Latest news with #Bluey
West Australian
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Screen Queen TV Reviews: Stick, Brassic, Alone Australia finale, The Tylenol Murders and The Survivors
Not to sound like an insufferable Pollyanna, but I have a list of things that make me smile. And when life's grinding me down and I'm having a particularly crappy day, I'll read it, and try to do at least one thing off it that instantly makes me feel better. I know — I annoy myself, too. There are all sorts of random things on said list: drinking my first coffee of the day, getting into clean sheets at night, sniffing my dog's paws (they smell like CCs!), feeling a breeze on my face through an open window, watching funny Instagram memes with my kid — all are instant dopamine hits. Over the years, various TV series have snuck their way on. And if I need a lift, I'll regularly rewatch old episodes of Escape To The Chateau, Schitt's Creek or Ted Lasso. If I REALLY want to feel all the happy feels, I'll pop on Bluey's Sleepytime episode and cry great, big cathartic tears into my cat's fur — highly recommend. I can't help wondering if Owen Wilson's new feel-good golf comedy, Stick, might be about to join my happy list, and, indeed, become a whole generation of sports-comedy-loving viewers' serotonin hit of choice. It tells the story of an over-the-hill golf pro called Pryce Cahill (Wilson), who discovers a 17-year-old golf prodigy named Santi (Peter Dager) and decides to mentor him on the competition circuit. It's got all the ingredients for an instant TV hit, and there are some incredible performances from the cast, which includes Marc Maron, Judy Greer, Mariana Trevino and Lilli Kay. And sure, it's about golf — not exactly my sport of choice — but, like soccer was to Ted Lasso, that's really just the kick-off point to tell some heartfelt stories about hope, resilience and the importance of picking yourself up. Add it to your lists, people! Looking for your next favourite under-the-radar Netflix show? This is it! Regular SBS watchers might have already caught this great British series, about a group of mates living in the 'grim North' of England. But Netflix is giving this fabulous black comedy a new life, streaming seasons one to five. It's already crept into their top 10 list this week, which brings me joy — I love that new fans are discovering how great This Is England's Joe Gilgun (the show's co-creator) and Bergerac's Damien Molony are as the two mismatched besties at the heart of the series. The full cast will be coming together for a special reunion episode at the conclusion of the final two instalments of the season, to be hosted by Kumi Taguchi. Can't wait for the debrief. If you took a drink every time someone said the word 'Tylenol' in this doco, you'd be absolutely hammered five minutes in. Talk about branding! Though probably not the kind the massive drug company was after. This doco has some genuinely surprising moments, but they weren't enough to sustain my interest past ep one. This Aussie drama, based on Jane Harper's bestselling novel, stars The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power's Charlie Vickers and Yerin Ha, who'll soon be seen playing the romantic lead in the next instalment of Bridgerton. Talk about a stacked cast! Mark your diaries.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Owen Wilson's new series Stick is feel-good TV at its best
Not to sound like an insufferable Pollyanna, but I have a list of things that make me smile. And when life's grinding me down and I'm having a particularly crappy day, I'll read it, and try to do at least one thing off it that instantly makes me feel better. I know — I annoy myself, too. There are all sorts of random things on said list: drinking my first coffee of the day, getting into clean sheets at night, sniffing my dog's paws (they smell like CCs!), feeling a breeze on my face through an open window, watching funny Instagram memes with my kid — all are instant dopamine hits. Over the years, various TV series have snuck their way on. And if I need a lift, I'll regularly rewatch old episodes of Escape To The Chateau, Schitt's Creek or Ted Lasso. If I REALLY want to feel all the happy feels, I'll pop on Bluey's Sleepytime episode and cry great, big cathartic tears into my cat's fur — highly recommend. I can't help wondering if Owen Wilson's new feel-good golf comedy, Stick, might be about to join my happy list, and, indeed, become a whole generation of sports-comedy-loving viewers' serotonin hit of choice. It tells the story of an over-the-hill golf pro called Pryce Cahill (Wilson), who discovers a 17-year-old golf prodigy named Santi (Peter