Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Girl Taken - Miniseries

Landing around a month ago on Paramount+ Girl Taken is a based on the novel Baby Doll by Hollie Overton. 

Seventeen-year-old Lily is kidnapped by her trusted teacher. Five years later she escapes captivity and returns home, revealing years of abuse in a hidden cellar and forcing her family to face the trauma in a fight to reclaim their lives.

The British series was adapted for the six-part series for Paramount+ by David Turpin, Suzanne Cowie, and Nessa Muthy. 

Directing episodes are Laura Way and Bindu de Stoppani with Mick Pantaleo as producer. Executive producers include Suzi McIntosh for Clapperboard Studios and Mike Benson for Paramount+.

Filming took place in last June, with Jill Halfpenny & Alfie Allen as leads. Alongside older and younger sisters Tallulah and Delphi Evans as twins, Niamh Walsh, Levi Brown, Victoria Ekanoye, Holly Atkins, Vikash Bhai and Kiran Krishnakumar.

This was fairly B grade TV if I'm honest. Paramount+ are lucky they still have Taylor Sheridan and CBS content on their service.

That said with two Yellowstone spin-offs incoming Paramount+ has some serious drama incoming.

I don't want to be too negative about this series. Alfie Allen did play a creep well. It really is Allen season, with Lily selling out tours in Australia, that hit record, Alfie's past Game of Thrones work.

So I am not expecting Girl Taken to rate highly on my Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 RATED list, however if you like a kidnapping drama, maybe this is for you.

Till next time.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Spartacus: House of Ashur - Season One

Spartacus: House of Ashur is a thrilling, erotic, history-bending, roller-coaster experience that builds on everything that made the original series a colossal hit. 

What if Ashur lived and the Romans rewarded his treachery with the gladiator school where he once bled? 

Welcome to the House of Ashur. No longer a slave, Ashur (Nick E. Tarabay) has clawed his way to power, owning the same ludus that once owned him. But ruling a band of merciless gladiators is child’s play compared to surviving the savage world of Roman politics—a cutthroat game in which betrayal isn’t a sin, it’s currency. 

Flipping tradition on its head, Ashur unleashes Achillia (Tenika Davis), a fierce and powerful gladiatrix eager to prove herself worthy in a man’s world. Together, they ignite a new kind of spectacle that shocks, disrupts, and offends the elite with every drop of blood.

Starring Nick E. Tarabay as Ashur, Graham McTavish, Tenika Davis, Jamaica Vaughan, Ivana Baquero, Jordi Webber, Claudia Black, India Shaw-Smith, Leigh Gill, Jackson Gallagher, & Jaime Slater.

Yes this is horny AF! Like the original Spartacus run, you even get some man on man action. Plus a fair amount of penis. And the boobs! So many boobs! The million dollar question is will Starz renew the historical romp?

I bet Aussie streamer Stan wishes it would. I did read somewhere it was meant to be a miniseries, somewhere else season two was mostly writtern.

I for one would watch season two. Wanna find out how season one wrapped on Friday? What am I going to watch on Stan on Fridays now? BOO!

Gabinius is laid to rest at his villa. Caesar informs Cossutia that Pompey has been stripped of his title and protection, while Caesar himself has been promoted to legatus and ordered to find and kill him. 

Servius, Gabinius' brother returns to reclaim the household and proposes holding funeral games. Believing Ashur to be beneath him, Servius has him removed from the villa but Viridia kisses him before he leaves. 

Settling in, Servius tries to assert his control over Cossutia and Viridia. At the ludus, Tarchon helps train Achillia to take on the Scythian, while Proculus pairs Satyrus with Galatea, another female gladiator for the games. 

Ashur gifts Achillia her own private quarters, cementing her position as champion of the ludus, while Ashur promises Korris ownership of the ludus once he is given control of Capua's games. Cornelia leaves the villa to return to Rome, with Messia following her. 

At the games, Servius excludes Ashur's gladiators from all but the main event and forces him to sit with the plebians. Satyrus and Galatea defeat their opponent before Achillia battles the Scythian in a brutal fight that sees both fighters lose their weapons and intrude into the stands. 

Achillia ultimately defeats the Scythian, killing her by jamming her shield into her mouth and splitting her head open. Before she leaves, Viridia sees Ashur celebrate in the stands with Hilara, saddening her. 

Back at the ludus, Tarchon and Achillia sleep together. 

While Caesar prepares to leave, Ashur asks him when the new arena will begin construction but Caesar tells him that Crassus has decided to use the funds to build new villas instead, despite their agreement. An enraged Ashur attacks Caesar, and after a long fight Ashur kills him by stabbing him in the chest and hacking his head open with a sword.

Will Starz renew Spartacus: House of Ashur, gosh I hope so, but I also reckon this has been a surprisingly good return to the Spartacus franchise. Bring on season two!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Fallout - Season Two

Hi post-apocalyptic Amazon series Fallout, concluded this past after starting right before Xmas 2025.

Based on the role-playing video game franchise created by Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky, the series is set two centuries after the Great War of 2077, in which society has collapsed following a nuclear holocaust.

Starring Yellowjackets Queen, Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Moisés Arias, Frances Turner, Kyle MacLachlan, & the White Lotus MVP, Walton Goggins. 

Season two continues the story set in the wasteland of post-nuclear America and introduced New Vegas, a major location from the video game Fallout: New Vegas.

Lucy and Cooper travel to New Vegas hoping to learn the truth about Vault-Tec, Cooper's wife and daughter, and Lucy's father. Maximus, having been promoted in rank within the Brotherhood, becomes increasingly disillusioned with the Brotherhood's internal corruption and the conflict between his own conscience and the order's code.

Last May, Amazon renewed the series for a third season. Which I had entirely forgotten about.

Macaulay Culkin, Justin Theroux & Kumail Nanjiani all joined the series for a varying number of episodes. I think we will get more Culkin in the third run.

If like me you took a few days to catch up, don't read on! However this season continued to be fun, with some whacky soundtrack choices along the way to Vegas!

In 2077, Hank and Steph get engaged in Las Vegas, while Cooper is arrested after taking the blame for Barb for handing the relic to the President, secretly tied to the Enclave. 

In 2296, the Legion schism ends when Lacerta Legate proclaims himself Caesar and plans to seize New Vegas. Norm and Claudia survive a radroach attack at Vault-Tec HQ that kills the rest of the Vault-Tec executives as they attempt to bring Norm to trial. 

In Vault 32, Steph activates a Pip-Boy from Hank's box and contacts the Enclave to begin Phase 2. Fighting between Maximus and Deathclaws reaches Freeside, where the NCR rescues him. The Ghoul enters the Vault-Tec facility with House's help. 

Lucy mercy kills Welch, but is captured by Hank and then saved by the Ghoul. Lucy implants a control chip in Hank, who admits his Enclave ties before activating it himself and losing his memory. The Ghoul finds his family's cryo-pods empty and a clue pointing to Colorado. Maximus and Lucy reunite as the Legion marches into New Vegas. 

In a post-credits scene, Dane retrieves Liberty Prime blueprints for Quintus.

So it looks like we are off to Colorado and possibly some more robot action.

This is a fun show in the mix of Amazon's macho male action stars and teen dramas to the max. Amazon have some big months ahead with Deadloch returning next month and Cross returning this week. I wish they had an event like Apple TV had last week.

