Winter be Bingeing 26' - Rooster - Season One

Rooster is the second thirty minute comedy I completed whilst I was living my best life in Bangkok. Created by Bill Lawrence + Matt Tarses & streaming on HBO Max. Or Singapore Airlines if you are travelling them.

They currently feature titles from Paramount+, Stan (Aussie movie Beats makes it), HBO Max and Apple TV.

Starring Steve Carell, Rooster premiered back in March, to positive reviews. The following month, the series was renewed for a second season. 

At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, Carell received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

The series is set on the New England campus of Ludlow College, centring on well-tred and semi-dysfunctional author Greg Russo's complicated relationship with his daughter Katie. Katie, an art history instructor, is shown navigating campus life during a separation from her husband, another professor at the fictional Ludlow. He has taken a graduate student as a lover. 

The show also investigates academic and administrative waters.

Alongside Carell, Phil Dunster, Charly Clive, Danielle Deadwyler, Lauren Tsai, John C. McGinley, Annie Mumolo, Connie Britton, Robby Hoffman, plus finally, Scott MacArthur all star in this new comedy.

I really enjoyed this series. Across ten episodes, there were laugh out loud moments, heartfelt moments, whilst I actually didn't hate Steve Carell's performance.

The series starts off with Greg Russo is a middle-aged author of a series of commercially popular beach read novels about a private investigator named Rooster. He arrives at Ludlow College, a liberal arts college in New England, to present a talk on his books, organised by English professor Dylan Shepard.

His real reason for coming to Ludlow is to check on his daughter Katie, an art professor at the college, whose husband and fellow professor Archie has recently left her for a graduate student named Sunny. Katie assures her father that everything is fine, but he encourages her to talk to Archie. 

On his first night at Ludlow, Greg and Dylan share a drink at the local inn and reminisce about their lives. He offers to walk her home, but gently rebuffs her advances. The next day, Katie goes to Archie's home and learns that Sunny is pregnant; after forcing Archie out, Katie burns his most prized possession—a first-edition copy of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace—in the fireplace, only for the fire to go out of control and burn Archie's house down. 

When Greg arrives at the scene, Katie refuses to deny her involvement in causing the fire.

If this sounds like your bag, book a flight on Singapore Airlines, binge this whilst enjoying their amazing service. Not a sponsored post lol.

HBO and HBO Max, you are back in the comedy game! Well done. Good effort. Can't wait for season two.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Stick - Season One

Stick is an other on holidays Apple TV catch up. Just in time too, the second season is slated to premiere on November 4.

Starring Owen Wilson as a former professional golfer who takes a young prodigy under his wing to turn his life around. 

The series originally streamed back in June, 2025. during its first season, the series was renewed for a second season.

Pryce Cahill (Wilson) is a long-washed-up professional golfer who sells clubs and coaches at a range, where he encounters Santi Wheeler, a talented young player. 

After selling his house to afford money, using the excuse that he needs to pay for his new prodigy's career, Pryce travels with Santi (Peter Dager), his mother Elena, friend and former caddy Mitts, and club bartender-turned-caddy Zero Duffy by RV across the United States to help Santi rise to fame, improving Pryce's own life in the process.

His comeback is a long shot. Stick is a heartfelt, feel-good comedy about a found family and their relationships set within the world of golf as it has never been shown before.

In addition to Wilson and Dager, the cast includes Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño, Lilli Kay, Judy Greer and Timothy Olyphant, and features guest appearances from golf superstars such as Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, Max Homa, Wyndham Clark and more. Additional cameos include broadcasters Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman, Good Good’s Matt Scharff, Brad Dalke and Garrett Clark, as well as golf enthusiast Dan Rapaport.

Stick was a bit of fun. It also continues Apple TV's domination of thirty minute comedies. That said tomorrow I caught up on Singapore Airlines over the weekend with Rooster. A return to form for HBO and the 30 minute comedy.

Apple has a long list of solid comedies now. The Studio, Platonic, Widow's Bay, Loot and Shrinking. All do well critically and with the award scene too.

Also these have been damn laugh out funny. Stick has it's moments, it's not thigh slapping funny, but it was good for a few laughs.

I don't love Owen Wilson, however he works well in this down and out loser role. I didn't mind the series for the most part. It was an easy watch, however I will compare it to the HBO comedy, Rooster I finally caught up with tomorrow.

Comedy is what the world needs now. What Ted Lasso did for soccer, Stick tries to do for golf. If you like a road trip comedy, with a few gags and feel good moments along the way give Stick a go before it returns for a second run in November.

Until tomorrow I am back and jet lagged lol.

NOT another streaming Movie - The End of Oak Street

From zero movies, to two back-to-back in Bangkok, let's see what The End of Oak Street is all about.

This will be my third Anne Hathaway film for 2026. Following the Devil Wears Prada 2 and Mother Mary. Both now streaming on various platforms.

