It’s A Wonderful Plot June 11, 2010
Posted by cay10 in ARTICLES, FILM TRIVIA.Tags: It's a Wonderful Life, Lost, Shrek, What if
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Among the warmed over elements of Shrek: The Final Chapter, the fourth and hopefully ultimate entry to the franchise in Irish cinemas this summer, filmgoers may recognise the return of a favourite hackneyed plot device, the “What if” episode. For any uninitiated readers, the “What if” is a plot where the protagonist is shown what life would be like if they had done things differently. For example; what if you were never born? What if you didn’t get married? If Mike Myers had retired after the first Austin Powers, would we be praising him as a comic genius today?
Of course, the answers to these questions are unknowable. However, the “What If” storyline has appealed to audiences from as far back as one Christmas, when Jimmy Stewart stood on a bridge, holding a heavy rock and wished that he had never been born. This possible originator of the plot device, and certainly most famous example, is the seminal Christmas staple, It’s A Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart is shown an alternate reality where he was never born, and he sees the detrimental effect this has on his hometown and his loved ones. He is shown this future by an angel, in order to convince him that his life is worth living. The idea is a memorable one, and has provided writers with a compelling, easy to copy plot device. While the forementioned Shrek movie and Nicholas Cage drama, the Family Man, are cinematic examples, the “What if” scenario is most popularly used in TV. In fact, It is practically a tradition in television shows, next to the musical episode and the clip show episode. It pops up in a wide range of shows, including Futurama, Friends, Buffy, Nip/tuck, and Doctor Who. It is generally a mid season filler and a chance for writers to throw their characters into unfamiliar terriority, with no consequences on the overall story. We get to see Rachel and Chandler as a couple. We see the world decimated by aliens. A recent show did try to be more ambitious with the “What If”. The “flash sideways” which formed part of the final series of Lost was a season long “What if”, and fed directly into an ending which caused some viewers remove the “if” and just say “what?”
Overall, the “What if” endures as it appeals to a common instinct. Everyone has at some point looked over their life and thought how path untaken may have led to vastly different destination. It may be pertinent to note that in most cases, the alternate realities are far worse than the original. Jimmy Stewart’s Hometown is awash with crime and poverty in his absence. Without Buffy there are very few humans left in Sunnydale, and in the case of Futurama, the universe implodes. It is good to know that, no matter what decisions you make in life, you could have easily made far worse ones. For example, you could go to see Shrek 4 instead of Toy Story 3.
Who really kicks ass? Real life vigilantes beat Kick Ass to the post. April 9, 2010
Posted by fionamaryanna in ARTICLES.6 comments
In Kick Ass the film, on our cinema screens at the moment, Dave is just a normal guy who asks a question. Why don’t more normal people try and become superheroes?
He then sets about becoming one himself, purchasing a lime green and yellow scuba suit (not the best for camouflage but eh..it’s a movie), and patrolling the streets with some batons, and some not so honed fighting skills.
Nothing like a few forward lunges to tone those superhero muscles before a night on patrol...
I’d like to say this is the most interesting thing about the film, the lone man who breaks the mould. The mould being of course, that only people with superpowers (excepting Batman of course), can become superheroes, making a stand against crime.
But Kick Ass isn’t the only one. And I’m not talking about Big Daddy or Hit Girl who also appear in the film as (infinitely superior) dressed up dynamos. I’m talking about Real Life Superheroes, most of whom are recorded on The World Superhero Registry (WSR) (http://www.worldsuperheroregistry.com/world_superhero_registry_gallery.htm) These are the vigilante crime fighters who’ve taken to the streets in places like Arizona, Michigan, and NYC, Kick Ass’ home city. (more…)
Return of The (original) Stub September 6, 2009
Posted by gem in ARTICLES.Tags: Batman, Eclipse, Film, google, Irish film., stats, The Stub, Twilight, wordpress
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After a few weeks summer break, The Stub has resumed normal business, and, I’m glad to say, is now two years old, since August 3rd! In the past two years, The Stub has somehow reached top of the google list (if you google ‘The Stub’ that is). We even pushed away that Wikipedia notice on ‘stubs’. But now, residing just beneath the Irish blog, a new Stub has materialized, beamed all the way from Canada by the looks of things and packed with film news and all things Hollywood. Don’t go there! I have to say I’m both horrified and in awe. They even have a snazzy Stub logo that I planned at least two years ago..*sigh. Nevertheless, for Irish news, and film reviews, you won’t beat your trusty Irish Stub. And don’t they say that a little bit of friendly rivalry never did anyone any harm? (Just keep us top of the google list)
And now for the statistics:
WordPress blogs are very informative as to how many hits your posts receive and where those hits come from. Here’s some Stub info from the past two years; it makes for a good analysis of what people are googling. And an awful lot googled Batman..:
Most Popular Posts:
Batman wasn’t the only thing on top of most people’s movie agendas; the scary amount of Twilight fans out there account for my posts on Irish film ‘The Eclipse’ receiving so many hits. Fortunately, plenty Irish people who were on set in Cobh also found these posts and left comments about their experiences. As a result, the ‘Eclipse’ set photos post has the highest comment count at 19, while a piece on the Corona Fastnet Film Festival comes second with 18 comments.
