October 11, 2026 – SparklyPrettyBriiiight

(courtesy IMP Awards) OOOO OOOO OOOO Fun cast stuff … Behind the scenes with Mae …

Reviving a family culinary legacy: Awkwafina: The Unlikely Cook

(courtesy AppleTV) SNAPSHOTThe eight-episode series follows Nora Lum, aka Awkwafina, on a cross-country culinary road trip as she attempts to revive her family’s beloved Chinese restaurant. Her family ran Lum’s, the iconic Cantonese restaurant in Flushing, New York. Nora inherited the family legacy. The cooking skills? Those still need work. Continue Reading

New releases October book review: The Newer World by Sebastian Barry

(courtesy Allen & Unwin) Whether we’re reading a weight tome on a certain long ago civilisation or epoch, or while hearing historian hold forth on their particular area of specialisation, it’s easy to think of history as a series of unassailable truths assembled carefully to present an unquestioningly factual take Continue Reading

Once more into the majestic oceanic depths: Blue Planet III drops mesmerisingly enticing trailer

(courtesy IMDb (c) BBC) SNAPSHOTBlue Planet III is a forthcoming British nature documentary series co-produced by the BBC Natural History Unit, ZDF, France Télévisions, and Skai TV in partnership with The Open University. [With David Attenborough returning as narrator] Blue Planet III will have six hour-long episodes, with filming taking Continue Reading

Halloween movie review: Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Soggy Bottom

(courtesy IMP Awards) In a bid to sell this movie to my full-on horror loving friend – turns out I didn’t have to sell it too hard; who doesn’t love some Aardman whimsy as it turns out – I told him it was Halloween-adjacent, embracing the season quite clearly but Continue Reading

The short and the short of it: An animated look at a “sensitive prince” and his brutal family in Wilem

(courtesy First Showing (c) Adult Swims) SNAPSHOT“Wilem is the story of a sensitive prince, living in a brutal world. With the help of his friend he attempts to escape not only his royal duties, but also, his crazy family.” Wilem is an animated short film created & written by London-based Continue Reading

New releases October book review: Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason

(courtesy Harper Collins Publishers Australia) If we are to believe Hollywood’s take on grief, loss and trauma, all it takes is about an hour and a half, a montage or two and a meaningful conversation with a bestie, significant other or wisely insightful stranger for all of the pain and Continue Reading

“I didn’t think it might actually be real.” Trailer drops for delightful British series Small Prophets

(courtesy IMDb) SNAPSHOTSmall Prophets is a comic tale of the eccentric Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has lived a very ordinary life. He works in a DIY store, visits his dad Brian (Sir Michael Palin) and hopes for Clea to return. One Continue Reading

Graphic novel review: I Hate Fairyland Vol. 7: In the Mean Time by Skottie Young and Brett Bean

(courtesy Image Comics) If you have read any of the I Hate Fairyland issues, collected or otherwise, you will know that the one thing, THE ONE THING, that the very angry, usually coated in blood protagonist, or is that antagonist, Gertie wants is to go back to the real world. Continue Reading

Christmas preview: Teaser trailer drops for The Man with the Bag

(courtesy IMP Awards) SNAPSHOTWhen Santa’s (Arnold Schwarzenegger) iconic red bag is stolen by a rogue elf with a grudge (Awkwafina), Christmas is suddenly at risk. With his biggest night of the year fast-approaching, Santa recruits a thief (Alan Ritchson) from his ‘Naughty List’ who quickly assembles a crew of criminally Continue Reading

Songs, songs and more songs #145: Cherry Bomb, Rose Gray, Tegan and Sara, Taylor Swift + Giulia Mei … and Kylie Minogue performs spectacularly at 2026 AFL Grand Final

(via Shutterstock) The week’s end ushers in a host of tracks, well, five to be precise, and they’re a great way to take a weight off all the accumulated stress the working week has visited upon us. There’s something liberating, even when your nerves are on edge and your body Continue Reading