RATED - Winter Warmer Watchlist

Winter was WET, cold and LONG! To be honest it was way cooler than last year. I have to say I am super surprised, a local Amazon titled ended up being the top dog of the last three months. Its also from the Top End!

The number two series was a fun, camp, little Starz drama that ended up being a HUGE hit for Netflix, earning The Hunting Wives, a second season. WTF. This show was held for months. Then with little marketing turned into a hit on Netflix, locally on Stan. Let's pray season two also lands on the last Aussie streamer, Stan.

With Stan/Channel Nine hosting their upfront presentation in a few weeks, we will finally find out if we get more Scrublands, Black Snow or UK co-production, Ten Pound Poms.

What about other Aussie content over winter? Well good news is RFDS started yesterday, Mother & Son is currently airing a second season, Watching You lands on Stan tomorrow & we are still awaiting a release date for the NT based second season of Deadloch.

So after running around all day on October 1, here is my belated RATED - Winter Warmer Watchlist. 45 series rated, from 1 all the way down to 24!

But before that big reveal, go waste your time with my previous quarterly RATED's! Finale posts incoming for my next series, Platonic, The Twisted Tale of Amanda Know & The English Teacher's second season. Wow, so that's a lot of TV posts this long weekend! SHIT!

Mega Summer 2023-2024 master list

#RATED - Fall Finales 2023

#RATED - Summer Slack Streaming (2023)

#RATED - Spring 2022 TV Finales

#RATED - Winter 2022 TV Finales

#RATED - Summer Slack (Dec-Feb) TV Finales (2022)

#RATED - Autumn 2022 TV Finales

#RATED - Autumn/Winter Binged 2022

#RATED - Sizzlin' Summer Streaming 23'

#RATED - Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24'

#RATED - New Financial Year 2024/2025 Streaming

#RATED - Summer Streamin' 24

#RATED - Summer Streamin' 25

#RATED - Summer Streamin' 24/25

#RATED - Post Holiday Blues Streaming 25'

1. Top End Bub - Season One (AU)
2. The Hunting Wives - Season One/Renewed for Season Two
3. Dexter: Resurrection - Season One
4. The Family Next Door - Miniseries (AU)
5. Butterfly - Season One
6. Such Brave Girls - Season Two
7. You - Season Five/Series Final
8. Adolescence - Season One
9. The Girlfriend - Miniseries
10. The Waterfront - Season One/Series Final
11. Say Nothing - Miniseries
12. Austin - Seasons One - Two (AU/UK)
13. The Chi - Season Seven
14. Mystery Road: Origins - Season Two (AU)
15. Dating Naked UK - Season Two
16. The Paper - Season One
17. 9-1-1: Lone Star - Season Five/Series Finale
18. Smoke - Miniseries
19. Countdown - Season One
20. Twisted Metal - Season Two
21. Too Much - Season One
22. Motorheads - Season One/Series Final
23. The Twelve - Season Three (AU)
24. Untamed - Season One
25. Poker Face - Season Two
26. Nine Perfect Strangers - Season Two
27. Moni - Miniseries (AU)
28. Duster - Season One/Series Final
29. Murderbot - Season One
30. Revival - Season One
31. The Last Anniversary - Miniseries (AU)
32. Alien: Earth - Season One
33. Playing Gracie Darling - Miniseries (AU) 
34. Gangs of London - Season Three
35. The Couple Next Door - Season Two
36. Ironheart - Season One
37. Mix Tape - Miniseries (AU/Ireland)
38. Goosebumps - Seasons One - Two/Series Final 
39. Warm Props - Miniseries (AU)
40. The Bear - Season Four
41. BMF - Season Four
42. Upload - Season Four/Series Final
43. Mayfair Witches - Season Two
44. And Just Like That... - Season Three/Series Final
45. Hal & Harper - Season One

Winter Warmer Watchlist - Too Much - Season One

Too Much is the return of Lena Dunham, this time on Netflix, not HBO.

The romantic comedy series created by Dunham & Luis Felber, starring Hacks queen, Megan Stalter & The White Lotus hunk, Will Sharpe. 

