Director: Jim Wynorski. Starring: Michael Paré as Ty “Griff” Griffin; Sandra Hess as Jennifer Wells; Fintan McKeown as Father Nikolai Soren; Kate Orsini as Dr. Christina Durant; Tim Abell as Lex; William Langlois as Inspector Zev Aslan; Petri Roega as Father Adrian Bodesti; Rene Rivera as Gogol; and more.
Storyline tackles an age-old tale about a Christian priest killing off one of the world’s last gargoyles whose body falls down a hole into the earth that they seal with “the blood of Christ”. Jump to the modern day where a CIA agent is sent to Bucharest with his partner to investigate numerous kidnappings and while trying to bust the thieves, an earthquake releases a gargoyle from the inner earth out to wreak havoc around the city. This gargoyle, ready to breed and multiply is also out for vengeance and tracking down the only crossbow known to kill him. Effects are plain and definitely poorly done CGI. The plot has value, the flow had errors, and after trying to watch this over 2 late nights, I fell asleep midway twice. Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5.
Director: Aleksander Nordaas. Writer: Aleksander Nordaas. Starring: Silje Reinåmo as Thale; Erlend Nervold as Elvis; Jon Sigve Skard as Leo; Morten Andresen as Hvittkledd; Roland Astrand as the voice; and Sunniva Lien as
Thale.
A fabulous mythical tale meets the modern day when Elvis and Leo, two crime scene cleaners discover a hidden stairwell leading to a concealed cellar where a beautiful naked woman has been kept captive. A mystery unwinds through tapes, research notes, and images of horrors unleashed. Secret labs, experiments on the fae-folk, and genetic altering to try to transform a fae to a human. More specifically focusing around the faerie folk named the Huldra, a mythical bipedal anthropomorphic tailed creature with magical powers … based on Norwegian folklore of the hidden folk in the woods. As a faerie lore enthusiast and researcher, I was extremely intrigued when discovering this subtitled gem on the Blockbuster shelf, and to my disappointment found out the store only had one copy, and it was checked out. Not available yet for streaming on Netflix, but did find immediately accessible on Amazon Prime for $3.99 (7-day rental) which you can watch directly through the link below. For any folklore enthusiast, fantasy film buff, or faerie fan … this is a must-see. Made in Norway, the language is Norwegian/Swedish and released on February 17, 2012. Filmed in Bergen, Hordaland, Norway. Rating 5 stars out of 5. [Rating:5] by Leaf McGowan, viewed 4/21/2013 on Amazon Prime
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The InnKeepers (Rated R: Released in 2011)
*Director: Ti West * Writer: Ti West * Starring: Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis, and many others. * http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1594562/ *
A great classic horror flick about a haunted Inn consumed by the spirit of a bride who lost her life in the hotel. The story tells the tale of events following with a couple of part-time novice paranormal investigators who are the “innkeepers” of the Yankee Pedlar Inn and seek to solve the mysteries of the darkness that resides within its walls before this particular piece of history is demolished to a parking lot. They investigate the disturbing events while balancing their time between sleep and caring for their hotel guests. Horrors unfold as Claire and Luke receive more than they asked for… I found the film to be entertaining, haunting, and well done. Good tale. Rating: 4 stars out of 5. [rating:4]
Rated PG. Released Summer of 2012. Director: Lorene Scafaria. Starring: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, and Melanie Lynskey.
An end of the world apocalyptic comedy-drama about a world that is embracing its final days as an Asteroid called Matilda is racing towards earth for doomsday. It’s a story about a man who upon hearing the news of the upcoming disaster is left by his wife and finds himself alone. He meets his crazy neighbor who had been holding a three-month-old love letter from his first true love and decides to take a road trip with the neighbor to find her. However, in the process, he falls for another as the end is embraced. True love comes in the most uncanny situations. Good humor, fun adventures, and well-designed movie. Rating: 4 stars out of 5. [rating:4]
Five Year Engagement(2012: R)
Director: Nicholas Stoller; Writers: Jason Segel (screenplay), Nicholas Stoller (screenplay); Starring: Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, and many more.
