Review: Godzillla: King of the Monsters - a loud and brash monster mess of a movie!

This weeks trip to Tralee Omniplex involved another in what is bound to be a packed summer of big budget blockbusters in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. With some quality productions already seen this year and more to follow where will this latest effects driven, CGI laden film feature in the mix up come the end of the summer season?
Sadly, this answer is probably near the end of the pile as what should be a no-brainer B-movie with throw away one-liners and awesome effects will be remembered by this viewer as two hours of loud noise and indistinguishable creatures tearing lumps out of each other!
This latest Godzilla vehicle follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species - thought to be mere myths - rise again, they all fight for supremacy, leaving humanity's very existence hanging in the balance.
Written and directed by Michael Dougherty whose past credits include X-Men United and Superman Returns, who in this film assembles a formidable cast that includes Oscar winner Sally Hawkins, Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga and Millie Bobby Brown and adds an awful lot of CGI to bash the senses - a ploy that can work in a lot of big blockbusters but sadly this one lacks the humour, fun and adventure that normally accompanies such features and the whole production seems to fall flat!
Cheesy performances and cliches are to the forefront with humourless quips littered throughout and you do wonder why a such a talented bunch of actors (with solid back catalogues) added their names to this film. (Kyle Chandler being the only one that survives with his reputation fully intact!)
Perhaps I'm being a bit harsh on a B-movie that involves battling mythical figures but aside from some impressive set pieces, Godzilla: King of the Monsters is simply no more than a loud and brash mediocre production that left me cold and will be easily forgotten in the coming days!
✸✸

Review: Rocketman - Highly entertaining biopic of a modern musical icon!

Fresh from steering Bohemian Rhapsody to shore following Bryan Singers removal, director Dexter Fletcher takes on another icon of the music industry Elton John in the subject of this week's movie review Rocketman currently showing at Tralee Omniplex.
Fletcher, no stranger to musical biopics or indeed the musical genre, as other than his fine work on Bohemian Rhapsody, he was also behind the criminally underrated Sunshine on Leith, which was the a musical based on the songs of Scottish duo The Proclaimers.
This time around however , the director was under a lot more pressure to produce a film of real quality and to pay tribute to one of popular music's real iconic figures in Elton John and thankfully here, he does just that!
Rocketman is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John's breakthrough years following the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. This inspirational story -- set to Elton John's most beloved songs and performed by star Taron Egerton -- tells the universally relatable story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture.
When you have such a back catalogue of quality tunes (and Rocketman really reminds it's audience of what an exceptional song writer Elton John really was) it's half the battle in the attempt to produce a movie of real quality. The other half is proper casting and in Taron Egerton as Elton John, Dexter Fletcher has really struck gold in his leading man. Lending raw emotion, true conviction and amazing vocals it's hard to imagine any one else playing the iconic musician's role with such purpose.
The film's seamless meandering into Elton John's most popular songs is also a wonderful trick with some excellent choreographed and emotionally rich scenes running through the film(the first time "Your Song" is played is a scene that stands out in particular).
As superb as this film is, there are some pitfalls which prevent it from hitting that top bracket of quality however. It does at times seem to be a bit of a vanity project for Elton with a rather biased view of history on his part and some of the supporting cast do let the side down at times(Jamie Bell's Bernie Taupin is not his best performance by any means!).
That said, Rocketman should be enjoyed for what it is, a magnificent celebration of a musical genius from humble beginnings whose songs have become a large part of modern culture and deserve the big screen treatment to entertain fans all over again!
✸✸✸✸

Review: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum - Crazy high octane rollercoaster not for the squeamish!

Following in the vein of closing chapters of successful franchises after the box office record breaking Avengers: Endgame, this week I made my way to Tralee Omniplex to catch the third and final installment of adrenaline-fueled action trilogy based around the adventures of one John Wick.
In the aptly named John Wick:Chapter 3: Parabellum, super-assassin John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves) returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin's guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, as the world's most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn.
Bursting on to our big screens in 2014, director Chuck Stahelski ensured that John Wick was an action movie that the audience were not going to forget, channelling films like Gareth Evans The Raid to deliver action and fight sequences that simply blew it's viewers away with a perfectly cast Keanu Reeves the orchestrator behind it's razor sharp delivery.
John Wick 2, in my opinion had seen standards slip somewhat as the film didn't live up to the high standards set my it's predecessor. Thankfully in John Wick 3, those high standards of highly choreographed fight sequences, imaginative action scenes and overall chaos are again evident serving up the best film in this energetic trilogy.
Keanu Reeves again proving, the less dialogue the better, as he makes the most of his skills as an all out action star, with some simply stunning fight and chase spectacles that you will not see bettered on a big screen this year.
The pace is frentic as Wicks swats away enemies like pestering flies at an alarming rate and like all John Wicks movies absurdity is the order of the day so if plausibility is your thing, then maybe John Wick is not for you!
There is also copious amounts of graphic violence which may not be to everyones' tastes but just add to the madness of the whole production.
Overall, if you are prepared to suspend disbelief for a few hours and enjoy the crazy ride then John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum is an enjoyable rollercoaster full of exciting thrills from beginning to end!
✸✸✸✸

Avengers Endgame - A fitting finale to a fantastic franchise!

