Morning Wars fourth season opens in spring 2024, almost two years after the events of Season 3. With the UBA-NBN merger complete, the newsroom must grapple with newfound responsibility, hidden motives and the elusive nature of truth in a polarised America.
In a world rife with deepfakes, conspiracy theories and corporate cover-ups — who can you trust?
And how can you know what’s actually real? Along with Witherspoon and Aniston, the star-studded ensemble cast includes Billy Crudup, Karen Pittman, Nicole Beharie, Nestor Carbonell, Mark Duplass, Greta Lee, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Aaron Pierre, William Jackson Harper, Boyd Holbrook, and Jon Hamm.
Fans of the show will be happy to know, the series was renewed for a fifth season back in September, ahead of the premiere of the fourth season.
Spoilers below! Warning!
The November 19 finale, Knowing Violation finale was explosive. Here were some highlights of the last hour of season four. Bring on season five I say!
Having begun a sexual relationship with Celine, Cory offers to give the EPA report to the Dumont family if Celine helps negotiate Bradley's release. However, Cory contemplates his decision when Miles reveals that Martha brokered the Wolf River cover-up in exchange for getting Cory a job at UBA.
Ben seeks Mia's help in investigating the person responsible for Alex's deepfake audio, and Mia discovers that Celine orchestrated the deepfake. Alex demands Celine's resignation, but Celine threatens to reveal Alex and Paul's negotiation with Dmitry.
Faced with no choice, Alex announces her resignation live on TMS. Alex seeks advice from Martin, who suggests that she sue Celine for wrongful dismissal. Alex and Martin hold a press conference accusing UBN of corruption and announcing Alex's intentions to sue Celine; Ben defies Celine and runs the story on TMS. Outraged, Celine calls Cory and threatens to keep Bradley in prison unless Alex stops the conference.
However, Cory broadcasts the phone call live during the conference, and it is revealed that Cory has given Alex the EPA report. Celine leaves the country, leaving the UBN board to find a new interim CEO. Bradley is released from prison and has an emotional reunion with Alex.
It was a wild ride of a final episode for the season. To be honest the whole season was wild. So as I said, bring on season five! Maybe that will be the last for the Apple TV long staying power drama!
In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward.
Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Chad Power's, Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort.
But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favourite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
Directed by Edgar Wright & written by Wright and Michael Bacall.
This is the second adaptation of the 1982 novel by Stephen King, following the 1987 film.
Alongside Powell & Brolin, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Sean Hayes & Colman Domingo all star in this action packed reality TV piss take.
With MKR and The Golden Bachie finishing the past week in Australia this is timely AF. Along with Big Brother making a fairly solid return to Network Ten.
The Running Man has received mixed reviews, though many critics considered it to be an improvement over the original 1982 film.
Look I needed a fun, popcorn, action, wham, bam, thank you maam midweek film. This hit the spot. The run time is a little long, the soundtrack could be more bangin', but overall this was solid.
Powell, is a hot star right now. Also that scene with him on the building roof just in a towel! Damn!
Back in October 2023, RFDS was announced that the series would be renewed for a third season, which concluded with a double episode last Wednesday.
Now this show has been a ratings winners for the Seven Network. Drama at 7:30pm Wednesday nights worked.
Who would have thought?
Also with a lead in of popular soap, Home & Away, Seven brought drama TV back to primetime on Wednesdays.
Production commenced last August, with filming starting in South Australia, in Adelaide Studios as well as on location in the Flinders Ranges town of Quorn, the Port Augusta RFDS Base and regional surrounds, which will double for Broken Hill, as the real Broken Hill airport and RFDS base were being upgraded.
The third season finally premiered at the start of October. This followed on from season two wrapping October 2023. So it's generally a long time between drinks for this series.
Seven also left off RFDS at their upfront presentation for 2026. Sadly the only confirmed local drama for 2026, will be Home & Away.
This leaves Seven far behind Channels 9 & 10. Who though their respective streaming platforms Stan and Paramount+ are kicking Seven's ass in the output of local drama.
As Seven don't have a streaming platform (other than the ad heavy 7plus) there drama output is left to the primary and secondary channels.
Anyway aside from the poor station of local dramas on network TV, let's chat season three of RFDS below.
If you haven't watched the finale. you may not know the cliffhanger revolves around Emma Hamilton as Dr. Eliza Harrod, in Stephen Peacocke's as Nurse Pete Emerson arms.
Their on again off again, will they get back together is a key plot line in season three.
Rob Collins as Dr. Wayne Yates continues to shine, although he questions his upcoming wedding too to,Ash Ricardo as Mira Ortez.
While the gay character on the series, Jack Scott as Nurse Matty Harris has a love triangle with a bisexual cop, which Emma Harvie as Chaya Batra has also been shagging. Chaya also has many plot points, including a connection to the early on bus crash at the start of the season.
The bus crash and multiple incidents across the season begun to feel like an Aussie version of 9-1-1.
The third season also starred, Rodney Afif as Graham Morley, Sofia Nolan as Taylor Emerson, Thomas Weatherall as Darren Yates & Justine Clarke as Leonie Smith.
With the series getting from 707K to 849K viewers per episode, surely we will see this back in a few years.
With limited drama on free to air drama, it has to be acknowledged that SBS and ABC punch way above their weight with local content. Only last week delivering Reckless on SBS and Return to Paradise's second season last week.
Speaking of, I should have some reviews on those two series soon. Seeya!
All Her Fault is the best thing to come outta Peacock in a hot minute! Given Poker Face just got the axe (looking for a new home, with a new lead though) and Bel Air will conclude in coming weeks.
This Big Little Lies style, mystery/thriller limited series stars Aussie Sarah Snook. It was also apparently filmed in Melbourne.
Based on the novel by Andrea Mara, all eight episodes landed on Binge, down under the other week. Thus far receiving generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise towards Snook's performance.
And let's just say in Australia, Binge needed a hit!
Alongside Snook, The White Lotus season one star Jake Lacy also stars, with Sophia Lillis, Michael Peña, Dakota Fanning, Abby Elliott, Jay Ellis & Thomas Cocquerel.
A brief tale of what the miniseries is about below the trailer.
When Marissa Irvine (Snook) goes to pick up her young son Milo from his first playdate with a boy at his new school, the woman who answers the door has never seen or heard of either Marissa or her son, it's the beginning every parent's worst nightmare.
As Marissa and her husband Peter begin a desperate search for their son, their family starts to come apart at the seams. With new friend Jenny Kaminski, the only person that Marissa can count on, the two women form a close and unlikely alliance.
Together they hunt for Milo, uncovering deep family secrets that alter the course of both their lives forever. Charged with finding Milo and bringing the kidnappers to justice, Detective Alcaras unravels the complex and frightening web of deception and lies that has ensnared both the Irvine and Kaminski families, but his moral code is stretched to breaking point.
This was honestly addictive AF. It really gave Big Little Lies vibes being set in the windy city, Chicago.
I still need to watch, The Day of the Jackal, while I am excited for the return of Bel Air on Stan later this month.
Until next time, hopefully I'll catch a movie before The Morning Show wraps next week. Also I need to get into the double finale of RFDS this weekend. So much TV, so little time lol
Reasonable Doubt has just concluded its third season. With Power's Joseph Sikora joining as Bill Sterling, new lawyer to Jax's firm.
Emayatzy Corinealdi continues as Jax, a corporate criminal defence lawyer navigating challenging high-profile cases. Along with McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Aderinsola Olabode, and joining season three, Rumer Willis as Wendy.
Last week (ahead of the the finale) the series was renewed for a fourth season.
After a tumultuous season of fighting to save her best friend from a life sentence while healing from her own deadly affair, Jax Stewart has finally earned some peace in her life...even if she sees it all as a little boring.
So, when a former child star finds himself in a heap of trouble, Jax seizes the opportunity to spice up her daily routine. But when her client's personal life turns out to have all the drama and danger of a Hollywood movie and Jax's own professional future comes under threat from a charismatic associate at her firm, can Jax clear her client's name without losing the personal and professional successes she's worked so hard for.
This season was hectic. On many levels. A child star (Kyle Bary as Ozzie), sexual abuse from a female to a younger male, family dramas, season three had it all.
