Winter be Bingeing 26' - Elle - Season One

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!

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Cape Fear - Miniseries

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.

Last month of winter, let's go! 

Winter be Bingeing 26' - M.I.A. - Season One

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.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - New Zealand Spy - Season One

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!

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Ms. X - Miniseries

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.

Until next time. 

Winter be Bingeing 26' - The F Ward - Season One

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!

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Treasure & Dirt - Season One

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.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - The Agency - Season Two

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.

NOT another streaming Movie - The Odyssey

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.

3 Stars.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed - Season One

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.

Have a good weekend!

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Alice & Steve - Season One

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! 

Winter be Bingeing 26' - The Bear - Season Five/Series Finale + Gary (prequel) episode

The fifth and final season of FX’s The Bear picks up the morning after Sydney, Richie and Sugar discover that Carmy has quit the food industry, leaving the restaurant to them. With no money, the threat of a sale and a storm in their way, the team must band together to achieve one last service. Ultimately, they learn that what makes a restaurant perfect might not be the food, but the people.

The final season of The Bear premiered after a standalone prequel episode Gary. 

Gary was a special episode written by and starring cast members Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal.

Gary is a flashback to early 2019, when Richie's pregnant wife Tiff (Gillian Jacobs) is close to her due date. Richie (Moss-Bachrach) and Mikey (Bernthal) get a job from Jimmy and take an emotionally charged road trip from Chicago to Gary, Indiana.

The 39th episode of The Bear was released as a surprise drop on May 5.

Delivered on Hulu and FX (Disney+ in Australia), streaming separately from the rest of the show's catalogue. Gary, received largely positive reviews from critics, who praised its tone, direction, and naturalism, while other reviewers found the episode meandering and self-indulgent. 

Jon Bernthal also had a standalone Punisher episode, The Punisher: One Last Kill. Which also landed in May. So it was a busy month on Disney+ for Bernthal. That said, I think the Punisher also arrives in the new Spiderman film. Well according to the trailer.

Back to The Bear's final season, with all eight episodes dropping late June. OG ratboy, Jeremy Allen White reprises his role as Carmy Berzatto, an award-winning New York City chef de cuisine, who returns to his hometown of Chicago to run his deceased brother Michael's failing sandwich shop.

The season features an original score composed by Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music and produced by Hans Zimmer, eschewing the series' previous trend of using popular music for its soundtrack.

The season was met with critical acclaim, with reviewers praising it as a return to form for the series after the third and fourth seasons, and a fitting conclusion for the series.

Watch out spoilers ahead for the hour long finale.

Yes the first few episodes are short, then it gets long. But in all honestly, this season flew by!

The morning after the restaurant's successful service, Natalie reveals that the restaurant has enough money to continue operating, while Richie is invited to attend an international hospitality seminar in Japan. 

Cicero apologises to Carmy and endorses Ebraheim's franchising proposal, which Carmy immediately approves. 

After Richie experiences a panic attack over traveling abroad, Carmy reassures him. Carmy receives a call from the actual Michelin Guide representative—Peter Clark, who dined at The Bear months prior—that the restaurant has earned two Michelin stars, and he shares the news with a stunned Sydney. 

Weeks later, Luca returns to Copenhagen and bids farewell to Marcus, while Ebraheim begins developing the franchise. 

Carmy interviews for an internship at an architectural firm and gets emotional when recounting what The Bear meant to him. 

The Bear staff and their loved ones celebrate the birthday of Richie's daughter Eva at the restaurant. Richie leaves for Japan with Jess, the two now in a relationship.

It's a fitting finale, to one of Hulu's most celebrated series of recent times. The Bear has been a huge success. Jeremy Allen White has always been great. Now he is GOAT status.

Go ahead, give the last eight (plus Gary episodes) a go on Disney+. As always Disney+ are smashing the winter (or Summer in the US) releases. A new Ryan Murphy series, The Shards is coming next month. Adults also returns late next month (following another sneaky prequel episode) and American Horror Story returns for its 13th (possibly last) season.

See you next time! When it might be another Disney+ title. UK comedy, Alice & Steve!

NOT another streaming Movie - The Invite

The Invite is dram/comedy film directed by Olivia Wilde from a screenplay by Will McCormack + Rashida Jones. 

It is an English-language remake of the 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs by Cesc Gay. 

