to April 2023.

Getting an earlier release here in Oz by StudioCanal, we got the film this week as did Winehouse's native  United Kingdom, followed by United States, getting the film mid next month.

I loved the music, the story (well in the film) behind Fuck Me Pumps. Valerie of course was a highlight, the tune Mark Ronson added with Winehouse to his brilliant Version record.

Amy was lost too soon. Her addiction appeared to be crippling. Her love for Blake Fielder-Civil (played by  Jack O'Connell was heartbreaking. Her love of her delightful grandma was so sad.

The reviews aren't outstanding, however I loved this film. The music. The icon, that was Amy Jade Winehouse.

If you want to relive one of 2000's best stars, get to the cinema right now!

4 Stars.

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Civil War

Well if you are a long, long, long, time reader of this old blog thing, you know I hate missing the start of a film.

So when I missed the first few minutes of Civil War, I was a little upset. I am sure this set up the context of how the United States has a rapidly escalating Second American Civil War, which has engulfed the nation.

Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman. We follow a team of journalists who travel across the United States whilst the war unfolds and ultimately ends.

It's terrifying, while feeling super real. The final scenes are intense AF.

The entire film has you constantly wondering if Trump wins in November, will the country descend into further chaos. A country with some many guns, so much division. The United States is really in need of some unity.

Civil War had its world premiere at South by Southwest mid-March. It's another A24 film, showing they are the leading studio right about now. Will this be a box office success? It's already getting positive reviews from critics, will the box office also be positive?

The Rotten Tomatoes rating is currently 83%. I also really enjoyed the true grit of this film. From the road movie style to the constant threat these journalists face whilst covering the war. It couldn't have been released at a more relevant time. With aid workers, journalists and innocent civilians being killed in the Middle East, this is an important film for our times.

Cinema got their mojo back with this film.

4.5 Stars. Great job A24, cast, crew and all creatives. Finally a dark view of the future, but an interesting, thought provoking new piece of cinema.

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - White Fever - Season One

So new ABC & ABC iView comedy series White Fever, landed yesterday. I finished it this evening! What! Yes it was that easy to binge! Created by & starring Ra Chapman (Wentworth) as Jane a Korean-Australian adoptee with a love of hairy white guys. The total opposite to me! You could bang Chris Pang and you choose a fat ginger, WHY?

Anyway, her friends call her out for having a white man fetish, my friends call me out for my slightly different, maybe completely opposite to Jane's "type".

But when Jane reignites a connection with her childhood friend played by Chris Pang. Jane and Yu Chang have some very awkward moments. One sexy one though too.

The cast is fire alongside Chapman & Pang. With Greg Stone (Jack Irish), Roz Hammond (Bay Of Fires), Harvey Zielinski (Deadloch, Love Me), Katie Robertson (Five Bedrooms), Jillian Nguyen (Barons) and Cassandra Sorrell (Bump).

This is top-notch ABC local content. Fast, furious good half hour, good fun comedy.

White Fever was written by Ra Chapman, a real life Korean-Australian adoptee, so this is kinda auto-biographical.

Writing also by Michele Lee, Clare Atkins and Harvey Zielinski.

I am leaning into comedy this Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' series. Don't throw any shade but I just started Abbott Elementary. I am also loving that sick!

White Fever's first season is absolutely so much fun. It's slightly off beat, it's got heart, but oh so much fun!

Until next time!

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Mary & George - Miniseries

Mary & George is currently airing on Starz in the USA, while it landed on Binge early last month here in Oz.

This British historical drama miniseries is based on Benjamin Woolley's 2017 non-fiction book The King's Assassin.

The main plot is around the affair between James VI and I and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. 

The seven-part limited series has received positive reviews from critics.

The brilliant Julianne Moore is lead Mary & George as Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham. While Nicholas Galitzine plays Mary's son George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham.

So thank you Sky Atlantic for giving us this rude ass romp! If in the USA there are major spoilers below about the seventh and final episode, War.

In War, the series finale, Mary tracks down Sir Francis in order to avenge Sandie, he reveals George gave his blessing to the killing. 

Whilst in Spain, Prince Charles is presented before the infanta and George philanders. Following setbacks, George ultimately fails to bribe Spain's Chief Negotiator in securing further marriage talks and, humiliated, vows revenge. 

On doctor's orders, King James travels to the countryside to rest. Mary strategically joins him, appealing to his loneliness. George and Prince Charles return from Spain. Though the king is initially disappointed and dismissive of them both, George brings him to the forest and they make love. For one of the last times in the series we get some man-on-man action!

Once again a united front, George influences King James to allow him to address Parliament in order to toughen up on Spanish relations. There, with Sir Edward's support, he encourages full-blown war. King James, who is committed to peace, is shocked to hear of George's betrayal from Mary and sets fire to the forest. When George arrives, the king deems their love affair an old fool's lust, strips George of his titles, and sentences George to hang for treason to both George and Mary's shock. 

He then collapses, and George and Mary return him to the countryside estate, where George smothers him to death so he may not relay his orders to Prince Charles. 

In the next few years, Charles is crowned and Katherine gives birth to a son. In 1628, while at war with France, George is stabbed to death by a former soldier embittered by his disregard for human life and peace.

So it has a kind of Game of Thrones finale to it. Death all around! Julianne Moore was honestly brilliant in this series. A mad, power hungry mother with a seductive son! What a tale. It all streams now on Binge! Oh if you don't like gay sex, don't watch this!

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Ted Lasso - Seasons One to Three

Ted Lasso is a gem of a TV show. One gem I had completely passed over. Despite it landing during those dark 2020/2021 days.

