Spring Season 3 Ender - Ramy

Back in August 2020, I discovered Ramy. I smashed both seasons back to back on Stan. It's one of those random Hulu titles that slipped through the cracks, got a deal outside of Disney+ and streams on a competitors platform.

The third season premiered on September 30, 2022. All ten episodes landed on Stan, giving me another show I discovered through the fog of COVID to catch up on.

These shows are building up, whilst some are being cancelled, there is a lot more content out there now, that I first discovered through the fogs, the large amounts of home life during 2020/2021.

Ramy has been praised for its portrayal of American Muslims when most Western pop culture depictions are "usually as the bad guys"

Ramy follows "a first-generation American Muslim who is on a spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighborhood. 

It explores the challenges of what it is like being caught between an Egyptian community that thinks life is a moral test, and a generation that thinks life has no consequences."

I compared it to Insecure in my first post. There is some random sex in season three, however it is more about a young guy, trying to find love, faith and purpose. Something we can all relate to. It gives viewers a different point of view.

A series that is based in New Jersey but tackles problems all 30-somethings have in this modern world. Love, lust, faith, meaning. Yeah it's a comedy, but it is also deep.

It was a fine third season, it does end on a possible final ending, however I could see Hulu renewing this for a fourth and final or possible many more seasons to come.

In Australia you can get back into Ramy (if like me you watched it previously) or you could be discovering for the first time. Like a number of series there was over a two year gap between seasons two and three. However this is a damn easy watch. I was done quick smart, even with all my weekly shows continuing.

Praise be, it's Halloween today, allowing me to catch up!

Merlí: Sapere Aude Ends.

Merlí: Sapere Aude was one of those pandemic series I watched when there was nothing else to watch. Season one landed at the convenient pandemic viewing time of 5 December 2019.

The series is a sequel and spin-off of the Merlí series which I also binged during years of on and off again lockdowns. Snap or otherwise.

Pol Rubio (Carlos Cuevas), is the main character from the original Merlí series. Pol enters university to follow in the footsteps of his idolized professor at high school, Merlí. 

On Netflix the second and final season, consisting of 8 episodes, just landed, so I totally smashed it over the weekend on the Central Coast. For context "Sapere Aude" is Latin for "Dare to be Wise".

Cast members from the previous series include: Carlos Cuevas as Pol Rubio, David Solans as Bruno, Ana María Barbany as Carmina Calduch, Boris Ruiz as Alfonso, Assun Planas as Glòria, and Francesc Orella as Merlí.

Some new faces also join, Pablo Capuz as Rai, Pol's classmate, Azul Fernández as Minerva, María Pujalte as María Bolaño, and Gloria Ramos.

Season two was less sexy, but more in the feels with Pol getting some health news. Like Dynasty airing its last episode in no man's land, not really a seasonal finale or a binge. Merlí: Sapere Aude 100% has amazing eye candy with Carlos Cuevas, however it also has real life issues explored in a raw and honest way.

The sexual health, alcohol abuse, romance/relationships all feel more real than a US series. Definitely a US Network series that's for sure.

It's bold, much more original than an American college drama. So if you have Netflix, want some college drama, Merlí: Sapere Aude has 16 easy to consume episodes.

Spring Minseries Ender - The Patient

The Patient is another adult drama streaming on Disney+ in Australia, Hulu stateside.

Premiering back in late August, the series concluded October 25. Consisting of ten episodes, The Patient stars Steve Carell, Domhnall Gleeson, and Linda Emond.

Basically, a therapist (Steve Carell) is held captive by a serial killer (Domhnall Gleeson) who seeks help to curb his homicidal urges.

Episode ten, The Cantor's Husband was one tense TV episode. The series which could have been a stage show, basically all set in the one basement of Gleeson, come to an epic conclusion.

No spoilers here, however the finale really made me happy I sat through all ten episodes. It's no secret Carell is not my favourite actor of all time. However this was an interesting concept with an interesting conclusion.

Disney+ has really got some great content, making it a hard decision to see if I will keep my subscription past the three month trial end date next week.

So if you need a miniseries to see you through Halloween, The Patient maybe for you.

See you next time...

Spring Season 1 Ender - House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon SOME SPOILERS ALERT (below the trailer) ! It did air yesterday afternoon Australian time. What y'all been doing!

The independent prequel to Game of Thrones, which starting airing back in 2011 until 2019.

The HBO series is set about 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, descendant of the eponymous royal house, and 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms is united by the Targaryen Conquest. It portrays the beginning of the end of House Targaryen, the events leading up to and covering the Targaryen civil war of succession, known as the Dance of the Dragons.