This one landed on Netflix back in July. It is also my last catch up/post for the Winter Warmer Watchlist series.

So is Too Much, well too much? After a traumatic break-up, thirty-something New York City commercial producer Jessica accepts a work transfer to London.

Jessica, a fan of British period films and romances, is taken aback by her council flat accommodation and loneliness. After forcing herself to visit a pub alone, Jessica witnesses musician Felix performing. 

Felix and she eventually connect and he returns home with her; a romance slowly blooms between the two. Felix and Jessica must bridge cross-cultural relationship divides, their respective relationship histories, and own family dynamics in order to hopefully sustain a healthy relationship.

So it is a lot. However it was an easy watch with Sharpe very easy on the eye in his native UK.

OK it streamed a little while back, but watch out for spoilers. I am still awaiting news on a second run. It kinda didn't give miniseries vibes, so we will see if Netflix want to invest in another run for Dunham.

In the finale, while preparing to move out of Jessica's flat, Felix realises Astrid is having a medical emergency and rushes her to a veterinary hospital, where she dies. 

Devastated, Jessica angrily confronts Felix about their breakup, which devolves into Felix slapping himself and calling her a bitch. Jessica calls Jameson, who offers to help her re-establish her career in the United States. 

Jameson and Nora rekindle their marriage. Wendy arranges to meet with Jessica, where she reveals her relationship with Zev has deteriorated due to his toxic behaviours, and the two bond. 

Inspired, Jessica asks Gaz to drive her to see Felix, and the two confess to each other that they share the toxic habit of sabotaging emotionally intense relationships. Finally accepting even the broken parts of each other, Jessica and Felix get married.

It would be interesting to see a Jessica and Felix married in a second run. However Netflix didn't really promote this all that much. We know what that means historically for Netflix series. Speaking of Netflix. I am house sitting for a bit. Netflix catch up, here I come!

Film Influencer 2025 - The Strangers – Chapter 2

The Strangers – Chapter 2 landed last week at the movies. Right in time for school holidays. Maybe for the senior students that is.

Serving as the fourth film in The Strangers film series, and the second instalment of a new trilogy following last years, The Strangers: Chapter 1.

Starring everyone's favourite ginger Riverdale star Madelaine Petsch, alongside Gabriel Basso & Ema Horvath.

Like Chapter 1, last year, the film received generally negative reviews from certified critics. But what do I think? All will be revealed under the trailer.

The Strangers are back, more brutal and relentless than ever. When they learn that one of their victims, Maya (Petsch), is still alive, they return to finish what they’ve started. 

With nowhere to run and no one to trust, Maya must survive another horrific chapter of terror as The Strangers – driven by a senseless, unceasing purpose – pursue her, more than willing to kill anyone who stands in their way.

So much goes down across this survivalist horror film. The OG, chapter 1 film, was more horror and suspense. This was on the run, survival horror. Whilst its not great, and I'm not sure why there are three chapters. This wasn't awful.

During the credits we even got a peek at Chapter 3.

Honestly I feel like the three films could be merged into one two hour horror feature, or a quick American Horror Story. 

I feel dragging this out over three chapters will leave viewers mildly irritated. Honestly leave cliffhangers for TV shows, this is not for the big screen.

OK, so I'll pass it, but only just. Some of the shit Maya had to put up with in Chapter 2 was downright insane.

2.5 Stars.

Bring on the long weekend - baby!

Winter Warmer Watchlist - Dating Naked UK - Season Two

Dating Naked UK is not my regular viewing, however Aussie Connor Rogers and Brit hottie Matthew Edwards made this an easy watch.

Hosted by former UK X Factor novelty act Rylan Clark. This trashy Paramount+ title wrapped yesterday. After a month or so of double episodes week-to-week the second season has wrapped.

With however, some familiar faces. Dominik Herbert & Rico Hammett from season one are back baby! Rico was never my cuppa tea though. Those tats, that uncut you know.... Well actually most are uncut on this show. Including Aussie Connor Rogers.

