Zac Efron what have you done! You look fit AF but the face. You were honestly one of the most handsome men on this planet. Moving on, his performance in The Iron Claw is incredible!
The latest A24 feature film. Maybe the saviours of the 2023/2024 summer movie season.
The Iron Claw is the biographical sports film based on the life of professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich and the Von Erich family.
Alongside Efron, The Bear's Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, The Affairs Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, and Lily James all star. This is a huge cast! Allen White is one of the biggest stars right now, while it's great seeing Maura Tierney as the grieving mother.
Tissue warning! This film had people crying on the way out of the cinema.
I heard rumours it was sad, however I didn't know it was going to be that sad.
The Iron Claw premiered overseas late last year, whilst we in Australia got it only recently. Saying that, it was named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the National Board of Review. Whilst getting rave reviews from critics.
All that said, the film is now down to limited sessions per week. Sadly we are back at that point. If you want to see a film at movies, you probably should get out to the cinemas on the opening week.
I enjoyed this film, that said I have previously watched Heels and Young Rock meaning wrestling families were nothing new to me.
The cast are all excellent. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a good cry. It's toxic masculinity on steroids. The Iron Claw proves A24 are the studio to beat.
Stan has had a summer, a good summer. With original series like Bump, acquired returns like Dr Doctor, now another new local 8 part drama Prosper.
It feels like a Hillsong expose (which we have seen before, along with in documentary form) however it goes across politics, (massive) profit and even more profitable music and merch!
Prosper landed the other week, however it is a super easy binge! I got through this one, real quick. Even though it's longer than a lot of other local releases of late. The basic story of Stan's latest original centres around Pastor Cal Quinn (Richard Roxburgh) and wife Abi (Rebecca Gibney) are about to celebrate their 40th anniversary. However they have bigger plans for their family faith business. And business is booming! U Star church (along with a US popstar/DJ) are set to embark on an expansion to the USA.
Cal (Richard Roxburgh), Abi (Rebecca Gibney) along with their kids/kids partners Jed (Jacob Collins-Levy), Dion (Ewen Leslie), Issy (Hayley McCarthy) Issy's husband, Benji (Jordi Webber) lead a huge local cast. With Cal’s real right hand man/fixer Eli (Jacek Koman), ajoins conservative politician (James Saunders), American pop star (Alex FitzAlan) and Cal's weakness Rosa (Brigid Zendini) brings together a rather large cast.
They are supported by Hayley McCarthy, Ming-Zhu Hii, Fayssal Bazzi, Andrea Solonge (who is particularly good), Alexander D’Souza & Matthew Backer.
Roxburgh returns after his huge, iconic role as Rake‘s Cleaver Greene, whilst Rebecca Gibney gives a more raw TV mum role from her previous TV roles as a mum, including Packed to the Rafters.
The U Star/Hillsong HQ is actually filmed at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre in Rooty Hill, a long way from Castle Hill, where the story takes serious notes from.
Long term readers would know in the past I have been a huge, The Righteous Gemstones fan. This is a long way away from the HBO hit comedy. While also giving HBO family drama Succession, power vibes.
Prosper will no doubt get some AACTA nominations when the next Australian TV award season rolls around, however I am not sure it is as strong as recent Aussie series like Strife, Colin from Accounts and Scrublands. Still this was a good watch. Great seeing various parts of Sydney on the small screen. Even the ghetto end of George Street near my place.
Stan, you have done good this summer. Well done all involved!
Priscilla is the second film I have seen about Elvis in a few years. Of course the last one was 100% Elvis, by Baz Luhrmann, with some Doja Cat (number one in the Hottest 100 today, Doja Cat), so this film written, directed, and produced by Sofia Coppola was a little different.
Based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley (who serves as an executive producer), it follows the life of Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny) and her complicated romantic relationship with Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi).
Priscilla was a hit, at the 80th Venice International Film Festival last year. It has had a fairly limited run against some big competition. While receiving generally favorable reviews from critics.
My critical response? Well this was an enjoyable outing whilst living it up in downtown Victoria. As the long weekend spans on, it is nice to take in some time to see a good like pic from the powerhouse studio, A24.
So like most big stars, Elvis had a fairly shitty life, however he didn't seem to make it too easy for Priscilla.
Seeing the other side of a public relationship was extremely interesting. Cailee Spaeny was excellent as Priscilla whilst Aussie Jacob Elordi is slaying it right now. Euphoria, Saltburn, now playing Elvis, whats next?
SkyMed definitely has Canadian televisions sexiest cast. They just got hotter from season one. A recent discovery on Paramount+ I have now binged both seasons on the streaming platform.
The second season premiered on local Canadian station, CBC last October. The second season recently landed (in its entirety) in Australia.
SkyMed focuses on the nurses and pilots working for an air ambulance service in remote northern Manitoba, where a lotta lovin' goes down in the medical sharehouse.
The weather outside may be cool, however the temperature (and the cast) is smokin' HOT!
Thomas Elms as Captain Milosz Nowak and Kheon Clarke as Tristan Green have a seriously smoking relationship throughout the second season. I must say the heat definitely was turned up this season.