House of the Dragon premiered on August 21, 2022, with the first season consisting of 10 episodes. 5 days after its premiere, the series was renewed for a second season. 

Episode one was watched by over 10 million viewers, the biggest in HBO's history. This is a huge effort for HBO now there is so much streaming compeition.

So where did season one leave us?

On Dragonstone, Princess Rhaenys announces King Viserys's death and Prince Aegon's usurpation.

Shocked, Rhaenyra suffers a miscarriage. Prince Daemon, believing Viserys was murdered, urges war. 

Ser Erryk brings Viserys' crown and Rhaenyra is declared queen; Ser Otto arrives to present Aegon's terms for Rhaenyra's concession; she prevents Daemon from killing Otto and delays answering. Privately, Daemon is angered by Rhaenyra's desire to negotiate peace, and dismisses the dream about the "promised prince". 

Rhaenys persuades a still-recovering Lord Corlys to pledge House Velaryon's allegiance to Rhaenyra's "Black" faction; Daemon plans to recruit more dragonriders, and he awakens Vermithor, a large dragon.

Rhaenyra sends Princes Jacaerys and Lucerys as envoys to secure Houses Arryn, Stark, and Baratheon as allies. At Storm's End, Lucerys meets Lord Borros Baratheon, who refuses to support Rhaenyra for offering him nothing. 

Prince Aemond is also present, who at Aegon's arrangement would marry Borros' daughter. Aemond demands an eye from Lucerys as retribution. Borros allows Lucerys to leave on his dragon, Arrax, but Aemond pursues him on Vhagar. 

The fractious dragons defy their riders' commands, and Arrax burns Vhagar. Incensed, Vhagar kills Lucerys and Arrax, stunning Aemond. Daemon informs Rhaenyra of Lucerys' death, devastating and enraging her.

Like all other HBO titles House of the Dragon streams on all Foxtel platforms including Binge. With ad's coming soon. FML, Foxtel will never learn! Ad's on a streaming service! GROSS!

Spring Season 2 Ender - Power Book III: Raising Kanan

Power Book III: Raising Kanan is the third book in the Power series. It is also the only prequel (so far) focusing on the early years of Kanan Stark (the character first played by executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson), as he gets into the drug game.

Set in the 1990s, the fashion, the music is all on show. But what was really on show in the season two ender was a blood bath. The last five minutes was hectic AF!

The second season premiered on mid August, concluding yesterday on streaming platform Stan. A few days ahead of the season two premiere, the series was renewed for a third season.

With Power Book III: Raising Kanan and House of the Dragon both concluding on the same night, my TV dance card is starting to free up a little!

So tomorrow expect my take on The Black Queen from HBO's mega hit series House of the Dragon.

For now Power Book III: Raising Kanan concludes for some time. There is no word when Power Book II: Ghost or Power Book IV: Force will return. So for now our TV screens are free from G Unit TV!

It must be said, Patina Miller as Raquel Thomas still is the absolute queen in this series! She nails every episode!

Until Ghost or Force is back on our screens, it's a Power free summer by the looks of things!

Happy Monday, dear readers!

AACTA 2022 Nominations | Predictions

Nominations have been announced today, here are my predictions for the Awards held at The Hordern on Wednesday, 7 December and screen on 10 repeated on FOX Docos. Predictions bold and in red.

Television nominees:

Best Children’s Program

Bluey – Charlie Aspinwall, Sam Moor, Daley Pearson – Ludo Studio (ABC)

First Day – Kirsty Stark, Kate Butler – Epic Films and KOJO Studios (ABC)

Little J & Big Cuz – Ned Lander, Colin South, David Gurney, Alicia Rackett – Ned Lander Media (ABC, NITV, SBS)

MaveriX – Rachel Clements, Trisha Morton-Thomas – Brindle Films (ABC, Netflix)

Rock Island Mysteries– Timothy Powell – Fremantle (Network 10)

The PM’s Daughter – Tristram Baumber, Willison Alice, Kieran Hoyle – Fremantle (ABC)

Best Comedy Performer

Wayne Blair– Aftertaste

Patrick Brammall– Summer Love

Harriet Dyer– Summer Love

Tom Gleeson– Hard Quiz

Charlie Pickering– The Weekly with Charlie Pickering

Doris Younane– Five Bedrooms

Best Comedy Program

Aftertaste– Rebecca Summerton, Matthew Bate, Erik Thomson, Julie De Fina – Closer Productions (ABC)

Five Bedrooms– Nathan Mayfield, Tracey Robertson – Hoodlum Productions (Network 10, Paramount+)

Hard Quiz– Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)

Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell– Peter Beck, Beth Hart, Shaun Micallef – ITV Studios Australia (ABC)

