Album of the Week - SOUTH SUMMIT - {Run It Back}

NOT another streaming Movie - Power Ballad

Power Ballad is the third film I saw over the last long weekend until October.

Man its long haul until the next long weekend. Anyway the musical/comedy/drama film stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Havana Rose Liu, plus Jack Reynor. 

Power Ballad follows wedding singer Rick who bonds with boy-band member Danny; when Danny uses Rick's song to reignite his own solo career, Rick sets out for the recognition he believes he deserves.

When Rick (Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves - even if it means risking everything he cares about. 

Despite having US leads, the film is set largely in Ireland. At a beautiful property for the wedding meeting between Rudd and Jonas, moving to LA for the later scenes.

Power Ballad is a fun, crazy tale about the story of a songs creation. Also, at ageing. Ageing outta boy bands, ageing out of your dreams and playing cover songs to drunk randoms at weddings.

This is a small idea film. But damn. It is cute.

I really like Paul Rudd. I also really like Nick Jonas. His track Jealous is damn good. The Jonas Brothers not so much.

I saw three very different films over the long weekend. But this was one of my favourites. I think it's over now, however if it is screening somewhere, go check it out!

3 stars. Fun!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Two Years Later - Season One

Two Years Later is the latest Australian romantic drama series. Landing on Paramount+ last week, this was a damn easy watch.

Following Emily and Ryan in a post pandemic world after the world came to a halt, they reconnect after two years in a series of brief encounters and see if they truly love each other.

When their work commute is interrupted by COVID-19, Emily and Ryan reunite two years later after a series of brief flirtatious interactions. Ryan proposes an idea: to go on a series of eight dates to decide if they are truly right for each other.

Phoebe Tonkin is Emily, whilst Brenton Thwaites is Ryan.

It's a small cast show, with Jada Alberts as Nat, Joey Vieira as Antonio, Ron Smyck as Mike, the divine Heather Mitchell as Lorna & Roy Billing as Morgan, Lorna's husband.

The show is intimate, warts and all real romance. I really enjoyed this eight episode first season. It is left open for a second season. However with the current TV climate, who knows if (or when) a second season would get made.

I really enjoyed all eight (short) episodes. The dates across each episode were cute.

I think this could easily be my favourite Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' Aussie series of the last quarter. This was storytelling at its best, with real heart.

Heather Mitchell & Roy Billing's support story was a truly beautiful one.

I can't recommend this Brisbane based series highly enough. Please, beg, borrow or steal a Paramount+ log in and give this a watch. I want a second season!

NOT another streaming Movie - Masters of the Universe

Masters of the Universe, follows Barbie as the next Mattel venture into film. 

It is the second live-action film adaptation after the 1987 film. Thirst trap Nicholas Galitzine is Prince Adam / He-Man, alongside Riverdale's Camila Mendes, Jared Leto, Alison Brie, James Purefoy, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Charlotte Riley, Kristen Wiig, Sherriff Country's Morena Baccarin, & mr can do everything Idris Elba. 

Masters of the Universe, follows Prince Adam as he returns to his home planet, Eternia, to take his destiny as He-Man, and save his home from the evil forces of Skeletor.

Principal photography (most likely, largely in front of a green screen) occurred in London, England, from January to June 2025.

Surprisingly this is an Amazon MGM Studios film, meaning I actually could have watched this for free in a few months.

So was it any good? Scroll below the trailer for my verdict.

Nicholas Galitzine is sex on legs as a blonde. I honestly never really saw him as a total babe before. But now as a bulky blonde in minimal clothes - YASS!

The plot is fairly thin. The ending feels a little rushed, despite it being a fairly long film.

Despite some post credits scenes, a sequel is not yet being discussed or offical, however I think this had legs for a bit of a fantasy, comedy, action nostalgia film series. It's not like Amazon is short on cash.

A lot of the characters were a little lost on me. Particularly the poorly aged named ones like, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as Fisto, & Jon Xue Zhang as Ram-Man.

Fisto had some interesting jokes.

Overall I will pass this. It was fun escapism. 2.5 Stars.

Album of the Week - SKRILLEX - {Soma}

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Deli Boys - Season Two

Turns out inheriting a criminal empire was the easy part… and more money really does mean more problems. 

The second season on Disney+'s Deli Boys, the Dars are drowning in dirty cash and Philly’s sketchiest crooks are circling. 

Enter Max Sugar: casino king, money launderer, and Lucky’s new crush who turns laundering into a chaotic situationship. 

Raj plots revenge on Ahmad, Mir tries to expand DarCo without blowing it up, and Philly D.A. Andrew Chadwater hopes one big bust will make him mayor.

Girls, Andrew Rannells joins as Andrew Chadwater, a district attorney, along with Kumail Nanjiani as Danyal, Max Sugar's attorney. So there is some star power in the shorter six episode second season.

There is currently no word on a third season for our favourite Deli Boys. However the series seems popular with critics and I'd say it's not the most expensive comedy to make.

Hulu has a decent supply of comedies unlike other streamers like Paramount+ and Starz. With Only Murders in the Building, Futurama, King of the Hill, Chad Powers, and Not Suitable for Work either currently streaming or returning.

Deli Boys was an express watch this season, but a fun little ride. I would say the way things leave off, a third season may stream sometime in the future.

NOT another streaming Movie - Scary Movie (2026 film)

Scary Movie (also known as Scary Movie 6) is the return for horror-parody film series. The sixth instalment in the Scary Movie film series, following Scary Movie 5, which was released all the way back in 2013.

The return has been referred to as the spiritual sequel to the first two films. With Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, & Regina Hall all returning for some madness.

Twenty-six years after outrunning a suspiciously familiar masked killer (“Ghostface”), the Core Four are back in the killer’s crosshairs and no horror movie IP is safe. 

Marlon Wayans (“Shorty”), Shawn Wayans (“Ray”), Faris (“Cindy”), & Hall (“Brenda”) reunite in Scary Movie alongside returning favourites and fresh faces to slash through reboots, remakes, requels, prequels, sequels, spin-offs, elevated horror, origin stories, anything with the word legacy in it, and every “final chapter” that absolutely isn’t final. 

Nothing is sacred. No trope survives. ​Every line gets crossed. The Wayans are back to cancel the Cancel Culture.

Jon Abrahams, Lochlyn Munro, Cheri Oteri, Dave Sheridan, Chris Elliott, Damon Wayans Jr., Kim Wayans, Craig Wayans, Heidi Gardner, Olivia Rose Keegan, Savannah Lee Nassif, Cameron Scott Roberts, Sydney Park, Gregg Wayans, Ruby Snowber, & Benny Zielke joined the sixth film.

Whilst, Anthony Anderson, Kai Cenat, Teyana Taylor, and Shaquille O'Neal cameo as themselves.

A sixth Scary Movie film was announced in 2024 and later that same year, it was revealed to have the involvement of the Wayans family for the first time since their departure from the franchise following the release of Scary Movie 2 (2001) due to creative conflicts with the original producers.

Scary Movie has received negative reviews from critics, however the box office is solid thus far! Even beating fellow blockbuster release Masters of the Universe

This was insane, but fun. Some of the pop culture jokes were just wild!

I did need this after a LONG ass week. Gosh I am loving these long ass weekends. All hail the king. lol. Joking.

I'll pass this piss take on the crowded horror movie world right now. 2.5 Stars for bringing the silly, to a mad ass world!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Bad Company - Season One

Bad Company was a show I was so desperately looking forward to.

The comedy focuses on Margie Argyle (Anne Edmonds) and the Argyle Theatre, her unchecked spending has sent in Julia McNamara (Kitty Flanagan) who is tasked with saving a theatre company teetering on the edge of closure.

At the centre of the chaos is Margie, the Argyle Theatre’s wildly confident artistic director who is determined to stage her most experimental, critic-wowing masterpiece yet. There’s just one small problem: Margie’s bold creative vision might also send the already-fragile theatre hurtling towards financial ruin. 

Standing between Margie and catastrophe is Julia, a corporate high-flyer with a flawless track record and the steely resolve to match. Tasked with rescuing the crumbling Argyle Theatre, Julia is determined to whip the place into shape, even if that means going head-to-head with Margie’s chaotic genius at every turn.

It's a small ensemble cast alongside Edmonds and Flanagan, music star Kira Puru stars as Kat, Louise Siversen as Carmel, with Sibylla Budd as Caitlen Allard in the finale.

I wanted to love this so much. I did enjoy parts but it was very niche. I used to work in musical theatre, theatre spaces, so this was no in joke for me. I got the theatre quirks, but I am not sure a larger audience would.

Edmonds and Flanagan were incredible together. However I will always love Edmonds for Helen Bidou and her stand up.

This was enjoyable and decent ABC comedy. I do hope they bring back their local Sunday night drama soon too. Another Sunday sitcom is incoming, Ground Up, starring Sam Pang, commences tomorrow.