This was a seriously easy watch. The episodes just rolled by. Not to mention there are only nine episodes. Sadly we are still waiting for news on a third season. Let's hope the Canadian station will see value in this now Paramount+ hit.
I reckon this would easily do well in other territories too. I feel this will rate highly on my Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' RATED list in early April.
From trampoline accidents, snakes on planes, fireworks and love in the share house this was a fun, wild ride. While waiting for Station 19, 9-1-1 and Fire Country, these Canadian first responders definitely wet our whistles for more hotties in uniform!
Yep it's that time of the year, long weekends incoming, school going back. I have a weekend to Melbourne, a Lunar New Year break in Vietnam along with a long weekend in Brisbane incoming. Posts maybe light, my music blog will merge with posts here. So expect similar posts to last year.
The Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' blog series continues till late March. With a RATED incoming early April. I might even combine The Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' blog series to see what the ultimate Summer TV series was.
Until then I am smashing through the truly sexy SkyMed season two from Canada. A pile of new/returning series are coming back soon. Here are some highlight trailers below. If you want to see/find some new music, head over HERE
Slow Horses is a British spy thriller based on the Slough House novels by Mick Herron. Originally commencing on Apple TV+ back in early April 2022. So I was late to the party on this one. However there has been much chatter about this series. So much so the series was renewed for third and fourth series back in June 2022.
Apparently the fourth season should be released by the end of December 2024. Earlier this month, Slow Horses was renewed for a fifth series, which will be based on the fifth book in the series, London Rules.
The second series, Dead Lions, streamed all six episodes from December 2022, with the third series streaming from late November 2023, concluding at the end of 2023.
Starring the vulgar Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb, the head of Slough House. Described as someone who is slovenly and rude, but has a sharp and devious mind, and retains his abilities as an experienced intelligence officer.
Slough House is an administrative purgatory for MI5 service rejects who have bungled their job but have not been sacked. Those consigned there are known as "slow horses".
They are expected to endure dull, paper-pushing tasks, along with occasional mental abuse from their miserable boss, Jackson Lamb, who expects them to quit out of boredom or frustration. Life in Slough House is defined by drudgery. Yet the Slow Horses somehow get involved investigating schemes endangering Britain.
All three seasons were brilliant. Such easy watches. I only started at the very start a few weeks ago, now have completed all 18 episodes of the three seasons.
Gary Oldman is brilliant in the lead role. Whilst supporting actors all do great guns too.
The series looks a million bucks, whilst also feels more real than US spy/political/crime thrillers. It was indeed much better than Reacher.
I am really enjoying my UK series right now. This was a stellar watch on Apple TV+. Strike or no strike, Apple TV+ have constantly brought excellent series to the streaming service over the last few months. No to mention some big cinema releases with Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon.
Apple TV+ could take over Amazon and some other streamers for having constantly good content soon. With big seasons like Palm Royale, another season of the Morning Show, Bad Sisters, Shrinking and Severance to come.
Well done Apple TV+, you came out rather well from the 2023 writers strike!
Reacher is back! After an almost two year wait! Season one was a one binge drop on Amazon Prime Video, back in Feb 22! Based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child, it stars Alan Ritchson as Reacher. And he is built like a brick shithouse. He also gives you a good look at those bulging pecs!
The first season of Reacher was based on Killing Floor, Child's 1997 debut novel, while the second season, is based on Bad Luck and Trouble (2007).
The season commenced with three episodes back in mid-December. The season concluded around lunchtime yesterday, however Reacher has already been renewed for a third season. Filming and production has apparently already commenced too!
Season 2 (Bad Luck and Trouble), Reacher is contacted by a former member of his defunct MP unit from New York City when one of their own is murdered under mysterious circumstances. He reassembles his old team to find the murderers and avenge their friend. Warning SPOILER BELOW about the finale, Fly Boy
While being held captive, Reacher learns that Swan never joined Langston and refused to join on the conspiracy. As a result of his defiance, Swan was murdered, with his harvested body parts used for DNA evidence to make him as the designated fall guy.
Neagley and Lavoy's security team successfully breaks Reacher out of the New Age Facility, allowing him to board Langston's helicopter, kill Langston and his remaining bodyguard, and free O'Donnell and Dixon.
The team then heads to the New Age engineer's house to ambush and kill A.M. Anticipating that Lavoy's security team was going to assassinate the investigators as the the last remaining loose ends, Homeland Security agents arrest Lavoy and the security team after having been tipped off by Reacher prior to his rescue mission.
The investigators kill the two remaining New Age employees for their part in the conspiracy by using a Little Wing missile on Langston's helicopter, with the crash covered up by Homeland Security. The team distributes the $64 million among themselves, the surviving family members of their fallen allies, and go their separate ways.
So where will season three take us? Was this as good or better than season one? For me week to week was a bit more tricky than the single binge I did on season one. However the action scenes were well done and the episodes flew by!
For me this was a good Jack Ryan replacement on Amazon. One action series down, one to replace it. Meanwhile Citadel was also a big action hit on Amazon.
In the meantime hopefully early next summer we will get the third in this action book to TV series. Until tomorrow.
Mean Girls was an early opening in 2024, perfect for the Australian school holidays with a PG rating. With a 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has received generally mixed reviews from critics.
