By Jack Shanley

The Penguin series kicked off back in September but as it ended last month, I felt why not do a review of a series as appose to a movie for a change. The series for me from start to finish was absolutely fantastic. It slowly unfolded into an edge of your seat gangster series with an extraordinary set of characters. One of our own in Colin Farrell reprised his role as the titular character, delivering a tour-de-force performance that is both menacing and captivating. His transformation into the Penguin is nothing short of remarkable, with his physical appearance and mannerisms perfectly capturing the essence of the character. The supporting cast, including Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone and Rhenzy Feliz as a young Edward Nygma, also deliver very strong performances.

The series excels in its dark and atmospheric tone, immersing viewers in the seedy underbelly of Gotham City. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the city’s bleak beauty and the characters’ descent into darkness. The writing is sharp and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers hooked. The make-up and costume design is also spectacular with a wonderful score by the great Mick Giacchino.
However, “The Penguin” is not without its flaws. Some will argue the pacing can be uneven at times, with some episodes feeling slower than others, whereas I feel the first couple of episodes are just setting the tone before it kicks off into a big ball of chaos. Additionally, the series can be quite violent and disturbing, which may not be suitable for all viewers.In all truth I’d recommend checking out ‘The Penguin’ and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of 4 stars. You can watch it today on Sky Atlantic. Creator: Lauren LeFranc– Rating: 15 – Genre: Drama/Crime – Run Time: 55 min per episode. Language: English, Italian. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

While the children wish for snow and Santa, parents work frantically behind the scenes to make Christmas happen!

For the day itself, Dunnes Stores has a fantastic range of home and cookware to help prep and serve dinner. The Nevin Maguire collection has charcuterie and cheese boards, roasting tins and knives to slice that turkey perfectly! Check out Dunnes selection of Sheridan cheeses – delicious with crackers, chutney and grapes.

Cooking a big family dinner? Nisbets Moore St Mall, Ilac SC is brilliant. Crockery, glasses, food warmers and our favourite tableware item, the Lazy Susan! These clever turntables allow the gravy boat and condiments to be easily shared around the table. Much better than someone (i.e. kids & teens!) chucking things across the table!

When decorating the table for Christmas, Tipperary Crystal have beautiful glasses, place mats and cutlery.
Brooke & Shoals candles and diffusers smell incredible, creating Christmas vibes with their festive scents.
For gifting, we like to keep things Irish! Hampers & Co have hampers to suit everyone and they start at only €14. Nyrah beauty have divine mini skincare sets for only €25 and their hat box sets are really eye catching.

National Concert Hall gift vouchers are a wonderful present. They have fantastic shows and the acoustic are amazing.

SoSu have gorgeous make-up, brush, Dripping Gold tan and Bahama Skin gift sets. Check their website for great offers!

Cocoa Brown has beautiful gift sets, including a cracker with tan and a mitt inside. This could go on the dinner table as an extra surprise!

Ziaja skincare gift sets for babies, kids, women and men are available in Dunnes, Tesco and Chemist Warehouse are lovely and affordable.

On Black Friday, we picked up great value Secret Santa gifts in Town Centre Pharmacy, Dealz & Card Factory in Drogheda Town Centre. So many things for under a tenner! Arc Cinema have gift vouchers offers, buy 2 x €25 gift cards for only €40!

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant is great for get-togethers this festive season. Amazing food, and their flavoured Margaritas are yummy!

One Dame Lane Irish jewellery store make gorgeous pieces, ideal for gifting.

The Lark Panto, Cinderella, is on from 5th December, so still time to book tickets!

By Dave Kavanagh

December is the time of year where traditionally we spend the most, is there a way to soften the impact? Of course there is. Firstly, manage expectations: Most people can’t remember what they got 2 years ago, so don’t put yourself under too much pressure for “big” presents. Next, leave the credit card at home: At about 20% interest, adding debt for things you don’t need to overspend on, only starts the new year off in a negative. Be realistic with food shopping: The shops are only closed for 1-2 days, do you really need to stock up so much? In the days/weeks after Christmas, make a list of all the things you bought but didn’t really need or through out, and keep it for next year, so you don’t repeat the same mistakes. Kris Kindle: Talk to family and close friends to agree to pick one person and buy them a present for a set limit, to ease the burden.

