One of the things that I do enjoy most about a mid-winter break is the ability to catch up on some late night viewing and couch potato antics without any guilty feelings whatsoever. Not having to get up and go to work in the morning allows me to indulge in the pleasure of watching entire seasons of television programs and back to back movies, and honestly it is just heaven. With a good strong coffee in hand, a couple of fluffed up pillows and a cosy blanket, I have managed to wonderfully while away many of my holiday evenings in front of the idiot box and I am more than happy to share my joyful at home viewing highlights with you, should you also wish to indulge in some quality lounge room viewing.
As far as television goes, there has been no shortage of high quality, engaging programming to get completely lost in this year. I have watched a tonne of television this year, more than I ever have before and a lot of it has been of a really high standard as well. The best that I have seen and would highly recommend so far this year are: (in no particular order)
Escape at Dannemora (Stan) - dramatisation
Sally 4Ever (HBO - Foxtel) - comedy
After Life (Netflix) - comedy drama
Les Miserables (BBC - Foxtel) - period drama
Game of Thrones - S8 (HBO - Foxtel) - fantasy drama
American Gods S2 (Amazon Prime) - fantasy drama
What We Do in the Shadows (FX - Foxtel) - horror comedy
This Country (Stan) - comedy mockumentary
Forever (Amazon Prime) - fantasy drama
Killing Eve s2 (ABC iview) - crime drama
The Last O.G. S2 (Stan) - comedy
The Let Down S2 (ABC iview) - comedy
Bad Omens (Amazon Prime) - fantasy drama
Detectorists S3 (ABC iview) - comedy
Gentleman Jack (HBO - Foxtel) - period drama
Bridget & Eamon (Amazon Prime) - comedy
Euphoria (HBO - Foxtel) - drama
Chernobyl (HBO - Foxtel) - dramatisation
The Act: Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose (Hulu - Foxtel) - dramatisation
Perpetual Grace (Stan) - art house
Big Little Lies S2 (HBO - Foxtel) - drama
Stranger Things S3 (Netflix) - science fiction
To be honest, quality movies to view at home have been a little thinner on the ground, but it is often quite hard for me to find things that I haven't already seen on streaming channels because I go to the movies so often. Seth and I have been trawling through a lot of classic horror, which SBS on demand has an excellent selection of, should you need to sate a yearning for retro horror like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Hellraiser or Scanners. Aside from that Amazon Prime has the largest B grade horror library that I have ever encountered, admittedly it is mostly shit, but you can find the odd retro gem in there as well like Night of the Living Dead, Carrie, Zombieland and the Friday the 13th Series.
However, without further ado, here is a list of the best movies that I have watched on the couch (not at the cinema) this year so far: (again listed in no particular order)
Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool - Netflix (Romance)
It's Actually a Funny Story - Netflix (Drama)
Suspiria - Amazon Prime (Horror)
Hush - Netflix (Horror)
Tully - Netflix (Drama)
The Poughkeepsie Tapes - Stan (Gritty)
Observance - Amazon Prime (Horror)
American Animals - Foxtel (Crime)
I am Mother - Netflix (Sci-Fi)
Pin Cushion - SBS on demand (Gritty)
Mandy - Foxtel (Horror)
Full reviews of all of these films can be found on the corresponding genre lists in the drop down menu above if you're looking for more information.
Happy viewing my friends!