Most popular google terms:
No surprises at the top five google terms leading people to this blog:
Twilight: 16, 998 (probably turning to 17, 000 as I type)
Batman: 6, 607
The Dark Knight: 2, 775
Bellatrix Lestrange: 1, 670
Auditions for Eclipse: 987
From an Irish point of view there were some other interesting stats aswell. 239 people googled Irish actress, Elaine Cassidy, while ‘Auditions in Cork’ was searched 153 times, and potential local movie ‘RA Child’ 147 times.
Now that the ball is rolling again, I’ll be sticking up lots more news over the next few days on Irish films and competitions, aswell as regular movie reviews. You can now rate a post too, as you can see at the top of this and all other posts on here. Thanks for reading!
The Best Films of 2008 (a suggested list..) January 7, 2009
Posted by gem in ARTICLES.Tags: animation, Batman, best films 2008, chacun son cinema, cinema, Film, films 2009, hunger, Irish film., irish movies, ironman, jesse james, movies, persepolis, sherlock holmes, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Wall E, wolverine, worst films 2008
9 comments And the Worst..and the Best Yet to Come..
I’m tentatively putting forward a list of some of the best movies to hit screens in 2008, but comments and criticisms are naturally welcomed! So here are ten of my favourites. I have to say it wasn’t a great year in the cinema (in my opinion anyway), so although at the time I wasn’t exactly drowning some of these films in praise, in retrospect they were some of the most original and best. I’m sure there’s plenty I didn’t see too..shame on me..
The Diving Bell and the Butterfy
It may deal with a difficult topic but The Diving Bell was still a film with plenty humour and hope. It’s an inspiring tale and was well translated to the screen. See review here.
Sweeney Todd
Although it was yet another typical Burton/Depp collaboration, Sweeney Todd is an enjoyable if at times repulsive tale. It does have its flaws but the intriguing characters and the sight of a singing killing barber is enough to make u forget..See review here.
No Country for Old Men
I’m still unsure about the ending, and it’s success may be largely down to Javier Bardem’s signature role, but it’s still the type of movie worth a second viewing which is more that you can say for many of this year’s releases. Miles better than Burn After Reading too….Yet another review here!
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.
This ain’t perfect and I’d happily shave a half hour off the viewing time but it’s a good depiction of the west with great casting. Casey Affleck (with his youthful looks) is extremely convincing as Ford, and there’s some beautiful shots of the sweeping landscapes.
Ironman
This was by far the most fun superhero movie, and a nice surprise as I never expected Downey Jr. to succeed in the Ironman role. Bring on the sequel! (more…)
Film Festival Volunteering: The Pros and Cons September 11, 2008
Posted by gem in ARTICLES, IRISH CINEMA, REBEL FILM: film in Cork..Tags: cinema, Cork, Cork film festival, Film, film festival volunteering, film festivals, movies, volunteers
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With the Cork Film Festival fast approaching, some of you out there might consider volunteering work. But why volunteer and what are the benefits? After a couple of volunteering stints, here are my thoughts:
(Feedback from other people on their volunteering experiences would be great..just comment below.)
First off, what do volunteers do? Well you can end up doing everything from collecting tickets to working in the box office or even helping out at the various functions. First time volunteers are usually to be found gathering the ticket stubs at any of the numerous venues, but if you return for a second year, you might opt for a more hands-on job. You can choose to work in the box-office, at the venues, or in the areas of hospitality, education or administration. In certain festivals, there’s also the chance to climb the volunteering ladder and earn yourself a place as a team leader, organising the less experienced volunteers in their appointed roles.
The very pretty Cork Film Festival poster 2008.