Even a cliffhanger!
With Mariah Carey and Mary J Blige soundtracking the final few moments, the series felt like it was closing out for good. Then we get that one last scene.
Disney+ has given loads of quality dramas lately. Murdaugh: Death in the Family concludes next week after a slow first few episodes, while All's Fair is blowing up online!
I for one cannot wait for season four of Reasonable Doubt. Jax is a legend! The music used is incredible. McKinley Freeman gets hotter by the minute!
Hopefully over the weekend, I'll get through the double RFDS finale. Until then, bye-bye!
Trigger Point is the UK crime series, starring Vicky McClure as a police bomb disposal expert in London.
The third series was released on ITVX on 26 October, I think at a similar time on Stan in Australia. Good news, a fourth series is due to be released next year.
Lana Washington is an ex-military bomb disposal operative (known as an 'Expo') and Afghan War veteran who heads a Metropolitan Police bomb squad, using her skills to counter terrorist threats involving explosives.
Season three kicks off with explosives officer Lana Washington and her team are called to investigate a suspected bomb in a black cab that has been abandoned on waste ground, but they soon realise they're at the site of something far more sinister.
Working alongside their colleagues in counter-terrorism, the team races to find out what the person behind this unique bombing campaign wants, who they are and who they might be targeting next.
The season builds tension across the six episodes. This season was pure fire. Like Slow Horses before it, this was high octane UK action.
In the finale, after the last attack, and with breakthrough evidence, the counter-terrorism police are close to finding the bomber.
Lana faces a reckoning when she uncovers the truth behind the campaign, as the confession she fought for so desperately finally comes.
I am very excited for a fourth season of Trigger Point. Stan has done very well to hold onto this crime thriller.
Next up Reasonable Doubt and RFDS conclude this week.
Predator: Badlands is the sixth live-action film, seventh overall film, and ninth instalment in the Predator franchise.
Set in the future on a deadly remote planet, Badlands follows a young Predator outcast (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) who finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning) as he embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
Thus far the film received positive reviews from critics. What did I think of a sneaky Friday afternoon film?
Look this was a lot of green screen and for the most part, not that much action. The bond between the Predator and Thia was sweet though.
At the end of the Covid years, I enjoyed the straight to Disney+ film, Prey. I never really got into the Arnold Schwarzenegger films back in the 80's. However apparently he maybe making a comeback in a future Predator film.
So my verdict. This was an easy leave your brain at the door, enjoy the popcorn and to be honest, the action scenes at the end of the film were pretty ace.
The Serial Killer's Wife is a British drama based on the book of the same name by Alice Hunter.
Now this was a quick catch TV moment for me, during my Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 series, as this landed on Paramount+ back in December 2023. The tagline for the four part trashy miniseries is, every marriage has its secrets...
When her husband is arrested on suspicion of being a serial killer, Beth Fairchild (Annabel Scholey) is certain it’s all a huge mistake. Tom (Jack Farthing) is the village doctor and a beloved member of the community.
Yet, as she investigates, with the help of Tom's best friend Adam (Luke Treadaway), more evidence emerges that will force Beth to ask herself whether she really knows the person she married, or if she’s just lying to herself to cling onto her idyllic life?
So how trashy is The Serial Killer's Wife? Oh it's trashy!
However the four episodes whizzed by and continued my assault on catching up on UK TV. Next up is Trigger Point's third season which just landed.
This may not be Paramount+'s best title, however I did like some of the twists and turns this soapy thriller offered up. Speaking of Network Ten and Paramount+ announced their 2026 titles yesterday. You can take a look below.
FX’s The Lowdown from Creator Sterlin Harjo and starring Executive Producer Ethan Hawke, follows the gritty exploits of citizen journalist Lee Raybon (Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa truthstorian whose obsession with the truth is always getting him into trouble.
When the publication of Lee’s latest exposé – a deep dive into the powerful Washberg family – is immediately followed by the suspicious suicide of Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson), Lee knows he’s stumbled onto something big.
The Lowdown streams on Disney+ in Australia. Adding to their brilliant run of recent shows. Including the recently added All's Fair getting the most wild reviews!
is an American television series created by Sterlin Harjo for FX. It stars Ethan Hawke and it premiered on September 23, 2025.
The series is loosely inspired by historian Lee Roy Chapman. The eighth episode concluded on Disney+ last night. Warning spoilers below.
A year before his death, Dale met Lee at the bookstore, buying a novel for his collection.
In the present, Marty and Lee escape as the church opens fire, grazing Marty's leg. They break into a feed store to treat him, and an angry Chutto throws a brick through the bookstore window.
Lee supports Francis at her poetry reading before meeting Betty Jo at the Philbrook Museum of Art, but she refuses to take responsibility for Arthur's death.
Lee presents Donald with the truth: conspiring with Betty Jo, Frank instructed Allen to intimidate Dale into agreeing to the land sale; Allen hired the skinheads, who accidentally shot Dale instead, and Betty Jo staged his suicide.
Rejecting The 46, Donald publicly honors his brother's gift of the Washbergs' land to Chutto, who signs it over to the Osage Nation.
Donald is elected governor, and Lee publishes another article in Dale's memory, while Mark and his associates are arrested, and Bonnie guns down Frank to avenge her son. At Samantha's wedding, Francis assures Lee that he is a good man. Elsewhere, Betty Jo gives a tearful barroom performance of "Luckenbach, Texas".
It was a strange little show. Nice to see Ethan Hawke not in another horror outing following the Black Phone 2.
Next week, Reasonable Doubt concludes on Disney+, with 9-1-1: Nashville also taking a break from next Saturday till the new year.
Until next time. Hopefully I get to see a film on my day off tomorrow!
Just as Lily Allen releases an iconic, well loved, reviewed album, her brother Alfie Allen is slaying in Atomic.
This is serious Adventure TV. This British series inspired by the non-fiction book Atomic Bazaar by William Langewiesche.
I'm late to the Binge as this landed on Binge, late August via the UK's Sky Atlantic.
The five-part series is led by Allen, Shazad Latif, & The Handmaid's Tale's Samira Wiley.
Filming took place Morocco in the summer of 2024.
So I have barely been hitting my Binge app on my phone or TV. Sadly since the loss of HBO content, the streamer is kinda lame. However this was kinda incredible.
It was addictive, edge of the seat kind of TV. Just what I like. So what's it all about?
When the path of free-spirited drug smuggler Max (Allen) collides with JJ (Latif), an enigmatic outsider on the run, an unlikely friendship is formed. They’re swept into a chaotic, high-stakes mission they never signed up for— trafficking highly enriched uranium across North Africa and the Middle East, with the CIA, MI6, and a global web of opposing forces closing in fast
Leading the charge for the CIA is highly skilled scientist and a Non-Official Cover (NOC) officer Cassie Elliott (Wiley).
Convinced Max and JJ are in league with violent extremists, her relentless pursuit puts them all on a collision course revealing that nothing is what it seems, and everyone has an ulterior motive. The pair find themselves on a wild road trip , confronting covert operatives, an internationally funded cartel, and ultimately their own pasts.
What starts as a bid for survival slowly becomes something more: a reluctant partnership, a shot at redemption, and one hell of a ride.
So across the five episodes, it's action packed, full of twists and turns, then an explosive ending. No spoiler alerts here.
Although if like me you are looking at your Binge app like a long lost stranger. Reconnect with this series. Maybe they still have good stuff on there, just buried.
Ghosts now has an Aussie version on Network 10 & Paramount+ from the original British series of the same name. The USA have made a version for CBS (also streaming on Paramount+) so it would be rude for Paramount+ not to create a local version.
They are collecting subscription fees off Aussies after all. Thanks Jacqui Lambie too, for forcing the government of the day to get back on track for creating quotas for local content to be created, right here, right now. Australian stories from Netflix, Apple TV, Paramount+, Prime and more. Now get to it streamers.
The Australian version debuted two episodes on Network Ten on Sunday. All episodes, however landed on Paramount+ Sunday. Kinda like what ABC and iView do.
So what's Ghosts all about?