Apparently it concluded the end of May last year. Online and viewing the episode "So Long, Farewell" it does feel a lot like a swan song.

Developed by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly, based on a character Sudeikis portrayed in a series of promotional media for NBC Sports's coverage of England's Premier League.

Across the three seasons on Apple TV+, Ted Lasso, an American college football coach, is unexpectedly recruited to coach a fictional English Premier League soccer team, AFC Richmond, despite having no experience coaching soccer. 

The team's owner, Rebecca Welton, gained ownership of the team in a divorce from her unfaithful ex-husband, Rupert. She has hired Lasso secretly hoping he will cause the team's downfall and devastate Rupert, who cared more about AFC Richmond than anything else. Ted's charm, personality, and humor begin to win over Rebecca, the team, and those who had been skeptical about his appointment.

The show is an awards machine for Apple TV+, it's first season (alone) was nominated for 20 Primetime Emmy Awards, becoming the most nominated first-season comedy in Emmy history. 

Sudeikis, Waddingham, and Goldstein won for their performances, and the series won the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. Sudeikis also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.

Even President Joe Biden, was photographed with the cast holding an AFC Richmond jersey, and First Lady Jill Biden in the Oval Office on last March.

Last episode from over a year ago's spoiler below. That said I only just caught up on this gem of a series!

As So Long, Farewell kicks off, Richmond can win the league if they win against West Ham and Manchester City loses or draws their final game. 

News hits that Bex is divorcing Rupert over his infidelities. Ted has informed Rebecca that he and Coach Beard will be going home. Rebecca considers selling the club. 

Nate becomes assistant kit man under Will; he later tearfully apologizes to Ted. Trent gives Ted and Beard a draft of his book. Roy and Jamie fight over who gets to be with Keeley, but she turns them both away.

During the game West Ham takes a two goal lead; at half time the players reveal they all have pieces of the believe sign and they put it together before returning to the pitch. 

Richmond equalize the score. Rupert assaults the new West Ham manager and gets jeered. Sam scores the winning goal and Richmond finishes second in the league. After Rebecca farewells Ted at the airport, she runs into the man from the houseboat in Amsterdam. 

Beard stays in England and marries Jane. Roy becomes Richmond's manager and starts sessions with Dr. Sharon. Ted asks Trent to change the book's title, The Lasso Way, because it was never about him; Trent retitles it The Richmond Way. Beard, 

Roy and Nate put the Believe sign back up. Ted returns home and coaches his son's soccer team. The series is as sweet as apple pie. It's heart warming, like a big hug from a long lost friend. I enjoyed the first season whilst I was travelling in Vietnam, the second continued to be cute, whilst season three had some warm moments, however the longer episodes slowed the comedy quickness from the first season.

Overall this is an outstanding series from Apple TV+. Still top this day in their top viewed. This will be hard to top in my quarter two, Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' blog series. Tomorrow or Thursday, the Starz, historical UK romp, Mary & George! It's almost like Three Women again with lots of penis!

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - The Regime - Miniseries

The Regime has concluded. HBO's second miniseries (well True Detective is more of an anthology series, however still short, sharp this season) of 2024.

2024 promises to be the year of the miniseries for the premium cable network. With The Sympathizer commencing next Monday on Binge.

So back to this Kate Winslet political satire miniseries. Now it's nowhere near the brilliance of Winslet's last HBO outing, Mare of Easttown.

Alongside Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Guillaume Gallienne, Andrea Riseborough, Martha Plimpton, and Hugh Grant all star.

The Regime started early month, concluding this afternoon on Binge. Across the six episode run, The Regime depicts a year within the palace of a crumbling authoritarian regime. After not leaving the palace for quite some time, Chancellor Elena Vernham (Winslet) becomes increasingly paranoid and unstable and turns to a volatile soldier, Herbert Zubak, as an unlikely confidant. 

As Zubak's influence over the chancellor grows, Elena's attempts to expand her power eventually result in the palace and the country fracturing around her.

The miniseries has received mixed reviews, however Kate Winslet’s performance has been singled out for praise from critics.

Now this was far from brilliant. Is HBO hanging out for 2025 to come with series like the White Lotus, Last of Us and Euphoria set to stream? I think so. At least they are not Showtime with barely any content on the horizon. Yellowjackets third season will clearly not save Showtime alone.

Either way there was a few giggles to be hard, however it was far from HBO's best when it comes to comedy.

While The Regime concludes, we eagerly await the much hyped The Sympathizer before waiting for House of Dragon's return for a shorter eight episode second season.

Until next time.

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Wow so I totally missed a Ghostbusters film at the pictures. I saw the 2016 all female edition. However I somehow missed the 2021, Ghostbusters: Afterlife film. Well the world was going completely bat shit crazy back then!

So on a Saturday afternoon I was off to see, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.

This is the fifth film in the Ghostbusters franchise, starringPaul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Celeste O'Connor, Logan Kim, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, and William Atherton.

With newcomers to the Ghostbusters franchise Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Emily Alyn Lind, and James Acaster.

So maybe I need to see Afterlife? Or I will just take you on today's journey. Set three years after the events of Afterlife, the veteran Ghostbusters must join forces with their new recruits to save the world in New York City from a death-chilling god who seeks to build a spectral army.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire opened late last month. With school holidays finally incoming now Easter is done, the film looks to be a success.

The sequel has grossed over $115 million worldwide, making it the tenth highest-grossing film of 2024.

Money is fine, but is it any good? Look if I am honest it felt a little all over the shop.

