What movies to watch this weekend

In the Cinema:

Baby Driver:
First venture into a Hollywood style movie for director Edgar Wright, this heist movie with a twist has been receiving high praise from the critics and public alike due to it's high speed action and outstanding soundtrack. Two hours of entertainment guaranteed!





At Home: 

Loving:
Superb real life drama filled with marvellous performances, including an Oscar nominated turn by Ruth Negga in a film beautifully told and one worth catching on home release if it passed you by in the cinema!






On Telly

Catch Me if You Can: (RTE 2 Saturday 1st July 19:00pm)
Highly entertaining true tale of swindler Frank Abagnale directed stylishly by Steven Speilberg and containing some terrific performances from Leonardo Di Caprio and Tom Hanks this is definitely filed under the "must watch again!" category!

Kerry Film Festival to show Back to the Future in Second Open Air Cinema Screening

On the back of a very successful first open air cinema screening of Sing Street at Tralee Town Park, Kerry Film Festival in association with Killarney 4th of July celebrations presents it's second Open Air Cinema outing of the summer with the screening of the timeless (pardon the pun) Back to the Future in the wonderful surroundings of Killarney House.

The highly successful Killarney 4th of July celebrations is now in it's fourth year, going from strength to strength and what better way to kick off proceedings than watching a classic movie, under the stars in some of the finest surroundings that this county has to offer....and all FREE of charge!

Tickets are going fast and must be booked in advance and there some terms and conditions and useful tips to be aware of, all of which can viewed here

Looking forward to another great Kerry Film Festival Event!

My 5 Favourite Films of 2017 so far!

Now that we are nearly half way through 2017, I've decided to compile a list of my five favourite films of the year so far. It's been a quite solid year in terms of quality for the cinema goer but these 5 movies are the ones that have really stood out for me! Feel free to add your own favourites in the comment box or via social media!

5. Logan
A different take on the superhero movie with James Mangold adding extra heartfelt drama and added violence on Hugh Jackman's final hurrah as the infamous Wolverine. Read my full review here.

4. Manchester by the Sea
A masterful and heartbreaking drama that deservedly gained multiple award nominations and high critical acclaim, this moving piece is worthy of high praise indeed! Affleck and Williams are superb in their respective roles helped by some wonderful writing and direction by Kenneth Lonergan.

3. Get Out
Chilling and highly original horror film from Jordan Peele that would correctly be the "movie of the year" choice of a lot of the cinema going public. This is a film that will haunt you for days after viewing! My first review to appear on www.traleetoday.ie so it will always hold a special (if not scary) place in my heart!
Read my full review here.

2.Lion
This big hearted moving true story drama will undoubtedly be on the end of year list of best films of 2017. Multi award nominated and revered by critics and audiences alike this film is simply a must watch!
Read my full review here.

1. Moonlight
This incredible Oscar winning Barry Jenkins directed film will surely be top of any list come the end of 2017 in what was one of the most creatively crafted pieces of cinema seen in years. Believe the hype, this film is a work of art!
Read my full review here.

Review: Paterson - Another masterpiece on show as part of Tech Amergin's wonderful Culture Cinema programme!

