My feed

First Viewing Viewing Date: June 28th Via: iTunes Store Plot: After finishing their service with Richard the Lionheart, Robin Hood and Little John return to Sherwood after twenty years. The Sheriff of Nottingham still rules under tyranny and Maid Marian’s life is threatened, prompting Robin to begin another violent revolt. Rating: 6.8/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: June 27th Via: iTunes Store Plot: An online troll is forced to compete in an internet-broadcasted gladiator-style fight to the death with pistols bolted to both hands. Rating: 7.2/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: June 27th Via: iTunes Store Plot: A nurse is put in charge of a mute actress and finds that their personae are melding together. Rating: 7.8/10

Viewed: All 12 episodes

And I completed my Chris Lilley catch-up with Angry Boys, another show that was summarily removed from Netflix because of concerns about offensive content. And, uh, oh boy, this show really is Lilley at his most fearlessly offensive, and I’m amazed it took so long for this thing to disappear from streaming. Indeed, Lilley not only plays an African American rapper in complete blackface, he also drops the n-word consistently. And he plays another unflattering Asian character. For the right audience, it’s all extremely funny, as the piss-taking is spot-on across the board, from parodying American hip-hop culture (which is a parody of itself, really) to bogan white Australian culture, surfer culture, and more. Yet, as with most of Lilley’s shows, there’s still heart here, which is most felt in the character of “Gran” who works at a juvenile justice centre. The show’s ultimate denouement is also extremely touching, and actually gave me goosebumps, so Lilley gets credit for that. This is a really good show - it’s not as great as Summer Heights High, but it’s still fun and funny. And I really can’t believe that Lilley got away with all of this in 2011, especially the song (which is available on iTunes) called “Squashed N*gga”. Like, holy shit.

Groundbreaking for the era, but noticeably dated

“The first cinematic adaptation of H.G. Wells' renowned 1898 novel of the same name, The War of the Worlds endures as one of the most defining science-fiction films of the 1950s. Following in the shadow of The Day the Earth Stood Still and When Worlds Collide, but appearing before the likes of Star W” read more

Viewed: All 6 episodes

With the recent rise of censorship as shows and movies are hastily removed from streaming services, I decided to finally acquaint myself with Chris Lilley's other shows that I've always been meaning to watch. Summer Heights High is the all-time high point, of course, but I would say that We Can Be Heroes is not far behind. Lilley's breakout series which established his modus operandi of a show simultaneously tracking a group of main characters all played by Lilley himself. And here, he even plays an Asian (hence the eye-rolling "blackface" criticism which led to Netflix removing it). I laughed heartily and steadily throughout We Can Be Heroes, as Lilley and the other actors really give it their all from start to finish. Lilley commits to the characters and makes no apologies as he takes the piss out of cultural stereotypes, from white bogans to stuck-up private school students, and more. And yes, I laughed heartily at his depiction of Ricky Wong, the Chinese student who plays the lead in an Aboriginal-themed performance with an all-Chinese cast. Plus, there is also genuine heart here, which is most felt in the depiction of Pat Mullins, though all of the characters experience some form of heartbreak. All in all, I greatly enjoyed We Can Be Heroes and I look forward to watching it another few hundred times.

First Viewing Viewing Date: June 18th Via: Blu-ray Plot: A private investigator is hired by a wealthy widow to investigate the authenticity of an 8mm snuff film. Rating: 7.1/10

A brisk, no-nonsense '80s manly movie

“1983's Uncommon Valor is a real meat and potatoes action movie ingrained with macho themes of brotherhood, honour and heroism, plus a considerable side order of testosterone. Directed by Ted Kotcheff (Wake in Fright) and produced by the inimitable John Milius, this is a satisfying manly movie in eve” read more

First Viewing Viewing Date: June 15th Via: iTunes Store Plot: A poor girl must choose between the affections of dating her childhood sweetheart or a rich but sensitive playboy. Rating: 6.7/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: June 14th Via: iTunes Store Plot: A soon-to-be stepmom is snowed in with her fiancé's two children at a remote holiday village. Just as relations begin to thaw between the trio, some strange and frightening events take place. Rating: 7.7/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: June 14th Via: iTunes Store Plot: A soon-to-be stepmom is snowed in with her fiancé's two children at a remote holiday village. Just as relations begin to thaw between the trio, some strange and frightening events take place. Rating: 6.6/10

Viewed: Seasons 1-3

I was never really interested in Santa Clarita Diet until I was finally coerced into watching it, a full year after the third season dropped and the show was summarily cancelled by Netflix. Although I deeply regret not getting into this show sooner, I am glad I had the freedom to binge all three seasons at my own pace, and not have to wait an entire year after each season finale's cliffhanger. Anyway, so why did I enjoy this show? It's sharply-written, the premise is creative, and the actors give it their all. Within the first episode, I was already rooting for Drew Barrymore's Sheila and Timothy Olyphant's Joel - they're such a believable couple with great chemistry, and it's so much fun to see them trying to circumvent the tricky world of killing people for food...but choosing their targets wisely, to avoid feeling like bad people. This is a funny series, and it carries the requisite polish that you'd expect for a Netflix show presented in 4K with High Dynamic Range (though the Mr. Ball Legs CGI is a bit squiffy at times). I also enjoy the expansion of the mythology with each season, expanding the scope beyond the Santa Clarita location. Plus, it's fun seeing Nathan Fillion return to play a severed head, and then when Fillion was no longer available to star in the show...they got his Firefly co-star Alan Tudyk to replace him. Zombies are all the rage now. So it's refreshing to see such a fun new take on zombies. P.S. Netflix can eat a dick for cancelling this.