With a world record breaking opening weekend box office haul of over $1 billion worldwide, and cinemas up and down the country full to capacity over the last week, I made my way to Tralee Omniplex to become probably one of the last cinema goers to see Avengers Endgame, but more importantly to find out was it worthy of such high box office figures and critical acclaim.
In Avengers Endgame, the grave course of events previously set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios' grand conclusion to twenty-two blockbusting films.
Avengers Endgame may strongly demonstrate the powerful strength of marketing and hype but like all the other twenty one Avengers films, it also contains lots of other factors that have made the franchise soar whilst other comic book series have floundered spectacularly.
Avengers Endgame, sees the usual groundbreaking effects dished up in spades again this time around maximising the thrill adventure ride that this movies produce. The dialogue is again sharp and witty with the humour a constant relief from the trials and tribulations facing our heroes.
What has been added with extra attention this time around however, is the emotional depth (I know..it's only as superhero movie - but it can still have depth!) that is evident from the very first shot.
After a thrilling twenty one film ride the pressure must have been enormous on the production crew to serve up a fitting ending to a highly entertaining and successful franchise and in my opinion, they have achieved just that!
The usual pick n mix of Marvel stars are there sharing screen time and all contribute to a dazzling finale with many twists and turns along the way.
My usual gripe about these films hasn't subsided however as a running time of over 3 hrs seems a bit excessive in a film that could have easily lost a few minutes and still had the same profound effect.
Overall though, Avengers Endgame is a film worthy of it's place in the rich (in all senses of the word) Marvel catalogue and will excite fans of the genre and leave blockbuster fan disappointed!
✸✸✸✸

See it all! - Omniplex launches MyOmniPass monthly subscription

Omniplex Cinemas, one of Ireland’s largest cinema chains, announced today the introduction of MyOmniPass – a monthly subscription allowing customers to ‘See It All’.

The release of MyOmniPass is based on an ever-growing demand for cinema trips in Ireland – in fact, on average every person on the island will visit the cinema 3.8 times per year which makes it the highest cinema-going nation in Europe for 4 years running.

The monthly subscription includes a range of benefits including 1 ticket to every standard movie, 10% off your cinema treats, 10% off extra tickets online for your friends, free upgrades of MyOmniPass tickets to MAXX & Recline shows, and exclusive screenings just for our members.

Shauna Crawley, Marketing & Loyalty Manager, said “A lot of customers have asked about a subscription service at Omniplex, and we’ve built our MyOmniPass on our customers’ feedback. Two key elements of our service is that it’s all based on e-cards so once you have a smartphone you always have your pass. And secondly, you get 1 ticket to every standard movie we’re showing, with an average of 702 movies released per year over the past 10 years, we really want to give our customers a chance to see it all.”

Yes you read that right, 702 movies. Last year, a whopping 1,279 movies were released in Irish Cinemas including special re-releases of classic movies which are becoming ever more popular.

The big question, is what do Irish cinema-goers like to watch? The answer is a little bit of everything. Over the past 10 years, the most popular genre has been Action movies, closely followed by Comedy & Animation. We also have a strong affinity towards music based movies. In 2018, Ireland was the only country in Europe to have two music based movies in their top two movie slots at the end of the year – Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! & A Star is born.

Begin your adventure today at Omniplex.ie/MyOmni

Review: Wonder Park - Family fun feature where imagination is king!

This weeks film of the week at Tralee Omniplex is Wonder Park, another family feature and a film that has hit our screens with less of the hype of it's recent rivals yet one that was highly anticipated within the cinematic posse of mini critics that accompanied me to it's screening.
From Paramount Studios, Wonder Park tells the story of a magical amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes alive. One day, June is running through the woods to find her way home where she discovers an old rollercoaster car and climbs inside. She suddenly finds herself in Wonderland, an amusement park she had created in her mind. All of her rides and characters are brought to life but are failing miserably without her. Now, with the help of her fun and lovable park characters, June will have to put the wonder back in Wonderland before it is lost forever.
With the usual incredible animated action sequences and set pieces on show (that we now take for granted such is the high quality of effects seen in modern day family films) and a scope for wildly imaginative scenarios and storylines, Wonder Park will tick a lot of boxes for the younger viewers in the audience, with my cinematic companions aged from 4 to 8, all raving about it's entertainment value and level of fun! The running time of 90 mins plus also seemed to fly by, such was the draw of the subject matter and it's relentless sense of chaos and amusement.
There are some drawbacks however, there is a central theme running through the film of childhood fear and grief that begins strongly enough but fades somewhat into the background as the film progresses and doesn't handle what are complex issues for a family film quite as well as  movies like "Inside Out" has done in the past and in the process may lose some of the older viewers investment in the film.
That said, the younger viewers will thoroughly enjoy this film and it's adventurous spirit, humour and merriment and for that it must be applauded!
✹✹✹1/2

Review: Wild Rose - Kerry native Jessie Buckley shines in entertaning musical feature

Following on from it's successful showing as part of the recent Dingle International Film Festival, the new feature from Tom Harper and starring Killarney's own Jessie Buckley gets it's long awaited  release this week at Tralee Omniplex.
Wild Rose tells the complex story of Rose-Lynn, a woman on a quest to become a country music star, while also grappling with the responsibilities of being recently released from prison and a young mother of two children.
Having worked with Tom Harper on BBC's War and Peace series and having initially having found fame for displaying her musical talents in BBC's 2008 series I'd Do Anything , it was quite clear from the outset that this was the perfect fit for Kerry native Jessie Buckely who dazzled in her first top billing role last year in Beast.
What was pleasantly surprising also was that not only was she impeccably suited for the role but that this was yet another "A Star is Born" type movie that has been seen many times before and should be jaded at this stage but somehow , thanks to some superb writing by Nicole Taylor, excellent supporting players including the always magnificent Julie Walters and Sophie Okonedo, and another remarkable lead performance by Jessie Buckley,  Wild Rose manages to out a fresh and raw spin on a well worn tale and is a film that will evokes all types of emotions over it's 101 min running time.
Killarney really is a hotbed of acting talent at the moment with Buckey deservedly spoken about in the same tones as her local counterpart Michael Fassbender and Wild Rose is another feature she simply owns from start to finish and with her musical talents leading to her writing six of the songs of what is an amazing soundtrack (and this from a non-country music fan!) , Jessie Buckley is central to all that is great about this feature from many different angles.
Wild Rose is a pretty entertaining and gutsy bit of film making with one of our own lighting up the screen in the process and that is surely something worth getting behind and celebrating.
Overall, if it's entertainment, heartfelt drama, some moments of real humour and a soundtrack that will have you toe tapping for days then look no further than Wild Rose.
✹✹✹✹

Review: Dumbo - Visualing stunning live action remake that will please all the family!

