Paddington (Gen)

Getting a big screen outing is the real story of the little bear with the blue hat.   We all have at least a vague idea of the little bear who existed in the oh so London world of another era. 
I was a kid of the 70s and 80s, without BBC tv, so didn’t see the Paddington Bear series, which was phenomenally popular among children.  The books were rarely left on library shelves and the merchandise that followed; of the cuddly Paddington Bear, probably sold in numerous figures.
This big budget movie, ‘Paddington’ is a great opportunity for children to get to know who their parents and grandparents grew up loving.  It also gives those older folk the chance to relive their childhood.
The 95 minute movie is a live-action tale, which begins in black and white to tell the story of the little bear’s humble beginning in the Peruvian rainforest.  He grew up to be British because of the influence of an explorer who visited his forest when he was a baby.  An earthquake makes Paddington homeless and adrift, so he heads across the world to seek a home in Britain.
He lands in Paddington Station, and finds it to be a much different jungle than what he had left in Peru.  Then he meets a family called the Browns, and his life in London gets more exciting and adventurous.
‘Paddington’ is a nice charming tale, with a dollop of terror involved, when a taxidermist comes looking for the little bear.  Nicole Kidman, who is the probably the biggest name in the movie, gives it her best as the chilling taxidermist.  Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville plays the strait laced Mr. Brown, who stretches his ability to manage a new bear in the family.  Julie Walters (Educating Rita) makes a rare movie appearance as the family’s housekeeper.  Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) appears as a pathetic and contrary next door neighbour.  A face from tv’s past, Geoffrey Palmer (Butterflies and As Time Goes By) appears in a cameo role.
A time with Paddington in an almost animated middle class London is a nice way to spend 95 minutes.
David Flynn

‘Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie (15A)

Now Showing at Athlone IMC

The first movie of Irish mother Agnes Brown portrays her working on her Moore Street stall, which is in jeopardy from demolition, in a fiasco, which is aided by a corrupt politician and the Russian Mafia.  However this is the movies and it’s a Mrs. Brown story, so the odds are bound to move in the direction of Ireland’s favourite Mammy.

For three years now, the tv series, ‘Mrs. Brown’s Boys’ has topped the Irish and British tv ratings, and as was the course with tv comedies in the 70s, the hit series has now become a movie.  Seemingly the fourth season will run next year on television.

Dublin born stand-up comedian, Brendan O’Carroll has played Agnes Brown on stage and screen over the years, and he’s helped out by his wife, Jennifer Gibney, who plays his daughter, Cathy.   The scenario is similar to an act in Britain from sixty or seventy years ago, when there was a real life married couple, Arthur Shields and Kitty McShane who played the comic duo, Old Mother Reilly and daughter, Kitty.  However the O’Carroll and Gibney act is much more successful and they have a troupe of a dozen or so actors who are friends or relations and who appear in each of the Mrs. Brown incarnations on stage, television and now in a movie.

The storyline is similar enough to the plots of the tv series, ie about Mrs. Brown facing obstacles, and resulting in her attempting to triumph over adversity.

The day is saved, and the adventures along the way, are edge of the seat stuff.  The lead character is compelling to watch, as are the troupe of actors.

The cinematography of Dublin city is shown in all its positive glory, and the tourist board will probably gain dividends when the movie is shown out of Ireland.

David Flynn

‘X-Men – Days of Future Past’ (12A)

Four esteemed character actors found themselves playing young or old versions of the same character in the latest ‘X-Men’ movie.  Stewart, McKellan, Fassbender, and McAvoy played the pivotal roles, along with Oscar winner Hugh Jackman, who also played no small role in one of the most exciting sci-fi movies of recent years.
The adventure is made up of two stories, one set in the near past and the other in the near future, featuring the challenged Superheroes which moviegoers have come to know since the first X-Men movie in 2000.
In ‘X-Men – Days of Future Past’ – the seventh in the series - Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman is sent back in time to change a happening of war from 1973.  This is done through a mind meld of sorts, and brings us into Star Trek territory.  Interesting, considering Patrick Stewart’s seven years and four movies playing Capt. Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation’.  Stewart had to do some mind melding in his time on his hit tv series.
The Shakespearean actors, Stewart and Ian McKellan, return to their roles of the older Charles Xavier and Magneto
The younger Magneto is played by Michael Fassbender, and the younger Xavier by James McAvoy, as they did in the previous movie, ‘X-Men: First Class’.  It’s interesting to watch McKellan/Fassbender and Stewart/McAvoy portraying the same characters at different periods of their lives.
An amazing story of travels, adventure, danger, and special effects ensue with Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) playing a central part.  An epic battle to save the future in the past takes place, and the intensity of the storyline and production, makes the movie seem much longer.  But that is not a criticism.
The story goes along at a fast pace, with no boredom.  If there is any criticism, it is that there is too much going on, and you need a fast paced brain to work it all out.  However it’s worth the viewing, once or even twice over. 
The sets are massive, especially a scene featuring US President Richard Nixon. 
The latest X-Men story is an experience to savour.  It’s the best of the series to date, and a rare treat, a special effects sci-fi movie, with an engrossing storyline.
David Flynn