Alongside Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella & Christian Convery star as a family whose suburban neighbourhood has been transported from 1982 into the age of dinosaurs. It gave my birth year vibes, but I couldn't quite tell. The music definitely gives a Stranger Things, 80's vibe. Actually if you like Stranger Things and Jurassic Park, you'll love this.

I went in unsure of what I was seeing, I left excited. It also didn't overstay it's welcome like the majority of long ass films lately. Tom Holland, I'm looking at your films.

The End of Oak Street has thus far received positive reviews from critics, whilst grossing $72.2 million worldwide against a production budget of $80–92 million.

Tell me more about the concept. OK.

After a mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports their neighbourhood to someplace unknown, the Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognisable surroundings. 

OK, so this was fun, interesting and once we knew what was going on and we were dealing with dinosaurs, the film moved at breakneck pace.

There are no spoilers talking about the dinosaurs as this has been out for a hot minute now.

This is pure popcorn bliss.

I smashed a giant popcorn during this, so I can say this was honestly a straight up, leave your brain at the door, eat in the dark like no one is watching and enjoy film.

I cannot believe I have now seen Hathaway three times on the big screen this year alone.

This would probably be my favourite of her three films this year. Like Holland and Zendaya yesterday, Hathaway is doing her bit to get folks (in droves) back to the cinema.

Well done.

3 Stars. Fun.

NOT another streaming Movie - Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Finally, back to the cinema after a wee break. That said, I am overseas with a little more time back in my schedule.

It's a Brand New Day for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him—and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him—sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves - a powerful villain no one can even see.

The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been out for a few weeks now. It's broken a few records along the way. It appears like Tom Holland and Zendaya have almost single handedly saved the cinema.

Following a huge box office take with The Odyssey, the pair are not only back to save box office dollars, but the superhero genre.

This is the 38th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the fourth film in the MCU Spider-Man film series following Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). 

The film was directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, and stars Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man alongside Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Florence Pugh, Tramell Tillman, Marisa Tomei, and Mark Ruffalo. 

Like all superhero films now, it is not just the one solo star. It's like a mini Avengers every film now. Bernthal and Ruffalo were revealed to be reprising their MCU roles of Frank Castle / Punisher and Bruce Banner / Hulk. 

Frank Castle / Punisher was back recently with his standalone Disney+ episode, The Punisher: One Last Kill. 

This also helps settle up future films, The Avengers and takes the superhero genre off life support. Following a few flops, Thunderbolts*, Captain America: Brave New World and who could forget (well) The Marvels. Which actually I still need to watch. I downloaded on Disney+, I have never had time to watch the film. Which was described as a box-office bomb, grossing $206.1 million worldwide against a gross production budget of $374 million, making it the lowest-grossing film in the MCU and one of the few MCU films not to break even in its theatrical run.

OK, back to Spider-Man below the trailer.

So yeah there was a lot riding on, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. And it well, over delivered. A good news story for the upcoming Avengers return to the cinema.

Back home, tickets have been sold out for nearly all Lux sessions at Broadway Hoyts. With only single or front row seats left for good sessions.

Hence my delay in seeing the long film. Yes like all superhero films, it's long. The post credit scene was not worth the wait, but we do know Tom Holland will return as Spider-Man. One day.

Released at the end of July, as part of Phase Six of the MCU. It received largely positive reviews from critics, with praise for Holland's performance, the action sequences, and the more mature, character-driven story compared to the previous MCU Spider-Man films. 

The film has grossed $2.304 billion worldwide and set multiple box office records. It became the highest-grossing Spider-Man film, the highest-grossing film of 2026, and the fourth-highest grossing film of all time.

Huge stats there. It continues to do well back home, forcing cinemas to show very few other films, other than films starring Holland and Zendaya. It's like redemption for Zendaya after that awful final season of Euphoria. She is working hard for cinemas to slay.

OK with all that said, yes there is plenty of action. There is a little bit too much pity party for Peter, while he misses his friends and girlfriend. But overall it does feel a move in the right direction. Also it is a bit of a love letter to New York, whilst featuring some damn fine tunes. Including giving Tame Impala's, Loser a bump up the charts. Following the success of Dracula, Tame Impala are now slaying again with another killer tune.

Well done Kevin Parker. Not Peter Parker.

3 Stars.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Lucky - Miniseries

Lucky is one easy binge! Concluding last Wednesday, I only started the seven episode binge on Thursday before flying off to Bangkok via Singapore.

Such an easy watch. The crime thriller television miniseries created by Jonathan Tropper, streams on Apple TV. Streaming alongside their biggest series (EVER) Ted Lasso on Wednesday's the series commenced on my birthday last month. I have slept on this, however, I've seen only good things online.

Starring, Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

Superstar in front of the camera (and behind) Reese Witherspoon and Cassie Pappas among the producers. 

Lucky is based on Marissa Stapley's 2021 novel.

So what is Lucky all about? When a multimillion-dollar heist goes sideways, con artist Lucky (Taylor-Joy) is forced to go on the run. Pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss, Lucky must fight for her life — and a way out.