A typical chick-flick as my partner categorizes it, but fun for men and women alike in my opinion. It takes place with two soul mates finding one another at a party, and then Tom and Violet become engaged. Just like his proposal failing to fall into place, so does their engagement which keeps getting extended and delayed, passing through family members dying off, having his best friend beat them to the altar as well as to having kids, and losing vision as to what they want out of life. Everything was going well for them in San Francisco until Violet gets a rejection from her dream school and falls on the backup plan with the University of Michigan. This however means that Tom has to give up his very desired chef job in a San Francisco top restaurant. Figuring he could find a similar job in Michigan it backfires when nothing avails and everything is working for Violet and he seemingly feels like a loser. It gets to him and his health, happiness, and upkeep decay further and further while Violet exceeds beyond her wildest dreams. They fail to find a balance. Her professor makes a pass at her while she’s down about her fiance … and when Tom finds out, all hell breaks loose. They eventually split up only to constantly wish to be in each other’s arms. Whims of fate bring them back together for a hilarious multi-cultural wedding of much diversity with a Happily ever after 5 years down the road. Thought the movie was the witty, fun, edge of your seat good times that match with many relationship dilemmas in this day and age. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
This year will be Shakefest’s “7th” Annual Dance and multi-cultural festival held at the historic epic Charleville Castle. The festival grounds are starting to bustle with activity as preparations are in the flow to welcome the local and international community, visitors, friends, and family to celebrate culture. Since 2006, Shakefest has been bringing together an eclectic mix of Middle Eastern, Cultural Dance, and Artistic Workshops ending with a multi-cultural evening of dance performances. This year, Shakefest is expanding into more folklore, diversity, performance art, crafts, and themes for all ages, sexes, and cultures. This year features numerous workshops, classes, performances, and activities such as a “Faerie Glen” to get lost in, A “Madhatter’s Tea Party”, A bouncy Pirate Ship, Indian Cuisine, Performances by Tullamore’s “The Red Embers”, Galway Bellydance, Appolonia Tribal Bellydance, Sheeoneh, Nicole Volmering, and Aoife Hardiman.
Joana Saahirah ~ photo courtesy of Shakefest
This year’s International Guest Instructor is Oriental Dancer Joana Saahirah of Cairo, Egypt providing authentic education on Egyptian History and Folklore as well as Oriental Dance instruction in Classical, Saiidi, and Alexandria of Mellaya styles. Declan Kiely will host a special workshop on how to “Dance like Michael Jackson”. Hip Hop, Jazz, Poi & Ribbon Dancing, Bachata, and Argentinian Tango classes are also offered. There will also be African dance, poetry, open-mic sessions, a kid’s gigantic Dragonfly and butterfly hunt, punch and Judy, juggling & stiltwalking by Stagecraft Ireland, Drum Circles, and a magic show. This year will also be breaking ground on a live history section with the KHI Medieval Re-enactors treating audiences to combat simulations of the Crusader’s Knight’s Templar with medieval tents, a full try-on armory, and archery for all ages.
KHI Medieval Re-enactors ~ photo courtesy of Shakefest
Featured musical performances by ’40s Swinging The Bugle Babes, Our Annual Multi-cultural Hafla, daring fire show by The Red Embers & Babylon’s Inferno, The North Strand Kontra Band from North Dublin. Dazzling Romanian and Bulgarian instrumental band is expected to finish off the fest with explosive energy and lively dance accompanied by original and traditional tunes from clarinet, saxophone, trombone, keys, banjo, double bass, and drums. If you’re traveling through Ireland this weekend or live in the magical isles, this event is not to be missed. Gates open at Noon on Saturday the 26th with admission only €10 general entry, €10 camping, €20 family day pass, or only €15 for evening entertainment. All proceeds will be going towards Charleville Castle Restoration Fund – Operation ‘Raise The Roof’ project in which money will be raised towards putting a protective roof on the castle chapel. We’ll be covering this event, so come back here for photos, review, and the stories we weave from the experience …
North Strand Kontra Band ~ photo courtesy of Shakefest
The North Strand Kontra Band was formed on the North side of Dublin in the Winter of 2005. They’re an instrumental band who play a mix of original and traditional material influenced predominantly by the music of Romania and Bulgaria. The band has played to critical acclaim in many of the leading venues and festivals at home and abroad with their live shows being lauded for their high energy levels and explosive musicianship. The line up includes; Clarinet, Saxophone, Trombone, Keys, Banjo, Double Bass and Drums.
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Shakefest, A Celebration of Dance and Culture, was formed at Charleville Castle in 2006 with an eclectic mix of Middle Eastern, Cultural Dance and Artistic Workshops that ended with a multicultural evening of dance performances. 7 years on, Shakefest grows from strength to strength and will be offering much more interactive activities and performances for all ages.
On Saturday, April 14th, a full house was treated to a Multicultural dance recital of excellence at The Culture Box, Temple Bar, Dublin with the official announcement of all workshops and performances for this year’s Shakefest 2012.
