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James Finnegan says its heartening to see Tralee Omniplex back again and some new movies playing…
It is great to see the Tralee Omniplex open again.
These are truly strange times so well done to all the management and staff for putting on some seasonal and some new Irish productions on their return.
The main new release is Pixie. The opening montage includes the line “Once upon a time in the west….. of Ireland” setting the tone for an enjoyable romp around parts of a small town somewhere between Sligo and Belfast – the glories of cinema geography.
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Pixie, played by Olivia Cooke, is a kick-ass girl with plans to move to San Francisco. She is the daughter of small town gangster Dermot, played by Colm Meaney. One big heist should provide the nessessary funds.
Unfortunately, things do not go quite to plan, so she ends up with a supply of drugs, the inevitable body in the boot of the car and two gormless accomplices, Frank (Ben Hardy) and Harland (Daryl McCormack).
‘Pixie’ is playing now in the Omniplex.
She has also incurred the wrath of a rival drug cartel run by Fr McGrath, played by Alec Baldwin. Suffice to say the clerical drug runners bring back memories of Fathers Ted, Jack and Dougal.
There is also a fine cameo by Dylan Morgan as a sarcastic drug baron.
This is broad black humour from the pen of Preston Thompson and directed by his father Barnaby Thompson, who was involved in the last St Trinians movies revival.
The references and influences of Quintin Tarantino, Martin McDonagh and Sam Peckinpah are obvious – watch out for a finale that John Woo would enjoy.
The film is held together by the enthusiastic commitment of Olivia Cooke in the title role. Not the greatest film ever made, but an enjoyable Saturday night flick, as long as you are not too easily offended.
Next are two documentaries about a couple of legendary figures from sport and music.
Finding Jack Charlton is so timely and relevant due to his recent passing. It is hard to think of anyone who has been so lauded in both his native England and adopted Ireland.
From the Colossus of Leeds and England, to the management of the Republic of Ireland football team, Jack belonged on the world stage.
His background was humble and he never forgot where he came from. I had the privilege of meeting him on a number of occasions, and can confirm that what you saw was what you got.
By candid, intimate interviews and footage of his later descent into the darkness of dementia, Jack’s last great service to his countries might be raising a final awareness of this dreaded illness.
Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane McGowan is a warts and all honest telling of his life and times.
Using a unique combination of conversation, archive footage and animation, as well as a flexible approach to timelines, we see how his background put him down a certain road, and the effects wrought by the less welcome trappings of fame.
It is ironic that Fairytale of New York is playing as I write these lines, because McGowan’s life seems to have been as picturesque and eventful as the characters in the song. Stay safe and Enjoy