For anybody with a strong interest in film or film-making, film fest volunteering is worth considering. Remember that you will have an immediate common interest with the other volunteers (film!). In fact, a major motive for certain volunteers is that they can gain contacts for their own film projects. There are also those who have little interest in getting behind a camera but who enjoy the movies and are happy to avail of free access to many films. As a volunteer, you can usually find a free seat in most screenings, aside from those which are already sold out. At times, however, you may miss the beginning or the very end if you are obliged to collect tickets or act as an usher. Your volunteer pass (normally a photo id which you wear around your neck) is your ticket to free screenings. You’ll probably get to see a few extraordinary films that would normally pass you by. There are also those volunteers interested in working in festival organisation or in the arts field in general. But no matter what your aims in life, the fact that you volunteered for a festival looks good on the old CV.
This is not to say that all volunteers are going in with only their careers on their brain. Volunteering is fun! And there are good social aspects to it. You’ll be well prepared for your vounteering role. Most fests have an opening night and a closing night which all volunteers can attend as well as plenty less formal get-togethers in between.
If you decide to volunteer just remember that some festivals are not as easy to get into as others. Dublin is quite popular but once you’re in, it’s easy enough to go back a second time. Some applications are a bit more testing than others too. You don’t get through by just giving your name and number: expect to have to list relevant work experience, your film interests and even your knowledge of foreign languages. Whether it’s Cork, Dublin or Galway, however, apply early. You can apply now for the Cork fest here.
Even if you feel that you do not have much free time in the week, you could still sign up to do a couple of shifts. You won’t be expected to be there every day; just offer to do what you can.
Volunteering should be enjoyed. It gives you an insiders look at how a festival is run and who knows: it may give you a taste for the festival circuit…I know of volunteers who go as far as Sundance.. 
Why So Serious? September 5, 2008
Posted by gem in ARTICLES.Tags: action movies, Batman, Batman Returns, Christian Bale, Christopher Nolan, cinema, crime, drama, Film, Joker, movies, Spiderman, superheroes, The Dark Knight, Tim Burton, Watchmen
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With fans now citing The Dark Knight as being both dark and realistic, it seems that superhero movies are trying their darndest to grow up…but in doing so they can evolve into a very different type of movie.
(Note: I’m gonna pop up the Top 10 Superhero Movies yet to come…but after that, there won’t be any more superhero posts for a while..I think we all have enough! However, don’t forget to read Fiona’s other Batman article here.)
“…Nolan’s follow-up to Batman Begins is a dark, complex and disturbing film, not the least of which because it grafts its heroics onto the blueprint of actual reality rather than that of spandex-clad supermen.” Todd Gilchrist, IGN Movies.
The above is just one of the many quotes by critics and Batman fans alike on ‘The Dark Knight’. Nolan’s Batman movies have been described in many ways, but dark, gritty and realistic are some of the most common adjectives used. Realistic? Personally, I think that a man in a batsuit flinging himself off a building is anything but realistic. The darkness, however, I can comprehend. The film is, often, visually dark aside from some of the Joker’s daylight robberies and the theme (that of a cities’ inability to deal with rising crime) is rather dark and depressing too.
Batman has taken on a new image that is very different from that of his fellow superheroes
Why this sudden eagerness to describe the movie as dark, above anything else? Countless films over the years have embraced the dark side, if you like: even Walt Disney darkened our cinema screens with the death of Bambi’s mother. It was a justifiable darkness; it was necessary to the storyline and most people agree that the best children’s stories contain moments of sadness or fear. Outside of the animated sphere, film noir introduced darkness to the movies on many levels, as did many other classic films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’.
Yet, this new praise for darkness seems to be currently reserved for superhero movies and other films in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. I admit that I’m also guilty of using ‘dark’ as a description when attempting to coerce people into reading Harry Potter books and the like..”I know they’re for kids, but I swear they get darker the more you read!” Herein, perhaps, lies the answer: countless adults who revel in the world of Batman and other comic book adaptations, use ‘dark’ as a term to justify an adult interest in what could be perceived as a children’s past-time. Here are a few more quotes to back me up:
“Sensational, grandly sinister and not for the kids, The Dark Knight elevates pulp to a very high level”.-Michael Philips, Chicago Tribune.
and
“It is the adult tone of The Dark Knight — arguably the first comic-book movie whose PG-13 rating should be taken seriously — that is likely to fuel its popularity at the box office.”-Rene Rodriguez-MiamiHerald.com. (more…)
Ghost Boy and the Hanging Munchkins June 19, 2008
Posted by gem in ARTICLES.Tags: Ben Hur, Film, Goldfinger, horror, movies, myth, stories, The Wizard of Oz, Three Men and a Baby, Urban legends
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Movie Urban Myths Explained!