Winner of the Palm Dog in the Cannes International Film Festival in 2016 this latest feature by director Jim Jarmusch is another welcome addition to the superb quality of film being shown at Tech Amergin as part of their Culture Cinema programme.
This masterful piece sees us observe a week in the life of Paterson (Adam Driver) a hardworking bus driver in Paterson, New Jersey, who follows the same routine every day. He observes the city and listens to pieces of conversations while picking up and dropping off his passengers on his daily route. Paterson also writes heartfelt poetry in his notebook, walks his dog and drinks one beer in a bar after his shift is over. At home is his wife Laura (Golshifteh Farahani), who champions his gift for writing yet is completely opposite in nature. Paterson is content with his daily routine and all it entails whereas Laura creates new dreams on  daily basis but there love for each other is undeniable and at the centre of this wonderful film.
Paterson is unassuming and simplistic in design, as the audience gets a voyeuristic look in the life of this ordinary man and observes the victories and defeats of daily life. It plays out like a poem in both structure and style on screen with each day representing a verse and enough time given for the audience to absorb the beauty in the simplicity taking place in front of their eyes.
Adam Driver is simply masterful in his portrayal of Paterson and his subtlety and dedication to the role just showcase what a special actor he is and adds yet another top class performance to what is becoming a highly impressive CV.
Overall, Jarmusch's ode to creativity is beautiful (and yes, poetic) in it's execution, in a film that frankly we don't see enough of these days in modern cinema, a low key, emotionally rich simplistic work of art! A triumph!
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The best online movie streaming services available in Ireland

Although I have previously lamented the loss of the video store, there are some superb choices out there for those of us who have embraced the streaming culture that exists as a way to watch our favourite movies. Everyone is aware of the riches of Netflix but what other online streaming choices are out there for the avid movie goer?
I've decided to have a look at the best options available on identify the advantages and disadvantages of all:

1. Netflix: (www.netflix.com)

The leading light in online streaming has become revolutionary in the way we now consume entertainment. Whilst the TV aspect of this service is second to none, with it's original productions being at the forefront, Netflix is now slowly moving towards original film production which has been the subject of Cannes controversy lately but has subtly seen big Hollywood names (in front of and behind the camera) make the transition to Netflix produced original film. The back catalogue of films may still need to be improved however but the quality on show improves month by month.
Compatability: Smart TVs,Streaming Media Players,Game Consoles,Set-top Boxes,Blu-ray Players,Smartphones & Tablets,PCs & Laptops.
Cost: One month free trial and €7.99 per month for basic package thereafter
Pros: Original produced content, affordable price,
Cons: Movie catalogue could be improved

2. Amazon Prime Video (www.primevideo.com)

Launched in Ireland in December 2016 Amazon prime has taken a similar approach to Netlfix in gaining exclusive rights to some excellent TV series content with the movie catalogue taking a back seat for the time being. It contains a considerably smaller movie selection than Netflix but you may be able to dig out the odd nugget here and there and as it is a relatively new service to this country it is bound to improve it's selection as time progresses.
Compatability: Android phones and tablets, iOS phones and tablets, Kindle Fire tablets, some LG and Samsung smart TVs and online at PrimeVideo.com.
Cost: One month free trial and €2.99 per month for the first six months and €5.99 per month after that.
Pros: Affordable price, may have some movie choices that are not available on other streaming services
Cons: Not as compatible as other services, poor selection of films.

3. NOW TV (www.nowtv.com)

Launched in Ireland in April of this year, NOW TV grants access to the exclusive Sky Cinema back catalogue without the need to take out a lengthy subscription. The viewer may purchase a Sky Cinema Pass on a monthly basis to enjoy all the latest movie choices that Sky have to offer. The selection is clearly better than other online streaming services but then also is the price!
Compatability: NOW TV Set-top Box (€25), Game Consoles,Smartphones & Tablets,PCs & Laptops.
Cost: 14 day free trial and €15 per month thereafter.
Pros: The best movie selection of all streaming services available with a premiere every day and movies available just 8 months after their initial release.
Cons: The most expensive of the movie streaming services available, not as compatible as other services.

5 films to watch on Netflix before they expire this month!

Everyone is well aware of the great new releases available on Netflix at the start of every month but what viewers tend to forget, that ,as a new bunch of fresh movies and TV shows make their way onto the Netflix catalogue for our enjoyment, a host of other titles have to make way! Suddenly that TV series we were almost finished watching or that movie that we never got around to seeing have disappeared out of sight leaving feelings of frustration and regret. How do we counter act this? Firstly, it's always wise to keep account of titles that are expiring every month to avoid repeat let downs. These lists are readily available from such websites as Vodzilla  and keep streaming audiences well informed of what is coming and going on online streaming platforms. You can also regularly check this blog or my facebook page for updates on the best of what is coming and going on Netflix.
With that in mind, I have made a list of 5 titles that are expiring very soon and are worth catching before Netflix unceremoniously dumps them for newer features.

