By Jack Shanley

With Christmas just around the corner its only right to light up your Christmas with this timeless classic by the great Frank Capra. James Stewart astounds us as George Bailey with the beautiful Donna Reed oozing that festive feeling. Regarded as one of finest films ever made, it sure is a good family film and for me it is the pure definition of Christmas. With ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Frank Capra essentially paints the most beautiful picture of life that no matter how many times you look at it its still so powerful bringing you closer to life. Its with this classic that proves how beautifully powerful cinema truly is that no words can speak loud enough to make you feel the way the film does. It’s the journey Capra takes us on from George Bailey (James Stewart) as a boy to a grown man, with these great plans to conquer the world and essentially live the life of dreams, that just never happens for him and for us all. With this ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is still so relevant today after all these years. I’m not shy to say it’s a film that may lead to you shedding a few tears, throughout the film but especially in its final act. With an Angel in Clarence sent to George Bailey (James Stewart) to make him see his life essentially if he hadn’t been born makes you see your life the same way, with that it makes you happy to exist. The film has its humour romance and its ever-enduring scenes, from the classic dance scene which starts with the startling look both Donna Reed and James Stewart give each other to the frustration in the bank on their Wedding Day and on to the final act which speaks for itself. This high-spirited Christmas classic ranks among fans and critics alike as one of the most loved and celebrated films ever made In all truth I’d recommend checking out ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Five stars. Director: Frank Capra – Rating: G – Genre: Drama/Comedy – Run Time: 2h 10m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram

By Jack Shanley

The Exorcist: Believer is a prime example of how a once-beloved horror franchise can lose its way. Clocking in at just over two hours, this film feels like an eternity of clichés and jump scares that fail to deliver any real terror. The plot, which attempts to rekindle the demonic horror of the original film, is a convoluted mess. It follows a group of ill-fated individuals who stumble upon an ancient artifact that supposedly holds the key to unleashing the ultimate evil. As they unwittingly awaken a demonic force, were subjected to a series of overly predictable events, from eerie whispers in the dark to objects moving on their own. The film leans heavily on the tropes of the genre without bringing anything fresh or innovative to the table. One of the major drawbacks of is the lacklustre character development. The ensemble cast, which includes some seasoned actors, is given very little to work with. They are reduced to mere vessels for the demon’s malevolence, making it impossible to invest in their fates. Theres no emotional connection to these characters, and their struggles are lost in a sea of uninspired dialogue and wooden performances. The special effects, while technologically advanced, fail to impress. The CGI-heavy sequences often come across as overdone, distracting from any genuine horror the film might have hoped to achieve. Moreover, the reliance on jump scares grows tiresome as they become predictable, offering little more than momentary jolts. The film’s pacing is a significant issue as well. It struggles to maintain a consistent atmosphere, vacillating between slow, plodding exposition and frenetic, chaotic scenes. This inconsistency disrupts the build-up of tension and ultimately dilutes the horror. In conclusion, The Exorcist: Believer is a forgettable addition to the once-proud franchise. It lacks the storytelling depth and character development that made the original a classic. With a disjointed plot, uninspired performances, and an overreliance on worn-out horror tropes, this film misses the mark in delivering genuine scares. In all truth I’d recommend checking out The Exorcist: Believer and see what you think of it. I shall give it a score of two stars. Director: David Gordon Green – Rating: R– Genre: Horror/Supernatural – Run Time: 1h 51m – Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram/
Editor’s note. Jack’s opinion on this film is his alone based on his vast knowledge of film and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of the owners, management or staff of Local Magazine. We suggest you do as Jack recommends and go and view the film yourself and form your own views.

By Jack Shanley

A raw terrifying film, said to be the scariest film ever made, but does it live up to those 50 years on from its original release? The answer well for me at least is yes. It is such a well-directed film…so patient in its pacing flawlessly acted, with brilliant editing and cinematography that really add to the eerie atmosphere of the film. Every shot, every cut is deliberate. The composition of each shot is perfect. Every element of each scene is utilized to its full capacity in each shot, and nothing in a shot lingers for too long, or too short of a time. It gives you just enough to make you feel uneasy.

