Robin Hood - A turkey just in time for Christmas

A week after this disappointing Fantastic Beasts sequel, I was faced with the prospect of another potential howler in the form of yet another Robin Hood feature at Tralee Omniplex this week.
Whereas the effort to modernise or put a unique spin on a well worn tale is to be admired, the opening box office figures which saw the movie take in just €22m worldwide for a production with a €100m budget as well as some scathing initial reviews meant this may just be another big screen washout after a few consistent weeks of real quality over the last month.
For those who don't already know Robin Hood tells the tale of Robin of Loxley (played by Taron Egerton) a war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander (Jamie Foxx) who mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a big budget action-adventure aimed to wow it's audience with gritty battlefield exploits, mind-blowing fight choreography, and a timeless romance.
Unfortunately, whereas some of the action sequences may look well, the truth is at that point, the viewer doesn't really care such is the shambles that is playing out in front of their very eyes.
Semi-automatic cross bows, dire dialogue and a movie wardrobe that contains more leather than a production of Grease are just some of the many problems I had with this car crash of a film.
Taron Egerton, as fine an actor as he can be, just can't carry the intense weight of this tiresome film , with Jamie Foxx the only cast member surviving with his reputation intact.
Portraying Robin Hood as a medieval Batman is a tactic that clearly doesn't work but is flogged to death throughout the film and his lack of chemistry with Eve Hewson (who does her career untold damage in her timber like Maid Marian performance) is painfully evident and the trudging to yet another inevitable sequel was probably the most disappointing part of the movie.
To have a cast that included Ben Mendelsohn, Jamie Foxx and F. Murray Abraham and to waste them on such a ridiculous plot and a weary script is simply unforgivable.
Overall, aside from a few visually impressive set pieces and the fact that this film comes in less than two hours there isn't a lot to praise about Robin Hood but thankfully with the Christmas period on our doorstep and a few appealing blockbusters on the way there is much to look forward to at Tralee Omniplex in the coming weeks!
✸✸1/2

Fascinating Camino Voyage documentary to enjoy run at Kerry cinemas with Q&A with director Dónal Ó Céilleachair

Having already featured at sold out screenings at this years Dingle International Film Festival, and playing to a willing audience at Cinema Killarney last night with a special screening including a Q&A with director Dónal Ó Céilleachair and Artistic Director of the Kerry Film Festival Maeve McGrath, The Camino Voyage continues it's run in Kerry cinemas tonight with another special screening at the Phoenix Dingle with Q&A afterwards with director Dónal and Brendan Moriarty.

Early Irish history and mythology feature many accounts of great voyages. Inspired by such accounts the Irish Writer & Poet Danny Sheehy and his crew embarked on a 500km journey in 2012 to the Abbey of Saint Colmcille in Iona, Scotland. This was one of many sea journeys for the crew. And in 2014 they planned an audacious new journey; a 2,500 km voyage from Ireland to Santiago de Compostela. For hundreds of years people sailed from Ireland to A Coruña in Northern Spain and walked the Camino to Santiago de Compostela from there.  In 2014 this inspiring crew began their own version of this historical voyage in a traditional Naomhóg (a Kerry curragh) boat that they built themselves.

And this is where our documentary with them begins, on this voyage which took place for 6 weeks each year over 3 years; 2014, 2015 & 2016. Pulling into coastal towns and villages en route, camping and cooking as they went – this eclectic crew forged many new friendships; surprising those they met with a boat that seems to come straight out of the middle ages.


This tiny boat against the backdrop of the vast ocean struck a chord in peoples’ imaginations all the way along the voyage.  Every community that they have connected with en route opened their doors – and their hearts – to this crew, and the men have in exchange, inspired them with their courage, endurance, storytelling, music, poetry and song in a coming together of people in the most fundamental and ancient of ways.


This intimate documentary charts the trials and tribulations of a voyage that in the words of Danny Sheehy, took “sweat, blood and blisters to complete while deepening and renewing friendships, creativity and spirituality in the process”.