After a week of sleepless nights after watching Us last week at Tralee Omniplex, I was delighted to get back to fun family fare this week with Tim Burton's live action remake of the classic Disney tale Dumbo the movie of choice.
Accompanied by the whole family including my own mini co-critics in Ellie (aged 8 ) and Luke (aged 4), I knew that only the best effort by visual maestro Burton would pass muster and leave the whole family satisfied.
This all-new grand live-action adventure expands on the beloved Disney story when Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose over sized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits Dumbo for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.
Dumbo is the first of three live action remakes of animated classics with Aladdin and The Lion King following on later this year so the pressure was on for Burton to produce something unique as he was tinkering with a well known animated classic that has held a special place in audiences hearts for a long long time. That fact, along with the heavily marketing and advertising that went along with this remake meant that audiences were eagerly anticipating what this iconic and unique director would produce.
Whereas, the original Dumbo has not been outclassed here (an impossible task!) there is lots to like in a near two hour visual extravaganza of entertainment in a style that only Burton could produce.
The backdrop, effects and visual set pieces are amazing and the storyline continues at a pace that never bores. Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito and Eva Green also acquit themselves well, with Michael Keaton perhaps over egging it a bit as the villain of the piece. The star of the show inevitably is Dumbo and Tim Burton can indeed be proud of his live action creation that simply steals every scene he is in.
Whilst, Dumbo may not have everyone shouting from the roof tops ("It's no Lego Movie 2" - I was informed by my co-critics!) , there is plenty to entertain and excite in what is a fun family feature of pure cinematic escapism!
✹✹✹1/2

Troll Inc - A compelling documentary that will split it's audience and educate on the world of online trolling!

With local film maker Bertie Brosnan acting as Associate Producer on this feature and with a official synopsis that reads: " From innocent meme culture to malicious propaganda, the avant-garde has moved online and they have an agenda. Emerging from deep within underground computer
programming culture, internet trolls are disenfranchised and using the click-bait obsessed mass media to propel their performance art into the mainstream. Whether mischievously entertaining the masses, influencing presidential elections, or manipulating journalists and corporations, trolls are either saving us or driving our culture off of a cliff. Prosecuted as a whistleblower by the Federal Government, Trolls Inc. follows the world’s most famous Internet troll, Andrew Auernheimer, and his merry band of provocateurs as they take on corporate America, the media, and political correctness." - Troll Inc was always going to be a documentary that would interest and spark debate.
The current climate of journalistic reporting and how the masses are fed their information is also central to theme of this compelling documentary.
To make Troll Inc., director George Russell fought and won a year-long federal lawsuit forcing the government to honor a Freedom of Information Act request it had originally denied. To get such unparralled access to  such a nototorious figure in the world of online trolling was also a coup for the director as we hear the story largely from Auernheimer's point of view. The personality of the protaganist and his unquestioned views throughout the feature may be a bit much for some but isn't that the point of good film making - to spark debate and discussion. Troll Inc also serves to educate those that may be unfamiliar with the world of trolling and all it entails and is available to view at the links below.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/troll-inc/id1440701329

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Troll-Inc-Andrew-Auernheimer/dp/B07K7XK2J4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548776988&sr=8-1&keywords=troll+inc

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/troll-inc/8d6kgwxn3kj5?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab

https://play.google.com/store/movies/details/Troll_Inc?id=TrUjiSsjsjo&hl=en

Review: US - Jordan Peele's stunning fear filled feature could well be the scariest movie you'll see this year!

This week's Tralee Omniplex outing, Us, tells the story of Adelaide (Nupita Nyong'o) who, haunted by an unexplainable trauma from her childhood and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, feels her paranoia elevate as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to happen to her family. After spending a tense beach day with their friends, the Tylers , Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the shapes of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway - doppelgängers of themselves.
My adoration for Jordan Peeles's 2017 directorial debut Get Out is well documented at this stage with it's freshness, originality and social commentary boosting a genre that is already at the top of it's game and announcing the one time comedians arrival on the film making scene with a loud bang!
The next hurdle for Peele to clear was the follow up feature and that difficult "second album" as the bar had been set so high on his first effort! The anticipation this time around was also a new phenomenon for the director to deal with as we all waited with bated breath for what he was going to do next.
Thankfully, the newly crowned master of the horror genre does not disappoint in a film that will inflict a whole range of emotions on its' captive audiences that will stay with them for days afterwards.
Whereas Get Out, had a slow gradual build up before the scares came think and fast, Us puts the frighteners on it's audience from the get go and that uneasy feeling  of horror stays with you throughout!
Michael Abels score fits the movie perfectly adding that extra layer of intensity to the whole production and all the old horror movie tricks are included to aid the restlessness for the duration of the film.
However, it is the performance of Nupita Nyong'o as Adelaide that elevates this from a pretty decent horror film to the top drawer feature that it becomes with a performance that rivals anything seen within the genre in recent times.
Us,  is much more than your run of the mill scarefest (even though it has those qualities in spades!). Peele is a thinking persons horror movie director with the fearful feeling in the pit of your stomach accompanied by a dose of head scratching as Peele's included and expected social commentary comes with extra ambiguity and is open to many interpretations (as all good films should be!)
The inevitable warning that comes with this feature is that if you are not a fan of the horror film and things that go bump in the night then this may not be the film for you!
Otherwise, Us is simply another powerful chapter in the remarkable film making career of an indisputable talent and a film that is bound to end up on many's top ten lists before the end of the year!
✹✹✹✹1/2

Review: Captain Marvel - Steady addition to that holds it's own amongst the Marvel collection

