Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - This City Is Ours - Season One

This City Is Ours centres around Liverpudlian crime boss Ronnie Phelan, whose desire to retire from criminal life, after one last major drug deal, triggers an intense power struggle between his long-time right-hand man, Michael Kavanagh, and Phelan's impetuous son Jamie.

Streaming in Stan, originating from BBC One, set in Liverpool (UK), this is yet another drug/crime family series gone wild.

Less violent and action packed than Gangs of London and the USA's Power franchise. However it still packs an honest UK punch.

Starring Sean Bean as Ronnie Phelan, leader of the gang, alongside James Nelson-Joyce, Hannah Onslow, Jack McMullen, Julie Graham, Laura Aikman, Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Darci Shaw.

Back in May, the series was renewed for a second run.

Filming locations including Liverpool & Spain with filming taking place last May. Season two seems to be on the way, with filming commencing in October.

As we head into the summer break, it's time for me to catch up on 2025 series like this one. Concluding back in May, my Stan backlog is not too bad.

A bit more about the show and the real lead, James Nelson-Joyce.

Michael’s (Nelson-Joyce) life in organised crime is about to change. With the boss hinting at retirement and rivals vying for control, he must navigate the chaos to protect the woman he loves and the child he’s always wanted.

So if you like gang/crime family series, this one could be your new summer catch-up. It's no MobLand. But over the eight episodes it got better.

With a much more easy to follow character count than a Power series, at least the character development in this series was an improvement in this crime genre.

Stay cool today. The heatwave is here to stay by the looks of things. Real Scorchin' Summer Streamin weather!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - The Chair Company - Season One

The Chair Company is one of HBO's wildest shows to stream/air! Created by Tim Robinson & Zach Kanin, it follows Ron Trosper (Robinson), a man whose embarrassing workplace incident involving a faulty chair leads him to investigate a far-reaching conspiracy involving the chair company. 

Alongside Robinson, Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Will Price & Joseph Tudisco also star.

The Chair Company received widespread acclaim from critics with some calling it one of the best shows of the year.

Reviewers praised its inventive blend of cringe comedy and surreal mystery, singling out Robinson's performance and the show's offbeat tone, a style some noted may not appeal to all audiences. The series premiered to 1.4 million viewers across HBO platforms, the network's biggest comedy debut in over five years and one of the top three HBO Max comedy launches in the platform's history.

Last month, alongside I Love LA, the series was renewed for a second season.

But what did I think? Look it was addictive, however it was as crazy AF!

HBO for a while left its 30 minute comedies to the HBO Max service, with iconic comedies like Veep, Silicon Valley and Somebody Somewhere concluding with no real replacements.

Even the wildly comedic And Just Like That streamed on HBO Max.

So how did season one conclude, while leaving it open for a second run, read on. If you were late to the party, like me, don't read on!

A young boy fatally shoots Hollywood producer Stacy Crystals with a 3D-printed gun, accusing him of ruining his father’s life. 

While Ron is suspended from work, he reconnects with his family.

In an HR meeting, Jeff feels humiliated by discussion of Ron overpowering him and invites Ron for drinks to smooth things over. 

Mike visits Ron and becomes angry when Ron says the investigation is over. Ron tries to help Mike reconnect with his daughter Lynette but is turned away. 

While chasing the family’s new dog, Ron discovers she has returned to her former owner’s house. At a karaoke bar with Jeff, Ron hears one of Jeff’s original songs and recognises the melody and voice from RBMG’s hold music. He rushes to Jeff’s office and finds a hidden compartment containing paperwork identifying Jeff and Stacy Crystals as the real owners of RBMG. 

Back home, Lynette explains that her biological father died and donated his heart to Mike, and that Mike’s obsessive behaviour after being invited to walk her down the aisle led to a restraining order. Ron then receives another call directing him to his high school gym, where the masked man from his security footage reveals that all recent events stem from a humiliating high-school incident involving Ron's colleague Amanda and claims she caused Ron’s chair collapse using telekinesis. 

The man says he is Amanda's boyfriend and attacks Ron.

So where will season two take us on this wild ride! With new HBO sitcoms DTF St. Louis and Rooster landing next year, I'd say we'll have to wait to 2027 to find out!

See you next time kids.

Best Movies of 2025 (Film Influencer 2025)

OK real talk (again), 2025 is the year of yet another Avatar film. So in saying that, I have no real interest in seeing many more films this year. So let's just go ahead and dive into my favourite films of 2025.

To be honest, this was a bit of a random year for films. Films about cats and global warming, Pamela Anderson, returning to acting and those Aussie Philippou brothers doing Australian cinema proud!

Nicole Kidman also did bad, bad things in Babygirl, whilst Wicked returned for its second act.

Kiwi film Tinā, blew me away. It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at once.