 The Camino Voyage crew includes a Writer, two Musicians, an Artist and a Stonemason who embark on the Camino by sea, in a traditional boat that they built themselves

Featuring: Academy Award-Winning Musician Glen Hansard
Renowned Irish Musician Brendan Begley
Distinguished Artist Liam Holden
Skilled Stonemason Brendan Moriarty
& Celebrated Writer & Poet Danny Sheehy (1951-2017)
Directed by Dónal Ó Céilleachair

 THE CAMINO VOYAGE opens in cinemas across Ireland from 23 November 2018 – IFI, Light House, Pálás Galway , IMC Dun Laoghaire, Cinema Killarney, Phoenix Dingle, Triskel Arts Centre

Cert: PG

This weeks Top Movies on the Telly

The Perfect Storm - (Sky One Wednesday 28th November 21:00)
An all star cast including George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg may not have the emotional core required to completely pull off this compelling true tale but Wolfgang Pietersen's feature does look spectacular and is both exciting and engaging!

The Hangover - (TCM Thursday 29th November 21:00)
Another chance to see this classic comedy that (unfortunately) spawned two less than successful sequels. A clever script, undeniable on screen chemistry between the lead actors and a scene stealing turn from Zach Galifianakis this Todd Philips directed comedy is a farcical masterpiece. (Just don't forget to wait for the end credits!)

Mad Max: Fury Road - (Channel 5  Friday 30th November 22:00)
This exceptional reboot is both visually stunning and insanely creative in a film that will leave you exhausted by the final credits. Looked amazing on the big screen on it's initial release in 2015 and holds up well to small screen repeated viewings. Fantastic!

Review: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - Dazzling effects can't hide what is a mess of a movie !

After the 2016 release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them proved that were was still life after the highly successful franchise of Harry Potter and much more untapped potential in this magical world of wizardry, it was with a peaked interest that I made my weekly pilgrimage to Tralee Omniplex to hopefully sample more of the same qualities that made these fantastical adventures so appealing to the masses in the latest edition of the saga, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald. Penned by J.K. Rowling and with Potter stalwart David Yates in the directors chair, surely this was a home run in waiting with Eddie Redmayne and crew poised to amaze yet again!

Unfortunately, in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald this is not the case, as what unfolded before my eyes was an unmitigated mess of a movie just about rescued by an array of stunning visual effects garnered with the sole purpose to distract us from the shambles of a tale playing out on the big screen.

In this latest saga, in a gallant effort to thwart Grindelwald's plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who although agrees to help, is unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as both love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

Casting Johnny Depp as the chief miscreant in recent times, almost guarantees that the anti-hero is packed with panto villain qualities from an actor that has been dialling it in so long at this stage that his fingers must ache! However, Depp is not even the worst thing about this feature.
A muddled confusing script  seems to be more concerned with packing as much as it can into an overlong 135 minute running time rather than any relevant character development which means that the audience doesn't gather any empathy for any of the main players and the movie itself only serves as a filler for the inevitable next chapter in a saga that has kind of lost it's way.
There are crumbs of comfort for fans of the franchise though. The special effects are pretty special with fantastic beasts and high octane action scenes at the forefront of all that's good in the film visually.
The last quarter does see a marked pick up in pace too, with the plot finally getting out of second gear and the movie is all the better for it!
Overall though, with a lot of top quality productions either on show or making their way to an Omniplex near you soon, despite it's dazzling effects and strong ending, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald may be one strictly for fans only!

✸✸1/2

The Christmas Season of #BringItBack at Omniplex to bring some Christmas Crackers!

Omniplex Cinemas are cranking up a notch on nostalgia in a seasonal run of their popular #BringItBack classic film screenings, which continue to brighten up the winter nights in film theaters across Ireland.

Omniplex Cinemas #BringItBack Christmas season kicks off with a surprisingly recent movie. Due to phenomenal demand, The Greatest Showman is back on the big screen because showing it just once this year is never enough. Witness it Come Alive once again from 23rd of November for one week only! Inspired by the legend and ambitions of America’s original pop-culture impresario, P.T. Barnum, comes an inspirational rags-to-riches tale of a brash dreamer who rose from nothing to prove that anything you can envision is possible and that everyone, no matter how invisible, has a stupendous story worthy of a world-class spectacle.

