(Ireland, 2013) 12 – 18 April, DCA Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn’s Good Vibrations is based on the real-life story of Terri Hooley (Richard Dormer). Hooley is described as “The Godfather of Belfast Punk”; the movie centres on his introduction to the punk rock scene during the Troubles in the 1970s. Hooley already has Read More
Danny Boyle has turned his hand to the heist genre for his latest release Trance. After his success in the horror genre with 28 Days Later (2002) and with a successful children’s film under his belt with Millions(2004), it seems appropriate that Boyle should attempt something new. What he has produced, however, is a misguided attempt at a gritty Read More
As the director of Gummo (1997) and co-writer of Kids(1995), Harmony Korine is recognised for his indie approach to the documentation of youth culture. Korine’s latest film, Spring Breakers, sees the director scrutinise his adolescent subjects even more closely than he has done in the past. The story follows four college girls who rob a local chicken shack to Read More
Following a career defining role in Nicholas Winding Refn’s Drive (2011) and an underappreciated turn in George Clooney’s The Ides of March (2011), Ryan Gosling reunites with Blue Valentine (2010) director Derek Cianfrance for the pair’s, and indeed Cianfrance’s, second big screen venture. Given the resonance and popularity of their first collaboration, a gritty detailing of the evolution of a relationship, The Read More
While all directors must hope that their debut feature will be a resounding success reminiscent of Orson Welles’sCitizen Kane (1941), this is rarely going to be the case. Many debuts will be low budget disappointments that nonetheless might show a glimmer of talent and potential. However, sometimes a debut film appears that has enough confidence and Read More
Paul Bush’s film Babeldom can easily be defined as an enigma. A terrifying “mockumentary”, the film leaves the viewer feeling uneasy and disoriented, yet manages to accompany this disquietude with a sense of awe at the spectacular juxtaposition of animation and handheld cityscape visuals. The film is narrated sporadically by two voices: an unnamed female archaeologist and Read More
(UK, 2013) 10-12 April; DCA. Paul Bush’s film Babeldom can easily be defined as an enigma. A terrifying “mockumentary”, the film leaves the viewer feeling uneasy and disoriented, yet manages to accompany this disquietude with a sense of awe at the spectacular juxtaposition of animation and handheld cityscape visuals. The film is narrated sporadically by Read More
Perhaps best known for his “Vengeance Trilogy”, Park Chan-wook has demonstrated a fascination with the darker side of humanity and Stoker, his first English language film, is no exception. Stepping away from the graphic violence of Oldboy and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, Park’s latest offering places emphasis on the psychology of its characters, a move which only serves to Read More
The British “feel good” movie seems to have become somewhat of a trend in recent years; the kind of “tear jerkers” that deal with a sad subject matter, but conjure up an uplifting message which encourages everyone to believe that, through trial and tribulation, everything will work out in the end. Naturally, this is the Read More
Robot and Frank, the feature debut from director Jake Schreier and screenwriter Christopher D. Ford, is something rare; a science-fiction movie with real human warmth at its core. Set in the not-too-distant future, the tale of ageing former cat burgler Frank Weld (Frank Langella) and his robot carer is both comic and at times poignant. Read More