Here are my 5 movie picks to catch before they expire:

5. The Gift (expires 29th June)
Smart psychological thriller in the Twilight Zone vein, featuring a complete change of pace for Jason Bateman and a masterful performance from Joel Edgerton. Highly recommended!

4. Foxcatcher (expires 29th June)
Haunting true story featuring three brilliant performances from Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo. This chilling drama is a gripping yet uneasy watch and the fact that it is based on real events makes it all the more eerie!

3.Whiplash (expires 30th June)
Outstanding directorial debut by Damien Chazzelle and starring Oscar winning J.K.Simmons in a role of a lifetime this high energy, intense and inspiring tale was undoubtedly one of the best films of 2014 and well worthy of repeated viewing. Catch it before it's gone!

2. Limitless (expires 30th June)
105 minutes of pure escapism as Robert De Niro and the impressive Bradley Cooper combine in this smartly paced fantasy thriller that despite it's shortcomings, keeps it's audience entertained throughout!

1. Margin Call (expires 30th June)
This smart and stylish thought provoking drama which deals with the financial crash of 2008 contains an all star cast in a gripping film that deserves viewing before it's expiration on Netflix.

Tralee Omniplex Tuesday Treat - What new release movie deserves your €6 this week?

There are two new releases for your consideration for this weeks Tuesday Treat at Tralee Omniplex. One is another venture into summer blockbuster territory and the other is a fluffy rom com starring Brendan Gleeson and Diane Keaton . There are also some fine movies still showing at Tralee Omniplex so lots to chose from this week and all for the giveaway price of €6!

Hampstead:
This movie is getting slightly poor reviews due to it's unfair comparison to a Richard Curtis film. However, if the big blockbuster smash isn't quite your thing this may suit your tastes and a film starring the wonderful Brendan Gleeson and Diane Keaton can never be that bad anyway, surely!

Transformers:The Last Knight:
Hard to believe this is the fifth installment of this franchise, as Michael Bay bombards us with state of the art special effects, each more loud and brash than the next but what is ultimately a hollow shell of a film that will please a certain cinema demographic but leaves the majority with nothing but a thumping headache! Let the viewer beware!

Buy Irish! - Why it's ok to skip the odd Hollywood blockbuster to support Irish film!

My fondness and admiration for the extremely high quality of Irish films being produced is well documented throughout my posts in this blog and hopefully by the end of this article it will be abundantly clear why!
Firstly, by promoting an Irish product of any sort, it's usually primarily economic reasons, that dictate the need to support "local" and even though that is also true in this case ( something I will allude to later), that should not be the main reason to hand over your hard earned cash to catch an Irish movie, the truth is - they're actually pretty damned good!
Traditionally Ireland is a land of great storytellers, so it should come as no surprise that we create great film. Culturally, in all fields (writers, musicians etc) we have punched above our weight for years, so why is such a surprise to some that the Irish film industry (despite the monumental financial backing that other countries enjoy) can compete globally in terms of quality produced.
Just take the last two years for instance - 2016 saw Irish director Lenny Abrahamson and writer Emma O'Donoghue as well as actress Saoirse Ronan all Oscar nominated, whilst 2017 has seen the film Sing Street and actor Colin Farrell achieve a Golden Globe nominations whilst actress Ruth Negga was also Oscar nominated.
On all aspects of cinema , this country is simply blessed with talent. We have consistently produced extremely talented directors with the likes of Jim Sheridan, John Boorman and Neil Jordan now being joined by a glut of directorial talent in the shape of the aforementioned Lenny Abrahamson, along with such talents as John Carney, Martin McDonagh, Peter Foott, John Butler and Mark O'Connor to name just a few.
Front of camera, any country that can boast names like Brendan Gleeson, Michael Fassbender, Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson and Ruth Negga has to be very proud of it's artistic talent.
The quality of film being produced in Ireland is now slap bang in the middle of a purple patch with every strand of filmmaking in this country, from the indie movie touring the film festival circuit to the strongly funded main stream film all showcasing all that is great in Irish cinema.
From indie films that have now found their way to nationwide cinema screens like the brilliant "Twice Shy" and "Cardboard Gangsters" to the more main stream cinema hits such as "Handsome Devil" and "Sing Street" are all prime examples of what Irish cinema is currently all about.
Film Funding in this country has taken quite a hit in the last few years and financial cutbacks taken at the time for the various strands of film making( be it local film festivals, independent films etc ) will never be returned, so therefore it is of great importance that the viewing public in this country, choose that Irish movie over that Hollywood blockbuster or support that local film festival and maybe get a preview of that next Irish cinematic gem and give the financial aid that this talented industry so badly needs and not because it's supporting an Irish product (which is also a good reason!) but because it's another chance to see what a talented bunch us Irish actually are!!