That said, the OG film was a cult hit! We wear pink on Wednesdays is still a common phrase in my workplace.
I enjoyed this fun little cinema release. I needed something light on a Friday night. I was tired from two full working weeks back to back. That said, I am on the edge of only four day working weeks before Vietnam - Lunar New Year and Taylor Swift's Era's tour!
Yes it's a busy quarter one. So hopefully I will be able to take in a few more Post Strike Cinema 24' films.
Mean Girls will not be for everyone. I think Gays of an age will like it, musical fans (which also happens to be category one: Gays), young girls and teens.
I am ranking this slightly higher as it lifted my mood at the end of a long ass week, 3 Stars. I did laugh out loud, which is rare at this cinemas these days!
Found is my first network series to binge in my Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23/24' series. Usually by now I would have watched a few network series finales. With 9-1-1 Lonestar held till later this year, Superman & Lois, both All American shows likely to land Q2 (or later) this year. So I have limited incoming network series.
The final run of Station 19, the third (and also maybe final) season of The Cleaning Lady, the other OG 9-1-1 series along with CBS titles, Fire Country and The Equalizer.
However this is my solo NBC series, which commenced back in October last year. It was one of only a few new dramas to air at the start of the traditional US TV season.
Found stars the fab Shameless queen, Shanola Hampton. Hampton also serves as a producer with Berlanti Productions and Rock My Soul Productions.
Found has already been renewed for a second season. An early renewal is never easy in these uncertain TV times, however Greg Berlanti has weight in the TV game. Also Shanola Hampton is fab in this new role.
She plays Gabrielle "Gabi" Mosley, a recovery specialist, and her crisis management team work to find missing people who they believe are overlooked by the system.
Her team of experts consists of those who have either been kidnapped themselves or have a loved one that has been kidnapped. A kidnapping victim herself as a teenage girl, Gabi secretly kidnapped the man who abducted her, Hugh "Sir" Evans, and has been keeping him locked up in her basement for seven months.
Gabi uses Sir's knowledge as a kidnapper and criminal to help her solve cases.
The series also stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Kelli Williams, Arlen Escarpeta, Brett Dalton, Gabrielle Walsh & Karan Oberoi.
The series is also currently sitting pretty at a score of 70% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The finale, Missing While Forgotten ends on a few wee cliffhangers. The series should be back towards the end of 2024 for a second season.
Shanola Hampton is totally fab, therefore I will totally be back for season two when it returns on Binge. Oh yes I never mentioned the series streams all 13 episodes on Binge right now!
You & Me is a sweet British three-part (six parts on Stan in Australia) romantic comedy. This sweet while also being extremely heartwarming little series is roughly a year old, after having its premiere back in February last year. So my summer catch up continues.
Produced by star producer, Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, A Very English Scandal (2018), Years and Years (2019), It's a Sin (2021) and Nolly (2023) and more) you just know this will be quality.
Also I liked the 20 odd minute bite sized, six episode format. The episodes literally just flew by!
With some humour, sadness, romance, it had three of the biggest three human emotions all wrapped up in under 3 hours.
With HBO's Industry Harry Lawtey, who will also feature in this years Joker sequel as Ben, he shares a romance with Jessica Barden as Emma & Sophia Brown as Jess over two timelines.
It has such moments of sweetness, along with sadness. You laugh, get close to tears along with smiling at the sweet conclusion.
No spoilers here though. The entire run streams exclusively on Stan, as I get through a bit more of my watchlist as the Australian Open rolls on!
Also joining the cast, Andi Osho as Pam, Julie Hesmondhalgh as Linda, Janie Dee as Hannah, Dominic Mafham as Jeremy, Lily Newmark as Joey, Genesis Lynea as Dee. Isabella Tyson as Poppy & Lucas Tyson as Jack.
More catch up time on Stan now, with, After the Verdict, the six-part courtroom drama that aired on Nine Network (owners of Stan) back in the winter of 2022.
Four people finish jury duty on a high-profile murder case, however, once back in their regular day-to-day lives, they start to question their verdict and begin their own investigations. That obsession with the case begins to impact their personal lives.
With an all star Aussie cast including the Last King of the Cross, Lincoln Younes, Sullivan Stapleton, Michelle Lim Davidson and Magda Szubanski.
All four were brilliant as were the supporting cast of Wentworth's Virginia Gay as Trish and Home & Away's Tess Haubrich as Heidi Lang.
Unfortunately in TV history, After the Verdict was the second court room/legal drama for Australian TV that year. Following The Twelve which was commenced airing only two months earlier.
In a small TV world, two court room dramas in the one year is a bit much. The Twelve had better luck winning a few awards while being renewed for a second season currently filming in WA. Moving from NSW to the west.
While After the Verdict wasn't the hit Binge/Foxtel's The Twelve was, this had heart and a bit of fun. I am happy I caught up with this series in my Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' series.
Yes I have had a huge TV catch up over the past few months, however that will change now with True Detective back in Alaska, Total Control slaying in Canberra and Hightown commencing over the January long weekend.