The Roses also excited me, but missed the list. The trailer gave me 5 star vibes, but seeing the full thing was a little less than a five star experience. 

Anyway, let's hope 2026 has some interesting films on offer. Supergirl could get superhero films back on track, whilst I reckon we might get our fair share of reboots, prequels and sequels. Until then, maybe I'll catch another film before we say goodbye to 2025 in coming weeks.

So what were my favourite films of 2025? Take a look at the list below.

BEST hyped film of 2025 - Sinners

BEST jump out of the seat film - Bring Her Back

BEST Teen drama/coming of age/comedy blah - Tinā (the students at Tinā's school)

BEST film of 2025 - Flow (Latvian: Straume)

BEST small (budget) film - The Last Showgirl (less than two million) 

BEST Aussie Movie - Bring Her Back

BEST Music(al) film - Wicked: For Good

BEST controversial film of 2025 - Babygirl

BEST Drama - Tinā 

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - It – Welcome to Derry - Season One (Chapter One)

It: Welcome to Derry is HBO's attempt horror TV based on Stephen King's 1986 novel It, whilst serving as a prequel to the films It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019).

Starring Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Clara Stack, Amanda Christine, and Mikkal Karim-Fidler, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise from the films and serving as an executive producer on the series.

Originally set to stream on HBO Max, the series moved to the parent station amidst all the HBO/Netflix, HBO/Paramount sales hype of late.

I wondered why HBO Max had cancelled or moved nearly all their titles excluding The Pitt and the final season of Hacks. Lanterns will also stream on HBO in place of being a HBO Max title.

The Penguin, Dune Prophecy and now finally It: Welcome to Derry have all become HBO originals. However while The Penguin was a miniseries, It: Welcome to Derry is planned for a three chapter run.

With chapter one just concluding. That said, this was the only HBO series not to get handed a renewal recently, when I Love LA and The Chair Company were handing second seasons.

But, the series received generally positive reviews from critics, so a second (chapter) season, could be announced this side of Christmas.

I was lucky enough to get to go to the first episodes screening over the bridge. FUN!

So how did it kick off in Cremorne's Hayden Orpheum?

In 1962, a couple with their son move to Derry, Maine just as a young boy disappears. With their arrival, bad things begin to happen in the town.

So if you are not up to date, do not read ahead. Here are some plot points from episode eight. Apparently too, the season was meant to run for nine episodes. Fun fact!

A dense fog descends on Derry as Pennywise kills the school principal and lures most of the children to the auditorium, where he hypnotises them and begins taking them away. 

Ronnie, Lilly, and Marge follow him, while Pennywise taunts Leroy about Will. Leroy seeks Hallorann's help, and with Rose's special tea, Hallorann silences the voices and tracks Lilly's dagger. Pennywise separates Marge, sensing her future son Richie Tozier will cause his death.

Hallorann freezes Pennywise long enough to free Will and the other children as the others arrive, but Shaw and the military intervene, killing Taniel and detaining the adults. Pennywise kills Shaw and pursues the children as they try to restore the "cage". 

The adults subdue the soldiers and shoot Pennywise, slowing him until Rich's spirit appears and helps complete the ritual, imprisoning Pennywise. After Rich's funeral, Hallorann and Hank leave Derry, Ronnie and Will share a kiss, Charlotte and a honourably discharged Leroy stay, and Ingrid is institutionalised. 

Twenty-six years later, Ingrid witnesses Elfrida Marsh's suicide and meets her daughter, Beverly.

So will we get chapter two? That's all up to HBO. However something tells me, the sale is more important for Warner Bros right about now.

Til next time!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Hotel Costiera - Season One/Series Finale

Hotel Costiera is an English-language with a touch of Italian in this (now) one and done Amazon series.

Not as wild and fun as Malice in Greece, this Italian series tries to be an action/drama even a comedy at times.

Starring hunky Grey's Anatomy hunk, Jesse Williams as Daniel "DD" De Luca, a fixer at a luxury hotel on the Amalfi Coast. 

I missed this when it was originally released in late September, but recently, the series was canceled after one season. It isn't Amazon's normal teeny bopper romance or even macho action series, the show lies in no man's land. Not as twisted as The Girlfriend, whilst not as addictive and full on as Malice.

The Amalfi Coast does look incredible though. As does Daniel De Luca, a former Marine, returns to Italy to work at a luxury hotel in Positano. Shortly thereafter, the owner's daughter disappears, and De Luca is tasked with finding her.

So if like me, your 2025 has been full on, you need an escape, maybe this is your next binge.

Also it's the week of the hit series Fallout returning to the streamer with a solid 2026 outlook. Deadloch, Cross, The Boys, Nicole Kidman in Scarpetta, with Reacher and it's spin-off on also on the way TBC too.

Until next time dear readers. 

