Winter be Bingeing 26' - Ground Up - Season One

Two from two with solid Aussie content, thus far for the Winter be Bingeing 26' series.

Ground Up landed on the ABC, ahead of the Race Around the World reboot. The series is still airing weekly on Sundays. Or you can view all episodes now on iView.

Ground Up focuses on the development of a football club and stadium in Tasmania, fronted by AFL administrator Hugh Shen (Sam Pang). Shen must win over a divided community, wrangle together a team, and manage his overly bureaucratic organisation.

The series follows Hobart-via-Melbourne AFL administrator Hugh Shen who has been tasked with establishing Tasmania's first-ever AFL team. He must face the uninterested and angry locals who are funding the $1.13 billion stadium with their taxes.

After years of trying, Tasmania has finally been given the green light to field a team in the AFL - but there's a catch. The locals have to build a new stadium.

Given Tasmania has a housing crisis, and a health crisis… and two sizeable stadiums, not everyone thinks the 1.13 billion dollar taxpayer spend is the greatest idea.

Joining Pang is Emma Harvie as Destiny Pitt, Dylan Murphy as Jameson, Josh McConville as Alistair Penfold, musical theatre Wicked lead, Lucy Durack as Angela Linscombe, incredible Marg Downey as Catherine la Fontaine & Fletcher Humphrys as Cliff.

Incredible Marg Downey has some incredible one liners in this topical series about sport and government.

With moments of reality and ABC flexing its muscles with Lisa McCune joining in as an ABC Hobart announcer for some classic interviews.

This took me an episode of two to get into, but once I did, hells bells this is good. Whilst I loved Bad Company, this has much wider appeal. This was really good. Sam Pang is a little Aussie legend. Well done team. This was a lot of fun. If you liked Utopia or work in government, this may be a little too close to home. Wild.

Do yourself a favour now the State of Origin is done and dusted. It's raining it's wet, log into iView and give this a go. FAB!

NOT another streaming Movie - Supergirl

Oh dear, Supergirl is heading into becoming one of the years biggest box office bombs. Following six seasons on The CW, Supergirl now heads to the big screen. With Aussie Milly Alcock as the title role, alongside Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa. But isn't Momoa Aquaman?

DC Comics, are doing their best with superheroine Kara Zor-El / Supergirl. Sadly, trying to turn her from the goody two shoes Melissa Benoist portrayed from 2015-2021 to a 365 party girl, really didn't work.

The sloppy use of music across the film, and clanky action sequences, left this in the B grade superhero category. Sadly as well being slayed at the box office by Toy Story 5, Obsession and some Minions.

In under two hours, Kara Zor-El travels across the galaxy on a murderous quest for revenge.

Supergirl is part of the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. So far, it has received mixed reviews from critics, and has grossed $100.5 million against a production budget of $170–186 million. So a box office bomb.

Is this the beginning of the death of superhero films? I think Spiderman and The Avengers may turn around this downward trend.

I kinda wanted this to work more. The series was so PG, this felt a bit of a stretch to turn Supergirl more indie.

Jason Momoa also was a random addition. This film has so much wrong about it, that it almost works. Like it almost was a cult classic. But it just lacks something. Unlike Guardians of the Galaxy, the music feels forced, with lame song choices.

This could be an early frontrunner for the Razzie Awards next time around.

After being a student at Newtown Performing Arts School, Milly Alcock I really wanted to like this. I loved Uptight. But this was just not the best.

2 Stars.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Not Suitable for Work - Season One

Not Suitable for Work follows five work-obsessed twenty-somethings who strive for professional success and, if they have time, personal happiness, in Manhattan.

So another comedy series set in New York. With semi-likeable characters. Oh dear, this sounds familiar.

Created by Mindy Kaling, this follows The Sex Lives of College Girls, which concluded last year from HBO Max.

Kaling's latest offering streams on Hulu, Disney+ in Australia. The nine episodes dropped throughout June, with me just catching up over the weekend. In-between my three movies lol.

The series luckily improved over the nine episodes, however I would be surprised if this was given a second season. Not that it was super bad, it was just not that funny, nor were the characters that engaging or original.

Starring, Ella Hunt, Avantika, Will Angus, Jack Martin, & Nicholas Duvernay as the leads, with Jay Ellis, Ego Nwodim, Constance Wu, Victor Garber, Greg Germann, Judy Gold, Harry Richardson, Laura Bell Bundy, Stella Everett, May Hong, Bhavesh Patel, Emilia Suárez, and Michael Benjamin Washington also starring.