After the Verdict may be one of my last binges ahead of a few new shows landing in the next little bit. Like on Stan Prosper, the Hillsong inspired drama or Fire Country and The Equalizer commencing on CBS in the USA next month. Along with my one network finale for the past few months, Found finishing its first season on NBC. The show has done well already renewed for a second season.
The Act is back on as a Binge hero title as Gypsy Rose Blanchard is back in the news. A truly fascinating, twisted true crime story from the legends at Hulu, all the way back in 2019. Yep I am definitely playing catch up with my TV this summer.
Based on the life of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who was accused of abusing her daughter by fabricating illness and disabilities as a direct consequence of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Joey King is outstanding portraying Gypsy, while Patricia Arquette played her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. AnnaSophia Robb, Chloë Sevigny (Big Love), and Calum Worthy also feature across the eight episode miniseries.
As its award season, it's worth noting, at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, Arquette won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series and King received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series.
This truly was intense. I even started a HBO doco on the case too. Dee Dee Blanchard is truly insane, her deception of the local community with Gypsy's "illnesses", wasting valuable time of many doctors over the years whilst also robbing Gypsy of her childhood, early adulthood.
In the series we see a flash back to her mother, Emma (Margo Martindale - The Americans and so much more!) who is also on the evil specturum.
Through Hurricane Katrina, lies and more lies, Dee Dee Blanchard scams her way across the USA.
Gypsy, has since been released from prison, after serving 8 of her 10 years. This was truly weird. I am sure Ryan Murphy is kicking himself for not turning this into an American Crime Story series. Honestly this was one of those true crime events you just watch while saying over and over, WTF!
The Beekeeper should be an early contender for dud film of 2024. However this Jason Statham film doesn't suck.
Actually it's like John Wick taking on the world of one of the most hated people around. Large banks. Jokes, scam call centres. However this call centre leads straight to the top. When you follow the money, The Beekeeper (Statham) has his work cut out for him.
Joining Statham in this action thriller directed by David Ayer is Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Minnie Driver, Phylicia Rashad and Jeremy Irons.
The reviews from critics for the film, also haven't been super shit. Meaning this could be a vast improvement on the terrible Meg sequel.
Statham will not be seen this time of the year winning awards, nor will he likely star in an award winning film. But credit is due where credit is due. Also the trailer is not the best indication on how good this film actually is...
Honestly we all hate scam calls, emails, texts. They are super common and no doubt over the holidays you got a fake parcel text or email from Australia Post. So when an action star goes full metal violent towards these cowards, as an audience you are rooting for the anti hero.
The foul mouthed cop played by Emmy Raver-Lampman is also one to watch. Her bad language and straight shooting FBI work is to be admired.
I have a strong feeling we may see a The Beekeeper 2 in the future. No spoilers here though, just my honey soaked star rating.
The Curse is possibly one of the last Showtime original series, now falling under the easy to remember brand of Paramount+ with Showtime.
This is yet another project from Nathan Fielder (and Benny Safdie) whilst starring Emma Stone, Fielder, and Safdie.
Filmed a while back (June to October 2022) so could this have been held for the strike filler content? However the series has a high score on Rotten Tomatoes, like mid 90's high!
Commencing on Paramount+ in Australia mid-November (so for Aussie viewers this is switch off time for TV viewers) concluding yesterday. Yes it dropped on Australia weekly on Saturdays. Random right?
The ten episode first run explores "how an alleged curse disturbs the relationship of a newly married couple as they try to conceive a child while co-starring on their problematic new HGTV show, Fliplanthropy. Later in the series the show is changed names to be Green Queen. More spoilers below the trailer, so read at at your own risk!
We have a small jump forward to a heavily pregnant Whitney, who has in turn stopped taking money from her parents. Also her and Asher's marriage has improved.
Green Queen has been given a second season despite its middling reception. As a gift to Whitney, Asher gives a disinterested Abshir ownership of the property. The next morning, Asher wakes up to find himself stuck on the ceiling, yes you read that right!
Before they can figure out how to get him down, Whitney goes into labor. Her doula helps Asher out of the house, but loses his grip and gets him stuck on a tree branch. After the doula drives Whitney to the hospital, Dougie arrives and believes Asher is trying to avoid being a father.
As Dougie films Asher panicking, the fire department attempts to get him down by cutting the branch off with a chainsaw, ignoring his pleas to stop.
It gets weirder... Asher is sent flying upwards, eventually dying as he floats through space in the fetal position. At the same time, Whitney is given a caesarean section (GRAPHIC) and holds her son while Dougie remorsefully weeps over Asher. As he explains the situation to the police, onlookers recognize Asher from TV and wonder if the incident was a stunt.
So the finale titled Green Queen is hella weird. Will Paramount+/Showtime give a second curse a go? My bet is on not, time will tell.
I am also still waiting to see the second half of The Chi's sixth season. Will that also be the final episodes of the long running Chicago based series? I feel like Showtime have so little programming lined up, their extinct is almost here. Yes Yellowjackets is a hit, but even Netflix has nabbed streaming the series alongside Showtime/Paramount+.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is the sixth installment and the second television series in the MonsterVerse franchise, streaming on Apple TV+.
Following the events of the 2014 Godzilla film, the ten-episode run follows members of the Monarch organization as they encounter Godzilla and other monsters called Titans, across a half century.
