After losing her fearless sister Hunter, a deeply damaged Jax sets out on a dangerous climb with Hunter’s old friend to honour her memory.
As they tightrope walk the perilous planks of Mount Kwan, a terrifying rockslide leaves them stranded 5,000 feet above ground. In the face of vertigo-inducing sequences, dark truths, and cruel twists, Jax must confront her deepest fears head-on to fight for survival and closure.
Fall 2: Deadpoint is survival/thriller sequel to 2022's Fall, starring Harriet Slater, Arsema Thomas, Tom Brittney, and Virginia Gardner.
Unlike its predecessor, the film received mixed reviews from critics. That said I hate heights, so this had me tense AF! For the entire 97 minutes.
If you enjoyed the first, Fall film, I think you will enjoy the second one. And as teased at the end of the film (also on Wikipedia) the third incoming film.
With limited sessions on, given the continued success of Zendaya and Tom Holland at the box office, this film isn't super easy to see. The sessions are largely at random times.
However, I snuck off to a closed caption session, which I really enjoyed. Nothing like subtitles for an overly tense film.
The lead up before the big climb moves fast, before the film moves at breakneck pace during the climb. The drama, the suspense, the twists come exceptionally fast towards the end.
I enjoyed this, despite drinking too much kombucha prior and needing a comfort stop halfway through the film. A short film too.
This was adventure porn at its finest. The character development is a little half cooked, however it's super dramatic.
Silo based on the Silo trilogy of novels (Wool, Shift, and Dust) by author Hugh Howey, is the Apple TV series, set in a dystopian future where a community exists in a giant underground silo comprising 144 levels.
Rebecca Ferguson returns as Juliette Nichols, an engineer who becomes embroiled in the mysteries of its past and present.
Alongside Ferguson includes Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Avi Nash, Alexandria Riley, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner, Rick Gomez, Billy Postlethwaite and Clare Perkins. Joining the cast for season three are Ashley Zukerman, Jessica Henwick, who appeared in the season two finale, along with Laura Innes, Jessica Brown Findlay, Morven Christie, Reed Birney and Matt Craven, with Colin Hanks set to recur. Steve Zahn will also return.
In December 2024, the series was renewed for a third and fourth season, with the fourth serving as its final. The third season premiered on July 3, 2026.
Season three of Silo continues the saga of a dystopian society of 10,000 people living underground under mysterious circumstances, while revealing an origin story set centuries earlier. In the present, Juliette Nichols (Ferguson) survives her forced “cleaning” but returns with memory loss as the silo recovers from rebellion and faces a dangerous new threat. Meanwhile, in the “Before Times,” journalist Helen Drew (Jessica Henwick) and Congressman Daniel Keene (Ashley Zukerman) uncover a conspiracy that pulls them into a chain of events with catastrophic, irreversible consequences.
Spoilers from yesterdays finale below. With a premiere period of Summer (USA) 2027 date at the end of the final seasons trailer. Like Slow Horses, the final season is already in the can at the ending of the now screened, season three.
In a flashback to the Silo 17 rebellion, Daniel is revived from cryogenic sleep in Silo 1. Now named Troy, he cannot remember his past and is a specialist who is woken up to handle crises for The Project, which is led by Thurman.
Troy orchestrates the execution of the Silo 17 rebels who have exited there Silo, using armed drones and poison. Troy has memory flashes of Helen and asks Victor about her.
In the present, Camille tricks Victor, who is currently acting as the Legacy, into giving Knox and the others time to successfully block the safeguard pipe while Walker and Carla fix the water supply. Victor sends a drone to guard Silo 18 and requests Troy to be revived, before committing suicide. Juliette and Lukas communicate by radio about the door underneath the Silo.
Juliette, Camille, Knox, Shirley and Hank follow Lukas's route to the door where Troy, as the Legacy, offers to leave them alone if Silo 18 does not try to contact any other Silo. Juliette accepts the deal, but tells her friends that their next move should be to attack Silo 1, which will not be expecting it.
Troy receives a video message from Victor telling him that the woman he's searching for is Helen Drew.
So the end is near for one of Apple TV's biggest sci-fi series. What other series will wrap in 2027? Well apparently Daryl Dixon's Walking Dead tale will come to a close. Hopefully it will stream on Stan, as apparently all Walking Dead titles are moving to Netflix.
Emily in Paris will also take a final bow, just before the calendar flicks over to 2027. My prediction is, a number of my US network shows will also call it a day next April/May. Just saying.
Pluribus is one of the last catch ups I started whilst I was in Bangkok. Surprisingly, only Apple TV and Amazon worked there for me. Like Fiji, no Disney+ or my local streamers (Stan, Binge and Paramount+) allowed. Boo!
It feels like a lot of series I am watching are post-apocalyptic, I am not really into science fiction, however this has elements of sci-fi.
Created by Vince Gilligan for Apple TV, the series is set/filmed primarily in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Pluribus follows novelist Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), who finds herself isolated after an alien virus transforms the rest of humanity into a peaceful and content hive mind, which nevertheless seeks to assimilate her and other immune individuals.
I am late to the party. The series premiered on Apple TV on November 7, 2025. A second season has been ordered.
The title of the series refers to e pluribus unum, a Latin motto of the United States which means 'out of many, one'. Pluribus has received acclaim from critics, with praise for Gilligan's writing and direction and Seehorn's performance, as well as the show's originality, tone, and stylistic influences, though its pacing received some criticism.
Pluribus has received numerous accolades. At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, it earned 18 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, as well as acting nominations for Seehorn, Karolina Wydra, Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Jeff Hiller, and Miriam Shor.
It has also been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and two Critics' Choice Awards, with Seehorn winning Best Actress in a Drama Series at both ceremonies. Additionally, the series was honoured with a Peabody Award and was named one of the 10 best television programs of 2025 by the American Film Institute.
It sure is a different kind of series. I enjoyed it. However, it was a bit slow in parts, so I agree with the critics note around pacing.
If like me you are behind on the hype show, maybe stop reading...... here. La Chica o El Mundo is the ninth episode and first season finale. The episode was written by executive producers Alison Tatlock and Gordon Smith, and directed by Smith.
It was released on Christmas Eve last year, so I am only a few months behind. The finale sees Manousos finally reaches Albuquerque, leaving Carol to debate whether to help him in making a plan to destroy the Others.
The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the scenes between Carol and Manousos, the performances and the cliffhanger.
Manousos arrives at Carol's home. Carol uses a translator app to communicate with him, and he reveals his intent to destroy the Others if the Joining cannot be reversed. Manousos searches Carol's home for listening devices.
Carol brings him to stay at one of her neighbour's homes. After seeing Carol call Zosia, Manousos asks the Others to send Zosia to talk to him privately. Carol takes her away, but Manousos calls for another member of the Others to replace Zosia. Zosia suddenly goes into convulsions and Carol finds that Manousos has intentionally triggered a global seizure to test the radio frequency he discovered. Carol stops him, and Zosia and the Others leave the city to protect themselves from Manousos. Carol leaves with Zosia, and they tour the world together for two weeks.
During this time, Kusimayu, an immune teenager in rural Peru, willingly joins the Others, proving the customised virus works. Zosia reveals Kusimayu's fate to Carol and confesses that the Others are working to extract Carol's stem cells from her frozen eggs, expecting to complete her custom virus in about a month. Carol has Zosia return her home with a large crate containing an atom bomb and tells Manousos that she is ready to help him.
So when will season two of this off beat drama land? With the current timetable of streaming series being released, who would know. Time will tell. I did enjoy the show. It was definitely different.
Apple TV really are continuing to deliver quality content. Speaking of sci-fi their Silo series wraps up tomorrow, with Dar Matter returning last week.
They also have Ted Lasso midway through the reboot. With Stick, Slow Horses and Bad Monkey all on the way.
FX’s Adults returns following a mid-season prequel episode Marathon Day. Like The Bear, this tired over fans in-between seasons one and two.
With a little over a year since the first season streamed on Disney+, this did return fairly quickly.
Marathon Day, premiered back on the 31st of July. The prequel episode showing the origin story of the friend group and Paul Baker. The episode was written as a new pilot to be placed as the first episode of the series on FX and streaming platforms Disney+ and Hulu.
The episode was made as a new way to introduce viewers to the series, as viewership was low for the first season.
Adults returns to NYC, with Samir, Billie, Paul Baker, Issa and Anton share their meals, anxieties and, occasionally, toothbrushes. Over the eight-episode season, the housemates tackle capital-R Responsibility to varying degrees of success.
The five main players returns. Malik Elassal as Samir Rahman, Lucy Freyer as Billie Schaeffer, Jack Innanen as Paul Baker, Amita Rao as Issa Damani, plus Owen Thiele as Anton Evans.