As far as television goes, there has been no shortage of high quality, engaging programming to get completely lost in this year. I have watched a tonne of television this year, more than I ever have before and a lot of it has been of a really high standard as well. The best that I have seen and would highly recommend so far this year are: (in no particular order)
Escape at Dannemora (Stan) - dramatisation
Sally 4Ever (HBO - Foxtel) - comedy
After Life (Netflix) - comedy drama
Les Miserables (BBC - Foxtel) - period drama
Game of Thrones - S8 (HBO - Foxtel) - fantasy drama
American Gods S2 (Amazon Prime) - fantasy drama
What We Do in the Shadows (FX - Foxtel) - horror comedy
This Country (Stan) - comedy mockumentary
Forever (Amazon Prime) - fantasy drama
Killing Eve s2 (ABC iview) - crime drama
The Last O.G. S2 (Stan) - comedy
The Let Down S2 (ABC iview) - comedy
Bad Omens (Amazon Prime) - fantasy drama
Detectorists S3 (ABC iview) - comedy
Gentleman Jack (HBO - Foxtel) - period drama
Bridget & Eamon (Amazon Prime) - comedy
Euphoria (HBO - Foxtel) - drama
Chernobyl (HBO - Foxtel) - dramatisation
The Act: Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose (Hulu - Foxtel) - dramatisation
Perpetual Grace (Stan) - art house
Big Little Lies S2 (HBO - Foxtel) - drama
Stranger Things S3 (Netflix) - science fiction
To be honest, quality movies to view at home have been a little thinner on the ground, but it is often quite hard for me to find things that I haven't already seen on streaming channels because I go to the movies so often. Seth and I have been trawling through a lot of classic horror, which SBS on demand has an excellent selection of, should you need to sate a yearning for retro horror like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Hellraiser or Scanners. Aside from that Amazon Prime has the largest B grade horror library that I have ever encountered, admittedly it is mostly shit, but you can find the odd retro gem in there as well like Night of the Living Dead, Carrie, Zombieland and the Friday the 13th Series.
However, without further ado, here is a list of the best movies that I have watched on the couch (not at the cinema) this year so far: (again listed in no particular order)
Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool - Netflix (Romance)
It's Actually a Funny Story - Netflix (Drama)
Suspiria - Amazon Prime (Horror)
Hush - Netflix (Horror)
Tully - Netflix (Drama)
The Poughkeepsie Tapes - Stan (Gritty)
Observance - Amazon Prime (Horror)
American Animals - Foxtel (Crime)
I am Mother - Netflix (Sci-Fi)
Pin Cushion - SBS on demand (Gritty)
Mandy - Foxtel (Horror)
Full reviews of all of these films can be found on the corresponding genre lists in the drop down menu above if you're looking for more information.
Happy viewing my friends!
MANDY
Release Date: 2018
Rating: R 18+
Running Time: 121 mins
It's difficult to know how to explain this film, it pays homage to so many other great horror movies, and yet still manages to deliver something completely unique and utterly compelling. Directed by Panos Cosmatos and co-written by Cosmatos and Aaron Stewart- Ahn, Mandy has received widespread critical acclaim for it's visual style, engaging soundtrack, originality and Nicolas Cage's epic performance.
In a secluded mountain cabin, Red (Nicolas Cage) and Mandy (Andrea Riseborough) live a peaceful and happy life. That is until a deviant hippie cult and a group of demonic bikers decide to invade their home and attempt to abduct Mandy.
With nods to Kubrick and Lynch, this is a trippy, blood soaked, revenge caper like no other. Deeply hypnotic, often disturbing and genuinely emotional, Mandy is definitely destined to become a cult classic and is a must see for fans of gory thrillers.
FINAL SAY: I'm your God now!
3.5 Chilli Peppers
Release Date: 2018
Rating: R 18+
Running Time: 121 mins
It's difficult to know how to explain this film, it pays homage to so many other great horror movies, and yet still manages to deliver something completely unique and utterly compelling. Directed by Panos Cosmatos and co-written by Cosmatos and Aaron Stewart- Ahn, Mandy has received widespread critical acclaim for it's visual style, engaging soundtrack, originality and Nicolas Cage's epic performance.
In a secluded mountain cabin, Red (Nicolas Cage) and Mandy (Andrea Riseborough) live a peaceful and happy life. That is until a deviant hippie cult and a group of demonic bikers decide to invade their home and attempt to abduct Mandy.
With nods to Kubrick and Lynch, this is a trippy, blood soaked, revenge caper like no other. Deeply hypnotic, often disturbing and genuinely emotional, Mandy is definitely destined to become a cult classic and is a must see for fans of gory thrillers.
FINAL SAY: I'm your God now!
3.5 Chilli Peppers
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