There was so loud school holidays brats in my session, however at times they were more entertaining than this film. The reboot, the sequel, the breathing life back into old franchises is really getting tired.

Although at the the conclusion of the film, I did hear younger members of the audience singing the OG theme song. Maybe the younger crowd will breathe new life into this franchise.

I can't pass this film as I almost nodded off a couple of times. 2 Stars.

#RATED - Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23'/24'

Now as the weather finally starts to cool down, we enter the new TV quarter, Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24'. There will be loads be a load more US network TV as short post strike seasons are back. How will they fare versus tough competition from the big streaming giants. Like Apple TV+ launching huge new series almost on the weekly!

So if you want to visit all my previous lists click through the links HERE

For now my jumbo best of Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23'/24' mega, must-see or must miss TV list below from one all the way down to ninety one. Thats a shit load of TV over the warmer months. How will I go over the cooler months?

1. Expats - Miniseries
2. Strife - Season One (AU)
3. Hijack - Miniseries
4. Total Control - Season Three/Series Finale (AU)
5. Life & Beth - Season Two
6. The Act - Miniseries
7. Prosper - Miniseries (AU)
8. Slow Horses - Seasons One - Three
9. Trigger Point - Seasons One - Two
10. C*A*U*G*H*T - Season One (AU)
11. The Newsreader - Season Two (AU)
12. Power Book IV: Force - Season Two
13. Gen V - Season One
14. Scrublands - Miniseries (AU)
15. Dr Death - Season Two
16. American Horror Stories - Season Three
17. SkyMed - Season One
18. Paper Dolls - Miniseries (AU)
19. SkyMed - Season Two
20. Bump - Season Four (AU)
21. Three Women - Miniseries
22. Smothered - Season One
23. The Real Housewives of Sydney - Season Two (AU)
24. Totally Completely Fine - Season One (AU)
25. The Bear - Season Two
26. Reacher - Season Two
27. NCIS: Sydney - Season One (AU)
28. Twisted Metal - Season One
29. Only Murders in the Building - Season Three
30. Erotic Stories - Season One (AU)
31. Found - Season One
32. After the Verdict - Miniseries (AU)
33. Vigil - Season Two
34. RFDS - Season Two (AU)
35. Heat - Miniseries (AU)
36. Faraway Downs - Miniseries (AU)
37. Population 11 - Season One (AU)
38. The Unusual Suspects - Miniseries (AU)
39. Halo - Seasons One - Two (combined between the two summers, season one binged, season two watched live weekly on Paramount+)
40. Waco: The Aftermath - Miniseries
41. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024 TV series)
42. Billions - Season Seven/Series Finale
43. Elite - Season Seven
44. Physical - Season Three/Series Finale
45. Hightown - Season Three/Series Finale
46. The Morning Show - Season Three
47. The Couple Next Door - Miniseries
48. A Murder at the End of the World - Miniseries
49. Death and Other Details - Season One/Series Finale
50. Sort Of - Season Three/Series Finale
51. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters - Season One
52. Fellow Travelers - Miniseries
53. The Lovers - Miniseries
54. Wolf Pack - Season One/Series Finale
55. Wilderness - Miniseries
56. True Detective: Night Country - Season Four
57. The Other Black Girl - Season One
58. Shining Vale - Season Two/Series Finale
59. Power Book III: Raising Kanan - Season Three
60. Wreck - Season One
61. Apples Never Fall - Miniseries
62. Special Ops: Lioness - Season One
63. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart - Miniseries (AU)
64. Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
65. Rap Sh!t - Season Two/Series Finale
66. Rabbit/Hole - Season One/Series Finale
67. Bargain (Korean: 몸값) - Miniseries
68. Wolf Like Me - Season Two (AU)
69. Lawmen: Bass Reeves - Miniseries
70. The Tourist - Season Two (sort of AU)
71. Slip - Season One
72. Ahsoka - Season One
73. Cruel Summer - Season Two/Series Finale
74. Still Up - Season One
75. Harlan Coben's Shelter - Season One/Series Finale
76. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - Season One
77. Upload - Season Three
78. You & Me (2023 British TV series) - Miniseries
79. Far North - Miniseries
80. Starstruck - Season Three
81. True Lies (TV series) - Season One/Series Finale
82. The Curse - Season One
83. Reservation Dogs - Season Three/Series Finale
84. Tell Me Lies - Season One
85. The Continental: From the World of John Wick - Miniseries
86. Saint X - Season One
87. Echo - Miniseries
88. Loki - Season Two
89. Fear the Walking Dead - Season Eight/Series Finale
90. Leopard Skin - Miniseries
91. ted - Miniseries

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - American Rust: Broken Justice

American Rust is back after originally being canceled after one season by Showtime, five months later  the series was revived for a second season by Amazon Freevee.

The second season, titled American Rust: Broken Justice landed pre-Easter with all ten episodes landing at once on on Amazon Prime Video.

The second season began shooting in Western Pennsylvania in November 2022 and completed in May 2023. So there are some spoilers below the trailer. Read on at your own risk!

American Rust: Broken Justice ended on a huge cliffhanger! A hella bold move to do after already being cancelled once before!

But are enough Amazon viewers itching for a third season? I feel Showtime really lost out getting rid of this season when they did! Its not like they got many series on the go right now!

So we are not sure about the futures of the talented two leads, Del Harris (Jeff Daniels) and Grace Poe’s (Maura Tierney). Both get praise while the series itself generally gets a fairly bad wrap! Just look at Rotten Tomatoes!

