Album of Week - grentperez - {Backflips in a Restaurant}

 

Summer Streamin' 25 - Reacher - Season Three

In the recent third season of Reacher, this is based the novel from the series, Persuader. Where Reacher hurtles into the dark heart of a vast criminal enterprise when trying to rescue an undercover DEA informant whose time is running out. 

There, he finds a world of secrecy and violence and confronts some unfinished business from his own past.

Reacher has streamed weekly on Amazon Prime Video for the past few weeks. Based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child, it stars Alan Ritchson as Reacher.

Who is a self-proclaimed hobo and former U.S. Army military police officer with formidable strength, intellect, and abilities. During his travels, Reacher crosses paths with dangerous criminals and battles them.

Ahead of the third season premiere, the series was renewed for a fourth season. While, a spinoff series, Neagley, is currently in production. Aimed to stream in 2026. No news when Reacher's fourth season will stream.

However from all accounts this is a popular title streaming on Prime. One of few services you can continue to stream without issues when travelling. Disney+ sometimes gives you titles Australia cannot access yet, while Apple TV+ and Prime are mostly similar. That is what I have noticed anyhoo.

Now to that BIG finale. Titled, Unfinished Business, read below for spoilers and that's a wrap on my Summer Streamin' 25 blog series. SPOILER ALERT! Below the trailer.

Quinn's henchmen ambush the ATF team and eliminate them all, but Reacher, Duffy and Villanueva eliminate the henchmen and save Zachary, while sparing one of Quinn's drivers to sneak back into Zachary's home. 

Reacher fights Paulie until he gets Paulie to kill himself after rigging the LMG at the front gate. 

Duffy saves Teresa from the buyers, while Villanueva finds Richard. Reacher eliminates Quinn's henchmen in the house one by one, leading Quinn to kill the buyers, take their money and take Richard hostage. 

Quinn is confronted by Zachary holding him at gunpoint with the toy gun, which falls apart, leading Quinn to fatally shoot Zachary before escaping without the money or Richard. 

Quinn is confronted outside the house by Russian mafia debt collectors. Reacher and Neagley offer them the buyers' money in exchange for Quinn and they accept. 

Reacher reminds Quinn about Kohl before executing him. In the aftermath, Reacher says farewell to Neagley and Duffy, Richard takes his father's leftover cash before disappearing, Duffy returns Teresa to her grandmother before resigning from the DEA, she and Villanueva pay their respects to Eliot's parents, Villanueva reunites with his wife, and Reacher rides off on a motorcycle from Zachary's garage.

The main event in the finale was that Racher/Paulie biff. It was a HUGE ongoing fight scene, that went for a large chunk of the episode. It has been hugely popular online with it becoming its own WWE moment.

For me this was pure escapism. Prime seems to love its macho male action series like this, Jack Ryan and The Boys. With The Boys and Upload wrapping soon and Citadel in production hell, Amazon will most likely stick to Reacher (and potential spin-offs) for sometime.

I do look forward to seeing Neagley's first season land next year.

For now that is Summer Streamin' 25 all wrapped up. I also caught up with Fallout but will save that for my next TV blog series. Man that was a wild ride!

See you soon!

Film Influencer 2025 - Flow (Latvian: Straume)

Flow could very well be my favourite animated adventure film of all time!

Directed by Gints Zilbalodis, written and produced by Zilbalodis and Matīss Kaža. The Latvian, French, and Belgian co-production, features no dialogue and follows a cat trying to survive along with other animals in a seemingly post-apocalyptic world as the water level dramatically rises.

As the world seems to be coming to an end, teeming with the vestiges of a human presence. Cat is a solitary animal, but as his home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences. 

In the lonesome boat sailing through mystical overflowed landscapes, they navigate the challenges and dangers of adapting to this new world.

Know I assumed the cat was a lady, however according to Madman's YouTube post for the trailer, the cat is a he!

Production of Flow started in 2019, and lasted five-and-a-half years with the animation done using the free and open-source software Blender. 

Jacques Tati and Future Boy Conan served as inspirations for the film. No storyboards were used for the production and there are no deleted scenes.

Flow premiered last May, at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, and was released in Latvian theaters last August. 

The sweetest, most wholesome film has received critical acclaim and broke several Latvian box-office records, becoming the most-viewed film in Latvian theaters in history. 

At the 97th Academy Awards, Flow won Best Animated Feature and also nominated for Best International Feature Film as Latvia's submission, becoming the first film from Latvia to win and receive a nomination at the Academy Awards, and also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film; both statuettes were later put on display at the Latvian National Museum of Art.