Dager) and decides to mentor him on the competition circuit. It's got all the ingredients for an instant TV hit, and there are some incredible performances from the cast, which includes Marc Maron, Judy Greer, Mariana Trevino and Lilli Kay. And sure, it's about golf — not exactly my sport of choice — but, like soccer was to Ted Lasso, that's really just the kick-off point to tell some heartfelt stories about hope, resilience and the importance of picking yourself up. Add it to your lists, people! Series 1-5 of Brassic are now streaming on Netflix. Credit: Supplied Looking for your next favourite under-the-radar Netflix show? This is it! Regular SBS watchers might have already caught this great British series, about a group of mates living in the 'grim North' of England. But Netflix is giving this fabulous black comedy a new life, streaming seasons one to five. It's already crept into their top 10 list this week, which brings me joy — I love that new fans are discovering how great This Is England's Joe Gilgun (the show's co-creator) and Bergerac's Damien Molony are as the two mismatched besties at the heart of the series. Alone Australia is wrapping up its third season this week with a reunion show to air after the series concludes. Credit: Narelle Portanier / SBS The full cast will be coming together for a special reunion episode at the conclusion of the final two instalments of the season, to be hosted by Kumi Taguchi. Can't wait for the debrief. Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders is streaming now on Netflix. Credit: Supplied If you took a drink every time someone said the word 'Tylenol' in this doco, you'd be absolutely hammered five minutes in. Talk about branding! Though probably not the kind the massive drug company was after. This doco has some genuinely surprising moments, but they weren't enough to sustain my interest past ep one. Yerin Ha and Charlie Vickers star in The Survivors. Credit: Aedan O'Donnell / Netflix / Courtesy of Netflix This Aussie drama, based on Jane Harper's bestselling novel, stars The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power's Charlie Vickers and Yerin Ha, who'll soon be seen playing the romantic lead in the next instalment of Bridgerton. Talk about a stacked cast! Mark your diaries.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Netflix Saves ‘Sesame Street' From Trump's Reign of Terror
There are still sunny days ahead for Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Abby Cadabby, who have all survived Trump's recent assassination attempt, thanks to the rescue efforts of Netflix. The streamer just announced that beloved children's program Sesame Street will move to its service, after the Trump administration cut funding for its decades-long home, PBS. The news comes following a tough few months for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, which lost its contract with HBO after the network sought to shift away from children's programming. Then, another financial blow came from the current administration, after President Donald Trump cut federal funding to PBS, the free public broadcasting service that's been airing Sesame Street for over 50 years. These issues caused what executives described as a 'perfect storm' of problems for the program. Under the new Netflix agreement, new episodes will premiere on Netflix and PBS on the same day, ensuring the educational program stays accessible for millions of children across the country. That in itself is a gesture of good will between the streamer and the public broadcaster that could be construed as a political gesture amid Trump's cuts. 'This unique public-private partnership will enable Sesame Workshop to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix's global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the U.S. continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love,' Sesame Workshop CEO Sherri Westin said in a statement. The Netflix deal will begin with the 56th season of Sesame Street later this year and will feature new formatting changes, dropping the magazine-style format in favor of 11-minute story sequences. The show will also take a more character-driven focus as is typical of other popular children's shows like Bluey. As soon as the news dropped about Sesame Street finding a new home, people took to social media to celebrate, expressing their relief that the program can continue despite Trump's funding cuts. Thanks to the new deal, Elmo and his friends will get continue to do what they've always done best: teach kids how to read and count, all while making sure they feel like they will always have a friend to guide them in this chaotic world.