Spicks and Specks– Rachel Millar, Anthony Watt            – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Summer Love– Wayne Hope, Robyn Butler – Gristmill (ABC)

Best Documentary or Factual Program

Books That Made Us – Darren Dale, Jacob Hickey – Blackfella Films (ABC)

Burning – Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, Eva Orner, Jonathan Schaerf, Jason Byrne – Propagate Content and Amazon Studios (Amazon Prime Video)

Fearless: The Inside Story Of The AFLW – Anne-Maree Sparkman, Cos Cardone, Luke Tunnecliffe, Becky Taylor – JAM TV (Disney+)

Miriam Margolyes Australia Unmasked – Laurie Critchley, Bethan Arwel-Lewis – Southern Pictures (ABC)

People’s Republic of Mallacoota – Lucy Maclaren, Joe Connor, Ken Connor – Renegade Films  (ABC)

The Family Court Murders – Madeleine Hetherton-Miau, Rebecca Barry, Mark Morrissey, Debi Marshall – Media Stockade with Said & Done (ABC)

Best Drama Series

Bump – Dan Edwards, John Edwards, Claudia Karvan, Kelsey Munro – Roadshow Rough Diamond (Stan)                 

Heartbreak High – Carly Heaton, Sarah Freeman – Fremantle (Netflix)   

Love Me – Hamish Lewis, Michael Brooks, Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia (Binge, Foxtel)                 

Mystery Road: Origin – Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey – Bunya Productions (ABC)   

The Tourist – Lisa Scott, Harry Williams, Jack Williams, Christopher Aird, Chris Sweeney, – Two Brothers Pictures (Stan)                        

Wolf Like Me – Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Bruna Papandrea, Abe Forsythe – Made Up Stories and Endeavour Content (Stan)                 

Best Entertainment Program

Eurovision – Australia Decides – Gold Coast 2022 – Paul Clarke, Stephanie Werrett, Emily Griggs – Blink TV (SBS)          

LEGO® Masters Australia – David McDonald, Di Yang, AJ Johnson – Endemol Shine Australia (Nine Network)          

Mastermind – Lucy De Luca, Anthony Watt – BBC Studios Australia and SBS (SBS)   

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under – Fenton Bailey, RuPaul Charles, Cailah Scobie, Amanda Duthie, Nicola Van der Meijden – World of Wonder and Warner Bros. International Television Production New Zealand Limited (Stan)                 

The Dog House Australia – Sarah Thornton, Ciaran Flannery, Samantha De Alwis, Naomi Elkin – Network 10 (Network 10)                 

The Voice Australia – Majella Hay, Beth Hart, Chloe Baker – ITV Studios Australia (Seven Network)          

Best Factual Entertainment Program

Back Roads – Brigid Donovan, Louise Turley – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)   

Gogglebox Australia – David McDonald, Danielle Vos – Endemol Shine Australia (Foxtel, Network 10)   

Muster Dogs – Michael Boughen, Monica O’Brien – Ambience Entertainment (ABC)   

Old People’s Home for Teenagers – Debbie Cuell, Tony De La Pena, Paulo Vivan, Brooke Hulsman – Endemol Shine Australia (ABC)                 

Who Do You Think You Are? – Maxine Gray – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia (SBS)

You Can’t Ask That – Frances O’Riordan, Kirk Docker, Josh Schmidt – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)   

Best Lead Actor in a Drama  

Mark Coles Smith – Mystery Road: Origin

Jamie Dornan – The Tourist

James Majoos – Heartbreak High

Sam Neill – The Twelve

Hugo Weaving – Love Me

Best Lead Actress in a Drama  

Isla Fisher – Wolf Like Me

Claudia Karvan – Bump

Kate Mulvany – The Twelve

Tuuli Narkle – Mystery Road: Origin

Bojana Novakovic – Love Me

Best Lifestyle Program

Gardening Australia – Gill Lomas – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Grand Designs Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Fremantle (Foxtel)

Selling Houses Australia – Nicole Rogers, Caroline Swift, Kam Vurlow, Howard Myers – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia (Foxtel)  

The Cook Up with Adam Liaw – Bruce Walters, Samantha De Alwis – SBS (SBS)

The Great Australian Bake Off – Alenka Henry, Howard Myers, Kylie Washington – BBC Studios Australia (Foxtel)

The Living Room – Sarah Thornton, Tamara Simoneau, Rachael Brand – Network 10 (Network 10)

Best Miniseries

Barons – John Molloy, Michael Lawrence, Liz Doran, Justin Davies, Nicholas Cook – 2 Jons, Micanical Media, Fremantle (ABC)                               