Speaking of which, unlike the American show, nudity is not blurred as well as in the German version of this show.

So let's hope the show is renewed for a third season. By the people I have talked to, its a bit of fun. Rylan makes for a fun host. It must be cheap to make.

So who would you like to see return for a third run? Kelsey Jenner, Keir Dale-Oakes, Mani, Nina, Amara Zammit,, Connor Rogers, sexy Jarrakeh Cherno Jarra, Matthew Edwards, Jordan Langley, Luke Worley, Ivan Alexiev, Lauren Louise, Dominik Herbert, Rico Hammett, Ryan Kendall or fellow Melbourne based Tilly Skok.

So if you want to look at some hotties with no clothes in Panama, give Dating Naked UK a good hard crack. Well so to speak.

No spoilers here of the winners. Or do they really win after exposing themselves for all to see on TV. LOL

Winter Warmer Watchlist - Alien: Earth - Season One

Alien: Earth is the first television series in the Alien franchise and is set two years before the events of the 1979 film Alien.

The series is created by Noah Hawley, starring Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Aussie, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, Adarsh Gourav, & Timothy Olyphant.

Alien: Earth streams on FX and FX on Hulu in the USA & Disney+ internationally, meaning Australia.

The series commenced its eight episode run mid last month. The opening of the first episode introduces the premise of the series as involving three separate destinies for the immortality of mankind. These are:

Cybernetically enhanced humans: Cyborgs

Artificially intelligent beings: Synthetics (Synths)

Synthetic beings with downloaded human consciousness: Hybrids

So how does Miss Fischer, I mean Essie Davis fit into this sci-fi horror? When the space vessel Maginot crash-lands on Earth, a young hybrid woman and a group of tactical soldiers make a discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's biggest threat.

Watch out, spoilers AHEAD!

It all goes down in episode eight, The Real Monsters. The episode was written by series creator Noah Hawley and co-executive producer Migizi Pensoneau, and directed by executive producer Dana Gonzales. 

The series is set in 2120, two years before the events of the original 1979 film Alien. It focuses on the space vessel Maginot crash-landing on Earth, where a young woman and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's biggest threat. 

In the episode, Wendy and the Lost Boys plan to take control of the facility, while the Xenomorph's presence forces an evacuation.

The hybrids have been imprisoned in one cell, with Joe and Morrow imprisoned in another. Wendy uses her abilities to shut down the facility's cameras and communication abilities. 

She struggles with Joe's decision to shoot Nibs, believing he chose to ally himself with humans instead of her, but ultimately unlocks his cell. 

Kavalier approaches the hybrids and reveals that at six years old, he built his own synthetic which he used to kill his abusive father. Wendy unlocks their cell, Nibs kills Kavalier's bodyguard, and Kavalier flees. 

Morrow pursues Kirsh to the lab and attacks him; Kirsh is badly damaged, but ultimately chokes Morrow unconscious. Smee and Slightly arrive in the lab and they incapacitate both Kirsh and Morrow, while Nibs captures Dame. Meanwhile, Atom lures Joe to Kavalier's room and locks him in with the Ocellus. 

Wendy arrives to save him and fights Atom, who reveals himself as a synthetic, allowing Wendy to control his motor functions. The Ocellus escapes to the beach, where it possesses Arthur's corpse. With the help of the older Xenomorph, Wendy and Joe capture Kavalier and lock him in a cell with Kirsh, Atom, Dame, and Morrow. 

As Yutani and her team approach the island, Wendy, with both Xenomorphs nearby, declares, "Now, we rule."

So will we get a second season? I reckon yes. The critics did seem to like it, the Alien series does have a cult following. So I say this would be a no brainer. Time will tell though.

Enjoy the spring weekend dear readers. Summer is coming... As is Q4 for 2025, meaning a whole new TV blog series. Along with a RATED for Q3!

Winter Warmer Watchlist - The Girlfriend - Miniseries

The Girlfriend is a super trashy, fun little miniseries on Amazon Prime Video that landed earlier this month.