Until next time, happy Kings Birthday long weekend. The final long weekend, until the October long weekend!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Sullivan's Crossing - Season Four

Season four of Sullivan's Crossing sees Maggie setting her sights on a new vision for her career, and a renewed commitment to Cal, only to be blindsided by Liam’s sudden reappearance, which threatens to disrupt Maggie’s plans. 

The latest Sullivan's Crossing concluded on Stan Monday lunchtime. Sadly this week has been hectic in the lead up to the long weekend. Man I have caught up on some TV though. Deli Boys second season, started Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, damn, even though network TV is done. There are some gems currently streaming.

Sullivan's Crossing is basically a network show, originating from CTV, in the USA it streams on The CW. Basically all The CW can afford is international dramas. Their final original series, All American commences next month.

Buried in the US summer.

So, this Canadian romantic series, is possibly my mums favourite series. She is desperate on a verdict for a fifth season. A renewal which could really go either way. A fifth season for any series in this current TV climate is a big deal. 

Sullivan's Crossing is sweet enough, just with losing father figure, Scott Patterson as Harry 'Sully' Sullivan, the series is only left with four main players.

This season dragged out the love story triangle, however the plot lines could be running low. It is just a sweet, comfort viewing piece of TV. I enjoy the scenery, but damn some episodes are so predictable, even my 71 year old mother can guess what's incoming...

Either way, all four seasons of Sullivan's Crossing are streaming now on Stan.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Euphoria - Season Three/Series Finale

The third and final season of Euphoria, inspired by Ron Leshem's miniseries of the same name, commenced mid-April, concluding yesterday on HBO.

The season centers on recovering addict young adult Rue Bennett navigating her faith while also being drawn into the illegal drug trade. 

Zendaya stars as Rue alongside an ensemble cast consisting of Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Eric Dane, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Martha Kelly, Chloe Cherry, and Toby Wallace.

Way back in February 2022, Euphoria was renewed for a third season, filming commenced in February 2025 and wrapped in November. 

The season consists of eight episodes and received mixed reviews from critics. On the same day that the final episode of the third season was released, HBO confirmed that the series had concluded after three seasons.

Which damn was obvious. Let's be honest it's a miracle the show made it to a third season.

Season one was good, season two (and the specials) were OK, this season however was rubbish. It was too much at times. The shock factor had long left the building. The show was just turning into a giant pile of burning trash.

I hate to be bold, but this was really bad. Like Riverdale bad. Every episode, just got worse and worse. Poor Sydney Sweeney, there were some low points in this season. So how'd the series end?

Rue escapes Laurie's ranch with G's help after injuring Wayne and fleeing from Harley. As the DEA closes Laurie's operation, Alamo takes control of a fentanyl shipment by switching ambulances. Facing arrest, Laurie kills herself. 

Alamo gives Rue money and Percocet pills secretly containing fentanyl, and she dies from an overdose, with Ali finding her the next day. 

Three months later, Ali attends his final recovery meeting, where he confesses that he has lost faith, and declares the dealers, politicians and enablers of the drug trade simply evil. He then confronts Alamo at his strip club. After Bishop secretly unloads Alamo's gun, Ali shoots and kills him. 

Elsewhere, Cassie and Maddy plan to turn Nate's house into an influencer business and invite Lexi to join, but she refuses. 

Jules copes with Rue's death by painting her portrait. 

Ali later visits a religious family Rue had known, introduces himself by his Islam pre-conversion name, and leads a prayer, during which Rue appears peacefully in a vision.

Sound fucked up? Well it was. If you never started this series back in 2019, maybe give this one a miss.

More TV incoming. Deli Boys second season just landed, I'm pacing myself through Canadian drama Sky Med. Not to mention Canada's other favourite Virgin River style drama, Sullivan's Crossing. That is coming soon.

Till then, enjoy the full moon!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Half Man - Miniseries

Following the success of Baby Reindeer, Half Man is the latest gritty drama created by Richard Gadd.

The British six-part series, is a co-production between BBC and HBO. 

The series stars Gadd, Jamie Bell, Stuart Campbell, and Mitchell Robertson. Ruben (Campbell) & Niall (Robertson) grew up as brothers despite not being related by blood—one strong and fiercely loyal, the other quiet and gentle. 

Thirty years later, they reunite at Niall’s (Bell) wedding, but Ruben (Gadd) seems uneasy and on edge; when a sudden act of violence erupts, it sends the story back through their shared past, revealing how their bond was shaped and how even the closest relationships can ultimately fall apart.

This series was bold, rough and damn terrifying at times. Some scenes were just way too full on. Like honestly, so gruesome.

Toxic masculinity on steroids is Half Man in a nut shell. The series (like Hacks) also is a fail for HBO Max in Australia, as Stan got the streaming rights for this big title.

Meaning two out of three HBO finales this past week, live outside of HBO Max. Why would anyone sign up to that service? Particularly if they are being merged with Paramount one day...

In the grim finale, four years pass, and Ruben is in jail for attacking Benji, but he wants to turn his life around for Mona and their son, Baird, who was born while he was in jail. 

Niall's semi-autobiographical novel about his experiences with Ruben becomes a hit, but the public is more interested in Ruben than in him. Ruben's mother Maura dies, and Niall informs Ruben in prison, causing Ruben to lash out at Niall. 

Niall's lifestyle of drugs and sex spirals until he reunites with Alby, years after Ruben's assault, and they rekindle their romance. With Alby's encouragement, Niall visits Ruben in prison and finally comes out to him. To his surprise, Ruben is accepting, having always suspected, and criticises him for wasting his life trying to belong. Niall blames Ruben's language for his self-loathing, but Ruben deflects back at Niall for rejecting his own truth. 

Ruben also reveals he was a victim of sexual assault from his own father when he was young, resulting in him feeling like a "half man." The two become open and vulnerable to one another, but the mood sours when Niall reveals that he slept with Mona and fathered Baird, infuriating Ruben. 

In the present, Ruben attacks Niall in the barn during his wedding for sleeping with Mona, and they have a gruelling fight. Niall manages to stab Ruben's side, mortally wounding Ruben, but Ruben manages to smother Niall to death, telling his brother that he loves him. The dying Ruben sits down on a bale of hay, staring at Niall's corpse.

It was an intense final hour. This show, showed a bleak outlook for angry young men. It was an interesting, yet brutal watch. Viewers be warned, this is full on!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Urzila - Season One

Urzila Carlson's live shows are remarkable. Speaking of, she is touring mid this year, until late August.

So what happens when she mixes her comedy, with sketches, for a show simply titled Urzila?

Over six episodes, now streaming on ABC or ABC iView, we see Carlson tackle a range of issues. Some of the sketches do really well and are laugh out loud funny, some are a little lame.

She also has a full blown sitcom in the works (also at the ABC) with Nazeem Hussain.

Urzila Carlson is of course, a South African-born ,New Zealand comedian and actress, known for her jokes around being a lesbian and being a little larger. Prior to this ABC series, Carlson is a regular panellist on 7 Days & both the Australian and New Zealand version of Have You Been Paying Attention?

She was also a panellist on The Masked Singer Australia for the show's second and third seasons, until it got the axe in Australia. Man channel 10 are broke AF. They just scrapped I'm a Celebrity too! There biggest hit, next to Masterchef.

She was a contestant on the second season of Taskmaster NZ.

So Urzila is well known on our TV screens. A classic sketch show is something they don't make like they used to.

I'm not sure the ABC will invest in a sound round of Hire a Lez, but I sure am excited for a scripted comedy from her and Nazeem Hussain. Next up from the ABC a review of Bad Company, up soon!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Hacks - Season Five/Series Finale

Hacks is one of the best 30 minute comedies of all time. The HBO Max, follows Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a stand-up comedian, and her comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), as they navigate the evolving dynamics of their professional partnership and personal lives within the contemporary comedy industry. 

Sadly, the series concluded last Friday, after five seasons & 47 episodes. That said, they went out with a bang! The show left on a massive high. Unlike recent concluding series, Heartbreak High, the soon to conclude All American, which will begin it's final season in July, along with The Boys, which kind of left with a whimper.

Hacks has received critical acclaim and won a number of major awards, including four consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, winning that award for its third season. Its first and third seasons won the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Comedy Series and the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and its third season won the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy.

Smart's performance won her four consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, four Critics' Choice Awards, two Television Critics Association Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. Einbinder received four consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, winning in 2025. Other members of the cast who received Emmy nominations include Downs (one nomination) and Carl Clemons-Hopkins (one nomination).

So how does this exceptional comedy series conclude? Read on below if you got around to watching the finale Friday. Allow with fellow HBO series, Halfman.

Man HBO is having a moment. Also Euphoria really does need to end too. That has defiantly passed its prime.