Starring Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe (HOT AF), Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski, plus Wyatt Russell and Kurt Russell in the shared role of Lee Shaw.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters first streamed Apple TV+ mid-November, to positive critical reviews. The ten episode run concluded yesterday lunchtime.
So what's different from any other Godzilla film? Well for starters we head back to 2015, one year after the re-emergence of Godzilla, half-siblings Cate and Kentaro Randa investigate their missing father Hiroshi's connection to Monarch, the covert organization monitoring giant monsters known as Titans.
Two generations earlier, Bill Randa and Keiko Miura are scientists involved with the early development of Monarch. Former Army officer Lee Shaw becomes a close ally to the Randa family across both time periods.
This year we will also see Godzilla on the big screen, again with old mate King Kong for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. So is this series just released to wet our whistles?
I enjoyed this for the most part, it looks a million bucks. Each episode however follows a similar formula. Go back and forth through the past back to 2015, then see a "Titan" towards the end of the episode.
There is talk about a second season. Not sure how that will work, however apparently it's generally in the top 5 Apple TV+ series, alongside Slow Horses and favourite Ted Lasso. Which I still need to watch! I am onto Slow Horses right now, which is excellent BTW!
So what happened in the finale? SPOILER WARNING!
All the regulars end up fine, however it looks like we have discovered another film favourite. As the hangar’s barn doors closed after the crew lands. It appears that we are on Skull Island circa 2017, where the King Kong himself emerged from the horizon to thump his chest and roar.
Does this link up, set us up for the new film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire?
It was a nice cameo surprise at the end of a very epic season one of Apple TV+ largest action series to date. The way the season all ends, I would really be surprised if this ends with Kong entering the story.
Streaming on Disney+, in the dead middle of a long hot summer, the Sizzlin' Summer Streaming Part II, so to speak. The spin-off of previous miniseries Hawkeye (from 2021), sees Maya Lopez (as Echo) return to her hometown where she must come to terms with her past, reconnect with her Native American roots, and embrace her family and community.
Alaqua Cox is Maya Lopez / Echo, with Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Charlie Cox, Devery Jacobs, Zahn McClarnon, Cody Lightning, Graham Greene, and Vincent D'Onofrio also starring as Fisk. Fisk returns from previous Marvel series as the ultimate bad guy.
Echo is the first Marvel series to be released in its entirety simultaneously on Disney+, earlier this week.
It consists of just five (short-ish) episodes, making it a quick and easy binge.
It is also the Marvel Studios' first television to carry an MA rating. Part of Phase Five of the MCU, while also serving as the first series under the "Marvel Spotlight" banner.
Following the events of Hawkeye (2021) in New York City, Maya Lopez is being pursued by Wilson Fisk's organization, leading her to return to her hometown in Oklahoma.
We get some origin story background, from a character previously introduced in one of many Marvel series. To be honest like Ms. Marvel (despite the MA rating) this felt a bit teeny bopper. Also with very little new ground covered, this was very same-same.
Marvel is in murky waters now. Failing box office performance at the cinema, lack of interest in TV series. Will this be one of the final Marvel shows to land on Disney+? Will this make them rethink the masterplan of years to come loaded with bloated Marvel content?
Was the postponed streaming of the miniseries a sign of little faith in the series? Was the binge drop also another, get it out, get it over with, drop it in the middle of the depths of the USA winter, Australian summer to just get it out there?
Time will tell. Also will Loki get a third season? It's been a good minute since season two concluded?
Is Echo worth a watch? Maybe pop it on in the background if you got nothing else on the watchlist.
Will Paramount+ renew Wolf Pack for a second season? Anyone who watched it when it commenced this time last year would be wondering.
I for one however just stumbled upon this teen wolf wannabe.
The Paramount+ series is based on the 2004 book of the same name written by Edo van Belkom.
With a fresh faced cast, featuring Chloe Rose Robertson, Bella Shepard, Armani Jackson, and Tyler Lawrence Gray, they join scream queen, Sarah Michelle Gellar alongside Rodrigo Santoro, it's a good looking cast, thats for sure!
The opening episode, has a terrific first ten minutes or so. As a deadly fire ravages California and drives a supernatural creature to attack. A few people are killed and many more are injured, including animals.
Teenagers Blake Navarro and Everett Lang are bitten. Everett is sent to the hospital to be treated for his injury and discovers that his bite injury has healed mysteriously. While at the hospital, he receives a phone call from an unknown caller telling him to leave the hospital immediately as the creature that bit him will come looking for him.
He runs away from the hospital just as Kristin Ramsey, a detective comes looking for him. Blake's bite injury is also healed mysteriously and she struggles to take care of her autistic brother as her parents are going through a difficult split.
She sees a vision of Everett in the hospital as does Everett. The two are inexplicably drawn to each other. Meanwhile, Harlan and Luna are two teenage werewolves who know what is behind the mysterious happenings and are looking for their adoptive father.
After Blake and Everett are chased by a huge werewolf animal, they run into Harlan and Luna.
Episodes two and three aren't as exciting as the first, however the series really starts to pick up the pace from episodes four and five.