Starring Wilde herself, alongside, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, & Edward Norton. With such a small cast, this could be a play, live on stage.

Thus far The Invite has received positive reviews from critics, whilst sitting at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.

It opened on the weekend in Australia and I bloody loved this. Seth Rogan is on a winning streak right. His Apple TV series, The Studio is huge, Platonic is also one of their best comedies, whilst this was a damn fine performance was Wilde's rather unhappy husband.

The film resolves almost solely around a dinner party between two couples in the same apartment. We only leave the apartment very briefly at the start of the film, as Rogan is at work.

The whole film descends into chaos as the preparation for the dinner, goes sour with Wilde and Rogan trading blows.

When Cruz and Norton join, the party takes a different turn.

It was great seeing Edward Norton in something again. It's been a minute.

I really enjoyed this film. It was fun, simple and super well acted. With a sea of shitty kids films on, this was a rare gem.

Check this out before the Odyssey takes all the screens from Thursday.

4 Stars.

Emmys 2026 Nominations | Predictions

The Pitt, Paradise, Hacks & DTF St. Louis dominate as HBO (plus HBO Max, The Pitt title) reign supreme with this years nominations. 

I still need to watch DTF St. Louis on HBO, whilst I was happy the return to form fifth season of Slow Horses do very well for inform Apple TV+. Pluribus, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Shrinking and Widow's Bay, join Slow Horses with a load of nominations, as Apple TV builds a solid library.

Here are my Emmys predictions in red & bold.....

Outstanding Drama Series

The Diplomat

The Gilded Age

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Paradise

The Pitt

Pluribus

Slow Horses

Your Friends and Neighbors

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Carrie Coon

Chase Infiniti

Keri Russell

Rhea Seahorn

Zendaya

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown

Gary Oldman

Mark Ruffalo

Rufus Sewell

Noah Wyle

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary

The Bear

Hacks

Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Nobody Wants This

Only Murders in the Building

Shrinking

Widow’s Bay

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson

Ayo Edebiri

Elle Fanning

Lisa Kudrow

Jean Smart

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Yahya Abdul Mateen II

Steve Carell

Matthew Rhys

Jason Segel

Martin Short

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

All Her Fault

The Beast in Me

Beef

DTF St. Louis

Love Story

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Claire Danes

Sally Field

Carey Mulligan

Sarah Pidgeon

Sarah Snook

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Riz Ahmed

Jason Bateman

Charlie Hunnam

Oscar Isaac

Matthew Rhys

Outstanding Variety Series

The Daily Show

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Reality Competition Program

Dancing With the Stars

RuPaul’s Drag Race

Survivor

Top Chef

The Traitors

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Patrick Ball, The Pitt

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Shawn Hatosy, The Pitt

Gerran Howell, The Pitt

Jack Lowden, Slow Horses

Tom Pelphrey, Task

Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Pluribus

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie

Jason Bateman, DTF St. Louis

Richard Gadd, Half Man

David Harbour, DTF St. Louis

Richard Jenkins, DTF St. Louis

Charles Melton, Beef

Nick Offerman, Death by Lightning

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Dale Dickey, Widow’s Bay

Hannah Einbinder, Hacks

Janelle James, Abbott Elementary

Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay

Michelle Pfeiffer, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Megan Stalter, Hacks

Jessica Williams, Shrinking

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Taylor Deardon, The Pitt

Fiona Dourif, The Pitt

Allison Janney, The Diplomat

Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt

Sepideh Moafi The Pitt

Julianne Nicholson, Paradise

Karolina Wydra, Pluribus

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie

Linda Cardellini, DTF St. Louis

Dakota Fanning, All Her Fault

Laurie Metcalf, Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Joy Sunday, DTF St. Louis

Youn Yuh-jung, Beef

Constance Zimmer, Love Story: John F. Kennedy & Carolyn Bessette

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Prisoner - Season One

Prisoner is a high-stakes British thriller series starring Tahar Rahim (The Serpent, Un Prophète) & Izuka Hoyle (Boiling Point, Big Boys). The series landed on Binge, late April. The following month it was renewed for a second series.

Over six episodes, ambitious prison transport officer Amber Todd (Hoyle) finds herself in the middle of a battle for the criminal underworld – having to learn quickly to put her faith in someone feared by both sides of the law.

