HOST

 Six friends Haley (Haley Bishop), Jemma (Jemma Moore), Emma (Emma Louise Webb), Radina (Radina Drandova), Caroline (Caroline Ward) and Teddy (Edward Linard) hire a medium Seylan (Seylan Baxter) to hold a séance via Zoom during lockdown.

All was fun and games, until it wasn’t. Seylan had given strict instructions to obey and not make fun of the spirits but there’s always one, who simply can’t or won’t follow the rules and that was Jemma.

Due to Jemma’s careless, selfish actions, an evil entity invades their homes and is not leaving anytime soon, until he does what he sets out to do.

Wow… I normally go accordance with movie length (57 minutes) and already made up my mind, before giving this movie a go, that it was going to be crap. Movies that are generally less than 1.5 hours, are rubbish.

But not this one, it turned out to be quite the gem. Here's an interesting fact, this movie was entirely developed and filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Outback Motor Inn Nyngan. Clean, Compact and Perfect as a Pit Stop

 Travelling from South Coast to the Outback is a 14-hour drive, where I needed a pit stop to refuel, rest and continue on with my journey. 

I have chosen Outback Motor Inn for an overnight stay (great value if you’re on a budget) and chosen this place for two reasons, as it is the midpoint of my travels and I wanted to see the Big Bogan statue. 

To my surprise, the accommodation is across the road from the RSL Bistro and only ten-minute walk to town, which coincidentally, you will find the Big Bogan statue. I found the accommodation compact but unbelievably, all the conveniences were there. 

As a family of four, we fitted quite snug in the one room, including an area to make your tea/coffee and many appliances available (tele, microwave, toaster, ironing board and kettle) within the same room. 

You will also receive complimentary tea, coffee, sugar and a small popper of milk. There are soap/shampoo dispensers in the shower as well. However, being located close to the Barrier Highway, the traffic was continuous throughout the night, very noisy and occasionally you could hear a train whistle when going by. 

I would highly recommend to ask for a room further away from the highway. On top of that, what is with the sheets? Every little move you make, sounds like raincoat noises, very annoying and disruptive, we tried our best not to move, not to disturb others within the room. In short, we didn’t have a comfortable, restful sleep! 

But in all fairness, the motel has no fault with the noise made by traffic, but can make improvements with their rustling sheets. Just a suggestion. 

Another interesting site to visit during your travels to the outback is an open-cut mine at Fort Bourke Hill Lookout… if you’re heading that way – magnificent viewing.

TOM OF YOUR LIFE

 This is an interesting and unique concept. I have read the synopsis and thought it would be similar to the movie ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – 2008’ and how wrong was I. A nurse ‘Jess’ (Baize Buzan), smuggles a baby ‘Tom’ (Judah Abner Paul – Tom age 8; Joshua Paul – Tom age 12; Dominic Rescigno – Tom in his 20s and Jeremy Sklar – Tom in his 30s – 104) out of the hospital, after discovering that the baby ages four years every hour.

With little time to live, Jess wants to show Tom what life is all about before the authorities have a hold on him. An interesting conversation starter with friends and family. What would you do, if you know someone that has only one day to live? Where would you take this person, what life experiences would you try to squeeze in?

Pretty hard trying to cram life’s best experiences as a child to an old person… where would you start? What if it was you in this position? How would you live it as a child, teenager, adult till your last breath?

I underestimated this movie, I believe it is an interesting watch, if you want something different for a change. Acting was pretty good too!

the BIG bogan. Am I Seeing Double?

 My aim is to find as many BIG monuments available within Australia and of course take a selfie as proof. I have already made arrangements to visit the outback, which I purposely chosen Nyngan as my overnight stay, as they have the ‘Big Bogan’ tourist attraction. 

Yes… it is a great opportunity for a photo opportunity with friends and/or family but apart from that, Nyngan doesn’t have much else worth seeing. However, I do believe it is a clever move to have such a large statue, as the Big Bogan works as a draw card to attract tourists – it definitely worked for me. 

