NOT another streaming Movie - The Social Reckoning

Wow, my local Hoyts gave, The Social Reckoning the bump after a poor week one performance. Released by Sony Pictures last week. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who considered it inferior to its predecessor. Therefore, Hoyts limited it to a 9:20pm session a day.

Written, co-produced, and directed by Aaron Sorkin, the follow-up to 2010's The Social Network, you would have thought this would be popular.

The sequel dramatises the 2021 Facebook leak by the whistleblower Frances Haugen and Jeff Horwitz. 

You would think the cast along would get the film some solid audiences. Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Bill Burr, Wunmi Mosaku, Betty Gilpin, and Billy Magnussen all star.

Jeremy Allen White is so hot right now, following the success of The Bear's five seasons.

In the years since its release, Sorkin had expressed interest in writing a follow-up to The Social Network should it involve its director, David Fincher. The Social Reckoning entered development in June 2025 with Sorkin attached as both writer and director. 

Casting was also underway that month, with Strong being hired to replace Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg in September. Principal photography began in October 2025 in Vancouver, Canada and wrapped that December. 

The Social Reckoning reminds me of why I hate social media. You think of the division in the world right now. What spreads division. Your'e feeds. The algorithms you are feed by big tech. No I am no some 70 year old without socials or a social life. I am 44 and grew up with the benefits of tech, just never brought into social media.

Commercial (or in the US network) TV hates big tech for stealing all the advertising dollars, but they need it to engage their audiences. Hell, back when News24 was Sky News in Australia, they were doing huge numbers for their YouTube posts. Particularly outside of Australia.

Oh hell, network TV and radio (remember that medium) needs socials.

I grew up listening to Triple J, where only callers into the station could complain about songs or festival line up. Now you look at their socials and it's a wall of whinge.

FaceBook is pure evil, Aaron Sorkin gave me exactly what I wanted to see. That they don't give a fuck. They just changed their name to Meta.

This film had the great same, witty, fast dialogue as the first film. I did love Jeremy Strong in Succession, but I have to be honest, I preferred Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg.

That's all my notes.

The start of this film was troubling. The story behind the start of the film, was worse. What FaceBook has done to the world. Spreading fake news, allowing people to become addicted to rage. It's not great. You can have a different opinion on the subject that's fine. It's like e-bikes in Sydney. I know it's a shit idea, but I am not going to lose friends with people who like the corporate litter all over our small streets.

Why this film is struggling to do well at the cinema. People don't like the truth. Social media is not great. The end. It's great for some businesses, but we have all seen young kids bullied, literally to death.

This has become more about the medium, not about the film. But for the first time in a while, I was glued to the dialogue, the plot and the outstanding acting by all involved.

4.5 stars.

El Niño Streaming 2026 - A Good Girl's Guide to Murder - Season Two

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder the British mystery/thriller second season based on the novel series by Holly Jackson. Internationally the series streams on Netflix, in Australia, it streams on Stan. 

The second series was released late May, so I am playing catch up. A third and final series is set to premiere in 2027.

The second season revolves around the disappearance of Pip's best friend Connor's brother, Jamie. Connor pleads with Pip to help in the search for Jamie, who was last seen at a memorial for Sal and Andie, a few days before he is to appear as a witness in court. Pip investigates and helps spread awareness about Jamie's disappearance through episodes of her podcast.

This was an easy second season binge of all six episodes. Like Dustfall and other series lately, this is more crime on the small screen.

If like me you are yet to catch up on the second season finale, stop reading now!

Pip refuses to involve the police, not trusting them, and the trio decide to lure Stanley out by pretending to be Layla, allowing Connor and Ravi to break into his house. Pip recruits Cara to keep lookout with her, although their friendship is still strained. Pip reveals herself to Stanley, who agrees to talk to her, he divulges that Layla asked to meet at the manor house, but Jamie was there and attempted to kill him with a knife after Stanley reacted to the name Child Brunswick. 

Ravi and Connor discover Jamie still alive inside Stanley's house. Jamie begs Connor to leave him there, insisting he is alright and needs to stay. 

Stanley reveals he has been holding Jamie hostage, unsure if Jamie was actually Layla, but the both of them came to an understanding. 

Cara goes to help Pip, but is taken at gunpoint by Charlie, who reveals he and Flora are the real Layla, intending to avenge his murdered twin sister. Charlie angrily confronts Stanley, but Pip calls 999 on Howie's burner phone, distracting Charlie and allowing her and Cara to escape. 

Pip returns to save Stanley, but Charlie refuses, comparing the situation to Pip and Max; he shoots Stanley numerous times before setting the building on fire. Pip drags Stanley out of the building, performing CPR after he falls unconscious, refusing to stop even after Dan arrives to help. 