The Exorcist isn’t just a typical ‘girl is possessed’ film. It is much more involved and deeper than that. For much of this film you question if Regan is just crazy or if she is actually possessed. Even during the exorcism scene, the priests are fully convinced she is even possessed. Which gets to the heart and core of the film: it is a film about faith. Despite the religious nature of the film, there is quite a bit of science and psychology involved to make even the most religious people question how realistic their beliefs really are. And despite all this doubt and questioning of faith during the film, the exorcist puts all their conceived notions, beliefs, and logic aside, taking a leap of faith to try to save Regan in one of the greatest climaxes in all of cinema. It didn’t feel like an exorcism just for the sake of an exorcism, it felt earned. With a new Exorcist film on the horizon ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ and the sad recent passing Exorcist director and cinema great William Friedkin, now is a great time if any to watch the horror masterpiece. The Exorcist is being screened for its 50th Anniversary in the Light House Cinema in late September into early October. In all truth I’d recommend checking out The Exorcist and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of five stars. Director: William Friedkin – Rating: 18 – Genre: Horror/Thriller – Run Time: 2h 12m – Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

By Jack Shanley

‘Oppenheimer’ is a breathtaking masterpiece and perhaps one of the finest biopics ever made. Christopher Nolan manages to yet again skilfully combine the elements of action, audio, acting, direction, and scene design into an unforgettable cinematic experience, proving once again why he is one of the greatest directors of our time. Christopher Nolan’s visionary film making is mesmerising, with the movie taking audiences on an electrifying journey weaving together heart- pounding action sequences, exceptional performances, stunning visuals, and the very meticulous direction. Incredible performances from all including quite extraordinary performances from both Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt. It’s one of our own in Cillian Murphy who truly steals the show with a mesmerising performance that is Oscar worthy. It is those big blue eyes, the stern look, you can really feel the stress that J. Robert Oppenheimer was put under. What makes the film so captivating is this story of a man with weight of the world on his shoulders and the idea that you either view J. Robert Oppenheimer as a hero or villain, it’s just fascinating. From the very very beginning, the film grips you with its captivating storytelling and seamless blend of the historical accuracy and cinematic artistry. The narrative unfolds chronologically, taking the audience on an enthralling journey through Oppenheimer’s early life, his academic pursuits, and eventually, his pivotal role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. The experience I had in the cinema was riveting, pure cinematic magic as It’s a film you must see in IMAX. I felt locked into the movie as if I was taken back in time to the 1940’s. The film score complements the truly emotional depth of the story, heightening every scene’s impact and leaving a lasting impression on the viewers minds. With ‘Oppenheimer’ being quite dense. I’d suggest perhaps maybe you watching a documentary before going to see it. Lastly, I’ll finish by saying ‘Oppenheimer’ isn’t merely a biopic about a renowned physicist; it transcends into a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. In all truth I’d recommend checking out Oppenheimer and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of five stars. Director: Christopher Nolan – Rating: R – Genre: Drama/Thriller-Run Time: 3h – Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

by Jack Shanley

Daunting disturbing and chilling Vertigo remains a masterpiece. 55 years after its original release and with it being shown later this month in the lighthouse Cinema Alfred Hitchcock’s mesmerising fascinating masterpiece still moves audiences today. Arguably Hitchcock’s best film it’s still fascinates me every time I see it. It’s the study of obsession that keeps the material so fresh and new. Its Johns (James Stewart) obsession that drives the story on and keeps us hooked from the second we see the dizzying spirals of the opening credits sequence. Although story was arguably the most important part of a Hitchcock film, with Vertigo its quite different. It’s the emotions, characters, themes that pull a story together. I’ve seen this work with many films and find it quite interesting, as a film it could have a basic story but it lives off its character development etc. This is the film that introduced the World to the famous sequence known as the Vertigo Effect which has gone on to be used in various other films. It;s basically a forward zoom with a reverse dolly meant to achieve a disorienting effect of shifting perspectives. Vertigo also happens to be Hitchcock’s most personal picture, burrowing deep into the directors own darkest wormholes: obsessions with women, the desire to control them, and to mould them into a personal ideal. The psychologically complex material is played off incredibly well by James Stewart who we sympathize with and a chilling Kim Novak performance. With the colours dazzling, and Bernard Herrmann’s extraordinary score as crisp and haunting as ever, its surely a must watch. In all truth I’d recommend checking out Vertigo as its screens in the Lighthouse Cinema on August 20th and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of five stars. Director: Alfred Hitchcock– Rating: PG – Genre: Mystery/Thriller – Run Time: 2h 8m – Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