This was an exceptional 84 minutes in the cinema. I honestly highly recommend this if you can find it these school holidays.

Avoid the drama of the woke decline of Disney's live action red hot messes and see a real, beautiful and unique film.

Flow is outstanding, so beautiful, so sweet, so refreshing. AMAZING

4.5 Stars

Friday Flash(back) - The Cat Empire - Bird in Paradise

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Album of Week - OLD MERVS - {Old Mervs}

Summer Streamin' 25 - Severance - Season Two

Severance has finally returned for season two. Where Mark (Adam Scott) and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe.

The second season reunites its ensemble cast of stars including Emmy Award nominee Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Jen Tullock, Michael Chernus, Dichen Lachman, Emmy Award winner John Turturro, Academy Award winner Christopher Walken and Academy and Emmy Award winner Patricia Arquette, and welcomes new series regular Sarah Bock.

I was late to the blockbuster Apple TV+ series. However by catching up late there was little wait for me to go from season one to season two.

The first season received 14 nominations at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards and Creative Arts Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and acting nominations for Scott, Turturro, Walken, and Arquette; it won for Main Title Design and musical score. 

The second season finally landed mid-January, concluding yesterday. When it was renewed for a third season. So what went down in this mind blowing Apple TV+ original? SPOILERS BELOW the season trailer.

This may very well also be the last in my Summer Streamin' 25 series. Unless I can finish Reacher season three on a bullet train whilst here in Japan, living my best life LOLZ!

Through video recordings, Mark's outie asks his innie to rescue Gemma from the testing floor after he completes the Cold Harbor file; otherwise, Gemma will die. 

Mark's innie storms off after he realizes he is being asked to sacrifice himself and Helly. 

Dylan returns to read a letter from his outie deferring his resignation request to his innie. Mark arrives on the severed floor, completes the Cold Harbor file and receives a celebration from Milchick and a marching band. Helly distracts Milchick and traps him in the bathroom while Mark searches for the hallway to the testing floor. 

In the Cold Harbor room, Gemma is tasked with disassembling the crib Mark built for their baby. She responds without emotion, to the delight of Dr. Mauer and Jame Eagan. 

Drummond summons Lorne to sacrifice a lamb, but discovers Mark attempting to break into the exports hallway. He tries to kill him but is stopped by Lorne. Mark takes Drummond hostage with him in the elevator to the testing floor but accidentally kills him during the transition. 

Mark finds Gemma and they escape to the severed floor. Mark guides Gemma through the exit door but returns to Helly.

In Cold Harbor, the tenth episode and season finale of the second season along with 19th overall episode of the series we finally got some answers, a big cliffhanger, then finally the news the show would return for a third run.

Mark (Adam Scott), Devon (Jen Tullock), Cobel (Patricia Arquette), Gemma (Dichen Lachman), Helena Eagan AKA Helly (Britt Lower), Dylan (Zach Cherry), Mr. Milchick (Tramell Tillman), Dr. Mauer (Robby Benson), Jame Eagan (Michael Siberry), Lorne (Gwendoline Christie) & Mr. Drummond (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) will all return. 

Find out where the series ranks in my Summer Streamin' 25 RATED in a few days time. Can you believe that's almost a wrap for Q1, 2025? WTF!

Oh it's amazing in Japan too right now. Kyoto full day one today. Tokyo and more to come. Might share some photos if they are cute enough.

Sayonara/さよなら

Friday Flash(back) - Lady Gaga - Mayhem

Film Influencer 2025 - September 5

September 5 is a film I have been dying to see. With great reviews and a film I missed due to limited sessions back in Sydney. Lucky in Okinawa, the film releases were a little behind. Allowing me to see this 2024 historical drama thriller film directed, co-produced, and co-written by Tim Fehlbaum. 

September 5 stars Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, & Leonie Benesch, chronicling the Munich massacre of 1972 from the perspective of the ABC Sports crew and their coverage of the events.

Along with great reviews, the film has received several accolades, including nominations for Best Original Screenplay at the 97th Academy Awards and Best Motion Picture – Drama at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.

The tension that builds throughout the entire 90 odd minute run is intense. Mainly being set in the make shift ABC studios at the Munich games.

The pace is fast and furious. The entire cast is excellent, archive footage was specified in the script, setting the tone for onscreen playback in the control room.