Amber has been tasked with escorting the prolific contract killer Tibor Stone (Rahim) to The Old Bailey to testify against his former employers - an elite crime syndicate willing to do anything to stop them.

When their transport convoy is brutally attacked, Amber handcuffs herself to Tibor to prevent his escape. As the sole survivors of the ambush, Amber and Tibor go on the run together, and must work in sync to reach court alive and on time.

Throughout the journey, their relationship twists and turns, with Amber unable to trust anyone – least of all the killer she is handcuffed to. But as everything she holds dear hangs in the balance, she must confront an impossible question: what moral lines is she willing to cross?

Binge has had a few good little British shows on recently. Tip Toe was outstanding, this wasn't bad, then across the pond Ms. X is also damn fine with Melissa George. Binge might be on a comeback. I was considering cancelling it for a hot minute.

Now onto the finale from Prisoner's first season.

Amber gets Campbell to release her so she can get Stone to court before the trial concludes. Knowing her Pegasus affiliation, Amber disposes of a tracker Campbell placed on her, and she and her colleagues Marcus and Jade use three identical prison vans to avoid Nina and get Tibor to court. Her colleagues Jamal and Phil give NCU agent Nancy Howard, a friend of Tebbit, the intel on the “Day of Action” and warn her of Campbell’s affiliation. 

In a surprise move, Tibor denies knowing Dempsey on the stand, resulting in his acquittal. Dempsey completes the weapons sale. 

Howard forces Campbell to tell Home Secretary Viraj Mundhra, about the weapons deal. Campbell claims she kept it secret due to the trial sensitivity. Mundhra believes her, but the pressure forces her to seize the UK gun shipment against Dempsey’s orders. 

Nina and Declan secretly re-route the EU shipment. Tibor escapes custody and directs Amber to Dempsey’s mansion, claiming they would both still be unsafe if he was in prison. She doesn't object when he kills Mikhail, Declan and Dempsey. Amber and Tibor part ways. However, Nina gets the drop on Tibor and kills him, wanting revenge for the death of Declan. 

Whilst driving to reunite with Olly and Mia, Amber appears to remember that Nina is still at large.

Not a bad little series, not as ace as Tip Toe, but as I said above, Binge is starting to get some better content at last!

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Ground Up - Season One

Two from two with solid Aussie content, thus far for the Winter be Bingeing 26' series.

Ground Up landed on the ABC, ahead of the Race Around the World reboot. The series is still airing weekly on Sundays. Or you can view all episodes now on iView.

Ground Up focuses on the development of a football club and stadium in Tasmania, fronted by AFL administrator Hugh Shen (Sam Pang). Shen must win over a divided community, wrangle together a team, and manage his overly bureaucratic organisation.

The series follows Hobart-via-Melbourne AFL administrator Hugh Shen who has been tasked with establishing Tasmania's first-ever AFL team. He must face the uninterested and angry locals who are funding the $1.13 billion stadium with their taxes.

After years of trying, Tasmania has finally been given the green light to field a team in the AFL - but there's a catch. The locals have to build a new stadium.

Given Tasmania has a housing crisis, and a health crisis… and two sizeable stadiums, not everyone thinks the 1.13 billion dollar taxpayer spend is the greatest idea.

Joining Pang is Emma Harvie as Destiny Pitt, Dylan Murphy as Jameson, Josh McConville as Alistair Penfold, musical theatre Wicked lead, Lucy Durack as Angela Linscombe, incredible Marg Downey as Catherine la Fontaine & Fletcher Humphrys as Cliff.

Incredible Marg Downey has some incredible one liners in this topical series about sport and government.

With moments of reality and ABC flexing its muscles with Lisa McCune joining in as an ABC Hobart announcer for some classic interviews.

This took me an episode of two to get into, but once I did, hells bells this is good. Whilst I loved Bad Company, this has much wider appeal. This was really good. Sam Pang is a little Aussie legend. Well done team. This was a lot of fun. If you liked Utopia or work in government, this may be a little too close to home. Wild.

Do yourself a favour now the State of Origin is done and dusted. It's raining it's wet, log into iView and give this a go. FAB!

NOT another streaming Movie - Supergirl

Oh dear, Supergirl is heading into becoming one of the years biggest box office bombs. Following six seasons on The CW, Supergirl now heads to the big screen. With Aussie Milly Alcock as the title role, alongside Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa. But isn't Momoa Aquaman?