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Loot - Season Three

In Loot, Molly Wells (Maya Rudolph) embarks on a journey of self-discovery after getting an $87 billion divorce settlement from her wealthy tech billionaire husband John Novak (Adam Scott) of 20 years, and we find her thriving in her role as the head of her philanthropic organisation, the Wells Foundation. 

Molly has landed the jet for season three, with viewers left on the edge of their seats following the season two finale that saw Wells and her trusted and somewhat assistant Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster) board Molly’s private jet with her orders to take her as far away as possible after blowback from her fellow billionaires about stepping up philanthropy and her awkward exchange with her will-they, won’t-they colleague Arthur (Nat Faxon).

This season will also continue to follow the antics of the beloved group of misfits at the Wells Foundation as they work together so Molly can live up to her promise of giving away all of her vast fortune. Alongside Rudolph, Faxon & Kim Booster, the returning ensemble cast includes Michaela Jaé Rodriguez & Ron Funches.

The third season begun mid-October. I am praying daily for news on a fourth season. With that cliffhanger! Right! No spoilers though. 

Season three continued the fun, with some of the funniest moments of the series thus far.

Season three kicks off with Molly, after passing out from being given an unknown substance, wakes up surrounded by wreckage on the shore of what appears to be a deserted island with Nicholas, who informs her that her plane crashed. 

However, Nicholas has staged the crash, and they are actually on the island of "St. Novak's", with the staff of a nearby mansion working to keep up the ruse so Molly can enjoy a mental health reset. 

Sofia, Howard, and Rhonda arrive and force Nicholas to confess the truth to Molly, who at first refuses to leave the island due to seeing Arthur with Willa. She is then motivated to return home, but the only way off the island is via a ferry owned by Gerald Canning, the leader of "Vagine", a senior citizen nudist colony. 

While Rhonda embraces the nudist lifestyle, the others reluctantly participate in various activities without their shoes to persuade Gerald to let them use his ferry. As they are about to leave, Arthur, having traveled to every island Molly owns, arrives by rowboat and admits that he dumped Willa and loves Molly, with whom he shares a kiss. 

Molly allows Rhonda to stay with the nudists while the rest of the group sails home.

This is just a taste of how random season three was. It was brilliant! Apple TV better renew this. I have hope given they recently renewed Platonic, following its conclusion back in October.

Until next time!

Film Influencer 2025 - Wicked: For Good (Wicked: Part Two)

Wicked: For Good, the sequel to Wicked (2024), it adapts the second act of the 2003 stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman, which was loosely based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, a reimagining of L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 film adaptation.

Last year’s global cinematic cultural sensation, which became the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time, now reaches its epic, electrifying, emotional conclusion in Wicked: For Good. 

Starring returning cast, led by Academy Award® nominated superstars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as Elphaba and Glinda estranged and living with the consequences of their choices. 

Elphaba (Erivo), now demonised as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals and desperately trying to expose the truth she knows about The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum).  

Glinda, meanwhile, has become the glamorous symbol of Goodness for all of Oz, living at the palace in Emerald City and reviling in the perks of fame and popularity. Under the instruction of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), Glinda is deployed to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz, reassuring the masses that all is well under the rule of The Wizard.  

As Glinda’s stardom expands and she prepares to marry Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) in a spectacular Ozian wedding, she is haunted by her separation from Elphaba. She attempts to broker a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard, but those efforts will fail, driving Elphaba and Glinda only further apart. 

The aftershocks will transform Boq (Ethan Slater) and Fiyero forever, and threaten the safety of Elphaba’s sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode), when a girl from Kansas comes crashing into all their lives. 

As an angry mob rises against the Wicked Witch, Glinda and Elphaba will need to come together one final time. With their singular friendship now the fulcrum of their futures, they will need to truly see each other, with honesty and empathy, if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good. 

So if you have seen the musical when it has toured Australia once or twice, you'd know the story. However, visually, this was spectacular. Way beyond what you see at the stage show.

Wicked: For Good premiered in São Paulo last month.

Since then, the film received mixed reviews from critics, while grossing $448 million worldwide on a $150 million budget, becoming the second-highest-grossing Oz film and second-highest-grossing musical film adaptation. 

I am not a huge fan of musicals on the big screen, however the songs of Wicked are iconic, the witches, iconic, Ariana, beyond iconic!

I enjoyed this 3 stars for a Friday night at the movies. It also wasn't my first musical experience of the week. I did see the opposite, Pretty Woman going from film to stage. It was pretty average.

So in summary, Wicked stage to screen, good witches, Pretty Woman film to stage, not so wicked.

Later!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - All's Fair - Season One

All's Fair has been one of the most talked about shows in months! The season drew strong viewership & became the most-watched scripted Hulu show debut in three years, with Variety describing it as a "camp classic".

