Front Row Dress Circle

I recently bought a stash of DVD’s from Amazon – very addictive I have to say. And one of them was one of my fave films; Waking Ned Devine.

This is a charming, heart warming film made back in 1998 starring the late, great Ian Bannen along with David Kelly, Fionnula Flanagan and James Nesbitt.

The film centres around a small village (supposedly in Ireland but the movie was actually filmed on location on the Isle of Man) and what happens after one of the villagers, Ned Devine, dies from shock after winning first prize on the Lottery. His friends discover that ‘someone’ in their village has won the big money…but who?

Jackie & Micheal (Ian Bannen and David Kelly) decide to find out only to discover Ned in his cottage by the sea…dead in front of the TV with the winning ticket in his hand. After a dream, which features Ned and himself, Jackie claims Ned wants his friends to claim the money and share it among themselves. Micheal is drawn into impersonating Ned when the Lottery official arrives…and so the fun, both funny and sad, begins.

This is a wonderful film with characters you will warm to…and NOT warm to – the local ‘witch’ Lizzie threatens to blow the lid on their scheme when she is not promised a bigger share of the money than everyone else…what eventually happens to her is not only shocking but the climax to the story…you will be cheering in your chair.

Everything ends well in this film…and you find out something about Ned towards the end that provides a nice little twist in the tale…I’m not telling

Trivia:

* Ian Bannen, the highly respected and brilliant British actor, died one year after completing this film. He died in a road accident in Scotland when the car, driven by his wife Maggie, overturned. He was on a break during work on the film ‘Simply Sinatra’.

* The film was actually shot on location on the Isle of Man. The village in the film, ‘Tullymore’ was actually called ‘Cregneash’. The local people from the village were the extra’s in the village scenes.

* The Jackie’s House interiors for the ‘chicken dinner’ scene and bedroom and bathroom scenes, were sets built in the old mill in Laxey, the Glen Road.

* Neds House: Ned’s house exterior was a cottage at Niarbyl. The ‘nude swim’ scene was at Niarbyl down below Cregganmooar on White Beach.

* The ‘Fatal Phone Box’ was on the Marine Drive outside of Douglas.

* The final memorable scene was shot on top of Cronk ny Irree Lhaa.

Popularity: 57% [?]

Just lately I picked up some DVD’s of movies I saw years back and had on video:

Blues Brothers – always a great way to wile away a couple of hours. Great music really makes this film

Ghostbusters - my youngest kids had never seen this so I bought it yesterday. Lot’s of fun!

Sense and Sensibility - okay, not so much an oldie but a real good chick flick if ever there was one. Best thing in the movie is Alan Rickman of course…

I also bought Little Miss Sunshine. I was quite disappointed in this film I have to admit, I was expecting some really great moments but they never came!

But my pick of the week?

The Castle - a wonderful little film made in Australia back in 1997. About an ordinary Aussie family who are close and loving, funny and ever optimistic. Their home, right beside the airport, is their castle and when they face losing it to big businessmen they put up the fight of their lives to save it. Great humour that is genuinely Australian and if you don’t have a warm glow as the closing credits roll then there is something seriously wrong with you.

Popularity: 35% [?]

I just love this film. Stepping Out with Liza Minnelli, the fantastic Bill Irwin, Julie Walters and a wonderful cast make this one of my most watched DVD’s. I first saw this film on video (remember those?) back when it was first released and I have to say that I have watched it several times over the past couple of weeks. My young kids love it too and often ask if they can watch the tapping movie.

I am one of those people who, when they hit on a really good film, can watch it over and over and this is what I do with Stepping Out. I cannot put my finger on it exactly why, but from the start to the finish it gives me a real lift – I always feel better after seeing it and how many films can you say that about?

What do I like about Stepping Out? well Liza for one thing – she’s always brilliant – but the ensemble of actors is just perfect, a good mix of characters and emotional stories. My favourite character though?…it just has to be the lovely and  sweet Geoffrey played by the amazing and unrivalled talent of Bill Irwin.  What a versatile performer this man is and how I would love to see him on the stage in a theatre. 

Bill is a unique actor in that he can convey the most exquisite emotions, thoughts and feelings without saying a single word; in the same way that the late Marcel Marceau was able to do.  What a talent – I hope we continue to see more of him in the future – I see he has a film due for release this year, Dancing with Shiva, so I will be waiting for that with great enthusiasm.

Liza, by the way, is currently in London preparing for a tour of the UK – good luck Liza, what a trouper!

Popularity: 37% [?]