 Yippee Ki-Yay, it’s true that Die Hard is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a week-long run in Omniplex from the 7th of December. We stand firm that IT IS A CHRISTMAS MOVIE! John McClane, officer of the NYPD, tries to save his wife Holly Gennaro and several others that were taken hostage by German terrorist Hans Gruber during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Buddy is storming back onto the big screen with our next #BringItBack Christmas classic movie! Elf is showing from 14th of December for one week only. Not tempted? You sit on a throne of lies! After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, Buddy who as raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity.

 Christmas just isn’t Christmas without KEVIN! Home Alone storms back onto the big screen from the 21st of December for a one week run due to phenomenal demand. Last year Home Alone showed to sold out screens nationwide in Omniplex, so pre-booking is essential for this one! When Kevin McCallister gets his Christmas wish for his family to disappear he is forced to defend his home by decking the halls with ingenious traps to hold his two burglaries at bay until his family makes it home for Christmas.

 #BringItBack sees some of the world’s most loved movies returning to Omniplex Cinemas Nationwide, enhanced by the best in modern day cinema experiences - quality projection, state of the art sound technology and of course, the comfiest seats.  Tickets are priced at €8 and advanced booking is recommended at www.omniplex.ie.


The Final Line-Up

23rd- 29th November – The Greatest Showman https://youtu.be/qEVLq_Xdg5I

7th-13th December – Die Hard https://youtu.be/po64vojRhCg

14th-20th December – Elf https://youtu.be/uhn1Gq56xag

21st- 27th December – Home Alone (Excl Christmas Day) https://youtu.be/i0G2oj5M4dE

Capernaum brings the curtain down on another highly successful Cork Film Festival

As the curtain closed on Sunday night with the screening of Cannes Jury Prize Winner Capernaum all concerned with this prestigious festival now in it's 63rd year can be proud of what was another quality packed 10 day programme of film.

From the gala opening screening of Float Like a Butterfly right through to the final feature there was a bountiful supply of excellent programming for all ages available.

The Grinch, White Boy Rick , The Favourite, The Old Man and the Gun and The Dig were among the popular features of a long list of quality features on show.
First Take and Doc Day, two special highly informative features of the festival again enjoyed positive feedback and great crowds.

The cast and crew of The Dig discuss the making of their remarkable film

Having being lucky enough to sample first hand the quality, energy and buzz that the Cork Film Festival can create on Thursday, organisers of this famous festival can indeed be proud of their efforts to bring such a quality event to the South West.

Irish short Stigma won the prestigious award of Grand Prix Irish Short Award at the festival awards ceremony on Sunday 18th November which took place at the Triskel. The film, directed by Helen Warner and produced by Marie McDonald, now joins the longlist for the Academy Awards® in 2020 in the Live Action Short Film category. The awards were presented ahead of the Closing Night Gala at the Everyman, with the Irish premiere of Capernaum, directed by Nadine Labaki.

Sponsored by RTÉ Supporting the Arts, Principal Media Partner of the Cork Film Festival, the award was presented by Brian Walsh, Deputy Head of Acquisitions/Exec Producer, RTÉ.

The Everyman which played host to many outstanding screenings over the course of the festival

Cork Film Festival Producer and CEO Fiona Clark said: “Stigma is an exceptional short and one that is thoroughly deserving of being longlisted for an Oscar® and winner of the €1,500 prize fund. It tells the story of how a string of confessions unveil a tale of religious guilt, sin and redemption and possesses a storytelling and visual sophistication that left a distinct impression on the jury.”

The Festival’s second Academy Awards® qualifying award, for the Grand Prix International Short Award, was Maria Eriksson’s Schoolyard Blues (Skolstartssorg) a Swedish short film which the judges recognised as being “both uplifting and heart-breaking and prompts us to consider continuity and change, the struggle for survival on the margins and the enduring and potentially restorative power of love”.


Commenting on the Awards, Fiona Clark said: “Cork Film Festival’s Awards celebrate excellence in filmmaking, and reflect the range and talent presented at this year’s hugely successful Festival. We honour filmmakers who push boundaries, take risks and engage audiences in the important stories that they tell on screen. It is a privilege to conclude the Festival with the presentation of one of 2018’s most highly acclaimed international films, Capernaum, itself the winner of five international awards including the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.”