Unfortunately the number of streaming comedies are landing thick and fast. With Adults (a slightly better, version of this series) landing on Disney+ soon and Overcompensating returning to Amazon.

The Sex Lives of College Girls had sass, this sadly just had a few odd balls in the big apple, all looking for careers and love. Not very original. What about a series set in Detroit? Or Denver? Sadly as I consume a fair few comedies, this one just wasn't the laugh out loud, romp I was after.

Either way how'd episode nine play out? Spoilers below...

Davis plans to spend New Year's Eve partying. 

Kate abruptly fires Kel. Abby, who has begun working retail to pay off the jacket, tells AJ that Davis has feelings for her. 

Josh teasingly comforts AJ about her breakup, and the two agree to spend New Year's together. He apologises to his dad in order to get Wes a spot on a live show, and helps make the appearance a success. 

When Bill returns to work, Davis learns about Aspen and Bill's treatment of AJ. He gets into a fight with Bill and is fired. 

Kel is disappointed to learn his parents did not attend his play, but is pleased that his students did. 

Abby accepts Vanessa's offer to resume working with her. She attends Kel's cast party, but is secretly disappointed to watch him make a move on a castmate. 

Davis drops by the apartment and admits he defended AJ to Bill because he likes her. Josh watches them kiss.

Time will tell if we see a resolution to this cliffhanger. Or will it go the way of Mid-Century Modern?

NOT another streaming Movie - Michael

I love a weekend where I can catch up on a few films.

Michael was released all the way back in April. So yes I am WAY late to this musical party. For a movie to have lasted at the cinemas for this amount of time is incredible in this day and age!

Michael follows the early life of the American singer Michael Jackson, covering his childhood with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the Bad World Tour in the late 1980s.

Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson and as a child by Juliano Valdi, both in their film debuts. 

Alongside  Jackson, Nia Long, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, & Colman Domingo star.

After delays caused by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, principal photography took place between January and May 2024. After a clause was discovered in a legal settlement, references to the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations against Michael were removed, the third act was revised, and reshoots took place in June 2025, bringing the total production budget to $155–200 million.

Michael has received generally negative reviews from critics, who praised Jaafar's performance but criticised the story as "sanitised". 

Michael grossed $978.1 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing biographical film, and the second-highest-grossing film of 2026. 

So it is not surprising, a sequel is in development. Also the last seconds of the film gives the audience no resolution. No closure, no ending. It literally ends on a cliffhanger in a large stadium.

So this is another example of critical response vs the box office potential.

Apparently Madonna's biopic has recently faced some issues, meaning future box office success in this genre is at a roadblock. Given Madonna's new record just landed, along with these figures for Michael, I'm sure a Madonna picture will see the light of day eventually. Despite the creative differences the project is currently facing.

Back to the film. No doubt it will be on some streaming service soon, given this lasted three long weekends and months at the cinema.

The cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. 

The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fuelled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. 

Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Michael's father is portrayed in really awful light. Also Janet is missing in action. Gosh I would love a Janet feature film!

Either way, this film was fun. I did have to put aside all my thoughts on Michael. The two hours sped by, I will go see the Hollywood style sequel. He was a genius, but also weird AF. I always love the story behind the song, this was exactly that. Just a PG version of Michael's life.

3 Stars.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Dutton Ranch - Season One

Dutton Ranch serves as both a spin-off and sequel to Yellowstone (2018–2024). This is the fifth series in the Yellowstone franchise. 

Starring OG Yellowstone favourite, Kelly Reilly as Beth, plus Cole Hauser as Rip reprising their roles from Yellowstone.

Dutton Ranch launched on Paramount+ mid-May, concluding Friday evening.

The nine episodes sped by, with Rip Wheeler & Beth Dutton gambling everything on a new life in South Texas, but the promise of building a future far from the ghosts of Yellowstone quickly collides with brutal new realities and a rival ranch that will stop at nothing to protect its empire.

And yes, first cab of the rank, this was WAY better than Y: Marshals, also now streaming all season one episodes on Paramount+.

Recently Paramount+ renewed the series for a second season. This marks yet another Taylor Sheridan series to continue on Paramount+. Lioness returns early next month.

Now whilst this was an improvement on Y: Marshals, I think I need a rest from the Yellowstone universe. Like superhero films, these stories are getting a little tired. Splitting all the Dutton family up all over the USA is not really working for me. They also have more spin-offs in the works.

666, was announced and would be set in the present day on the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas. The 6666 Ranch is also featured during the fourth and fifth seasons of Yellowstone. Another prequel series, titled 1944 and set during that year, was reportedly in development. It would serve as a sequel to 1923 and be filmed in the Bitterroot Valley.

