December/January TV Finales - Bridgerton

Bridgerton is Shonda Rhimes first effort on Netflix has landed. Premiering on December 25, 2020, the show has been a massive success. Way more successful than her past period drama Still Star-Crossed. The ABC series lasted only seven episodes back in 2017, then was swiftly cancelled after the one short season.

Whilst Bridgerton is not much longer (only 8 easy to consume episodes) the show looks a million bucks. Still Star-Crossed suffered being a US network show, with most likely a much smaller budget than a Netflix original title.

The series is based on Julia Quinn's novels set in the competitive world of Regency London during the season, when debutantes are presented at court. 

Centering around the Bridgerton family: Violet, Dowager Lady Bridgerton; her four sons, Anthony, Benedict, Colin and Gregory and her four daughters, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca and Hyacinth. 

On the lower end of the economic scale of society are the Featheringtons. Portia, Lady Featherington; her husband the Baron; and their three daughters, Philipa, Prudence and Penelope.

However for me it was all about the Duke. Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings is sex on toast. He is completely delicious. Yes I am thirsty!

Netflix is on a bit of a role at present, The Queen's Gambit was a sleeper hit late October, which is now still slaying. Newly launched Lupin is a French series already creating waves and need I say Cobra Kai is a huge hit.

I look forward to more Shonda Rhimes on Netflix. This gives her the freedom to have swearing more intense sex scenes (like the ones with the Duke this series, you all know what I'm talking about, that ass) with less censorship and US network TV PC bullshit.

I also want more of Lady Whistledown (Julie Andrews reads her scandals so well) and no I am not telling you who it is, you need to watch all eight episodes to find that out!

Watch this, join the conversation and get on board the Bridgerton train!

January La Première - American Gods (Season Three)

The third season of American Gods come onto Amazon (in Australia) this week. It joins a large number of shows returning over this week and coming weeks. Hence my January La Première post series.

The third season follows Shadow Moon (the dreamy Ricky Whittle) as he moves to Lakeside, Wisconsin under a new name to hide from the New Gods.

Most notable is Ricky Whittle has a new hairdo. Still hot and we will see more of him this year, the episode count has jumped from 8 to 10 episodes. This is the first season to see a higher number of episodes. The season is set to conclude mid March, 2021.

As mentioned this season stars Ricky Whittle, alongside Emily Browning, Yetide Badaki, Bruce Langley, Omid Abtahi, and Ian McShane, while Ashley Reyes joins the main cast.

The first episode has set up the series for a change of scenery whilst apparently Marilyn Manson will also join the show this season.

The show always looks a million bucks however I feel this is a fan favourite show and will likely not get too many new viewers, despite it being a new season. Figures out today show Amazon in Australia is on the incline so maybe the audience here in Australia will grow?

It's a worrying sign for Free to Air TV with so many Aussies flocking to some fab content the streamers provide. Tomorrow I have finally caught up with another Netflix summer series, so pop by for that. Till then, stay cool Sydney, summer is finally here!

January La Première - Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (Season Two)

Zoey's Extraordinary Return sees the return of a popular blog post series known as January La Première. Back when a pile of shows returned last year I took a look at their first episode. So in 2021 with heaps of popular US shows returning this month, it's time to revisit La Première.

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist returned for season two last week, today episode two lands on STAN at 2pm today! Yes 4 hours away.

Last season we got the tissues out, this season started sad whilst also bringing joy back to our screens. Sadly though in episode one, Lauren Graham as Joan makes a shift exit stage left. Due to real life filming commitments Graham is off to do more Mighty Ducks.

Today's episode is titled Zoey’s Extraordinary Distraction, so no spoilers but is this to do with her love life choices?

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist returned also for record ratings. Cracking an overnight number of 3 million live viewers, which is up on the season one opener and over a million viewers more than the season one finale.

I really like this show, it's honestly one of the most joyous shows on TV right now, so if you are on STAN, get on it today @ 2pm or catch up on the first season now.

Return to Cinema 2021 - A Sunburnt Christmas

*STAN original film, now streaming on STAN.

Whilst I didn't love True History of the Kelly Gang STAN film released last year, around this time, A Sunburnt Christmas was my second holiday film I watched of the 2020/2021 holiday period. First I enjoyed a fair bit, The Happiest Season, I thought was a solid four star film.

Sadly I didn't love the local holiday film as much. Whilst it was a different approach to the generic holiday film (much like The Happiest Season) A Sunburnt Christmas had its moments however for me it was missing something.

It had some soul as well a look at Australia's outback and a real life issue, drought. A simple plot description is an outback farm ravaged by drought, the lives of a struggling family are upended when a runaway criminal dressed as Santa Claus crashes onto their property.

The feature is the directorial debut of Christiaan Van Vuuren, formally of the Bondi Hipsters fame.

Telling the story of a single mum (Ling Cooper Tang) and her three children Hazel (Tatiana Goode), Tom (Eaden McGuinness) and Daisy (Lena Nankivell), who live on an outback property in rural South Australia.