This season's big bad is Russell Wolfe (Christopher Denham). But he isn't the only bad guy. Not to mention the bodies pile up and up in this second season. From an explosive package in episode one to cop shootings.

The season also features Lee (Julia Mayorga), investigative cop Steve Park (Rob Yang), Billy (Alex Nuestaedter) and Issac (David Alvarez) & Fisher (Kyle Beltran).

Former Showtime legend Luna Lauren Velez also joins as Detective Angela Burgos. She sort of creates a second love triangle in this season.

Velez is excellent in this series, real heart, real true grit!

With an additional tenth episode this run, I smashed this over Easter. It was an easy binge for me. Also nice to get into something else on Amazon.

I enjoyed this. It is a bit of poverty porn (not as bad as season one) but the characters are flawed and real.

American Rust shows us a real gritty America. Both seasons stream on Amazon right this second!

Music Posts back..

here

Plus the Album of the Year race is on!

Go on, discover your favourite new song or just enjoy this big, bold new Beyoncé record!

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live - Miniseries

So another The Walking Dead spin-off is done and dusted. These six episode, easy to digest, smaller cast series are a hell of a lot better than the OG parent show.

The Ones Who Live is sixth spin-off and overall seventh television series in The Walking Dead franchise.

The series is set after the conclusion of the original The Walking Dead series, with Danai Gurira and Andrew Lincoln and Pollyanna McIntosh reprising their roles from previous The Walking Dead franchise series.

Premiering late February, on AMC and AMC+, this is a new deal for Stan in Australia to broadcast all the new The Walking Dead spin-offs. The six episodes (originally set to be a movie trilogy) is based on a love story of two people kept apart by an unstoppable power, trying to find each other. Rick Grimes & Michonne are back baby!

Andrew Lincoln is (and always will be) Rick Grimes, the former sheriff's deputy from King County, Georgia, the former leader of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, and Michonne's husband who was presumed to be dead. He later becomes a Sergeant Major in the CRM (Civic Republic Military). While Danai Gurira is back as Michonne: A katana-wielding warrior, former leader of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, and Rick's wife who left her group to search for him.

The long lost lovers are joined by Pollyanna McIntosh as Jadis Stokes / Anne: The warrant officer of the CRM, who disappeared along with Rick Grimes on a CRM helicopter. McIntosh also appeared in the spin-off series The Walking Dead: World Beyond's second season in a main role.

SPOILERS BELOW. Look out!

So how does it end? Will it remain a miniseries? Or will AMC not be able to help themselves like the previous two spin-offs? I totally reckon it will be back for a second run. SPOILERS incoming. You have been warned, twice!

Rick and Michonne return to Cascadia Base where Michonne sneaks in and finds and destroys Jadis' dossier before attending a briefing for the Frontliners where Michonne learns that the CRM intends to abduct select children from Portland before destroying the city with chlorine gas.

Rick is given the Echelon Briefing in which Beale informs him of the truth about the destruction of Omaha and the Campus Colony and the upcoming attack on Portland. 

Beale reveals that, believing that humanity only has around fourteen years left, the CRM is going to declare martial law on the Civic Republic and destroy survivor communities all across the world, scavenging their resources to ensure their own survival. 

Rick kills Beale with his own sword and Rick and Michonne rig up a makeshift bomb on the chlorine gas arsenal before being confronted by Thorne who had deduced the truth about Michonne's identity.

Michonne is forced to kill Thorne and the bomb and the gas kills the CRM Force Command and all of the Frontliners. 

With the CRM's atrocities exposed and its command structure decimated, the civilian government takes over and reforms the CRM to aid other survivors while enabling free travel to and from the city. Rick and Michonne return home and are finally reunited with their children, Judith and R.J.

After surviving so many bombs, was the fairytale ending the end of this series? I will leave it as a miniseries for now, as we launch into Q2 streaming with Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24'!

Yes it's a little racy, but as P!nk would say, SO WHAT!

#RATED - Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24'

It's sort of part II for summer, with the sequel to Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23', its the RATED Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24'.

Still thinking of a name for quarter two's telly. So stick around for that gem! It will kick off with the latest Walking Dead finale, streaming on Stan!

So the writers strike is over meaning network TV from the Divided States of America is dribbling back onto our screens. Welcome back Station 19 and All American!

I have gone rogue this month, awarding a tie for first place. I hope that is OK. One local title and one international miniseries with an Aussie lead.

I did promise the two summer RATED's coming together. That may happen this week, time pending. The post Easter week is always CRAZY!

Happy this short public holiday filled Easter 2024!

If you need more series to catch up on, below are my previous RATED's:

#RATED - Fall Finales

#RATED - Summer Slack Streaming (2023)

#RATED - Spring 2022 TV Finales

#RATED - Winter 2022 TV Finales

#RATED - Summer Slack (Dec-Feb) TV Finales (2022)

#RATED - Autumn 2022 TV Finales

#RATED - Autumn/Winter Binged 2022

#RATED - Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23'