Ava shoots the pilot for Who's Making Dinner; Deborah and Marcus open the Diva, which now employs Marty, Kiki, Josefina and Damien; Jimmy puts up with humiliation in the Latitude mailroom. 

Deborah confesses to Ava she has cancer and refuses to be treated, and that after their Paris vacation they'll head to Zurich for Deborah's assisted suicide. 

Ava refuses to participate and confides in Jimmy, who already knows and convinces her to go with Deborah. Jimmy blackmails Michael into giving up Latitude to him and Kayla after discovering via his mailroom work that Michael had been embezzling from the company; half the employees quit but the rest support Jimmy's new vision for Latitude. 

Deborah and Ava enjoy Paris, and Ava makes one last attempt to change Deborah's mind because she's scared of losing her but Deborah refuses. Ava relents, and while waiting to board their train to Zurich, she and Deborah riff on jokes about dying. 

Inspired, Deborah stops Ava from boarding and asks her to help write one last hour-long comedy special. Ava accepts, and Deborah starts treatment in Las Vegas as they work on jokes together again.

Was a near perfect finale. I honestly thought Deborah was going to die. This was a damn fine series. Every season had laugh out loud moments. It was always like did Jean Smart just say that?

I expect more awards incoming for this show. Great last season. Funnily enough, it steams on Stan, not HBO Max. Which does actually only have The Pitt and upcoming Big Bang Theory spin-off, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe incoming.

I guess Paramount really are taking over!

Until next time! BYE!

NOT another streaming Movie - Backrooms

I had no idea what to expect when I stepped into the cinema to watch Backrooms, for it's opening weekend.

It's part, science fiction, part psychological horror film, directed and co-scored by Kane Parsons (in his feature-length directorial debut).

Based on Parsons' web series and inspired by the Backrooms creepypasta. The film sees Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a furniture store owner and his therapist, Mary (Renate Reinsve), discover a dimension of seemingly endless liminal spaces accessed through the basement of the store.

Also featured in the small cast, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, & Shrinking star Lukita Maxwell.

Backrooms has received positive reviews from critics, with most praising Parsons' direction.

It is unsettling, fresh and a new type of horror. It also appears they are looking to expand the Backrooms universe.

Chiwetel Ejiofor is excellent as the lead slightly losing his mind. He brings therapist, Renate Reinsve into this decent into madness.

The random spaces create this eerie parallel universe, which allows the viewer to see how scared they will get, with the absence of jump scares and bumps in the night. Which we have seen a lot of this year. With Scary Movie 6 landing next week, 2026 is not finished with horror, just yet.

I enjoyed this, was a little lost, was a little tired on Friday night. But this again was a popular Friday session with the cinema at 9pm (following the conclusion of my 7pm session) a buzz with youth, rediscovering the magic of cinema.

I will give this fresh take on horror 3 stars.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Fire Country - Season Four

As we near my network TV posts (Sullivan's Crossing incoming next week), Fire Country (like it's spin-off Sheriff Country) concluded over the weekend.

Back in January, the series was renewed for a shortened fifth season. The rumour is, season five will only feature 13 episodes. Down from 20 over the last two seasons.

Season four kicked off with two major departures from last season. Stephanie Arcila as Gabriela Perez. In the season four premiere, she leaves Edgewater after accepting a job offer from Cal Fire, recruiting new firefighters nationwide.

While Billy Burke as Vincent "Vince" Leone, Bode and Riley's father, Sharon's husband, and Cal Fire Battalion Chief. In the season four premiere, he was revealed to have perished during the season three finale in a building collapse.

That leaves room for Animal Kingdom's Shawn Hatosy to join as Brett Richards, interim Battalion Chief at Station 42 following Vince’s death.

So there are some fresh faces at Edgewater, now the series is heading into season five.

The series streams on Paramount+ and had a decent crossover Sheriff Country this season. Featuring their main characters, Morena Baccarin as Mickey Fox, W. Earl Brown as Wes Fox, who have appeared previously. Whilst Matt Lauria as Nathan Boone joins this seasons crossover.

I'm not sure how many seasons Fire Country has in it. The season finale really felt like it could have been a happily ever, series finale. A wedding, dancing, all the main characters in the same place together, happy. No sign of a cliffhanger.

CBS has a larger than life, full schedule for their 2026-2027 season. If they want new shows in the future, sadly shows like Fire Country might fade away into the sunset.

This wasn't a bad season, it just isn't covering new ground four seasons in.

Let's see if a shorter season next time around, leads to less filler episodes and more action!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - The Testaments - Season One

OMG the evolution of The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments is a dramatic, incredible coming-of-age story set in Gilead. 

For the haters who said, more The Handmaid’s Tale, no thanks! Give this a go on Disney+ ASAP! This was five star TV!

The series follows young teens Agnes, dutiful and pious, and Daisy, a new arrival and convert from beyond Gilead’s borders. As they navigate the gilded halls of Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, a place where obedience is instilled brutally and always with divine justification, their bond becomes the catalyst that will upend their past, their present, and their future.

Based on the 2019 novel The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, it serves as a narrative continuation to The Handmaid's Tale, which concluded last year.

Praise be, the series was renewed for a second season, earlier this month! It was getting to close to the finale. I needed more!

The Handmaid's Tale lead Elisabeth Moss would executive produce the project alongside Miller, Littlefield, Barker, Steve Stark, Shana Stein, Maya Goldsmith, John Weber, Sheila Hockin, Daniel Wilson, and Fran Sears. Priscilla Poriand would serve as co-executive producer.

Chase Infiniti was cast as the lead character Agnes, joining The Handmaid's Tale's Ann Dowd, who was reprises her role as Lydia.

Lucy Halliday is co-lead Daisy, alongside Rowan Blanchard, Mattea Conforti as Shunammite and Becka, respectively.

Aussie Mabel Li, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Eva Foote, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Birva Pandya, and Kira Guloien joined the cast as Aunt Vidala, Paula, Garth, Aunt Gabbana, Aunt Estee, Hulda, Jehosheba, Miriam, and Rosa, respectively.

Gosh this cast was good. If you are not up to date on this Disney+ series, caution ahead!

In the aftermath of Becka's arrest, Agnes and Daisy attempt to save her. After a sharp reality check from Agnes, Vidala offers Lydia her help rather than standing against her. 

Agnes gets Weston to release Becka to her home, but he breaks off their engagement upon learning that she was assaulted. 

A drunk Paula tells Agnes that Gilead had wanted to use her to retaliate for the Handmaid attack, but Commander MacKenzie protected Agnes. 

June arrives in Gilead to extract a reluctant Daisy, but relents upon learning that Daisy knows her daughter. 

Lydia and Vidala convince Becka's mother to take the fall while Daisy reveals to Agnes her true identity as Hannah. 

Mrs. Grove is executed while Garth is promoted to Commander and marries Becka to protect her at Agnes' behest. June receives a message from Daisy vowing to finish what June started by rallying the girls of Gilead to fight back.

God this was good. Finishing with alt-J's, Hunger of the Pine. DAMN! That Miley hook, I'm a female rebel!

SO GOOD! This could be the show of the Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' series! SO GOOD! I'll say it again!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Y: Marshals - Season One

Marshals (originally Y: Marshals) is yet another spin-off/sequel to Yellowstone (2018–2024), making it  the fourth television series in the Yellowstone franchise. 

Luke Grimes returns as Special Deputy U.S. Marshal Kayce Dutton, with Brecken Merrill, Mo Brings Plenty, and Gil Birmingham reprising their roles from Yellowstone. New to the hit Paramount+/CBS series, Logan Marshall-Green, Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, & Tatanka Means.

Marshals was a big hitting midseason series on CBS starting in March, the same month, the series was renewed for a second season.

This was the final network series to end for the 2025-2026 TV season. My Fire Country post is still to come. CBS had a big finale week last week. So what is Marshals all about? How's it work in the Yellowstone universe? It follows former U.S. Navy SEAL and rancher Kayce Dutton (Grimes) as he joins a specialised group of U.S. Marshals tasked with protecting Montana. We find out early on, he also is suffering a great loss.

So it kinda gives The Madison vibes too. Also Taylor Sheridan's handy work.

For a network show, the budget for this series was a load higher, than now axed DMV. Sheridan known for producing high-budget series, concerns were raised about the series budget and how the show would look and feel on a broadcast network rather than cable.

Creatives responded saying that "we don't do cheap" and that creatively, the show would be similar to Yellowstone, assuring that a proper budget had been allocated.

Early on when the series commended, CBS executives were reportedly confident enough in the success of the series to commission a writers' room for a potential second season in February before the program premiered or was officially renewed, with script work on season two to begin "soon".

Recently CBS announced this series would likely return in October on Sunday nights. I only hope they don't drag out season two for 20 or so episodes.

Honestly this show started well, felt more like a Paramount+ title, than a CBS network procedural.