There are things you can also do all year round that can save you enough to cover the cost of Christmas: Switch utility providers, the savings can be quite substantial. Compare before you shop for larger items: Just because one store has a sign saying the fridge you want is reduced from €799 to €699, doesn’t mean that another store that does not have a sale on, isn’t selling the same fridge for €649. Take the time to shop around when your car or house insurance renewals come in, it can be well worth the effort. Review premiums that you pay regularly, such as mortgage protection or life cover, especially if they were taken out directly with a bank who could not compare. Finally, go through a few months’ bank statements: we regularly find people paying for things like subscriptions or gym memberships, that should have been cancelled years before or that they simply no longer require.

Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing info@financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on www.financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3.

By Jack Shanley

Joker: Folie à Deux hit cinemas last month and was met with mixed reviews upon its release. While some praised its visual style and the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, others criticized its pacing, narrative, and overall tone. I happened to see it on the day of its release and had my own thoughts on one of the much-anticipated films of the year.

One of the primary criticisms levelled against the film was its lack of a clear narrative direction. While the first Joker film was a character study with a focused plot, Folie à Deux felt more like a series of disconnected vignettes. The film’s pacing was also a point of contention, with some viewers finding it slow and uneven.

Another common complaint was the film’s excessive use of musical numbers. While these sequences were visually striking, some felt that they detracted from the film’s overall tone and disrupted the narrative flow. Additionally, the film’s portrayal of mental illness was a source of debate, with some arguing that it was insensitive and exploitative.

Despite these criticisms, Joker: Folie à Deux was undoubtedly a visually impressive film. The cinematography was stunning, and the production design was top-notch. Phoenix and Gaga also delivered strong performances, although some felt that their characters were underdeveloped, at times I felt it was just Gaga on screen and not Harley Quinn.

Ultimately, whether or not Joker: Folie à Deux is a successful film is a matter of personal opinion. While it offers a visually striking and thought-provoking experience, its narrative shortcomings and controversial themes may alienate some viewers.

In all truth I’d recommend checking out Joker: Folie à Deux and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of 2 stars. You can watch it today at your local cinema. Director: Todd Phillips – Rating: 15A – Genre: Musical/Thriller – Run Time: 2h 18m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

Between shopping, decorating and planning, Christmas is a busy time of year for Mammies so we’ve got some tips to help!

Meeting friends or family? Bracken Court Hotel’s ‘Winter Rose Afternoon Tea’ is a lovely way to enjoy a catch up. They also have fab shared Christmas party nights for dancing the night away.

Christmas day can be stressful, and it is wonderful to let someone else do all the hard work. Farnham Estate in Cavan has a fantastic Christmas package where you can enjoy festive Christmas Eve & Christmas Day dining without having to step into the kitchen! Ideal for family get togethers.

Love 90’s music? Pillo Hotel Ashbourne throwback Christmas party nights are jam packed with classic hits. Dance your cares away and check out their B&B offers. Much nicer to ‘Get the lift home’ upstairs than worrying about taxis!

For those who are tricky to buy for, we love Hampers & Co. Their hampers start at €14 and there’s a huge range like wellness, wine, picnic, baby & more Literally something for everyone!

Looking for a winter getaway? The Four Seasons in Carlingford is within walking distance to gorgeous Carlingford Village and close to Dundalk. Lovely food, beautiful scenery, great shopping. They have wonderful winter packages available, and their gift vouchers make wonderful gifts.

For skincare lovers www.ziajashop.ie has gorgeous products. Available online and in Dunnes, Tesco & Chemist Warehouse. I love the Baltic Spa range for pampering. They have wonderful baby & kid’s products too, like bath jelly and cookies & cream toothpaste. Fun and affordable.

Looking for somewhere different for shop & stay break? The Silken Thomas, in the grounds of Kildare Castle is unique. Close to Kildare Village, it has beautiful accommodation, plus award winning bar & dining.

Mrs Claus Gingerbread Christmas experience at Casino Model Railway Museum Malahide is back this year and is open for bookings.

Santas Magical Cabin at Ilac SC & Kilnamanagh is also back. Book at Santaexperience.ie
Elf Town Dublin at RDS is now taking bookings too. After the huge success last year, The Lark Panto is back. This year it’s Cinderella and runs from 5th December. Tickets are on sale now!
Follow us on mams.ie for more tips & giveaways!

By Jack Shanley

With the long-awaited reunion of Rock’n’roll stars Oasis, I felt it would be a great time to shine a light on one of the best music documentaries I’ve ever seen. Oasis: Supersonic is a nostalgic, exhilarating, and chaotic journey through the early years of one of the most iconic bands of the Britpop era. The storytelling is fast paced, much like the whirlwind journey Oasis experienced. With a great use of a mix of home videos, concert footage, and press clippings to illustrate the band’s trajectory.