Travelling to and from the Coast over the weekend on the beautiful new Mariyung trains, I was delighted to smash all six episodes directed by Robin Wright and Andrea Harkin. 

Based on Michelle Frances' novel, alongside directing it, Robin Wright also stars as Laura, with Olivia Cooke, & Laurie Davidson.

Across the six episodes, The Girlfriend explores themes of love, greed, and power depicting a mother, Laura's (Robin Wright) reaction to her son, Daniel's (Laurie Davidson) new girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke) and her perceived motivations.

So fun! But how'd it all go down? SPOILER ALERT!

Daniel and Cherry return home after shopping for an engagement ring. Cherry expresses disappointment when Daniel suggests keeping their engagement private, but he later agrees to announce it. 

Meanwhile, Laura confronts Daniel outside the hospital, accusing him of believing her to be violent. He reveals their engagement and insists on being left alone. Howard returns home and packs his belongings, expressing his support for Cherry and criticising Laura. 

Laura, feeling betrayed, investigates Cherry's past and discovers that her father, John, is alive and residing in a nursing home. She learns that John suffered a spinal injury after falling from a building and becomes suspicious of Cherry's involvement. 

Cherry vandalises Lilith's artwork, leading her to be arrested and straining Laura's relationship with Lilith. 

Cherry's mother gives her a fake alibi and she is subsequently released. Daniel confronts Laura and announces that he will cut ties with her. 

Laura drugs Daniel and tries to give him a recording of Cherry's mother expressing her concerns about Cherry's past. However, Cherry arrives and the two become involved in a struggle, ending in the basement where Laura threatens her with a knife and accusing her of destroying her family. 

The confrontation escalates, and both women fall into the pool. Daniel, in a drugged state, intervenes, holding Laura underwater while attempting to protect Cherry. Laura drowns, and Daniel, realising the tragic outcome, is left in shock. 

Then we flash forward to a year later, Daniel and Cherry are married and expecting a child. Daniel discovers the recording on Laura's phone, leaving him to question the true nature of his relationship with Cherry.

With the finale being the only episode not to feature Cherry and Laura's respective prespectives.

This was fun and a departure away from Amazon's typical macho dramas or teeny bopper love dramas.

More trashy thrillers like this please Amazon! Alien:Earth tomorrow peoples!

Winter Warmer Watchlist - Mystery Road: Origins - Season Two

Mystery Road: Origins is back for Season Two!

With lead Mark Coles Smith as hunky, moody Jay swan, Daniel Henshall, Tuuli Narkle, Clarence Ryan, Robyn Malcolm, Luke Carroll, Helen Morse, Eloise Hart, Aswan Reid & Tammy Lee Rock also star.

Kicking off on Sunday on ABC TV, or like I did, all episodes streaming on ABC iview. Yes it's only Tuesday and I am done! So where does the long awaited second season of the prequel to the OG film kick off?

It’s Easter 2000, six months from when we last saw young Detective Jay Swan and his partner Mary. 

We find them attempting to forge a new life together on her mother’s Country, in the fading timber town of Loch Iris. It doesn’t take long though for the majesty of the tall trees in the brooding surrounding forests and the deep lake that shimmers at the edge of town to take on gothic dimensions.  

As Jay begins to investigate an unfolding case, Loch Iris closes ranks around him. The more he pieces together the crime, the more he realises the entire town has been hiding a shadowy past. It's a past that is still rippling through to the present and with it, a secret that threatens to tear Jay and Mary apart.   

Its been three long years since the first of the prequel series with Mark Coles Smith replacing Aaron Pedersen (Series 1-2) as lead Jay Swan.

New Zealand's finest Robyn Malcolm also joins this season. What a legend. Take a look at the latest Aussie ABC series below.

We are getting more quality Aussie dramas with RFDS starting on Channel Seven soon, Watching You coming to Stan next month and ABC reboot comedy Mother & Son returns.

Mystery Road is a solid Aussie series. With ABC still to do their upfront presentation for next year, I sure hope we get another Mystery Road series sooner rather than later. Three years was just too long to wait between seasons.

Next up, Alien: Earth concludes on Disney+