TV & Streaming

Film Review: Jay Kelly; George Clooney is charming and agreeable in soft Netflix dramedy

Though a richly textured performance from George Clooney (even if he is essentially playing himself) and some warm support from Adam Sandler (though his overuse of the word “Papi” starts to grate) help bolster Jay Kelly, it’s difficult to entirely find a way into the universality writer/director Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story, White Noise) hopes to…

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Film Review: Oh. What. Fun.; Michelle Pfeiffer is as luminous as she is biting in warm Christmas comedy

From the opening of Oh. What. Fun., director/writer Michael Showalter and his co-writer Chandler Baker very much express both the importance of mothers during the festive season and how, in the realms of cinematic ventures, they’re an under valued character.  As the film’s loving focal point, Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer, always a treat to see…

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Interview: Michael Showalter on his chaotic Christmas comedy Oh. What. Fun., and the “gifted comedienne” that is Michelle Pfeiffer

Come for the presents. Stay for the baggage. It wouldn’t be a Christmas comedy without some familial dysfunction, and, in 2025, the Clauster clan are delivering such in Oh. What. Fun., a new seasonal laugher from director Michael Showalter (Spoiler Alert, The Idea of You). Flipping the script on classic holiday movies to remind us…

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Five Things we learned from Stranger Things Season 5: Volume 1

With Stranger Things entering its long-awaited final season, the first half of Season 5 wastes no time throwing fans back into the chaos of Hawkins. Over a year has passed since the town was torn open and the Upside Down spilled into reality. Hawkins is now under military lockdown, tensions are high, and Vecna’s threat…

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Series Review: Ghosts: Australia is a clever transposition of a modern comedy classic – even if the jokes sometimes don’t quite land

When Ghosts: Australia was announced, it might be fair to say that the idea was met with some trepidation. There have been numerous examples of comedy hits in one country failing to impress when adapted for another – anyone remember when they tried to do an American version of Kath and Kim? Yet Ghosts, based on the…

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Interview: He Had It Coming creator Gretel Vella and Jungle Entertainment Producer Chloe Rickard on their odd couple crime comedy series

Produced by Jungle Entertainment with major production investment from Screen Australia, He Had It Coming is an odd couple comedy-drama of two women accidentally entangled in a murder mystery when their spontaneous feminist art activism is co-opted by a killer. Now streaming on Stan Australia, where it’s immediately raced into the Top 10 current most-streamed series,…

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Everything coming to Prime Video Australia this December

Prime Video Australia are the gift that keeps on giving this festive season, with the streamer announcing their December slate to ensure their viewers will be entertained all the way into the new year. From anticipated series returns to Christmas comedies, NBA championships to some modern classics, here’s a look at everything you can stream…

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Interview: Charles Venn on returning for another powerful chapter of fan favourite series Casualty

After two years of being off Aussie screens, BritBox is bringing back the long-running UK soap and fan-favourite drama Casualty, much to fans’ delight. Leading the cast is Charles Venn (EastEnders, The Dark Knight), who returns to the drama as Jacob Masters, the direct, confident, unconventional former army medic-turned-nurse who, for over a decade now, has proven one of…

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Film Review: In Your Dreams; Netflix’s new family adventure is magical, wonderous viewing

There’s a Pixar-like wonder to In Your Dreams that helps this particularly sweet family adventure film feel like it’s somewhat of a classic – despite the fact that it’s freshly releasing on Netflix as perfect programming for the impending holiday season. Embracing a mentality that likens it to the types of family films we saw…

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Interview: Playdate director Luke Greenfield on merging spontaneous comedy and emotional resonance

When recently unemployed accountant Brian (Kevin James) agrees to a playdate with charismatic stay-at-home dad Jeff (Alan Ritchson) and their sons, he expects an easy afternoon of small talk and football tossing. Instead, he’s thrust into a chaotic scramble to stay alive as they are pursued by a ruthless team of mercenaries. Brian stumbles through…

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Film Review: Playdate; Alan Ritchson’s wild comedic turn will make you want to RSVP to Prime’s latest action escape

With his imposing size and gruff delivery, it makes sense that Alan Ritchson has become so synonymous with the character of Reacher. It’s also why it’s such an inherent joy to see him considerably let loose in Playdate, a simple action-comedy that reminds us that the actor is quite a gifted, goofy comedian. He’s the…

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Interview: Leo Suter on embodying a new iteration of the classic detective Lynley; “It does make one reflect on class in Britain.”