Last month, the series was renewed for a second season. Despite a shocking Rotten Tomatoes score.

The legal drama is created by Ryan Murphy, starring Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash-Betts, Teyana Taylor, Matthew Noszka, Sarah Paulson, & Glenn Close. What a cast. Despite, being panned by critics, who criticised the writing and Kardashian's performance. Paulson absolutely shines as Carr.

Not to mention all the guest stars per divorce. Far and wide actors, singers and more join the all female lead series. Not to mention Matthew Noszka! What a babe!

But what is All's Fair all about?

A team of female divorce attorneys leave a male-dominated firm to open their own powerhouse practice. Fierce, brilliant, and emotionally complicated, they navigate high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets, and shifting allegiances—both in the courtroom and within their own ranks. 

In a world where money talks and love is a battleground, these women don’t just play the game—they change it.

The fashion, the vile insults from Sarah Paulson, this is wild! Definitely not something you'd expect on Disney+ lol

Despite the critics, I enjoyed this nine episode run. Unlike American Horror Story, this actually was unhinged and consistent from episode one. It didn't start strong and end weak. It was just delicious trash from the first scene.

I highly recommend this. It is nowhere near as bad as what the critics are saying. Give it a holiday season crack. Tonight, I'm finally off to Wicked!

Golden Globes TV 2026 Nominations | Predictions

Its clearly awards season! My predictions in bold and red. But you know this already if you are a regular reader.

Winners will be announced Sunday, January 11 (USA) hosted by Nikki Glaser. Aussies Jacob Elordi, Sarah Snook, Rose Byrne, Joel Edgerton and Nick Cave are all nominated for 83rd Globes.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

The Diplomat (Netflix)

The Pitt (HBO)

Pluribus (Apple TV)

Severance (Apple TV)

Slow Horses (Apple TV)

White Lotus (HBO)

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

The Bear (FX)

Hacks (Stan)

Nobody Wants This (Netflix)

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

The Studio (Apple TV)

BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Adolescence (Netflix)

All Her Fault (Peacock/Binge)

The Beast in Me

Black Mirror (Netflix)

Dying for Sex (Disney+)

The Girlfriend (Prime Video)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

Kathy Bates, Matlock (CBS)

Britt Lower, Severance (Apple TV)

Helen Mirren, MobLand (Paramount+)

Bella Ramsey, The Last of Us (HBO)

Keri Russell, The Diplomat (Netflix)

Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus (Apple TV)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA

Sterling K. Brown, Paradise (Disney+)

Diego Luna, Andor (Disney+)

Gary Oldman, Slow Horses (Apple TV)

Mark Ruffalo, Task (HBO)

Adam Scott, Severance (Apple TV)

Noah Wyle, The Pitt (HBO Max)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Kristen Bell, Nobody Wants This (Netflix)

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear (FX)

Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Natasha Lyonne, Poker Face (Stan)

Jenna Ortega, Wednesday (Netflix)

Jean Smart, Hacks (HBO Max)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Adam Brody, Nobody Wants This (Netflix)

Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Glen Powell, Chad Powers (Hulu)

Seth Rogen, The Studio (Apple TV)

Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Jeremy Allen White, The Bear (FX)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES, OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Claire Danes, The Beast in Me (Netflix)

Rashida Jones, Black Mirror (Netflix)

Amanda Seyfried, Long Bright River (Binge)

Sarah Snook, All Her Fault (Peacock)

Michelle Williams, Dying for Sex (FX)

Robin Wright, The Girlfriend (Prime Video)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES, OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Jacob Elordi, The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Prime Video)

Paul Giamatti, Black Mirror (Netflix)

Stephen Graham, Adolescence (Netflix)

Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix)

Jude Law, Black Rabbit (Netflix)

Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me (Netflix)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE ON TELEVISION

Carrie Coon, The White Lotus (HBO)

Erin Doherty, Adolescence (Netflix)

Hannah Einbinder, Hacks (HBO Max)

Catherine O’Hara, The Studio (Apple TV)

Parker Posey, The White Lotus (HBO)

Aimee Lou Wood, The White Lotus (HBO)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE ON TELEVISION

Owen Cooper, Adolescence (Netflix)

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show (Apple TV)

Walton Goggins, The White Lotus (HBO)

Jason Isaacs, The White Lotus (HBO)

Tramell Tillman, Severance (Apple TV)

Ashley Walters, Adolescence (Netflix)

BEST PERFORMANCE IN STAND-UP COMEDY ON TELEVISION

Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This?

Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life

Kevin Hart: Acting My Age

Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts

Ricky Gervais: Mortality

Sarah Silverman: Postmortem

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Bel-Air - Season Four/Series Finale

It's season finale time for Peacock’s Bel-Air. Streaming on Stan in Australia, the three week episode drop concluded yesterday. With a three episode final binge yesterday, I have now concluded the series.