When city couple Kate and Sean inherit Ramshead Manor, a rundown country estate, they see it as a sign for a fresh new start. However, after Kate suffers from a near-death experience, she begins to see that the mansion is occupied by ghosts and now must navigate the issues of the ghosts while trying to maintain her normal life with Sean who unfortunately cannot see or hear the ghosts himself.
Last year, an Australian adaptation was first announced for Network 10 and Paramount+ during the network's annual upfronts event. This Thursday ahead of Big Brother returning to Channel Ten, the network (hopefully along with Paramount content) will announce their 2026 schedule.
It'll be too soon for Ghosts for Ghosts to get a second run, but I have my figures crossed for news on whether we will ever get a third season of Last King of the Cross and what drama will replace Neighbours now its actually finishing for good. This time, for good!
Eight episodes were announced to be filmed in Perth, and the ghost characters included publican and Irish Great Famine survivor Eileen, naval officer Gideon, early 20th century socialite Miranda, 1980s aerobics instructor Lindy, Chinese-born Australian Gold Rush miner Joon, and 1990s motorbike gang-member "Satan".
The living characters are played by Tamala Shelton and Rowan Witt. The ghosts are played by Rhonda, I mean Mandy McElhinney, Brent Hill, Ines English, Michelle Brasier, the handsome pant less George Zhao & Jackson Tozer.
So after not watching the UK series or the American version, is the Aussie one worth diving into? Check out my thoughts below the trailer.
Look I am not going to lie. I watched all episodes in around 24 hours. This was a super easy, short, sharp watch.
It was a little too PG and family friendly for me. However I did enjoy it. Tamala Shelton is the highlight living human. Her mum Leah Purcell pops by for an episode. Likely she had to run off to film High Country's surprise second season over on Binge.
George Zhao was the other highlight from the gold rush. A random Ned Kelly storyline with Michelle Brasier was her least interesting storyline, after some funny Aerobics OzStyle diet, life tips throughout the eight episodes.
This was decent. It's also nice to see ABC not doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to local comedies. I feel the closing moments, leave this wide open for a second run. Bring it on I say! Maybe add some new ghosts too. Some of the existing ones can go get sucked off. Watch the show to figure out what sucked off means!
Alright well there have been two seasons of terrific Friday Flash(back)'s this year. Concluding last Friday with Florence + the Machine's Halloween friendly album title, Everybody Scream.
You can view more of the year that was 2025 on my Music Update V6.0.
My other blog will continue to feature great records until the year is out, plus announce the Album of the Year. In the running so far. PinkPantheress, Addison Rae and Ninajirachi. It's an all lady affair!
Whilst it was fun concluding Florence + the Machine's Everybody Scream, there were some other fine Friday Flash(back)'s in October.
Watching You is the latest Aussie series on Stan. Unlike previous originals the six part series screened week-to-week, with new episodes landing Friday mornings.
Watching You is adapted from J.P Pomare's novel The Last Guests.
Stan Aisha Dee stars as the lead, following her recent appearance in entertaining Stan film, One More Shot.
Alongside Dee, Josh Helman, Chai Hansen, Laura Gordon, Olivia Vásquez, Luke Cook, Sara Wiseman, Mark Paguio, Willow Speers & Benjamin Wang, all star.
Across the six episodes, viewers follow thrill-seeking paramedic Lina (Dee) and the fallout of a single decision which threatens to upend her life. Though happily engaged to Cain (Hansen), a chance encounter with mysterious stranger Dan (Helman) triggers Lina’s desire and culminates in a passionate one-night stand in a WeStay property.
In the aftermath, Lina discovers that the affair has been captured by a hidden camera and is blackmailed with the footage. Amid mounting threats and paranoia, she sets out to unmask an insidious voyeur, only to realise that the threat is closer and more dangerous than she could have imagined.
Now it sounds a bit trashy. It is a bit trashy. But overall it was a bit of fun. Also fun fact the WeStay property where the series was filmed, is actually right across the road from Sydney Uni!
I didn't love this as much as previous Stan series, however Stan is doing it's best to showcase Australian stories.
With a Bump film and He Had it Coming landing this month. Stan are celebrating a decent number of Australian stories on their streaming service.
Next week, the finale of The Lowdown and maybe a movie.
Slow Horses the brilliant British spy thriller television series based on the Slough House series of novels by Mick Herron, created by Will Smith.
The incredible Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), with his cast of misfits. Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jonathan Pryce, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung & Aimee-Ffion Edwards.
This quick-witted spy drama follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents, & their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb, as they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.
The fifth series, based on the novel London Rules, concluded mid this past week. For me, it was one of the best thus far. So I was excited at the end of the episode to see a sneak peak at season six. Yes, Slow Horses has been renewed for a sixth and seventh series, based on the novels Joe Country and Slough House (series 6) and Bad Actors (series 7).
Ready for some tea on episode six of the brilliant (in my opinion) season five. Read on below the trailer.
Episode six begins with Tara holding the Libyan embassy hostage and demands to Taverner that the terrorists are paid £100 million in lost oil revenues and given safe passage out of the UK.
If the government do not comply with the demands in 1 hour, the terrorists will commence the last step of destabilisation by attacking a place of worship. Due to it being a Sunday, there are too many busy religious targets across London, so Taverner decides to pay the ransom. The money is wired to an offshore account managed by Peter Judd, who had been renting it out to the terrorists for months.
Tara is abandoned by Farouk and the other terrorists, who still intend to commence the attack despite receiving the ransom, although one of them flees.
Standish and Lamb’s interference prevents the Dogs from causing a scene at the embassy, and Tara is recaptured.
Coe identifies that Jaffrey’s Abbotsfield memorial service at a multi-faith centre is the most likely target.
River, Coe and Shirley rush to the memorial and hastily evacuate the crowd. Hearing that Jaffrey is still inside, Farouk and another terrorist decide to attack him instead of the crowd. Shirley kills he other terrorist, but Farouk holds Jaffrey at gunpoint. River and Shirley’s arguing distracts Farouk, giving Coe enough time to discreetly stab him to death.
After a conversation with David, River realises that one Libyan was not accounted for, meaning another attack is imminent, so he rushes to protect Whelan.
The remaining terrorist chases Whelan with a gun, seeking revenge for his role in Libya’s collapse, but River arrives in time to kill the terrorist.
Although Whelan considers River for promotion, he plans to blame the attacks on Slough House and shut it down, following a scheme by Judd.
Lamb responds by playing Gimball’s tape, blackmailing Whelan into keeping Slough House intact, accepting full blame for the payment add resigning immediately. Whelan complies and Taverner takes over First Desk; she agrees to release Ho but objects to promoting River to Regent’s Park.
As Lamb relaxes, he takes off a sock to reveal a severely scarred foot, indicating that he was the torture victim from his earlier anecdote.
Season five was fire. Well done Apple TV. Bring on season six and seven. This could be one of Apple TV's most reliable series. Streaming consistently since 2022, the series is a popular title on the tech giants platform.
Palm Royale returns soon to Apple TV, whilst the brilliant Loot and drama filled The Morning Show are still streaming on Wednesday's.
Good Fortune is sort of a mix of supernatural, comedy, while looking at the gig economy and its negative impact on gig economy workers.
Written a& directed by Aziz Ansari in his feature directorial debut. Alongside Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh & Keanu Reeves all star.
Good Fortune, follows an angel named Gabriel (Reeves), whose failed attempt to show Arj (Ansari), a struggling man, that money does not solve one's problems—by body swapping him with his wealthy employer Jeff (Rogen)—results in Gabriel losing his wings, while the work he did as an angel begins to unravel around them.
Good Fortune had its premiere last month at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film received positive reviews from critics. What about me?
So I am mega anti food delivery and the slave like conditions the drivers operate under. This film does well to shine the spotlight on the gig economy and its negative impact on society as a whole.
Making it a little less comedy and a little more drama. I didn't laugh out loud a lot. And I have loved Rogan's recent work on Platonic and The Studio. Both on Apple TV.
Some of the jokes about the state of economy and eating the rich just missed the mark.
I did however enjoy the 1.5 hour comedy/drama/angel film. I did appreciate the film stuck to a solid runtime and didn't out stay its welcome.
Also refreshing seeing Keanu Reeves in something slightly different.