Amazon are really coming into their own. I still need to watch Thief too. 56 Days also sounds interesting... and horny! lol

NOT another streaming Movie - Send Help

Send Help, my latest film is a darkly comedic psychological thriller from genre-bending visionary director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, The Evil Dead).

Rachel McAdams (Spotlight, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret., Mean Girls), Dylan O’Brien (Twinless, Saturday Night), Edyll Ismail (La Brea), Dennis Haysbert (Far from Heaven), Xavier Samuel (Elvis), Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians), Thaneth Warakulnukroh (Thai Cave Rescue), & Emma Raimi (Happy Pills), all star in this Aussie/Thailand production.

Linda Liddle (McAdams) and Bradley Preston (O’Brien), two colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it becomes an unsettling and darkly humorous battle of wills and wits to make it out alive. 

So great seeing Aussie's Xavier Samuel and hunky Chris Pang, on the big screen, to a packed engaged cinema crowd on a Friday night.

Send Help has received positive reviews from critics, and has grossed $32.6 million against a $40 million production budget.

This film could be in line to be one of the first financial success and critical successes of 2026 at the cinema.

Filming ultimately commenced last February, in Sydney, Los Angeles, and Thailand, concluding in April. 

This was fun, the audience was laughing, I was jumping a few times. This was a solid film, with a great performance from the likeable and relatable Rachel McAdams. Lets be honest, we have all felt like Linda in an office situation before.

I really enjoyed this thriller. You might even spot Centennial Park in the movie. Which is hosting Laneway this weekend.

Be safe music festival friends. Why on Earth is Laneway on a Sunday too. I went last year. That was ROUGH!

OK, so Send Help is damn fine. 4 Stars.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Wonder Man - Miniseries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOT another streaming Movie - Mercy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOT another streaming Movie - Primate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God love the cinema on a sticky Sydney summer scorcher.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jimmy explains that he was shot by an intruder. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time. Bye!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Black Bird - Miniseries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Happiness - Season One

Happiness is the second big acquisition for HBO Max in Australia. Not to the level Heated Rivalry has reached, however this musical-comedy series from Greenstone TV for Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand and made with the support of NZ on Air.

Created by Kip Chapman & Luke Di Somma, this is a bit niche for fans and people within the musical theatre community.

Revolving around Charlie Summers (Harry McNaughton), ex-Kiwi Broadway director, is forced by circumstance to return to his home town of Tauranga, where his mum makes him join her amateur musical theatre society.

His relentlessly enthusiastic mother, Gaye (Aussie TV legend, Rebecca Gibney), pressures him into joining her hopelessly amateur theater group. 

The show chronicles his begrudging efforts to bring professional rigor to the chaotic productions, while rediscovering connection and purpose in the most unexpected place.

The show has huge heart, while starring Peter Hambleton as Adrian, Jessie Lawrence as Jacqui & Melody Lui-Webster as Mia.

Its not super clear whether we will get a second series of this heart warming, all singing series, which kicked off with everyone's favourite Backstreet Boys tune.

With HBO in the mix, I reckon we will see another six episodes of this fun across the ditch show tune series.

It is not common an NZ show gets much hype, so it's nice to see this series getting a bit of attention.

Next up Spartacus: House of Ashur and Fallout will conclude their respective runs in a few weeks, while I hopefully get off to another film soon. Back to work tomorrow. BOO!

NOT another streaming Movie - 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is the fourth instalment overall in the 28 Days Later film series.

Shot back-to-back with last years predecessor 28 Years Later, starring Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, & Chi Lewis-Parry.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has received generally positive reviews from critics. The film has grossed $33.3 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 2026.

Bit early to talk about the second-highest-grossing films of the year, but hey - lol.

But was it any good?

For a warm (Hottest 100) day this film was a nice escape into the free aircon of a local cinema.

It was my first full English film too of the year. I enjoyed the previous film last year in the series and this does indeed follow Ralph Fiennes as Dr Ian Kelson.

There is also a twist, with Cillian Murphy making an uncredited appearance as Jim, a former bicycle courier and survivor of the original outbreak. Murphy reprises his role from 28 Days Later.

With Murphy's appearance in The Bone Temple's ending serving as his character's reintroduction which sets up the planned third film.

The scene also features, Sam, Jim's daughter, is portrayed by Maiya Eastmond.

So bring on the next film I guess.

Bring on the Monday holiday too crew! Hope everyone enjoyed the Hottest 100 yesterday, drive safe, stay safe, relax, in Australia 2026 really kinda starts after public holiday Monday.

3 Stars.

2026 OSCARS Nominations | Predictions

Here are the Oscars nominations, that just dropped earlier in the week! Here are my predictions in red & bold.

** Admittedly I haven't seen all the films nominated below.

BEST PICTURE

"Bugonia"

"F1"

"Frankenstein"

"Hamnet"

"Marty Supreme"

"One Battle After Another"

"The Secret Agent"

"Sentimental Value"

"Sinners"

"Train Dreams"

BEST ACTOR

Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme"

Leonardo DiCaprio, "One Battle After Another"

Ethan Hawke, "Blue Moon"

Michael B. Jordan, "Sinners"

Wagner Moura, "The Secret Agent"

BEST ACTRESS

Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet"

Rose Byrne, "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You"

Kate Hudson, "Song Sung Blue"

Renate Reinsve, "Sentimental Value"

Emma Stone, "Bugonia"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Benicio del Toro, "One Battle After Another"

Jacob Elordi, "Frankenstein"

Delroy Lindo, "Sinners"

Sean Penn, "One Battle After Another"

Stellan Skarsgård, "Sentimental Value"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Elle Fanning, "Sentimental Value"

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, "Sentimental Value"

Amy Madigan, "Weapons"

Wunmi Mosaku, "Sinners"

Teyana Taylor, "One Battle After Another"

BEST DIRECTING

Chloé Zhao, "Hamnet"

Josh Safdie, "Marty Supreme"

Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another"

Joachim Trier, "Sentimental Value"

Ryan Coogler, "Sinners"

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

"Bugonia"

"Frankenstein"

"Hamnet"

"One Battle After Another"

"Train Dreams"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

"Blue Moon"

"It Was Just an Accident"

"Marty Supreme"

"Sentimental Value"

"Sinners"

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

"Arco"

"Elio"

"KPop Demon Hunters"

"Little Amélie or the Character of Rain"

"Zootopia 2"

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

"Dear Me," "Diane Warren: Relentless"

"Golden," "KPop Demon Hunters"

"I Lied to You," "Sinners"

"Sweet Dreams of Joy," "Viva Verdi!"

"Train Dreams," "Train Dreams"

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

"Avatar: Fire and Ash"

"F1"

"Jurassic World Rebirth"

"The Lost Bus"

"Sinners"

If you are keen, the Razzie nominations are here too!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Run - Miniseries

Run premiered back on January 1, to kick off the new year on BINGE. Like Dear Life (on Stan) all six episodes streamed on NYD.

Run, tell the story of the extraordinary life of Australia’s most notorious bank robber, Brenden Abbott.

Run is dramatised in this action-packed series about his unprecedented career in crime and chaotic life on the run.   

George Mason (The Power of the Dog, The Survivors) leads the cast as Brenden Abbott, with Robyn Malcolm (After The Party, The Survivors), Ashleigh Cummings (Citadel, Long Bright River, Hounds of Love), & Keiynan Lonsdale (Swift Street, The Flash) starring alongside him. 

Each portrays a pivotal figure in Abbott’s turbulent life and the law enforcement network determined to bring him down. 

Alongside the leads is an all-star Aussie cast, David Howell (Narrow Road to the Deep North, Strife), Mia Artemis (Sweet Tooth, The Secrets She Keeps), Christian Byers (Bump, The Narrow Road to the Deep North), Roxie Mohebbi (He Had It Coming, Critical Incident), Oscar Redding (Top of the Lake, The Twelve), Anthony Hayes (Mystery Road, Gold, The Twelve), Jayden Popik (Mystery Road, A Perfect Pairing) and Lee Tiger Halley (Boy Swallows Universe, Beast of War).

Robyn Malcolm is absolutely brilliant across the six high octane episodes.

True crime is an Aussie addiction. From the mushroom killer to Brenden Abbott, Aussies cannot get enough of their true crime.

With a pumping soundtrack, Run was way better (and more addictive) than I expected.

I smashed through this fairly quickly in-between the returning shows for 2026. If like me you are on the verge of cancelling Binge as the content has dried up since HBO Max launched. Give Run a go before you hit cancel. This was fun, great local production.

Till next time!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Landman - Season Two

Landman's first season was exceptional. Top notch, easily better than Taylor Sheridan's ever expanding Yellowstone universe.

So the second season of this neo-Western drama series, created by Sheridan & Christian Wallace, had loads to live up to. So did it? Did we get Moore, Demi Moore this season? Oh yes we did.

Alongside Moore, Billy Bob Thornton leads as a landman for an oil company.

The second season, premiered mid-November and concluded on Sunday. Luckily in December, the series was renewed for a third season.

There really was no doubt we would get a third season. The show lives up to the hype. Ali Larter as Billy Bob's ex-wife is a damn standout.

Landman is set within the world of oilfields in West Texas, where "roughnecks and wildcat billionaires are fueling a boom so big it is reshaping our climate, our economy, and our geopolitics.

Lead character, Tommy Norris, can be abrasive, as is the out-of-town lawyer, Rebecca Falcone (Kayla Wallace ), who is investigating a fatal accident, early in the season.

Set in the boomtowns of Texas, Landman is a modern tale of fortune seeking amongst roughnecks and billionaires in the world of oil.

So how'd the excellent second run conclude? Read on under the trailer.

After Ariana’s attacker dies in the ER, the police accuse Cooper of murder. 

Rebecca, Tommy and Sheriff Joeberg highlight the negative optics of prosecuting a man saving his fiance, and convince the county attorney not to file charges. 

After Paigyn helps Ainsley in training, and Ainsley defends them from transphobic bullies, the two agree to try being roommates again. 

Tommy declines a job offer from competitor Bob Knowles, and reluctantly meets with Gallino. He convinces him to revive the original contract with Cooper for the new oil wells, much more likely to succeed than the gas venture, and cautions him on Cami's inexperience and M-Tex's considerable debt. 

Gallino warns if Tommy's venture fail he will take what he loves the most. 

Nate declines Cami’s offer to become interim President, and urges her to sell M-Tex before resigning. 

With M-Tex having covered the existing debt before he was fired, Tommy forms a new company, CTT Oil Exploration and Cattle, funded by Gallino, which will work the new wells and drill more. 

He appoints Cooper as President, Nate as Treasurer, Rebecca as COO and Chief Counsel, and also recruits Ariana, Dale, Boss and his crew and T.L.

Bring on season three is all I can say. Next up for Taylor Sheridan. Y: Marshals and The Madison, both Yellowstone spin-offs, both landing in March, on Paramount+, where Landman also streams all twenty episodes.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Squid Game 오징어 게임 - Season Three/Series Finale

The third & final season of the South Korean dystopian survival thriller television series Squid Game, marketed as Squid Game 3 & created by writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk, was released on Netflix back in June last year.

I have finally caught up! Starring Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-shim, Jo Yu-ri, Lee David, & Roh Jae-won. 

In the final season, Seong Gi-hun and the players fight for survival in ever-deadlier games. In-ho welcomes the VIPs while his brother Jun-ho continues the search for the island, unaware of a traitor in their midst. 

A failed rebellion, the death of a friend, and a secret betrayal. Picking up in the aftermath of Season two’s bloody cliffhanger.

Squid Game stops for no one, so Gi-hun will be forced to make some important choices in the face of overwhelming despair as he and the surviving players are thrust into deadlier games that test everyone’s resolve. With each round, their choices lead to increasingly grave consequences. 

Meanwhile, In-ho resumes his role as Front Man to welcome the mysterious VIPs, and his brother Jun-ho continues his search for the elusive island, unaware there’s a traitor in their midst. 

So how'd one of Netflix's biggest ever series wrap up? Well with the body count continuing to rise with a very random Australian cameo at the very last moment!

After destroying the records room, No-eul considers suicide but finally doesn't. 

With only Gi-hun, Myung-gi, and the baby remaining, Myung-gi plans to win by taking the baby and throwing it off before Gi-hun can cross, but Gi-hun manages to cross. A struggle follows and Myung-gi falls to his death, which does not count since the game has not officially started. 

Gi-hun then begins the game and chooses to sacrifice himself, throwing himself off the platform. His death shocks the VIPs and leads In-ho to rescue the baby as the island is evacuated before its destruction, as the coast guard was approaching. 

Jun-ho, the VIPs, No-eul, and the staff escape in time. 

Six months later, Gyeong-seok reunites with his daughter and meets No-eul, who plans to travel to China to find her own daughter; Cheol reunites with his mother; and Woo-seok is released from prison and plans to reopen Gi-hun's fortified hotel. 

In-ho leaves the baby and the prize money with Jun-ho, then visits Gi-hun's daughter in Los Angeles to inform her of his death and give her his blooded tracksuit and remaining winnings, later witnessing an American recruiter playing ddakji, revealing the games' existence in America.

It's Australia's very own Cate Blanchett as the American recruiter.

This series was a massive cult sensation. Getting a Macca's burger and becoming a favourite Halloween costume. Squid Game has been huge! 

I enjoyed the previous two seasons. There was emotion, human connection and more realness than if this was a US series. Great job Netflix for having this shows back. It really was one of a kind!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Power Book IV: Force - Season Three/Series Finale

Power Book IV: Force, the latest Power series has now concluded. Force is a sequel and third spin-off to Power created by Courtney A. Kemp.

Last June, it was announced that the third season is going to be the final season. Premiering last November all ten episodes have now streamed on Stan.

Fan-favorite character Tommy Egan, played by Joseph Sikora, after he cuts ties and puts New York in his rearview mirror for good. 

As Tommy leaves New York after losing Ghost, LaKeisha and the only city he's ever known, he makes a quick detour to close an old wound that’s been haunting him for decades. 

What was supposed to be a quick stop turns into a labyrinth of family secrets and lies Tommy thought were long buried.  

One step leads to another and Tommy quickly finds himself in Chicago's drug game, inserting himself between the city's two biggest crews. In a city divided by race, Tommy straddles the line, ultimately becoming the lynchpin that not only unites them - but holds the power to watch them crumble. 

I did enjoy the first season a lot more. I can't really remember season two, however season three was beginning to feel like a chore. With Power now living on across the universe for over a decade, we still have the final run of prequel series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan to come. With Power: Origins currently filming.

So how did Book IV: Force come to its conclusion?

Well if you are not up to date on Stan, stop reading here.

Drug boss Tommy not only surviving but thriving in the hour's final moments. After fending off hits from a Jenard-led CBI and a Vic-hired assassin, Tommy and Miguel received intel about CBI's real whereabouts. So they ambushed the rival gang there. And though Miguel took a bullet in the leg, Tommy's men came out on top.

Later, the surviving CBI members voted no-confidence in Jenard by walking out and joining up with Tommy. 

Tommy called Mireya, who'd left town in order to keep herself and the baby safe, and let her know that everything had turned out OK. 

And Tariq, who'd come to Chicago when Tommy called for backup ahead of the ambush, presented his "uncle" with a proposition: "Come to New York and move your powder with me." 

Yep following Power Book II: Ghost conclusion a couple of years ago, Tariq is back baby. It almost looked like Starz was waiting to intro a brand new series. The finale really felt more like a pilot/launchpad for the Power series to live on.

Does it need to though? Power was a great series. Power Book II: Ghost was a good follow up, but I feel like the Power series is running low on gas.

In the age of no new ideas, spin-offs and constant sequels, prequels, I reckon there is way more of Power to come on Starz in the future.

In coming weeks, we will get to see the finale of horny, bloody, Spartacus: House of Ashur, whilst still waiting for those wild strippers from P-Valley to return for the third season.

NOT another streaming Movie - No Other Choice/어쩔수가없다

Back to the movies! After a pile of TV catch ups, let's get back to the big screen. NOT another streaming Movie is my 2026 series of all the cinema I take in, in 2026.

Next up, No Other Choice (Korean: 어쩔수가없다). The South Korean satirical black comedy thriller film co-written, produced, and directed by Park Chan-wook. 

Based on The Ax by Donald Westlake, the film stars Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, & Cha Seung-won. 

It is the second film adaptation of the novel, after the 2005 French-language feature The Axe directed by Costa-Gavras, to whom No Other Choice is dedicated in the closing credits.

No Other Choice follows a desperate paper industry expert who decides to kill off his competition to be assured of the job he seeks to maintain his way of life.

The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 29 August 2025, where it garnered critical acclaim. 

At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Lee Byung-hun). 

It was also selected as the South Korean entry for the Best International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards, making the December shortlist.

No Other Choice had its domestic premiere as the opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival on 17 September, followed by its theatrical release in South Korea on 24 September by CJ Entertainment.

As I near the end of my Squid Game journey, it was good seeing Lee Byung-hun in another role.

This showed South Korea really delivers some sensational, original and thought provoking cinema.

Loved by critics, winning and nominated for loads of awards, the Friday evening (last night) session I saw was near full. Yes it was a smaller cinema, however people are wanting an alternative to Avatar or whatever the other Western blockbuster is screening right now.

With some quirky lines, some interesting themes explored, this was an interesting Friday watch.

Whilst it won't be everyone's cup of tea, I enjoyed this. 3 Stars. Stay safe Sydney, from last weeks heatwave on Saturday, to a stormy Saturday WTF climate change!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Palm Royale - Season Two

Palm Royale is based on 2018 novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie. Originally set out as a miniseries, the Kristen Wiig lead comedy/drama just concluded it's second season. Apple TV usually has high standards, however this series is a little on the woeful side.

The second season continues to follow, Maxine Dellacorte (Wiig) in this wild romp. The cast is exceptional, Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Leslie Bibb, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Carol Burnett, Amber Chardae Robinson, Jordan Bridges, Kaia Gerber, & Julia Duffy. Camp icon, Patti LuPone also plays, Marjorie Merriweather Post.

So with those names, it should be amazing right? Wrong! Very wrong. 

The season opens, in the aftermath of the disastrous Beach Ball, Maxine is temporarily institutionalised, believing she is at the Palm Royale. Linda is mistaken for the would-be assassin by Tom and arrested, but Virginia has her institutionalised to protect her, revealing she is an undercover FBI agent. 

Norma is restored as the grande dame of Palm Beach, and Evelyn reclaims the Rollins mansion with Eddie. With Linda's encouragement, Maxine escapes the facility and finds a comatose Robert at the hospital, hiding when Norma arrives. 

Realising that Norma wants her dead, Maxine is returned to the facility but warns Douglas. Discovering Mary hiding in the mansion's bootlegger tunnels, Evelyn promises to protect her, while Linda refuses to help Norma frame Maxine. Still in love with Perry, Dinah finds Axel dead, secretly murdered by Norma to conceal her own past, and Robert reawakens. 

Pressured by Norma to divorce Maxine and marry Mitzi — allowing their child to unlock the considerable Dellacorte generation-skipping trust — Douglas fails to bring Maxine home. She calls Evelyn instead, becoming unlikely allies against the rest of Palm Beach high society.

So if that sounds whack, you wouldn't be wrong. 

After all the other Bridesmaids alumni doing great things at Apple. Maya doing Loot, Rose doing Platonic. This is sadly just a fail.

Hopefully in the series finale, Maxine and Evelyn attempt to dispose of Jed's body, but when Douglas suggests waiting to reconcile until the baby turns 18, Maxine angrily reveals that he is not the father. 

Dinah discovers the fabergé egg among Norma's trophies, giving it to Marjorie in exchange for making Perry mayor. Realising the FBI have blackmailed Tom into assassinating the mole, who has framed Perry, Maxine and her friends trick Tom into shooting Jed's corpse instead. 

Douglas calls off his wedding to Mitzi, but Maxine refuses his furious demand to return to their old life. Making amends with Norma, Maxine generously marries Robert to help him gain custody of his son; Evelyn informs Eddie that she wants her independence; Dinah chooses to stay with Perry; Mitzi leaves with Eddie; and a grateful Norma disappears. 

With Rafael legally a Dellacorte born to a "legitimate marriage", Robert and Maxine win the trust and share the wealth with Eddie and Mitzi, who gives birth to her child. Marjorie, the real mole, remains at large, while Rafael may not be who he appears to be, and Evelyn and Maxine reopen the Palm Royale, as Linda and Norma reconnect in Paris.

Well its over for now. If I could stop watching shows I start. But I just need to know how it all ends.

Speaking of, this afternoon at 6pm, Power: Force ends.... for good. Another Power series wraps before we head into the final weeks of Spartacus: House of Ashur on Stan. So much nudity, so much gore! It's all there on the revival of the Spartacus franchise.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Sunny Nights - Season One

An Aussie series, starring US leads Will Forte & D'Arcy Carden. That is Sunny Nights.

One of the latest series on Stan. Landing ahead of the brilliant Dear Life. However I just couldn't get into episode one, when I first jumped into this.

The comedic drama follows straight-laced Martin (Forte), who teams up with his loose cannon sister, Vicki (Carden), to set up a spray tan business in Sydney called Tansform. 

As Martin and Vicki attempt to turn their company from a start-up operating out of the back of a van into a multi-million-dollar empire, the siblings become tangled up in Sydney’s criminal underworld, and when a ruthless gangster begins to catch up with them, the two must figure out how to stay alive, out of prison, and in the black. 

Landing on Stan, back on Boxing Day,Sunny Nights also stars Willie Mason, yes the former Bulldog! Along with Rachel House as Mony, Jessica De Gouw as Susi, Miritana Hughes as Kash, Megan Wilding as Nova, George Mason as Dreadlock Pete & Ra Chapman.

Rachel House was a total standout for me. Willie Mason wasn't half bad too.

So to be honest, once I got into the second episode, I got a little more hooked.

Episode one was a little dull, not a strong start. But the series did really pick up the pace. It also leaves it open for a second season. Nothing is confirmed. Much like the rest of Stan's ongoing dramas. No word on Black Snow, co-pro, Ten Pound Poms, the surprisingly good, C*A*U*G*H*T, Scrublands, Population 11, Thou Shalt Not Steal, Critical Incident, Invisible Boys and finally The CW co-pro Good Cop/Bad Cop.

Sunny Nights was a good little summer watch. Honestly there is some strong Aussie content right now. I just took a look at Run, that also looks decent. The F Ward, Co-pro also on Stan, Lord of the Flies & Gnomes.

Next up the dreadful finale of Palm Royale. Seeya!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Dept. Q - Season One

From the writer and director of The Queen's Gambit, Matthew Goode stars as DCI Carl Morck - a brash, but brilliant detective leading a cold case unit in Edinburgh. 

Dept. Q , a nine-part crime procedural series, created by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani, based on the book series Department Q by Danish writer Jussi Adler-Olsen. 

Another May 2025 series I missed when it originally streamed on Netflix.

Last August, it was renewed for a second season. Thank gosh, cause hot damn, season one was Scottish fire!

Top-rated detective Carl Morck is returning to police work. He has recently been involved in an ambush shooting, in which he was badly wounded, his colleague and friend James Hardy was paralysed and a young uniformed police officer was killed. 

Morck receives a muted welcome since his colleagues generally regard him as arrogant and asocial (which he is). Morck is also required (against his will) to attend therapy sessions for the after-effects of the shooting.

The Scottish government has decided to temporarily concentrate on unsolved crimes, believing that successful outcomes will generate good headlines that improve public opinion regarding the police force. Morck's hard-pressed and under-resourced commander, Moira Jacobson, is offered a substantial budget to set up a new unsolved crimes unit. 

Preferring to use most of the budget for her own department and current cases, she assigns Morck as the sole officer dealing with a large number of cold cases. Morck is given a semi-derelict basement office/bathroom to work in, the former Shower Quarters of the police station, thus the Q in the series title.

Civilian employee Akram Salim, a Syrian former policeman looking for more challenging work, quietly insinuates himself into Morck's basement and is tasked with organising case files. 

While doing that, he suggests investigating the missing Crown Office solicitor Merritt Lingard. Joined by a recovering Hardy and young constable Rose Dickson, the misfit team begin looking into Lingard's disappearance – the main case investigated during the first season of the series.

This season was totally addictive. A number of people recommended this to me, so now is my time to finally catch up!

If like me you are late to the Dept. Q party. Do NOT read on.....

In the ninth (and final episode) a video of the deeply disturbed Lyle's youth counselling sessions reveals that his unstable mother often locked her sons in the chamber. 

Cunningham, who always believed that Lyle killed Merritt, finds her and is furious to discover they have kept her in a hyperbaric chamber for four years. 

When Cunningham says he cannot let this go, Lyle bludgeons him to death. Dept. Q questions William, who identifies Lyle both as his attacker and the man in the cap. 

The real Sam found Lyle to make amends, but Lyle killed him, staged his death as a climbing accident, and assumed his identity. 

Lyle and his mother abandon Merritt in the chamber with rising pressure, but Carl and Akram return to Mhòr and search the Jennings' property. Finding Cunningham's body and the chamber, they are ambushed by Lyle, and Carl is shot protecting Akram, who disarms and kills Lyle. 

Merritt is rescued and reunited with William, while Ailsa shoots herself to escape police on the ferry.

Three months later: In return for his silence on Burns' corruption, Carl blackmails him into increased funding for Dept. Q, a new car, and making Akram an official detective. 

Carl meets Merritt, choosing not to reveal his identity to her. James returns to work, now walking on crutches, as Moira considers assigning him to the still unsolved Leith Park shooting.

So bring on season two. I haven't watched many Scottish series before, but this was fire! Tomorrow Palm Royale wraps its disappointing second season, while Power: Force concludes Tommy's Power tale. Then Sunday, Landman wraps its brilliant second season. With more Demi Moore, this season has had it all. Great!

See you soon besties.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - It's Florida, Man - Season Two

Come here on vacation, stay on probation, that's a tagline for the second season of HBO's original comedy series It's Florida, Man .

Season two started late November on HBO Max, concluding a Friday or so ago. The second season guest stars an all-star line up across six episodes Adam DeVine, Edi Patterson, Tiffany Haddish, Haley Joel Osment, Bert Kreischer, Nick Swardson, Johnny Knoxville, Shea Whigham, Taika Waititi, Rita Ora, Holmes, David Koechner, Joel Kim Booster, Chet Hanks, Milan Carter, Nick Thune, Swoozie Kurtz, Johnny Pemberton, Ryan Mirvis, Brian Sacca, Ping Wu, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Frankie Quiñones, Hassie Harrison, Joseph Ruud, and Michael McDonald.

They really went jumbo on season two with the stars! Unlike most HBO series, this one has not yet been renewed.

Today Industry returns, next Monday, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms commences and here are the remaining new titles to drop in 2026. DTF St. Louis, Half Man, Lanterns, Rooster & War.  That's a stacked line up right! 

So hopefully, they have room on their late Friday night slot for more It's Florida, Man! Come on HBO, you just renewed more Bill Maher.

So how does the Joel Kim Booster starring finale wrap? After traveling to Orlando to meet her online goth prince, a sheltered Jacksonville girl narrowly survives a chilling mishap. Alongside Kim Booster, Frankie Quiñones, Ping Wu, Taika Waititi, & Rita Ora also appear.

This was a funny look at how real life is sometimes way madder than what Hollywood can come up with.

No wonder Netflix and Paramount want to buy Warner Brothers (which includes HBO) 

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - The Better Sister - Miniseries

The Better Sister is my last Fiji catch up series.

The limited series created by Olivia Milch, starring Jessica Biel & Elizabeth Banks, is on the 2019 novel by Alafair Burke.

This eight episode murder mystery, landed last May. Also starring, Corey Stoll, Bobby Naderi, Kim Dickens & Maxwell Acee Donovan.

So what's the series about? Well the terrible things that drive sisters apart and ultimately bring them back together. Chloe (Biel), a high-profile media executive, lives a picturesque life with her handsome lawyer husband Adam (Stoll) & teenage son Ethan (Acee Donovan) by her side while her estranged sister Nicky (Banks) struggles to make ends meet and stay clean. 

When Adam is brutally murdered, the prime suspect sends shockwaves through the family, reuniting the two sisters, as they try to untangle a complicated family history to discover the truth behind his death.

It gets a little sister wives realness, with the two estranged sisters, one married to and the other divorced from the same man, are forced together after he is murdered. However there is a positive score to report on, Rotten Tomatoes. So far it has reported a 70% approval rating! Not bad. Albo, Ley or the mad redhead from QLD would love that approval rating in the polls.

So if you have watched a Liane Moriarty series, you would possibly be able to see where this series is headed. Even early on it gives Big Little Lies and other recent miniseries vibes early on.

However Biel and Banks are great as the two, very different sisters!

I am not sure why my May was so busy that I let this one slide past me. However, like all the series I caught up on in Fiji, this was a good, easy watch. Down Cemetery Road was possibly my favourite series of my Fiji binge period.

Well it's back to reality tomorrow. I do however have HBO's whacky series, It's Florida, Man second season to catch up on. The finale for the second season streamed recently. Ahead of HBO's stacked January line up. Industry returns, whilst a new Game of Thrones spin-off commences shortly. News that a second season of Mare of Eastown is set to be filmed in 2027, shows HBO not only have a strong 2026 planned, but next year is stacked too.

Thus far True Detective, The Last of Us and possibly The White Lotus heading to France, will all stream in 2027. Alongside Mare of Eastown, that's a solid ass line up!

See you soon. BYE!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Down Cemetery Road - Season One

Down Cemetery Road is a British show so many people talked about last last year on Apple TV, which I have now managed to smash out in Fiji.

Based on the 2003 novel by Mick Herron, adapted by Morwenna Banks. The series launched on the fruity streamer (killing it with award noms this season) last October.

Last month, the second season was announced. Season one however is starts off as a woman hires an investigator after an explosion occurs and a girl goes missing on the same night in a quiet suburban neighbourhood.

The series comes from the team behind the Emmy-winning series Slow Horses comes a brand new mystery to solve. 

Down Cemetery Road, starring and executive produced by Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe & Emmy Award-winner Emma Thompson, & also starring Golden Globe and two-time Olivier Award winner Ruth Wilson.

Following the house explosion in a quiet Oxford suburb and a girl disappears in the aftermath, neighbour Sarah Tucker (Wilson) becomes obsessed with finding her and enlists the help of private investigator Zoë Boehm (Thompson). Zoë and Sarah suddenly find themselves in a complex conspiracy that reveals people long believed dead are still among the living, while the living are fast joining the dead.

Alongside the terrific Wilson & Thompson, BAFTA Award winner Adeel Akhtar, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Emmy Award nominee Tom Goodman-Hill, BAFTA Award winner Darren Boyd, Tom Riley, SAG Award nominee Adam Godley, Sinead Matthews, Ken Nwosu, Fehinti Balogun & Aiysha Hart.

The show is a serious hit from Apple. Much like Slow Horses, there is comedy, crime and drama! I loved all eight episodes. The comedic shift around episodes two and three, were mentioned to me. However I enjoyed the team of Thompson and Wilson, slaying in this government crime/conspiracy.

If you are like me and behind maybe don't read on, as the below contains a summary of the finale, What Will Survive.

Sarah & Dinah leave the island using Amos's boat, Amos finds Downey's boat and leaves and Zoe travels back to harbour on the Scottish captain's boat. Zoe, Sarah and Dinah leave the village on a bus to avoid the police hunt for Zoe but realise that Hamza has hijacked the bus. 

He crashes it into a church and takes Zoe, Dinah and Sarah hostages while he calls C for instructions. C says backup is on the way and calls Amos to eliminate everyone in the church. Amos throws in a grenade which destroys a lot of the church but Sarah and Dinah escape leaving Zoe and Amos to fight until Amos is killed. 

Hamza confronts Sarah and fires her shotgun which explodes in his hand leaving Zoe, Sarah and Dinah to leave Scotland on a sleeper train. 

On the train Wayne is told to publish on social media and the defence secretary is grilled on a TV interview about the testing on soldiers. Dinah is reunited with her cousins and C resigns and moves into the private sector.

I strongly recommend you getting into this series. Particularly if you are fan of Slow Horses. Apple TV had a seriously good year in 2025. The Studio, Pluribus, Severance & Platonic's second seasons, with Shrinking, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and Hijack all launching in Q1, 2026, Apple TV is killing it right now!

Actor Awards 2026 (foremly the SAG Awards) - My Picks

This morning the Actor Awards 2026 nominations were announced. My tradition of "My Picks" in Red + BOLD continues with as the SAG Awards, get renamed to the Actor Awards in 2026.

TV CATEGORIES

ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES

"The Diplomat"

"Landman"

"The Pitt"

"Severance"

"The White Lotus"

FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Britt Lower, "Severance"

Parker Posey, "The White Lotus"

Keri Russell, "The Diplomat"

Rhea Seehorn, "Pluribus"

Aimee Lou Wood, "The White Lotus"

MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Sterling K. Brown, "Paradise"

Billy Crudup, "The Morning Show"

Walton Goggins, "The White Lotus"

Gary Oldman, "Slow Horses"

Noah Wyle, "The Pitt"

ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

"Abbott Elementary"

"The Bear"

"Hacks"

"Only Murders in the Building"

"The Studio"

FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Kathryn Hahn, "The Studio"

Catherine O'Hara, "The Studio"

Jenna Ortega, "Wednesday"

Jean Smart, "Hacks"

Kristen Wiig, "Palm Royale"

MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Ike Barinholtz, "The Studio"

Adam Brody, "Nobody Wants This"

Ted Danson, "A Man on the Inside"

Seth Rogen, "The Studio"

Martin Short, "Only Murders in the Building"

FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Claire Danes, "The Beast in Me"

Erin Doherty, "Adolescence"

Sarah Snook, "All Her Fault"

Christine Tremarco, "Adolescence"

Michelle Williams, "Dying for Sex"

MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Jason Bateman, "Black Rabbit"

Owen Cooper, "Adolescence"

Stephen Graham, "Adolescence"

Charlie Hunnam, "Monster: The Ed Gein Story"

Matthew Rhys, "The Beast in Me"

STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES

"Andor"

"Landman"

"The Last of Us"

"Squid Game"

"Stranger Things"

FILM CATEGORIES

CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE

"Frankenstein"

"Hamnet"

"Marty Supreme"

"One Battle After Another"

"Sinners"

FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet"

Rose Byrne, "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You"

Kate Hudson, "Song Sung Blue"

Chase Infiniti, "One Battle After Another"

Emma Stone, "Bugonia"

MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme"

Leonardo DiCaprio, "One Battle After Another"

Ethan Hawke, "Blue Moon"

Michael B. Jordan, "Sinners"

Jesse Plemons, "Bugonia"

FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Odessa A'zion, "Marty Supreme"

Ariana Grande, "Wicked: For Good"

Amy Madigan, "Weapons"

Wunmi Mosaku, "Sinners"

Teyana Taylor, "One Battle After Another"

MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Miles Caton, "Sinners"

Benicio del Toro, "One Battle After Another"

Jacob Elordi, "Frankenstein"

Paul Mescal, "Hamnet"

Sean Penn, "One Battle After Another"

STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

"F1"

"Frankenstein"

"Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning"

"One Battle After Another"

"Sinners"

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - The Nowhere Man - Season One

The Nowhere Man is about to start streaming on the US cable network Starz. The home of the Power Universe, which streams in Australia on Stan.

Why do I mention Starz and the Power Universe when this streams on Amazon inOz? Well, there is a connection. Naturi Naughton-Lewis who stars in both Power and sequel, Power Book II: Ghost stars as, Ruby who helps Lukas (Bonko Khoz from The Woman King) get his life back together.

The six episode run starts as Lukas is drawn back into a world of violence when he witnesses a home invasion and has no choice but to intervene.

Besides starring in the series, Naughton-Lewis (formerly Tasha St. Patrick in the Power universe) serves as an executive producer on the show.

The Nowhere Man was filmed on location in South Africa, whilst also starring, Dineo Rasedile, the hunky Nathan Castle & Greg Kriek.

This series was what Amazon do best at. Macho action series with a fairly basic plot to follow. It gives Jack Ryan or Reacher vibes, just set in South Africa. Also with multiple storylines on the go. Not just one major bad guy across all six episodes.

We encounter a couple of bad guys for Lukas to take out.

It's a fairly simple watch, whilst being interesting to see something come out of Africa.

So with a heatwave hitting Oz, my blog series might be correctly titled as Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26.

Hope you are having a good new year and catching up on as many 2025 titles as I am that seemed to get missed in the busy year that was 2025.

Next up, Down Cemetery Road on Apple TV. Giving massive Slow Horses vibes.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Miniseries

The Narrow Road to the Deep North is a savagely beautiful five-part series charting the life of Dorrigo Evans (played by Jacob Elordi as a young man, with Ciarán Hinds as the older Dorrigo), through his passionate love affair with Amy Mulvaney (Odessa Young), his time held captive in a POW camp, and his later years spent as a revered surgeon & reluctant war hero. 

The Australian drama is based on the novel of the same name by Richard Flanagan. 

It was written by Shaun Grant, directed by Justin Kurzel and stars Jacob Elordi, Odessa Young, and Ciarán Hinds. 

The series follows Dorrigo Evans across three periods: before his deployment to the Second World War, during his time as a Far East prisoner of war, and several decades after the war. Each period reveals different parts of Dorrigo's love affair with his uncle’s new young wife, Amy. 

This was Amazon Prime's first of two local (Aussie - the brilliant Top End Bub was the other) series from 2025. Released mid-April, this series received critical acclaim.

Euphoria's Elordi/Hinds, Young, are joined by Olivia DeJonge, Heather Mitchell, Thomas Weatherall, Show Kasamatsu, Charles An, & E-Street's own Simon Baker.

An all-star Aussie cast, with Elordi's star continuing to rise. This year, he will star as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's upcoming adaptation of Wuthering Heights; the film is due to be released next month. He will also star in Ridley Scott's science fiction film The Dog Stars, which is currently scheduled to be released late August. Not to mention returning to Euphoria in April.

The miniseries is also one of the most nominated local series at the15th Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (generally known as the AACTA Awards).

The series follows Dorrigo Evans across three alternating timelines. In one, he is a young medical student in Australia who is preparing to ship out to war. He asks his girlfriend Ella to marry him. Meanwhile, he becomes close to his aunt, Amy. 

In the second timeline, Dorrigo is shown as a prisoner of war in a Japanese labor camp. In the third, he is an old man, and a respected surgeon. He is interviewed by a journalist who asks him about his time in the war. 

In the earlier timeline, Dorrigo is entertained by Amy at his uncle's suggestion when the uncle cannot meet. They get drunk and share an embrace and have an affair.

Episode four is a rough watch, however I can see why this show was loved by the critics. It tells a rough story of survival and and resilience.

This will not be for everyone, however it is well worth a look. I await Amazon's release of Deadloch's second run in late March. 

Gosh there is some good Aussie content to come. Not to mention the gems like this already out there!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Hostage - Miniseries

Hostage is another in my holidays Netflix series catch up blitz.

The British political thriller miniseries originally streamed back in August last year.

Starring Suranne Jones & Julie Delpy as the fictional British prime minister & French president respectively. An international summit between the French and British leaders goes awry when the husband of the British Prime Minister is kidnapped and the French president is blackmailed.

In this action-packed political thriller, the British Prime Minister (Jones) goes head to head with the French President (Delpy) and is forced to make an unimaginable decision. 

Fighting political pressures, with a husband held hostage and a country to defend, she’s left with nearly no choice - but she will not give in.

No I have said a lot recently about the US, not knowing how to edit out the fluff of a miniseries. The recently Ryan Murphy Monster series was a perfect example. Too much filler, not all killer.

Hostage literally just goes for it. Shorter running times on the five episodes. And just like that, five episodes. DONE! This also was way more addictive. As my catch up blitz continues this UK series lead by Vigil legend Jones, streamed in August.

I think at the time it had some heat around it. Not as buzz worthy as some of the series on the world's biggest streamer, but still it got some buzz. Now Stranger Things has also concluded, Netflix will surely be on the hunt for the next big thing.

Now back to Hostage. If like me you were hooked on something else in August, maybe don't read on till you have binged this little gem.

During her time as a junior Foreign Office minister Dalton (Jones) orders British civilians to be evacuated from Belize after Guatemala invades, leaving local support staff behind. 

General Livingston is revealed to be behind the conspiracy and giving Shagan his orders. 

Ogilvy, now acting Prime Minister, declares a state of emergency following the explosion and deploys the British Army to the streets. 

Dalton’s team discovered both Shagan and Livingston were stationed in Belize during the evacuation. With the help of Foreign Secretary Kathy MacIntyre, Dalton enters Ministry of Defence Headquarters and confronts Livingston, who is arrested after implicating himself in a fit of rage after criticising her military cuts. Shagan and Saskia kidnap Anderson, Sylvie and Matheo at a safehouse, killing two Protection Command officers. 

Shagan demands that Dalton take their place. Matheo secretly calls 999 and then fights Saskia, but allows her to flee. Shagan tells Dalton his pregnant Belizean fiancée was killed by invading forces after Dalton ordered only British staff to be evacuated. Before he can kill Dalton, Sylvie takes Saskia’s discarded pistol and shoots Shagan after he confesses to killing her grandfather. 

The no-confidence vote is voided, and Dalton is reinstated as Prime Minister. 

Three months later, she announces a general election and, in tribute to Toussaint, promises utmost honesty with the electorate.

I enjoyed this whilst escaping some of the Fiji sun. It was a super easy watch unlike the next series I'm going to tackle on Amazon. Australian critical acclaimed series, The Narrow Road to the Deep North.

Another miniseries, also on a streaming giant, creating very little local content. So it's good to catch up with this series from April last year. Interesting it streamed whilst I was in Japan, considering the nature of the series. 

Still to come, I finally jump into Down Cemetery Road and when I get home I'll continue Dept. Q! Till then, laters....

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Dear Life - Miniseries

I tried, oh I tried with Stan's Sunny Nights just after Christmas. It was released Boxing Day, but could not get into it. This however, Dear Life, was gripping. One of the best Aussie TV shows on Stan in a long time.

Whilst He Had it Coming was fun, this was raw, emotional and beautiful. Brooke Satchwell was terrific.

I sadly missed Brooke in Kangaroo. I really wanted to see that late last year, however they only played it at family times whilst I was working. BOO!

That said, I never was a Satchwell fan whilst she was in Neighbours (RIP) or Wonderland. However she did pop up on the hugely underrated Mr Inbetween.

So what's the deal with Dear Life you ask? A woman (Satchwell), struggling to get over the death of her fiancé, finds comfort in seeking out the recipients of his organs, triggering a tangled chain of connection.

Alongside Satchwell its a solid Aussie cast including, Eleanor Matsuura, Ryan Johnson, Ben Lawson, Annie Maynard, Daniel Henshall, Kerry Armstrong, Megan Smart, & Khisraw Jones-Shukoor.

The series is written and directed by Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope. Filming took place across Victoria with locations including Ballarat, Melbourne and Yarra Valley.

With a far amount of Aussie content out right, it will be hard to top Dear Life. Sadly we will need to wait to the Logies in winter to see how this will fair at Aussie awards season.

This was top notch TV. Honestly Satchwell was incredible.

So whilst it's holiday season, if you are looking for a new drama to dive head foot into, then look no further than Dear Life. Just beautiful. 

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Ryan Murphy had a hit and miss 2025. However this is the first season not helmed by Murphy, with Brennan serving as the sole creator and writer.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story is the third season of the American biographical crime drama anthology television series Monster, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan for Netflix. 

This season focuses on convicted murderer, grave-robber, and suspected serial killer Ed Gein, portrayed by Sons of Anarchy Charlie Hunnam. The season incorporates meta commentary on the cultural obsession with true crime, exploring Gein's influence on Hollywood and pop culture.

The cast also includes Suzanna Son, Vicky Krieps, Laurie Metcalf, and Tom Hollander. 

It is the third instalment in the Monster anthology series, following Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022) and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024). 

The series explores the life of convicted murderer and body snatcher Ed Gein through allusions to fictional cultural works inspired by his crimes, such as Psycho (1960), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), and The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Now I am hella late to the third run of the Monster anthology. Upon its premiere, the season received negative reviews and was deemed inferior to its predecessors, with critics panning its meta commentary, subplots, runtime, excessive graphic violence, and factual inaccuracies. 

While critical responses to Hunnam's performance were divided, he ultimately received nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries.

But like All's Fair (which I liked WAY more than this) Murphy is a TV producing icon. So it's no surprise a fourth season (based on parricide suspect Lizzie Borden) will land on Netflix in the future. For every miss (or critical miss) Murphy has, there is always a MONSTER hit just around the corner. Like the first run of this series, The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.

So for those of you who have finished the eight episodes, read on. If not, come back when you have....

In the 1970s, Ted Bundy abducts, sexually assaults and kills his victims, cutting off their heads. FBI special agents Robert Ressler and John E. Douglas interview serial killers like Jerry Brudos for offender profiling and Ed, after many have expressed admiration for him. 

He theorises that Bundy seeks his mother in his victims and advises them on the kind of hacksaw Bundy might use. Imprisoned murderer Richard Speck forwards to Ed a letter which Bundy has written to Speck. 

Ed in turn gives it to the police, ultimately leading to Bundy's capture. After the arrest, Ed imagines meeting all serial killers who were inspired by him or idolise him.

In the 1980s, Ed is diagnosed with lung cancer and told he has only months to live. Roz, who has become a friend to him, encourages him to write his own story, saying that many people have distorted his story, but he refuses. 

Adeline visits Ed one final time, confessing her own instability and intent to harm others; Ed urges her to abandon revenge. He later dies peacefully, imagining a reunion with his mother Augusta, who tells him he has "made a name for himself".

In 2000, a group of young people vandalises and steals Ed's gravestone. 

One of the youths imagines the film characters inspired by Ed: Norman Bates, Leatherface, and Buffalo Bill.

Another series, that could have been halved. The last few episodes really felt like filler and overall the series did not reach the heights of previous seasons, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story & Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

Honestly I hope the next season is a lot better than this one. Critics were mostly right. This wasn't the best. Whilst I'm catching up on some Netflix content from 2025, they really do rely on their big titles to carry them throughout the calendar year.

Until next time. Bula - I'm off to Fiji!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 - Long Bright River - Miniseries

Long Bright River is one of those shows I had on my watchlist since its release last March.

I can now catch up, with my long summer shutdown. This Peacock miniseries, tells the story of Mickey (Amanda Seyfried), a police officer who patrols a Philadelphia neighbourhood hard-hit by the opioid crisis. When a series of murders begins in the neighbourhood, Mickey realises that her personal history might be related to the case.

Long Bright River is based on the 2020 book of the same name by Liz Moore. 

Seyfried follows up the three local women while seeking information about her own sister's disappearance across the eight episodes.

There are a few twists and turns, however I did guess who was the killer early on. That said, Seyfried's performance in the role was met with critical acclaim, receiving a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film.

She also earned nominations for Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie at the 5th Astra TV Awards & Best Actress in a Miniseries, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television at the 30th Satellite Awards.

Whilst, the majority of Peacock content now lives on Binge (excluding some legacy series like, Poker Face and Twisted Metal) this series is located on Stan.

Alongside Seyfried, Nicholas Pinnock was cast as Truman Dawes, along with Ashleigh Cummings, Callum Vinson, John Doman, Dash Mihok, Britne Oldford, Matthew Del Negro & Harriet Sansom Harris also starring.

In preparation for the role, Amanda Seyfried took part in a ride-along with Philadelphia police officers in January 2024.

I recently really enjoyed Seyfried in The Housemaid, so potentially this prompted me to tackle this series over others on my watchlist.

However, I would recommend this. If you like cop/crime dramas, this could be your next binge. It could really be six episodes, with some filler included. Or if this was made in the UK it would have been a tidy four episodes.

January however is heating up with new series. Run, Dear Life and Goolagong all lead streaming for new local series. Whilst Power Book IV: Force closes another Power chapter ahead of Tommy (a younger Tommy) featuring in Power: Origins. With both 9-1-1's, High Potential all returning from breaks. Industry and the latest Game of Thrones spin-off on HBO Max, while Ryan Murphy gives us a new series, The Beauty and Tell Me Lies returns to Hulu/Disney+.

So overall January is a PACKED month. Less time for catch ups, like Long Bright River. Also BULA, I'm off to Fiji, later punks!

NOT another streaming Movie - Rental Family

Rental Family is a pure delight. Since I posted my best movies of 2025, the films I have seen have actually been a vast improvement on what I watched during January to late December last year.

So firstly happy new year!

Set against modern-day Tokyo, this film, follows an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese "rental family" agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. 

As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection.

The comedy-drama film directed by Hikari, who co-wrote the script with Stephen Blahut. 

Alongside Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, & Akira Emoto all star in this beautiful film.

An international co-production between the United States and Japan, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, then released in the USA by Searchlight Pictures in November. 

Thus far, Rental Family received positive reviews from critics, who have praised Fraser's performance. The National Board of Review named it as one of the top ten films of 2025.

I honestly also think this would have been one of the best films of the past 12 months.

This was emotional, sweet and heart warming. The perfect movie to kick start the new year. Good vibes, beautiful story telling and the return of Brendan Fraser. From blockbusters to serious films, Fraser is having a second chance at Hollywood.

Honestly this was top notch. 4.5 Stars. See it NOW!