The series kicks off with Lucky and her husband Cary are celebrating in a Las Vegas suite after pulling off a successful heist. 

The next morning, Lucky awakens to discover that both Cary and their suitcase containing $10 million in cash are gone. FBI agent Billie Rand arrives at the casino, looking for Lucky and the missing money. 

Lucky tries to escape, but has to turn around when she spots Dutch, a mob enforcer also searching for her and the money. She escapes with a truck driver but is tracked to a truck stop. Just before an FBI agent can arrest her, he is struck by a car. Inside the car is Cary's mother, Priscilla, a mob boss newly released from prison, who interrogates Lucky about the money. 

When Lucky tells her Cary took it, she is thrown in the trunk and driven away. Lucky eventually escapes and causes the car to crash. One of Priscilla's henchmen is killed in the crash, and Lucky kills the other before fleeing into the desert.

It is great seeing Annette Bening slay as another ruthless boss, following her performance recently as Beulah Jackson in Dutton's Raunch.

This continues Apple TV's dominance in the streaming quality game. Ted Lasso is back on top. Silo is popular with the sci-fi nerds. Bad Monkey and Dark Matter are returning soon. Slow Horses returns next month. With Resse's own series The Morning Show returning for a final run in 2027.

Apple TV is slaying. It has a big line up now. With hugely popular series renewed and returning, or others awaiting another series.

Lucky is a fun crime watch. Get into it now!

Winter be Bingeing 26' - The Five-Star Weekend - Season One

The Five-Star Weekend concluded on Binge this afternoon, following its binge drop on Peacock last month.

Based on the 2023 novel by Elin Hilderbrand, the series stars Jennifer Garner, Gemma Chan, D’Arcy Carden, Regina Hall, & Chloë Sevigny. 

The eight episode first season received positive reviews from critics. Earlier this month, the series was renewed for a second season. I was surprised the season was renewed, given the series is based on a book, there is no cliffhanger to tidy up. Also this series was really much ado about nothing.

The Five-Star Weekend is centered on a food blogger, Hollis (Garner) tries to combat the loss of her husband, Matthew (Josh Hamilton) by recreating a five-star weekend getaway at her house on Nantucket with four friends from different stages in her life: her childhood friend, Tatum (Sevigny), her college friend, Dru-Ann (Hall), her motherhood friend, Brooke (Carden), as well as a woman, Gigi (Chan), whom she recently met online. 

As the five friends spend the weekend together, they mature in ways they could never imagine as boundaries are pushed and secrets are exposed.

Garner, unable to move forward, the death starts to expose the cracks in Hollis’s picture-perfect life—her strained marriage, her complicated relationship with her daughter, and her growing pursuit of validation from her fans. 

Set against a luxurious and coastal backdrop, the stars will mature in ways they could never imagine as boundaries are pushed and secrets are exposed.

It gives a poor mans Big Little Lies, just less murder.

This is not Peacock's best work, but it appears to have done well. In better Binge news, High Country returns for its second season on September 14. Bring it on! High Country: What Lies Beneath, is lead by Leah Purcell (The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, Wentworth) Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, Derry Girls), Sara Wiseman (Watching You, Territory), and Aaron Pedersen (Jack Irish, Mystery Road).

So if you need a reason to keep Binge a few more months, maybe High Country will impress me more. Although similar to The Five-Star Weekend, this series did conclude it's first season over two years ago.

For now, after waiting over a month from the US binge drop, all episodes of The Five-Star Weekend now stream.

I kinda expected better from Regina Hall, who I've always liked. As a side note.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Curfew - Miniseries

Going back to 2024, I found this English miniseries up on Paramount+. It's an interesting concept, sort of opposite to The Handmaid's Tale.

In a world where men live under a strict curfew, a woman’s murder during the night challenges the system. Can Detective Pamela Green uncover the truth? Starring Sarah Parish, Mandip Gill and Alexandra Burke.

Curfew is an adaptation of the novel After Dark by Jayne Cowie. Wanna know more?

Set in a society where men are restricted by a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to prioritise women's safety, the murder of a woman outside the Women's Safety Centre shocks the community. Veteran police officer Pamela Green (Sarah Parish) suspects that a man is responsible for the crime, despite the curfew - which requires all men to be tagged and monitored during restricted hours. 

Partnering with her new colleague Eddie (Mitchell Robertson), Pamela faces scepticism from both the public and her superiors, who believe the curfew system makes it impossible for a man to be involved. As the investigation unfolds, Pamela must confront her own biases and navigate political pressure while seeking the truth behind the murder.

I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon this six episode binge. However, I did, I cam I saw and I conquered.

It was an easy and interesting watch. It raised some interesting questions about toxic masculinity and security after dark.

The cast is led by Parish & Robertson, with  Mandip Gill, Alexandra Burke, Anita Dobson, Lucy Benjamin, Bobby Brazier and Larry Lamb.

It wasn't the best crime thriller I have watched. It also wasn't the worst.

Up next Bangkok. This time tomorrow morning I'll be boarding. Hell yeah! BYE!