A fresh take on Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley novel series, Lynley follows the weekly adventure of a mismatched crime solving duo – an aristocratic police detective (Leo Suter’s Lynley) and maverick sergeant from a working class background (Sofia Barclay’s Havers). Together, the opposing duo become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice…

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Interview: Sofia Barclay on embracing the flaws of her character in the reimagined Lynley; “I like the fact that she wasn’t particularly likeable.”

A fresh take on Elizabeth George’s Inspector Lynley novel series, Lynley follows the weekly adventure of a mismatched crime solving duo – an aristocratic police detective (Leo Suter’s Lynley) and maverick sergeant from a working class background (Sofia Barclay’s Havers). Together, the opposing duo become a formidable team, bonded by their desire to see justice…

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Michelle Pfeiffer ditches the holidays in first trailer for Prime Video’s Oh. What. Fun.

Michelle Pfeiffer is done…with Christmas. The first full-length trailer has arrived for the new seasonal comedy Oh. What. Fun. just in time for the holidays, with the three-time Academy Award nominated actress leading an impressively wrapped ensemble cast; I mean, look at this – Felicity Jones, Chloe Grace Moretz, Danielle Brooks, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa,…

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Interview: Holly Marie Combs on her cross-generational impact with Charmed and Pretty Little Liars; “I’ve been lucky that way.”

After cutting her teeth with her critically acclaimed turn in the seminal 90s drama Picket Fences, Holly Marie Combs became a household name as Piper Halliwell in the long-running fantasy series Charmed. Moving from the magic of that show to the murderous mystery of Pretty Little Liars, Combs has become a cross-generational figure, something our…

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Interview: Brian Krause on the legacy of Charmed; “To hear the impact that it made on so many lives is a blessing.”

From the tropical shores of the Blue Lagoon to Stephen King’s vampiric world in Sleepwalkers, Brian Krause has indulged in a plethora of genres across his varied career, but there’ll always be one role synonymous with his name – that of Leo the white lighter in The WB’s long running fantasy series, Charmed. As the…

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Interview: John Boyega on what he’s learned from the Star Wars franchise; “The biggest lesson was understanding my value.”

An award-winning actor and producer who has captivated audiences worldwide, from the cult classic sci-fi comedy Attack the Block, to the cinematic galaxy far, far away that is Star Wars, John Boyega, with his undeniable talent, magnetic presence, and dedication to his craft and community, has established himself as a force to be reckoned with….

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Series review: Only Murders in the Building sets up another complicated puzzle in its fifth season

Oh that every home should have a doorman as wise and as kind as Lester Coluca. Sadly, Lester (Teddy Coluca) was the victim for the fifth season of Only Murders in the Building, and this season’s mystery revolves around our three amateur sleuths finding out who had left him for dead in the fountain at the…

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What to Watch This Halloween: The AU Review’s Creepy Curated List of the Best Horror Movies You (Maybe) Haven’t Seen

The spooky season is once again upon us, and with that comes necessary horror viewing. Sure, you could always revisit the classics (we’re talking your Halloween, Friday the 13th, Scream – and they’re iconic for a reason, so no judgement), but half the fun of the Halloween season is unearthing something scarily unexpected.  Between endless…

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Film Review: Frankenstein; Guillermo del Toro’s classic retelling is as haunting as it is beautiful

Though it’s been a story told countless times before, you can’t help but still be monstrously excited at the prospect of Guillermo del Toro adapting Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein.  His name above the title just feels correct, and not just because the director has been talking about helming his version of the story for close…