Assale Ibrahim, originally from Iraq and of esteemed Oriental and Gypsy dance who was Shakefest’s first International Guest Instructor at Shakefest 2010, performed captivating and inspiring Baladi, Tribal, Gypsy and the Sacred Sufi Whirling dance for the Shakefest audience as well as members of our Irish Oriental and Tribal Dance community like Tullamore’s The Red Embers, Galway Bellydance, Appolonia Tribal Bellydance, Sheeoneh, Nicole Volmering and Aoife Hardiman.
Shakefest’s 2012 International Guest Instructor was announced as Oriental Dancer Joana Saahirah of Cairo, Egypt who will be here to provide an authentic education on Egyptian History and Folklore as well as Oriental Dance instruction in Classical, Saiidi and Alexandria of Mellaya styles accompanied by two dazzling and interpretive Oriental dances.
Joana has delighted Egyptian audiences with her live Orchestral shows in Cairo with some of the best Egyptian musicians and travels worldwide sharing her passion and education. Artistically and technically rich, Joana Saahirah brings back the SOUL to Oriental Dance.
For dance enthusiasts of all ages, we have a special workshop called ‘DANCE LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON’ instructed by Declan Kiely who performs regularly as a tribute to Michael Jackson. Hip Hop, Jazz, Poi and Ribbon dancing, Bachata and Argentinian Tango are also on offer. African dance, Poetry, Open-Mic sessions, Kid’s gigantic Dragonfly and Butterfly hunt, Punch and Judy, Magician, Bouncy Castle, Juggling and Stiltwalking show by Stagecraft Ireland, Drum Circles, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and Fairy Glen are all on offer for kids and families.
New to Shakefest this year is our LIVE HISTORY section – KHI Medieval Re-enactors will be treating audiences to Combat Simulations of the Crusaders Knight’s Templar as well as providing authentic Medieval tents, a full try-on armoury and archery for all ages. KHI directly reflects the historical ties that bind to Charleville Castle and the symbolism of its personal history. Evening performances highlighted will be our annual Multicultural Hafla, followed by daring Fire Show by The Red Embers and special guests Babylon’s Inferno, and 40’s Swing by The Bugle Babes. To finish the evening in a cultural and energetic crescendo, Shakefest this year hosts The North Strand Kontra Band from Dublin. The North Strand Kontra Band was formed on the North side of Dublin in the Winter of 2005. They are an instrumental band who play a mix of original and traditional material influenced predominantly by the music of Romania and Bulgaria. The band has played to critical acclaim in many of the leading venues and festivals at home and abroad with their live shows being lauded for their high energy levels and explosive musicianship.
Tickets for Shakefest can be purchased on www.shakefest.net or www.brownpapertickets.com and range from €10 general admission, €10 camping, €20 family day pass or only €15 for evening entertainment and gates open at 12pm. All proceeds will be going towards Charleville Castle Restoration Fund – Operation ‘Raise The Roof’ project in which money will be raised towards putting a protective roof on the castle chapel.
Shakefest is supported by the Offaly Local Development Company, the Offaly County Council, The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the European Commission, the Offaly Leader and The Offaly Arts Office.
Cabin in the Woods ~ (Rated R: 2012) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259521/ * Director: Drew Goddard. * Written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard. * Starring: Kristen Connolly as Dana; Chris Hemsworth as Curt; Anna Hutchison as Jules; Fran Kranz as Marty; Jesse Williams as Holden; Richard Jenkins as Sitterson; Bradley Whitford as Hadley; Brian White as Truman, and many others.
Within the last several years, Hollywood and the film industry have been evolving and expanding the classical monster tale, as we watched through the ages, meandering from Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Werewolf, and Count Dracula towards a whole different species of Werewolves, vampires, and zombies. Then came the serial killers obsessed with pain, torture, maiming, and realistic, grotesque murder sprees self-styled after Ted Bundy, Fred West, or Jeffrey Dahmer, only to exaggerate to supernatural tales of Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Now, a new sense of horror, going back to supernatural beliefs on Witches, Druids, Spirits, and creatures from the races of Darker Faeries come crawling out from their sidhe with vicious mermaids and mermen, leprechauns, gremlins, goblins, orcs, giants, and titans. The Old God/desses are being brought back to life. What one would imagine would be a typical hack n’ slash film by the title of “Cabin in the Woods” turned into a conspiracy theory, a Dark ancient Deities tale of human sacrifice at a high corporate level ploy to satiate the “ancient ones”. None other than a tale weaved by Buffy’s Joss Whedon to give that twisted plot some fantastical depth. These five friends go on vacation to a remote cabin in the woods, only to find themselves trapped and manipulated in a pseudo-realm where they are lined up to voluntarily sacrifice themselves to the dark spirits.