Longer evenings and clocks going forward must only mean one thing - summer blockbuster season and a endless glut of superheroes at Tralee Omniplex. This years Marvel machine begins with an origins feature of a different kind, with Brie Larson taking on the role of the first female Marvel headliner - a job she soars in (literally in parts!)
In this 21st outing into Marvel mania, Captain Marvel an extraterrestrial Kree warrior finds herself caught in the middle of an intergalactic battle between her people and the Skrulls. Living on Earth in 1995, she keeps having fuzzy recurring memories of another life as U.S. Air Force pilot Carol Danvers. With help from Nick Fury, Captain Marvel tries to uncover the secrets of her past while harnessing her special superpowers to end the war with the evil Skrulls.
As much as the eye roll has become the natural reaction to another entry in the world of cinematic superheros the truth is that most of them are actually of high quality and despite my best intentions to dislike, I find myself being won over by charismatic performances, witty one-liners and incredible effects and Captain Marvel has all these qualities in spades.
Brie Larson is exceptional in her role as Captain Marvel, depicting a heroine of poise, grace with added toughness and humour to really give light to yet another Marvel character.
Samuel L. Jackson finally gets some serious screen time as Nick Fury and his chemistry and banter with Larson are some of the finest moments in this film. Jude Law and Ben Mendelsohn are the picks of a solid supporting cast that help this adventure feature fizz along at a solid yet entertaining pace.
It does take a short while to find it's stride however with the beginning of the film feeling a little lethargic but ultimately required for the plot and when the action hits the earth's core (again literally!) the feature really takes flight with director's Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck following the tried and trusted formula of entertaining Marvel features yet adding their own touches to give Captain Marvel its' own originality. With plenty of plot twists, spectacular special effects and more than enough to tease the Marvel addict with promises of what lies ahead in the Avengers horizon, Captain Marvel is a blockbuster that will satisfy fans and not overly disappoint the non-believers.
✸✸✸1/2

A Mist that Clears - Exceptional locally produced short showcasing at this weeks Dingle International Film Festival

Locally produced short film A Mist That Clears will follows last years warm reception at the Kerry Film Festival with a showing this week at the 13th Dingle International Film Festival on Sunday 24th March as part of the Kindgom Shorts Programme.
Proving the depth of talent currently being produced in the county, this short film has also been recently been accepted by the famous Fastnet Film Festival in West Cork and is sure to be popping up in the film festival scene over the coming months.

 Directed by Killarney’s Shay Nolan and written by Cian Brady A Mist That Clears, was shot entirely in Killarney with post-production completed in July 2018. Starring Kathie Richardson (Cork) and Neil Kelders (Killarney) and  co-produced by Rob Bais (sound), Daragh Beeston (cinematography) and James Purcell this short feature is one of high quality, proof of which can be seen in it's acceptance at such high calibre film festivals.

The filmmakers, given their relative inexperience, were keen to contain the film to one or two locations with only one or two speaking parts. The task then falling to Cian was to write an engaging script that could hold the viewers’ attention. 

The primary focus for Director Shay Nolan was to capture the underlying sense of sorrow and regret in the story while at the same time allowing the script to shine. The conversation between the two leads is designed to be a clever back and forth that tells the viewer something of the complexity of their relationship as well as hinting at the warmth that remains between them.

The filmmakers were determined, in the nicest possible way, not to be ‘topical’ or ‘thought provoking’. The ultimate goal was to produce a short film that entertained an audience for 10 or so minutes and they have certainly achieved that.
For the serious cinephiles amongst us they assure us their next film will have the bleakest of landscapes and stoniest of silences throughout.

For fans of exceptional short film why not make your way to Dingle this Sunday 24th March to catch a short film of real quality that has the added bonus of being produced locally and showcases quite well the talent alive and kicking in the Kingdom when it comes to making film.

Full details and screening times can be found at www.dinglefilmfestival.com

Beat the post St Patricks Weekend blues with 4 amazing days of film at the 13th Dingle International Film Festival

Set in the beautiful picturesque surroundings of the Dingle Peninsula any festival or event would be worth checking out , but when that festival is a four day celebration of local, national and international film with a packed programme catering for all type of movie goers then there really is only one play to be next week and that's at the 13th Dingle International Film Festival.
Maurice Galway the founder/CEO and Artistic Director of the Dingle International Film Festival and his team have again created a strong upcoming programme that will contribute to make this boutique film festival in the south west of Ireland the ongoing success story that it continues to be.
From the opening gala on Thursday 21st March of Killarney native Jessie Buckleys Wild Rose to the closing film Grant Korgan's The Push on Sunday 24th March, An Daingean will simply be the cinematic hubub of the country and a festival that should not be missed!
Feature films, short films, fascinating Q&A's and lots more besides are all on the menu over the course of the four days of film programming. Short films such as the Oscar nominated Detainment as well as Brendan Gleeson directed Psychic just give some indication of the quality of short film on show this weekend.

The Sisters Brothers showing this weekend at DIFF 2019

Featuring actors such as John C. Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix and Jake Gyllenhaal on show in The Sisters Brothers on Saturday 23rd March and festival film scene favourites such as Float Like a Butterfly and When All is Ruin Once Again the feature film category of this festival more than holds its' own in a very strong programme.
With world renowned director such as Kirk Jones (Waking Ned Devine), an always compelling foreign film representation (in shorts and features) and the showcasing of local film in the Kingdom Shorts section of the festival on Sunday, Maurice Galway and co can once again hold their heads up high for producing a festival programming of exceptional quality and I would implore movie fans of all tastes to take the scenic route this week and enjoy not only the surroundings but a fantastic filled programme of what promises to be another quality Dingle International Film Festival.
A full list of upcoming events and further details can be seen on the Dingle International Film Festival 2019 website.

