Monday 30 December 2013

The Time Of The Doctor Review


Great men have come and gone, sacrificed themselves in the name of peace and sanity, because they would rather be the coward than the killer and others simply because they could not let friends suffer. With Christmas day upon us, everyone sat down to see how the eleventh(or thirteenth if you're being technical) would bow out. The Doctor has fought many battles,many wars but this one is different, his reasoning, compassion, his rage tempered and his Tardis AWOL for three hundred years, welcome to the siege of Trenzalore.

When we meet the Doctor he, like many other aliens, has been drawn to a signal which nothing not even the Tardis can translate. The source of this signal is a single planet filled with humans. The humans are at a certain stage in their development so if any of the many races attacked the planet to find the source of the signal everyone on the planet would burn. Enter the Doctor, who decides to wage a one man war with every single alien race bold enough to try and take the prize. I won't spoil anything with specifics but suffice to say the Doctor dances.

He's here.

This episode was unique in that the Doctor was in one place for I'm going to guess five hundred years, meaning that when he regenerates(that's not a spoiler) he is around seventeen hundred years old and that is a respectable age for Peter Capaldis fourteenth Doctor, yes that's right ladies and gentlemen Peter Capaldi is the fourteenth Doctor. As one of the most controversial elements of the episode and the series as a whole I wondered how the Doctors final form(Matt Smith) would deal with being the last in a long line of mad men and I am happy to report Matt gave it all he got, a quiet dignity which he naturally seemed to grow into and I loved that aspect of how the story dealt with the final face of the mad man from Gallifrey. What I thought was weak about it unfortunately was how he got around it. As you know everyone for the past couple months has theorized how the writers would write themselves around this little conundrum and I gave my own theory(which you can read here if you like). What we got was what I hoped we would not get, a quick easy fix which solves the problem and every problem for the foreseeable future. I won't dwell on that however I just want to point out there were there other avenues they could have gone down. The storyline was maybe not the grand battle we had all hoped would be the siege of Trenzalore, I personally think we should never see that particular story, it's a personal opinion I can't really articulate why I think the siege of Trenzalore should never be seen. As the episode plays out we see elements of the elevenths run dip in and out, we even get unanswered questions answered which is rare for a series which relies on questions, especially Doctor Who.

Very much William Hartnell.

The final part of the episode was just heartbreaking though, with a regeneration that tugs at the heart strings and reminds you why audiences around the world fell in love Matt Smith. I myself was in tears, even more so than when the tenth said goodbye to us all. I like to think it's because of all the Doctors in recent years even the Tenth, the eleventh has tapped into the inner child in my life. With his lines about how at eleven hundred years old he still has a Christmas list, and how cool is not cool while he flails his arms to the sky he was the child flying around saving the day. I will miss him and welcome Peter Capaldi, you have big shoes to fill but I know you're up for the job.

Sunday 8 December 2013

What to do this Christmas? Look no further than Temple Bar.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

XMAS MOVIES
IN MEETING HOUSE SQUARE


‘Christmas on the Square’ takes place this December 17 – 21st in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar. Hosting 11 festive screenings over 5 days with classics such as Some Like it Hot and Holiday Inn we also give you the chance to view family favourites such as Elf and The Muppets Christmas Carol! Don’t miss out and book online here www.entertainment.ie/meetinghousesquare

Free blankets will be handed out to keep warm and a selection of hot drinks; mulled wine, hot chocolate, tea, coffee; and festive food will be available for purchase.

Tuesday, December 17th

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, 5pm


Remake of the classic cartoon about a creature intent on stealing Christmas.

Cast: Jim Carrey and Taylor Momsen

Running time: 104 mins

Cert: PG

Holiday Inn, 8pm


At an Inn which is only open on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.

Cast: Bing Crosbie and Fred Astaire

Running Time: 100 mins

Cert: Unrated

Wednesday, December 18th

Elf, 5pm


After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity.

Cast: Will Ferrell and James Caan

Running Time: 97mins

Cert: PG

Some Like it Hot, 8pm


When two musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all female band disguised as women, but further complications set in.

Cast: Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis

Running Time: 120 mins

Cert: Unrated

Thursday, December 19th

Polar Express, 5pm


On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus' home.

Cast: Tom Hanks and Chris Coppola

Running Time: 100 mins

Cert: PG

Bridget Jones, 8pm


A British woman is determined to improve herself while she looks for love in a year in which she keeps a personal diary.