There are so many abs, hot gay erotic moments, Wolf Pack did hook me in on the superficial side of Hollywood, however the story was a little same-same from recent supe series.
Paramount+ have cancelled a number of series of late, Fatal Attraction, Rabbit Hole and Why Women Kill, so will this series join the list of cancelled shows? Time will tell as post strike it appears the streaming services appear to be watching their balance sheets a little more closely.
Big finals over the next week or two. Reacher season two, Echo on Disney+ and The Curse, also on Paramount+. Well it is one of the final Showtime series, which means it is also likely to get the old axe. See you for those finales soon.
I have to be honest, I never saw the the OG film Australia.
The 2008 Aussie adventure/drama is the only film by Baz Luhrmann, I have yet to see. After working on the stage version of Strictly Ballroom the musical, I felt it was my responsibility to see the TV version of this film. Since I do have an active Disney+ subscription and all.
Like the film, Faraway Downs stars leads Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
The drama is set between 1939 and 1942 with the backdrop of events across northern Australia at the time, such as the bombing of Darwin during World War II.
The film was originally released in cinemas late November 2008.
Back in 2008, the film grossed $211 million worldwide. Around 15 years after the films release, late November last year, Faraway Downs, an extended version of the film presented in the form of a six-episode mini-series, debuted on Disney+/Hulu in the USA.
The serialized version of the film featuring additional unused footage from the original production.
Faraway Downs debuted back in late October 2023 at the SXSW Sydney Festival. Which was actually a huge success in and around my parts of town.
There is so much happening across the six episodes, I cannot imagine how the (almost) three hour film got through, the Stolen Generation, First Nations relations, life on the Outback, WWII, romance and life in the NT in war times.
All the Australian actors look so much younger. Hugh Jackman still mostly ripped, with David Wenham as Neil Fletcher the series villain.
Some things never change with Bryan Brown starring in a smaller role alongside Jack Thompson and Barry Otto. Brandon Walters as Nullah is terrific.
Ben Mendelsohn as Captain Dutton looks particularly youthful.
So if you (like me) never saw Australia at the cinema or streaming or back in the old days of DVD, maybe Faraway Downs is for you.
I am happy I have watched it, whilst loving the new tune, The Way, performed by Budjerah and Matt Corby. Beautiful piece of music. The new soundtrack features a wide range of music from Aussie legends including King Stingray, Jessica Mauboy, Miiesha and more.
So if you are like me, on Disney+ maybe give this a summer viewing. The Australian Open isn't on yet, the cricket is boring AF, network TV is in full holiday mode, so what are you waiting for?
What have I been doing all summer break? Swimming, so was Night Swim the best film to see at the end of my (now over) holidays?
Well it also had been poorly reviewed prior to me sitting down to watch this Jason Blum and James Wan produced supernatural horror film.
Yes there are supernatural elements, however it's more just based around a suburban family pool. A film should always worry me (like Cat Person) when it's based on a short film of the same name by McGuire and Rod Blackhurst.
Starring no one major other than, Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon. This is probably one of Jason Blum and James Wan least scary efforts. I feel like Blumhouse Productions were everywhere, now it's A24 or bust.
So spoilers, however there are some jump scares. But mostly a tame viewing.
Probably not the best time of the year to release a horror film when a lot of folks around this fine brown land are spending time around the family or neighbourhood pool.
Paper Dolls follows NCIS: Sydney on Paramount+ telling more Australian stories this summer. Also staying in Sydney, Paper Dolls feels a lot like the story of Popstars season one winners, Bardot.
Based on an original concept created by Belinda Chapple, created and written by Ainslie Clouston (Amazing Grace), with writers David Hannam (Darby and Joan), Marieke Hardy (Heartbreak High), Jenna Purcell, Sara Khan (Heartbreak High) and Thomas Wilson-White (Heartbreak High).
Viewers find themselves, at the cusp of the new millennium, five aspiring singers are thrust into the spotlight in pursuit of pop-stardom and fame.
Paper Dolls is an eight-episode drama which may eventually air on Network 10, however for now, the finale streamed Sunday on Paramount+. Airing deep into the holidays season, with loads of promo around town, this might have paid off for the relatively new streaming platform.
We follow the meteoric rise and fall of fictional manufactured girl-group: Harlow. They are never far from the watchful eye of the cameras, fans and critics, Harlow is born out of music reality television show Pop Rush, redefining pop culture in the process.
However, the five young women must navigate the dark side of a glamorous industry determined to commodify them. Featuring mostly newcomers, Emalia (Australian Gangster), Naomi Sequeira (Evermoor Chronicles), Miah Madden (Redfern Now), Courtney Clarke (Last King of The Cross) and Courtney Monsma (Frozen The Musical) as the five members of Harlow.
They are joined by Blue Heelers veteran Ditch Davey, manager Emma Booth and Bump star paying a character a lot like 90's Recovery host Dylan Lewis, Carlos Sanson Jr.
Maybe not the best Aussie series of the summer, but it was original while also being an interest look into the world of what happens behind the reality TV curtains. Who is pulling all the strings, whilst who is being exploited the most.
We all know now reality TV is definitely not creating popstars like Triple J Unearthed who have given us Grinspoon, Missy Higgins, The Kid LAROI, The Rubens, Flume, Gang of Youths, Ballpark Music and a guy by the name of Vance Joy.