1. (TIE) Total Control - Season Three/Series Finale (AU)
1. (TIE) Expats - Miniseries
2. Life & Beth - Season Two
3. The Act - Miniseries
4. Prosper - Miniseries (AU)
5. Slow Horses - Seasons One - Three
6. Trigger Point - Seasons One - Two
7. Dr Death - Season Two
8. Paper Dolls - Miniseries (AU)
9. SkyMed - Season Two
10. Three Women - Miniseries (filmed by Showtime, then given away in the USA to Starz)
11. Totally Completely Fine - Season One (AU)
12. Reacher - Season Two
13. Found - Season One
14. After the Verdict - Miniseries (AU)
15. Faraway Downs - Miniseries (AU)
16. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024 TV series)
17. Population 11 - Season One (AU)
18. Hightown - Season Three/Series Finale
19. Death and Other Details - Season One/Series Finale
20. Halo - Season Two
21. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters - Season One
22. Wolf Pack - Season One/Series Finale
23. True Detective: Night Country - Season Four
24. Power Book III: Raising Kanan - Season Three
25. Wreck - Season One
26. Apples Never Fall - Miniseries
27. Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
28. Bargain (Korean: 몸값) - Miniseries
29. The Tourist - Season Two (sort of AU)
30. Cruel Summer - Season Two/Series Finale
31. You & Me (2023 British TV series) - Miniseries
32. The Curse - Season One
33. Echo - Miniseries
34. Leopard Skin - Miniseries
35. ted - Miniseries

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire follows on from the Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Which to be honest was only OK.

So was this is monster film directed by Adam Wingard any better?

Apparently this is a sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong from 2021 (I can barely remember that film to be honest, clearly it was memorable). While it is the fifth film in the MonsterVerse franchise. 

With Kong and Godzilla being the main stars of the film, it leaves a largely B team to play the humans. They consist of Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, and Fala Chen. While Hall, Henry, and Hottle reprise their roles from the 2021 feature film. 

So what happens in the CGI fest? Kong encounters more of his species in the Hollow Earth and must unite with Godzilla to stop their tyrannical leader and a powerful, climate-changing Titan from destroying the surface.

Like my previous post, QLD scored the filming of this Hollywood film back in July 2022. On the dreamy Gold Coast, where dreams are made. Or maybe just meter maid? The filming concluded in November  that year.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has received mixed reviews. But what did I think of my Good Friday screening? Well crowd wise it was fairly empty. Maybe everyone was at Kung Fu Panda 4 or Ghostbusters. School holidays must be coming post Easter!

So after working on the King Kong musical, I always have a soft spot for Kong. Godzilla is kinda annoying.

The script and acting were a little average too. However no doubt this will do OK at the box office, even break even or make the studio some much needed cash after the strikes.

I was easy on the recent horror films, so I will apply that here, 2.5 Stars.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' - Apples Never Fall - Miniseries

Apples Never Fall is the latest television miniseries based on a Liane Moriarty novel.

The miniseries landed in the USA on Peacock on mid-March, while landing on Binge the same time in Australia.

What's it all about this time around? Why is it set in the USA but filmed in Australia? EEEHHHHH

When matriarch Joy Delaney (Annette Bening) suddenly goes missing, her 4 adult kids are left to piece together everything they thought they knew about their parents.

So who else stars in this Binge acquired series? Well Sam Neill stars opposite Bening as Stan Delaney, the patriarch of the Delaney family and Joy's husband.

They (the parents in this family drama) are joined by The White Lotus star Jake Lacy as Troy Delaney (Joy and Stan's wealthy older son who is a venture capitalist), Conor Merrigan Turner as Logan Delaney (Joy and Stan's younger son who almost became a professional tennis player, but now manages a marina), Essie Randles as Brooke Delaney (Joy and Stan's youngest child who runs her own physical therapy business) & Alison Brie as Amy Delaney (Joy and Stan's oldest child who is a spiritual life coach).

They are joined by Georgia Flood as mysterious Savannah, Jeanine Serralles as Detective Elena Camacho, Dylan Thuraisingham as Detective Ethan Remy, 

Not the best Moriarty novel turned TV series, I can't see this getting switched from a miniseries to a series like Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers.

The seven episodes felt a little bloated. A more sharp to the point four or shorter episode six episode run would have gotten to the point in a more snappy manner.

The series lacked something. More to the point Peacock content is really not popping. With Pete Davidson's Bupkis will now not move ahead with a second season, so all faith is in Poker Face (need to catch up with that over winter), Twisted Metal returning for a second season and Dr Death possibly continuing.

Sadly for Aussies watching Peacock content, legacy content lives on Stan (Poker Face, Twisted Metal, Dr Death and Bel-Air's reboot) while new titles like Based on a True Story live on Binge.

Oh the streaming acquired content agreements.

Apples Never Fall will likely feature on the second half of my RATED listed for the first quarters streaming this year. That will land on Monday/Tuesday!

Happy Easter!

Album of the (Easter) Week (end) - KITA ALEXANDER {Young in Love}

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' - Population 11 - Season One

As we head into Easter, here is a little Aussie comedy to pop on this chocolate filled long weekend, Population 11.

Streaming now on Stan. The 12 part dark comedy landed mid this month.

It's inspired by the 2017 disappearance of Paddy Moriarty in the Northern Territory.

Centring around Andy Pruden (Ben Feldman) attempting to solve the disappearance of his estranged father from a small town in the Australian outback home to only a dozen residents, who all end up as suspects.

Following Prosper, this is the second series to be co-commissioned by Stan and Lionsgate. Population 11 was filmed entirely in the Kimberley in Western Australia. It honestly looks beautiful across the 12 half hour (or so) episodes.

Yes finally a half hour series to land on streamer Stan. This is the first Stan original to be filmed in Western Australia.

So alongside Ben Feldman as Andy Pruden (a suburban bank teller from Ohio) it's an all-star Aussie cast. With Perry Mooney as Cassie, Wentworth's Boomer AKA, Katrina Milosevic as Sgt. Geraldine Walters, Darren Gilshenan as Hugo Drivas, Andy's missing father, the super hot! Chai Hansen as Gareth Biggins with Stephen Curry as Noel Pinkus, Genevieve Lemon as Valerie Hogarth along with a killer support cast!

