Seem to be going through a bit of a purple patch with the movie as of late.Went to Dublin on Sat. last to the LIGHTHOUSE cinema in Smithfield to see THE ILLUSIONIST by French director SYLVAIN CHOMET who made BELLVILLE RENDEZ-VOUS.It looks like I've got another one to add to my films of the year list!An animated feature directed more to an adult audience,not for the content,more for the style and pace.It tells the story of an ageing French magician who ends up in Edinburgh at the start of the 60's,who is struggling to get theatre bookings what with the onset of rock & roll and television.I would highly recommend this film.
As I said I saw THE ILLUSIONIST in the new LIGHTHOUSE cinema and what a fantastic cinema it is.This was my first visit to the LIGHTHOUSE in its current incarnation,been to the old one many many times and saw some great stuff there.It's hard to get to Dublin as much as we used to in the old (pre-kids) days.Back in the 90's we once saw 5 films in one day during the DUBLIN FILM FESTIVAL.We'd be hard pressed to do 1 a month nowadays hopefully that'll change soon.What with ATHYFILMCLUB responsibilities and all I'll have to keep up with current cinematic events.Who knows Cannes or Sundance or even Toronto might beckon.
Anyway the LIGHTHOUSE was designed by D.T.A. Architects who have an Athy connection (DEREK TYNAN),his son DAVE TYNAN is a filmmaker who has a huge hit on YOUTUBE.It's great to see an Independent cinema of such a scale in the capital.Who knows if I won the Lotto(a substantial one) I would probably build a 5 screen cinema in Athy showing mainstream movies and having 1 or 2 screens for all the QUIRKY,WEIRD,OFFBEAT,SUBTITLED,FOREIGN,ART HOUSE,INDEPENDENT,ALT-HOLLYWOOD,LOW-BUDGET,SPECIALIST,REVISIONIST WESTERN,VISIONARY EASTERN,NON-LINEAR NARRATIVE,DOCUMENTARY,ROCUMENTARY,MOCUMENTARY,REALIST,ABSURDIST,SURREAL and NON-POPULIST film that I like.Special discount for ATHYFILMCLUB members of course.Well I can dream............
Just watched the last episode of the 2nd series of BREAKING BAD....best t.v. show ever.I said that about DEADWOOD last year and THE WIRE the year before and THE SOPRANOS too at some stage in the past.I'm a bit promiscuous in my t.v. tastes.I've been kindly loaned the 1st and 2nd season box-set of MAD MEN by an esteemed film club member(thank you).I've seen bits of it and wondered whats all the fuss?,so now I'm going to go at it for real, obviously because of my new-found blogging status (status?) I have to be aware of these things.The 2nd series of TRUE BLOOD started on TG4 last week, it made TWIN PEAKS seem like THE RIORDANS it was that over the top.
Don't forget E.T. for Culture Night in association with ATHYFILMCLUB.We are endeavouring to cinematically educate the youth with this one.It's a free family friendly screening so don't expect the usual respectful hush as the film starts that you normally get at ATHYFILMCLUB screenings.Should be fun!!!!!!
Hugh Hyland