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Film Review: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is a quiet, more patient thriller than the 90s original

Given this day and age where (mostly) everyone is traced to a social media presence and it’s not as easy to get away with saying who you aren’t, the premise of the original 1992 domestic thriller The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, where a sweet-natured mother essentially hires a stranger off the street to watch…

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Interview: Michelle Garza Cervera on reimagining the classic 90s thriller The Hand That Rocks the Cradle through a modern lens

One of the most defining thrillers of the 1990s, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle terrified a whole generation into second-guessing who they invite into their home.  With the release of the 2025 reimagining, clearly a lesson hasn’t been learned, as a new progeny will learn “the help” have other plans for your supposed domestic…

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Interview: Aisha Dee and Olivia Vásquez on the importance of their thrilling new series Watching You

Watching You follows thrill-seeking paramedic Lina (Aisha Dee), who, despite being happily engaged, has an impulsive one-night stand with a mysterious stranger. Their dalliance is secretly filmed and used to blackmail her. As her life spirals and paranoia grows, Lina sets out to expose the voyeur – only to discover the true threat is far…

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Film Review: Held Hostage in My House; Netflix thriller is a campy, melodramatic affair

With a title that can’t be misconstrued in all its obviousness, it makes sense as to why Held Hostage in My House adheres to a melodramatic, campy temperament. Despite the cheapness of proceedings, you have to hand it to writer/director Anna Elizabeth James (who seemingly has a penchant for blatantly titled thrillers, with Sinister Sorority…

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Film Review: Other is a gradually unsettling thriller that revels in its confusion

It’s not too far into the 95 minutes of David Moreau‘s Other that it becomes eerily evident that everyone aside from lead Olga Kurylenko has their appearance intentionally hidden or distorted from view.  Moreau himself stated that it was a visual additive that played into the loneliness and confinement of Kurylenko’s Alice, who spends the…

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Apple TV+ reveals trailer for documentary Mr. Scorsese ahead of its streaming premiere

Mr. Scorsese is a cinematic portrait one Martin Scorsese, detailing the man through the lens of his work, exploring the many facets of a visionary who redefined filmmaking, including his extraordinary career and unique personal history. With exclusive, unrestricted access to Scorsese’s private archives, the documentary series is anchored by extensive conversations with the filmmaker…

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Kevin James and Alan Ritchson are having a Play Date in first look at new Prime Video action-comedy

No stranger to helming both action and comedy, director Luke Greenfield (The Girl Next Door, Let’s Be Cops) hilariously collides suburban dad life with high-stakes thrills, transforming an ordinary afternoon into an absurd action-packed adventure where minivan mayhem meets professional hitmen in Play Date, which Prime Video have revealed today through exclusive first-look images ahead…

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Film Review: Play Dirty; Mark Wahlberg and LaKeith Stanfield charm their way through chaotic actioner

Whether we’ve taken notice or not, but, much like your James Bonds, Jack Ryans and Jack Reachers, the character at the centre of Shane Black‘s Play Dirty – Parker – is a cinematic mainstay who has appeared in films dating back to the 1960s, portrayed either directly or taken inspiration from by a multitude of…

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Series Review: Chad Powers; Glen Powell’s charm carries surprisingly wry series

Whilst it’s understandable that Glen Powell‘s rise to fame over the last few years has very much leant into his obvious sex appeal, you have to hand it to the actor for not always relying on it within his projects.  Namely his latest effort, Chad Powers, a sports-themed comedy series that he and producer/writer Michael…

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Good help is hard to find in the first trailer for The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

One of the biggest box office hits of the 1990s, and one that instilled a certain paranoia among live-in caretakers and homeowners, Curtis Hanson’s The Hand That Rocks the Cradle was a terrifying cautionary tale for would-be nannies and the families hoping to hire them.  Starring Annabella Sciorra and Matt McCoy as a loving couple…

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