Audience Award Winner - Float Like a Butterfly

The Audience Award, presented by The River Lee, Principal Accommodation Partner, was won by Float Like a Butterfly, written and directed by Carmel Winters, which was the Opening Night Gala film and European Premiere. On winning the award, Carmel Winters said: “Winning the audience prize at the oldest and largest festival in Ireland is the greatest gift I could wish for. So many of us bared heart and soul to make this film. Thank you, thank you, thank you Cork for championing the right of all of us to be our truest and best selves."


The Gradam Spiorad Na Féile / Spirit of The Festival Award, proudly presented by The Gate Cinema, Principal Venue Partner, went to Ali Abbasi’s Border (Gräns). Based on a short story by John Ajvide Lindqvist, the author of Let the Right One In, Ali Abbasi’s second feature is one of the year’s great discoveries – an extraordinary, highly original work that melds modern Nordic noir with the region’s folklore.


The Cork Film Festival Short Film Candidate for the 2019 European Film Awards is Black Sheep, directed by Ed Perkins, and produced by Academy Awards® winners Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn. This short documentary is about a  young man who finds himself the target of extreme racial abuse, and follows his decision to become more like the people who hated him.


The award for Documentary Short went to Black Line, directed by Mark Olexa and Francesca Scalisi (Switzerland), and the Best Cork Short Award, proudly presented by Media Partner RedFM, was won by Megan K Fox for her film, The Shift, set in the final disco of the Gaeltacht, and one 15-year-old who is determined to get the shift against all odds.


The new award for Best Director: Irish Short, supported by Screen Directors’ Guild Ireland, went to Oonagh Kearney, for her short Five Letters To The Stranger Who Will Dissect My Brain. The film provides an insight into the soul-searching journey of first-year medical student Viv, whose first encounter with a cadaver in the anatomy room sends her on a quest into the nature of what it means to be alive.

The full list of winners on the night were:

Stigma, directed by Helen Warner — Grand Prix Irish Short Award, Proudly presented by RTÉ Supporting the Arts
Schoolyard Blues (Skolstartssorg), directed by Maria Eriksson — Grand Prix International Short Award
Float Like a Butterfly, written and directed by Carmel Winters — Audience Award, Presented by The River Lee
Border (Gräns) , directed by Ali Abbasi — Gradam Spiorad na Féile (Spirit of the Festival Award), Presented by The Gate Cinema
Black Sheep, directed by Ed Perkins — Cork Film Festival Candidate for the European Film Awards 2019
Black Line, directed by Mark Olexa and Francesca Scalisi — Documentary Short Award
The Shift, directed by Megan K Fox — Best Cork Short Award, Presented by Red FM
Oonagh Kearney (Five Letters to the Stranger Who Will Dissect My Brain) — Best Director: Irish Short, Supported by Screen Directors Guild Ireland
Hale County This Morning, This Evening, directed by  RaMell Ross — Gradam na Féile do Scannáin Faisnéise (Award for Cinematic Documentary)
Crystal Swan (Khrustal), directed by Darya Zhuk — Cork Film Festival Youth Jury Award

On crowd size, feedback and general excitement generated, this fantastic film festival did not disappoint over 10 days showcasing some wonderful examples of short and feature film and a lot more besides. Roll on 2019 and the 64th festival!

This weeks Top movies on the Telly

Locke - (Film Four Tuesday 20th November 23:20)
A fascinating and strangely gripping movie with an incredible performance from Tom Hardy in a movie which is shot entirely from the inside of his car.
It takes a hell of a script and performance to keep the audience engaged in such a confined space but Hardy does exactly that and at eighty five mins long the audiences attention never wanes as we are gripped watching this tale unfold. Compelling.

Daddy's Home - (Film Four Wednesday 21st November 21:00)
For those who haven't seen the first film in the series this is the perfect opportunity to see Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg at their hilarious best in co-parenting roles in this highly entertaining comedy. Comedic chemistry and slapstick humour are to the forefront of this enjoyable 2015 film.

Paddington - (RTE One Saturday 24th November 18:35)
Somewhat over shadowed by it's sequel, this family friendly movie is nonetheless great entertainment as we are introduced to this charming bear and his origins in a film that will please all ages!