Drama ping-pongs back and forth between four principal excellent characters. Peter Sarsgaard as producer Roone Arledge, John Magaro as newbie coordinating producer Geoffrey Mason, Ben Chaplin as Marvin Bader, VP of Olympic Operations, & Leonie Benesch as Marianne Gebhardt, the German assistant who larges assists the men in getting the main elements of the story pieced together.

Not only does she translate police radios and news reports, she is critical in bringing the story back to the USA, via ABC.

It is drama on large scale, with exceptional performances by all.

Ahead of the credits rolling, text reveals that the event was the first time a terrorist attack had been broadcast on live television and was viewed by an audience of approximately 900 million, making it one of the most viewed broadcasts in history. Which in this time we are in, is truly scary.

It's maybe not the best time for this film to be floating around, however it's a damn horrific tale of the world watching on in horror. Kind of like now with everyone watching the war in Gaza on their respective devices.

We have come so far, yet learnt so little.

September 5 was excellent, 4 Stars.

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Hello from Japan! Here are some videos from this weeks local feature album, hi, it's nice to meet me.

Album of Week - MIA WRAY {hi it's nice to meet me}

Film Influencer 2025 - Captain America: Brave New World

Oh dear god. The golden age of Marvel/superhero films is now long gone.

Three or four weeks in I decided to see Captain America: Brave New World, to a near empty cinema. People were more excited to see Anora or just not go to the cinema.

Based on, Sam Wilson / Captain America, it is the fourth instalment in the Captain America film series, a continuation of the television miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).

This is also the 35th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). FUCK!

Starring legend, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America alongside Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford. So the cast is damn fine, like really good, but the movie!

The plot is paper thin, with Wilson investigating a conspiracy involving U.S. president Thaddeus Ross (Ford). Honestly no even the action scenes were that good. It all felt old and done before. I left before the post-credits scene, I'd seen enough by then.

That said, this wasn't as long and drawn out as previous films, it was under two hours!

Captain America: Civil War (2016) ended the Captain America trilogy starring Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, and Wilson becomes the new Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. 

Captain America: Brave New World premiered mid last month, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, while it has currently grossed $371.2 million worldwide, becoming the third-highest-grossing film of 2025. 

The film received negative reviews from critics, who took varying stances on the political commentary, story, characterisation, and visual effects, but praised Ford's performance.

Honestly that negative reaction is fairly similar to my take on the film.

The action scenes were nothing out of the ordinary, Mackie while great should maybe stick to his new found role in Twisted Metal, as this Marvel thing is getting old!

Can't pass this one sorry Marvel, 2 Stars.

Film Influencer 2025 - One of Them Days

One of Them Days stars singing sensation, SZA, along with Keke Palmer & Katt Williams.

It gives Insecure vibes, which is interesting as Issa Rae is listed as one of the producers, in this buddy tragicomedy. One of Them Days follows two friends who must scramble to find rent money after one of their boyfriends blows through it.

One of Them Days has received positive reviews from critics and has grossed $48 million. That is huge when the budget was only $14 million!

SZA & Keke Palmer star as aspiring artist Alyssa & waitress Dreux Jones, live together along with Alyssa's boyfriend Keshawn in a rundown apartment complex under a strict landlord. 

When the first of the month arrives, their landlord demands their rent money of $1,500, stating that they will be evicted unless they pay by 6 PM, even though both Dreux and Alyssa thought it was already paid.

We have dramas, car issues, NIKE shoe sales, a wild blood donation scene with Janelle James from Abbotts Elementary and great music along the ride.

One of Them Days was a super short, fun, fresh ride at the cinema. It was a refreshing watch after superhero and horror films dominate the big screen of late!

If you need a new film to see, give this a shot. Issa Rae can literally do no wrong. Well unless it was the random second season of Rap Sh!t. That said SZA is a total star. Anything se touches, GOLDEN!

3.5 Stars

Summer Streamin' 25 - The Way Home - Season Three

The Way Home, the multi-generational family drama series, has just concluded its third season yesterday lunchtime on Binge.

In the USA the series streams on the Hallmark Channel & Hallmark+. Binge is lucky to retain this title with all things MAX coming soon. As the series was renewed for a fourth season right before the season three finale.

Now to the finale, titled, If You Could Read My Mind. Hello disco tune!

We began the swan song, with a montage of Alice’s trips to 1999 from the first season, mixed with snippets of her visit to 1974, as adult Colton started to become curious about the teenager who’d befriended his daughter. When Alice made a new trip to 1999 in the finale, Colton confronted her at the pond about being the same Alice that he met in 1974. She warned him not to bring up the topic with the Alice that he’ll get to know over the summer of ’99 because time travel is brand new to that earlier version of Alice, so she won’t have the answers that he needs. 