The second season features guest appearances by Susie Essman, Raven-Symoné, Gaten Matarazzo, Jake Shane, Isaac Powell, Ben Marshall, and Zosia Mamet.
Adults follows a group of young friends—Samir (Elassal), Billie (Freyer), Paul Baker (Innanen), Issa (Rao), and Anton (Thiele)—as they navigate the challenges of early adulthood while living together in Samir's childhood home.
The series explores themes such as career struggles, healthcare, modern dating, and social dynamics, portraying both the comedic and difficult aspects of transitioning into adult life.
I really enjoyed the eight episode second season. Particularly, episode 7, "C Alert".
So where did it leave off? I smashed it so fast, that thank god, Chad Powers returns this week! As a binge too this time around. Like Adults, Chad Powers also on Disney+ has only had a year off too. In modern streaming timings for returning shows, this is amazing!
In the finale, "Vote for Paul Baker", Paul Baker is running for president of the Homeowner's Association, and the roommates are hard at work canvassing with the help of Carly and Julia Fox.
Billie is threatened by Nina, the incumbent president's daughter, to call off the campaign and let her dad win, otherwise Nina will report the roommates for a zoning violation and have them kicked out of the house. Billie recruits Paul Baker's rowdy friends to help them tank the election and make sure that he loses.
Issa and Anton try to discourage voters at the library, where Issa connects with Margaux, the librarian. Carly and Samir are practicing being long-distance, as Carly's dental placement will force her to move to Seattle for a year.
After getting advice from Julia, Samir decides to move to Seattle as well, but Carly does not want Samir to move with her and breaks up with him.
Issa overhears voters talking about all the nice things Anton has said about Paul Baker during the campaign, and realises that Anton has genuine feelings for him. She encourages Anton to tell Paul Baker how he feels.
Unbeknownst to them, their discussion is being broadcast live to the entire neighbourhood, including Paul Baker. As Issa and Anton run home, Paul Baker loses the election. As everyone celebrates the loss, Anton and Paul Baker kiss. Later that night, Issa brings Margaux home and notices that someone is hooking up in Paul Baker and Samir's room. The door opens to reveal not Anton and Paul Baker, but Samir and Billie.
I really wanted Anton and Paul Baker to hook up. Paul Baker is honestly so hot. Well Jack Innanen is hot.
Either way, I be bingeing a big number of series following my overseas trip. Tomorrow it's over to a big Apple TV title I wanted to catch up on, Pluribus. Until then. BYE!
Furious is loosely inspired by the 1987 film Black Widow by Ronald Bass.
The series sees the return of Shameless lady boss, Emmy Rossum as FBI agent Alice Black, alongside Lola Petticrew, Scoot McNairy, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, plus Jake Lacy.
Streaming on Hulu/Disney+, this series only started streaming late July, concluding earlier this week. I originally thought this was a miniseries, however the other day Furious was renewed for a second season.
Furious follows FBI agent Alice Black on the hunt for a mysterious and calculating female serial killer. Both walk their own paths toward justice, and as their lives start to intertwine, the line between right and wrong begins to blur.
This was addictive viewing. With three episodes landing first, then five weeks of week-to-week episodes.
This was also extremely high quality, crime drama. Hulu has been doing well of late. With The Testaments, easily one of my shows of 2026, All's Fair, an instant camp classic, with Reasonable Doubt + Chad Powers returning soon for new seasons, Hulu's content on Disney+ makes for premium viewing.
This was dark, brutal and original. The storyline felt original. Rossum really did shine in this role as a flawed FBI agent.
The tension across the eight episodes was insane.
In the opening episode, of the three episode premiere, on Halloween in New York City, the mysterious Catherine murders wealthy Caleb Easton in his apartment, staging his death as a fentanyl overdose.
Robbing Jinny Allen, Catherine assumes her identity to stay at a women's shelter. She manipulates shelter employee Becky to acquire a new ID, enabling Jinny to be hired by a catering company and seduce her next target, high-powered lawyer Oliver Charles.
Meanwhile, low-level FBI agent Alice Black is called to Caleb's apartment by homicide detective Danny, her former NYPD partner. Deducing that Caleb was murdered, Alice arranges her own violent sexual encounter with a stranger. She links Caleb's murder to the similar death of sex trafficker Adrian Murado, and enlists the reluctant help of Nora, head of the FBI sex crimes unit.
Caleb's neighbour remembers Catherine's tattoo, which Alice later spots in surveillance footage of a trafficked girl, Catherine, trying to escape Adrian fourteen years earlier, confirming her suspicion that the two men were victims of the same killer.
This was a great little series. If you need something to watch as Spring hits more like summer, fire up Disney+ and hit Furious.
More Australian drama, yes please. Following the Airport Chaplin, last week, this week, its Dalliance, on Paramount+.
The series focuses on Billy and Rose and their group of friends, who think they have life all figured out in their 60s, but they are forced to rethink all that when it is not what they expected. All six episodes landed late last week, with me concluding the sixth episode last night.
When their friend dies, mourning his loss the friend group finds their lives are much more than what the world would want them to feel.
Starring an all star cast including, Hugo Weaving as Billy Brennan, Heather Mitchell as Dani, David Wenham as Gary, Ryan Panizza as Dylan, Georgie Parker as Rose Brennan, Wayne Blair as Luke, Carolyn Bock as Adele, Catherine McClements as Sarah, Russell Dykstra as Rex, Kate Winter as Emma & John Doyle as James.
It's an all star cast with Heather Mitchell returning to Paramount+, following her excellent appearance in Brisbane based drama, Two Years Later.
I strongly believe this will be back for a second season. It literally just ends with so many loose ends. It is a good replacement for former Ten drama, Five Bedrooms. It's been called a spiritual sequel to Secret Life of Us, and with good reviews (and likely Logie wins next year) this could be announced as a returning Paramount+ feature in 2027.
Literally the last remaining Paramount+ local title left is Last King of The Crosses third and likely final season.
Local dramas are sadly often one and done on Australian streaming services. Dalliance had interesting characters, with real human emotion.
It was refreshing to see Georgie Parker in something more adult and more gritty.
If you like Aussie drama, you'll love this. Dalliance continues Paramount+'s solid year of Aussie hits following, NCIS: Sydney (wrapping shooting season four in Sydney right now) and Two Years Later.
Spa Weekend tells the story of four friends who reconnect with one another for a spa weekend. It reminds me of my long weekend in June, where I took off to Bali with three school friends.
However, out weekend was more tame than this romp.
At the heart of this story is friendship. Starring the powerhouses, Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, Anna Faris, & Aussie hunk Adam Demos. Demos who is fresh from the now asked Baywatch inspired Rescue HI-Surf.
In the spirit of Bad Moms and The Hangover, this 90 minute laugh fest is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about four lifelong friends who realise that somewhere between careers, relationships, families and everyday responsibilities, they have forgotten how to take care of themselves and each other.
Burned out and overdue for a break, the women escape to a luxury spa retreat for what turns out to be an unforgettable weekend dedicated to fun, laughter, and a lot of really bad decisions.
The film has not surprisingly received negative reviews from critics, but the point of the movie is, friendship, to have a laugh and forget the shit you dealt with before you brought your popcorn and got cozy in the cinema seat.
It is pure silly fun. Something the world needs right about now.
Interestedly the film was created by two blokes, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore writing and directing. Principal photography began on Valentine's Day, last year, right here, in Queensland, Australia. Creating loads of jobs and showcasing some local talent. AKA Demos + Fisher. Great cast. Great story. Fun music used. Overall a fun rise.
This film came, just at the right time when I needed a good laugh.
If you (like me) need a giggle, this is perfect. It is slightly predictable, but damn Dominic Ona-Ariki is also so likeable and good looking too.
Predictable yes, a bit silly, absolutely, but damn we need to not be so serious all the time. Fun. 4 Stars from me! LOVED it.
Good news international readers, The Airport Chaplain will now be streaming on Netflix, internationally. In Australia it's free on SBS On Demand. With all episodes landing yesterday.
I had a day off yesterday, so I smashed all eight 30 minute episodes. If you like a more traditional way of viewing the series, you are welcome to, with the first two episodes airing last night, with double episodes continuing to air weekly on Wednesdays at 8:30pm.
This great local series, based in Melbourne is led by Hugo Weaving (Slow Horses, Love Me) and Shabana Azeez, breakout star of the Emmy® and Golden Globe Award®-winning drama series The Pitt.
The latest SBS Original drama, takes audiences inside the high-stakes world of a bustling international airport, told through the struggles, triumphs and unexpected connections of the workers who keep it running.
This follows double Logie nominated SBS series, Homebodies, which didn't win the best miniseries, but Claudia Karvan did win for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama.
Funnily enough, Karvan also stars in The Airport Chaplain.