Population 11 may not be the best thing to stream on Stan, however it has a lot of heart. It's a lot of fun, with some very coarse language along the way!

In an era of so much content, it's hard to stand out in a crowded pack, however this is super Aussie, a bit of light fun, so from me to you, if you to chill out this long weekend, pop this on.

Happy Easter folks!

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two is (so far) the highest-grossing film of 2024!

The sequel to 2021's Dune, it is the second of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herbert. Dune: Part Two was originally scheduled for a November 2023, however was delayed by the 2023 Hollywood strikes. 

Principal photography took place in Budapest, Italy, Jordan and Abu Dhabi July-December 2022. So the special effects took a fair whack of time, for the film to finally land last month in Australia.

Most of the first part stars are back. Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, and Souheila Yacoub all star in this BIG ass budget film!

This film is completely visually spectacular! The film however was overly long, with no real conclusion after two long parts. Except that a third film Dune Messiah, is set to finish the tradegy.

I also thought HBO Max were developing a TV series too. But what is the basic, one liner for the plot?

It follows Paul Atreides as he unites with the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis to wage war against House Harkonnen. 

Look I love me some versatile Zendaya, particularly now we have a longer wait for the third season of Euphoria. But Timothée Chalamet I don't get the hype.

Overall this was a big change in gears from all the recent horror films I have seen below/recently.

Next up more big blockbusters. There is another Ghostbusters film along with a King Kong/Godzilla mash up. Oh dear, summer in the USA is clearly coming.

Dune: Part Two scores 3 stars. Visually sensational, run time, insanely too long!

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' - Expats - Miniseries

Expats is brilliant! Straight up. There has been a lot of shit in Q1 TV. Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' won't be my strongest TV list once I post the results on the other side of Easter.

Expats is a miniseries directed by Lulu Wang, based on the 2016 novel The Expatriates by Janice Y. K. Lee. 

Landing on Amazon on Invasion Day 2024, then with episodes weekly until mid-February. Again whilst I was away living my best life in Vietnam.

Expats follows the vibrant lives of a close-knit expatriate community: where affluence is celebrated, friendships are intense but knowingly temporary, and personal lives, deaths and marriages are played out publicly—then retold with glee.

Set in Hong Kong, the plot orbits the abrupt disappearance of Margaret's (Nicole Kidman) youngest son during a nighttime market excursion. 

The convergence of three American women, their clandestine affairs, amorous entanglements, and deceit unfurls against the backdrop of the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests in Hong Kong.

Margaret grapples with an overwhelming sense of culpability and desolation, while her companion, Hilary (Sarayu Blue), maneuvers through the intricacies of a disintegrating marriage. At the same time, chance acquaintance and young Columbia graduate Mercy (Ji-young Yoo) descends into a series of self-destructive choices.

While Nicole Kidman is the leading lady on all the artwork. It has to be said, Sarayu Blue as Hilary Starr, (whose birth name is Harpreet Singh) is truly fabulous. Not only does she look a million bucks in every outfit, her character is so real.

Brain Tee is excellent as Kidman's husband Clarke, while Ji-young Yoo as Mercy Cho is also brilliant!

Amazon have done well with this miniseries. Brilliant TV. If you need something to watch this Easter, make sure you fire up Amazon Prime for some Expats.

Album of Week - PNAU {Hyperbolic}

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Immaculate

Immaculate is my third horror film in a row. Yes 2024 is surely the year of horror films.

Directed by Michael Mohan, the film stars Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte (Money Heist), Benedetta Porcaroli, Dora Romano, Giorgio Colangeli, and Simona Tabasco (The White Lotus). 

The film follows a young woman of devout faith, who is invited to reside at a picture-perfect Italian convent, but slowly realizes that the convent harbours terrifying secrets.

Immaculate is a full on assault of jump scares, horrific images, along with scary AF nuns and priests.

Not at all for the faint heart is Immaculate. That said it is the best of all three of the horror films I have taken in, in the past few weeks.

With Easter incoming, this is not for the church following. There are some deeply disturbing images, themes throughout the film. I did watch a lot of the film through my t-shirt.

Sydney Sweeney is actually excellent in this changing of gears from excellent rom-com Anyone But You.

With fear in her eyes from early on in this less than 1.5 hour film, Sweeney excels at a terrified young nun from Detroit way out of her league in Italy.

This was at times a tough watch, but a refreshing horror film after the recent tired supernatural run of the mill films.

Immaculate is rough AF, but worthy of 3 shook to the core stars.

Grace - Guests

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' - Halo - Season Two

Halo has just concluded its second season on Paramount+. I was a late bloomer for season one, however I did season two week to week (almost) following my Lunar New Year excursion.

Based on the video game franchise of the same name, the series follows a 26th-century war between the United Nations Space Command and the Covenant, a theocratic-military alliance of several alien races determined to eradicate humanity. 

Starring Pablo Schreiber and Jen Taylor star as Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 and Cortana.

The second season, consisted of eight episodes, premiered early February, filming for the second season began in September 2022, and wrapped in May 2023.

No news on season three yet, however I am guessing that is a no brainer for Paramount+. So how'd the season finale go down? SPOILERS below the trailer! BE WARNED!

An overeager biologist inadvertently unleashes spores from the canister recovered by Halsey and Miranda which quickly spreads through the base's personnel, transforming them into creatures. 