Review: Fighting with My Family - Noble effort by Stephen Merchant in heartfelt wrestling feature sure to make you laugh

Premiering at this years Sundance Film Festival, Fighting with My Family which was written, directed and produced by Stephen Merchant is a sports biographical comedy based on Max Fisher's 2012 documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family, and as solid comedies are a rarity these days in Hollywood, I was a little unsure of what my weekly trip to Tralee Omniplex had in store for me upon arrival.
This weeks feature film of choice is based on the incredible true story of WWE Superstar Paige. Born into a tight-knit wrestling family, Paige and her brother Zak are ecstatic when they get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out for WWE. But when only Paige earns a spot in the tough. competitive training program, she must leave her family and face this new, harsh world alone. Paige's journey pushes her to dig deep, fight for her family, and ultimately prove to the world that what makes her different is the very thing that can make her a star.
With Dwayne Johnson on board as executive producer and the likes of Nick Frost, Vince Vaughan and Lena Headley lending their acting chops to the production, director Stephen Merchant has more than a "little help from his friends" in this amazing true to life tale. Thankfully for him, all help involved don't let him down and combine to produce what is an extremely funny, heartwarming and enjoyable movie.
Simplistic, respectful and solid in it's subject matter, Fighting with My Family also contains quite a few laugh out loud moments courtesy mainly of Nick Frost (as Paige's father Ricky Knight) and Vince Vaughan (as coach Hutch) who both take on roles that they are comfortable with and have brought them the greatest success in their respective careers.
It is Florence Pugh however, in her role as Paige that is the driving force behind the success of this feature. Proving that her magnetic performance in Lady Macbeth wasn't a once off, Pugh displays her comedic and dramatic capabilities here to great effect and makes the central character in the plot a relatable and likable one.
There are some obvious pitfalls to this film too unfortunately. It does at times over egg the sentimentality but you feel that may be to broaden its' appeal for a worldwide audience. Jack Lowden too, as Paige's brother Zak is outshone to such degree by his co-stars performance that his inability to match her on screen presence is extremely noticeable.
These are minor quibbles, however and if you are looking for a fun way to fill ninety minutes with a few laughs, much fun and a lot of entertainment than look no further than Fighting with My Family.
✹✹✹1/2

Review: Lego Movie 2 -A well constructed sequel for all the family

This weeks cinematic journey at Tralee Omniplex , saw the whole McCann family settle in their very comfy MAXX screen seats for the eagerly anticipated Lego movie sequel - the imaginatively title Lego Movie 2.
When the Lego Movie hit our cinema screens in 2014, it was initially thought that this was a cinematic idea that may not quite work but thanks to the ingenious minds and vision of Phil Lord and Chris Miller the audience was treated to a highly original concept, masterful animation and most importantly a family film with soul. Two spin off sequels in Lego Batman and Lego Ninjago (not to mention the serious spike in Lego set sales!) have added to the phenomenon that has become the Lego genre within the kids movie scene. No pressure then for director Mike Mitchell to keep this brick built juggernaut going and to somehow serve up fresh ideas and entertainment in keeping with the very high standard set by his predecessors.
In the Lego Movie 2, the citizens of Bricksburg face an all new threat when Lego Duplo invaders from outer space start to wreck everything in their path. The battle to defeat the enemy and restore harmony to the Lego universe takes Emmet, Lucy, Batman and the rest of their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds that test their bravery and creativity.
With Lego maestros Phil Lord and Chris Miller taking up writing duties in this movie, the gags, plot lines and moral themes were always going to be of high quality, and so it proved with numerous laugh out loud moments (for both young and old) , heart warming scenes and the usual highly entertaining cameos also present.
Visual effects too were at a premium and at times even more impressive than it's predecessors despite the lack of the element of surprise this time around.
Alas, if there is an area where this film does slightly fall down, it is in that lack of originality which is understandably missing in the fourth film of the it's type. The Lego Movie 2 has become somewhat a victim of the franchises success as we are no longer surprised with what these films can produce.
However, that still doesn't take away from the fact that everyone within my very own movie mob from 4 years of age upwards had nothing but positive things to say about another worthy addition to an extremely consistent and entertaining series, that despite lacking the originality of what has come before it , is simply a fun family film that will entertain all ages!
✸✸✸✸

Leading Female Filmmaking Talent At The Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival 2019

The credits rolled and lights came up last night on the 17^th Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival, Ireland’s premier film event. The successful festival ran from Wednesday February 20^th to Sunday March 3^rd.

The festival enjoys an international reputation and is considered a vital launch-pad for Irish film and an important showcase of world cinema for discerning audiences. This year’s programme included no less than eleven world premieres, including Dark Lies The Island, She’s Missing, Dub Daze, Floating Structures, What Times Is Death, Land Without God, A Girl from Mogadishu, When Hitchcock Met O’Casey and Dublin On Screen’s The First Was a Boy, Confinement and There's No Place Like Home.

International Women’s Day takes place on Friday and this year’s festival celebrated women who are leading in their filmmaking fields, from the world premiere of Mary McGuckian’s A Girl from Mogadishu, an inspiring true story of female empowerment based on the testimony of Ifrah Ahmed; the critically acclaimed documentary Maiden about the first all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race; to a masterclass with Joceyln Pook, one of the UK’s most versatile composers with an international reputation as a highly original composer, winning numerous awards and nominations including a Golden Globe and two British Composer Awards.

Closing Gala

One of Ireland’s most exciting new female acting talents, Jessie Buckley, performed the final act of the festival with the premiere of her new film Wild Rose. In the film, the Killarney actor and 2019 BAFTA Rising Star Award nominee displays her considerable musical and dramatic talent as Rose-Lynn Harlan in the inspiring, infectiously joyous heart warmer, where Rose-Lynn dreams of getting out of Glasgow and emulating the country singers she idolises by making it as a singer in Nashville, but life decisions and circumstances soon find her facing what she perceives as a choice between family and stardom.

Audience Awards

Each year the audience who attends the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival gets to vote on the films that bring a smile to their face; a tear to the eye; inspire or clean knock their socks off! Thousands of movie lovers who attended this year’s festival voted for the Virgin Media Audience Award and Audience Short Film Award.

The critically acclaimed sailing documentary Maiden was chosen as the Virgin Media Audience Award winner. It centres on the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989. At its core is a fascinating subject, Tracy Edwards, a young cook on charter boats who gets to skipper the team as they attempt to break new ground and make history. At great personal sacrifice, Edwards and her team set out to defy convention and sexism and smash a glass ceiling.