By Jack Shanley

The masterful A24 director Ari Aster is back on the big screen with yet another strange work of art, perhaps the strangest yet. “Beau is Afraid” from start to finish is about the long whacked out journey of an anxious man on his quest to visit his mother. Joaquin Phoenix stars picking up the role of a very abstract and complex character. Let’s just get it out the bag, this film is a dream like experience first and foremost. It’s quite overwhelming and even suffocating for its audience at times. This plays off so well, as not everything is meant to be taken literally! On the surface, there are generally many black comedy themes, with a melodramatic undertone. It’s been crafted meticulously by Ari Aster at 3 hours, making it feel richer and more detailed. Many of the films moments are left engrained into your thoughts well after the run time. With a bigger budget then his previous works “Hereditary” and “Midsommar” I thought helped with the landscape and wacky scenarios in the film. Overall, “Beau Is Afraid” is Aster’s most ambitious film to date. Although it’s the not raw and experimental horror we endured in his previous works, it still makes for an unforgettable experience and feeling that is often missed in Arthouse films these days.

This is definitely Ari Asters most complex and allegorical film, everything in this film is strange, the interpersonal relationships, the way the story is told, the dialogues, the universe of the film, everything is very strange without any logic, and in my understanding, all this represents the unbalanced and paranoid mind of our protagonist Beau. I feel the movie is essentially a look at the world through the eyes of a man terrified of his own existence.

In all truth I’d recommend checking out Beau Is Afraid at your local cinema today and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of three stars. Director: Ari Aster– Rating: 16 – Genre: Horror/Comedy– Run Time: 2h 59m – Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

By Jack Shanley

A fresh instalment in one of the most entertaining horror franchises out there, Evil Dead Rise hit our screens in mid-April and left a great impression for the most part. The much-anticipated film left an unsure impression on me, for it being an entertaining film I felt it lacked a little in direction. I did feel that the acting at times was a little poor, characters were boring along with the dialogue that could have been better. I felt it was dark and hard to see the film, I’ve noticed this with a lot of films that have been released over the last while a darkness when watching it as if the cinematographer decided to put a dark filter over the lenses. I felt early on that the movie took a while to really kick in, but once it did it was quite gruesome. The end of the film in particular left a good impression on me and feel now it could be the beginning of many more films in the engrossing Evil Dead series. Besides all the negativity I spout over the movie, I did feel entertained and would be interested in giving it another watch, for I found the cinematograph, art direction and costume design to be of an enormous quality.

I loved the references throughout the film to the original Evil Dead trilogy, got this sense of a love and passion that Dublin Born director Lee Cronin has not just for the horror genre but the Evil Dead franchise too. This excites me for future Evil Dead films as not only do we have one of our own at the helm of a massive horror franchise, but he has a passion and love for the Evil Dead movies and just the overall craft for movie making. In all truth I did leave the theatre disappointed that my favourite horror movie franchise could potentially be on the down swing of its existence, but it happens to the best of them, does it not? If it can happen to horror legends like Jason, Freddy, Michael Myers, Pinhead, and countless others, then the Evil Dead series is not immune, and Rise could potentially mark the beginning of the end for this amazing franchise.

In all truth I’d recommend checking out Evil Dead Rise at your local cinema today and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of three stars. Director: Lee Cronin– Rating: 18 – Genre: Horror/Fantasy – Run Time: 1h 36m – Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

By Jack Shanley

Exhilarating, jaw-dropping and hugely entertaining, ‘John Wick 4’ is simply a spectacle from start to finish. Above all, it’s a love letter to action film making and every action cinema lover’s greatest dream. I feel that it could potentially go down as one of the finest action films of our time. From the cinematography that is Oscar worthy, the neo-noir genre that has never looked so amazing on screen, the colour coordination framing blocking, you name it: it was all spectacular. How exactly does three hours of wham-bam noise and fast paced action, unmitigated by any meaningful plot, work as well as it does? Well, the action choreography had to be top class in which it utilitises 100 per cent of each set design used to incorporate drama, thrill and comedy. This movie pulls you in as you get lost in the coolness of Keanu Reeves and has everything you could ever ask for, from guns, knives, nun chucks, katanas, martial arts, cars, flamethrowers, bare hands etc.The stunt work is jaw-dropping and adrenaline inducing. I saw the film on opening night and with my excitement hitting a high I wasn’t let down. In the opening scene we are hit with a wonderful match cut influenced by the great Lawrence of Arabia of 1962 as Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) blows out a cigarette cutting to the sun rising over the Arabian desert. When watching all the John Wick films, I can’t help but see the influence of some of cinema’s greatest films and genres.Never has it been more evident than in the fourth instalment of the series. I couldn’t help but see through the film straight into its core as influences of the spaghetti western sprung bright alongside Japanese Kung Fu films of the ‘70s, the likes of which the great Bruce Lee would be proud of. With the price on Mr Wick’s head ever increasing, the legendary hitman takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin.I really enjoyed this film and would recommend people give it a watch. I give it a score of FOUR stars. •You can watch ‘John Wick 4; at your local cinema today. Director: Chad Stahelski – Rating: 16 –Genre:Action/Neo-noir– Run Time: 2h 49m – Language: English. For more film content please
follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

