Movie night has become a family favourite in Co. Tipperary homes throughout lockdown and thanks to online streaming services we can now access thousands of movies in seconds.
It wasn’t always like that. Those of us that remember the 1980s will recall having to rent a VHS player from the old “Movie Club” video rental shop on Kickham Street , here in Thurles, to watch a movie on a big black VHS cassette. Not only that, but many’s the time you had to wait weeks for your turn to rent your favourite movie because the shop only had a limited number of copies.
How times have changed? As of August 2020, it was estimated that 550,000 Irish people were subscribed to Netflix alone, with thousands also subscribed to Disney+ and Amazon Prime.
There’s no doubt, but watching your favourite movie has never been so easy. Given the time of year it is; here are 5 family movie favourites perfect for the Easter holidays. Some are around so long a few of our readers might even have rented them from that old “Movie Club” video shop back in the day!
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, (1971, rated U) available to stream on Netflix.
Peter Rabbit, (2012, rated U) available to stream on Netflix.
Alice in Wonderland, (1951, rated 0+) available to stream on Disney+.
Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade, (2016, rated 0+) available to stream on Disney+.
Hop, (2011, rated All) available to stream on Amazon Prime
Pictured L-R: Ben Affeck, Matt Damon, Jodie Comer & Adam Driver.
Yesterday, actors Matt Damon and Ben Affeck began filming their new movie in Cahir Castle here in Co. Tipperary.
The famous Hollywood actors are filming “The Last Duel”, directed by Ridley Scott, using several locations across Ireland, in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Tipperary. Cahir Castle currently remains ‘out of bounds’ for tourists; having been booked by the filming company for the next few weeks.
Based on the book ‘The Last Duel’ by Eric Jager; the film is set in Medieval France, and its story is of an epic tale of betrayal and justice. with King Charles VI declaring that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel.
Obviously, people visiting the town of Cahir will be hoping to catch a glimpse of the actors in the days ahead.
The “Last Duel” also stars the lovely Ms Jodie Comer, who holds the lead role in “Killing Eve”. Ms Comer also played the role of Ivy Bolton in the television presentation of “Lady Chatterley’s Lover”. Also featuring in this production is acclaimed actor Adam Driver of “Star Wars” fame. Latter you will remember played the role of the villain ‘Kylo Ren’ in “The Rise of Skywalker”.
A new series ‘Coronavirus, Explained’ has just begun, today SundayApril 26th, 2020; featured on Netflix, and must now be made essential viewing for everyone on our planet.
The first short episode in the series, explains how the coronavirus become a global pandemic in the first place, changing life as we know it today; and pointing out the necessity and importance for social distancing.
Interviewed medical experts and data made available in this first episode in the series provides a clear, informative overview of COVID-19 and what we know and continue to learn about this virus to-date.
When messed with ‘Mother Nature’ becomes the ultimate bioterrorist
The series narrated by J. K. Simmons, also explores various topics around the subject, while discussing the efforts to halt it.
This excellent American made, limited series, documentary is produced by Vox, which brought us ‘The Mind, Explained’ and ‘Sex, Explained’, is a spin-off of the television series ‘Explained’.
To locate on Netflix; type Coronavirus, Explained into the provided Search Panel, and dare we state, where possible, get your teenage family members to watch.
“The Camino Voyage”; a film, described by the Dingle Film Festival as “Enchanting, Inspiring and ultimately very deeply moving”, will be shown in its entirety to an assembled audience at Cabragh Wetlands on Thursday next, March 28th, at 7.30pm.
A large crowd is expected to be in attendance with an opportunity to meet film directer Mr Dónal Ó Céilleachair, latter who will answer questions regarding all aspects of the making of this unhurried, epic and soulful film.