Speaking about receiving the Virgin Media Audience Award the filmmaker said: “Everyone at New Black Films is so grateful to the audiences at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival for honouring us with their coveted award. We are thrilled that the Irish public responded so enthusiastically to Tracy Edwards' inspiring story, and chose through their votes to recommend the film to audiences around the world who will be able to enjoy it for themselves when the film is shown in cinemas from March 7th. We’d like to thank the festival’s organisers and our distributors Dogwoof for helping us connect with such a valued audience.”

The Virgin Media Audience Award was as hotly contested as ever, with a broad range of films with varied topical themes making up the top five. The other four films were Land Without God which centres on Mannix Flynn and members of his family as they recall the effects of decades of institutional abuse and the impact it has had; Mia and the White Lion about a single-minded girl who befriends and bonds with a lion cub named Charlie, only to find him the target of big-game trophy hunters as he approaches full size; A Girl from Mogadishu about Ifrah Ahmed, one of the world’s foremost global activists against Female Genital Mutilation; and Damian Callinan’s Australian comedy The Merger, the story of a former Aussie Rules professional football player who returns to his hometown to coach his local club which recruits refugees to keep it viable.

The Audience Short Film Award goes to 99 Problems. Directed by Ross Killeen and produced by Louise Byrne, it gives the inside scoop on the murky world of the ice cream business. On the surface this unassuming business seems harmless, but dig a little deeper and it has quite a dark undertone, where turf wars are fierce. Through the eyes of Pinky, the self-declared 'king of the ice-cream men', viewers are taken into this unregulated industry where rival drivers will stop at nothing to protect their livelihoods.

Speaking about this year’s festival, Grainne Humphreys, Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival Director, said “As Virgin Media DIFF comes to a close once again I’m delighted that we were able to bring so many fantastic features to an Irish audience. We celebrated the best of Irish and international filmmaking talent with a line-up that included world premieres, new discoveries and visits from the industry’s best known stars. We were also delighted to partner with Virgin Media on the first of a three year sponsorship. The partnership allowed us to bring some of the world’s most exciting cinema to a wider audience.” 

Niamh O’Driscoll, Senior Brand and Communications Manager of Virgin Media, said: “We were delighted to be named as title partner of this year’s Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival. It is such a great match as it underlines our commitment to foster creativity in film production and television content as Ireland’s leading connected entertainment provider and commercial broadcasting company.  The past twelve days of the festival brought together so many of Ireland’s top producers, directors, screenwriters and actors. There was also an amazing team of people involved in bringing to life the programme and creating the unique experiences for audiences so that they could discover the art of film while at the same time celebrating emerging film talent."

Documentary Award

The documentary jury were unanimous in choosing Of Fathers & Sons as the inaugural winner of the inaugural Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival documentary competition. Talal Derki’s intimate, widely praised documentary centres on a radical Islamist family and their harsh existence as war rages around them in Syria. Speaking about it the jury said “this film is not only a ground-breaking documentary but thanks to the courage of the filmmaker we are given access to a world that we would never normally have the opportunity to experience.”

On receiving the award, Talal Derki said “I am very honoured to win this prestigious award at Ireland's most popular film festival and I thank the jury for that. The victims of all these conflicts are the children and we must do everything to ensure that they have a better future. Therefore, I dedicate this award to the children in my home country Syria.”

The documentary competition jury was comprised of director Pat Murphy (Anne Devlin, Nora), director Ken Wardrop (His & Hers, Mom & Me), and Hamish McAlpine, producer (Funny Games, Bundy). As an honourable mention the jury also acknowledge the Irish documentary Gaza, describing it as “another wonderful film that took great courage to bring to the big screen”.

Irish & International Filmmaking Talent

A host of the world’s leading movie stars and filmmakers were in Dublin especially for the festival. Famous faces who walked the red carpet were Ralph Fiennes who brought his new film The White Crow and also received the festival’s prestigious Volta Award; Matt Bomer, Alejandro Patino and John Butler for the premiere of Papi Chulo; Alexandra McGuinness, Lucy Fry, Antonia Campbell Hughes and Blake Berris visited for the world premiere of She’s Missing; Pat Shortt, Peter Coonan and Moe Dunford were here with Dark Lies The Island; and star of The Office Stephen Merchant attended with his new film Fighting With My Family, which he wrote, directed and stars in.

Dublin Human Rights Film Award

Heartbound: A Different Kind of Love Story is announced as the winner of the newly relaunched Dublin Human Rights Film Award, a partnership with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL). The award is given to one film from the programme which raises awareness and understanding of human rights through the medium of film. Directed by Janus Metz and Sine Plambech, the documentary is set in a tiny fishing village in northern Denmark where over 900 Thai women have married and settled. It sets out to discover why these women crossed the world to marry, a phenomenon that started years earlier when a former sex worker married a local man.

The award was chosen by an esteemed adjudication panel which include film and television director Aoife Kelleher; Irish Times journalist and author Sorcha Pollak; actor, playwright and screenwriter Emmet Kirwan, Direct Provision activist Bulelani Mfaco; and disability advocate and ICCL board member Suzy Byrne. They also gave special mention to Mannix Flynn, Maedhbh McMahon and Lotta Petronella’s Land Without God as a very important Irish film.

Children’s Jury Awards

The Fantastic Flix programme for mini movie fans returned for its fourth year bringing a wide range of movie magic to younger audiences while celebrating difference and diversity in film. A jury of eleven 11-12 year olds had the opportunity to watch, evaluate and review all of the Fantastic Flix titles from around the world, giving them the opportunity to see some great films, share their opinions and discover the craft of critiquing film.

The Children’s Jury is run in collaboration with The Ark’s Children’s Council and the Irish Film Classification Office. Their winning films are:

·         Best Feature Film: Mia and the White Lion

·         Feature Film Special Mention: Departures

·         Best Short Film: First Disco

·         Short Film Special Mention: The Overcoat

The Children’s Jury members are Sophie O Neill Miley, Jagger Blount, Freya Simpson, Kaelan Musi, Madison Tucker, Evie Kenny, Fionnán Ó Baoighill, Amalia Godley, Laoise Connolly Heery, Conn Butler and Luka Delaney.