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Lego's June Releases Tremble Before Galactus
And Galactus probably trembles before the arrival of Lego 'Bluey', to be honest. Summer is well and truly upon us, and what better way to beat the heat than to be inside building Lego based on the movies you could be out in that heat going to watch? After last month's Star Wars bonanza, in June Lego's opening up to a whole host of other franchises to get in on the fun with new sets, including the very first Fantastic Four Lego set, a return to Fortnite, and yes… the arrival of the world's most famous Australian dog. Lego Bluey is arguably going to be the big drop of the month, but it is one among many highlights in a bumper month for Lego. The aforementioned Fantastic Four: First Steps set finally brings Marvel's first family to the physical world of Lego, the Jurassic World line is all in on Rebirth ahead of its arrival in cinemas, and Lego Simpsons makes a triumphant return. But that's not all, there's plenty to tempt your wallet this month—and yes, even a little more Star Wars, too. Check out the lowdown on the biggest Lego releases of June 2025 below! Lego Book Nooks This month Lego is launching a new line of designs featuring a series of foldout display pieces that can also serve as themed book nooks in your shelf space. So far the company is sticking to novel-themed ideas, like the debut Sherlock Holmes set and a Lord of the Rings encounter between Gandalf and the Balrog (albeit inspired by its rendition in the Peter Jackson films), but who's to say where the line goes from here? Lego Bluey Sets The kids cartoon sensation is now ready to bring Australian dominion to the world of Lego too, with a series of sets explicitly aimed at young builders in both the Duplo series and Lego's 4+ sets (although the young-at-heart adult Bluey fans will no doubt find some enjoyment with the latter, too). Whether you want something small with Bluey and her friends, or the whole Heeler household in one set, there's plenty for everyone. Lego City The City Tower Lego City is usually only in io9's proverbial wheelhouse when it comes to the line's myriad space exploration sets, but this new tower display is a celebration of all sorts of aspects of Lego City—space included! There's a rocket launch, a train, mirrored police and fire stations, a construction crane, and even a skate ramp for good measure. It's a peculiar mashup, but a fun way to make a Lego City set that reflects much of the line's mainstays. ($210, available here) Lego Star Wars Sets Star Wars got all the fun last month, but that doesn't mean there's nothing from the galaxy far, far away coming in June. It is a smorgasbord of smaller sets though, from a Plo Koon microfighter, a Darth Maul mini-mech, and an Ahsoka-inspired battle pack that gives you a squad of Night Troopers to add to your legions. Lego Jurassic World Rebirth Sets Rebirth is the name of the game this month in the land of Jurassic World, with a whole host of sets inspired by the new movie. The time is now for your Jonathan Bailey minifigure! But honestly, the star of the show might be the smallest set on offer: the adorable Dolores, a baby Aquilops. Lego Art: The Fauna Collection Tiger The Lego Art series expands with an original artpiece, recreating a dazzling tiger head surrounded by florals, which can be customized or even enhanced with flowers from the Lego botanicals range. ($65, available here) Lego Marvel Sets The first Fantastic Four: First Steps set (and first Fantastic Four set outright!) might be the draw here, despite Mr. Fantastic's distressing legs, but it's not the only Marvel set we're getting this month, as Iron Spider swings into the Marvel bust line. Lego Minecraft Sets After a brief bout of Minecraft Movie mania, Lego's back to the regular gaming-inspired sets for the survival crafter, with a variety of builds. The standout, however, is a wonderfully pixelated buildable Creeper—who is not only about as articulated as a Creeper can get, but even can have TNT hidden in its head for an explosive easter egg. Lego Icons The Simpsons Krusty Burger Lego returns to The Simpsons for the first time in a decade with another iconic Springfield locale in the form of Krusty Burger. Alongside most of the Simpsons family in Homer, Bart, and Lisa (complete with an appropriate clown-car variant of the family car from Homer's tenure in Clown College), there's a host of Simpsons stalwarts, including Sideshow Bob, a new Krusty farmer inspired by the season 20 episode 'Coming to Homerica', and, of course, the squeaky-voiced teen. ($210, available here) Lego Fortnite Sets Lego's ongoing digital-physical collaboration with Fortnite continues with a series of sets inspired by the Fortnite Lego Odyssey mode, including a giant-sized Klombo beast. Lego Disney Sets There's only one bit of Stitch-adjacent fever from Lego this month to tie-into the new movie in the form of a buildable Angel, Stitch's cutesy companion from the mid-aughts TV show, but the standout is a huge buildable (and customizable) Dalmatian pup from 101 Dalmatians. Check the price tag before attempting to buy 101 of them, though. Lego Ideas Pixar Luxo Jr. Disney-adjacent, but actually from Lego's crowdsourced Ideas series, this adorable replica of the iconic Pixar mascot from the studio's very first short even includes the iconic Pixar ball too, packed with hidden references to a litany of animated classics—plus, you can even pose Luxo Jr. balancing on it for good measure. ($70, available here)
CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
I've Tried Many VPNs That Struggle With Streaming, but This One Lets Me Stream Comfort Content With Zero Hiccups
