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niallmulligan
Reviews
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Pádraic wasn't the only thing that was dull.
This movie, in my opinion, is highly overrated. The acting was ok, but the storyline was thin. I had a weird compulsion to watch to the end, even though I didn't really enjoy the movie, in the hopes it may get better. It didn't! I would have given this one star only Brendan Gleeson did a great job. Liked the rawness and authentic feel to his fiddle-playing even if the sound didn't always exactly match the movement in the dubbing, and the beautiful cinematic scenery that Ireland has to offer ( in this case Mayo) was one of the other things that stopped me from giving it one star. The supporting actors did a good job also, as did the donkey, and the whole thing had slight fleeting glimpses of humor, that unfortunately were lost in a movie that were as dull as Colm (Brendan Gleason) claimed his friend Pádraic ( Colin Farrell) to be.
Dublin Murders (2019)
Great acting that falls flat with very unresolved plot ending.
Great show that falls apart with flat anti-climatic ending. Acting was superb throughout.
Game of Thrones (2011)
Had originally gave it a 5 rating, but it does get much better.
I started watching this at the recommendation of a friend. I have to say at first, I did not see what all the fuss was about. In the opening scene I thought- this is going to be good, only to follow the majority of Season One being consistently disappointed, bored , and hoping for it to get better. I only kept watching because,asides from rave reviews, and a fabulous cast, I did enjoy the stunning scenery, and actually recognized some of the non-CGI'd landscapes from my childhood, as some scenes were shot where I grew up. All the scenery, however, is amazing- and I find myself totally drawn into this fictional land as a result. I will say though that it took me the most of season 1, to get a feel for the show, and while it was really slow for me at coming together, the first season ended with everything that I was hoping for. I never read the books that led to this screenplay, but if the screen adaptation is anything to go by, I would imagine that it would be like one of these books that you have difficulty getting into, but once you do you absolutely can't put it down. I'm just beginning season 2 , and am very glad I didn't give up on this show. Hat's off to the brilliant acting from the cast- even with the slowness of Season 1 , their amazing talent still shone through and were another reason I stuck with it.
Boardwalk Empire (2010)
Great show....can't wait for next season- all from a former skeptic that's completely hooked!
I started watching this series , as a skeptic, mainly to see what all the fuss was about. Also, I watched the first episode on an evening when I had run out of other things to watch. What can I say, other than- I'm now hooked. I am impressed with so many aspects of the show - the production, set-design, the music, and lets not forget the acting. As a proud Irishman living in the US, I often get peeved by the "Disney-Like" portrayal of the Irish on screen with the "begorra"-smitten brogues even on well-established shows. This is not the case here. I have actually been impressed by the actor's abilities to pull it off - to the point of checking IMDb to see if they were indeed Irish. There was only one error here, and that falls at the feet of the writers. In one episode, Charlie Cox's character makes a reference to the Coleraine Rebellion, which was in 1642. While it was a fairly minor writing error, and probably one that only an Irishman would notice, it would be the equivalent to watching an episode of CSI NY, and Mac Taylor saying that he just arrived at a crime scene because he was off fighting in the Civil War - your reaction , as mine, would probably be WTF?? I have to say, all that aside, I actually think the writers in essence do a great job. While it must be difficult to write a periodic drama , featuring fictional characters along with those that actually existed , eg. Al Capone, I find that I love the way the show gives a feel of the Prohibition Era. I find myself especially drawn to Kelly MacDonald's character - not because she's Irish, but because of the issues portrayed, and particularly the moral dilemmas which she faces- as an ostracized emigrant, widow, single-mother, and wife of a gangster. I just love the way her character has developed including all the character-flaws, along with Steve Buscemi's character, and can't wait to see how that all plays out in Season 3. This show has real depth, thanks to the attention to detail, due to the writers, producers, cast and directors. I have enjoyed every episode right down to the stage performers, and am in awe of the set and costuming. This is one of the best shows around, and hope for many more seasons to come.