The most compelling theme of Oasis: Supersonic is the tension between Noel and Liam Gallagher. Their contrasting personalities fuelled both the band’s creative output and their infamous feuds. Their dynamic is central to the narrative, as we witness their passionate collaborations and explosive arguments.
“Supersonic” showcases the band’s iconic performances, from intimate gigs to massive stadium shows, highlighting their undeniable stage presence and infectious energy. It also provides a glimpse into the band’s personal lives, exploring their friendships, rivalries, and the challenges they faced as they navigated the pressures of fame. It’s the idea of essentially a group of local lads brought up on a council estate with a battered acoustic guitar that took over the world of music, it’s just quiet amazing.

While the documentary primarily focuses on Oasis’s early success, it also hints at the band’s eventual decline. “Supersonic” is a must-watch for fans of Oasis and anyone interested in the history of British rock music. With a look into Noel’s genius songwriting, Liams Rock’n’roll charisma and the infamous Knebworth gigs, its truly a fascinating watch.

In all truth I’d recommend checking out Oasis: Supersonic and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Five stars. You can rent it on Amazon Prime Video for €3.49. Director: Mat Whitecross– Rating: R – Genre: Documentary/Drama – Run Time: 2h 2m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

We’ve had family weddings and parties in Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan so we knew they would look after us for our sister’s Baby Shower there! We decorated a room with balloons and all things pink, set up a gift table and laid out the yummy sandwiches, sausages & goujons the hotel made us, alongside pink lemonade & pink sweets! Kate (plus bump) was thrilled with the beautiful room full of friends and family; including our sister from Jersey, who flew home as an extra surprise!

We played baby shower games where we predicted the name, weight & arrival date of baby. Blindfolded, we tried to pin the soother on the baby and guessed the bump size! Winners got fab prizes from Tipperary Crystal. We listed baby gift ideas in the Baby shower WhatsApp group, so guests could get practical items for the soon-to-be parents, including Bumbo Floor Seat from Hippychick ; LCD Screen Baby Monitor from PitterPatter.ie Irish nursery store, cute Disney baby clothing from Penneys, personalised pink ‘Baby Moore’ labels from MyNametags.ie so baby’s clothes and toys don’t get lost! We also had personalised babygro and blanket from CosyCrewClub, use code MAMS20 for 20% off, a personalised pram blanket from fab Irish company stitchaname.com and gorgeous gender-neutral baby hamper from Hampers & Co.

As it’s a baby girl, lots of us wore pink dresses for the Baby Shower and www.mykindofdress.com gave us code ‘MAMS30’ for 30% off for their website. This can be used now, perfect timing for picking up some bargain party season wear!

Halloween is coming and if you fancy a family break this mid-term, Pillo Hotel Ashbourne have packages which include Emerald Park’s Tricky Trail adventure. Book your stay here: www.pillohotelashbourne.com/bookings

Adventure Lights retruns to Skypark Carlingford from 26th October right through to February and early bookings are now open at: www.skypark.checkfront.com Want to turn it into a mini break? Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford is super family friendly. Book family stays here: www.4seasonshotelcarlingford.ie/family-breaks

Christmas is a bit away, but Santa visits book up fast! To get the date and time you want for the 75-minute Elf Town experience Dublin RDS, book now at www.elftowndublin.ie

Keep an eye on mams.ie for competitions and offers for Halloween and Christmas!

By Dave Kavanagh

I sometimes get told by people that they don’t have the time, or they are too busy, when it comes to arranging or updating their life cover, serious illness cover or income protection. (it’s not the most fun exercise!) despite the fact it can give them peace of mind, knowing that in the event of a fatality, a serious illness or being off work for a length of time, their family do not suffer substantial financial loss. But what are they really saying? “I’ll have a look at that after Christmas”. Often replaced with “after Easter”, “after the holidays”, “after the kids go back to school” and a few others. What is actually being said is “I’ll name some time in the future so that I don’t have to deal with it now” (a bit like “I’ll start the diet on Monday/in January”). Let’s face it, you can easily find 30-60 minutes once a year to deal with something this important. You’ll be glad you took the time. “We have cover in place already”. Great. That is if it’s been reviewed in the last few months, but on closer examination, it often hasn’t been looked at in years and circumstances have changed and it may no longer be suitable. It’s important to keep things relevant to your current personal circumstances. “Our bank sorted everything for us”. Your bank may have sorted a few things, but in most cases, banks are tied to one life company, so a fair comparison cannot be made, meaning you could be paying way over the odds for whatever the bank has put in place for you. Dealing with an advisor who is not tied to one company and can compare other options is the only way to make sure you get the best value. “I’m busy at present, I’ll give you a shout in a few months”. But the fact remains, if there is an activity that you like you will make time for it. Burying your head in the sand is rarely a successful solution to most problems. Someone once told me that they had no time and in the same conversation told me they had binge-watched 8 episodes of Game of Thrones. (They were also up to date on all the soap storylines!) If it’s important, make the time.