Paper Dolls is now streaming all emotional, dramatic AF episodes now on Paramount+, alongside The Curse, NCIS Sydney, Halo and more!
Stan has delivered this summer, giving us two days into the new year, The Tourist.
The drama thriller returns (this time to Ireland) starring Jamie Dornan and Danielle Macdonald as Probationary Constable Helen Chambers.
This season we learn Elliot Stanley/Eugene Cassidy's past as we head to Ireland.
The second season comes after an entire year off, so the last time we saw original episodes stream on Stan was 1 January, 2022.
With a decent recap at the top of episode one, we kick into gear in the second season, with loads of bad guys after Dornan yet again. You have to wonder whether a third season is possible? Particularly now we have left the OG idea of an Irish tourist in the Australian outback.
It had a bit of Romeo and Juliet running through the themes of the two Irish crime families. No spoilers here as this literally only landed a minute ago.
However great to see more Australian content on streaming platforms. Stan does excel in bringing us local stories, even though they may be shot in overseas locations.
This hasn't been my favourite of all my Sizzlin' Summer Streaming, however the bar has been set high recently. The excellent second season of Dr Death, Totally Completely Fine, Strife and more.
However there is something about Jamie Dornan. Or maybe I just get too many naughty flashbacks from 50 Shades. The Tourist, season two streams now on Stan.
Wreck (originally titled Wrecked) has been on my ABC iView watchlist for some time.
This British comedy/horror series, stars Oscar Kennedy as Jamie, a young man who takes a job on board a cruise ship in order to investigate the disappearance of his sister.
Originally airing on BBC Three back in October 2022.
Wreck was received favourably by the LGBTQ+ press with Attitude, Gay Times and The Queer Review featuring the series on their lists of Top LGBT TV Shows of 2022.
The show has been renewed for a second series, the same month the first season aired. It must be delayed, as originally it was set for a 2023 broadcast.
So there are spoilers about the season one finale below. Read at your OWN risk!
In Water off a Duck's Back, the season's sixth and final episode. We kick off the episode as usual with a flashback. Pippa texts a mystery person telling them they have enough proof about what is happening on the ship.
Back to the present, Henry reveals that Sam murdered Pippa because she got too close to exposing the operation and then killed Danny out of fear that Pippa had told him what was going on. Henry then murders Sam in front of them for failing.
Beaker almost kills Olly to force Jamie to tell him who else they've been working with, but they are saved by Cormac and Rosie. Lily tells Henry that she wants to kill Vivian that night. Jamie reveals the truth to the rest of the crew who, when backed up by Sophia, convinces them to fight back.
Olly recruits the mafia, who team up with the crew to take down Beaker and the officers while Jamie goes to rescue Vivian. Karen tries to get Henry to evacuate her from the ship, but he refuses. Lily begins hunting Vivian as Jamie, helped by Karen, races to save her.
Lily is killed by her own chainsaw when she is distracted by Jamie bursting through the door. Henry reveals that the Sacramentum is not the only Velorum ship with this kind of operation.
The Whales, angered by what has happened, pick up weapons to kill Jamie and Vivian, but are stopped by the arrival of the crew and are subsequently arrested by the Police. Karen flees the ship in the duck costume.
Cormac and Rosie resume their relationship and Olly tells Jamie that he owes him a date. Jamie and Vivian resolve to take down Velorum, the company that owns the Sacramentum. Watching the boat from afar, Pippa is revealed to still be alive.
Yes it's a wild ride. No it's not a straight up slasher, teen horror series that I thought it was from the trailer. It was a little like Hostel on a cruise ship. It's class warfare on a large life and death scale.
Look I will watch season two (when it ever airs) to see if Pippa and Jamie are reunited.
It definitely is not the series I thought it would be. However I did enjoy the romance between Olly and Jamie, that was a sweet surprise. So as we head into part II of the Australian summer, the Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' series is now in full swing.
With finales to air in January like, Found, Paper Dolls, The Curse, Reacher and The Tourist's second season based in Ireland.
Finestkind is another direct to Paramount+ film. Let's just say cinema and films struggled in 2023, I am hoping for a lot more in 2024. This however was a late 2023 viewing for me. It does however star, queen of screen (big and small) of present Jenna Ortega. Who may return for Wednesday, but not the next instalment of Scream.
Finestkind is a crime thriller family drama starring alongside Ortega, Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Ismael Cruz Córdova & screen legend, Tommy Lee Jones.
So whats it about you ask? Should I invest the 2 hour running time?
Look in the old days this would be a straight to DVD or video release. It looks fairly cheaply made, with a fairly average cast. Excluding IT girl, Jenna Ortega.
Based in New Bedford, Massachusetts, this family fishing drama, come crime film doesn't really every reach the highest of heights.
Real life drama has also followed the film, with a cinematographer allegedly they were never paid $25,000 he was under contract for.
Look I had this on in the background whilst I did a summer clean, so I can't say I completely wasted my time.
But Paramount+ need to do a little better with their next original films. 1.5 Stars.
Dr. Death is back. After the first season arrived on my birthday back on 2021, we have waited around 18 months for the second series. Focusing on Paolo Macchiarini.