Didn't really give me the Thursday belly laughs I was after, however it was fun and shined the spotlight on dodgy operators like Uber, Menulog and Hungry Panda. 3 Stars.
Multi Logie Award winner back in 2024, the three time Logie award winning reboot of Mother and Son returns with more misadventures as mischievous Maggie continues to derail the life of her neurotic son Arthur, who’s still stuck at home and struggling to grow up.
Mother and Son on ABC & ABC iView is sitcom reboot of the series of the same name, starring Denise Scott & former Triple J host Matt Okine as Maggie and Arthur, respectively.
Last August, it was confirmed that the series would be renewed for a second series which began airing last month, with all episodes appearing on iView.
New to the party (like Austin recently) I decided to just smash both series back-to-back. I don't think the first time around I hear about the first season in 2023, I was 100% sold. Now I'm a big fan! Even hoping a third season will be announced at ABC's 2026 presentation next month.
As Arthur flounders through freelance journalism, dating apps, and spicy snacks, Maggie sets out to make her 70s unforgettable, whether it’s joining a rogue knitting group or chaining herself to a fig tree.
Meanwhile, their scheming sister Robbie has big plans for Maggie’s nest egg and the family home.
Filming for the series began in Sydney in March 2023. Unlike the original series which filmed on a sound stage with a multi-camera setup with an audience, the series is filmed as a single-camera setup.
The series starts off, following a breakup from his long-suffering girlfriend, Arthur puts his future on hold to move back home with his widowed mother, Maggie. Arthur and his older sister, Robbie, attempt to care for Maggie, who may recently have almost burnt down the kitchen, but still runs circles around her children.
The series is warm, joyful and sweet. I even laughed out loud multiple times. Both seasons had their fine moments, while seeing Sydney on the big screen is always nice.
I would highly recommend this if you want a laugh and something light to have on. It's a joy to watch.
Well done Denise Scott, Matt Okine, all writers and all involved. Fingers crossed the ABC has a solid 2026 line up to announce next month. Cause 2025 has been a cracker. Optics, The Family Next Door, Austin, Mystery Road: Origin and Return to Paradise's second season incoming!
Chad Powers is an American version (well, set in the US) of Ted Lasso from Hulu/Disney+.
Powers was created by Glen Powell and Michael Waldron, starring Powell in the titular role.
The sis episode first season (not yet renewed at the time of this post. Side note, Only Murders in the Building has just been renewed) follows Russ Holiday after he disgraces himself on the field while serving as a star quarterback at a major college program.
After ruining his reputation, Holiday undergoes a physical transformation, with the help of prosthetics and a wig, to disguise his identity in order to join the floundering football team at a small school under the name of Chad Powers.
Alongside Powell, Steve Zahn, Toby Huss, Perry Mattfeld, Clayne Crawford, Wynn Everett, Frankie A. Rodriguez, Colton Ryan, Keese Wilson, Xavier Mills & Quentin Plair all star in this first season comedy.
Disney+/Hulu is really firing on all cylinders right now. With Reasonable Doubt, High Potential (going on break tonight, returning early January) and Only Murders in the Building, currently streaming. With All's Fair by Ryan Murphy and a stellar cast incoming, along with returning seasons of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Tell Me Lies, Paradise and Deli Boys.
Chad Powers though is fun, light hearted and at times laugh out loud funny! Spoilers below the trailer from the cliffhanger episode six!
While Coach Hudson suffers a heart attack, Chad realises he must drive him to the hospital in his Cybertruck.
Ricky, upon seeing the vehicle, realises that Chad is really Russ Holiday. At practice, Ricky removes Chad's armband, revealing an arm tattoo that Russ is known to have. Chad leaves practice and tells Danny that he's been caught and is leaving the team. Danny convinces Chad to drive to Atlanta, where his dad his working on a movie.
After finding his dad in Atlanta, Russ's father is impressed by his hard work to pull off the disguise and encourages him to show up for the game against top-ranked Georgia. Ricky goes to the hospital to visit Hudson, who remains excited that they are contenders for the National Championship because of Chad.
Russ, in his Chad persona, shows up to the game and attempts to talk to Ricky. Ricky does not forgive him and threatens to expose Chad unless he quits the team. Russ calls her bluff, stating that revealing him as Chad would ruin her father's career.
Chad shows up for the game, which encourages the team, except for Gerry, who is furious.
The episode concludes with the game yet to begin.
I feel Hulu will renew this. With a very open ending to its first run, Powell's sex appeal, this is a no brainer.
The world needs more comedy now, meaning the world needs more shows like Ted Lasso. I mean Chad Powers.
The fifth season of Only Murders in the Building, concluded this afternoon.
Steve Martin, Martin Short, & Selena Gomez return as a trio of friends producing true crime podcasts that investigate murder cases in their apartment building, often assisted by their neighbour (Michael Cyril Creighton).
This seasons murder (in the building, or courtyard) is their beloved doorman, Lester, dies under suspicious circumstances, Charles, Oliver, and Mabel refuse to believe it was an accident.
The trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires and old-school mobsters.
The ten episodes flew past this time around. Usually starting a late winter, the later start didn't really matter with a triple episode premiere.
This season Keegan-Michael Key, Christoph Waltz, Renée Zellweger, Logan Lerman, Jermaine Fowler, Beanie Feldstein, Dianne Wiest & Bobby Cannavale also joined the all-star cast.
This season though, it literally ended on a cliffhanger, with no word on a sixth season. With the "building" outta trouble with the sixth season be the final murder? The ending does leave it all wide open!
SPOILERS ALERT dear friends.
Nicky's mother reveals that Sofia recognized that the finger belonged to her lover. Realising that the lover killed Lester, the trio call the billionaires to the casino room on the day of Camila's press conference, before the Arconia gets demolished.
When Mayor Beau Tillman comes down for Camilla, Mabel realizes that it's his finger, as Howard's phone auto-corrects "Beau Tillman" to "beautiful", just as Lester's did.
Beau confesses that the billionaires would invite him to their games to gain permits and favours. On the night of the murder, Nicky knew about the affair and attacked Beau. Lester then attacked Nicky, then took the finger. After learning the security cameras belonged to Bash, Lester grabbed his bird whistle and headed to the fountain, where Beau killed him.
Beau's corrupt cops lock the trio in the secret passage, but while THÉ stalls the conference, the trio break out, and publicly reveals Beau’s confession. Jay confesses to the police that Tillman demanded the finger in exchange for a casino permit, and the billionaires used Bash’s cryogenic chamber to hold Nicky's body for a week before relocating it to the cleaners, making them accessories to the murder, thus saving the Arconia.
Three months later, Howard is dating Vinny, Sofia is vacationing in Italy, and Lorraine is living in the Arconia.
While the trio listens to a new Cinda Canning podcast, Cinda herself arrives just outside the Arconia before dying, grabbing the gate so that she’s a "murder in the building".
So who killed Tina Fey AKA Cinda Canning?
This has been one of Hulu's biggest shows. Airing yearly for the last five years. Super consistent, buzz worthy, with huge guest stars. I feel it's almost outta gas, however. I do reckon one more season would be fitting to see the trio off in style.
Tomorrow, Chad Powers has also finished on Hulu. Then Slow Horses wraps and finally Watching You concludes on Stan.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is the latest biographical musical drama film starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen. Allen White is absolutely killing it right now.
From his past long-term role in Shameless, to the huge success of The Bear. He looks like his usual rat boy. However at times he looks like Springsteen.
The film also stars Succession's Jeremy Strong, Paul Walter Hauser, Stephen Graham, & Odessa Young.
Based on the 2023 book Deliver Me from Nowhere by Warren Zanes, as well as some elements from Springsteen's autobiography Born to Run, it chronicles Springsteen's personal and professional struggles during the conception of his 1982 album Nebraska. It was a lot sadder in parts than I imagined. It went back to his childhood, covered his depression, along with the musical geniuses behind his 1982 album.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere might not reach the heights of previous biographical musical films, however I really enjoyed it. It was only just under two hours, with solid pacing.
Over the weekend I was lucky enough to head off to Northeast Party House's farewell tour, where Adam Hyde (AKA Keli Holiday) was also at. He happened to cover a track from "the Boss" too late last week. Good timing brother!