Alongside Karvan, Azeez and Weaving, Thomas Weatherall as Johnny Flick, Arka Das as Sami Rahman, Erroll Shand as Lex Pascoe and Claude Jabbour as Anthony Cole all star.
At the centre of The Airport Chaplain is Tobias Wallace (Weaving), a fast-moving fixer with a constantly ringing phone, pockets full of cash and an unorthodox approach to the daily crises unfolding inside the terminal. Convinced the airport couldn’t run without him, Tobias has never encountered a problem he couldn’t solve. Until he meets his formidable new boss Mira (Azeez), who considers him a walking liability. Their clash sparks a power struggle that reverberates through the terminal, affecting the cleaners, baggage handlers and passengers who are all navigating their own hopes, challenges and life-changing moments amid the constant flow of arrivals and departures.
Airports are interesting places. A show based around an airport, the passengers that visit, the staff that work there, a peak behind the curtains to where your bag goes. This was great.
No special effects, no insane plot. No superheros. Just real humans, with real emotions. I enjoyed this a lot.
It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it sure was mine.
Thomas Weatherall is an outstanding young, local talent. His role as a border security officer was great. A big improvement on his time on Heartbreak High.
There is so much local content at present. Which is great. On Paramount+ Dalliance launches tonight. If you want more Hugo Weaving, he is joined by Heather Mitchell, Georgie Parker (yes from A Country Practice), David Wenham and more.
Colin From Accounts is in the home stretch now on Binge, with the final (ever) episode streaming soon. It will be replace on Binge with the second run of High Country. Whilst on Netflix, My Brilliant Career looks to be a favourite for next year's Logies. Hopefully The Airport Chaplain gets a look in next year. Despite being released so early in the Logie 2027 period.
Until next time, I'm off to see Spa Weekend Friday night. FUN!
Rooster is the second thirty minute comedy I completed whilst I was living my best life in Bangkok. Created by Bill Lawrence + Matt Tarses & streaming on HBO Max. Or Singapore Airlines if you are travelling them.
They currently feature titles from Paramount+, Stan (Aussie movie Beats makes it), HBO Max and Apple TV.
Starring Steve Carell, Rooster premiered back in March, to positive reviews. The following month, the series was renewed for a second season.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, Carell received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
The series is set on the New England campus of Ludlow College, centring on well-tred and semi-dysfunctional author Greg Russo's complicated relationship with his daughter Katie. Katie, an art history instructor, is shown navigating campus life during a separation from her husband, another professor at the fictional Ludlow. He has taken a graduate student as a lover.
The show also investigates academic and administrative waters.
Alongside Carell, Phil Dunster, Charly Clive, Danielle Deadwyler, Lauren Tsai, John C. McGinley, Annie Mumolo, Connie Britton, Robby Hoffman, plus finally, Scott MacArthur all star in this new comedy.
I really enjoyed this series. Across ten episodes, there were laugh out loud moments, heartfelt moments, whilst I actually didn't hate Steve Carell's performance.
The series starts off with Greg Russo is a middle-aged author of a series of commercially popular beach read novels about a private investigator named Rooster. He arrives at Ludlow College, a liberal arts college in New England, to present a talk on his books, organised by English professor Dylan Shepard.
His real reason for coming to Ludlow is to check on his daughter Katie, an art professor at the college, whose husband and fellow professor Archie has recently left her for a graduate student named Sunny. Katie assures her father that everything is fine, but he encourages her to talk to Archie.
On his first night at Ludlow, Greg and Dylan share a drink at the local inn and reminisce about their lives. He offers to walk her home, but gently rebuffs her advances. The next day, Katie goes to Archie's home and learns that Sunny is pregnant; after forcing Archie out, Katie burns his most prized possession—a first-edition copy of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace—in the fireplace, only for the fire to go out of control and burn Archie's house down.
When Greg arrives at the scene, Katie refuses to deny her involvement in causing the fire.
If this sounds like your bag, book a flight on Singapore Airlines, binge this whilst enjoying their amazing service. Not a sponsored post lol.
HBO and HBO Max, you are back in the comedy game! Well done. Good effort. Can't wait for season two.
Stick is an other on holidays Apple TV catch up. Just in time too, the second season is slated to premiere on November 4.
Starring Owen Wilson as a former professional golfer who takes a young prodigy under his wing to turn his life around.
The series originally streamed back in June, 2025. during its first season, the series was renewed for a second season.
Pryce Cahill (Wilson) is a long-washed-up professional golfer who sells clubs and coaches at a range, where he encounters Santi Wheeler, a talented young player.
After selling his house to afford money, using the excuse that he needs to pay for his new prodigy's career, Pryce travels with Santi (Peter Dager), his mother Elena, friend and former caddy Mitts, and club bartender-turned-caddy Zero Duffy by RV across the United States to help Santi rise to fame, improving Pryce's own life in the process.
His comeback is a long shot. Stick is a heartfelt, feel-good comedy about a found family and their relationships set within the world of golf as it has never been shown before.
In addition to Wilson and Dager, the cast includes Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño, Lilli Kay, Judy Greer and Timothy Olyphant, and features guest appearances from golf superstars such as Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, Max Homa, Wyndham Clark and more. Additional cameos include broadcasters Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman, Good Good’s Matt Scharff, Brad Dalke and Garrett Clark, as well as golf enthusiast Dan Rapaport.
Stick was a bit of fun. It also continues Apple TV's domination of thirty minute comedies. That said tomorrow I caught up on Singapore Airlines over the weekend with Rooster. A return to form for HBO and the 30 minute comedy.
Apple has a long list of solid comedies now. The Studio, Platonic, Widow's Bay, Loot and Shrinking. All do well critically and with the award scene too.
Also these have been damn laugh out funny. Stick has it's moments, it's not thigh slapping funny, but it was good for a few laughs.
I don't love Owen Wilson, however he works well in this down and out loser role. I didn't mind the series for the most part. It was an easy watch, however I will compare it to the HBO comedy, Rooster I finally caught up with tomorrow.
Comedy is what the world needs now. What Ted Lasso did for soccer, Stick tries to do for golf. If you like a road trip comedy, with a few gags and feel good moments along the way give Stick a go before it returns for a second run in November.
From zero movies, to two back-to-back in Bangkok, let's see what The End of Oak Street is all about.
This will be my third Anne Hathaway film for 2026. Following the Devil Wears Prada 2 and Mother Mary. Both now streaming on various platforms.
Alongside Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella & Christian Convery star as a family whose suburban neighbourhood has been transported from 1982 into the age of dinosaurs. It gave my birth year vibes, but I couldn't quite tell. The music definitely gives a Stranger Things, 80's vibe. Actually if you like Stranger Things and Jurassic Park, you'll love this.
I went in unsure of what I was seeing, I left excited. It also didn't overstay it's welcome like the majority of long ass films lately. Tom Holland, I'm looking at your films.
The End of Oak Street has thus far received positive reviews from critics, whilst grossing $72.2 million worldwide against a production budget of $80–92 million.
Tell me more about the concept. OK.
After a mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports their neighbourhood to someplace unknown, the Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognisable surroundings.
OK, so this was fun, interesting and once we knew what was going on and we were dealing with dinosaurs, the film moved at breakneck pace.
There are no spoilers talking about the dinosaurs as this has been out for a hot minute now.
This is pure popcorn bliss.
I smashed a giant popcorn during this, so I can say this was honestly a straight up, leave your brain at the door, eat in the dark like no one is watching and enjoy film.
I cannot believe I have now seen Hathaway three times on the big screen this year alone.
This would probably be my favourite of her three films this year. Like Holland and Zendaya yesterday, Hathaway is doing her bit to get folks (in droves) back to the cinema.
Finally, back to the cinema after a wee break. That said, I am overseas with a little more time back in my schedule.
It's a Brand New Day for Peter Parker. Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn’t remember him—and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him—sparks a change in Peter he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves - a powerful villain no one can even see.
The world may have forgotten Peter Parker, but he hasn’t forgotten them.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has been out for a few weeks now. It's broken a few records along the way. It appears like Tom Holland and Zendaya have almost single handedly saved the cinema.
Following a huge box office take with The Odyssey, the pair are not only back to save box office dollars, but the superhero genre.
This is the 38th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the fourth film in the MCU Spider-Man film series following Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).
The film was directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, and stars Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man alongside Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Florence Pugh, Tramell Tillman, Marisa Tomei, and Mark Ruffalo.
Like all superhero films now, it is not just the one solo star. It's like a mini Avengers every film now. Bernthal and Ruffalo were revealed to be reprising their MCU roles of Frank Castle / Punisher and Bruce Banner / Hulk.
Frank Castle / Punisher was back recently with his standalone Disney+ episode, The Punisher: One Last Kill.