This weeks Top Movies on the Telly

Contagion - (TG4 Monday 26th June 21:30)
Steven Soderbergh assembles an all star cast in this tense, well paced disaster movie that is both smart and scary. This high stakes thriller was perhaps a little underrated at it's time of 2011 release but makes compelling frightening viewing!
Well worth a look!

Argo - (RTE 1  Wednesday 27th June 21:35)
Superb real life thriller which scooped Best Director at the Academy Awards for Ben Affleck. Deserves another viewing for the tale, tension and talent on show! If you haven't seen it - where have you been? Don't miss this opportunity to catch a great film!

The Deer Hunter - (ITV4  Thursday 29th June 23:05)
Some great films on the telly this week and this is no exception, Michael Cimino's masterpiece is fronted by a trio of magnificent performances from Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep. Simply, a must watch!

Review: Cardboard Gangsters - Gritty Drama, a welcome break from the recent blockbuster buffet!

As a welcome break from the glut of big budget summer blockbusters this week, I settled down in my comfy cinema seat to enjoy Mark O'Connor's latest offering Dublin crime drama Cardboard Gangsters. That comfort was short lived however as the raw and gritty realistic nature of a drug war raging in Darndale gripped my attention mercilessly for the next ninety minutes in what was yet another showcase for what is the thriving film making scene that exists in Ireland at the moment.
Cardboard Gangsters follows a group of young Cardboard Gangsters and their attempt to gain control of the drug trade in Darndale, chasing the glorified lifestyle of money, power and sex. Jay Connolly (Connors) is a part-time DJ and low-level drug dealer. However, when his welfare is cut off he decides it’s time for him and his gang to enter the big leagues which attracts the attention of the local King Pin and sets Jay down a violent and bloody path.
Having already encapsulated festival audiences around the world, the film has won three awards at the Manchester Film Festival (Best Actor, Best Feature Film and Film of the Festival) and was awarded Outstanding Achievement in Film making at the Newport Beach Film Festival in California, It is currently enjoying a nationwide release to high critical and audience acclaim.
For those you pine for the days of TV shows like Love/Hate this film is definitely the tonic for you as the authenticity of this world is captured perfectly in the writing and direction of Mark O'Connor and a towering performance by the immensely talented John Connors who is at the forefront of all that is good in this film (it also feature Damien Dempsey in a cameo role, which can only be a positive). Galvanised by some fantastic Dublin rap music, this well made and faithful drama never glamourises it's subject matter and contains large of heart, humour and hurt resulting in hard hitting film that will leave it's audience shaken long after the end credits roll!
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What movies to watch this weekend

In the Cinema:

Hampstead
Uplifting rom com based on a true story, directed by Joel Hopkins and starring the ever dependable duo of Brendan Gleeson and Diane Keaton, this film will welcome a nice alternative for those who don't wish to sit through yet another Transformers movie!

