Review: Wonder - Heartfelt drama that lives up to it's title!

In a year that has brought us a plentiful supply of superheroes, some chilling horror movies, wonderful animation features, many terrific biopics and a lot more, one particular genre that has been lacking has been the sentimental and heartfelt drama. A movie that can evoke tears of sadness and joy in equal measure whilst ultimately warming the hearts of the captivated movie audience. Thankfully, this particular hole has now been filled by the aptly named Wonder.
Based on R.J. Palacio's New York Times bestseller, Wonder tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.
Under lesser capable talents than director and co-writer Stephen Chbosky this unashamedly old fashioned and sentimental tale could have come across as a bit twee and over patronising and whereas it does have it's moments of over sweetening it is by and large a warm and charming yet highly entertaining piece of film that contains a pretty strong life message.
Chbosky's first feat in this production was assembling a strong and suitable cast. Owen Wilson dials down the goofiness just enough to endear himself to the audience as Auggie's father whereas Julia Roberts shows a strong return to form in her role as his mother. Mandy Pantinkin also lends a reliable hand to proceedings as principal Tushman. It is the younger members of the cast however that steal the show with Izabela Vidovic showing maturity way beyond her years in her wonderful performance as Via whereas Jacob Tremblay proves emphatically that his immense performance in Lenny Abrahamson's Room was not a one off.
Smart writing along with those strong performances prevent this film getting too schmaltzy and what escalates is a powerful and sensitive drama that will have it's audience reaching for the tissues on more than one occasion but stands alone in it's field as a terrific heartwarming tale that does justice to it's ever popular and exquisite source material. Recommended!
✷✷✷1/2

Best Value Movie Boxsets for under €20 - just in time for Christmas!

Who doesn't love the movie boxset? That chance to revisit an old series of films with added extras in blu-ray or 4K technology. The problem is with a lot of retail outlets specialising in this area closed down and the behaviours drifted more towards a streaming culture, where can you find that neatly packaged boxset to set aside for Christmas to enjoy and either revisit those old favourites or delve deep into a new series to enjoy at your leisure. That boxset could also make a great stocking filler  for a friend or family member.
On the run up to Christmas to help your search for that perfect boxset at the right price, I've decided to trawl through the best value online stores to select 5 great boxsets all available for less than €20!
You're welcome!!

5.The Bourne Collection Blu-Ray- €13.69  - (Zavvi.com)
Four Bourne movies together for just €13.69 is simply terrific value. These movies that are action and thrill a minute and stand up to multiple viewings and are the perfect duvet day treat!

4. The Godfather Trilogy: Coppola Restoration Blu-Ray - €11.39  - (Zavvi.com)
This classic trilogy remastered is a steal from Zavvi.com at just €11.39 and this magnificent trilogy can be enjoyed time and time again. Hours well spent with the Corleone family at this great price is an offer "you can't refuse".

3.Danny Boyle Collection Blu-Ray -  €8.99 - HMV.ie
A superb collection of four modern day classics from a fantastic director, this Danny Boyle Collection is packed with variety and an absolute steal at the price. One for fans of good film!

2. Alien Anthology - €12.55 - Zavvi.com
Four movies from this exceptional franchise from it's origins right up to 1997's Alien Resurrection, this box set has hours of footage for sci-fi fans to enjoy and yours to keep for just €12.55. Great Value!

1. Back to the Future Trilogy Blu-Ray - €9.99 - HMV.ie
This iconic trilogy is perfect for that rainy day and will bring back fond memories for those of us who can remember these movies initial release and undoubtedly entertain repeatedly as the quality of these films have stood the test of time!

Over 20,000 hits and counting!

From its humble beginnings earlier this year, I am delighted to report that this very blog has now surpassed 20,000 hits this week accumulating nearly 900 social media followers on the way. With a grand total of over 300 posts published it's fair to say that it has been an incredible, eventful and extremely rewarding journey in the last few months and one that I'm very glad that I took.
Due to the blog, I have been fortunate enough to experience and report from the various wonderful film festivals around the country. I have always been a strong advocater for Irish and local film makers and my work with this blog has not only strengthened this belief but also opened my eyes wider to the amazing body of work and talent that exists in the film industry in this country despite the numerous continuous challenges they face.
This blog has received very kind and welcome advice, feedback and encouragement from the likes of Patrick Freyne (Irish Times), Tom Dunne and James Mottram (renowned freelance film journalist) who were very generous with their time.
I have had the privilege to meet and interview the likes of auteur director Ben Wheatley, Irish movie star Jack Reynor and film critic extraordinaire John Maguire among others.
The blog has also featured in depth pieces with the likes of Fionn Greger, producer of the popular award winning film Twice Shy which screened in the Dingle Film Festival earlier this year and Festival director Maurice Galwey who was kind enough to do a Q&A in the lead up to this outstanding Film Festival in March of last year.
Kerry Film Festival artistic director, Maeve McGrath has also always been very generous and supportive with her time regarding this blog and for that I am extremely grateful. I also enjoyed a wonderful four days reporting from the once again outstanding Kerry Film Festival in Killarney last October as well as reporting on their numerous other spectacular events throughout the year.
Show Me the Movies blog has also included colour pieces such as "Where have all the soundtracks gone?" and "Internet killed the video star" which were hugely interesting and great  fun to do.
Each week the blog continues to include the latest Omniplex Cinema reviews (thanks to everyone at Omniplex Cinemas also for their continued support), various Top 5 lists and picks of the best movies on the telly as well as other musings that may cross my mind from time to time.
The blog has also led to a weekly article in www.traleetoday.ie, a post as resident film critic for Tech Amergin's Cultural Cinema programme and a place on the board of the prestigious Kerry Film Festival so not bad I guess for it's first few months in operation!
For the opportunity to write about what I love has been a privilege. To hit 20,000 hits and 900 social media followers along the way has been welcome surprise and bonus.
I would just like to thank all that have been so helpful and generous with their support, encouragement along the way and most of all to all those that have dipped into this blog or attached social media channels from time to time. I hope some of you have found it useful, informative and for the most part enjoyable and here's to the next 20,0000 hits and what adventures that will bring!