DC Comics, are doing their best with superheroine Kara Zor-El / Supergirl. Sadly, trying to turn her from the goody two shoes Melissa Benoist portrayed from 2015-2021 to a 365 party girl, really didn't work.

The sloppy use of music across the film, and clanky action sequences, left this in the B grade superhero category. Sadly as well being slayed at the box office by Toy Story 5, Obsession and some Minions.

In under two hours, Kara Zor-El travels across the galaxy on a murderous quest for revenge.

Supergirl is part of the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. So far, it has received mixed reviews from critics, and has grossed $100.5 million against a production budget of $170–186 million. So a box office bomb.

Is this the beginning of the death of superhero films? I think Spiderman and The Avengers may turn around this downward trend.

I kinda wanted this to work more. The series was so PG, this felt a bit of a stretch to turn Supergirl more indie.

Jason Momoa also was a random addition. This film has so much wrong about it, that it almost works. Like it almost was a cult classic. But it just lacks something. Unlike Guardians of the Galaxy, the music feels forced, with lame song choices.

This could be an early frontrunner for the Razzie Awards next time around.

After being a student at Newtown Performing Arts School, Milly Alcock I really wanted to like this. I loved Uptight. But this was just not the best.

2 Stars.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Not Suitable for Work - Season One

Not Suitable for Work follows five work-obsessed twenty-somethings who strive for professional success and, if they have time, personal happiness, in Manhattan.

So another comedy series set in New York. With semi-likeable characters. Oh dear, this sounds familiar.

Created by Mindy Kaling, this follows The Sex Lives of College Girls, which concluded last year from HBO Max.

Kaling's latest offering streams on Hulu, Disney+ in Australia. The nine episodes dropped throughout June, with me just catching up over the weekend. In-between my three movies lol.

The series luckily improved over the nine episodes, however I would be surprised if this was given a second season. Not that it was super bad, it was just not that funny, nor were the characters that engaging or original.

Starring, Ella Hunt, Avantika, Will Angus, Jack Martin, & Nicholas Duvernay as the leads, with Jay Ellis, Ego Nwodim, Constance Wu, Victor Garber, Greg Germann, Judy Gold, Harry Richardson, Laura Bell Bundy, Stella Everett, May Hong, Bhavesh Patel, Emilia Suárez, and Michael Benjamin Washington also starring.

Unfortunately the number of streaming comedies are landing thick and fast. With Adults (a slightly better, version of this series) landing on Disney+ soon and Overcompensating returning to Amazon.

The Sex Lives of College Girls had sass, this sadly just had a few odd balls in the big apple, all looking for careers and love. Not very original. What about a series set in Detroit? Or Denver? Sadly as I consume a fair few comedies, this one just wasn't the laugh out loud, romp I was after.

Either way how'd episode nine play out? Spoilers below...

Davis plans to spend New Year's Eve partying. 

Kate abruptly fires Kel. Abby, who has begun working retail to pay off the jacket, tells AJ that Davis has feelings for her. 

Josh teasingly comforts AJ about her breakup, and the two agree to spend New Year's together. He apologises to his dad in order to get Wes a spot on a live show, and helps make the appearance a success. 

When Bill returns to work, Davis learns about Aspen and Bill's treatment of AJ. He gets into a fight with Bill and is fired. 

Kel is disappointed to learn his parents did not attend his play, but is pleased that his students did. 

Abby accepts Vanessa's offer to resume working with her. She attends Kel's cast party, but is secretly disappointed to watch him make a move on a castmate. 

Davis drops by the apartment and admits he defended AJ to Bill because he likes her. Josh watches them kiss.

Time will tell if we see a resolution to this cliffhanger. Or will it go the way of Mid-Century Modern?

NOT another streaming Movie - Michael

I love a weekend where I can catch up on a few films.

Michael was released all the way back in April. So yes I am WAY late to this musical party. For a movie to have lasted at the cinemas for this amount of time is incredible in this day and age!

Michael follows the early life of the American singer Michael Jackson, covering his childhood with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the Bad World Tour in the late 1980s.

Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson and as a child by Juliano Valdi, both in their film debuts. 

Alongside  Jackson, Nia Long, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, & Colman Domingo star.

After delays caused by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, principal photography took place between January and May 2024. After a clause was discovered in a legal settlement, references to the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations against Michael were removed, the third act was revised, and reshoots took place in June 2025, bringing the total production budget to $155–200 million.