I smiled wryly when a friend asked if the ring I was wearing belonged to my late father. Given a choice between donning anything vaguely resembling jewellery, or having a wisdom tooth extracted by Mr Bean wielding a rusty pliers, he would have opted for the latter.

The Kinks would not have found their Dedicated Follower Of Fashion amongst the adults I grew up around. In matters sartorial they were dyed in the wool (pun intended) conservatives. Clothes were purely functional; to keep out the elements, and very importantly, preserve modesty. Even on the hottest day of the year layers were shred with great reluctance. As he reached the point of near expiration, my father would finally remove his jacket, as he toiled in a sweltering glass house. But the Donald Duck style waist coat, containing his pocket watch, remained steadfast in place.

The first time I saw an open neck shirt was when a man appeared on television, uttering the immortal words: “Hello I’m Johnny Cash”. Impressed with the new role model. I grabbed my little guitar, undid my top shirt button and hopped up on the kitchen table. My grandiose ideas of fame in Nashville were soon dashed as my mother cried out: “Button your shirt or you’ll catch your death of cold!”, quickly returning me to the reality of life in rural Fingal in the late 1960s.

Before large chain stores made shopping a leisure activity, local drapery shops like Taylors (long gone) on the main street in Swords, provided good quality clothing at reasonable prices. The management and staff were on first name terms with their customers, knowing their style and size as they came through the door. Head cover was mandatory. By in large working men wore flat caps, while the bosses preferred felt hats with brims. Protocol dictated where and when head gear should be worn. For example: failure to remove one’s cap at the dining table could result in being awarded the title of a “bowsie”.

The ladies had a range of head scarves and hats that hadn’t changed much in centuries. In a moment of grave misjudgement my mother purchased a navy-blue pill box hat for my confirmation. Said hat caused great embarrassment to her, and unbridled hilarity for the rest of us; when dislodged by a rouge gust of wind, it hit the ground rolling and broke the land speed record for a piece of millinery, as I gave chase to the cheers of onlookers. Who could have predicted the era of the designer label and selfie? But then, I guess the pendulum of life seldom settles in the middle.

By Jack Shanley

Longlegs is a horror thriller that taps into the dread of being watched, following the classic yet effective trope of a mysterious killer with an unsettling aura. Directed by Osgood Perkins, known for his atmospheric and slow-burn approach to horror, Longlegs explores the intersection of the supernatural and the psychological with a narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Nicolas Cage, who portrays the titular character, is mesmerizing as the enigmatic and unnerving Longlegs. His performance is a masterclass in controlled terror, with his eerie calmness and occasional bursts of unhinged behaviour. Cage’s ability to shift between charm and menace adds a layer of unpredictability that elevates the film’s tension. The supporting cast, including Maika Monroe and Alicia Witt, deliver solid performances, grounding the film in a grim reality that contrasts sharply with the more surreal elements of the plot.

The film’s pacing is deliberately slow, allowing the tension to build gradually. This choice may not resonate with viewers expecting a more fast-paced horror experience, but for those who appreciate a slow-burn, the payoff is well worth the wait. The cinematography enhances the unsettling atmosphere, with dim lighting and claustrophobic framing that leaves you feeling as though something sinister is always lurking just out of sight

Longlegs thrives on its atmosphere, creating a sense of unease that lingers long after the credits roll. It’s a film that isn’t afraid to leave questions unanswered, trusting the audience to piece together its fragmented and often disturbing narrative. While it may not be a crowd-pleaser for everyone, Longlegs is a haunting and memorable addition to the horror genre, particularly for those who relish ambiguity and psychological depth in their scares.

In all truth I’d recommend checking out Longlegs and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Four stars. You can watch it at your local cinema today. Director: Osgood Perkins – Rating: R – Genre: Horror/Crime – Run Time: 1h 41m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.