This truly heart warming, spirited documentary film tells the true story of a Writer, two Musicians, an Artist and a Stonemason, who embark on an inspiring, yet dangerous 2,500 km (some 1554 miles), journeying by sea, in a traditional boat (a currach / naomhóg) that they built themselves; rowing all the way from Ireland to Northern Spain.
Four men; poet Danny Sheehy, artist Liam Holden, musician Brendan Begley and stonemason Breandán Moriarty, set out on this journey, in three yearly stages, beginning in 2014. Musician and Academy Award winner Glen Hansard replaced Breandán Moriarty on the final leg, introducing new acquaintances to Irish song and merriment.
The very real dangers that attend such voyages were confirmed when last year, poet Danny Sheehy died when the currach / naomhóg capsized off the coast of Portugal; the film now remaining as his memorial.
Released to selected Cinemas across Ireland for just 9 weeks, this film has won numerous awards; including two “Audience Awards” from the Dingle International Film Festival and the Luxembourg British & Irish Film Season, and two “Documentary Awards” from Irish Screen America Film Festival NYC and An tOireachtas Media Awards, 2018.
Thurles resident Mr Michael Walsh [Latter who undertook the same journey on foot in 2013] and his son Ben, are both acquainted with the boats crew members and the film makers, and both confirm that this event is a major coup for Cabragh Wetlands. They are encouraging as many people as possible to attend on Thursday night. Note: A suggested contribution for this major event is just €5, with full proceeds donated, going directly to the Cabragh Wetland Development Trust.
“Women on the Verge” is set in Dublin, and tells the comical tale of three career-driven friends all in their 30’s, each at various stages of their chosen careers. Their friends and colleagues appear to be ever increasingly in full and total control of their daily lives, while these 3 aforementioned friends seem to be moving in quite the opposite direction. These same three friends referred, are played by Ms Kerry Condon (35); Ms Eileen Walsh(41) and Ms Nina Sosanya (48).
The blue eyed, Ms Condon stars as ‘Laura’, an investigative journalist who is at serious risk of ruining her career, following a ‘sleepover’ with none other than her boss. Ms Walsh, stars in the character of ‘Alison’, latter who is back with her old ex-boyfriend Martin yet again, trying for a baby, following her series of disastrous previous one-night stands, while Ms Sosanya, staring as Laura’s (Kerry Condon) friend ‘Katie’, persuades her to go for a series of psychotherapy sessions with a psychologist played by Ms Sharon Horgan.
The very talented and unassuming Miss Condon first shot to fame in “Angela’s Ashes” in 1999, following it up with a string of films including “Rat”; “How Harry Became a Tree”; “Ned Kelly”; “Intermission”; “The Halo Effect”; “Unleashed”; “The Last Station”; “The Runway”; “This Must Be the Place”; “The Shore”; “Dom Hemingway”; “Gold”; “Avengers: Age of Ultron”; “Captain America: Civil War”; “Spider-Man”: “Homecoming”; “Breaking Bad”; “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri”;“Avengers: Infinity War”; “Bad Samaritan” and finally “Dreamland”, latter, an upcoming American drama thriller completed and set for full release sometime next year.
Ms Condon, since 1999 has also appeared in numerous TV series including:- “Ballykissangel”; “Born and Bred”; “Rome”; “Anatomy of Hope”; “Five Days”; “Luck” “The Walking Dead”; “Believe”; 12 episodes being presently broadcast in Series 4 of “Better Call Saul” and “Brace for Impact”.
Ms Condon first developed her love for stage, as a schoolgirl in the late 1980’s performing here for local audiences in the Premier Hall Thurles, in the Thurles John Player “Tops of the Town” performances; latter a cigarette-sponsored talent show, that surely rivalled nationally, today’s X Factor. Having honed her considerable talents both locally and nationally; today she performs, on an equal footing, rubbing shoulders alongside Hollywood greats like Colin Farrell, Tom Hanks, Helen Mirren, Christopher Plummer, Nick Nolte, Dustin Hoffman, to name but a few.
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