Industry is the little financial thriller/drama HBO series that was a sleeper series for the Warner Brothers content king. Now the series is a popular hit starring HBO darling, Kit Harington.
Myha'la, Marisa Abela & Ken Leung, continue to star with hunky Handmaid's Tale vet Max Minghella, Kiernan Shipka, Jack Farthing, Toheeb Jimoh, Amy James-Kelly, Claire Forlani, Kal Penn & Charlie Heaton also star in the fourth series.
Industry has been renewed for a fifth and final series. Industry has received critical acclaim throughout its run for its writing, performances, direction, and its accurate portrayal of the banking sector, with high praise for the third and fourth series in particular.
This season continued to turn the volume up the 11. Unlike the first and second seasons, seasons three and four aimed high. Looked to shock. Turned the sex, way up. I for one cannot wait to see where season five takes us. It sure ends leaving you the viewer wanting one more crazy ride.
Spoilers below. BE WARNED!
Bevan defends the government on television after the Tender scandal; Day is arrested while police search Tender’s London headquarters. Yasmin divorces Henry.
Whitney urges Henry to flee with him to Vilnius, revealing Russia’s involvement in Tender and offering him a forged Lithuanian passport. Henry initially boards the plane but refuses to abandon his identity, harshly rebuking Whitney, and returns home, where police arrest him.
Harper, Sweetpea, and Kwabena earn £110 million from Tender’s collapse and distribute £2 million each, later exploring a new office.
Henry accepts a plea deal for breach of fiduciary duty and testifies against Whitney; Otto warns him not to implicate Russia, citing the risk of assassination.
Yasmin cultivates Reform politician Sebastian Stefanowicz and hosts a fundraiser for him in Paris. Harper confronts Yasmin over the extremist views of the guests and the presence of Hayley and other young escorts brought in to entertain them. Yasmin defends her actions, arguing she is creating opportunity rather than exploitation, and shows Harper the compromising video of Eric.
A shaken Harper later tells Kwabena she no longer recognises those closest to her.
Henry serves house arrest at Norton’s estate. Harper is interviewed about the Tender short and ponders her future.
What an ending. This season was a lot. Let's see how this show delivers its epic conclusion.
Scream 7 is out now! And racking in the cash in 2026! An eighth film in the Scream film series is apparently in the works with Kevin Williamson & Neve Campbell.
The slasher/sequel to Scream VI (2023), is the seventh instalment in the Scream film series. It is directed by Kevin Williamson from a screenplay he co-wrote with Guy Busick, from a story by James Vanderbilt and Busick.
The film stars Neve Campbell, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, Courteney Cox, with Isabel May, Anna Camp, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Mckenna Grace, Asa Germann, Celeste O'Connor, Sam Rechner, Mark Consuelos, Tim Simons, & Animal Control's Joel McHale.
Scream 7 follows a new Ghostface killer who targets Sidney Prescott's daughter.
The latest film has received negative reviews from critics, however box office wise, it's done good. Mason Gooding is also awesome coming into his own in the rebooted franchise. Anna Camp was also a bit of a standout.
Random seeing Riverdale's Mark Consuelos acting as the next Gail Weathers too.
It was good to have Neve Campbell back as Sidney Prescott-Evans.
I grew up loving Scream films, so this was some good old nostalgia for me.
Was it perfect? Not really. Were the killer (s) interesting? Kinda weird, but it worked. But hey I enjoyed this. It was a little gory. I ended jumping though a number of times lol
Either way, Scream 7 was a fun little ride, 3 stars.
Addictive, intense, fast-paced, Steal is a British crime/thriller television series streaming all episodes now, on Amazon Prime Video.
Starring Sophie Turner, Archie Madekwe and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd. Steal centres on the fallout of a robbery at a financial management company.
Zara Dunne, an office worker for pension management company Lochmill Capital, is caught up in a major robbery by an armed gang. However, it soon emerges she may have had a key role in the crime.
Steal originally premiered late last month, so I was a little late to the party. However once I got into with the parents on the weekend, it was a quick and nasty binge.
Six high octane episodes just passed by like nothing. This was such as an easy watch. The first two episodes were insanely intense. This heist series was excellent.
But how does finale, Dead Cat Bounce go down?
Spoiler alert!
Sniper takes Zara's cold wallet and steals Milo's after killing him. After obtaining Milo's access codes at the Lochmill offices, Luke and Zara fight Sniper when he prepares to kill them.
Covaci intervenes to save Zara, but is injured when London's team arrives. Zara discovers they don't know who hired them. Luke escapes when Sniper kills his former colleagues. Using Covaci's Taser, Zara is able to kill the injured Sniper, but he implicates the police before dying.
The £4 billion is returned to Lochmill Capital after passing through dozens of public figures' accounts, implicating them in using tax havens.
Milo is named as the mastermind in the press, with Zara and Luke giving their cold wallets to MI5 to avoid prison. Covaci is fired, and sells his house to pay his debts. He deduces Yoshida, a radical former financier now disillusioned with the wealth system, was behind the operation.
They turn down £10 million from him to keep quiet, but Zara reveals she kept a hold of Milo's cold wallet, containing £20 million, for them to share instead.
This was Amazon at it's best. I next need to get into the erotic series, 56 Days. Amazon has started off 2026 with a bang. With Deadloch and Scarpetta landing next month, Amazon is looking ahead at a good year. I also need to get into Cross's second season when I get a hot minute.
His & Hers, was this IT Netflix series this summer following Stranger Things concluding. The mystery/ thriller limited series starring Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Pablo Schreiber, Rebecca Rittenhouse, & Sunita Mani.
The adaptation of the 2020 Alice Feeney novel of the same name, and premiered on Netflix early in the new year.
I was a little late to this series, set in Atlanta, Anna is a former news anchor living alone after withdrawing from her career and personal life. When she overhears news of a murder in Dahlonega, the small Georgia town where she grew up, the case jolts her back into action.
Drawn by both professional instinct and unresolved ties to her past, Anna returns to Dahlonega and begins digging into the killing, convinced that the truth has been buried beneath layers of silence and half-remembered history.
As Anna's investigation deepens, she repeatedly clashes with Detective Jack Harper, her estranged husband who is officially assigned to the case and is deeply suspicious of her motives and involvement.
Seriously this six episode series had it all. It was sexy, there were twists and turns and that ending oh boy! No spoilers here though baby doll.
In the finale, events of both the past and the present collide as the case reaches a shocking end. Anna makes one last discovery that changes everything.
Seriously this was a vibe. Really enjoyed this. Netflix you did good on this one.
With just over a month of the Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26, it's gonna be a big list. This series however could go near the top of the list. Let's see what March brings!
Until tomorrow when we jet over to Amazon's UK thriller, Steal.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019), it is the third television series in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire franchise and is an adaptation of the Tales of Dunk and Egg series of novellas, beginning with The Hedge Knight.
Starring Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall, the titular hedge knight, and Dexter Sol Ansell as his squire Aegon "Egg" Targaryen.
The shorter, GOT series commenced last month, consisting of just six episodes. Most under 31 minutes! Gold. Very different to those long, dark GOT episodes. Particularly towards the end of it's run.
Last November, ahead of the first season premiere, the series was renewed for a second season, which will be based on The Sworn Sword and is expected to be released in 2027.
We will see if it does indeed stream on HBO Max next year. Usually HBO shows have been one year on, one year off.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has been paired with Industry's wild fourth season.
This has been a strong open to the year for HBO.
If you didn't watch the finale last night, do not read ahead for a bit of a much ado about nothing episode.
Co-workers have told me they found this series boring. It definitely was a little less action packed than House of Dragon or the OG, GOT.
Lyonel invites Dunk to move to Storm's End, but Dunk believes that he brings only bad luck. Baelor's body is cremated at his funeral.
Dunk finds Valarr, who questions why his father was killed, but Dunk was spared. Raymun reveals that he has married the pregnant prostitute Rowan.
Maekar informs Dunk that Aerion will spend time in the Free Cities to atone. He laments that Baelor would have been a good king and invites Dunk to live in Summerhall, where Egg can be his squire. Dunk declines, which Egg overhears.
In a flashback, Dunk asks Arlan why he was never knighted, but does not receive an answer. In the present, Daeron tells Dunk that he should mentor Egg to prevent him from becoming like Aerion.
Egg discovers that his hair is regrowing. He takes a knife to Aerion's bedroom, but Maekar calms him down. Dunk asks Maekar if Egg can squire for him on the road, which Maekar refuses. Raymun buys Sweetfoot back for Dunk, who then gifts her to Raymun.
As Dunk leaves Ashford, Egg arrives, and they depart together. Egg suggests that they travel to Dorne. An angry Maekar later realises that Egg is gone.
The Imposter is an Australian-British co-commissioned drama series for Channel 5 (UK) and Channel 10 (Australia). Which is also now streaming on Paramount+.
Yes I was patient and waited till all four episodes were dropped on Channel 10's streaming service, to avoid their awful Ten Play app.
In the UK, The Imposter aired on 15 December 2025 on Channel 5, whilst in Australia, it aired on 21 December 2025 on Channel 10.
The Imposter focuses on matriarch Helen, played by Jackie Woodburne (Neighbours), who refuses to sell her seaside hotel amid pressure from her three children. When the daughter she gave up for adoption appears, a mystery surrounds Helen's secret.
Helen refuses to sell the family property a seaside motel as pressure from her family and someone claiming to be her daughter shows up the hotel hiding it's secrets from years prior will see everyone pushed to their limits.
Alongside Woodburne, the trashy family soap stars British actor Kym Marsh, everyone's favourite, Dannii Minogue, with Jane Harber, Charlie Clausen, Chi Nguyen, Kabir Singh & Adeline Williams.
So its a decent cast right?
However this is completely trashy like previous Aussie/UK co-productions on Ten. Riptide and Heat, came before this, but all had a UK star, some local talent, but never a bad wig that Helen (Woodburne) had to endure across, murder, sex, scheming and Don Hany with his shirt off from time to time.
I did enjoy this easy, breezy watch which my dad thought was one of my mums rom coms when he walked in on me watching this. lol
This is no doubt not going to win a single AACTA award next year, however if you like light entertainment, this sure beats MAFS. And yes I did watch MAFS last night. Fucking terrible bro.
Crime 101 has received a solid Rotten Tomatoes score of 88% thus far.
Starring local Aussie legend, Chris Hemsworth, and an all-star cast, including, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Halle Berry, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, & Nick Nolte.
The film is based on the 2020 novella Crime 101 by Don Winslow. Following positive reviews from critics, the film has currently grossed $32 million worldwide on a budget of $90 million.
I throughly enjoyed this Friday evening session. The session was near full, the film is generating buzz. The cast incredible! Fresh from Task, Mark Ruffalo is excellent, whilst it's refreshing to see Halle Berry back on the big screen!
Really happy to see Saltburn's Barry Keoghan as an unhinged villain.
LA crime is full on. This heist film builds tension and blurs the lines of good and bad.
I was super pumped I caught this excellent film at the cinema. This was really good storytelling, just a little long at 140 minutes.
If you like twisted thrillers with twists and turns. Get into Crime 101 before it leaves the cinema.
Until next time, which may be Scream 7. I booked my tickets today lol.
Plus loads of TV next week. Crime 101 rates a solid 4 stars.
Tell Me Lies Season 3 follows Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) as they've rekindled their tumultuous romance in time for spring semester at Baird College.
While they promise things will be different this time, past indiscretions hinder their best intentions and Lucy finds herself embroiled in a controversy she wants nothing to do with. Meanwhile, the disastrous repercussions from the previous year also force Lucy and Stephen's friends to face their own destructive behaviours.
As scandalous secrets fester around campus, vicious consequences threaten Lucy and everyone in her circle.
Tell Me Lies the series based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Carola Lovering, has now concluded.
The Hulu series starring Grace Van Patten, Jackson White, Catherine Missal, Spencer House, Sonia Mena, Branden Cook, Benjamin Wadsworth, Alicia Crowder, & Tom Ellis.
Ahead of the final episode, it was announced this was set to be the series finale. I feel Hulu did the right thing by ending this toxic relationship series.
It was getting a bit same-same and Lucy, OMG! But Stephen, why was he so toxic ALL the gosh damn time.
This show at times (whilst popular) was hard to watch. It was a bit much. I am so not the target demo, but the examination in Lucy and Stephens relationship over eight insane years, was a lot!
Scroll down if you have concluded this series on Disney+.
The final episode opens in 2015 still at Bree and Evan's wedding with Bree smoking outside and accidentally gets caught smoking a cigarette by Wrigley who was staying over at Evan's house.
The two get into an argument over how their brief relationship ended and reveals how they never spoke to one another in 6 years.
However, it was proven that the two still had feelings for one another and the two proceeded to briefly have sex before hearing footsteps outside the bedroom door.
The episode flashes back to 2009 to seeing Lucy unexpectedly runs into Diana where she reveals that Stephen gave her the tape, which Diane reveals as strange as that's not Stephen nature and also reveals that she believed her about the night of Macy's death. She also unknowingly tells Lucy about Stephen acceptance to Yale and how he might be in a good mood because of that.
The episode cuts to Bree, who's now furious over learning Evan and Lucy's night together at the end of freshmen year. She tries to confront her, but misses her as Lucy makes her way over to banquet where the Yale acceptance were being celebrated.
Meanwhile, Bree gets a call from Mary, who claims to be on campus and manages to gets Bree to visit her in a building, where she's surprisingly confronted by Marianne, Oliver and Amanda sitting at a table, concocting a story about how Bree made everything up of the accusations, and how she tried to force Amanda to falsely confess to Sexual assault as well. To make matters worse, Mary believed their story, thinking Bree was the troubled one in the problem. As the two exit the meeting, Bree effectively ends her relationship with Mary right then and there as she didn't feel supported by her.
Meanwhile, Lucy secretly crashes the Yale Banquet and tries to inform the host of the event that Stephen was dangerous and that he shouldn't be allowed into the university. However, Stephen catches her and unfortunately puts an end to the conversation.
The next day, Lucy goes over to Bree and Pippa's dorm to find out only Pippa was there alone, and the two resolve their differences with the whole Chris situation. However, the peace is short-lived as Pippa reveals she and been cheating on Wrigley and in the same comfort Lucy reveals that she and Evan slept together after the Hawaiian party last year. Pippa, however, was furious at her decision and chastised her right then and there, calling her pathetic. She promises to not tell Bree, but then effectively ends their friendship right then and there.
The episode next transitions to Wrigley trying to get ahold of Bree to try and connect with her, but is interrupted by Pippa who reveals to him about the cheating and that she's gay. Fortunately, Wrigley was accepting of it and the two decided to remain friends. In that same conversation, Pippa reveals how Stephen is a monster and reveals how he was the one who sent Diana's nudes picture to her parents, forcing Wrigley to grapple with Stephen's actions.
The episode then moves to see Lucy in class only to see a videotape she and Stephen recorded had been posted online for the whole world to see. She confronted Stephen once she spotted him, which he adamantly denied. Due to the tape release, all her friends began to shut her out, including Alex, who hinted at past sexual abuse in the past at his previous foster home. Alex soon ends their little arrangement and sends her away. However, little did Lucy know that Bree was sleeping over in his apartment, where the two had a intense conversation where he reveals that she shouldn't have been so trusting. Lucy decided to shut herself into her dorm, shutting her out from the outside world.
The next day, as Pippa begins to feel guilty for Lucy's action, Pippa reveals to Bree that she was the girl Chris sexually assaulted last semester. This confession forced Bree to mot be mad at Lucy, who was living in a mess and was forced to visit the dean. While at the dean, the dean decides to expel Lucy over the false accusation, which meant she couldn't go on the study abroad program for her junior year.
Elsewhere, Wrigley and Stephen have lunch with one another where Stephen reveals his true colours to Wrigley where he reveals how Lucy should suffer the consequences of her action, which in turn made Wrigley reveal everything to the board of admission of Yale university who later in the episode rescinded Stephen's acceptance into their law program.
Back at Bree and Pippa's dorm, Evan stops by, which cause shim and Bree to confront the secret of him and Lucy, which he admits to and the two decide to keep their relationship going. It's later revealed to Wrigley who subtly learns that Bree knows about him and Pippa's night together. Bree kisses Evan, telling Wrigley that she plans to stay with him. Bree continues to cry and destroy the memory card of that contains Lucy's confession the false rape accusation.
Meanwhile, as Lucy tries to pack up her stuff, Diana learns about her expulsion and reminds her that her life will get better and that this was the worse of it. Soon, Lucy is seen stuffing up her mother's backseat with her stuff with hell of Bree, unbeknownst to the both of then, Stephen is watching her pack her stuff and leave campus for good.
The episode flashes back to 2015 to see Lucy and happy and dancing with Bree as the wedding is beginning to wind down. Stephen is drinking watching them, while Lydia is ready to go due to the fact that it's 3 in the morning and that she doesn't leave him as she knows he would keep giving Lucy a look.
Stephen ends everything right then and there with their relationship, claiming that they were only together to get a rise out of Lucy and reveals they had sex that morning of the wedding. It anger Lydia who dumps him and breaks off their engagement right there on the spot.
Meanwhile, as Wrigley and Pippa take pictures, it's learned that with Stephen not be able to go to Yale, Diana was able to attend without having to worry about him attending. As the wedding is coming to a close, Bree returns back to the table to where she runs into Stephen where the two have an intense conversation over why she was so calm after learning about Lucy and Evan sleeping together, and it didn't take long for him to connect the dots to realise that Bree was the one who released the video of Lucy's confession as it's revealed that she was angry over learning that Evan and Lucy slept with one another.
As the MC announces the wedding is over with one more song, Stephen steals the mic to reveal everything that Bree was behind Lucy's downfall, not him as she knew about her and Evan's night freshmen year, that Stephen and Lucy had sex the morning of the wedding, and also that Wrigley and Bree had been leading a secret affair for months before the wedding.
Chaos erupts after this reveal with Evan yelling Wrigley and almost killing Stephen which ends with him crushing his own wedding cake. In the end, Diana and Pippa leave, finally escaping the chaos that is their friends. Lucy who's still shocked at the reveal gets an offer from Stephen to leave, but Bree claims that if they do, their friendship is officially over which Lucy leaves afterward.
Bree takes a look Wrigley who's still get yelled at Evan and is smiling, confirming they are finally able to get together with one another.
The episode transitions to find Lucy and Stephen having a heart to heart where he manages to get her into the car and drives well into the night and stops at a gas station where she goes into the convenience store to get coffees, only to come out to find Stephen had left her there alone with her purse.
However, instead of being sad that he tricked her again, she lets out a laugh, knowing that he's still the same guy from college. Lucy just stands there just as the series ends there.
Oh the drama. Farewell to another college girl TV series. Huge return to TV week next week, as network TV is back. 9-1-1(s), DMV, Fire/Sheriff Country, Animal Control and the new one Memory of a Serial Killer. Which isn't half bad and streams on Stan.
Whistle follows a group of students who find an Aztec Death Whistle and discover that the sound it emits will summon their future deaths to hunt them down.
As the body count rises, the friends investigate the origins of the deadly artefact in a desperate effort to stop the horrifying chain of events that they have set in motion.
It's mildly gory, a few jump scares, but not too hectic.
Whistle premiered at Fantastic Fest last September 2025, whilst being released in the cinemas across the USA, UK, Australia & Ireland this month.
I didn't mind this. With a good looking cast, it was no Aussie smash hit Talk to Me, but it did showcase our deaths coming for us early if we were silly enough to blow a nasty ass whistle.
Horror is still one of the top genres at the cinema.
Look this won't win any awards or make my end of year best of lists, but it was a wee bit of fun.
Until next time at the cinema, Whistle gets a solid pass of 2.5 Stars. Maybe 2.75 Stars if we want to be technical.
Set in present-day suburbia, The ‘Burbs follows a young couple returning to the husband’s childhood home. Their world is upended when new neighbours move in next door, bringing old secrets of the cul-de-sac to light, and new deadly threats shatter the illusion of their quiet little neighbourhood.
The 'Burbs is an American comedy television series created by Celeste Hughey for Peacock. Streaming in Australia on Binge. Landing earlier this month.
The 'Burbs is an adaptation of the 1989 film of the same name and stars Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall.
Old secrets resurface when a newly married couple relocate to the suburban neighbourhood of the husband's youth.
Alongside Palmer & Jack Whitehall, Paula Pell, Julia Duffy, Mark Proksch, Kapil Talwalkar, Haley Joel Osment, RJ Cyler, Justin Kirk, Max Carver, Erica Dasher, Georgia Leva, Kathleen Kenny & Wendy Schaal, who had a role in the 1989 film, all appear in the series.
So I thought this could have been a miniseries, however the ending... It leaves The 'Burbs wide open for a second run.
Will I tune in? Probably...
Keke Palmer is great as a new mum to the suburbs. I never saw the OG 80's film, however I was keen for this little comedy/thriller.
There hasn't been a load on Binge of late (with Wentworth looking a little while away) so I got stuck into this over 48 hours.
Also with the Winter Olympics a number of my week to wee shows had vanished from my dance card.
There is no news on a second season at the time of the post, however I think this one could crack a second season. Peacock has a number of series on the way. Ted season two (Binge too), The Miniature Wife (which will stream on Stan) and the horror one I am looking forward to, Crystal Lake.
Binge also released The Copenhagen Test late. Landing on Monday, this series was originally released overseas over the holiday period. Simu Lu I will be watching!
Right, back to The 'Burbs . It's not half bad, it's not the best, but it was a bit of fun. There was some good one liners.
Recovering after a massive Valentine's weekend, now Lunar New Year, let's head to the cinema for "Wuthering Heights". The Almost Aussie period romantic drama film written and directed by Emerald Fennell and adapted from Emily Brontë's 1847 novel.
Starring Aussies Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, respectively, alongside Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, & Ewan Mitchell.
The film received mixed reviews from critics. However what about me?
A bold and original imagining of one of the greatest love stories of all time, Emerald Fennell’s "Wuthering Heights" stars Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, whose forbidden passion for one another turns from romantic to intoxicating in an epic tale of lust, love and madness.
One other huge win is the film features original songs by Charli XCX. The album was released last Friday. I myself am a huge fan of Charli and Chains of Love. You can stream the album below.
Released perfectly in time for Valentine's, with two of Hollywood (Aussies do it right) also doing fun promo stunts, like turning up to sessions and handing out roses.
I love that!
Period dramas are not usually for me. Meaning I won't be watching Outlander's final season anytime soon. However the costumes and the love story was interesting.
Plus Emerald Fennell's previous films are brilliant. Promising Young Woman and Saltburn anyone?
"Wuthering Heights" will be a hit regardless of what critics say. I enjoyed this, love the Charli XCX collab, it's all a vibe.
Love was really in the air over the weekend, which was a nice change. In a divided world, state right now, we need love. If you need some romance in your life, get to the movies NOW!
9-1-1 is the OG of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, & Tim Minear's 9-1-1 franchise. Moving from Fox to ABC; that's not the Aussie ABC, but US. Disney+ finally popped season eight up, earlier this month. I did manage to get a start on the season last year in Japan. So I only had eight or so remaining episodes to catch up on. The series has always been a bit soapy, however this season jumped the shark hardcore.
The lead disaster was around bees! Yes that's right bees! Apparently season nine goes to space. How much longer can the series try to out do itself.
That said, with the Texas bound Lone Star edition wrapping, 9-1-1: Nashville has commenced. And boy it is bad. Lone Star had heart and (in my opinion) better, more likeable characters than the OG series.
That said, Angela Bassett really had some strong performances. And no the crossover episode to the now cancelled Doctor Odyssey, doesn't go into too much depth. Literally she sees the boat, end scene. End episode, crossover completed on the short lived random Joshua Jackson series.
Alongside Bassett, Oliver Stark, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Guzman, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Corinne Massiah, Elijah M. Cooper, & Gavin McHugh all star. Although there was big cast departure towards the tail end of season eight. More on that later.
Last April 9-1-1, the series was renewed for a ninth season, which premiered last October. Hopefully I don't have to wait till next February to watch it! Bloody Channel Seven with their legacy deal on the OG 9-1-1.
So how does the bee drama unfold at the top of the previous season?
Hen and Karen make progress with regaining their foster license; Hen notices that Chimney and Mara are growing close. Buck and Tommy help Eddie throw a birthday party for Christopher over video call, but Christopher is vacant and eventually leaves to celebrate with new friends, much to Eddie's dismay. Bobby is now a technical advisor for firefighting TV show "Hotshots;" he is undermined by production, but idolised by the lead actor, Brad Torrence.
A truck carrying 22 million killer bees crashes downtown, threatening the lives of a mother and daughter and, later, the attendees of a perfume party. Buck's initiative allows the 118 to handle both situations efficiently, but he is punished by Gerrard for unruliness. Buck later saves Gerrard from a flying circular saw, but knocks him unconscious in the process.
The season got dark with Bobby aka Peter Krause passed away in their contagion style emergency at the back end of the season.
With the removal of Bobby Nash, I'll be interested to see how (the current) season nine unfolds. Nine seasons is a big achievement, however it looks set to go even further. Sources say season ten is almost a sure thing.
So how did the final episode of the eighth season wrap?
Before the collapse, the 118 hosts a goodbye lunch for Eddie, where Hen gifts him his 118 turnouts.
Hen also admits she turned down the offer to become captain and Buck says he put in for a transfer from the 118, feeling it is no longer the same without Bobby.
At the apartment building site, Athena tries to help Graham and another civilian who has been crushed by the debris. The 118 arrives on scene and quickly becomes overwhelmed after the building suffers another collapse. Eddie, seeing the event on the news, puts on his old turnouts and arrives at the scene to help. Chimney, hearing Athena has been trapped in the building, goes in by himself to help her get out; they learn Graham was impaled, but said nothing because the other civilian, who he previously had been feuding with, needed their help more. This causes Athena to accept what Bobby did for Chimney and the two reconcile after the team saves Graham.
Back at the firehouse, Chimney tells Eddie he is not living in Texas anymore and tells Buck he's not transferring, making a speech about keeping the importance of Bobby's legacy alive. After the speech, Hen slips up and refers to Chimney as "Cap." Hen and Karen formally adopt Mara, Eddie and Christopher move back to Los Angeles and begin unpacking boxes, Buck starts looking for a new apartment now that Eddie is back, Athena begins work on selling the house, and Maddie gives birth to her son.
Upon Athena arriving at the hospital, Chimney tells her they named the baby Robert Nash Han, after Bobby.
The season wrapped up nicely. I must admit watching it over two parts (partly in Japan last year, last eight episodes this week) felt disjointed. At least I got to watch the first emergency and later Bobby emergency uninterrupted.
9-1-1 is one of Ryan Murphy's longest running series, will it overtake American Horror Story? Speaking of Ryan Murphy. It's his season, with two 9-1-1's returning soon in the USA (Nashville only here), Love Story starting and The Beauty coming to a horrific conclusion early next month.
So expect more Ryan Murphy through my final half of the Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 26 series.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Officially two more weeks of summer. Unofficially March is still HOT AF, hence my Q1, 2026 blog series title.
See you next week for the Tell Me Lies finale and hopefully a movie or two!
After the fun Send Help last Friday, it was gonna be hard to see another good picture, back-to-back.
However We Bury the Dead, was a damn fine effort.
Actually from 2024, the zombie/survival/horror/thriller film finally got released in Australia & New Zealand last week.
Written and directed by Zak Hilditch, We Bury the Dead had its world premiere in November at the 2024 Adelaide Film Festival. While getting released in North America in January.
Starring English star Daisy Ridley, Mark Coles Smith, & Brenton Thwaites.
The plot centers on a woman desperate to find her missing husband and follows her journey as she takes on grief and the undead.
After the United States accidentally detonates an experimental weapon off the Eastern coast of Tasmania, the city of Hobart is destroyed, and victims on the island not caught in the immediate blast are rendered brain dead.
Soon it is found that some of the brain dead are regaining motor function, becoming undead, with some of them becoming violent. American physiotherapist Ava Newman (Ridley), whose husband Mitch was on a business trip in Woodbridge, volunteers as part of an Australian military effort to retrieve and dispose of the bodies of the population.
Ava is assigned to the northern part of the island, far from Woodbridge, retrieving bodies and alerting soldiers to kill any undead who wake up.
It's an interesting concept. I was hooked and loved the 90 minute run time. Meaning the film just gets right to the point, real quick!
Filming began in February, 2024 in Albany, Western Australia. Alongside, Ridley, Coles Smith & Thwaites, Kym Jackson, Matt Whelan and Deanna Cooney joined the cast, as Lt. Wilkie, Mitch and Bianca respectively.
Filming wrapped the next month. So I really wonder why this was held for release for so long.
Either way this was a fun Tuesday night at the cinema. I also really try and support as many Aussie films as possible.
Enjoyable, original (even in a world of The Last of Us and The Walking Dead/multiple spin-offs) and beautifully shot.
In the current climate of world instability, imagine if something liked this did happen in Tassie?
I hope 2026 continues to give solid films. Hopefully next up, Wuthering Heights. More new music from Charli XCX, yes please!
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