We then travel to Feb. 17, 2000, Colton received an envelope with money from Evelyn to help him in his search for missing Jacob, prompting Colton to go to Lingermore. 

While there, he gazed at the portrait of “My Katherine”, named just like his daughter, Evelyn noted and started to realise the truth of who Katherine/Rose was, and that Jacob fell into the pond and he’d met him in the 1800s.

Meanwhile, in their time, Alice and Kat jumped into the pond with Del, but while Kat and Del ended up witnessing Del and Colton’s wedding in 1975, Alice resurfaced in 2000 and was greeted by Colton, who wrapped her in his sweater.

Colton shared that the pond never worked for him again after 1974, and it didn’t work for the kids either, so he didn’t mention it to Del. When Jacob disappeared, he was miles from it, and his stuffed animal was found in the ocean. Alice reassured Colton that Jacob will come home one day, but Colton realised from her silence that he will not get to see him again.

In an emotionally charged moment, Colton marvelled at the fact that he got to sing with his granddaughter in two eras, and urged Alice to jump back in the pond. Once she did, he took his own dive and ended up at the Landrys’ summer kickoff party, where he told a young Jacob to remember that he loves him no matter what will happen.

As for Alice, she landed back at the night of the dinner party from the Season 3 premiere, and was the one who pushed herself into the pond that evening. When she eventually returned to her time, Alice told Kat and Del that Colton knew everything when he died. 

Del realised that Colton was about to tell her the truth that fateful night, while Kat registered that Colton was on his way to grief group in the hopes of seeing her when he crashed. He knew, and he still loved her, Kat tearfully marvelled. 

But what you really want to know is who is the baby that was left by the pond in the Season 3 opener, right? Well, as the finale came to a close, Elliot read a letter from his mother that Vic mailed to him, along with the Augustine ring.

A line from the letter rang a bell for Elliot: It came from a T.S. Eliot poem that was also inscribed on the clock from inside the house wall, but the wall went up before that poem was ever written. 

Alice realised that she met Elliot’s mom in ’74 in last week’s episode, while Kat and Elliot theorised that his mom’s line “I jump for love” means she leaped into the pond. But she can only do that with a Landry.

Once again, we were presented with a flash of someone leaving a letter in a baby basinet, then a girl and boy jumped into the pond. A mysterious figure picked up the baby and left him at Del and Colton’s door. As the couple discovered the child and letter, Del, cradling baby Katherine.

Then Casey showed up and gave Jacob proof that Susanna left Lingermore to the Landrys, which should get Lewis Goodwin to drop the charges against him. Casey also let slip a tidbit about the threatening letters Del was getting, and after Jacob discovered them, he decided it was best if he disappeared. 

Del relayed the bad news to Sam, who told her, as he stood by the pond, that he just knew it was going to OK. Curious!

Casey also ran into Alice and ruled out that Alice is their mom. But when Alice pressed Casey about being a Landry and a Goodwin, Casey didn’t want to break any more rules.

So we will now have to wait until (possibly) January 2026 to get some more pond time travelling madness.

Yes I said it, the Hallmark, Andie MacDowell as Delilah "Del" Watson Landry lead series is a bit bat shit crazy. MacDowell is supported by Sadie Laflamme-Snow as Alice "Ali" Dhawan, Chyler Leigh as Katherine "Kat" Landry Dhawan & Evan Williams as Elliot "Eli" Augustine.

I sort of get the feeling this series can only go on for so long. Maybe the fourth will be the fourth and final for this pond fantasy series.

That concludes the big week of TV finales we had last week.

With my holiday incoming there will be limited posts for the next lil' bit. I will be back early April, before Easter, however I may share some snaps, insights, or any series I manage to complete whilst in Japan.

Let's be fair, Reacher and Severance will conclude their latest runs, so maybe I will get onto those.

We also have a number of shows hanging in the balance ahead of the US networks present their Upfront presentations in May.

My shows I watch, I am predicting:

CBS:

Swings the axe on THE EQUALIZER, maybe entertains the spin-off for next season. However I think Queen Latifah's series has run out of lives.

NBC:

I am convinced with the NBA coming to NBC, FOUND will also end its run despite, Shanola Hampton being a queen.

ABC:

9-1-1 will 100% be back, with new 9-1-1 location, Nashville landing next TV season. DOCTOR ODYSSEY, could really go either way. Do ABC need Ryan Murphy to be happy or just sub in one Murphy show for the new 9-1-1. Doctor Odyssey has failed to live up to the hype. It also can't be cheap to make.