Savage River – Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford – Aquarius Films (ABC)   

The Twelve – Hamish Lewis, Ian Collie, Ally Henville, Rob Gibson, Michael Brooks – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia and Easy Tiger Productions (Binge, Foxtel)                        

True Colours – Penny Smallacombe, Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey – Bunya Productions (SBS)          

Underbelly: Vanishing Act – Kerrie Mainwaring, Matt Ford – Screentime (Nine Network)   

Best Reality Program

Amazing Race Australia – Paul Franklin, Rikkie Proost, Chris Culvenor, Sophia Mogford – Eureka Productions (Network 10)                 

Australian Survivor: Blood V Water – Amelia Fisk, Drina Maruna, Adam Fergusson, Di Yang – Endemol Shine Australia (Network 10)                 

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – Ben Ulm, Riima Daher, Alex Mavroidakis, Beth Hart – ITV Studios Australia (Network 10)                 

Luxe Listings Sydney – Paul Franklin, Chris Culvenor, Rikkie Proost, Evan Wilkes, Anastassia Gerakis, Jake Hargreaves – Eureka Productions (Amazon Prime Video)                               

MasterChef Australia – David Forster, Eoin Maher, Simon Child – Endemol Shine Australia (Network 10)          

The Bridge – Amelia Fisk, Lucy Connors, Toby Trappel – Endemol Shine Australia (Paramount+)  

Best Stand-Up Special

Geraldine Hickey: What A Surprise – Geraldine Hickey, Frank Bruzzese, Kathleen McCarthy, Lauren Moore – Guesswork Television (Paramount+)                    

Ronny Chieng: Speakeasy – Ronny Chieng – All Things Comedy and Netflix (Netflix)

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022 Gala Supported by Oxfam – Various Performers,  Rachel Millar, Kellie Williams, Susan Provan, Claire Hammond – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)                            

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2022 Opening Night Comedy AllStars Show – Various Performers,  Rachel Millar, Kellie Williams, Susan Provan, Claire Hammond – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)                            

Tom Ballard: Enough – Tom Ballard, Frank Bruzzese, Kathleen McCarthy, Lauren Moore – Guesswork Television (Paramount+)                    

Tommy Little: I’ll See Myself Out – Tommy Little, Kevin Whyte, Kathleen McCarthy, Nikita Agzarian – Guesswork Television (Amazon Prime Video)                                

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama

Steve Bisley – Mystery Road: Origin

Brendan Cowell – The Twelve

Daniel Henshall – Mystery Road: Origin

Damon Herriman – The Tourist

Thomas Weatherall – Heartbreak High

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

Hayley McElhinney – Mystery Road: Origin

Jacqueline McKenzie – Savage River

Heather Mitchell – Love Me

Brooke Satchwell – The Twelve

Magda Szubanski – After the Verdict

Best Digital Series or Channel

A Beginner’s Guide to Grief – Renee Mao, Julie Byrne, Kate Butler, Linda Ujuk, Anna Lindner

Black As – Joseph Smith, Dino Wanybarrngu, Chico Wanybarrnga, Jerome Lilypiyana, David Batty

Iggy & Ace – A.B Morrison, Monica Zanetti, Melissa Kelly, Hannah Ngo

It’s Fine I’m Fine – Clare Delaney, Iain Crittenden, Florence Tourbier, Stef Smith

Jimmy Rees POV – Jimmy Rees

Ozzy Man Reviews – Ethan Marrell

The Masked Cinema 2022 - See How They Run

Currently playing now in Sydney is The Mousetrap. This long running play, plays a fairly large part of this whodunit film.

See How They Run starring Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Ruth Wilson, Reece Shearsmith, Harris Dickinson + David Oyelowo kicks off in 1953 London. 

Agatha Christie's play The Mousetrap celebrates its 100th performance, and the sleazy American director Leo Köpernick (Adrien Brody) attempts to convince the producer John Woolf to allow him to direct the film adaptation. After Köpernick's drunken behaviour towards the female lead Sheila Sim leads to a fistfight with her husband and co-star Richard Attenborough, Köpernick is killed backstage by an unseen assailant.

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, however what does this bedroom critic think?

Firstly with Black Adam opening today, if you want to see, See How They Run, make it this week.

Saoirse Ronan as Woman Police Constable Stalker completely steals the show with some real quirky English one liners.

I have in the past seen the Mousetrap at Sydney Theatre, so there were elements of the film that triggered memories of the live show this film revolves around.

It's interesting a murder occurs almost playing into an Agatha Christie style play/film.

I loved whodunits growing up. I loved Clue plus the game Cluedo. So I have to pass this for being some fun taking me back to my youth. 3 Stars.