I feel like the 13 episodes, felt a little bloated. I really do hope they keep season two tight. It started with promised and heart, but by the end did feel just like another cop series. Just with really rogue cops.

I will be interested to see how season two goes.

Fire Country post incoming like a rogue Vivid drone show on a wet Sydney night.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - R.J. Decker - Season One

Slightly dirty, looking (almost too old to be a rat boy) TV hunk, Scott Speedman stars as R.J. Decker. A disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con who starts over as a private investigator in the colourful world of South Florida. 

Across nine episodes, viewers follow RJ tackling cases that range from slightly odd to outright bizarre with the help of his journalist ex, her police detective wife and a shadowy new benefactor — a woman from his past who could be his greatest ally … or his one-way ticket back to prison.

R.J. Decker is inspired by the novel Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen.

Earlier this month, the Disney+ show was renewed for a second season.

Alongside Speedman, Weruche Opia (later to be replaced by Station 19's Jaina Lee Ortiz), Kevin Rankin, Adelaide Clemens, & Bevin Bru joined the main cast.

Dexter, Dexter: New Blood and Dexter: Resurrection's David Zayas also plays Jaina Lee Ortiz's father.

While Stephen Bishop also stars, in this fairly lean, new TV world smaller cast network TV series.

This was an easy, breezy nine episode, Florida watch. With no Dexter in Florida anymore, there are few shows set in the sunny state now.

ABC really gave this series a second shot with a second run to stream/air later in 2026. One of their only scripted series to air later this year, I am predicting early, this will be a two and done series.

The fact it was their last show to get renewed, the fact they are giving The Rookie a second chance with a second spin-off. The first Niecy Nash's The Rookie: Feds was cancelled after one season. They are also apparently investing in another Grey's Anatomy untitled Texas spinoff. So it's spin-off central at ABC.

9-1-1 has one, Grey's Anatomy's getting another (following the above mentioned Station 19's recent conclusion) and The Rookie gets a second bite at the spin-off cherry.

With no cancellations last season, two new entires this season and some strong comedy content. One drama is ripe for the cancellation. My money is on R.J. Decker.

If you want to catch up with it though, all episodes stream now on Disney+.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Sheriff Country - Season One

Sheriff Country is the first spin-off of the Fire Country franchise. Apparently CBS has others in the works. In Australia this streams on Paramount+.

Starring Morena Baccarin, Christopher Gorham, Michele Weaver, Matt Lauria, plus W. Earl Brown. 

Last December, the series was renewed for a second season.

Sheriff Mickey Fox (Baccarin) investigates criminal activity in Edgewater County, CA, while contending with her ex-con father, Wes, and her wayward daughter, Skye. An early plot line focuses on the murder of Skye's ex-boyfriend, Brandon, a recovering addict.

Baccarin was introduced as the police spin-off series to Fire Country. The back-door pilot episode landed in season two of the parent series.

The episode, Alert the Sheriff introduced Baccarin's character, Edgewater County Sheriff's Sergeant Mickey Fox.

Since then, episode 13 and 14 this season was also a crossover.

With Max Thieriot as Bode Donovan, Diane Farr as Sharon Leone, True Blood's Kevin Alejandro as Manuel "Manny" Perez, along with Jules Latimer as Eve Edwards.

The finale left on a bit of a cliffhanger after a fairly action packed episode 20. Apparently the mothership show will get an episode cut next season, however Sheriff Country appears to be untouched for their episode count.

Apparently there is also a second spin-off in the works. Featuring Jared Padalecki who played Camden Casey in season three.

This was a more enjoyable series than the OG show. There were some sexy characters and Morena Baccarin is very good. I'll be happy to see some more of Ian Quinlan as Deputy Hank Iglesias, along with Matt Lauria as Nathan Boone.

Likely to return in October. This is one of three CBS finales over the next few days. I need to get through Y: Marshalls and the mothership, Fire Country's finales. Also landed on Paramount+, the latest season Canadian series, SkyMed, along with another Yellowstone spin-off, Dutton's Raunch.

So a lot of Paramount+ reviews/news incoming.

See you next time! 

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - The Boys - Seasons Five/Series Finale

The fifth & final season of  The Boys, has finally streamed on Amazon. Based on the comic book series of the same name, which commenced back in 2019. The series has now officially concluded. It's spin-off Gen V was also cancelled. Where some of the character actually crossed over in this season.

Returning cast, Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Nathan Mitchell, Colby Minifie, Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, and Cameron Crovetti, with Snowpiercer Daveed Diggs, joining as a religious nut job.

This season, the Boys and Billy Butcher, who possesses a virus capable of killing all Supes in the world, join forces one last time to try to end Homelander's reign, who now threatens to become immortal with the discovery of the first version of Compound V, the V1.

The season received critical acclaim with praise towards its action sequences, character development, social commentary, humour, storyline, performances (particularly Urban, Starr, Fukuhara, & Ackles), and having a satisfying conclusion, though some criticised its pacing and claimed the season suffered from a lack of focus.

Vought Rising , is the next spin-off series, which will star Ackles and Cash reprising their roles as Soldier Boy and Stormfront, respectively. 

Vought Rising will be set in the 1950s, apparently set to stream in 2027.

In the series finale, The Boys bury Frenchie as Homelander prepares a national address proclaiming his godhood from the Oval Office. 

After provoking Kimiko into testing her new power on her, Sage is rendered powerless and departs the Boys to live an ordinary life. 

Once the Boys successfully infiltrate the White House with Ashley's help, Annie fights the Deep while Hughie and M.M. lure Oh Father away so Butcher and Kimiko can face Homelander. 

Oh Father and the Deep are killed while Ryan aids Butcher in restraining Homelander, enabling Kimiko to blast them all and neutralise the Compound V in their blood. 

A now powerless Homelander begs for his life but Butcher kills him. Subsequently, Ashley is removed from office and Edgar once again becomes Vought's CEO. Overcome with despair after being rejected by Ryan and learning of his dog's death, Butcher goes to Vought Tower to release the virus but is killed by Hughie before he can do so. 

After the Boys disband, M.M. renews his marriage vows and takes in Ryan; Kimiko goes to France; and Hughie and Annie prepare to become parents.

It was a slightly random, neat finale. But it worked. Homelander had to die, I wish Frenchie didn't in the previous episode.

Whilst I think Gen V could have had a better ending, a possible third and final season, I am looking forward to Vought Rising in 2027.

Another bi series finale next week, Hacks. If episode nine is anything to go by, it's gonna go out with a BANG!

See you soon!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Margo's Got Money Troubles - Season One

Margo's Got Money Troubles is the latest series from David E. Kelley. Based on the 2024 novel by Rufi Thorpe, starring, Elle Fanning, Nick Offerman, Greg Kinnear, Thaddea Graham, Michael Angarano, Michelle Pfeiffer, plus some Nicole Kidman. 

The eight episode first season (I originally thought it was a miniseries) landed on Apple TV mid-April. Margo received positive reviews from critics, with the series then gaining a renewal for a second season.

Margo's Got Money Troubles centres on Margo Millet (Fanning), the daughter of a Hooters waitress, Shyanne (Pfeiffer), and a former professional wrestler, Jinx (Offerman). After becoming pregnant by her English professor (Angarano), Margo turns to OnlyFans to support herself. 

Reconnecting with her estranged father, who shares wisdom gleaned from his wrestling days, Margo achieves remarkable success on OnlyFans.

In the finale, Lock and Load, all Margo's issues come to a head. The episodes ends like it could have been a miniseries, however Apple TV & A24 had different ideas.

Where will season two see Margo (Fanning) and her son  Bodhi end up. Time will tell. If having Kidman and Pfeiffer on the show, we may have a wait!

Both Apple TV & A24, have excelled recently. Apple TV is also getting lot's of love for Widow's Bay and the new Wednesday series, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.

Honestly the $25 dollars I pay a month for my Apple Music and TV is so worth it. Not an ad. But damn. I used to pay $30 a full album back in my youth at HMV, Erina Fair! Now I get unlimited music and premium TV content. Damn. Some things are cheaper in 2026!

Have an ace weekend. The Boys finale incoming. Not to mention on the weekend, Fire Country and Sheriff Country also both conclude on Paramount+. With SkyMed also returning. Paramount+ is also a content champion right now.

Till then. Bye!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Alert: Missing Persons Unit - Seasons One - Three/Series Finale

Alert: Missing Persons Unit is a procedural drama about the Philadelphia Police Department’s Missing Persons’ Unit (MPU). 

Across the 30 episode run, each episode features a heart-pounding, life-or-death search for a missing person that runs alongside police officers Jason Grant (Scott Caan, Hawaii 5-0) and his ex-wife Nikki Batista’s (Dania Ramirez, Devious Maids) season one long quest to find out the truth about their long-lost son.

