Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Dog Park - Season One

Streaming now is Dog Park on ABC iview or Sundays at 8:30pm on ABC TV. ABC has started the year strong. With Goolagong (I've almost finished it - review incoming) and new shows galore incoming. Bad Company with Kitty Flanagan & Anne Edmonds looks like a real highlight!

Breaming with an all Australian, all-star cast. This show has laughs, sense of community and warm moments. However its also a little sad too. Particularly episode five.

It has a very Melbourne feel too. One of the stars of Aussie TV's summer Brooke Satchwell is back after her great role in Dear Life. That said her role is a lot less in this six episode series.

Short, sharp and dog filled episodes were an easy Sunday binge for little old me in the middle of the summer humidity.

Roland (Leon Ford) is a fumbling, inexpressive parent to teen daughter Mia (Florence Gladwin). He’s a cold, grumpy husband to wife Emma (Brooke Satchwell). And he’s a pretty lousy dog walker to the family pooch Beattie (Indie).

Also in the cast/dog park group, Samantha (Celia Pacquola), Penny (Elizabeth Alexander), Pamelia (Grace Chow), Jonah (Ras-Andrew) & Samuel (Ash Flanders).

So its a damn fine, solid cast! It's no wonder I smashed this series in around 24 hours. It's just been one of those weeks when sitting to type this up, has been held up multiple times.

What a week, bring on the weekend. Hopefully I'll get to see Send Help or another film.

The first episode of the series took me a little more time to get into than I expected. Dog Park presents as more of a character study of this Melbourne group. More than a straight up Melbourne based Fisk comedy.

That said, this looks very much like Chippendale (my inner city suburb) of an afternoon, where neighbours, locals gather after a long day at work. To unwind with their four legged friends. Chat shit with other locals, so this was relatable.

It did however make me miss the little four legged guy I'd walk around these inner city streets. So warning you might get triggered like me.

Dog Park was great though. Give it a binge, this weekend!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Wonder Man - Miniseries

Wonder Man is the 17th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, via its Marvel Television label. Streaming on Disney+, all (short) episodes were dropped last week.

The miniseries follows Simon Williams, who is trying to earn the lead role in a remake film of Wonder Man along with Trevor Slattery.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Simon Williams / Wonder Man, alongside X Mayo, Zlatko Burić, Arian Moayed, Shola Adewusi, Demetrius Grosse, Béchir Sylvain, Kameron J. Meadows, Olivia Thirlby, Byron Bowers, Joe Pantoliano, Josh Gad, and Ben Kingsley (Slattery). 

Wonder Man is part of Phase Six of the MCU, and released under the "Marvel Spotlight" banner.

Was it any good or is Marvel continuing to flog the dead horse until the next Avengers film lands?

Well this miniseries is literally much ado about nothing. Nothing superhero really happens. It's almost another love story to Hollywood as old Hollywood looks to the future of the US continuing to crumble under the orange rogue leader.

This series really didn't give me much hope for Marvel's TV series future. That said, Daredevil's second run was actually really good. It returns soon for its second season, so fingers crossed. 

I just feel this show really had no purpose, nor direction. I wonder (lol) how long Marvel can afford to churn out these second rate projects. There second rate movies cost more when they fail at the box office, however looking at their reputation, Marvel has some work to do. Maybe superhero series peaked and there is no return.

Either way if you haven't watched the finale, Yucca Valley, maybe don't read on.

Simon returns to his apartment assuming that he will be caught. 

Slattery calls him to apologise and says he has a solution: Slattery revives his Mandarin persona and publicly claims responsibility for the explosion. 

Cleary knows that Slattery is just taking the blame for Simon, but goes along with it because the DODC needs more prisoners to justify their expensive Yucca Valley, California, prison. 

Following Slattery's arrest, Kovak insists they continue filming and tells Simon to use Slattery's betrayal for the scene where Wonder Man is betrayed by Barnaby. Wonder Man is finished with Pantoliano taking over the role of Barnaby, and the film is a success. 

Eric says he is proud of Simon. Janelle tells Simon that he now has his pick of what role to take next, and Simon decides to shadow a DODC guard under the guise of making a new film about him. 

This gives Simon access to the DODC prison, just as Cleary discovers that Simon's powers use ionic energy and proposes to his boss that Simon could be an asset. Simon uses his powers to break Slattery out of prison and fly away with him.

And just like that, another Marvel series is over. Daredevil: Born Again second season begins sometime in March, whilst VisionQuest and an animated Spider-Man series will land late 2026.

We will revisit Marvel later in the year....

NOT another streaming Movie - Mercy

Its been a hot minute minute (no summer pun intended) since I have seen two movies in one weekend. So after Primate, it's time for my Melania review.

Oh fuck that shit, no thanks. It was off to Melania's makers, an AI judge, jury and executioner film, Mercy.

The science fiction film starring Chris Pratt & Rebecca Ferguson, revolves around a detective accused of murder who must prove his innocence to an artificial intelligence judge. 