Charlie and Flora escape, and Pip repeatedly experiences vivid flashbacks to Stanley's death. 

At the funeral, Pip and Jamie discuss Stanley and he reassures her that Charlie was wrong. Pip has a panic attack during her speech after seeing vandalism calling Stanley a murderer. Nat and Jamie begin dating, whilst Cara and Pip mend their relationship. 

Pip returns home to find threatening messages on her laptop.

The third season is apparently already filmed, so expect it on Stan early in 2027. Whilst on Stan, The Rainmaker returns today. Gnomes was an interesting Aussie horror/comedy. Whilst, P-Valley finally returns for it's third and final season in December. There is a lot on Stan right about now.

Next week Channel Seven and ABC are the last two networks to unveil their Aussie content for 2027. I would be highly surprised if Seven actually do any drama, that isn't Home & Away.

Chat then!

El Niño Streaming 2026 - Dustfall - Miniseries

Dustfall is based on the 2022 crime thriller novel The Unbelieved by Vikki Petraitis.

The local six-episode drama miniseries, commenced streaming FOR FREE on ABC iView on Sunday.

Starring The Newsreader favourite, Anna Torv and Juliet Stevenson, Torv plays Detective Tig Pollard, who investigates a harrowing sexual assault case which spirals darker after a key suspect turns up dead. As Tig hunts for the truth, it forces her to confront long-buried secrets from her own adolescence.

Detective Tig Pollard returns to her hometown of North Gap, after spending years in the city, to investigate a sexual assault case where an 18-year-old is found naked in a cane field with no memory of how she got there.

A ring of drink spiking and assaults is uncovered and a main suspect turns up dead, prompting Pollard to dive deeper into the case and the stories of the lives of those affected. In a quest to uncover the truth, a face from Pollard's past resurfaces, forcing her to confront secrets from times gone by.

The series also stars Lila McGuire as Talia Walker, the return to TV of Peter Fenton as Andy D'Silva, Bert La Bonté as Remi Jolicoeur, Ling Cooper Tang as Bernadette Quinn, Kate Box as Fiona Kelly, Martin Sacks as Tony Morrison, Conrad Coleby as Ross Kelly & Jay Ryan as Simon Prendergast.

It's am all-star local cast. Well done to the ABC for putting together this cast and quality drama. This was top notch.

This series delivered a lot. Including some home truths about toxic male behaviour. Really impressive viewing from the ABC. They are also punching above their weight in the final quarter of 2026.

Still to come

Separated at Birth - S1 - November 11 (Wednesday's)

Return to Paradise - S3 - November 14 (Saturday's)

Shakedown - Miniseries - November 22 (Sunday's)

If you or someone you know needs support please contact one of these services. 1800 Respect, 1800 737 732. Full Stop Australia, 1800 385 578. Lifeline, 13 11 14.

Post 200, 2026

And we are here for another year. Post 200 in the fourth and final quarter of 2026. The El Niño Streaming 2026 series has just commenced with loads of new TV content incoming.

It's been a big start to the quarter, with multiple Apple TV finales and a couple of new Aussie series. Gnomes (which I smashed in 24 hours), Apple TV Aussie first, Last Seen, along with Dustfall which I just started on ABC iView.

I am off to Melbourne soon for a quick staycation, which I am so excited for. There are loads of good movie opening tomorrow and soon, like Street Fighter! Oh the nostalgia. It's like since COVID, nostalgia is everywhere. On our music charts, live acts touring and remakes/reboots of classic cultural icons.

I am excited for the return of Dexter across on Paramount+ later this month, along with the final season of P-Valley across on Stan. It's been a long wait for this final season, however, I for one, am excited.

I feel Halloween, the race (that used) to stop the nation and summer slack in the air. 2026 has gone by like a flash! See you again soon.

NOT another streaming Movie - Other Mommy

Halloween is just around the corner, meaning loads more horror. Enter James Wan, one of the most influential architects of modern horror behind the Saw, Insidious and The Conjuring franchises—and Rob Savage, the director of bold genre films Host and The Boogeyman, comes a terrifying trip into the darkening world of a young girl, Bela, who forms a relationship with a sinister entity in her home who looks uncannily like her own mother.

Other Mommy stars, Academy Award® winner Jessica Chastain (It Chapter Two, The Eyes of Tammy Faye) stars in a dual role as Bela’s mother and as “Other Mommy,” a manifestation of the entity. Jay Duplass (Transparent, Industry) plays Daddo, Bela’s father, and Arabella Olivia Clark (The Housemaid, The Hand that Rocks the Cradle) plays Bela. 

The impressive supporting cast includes Actor Award nominee Dichen Lachman (Severance), Emmy and Tony Award nominee Arian Moayed (Succession) and screen legend Karen Allen (Indiana Jones films).  