This also helps settle up future films, The Avengers and takes the superhero genre off life support. Following a few flops, Thunderbolts*, Captain America: Brave New World and who could forget (well) The Marvels. Which actually I still need to watch. I downloaded on Disney+, I have never had time to watch the film. Which was described as a box-office bomb, grossing $206.1 million worldwide against a gross production budget of $374 million, making it the lowest-grossing film in the MCU and one of the few MCU films not to break even in its theatrical run.
OK, back to Spider-Man below the trailer.
So yeah there was a lot riding on, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. And it well, over delivered. A good news story for the upcoming Avengers return to the cinema.
Back home, tickets have been sold out for nearly all Lux sessions at Broadway Hoyts. With only single or front row seats left for good sessions.
Hence my delay in seeing the long film. Yes like all superhero films, it's long. The post credit scene was not worth the wait, but we do know Tom Holland will return as Spider-Man. One day.
Released at the end of July, as part of Phase Six of the MCU. It received largely positive reviews from critics, with praise for Holland's performance, the action sequences, and the more mature, character-driven story compared to the previous MCU Spider-Man films.
The film has grossed $2.304 billion worldwide and set multiple box office records. It became the highest-grossing Spider-Man film, the highest-grossing film of 2026, and the fourth-highest grossing film of all time.
Huge stats there. It continues to do well back home, forcing cinemas to show very few other films, other than films starring Holland and Zendaya. It's like redemption for Zendaya after that awful final season of Euphoria. She is working hard for cinemas to slay.
OK with all that said, yes there is plenty of action. There is a little bit too much pity party for Peter, while he misses his friends and girlfriend. But overall it does feel a move in the right direction. Also it is a bit of a love letter to New York, whilst featuring some damn fine tunes. Including giving Tame Impala's, Loser a bump up the charts. Following the success of Dracula, Tame Impala are now slaying again with another killer tune.
Lucky is one easy binge! Concluding last Wednesday, I only started the seven episode binge on Thursday before flying off to Bangkok via Singapore.
Such an easy watch. The crime thriller television miniseries created by Jonathan Tropper, streams on Apple TV. Streaming alongside their biggest series (EVER) Ted Lasso on Wednesday's the series commenced on my birthday last month. I have slept on this, however, I've seen only good things online.
Starring, Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.
Superstar in front of the camera (and behind) Reese Witherspoon and Cassie Pappas among the producers.
Lucky is based on Marissa Stapley's 2021 novel.
So what is Lucky all about? When a multimillion-dollar heist goes sideways, con artist Lucky (Taylor-Joy) is forced to go on the run. Pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss, Lucky must fight for her life — and a way out.
The series kicks off with Lucky and her husband Cary are celebrating in a Las Vegas suite after pulling off a successful heist.
The next morning, Lucky awakens to discover that both Cary and their suitcase containing $10 million in cash are gone. FBI agent Billie Rand arrives at the casino, looking for Lucky and the missing money.
Lucky tries to escape, but has to turn around when she spots Dutch, a mob enforcer also searching for her and the money. She escapes with a truck driver but is tracked to a truck stop. Just before an FBI agent can arrest her, he is struck by a car. Inside the car is Cary's mother, Priscilla, a mob boss newly released from prison, who interrogates Lucky about the money.
When Lucky tells her Cary took it, she is thrown in the trunk and driven away. Lucky eventually escapes and causes the car to crash. One of Priscilla's henchmen is killed in the crash, and Lucky kills the other before fleeing into the desert.
It is great seeing Annette Bening slay as another ruthless boss, following her performance recently as Beulah Jackson in Dutton's Raunch.
This continues Apple TV's dominance in the streaming quality game. Ted Lasso is back on top. Silo is popular with the sci-fi nerds. Bad Monkey and Dark Matter are returning soon. Slow Horses returns next month. With Resse's own series The Morning Show returning for a final run in 2027.
Apple TV is slaying. It has a big line up now. With hugely popular series renewed and returning, or others awaiting another series.
The Five-Star Weekend concluded on Binge this afternoon, following its binge drop on Peacock last month.
Based on the 2023 novel by Elin Hilderbrand, the series stars Jennifer Garner, Gemma Chan, D’Arcy Carden, Regina Hall, & Chloë Sevigny.
The eight episode first season received positive reviews from critics. Earlier this month, the series was renewed for a second season. I was surprised the season was renewed, given the series is based on a book, there is no cliffhanger to tidy up. Also this series was really much ado about nothing.
The Five-Star Weekend is centered on a food blogger, Hollis (Garner) tries to combat the loss of her husband, Matthew (Josh Hamilton) by recreating a five-star weekend getaway at her house on Nantucket with four friends from different stages in her life: her childhood friend, Tatum (Sevigny), her college friend, Dru-Ann (Hall), her motherhood friend, Brooke (Carden), as well as a woman, Gigi (Chan), whom she recently met online.
As the five friends spend the weekend together, they mature in ways they could never imagine as boundaries are pushed and secrets are exposed.
Garner, unable to move forward, the death starts to expose the cracks in Hollis’s picture-perfect life—her strained marriage, her complicated relationship with her daughter, and her growing pursuit of validation from her fans.
Set against a luxurious and coastal backdrop, the stars will mature in ways they could never imagine as boundaries are pushed and secrets are exposed.
It gives a poor mans Big Little Lies, just less murder.
This is not Peacock's best work, but it appears to have done well. In better Binge news, High Country returns for its second season on September 14. Bring it on! High Country: What Lies Beneath, is lead by Leah Purcell (The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, Wentworth) Ian McElhinney (Game of Thrones, Derry Girls), Sara Wiseman (Watching You, Territory), and Aaron Pedersen (Jack Irish, Mystery Road).
So if you need a reason to keep Binge a few more months, maybe High Country will impress me more. Although similar to The Five-Star Weekend, this series did conclude it's first season over two years ago.
For now, after waiting over a month from the US binge drop, all episodes of The Five-Star Weekend now stream.
I kinda expected better from Regina Hall, who I've always liked. As a side note.
Going back to 2024, I found this English miniseries up on Paramount+. It's an interesting concept, sort of opposite to The Handmaid's Tale.
In a world where men live under a strict curfew, a woman’s murder during the night challenges the system. Can Detective Pamela Green uncover the truth? Starring Sarah Parish, Mandip Gill and Alexandra Burke.
Curfew is an adaptation of the novel After Dark by Jayne Cowie. Wanna know more?
Set in a society where men are restricted by a curfew from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to prioritise women's safety, the murder of a woman outside the Women's Safety Centre shocks the community. Veteran police officer Pamela Green (Sarah Parish) suspects that a man is responsible for the crime, despite the curfew - which requires all men to be tagged and monitored during restricted hours.
Partnering with her new colleague Eddie (Mitchell Robertson), Pamela faces scepticism from both the public and her superiors, who believe the curfew system makes it impossible for a man to be involved. As the investigation unfolds, Pamela must confront her own biases and navigate political pressure while seeking the truth behind the murder.
I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon this six episode binge. However, I did, I cam I saw and I conquered.
It was an easy and interesting watch. It raised some interesting questions about toxic masculinity and security after dark.
The cast is led by Parish & Robertson, with Mandip Gill, Alexandra Burke, Anita Dobson, Lucy Benjamin, Bobby Brazier and Larry Lamb.
It wasn't the best crime thriller I have watched. It also wasn't the worst.
Up next Bangkok. This time tomorrow morning I'll be boarding. Hell yeah! BYE!
In the South Side’s coldest winter ever, life-or-death choices must be made. The Chi's final eighth season, premiered back in May on Paramount+ in the USA. In Australia it landed on Disney+ earlier this month.
In the final season, the question is: who is willing to make them? As Tiff finds unexpected comfort, Victor, Shaad, Emmett, Kiesha, and Darnell all confront the cost of their pasts. Nuck and Reg balance loyalty against family, while Jake, Bakari, and Papa must cast new visions of their futures.
A new generation rises, bringing new trouble, and no one emerges unchanged as legacy, conflict, joy, and pain collide.
The show largely revolves around Emmett Washington (Jacob Latimore) and Kiesha Williams(Birgundi Baker). Their love story throughout season eight was beautiful.
There is a large supporting cast, with a number of cast leaving ahead of season eight. Yolonda Ross as Jada Washington, Emmett's mum sadly left last season. Alicia (Lynn Whitfield) meet her maker in the season seven finale, with multiple recurring roles also bouncing out before the final ten episodes. This season was shorter than the last two, but it was different and to the point.
No filler episodes in this final season, filled with the sweet jazz sounds to create the mood and city of Chicago.
This is really a love letter to the windy city.
Since 2018 The Chi has been a regular fixture on Showtime. Since midway through 2024 the series moved to Paramount+ with Showtime. This was the same time Showtime begun having less and less content.
Down to the latest Dexter reboot, Dexter: Resurrection , The Agency and the upcoming final season of Yellowjackets.