Cast: Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant

Running Time: 97mins

Cert: 15

Friday, December 20th


The Muppet Christmas Carol, 5pm


The Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale of an old and bitter miser's redemption on Christmas Eve.

Cast: Michael Caine and Dave Goelz

Running Time: 85

Cert: G

Trading Places, 8pm


A snobbish investor and a wily street con artist find their positions reversed as part of a bet by two callous millionaires.

Cast: Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd

Running Time: 116 mins

Cert: 15

Annie Hall, 11pm


Neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditsy Annie Hall.

Cast: Diane Keaton and Woody Allen

Running Time: 93 mins

Cert: PG

Saturday, December 21st

Monty Python’s Life of Brian, 8pm


Brian is born on the original Christmas, in the stable next door. He spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.

Cast: Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Terry Gilliam

Running Time:

Cert: 15


Die Hard, 11pm


John McClane, officer of the NYPD, tries to save wife Holly Gennaro and several others, taken hostage by German terrorist Hans Gruber during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.

Cast: Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman

Running Time: 131 mins

Cert: 15

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults: 5 euro

OAP/Student: 4 euro

Child: 3 euro

Family (2&2): 15 euro

Group of 10 people: 45 euro

Meeting House Square (MHS) is a unique outdoor space and venue in the heart of Temple Bar, Dublin's Cultural Quarter. You can simply turn off the rain at the flick of a switch as the new custom designed retractable canopy blooms on Meeting House Square.

‘Christmas on the Square’ is presented by Temple Bar Cultural Trust and Dublin City Council.

For further information contact:

Jennifer Magee

Kate Bowe PR

Jennifer.magee@katebowepr.ie

01 6520143

Thursday 28 November 2013

Eirtakon: A Gallery of fun.



Last weekend I was at Eirtakon. The No.1 Anime convention in Ireland. Here I got to interview the magnificent cosplayer Riddle, Courtnee Draper the voice talent behind Elizabeth the hero from Bioshock Infinite and then I met Steve Blum and we had a great old chat. Along the weekend I met with some great cosplayers, video game enthusiasts and we all just had a lot of fun kicking back and nerding out. This is a gallery showcasing my interviews and some of the stuff I got up to at Eirtakon.

I'd like t thank Shane Collier who was the camera man on hand. He got all the right photos and the video's for my interview were of a high quality, they are coming later. Eirtakon is a growing European anime convention, each year Eirtakon goes from strength to strength giving higher quality in talent and events going on. Eirtakon has a dedicated staff who strive every year to give all the anime fanatics somewhere to go around this time of year and they succeed every time. If you need an intimate and focused anime convention head to Eirtakon 2014. I know I will.

Myself and Courtnee

Myself and Riddle

A lovely bit of swag at Eirtakon

More of the same stunning artwork which seems to jump out at you

Absolutely stunning artwork

I stole Zack's buster sword, kind of like Cloud

Courtnee and a chuffed fan show off some wonderful art

Some enthusiastic Zelda Cosplayers

Some wonderful artwork of Adventure Time and Pokemon at hand

A talented artists graphic novel

There were even Furries....

Ironhide was on site with Vincent out of Catherine

Two volunteers helping out at Eirtakon

Harley giving a great interview

Steve giving us his Wolverine

Seriously we are best friends now

Steve and a huge fan.

Steve and Courtnee discuss line lengths

Steve Blum, nuff said

Riddle being lovely

Riddle again being lovely

Myself and Steve, best buds

Monday 25 November 2013

Digital Biscuit 2014



DIGITAL BISCUIT 2014

LAUNCHES AT ANNUAL MEETING OF IRISH DIRECTORS

JANUARY 22 - 24 2014




Screen Directors Guild of Ireland (SDGI) officially launched Digital Biscuit 2014 at their Annual Meeting for Irish Directors in Dublin on November 21st. Digital Biscuit takes place at Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin from January 22nd to 24th 2014 with tickets now available on www.digitalbiscuit.ie

Those in attendance at the AGM included Irish directors Conor Horgan, Maurice Sweeney, Paddy Breathnach, Steve Woods and Brian Kirk. Irish Film Board representatives were also present and special guest, acclaimed French director, Arnaud Desplechin.

The inaugural Digital Biscuit 2013 proved a resounding success with both the industry and the public with over 4,000 attendees over the 3 day period.