Parangosky and Halsey fall victim to it, but Miranda freezes her mother in stasis in the hopes of finding a cure. 

Soren and Kwan rescue Laera, Kessler and, reluctantly, Ackerson, but Laera stays behind after becoming infected. As the group escapes, the shaman appears to Kwan, taking control of the creatures briefly so as to buy them time. 

The shaman reveals that she's one of Kwan's ancestors and that the monster is the Flood. John defies orders to help the Spartans before boarding Makee's ship and rescuing Cortana just before it crashes into Halo. 

Kai seemingly sacrifices herself to destroy the Covenant flagship in a suicide run, allowing the UNSC to destroy the Covenant fleet. 

On Halo, John engages Var 'Gatanai in a vicious duel, ultimately killing him with an energy sword. Makee reveals that she intends to bring "peace" to the galaxy by using Halo to sterilize it. John is interrogated by 343 Guilty Spark who warns him that "it" is waiting for John deeper in the ring.

The series looks a billion bucks, the action scenes are great. Will Showtime/Paramount+ continue this sci-fi journey? I will keep you posted! Up next the new Australian outback comedy, Population 11.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' - Three Women - Season One

Three Women is one of those random shows that got filmed, ready to roll then dumped. Showtime had decided not to air the completed series, luckily enough Starz picked up the series a week later. However the series is still waiting to air in the USA.

In Australia Three Women premiered mid-February on Stan. Yes I was deep in my Lunar New Year vacay, so this week I caught open on this (very) raunchy ten part series.

Based on the bestselling novel by Lisa Taddeo, Three Women follows the journey of writer Gia (Shailene Woodley) as she convinces three women. Entrepreneur Sloane, homemaker Lina, and student Maggie to share their stories. 

The group of women are on a course to radically change their lives, with Gia penning a novel (or trying to) along the way. It did however feel very bloated at ten episodes.

Eight or even a tight six would have felt more appropriate for the sexy tales we saw on Stan ahead of the USA getting a peek at a lot of skin.

Alongside Woodley, DeWanda Wise, Betty Gilpin, Ravi Patel, Blair Underwood, Gabrielle Creevy, Austin Stowell, Lola Kirke, Jason Ralph, Blair Redford, Jess Gabor and John Patrick Amedori all starred in this flesh heavy film.

Filming began back in October & November 2021, so we have been waiting a red hot minute for this series to drop.

So why did Showtime bail on the series? When they have so little original content at present? Like for example only The Chi' second half of the latest series is upcoming on their release schedule. Yes it's a good two months worth of content, however there is very little else on the horizon. Hit series Yellowjackets is scheduled to launch its third season in 2025.

So is Three Women all bad? The first half of the season is better than the second. I enjoyed Sloane's story the most. Maggies the least. The series isn't all bad. The cast are very easy on the eye.

Stan really does need original/exclusive content right now. But series like Three Women might not draw in new viewers, just keep viewers like me tuned in to see how far Showtime/Starz can push the envelope.

Up next another Showtime but on Paramount+ series, Halo concludes its second season.

Fred Again..

Frederick John Philip Gibson AKA Fred Again (stylised as Fred again..) has had the Eastern states of Australia fall in love with the English record producer this past fortnight or so.

In 2018, Fred again.. help write George Ezra's hit single Shotgun, in the same year, he also co-wrote Solo by Clean Bandit/Demi Lovato, while also working on Rita Ora's song Let You Love Me.

Fred again.. is credited with writing and/or producing 12 of 15 of Ed Sheeran's 2019 No.6 Collaborations Project.

Gibson won Producer of the Year at the Brit Awards 2020.

In June 2023, Gibson made his first appearance at Glastonbury Festival. Now he is playing in demand shows at the Sydney Opera House, The Domain, Qudos Bank Arena, along with venues in the Gold Coast & Melbourne.

His Fred & friends show on Sunday at the Domain was wild. Alongside Fred was friends Joy Anonymous + Skin on Skin.

It was a big effort for this old duck to get along to Fred again following P!nk the night before. The two share a connection on the P!nk tune Trustfall, whilst P!nk was also a fan girl at one of the Qudos Bank Arena shows.

Fred, Taylor and P!nk have given Sydney a shit tone of live music and sold out shows over the last few weeks. Hello missing night time economy in Sydney. Also hello replacement for all the festivals going down the toilet!

After seeing Fred back at Laneway 2023, he is an artist in demand, with a HUGE fan base and loads of hit records! What a VIBE!

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Imaginary

Imaginary is my second horror film in one week. Both sucked. Well this one (I have to be fair) was on par with Baghead. Which I did pass as I was missing the cinema post Vietnam.

Unlike Baghead with most unknown faces, Imaginary gets TV stars like DeWanda Wise from Stan's recent romp Three Women and Tom Payne from the Walking Dead. This is also another Jason Blum/Blumhouse Productions film. 

Alongside Wise and Payne, Taegen Burns, Pyper Braun, Matthew Sato, Veronica Falcón (Queen of the South), and Betty Buckley also star.

Imaginary was released last week to mostly received negative reviews from critics. So with Ghostbusters coming this Thursday, expect Imaginary to finish up at the cinemas soon and appear on a streaming service soon.

If you watch the trailer you get the way this story is going down. It is a little longer than Baghead, but does have a bit more of a meaty storyline. It wasn't great, but it was really in line with the previously mentioned Baghead.

A few jump scares, a little predictable, a fairly quick paced run of the mill horror picture. Let's hope some good films are on the on the way. 2024 in cinema is hardly that mind blowing thus far.