Filming for Other Mommy took place in Dublin, Ireland from last May to July. Released this Thursday, the film has thus far received negative reviews from critics.

What did I think?

Well we have all been here before. Spooky (kinda house), evil spirit, it could be any of the plots for one of James Wan's films.

It starts off fast, with a rather disappointing ending. Horror continues to dominate screens across Australian cinemas. Halloween decorations are up in the streets around my inner city place. Horror and Halloween dominate over October. It's just a thing now.

Whilst this wasn't perfect, it wasn't terrible. I will pass it, but only just. I am a little surprised at the low 19% Rotten Tomato score. 2.5 Stars from me.

El Niño Streaming 2026 - Gnomes - Miniseries

Gnomes landed during the week on Stan. This follows a solid year of Stan releases. From the recently renewed, The F Ward, to the miniseries The Killings at Parrish Station, which gave True Detective vibes, The Assassin returns next month, whilst Dear Life was outstanding and took out a Logie. So how was the latest comedy/horror series?

Gnomes follows Sergeant Kipps who is having the worst day of his life when he has to shut down the local police station, when the angry Gnome Queen is awakened by dark forces Kipps and Mackay must reunite to save Nompton.

As Senior Sergeant Arnold Kipps police station is about to be shut down by his former girlfriend and work partner, Ellie McKay, a bloodthirsty Gnome Queen awakens an ancient evil, unleashing an army of murderous lawn gnomes across the suburb of Nompton. As the town descends into chaos, Arnold and Ellie must rally with a ragtag crew of cops, teens and an overly ambitious mayor, using unconventional weapons and sheer desperation to stop the Gnome Queen before her killer lawn ornaments tear the town apart.

Starring Asa Butterfield as Senior Sergeant Arnold Kipps, Megan Smart as Ellie Mackay, Darren Gilshenan as Mayor Lachlan Morrison, Tess Haubrich as Gnome Queen & Ditch Davey as Brett Sanders. Along with, Nina Oyama, Luke McGregor, Alison Whyte, Brett Tucker, Matt Okine & Richard Pyros.

The Stan Original is an easy watch. I watched it Thursday night/Friday morning. Alongside all the finales this week, this series came in time for Halloween/spooky month, my dance card opening up with Lanterns, Last Seen and Ted Lasso wrapping this week.

This was more enjoyable than Apple's Last Seen. It was fun, but rather silly. The whole concept is nuts.

Killer Gnomes. lol

Husband and wife team, Tegan Higginbotham & Paul F. Verhoeven are behind this. Verhoeven a former Triple J announcer in the day. 

Gnomes won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it's a damn sight better and funnier than the Paramount+/Ten telemovie, Cop This. I am halfway through and it's damn awful. For the lineup they pulled together, it's horrid!

El Niño Streaming 2026 - Ted Lasso - Season Four

Ted Lasso is back after I binged three seasons back-to-back. Season four was like a reboot. Going from a male to a female soccer team. Meaning new and returning cast members. Ted is Jason Sudeikis, with, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, and Jeremy Swift.

In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would.

Apple TV is yet to announce whether they will continue Ted Lasso's journey. It sort of ends the same as season three, like it could end, it could return. No real commitment.

Either way, let's check out how season four concluded. Warning spoilers below.

The team mourns the loss of Mae at her pub. 

At the bi-annual shareholder meeting, Zelda reveals that she has bought out the other shareholders and now controls the club in a ploy to gain access to the male club owners by owning a team in the men's Premier League. However, her plan is foiled when it is revealed that her lackey Hugo has turned on her and that Mae has bequeathed her shares to Rebecca. 

Ted steps down as manager of the women's team to become the assistant for his successor, Alice. 

Meanwhile, Roy accepts the manager position at Chelsea while Baz, Jeremy, and Paul inherit the pub and Rebecca asks Matthijs to marry her.

So there are still some plots left up in the air. I'd like to see the series return. 

Annette Badland's storyline as Mae Green, the landlady of the Crown and Anchor pub in Richmond, was one of my favourites from this season.

A supporter of the women's team throughout Season 4, even getting the opportunity to travel on the team bus to an away game against Bristol City. Mae dies at the end of the match, leaving the pub to Baz, Jeremy and Paul, and her 2% stake in Richmond to Rebecca.

It was a sad start to the finale, however, in true Ted Lasso style, you end up smiling by the end of the episode.

Bring on season five? Apple TV renewed the former miniseries Imperfect Women this week, so anything could happened. Previously they also renewed Presumed Innocent, which was also meant to be a miniseries. So despite Ted Lasso apparently ending once, there could be more life in the series yet!