The CW:

I'm also convinced, new station owners will see ALL AMERICAN as a liability. It's the last remaining original series on the troubled network. Season six ended perfectly. This season with a bunch of randoms has been patchy at best.

FOX:

Last but not least, the other network that was on-sale. But never sold. I feel when THE CLEANING LADY returns to Vegas later this month, it'll be the last 12 episodes we see. Like All American, it felt like it could have ended nicely last season.

Poor RESCUE HI-SURF has also struggled to find it's feet, however I feel with a shorter season next year, this might live to see another day. The network has limited series now the other 9-1-1 (Lons Star) has called it a day.

Time will tell, however I think the axe is being sharpened as we speak, by the respective networks!

Summer Streamin' 25 - The Chi - Season Six

The Chi has finally had part 2 of the sixth series land in Australia, on Disney+. This second batch of eight episodes landed back on Showtime in May last year.

I have been eager to conclude the solid sixth season for months now. The longest of all The Chi seasons. Consisting of 16 episodes split into two parts. This was largely due to the Hollywood labour strikes. With Part 1 commending August, 2023, and part 2 the following May. Concluding late last June.

So it had been a long wait for me to check in with my favourite Emmett, and his wild ride with multiple kids to multiple baby mommas. Emmett and Kiesha underpinned a lot the final eight (short) episodes. Taking the spotlight off the crime on the Chicago streets, bringing it back to real life family struggles.

Back in May last year, the newly named Paramount+ With Showtime renewed the series for a seventh season. Production warped early October 2024, so here is hoping like previous seasons we will get it June-August like previous seasons.

Warning: This post contains spoilers from Season 6 finale from here on in....

The South Side of Chicago just got a little less populated. With the exit of three cast members, via two deaths and a long-time-coming departure from the city. 

When we saw the credits rolling, two characters — Curtiss Cook‘s Otis “Douda” Perry and Iman Shumpert’s Rob — were dead, and one — Tyla Abercrumbie’s Nina — had said goodbye to friends and family and moved out of town with girlfriend LaPorsha.

Both murders were related. After a season-long battle for power between Douda and Alicia (played by Lynn Whitfield, being promoted to series seven regular this year), the former mayor/crime kingpin was taken out instead by Nuck (Cortez Smith), his former henchman. 

And when Nuck announced to Douda’s staff that he was the new boss in town, Rob refused to fall in line. So Nuck shot him several times as he was walking away, then dumped his body on the steps of his mother’s townhouse for Alicia to find.

The Chi is now Showtime's longest living dramas. The show has survived the new naming of Paramount+ With Showtime, out lived Billions, Shameless and any of the former 30 minute style sitcoms from Showtime.

The Chi has a lot to offer, I just hope for season seven Disney+ delivers it to Aussie viewers in a timely manner.

Summer Streamin' 25 - School Spirits - Season Two

School Spirits is a series I caught up on last winter. It then entered my week-to-week dance card during a super busy US network TV period.

The series returned with three episodes back at the end of January, making it's eight episode run ending quickly, wrapping up yesterday morning.

Streaming on Paramount+, the series like many of recent (Taylor Sheridan) titles Lioness, Landman and Tulsa King awaiting renewal. When on Earth will they renew their recently concluded series.

The second season, opens with Peyton List as Maddie Nears realising Mr. Martin was there when she became a ghost and Janet took over her body, confronting him, making him run away into hiding. 

Meanwhile, Janet; inhabiting Maddie’s body, takes a journey to her family’s now-crumbling farmhouse, starting a trip down memory lane. Simon wrestles with his desire to help Maddie and the possibility he had been hallucinating. 

The ghostly gang finds traces of Janet's captivity in the school's basement. Xavier wakes up, but not in the land of the living.

 

Across the second season, death is just the beginning.While Maddie is still trapped in the afterlife, and time is running out. Now, she must work together with her friends in the spirit and living worlds to find a way back before it’s too late.

In the finale, Mr. Martin revealed that, at an extremely low point in his personal and professional life, he did consider doing something rash, even detaching the hose in the lab to create a gas leak. He changed his mind at the last minute, but it was too late; unbeknownst to him, Janet was testing flint torches, causing an explosion when exposed to the gas.

Back in their shared scar, an exit door appeared to the world beyond. Not only did Janet prevent Mr. Martin from going through it, but she also allowed it to close before she entered herself, saying that she had “unfinished business” to attend to before moving on. 