Which is all neatly resolved by the end of season one. No spoilers here if you are late to the party. Like me.

The series is created by John Eisendrath and Jamie Foxx. Which originally landed on FOX back in January, 2023. Back in June 2025, the series was canceled after three seasons. With the very last episode airing last May.

A procedural show, during these uncertain times, can be very calming. Every episode has a strict formula to follow. Every episode a new missing person (s). However the lose of a main character at the start of the season three, leaves the show a little lost.

Adeola Role, Ryan Broussard, & Graham Verchere join Ramirez and Caan as the main series regulars. Don't worry about Caan being out of a job. Following an episode on NCIS: Los Angeles, next TV season he joins NCIS: New York. Which in turn has bumped NCIS: Sydney to a midseason, ten episode run next season.

Stan has all thirty episodes streaming right now, after acquiring the series well after it concluded.

2024–25 TV season was cruel at FOX. Alongside Alert: Missing Persons Unit, we also farewelled, 9-1-1: Lone Star, the spin-off with way more heart than the OG. The Cleaning Lady which had a promising start, but grew increasingly tedious,  The Great North & Baywatch wannabe series, Rescue: HI-Surf. Funny that got cancelled, next TV season Baywatch is legit being rebooted.

With a mild cliffhanger, Alert: Missing Persons Unit sails off into the TV graveyard. Could a fourth season have worked? I think it ended just well enough. Unfortunately in the US, some network shows (9-1-1) have outstayed their welcome. Jumped the shark. Or just become so average. I'm looking at you Grey's Anatomy.

Until next time. Night, night.

NOT another streaming Movie - Mother Mary

Mother Mary is a musical/psychological drama-thriller film written and directed by David Lowery. 

Starring Anne Hathaway & Michaela Coel, with the music was composed by Daniel Hart, with original songs provided by musicians Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX. FKA Twigs also provided an original song.

The soundtrack album Mother Mary: Greatest Hits was announced in March, whilst being released in April. It includes seven original songs, all performed by Hathaway. Alongside the announcement, the lead single Burial was released.

Hunter Schafer, Sian Clifford joined Hathaway & Cole, playing smaller roles. Whilst FKA Twigs also had a small role in the film.

Mother Mary follows a pop star whose reunion with her former costume designer forces her to confront her past.

The film has received mixed to positive reviews from critics and was a box-office disappointment, grossing only $3 million against its $20 million budget.

With names like Charli XCX, Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel and FKA Twigs involved, this would be disappointing for A24. They are on such a roll with TV and film. With Margo's Got Money Troubles one of the most impressive TV series streaming right now.

I enjoyed this different look at fame and life in the spotlight. A massive star with wardrobe issues.

It was a little random at times, however this is my second Anne Hathaway film this weekend and I'm back in love with her performances. I did like her as Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises.

I read very little about this film, nor watched the trailer ahead of seeing a Sunday session of this film. I could almost tell part one through this has FKA Twigs name all over it.

I will pass this as I did feel in the middle it sort of lost it's way a bit.

2.5 Stars. Big TV finales this week and next week. Chat soon. Bye!

NOT another streaming Movie - The Devil Wears Prada 2

Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, & Stanley Tucci return to show that printed press isn't dead yet! The Devil Wears Prada 2, has been slaying in cinemas recently, with Lady Gaga x Docehii's hit Runway smashing the charts & streaming platforms.

Gag also stars in the hit film, which has received generally positive reviews from critics, whilst grossing $453 million against a $100 million production budget. This makes The Devil Wears Prada 2, the fifth highest-grossing film of 2026. Thus far! We are only halfway through May 2026 people!

Almost 20 years after making their iconic turn as Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine. Spoiler alert I never saw the original film.

Yes I a bad gay! A terrible gay some may say!

The film reunites the original main cast with director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna, and introduces an all-new runway of characters including Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Aussie Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B.J. Novak & Conrad Ricamora. 

Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman also reprise their roles as “Lily” and “Irv” from the first film. 

Set two decades after the events of the first film, it follows Andy Sachs (Hathaway) as she helps Miranda Priestly (Streep) navigate a new media landscape and corporate threats to the survival of Runway magazine. 

As media dies in 2026, this film takes aim at the dying art of journalism, with its impacts on the new media, along with fashion media!

It's all about the fashion scene in this film. The fashion, the gay anthems played through the film. This is clearly aimed at the gays and their allies lol. It is Eurovision weekend after all.

Even though I never say the OG Devil Wears Prada film, you can just slide into this easy, breezy, popcorn film.

Honestly the storyline is very easy to keep up with.

Hathaway excels in this film, while Streep is effortless.

I enjoyed every minute of this escapism from fuel crisis, wars, the rise of One Nation and the news cycle in general. Which in a way this film is telling you to care about.

Enjoy the fashion, enjoy the Gaga, enjoy the luxury. The Devil Wears Prada 2 is pure, simple fun.

3.5 Stars.

NOT another streaming Movie - Obsession

Obsession is the latest supernatural/horror film of 2026.

How ironic the week of the federal budget, we get yet (another) horror film.

In Obsession, we follow Bear (played by Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a supernatural toy and wishes for his childhood friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette) to fall in love with him.

Alongside Johnston & Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter also star in this love story, turned into a nightmare! The film received critical acclaim, with praise directed towards Navarrette's performance. Currently on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is scoring in the high 90's! That's almost unheard of now, with the sheer volume of horror films landing in 2026.

I jumped multiple times. Shit got real about thirty or so minutes into the film. The film is close to tow hours but gets seriously messed up as the run time goes on.

The whole audience in the sold (peak) Friday evening session in, inner Sydney was laughing, yelling out and getting behind the film's leads.

This was a real experience. Honestly there were real moments were people yelled or laughed out loud.

Cinema was back baby. Sold out Devil Wears Prada 2, Michael and more. I got the last two tickets in the back row (similar to Mortal Kombat II last week) for this session.

It's rare now that these horror, mixed with a supernatural film, get such a good reaction.

I enjoyed this. Bring on the return of the cinema in 2026.

3.5 Stars.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - DMV - Season One/Series Finale

DMV followed the workers at the East Hollywood DMV. Collette, a driving instructor, tackles workplace problems, romance, and interpersonal connections with her coworkers. 

The show is a fictional account of the DMV, but makes the jokes that most people have when going to renew licenses and forms. Sadly for the cast and crew, back in March, the series was canceled after one season. With the series finale streaming yesterday on Binge. This is one of the only CBS series to air away from Paramount+. Oh well it didn't stream for long, just 20, twenty minute episodes.

Aussie Harriet Dyer and hunky Kiwi, Alex Tarrant, with Tim Meadows, Molly Kearney, Tony Cavalero, Gigi Zumbado, and Jessica Camacho.

With Dyer on board, what could go wrong you ask?

Well a lot. It just wasn't that funny. Don't expect another Colin From Accounts. They ain't one F bomb in this network series. Or rude sex joke. Most jokes just fell a little or lot flat!

In the last ever episode, the consultants choose in two days which DMV will close, for good. Kinda like the shows fate!

Noa passes his driver’s test and they throw a party after work and Collette finally kisses Noa. 

The DMV staff prepare for the worst and fix-up their résumés and we learn Vic never finished high school. Kinda not surprising though. Also a fall from grace after his efforts in HBO's hit, The Righteous Gemstones.

Colette realises there’s no chemistry with Noa after the bad kiss and Ceci helps her see how much she’s grown since starting to work at the DMV. 

Barb finds out Ray Henderson is embezzling money from the pensions. 

The consultants accidentally hit Barb with their car and decide to keep the branch open and shut down the North Hollywood branch. 

Ray gets fired and the new head of the DMV is Beau Young. Played by the lovely, Randall Park. So we may have got more Park if season two would have gone ahead. Oh well. Not to worry.

Abbott Elementary for me, is still the network gold comedy standard. This just wasn't it. Still, I am looking forward to Dyer's, Colin From Accounts apparently also streaming on Binge, soon.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - NCIS: Sydney - Season Three

NCIS: Sydney the Aussie spin-off of NCIS franchise. 

Starring Olivia Swann, Todd Lasance, Sean Sagar, Tuuli Narkle, Mavournee Hazel, Claude Jabbour & William McInnes.

Back in January, NCIS: Sydney was renewed for a fourth season.

The team is back for a bigger, bolder, and even more explosive third season, which streams locally on Paramount+.

After their croc-fuelled Top End adventure, the team are back in the glistening Harbour City, but something even more dangerous is coming back to bite them… their own pasts. Blue (Hazel) is hunted down by her so-called “family” who harbour a shocking ulterior motive; while DeShawn (Sagar) is forced to admit he concealed a crucial piece of evidence in a court-martial to protect someone very close. 