In season four, Will tries to balance the fun and excitement of senior year with the expectations that have brought him to this moment. 

Carlton tests his own resolve as he deals with the fallout of some very big decisions that could threaten his future. Together, both boys will help each other through this pivotal time in their lives. 

An unexpected power shift will threaten the brotherhood between Phil and Geoffrey, whose loyalties to the Banks family will be tested. Viv struggles with reinventing herself as she looks at motherhood from a different perspective. 

Its Ashley’s freshman year in high school and she’s working through a rebellious phase but quickly learns that the status quo may no longer serve her. Hilary goes on a journey of self-exploration.

Bel-Air was the reimagined version of the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and is based on Cooper's short fan film of the same title. 

Starring Jabari Banks, Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones, & Simone Joy Jones. 

I caught up on the first three seasons back-to-back, so watching the final eight episodes was a breeze.

It felt like a good time to end this teen-pre Uni drama. Also expect a surprise cameo.

Not as amazing as Peacock's The Day of the Jackal, however I do look forward to The Copenhagen Test landing later this month.

For now, I'm halfway through the All's Fair finale. Wow!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - The Day of the Jackal - Season One

The Day of the Jackal is a British spy thriller television series, based on the Frederick Forsyth novel and 1973 film of the same name. 

Starring Eddie Redmayne & Lashana Lynch. 

I am very late to the party, with, the first series began airing in November 2024. That same month, it was renewed for a second series. Bring it on I say! Binge needs more content, ASAP! This however, is one of the best things for Peacock (USA) to have ever streamed. Maybe because it's partnered with Sky (UK Atlantic) 

The Day of the Jackal received positive reviews from critics and received two Golden Globe Award nominations, Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actor for Redmayne.

Reimagined into a contemporary political setting, this series is based on a popular novel which centres on a ruthless British assassin, known only as “the Jackal", and the intelligence officer intent on capturing him.

The Jackal, (Redmayne) makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. But following his latest kill, he meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer (Lynch) who starts to track down the Jackal in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake.

Filmed in multiple locations, this was perfect, addictive escapism. Read on for how episode ten went down, or if you are like me (late to the party), get on Binge now! Ten episodes, easy watch! Do it now!

River's release is postponed indefinitely. Bianca quits MI6, as Kirby refuses to keep pursuing the Jackal. 

Kirby is revealed to be acting under orders from Whitelock, together secretly working for Winthrop. Kirby lures Bianca with an unsanctioned operation to kill the Jackal. 

Bianca accepts the job, recruiting Vincent. They follow a lead to stake out the Jackal's Spanish estate, which Nuria eventually abandons with Carlitos. While attempting to leave Croatia, the Jackal sustains wounds and ultimately kidnaps an elderly couple. 

He kills them when they attempt to overpower him. He eventually returns home. Bianca and Vincent infiltrate the house, but a drunken Alvaro startles them and gets himself shot and killed, alerting the Jackal. 

The Jackal then kills Vincent and leads Bianca on a chase through his house. Tricking her into believing that she could win, he allows her to monologue about her personal achievements before shooting her in the neck and killing her. 

Fleeing the house, the Jackal is ambushed by Winthrop's men. Kirby is later promoted to Chief. She claims that Bianca and Vincent went rogue, but Halcrow knows the truth thanks to a final text message from Bianca. 

In Budapest, the Jackal meets with Zina, who also escaped an attempt on her life. She reveals Winthrop's identity as her employer. The Jackal agrees to exact revenge but heads off in search of Nuria and Carlitos first.

This was a quality thriller. Binge, you did good getting this Peacock title. Here is hoping I don't have to wait too long for season two. It's just on around a year the season one finale aired.

Film Influencer 2025 - Now You See Me: Now You Don't

I have been missing the movies after a week or so off, so with a Sydney Summer heatwave, what better place to be than the cinema. After a ten year break, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, is the third instalment in the Now You See Me film series.

Following 2016's Now You See Me 2, returning cast Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, & Morgan Freeman, are now joined by Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, & Rosamund Pike.

Rosamund Pike is outstanding as the sequels big bad, while another, sequel is in development for the film series.

So far receiving mixed reviews from critics, with many deeming it an improvement to its predecessors. What did I think? Watch the trailer and scroll down.

The tricks were fun, the new cast added a new generation of magicians/tricksters to the growing cast.

I must say, the film did leave you on a mini Mark Ruffalo based cliffhanger.

This was enjoyable, fun, put your feet up cinema. Good job team. When December gets crazy, it's also nice to see a fun, popcorn film where you can just let the worries of the world disappear for around two hours.

Until next time. A big TV week of finales. The critically destroyed, All's Fair wraps its first run. Whilst Loot and Bel-Air streams it's final three episodes, ever.