CNET's key takeaways ExpressVPN is as as simple to use as a VPN can get, making it a great choice for beginners At $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year), it's more expensive than its competitors As a professional VPN reviewer, it's my go-to pick for streaming comfort content from Hungary As someone who's moved back and forth between two continents over the past 17 years, I often find myself pining for certain aspects of another time or another location. Now that I'm back in the US, there's an excitement and raw energy that I miss after living in Hungary and traveling throughout Europe. A similar feeling comes up when I'm trying to stream a specific show or movie online and it's not available. Depending on where I'm located, I'll only be able to access streaming content that's available in my region. That means that if I'm at home in the US, I can't watch a lot of the content that I would be able to watch if I were in Hungary. But with ExpressVPN, I can. And as much as I love streaming Bluey on Disney Plus at home with my daughter, sometimes I need a little break. That's when I retreat to the den, where I've connected my Roku to ExpressVPN, which changes my IP address to register my connection as originating from an entirely different part of the world. Suddenly I have access to Hungarian shows like Rise of the Raven and The Informant, or movies like Hadik and Riviera East, on Netflix. I can even stream US content like Kindergarten Cop or Primal Fear on Netflix's Hungarian library along with other titles that also aren't currently available on Netflix in the US. I've been testing the best VPNs in a professional capacity for over a decade, and no matter how many VPN services I've tested and used, I always gravitate back to ExpressVPN. Others like NordVPN and Surfshark are also user-friendly and excellent for streaming, but neither one can quite match ExpressVPN's ease-of-use across platforms (including routers) or the depth and breadth of its geo-unblocking capabilities. My experience with ExpressVPN There's no VPN in my experience that runs as smoothly, performs as seamlessly across platforms or unblocks streaming content as expertly as ExpressVPN. Whenever I test a VPN for streaming, I invariably run into at least one hiccup. VPNs often have trouble unblocking content on Hulu, Disney or Amazon Prime Video -- sometimes across all platforms and sometimes only on a specific operating system. Or sometimes a VPN may struggle to unblock a specific country's library on Netflix. But with ExpressVPN, I've been consistently able to access all the content I want across all the devices I test on and all of the streaming services I try. I did run into a minor issue attempting to stream certain titles on Netflix through ExpressVPN's Apple TV app upon first testing it a day or two after it was released in 2023. However, ExpressVPN quickly addressed those issues and my streaming experience on the provider's Apple TV app has been flawless ever since. I really like ExpressVPN's minimalistic app and how it delivers a consistent experience across platforms. It's not quite as chock-full of extra features as others like NordVPN or Surfshark are, but ExpressVPN is the best choice for beginners because it's about as simple to use as a VPN can possibly get -- no learning curve required. What I find especially impressive is how easy ExpressVPN is to use on a router. I have ExpressVPN's Aircove router and I love the slick, intuitive router app interface that comes with it and how it lets me easily drag and drop my devices into different categories of servers. For instance, I have one group set to connect to Hungary to stream Hungarian content, one for privacy that I set to my nearest location for optimal speeds, another for streaming content in other countries and one set to not connect to the VPN. My Aircove router setup gives me maximum flexibility because I can connect any number of devices to the VPN at any time, even devices that don't offer native VPN support. This means that I can bypass ExpressVPN's eight simultaneous devices limit and unblock geo-restricted streaming content on my Roku Streambar. The specs Price: $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year) Number of servers: 3,000-plus in 105 countries Speed: 18% speed loss in 2025 tests Apps available for: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, FireTV, Android TV, Apple TV, routers Streaming compatibility: Netflix, Disney Plus, Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV Plus and others Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands CNET's buying advice ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPNs on the market. But if you want the best option for nearly any use case and don't mind paying extra, ExpressVPN is a worthy investment. In addition to being perhaps the easiest VPN to use and the best VPN for streaming, ExpressVPN's privacy and transparency are also first-rate. There are other similarly well-rounded VPN providers out there, including NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN, that offer a nice balance of privacy and usability. NordVPN is a great option if you want the fastest possible speeds out of your VPN or if you want extra privacy protections through features like Tor over VPN. Surfshark is an excellent option if you want a premium VPN experience without having to pay for an expensive VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN. Proton VPN is great for privacy-conscious users who also like to stream content, although its apps are somewhat less user-friendly than other premium VPN apps. If you want top-notch privacy with cheap and flexible pricing and don't care much for streaming, then Mullvad is what I would recommend. While it's expensive, ExpressVPN representatives tell me that a full overhaul of its pricing structure is imminent, which will hopefully make the service a much better value for budget-minded users. Right now, ExpressVPN's best value subscription is its annual plan, which costs $100 for the first year and renews at $117 annually after the initial term. That's less than what you'd pay for a year if you paid month-by-month at the $13 monthly subscription rate and cheaper than the two-year plan that costs $140 total for the first two years combined and renews at $150 per year after the introductory term. But for the most well-rounded VPN available, ExpressVPN is still worth it, whether you're a beginner or seasoned VPN user because it's incredibly good at everything it does.