Alongside  Pratt & Ferguson, Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, & Kylie Rogers also star.

Mercy has currently grossed $28 million worldwide, while receiving negative reviews from critics.

However what do critics and award nominations mean in the world of box office and the general publics opinion anyway in 2026? Right?

I really enjoyed this film. Less than two hours, it was a full on all in, law and order via tech, delivered by a super savage Rebecca Ferguson.

Chris Pratt is guilty until proven innocent, however with some twists, turns and side plots on offer, there is a lot going on under two hours.

I was pleasantly surprised by the film. Two other friends who have very different opinions on films also enjoyed this film too.

So without. further ado, it's been a solid weekend of cinema. Maybe not for Melania's ticket sales. Ask the Orange man though and you'd get a totally different answer. Maybe she will top the nominations for next years Razzies? Surely she'll get a nod.

OK, to the star rating, 3.5 stars. Edge of year seat, Speed grade, high octane thriller.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Red Eye - Season Two

Red Eye is one of those shows I watched, thought would be a one off, it was a little too similar to Hijack, but surprise. The British thriller starring Jing Lusi, Jemma Moore & Lesley Sharp, this time titled Red Eye: Crimson Icarus, landed last month on Stan.

This season Martin Compston joined the cast as the six new episodes streamed on New Years Day 2026.

Red Eye: Crimson Icarus expands the scope of the narrative, following now Detective Sergeant Hana Li (Lusi) as she becomes involved in an investigation centred on the United States Embassy in London. 

After the murder of a diplomatic courier, Hana and her colleague RSO Brody pursue a suspect while uncovering links to an international conspiracy. As the investigation escalates, the embassy is placed into lockdown and further deaths reveal connections to a controversial inquiry into a past aviation disaster.

Running parallel to the embassy investigation, MI5 Director General Madeline Delaney (Sharp) finds herself at the centre of a life-threatening situation when a bomb is discovered on the aircraft she is travelling on. 

Delaney works alongside Defence Secretary Alex Peterson (Nicholas Rowe) and the crew to prevent disaster, while journalists and investigators on the ground, including Jess Li (Hana's sister), uncover evidence that gradually exposes the true scale of the conspiracy.

The six-part series concludes with the perpetrators being unmasked and those responsible brought to justice, as Hana and Brody confront personal challenges and collaborate with Delaney to resolve the case.

Like Hijack season two (also streaming last month, awkward!) they ditch the planes (mostly) for the second run. If you were a little behind like me, maybe don't read past the trailer.

Brody breaches custody, rescues Johnson and injures Fox, while Li recovers the detonator. 

Fox narrowly escapes the embassy without the briefcase, which Li and Brody discover contains the missing black box from the D300. 

They play the recording at Thames House, which shows Patrick Johnson was transporting Martin, who had evidence Peterson had been embezzling millions from the D300 project, to the US to expose him. 

Peterson ordered the co-pilot to take over, and in an armed scuffle, Johnson was shot and the FCS was damaged, causing the crash. 

Two days earlier, Tillman is shown using his knowledge of the crash and embezzlement to blackmail Peterson to further his own political ambitions. In response, Peterson plans the assassinations to cover his tracks, hires Fox and has a diplomatic bag containing Fox's equipment sent from a vacant Congressional office while he is visiting Washington, D.C. Li, Brody and MI5 are able to trick him into admitting his guilt on tape, and Fox is arrested after a fight where Li spares his life. 

Brody comes close to killing Peterson to avenge his brother, but allows him to be arrested. Delaney offers Li a job with MI5, but she politely declines.

There felt like there was a door open for a third season. This could be a sleeper hit. Maybe they will take it to the Hijack carbon and head on a sleeper train for season three.

I feel Stan have given this loads of promo. Unfortunately their original Dear Life, was way better than this. But if you like a political spy series, maybe give this a viewing.

God it's a full working week ahead. FML. 2026 is already in full swing right!

NOT another streaming Movie - Primate

Just when there are no Planet of the Apes films out, Primate comes to fill the void. However this is gory apr horror!

Directed by Johannes Roberts, Primate stars Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, & Troy Kotsur. 

A tropical vacation goes awry when Ben, an adopted chimpanzee, is bitten by a rabid animal and suddenly becomes violent.

Primate was released at the cinemas a couple of weeks back, however on a hot day, where else better to go than the cinema to see a random new horror film. And by the incoming trailers of Whistle, Scream 7 and one other, gosh 2026 is the year of horror. Again.

Primate has received generally positive reviews from critics and has grossed $31 million worldwide. Honestly this was a bit of fun, however the gore I could have taken or left at the cinema door. I don't love excessive gore just for the sake of, and at times this film could have used more discreet kills from Ben, the killer chimpanzee.

From the opening, you know things will go pear shaped. From the start, the college girls look ripe for some gruesome scenes ahead.

Ahead some horny college boys into the mix, plus the beautiful scenes of Hawaii, this is one wild horror ride.