In February 2026, the series was confirmed to still be in active development, with Paramount aiming for a late-2026 release date.

So how'd season one end up at Dutton's Raunch? Watch out for spoilers below...

Rip and Beth confirm Austin's claims about the Jacksons' criminal activities, while Rob-Will alerts Beulah to their discovery. 

After learning the truth about the drug-smuggling operation, Everett confronts Beulah and tells her to leave his house. 

Oreana discovers she is pregnant, reconciles with Carter, and convinces him to run away with her that evening. 

Mariano, Joaquin's father and the drug lord to whom Beulah is indebted, arrives in Ria Paloma and lays down his terms. 

Beulah attempts to justify her actions to Beth and Rip, but they send her away with the drugs loaded into her vehicle. 

Rob-Will tells Mariano that Beth and Rip are in possession of his drugs. After Rob-Will leaves, Mariano orders Joaquin to kill him. 

Everett joins Rip, Azul, and Zachariah at the ranch as Mariano's men launch an assault, but the attack is swiftly repelled, with Rip capturing the last surviving gunman for questioning. 

Unable to find Carter, Beth returns to the ranch as Rip and the ranch hands dispose of the bodies in the mineshaft. Oreana's plans to leave are derailed when Rob-Will is fatally shot downstairs by Joaquin. 

Mariano calls Beth to reveal that Carter has been abducted. Beth informs Rip and they resolve to confront Mariano.

So an action packed finale. More drama awaits Beth & Rip when the series returns. Maybe next year or 2028. Sheridan has a lot on his plate. Not to mention Tulsa King getting a spin-off too! Until next time.

NOT another streaming Movie - Disclosure Day

TWO AND A HALF-ish hours! YES! Let's sit down for a debrief about Disclosure Day.

If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? 

Created & directed by Steven Spielberg, Disclosure Day stars SAG winner and Oscar® nominee Emily Blunt, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Josh O’Connor, Oscar® winner Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, plus two-time Oscar® nominee Colman Domingo.

John Williams composed the film's score, marking his thirtieth collaboration with Spielberg.

Disclosure Day premiered at Le Grand Rex in Paris in June, whilst getting its cinema release mid that month. The film received positive reviews from critics and has grossed $201 million worldwide. Currently sitting at around 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, this was a long ass film. My verdict below the trailer.

Going in, I didn't know too much, however I did enjoy this film. Despite it being overly long. I don't always love Emily Blunt, but the tension and the build to the dramatic finale was impressive.

There were some big sequences (the train one was triggering) across the 2.5 hours.

The drama builds and builds, then it is all over with one word from Blunt. 

Sadly the session times have been drastically cut for this film as we head into the winter school holidays. So if you want to see it, get out there NOW! With Supergirl, Toy Story and Minons all demanding screens, you'll be lucky if you can catch Disclosure Day before it heads outta space!

3 Stars.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - The Killings at Parrish Station - Miniseries

A new blog series, a new quarter, can you believe we are half way through 2026. Winter be Bingeing 26' is the next TV series for quarter three. I'll kick this off with, The Killings at Parrish Station is a Stan local crime drama.

The six-episode series landed late last month. Featuring, Mia Wasikowska, Heather Mitchell, Xavier Samuel, Robert Taylor, plus Neighbours legend, Alan Dale.

In 1987, detectives Georgia Cooke (Wasikowska) and Michael Thorne (Samuel) are called to investigate the bizarre and brutal killings of four scientists at the remote Parrish Research Station. They uncover a complex case involving mania, ritual, and the occult, and Georgia's obsessive truth-seeking spirals, threatening her family, career, and sanity. 

Thirty seven years later, a chilling new spree of murders pull Georgia (Mitchell) back into this nightmare as she confronts the possibility that the horrors at Parrish Station were never fully buried.

The story is inspired by the Dyatlov Pass incident but uses an Australian setting, with locations around Broken Hill.

This went from graphic crime, to slightly bizarre. That said, it was an easy, compelling watch. Heather Mitchell was exceptional in this insane crime thriller.

I wasn't sure I'd get so hooked on this drama. But once I started, I found the final episodes credits rolling.

This was a big improvement on Stan's feature film, Beast. I am excited for the F Ward landing mid this month. Stan are really showing up for local content in 2026. At least Binge, also finally have the third season of Colin From Accounts landing later this month.

With commercial networks giving up on local content (except for ABC + SBS) it really is up to Channel Nine owned Stan.

If you are over the soccer, give The Killings at Parrish Station a go. It is super gory but totally addictive.