Catching Mr. Martin in the first place required the spirits to reenter their scars, generating an enormous amount of energy within the walls of the school and triggering a mysterious change.

The next day, all seemed well enough, at least for Maddie, who woke up in her own body at the hospital, where Xavier revealed that he had spoken to her father. But Janet’s mission wasn’t over. 

In the season’s final moment, she confronted Mr. Martin in their scar with more questions. He countered with a question of his own, gesturing to Simon, who had gone back into the school to find Maddie the night before. 

We do get some cliffhangers at the end of the season, with Simon's fate not the only one, that remains uncertain after the Season 2 finale. When we last saw Wally, he was facing an exit door in his own scar, presenting the opportunity for him to finally cross over.

The we have Janet, who chose to stay behind and help her fellow spirits!

Let's see of Paramount+ finally start revealing a large number of their shows fates. However for me this one could go either way. The supernatural teeny booper series does feel a little 2000 and late....

Film Influencer 2025 - Anora

Anora was named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. On Monday, at the 97th Academy Awards, the film won a leading five awards out of its six nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress (Madison), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Director

Anora is considered a comedy-drama film written, directed, produced, and edited by Sean Baker. 

Starring Mikey Madison as Anora Mikheeva, a stripper who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, played by Mark Eydelshteyn. 

Alongside Madison and Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, Darya Ekamasova, & Aleksei Serebryako star.

I am late to Anora, only seeing it last night. The film premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival back in May last year, where it received critical acclaim and won the Palme d'Or. Later it was theatrically released in October. So it isn't a new film by any measure.

OK so I had been warned about the sex. Whilst not super graphic, its constant for the first half of the film.

Also the film is LONG AF! Almost 2.5 hours LONG!

It really needed some strong editing. However the film has grossed $41 million worldwide, against a $6 million budget, making it Baker's highest-grossing film. Also that is damn fine for a film about a Russian oligarch finding. a pretty NY stripper who also speaks Russian.

Anora was wild and fun for the first act.

However the second half of the film really lost its way. Was it also the best film had to offer in 2024? I'm not sure or sold.

My friend also thought it was random AF as did the younger kids around us.

With Oscars hype, this film is an interesting one. Its more like a modern Pretty Woman less Julia Roberts/Richard Gere, with way more sex and drugs. Plus a banging soundtrack!

A wild ride, some NY to Las Vegas party vibes, this is definitely a film for the younger generation.

3 Stars for this modern day Pretty Woman.

Summer Streamin' 25 - Prime Target - Miniseries

Prime Target is a maths (yes 1+1 = 2 maths) thriller miniseries starring The White Lotus and Bridget Jones (the latest one) Leo Woodall as a mathematician.

This was a really low quality Apple TV+, which gave US procedural network TV vibes. It was super basic, but tried to be complex. Whilst being mega fucking dull.

Even a gay(ish) lead storyline was not even to keep any of the 8 episodes interesting. 

Basic plot, and I mean BASIC! A post-graduate mathematics student discovers an effort being made to destroy his work in finding a pattern in prime numbers that would allow him to access every computer in the world.

Leo Woodall is Edward Brooks, a mathematics student at Cambridge University, the lead who works with Quintessa Swindell as Taylah Sanders, an NSA agent remotely spying on various academics.

The weakest link had to be bad girl, Martha Plimpton as Jane Torres. So bad man. Like so bad!

If this wasn't a miniseries and easy to have on in the background, I might even have dumped this. Which is weird cause Apple TV+ originals of late have been great.

Bad Sisters had a solid second series. Not as good as the first, but still solid. Bad Monkey was a bit of fun whilst Severance still airing its second series is one of the weirdest things on TV.

Prime Target just doesn't fit the regular Apple TV+ thang. Maybe give this one a hard pass. Its not great.

Summer Streamin' 25 - Paradise - Season One

Paradise is the latest political thriller on Hulu/Disney+ in Australia.

Created by Dan Fogelman & starring Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, and James Marsden. 

The eight part first season commenced streaming late January, concluding last night.

Receiving generally positive reviews from critics, the series was renewed for a second season ahead of the finale.

Set in a city-sized underground bunker in Colorado three years after a doomsday event, the series follows United States Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) as he seeks to discover the truth behind the killing of the President of the United States(James Marsden).

As Xavier comes under suspicion for President Bradford's death, he searches for answers about what really happened, and is unsure of who he can trust as his questions lead to many shocking revelations.

