Winter Watchlist Warmers - The Righteous Gemstones - Season Three

HBO was on a roll in 2023. Then came The Idol where the wheels started the come of the tracks a little while also I have been a huge The Righteous Gemstones, season three just wasn't it.

With an all-star cast of Danny McBride, John Goodman, Edi Patterson, Adam DeVine, Cassidy Freeman, Tony Cavalero, Tim Baltz, Skyler Gisondo, and Walton Goggins, it is not surprising that the series was renewed for a fourth season. This was just ahead of the double episode finale. 

In a TV world of strikes and no new productions, renewals are a little few and far between. So to say I was surprised about the renewal, would be an understatement.

In the third season, Eli scales back his involvement in the church, handing over greater control to his children. Eli's impoverished sister, May-May (Kristen Johnston), resurfaces, asking for his assistance in keeping her family safe from her ex-husband, Peter (Steve Zahn), a vengeful militia leader who holds a decades-long grudge against the Gemstones. 

Meanwhile, Judy's affair with a musician while on tour leads to bitter consequences in her relationship with BJ. This for me was one of the best storylines of the season.

Then we got to the final two episodes. Which I did feel funny they would burn off series so quickly with a double season opener along with a double finale. Maybe HBO has more content done and dusted than we thought. At least the long awaited fourth season of True Detective should be landing next. Right? It's been a minute, there are trailers, it's been promoted for ages. Surely that will follow the Lakers series? Or will the UK based Industry move to Sundays?

So episodes 8 and 9 of the third series (I Will Take You by the Hand and Keep You & Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted) aired late last month, however with holidays I just missed viewing this ahead of my big departure.

So across two episodes, one which stuck to a traditional 30 minute sitcom whereas the other headed into the one hour network runtime.

Ahead of the finale, Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin are reunited with their families at the hospital and decide to put aside past grievances, though all three are indignant over Eli's refusal to pay the ransom. Peter's militia turns against him over the loss of their compound and the failure of his scheme. 

He and Chuck attempt to win them back but ultimately set out on their own with the explosives, leaving the police to arrest the remaining militia members. The siblings resolve to lead the church as equal partners and remain bitter toward Eli, who tells his kids he would have paid the ransom if he believed their lives were in danger and that he loves them. 

Eli expresses pride that the three are finally working together as a team, even though they're united in anger against him. Before the Gemstones take the stage for their joint service, Kelvin openly kisses Keefe in view of the family. 

This kiss made headlines too BTW!

Jesse, Judy, and Kelvin greet a full audience at the service, their popularity bolstered by the news of their kidnapping and rescue. Peter and Chuck drive their truck full of explosives toward the Salvation Center.

In the actual season three finale, Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted, to win back Dusty to their cause, Baby Billy suggests that the Gemstones face off against the Simkins on his game show. 

Now before I jump into this episode. The final scenes felt very much like a series finale. Did Danny McBride believe the third season would act as the final run for the Gemstones?

While Peter stops to use a Coinstar machine, the truck explodes, killing Chuck. Later, at a gas station, Peter steals Keefe's "Smut Busters" truck. It is revealed that Chuck survived the explosion, setting it off when he knew no one was around. 

Before the show starts, Baby Billy gives the Gemstones the cards with the answers, but the Gemstones decide not to use them. May-May, Eli and Gideon confront Peter, who has turned the truck into another bomb. During the show, the Gemstones are losing badly to the Simkins. 

A swarm of locusts suddenly emerges and descends on the church. During the chaos, Jesse rescues Dusty, who was abandoned by Vance Simkins as he ran to safety. When the swarm subsides, Peter apologizes to the Gemstones but a final locust causes him to accidentally activate the bomb.

Peter drives the truck away to save the family. Later, Dusty dies, leaving the Gemstones his estate. The whole family gathers (including Peter, who survived the explosion but lost a leg) and take turns crushing old furniture in the Redeemer. Aimee-Leigh's spirit watches her family proudly from a distance.

That last scene was seriously series finale vibes.

Now Edi Patterson as Judy Gemstone is still iconic, however this really wasn't the high grade Gemstones, season one and two delivered.

Hopefully season four will get its mojo back. For now I am waiting for what HBO will drop next. MAX have already delayed the second season of Rap Sh!t, so fingers crossed HBO do still have some content in the can.

Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer is part two of the 2023 movie phenomena known as "Barbenheimer". You may read my Barbie post HERE.

Spoiler alert. The review was done whilst I was mega jet lagged. That is me again right now after returning from the almighty US of A.

The biographical thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan, follows his recent hits The Dark Knight trilogy (2005–2012), The Prestige (2006), Inception (2010), Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), and Tenet (2020). 

Based on the 2005 biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, the film chronicles the career of American theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. 

Oppenheimer predominantly focuses on his early studies, his direction of the Manhattan Project during World War II, and his eventual fall from grace due to his 1954 security hearing. 

Starring Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt as his wife Kitty, Matt Damon as General Leslie Groves, head of the Manhattan Project, Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, a senior member of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and Florence Pugh as Communist Party USA member Jean Tatlock. Along with an all star supporting cast, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh.

Oppenheimer also became the highest-grossing World War Two related film and one of the top ten of the highest-grossing R-rated films worldwide.

The film has grossed over $581 million worldwide on a $100 million production budget, making it the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2023. While receiving critical acclaim, with particular praise for its cast, screenplay, and visuals.

Like most Nolan films, this is of course long. My bladder surprisingly made it through the entire three hour film.

It has been a big month or so for cinema with The Meg 2 also landing recently. With more horror on the way with another Nun film, an exorcism revival along with the return of the Saw film series.

Oppenheimer was seriously a good film for film buffs and lovers of the big screen. Nolan continues to deliver big films, with event size releases. Even against Barbie (directly) this film has done seriously well, Like seriously.

So get onboard "Barbenheimer", as this writers strike could put a hold to another BIG release week if discussions don't get well next week between the unions and studios.

Meanwhile this is a 3.5 atomic star film. Well done all involved.

Album of the Week - Offical Music Videos

Katy Perry

Recently (as in July and August) I have seen LASTLINGS, LIZZO, TOVE LO and now Katy Perry's Play residency show at Resorts World in Las Vegas.

I have only been to one lame residency before. Human Nature doing MoTown on the famous Las Vegas strip. So basically anything could top that right? Yes indeed. Perry did not disappoint.

Informing the audience of her families roots in sin city, the Californian native went through all her hits, with an incredible set for Play.

From Roar to Firework, Swish Swish to I Kissed a Girl. Katy was in peak girl power form. I loved every minute of the show. Even though she was around 30 minutes late! That said traffic from Los Angeles to Vegas is a BITCH!

As my USA trip for 2023 comes to a close this was in fact a highlight. If you are heading into Vegas before her residency concludes. Go get it, PLAY with KATY PERRY!

Album of the Week - DIDIRRI {Caught in the Act}

Utopia - Guests

Get Outta da House Cinema 2023 - Talk to Me

Talk to Me could be my favourite Australian film of 2023. Why you ask?

This supernatural horror film was packed on a Saturday night in the US of A. With locals experiencing Aussie slang, along with some of our best actors and visual effects.

Stan's Eden, Sophie Wilde stars alongside, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, and Miranda Otto.

Otto is having a huge breakthrough right now. Following her role in the Sabrina reboot, the first Aussie Disney+ work, The Clearing, now as a rather frank and honest mum on a mission in Talk to Me.

Talk to Me had its preview screening at the 2022 Adelaide Film Festival, followed by its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on 22 January 2023. It also has had positive reviews, with critics praising its story, horror sequences, practical effects, and performances.

Danny and Michael Philippou AKA The Philippou brothers have said that they are committed to filming, or at least doing post production, in Australia for all future projects. And gosh do I hope they have more projects on the way.

The US (downtown LA) audience I saw this with, were shook, laughed, scared at the sight of Australia roadkill whilst also experiencing jump scares.

This was top notch horror in a crowded market. Even The Nun from the Conjuring is coming back for a second scare. But who isn't scared of whacked out Nuns?

OK so Talk to Me is based in Adelaide, however it could be anywhere with no major landmarks on display.

The plot moves fast, the soundtrack is great, while Zoe Terakes (Nine Perfect Strangers, Wentworth) as Hayley has some of the best lines (including a C bomb) in the film.

At just over an hour and a half Talk to Me is direct, to the point horror. Full of shock and scares with even a sequel set up in the closing seconds.

This was great. Good work all.

4.5 Stars.