Either way, if you love music like me, then this will be for you. If you have personal struggles, this will be for you. I enjoyed the film.
The second season of Gen V, commenced last month, concluding mid this week.
This is the third series in The Boys franchise, based on The Boys comic book story arc We Gotta Go Now by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Another series Vought Rising is currently filming for Amazon. However, there is no sign of a third season for Gen V yet. It also appears at the end of this season, a possible MAJOR crossover is coming with the parent series.
Which will return for a fifth and final season in due course.
The season stars Jaz Sinclair, Lizze Broadway, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, and Asa Germann returning from the previous season, along with Hamish Linklater.
Following the fourth season of The Boys, Marie Moreau (Sinclair) and the rest of her friends return to Godolkin after months of suffering where a new dean (Linklater) trains Supes to be soldiers.
On the brink of war between humans and Supes, the team discovers a program that could change everything.
Don't want spoilers, don't read on past the trailer.
The final episode, Trojan kicks off in 1967, as Thomas injects himself with "V-1", the version Soldier Boy and Stormfront had, just before being burned in a laboratory fire.
We quickly move to the present, the group tends to an injured Doug, whom Marie cannot heal, as she is too weak.
When I mean quickly, this season finale moves fast. It's also only 45 minutes or so. Or if you like me have the free-ad version, around 50 odd minutes.
Polarity drives Doug to a hospital, talking about Andre's kindness and bravery, when Black Noir II attacks, killing Doug and capturing Polarity.
Marie reconciles with Cate and heals her.
Thomas prepares seminars with the students to eliminate the weak and enhance his powers, hoping to control Marie and eventually Homelander, who he blames for the Supes' decline and weakness to not be overshadowed by others.
When Sage disapproves of his plan, she secretly frees Polarity. Marie arrives at the seminar, while the rest of the group infiltrates inside Black Hole; they subdue Thomas after Harper controls him, and evacuate the students.
Thomas manages to control Marie and, through her, tries to kill them.
Polarity arrives and manages to remove Thomas's control, allowing Marie to kill him.
Afterwards, Polarity tells the group to flee while he stays as a scapegoat. As fugitives, they are recruited by Annie to her resistance against Homelander and Vought, which includes A-Train.
Does this set up season five of The Boys hard? Absolutely, does it leave Gen V fully open for a complete reboot - absolutely. As it feels like the current class of Gen V, have all matured to the adult version of the show.
I must say, Vought Rising does interest me too. Amazon is on a winner with this franchise.
From Brad Ingelsby, who previously gave us Mare of Easttown back in 2021, also on HBO.
So HBO gave him a three year deal, so Task is his latest offering.
Another crime/drama miniseries, where no doubt people will request a second season.
Mark Ruffalo gives a brilliant performance, alongside Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Raúl Castillo, Jamie McShane, Sam Keeley, Fabien Frankel, Alison Oliver, Silvia Dionicio, & Martha Plimpton.
Similar to his previous HBO series, Task is only 7 episodes long. But what is this about you ask? It's not your usual Hollywood glossy look at America. It's bleak, slow to start, but packs a punch.
Philadelphia-based FBI agent Tom Brandis is put in charge of a task force investigating a string of violent robberies against stash houses run by outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Spoiler alert for the seventh and final episode ahead. This did stream Monday on HBO Max (the latest and hopefully LAST streaming service to launch down under) which will launch It – Welcome to Derry next week.
Tom and Aleah look for evidence to prove Grasso is the source of the leak in the task force, Grasso struggles to deal with his feelings of guilt, Perry is under pressure to turn on Jayson, and Jayson tries desperately to find the money, unaware that the Dark Hearts are hunting him.
So how does it all go down?
Well it is full on, following a huge, action packed episode six.
I really enjoyed this series after a slow start. Like episode one was real slow. The build was real, but the episode was long and at times super drawn out. I did end up smashing episodes 2-7 back-to-back not week to week.
In, A Still Small Voice, Tom tells Aleah that Grasso was accused of leaking information to the Dark Hearts several years ago.
He says he believes Grasso was the source of the leak to the Dark Hearts about their current investigation as well, but that their options are limited because they have no real evidence. She persuades Tom that the two of them should go to Wissahickon Park to look for such evidence. When they visit the park the next morning, they find the stolen car Cliff was driving when the Dark Hearts attacked him. In the car they find the phone he was using at the time. They ask Kathleen to get them Ray Lyman's phone so that they can prove it was used by Grasso to direct Cliff to that location. Kathleen obliges.
They discover that a different phone has been substituted in evidence for Ray's phone, and that this different phone made calls from Grasso's neighborhood.
Meanwhile, Eryn's body is found in the lake where she was drowned by Perry. A chain with Perry's initials is clutched in her hand.
Grasso visits his sister Frankie. He tells her that "some things are going to come out" about him because he has been involved in wrongdoing that got a young woman killed. To her dismay, he admits that this wrongdoing is the source of the money he has provided to help their family, including her, in recent years. He says he can no longer live with his actions and plans to turn himself in.
Vincent meets with Chief Dorsey. He tells Dorsey that due to the killing of an FBI task force member in the shootout, they must "cut ties" with anyone involved in the task force's investigation. Dorsey agrees and indicates he plans to kill Grasso and make it look like suicide.
Perry, hiding with Jayson at an isolated house owned by Donna's late mother, calls Vincent to find out "where I stand." Vincent tells him that he must kill Jayson by the next morning if he is not to face retribution from the Dark Hearts. Perry arms himself with a knife for the purpose, but cannot bring himself to kill his protege.
Vincent visits Donna. She discloses that she overheard Breaker talking with Jayson about going to see Maeve, who is Billy's daughter and Robbie's niece. Pressed by Vincent, Donna tells him where Perry and Jayson are hiding, and Vincent sends his henchmen to deal with them.
Breaker calls Jayson to reveal that Eryn's body has been found, along with evidence that Perry killed her. Perry, swimming nearby, sees Vincent's people approaching and tries to warn Jayson, but Jayson stabs him to death and then flees.
Chief Dorsey goes to Grasso's house to carry out his plan, but Grasso surprises him and holds him at gunpoint. As they talk, Vincent appears and shoots both Dorsey and Grasso, killing Dorsey and wounding Grasso. Grasso returns fire, killing Vincent. Dorsey told Grasso that the Dark Hearts would seek out Maeve. Grasso drives off to intervene, unaware that Kathleen is monitoring his phone and has alerted Tom.
Grasso arrives at Maeve's house, bleeding badly from his wound but able to warn her to leave immediately with the children. She is intercepted by Jayson and Breaker, who force her to reveal where she has hidden the money. Tom and Aleah arrive and enter the house looking for Maeve. Aleah is attacked by Breaker but after a prolonged struggle manages to shoot him. Jayson tries to escape with the money by using Maeve to shield himself from Tom and Aleah. The wounded Grasso has hidden in Jayson's car; he surprises Jayson and shoots him dead, saving Maeve.
Grasso is taken to the hospital to recover. Kathleen is told by her boss in no uncertain terms to close the case.
Tom visits Grasso, who asks whether Tom, the former priest, will give him "a penance" for what he has done. Tom replies that he has never given anyone a penance because he believes people punish themselves enough for their sins. Tom decides not to tell anyone about the bag of money he found when Jayson was killed. Weeks later, Maeve takes Harper and Wyatt and they leave town to start a new life.
At home, Tom makes peace with Emily, promising he will always keep her safe. Tom, Emily and Sara attend Ethan's sentencing hearing, where Tom has decided to make a "family impact statement." He states that despite the many challenges of dealing with Ethan's mental illness and despite Ethan's actions that caused his wife's death, he forgives and loves him and will welcome him back to their home when his sentence is over. Ethan listens silently, tears running down his face.
Some time later, Tom is informed that a foster family has taken an interest in Sam. Father Daniel urges him to think about whether it would be best for Sam to remain with the Brandis family, given the problems they may have to deal with in the future. Tom decides that it is best for Sam to have a new family. After Sam leaves, Tom repaints Ethan's room, where Sam has been staying, making it ready for the time when Ethan will come home.