Young Programmers

The Fantastic Flix Young Programmers initiative offers 15-19 year-olds the chance to curate, host and influence the Fantastic Flix strand. It is a unique role which allowed them to step into the shoes of filmmakers and audiences alike. The Young Programmers met for a number of modules between December and February to curate a programme of short films and watch and recommend new films for the Festival.

They also chose one film from the programme as the Young Programmers Choice. The winning film is Rafiki. Speaking about Rafiki they said “We are delighted to award director Wanuri Kahiu with the Young Programmer’s Choice Award. Rafiki is not only an excellent exhibition of Kahiu’s talent as a filmmaker but also an outstanding portrayal of love in the face of adversity.”

They also give special mention to Ballon. Commenting on the film they said: “we are delighted to present Michael Herbig with a special mention for his film Ballon, a moving and intense depiction of the life of those living in the GDR and their attempts to escape to a better life.”

The Young Programmers were Caitlin Barry, Ifunanya Chukwuewuzie, Sally Howard Ihle, Croi Lenihan, Gaurav Ramsurn and Sagan Adan.

Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards

Established in 2006, The Dublin Film Critics Circle (DFCC) offers the nation’s full-time professional film journalists the opportunity to share opinions on recent releases and ponder the year’s award contenders. The 2019 DFCC Awards go to:

• Best Film: Transit
• Best Director: Rima Das for Bulbul Can Sing
• Best Cinematography: Hiroshi Okuyama for Jesus
• Best Documentary: GAZA, Garry Keane and Andrew McConnell
• Best Irish Film: Greta, Neil Jordan
• Best Screenplay: The Crossing, Bai Xue
• Best Actor: Bogdan Dumitrache for Pororoca
• Best Actress: Jessie Buckley for Wild Rose
• Jury Prize: Jia Zhangke, Ash Is The Purest White
• Jury Prize: Alex Perry Ross, Her Smell
• Jury Prize: Baran Kosaris, Permission
• Jury Prize: Bo Hu, An Elephant Standing Still
• Jury Prize: Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade
• George Byrne Maverick Award: Hugh O’Conor
• Michael Dwyer Discovery Award: Dianne Lucille Campbell

Review: If Beale St Could Talk - Solid follow up from acclaimed director Barry Jenkins

I really do love February's at Tralee Omniplex. Each week sees yet another award nominated feature hit the big screen, with the quality of a very high standard before we head for the big budget blockbusters and the influx of superheroes that come with the long stretch in the evenings!
This weeks film of choice If Beale St Could Talk more than holds it's own within the lofty company shown at the Omniplex over the last number of weeks.
After an incredibly successful 2017 due to the impact of the inspiring feature Moonlight (which has unfortunately since been more famous for the Oscar mix up then the quality of the film itself), Barry Jenkins next move was always one that was going to be of interest to the avid movie goer.
Having started work on adapting James Baldwin's 1974 novel If Beale Street Could Talk whilst he was finishing Moonlight, there was a palpable sense of anticipation at what was sure to be a fitting tribute to this great book, with the right director at the helm.
Barry Jenkins does not disappoint as a lot of the cinematic tricks and features used by this gifted film maker in his award winning feature are again on show in this critically acclaimed film.
Set in early 1970s Harlem, If Beale Street Could Talk sees daughter and wife-to-be Tish vividly recall the love, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.
Honouring the source material explicitly, the director again showcases his strengths as a visual and emotion evoking film maker choosing to let facial expressions, breathtaking score and atmospheric visuals do the talking throughout and on embracing these aspects of Jenkins film making, it leaves the viewer with the impression that his Oscar winning success of two years ago was not a once off, but merely a vision of better things to come.
If Beale Street Could Talk may not be to everyone's tastes however, as it's slow paced and poignant style may frustrate some audience members and it is definitely not a feature that will win universal approval ratings.
It is however, for those who chose to accept it's uniqueness, a film of dignity and beauty from a director who is simply going from strength to strength.
✸✸✸✸

Review - Boy Erased - Compelling drama with a strong message that resonates long after the final credits roll

After  his successful directorial debut, with the 2015 feature The Gift, Joel Edgerton takes his place once again behind the camera for the powerful and emotionally charged drama Boy Erased, currently on show at Tralee Omniplex.
Based on Gerard Conley's 2016 memoir of the same name, Boy Erased tells the story of Jared (played by Lucas Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (played by Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe) at age 19. Rather than being shunned by family and friends, Jared attends a conversion therapy program. While there, Jared comes into conflict with its devout leader and begins his fateful journey to finding his own voice and accepting his true self.
If the plot of Boy Erased may seem a bit familiar, it's because it's subject matter and core themes were seen in last years The Miseducation of Cameron Post , a film directed by  Desiree Akhavan and starred Chloë Grace Moretz which may not have had the same commercial exposure as this feature but did win the Grand Jury Prize for Drama at last years Sundance Festival.
Both films cover in depth the shocking reality and practice of a gay conversion therapy centres which still incredibly operate today.
Boy Erased highlights the obvious shortcoming of these establishments in a strong and clear manner  yet thanks to the extraordinary performances of Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as Jared's well meaning but deluded  parents who are unable to support their son when he needs them most, this is a skillfully made film layered with subtlety and sensitivity.
Along with the increasingly brilliant Lucas Hedges (who follows up last years stellar performances in Lady Bird and Manchester by the Sea with an equally powerful turn here) both Kidman and Crowe steer this harrowing drama from cliche at every opportunity and add a layer of complexity and empathy to their characters despite their quite obvious shortcomings.
Edgerton himself, excels in his role as charismatic yet frightful leader Victor Sykes, and his battle of wills with Jared is at the centre of this excellent film.
Viewers should be warned, that this harrowing yet powerful drama is at times an uncomfortable and heartbreaking watch. It is however, a powerful and important piece of cinema that contains a strong and vital message delivered emphatically thanks to a strong cast and a talented director.
✸✸✸✸

Review: Green Book - Charming sentimental tale filled with excellent performances