Also starring is Blindspot vet Sullivan Stapleton as a mobster named Dingo who chases down Daryl (aka Santa) played by Daniel Henshall. Daryl and the three children do have a cute relationship over the films 90 minute duration.

Look I wouldn't say this is must watch and after seeing the fab The Dry, it's not going to be my best Aussie film of 2021. But this has its moments and sweet messages under the rough exterior. 3 Stars.

December/January TV Finales - The Reagans

The Reagans was an interesting miniseries centred around former U.S. President Ronald Reagan & First Lady Nancy Reagan, for me to watch prior to the week we had last week.

The four-part series originally starting airing week to week, on November 15, 2020. In Australia you can watch the mesmerising close to four hour political series on Stan. 

Like Donald J Trump, Reagan was a household name before he was the leader of the free world. Reagan like Trump did not seem incredibly smart, he also coined the slogan Make America Great Again. And this was back in the 80's. As a child it was almost time for me to visit the "Great" country.

Poverty and wealth equality is what first strikes me about the USA and the Republican party like to keep the rich, rich and poor, poor.

Through voter suppression and gerrymandering, the Republican party knows how to "steal" or even "rig" an election. American elections are like Eurovision, some states will always be blue (Democratic New York and California) whilst there are some serious red states (Republication strong holds like Texas).

Reagan and his second wife Nancy are fascinating. The four episodes is really one of the easiest watches of the summer series for me. From Reagan's Hollywood days to Governor of California, then to President. It's a wild ride.

There are some similar behaviours to how Trump got to where he did. His following however was 100% not the same "traditional" Republican following Reagan attracted. Trump's fans (as we saw throughout the week) are the stereotypical bottom feeders from the swamp we expected. The deplorables once called out by Hilary Clinton. The funny thing is Ivanka still swans around in her designer clothes, attending elite events whilst her fans look like they crawled out from one of America's poorest neighbourhoods.

History definitely is repeating again, I would love to watch more on the Clinton's and the Bush families moving forward. These powerhouse families in US politics is fascinating. Will the Trump's follow suit with Don Junior or Ivanka? You can bet your bottom dollar though, we may have seen the last of Eric and Tiffany Trump.

The Reagans streams now on Stan, its ace, so go check it out before American Gods season three starts later today on Amazon Prime.

Return to Cinema 2021 - Promising Young Woman

Promising Young Woman had some preview screenings back in 2020, however I was patient and waited till it's offical day of release this week.

Directed, written, and produced by Emerald Fennell (Killing Eve show runner), in her feature directorial debut, whilst Margot Robbie also serves as a producer.

Lead star Carey Mulligan shines alongside Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, and Connie Britton.

As this film took a completely different turn than I was expecting I want to remain spoiler free. The main (simple) plot of the film, is it follows a woman who takes revenge against men who have wronged her.

Where it goes from there, you will have to support your local cinema and check this out for yourself.

Promising Young Woman clocks under 2 hours, moving at an extremely rapid pace. It twists and turns while keeping the viewer guessing the entire film. I loved every minute of this film. Carey Mulligan is outstanding as Cassie Thomas while Jennifer Coolidge almost leaves comedy behind in this role. Once you see the film you will get her one funny line.

The film has received positive reviews from critics praising Mulligan's performance s well as Fennell's direction.

I am happy with the three films I have seen in 2021 thus far. All different, but all giving me hope for cinema in 2021. Sadly some of 2020's films were rather subpar.

4.5 Stars.

December/January TV Finales - Cobra Kai (Season Three)

I binged the first two series of Cobra Kai back in November, 2020. Oh November, how you seem like a lifetime ago. Based on The Karate Kid film series created by Robert Mark Kamen, the TV series was created by Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg.

Bringing back stars Ralph Macchio and William Zabka along with Xolo Maridueña, Jacob Bertrand, Courtney Henggeler, Tanner Buchanan, Mary Mouser and Peyton List. 

Cobra Kai is set 34 years after the original Karate Kid film, re-examining the narrative from Johnny Lawrence's point of view, and his decision to reopen the Cobra Kai karate dojo leading to the rekindling of his old rivalry with Daniel LaRusso.

The first two seasons being released in 2018 to 2019. In June 2020, Netflix acquired the series. Now the third season got an early release on January 1, 2021. Initially it was sent to be released today, however Netflix gave us a New Years gift.

Last year Netflix gave us another gift. The series was renewed for a fourth season ahead of the third season premiere. Praise be.

Season three was truly outstanding. I could not stop watching this series. I was so sad when episode ten came to an end. The ten episodes across the LA dojo's to Japan (yes they go to Japan this season) were some of the best episodes yet.

I expect Cobra Kai to be one of Netflix's biggest titles moving forward. The show has wide appeal, every person I have spoken to about the show who has watched the show, enjoyed it. Young, old, into or new to Karate Kid, all enjoyed this Netflix title.

It's a great acquisition for Netflix, to gain this title from the now defunct YouTube original series. If you need a distraction from all things USA Cobra Kai season three (or season one-three) is the most fun you will have while travel, dancing and attending live music are still off the menu in 2021.