What a ride. This could be one of HBO's best series of 2025. I look forward to seeing It – Welcome to Derry's first episode next Monday at a special screening. I may even do a special post for that.
I loved the recent It films, so I am excited for their final one hour series of 2025.
Until next time. At least it's not 40 degrees today. I clearly knew bad weather was coming early with my new series title, Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, is the fifth spin-off and overall sixth television series in The Walking Dead franchise, sharing continuity with the other series and set after the conclusion of the original The Walking Dead television series.
Norman Reedus reprises his role as Daryl Dixon the lead of this spin-off, alongside Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier from the OG The Walking Dead series.
Peletier returned for season two, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, then again in the third season. This season featured one additional episode from the previous two seasons. Taking the episode count up to seven.
Back in July, the series was renewed for a fourth & final season. Which most likely will stream on Stan in 2026. Filming for the fourth season commenced last month.
Spoiler alerts below for the seventh and final episode of season three below the trailer. Here's what went down on Solaz del Mar (Spanish for "Solace of the Sea")
Traveling the Camino de Santiago, Codron finds Laurent's Rubik's Cube.
Carol sneaks into Solaz where Fede is torturing Antonio for information. Carol, Rodo and Daniel rescue Antonio, but the other two men are killed while Carol and Antonio hide with the help of sympathetic residents before being betrayed and turned over to Fede along with a captured Roberto.
Daryl and Paz infiltrate El Alcázar as workers for the Matching ceremony. Daryl unleashes a horde on the people and sets the palace on fire, killing most of the nobles, including the king and queen of Spain.
Daryl rescues Justina and the other girls while Paz and Elena kill Guillermo. With El Alcázar having fallen, Paz decides to move with Elena, her son and the other girls to the refugee community.
Daryl and Justina return to discover their friends in danger. Justina exposes Fede's crimes, causing the townspeople to turn on and imprison their leader. Daryl opens up to Carol about his past and Daryl's constant need to be on the move which he fears will linger when they get home.
The night before Daryl, Carol, Antonio, Roberto and Justina are to set sail, a vengeful Fede escapes and attacks, resulting in the destruction of the boat which is witnessed from a distance by Codron. Daryl's group is once again left without a way home.
So is the final season still set in Spain? Will Daryl and Carol get back to the USA in the series finale? Time will tell. Up next, I need to catch up on Task, with Gen V also wrapping its second run, mid week.
The Rainmaker was one of those shows I had on in the background after playing catch up to this week-to-week legal drama on Stan.
Does the show name sound familiar? Getting Matt Damon vibes? Well that could be because, its based on John Grisham's 1995 novel of the same name. It was of course also a film.
Starring Milo Callaghan, John Slattery, Lana Parrilla. The ten episode first season follows a hotshot young lawyer is fired from his prestigious white-collar firm and signs on with a small-time ambulance chaser and her less-than-honest paralegal who work out of a converted former restaurant.
He soon finds himself facing off against his former employer in court when he takes on a wrongful death suit involving an African American man who died while undergoing hospital care.
In the US, this streams on the USA network which ceased airing dramas for a bit. Like the TNT network, it's starting to build up its drama catalogue again.
That said has this show earned any buzz or interest to warrant a second run? I think not.
The finale was blah after a fairly safe first season.
The characters weren't all that likeable, while legal drama on Disney+ (also currently streaming week-to-week) Reasonable Doubt does a lot better. Also has a banging soundtrack and interesting, flawed characters.
This felt lazy programming, trading on the Matt Damon/Claire Danes films success in the late 90's.
So if you have a lazy Sunday or need something to stream whilst you spring clean, maybe chuck this on in the background. It won't change your life, but the lead is sorta cute.
Black Phone 2 returns four years ago, 13-year-old Finn killed his abductor and escaped, becoming the sole survivor of The Grabber. But true evil transcends death … and the phone is ringing again.
Fresh from his Disney+ role in The Lowdown, four-time Academy Award® nominee Ethan Hawke returns to the most sinister role of his career as The Grabber seeks vengeance on Finn (Mason Thames) from beyond the grave by menacing Finn’s younger sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw).
As Finn, now 17, struggles with life after his captivity, the headstrong 15-year-old Gwen begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake.
Determined to solve the mystery and end the torment for both her and her brother, Gwen persuades Finn to visit the camp during a winter storm. There, she uncovers a shattering intersection between The Grabber and her own family’s history. Together, she and Finn must confront a killer who has grown more powerful in death and more significant to them than either could imagine.
Alongside Hawke, Oscar® nominee Demián Bichir (The Nun, A Better Life) as the supervisor of the camp, Arianna Rivas (A Working Man) as his niece, Miguel Mora (The Black Phone) as the brother of one of The Grabber’s victims, and Jeremy Davies, returning as Finn and Gwen’s father, Terrence. Other new cast members include Maev Beaty (Beau is Afraid) & Graham Abbey (Under the Banner of Heaven).
The sequel has thus far received positive reviews from critics. It also gave serious Stranger Things 80's vibes!
I forgot the OG film landed back in 2021. That was peak Coivd shit. Now my grandma has Covid, for the first time!
When I left the cinema from the OG film, I never thought I'd be seeing a sequel. That said, this is done fairly well for a horror sequel. Cause let's be honest, sometimes horror sequels just don't work!
I enjoyed this after a long ass week. So sorry for the lack of posts this week. Next week and the following there will be a few finale posts. The Walking Dead's Daryl Dixon spin-off and HBO's gritty Task conclude tomorrow.
Gen V, The Boys spin-off also wraps on Amazon next week.
But for now, Black Phone 2 rates a solid, 3 scary stars. Peak Halloween season is here!
Animal Control was on my Binge watchlist for a fairly long time. The FOX original network, workplace comedy is currently awaiting the release of its fourth season.
Back in May, the series was renewed for a fourth season. Scheduled to stream/air in 2026. Fox kind of has cut a large chunk of its original series. So what's the series all about? A group of animal control workers in Seattle begin to see their lives complicated by humans and not so much by animals.
After 31 episodes back-to-back, I feel like I know these characters now.
So I wait patiently for the fourth season to land on Binge, along with waiting for FOX to announce its return date in 2026.
I swear to god I used to follow, Krystal Smith (who plays Bettany in season 2/3) on YourTube. She was a hoot, while being a good addition to this ensemble cast, which from time to time includes Ken Jeong as Lee Park, a well-respected dog whisperer.
Also starring across the three seasons, Joel McHale as Frank Shaw, a bitter and cynical Senior Animal Control Officer. He was a cop who was fired from the force after discovering evidence of corruption in his precinct. He is sarcastic and quick-witted, prone to making satirical remarks about his co-workers. Later episodes reveal that much of his behaviour is bravado and he is actually very depressed and self-conscious.
Vella Lovell as Emily Price, the good-natured director at the A.C. Northwest precinct. She can be anxious and often awkward in social situations. She's chipper and spunky and surprisingly competitive, butting heads with Templeton when he makes comments about wanting her job. She also displays a creative side, such as when she dresses up the animals for photoshoots to post on social media.
Michael Rowland as Fred "Shred" Taylor, Frank's partner. An idealistic amateur Animal Control officer and a former professional snowboarder. His idealism causes him to deflect the negativity that his precinct often dishes out.
Ravi V. Patel as Amit Patel, one of the Animal Control officers of Frank's precinct and Victoria's partner. He is pessimistic and frequently overwhelmed by his large family. When he is away from his family he tends to become absorbed in reckless or childish activities.
Grace Palmer as Victoria Sands, a street-smart Animal Control officer from New Zealand and Amit's partner. She has a laid-back personality, frequently indulging in various drugs and casual sex. She and Frank have an ongoing prank war that borders on flirtation.
It is a super simple watch. Not as good as Abbott Elementary (despite it also starring Josh Segarra as Parker) but still easy, relaxing and good to have on after a long ass day!
Sadly it also doesn't get the viewers or the award recognition that Abbott Elementary scores.
In my mind, season four next year may be the last. Not that its bad, just it may have run its course. Also FOX appears broke AF!
The second season of Peacemaker is based on the eponymous character from DC Comics.
While the first season is a spin-off from the DC Extended Universe film The Suicide Squad, the second season is set in the DC Universe (DCU) which is a "soft reboot" of the DCEU.