Those familiar with the works of Peter Farrelly will know of his genius in the field of cinematic comedy with the likes of Dumb and Dumber and There's Something about Mary still celebrated and viewed as the last period of film with any consistent (and more importantly - funny!) comedic elements.
This weeks movie review sees Farrelly not unlike last weeks director Adam McKay change genre with Green Book, a heartfelt true story that has been lauded by critics and is currently featuring heavily in award nominations.
Green Book tells the true story of  Tony Lip (played by Viggo Mortensen),  a bouncer from an Italian-American neighbourhood in the Bronx, who is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a world-class Black pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South. Confronted with racism, constant danger, as well as unexpected humanity and humour, they are forced to set aside differences to survive and thrive on the journey of a lifetime.
Unfortunately, there has been a lot of negativity surrounding this movie, with the accuracy of events questioned, the over sentimentality attached and also implausible and insensitive manner in which the subject matter is handled throughout.
Green Book is also however, a charming road trip movie with two outstanding lead performances with more than a throwback to the great travel tales of the 80's such as Rain Man, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Driving Miss Daisy evident.
A feel good bromance of epic proportions, this Oscar nominated film is touching, charming and at times very funny and a movie that will warm the hearts of all that take there seats at Tralee Omniplex to enjoy it!
Oscar nominations for both leads are well deserved and despite the measured and subtle performance of the talented Mahershala Ali, it is Viggo Mortensen that steals the show as the loud mouthed Tony Lip in a role that seems like he was born to play.
The chemistry between the two actors is a chief reason why this film soars higher than it potentially should and Farrelly's humane and comic touch will ensure that every cinema goer will walk out of Tralee Omniplex at the end of Green Book with a silly smile and a warm glow and despite all the negativity surrounding the film - isn't that what anyone wants from a trip to the movies?
✷✷✷✷

Review: McKay pulls no punches in sharp satirical Cheney biopic!

Director Adam McKay rested his comedic chops in 2015, and changed artistic direction with his critically acclaimed feature The Big Short which, saw the director explain the financial crash of 2008 in his own unique way to great effect.
In this week's Tralee Omniplex featured film, Vice, McKay again embraces that unique style that worked so well in The Big Short, to tell the tale of former vice president, Dick Cheney in a film that has been featuring strongly in award nominations over recent weeks.
Vice explores the epic story about how a political Washington insider quietly became the most powerful man in the world as Vice-President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we still feel today.
A lot has been made of Christian Bale's physical transformation for this film, with the actor gaining 40lbs to take the title role of Dick Cheney in this production. What is also evident,however is the strength and understated brilliance of his portrayal of the former VP.
Golden Globes and BAFTA nominations for Bale are all well deserved in a role that sees the Welsh man also instilled as the bookies favourite for Best Actor Award in this months Academy Awards.
Credit too must go to Amy Adams (also Oscar nominated) in her role as Cheney's driving force,wife Lynn , Steve Carrell as Donald Rumsfeld, and Sam Rockwell who plays George W. Bush to perfection.
The film itself is an entertaining yet at times chaotic look at the life of this infamous political figure.
As in The Big Short, some of McKays wacky plot devices work quite well and others simply don't and his opinions on the life, times and methods of the former VP are about as subtle as a lorry load of bricks and this may seem tiresome to some audience members.
On the other hand, it does make for entertaining cinema and for all the criticism that may be levelled at this film, boredom can not be one of them!
McKay's uniqueness for the art of storytelling can also be refreshing, especially when supported by some terrific actors on top form.
Even though McKay could have toned down the volume a little bit, nonetheless, Vice is another solid and commendable effort on his part, and one that is a gentle reminder for those of us who lament the days of pre-Donald, previous US administrations and their puppet masters weren't much to write home about either!
✸✸✸✸

5 reasons to get excited about film in 2019

After another successful year in 2018 at the box office with superheroes, sequels, spin-offs and big budget blockbusters more than paying their way, the good news is that 2019 has more of the same in line for it's eager audience with some interesting reboots, original productions and sequels upcoming in what potentially has the box office ingredients for a fruitful and enjoyable year at the Omniplex. So without further ado here are 5 reasons (there are many many more..) to be excited about cinema in 2019!

1. Jordan Peele releases his follow up feature to Get Out 

When the director of one of 2017's top features finally releases his follow up feature with the premise which states "A mother and a father take their kids to their beach house expecting to unplug and unwind with friends. But as night descends, their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some shocking visitors arrive uninvited" - cinema audiences everywhere are bound to take notice and eagerly await the next instalment from a very talented filmmaker

2. Disney serves up a selection of live action remakes 

Following on from the success of the live action remakes of the Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast, this year sees Disney release no less than three live action remakes of some well known classics with Dumbo, Aladdin and The Lion King all  getting the live action do over. With Jon Favreau, Guy Ritchie and Tim Burton behind the lens, interesting results surely awaits!



3. Avengers: Endgame hits our big screens!

The film that simply needs no introduction as Marvel fans are finally put out of their misery after a year of head scratching at the climax of the superb Avengers: Infinity War. What now for our fallen superheroes and who will save the day that half of them have been wiped out (spoiler alert!) If this final chapter in Marvel Phase 3 contains a fraction of the entertainment of Infinity War there will be no complaints from it's dedicated followers!

2. The Return of Quentin Tarantino

In a return to the setting of L.A. for the first time since Pulp Fiction has assembled an all star cast that includes Brad Pitt and Leonardo Di Caprio. His latest upcoming feature Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a mystery crime film written and directed by the iconic film maker and centres around the Manson Family murders. A break from the steady diet of summer blockbusters its' sure to be and I for one, can't wait!

1. The Final Part of the Star Wars trilogy lands

A franchise that has been good for this corner of the world in recent times sees J.J.Abrams return to the director's chair and it is safe to say that fans will be more than ready to take their seats when this final episode hits our big screens next Christmas. With the late Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and fellow alumni Billy Dee  making an appearance this is one sure to score big in the box office and with Abrams at the wheel is bound to be a film of great quality and entertainment!