With The Chi now done and dusted, it leaves the other three titles above to the once great, Showtime.
This series has been exceptional. Family, love, relationships and music all covered across eight seasons, 88 episodes and a lot of drama.
I have always wanted to go to the windy city, Chicago. Maybe when the old, mad, orange man leaves the big White House.
The tributes to Yolonda Ross as Jada Washington in the final season are beautiful. Not to mention, that wedding.
I enjoyed this series a lot. I found this was a fitting end to an excellent series. Well done Showtime. You will be missed now, Showtime has almost fully merged into Paramount+.
Ride or Die stars the incredible Octavia Spencer, Ted Lasso's MVP, Hannah Waddingham, along with Bill Nighy.
All eight episodes landed on my birthday (last month) exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. So it's time to catch up on these two friends have to go on the run from a mysterious enemy. One of the friends is secretly a highly trained assassin.
So how'd this delicious girl pal, assassin Euro trip go down? Well it's not 100% a comedy, but it was a fun ride across Europe. Octavia Spencer was just delightful as the lead, Debbie. It is great getting Hannah Waddingham back in Ted Lasso, and this! She looked incredible throughout this season.
The outfits too. DAMN!
100% this one leaves you wanting more. Will it return for a second run? It is still sitting in the Amazon top 10 programs near a month after release. That said Reacher landed yesterday, so now there is competition for the top spots.
Now to what happened in the dramatic eighth episode, The Song of Deborah. Spoilers below. Be warned!
David and other MPs are prosecuted for the transport bill scandal.
Queenie discovers notes from her mother, revealing that the Director is her missing father.
Judith attempts to convince Debbie that their friendship was genuine, but Debbie scolds Judith for her betrayal. Judith searches an Agency training facility, where she discovers that all of the Agency’s assassins were orphans who were systematically adopted, returned and recruited as children.
Ana incapacitates Judith, and forces the Director to choose between exposing the Agency or killing Judith, of which he chooses the latter. Ana drugs Judith and keeps her alive and isolated inside a furnace, but Judith slowly dies when she purposely breaks her oxygen supply.
Debbie and Sam search Judith’s apartment and find the training facility. Debbie rescues Judith, and they kill Ana by dragging her off a cliff during a car chase.
The Director forces Sam to stay at the Agency, with Queenie as his new operative, although she secretly works with Jacques and Colette to investigate the Agency.
Debbie divorces David and pursues a public defendant career. Debbie and Judith travel together on a Eurostar towards their new destinations, followed by multiple foreign agents.
Will Debbie and Judith survive the multiple agents on the train? We leave on what could be, what couldn't be. Queenie's storyline is also left wide open.
So many opportunities. Please Amazon give this one another go. Wouldn't really cost Jeff that much. Right?
House of the Dragon is an American fantasy drama television series created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO.
A prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019), it is the second television series in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire franchise. Based on parts of Martin's 2018 book Fire & Blood, the series begins about 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms are united by the Targaryen conquest, nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.
Featuring an ensemble cast, the show portrays the events leading up to the decline of House Targaryen, a devastating war of succession known as the "Dance of the Dragons".
House of the Dragon was renewed for a third season in June 2024, which premiered late June. Season three consisted of eight episodes. Each of approximately one hour. The season covers the events of the book Fire & Blood, a prequel novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin.
A fourth and final season is in development and expected to be released in 2028.
The season follows in the aftermath of the second season's final episodes, in which the war known as the "Dance of Dragons" between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother Aegon II Targaryen continues, causing House Targaryen to become further divided.
Aegon is supported by the Green Council and his mother Alicent Hightower, while Rhaenyra is supported by the Black Council and her husband and uncle Daemon Targaryen, both sides seeking allies from the great houses of Westeros and fighting for the support of their armies to claim their rightful positions to the Iron Throne.
So how'd it all go down on Monday? Spoilers below. Up next on HBO, Lanterns. We return back to DC comic land.
After learning Aegon survived, Rhaenyra becomes more ruthless. She detains Baela, dismisses Mysaria, and has a despondent Helaena force-fed. She later has Alyn kill the High Septon after he refuses to anoint her. Rhaenyra tells the smallfolk of Aegon the Conqueror's dream, stating that she is prophesied to rule.
Alys informs Aemond that she became cursed with immortality after failing to save her dying son with magic. Aegon asks a remorseful Aemond to help retake the Iron Throne once they find Vhagar. With the Tully army outside Tumbleton, Ormund lines the ramparts with children to dissuade Daemon from using Caraxes. Daeron has Gwayne free Corlys and negotiate with Daemon to divide the realm, but Daemon refuses. Both sides search for Ulf.
Ormund finds him hungover and beats him. Roderick's Winter Wolves scale Tumbleton's walls while Caraxes destroys the main gate. Ulf mounts Silverwing and attacks the Tully forces. He then burns Tumbleton, killing Ormund and Roderick while they fight. Jon duels Daemon, but Ulf's attack interrupts them.
Corlys convinces Daemon to retreat. Gwayne cannot find Daeron. Hugh finds Kat dead. Rhaenyra learns that Helaena jumped from a window to her death, leaving embroidery showing Rhaenyra bleeding on the Iron Throne.
With all the special effects, dragons breathing fire and killing multiple extras, season three is done and a bit dusted.
This is the second Game of Thrones series to air in 2026. The battle scenes were epic, the people are loving it. Bring on the fourth and final season in 2028.
9-1-1 is the first instalment of the 9-1-1 franchise.
Since 2018, the series explores the high-stakes professional and personal lives of Los Angeles first responders—firefighters, police officers, and paramedics—as they endeavour to protect and save those in danger.
Leand by Angela Bassett, Oliver Stark, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Guzman, Aisha Hinds, Kenneth Choi, Corinne Massiah, Elijah M. Cooper, plus Gavin McHugh.
Back in March 2026, the series was renewed for a tenth season which is slated to premiere on October 15.
In Australia Channel Seven gets the first run of the OG 9-1-1 series. Disney+ releases it as a binge, thereafter. Hence I just caught up. This was a particularly addictive, easy to watch season.
That said, this is an achievement as a series approaches its tenth season.
Without Peter Krause as Robert "Bobby" Nash, this season finds its new captain of the 118. We also get more of Anirudh Pisharody as Ravi Panikkar, who was first introduced in season four.
Why was season nine so dramatic + engaging? Well if you read below the trailer about the season nine finale, you will see. There was also no cliffhanger, which makes me think, was season ten not always a given?
As the ABC (US network channel) approaches its tenth run, will the show have a long future ahead?
In the action packed finale, Athena is rushed to the hospital at the same time the 118 bring in a patient. With Athena in a medically induced coma, Anatoly Castor stabs Eddie in the hospital rectory and shoots another man, sending the hospital into lockdown.
Ravi and May hide Athena from Anatoly while Buck sneaks through the hospital to stop the shooter. Anatoly is caught, Hooks is arrested for working with the mob, and the 118 find Eddie bleeding out in the elevator and save him.
While in her coma, Athena had visions of her former partner and decides after waking up to undergo a career change from sergeant to detective.
Eddie sends Esteban, one of the immigrants who was having a difficult time finding housing, to go live with his parents in Texas.
After a chat with Harry while at the 1st birthday party of Maddie and Chimney's son, Buck fills out the paperwork to begin fostering Theo and welcomes him home.
So Buck with a child in season ten. Does that mean there will be no swinging couple storylines for the hunky firefighter?
Will Eddie ever get a new lady friend? Will Athena's kids May and Harry remain regulars in season ten? Will May be a nurse who engages the 118 a lot?
Harry is also to handsome and mature for around 18. He also hangs out with Buck a lot with no female interests. Is this a thing?
So many questions between now and October. That said Australia won't get this loaded to Disney+ until at least August or September. Sad Face.
That said, how many episodes will the tenth season be. ABC has a couple of new shows including an untitled Grey's Anatomy spin-off. Will that get a Thursday night spot? Also where will the new Rookie spin-off, The Rookie: North find home? Also this was a million times better than the second (cheap) spin-off 9-1-1: Nashville.
Man 9-1-1: Nashville was bad compared to this series, so deep in its episode count. I was shocked how good the ninth season of the OG was compare to season one of Nashville.
Colin Farrell is John Sugar, a dashing private eye navigating the dark corners of sunny LA, haunted by a secret too dangerous to expose.
Sugar's second season is now streaming all episodes on Apple TV.
Sugar is a contemporary, unique take on one of the most popular and significant genres in literary, motion picture and television history: the private detective story. Season two ushers in the return of Los Angeles’ iconic private detective and film connoisseur, John Sugar.