By fluke, I also found a smaller version of the Big Bogan (if memory serves me correctly, situation on the Mitchell Highway), and yes… didn’t hesitate to take a photo with the little bogan too.

GREENLAND

People are watching helplessly and fleeing aimlessly for survival, as flying meteors come crashing down on Earth, causing extreme chaos.

The government have notified only selective people who they believe are worth rescueing, those who are skills of value to offer, which the Garrity family were lucky enough to be selected.

Cascade Brewery and HistoryExperience. A 'Cicerone' in the Making

 When checking in for your tour at the ‘Cascade Brewhouse’, each participant receives a brochure outlining the history of Cascade Brewery, the brewing process, the range of beers available and a token that entitles you to a 10% discount on Cascade souvenirs / gift purchases. 

The first question the lady asked us was, if we were wearing flat shoes – to which we replied “yes”. Furthermore, the lady will instruct you where your meeting point is and what time you should be there. We were there about an hour early, so we had dinner there. 

Bruny Island Cruises. Hold Onto Your Pants!!!

 We purchased our tickets online or you can actually buy your tickets in person at their Hobart Waterfront Booking Centre (nearby ‘Constitution Dock Marina’ – you can’t miss it). Purchase price with Kettering pickup is $150 pp but it also includes your return fare on vehicle ferries. Received a confirmation email and a link on Google Maps to drive to ‘Kettering Meeting Point’ (Oyster Cove Marina), easy to get to with the provided Google Maps link and plenty of free parking available at meeting point.

COME PLAY

 Oliver (Azhy Robertson) is a lonely boy due to being different from everyone else and unable to talk but communicates through his technology device.

It is through Oliver’s much needed device, a sinister creature named ‘Larry’ comes through, communicating to Oliver and wanting to make friends with him. Larry preys upon lonely children, promises to be their friend forever and anyone who steps in his way, will die.

BLACK BOX

 Nolan (Mamoudou Athie) is struggling to regain his memory after surviving a horrific car accident but not so lucky for his wife. He has no recollection or connection of his daughter Ava (Amanda Christine), nor the work he used to do, where he was recognised and rewarded with awards of recognition.

Nolan tries his best to return to his former self and with the help and guidance of his friend Gary (Tosin Morohunfola), Nolan undergoes an experimental treatment that may help to regain his memory.

Travelodge ‘Flight Restaurant’. Hobart Airport Tourist Park

 We stayed at the Hobart Airport Tourist Park, there are two restaurant options within walking distance, we had already dined at Tasmanian Gourmet Seafoods (food is very nice) and the other is at Travelodge ‘Flight Restaurant’, so we thought we would give this a go. 

They are opened for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, we went there for dinner, open seven days from 5.30pm to 9pm and it is table service. We wasted no time and arrived there at 5.30pm without reservations – all good, the waitstaff greeted us and walked us to our table for two. 

The Teez Café Teezed Our Taste Buds

 Having left Strahan for Hobart (4.5-hour drive), we found ‘The Teez Café’ in Tarraleah by accident – I was not aware of its existence. 

After traveling for about two hours on the Lyell Highway, we saw this sign displayed on the path on the side of the highway “The Teez Café” and underneath it “Tasty Lunches” (literally we reached midpoint – a sign displayed on the T-Section ‘turn right to Strahan (175km) turn or left for Hobart (125km)’.

Gordon River Cruise. Wilderness at its Best

 We stayed at Strahan Holiday Retreat Big 4 because it is only a ten-minute fast-paced walk to the main wharf and saves you the hassles of finding a parking spot. If you’re driving there, you would have to pay for parking whether it’s off-street or in parking lots. 

Once we got there, we entered their ticketing place / gift shop, to get our tickets. We have already purchased our tickets online but you still need to get your tickets to get your seating number(s) before boarding ‘Spirit of the Wild’ cruise ship – check-in at 8am for 8.30am departure for our six-hour tour journey. 