The season continues the story of jingoistic mercenary Chris Smith / Peacemaker, who finds an alternate dimension where his father and brother are still alive and the family together is a highly regarded superhero team.
The second season is set after the events of the DCU 2025 film Superman.
John Cena stars as the titular character alongside Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Frank Grillo, and Robert Patrick.
The season premiered on the streaming service HBO Max in late August. One of the first exclusive HBO Max series in Australia. It is also one of few Max titles remaining. Alongside the soon to conclude Hacks and the Pitt returning in January. Quick turnaround for that multiple award winning show. Also one of the final series streamed on Binge. Which has now been removed in Australia. Poor Binge!
It has received critical acclaim from critics, who generally found it to be better than the first season and praised Cena's performance as well as the wider cast.
One month earlier, than episode seven, Full Nelson, the eighth and final episode of the season. Chris and Harcourt go out for a night that ends in a kiss that results in Harcourt leaving.
Then, in the present day, Chris is in prison, refusing to see the Kids. Meanwhile, A.R.G.U.S. investigates the doors in the QUC, where multiple A.R.G.U.S. agents are killed.
Adebayo and Adrian bail out Chris, who takes Eagly and runs away, with none of the Kids knowing where he went. A.R.G.U.S manages to find a habitable dimension, which they name Salvation. Flag Sr. pitches the new dimension be used as a prison for metahumans to the government, which is approved.
Bordeaux reveals this to Harcourt before using Bordeaux's A.R.G.U.S. credentials to locate Peacemaker. The two then quit their jobs at A.R.G.U.S. together. The Kids head to the motel where Chris is staying and they tell him he is loved and appreciated. Harcourt tells Chris that the night on the boat was meaningful to her as well and the two begin dating.
One week later, they all start a new agency, Checkmate, alongside Bordeaux, Fleury, and Judomaster. However, Chris is kidnapped and trapped in Salvation by Flag.
So will HBO Max greenlit a third run of Peacemaker? Or is this where it ends? Time will tell, however as the year ends, no doubt any news will land soon.
Today Amazon pulled the plug on recent action series, Countdown and Butterfly. Both weren't bad. Butterfly was stronger, but had zero marketing support.
New Australian film, Beast of War opened last night. Following The Reef (the sequel, The Reef: Stalked) and recently Dangerous Animals, Australia has a history of shark, horror films. We from time to time venture off to crocodile films. Like Rogue and Black Water.
But back to Beast of War. Part horror film, part Aussie war film.
When their boat is sunk while crossing the Timor Sea during World War II, a young troop of Australian soldiers must find a way to survive the harsh seas on a quickly shrinking life raft.
Hundreds of miles from anywhere, they must confront interpersonal conflicts, enemy attacks, and the advances of one very large, very hungry great white shark.
Mystery Road: Origins lead Mark Coles Smith stars, alongside Joel Nankervis, Sam Delich, Lee Tiger Halley, Sam Parsonson, Maximillian Johnson, Tristan McKinnon, & Aswan Reid.
Mark Coles Smith is again amazing. His character is also the guiding light throughout the close to 90 minute run time.
He is calm, strong and knows about sharks. We see flashbacks into his past, which give him the edge over the other soldiers.
Apparently a true story too. This was a full on, edge of your seat ride.
I enjoyed this a lot more than Him and some other films of late. As school holidays wrap, hopefully there will be some solid films leading into the summer slack period.
OK, I was excited to see, Him, however this turned out to be one big disappointment.
Damn 2025 is turning out to be a little average for cinema. Packed in October with horror films as we head into Halloween. If you have been to a Coles or Bunnings, you know Halloween is incoming!
Directed by Justin Tipping, & produced by Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions. The film stars Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, & Tim Heidecker.
Him, follows the trials of a young up-and-coming football player (Withers) training at the isolated compound of an aging, nearly retired quarterback (Wayans).
Him has thus far, received generally negative reviews from critics and has grossed $25.2 million worldwide.
Honestly Jordan Peele's Nope wasn't real good either. However this was just random AF. Now don't get me wrong, I'm digging US football in Disney+'s cute comedy, Chad Powers, but this doesn't hit right.
Its overly violent towards the end, it lacks direction and the film at points just feels like one big music video.
I hate when I go into the cinema expecting (while also wanting) something good. Instead you live feeling violated.
I am hoping to get off to a movie tomorrow. So hopefully I can report back with a higher star rating.
1.5 Stars for now for Him. Sorry team, this just wasn't it. It gave American Horror Story, but like the FX series, never really reached a worthwhile conclusion after a promising start.
Stan original series, The Assassin by Harry and Jack Williams, starring Keeley Hawes & Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel and The Good Doctor - USA).
The six episode easy binge revolves around a retired assassin Julie (Hawes) and her estranged son Edward (Highmore) are forced to flee an idyllic Greek island when Julie’s dangerous past catches up with her.
With questions around Edward’s paternity and Julie’s past life as a hit woman, the pair go on the run across Europe, working together in a fight for survival.
The series landed late July on Stan, which is random as worldwide it was an Amazon title. Also there is very little "Australian" about the English series largely based in Greece. That said Neighbours legend, Alan Dale stars (with his OG Aussie accent) while his children are played by sex god, Devon Terrell and Shalom Brune-Franklin.
So it's been streaming for a while but warning, the finale is broken down below the trailer. Welcome to the new Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 series!
Edward awakes in Spain, where Marie explains his real name is Florent, his true parentage and how Julie took him as a baby after killing his father and putting her in a coma.
Julie breaks into Marie’s compound, with Luka doing overwatch. Ezra becomes acting CEO after Aaron dies from prescription overdose, which is implied he may have orchestrated. He offers company resources to locate Edward if Kayla keeps “Chantaines” a secret.
Kayla agrees, and later arrives in Spain with armed mercenaries to assist Luka, and they raid the compound. Luka confronts but spares Afonso, Marie’s henchman who massacred his village. Edward flees and finds Julie in the basement. She explains she never wanted children, and was even glad to have a miscarriage when pregnant, but couldn’t leave him alone as a baby believing both his parents were dead.
Marie tells Edward he was born from a surrogate and isn't biologically hers. She poisons him, telling Julie she has spent 29 years planning revenge against her. Marie demands Edward execute Julie in exchange for the atropine antidote.
Full of guilt, Julie gives Edward her gun and tells him to do it to save himself, but he kills Marie instead. Edward survives after being airlifted to hospital in the Cross family helicopter. Ezra burns his mothers suicide note.
Three months later, Julie is in a relationship with Luka, and joints Kayla and Edward visit Edward’s biological mother.
So this was a so simple watch! The show is addictive, easy to watch (even with some added eye candy from Devon Terrell) and beautifully shot.
This was a great show for Stan to be connected to. Hopefully the upcoming Channel Nine (Stan included) upfront presentation this month, will include some exciting Stan titles for 2026!
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox concluded this Wednesday gone on Disney+. It's been a busy period on Disney.
With Reasonable Doubt back, Only Murders in the Building back for a fifth season and High Potential representing the US network series. All Rise from Ryan Murphy will also land soon.
This true crime biographical drama miniseries created by K.J. Steinberg, is based on the true story of Amanda Knox and her wrongful conviction in the murder of Meredith Kercher.
Starring Grace Van Patten as Knox, as well as Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters), Francesco Acquaroli, Giuseppe De Domenico, John Hoogenakker, & Roberta Mattei.
Across eight-episodes, the series landed on Hulu late August, following the eponymous American college student, who arrives in Italy for her study abroad only to be wrongfully imprisoned for murder weeks later.
The series traces Amanda’s relentless fight to prove her innocence and reclaim her freedom, and examines why authorities and the world stood so firmly in judgment.
I never really followed this case super closely, however I found this a fairly easy watch.
It was a train watch for me to focus on the English subtitles with episodes one - six being very heavily in Italian.
Fun fact: Monica Lewinsky is an executive producer for this series.
This doesn't fit with my other Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 posts that focus largely on comedy thus far. However this coming week Peacemaker concludes next week. I have no idea what HBO Max will stream next. Outside of their parent company HBO's Task. HBO Max is looking a little light on content right now.
Bring on the final season of Hacks though next year!