I will never forget the first series as (it was my birthday) I also had my first COVID vaccine. My fever went sky high. I got halfway through an episode then boom!
So Peacock finally have a series in its second season that has a bit of hype behind it. After a few flops, maybe the streamer finally has a show to brag about. That said Twisted Metal no doubt will also get a bit of hype upon it's return when the second season lands.
So what is Dr Death season two all about? It is the story of Swiss-Italian surgeon and medical researcher Paolo Macchiarini convicted after experimenting on his patients.
Édgar RamÃrez plays Paolo Macchiarini, while former Candy singer, Mandy Moore (This is Us) plays Benita Alexander.
Also joining the second seasons new cast, Rita Volk, Luke Kirby, Judy Reyes (Claws and Devious Maids), Jack Davenport, Annika Boras, and Sandra Andreis.
RamÃrez is exceptional as the evil doctor. Not only does he play Mandy Moore's Benita for a love fool, what he does to his patients is pure evil.
This was way more frightening than the OG first run.
I would really not be surprised if a third version of the Dr Death series would be in the works. This was also a winner back home in Australia for Stan. Not only did Stand have the fourth run of Bump to keep them going over the holidays, this landed before Christmas. Now Stan has the second season of The Tourist travelling to Ireland, along with Prosper incoming this month.
Either way, well done Stan. A great summer of programming thus far. Dr Death season two is very good!
How did I miss this little gem too? Totally Completely Fine landed on Stan around Easter/April holidays.
Its a (very) dark comedy series from Stan/USA group SundanceNow.
Starring Kiwi Thomasin McKenzie as Vivian Cunningham, the lead in this serious at times, but funny Sydney 6 part series. Not sure if a second season is on the cards, but if it was, I'd watch it for sure.
Vivian, a twenty-something who inherits her grandfather's home which is a popular suicide jumping spot. Her neighbour is super cute, Devon Terrell (who plays Dane, a psychologist who offers his professional help to Vivian). He is also a virgin.
Vivian (McKenzie) learns that her grandad had been talking people out of jumping for years, saving hundreds of lives. After saving the life of runaway bride Amy (Contessa Treffone), Vivian starts to take on the responsibility of helping those who come to the cliff while also adjusting to her new life in "the Crevice".
Vivian's family is also extremely dysfunctional. With two brothers (one gay, one straight), they are left their grandfathers other two less interesting items. Neither of them score some top Sydney real estate. Well a property with some work attached to it.
Vivian has weekly visitors, a sweet paper boy (this is a heartbreaking story BTW) and the brothers family to deal with.
It's a lot.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this series, whilst also smashing it in around 48 hours. I must confess I finished this before 2024, however due to the number of posts I had, it sneaks into the second coming of the Sizzlin' Summer Streaming series. I am thinking at the end of March, early April, combining the two lists for the ultimate summer show. Will see how I go!
Anyone but You is definitely not as bad as I thought it was gonna be! And that my friend is good thing. Starring Euphoria's Sydney Sweeney, this Sydney based film, brings American's to Australia's almost capital city.
Alongside Sweeney, the modern Aussie slang filled rom-com stars Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet, Bryan Brown, and Rachel Griffiths.
Anyone but You was released late December, I saw it just before NYE, however it makes the first Post Strike Cinema 24' post for 2024. And look it wasn't a bad film to kick off 2024 with. Y'all know the last few years between strikes, COVID and lack of new ideas have meant cinema has kind of been average. Or a dying form of entertainment.
In a Tik Tok generation two hour plus films also are resulting in many people just viewing movies at home on streaming services once they land. Not to mention cheaper snacks, bathroom breaks without missing major plot points. This two hour (plus) film duration needs to stop.
Thankfully this film does not over stay its welcome. Despite mixed reviews from critics, I feel alongside Sweeney's fans, this film is actually decent.
If you are in need of some summer lovin', this could be the holiday film for you. It's feel good, with an ongoing "Is that Tasmania" joke the entire film through.
Look it doesn't break any new ground in the genre, however Sydney on the big screen (light rail up George Street and all) looks fairly damn good.
I feel out of Wonka, Aquaman and this little Aussie shot pic, it's the underdog for the holidays. So in that case I am scoring it fairly well with 3 Stars for Sydney Sweeney in Sydney!
Wow that was a lot of TV! Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23' is now over. Set to be replaced by Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 24' - January to March 2024.
OK so technically the reason there are so many titles here is because, I did start this late series later September. Therefore there has been just over three months to binge, watch, smash my catch up TV for 2023.
Also adding to the large list, was the small number of week to week series along with next to ZERO network (USA) shows to catch up on. The writers strike fully impacted the US TV world by late 2023. Great for me to play catch up on titles I missed earlier in 2023 along with series from as far back as 2021.
There was loads of quality to watch this warm, early, heatwave prone summer. Also the random storms/summer rain made it a perfect time to sit in, catch up on my stories.
Last season it was all about Amazon with the local comedy, Deadloch. This season, another local series takes the prize. An early December release on Binge, Strife. Brilliant series. Catch the trailer below.
If you need more series to catch up on, below are my previous RATED's:
