Monday 31 July 2017

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

There are two new releases for your consideration for this weeks Tuesday Treat at Tralee Omniplex: one being a spine chilling horror and the other a fun kids movie. There are also a lot of this year's top blockbusters still on show throughout Omniplex cinemas nationwide which can be viewed today for the superb price of  just €6!

47 Meters Down:
Reviews haven't been overly enthusiastic about this sea set thriller but fans of the horror genre should be pleased as the agoraphobic action in this holiday gone wrong thriller should have audiences holding tight to their comfy cinema seats! No Citizen Kane but should succeed in large scares and chills!



Captain Underpants:
Strangely, lauded more by critics than movie going audiences this fun family film should have enough to keep the younger members of the family entertained whilst also holding the attention of the more mature family members! Fans of fart jokes and creative and extremely silly humour will not be disappointed!


















































This weeks Top Movies on the Telly



I Am Bolt - (BBC1 Monday 31st July 20:30)
For the week that's in it, on his last competitive outing in the World Championships in London , this insightful documentary reveals the charm, charisma and incredible talent of an athlete that rescued the reputation of his sport single-handedly. Compelling viewing.





Man Up - (BBC2  Wednesday 2nd August 21:00)
Chewing gumesque  romantic comedy which largely succeeds due to fine performances by it's leading actors Simon Pegg and Lake Bell. It won't change your life but an enjoyable way to spend ninety minutes nonetheless!



Godzilla(RTE2 Thursday 3rd August 21:00)
The big summer blockbuster of 2014, Gareth Edwards successful reboot of this epic tale is a visually impressive high octane spectacle with enough human drama on board to counteract the highly imaginative premise of giant creaturesReeking havoc on everything in sight! Good fun!














Saturday 29 July 2017

Review: War for the Planet of the Apes - A satisfactory end to a fantastic trilogy

As the third and final instalment of the fantastic rebooted trilogy, the pressure was most definitely on director Matt Reeves to produce a film worthy of it's place among the two previous outings and give this remarkable series the send off it deserves.
In War for the Planet of the Apes, after the apes suffer unimaginable losses at the hands of a ruthless Colonel (played by the brilliant Woody Harreslon) , Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own crusade to avenge his species.
The technical aspects of these films have been lauded so much at this stage that they often tend to get taken for granted but again the effects in this movie are simply incredible and made all the more effective by the actors playing the apes.
Andy Serkis portrayal as the conflicted Caesar is as good as anything you will see on the big screen this year with a lot of his supporting cast also adding quality to this feature, most notably Steve Zahn who adds comic relief as "Bad Ape".
The cinematography is also breathtaking with swooping shots of the tremendous landscape giving this film a war/revenge western movie feel to it, whilst Mark Bomback's screenplay too contains a much deeper and emotionally resonate narrative as the trilogy draws to it's inevitable conclusion.
A potent thematic mixture of Apocalypse Now, and Heart of Darkness, along with stunning visuals and an exceptional narrative results in a movie that not only is deserved of it's place within this remarkable trilogy but one that stands alone as an incredible film in it's own right. A film that will please fans of the franchise (and indeed all cinema goers) and is easily one of the best summer blockbusters you will see this year!
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Tuesday 25 July 2017

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

There is just the one new release for your consideration for this weeks Tuesday Treat at Tralee Omniplex and it's one of the most anticipated cinematic events of the year with the release of Christopher Nolan's War epic Dinkirk. There are also a lot of  quality films still on show throughout Omniplex cinemas nationwide and today for the superb value of  just €6!


Dunkirk:
With such an acclaimed director at the helm and with a cast that includes Kenneth Brannagh, Mark Rylance and Cillian Murphy (not to mention a certain Harry Styles!) this promises to be one of the great movie outings of the year and well worthy of your €6!



















































Monday 24 July 2017

Review: Spider-Man:Homecoming - Third time lucky as Marvel hit the right note!


In Spider-Man:Homecoming under the watchful eye of Tony Stark, Peter Parker starts to embrace his new found identity as Spider-Man whilst also attempting to return to his normal daily routine,frustrated by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighbourhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.
Fifteen years on from Sam Raimi's effort and a second reboot later and finally Marvel seem to have got it right with the theme, tone and most importantly casting, as Tom Holland captures the aura and likeness of the lead character perfectly.
With a new director (John Watts) and a new leading actor (Tom Holland) this exhausted franchise gets the proverbial kick it required with the reset button pressed and all the qualities that endeared the public to the character initially being nourished and enriched.
Tom Holland is simply perfect as Peter Parker/Spider-Man playing the hero with a naivety and lack of arrogance that was frankly missing from the performances of his predecessors in this role.
In Michael Keaton, the film also has an actor on top form who can add the menace and fearfulness required from an evil nemesis at the blink of an eye and his portrayal as the nasty and unhinged Vulture in this film should not be underestimated.
The dark and deep atmosphere evident in the first two series attempts have been abolished also with Spider-Man: Homecoming depicting what the comic books had intended - a teen struggling to find his way and deal with his remarkable powers whilst also dealing with the pressures of high school all portrayed in a John Hughes type setting with added superhero antics thrown in to entertain.
The effects, action and stunts in this film are stunning with the audience at the edge of their seat for large segments of what is overall a very entertaining and enjoyable film.
Third time lucky it is then, in what was the reboot that no one thought they needed but are sure glad that it arrived. Highly enjoyable!
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Wednesday 19 July 2017

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

There is just the one new releases for your consideration for this weeks Tuesday Treat at Tralee Omniplex and it's one for the younger members of the family as Pixar produces a third chapter in one of their movie franchises for the first time ever with the release of Cars 3.
Fun for all the family and all for the giveaway price of just €6!