Paradise is set in a serene, wealthy community inhabited by some of the world's most prominent individuals. But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs and a high stakes investigation unfolds. 

So how does it all end... SPOILER ALERTS!

Twelve years before the present day, a project manager demands that the bunker construction be shut down due to arsenopyrite poisoning of the workers and gets locked out of the site. Disgruntled and aware of the prediction, he infiltrates a press conference in the White House lawn to assassinate the President but fails, shooting Collins instead. 

In the present day, Collins, Robinson and their team surrender and return the weapons. Driscoll assures Redmond that Presley will stay quiet, but is denied the Wii as a reward for her loyalty. Robinson and Dr. Torabi examine the arrival list and confront the diner waitstaff Maggie who confesses that she infiltrated with Trent. 

Meanwhile Collins finds notes hidden by Bradford in library books; Trent knocks him unconscious and steals the notes. When Collins awakens, Trent recounts the story how he and the waitstaff stole the identities of the real Trent and his wife Maggie. 

Initially comfortable with life in the bunker, the false Trent's desire to assassinate the President resurfaced upon meeting him; Trent snuck in Bradford's bedroom, then killed him with a construction tool on display.

Trent leaves the library, then commits suicide in front of Robinson and Collins, jumping off the skylight's maintenance station. 

Collins confronts Redmond and demands his daughter back, while Driscoll shoots her non-lethally. Presley and Robinson encourage Collins to find his wife and other survivors using Bradford's notes.

Redmond is in recovery, Driscoll enjoys the Wii, Jeremy gathers supporters, and Collins pilots an aircraft out of the bunker to search for his wife.

With some answers, some questions and a search for Collins wife, season two of Paradise will be a must watch!

Disney+ has done well with content of late. Sadly that came with a price hike. With streaming services running out of ways to generate income, a year CPI price hike seems something we streamers sadly will need to live with.

Tonight, the finale of Prime Target. The big finales week has just started!

Film Influencer 2025 - Spit

Spit is my first Aussie film for 2025! I never saw the OG Gettin' Square, however through brief flashbacks, recaps throughout the film, you get the gist. It was a heist film gone wrong with bad cops.

After 20 years on the run overseas, Spit returns home with a super fun airport scene.

The small-time ex-criminal Johnny Spitieri (Spit) slips back into Australia on a false passport only to find himself locked up in an Immigration Detention Centre with a massive target on his back as old enemies come looking for him, determined to settle old scores. 

As he struggles to stay one step ahead, the resourceful Spit finds new friends in detention, teaching them his version of mateship, and what it means to be truly Australian.

Starring David Wenham as lead Spit, this film has a hell of a lot of heart. Even rounding things off with a dance sequences to one of Australia's biggest bands, Amyl and the Sniffers. There is also a classic Frenzal Rhomb song thrown into the soundtrack. While the chaotic opening scene is set to the legendary Genesis Owusu.

The Genesis Owusu song is also now doing the rounds for KFC. Will it be the next I Love It!

Alongside Wenham, David Field, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, Bob Franklin, Sofya Gollan, Arlo Green, David Roberts, Pallavi Sharda, Gary Sweet and Helen Thomson from Colin from Accounts all star.

This was a solid effort. There are heart warming moments, laugh out loud moments, all with a load of Aussie swearing!

This was a fun night out at the cinema. If only more people would see this as I read Gettin' Square was a flop back in the day. And that had Sam Worthington in the cast!

Spit is as Aussie as you get. While also showing the wonderful diversity this country hosts in 2025.

I enjoyed this a lot. It's getting a random star rating though, 4.25 locally created stars. Yep. Can't quite give it 4.5, but close enough. Excellent. Well done all invovled!

Film Influencer 2025 - Heart Eyes

Heart Eyes is considered a romantic comedy slasher, is that a new Valentine's Day genre? So no longer does Hollywood need to reserve their horror films for  Halloween.

Starring a fun duo, Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding as a pair of coworkers who are mistaken as a couple by a serial killer. Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa (what a comeback he is making, first the Chucky series, now another horror film!), and Jordana Brewster also star.

Heart Eyes landed earlier in February, with the romantic notion that, for the past several years, the Heart Eyes Killer (AKA HEK) has wreaked havoc on Valentine’s Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine’s Day, no couple is safe!

This is the second horror film I have seen this week. It's the second horror film to not take itself too seriously and have fun! The kill scenes are still intense, it almost begs for a sequel with Gooding already a scream king, starring in the Scream series, with a seventh film to come out.