By Jack Shanley

Benoit Blanc, the celebrity detective with the Poirot-esque French name and the inexplicable Southern accent, is becoming truly lovable as one begins to accept him as he is.Yes, the second instalment of the thrilling Knives Out series hit Netflix over the last few months and it was quite a fun watch. ‘Glass Onion’ director Rian Johnson proves yet again to be an important film maker in modern cinema as he peels back the years to audiences with this thrilling mind-boggling puzzle that shifts and shapes up to be more ambitious and arguably more entertaining than the previous Knives Out film. You’re not really sure where this murder mystery is taking you, and just when you start to have an idea of where it’s going, it throws you off track, sending you in a completely different direction. This is a unique and effective way of storytelling that we don’t see enough of these days, especially in this genre.With the Knives Out films being extremely well written, there is a bit of everything in them for everyone, to a thrilling detective story that unfolds gradually over time, to the fantastic characters and even on to the comedy between the lines. You’re sure to be entertained. ‘Glass Onion’ is fast-paced with a brilliant soundtrack, several storylines and a lot of wonderfully interesting characters. It’s amazing to see all of them intertwine for one amazing finale. The Knives Out films have this classic film noir essence about them that I can’t help but love. As they are part of modern cinema, they don’t hide away from the classic detective films of the ‘40s and ‘50s. They seem to have this longevity to them. I feel they’re entertaining films now and will only get better in time. They’ll be among the films that will be watched again in years to come, as there is so much
depth to the material.I really enjoyed ‘Glass Onion’ and would recommend people give it a watch. I give it a score of 3 and a ½ stars. •You can watch ‘Glass Onion’ on Netflix. Director: Rian Johnson – Rating: 12A – Genre: Mystery/Crime – Run Time: 2h 19m – Language: English. For more
film content please follow @movies4fanatics.

By Jack Shanley
Outrageous, fascinating, dazzling and wild are just a few words to describe Damien Chazelle’s new film ‘Babylon’. The big extravaganza follows the rise and fall ofmultiple characters in the early days of Hollywood. I managed to catch a late screening on the night of its release and had mixed emotions at first. For the most part I was in awe but had a slight feeling of disappointment. A messy, chaotic blast from start to finish, it has everything from romance to comedy to even a dark horror sequence. ‘Babylon’ takes you on a journey, a cinematic experience that pays quite a wild tribute to the Hollywood Golden Age and the birth of the ‘talkie’. I felt it lacked direction, though. At times it just felt like a bunch of scenes thrown together, some necessary and others unnecessary. The scale is enormous, reflected in the size of the cast, thousands of extras and more than 100 speaking parts. The three-hour epic boasts an impressive cast and a wonderful soundtrack by Justin Hurwitz, not to mention the amazing costume design taking us rightback to the glamour of the late 1920s. But over everything I liked and disliked about ‘Babylon’, there was something at the forefront of the material, a deep passion for cinema which rises above all the criticism. Chazelle brings us into his heart and leaves everything on the screen. His passion, not only for the craft of moviemaking but cinema in general, carries a breath of fresh air into the cinema, shining a light on the impact of movies on his life. As soon as the lights go down and the opening shot fills our screens, we are bewildered as to what’s about to occur, perhaps a wild journey through cinema. Who knows? It’s that unknowing that creates a story slowly unfolding into joy as our eyes are transfixed for such a magnificent ending. I really enjoyed ‘Babylon’, would recommend people go see it, and give it a score of FOUR stars. You can watch ‘Babylon’ at your local cinema today. Director: Damien Chazelle – Rating: R – Genre: Drama/Comedy– Run Time: 3h 9m – Language: English, Spanish. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.