Written by Keith, a contributor to The Stub.Apart from the above title being a great name for an indie band, it relates to some of the most famous of
film lore. There are dozens of urban legends surrounding popular films. Some of us have heard of them in half whispers growing up, scared ourselves with the ghost boy in Three Men and a Baby, wondered about the family of the stunt man who died in the chariot scene in Ben Hur or spent some time looking for a suicidal munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. If you haven’t heard about them or seen them, they are definitely worth a look as they are a unique form of urban legend mixed with conspiracy theory; proof of man’s ability to take something ordinary and blow it out of the realm of possibility. For those that have seen them I’ll attempt to shed some light on the truth and shatter your illusion. (Also there’s no Santa, the Easter Bunny is dead and your parents hate you). (more…)
A Very Serious Affair: Batman Begins to Get Real. June 11, 2008
Posted by gem in ARTICLES.Tags: Batman, Batman and Robin, Batman Begins, Batman debate, Batman Forever, Batman Returns, blockbuster, Catwoman, Chris Nolan, Christian Bale, cinema, comic book, comics, Film, George Clooney, movies, summer, superheroes, The Dark Knight, The Joker, Val Kilmer, villains
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With the release of The Dark Knight ’tis surely time for a Batman debate…
By Fiona, a contributor to The Stub.
*The Dark Knight Review is now up and can be found here.
*A second article on The DarkKnight can be found here.
“You look like a man who takes himself too seriously” It’s the line that the grimey, grainbag-sporting Scarecrow used to undermine our hero Batman in the most recent instalment of the Batman franchise. But is he right? Has Batman come too far from his comical capers on TV and ended up looking like a serious nut, trying to occupy a moral high-ground while still, clearly, dressed as a bat? Or has he finally become the true dark knight, revelling in the shady corners of the human psyche, managing to really resonate as a character, far beyond the comic book realm?
We probably won’t be sure until July 18th when The Dark Knight is released and we get the chance to see the most psychotic of villains face the most messed up of all heroes. In the eagerly awaited follow-up to Batman Begins (2005), Christian Bale, as the new Batman, will battle none other than The Joker. (more…)
Slava Ross at the Triskel and ‘Fat Stupid Rabbit’. March 7, 2008
Posted by gem in ARTICLES, REBEL FILM: film in Cork..Tags: art, Cannes, Cork, fat stupid rabbit, Film, french film, slava ross
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Up and coming director, Slava Ross, held a masterclass yesterday, March 6th, at the Triskel in Cork City as part of the Cork French Film Festival. It was an entertaining and interesting insight in to the life of a film-maker. His debut feature, ‘Fat Stupid Rabbit’ was then screened at the Gate. Here’s a mini-report on both events:
Slava Ross is a young Russian film-maker with limited English. Which is why he had a translator with him for his class in the Triskel. This didn’t stop it from being an enjoyable event however. Ross, as a director with only two well recognised films under his belt, is not yet a ‘master’ in his art (the title ‘masterclass’ is a bit offputting really) so he dispenses advice and information in an informal and pleasant manner, aware that there may be those in his audience who, in fact, are not that far behind him on the film-making path.
Ross attended film school where, by the sounds of it, he acquired much invaluable experience. There he produced his first proper film entitled ‘Meat’, the story of a young mother struggling to provide for herself and her son, and what she has to endure to put meat on the table. The film, shot in black and white and free of dialogue, was also screened at the Triskel class. Ross then allowed for questions and comments.
Animated Shorts at the Oscars. February 25, 2008
Posted by gem in ARTICLES.Tags: animation, Film, Oscars, peter and the wolf, stop motion
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Before the Oscar buzz dies down, it’s worth taking a look at those films that were in the Best Animated Short section, if only for the convenient fact that you can view them on youtube.
Meme les pigeons vont au paradis (Even Pigeons Go to Heaven).
This stop-motion piece opens with some classy music and shots of an old fashioned car roaring along a rain-drenched road, all of which suggest we are about to witness a 1920s murder mystery. It cuts however to a cute little character; that of a tiny old man in his rustic countryside cottage. He is about to encounter a scheming salesman hellbent on selling a contraption that gets people to heaven the easy way. Although it seems sweet at the beginning, this film has a dark sense of humour at its core and we are left with a surprising twist in the tale. If not quite as engaging as some of the other pieces, it is, nevertheless, a pleasure to watch.
I Met the Walrus.
“In 1969, fourteen-year-old Jerry Levitan snuck into John Lennon’s hotel room with his tape recorder and persuaded him to do an interview.” ‘I Met the Walrus’ depicts through animation the words of John Lennon as recorded by Levitan. It is simplistic in style with swirling lines and plenty of movement. Watch as this animation comes to life, following Lennons every word. (more…)