 JD (Lasance) must deal with the fallout from a Faustian pact to keep the team intact within the context of a crumbling relationship… while Evie (Narkle) tentatively embarks on a new one; and Doc Roy (William McInnes) must decide if he’s ready to let go. Against a backdrop of adrenaline pumping cases, our beloved team are put to the test like never before, involving an outback alien abduction, a nano-tech assassin, a true crime podcast cold case, a journey to Antarctica, a swashbuckling treasure hunt, and an international conspiracy with links to… Mackey (Swann). 

This season features special local guest stars including Doris Younane, Simone Kessell, Fayssal Bazzi, Stephen Peacocke, Lincoln Lewis, Anthony Hayes and more. Stephen Peacocke & Lincoln Lewis are everywhere!

Actually I wish Lincoln Lewis was in more places!

With a minor cliffhanger in the final scenes, we may be waiting longer, for a shorter fourth season.

Announced midseason. The fourth season's episode count will be halved back to ten episodes next season.

Likely to arrive in early 2027.

CBS has a solid line up in-coming next season. 

The Amazing Race—Renewed for a thirty-ninth season

Boston Blue—Renewed for a second season

CIA—Renewed for a second season

Elsbeth—Renewed for a fourth season

FBI—Renewed for a ninth season

Fire Country—Renewed for a fifth season (also getting shorter season, nest season)

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage—Renewed for a third season

Ghosts—Renewed for a sixth season. No word on the Australian second season yet :(

Harlan Coben's Final Twist—Renewed for a second season

Y: Marshals—Renewed for a second season. More Yellowstone incoming.

Matlock—Renewed for a third season 

NCIS—Renewed for a twenty-fourth 

NCIS: Origins—Renewed for a third (also a shortened season)

NCIS: Sydney—Renewed for a fourth season 

Sheriff Country—Renewed for a second season 

Survivor—Renewed for a fifty-first and fifty-second season

Tracker—Renewed for a fourth season

Tomorrow, the axed CBS series, DMV, here we come. Till then. BYE!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - 9-1-1: Nashville - Season One

9-1-1: Nashville is the second spin-off of the 9-1-1 franchise, following 9-1-1: Lone Star, which concluded last February.

Back in March, the series was renewed for a second season. This follows the failure of Doctor Odyssey last season, being scrapped after one season.

That said, this soapy 9-1-1 spin-off, did give full midday movie vibes at times. Even with the addition of country music star, LeAnn Rimes as Dixie Bennings, Blue's mother and Don's ex-girlfriend, who is a singer.

So what's it all about?

As with 9-1-1, the series follows the personal and professional lives of first responders and 911 dispatchers. 

The series primarily follows the staff of Station 113 of the Nashville Fire Department and their families, including Captain Donald "Don" Hart (Chris O'Donnell), his wealthy wife Blythe (Jessica Capshaw), and Cammie Raleigh (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) a Nashville 911 dispatcher who is Blythe's sister-in-law.

Also starring Hailey Kilgore, Michael Provost, Juani Feliz, Hunter McVey, Gregory Alan Williams, MacKenzie Porter, plus Tim Matheson. Ryan Phillippe joined the cast as a series regular for the second season, likely to come later in 2026.

ABC (American Broadcasting Company) will announce their 2026-2027 schedule next week. With all series now being renewed. RJ Decker, the last to be renewed was officially given a second run yesterday.

Leading into the finale Intrusive Thoughts, Dixie (Rimes) gets advice from her grandmother and writes a diss-track about Blythe. 

The 113 responds to a woman choking on an engagement ring. On another call, the men who were dynamite fishing in a previous episode sabotage the break lines on a fork lift which starts crushing one of their coworkers. Roxie keeps sabotaging her meetings and dates with Elena. 

Dixie’s song comes between Blythe and Don’s marriage as she keeps making songs about an anonymous woman.

It was super trashy! The finale, sort of leaves on a cliffhanger/bitch fight. It felt like an old school Melrose Place cat fight. Honestly this wasn't the highest quality or engaging drama that previous 9-1-1: Lone Star gave us. 9-1-1 OG is bat shit crazy, it never had the heart Lone Star did, but Nashville, it's just kinda pure trashy soap.

Onto RJ Decker, it also feels a little AI from a source novel.

I am not sure how ABC will move forward for the next TV season. With smaller episode counts and less main characters on their ageing series likely. As long as the brilliant Abbott Elementary continues its quality, I will be happy.

NOT another streaming Movie - Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat II is a the sequel to 2021's Mortal Kombat, the fourth instalment in the Mortal Kombat film series. 

Returning cast members Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman (in a different role), Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada, with Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, and Tati Gabrielle joining the sequel, filmed in QLD. 

In the sequel, martial arts actor Johnny Cage is recruited by the thunder god Raiden and Sonya Blade to join his fellow Earthrealm fighters in a tournament against the Outworld warriors and stop the tyrannical emperor Shao Kahn, with the help of Edenian princess Kitana.

Fan favourite champions, now joined by Johnny Cage himself, are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn. There is blood, violence, with a sequel also set to be in the works.

The Boys, Karl Urban stars as Johnny Cage, taking a break from starring in the final season as Billy Butcher.

The cinema was sold out on a Friday screening on the video game sequel. The trailers also included a reboot of Street Fighter and a new live action He-Man film. Talk about my 80's, 90's childhood coming to a cinema near you.

I had, had a huge week. This was just what I needed. Some big, dumb action.

I honestly didn't hate this, but can only just pass it as some of the dialogue was not great.

2.5 Stars.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Daredevil: Born Again - Season Two

And just like that, the rebooted second season of Daredevil: Born Again just wrapped on Disney+.

Blind vigilante Matt Murdock/Daredevil gathering allies to resist Wilson Fisk, who is the mayor of New York City, and his Anti-Vigilante Task Force (AVTF). Born Again is a revival and continuation of Marvel Television and Netflix's Daredevil (2015–2018). 

Charlie Cox reprises his role as Matt Murdock / Daredevil from Marvel's Netflix television series and prior Marvel Studios productions, starring alongside Vincent D'Onofrio (Fisk), Deborah Ann Woll, Margarita Levieva, Tony Dalton, Michael Gandolfini, Nikki M. James, Arty Froushan, Genneya Walton, Zabryna Guevara, Clark Johnson, Ayelet Zurer, Wilson Bethel, and Elden Henson.

New additions this season, include Scream vet, Matthew Lillard, Lili Taylor, Toby Leonard Moore, & Krysten Ritter.

The second season is part of Phase Six of the MCU. A third season was confirmed in September 2025. Apparently this will stream in 2027. It was great seeing the return of Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones. Also Mike Colter returns briefly as Luke Cage. Maybe he and the Iron Fist will return for more in season three.

This has received critical acclaim. Following the world of the superhero falling a little off the cliff. If you are scared of spoilers or not up to date, don't read below the trailer.

The finale commences, as McDuffie is cross-examining Glenn, Murdock returns to court and summons Fisk for questioning on the Northern Star incident. Murdock presents Savva's video testimony which implicates Fisk, before publicly revealing his identity as Daredevil to corroborate the testimony and prove Fisk's abuses of power; the judges dismiss the case against Page. 

Nearby, Dex takes out AVTF officers and an impersonator ordered to assassinate Murdock before targeting Fisk. Cashman takes the bullet, provoking Fisk to lock down the courthouse as Daredevil's supporters surround the building. 

AVTF officer Cole North betrays Powell and allows the protesters into the courthouse. An enraged Fisk leaves the courtroom and slaughters numerous protestors, while Murdock, Jones, and Angela incapacitate AVTF officers guarding the building as both parties converge in the central chamber. 

Fisk attempts to make a final appeal to his constituents as protestors rush him, but Murdock disarms the mob and persuades Fisk to accept a plea deal, exiling himself from New York. 

Consequently, Murdock is incarcerated for his years of vigilante activities as Daredevil, while Jones reunites with Cage, who was dismissed by Mr. Charles in favour of Dex. 

BB is hired by the New York Bulletin for her work in uncovering Fisk's activities, while Glenn puts on Muse's mask.

Bring on season three I say. This has been the best thing Marvel have streamed in a hot minute. Up next, the 9-1-1: Nashville finale airs on Saturday morning. See you then!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Abbott Elementary - Season Five

Abbott Elementary just concluded its fifth season. Like the previous seasons, the season stars Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis & Sheryl Lee Ralph. This season contained 22 episodes. Back to normal following the COVID and writers strike.

Creator Brunson stars as Janine Teagues, a perpetually optimistic second-grade teacher at the underfunded Abbott Elementary, a fictional predominantly black public school in West Philadelphia. Back in March, it was announced that the series was renewed for a sixth season. Most likely to return later this year.

Like FOX, here is an update of where ABC (series stream in Australia on Disney+) are up to for their 2026-2027 season.