Michael has received generally negative reviews from critics, who praised Jaafar's performance but criticised the story as "sanitised". 

Michael grossed $978.1 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing biographical film, and the second-highest-grossing film of 2026. 

So it is not surprising, a sequel is in development. Also the last seconds of the film gives the audience no resolution. No closure, no ending. It literally ends on a cliffhanger in a large stadium.

So this is another example of critical response vs the box office potential.

Apparently Madonna's biopic has recently faced some issues, meaning future box office success in this genre is at a roadblock. Given Madonna's new record just landed, along with these figures for Michael, I'm sure a Madonna picture will see the light of day eventually. Despite the creative differences the project is currently facing.

Back to the film. No doubt it will be on some streaming service soon, given this lasted three long weekends and months at the cinema.

The cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. 

The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fuelled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. 

Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.

Michael's father is portrayed in really awful light. Also Janet is missing in action. Gosh I would love a Janet feature film!

Either way, this film was fun. I did have to put aside all my thoughts on Michael. The two hours sped by, I will go see the Hollywood style sequel. He was a genius, but also weird AF. I always love the story behind the song, this was exactly that. Just a PG version of Michael's life.

3 Stars.

Winter be Bingeing 26' - Dutton Ranch - Season One

Dutton Ranch serves as both a spin-off and sequel to Yellowstone (2018–2024). This is the fifth series in the Yellowstone franchise. 

Starring OG Yellowstone favourite, Kelly Reilly as Beth, plus Cole Hauser as Rip reprising their roles from Yellowstone.

Dutton Ranch launched on Paramount+ mid-May, concluding Friday evening.

The nine episodes sped by, with Rip Wheeler & Beth Dutton gambling everything on a new life in South Texas, but the promise of building a future far from the ghosts of Yellowstone quickly collides with brutal new realities and a rival ranch that will stop at nothing to protect its empire.

And yes, first cab of the rank, this was WAY better than Y: Marshals, also now streaming all season one episodes on Paramount+.

Recently Paramount+ renewed the series for a second season. This marks yet another Taylor Sheridan series to continue on Paramount+. Lioness returns early next month.

Now whilst this was an improvement on Y: Marshals, I think I need a rest from the Yellowstone universe. Like superhero films, these stories are getting a little tired. Splitting all the Dutton family up all over the USA is not really working for me. They also have more spin-offs in the works.

666, was announced and would be set in the present day on the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas. The 6666 Ranch is also featured during the fourth and fifth seasons of Yellowstone. Another prequel series, titled 1944 and set during that year, was reportedly in development. It would serve as a sequel to 1923 and be filmed in the Bitterroot Valley.

In February 2026, the series was confirmed to still be in active development, with Paramount aiming for a late-2026 release date.

So how'd season one end up at Dutton's Raunch? Watch out for spoilers below...

Rip and Beth confirm Austin's claims about the Jacksons' criminal activities, while Rob-Will alerts Beulah to their discovery. 

After learning the truth about the drug-smuggling operation, Everett confronts Beulah and tells her to leave his house. 

Oreana discovers she is pregnant, reconciles with Carter, and convinces him to run away with her that evening. 

Mariano, Joaquin's father and the drug lord to whom Beulah is indebted, arrives in Ria Paloma and lays down his terms. 

Beulah attempts to justify her actions to Beth and Rip, but they send her away with the drugs loaded into her vehicle. 

Rob-Will tells Mariano that Beth and Rip are in possession of his drugs. After Rob-Will leaves, Mariano orders Joaquin to kill him. 

Everett joins Rip, Azul, and Zachariah at the ranch as Mariano's men launch an assault, but the attack is swiftly repelled, with Rip capturing the last surviving gunman for questioning. 

Unable to find Carter, Beth returns to the ranch as Rip and the ranch hands dispose of the bodies in the mineshaft. Oreana's plans to leave are derailed when Rob-Will is fatally shot downstairs by Joaquin. 

Mariano calls Beth to reveal that Carter has been abducted. Beth informs Rip and they resolve to confront Mariano.

So an action packed finale. More drama awaits Beth & Rip when the series returns. Maybe next year or 2028. Sheridan has a lot on his plate. Not to mention Tulsa King getting a spin-off too! Until next time.