Emmy Award nominee Colin Farrell returns for a new case, tracking the troubled older brother of an up-and-coming local boxer as his search for his beloved missing sister continues. As the investigation expands into a citywide conspiracy with sinister intentions, Sugar must reckon with himself to answer the question, how far will he go to do what’s right?
In addition to Farrell, the second season of Sugar introduces a brand-new cast, including Jin Ha, Raymond Lee, Tony Dalton, Laura Donnelly, Sasha Calle and special guest star Shea Whigham.
The second season flew by after taking 2025 off. The first season wrapped mid-May 2024, the second season started mind June, concluding last Friday. Friday was a big finale day. With Power Book III: Raising Kanan series finale also streaming.
Whilst Apple Tv also continued the third season of Silo.
Thus far there is no word on a third season of Sugar. This joins a large list of Apple shows awaiting their fate. Bad Sisters, Hijack, Loot, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and finally, the recently rebooted, returned, Ted Lasso.
I enjoy the alien weirdness, the slightly different crime drama that is Sugar, however will it be strong enough for Sugar to see another mission? That's all up to Apple TV.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is one of the weirdest fucking movies I have ever seen. If the title isn't weird enough, the movie itself was fucking bonkers. That said, the reviews have been insanely good.
Written + directed by Jane Schoenbrun, starring Hacks legend, Hannah Einbinder, with X-Files queen, Gillian Anderson.
Jack Haven + Patrick Fischler, also have supporting roles.
The film follows a filmmaker (Einbinder) who is hired to direct a new instalment of the slasher franchise Camp Miasma, and eventually becomes fixated on casting the actress (Anderson) who played the final girl in the original film.
Okay, so I loved Einbinder in Hacks. Easily one of the best comedies ever. Right up there next to Veep. However, I just couldn't get into this film.
Premiering at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, as the opening film of the Un Certain Regard section, it won the Queer Palm.
A little more about the super random plot. A filmmaker is hired to direct a new instalment of the long-running slasher franchise Camp Miasma. The director becomes fixated on the prospect of casting the reclusive actress who played the final girl in the original film.
As the two women begin to work together, they descend into a frenzy of psychosexual mania. Schoenbrun has described the film as their "best attempt at the 'sleepover classic': an insane yet cozy midnight odyssey that beckons to unsuspecting viewers from the horror section at the local video store."
I think I completely missed the point of this film. Honestly I left wondering going, what did I just watched.
Two stars. One each for the stars, Einbinder + Anderson.
Over the last two seasons of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Kanan Stark has slowly learned the truth about not only his mother, but also himself. It has been a tortuous journey for him and everyone around him. With each new revelation, Kanan has been forced to confront his family’s seemingly never-ending web of secrets and lies. He has spent much of this time in a state of denial, but now, Kanan’s blinders are finally off, and he doesn’t like what he sees.
In season three, Kanan finds himself grappling with the very notions of right and wrong. Good and evil. Fidelity and disloyalty. And he’s not alone. Every member of the Thomas family must confront an existential crisis that challenges their very identity. Whether it’s Marvin, who’s still trying to redeem himself, or Raq, who’s finally coming clean, or Lou, who’s wrestling with his own evil, or Jukebox, who’s simply trying to break free from her family’s pathology, they are all attempting to redefine and reinvent themselves. They won’t all be able to complete this intensely personal quest, but for those who do, the destination may reveal the most terrifying secret of all.
There is no right and wrong or good and evil. There are no absolutes. In the end, there’s just you.
Power Book III: Raising Kanan, or simply Raising Kanan, concluded on Friday on Stan. In the USA, this story will continue on Starz, as the standalone prequel, second spin-off to Power, continues with Power: Origins, potentially next year.
Starz return to their other franchise, Outlander: Blood of My Blood. Their spin-off of Outlander is Starz other big franchise, next to the Power run. Power: Origins however, is the last Power standing, with Force ending earlier this year, now Power Book III: Raising Kanan concluding. Power: Legacy has been announced, continuing Tommy Egan and Tariq St. Patrick's journey.
Starz also have S.W.A.T. Exiles to stream later this year. The spin-off of S.W.A.T.. When the hell will P-Valley return????
So no spoilers, however this could have easily concluded with the fourth season, which streamed on Stan last March. The fifth + final season also was the shortest of all five seasons. With only eight episodes, a lot of this felt like filler, lead in to Power: Origins.
There is even an early Tommy meeting to we your whistle.
For me, the addition of Leslie Grossman as Florence "Flossie" Siegel was the highlight, alongside the excellent Patina Miller as Raquel "Raq" Thomas, Kanan's mom.
Does Raq survive though? I'll leave you to stream the final hour. However, in the end this felt more like a promotional vehicle for the next run of Power. How much longer can Starz keep the Power series alive? Time will tell.
It's been a hot minute since I saw, The Odyssey at the cinema. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day sold out on the days/nights I can currently go, limited other films showing, it's been a little more tricky getting to the old cinema this August.
So it was off to my other local cinema, at Central Park. Tuner is a film, I saw the trailer for a while back and always wanted to see it. The crime/thriller starts out more chill, then escalates, fast.
Tuner stars Leo Woodall, Havana Rose Liu, Lior Raz, Tovah Feldshuh, Jean Reno and Dustin Hoffman. It follows a piano tuner, Niki White (Woodall), with a hearing condition that gives him heightened sensitivity to sound. When his mentor Harry (Hoffman) racks up a medical debt, White earns cash to pay it off by using his sensitive hearing to crack safes and becomes embroiled with a criminal group.
Niki is a gifted young piano tuner whose heightened sense of hearing draws the attention of criminals, who see his talents as useful for opening safes as for tuning Steinways.
With his once-promising musical career over, he works across New York with his mentor Harry Horowitz (Academy Award-winner Dustin Hoffman), encountering a range of characters, including composition student Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), with whom he forges an unexpected connection.
Niki’s safecracking work threatens his budding romance with Ruthie and pulls him into increasingly dangerous territory. Blending romance, drama, and the taut suspense of a heist thriller, this film was a multi-genre fun return to the cinema.
I enjoyed Tuner, I wish my other local cinema gave it more session times. That said, it was nice to venture out to a different cinema for once.
Elle (also marketed as Elle: From the World of Legally Blonde) serves as a prequel to the Legally Blonde. Taking place six years before the events of the first film and it explores the high school years of teenage Elle Woods (originally portrayed by Reese Witherspoon), portrayed by newcomer Lexi Minetree.
Production began in April 2025, season one dropping all episodes on July 1. In January 2026, the series was renewed for a second season. BRING IT ON!
A prequel to Legally Blonde, the series explores Elle Woods’ teenage years in the 1990s as a high school student in Seattle, long before she became the ambitious Harvard law student in the films.
So Seattle and 90's music! I am SOLD!
Alongside Minetree, June Diane Raphael & Tom Everett Scott were cast as Elle's parents, Eva and Wyatt.
Chandler Kinney, Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Kimberly, Liz, Miles, Zac Looker, Jessica Belkin, Logan Shroyer, Amy Pietz, Lisa Yamada, Chloe Wepper, David Burtka, Brad Harder, Kayla Maisonet, and James Van Der Beek, in what would be his final role before his death. It was very sad seeing Dawson's final role.
For season two, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan joined the cast as Sam.
In the finale, Elle's reputation is ruined so she and her mother move back to LA. Elle returns to her old life while interning at Cosmopolitan, but she feels uncomfortable with the familiar and safe setting.
Meanwhile, the winter formal is canceled due to budget cuts, so Liz, Dustin, Miles and Kimberly, all missing Elle, host their own formal at CarpetMart as a fundraiser called "Winter Informal".
Elle takes a risk at Cosmopolitan and wins a spot at the Golden Globes, but feels like everything has become too expected for her and misses the challenges of Seattle. Her boss convinces her to take challenges in stride and she convinces her mother to return to Seattle after an encounter with her father's failed nose job patient. Elle bids a heartfelt goodbye to Madison.
Back in Seattle, Elle reconciles with Shannon, while Eva blames Wyatt for dictating how her life has turned out. Elle races to Winter Informal where Liz is performing, who just kissed Kimberly. Elle sees the layout and feels like she did make a difference. Everyone is happy to see Elle, except Dustin, who is upset that she left. He kisses her, which Miles sees, and both boys leave jealous, leaving Elle conflicted.
The love triangle fully explodes in this fun season finale. I enjoyed this fun, light, colourful first season.
Let's hope Amazon bring this one back next year. If you need something light, Elle is for you!
OK so I started Cape Fear on Apple TV back when I was relaxing, living my best life in Bali.
The ten episodes, conveniently play out over winter. Concluding on Friday, this miniseries could have been a little more mini. The bloated ten episodes, started strong, then the filler episodes kicked in.