9-1-1—Renewed 

9-1-1: Nashville—Renewed

Abbott Elementary—Renewed

Dancing with the Stars—Renewed 

Grey's Anatomy—Renewed for a twenty-third season!

High Potential—Renewed 

ABC Hockey Saturday—Renewed 

Monday Night Football—Renewed

The Rookie—Renewed for a ninth season, a new spin-off The Rookie: North, looking good to commence, following The Rookie: Feds scrapped after one season in 2023.

Scrubs—Reboot renewed 

Shifting Gears—Renewed

Will Trent—Renewed 

The only series yet to be renewed, RJ Decker. Which will drop on Disney+ in full this coming week. Hopefully I can clear some space to smash that one. News of a second season, should drop the second full week of May.

Now back to the conclusion of season five of the wonderful, comfort viewing of Abbott Elementary. This is the best of network TV comedy.

When I say comfort TV, this is just like a warm hug. Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard. Particularly in the April Fools episode.

This show has been a joy this fifth season. Honestly the show is not slowing down with the non-stop laugh out loud moments. 

In the finale, the teachers head to Miami for the conference, all the various teachers are alarmed that the district plans on shutting down 20 schools, including Abbott. 

The teachers panic abut what their next career moves could be, but rally everyone that night to have one last party. Gregory tells O'Shon he was getting ready in his life plan to propose to Janine. 

The next morning Jacob tries to talk to the new superintendent, but is rebuffed. The district spares Abbott as Jacob pointed out they have a new furnace which means financially Abbott should stay open. To prepare for the influx of students coming, Ava will need an Assistant Principal and chooses Gregory, actualising his dream. 

O'Shon offers to help get him a discount on a ring. 

Meanwhile, at school, Mr. Johnson accidentally washes away the parking spot lines. Causing an entertaining last minute scene as the teachers return to Abbott Elementary ready for season six.

This show just gets better and better. I hope ABC announce its early return so as a Christmas gift, Disney+ delivers part one of season six for the holidays.

If you were late to the party, get onto Abbott Elementary NOW!

NOT another streaming Movie - Seven Snipers

Australia does an action/revenge film. Like a Liam Neeson revenge film, similar to John Wick. Gender reversed of course!

Radha Mitchell is a retired sniper in hiding on an Australian ranch must reunite her elite kill squad when a vengeful warlord threatens her daughter.

After retiring from her lethal career, elite sniper Kris Hendricks (Mitchell) takes refuge on an Australian ranch with her rebellious 15-year old daughter, Anja. 

But as a vengeful warlord named The Dragon (Tim Roth) tracks her down, she enlists her old team of elite killers to protect herself and her daughter to take out his deadly pawns one by one. 

When the true reasons for The Dragon’s revenge become clear, the deadly game of cat-and-mouse reaches an excruciating climax with unimaginable consequences for Kris and Anja.

Alongside Roth & Mitchell, Ryan Kwanten, Ioan Gruffudd, Lee Tiger Halley, Annabel Wolfe, Bianca Wallis, Pacharo Mzembe, Charles Cottier, plus Damien Ryan all star.

This film was fairly edge of your seat style action.

On a remote property, the body count builds up over the 90 minute run time.

It was good seeing True Blood (former Home & Away) hunk Ryan Kwanten, back in something with bite.

I enjoyed the film. It wasn't too graphic with the violence, the plot twist was a little predictable, but isn't every plot in a revenge film. 

This was a fun Saturday morning film. Also good to get out and see an Aussie picture, that isn't deep. OK, so to the score. I'm giving this a solid 3 locally sourced stars.

Till next time. Daredevil and 9-1-1: Nashville call it quits for their respective seasons next week. Bye!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Monarch: Legacy of Monsters - Season Two

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters just concluded its second run. Following two years off our screens, the Apple TV series stars Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski, alongside Wyatt Russell and Kurt Russell in the shared role of Lee Shaw.

Based on the Monsterverse from Legendary, this dramatic saga — spanning three generations — reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.

There is no news yet on season three, however season two leaves us hopeful that in another two years, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters will return to Apple TV.

So how'd the season finale go down? Spoilers below the trailer. You have been warned!

In 2017, Kentaro explains Isabel's theory that he might be able to rescue the version of Hiroshi from 2014, when he was trapped in Axis Mundi. Keiko learns about Shaw's interaction with his younger self, before they meet up with Tim's team. 

Cate escapes from Isabel's base as Kong arrives and battles Titan X. Keiko rescues Cate, while Tim and May enter Isabel's base; they are unable to deactivate the overloading neural implants, but are able to pacify Titan X and disable the implants by returning her egg, which ends the fight. Shaw steals one of Isabel's helicopters and picks up Cate, Keiko, Tim and May, while Isabel and Kentaro leave on another helicopter. Cate leads Titan X to the Hollow Earth tunnel entrance, and Titan X returns to Axis Mundi with her egg. 

In the process, Shaw and Keiko have a brief vision of Shaw's younger self.

Six weeks later, Hiroshi is added to a memorial for deceased Monarch employees, while Barris recruits May, Keiko and Cate into Monarch alongside Tim, and assigns them to the task of tracking down Kentaro and Isabel. Meanwhile, Shaw is already following the pair; he meets up with an old friend, A-Wut, and is led to a volcano where he encounters Rodan.

So it really leaves everything up in the air. Or up in the volanco.

This show looks a million bucks. It has a real cinema feel.

Apple TV continue to impress. Bring on Cape Fear next month! Also how good is Margo's Got Money Troubles? It just gets better and better. Week on week. Right?

I'm also keen to try new series, Widow's Bay. So much to watch, so little time!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Imperfect Women - Miniseries

WOW! Apple TV delivers again. Based on Araminta Hall’s novel of the same name, Imperfect Women examines a crime that shatters the lives of three women in a decades-long friendship. The unconventional thriller explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that irrevocably alter our lives. 

As the investigation unravels, so does the truth about how even the closest friendships may not be what they seem.

Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, lead with an ensemble cast starring Kate Mara (House of Cards), Joel Kinnaman (For All Mankind), Corey Stoll (House of Cards), Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton), Audrey Zahn (Wildcat), Jill Wagner (Special Ops: Lioness), Rome Flynn (With Love), Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary), Violette Linnz (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty), Indiana Elle (The Housemaid), Jackson Kelly (The Pitt), Keith Carradine (Madam Secretary), Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty) & Wilson Bethel (All Rise).

So it's a damn strong cast, lead by the OG Handmaid herself Elisabeth Moss. This gives Liane Moriarty vibes. Big Little Lies, with some seriously badly behaved men.

Moss just slays on screen, whilst Kate Mara is truly fab, as we piece together the story of Nancy.

I enjoyed all eight episodes of this tasty, at times trashy miniseries.

It wasn't too hard to see where the finale was going. I did enjoy this though. It continues a solid year for Apple TV. Building on that, Ted Lasso's return was announced today. Returning in early August. Praise be, Apple TV, you have hits, hits and more hits.

Now this is done, Wednesdays will get my full focus on The Testaments (more Moss) and the other Apple TV hit, Margo's Got Money Troubles.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Animal Control - Season Four

Animal Control is lead by hunky 50+ lead, Joel McHale, Michael Rowland, Grace Palmer, Vella Lovell & Ravi Patel. In season four, Kyla Pratt joined the series as Daisy Cannon.

I binged seasons one to three last year, so this was the first season I watched week-to-week.

This season had a weird release schedule with the first episode held in Australia to be released along side the second episode mid-January.

Was an interesting tactic in the USA to release one episode around Christmas, have a few weeks off then return. Only to then be off during the Winter Olympics. Then return for a bit, then be off for half of March.

By doing this, you lost rhythm of the whacky group of municipal animal control workers in Seattle, filmed in beautiful Vancouver.

Amid all the scheduled breaks and Winter Olympics, the series was renewed for a fifth season.

Which will most likely return in early 2027.

FOX will release their upfront details next month, with Baywatch their highly anticipated new series. Following the cancellation of Rescue: HI-Surf after one season. 

Alongside Baywatch, FOX have another new spy drama scheduled to start next season, The Interrogator. Along with the list of series below.

American Dad!

Animal Control—Streams on Binge in Australia

Best Medicine

Bob's Burgers

Doc—Streams on Stan in Australia

Family Guy

Fear Factor: House of Fear

The Floor

Krapopolis

MasterChef

Memory of a Killer—Streams on Stan in Australia

Next Level Chef

The Simpsons

Universal Basic Guys—Streams on Stan in Australia

In coming days/weeks, I will release further details of the other big four US network plans for 2026-2027. The CW has completely dropped out with their final original series, All American streaming on Stan from July.

Nice to have a winter network series to binge.

ABC will have more finales soon with Abbott Elementary returning to Disney+ soon with a dump of new episodes, alongside new series, 9-1-1: Nashville wrapping in a couple of Saturday's.