At Home: 

Moonlight:
Another chance to experience Barry Jenkins masterpiece and Oscar winning movie Moonlight. Easily the best film you will see this year, Jenkins unique style, the strong performances and the rich narrative deliver what was one of the cinematic experiences of the year and can now be enjoyed at home!






On Telly

Bridesmaids (RTE 1 Sunday 24th June 21:40pm)
Classic Paul Feig directed comedy packed with great performances, funny characters and it's fair share of gross out gags, this film was the surprise box office smash of  2011 and is well worth another look!

5 movies that should have been terrible...but were actually quite good!

As an alternative list to 5 Movies that should have been great...but ultimately were rubbish! I have decided to generate a list based on movies that the audience either had no interest in initially or had begrudgingly bought a ticket for, only to be pleasantly surprised at the outcome. These appear to be films that no one has asked for yet turn out to be great movies despite the lack of enthusiasm around their release.  I have created a list below of five such films but please add your own choice either in the comment section or on facebook or twitter:

5. Rise of the Planet of The Apes
A franchise that seemed dead and buried after Tim Burtons' hash of a reboot in 2001, Rupert Wyatt's origins story gave unlikely new life to a series of movies that seemed doomed for the scrap heap thanks in no small part to a great story and an even better performance by Andy Serkis!

4. The Lego Movie
A 90 minute movie about LEGO would in other hands just came across as an overlong commercial but with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller at the wheel, this film became fun for all the family and the surprise hit of 2014 and has since spawned two sequels!

3. Dredd
With the only ever previous attempt to turn this comic book character the appallingly bad 1995 version starring Sylvester Stallone, there was a certain trepidation with relatively unknown Karl Urban in the lead role, but outstanding special effects and a dark humour running throughout, this updated 2012 film did more than enough to keep fans of the comic and the general cinema going public happy!

2.Wonder Woman
After a glut of superhero movies throughout 2017 the last thing we needed was a reboot of an 80's TV show in the shape of Wonder Woman but what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be as this Patty Jenkins directed film driven by a tour de force performance by Gal Gadot made this movie one of the hits of the year!

1. Bad Santa
A film that destroys our wholesome image of Old Nick, offends at every turn and is beyond rude should have been a disaster waiting to happen but a near perfect Billy Bob Thornton and some hilarious scenes make this a dark yet classic comedy that has enjoyed a cult following ever since it's release (the less said about Bad Santa 2 the better!)

If you're only going to watch one Action movie this week it should be.....The Raid: Redemption

A subtitled Indonesian Martial Arts film directed by a Welsh man overflowing with extreme gore and violence isn't a movie that jumps off the shelf straight on to the "must watch" pile - but it should!
This 2012 highly energetic and frenetically paced action film by Gareth Evans is simply one of the best actions films of the last decade!
The premise which revolves around a S.W.A.T. team who become trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs, sets the scene for some of the most awesome fight scenes and stunts you will ever experience in film. Think of the unadulterated rush you felt the first time you saw any John Woo film or the great Bruce Lee in action and you are some of the way there to realising what kind of an action masterpiece has been created by Gareth Evans.
The fight choreography scenes make John Wick look like Bambi and the pace is faster than a formula one car, as scene after energetic scene of  fist pumping fight sequences leave the viewer in a overwhelming feeling of exhaustion by the end of the film.
I know it may not be suited to all tastes (and the violence is at times a little over the top!) but as far as an all out action thriller movie goes, it is definitely worth the investment and fans of the action genre will have to search high and low for a film that matches it's intensity, pace and excitement.
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Kerry Film Festival presents Thomas Ashe Symposium and Film Screening