Now You See Me: Now You Don't, gets a solid 3 Stars.

AACTA Awards 2026 Nominations (TV and related nominees) | Predictions

Nominations have just been announced for the AACTA Awards 2026.

Fast facts - 

• AACTA Festival will run for 5 days from February 4 – 8th 2026.
• AACTA Awards Industry Gala: Wednesday 4 February 2026
• AACTA Awards will screen at 7.30pm AEDT, Friday 6 February on Channel 10.
• Apple Cider Vinegar has topped the TV nominations
• The Newsreader and The Narrow Road to the Deep North followed with 12 nominations and Mystery Road: Origin at 11 nominations
• Next were Mix Tape (8 nominations), The Survivors (6 nominations) and The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer (5 nominations)

Predictions bold and in red.

AACTA Award for Best Miniseries

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Samantha Strauss, Liz Watts, Louise Gough, Helen Gregory, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning – See-Saw Films / Picking scabs (Netflix)

• Invisible Boys – Nicholas Verso, Tania Chambers – Asphodel Films and Feisty Dame Productions (Stan)

• Mix Tape – Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford, Aoife O’Sullivan, Tristan Orpen Lynch – Aquarius Films and Subotica (in Ireland) (Binge, Foxtel)

• The Last Anniversary – Nicole Kidman, Per Saari, Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Samantha Strauss, John Polson – Made Up Stories, Fifth Season and Blossom Films (Binge, Foxtel)

• The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Jo Porter, Rachel Gardner, Shaun Grant, Justin Kurzel, Alexandra Taussig – Curio Pictures (Amazon Prime Video)

• The Survivors – Tony Ayres, Andrea Denholm, Cherie Nowlan, Andrew Walker – Tony Ayres Productions | Matchbox Pictures and Universal International Studios. (Netflix)

AACTA Award for Best Drama Series

• Bay of Fires – Marta Dusseldorp – Archipelago Productions and Fremantle Australia (ABC)

• Black Snow: Jack of Clubs – Rosemary Blight, Milly Olrog, Lucas Taylor, Ben Grant – Goalpost Pictures (Stan)

• Mystery Road Origin – Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey – Bunya Productions (ABC)

• The Family Next Door – Melinda Wearne, Dean O’Toole, David Ogilvy, Jenny O’Shea – Beyond Productions Pty Ltd (ABC)

• The Newsreader – Joanna Werner, Michael Lucas – Werner Film Productions (ABC)

• The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer – Hamish Lewis, Michael Brooks, Ally Henville, Ian Collie, Rob Gibson – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia Pty Ltd and Easy Tiger Productions Pty Ltd (Binge, Foxtel)

AACTA Award for Best Narrative Comedy Series

• Austin – Joe Weatherstone, Catherine Nebauer – Northern Pictures (ABC)

• Bump – Dan Edwards, John Edwards, Claudia Karvan, Kelsey Munro – Roadshow Rough Diamond (Stan)

• Ghosts – Kylie Washington, Sophia Zachariou, Bree-Anne Sykes, Joshua Mapleston – BBC Studios Productions (Network Ten, Paramount+)

• Mother and Son – Jude Troy, Richard Finlayson, Matt Okine, Alexandra Cameron – Wooden Horse (ABC)

• Strife – Steve Hutensky, Katie Amos, Asher Keddie, Mia Freedman, Sarah Scheller, Lorelle Adamson – Made Up Stories and Fifth Season (Binge, Foxtel)

• Top End Bub – Rosemary Blight, Ben Grant, Miranda Tapsell, Joshua Tyler – Goalpost Pictures (Amazon Prime Video)

AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama  

• Alycia Debnam-Carey – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Aisha Dee – Watching You

• Kaitlyn Dever – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Tuuli Narkle – Mystery Road Origin

• Teresa Palmer – Mix Tape

• Anna Torv – The Newsreader

AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama

• Mark Coles Smith – Mystery Road Origin

• Jacob Elordi – The Narrow Road to the Deep North

• Travis Fimmel – Black Snow Jack of Clubs

• Sam Neill – The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer

• Hunter Page-Lochard – Reckless

• Sam Reid – The Newsreader

AACTA Award for Best Acting in a Comedy

• Claudia Karvan – Bump

• Asher Keddie – Strife

• Ben Miller – Austin

• Sally Phillips – Austin

• Angus Sampson – Bump

• Denise Scott – Mother and Son

• Miranda Tapsell – Top End Bub

• Michael Theo – Austin

AACTA Award for Best Documentary

• Ellis Park – Justin Kurzel (Dir.), Nick Batzias, Charlotte Wheaton – GoodThing Productions

• Journey Home, David Gulpilil – Maggie Miles (Dir.), Trisha Morton-Thomas (Dir.), Rachel Clements, Jida Gulpilil, Lloyd Garrawurra – Savage Films and Brindle Films

• Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke – Lorin Clarke (Dir.), Richard Keddie – THW Film Company & Lorin Clarke Productions

• Songs Inside – Shalom Almond (Dir.), Katrina Lucas – Songs Inside Pty Ltd

• Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story – Ivan O’Mahoney (Dir.), Jessica Halloran (Dir.) – In Films

• Yurlu | Country – Yaara Bou Melhem (Dir.) – Illuminate Films

AACTA Award for Best Comedy Performer

• Hamish Blake – Lego Masters Australia: Grand Masters of the Galaxy

• Melanie Bracewell – The Cheap Seats

• Aaron Chen – Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee

• Tom Gleeson – Hard Quiz

• Luke McGregor – Portrait Artist of the Year

• Guy Montgomery – Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee

• Sam Pang – Sam Pang Tonight

• Julia Zemiro – Crime Night!

AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

• Essie Davis – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Aisha Dee – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Michelle Lim Davidson – The Newsreader

• Robyn Malcolm – Mystery Road Origin

• Heather Mitchell – The Narrow Road to the Deep North

• Susie Porter – Apple Cider Vinegar

AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama

• Luke Carroll – Mystery Road Origin

• Mark Coles Smith – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Daniel Henshall – The Family Next Door

• Daniel Henshall – The Newsreader

• Matt Nable – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Ashley Zukerman – Apple Cider Vinegar

AACTA Award for Best Entertainment Program

• Dancing with the Stars – Peter Beck, Amanda Bainbridge, Deb Spinocchia, Kylie Washington – BBC Studios Productions Australia (Seven Network)

• Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Grand Final: Access All Areas – Paul Clarke, Emily Griggs, Angela Downing – Beyond Productions (SBS)

• I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Australia – Beth Hart, Alex Mavroidakis, Josie Steele, Clare Bath – ITV Studios Australia (Network Ten)

• Lego Masters Australia: Grand Masters of the Galaxy – David McDonald, Hamish Blake, Di Yang, AJ Johnson – Endemol Shine Australia (Nine Network)

• Portrait Artist of the Year – David McDonald, Kate Feely, Maria Handas – Endemol Shine Australia (ABC)

• That Blackfella Show – Rowdie Walden – ABC (ABC)

AACTA Award for Best Comedy Entertainment Program

• Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee – Bronwynn Bakker, Cameron Bakker, Guy Montgomery, Greg Sitch – Kevin & Co and ABC (ABC)

• Hard Quiz – Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)

• Sam Pang Tonight – Sam Pang, John Origlasso – One Wolf Productions (Network Ten)

• Spicks and Specks – Rowdie Walden, Anthony Watt – ABC (ABC)

• Taskmaster Australia – Bronwynn Bakker, Cameron Bakker – Kevin & Co and Avalon (Paramount+)

• The Weekly with Charlie Pickering – Charlie Pickering, Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Frank Bruzzese – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)

AACTA Award for Best Children’s Program

• Do Not Watch This Show – Andy Lee, Greg Sitch – Lee Bones Productions (ABC)

• Hard Quiz Kids – Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)

• Play School: All Together – Bryson Hall, Lyndal Mebberson – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

• Space Nova – Suzanne Ryan, Yasmin Jones – SLR Productions and Giggle Garage (ABC)

AACTA Award for Best Stand-Up Special

• Aunty Donna: The Magical Dead Cat – Jessica Galea, Georgia Mappin, Tom Downey

• Celia Pacquola: I’m As Surprised As You Are – Kevin Whyte, Celia Pacquola

• Claire Hooper: So Proud – Kyran Nicholson, Claire Hooper

• Geraldine Hickey: Don’t Tease Me About My Gloves – Kevin Whyte, Geraldine Hickey

• Melbourne International Comedy Festival – The Allstars Supershow – Rowdie Walden, Susan Provan

• Melbourne International Comedy Festival – The Gala – Rowdie Walden, Susan Provan

AACTA Award for Best Factual Entertainment Program

• Alone Australia – Riima Daher, Joseph McMahon, Beth Hart, Keely Sonntag – ITV Studios Australia (SBS)

• Gogglebox Australia – David McDonald, Will Minchin, Natasha Pizzica – Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)

• Muster Dogs Collies and Kelpies – Michael Boughen, Matthew Street, Lauren Rudd – Ambience Entertainment Pty Ltd (ABC)

• Take 5 with Zan Rowe – Zan Rowe, Nikita Agzarian, Josh Schmidt – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

• The Piano – Bethan Briegel-Jones, Gemma Murphy, Josie Mason Campbell – Eureka Productions (ABC)

• The Secret DNA of Us – Josie Mason Campbell, Sophie Meyrick – Eureka Productions (SBS)