Cars 3:
A third outing for the Owen Wilson voices Lightning McQueen should keep all family members (both young and old) happy as early reviews seem to suggest more of the same ingredients are present that made the first two films so enjoyable. Should be good fun!


















































Monday 17 July 2017

This weeks Top Movies on the Telly




Still Alice - (RTE 1 Monday 17th July 21:35)
Anchored by a fantastic performance by Julianne Moore this heartbreaking drama deals with it's delicate themes with compassion and sensitivity and is a harrowing yet ultimately rewarding watch.



Con Air - (SKY 1  Tuesday 18th July 21:00)
Come on! Who doesn't love Con Air? A big slice of over the top, over hammed, loud and brash blockbuster goodness from 1997. Featuring what was a sign of things to come from Nicholas Cage as well as Steve Buscemi and John Malkovich obviously enjoying themselves in this extremely silly high octane action movie!



The Departed(SKY Atlantic Wednesday 19th July 21:00)
Martin Scorsese's award winning gangster drama featuring a star studded cast on top form is well worth another look as this 2006 film is undoubedtly one of the best of that particular decade and sits comfortbaly on a lot of viewers top ten movie lists and rightfully so!















Friday 14 July 2017

Review: Despicable Me 3 - Lots of fun for all the family!

Gru and the gang return in the third installment of the popular Despicable Me franchise in a film that provides lots of entertainment laughs and fun for all ages.
Being the third (fourth if you include the Minions movie) installment of an animated series is always going to bring the pressure of maintaining that magic and originality that made this animated collection so popular to begin with but Despicable Me 3 just about gets there in a film that whilst may not reach the heights of it's predecessors does still provide lots of entertainment, laughs and fun for all the family.
In Despicable Me 3, after the new boss of the Anti-Villain League fires him, Gru travels to Freedonia to meets his long-lost charming, cheerful, and more successful twin brother Dru who wants to team up with him to take down the elusive Balthazar Bratt, a former 1980s child star who seeks revenge against the world.
The old favourites are out here in force with the hilarious Minions, the adorable Agnes and the introduction of the ying to Gru's yang, Dru ,adding much of the comic relief and merriment. Proceedings are anchored spectacularly once again by the always reliable Steve Carrell as Gru (whilst also playing the excellent Dru) but it's the arrival of nemesis Balthazar Bratt that provides much of the best moments of the film.
His outlandish,fiendish and largely comical antics coupled with an excellent accompanying 80's soundtrack (to keep the older kids happy no doubt!) are the fuel that drive this ninety minutes of fun and make this a welcome addition to the series.
Overall, a busy film filled with fun, frolics and foolishness that will please fans of the franchise and family members of all ages! Good fun!


What movies to watch this weekend?

In the Cinema:


War for the Planet of the Apes:
Final part of the trilogy of this successful rebooted franchise has earned rave reviews critically and it should provide plenty of high tech special effects as well as what has been an excellent narrative which should get the send off that this series so rightfully deserves!



At Home: 


Elle:
Director Paul Verhoeven delivers a powerful film with the help of an typically outstanding from the exceptional Isabelle Huppert. Makes for uncomfortable viewing but with Verhoeven and Huppert on top form this is one that will most definitely resonate with it's audience.



On Telly


World War Z(RTE 2 Friday 15th July 21:15pm)
Marc Forster's tense and frightening adaption of the novel by Max Brooks is uneven at times but great entertainment with action, tension and thrills in abundance and a solid performance by Brad Pitt in the lead role tying the whole thing together nicely! Highly entertaining!




















Thursday 13 July 2017

5 movies to watch on Netflix in July


If summer blockbuster movies are not your thing, then the cinema may have limited choices available to you during the summer months so you may have to make alternative arrangements to find that suitable film for your viewing pleasure . Fear Not! - for your viewing pleasure I have decided to once again sift through the vast array of quality movies on Netflix this month and recommend five classics so you don't have to spend half the night flicking through Netflix's choices before deciding that you are now too tired to watch a film anyway and vow to return at a later date just to do the very same thing.
Here are my movie picks for your enjoyment for this month:



5.Hunger
The movie that announced both director Steve McQueen and actor Michael Fassbender in some fashion,in this harrowing and uncompromising film. It is undoubtedly a sometimes be a difficult but ultimately rewarding watch. Famous for a 24 minute epic scene halfway through a film that is simply to good to be missed.