I enjoyed this film, it felt a little more fresh than some of the other recent horror tales. That said I am mega pumped for Scream 7 next month.

God love the cinema on a sticky Sydney summer scorcher.

Primate gets 3 stars. A bit of fun, a lot of gore.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Agatha Christie's Seven Dials - Miniseries

Agatha Christie's Seven Dials is a British miniseries based on the 1929 novel The Seven Dials Mystery. Streaming right now on Netflix. To mostly rave reviews!

In this timeless mystery by the re-invented Queen of Crime, a fearless young aristocrat Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent investigates the murder of her love interest in her family home. 

Across 3 (tight) episodes, expect the unexpected as well as twists and turns as Bundle races to find the killer - time is running out. 

Starring Mia McKenna-Bruce, Edward Bluemel, Iain Glen, Martin Freeman, & Helena Bonham Carter, the series begun streaming a few weeks ago.

As I continue my summer binge with a bad dose of food poisoning, this was a super easy watch. I always loved Cluedo. I am so excited to see the live stage show this year. This gave major Clue whodunnit vibes.

If you loved Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, you will dig this. OK there is a recap below. In the finale, The Finger Points, the mystery is finally solved...

Jimmy explains that he was shot by an intruder. 

Matip is discovered in bed, sedated with the same drug that had killed Gerry; his safe has been opened and the formula removed. Battle takes charge, and Bundle impresses him with her deductive skills. 

Loraine arrives unexpectedly and, after making an excuse to leave the living room, flees with Matip's formula and the watch. She boards a train, pursued by Bundle, Jimmy, and Bill. Cornered, she surrenders the watch and the formula to Bill. 

Jimmy, revealed to be working with Loraine, shoots Bill, who is saved by the watch. Bundle deduces that Jimmy had wounded himself, allowing Loraine time to drug Matip and steal the formula. 

Subduing Jimmy, Bundle confronts the true mastermind who is waiting in a carriage at the front of the train: her own mother. Believing that the British government was responsible for her son’s death during the First World War, Lady Caterham had enlisted Jimmy and Loraine in a scheme to profit from the formula. 

Loraine had poisoned Gerry, fearing he knew too much, while Jimmy had arranged the clocks as a distraction and had shot Ronny. The conspirators are arrested, and Bundle is taken before the Seven Dials Society. 

Unmasking himself as their leader, Battle invites Bundle to take her late father's place in the organisation, which works covertly for the public good. She enthusiastically accepts.

Netflix has a big year ahead. Locally Heartbreak High will conclude, Bridgeton back in two parts, The Lincoln Lawyer back next week (with a renewal for season five today) and successful chick flick, Virgin River is also back for season seven.

I can't wait to see how Heartbreak High concludes and what other local offerings the top streamer has.

Until next time. Bye!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Black Bird - Miniseries

Black Bird is my last binge from Fiji. I started this 2022 true crime drama miniseries developed by Dennis Lehane, based on the 2010 autobiographical novel In with the Devil: a Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption by Jimmy Keene with Hillel Levin. 

The six-episode miniseries originally streamed on Apple TV back in July, 2022.

I've always wanted to watch the series, which received critical acclaim with particular praise toward Keene's original story and its cast.

When high school football hero and decorated policeman’s son Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum security prison, he is given the choice of a lifetime — enter a maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser), or stay where he is and serve his full sentence with no possibility of parole. 

Keene quickly realises his only way out is to elicit a confession and find out where the bodies of several young girls are buried before Hall’s appeal goes through. But is this suspected killer telling the truth? Or is it just another tale from a serial liar? 

This dramatic and captivating story subverts the crime genre by enlisting the help of the very people put behind bars to solve its mysteries.

Alongside Egerton & Walter Hauser, Sepideh Moafi, Greg Kinnear & Ray Liotta also star.

This was top notch TV and the one Apple TV series that got away from me for some time. I have always wanted to watch it, finally I have gotten around to it. It only took me a brief trip to island paradise, Fiji.

If like me you have still yet to watch the series, maybe don't read below the trailer.

In the finale, You Promised, Larry draws a map of where all the bodies of his victims are buried, Jimmy snaps and reveals to him that he was sent to get him to confess, causing Larry to have a violent reaction. 

Larry's therapist has Jimmy put in solitary for upsetting him, where he is forced to try and recreate the map with his own blood after being denied a writing utensil. 

His FBI contact eventually realises what is happening and that Jimmy has gotten new evidence to secure Larry Hall's conviction and frees Jimmy, and Larry Hall is denied his appeal. 

Jimmy is freed and completely cleared and he meets Miller, who personally thanks him. 

Larry's brother, disturbed after talking to McCauley and Miller, urges his brother to confess to his crimes.

In the closing titles, it reveals that Larry confessed to fifteen murders but later recanted, James died of a heart attack five years after Jimmy's release, and Jimmy went on to have a successful business career while still helping law enforcement profile serial killers.