Surprisingly the "Seattle based horror was actually filmed across the ditch, in New Zealand last year.

For a horror film, Rotten Tomatoes, scores the film high at 82%, with the film also grossing $30 million worldwide. That is against a modest $18 million (USD) budget. Not bad. 

This film was decent. It was also, short, sharp and 100% to the point.

Good job all involved. You even managed to make NZ look like Seattle. One of my favourite US cities to visit in my youth.

It's been a quiet TV week this week. However next week will make up with that with finales galore. Tuesday Paradise on Disney+, Wednesday Prime Target on Apple TV+, later in the week it's School Spirits on Paramount+ and the soon to be HBO less The Way Home on Binge.

See you next week for a massive TV week. I am also seeing another Aussie film tomorrow night too. So many films before Japan! Cherry Blossoms here I come!

Summer Streamin' 25 - Apple Cider Vinegar - Miniseries

Apple Cider Vinegar is set for all sorts of Boy Shallows Universe awards in coming months/2026. The Netflix Aussie limited series starring Kaitlyn Dever and Alycia Debnam-Carey as wellness guru Belle Gibson and Milla Blake, respectively, who both use their platforms to promote alternative medicine is excellent.

Gibson fools her following and the world with a fake cancer diagnosis, while Milla convinces her mother to join her in eschewing scientifically prescribed medical treatment. Following the series the famous Channel Nine 60 Minutes interview has again being doing the rounds and documentaries and news stories are flooding in around Gibson.

So who remembers Belle Gibson?

Across the six excellent episodes, the local Netflix production follows Belle Gibson as she commits fraud by pretending to have cancer to promote alternative medicine.

Gibson launches a wellness recipe app and cookbook, but soon her lies are uncovered. Alongside Dever and Debnam-Carey, it's an all-star outstanding local cast.

With Aisha Dee as Chanelle, Milla's friend and Belle's assistant, Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Lucy, cancer patient and fan of Belle, ABC's Mystery Road star, Mark Coles Smith as Justin Guthrie, Lucy's husband with Ashley Zukerman as Clive, Belle's partner.

Smaller roles are covered by Phoenix Raei as Hek, crisis manager, the incredible Susie Porter as Tamara, Milla's mother, Matt Nable as Joe, Milla's dad, an Aussie icon, Catherine McClements as Julie, Belle's book publisher, the unstoppable, Essie Davis as Natalie, Belle's mother, the beautiful Chai Hansen as Arlo, Milla's partner, Five Bedroom's Doris Younane as Dr. Chidiac, Sibylla Budd as Tara Brown, Jeremy Stanford as Dr. Walsh and Kate Lister as Jordan.

The finale is titled Tapeworm. Spoilers below. Read at your risk. However I was late to this series and most people absolutely smashed it!

In 2015, Belle lies in an interview, and Hek uses that to remember a suspicious story she had told about expelling a tapeworm from her nose after drinking apple cider vinegar. 

In 2014, Belle arrives late at Milla's funeral, making a scene that makes everyone uncomfortable. During the funeral, Hunter's mother Fiona calls Belle charging her for the donation, and her excuses lead Fiona to realise the journalists were correct about the fraud claims. 

Belle tries to manipulate Milla's widower Arlo, who kicks her out of his room. Justin publishes a story on Belle's charity frauds. Belle victimises herself online, and while she starts with public support, the tide turns against her once people start questioning her finances. 

Lucy and doctors request proof of Belle's cancer, leading Sean to publish an exposé about her faked disease. Julie takes The Whole Pantry book off the shelves, Belle is expelled after trying to invade Apple's headquarters, and Clive decides that in spite of all that happened he needs to stay with Belle, afraid of what would happen if she tries raising her son alone. 

Desperate, Belle decides to do a fresh start in Beverly Hills and schedules an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, where she has a disastrous, contradictory performance. Justin comforts Fiona, who cannot afford further treatment for Hunter, and decides to fully support Lucy as she goes after traditional cancer treatments.

Okay it's HOT but its apparently Autumn. Hope Nuclear power fixes this Dutton. Or should we saw Monopoly Dutton with 26 properties to his trust, that's right 26!

OK sorry an election is around the corner and God help us if we get the kings and (occasional) queen of Liberal fake news. Like Belle Gibson we live in an alternative facts world now. This series exposures how desperate people, will do and believe almost anything.

In a world of scams, Belle Gibson is the OG local queen of scam!

Brilliant work Netflix. Now produce more local content since you are charging Aussie's more for shit like sub-par Cobra Kai.