I AM WOMAN

 Biography of one of the most successful female singers of her time… Helen Reddy. Unfolds the story from rags to riches. Takes place in 1966, Helen Reddy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) heads from Australia to New York, with her three-year-old daughter Traci (Scout Bowman), having won a recording contract, only to be reneged.

Molly's Cafe Strahan Tasmania. Jolly Molly

 We were staying at the BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat Park and wanted something simple, quick and convenient. Molly’s Great Food fits that description perfectly and is conveniently located right next door to BIG4. 

This is a great place for casual dining, where you can dine in or outdoors or takeaway. They even have a chalkboard displayed at the front of the café with specials for the day.

GET DUKED!

 

Ian (Samuel Bottomley), Duncan (Lewis Gribben) and DJ Beatroot (Viraj Juneja) are no-hopers and their teacher Mr Carlyle (Jonathan Aris), has given them a chance of feeling one’s worth or purpose in life, by giving them a mission to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award trek across the highlands.

CENTIGRADE

 This story was inspired by actual events that took place in 2002. A heavily pregnant American novelist Naomi (Genesis Rodriguez) and her husband Matt (Vincent Piazza) were traveling in a rental car to Norway to attend a small book tour.

Caught in bad weather, the couple decided to pull to the side of the road until the weather settles down a bit, only to wake up buried under snow and caught in a blizzard. With very little food and water and a baby on the way, tells the harrowing story of their struggles they encountered and what they had to do just to survive for over the next three weeks – something they weren’t prepared for.

Hamer’s Bar & Grill. Really... Vegemite Caramel Sauce?

 We actually had plans to dine at ‘Bushman’s Bar and Café’ but they had a sign displayed at the entrance of their door that it is booked out. So we strolled through town and found ‘Hamer’s Bar & Grill’, (bistro dining) no reservations required, a simple walk in (we were there about 6pm), attended to straight away, the dining area was spacious, we were walked to our table and left with a menu to look through.

BIG4 Strahan Holiday Retreat. The Positives Outweigh The Negatives

 I have found Big4 Strahan Holiday Retreat to be a convenient place to stay because it is walking distance to town including local tourist attractions. As a family of four, we booked a ‘Standard Park Cabin’ (1 x Queen bed and 4 x Bunk beds for six people, only because the cabins for four were already booked out) for a two-night stay.

There are no boomgates to access the site, staff are very friendly and when checking in, they will give you keys and a copy of the map so you can find your way around the park quite easily. On the reverse side of the map, you are given Wi-Fi password and a thorough explanation should you experience slow connection but how to overcome the problem with given alternatives how to find ‘hot spots’ to improve your chances (I’m guessing that there may have been a lot of complaints from prior guests, but it’s out of anyone’s control and it doesn’t help when guests are there during the holiday season (we stayed there on 3 & 4 January 2020). 

UNHINGED

 Rachel (Caren Pistorius) is running late getting her son Kyle (Gabriel Bateman) to school and getting to work on time. Frustrated and stuck in traffic, Rachel loses her patience with a driver (Russell Crowe) in front of her, when the lights turn green.

Rather than give him a “courtesy tap”, she angrily blares her horn at him and then overtakes the driver, clearly showing him that she is not impressed… wrong move! This sets the driver’s inner psychotic rage, where you figure that he too is having a bad day, and what Rachel did, just tipped him over.

THE VANISHED

 Paul (Thomas Jane), his wife Wendy (Anne Heche) and their ten-year-old daughter Taylor (Kk & Sadie Heim) takes a family vacation at a serene RV park. While Paul was prepping to go fishing with his daughter, he was distracted by another camper, a beautiful lady named Miranda (Aleksei Archer), got talking with her for a while and during this time, his daughter goes missing.

You learn that the couple have marital problems already, where Wendy blames Paul for their missing child. Having the local Sheriff (Jason Patric) involved, the two stop at nothing, and do their own investigations to find their missing daughter, who disappeared without a trace.