AACTA Award for Best Documentary or Factual Program

• End Game with Tony Armstrong – Steve Bibb, Dan Brown – Barking Mad Productions, Smashing Films, Allstory Pictures and Barking Mad Productions, Smashing Films, Allstory Pictures (ABC)

• I Was Actually There – Loni Cooper, Josh Schmidt, Julie Hanna – Docker Media (ABC)

• The Assembly – Melissa Maclean, Mark Fennessy, Therese Hegarty, Julie Hanna – Helium Pictures (ABC)

• The Kimberley – Electra Manikakis, Nick Robinson, Peta Ayers, Mark Coles Smith – Wild Pacific Media (ABC)

• The People vs Robodebt – Paula Bycroft, Michael Cordell, Andrew Farrell – CJZ (SBS)

• Who Do You Think You Are? – Maxine Gray, Carolyn Kung – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia Pty Ltd (SBS)

AACTA Award for Best Lifestyle Program

• Gardening Australia – Gill Lomas – ABC (ABC)

• Grand Designs Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Eureka Productions (ABC)

• Love it or List it Australia – Karen Warner, Geoff Fitzpatrick, John Luscombe, Howard Myers-Rifai – Beyond Productions (Binge, Foxtel)

• Restoration Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Eureka Productions (ABC)

• Selling Houses Australia – Caroline Swift, Kam Vurlow, Monique Bushby – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia Pty Ltd (Binge, Foxtel)

• The Cook Up with Adam Liaw – Emily Griggs, Gavin Jarrett – SBS (SBS)

AACTA Award for Best Reality Program 

• Australian Idol – Joel McCormack, Riccy Felixberto, Wes Dening – Eureka Productions (Seven Network)

• Australian Survivor: Australia v The World – Amelia Fisk, David Forster, Phoebe McMahon, Toby Trappel – Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)

• Married At First Sight Australia – Tara McWilliams, Alexandra Spurway, Stevo Petkovic, Dimi Theodoulou – Endemol Shine Australia (Nine Network)

• MasterChef Australia – Marty Benson, Adam Fergusson, Eoin Maher, April Mackay – Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)

• The Amazing Race – Rikkie Proost, Alenka Henry, Jane Rowley – Eureka Productions (Network Ten)

• The Great Australian Bake Off – Emily Commens, Amanda Bainbridge, Deb Spinocchia, Kylie Washington – BBC Studios Productions Australia (Binge, Foxtel)

More info and categories can be found here.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Film Club - Season One

Best friends Evie and Noa have watched films together since they first met five years ago. But are they only there for the love of movies?⁣

This English romantic comedy-drama is from Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus) and Ralph Davis.

Commissioned by BBC Three, the series streams on Binge in Australia. Alongside Wood & Davis, Suranne Jones, Nabhaan Rizwan, Adam Long & Liv Hill star in this six part comedy.

Filming got underway in Manchester in late 2024, with the series landing on Binge around October.

We are now getting into the catch up TV era part of 2025.

Sports, repeats, non-ratings filler content, thank god for streaming.

Binge have struggled with filling the content void of HBO when they lost the contract mid this year.

Film Club isn't perfect, its quirky, a bit romantic, very English. Also, Aimee Lou Wood is super sweet as the lead.

OK so if you are in need of romance in the lead up to the holidays, Film Club is a bit of fun. Not sure if there is a chance of a season two. Watch this space...

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Malice - Miniseries

Malice may be in the running for the most addictive series of Q4, Scorchin' Summer Streamin' for 2025.

This delicious revenge drama/thriller stars Adam (Jack Whitehall) is a charismatic tutor who charms his way into the life of the wealthy Tanner family while they’re on holiday in Greece.  

When the family’s nanny falls dangerously ill, Adam orchestrates his way in to their London home and his true vengeful nature begins to emerge.

Alongside Whitehall, X-Files and Californication legend, David Duchovny stars, with Carice van Houten, Christine Adams & Raza Jaffrey.

Malice streams now on Amazon with all six episodes either ending with a cliffhanger or a bang! I am fairly sure this is a miniseries with how episode six unfolds, however there is room for more Malice in Greece or the UK.

Amazon usually does either Superhero/anti-superhero/male action series well or teen dramas like The Summer I Turned Pretty. So it was refreshing to see Malice follow The Girlfriend, in the revenge/drama genre.

David Duchovny is delicious as this mega rich alpha father, who gives zero fucks about his family or businesses he invests in.

My mother and father were (like Reckless) hooked after episode one. So much so they stayed up later than me, night one of watching to conclude episode one.

To be fair, I was done and dusted binge watching this in around 36 hours.

Honestly, drop everything, stop watching Love Island and Big Brother, as this is so much more intense.

Really and truly in my upcoming RATED, this will be top 10, or even top 5 easy. Smashing!