4. Okja
Fresh from it's Cannes controversy, this Bong-Joon ho directed feature makes it's Netflix debut this month in a film that has been highly critically received.Although this ambitious project may not to be everyone's tastes it is worth checking out just to see what all the fuss is about.


3.The Breakfast Club
One for fans of nostalgia as this iconic 80's film set in the trials and tribulations of high school gets it's Netflix debut. A Killer soundtrack and contagious cast add to this John Hughes directed warm, funny and heartfelt classic that's bound to entertain again and again.


2. District 9
Neill Blomkamp directs a compelling sci-fi thriller that is both visually spectacular and emotionally draining at the same time. Driven by an exceptional turn by Sharlto Copley this is simply on of the cleverest sci-fi movies produced in modern times.
 Exceptional!



1. Trumbo
Jay Roach's Dalton Trumbo biopic attracted a lot of attention on it's 2016 release not least for the Best Actor Oscar nomination achieved by the brilliant Bryan Cranston in this solid drama effort aided by an all star cast on top form.
Well worth a look!

Tuesday 11 July 2017

Kerry Film Festival & Storystock #MyNameIs Submissions- Extended Deadline



Kerry Film Festival are informing all interested parties that due to a number of requests for more time for the #MyNameIs competition with StoryStock they are extending the deadline to August 18th 2017.
Full information on this wonderful opportunity is available from a previous post I did which can be viewed here or in a nutshell if you have a real life story with a running time of 3 minutes or less - get those ideas filmed and uploaded to be part of this exciting competition.


Kerr Film Festival is also extending their regular submissions deadline for the festival programme for another week so plenty of time to get those submissions in and best of luck to all involved!






If you're only going to watch one TV movie this week it should be.....All The Way

Directed by Jay Roach, whose previous directorial outings had mainly been of a comedic nature with films like Meet the Parents and the Campaign but had in recent times ventured into the political drama sphere with the brilliant Trumbo, All the Way is the made for HBO film adapted by Robert Schenkkan from his play with the same title and is based on events that occurred during of the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson.
The film deals with a critical time in American history in Johnson's tumultuous first year in office as he attempts to launch the civil rights bill whilst simultaneously closely guard his own political career in the run up to a Presidential election.
Anchored by what can only be described as a phenomenal performance from lead actor Bryan Cranston in his role as the extremely complicated Lyndon B Johnson, this film is a riveting portrayal of a tense and highly volatile time in US politics.
Cranston had been familiarised with the role having already played the character in the Tony award winning play but nonetheless the weight of his performance and his depiction of an multi-faceted character such as Johnson is a sight to behold. He is supported strongly by some memorable performances from the supporting cast including Melissa Leo as Claudia Johnson and Anthony Mackie as Rev Martin Luther King but this is Cranston's show as the audience is enthralled by events of the time and his replication of such an contradictory figure.
This film would sit quite comfortably beside the equally excellent Selma as an appropriate companion piece as it would give the audience the opportunity to view this period in history from two
very different angles.
All the Way is available to download for all Sky customers and is most definitely worth a watch!
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Tralee Omniplex Tuesday Treat - What new release movie deserves your €6 this week?

There are two giant summer blockbuster new releases for your consideration for this weeks Tuesday Treat at Tralee Omniplex. The first is a second reboot of a much loved superhero whilst the second is the third and final chapter in the successful (again rebooted!) Planet of the Apes franchise! Thrills aplenty and all for the giveaway price of just €6!



War for the Planet of The Apes:
Initial reviews are quite good for this one as the trilogy looks to go out with a bang! Jaw dropping special effects and an exceptional narrative round off what really was a highly entertaining collection of movies that have largely enjoyed critical and commercial success!


Spider-Man:Homecoming:
The reboot that we thought we didn't need is availing of positive reviews in a film that seems to contain action, humour and generally, fun in abundance! Might just be worth casting the cynicism that accompanies watching a second rebooted franchise aside and enjoy the show!




Which new release are you going to see at Tralee Omniplex this week?

War of the Planet of the Apes
Spider-man:Homecoming
quotes 2 know





















































Monday 10 July 2017

This weeks Top Movies on the Telly




Crazy, Stupid, Love - (TG4 Monday 10th June 21:30)
This well cast and sharply written romantic comedy us full of memorable performances that results in a film that steers clear of the formulaic premise that usually exists in these type of films and delivers laughs and heartfelt moments aplenty! Worth a watch!





Jaws - (ITV4  Wednesday 12th July 21:00)
42 years on and still the benchmark in the ability to deliver  tension filled blockbuster horror and thrills. The perfect pacing, compelling writing and excellent cast made this the iconic movie that it has become. Interesting to see how it has aged in the years of special effects saturation that have followed. A Classic!



Step Brothers(Comedy Central Thursday 13th July 21:00)
The perfect tonic for those who were disappointed by recent release The House, this hilarious comedy directed by Adam McKay and featuring two side splitting performances from Will Ferrell and John C.Reilly is great wholesome fun and worth repeated viewing!