The psychological thriller television miniseries created by Nick Antosca, based on the novel The Executioners by John D. MacDonald and its film adaptations in 1962 and 1991. The story revolves around, Max Cady, a vicious and unreformed ex-convict, is released from prison and sets about taking revenge on Anna Bowden, the lawyer who represented him 17 years earlier in court, by using his knowledge of the law to evade punishment.
Inspired by the 1991 remake directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg, a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison — and he wants vengeance.
Alongside Adams, Wilson and Bardem, CCH Pounder, Anna Baryshnikov, Jamie Hector, Lily Collias, Joe Anders, Malia Pyles, Ron Perlman, Ted Levine, Jason Scott Morgan, Margarita Levieva & Patrick Fischler.
My personal favourite from the series was Juliette Lewis as Crystal Cady, Max's mentally unstable half-sister who is stalking Max. Lewis also starred in the 1991 adaptation.
Whilst this was creepy, with a mad menacing soundtrack across the entire ten episodes, the ten episodes felt bloated.
Towards the end there was only so much Max Cady to inflict on this one family. I wanted to love this, however towards the back end of the run, I was waiting for a resolution, a conclusion.
Apple TV continue to serve up inspired and original stories, however, this wasn't their best work. The star power was real, the story really could have been wrapped up in 6 episodes.
Why can't the Americans follow the English.
This week Apple TV will welcome back Ted Lasso, whilst farewelling Sugar's second season. No word on a third run of Sugar yet, as I still wait to hear about Loot, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, Bad Sisters, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and Hijack.
M.I.A. is my latest binge over the past cold week in Sydney. Restless in the Florida Keys, Etta Tiger Jonze dreams of a life in Miami’s glittering, sub-tropical kingdom. But when her family’s drug-running business shatters in tragedy, Etta embarks on a dangerous journey through Miami’s neon-lit underbelly that will define who she is and what she’s ultimately capable of.
M.I.A. is another title for Peacock, streaming on Binge in Australia. Binge has a number of Peacock titles including Five Star Weekend, which they are airing week-to-week on Thursdays by now.
Stan also has a number of Peacock titles. The Miniature Wife, Twisted Metal, with Crystal Lake and Rose Byrne's, The Good Daughter coming later in the year.
M.I.A. is obviously set in South Florida, it stars Shannon Gisela as Etta Tiger Jonze, a young woman from the Florida Keys who goes after the cartel that murdered her family.
All nine episodes of the first season were released on Peacock in early May. I am a little late to the party, however there is no news on season two yet. To get extra eyes on the series, the pilot later aired on NBC.
Thus far, reviews were mixed, but the series topped Peacock's U.S. streaming chart on its first day. Still this John Wick, revenge style thriller does end on a cliffhanger, however I'm not sure if it was strong enough for a second outing.
The series stars Giselaas as Etta, with Maurice Compte, Danay Garcia, Cary Elwes, Brittany Adebumola, Dylan Jackson, Alberto Guerra, Gerardo Celasco, Marta Milans, Edward James Olmos, Sonia Brag, and finally Rich Delia.
With no major massive stars, this series also joins a long string of these revenge style Taken action, thrillers.
The twist at the end was a little fun. It could make for a more interesting second season, however time will tell if NBC have enough cash to keep the camera rolling on more M.I.A.
New Zealand Spy is my second New Zealand series of the week. That follows recent Kiwi series Blue Murder Motel, which has recently been renewed for a second season.
Ms.X also ended its run on Binge this, with New Zealand Spy streaming all six episodes on ABC iView right now.
Created by Paul Williams, written by and starring Williams, Rose Matafeo, Bret McKenzie, and Joe Thomas. The show premiered on TVNZ 2 on in April, and ABC recently.
The six-part comedy spy series, follows new recruits start at the New Zealand Intelligence Agency in the latter half of the 20th Century.
The cast also includes Claudia O'Doherty, Tim Key, Andy Lee, Tony Armstrong and Sam Campbell with Abby Howells, Guy Williams, Joe Daymond, Jackie van Beek, Jesse Griffin, Jay Ryan, Rhys Matthewson, Shavaughan Ruakere, Pax Assadi, Scotty Cotter and James Mustapic.
So like Blue Murder Motel, they lean into some Aussie talent, with Andy Lee, Tony Armstrong and Sam Campbell all giving Australian audiences some familiar faces. Or familiar voices if you used to listen to Hamish and Andy on the 2Day networks. Does anyone still listen to 2Day FM? Or RnB Fridays whatever it is.
Anyway I'm in love with Tony Armstrong. FACT. But I didn't love this. It felt a little B grade. Or maybe a lot B grade. I know it was trying to have fun and be playful. But this was a bit blah. Anyway. You can stream for yourself and make up your own mind.
It was easy winter comfort viewing. Blue Murder Hotel has to be my pick of Kiwi shows though of late.
That was good. Like Return to Paradise on ABC, just sent in NZ.
OK for now, enjoy the weekend. The nights/afternoons are getting longer. That means winter can fuck right off! Seeya!
Ms. X just wrapped last night on Binge, or did it?
The miniseries for New Zealand's Three, produced by Plus6Four and South Pacific Pictures, the series focuses on a woman named Mia who teams up with an old friend from high school to scare Mia's cheating husband into being faithful, but it leads to something far more dangerous.
Mia teams up with a friend from high school to scare her cheating husband into staying with Mia. She is pulled into something far more dangerous: the criminal underworld, caught between the police, her everyday life and the cartel.
Starring acclaimed Logie award-winning Australian actress Melissa George and written and created by New Zealanders Hannah Marshall and David de Lautour.
Ms. X commenced late last month, concluding last night with episode six. It did end on a bit of a "is there more moment". However, I think Ms. X is done for now...
Alongside Home & Away favourite Melissa George, Simone Kessell stars as Saskia, with Dean O'Gorman as Oscar, Jonno Roberts, Oscar Kightley and Wentworth favourite, Robbie Magasiva as Tevita.
I enjoyed the first few episodes, however, there felt like a few filler episodes in middle there.
It did have some humour as well as being a crime based series.
I really wanted to like this more, but by the end I was a little over it to be fair.
Binge are struggling with content now. They should be streaming House of Dragon from HBO. Ever since Binge lost HBO, they have been struggling to keep up with Netflix, local streamer, Stan and newer players like Apple TV and Prime.
That said I am seeing through the poor man's Big Little Lies, Five Star Weekend. In September we will see what Binge has to offer at Foxtel's upfront. At least Colin from Accounts is back, with High Country to also return on the local front.
American Horror Story also returns in September.
On the topic of shows wrapping soon. Cape Fear concludes on Friday, with Power Book III: Raising Kanan wrapping next Friday, alongside Apple TV alien/mystery series, Sugar.
The F Ward follows a group of medical interns sent to the underfunded Pines Hospital in Sydney for one final chance to complete their medical training. Here, they must overcome their insecurities, their past, and their own expectations in a hot-house environment where the stakes are life and death.
The F Ward landed on Stan the other week, following, The Killings at Parrish Station and TV movie, Beast. So Stan has been leading the way with Aussie drama of late.
Binge also just gave us, the return of Colin from Accounts for a final season, whilst ABC recently gave us Treasure & Dirt.
Anna Friel leads, flawed but excellent interns are sent to the underfunded, under-resourced Pines Hospital, where the interns must overcome the expectations and challenges of their medical careers. They face final chances where the outcomes are life and death stakes.
Arka Das, Paula Arundell, Susie Porter, Jeremy Sims all have some interesting roles. Whilst Ioane Sa'ula as Jimmy Seufale, Love My Way's, Daniel Wyllie as Dr Curtis Parker, Lola Bond as Ellie O'Neill, Alex Fitzalan as Josh Wilson, Emily Barclay as Lisa Juracek, Rishab Kern as Yosef Perera & Annie Boyle as Ava Foley lead.
Alex Dimitriades also joins an episode as Stefan, a partying random, who ends up married with kids.
Ioane Sa'ula is super sexy, following his introduction through Bump. Which is interesting as the Bump creators, also created this Sydney-centric, The F War.
It was also excellent to see Kiwi, Emily Barclay back on the screen.
I am excited at the state of Australia TV as we head into the Logies for 2026. Whilst the network TV is rubbish right now, with Ten celebrating rebooting Australian Ninja Warrior and Seven excited to pinch I'm a Celebrity Get Me Outta Here in 2027.
That brings us to the upfronts. With SBS going first on Tuesday September 1st at, Sydney Town Hall. Followed by Foxtel (usually including Binge announcements - that said Wentworth's reboot news is all out and about) on Thursday September 3 The Cutaway, Barangaroo, with Nine (at the same new venue as Foxtel) on September 17.
Nine should include Stan's new titles too. Or returning ones, which The F Ward could 100% be back.
Until next time, there is also a bit of Kiwi TV on at present. Look out for some titles from across the ditch ASAP!