2.5 Stars.

Album of Week - ZHU {Grace}

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' - Feud: Capote vs. The Swans

Feud: Capote vs. The Swans is the long awaited second season Ryan Murphy anthology series. The initial focus for season two was originally the relationship between Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales. However The Crown has been there done that!

This eight-episode season was based on the book Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era written by Laurence Leamer.

The season premiered at the end of January, concluding this past week. Now I must say this could have been a UK miniseries order of four or six episodes, it did feel a little bloated at eight long(ish) episodes.

So what's the drum? Truman Capote ruins his friendships with a socialite group of New York City high society by writing a thinly veiled fictionalised account of their scandalous and hedonistic lives in his (ultimately unfinished) novel Answered Prayers. 

When Esquire publishes the chapter La Côte Basque 1965, after the restaurant of the same name frequented by the Swans, several vow to ruin his life in revenge.

Aussie queen Naomi Watts joins Treat Williams (in his last project before his death in 2023), Tom Hollander as Truman Capote, Diane Lane, Calista Flockhart and Demi Moore joins Murphy's fold of stars. Yes it's a BIG ass cast! Super talented, super slick! On paper and on the small screen!

 

SPOILER ALERTS, finale brief ahead. In 1984, Truman visits Babe's grave and lies down on top of it, longing to be reunited. He later visits Jack's apartment while pursuing sobriety, and the two reconcile and part ways as Truman vows to finish Answered Prayers as an apology to his former friends. 

As he writes, he envisions himself reconciling with the Swans by selflessly granting their deepest wishes. Between chapters, he has a vision of his combative mother, which drives him back to drinking and using drugs. During one such episode, he recalls her suicide, and hallucinates Ann, who informs him that Answered Prayers will never restore his friendships, as he wrote it with the intent of destroying high society out of revenge for himself and his shunned mother. 

He destroys the completed manuscript in secret and departs for his final stay with Joanne. In 2016, Truman's ashes are sold at auction for $45,000 (with Kate Harrington in attendance) as the ghosts of the Swans critique the proceedings.

Look episode seven, the series was closed off, so episode eight just felt a little blah.

The critics are however loving it so..... Maybe some awards will come the long awaited second seasons way. Keeping in mind, Bette and Joan was delivered back in 2017! Will we see a third season before 2030? No renewal news yet, however FX do love them some Ryan Murphy. American Horror Stories Delicate returns for the four remaining episodes next month on Binge where you can also stream this! Until next time. BYE-BYE!

Blue Lips - Guests

Post Strike Cinema 24' - Baghead

Horror films are all the rage post COVID. So it was not surprising to see another bump in the night film called Baghead get a release whilst I was away. I saw three films whilst in Vietnam. Since returning (catching up on all my stories on the small screen) I have not had a minute for a big screen moment.

Baghead has now been replaced by Imaginary (from Blumhouse) as the latest horror picture to hit the big screen.

So what is Baghead all about? Following the death of her estranged father (Peter Mullan), Iris (Freya Allan) learns she has inherited a run-down, centuries-old pub. She travels to Berlin to identify her father’s body and meet with The Solicitor (Ned Dennehy) to discuss the estate. 

Berlin is a little spooky, however no one seems to speak the German, it's English all the way baby!

Little does Iris know, when the deed is signed she will become inextricably tied to an unspeakable entity that resides in the pub’s basement – Baghead – a shape-shifting creature that can transform into the dead.

Two thousand in cash for two minutes with the creature is all it takes for desperate loved ones to ease their grief. Neil (Jeremy Irvine), who has lost his wife, is Iris’ first customer. 

Like her father, Iris is tempted to exploit the creature’s powers and help desperate people for a price. But she soon discovers breaking the two-minute rule can have terrifying consequences. 

Together with her best friend Katie (Ruby Barker), Iris must battle to keep control of Baghead and figure out how to destroy her, before she destroys them.

Now the film does have an appealing 80 (odd) minute runtime. However it still does feel long!

The film has the usual jump scare moments. There is a creepy old lady with a bag on her head, who can morph into peoples requested dead loved ones.

It is not all bad though. It does get to the point fairly quickly. It is also not a happy ending all that ends well Hollywood film. The Guardian was a little rough and gave it 2 Stars previously. 

This was not as bad as Night Swim, however nowhere near as good as last year's brilliant, Talk to Me.

I will pass this as I have barely been to the cinema in quarter one of 2024, compared to previous years. This is meant to be a semi peak cinema time post the Oscars.

Did you see the Razzie Awards too LOL? Imagine next year. Madame Web could sweep the entire event!

For Baghead it's a generous 2.5 Stars.

Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' - Life & Beth - Season Two

Life & Beth's second season was like a warm blanket during a tough time.

Amy Schumer is delightful as Beth, this season dealing with their late 30's and pregnancy. Along with her husband (played by Michael Cera) being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Alongside Schumer & Cera, the series stars Violet Young, Michael Cera, Yamaneika Saunders, Michael Rapaport and Susannah Flood. 

The second season premiered all episodes mid-February. So I was deep in my holidays. This was a refreshing series to churn through all ten laugh out loud episodes.

Yes this was real laugh out loud funny, whether it be about life, pregnancy or dealing with getting further along into adulthood. Life throws some curveballs at times, this series tackles them, keeps laughing and shows real warmth.

I really enjoyed this. In Australia the Hulu streams on Disney+.

Hulu/Disney+ are delivering at the moment. I guess they have to be due to their price hikes! I guess after the actors/writers strike, someone gotta pay for them pay rises.