CBS are continuing with the traditional network format of all series concluding mid-May. ABC, FOX have broken wraps and almost shut up shop early this TV season.

NBC have no current series which peak my interest.

So until next time, if you need a twenty minute workplace comedy to calm the nerves, Animal Control has cute animals and a hunky Joel McHale, who is no stranger to removing his shirt!

Enjoy another long weekend Australia. Next stop, the Kings Birthday!

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Hijack - Season Two

In the thrilling second season of Idris Elba's Hijack, a Berlin underground train and its commuters are taken hostage, while authorities scramble to save hundreds of lives. Sam Nelson (Elba) is at the heart of the crisis on board, where one wrong decision could spell disaster.

Season two reunites its ensemble cast of stars including Elba, who was honoured with an Emmy Award nomination for his season one performance, Christine Adams, Max Beesley and Archie Panjabi, & welcomes Christian Näthe (“Ballon,” “Soloalbum,” “Schule”), Clare-Hope Ashitey (“Seven Seconds,” “Top Boy,” “Doctor Foster”), Lisa Vicari (“Django,” “Dark”), Toby Jones (“Mr Bates vs The Post Office,” “Detectorists,” “Empire of Light”), Karima McAdams (“Dune: Prophecy,” “Deep State,” “Soulmates”) and Christiane Paul (“Counterpart,” “FBI: International,” “Parlement”).

From planes to trains, Hijack returns after originally set out as a miniseries, the first seasons success, left Apple TV wanting more Elba, less plane, more train! In Germany too.

So yes, there is subtitles for season two. I know right. After a long day in front of endless Teams meetings, sometimes you just need to watch an episode of DMV or Animal Control.

So how'd it wrap up last month? Yes I am behind. I know right. So many shows, so little time! Apple TV is also on a roll! Imperfect Women, Shrinking, along with Monarch: Legacy of Monsters currently streaming.

SPOILERS AHEAD....

Sam tells Thatcher the handover must continue until Marsha is safe. Atterton is revealed to be the main orchestrator, wanting to eliminate Bailey-Brown so he can become head of the Cheapside Firm. He calls Lang and demands that Bailey-Brown be handed over or Lang will not get paid. The police identify Jess as a former Moroccan soldier. 

Faber finds Linder's body and determines that Lang (ex-military who worked with Jess as a mercenary) is the orchestrator. At the Britz-Süd depot, Sam releases the passengers. 

Lang and Bailey-Brown get on to complete the handover, but Sam and Otto drive the train away. Bailey-Brown tells Sam he did not kill Kai and that Lang has manipulated him. Lang incapacitates Sam, flees the train, and detonates the bombs. Believing Sam and Bailey-Brown dead, he calls Atterton to demand a higher share of the fortune made from the KA29 hijacking short. However, Sam and Otto survive. GSG-9 pursue Lang and shoot him dead when he makes a sudden movement. 

Marsha makes a bonfire to signal a police helicopter, which finds her and forces Gold and Mansell to surrender. Atterton's machinations are discovered, and he is apprehended in prison, with O'Farrell confirming that Sam and Marsha are alive. Thatcher gives Sam his phone to call Marsha, confirming she is safe.

It doesn't end with all issues tied up. I wonder whether a third season will be announced by Apple TV? I feel this series was wonderful and original in its first season, however (like many shows) the second series struggles to deliver the same suspense and impact of the first season.

That said, it was highly addictive viewing again. Until next time. Bring on the long weekend!

NOT another streaming Movie - undertone

undertone is a Canadian supernatural horror film written and directed by Ian Tuason, in his directorial debut.

Starring Nina Kiri as Evy, a woman who hosts a paranormal podcast with her friend Justin (Adam DiMarco), where she is the skeptic to his believer. After Evy moves back home to become the caregiver to her dying mother (Michèle Duquet), she and Justin are sent recordings of a married couple (Keana Lyn Bastidas and Jeff Yung) experiencing paranormal noises in their home, drawing Evy into fear and paranoia.

Evy and her mother are the only characters to be shown on-screen in the film. All other characters are heard as off-screen voices, thus conveying the film's horror through its sound design.

It's a unique idea if you ask me. Via creating horror via sound, rather than visuals. You still get the old fashioned jump scares though. As at times, this slow burn has some real tense, scary moments!

undertone premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival on July 27, 2025, before getting a cinema release, recently.

It's another A24 success story, receiving generally positive reviews from critics, whilst being a box office success, grossing $20 million against a budget of $500,000.

That is one small budget!

undertone was an interesting take on horror. A seriously religious, dying mother upstairs. A horror podcast being recorded at 3am downstairs. I still hear the bumps in the night.

The movie also leaves you guessing a little. What actually does the ending mean?

I kinda like a film that leaves you thinking, long after you leave the cinema.

This won't be everyone's cup fo tea, however I enjoyed this. Another horror film in the bag for 2026. 3 Stars.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Big Mood - Season Two

Big Mood is back on Stan! The British dark comedy-drama series returns after a two year break. However in the show... it’s been a year since Maggie (Nicola Coughlan) and Eddie (Lydia West) last saw each other, without any contact between the best friends. 

When Eddie suddenly returns for a wedding, she isn’t alone – Maggie has competition, in the form of an infuriatingly positive spiritual healer named Whitney. Can Maggie and her special brand of chaos find space in Eddie’s new life? Or will Maggie lose Eddie forever?

Starring: Nicola Coughlan, Lydia West, Hannah Onslow, Rupert Everett, Robert Gilbert, Eamon Farren, Niamh Cusack, Amalia Vitale, Luke Fetherston, Rebecca Lowman, Stephen Sobal, Kate Fleetwood

The Channel 4 series confirmed the second season back in February 2025. This was released last week. Let's wait and see if a third season gets confirmed. I'm not putting bets on this returning or being cancelled.

This was one of those random shows I picked up on Stan when I hadn't nothing else really to watch. Also I was attracted to the interesting first season's premise. Now I feel this is one of the shows that has a great first season idea, however struggles to get out of first gear, in the second season.

That said, if you are fans of the leads, you may enjoy this.

Until next time, Animal Control concludes this week, plus tomorrow, I'm back at the movies. Yep, another horror film.

Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' - Heartbreak High - Season Three/Series Finale

Get ready to get mucked! It's term 4 (aka final season) at Hartley High and things are getting out of hand. 

As the students hit the final stretch toward graduation - chaos, secrets and mistakes look to get in the way between school and the real world. Heartbreak High, concluded on Netflix, late last month.

Over three seasons, Heartbreak High, was sort of Australia's answer to Euphoria (which is also back. Episode one sucked, hard) as well as a soft reboot of the 1994 series (itself a spin-off of the 1993 feature film The Heartbreak Kid).

Over three seasons, it has followed the students and teachers of Hartley High as they navigate racial tensions in Australia, high school romances, and all sorts of teen angst. 

Starring some of Australia's upcoming (and current) new screen legends, Ayesha Madon, Thomas Weatherall, Bryn Chapman Parish, Asher Yasbincek, James Majoos, Chloé Hayden, Will McDonald, Gemma Chua-Tran, Sherry-Lee Watson, Josh Heuston, Brodie Townsend, Chika Ikogwe, Rachel House, Kartanya Maynard, & Ioane Sa'ula, Aki Munroe, William McKenna and Ben Turland joined in its third and final season.

Over its run Heartbreak High has received universal acclaim from critics, with performances and costumes in all three seasons were met with praise. It has received numerous accolades, including an International Emmy Award and six AACTA Awards (of 15 nominations).

All this said, the third season was a bit of a hard slog.

Season one was gold, season two kind of struggled to keep the standard of the first, then this one felt like the regular Netflix quantity over quality.

Sadly Netflix (of all the streamers) definitely churns out loads of content (including a load of B grade films, which in the old days would have been straight to video/DVD) some good, some awful. Some just to keep people's subscriptions. 

Emily in Paris, is cruisey and an easy watch, however the quality is highly questionable.

Heartbreak High is one of few locally produced series that were longer than an Aussie miniseries. Boy Swallows Universe, Apple Cider Vinegar & The Survivors all were shorter runs and received solid reviews, plus loads of award nominations.

Sadly Heartbreak High went off on a low, not a high like HBO series Succession and Six Feet Under.

Sometimes some shows should just end on a high before they jump the shark. This series just got too woke and too diversity tick boxing. Much like Sex & The City sequel, And Just Like That...

I am all for diversity and inclusion, however come on, not EVERY box needs ticking. Please. This is why the better side of politics lost to people like Trump, or whoever is running Tasmania and the NT.

Well until next time. More Aussie content on the way from ABC, with Kitty and Anne Edmonds teaming up for Bad Company and an NZ favourite, Urzila Carlson show landing soon. Praise be. Speaking of, how good is the Handmaid's Tale sequel, The Testaments! Well done Hulu!