November 17, 2015 – SparklyPrettyBriiiight

* SPOILERS, CHARRED BIKES AND THE WEIRDEST PICK-UP LINE EVER AHEAD * “Always Accountable” saw The Walking Dead back out beyond the walls where the deer, the antelope and the walkers roam – though likely not together given the former would find themselves on the menu of the Continue Reading

Comedy review double: Season wrap-ups of Frasier (S2, E9-10) and Only Murders in the Building (S4, 9-10)

(courtesy IMP Awards) Frasier (S2, E9-10) OOOO OOOO Only Murders in the Building (S4, 9-10) (courtesy IMP Awards) OOOO (courtesy IMP Awards) OOOO

Movie review: Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point

(courtesy IMDb) In popular culture at large, Christmas is often seen in very distinct, sharply-realised ways. It is variously a season of miracles or healing or wondrous discovery, and there is always some sort of point to proceedings whether it’s saving Christmas itself by helping Santa or doing a life-changing Continue Reading

Something big and loud this way comes: Sneak peek at the Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special, “Joy to the World”

(courtesy BBC/Disney+ via The Gallifreyan Newsroom) SNAPSHOTBridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan will be starring in the title role of “Joy to the World” as a traveler checking into a London hotel over the festive period. Before long, Joy’s quiet holiday is interrupted by a Silurian wandering into her hotel room and the sudden arrival of The Continue Reading

Songs, songs and more songs #117: Breakfast Road, Maria Sur, Griff, Late June +Vlossom

(via Shutterstock) Want some fast songs, then a shwostopper slow one that sparkle with beauty and emotion and possibility and then a couple of mid-fi electronic numbers that keep the energy up while subtlely also dialling it down? You’ve got it! It’s a surprising mix of curated sounds but it Continue Reading

Festive book review: The Christmas Cottage by Sarah Morgan

(courtesy Harper Collins Publishers Australia) If you have always felt like you belong, like you have an undeniable, fixed and unquestionably certain place in this world, then you are a very lucky and blessed individual. We all want and need that, with an animal need for community running hard, deep Continue Reading

This is the end, my globe-trotting, spy drama loving friend, the end: Mission Impossible – Final Dropping drops a trailer

(courtesy IMP Awards) SNAPSHOTA continuation of the iconic Mission: Impossible series following Ethan Hunt formerly of the IMF, and the conclusion following Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023). Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present, A Tom Cruise Production. “Our lives are the sum of our choices.” Tom Cruise is Continue Reading

Festive movie review: Meet Me Next Christmas

(courtesy IMP Awards) Have you ever fired up a promising movie on a streaming platform, especially a festive one, only to find that it disappoints at every turn? Of course you have – it’s what watching most Netflix movies feels like alas, and while hope springs to eternal and all Continue Reading

Book review: Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

(courtesy Penguin Books Australia) Upending your life and chasing your dreams is almost always seen as a good thing. And that’s because there is something delightfully energising and impelling about kicking off the shackles of the status quo, particularly a toxic one, and see what lies out there in the Continue Reading

Festive preview: The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland

(courtesy IMDb) SNAPSHOTIn the film, St Nick (voiced by Gerard Butler) receives a delayed letter on Christmas Eve from the Princess of Hearts. He and his dedicated team of reindeer set off to Wonderland, where they’re greeted by the mean and miserable Queen of Hearts, who hates all things Christmas… Continue Reading

We laughed and laughed and … Star Trek: Lower Decks S5, E1-3, Shrinking S2, E3-5 and Frasier S2, E7-8 + further thoughts on E6 (reviews)

(courtesy IMP Awards) STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS S5, E1-3 How marvellous is this animated Star Trek show? It’s cleverly written, managing to adroitly balance sparklingly full characterisation, imaginative plots and balancing affectionate parody of the franchise with some serious sci-fi cred. The only downer in this whole heady mix of Continue Reading

The Walking Dead: “Always Accountable” (S6, E6 review)

Happy 25th anniversary Home Alone! Now you can read about Kevin’s adventures too