Treasure & Dirt is set in the scorched, dust-choked opal mining town of Nulla, where the brutal beheading of local miner pulls big-city detective Ivan Lucic (Dorman) into a labyrinthine case with no easy answers.
Assigned to him is ambitious rookie detective Nell Buchanan (Hewson) who knows Nulla's lawless, corrupt underbelly far better than he does. Together, they’re drawn into a strange, surreal underworld of secrets, greed, and old sins that won’t stay buried.
Treasure & Dirt is the latest Aussie drama on ABC. Following Bad Company, Urzila and Ground Up comedies, it's time for drama to return to Sunday nights on Aunty.
Produced by Easy Tiger, who happening to be filming the third season of Scrublands up the road from me.
Based on the novel written by Chris Hammer. This six episode wonder landed on Sunday, with all episodes up on iView.
ABC has given drama a miss for a large chunk of 2026. So it's good to have drama back on the national broadcaster.
Alongside Dorman and Hewson, we have some familiar Australian faces. Sarah Peirse as Patricia Richter,
Elena Carapetis as Billie, Glenda Linscott as Packenham, Kelton Pell as Ray Penuch, Ling Cooper Tang as Lady Mayoress Lydia Tallon, Mark Mitchinson as Mayor Doug, Steve Le Marquand as Garry Ahern, Kris McQuade as Colleen Delaney, Bessie Holland as Carole & Nic Darrigo as Dazzler.
Treasure & Dirt is a bit batshit crazy, set in a strange, dessert like Australian setting. It started strong, it is well acted, however it lost me a little in the middle of the run.
I am happy for ABC to be back with some drama on Sunday nights and iView. So if trippy, gritty, dirty Aussie crime dramas are for you, give Treasure & Dirt a crack this weekend.
Betrayed, compromised, and haunted by the woman he couldn’t save, CIA agent Martian’s world unravels as a mole hunt plunges London Station into chaos. As loyalties fracture, the truth becomes a weapon – and Martian’s only way out is deeper in.
Series stars Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright, with Jodie Turner-Smith and Richard Gere.
Streaming on Paramount+, This was a Showtime title, however now it appears to have dropped the Showtime tag. Also the second landed, with all ten episodes dropping at once.
The Agency is a remake of the acclaimed French television series The Bureau.
Season two really ramped up as the episodes continued along. With Christian Ochoa Lavernia, Keanush Tafreshi, Medalion Rahimi, Raza Jaffrey, and Tessa Ferrer joining for the second season.
Keanush Tafreshi is one handsome guy too. Mamma Mia!
With no news on season three yet, read on with care if you binged all ten episodes like me in the last month. Yes it landed a month ago. Let's hope we get news on the future of The Agency ASAP!
During King Sacrifice, the finale, Henry is released from custody and informed of both Martian’s confession and Richardson’s death.
The CIA plans to exchange an imprisoned Quds Force financier for Danny. A conservative mullah who opposes the exchange orders the IRGC to instead stage an escape attempt and kill her. The attempt fails and Danny escapes on foot to a rural gas station outside of Mehriz and calls for extraction. She reluctantly kills the suspicious owner when he calls the police and is rescued by Mossad operatives.
Martian adapts the plan to assassinate Viking and impersonates Jansen to fly to the CAR, threatening his colleague into playing along. Wanting Viking dead, the Director allows the mission to proceed. Instead of giving Viking a custom gift wristwatch packed with explosives, Martian plants C4 in a portable chess clock which detonates just as Viking determines he is an imposter at the end of a game of bullet chess.
With Viking seemingly dead and without any backup, an injured Martian tries to shoot his way out of the Valhalla compound but is captured himself.
An unidentified Russian confirms he is being kept alive as they know who he is. Bosko orders him to be recorded as dead, pending confirmation.
What will become of Martian AKA Michael Fassbender? With Showtime (or now just Paramount+) down to four series. Surely they will keep this alive. With The Chi about to wrap, Yellowjackets to wrap when it returns and apparently Dexter's latest spin-off is apparently to stream it's second season this year.
More TV incoming soon. Two new Aussie series have landed. The F Ward on Stan, whilst Treasure & Dirt is on the ABC.
The Odyssey is the film everyone is talking about, which also sits at just under 3 hours. Just.
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, following on from his monster box office smashes. Following the fab, The Dark Knight trilogy (2005–2012), The Prestige (2006), Inception (2010), Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017),Tenet (2020), plus the Barbie combo film, Oppenheimer (2023).
An adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic poem the Odyssey the film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, as it chronicles his long and perilous journey home after the Trojan War and his encounters with mythical beings as he attempts to reunite with his wife, Penelope, portrayed by Anne Hathaway.
Spiderman Tom Holland also stars, along with Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, & Charlize Theron. It's a blockbuster size cast!
Nolan depicted a realistic interpretation of Greek mythology, drawing inspiration from the epic historical films Andrei Rublev (1966) and Ran (1985), as well as the films of special effects artist Ray Harryhausen.
With an estimated budget of $250 million, The Odyssey is among the most expensive films of Nolan's career, and the first to be shot entirely on IMAX's 70 mm film cameras.
So far, The Odyssey has received critical acclaim, with particular praise for Nolan's direction, despite sparking debate over its inaccurate historical design, casting choices, and controversy surrounding filming in the occupied city of Dakhla.
It has grossed $264 million and set numerous records for Nolan, including for some IMAX pre-sales that were released a year in advance.
So is the film worth three hours of your time?
Look I had a big Saturday before I sat in a Hoyts Lux session Sunday afternoon. So I was comfortable, with free popcorn and a nice cool soda water. It was warmer again on the weekend right? Is winter done already?
Anyway this is going to be the biggest film of 2026. It's epic, it's a must see on the big screen, IMAX sales are off the chain, Christopher Nolan is saving cinema all over again like, Barbie/Oppenheimer times in 2023!
Tom Holland/Zendaya's upcoming Spiderman, may do well at the box office later this month, but this is the film to beat.
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed stars Tatiana Maslany as a divorced fact checker who falls into a web of murder, blackmail, and youth soccer.
Yet another, original, fun Apple TV title.
Paula Saunders (Maslany) is a divorced fact checker living in Sunnyside, Queens in a contentious custody battle with her ex-husband Karl. Amidst her legal troubles, she pays for the online services of webcam boy Trevor and vents to him about her personal life. One night, Trevor is beaten and kidnapped on-camera; soon, Paula is receiving calls for ransom money. Police detectives insist to Paula that this is likely a scam, but then Trevor is found dead. Paula is roped into the mystery of Trevor's death as secrets from her past come to light.
Joining Maslany are, Jake Johnson, Dolly de Leon, Charlie Hall, Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg, Jessy Hodges, Jon Michael Hill, Nola Wallace, Brandon Flynn and Murray Bartlett.
It's a damn fine cast and a super original tale. It goes all over the place, but this comedy/thriller is a load of fun.
Apple TV is getting ready to launch back into Ted Lasso, their biggest original title, whilst Cape Fear, Silo and Sugar all continue to slay on Friday's.
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, takes you into the wild world of cam boys, crime and murder. This is an easy show for me to recommend. It is over too soon, I hope by the closing seconds of episode ten, we get a second season. Time will tell. Apple TV is usually good renewing their series, or letting you know where you stand as a viewer. However, I am still awaiting Loot's fate month's after it concluded.
Alice and Steve is created by Sophie Goodhart (writer on Sex Education) and is directed by Tom Kingsley.
Starring Nicola Walker, Joel Fry, Yali Topol Margalith and Jemaine Clement.
Landing last month on Hulu/Disney+, this series ended with a bang!
A two and-a-half decades long friendship between Alice and Steve becomes strained when Steve starts dating Alice's daughter.
This was a fun English, six episode, comedy romp. What starts up as a friendship comedy, it quickly becomes a revenge comedy, with former best friends at war.
With some fun intergenerational laughs, this was a damn sight funnier than so called fellow Disney+ comedy The Bear. Still never get why that was classified as a comedy.
This had some good one liners, whilst joining Rivals as premium UK Disney+ content. Bring on November for more Rivals season two.
Alice & Steve has not yet been confirmed for a second season. Quick frankly it could have been a tidy one and done series, however the ending leaves you wanting more.
Apparently there is a second season storyline and plot ready to roll, with there being a two season plan for the series.
If you need an uplifting fun, quick six episode binge, this is fairly delightful.
Hulu/Disney+ are really giving us solid content right now. Chad Powers is set to return this year, with legal drama Reasonable Doubt also set to head back to court. Only Murders in the Building is yet to set their return date (usually it lands in August), whilst Paradise just got loads of nominations for the upcoming Emmy Awards.
Until next time, The Odyssey opens tomorrow! Hopefully I'll get back to the cinema ASAP. Lastly, Apple TV's, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, just streamed its season one finale!