OK for now, True Crime has taken over my favourite new podcast too. Killer Kotent. Take a listen here. Later team!
So yesterday I was a little underwhelmed by the second run of the English Teacher, today however Platonic's second season. WOW!
Apple TV+ continues to follow the platonic pair of former best friends approaching midlife (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) who reconnect after a long rift. The duo’s friendship becomes all consuming—and destabilises their lives in a hilarious way.
Hunky Luke Macfarlane also stars, along with Tre Hale, Carla Gallo, and Andrew Lopez.
The season kicks off where season one left off back in 2023. So sad we had all 2024 without Rogen and Byrne.
Lucky Rogen also slayed in fellow Apple TV+ series, The Studio. So much so it dominated at the recent Emmys.
Sylvia and her family drive down to San Diego for Will's engagement party. Soon after she arrives, Jenna asks Sylvia to convince Will to participate in a song for their party. Will admits to Sylvia that he has developed a crush on another woman, which Sylvia attempts to convince Will is just him getting nervous before the engagement party.
During the party, Will and Sylvia leave to get more champagne, but Will makes an additional stop at a sandwich shop, and Sylvia learns that he is attracted to the cashier. They return to the party, and Will participates in the family song. Jenna confronts Will and Sylvia, and is suspicious as to why they were gone for most of the party.
Season two really turned it up a notch. I really enjoyed this week-to-week Wednesday comedy. I am so happy Loot will return for its run, to keep the midweek comedy going.
Rogen and Byrne and simple perfect together. Fingers crossed Apple give this a third go. The reviews have been glowing, so hopefully people are watching.
Apple TV+ continue to deliver, with The Morning Show returning strong, Loot incoming, Palm Royale will hopefully improve with that stellar cast and of course Slow Horses is just delightful! Well done all.
FX’s English Teacher starring Brian Jordan Alvarez as Evan Marquez is back!
A high school teacher in Austin, Texas who often finds himself at the intersection of the personal, professional and political aspects of working at a high school.
Evan wants to be a principled person but often runs into trouble because of it.
Look I loved season one so much. This is not to say I didn't love season two, just it didn't feel as fresh as the first run of eight episodes.
It also dropped as a binge of all ten episodes this year. I vaguely remember watching this one, week to week last year/season.
Now maybe it's cause Chad Powers (also on FX and Disney+ here in Australia) felt a little more fresh and a little warmer, like a US version of Ted Lasso. But the second run of English Teacher just didn't feel that original.
The students do really steal some of the scenes. Unfortunately Stephanie Koenig as Gwen Sanders, just didn't have the same impact as season one.
Whilst, Enrico Colantoni as Grant Moretti, Sean Patton as Markie Hillridge, and new regular, Carmen Christopher as Rick Santana all felt a little forced at times to deliver adult humour.
A third season is yet to be announced and in this TV climate, it's very cut throat. Add in the gay themes in a very different USA now. Who knows whether we will get a third run at Morrison-Hensley High School.
That all said, it does have some funny lines, it is definitely a lot better than some other comedies out there. However season one set the bar super high. Like sky high!
Also I was watching the second run of Platonic at the same time. That is coming up tomorrow, and spoiler alert, that was funny as fuck!
Winter was WET, cold and LONG! To be honest it was way cooler than last year. I have to say I am super surprised, a local Amazon titled ended up being the top dog of the last three months. Its also from the Top End!
The number two series was a fun, camp, little Starz drama that ended up being a HUGE hit for Netflix, earning The Hunting Wives, a second season. WTF. This show was held for months. Then with little marketing turned into a hit on Netflix, locally on Stan. Let's pray season two also lands on the last Aussie streamer, Stan.
With Stan/Channel Nine hosting their upfront presentation in a few weeks, we will finally find out if we get more Scrublands, Black Snow or UK co-production, Ten Pound Poms.
What about other Aussie content over winter? Well good news is RFDS started yesterday, Mother & Son is currently airing a second season, Watching You lands on Stan tomorrow & we are still awaiting a release date for the NT based second season of Deadloch.
So after running around all day on October 1, here is my belated RATED - Winter Warmer Watchlist. 45 series rated, from 1 all the way down to 24!
But before that big reveal, go waste your time with my previous quarterly RATED's! Finale posts incoming for my next series, Platonic, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Know & The English Teacher's second season. Wow, so that's a lot of TV posts this long weekend! SHIT!
1. Top End Bub - Season One (AU) 2. The Hunting Wives - Season One/Renewed for Season Two 3. Dexter: Resurrection - Season One 4. The Family Next Door - Miniseries (AU) 5. Butterfly - Season One 6. Such Brave Girls - Season Two 7. You - Season Five/Series Final 8. Adolescence - Season One 9. The Girlfriend - Miniseries 10. The Waterfront - Season One/Series Final 11. Say Nothing - Miniseries 12. Austin - Seasons One - Two (AU/UK) 13. The Chi - Season Seven 14. Mystery Road: Origins - Season Two (AU) 15. Dating Naked UK - Season Two 16. The Paper - Season One 17. 9-1-1: Lone Star - Season Five/Series Finale 18. Smoke - Miniseries 19. Countdown - Season One 20. Twisted Metal - Season Two 21. Too Much - Season One 22. Motorheads - Season One/Series Final 23. The Twelve - Season Three (AU) 24. Untamed - Season One 25. Poker Face - Season Two 26. Nine Perfect Strangers - Season Two 27. Moni - Miniseries (AU) 28. Duster - Season One/Series Final 29. Murderbot - Season One 30. Revival - Season One 31. The Last Anniversary - Miniseries (AU) 32. Alien: Earth - Season One 33. Playing Gracie Darling - Miniseries (AU) 34. Gangs of London - Season Three 35. The Couple Next Door - Season Two 36. Ironheart - Season One 37. Mix Tape - Miniseries (AU/Ireland) 38. Goosebumps - Seasons One - Two/Series Final 39. Warm Props - Miniseries (AU) 40. The Bear - Season Four 41. BMF - Season Four 42. Upload - Season Four/Series Final 43. Mayfair Witches - Season Two 44. And Just Like That... - Season Three/Series Final 45. Hal & Harper - Season One
Too Much is the return of Lena Dunham, this time on Netflix, not HBO.
The romantic comedy series created by Dunham & Luis Felber, starring Hacks queen, Megan Stalter & The White Lotus hunk, Will Sharpe.
This one landed on Netflix back in July. It is also my last catch up/post for the Winter Warmer Watchlist series.
So is Too Much, well too much? After a traumatic break-up, thirty-something New York City commercial producer Jessica accepts a work transfer to London.
Jessica, a fan of British period films and romances, is taken aback by her council flat accommodation and loneliness. After forcing herself to visit a pub alone, Jessica witnesses musician Felix performing.
Felix and she eventually connect and he returns home with her; a romance slowly blooms between the two. Felix and Jessica must bridge cross-cultural relationship divides, their respective relationship histories, and own family dynamics in order to hopefully sustain a healthy relationship.
So it is a lot. However it was an easy watch with Sharpe very easy on the eye in his native UK.
OK it streamed a little while back, but watch out for spoilers. I am still awaiting news on a second run. It kinda didn't give miniseries vibes, so we will see if Netflix want to invest in another run for Dunham.
In the finale, while preparing to move out of Jessica's flat, Felix realises Astrid is having a medical emergency and rushes her to a veterinary hospital, where she dies.
Devastated, Jessica angrily confronts Felix about their breakup, which devolves into Felix slapping himself and calling her a bitch. Jessica calls Jameson, who offers to help her re-establish her career in the United States.
Jameson and Nora rekindle their marriage. Wendy arranges to meet with Jessica, where she reveals her relationship with Zev has deteriorated due to his toxic behaviours, and the two bond.
Inspired, Jessica asks Gaz to drive her to see Felix, and the two confess to each other that they share the toxic habit of sabotaging emotionally intense relationships. Finally accepting even the broken parts of each other, Jessica and Felix get married.
It would be interesting to see a Jessica and Felix married in a second run. However Netflix didn't really promote this all that much. We know what that means historically for Netflix series. Speaking of Netflix. I am house sitting for a bit. Netflix catch up, here I come!