The events are coming thick and fast for Kerry Film Festival as just over week after a very successful Open Air Cinema screening of Sing Street at Tralee Town Park comes a wonderful event at the Ashe Museum on June 24th with a symposium on Thomas Ashe followed by a screening of docu-drama,’Fingal’s Finest’ - "the extraordinary, and little-known, story of the 5th Fingal Battalion, Dublin Brigade of Irish Volunteers and their actions during the 1916 Easter Rising."
Full details of the event as per Kerry Film Festival media channels are:
"On the anniversary of the death of Thomas Ashe, Kerry Film Festival in association with Kerry County Council, Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Kerry County Museum will host a symposium on Thomas Ashe followed by a screening of docu drama, ’Fingal’s Finest’.

This is a ticketed event with limited seating.

Email:  info@kerryfilmfestival.com or call 083 0331439.

Programme of events:
Opening Address: Helen O’Carroll (Curator, Kerry County Museum)
Speaker: Michele Moriarty Jones  - Thomas Ashe: Kerry's Forgotten Hero
Speakers: Colin and David Farrell - Director and Producer - Fingal’s Finest
Closing Film: Fingal’s Finest Documentary/Drama/52 minutes
Film Screening: ‘Fingal's Finest’

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/195812258

'Fingal's Finest' is the extraordinary, and little-known, story of the 5th 'Fingal' Battalion, Dublin Brigade of Irish Volunteers and their actions during the 1916 Easter Rising. While the rebels in Dublin City fought from behind the barricades, the Fingal Volunteers, led by Thomas Ashe, took the fight to their enemy.

*Please note that tickets are limited and can only be obtained via emailing  info@kerryfilmfestival.com  or by calling 083 0331439

5 Exceptional Daniel Day Lewis Performances

Multi Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis has revealed he is retiring from acting. The news was announced in a statement from Day-Lewis' spokesperson Leslee Dart to Variety:
"Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor", the statement read. "He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years."
As a tribute to one's of his generations finest actors, I've decided to put together a list containing 5 Exceptional Daniel performances from the only actor to win 3 Best Actor Oscars.( Feel free to add your own favourite Daniel Day Lewis performances or comments in the comment box below or via social media.)


Here are 5 of his the best:

5. Abraham Lincoln (Lincoln)
Day Lewis won the last of his three Oscars for his role in Steven Spielberg's 2011 biopic Lincoln. Few actors could so easily convince in such a weighty lead role but this understated and profound performance from this master of his craft rightfully earned him yet another Oscar nod.

4. Daniel Plainview (There Will Be Blood) 
Another flawless performance from Day Lewis as his uncompromising portrayal as Daniel Plainview in PT Anderson's epic masterpiece saw the actor earn his second Oscar win. Often hailed as his best performance ever, it's easy to see why as the ferocity and complexity of the lead character mesmerises its audience throughout! "I drink your milkshake indeed!"

3.Gerry Conlon (In the Name of the Father)
This emotional and unvarnished portrayal of Gerry Conlon in Jim Sheridan's powerful drama sees the actor again deliver emphatically in a performance full of complexity, realism and at times gut wrenching emotion that saw the Wicklow resident again nominated for an Oscar nomination eventually losing out to Tom Hanks in Philadelphia.  

2.Christy Brown (My Left Foot)
Tales of Day Lewis' method acting are now notorious as he chose to stay in role between takes in yet another successful collaboration with director Jim Sheridan. The actor took home his first Oscar for this incredible portrayal of well-known author and painter Christy Brown in this powerful drama piece.

1.William Cutting (Gangs of New York)
Another menacing performance from Day Lewis saw him nominated for an Oscar yet again for his portrayal as Bill the Butchers in Martin Scorcese' 2002 movie. Clearly the best thing in the film, his electrifying depiction of a brutal and violent character sees the screen simply light up in every scene he is in! Mr Day Lewis...you will be sorely missed!