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

There are three new releases for your consideration for this weeks Tuesday Treat at Tralee Omniplex. Two seasonal yet very different features and a heartfelt drama based on a bestselling novel. Plenty of variety available and all for the giveaway price of just €6!

The Man Who Invented Christmas:
Directed by Bharat Nalluri and starring Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer and Jonathan Pryce, this "A Christmas Carol" origins tale has been earning positive critical reviews in this extremely fresh retelling of a story we all know too well. An apt choice to get you in the Christmas spirit. Worth a look!

The Star:
Another yuletide delight, this animated account of the Nativity has split critics and audiences right down the middle but should be highly enjoyable for the younger members of the family. Good family fun!

Wonder
This heartfelt and charming drama from director Stephen Chbosky based on the New York Times best selling novel is alleviated largely due to some terrific perfromances form its cast that includes Owen Wilson, Julia Roberts and Jacob Tremblay - Just may well be this weeks pick of the bunch!

This weeks Top Movies on the Telly

Senna - (ITV4  Monday 4th December 23:30)
Rivetting documentary that even viewers that aren't racing fans will appreciate. This compelling feature by director Asif Kapadia is captivating, chilling and ultimately sublime and well worth your attention for the 104 minutes running time.
Excellent!

Bull Durham - (MGM Tuesday 5th December 23:55)
Written and directed by Ron Shelton this blend of comedy, romance, drama and baseball works well thanks to and incredible cast which includes Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and a Kevin Costner in peak form. Well worth another look!

Sweeney Todd - (ITV 4 Thursday 6th December 23:35)
Let's go back to a time when Johnny Depp could command and a screen masterfully and worked in sync with his creative force Tim Burton. In this production the duo bring the well known musical to life helped in no small part by the ever formidable Helena Bonham Carter in a supporting role.

Review: Battle of the Sexes - Hard to find fault with entertaining and timely biopic

In 1973, in the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women's movement,a tennis match between women's World No. 1 Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-men's-champ and serial hustler/gambler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the Battle of the Sexes and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time, reaching 90 million viewers around the world. As the rivalry between King and Riggs escalated, off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles.
When you gather the directorial talent of Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine) and add in the written works of Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) and the acting talent of the likes of Emma Stone and Steve Carrell you would expect the result to be a production of high quality, compelling entertainment and in Battle of the Sexes that is predominately the case.
From the outset, thanks to Linus Sandgren's cinematography, this biopic captures that retro 70's feel perfectly and visually it looks amazing. Tonally , it hits the mark also interweaving humour with social observation effortlessly in a crowdpleasing manner.
The lead actors are what really make this tick however, with Emma Stone proving emphatically that her Oscar win for La la land last year was no fluke with a mesmerising performance as Bille Jean King. Steve Carrell aslo excels on a role that he was simply born to play as hustler and larger than life character Bobby Riggs.
This extremely smart film blindsides it's audience by making it's point in a much more subtle way than most features would, with the audience at times being sidetracked by the charm and entertainment on show yet never left in doubt of the strong timely social message attached.
There are certain drawbacks that prevent this biopic from reaching true greatness however. For one, the supporting cast can't seem to match the vigour and energy of their leading actors with the likes of Bill Pullman and Alan Cumming in particular hamming it up to panto levels . It could also do with a running time trim of about twenty minutes or so but I'm nitpicking at this stage.
On the whole, in Battle of the Sexes the audience are not only treated finally to a decent movie about the game of tennis but a highly entertaining, socially important biopic that aces largely due it's two leading stars.
✸✸✸1/2

What movies to watch this weekend?

In the Cinema:

Wonder:
Directed by Stephen Chbosky and starring Owen Wilson, Julia Roberts and Jacob Tremblay, this film based on the best selling novel is earning rave initial reviews for the casts excellent performances in what is a sentimental and sensitive yet at times funny film. Recommended!



Streaming: 

Cuba and the Cameraman (Netflix)
This captivating Netflix original documentary from director Jon Alpert who for the past 42 years has been following Fidel Castro and three Cuban families affected by his policies gives the viewer a  a candid and revealing never-before-seen portrait of Cuba. Compelling viewing.



On Telly

Scent of a Woman: (RTE 2 Saturday 2nd December 00:35)
Al Pacino's larger than life performance persuaded the Academy to finally grant the actor his first (and long overdue) Oscar. A fine production in it's own right but it's the work of Pacino that stands head and shoulders above it all. Magnificent!