The five college-aged kids head off to a friend’s cabin in the woods and lose all communication with the outside world. During “party time” and unwinding, the cellar door mysteriously flips open, only to involve a truth or “dare” to investigate the darkness. Within is a treasure trove of artifacts, each with a secret and a beast to unleash. Meanwhile, they are monitored by a high-tech secret lab where the white coats bet on which creature they will face – Pinhead, the Mer-man, flesh-eating zombies, a ghoul, or a prehistoric monster of dinosaur proportions. Dana reads from the diary of an inbred hillybilly family, thereby awakening the now-dead family of deadly murderous zombies.
But this is not the only laboratory experiment of what supernatural creatures will be unleashed, as the lab coats are monitoring similar setups from around the world, hopeful of a successful stint with the cabin. As each of the college kids get knocked off, the ploy backfires as the “virgin” saved for the last, teamed up with the brainy pot-head discover the conspiracy and find their way down into depths uncovering an ancient temple lair holding back the ancient Titans from destroying the Earth – satiated by an annual sacrifice that was planned. None of the scenarios work out for the guardians, and literally “all hell breaks loose” as magical and supernatural beings, creatures, and monsters look at the lab coats and armed forces as a smorgasbord brunch.
The Director of the agency, played by Sigourney Weaver, tells them the truth that the ritual involving sacrifice of the Whore (Jules), the Athlete (Curt), the Scholar (Holden), the Fool (Marty), and the Virgin (Dana) was to appease the “Ancient Ones” who lived beneath the facility. They had to die in archetypical order until the virgin remained. Werewolves, mer-creatures, unicorns, ghouls, zombies, and a giant serpent take their wraith. The Ancient ones rise to destroy the facility and the cabin. While an element of “kitch” and wacky elements loomed over the film, the special effects and deep mythical supernatural plot humored and entertained me. [Rating:4] Rating of four stars out of five. ~ Reviewed by Leaf McGowan.
These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?
Director: Stephen Surjik. Writers: D. Brent Mote & Jane Espenson. Starring:
Eddie McClintock, Joanne Kelly, Saul Rubinek, and many others. Original Air Date: 28 July 2009.
The thrills of the mysterious pseudo “Men in Black” warehouse in the middle of the Nevada desert takes a turn as Artie awakes in a strange room based on an earlier vision he had while being having his system attacked. He has a rude awakening to a neo-raver redhead cuffing him and reminding Arty of the injustice he has caused her when she was his student. She keeps electrically zapping him as she drags him into her plot to get revenge on him for her brother’s death. When Myka and Pete arrive to find Artie missing, they seek to find where he has gone. They utilize the “durational spectrometer” to figure out what had happened. They discover her brother is trapped in an alternate dimension, as trapped in a different reality caused by the works of Rheticus. She wants Artie to recreate the experience. Artie has visions of the past and they recreate the experiment with the help of Benjamin Franklin’s Lightning Rod. A lot of time traveling takes place to figure out the loss and if it’s possible to get Josh back. A mystery becomes solved. The episode jumped around a bit but overall was good fun. [rating:4] Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
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These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service and lodging were covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?
Coming soon to Dublin is the world’s infamous monumental “Cirque Du Soleil” with their astonishing troupe and show “Alegría”. It’s a mood and a state of mind after which the show is named. Coming from the Spanish term for “jubilation” the troupe will show power and the handing down of it through time with artistic demonstrations of the evolution of ancient monarchies to modern democracies, old age, youth, and the cycles of time. With the King’s fools, minstrels, beggars, old aristocrats, and children making up the show’s universe speckled with clowns, they come again to stun their audiences. I’ve been fortunate to experience this amazing show of acrobats, music, performance, arts, stilt-walking, fire art, juggling, comedy, clowning, and breathe death-defying feats. Mesmerized by the costumes, stage design, arts, illusions, super-human body twisting, and endurance … I’ve been addicted to the Cirque since I first saw them in the early 1990s at their home arena in Quebec. Definitely a not-to-miss show when they come to town. Unfortunately, we don’t have the funds to see this show while it hits Dublin this year, but for those that can afford it, definitely go out for a time of your life. You will not only be amazed and whirl-winded but tingled to sheer ecstasy. If for some reason we do find a way to go via winning tickets or being gifted with them, we’ll definitely add on to this review with a stunning report. ~ Tom Baurley
for $3.99 (7-day rental) which you can watch directly through the link below. For any folklore enthusiast, fantasy film buff, or faerie fan … this is a must-see. Made in Norway, the language is Norwegian/Swedish and released on February 17, 2012. Filmed in Bergen, Hordaland, Norway. Rating 5 stars out of 5. [Rating:5] by Leaf McGowan, viewed 4/21/2013 on 