Digital Biscuit 2014 places creatives at its core while also serving as a digital expo for new technologies. The 2014 event promises a varied and packed programme: amidst cutting-edge presentations and product unveilings, representatives from the creative industries will deliver talks, discussions and seminars on matters that are crucial to production today, with an aim to not only inspire but also enable and spur on productivity.

“The aim is to make directors and people generally aware of the most up to date digital technologies in film making and indeed TV production” says Ciaran Donnelly, Chairman of SDGI and Director of The Tudors and Vikings. The aim of Digital Biscuit is to improve the production capabilities of our most talented creators from the simplest ideas to the highest budgets.

At Digital Biscuit 2014 The Paccar Theatre in the Science Gallery will host screenings, presentations, and panel discussions. This ticket only area will host talks from exciting global talent and creatives including: Carlos Velasco (CEO, Neurosketch), Christian Fonnesbech (Director, Cloud Chamber), Jack Reynor (Actor, What Richard Did, Delivery Man and Transformers: Age of Distinction) Nick Meaney (CEO, Epagogix), Philip Einstein Lipski (Lars Von Trier Collaborator for Nymphomaniac) and The Secret of Kells Director, Tomm Moore will be giving us an exclusive sneak peak into the making of his upcoming feature Song of The Sea. This year’s Honorary Guest Director is Alan Taylor, who has clocked up credits on Mad Men, Game of Thrones, and most recently, Thor: The Dark World. As Honorary Guest Director, Alan will engage in an informal conversation about his work and career.

Directors, writers, photographers, producers, editors, directors of photography, students and members of the public once again will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the bustling displays and demonstrations of new technologies in the KinoPlay Area, which is aimed at enhancing the production process and market for their creators.

“We look forward to Digital Biscuit being once again a dynamic hub of national and global industry leaders, concentrated on enabling creativity by focusing on Ireland’s capabilities as a creative and technological leader in innovative film and television production” commented Birch Hamilton, Digital Biscuit Executive Director.

TICKETING INFORMATION

Tickets are on sale from today, November 21st 2013 on www.digitalbiscuit.ie . Early bird tickets for the Paccar Theatre will cost 80 euro and will be on sale for one week only until November 28th 2013.

Workshop access requires registration on www.digitalbiscuit.ie with a registration fee of five euro, guaranteeing pass holders a place. The printable pass ticket pass is required on the day and will be the only way to gain entry to the workshops. Non ticket/pass holders can still enjoy the KinoPlay area and atmosphere of Digital Biscuit.

All information on Digital Biscuit 2014, including information on partners, speakers, and the schedule will be available onwww.digitalbiscuit.ie

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary: The Fans React

Not too long now.
Last weekend we were all treated to a harrowing storyline which centred around the Doctor and his 50th Anniversary. With a trip down memory lane, not one not two but thirteen Doctors and an introduction by Ron Burgundy himself this was an event to remember. I myself was in a cinema screen loving the 3D effect which the episode was given. Not only did the 3D effect feel justified but it wasn't over used, like everything in this cinematic episode there was just the right amounts of every element. Just enough of Ten(David Tennant) with his incredibly dark speeches that turned into fluffy little jokes, just enough of Eleven(Matt Smith) trying to out cool everyone and just enough of the newly christened War Doctor's(John Hurt) wonderfully cheeky jabs at his older-selve's. Doctor Who has always been known to go out there for it's stories and the 50th was no exception, with paintings which were bigger on the inside to thirteen Time Lords showing everyone what they can do when they are together this episode delivered on the spectacle and then there was that story, a story that deals with what happens when a bright young man goes to war and becomes what he hated, a warrior.

Doctor Who Debate

The Doctor Who 50th was a fanboy's and fangirl's dream. Fans of young and old were given reminders of why they become fans of Doctor Who. From references to the Brigadier and his legacy to Amy and Rory Pond and. Then there was "Rose", wow. This was an episode that celebrated the wonder of this universe. Even if the episode did have a somewhat weak villain(the Zygons were not needed in the episode I would go as far as saying that no villain was needed just focus on the Doctor's past and him finally coming to terms with it). With the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary I decided to get some opinions on it during Eirtakon and there were some wonderful views on the episode, which ranged from who's the best companion to what fans thought was missing from the episode. I hope you enjoy and let us know here at Agents of Geek and Fortress of Geek what you liked or didn't like about the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary
I'd like to thank my camera man Shane Collier for the fantastic work he did, Eirtakon for allowing us access to their guests, panels and the floor and I'd like to thank Erica, Stephen and Antanis who gave us a great Whovian debate.