Series: The Purge (Season 1, Episodes 2 - 5) & Quiz: Connections in UK Culture / History

Well, I had a look at cinema listings for the weekend - and wouldn't you know it, the Arc cinema in Ennis has a matinee - of The Forever Purge! (Only showing in the evening in Limerick.)  Will probably head to that tomorrow - free parking on Sundays, dontcha know. Well, I mentioned as much to my boss during the week - and wouldn't you know it, she reminded me that there's a series on Amazon Prime called The Purge! So I've now managed to squeeze in five episodes.

An online review said it's not as good as the second series (which, I'm glad to say, is also available), but I am impressed. As the episodes continue, we switch from one character's story to another around the city - and as each takes twists and turns, we delve into the soul of each character. Via a whole gallery of imaginative rogues! They really go to town on this festival, and roaming the streets in a variety of heavy-duty vehicles, you'll find all sorts, with all kinds of aims - not to mention some games that are laid on, carnival-style, and a spectacle specifically for the delectation of the NFFA (New Founding Fathers of America), whose swish party is a feature of the night. This is an ingenious expansion of the world of the films, where they explore the idea of ambulances being off-limits, and some gangs of vigilantes whose job is to rescue victims. I really dunno how anyone gets to work the next day - everyone seems to be out!

Each character's story advances mightily through the episodes, and in unexpected directions. Still got me hooked - just the one episode left in this season, I guess. I wonder whether the same characters are carried through to the next season.. those who survive, of course..

In the meantime, I squeezed in Cultureseekers' quiz earlier today - Connections in UK Culture / History! Given a series of words or phrases, say what the connection is, or what the next in the series should be. I didn't win - nor come close to it - but I did ok.

And as I say, I'll probably go to The Forever Purge tomorrow. Nobody's booked yet, so I might rock up on the day and buy a ticket, given that they have a booking fee.. I'll keep an eye on it. And I'm thinking a Chinese takeaway might be nice - I always liked Jade Cottage, but I'm not sure whether they offer outside dining. It should be a gorgeous day.. we'll see.

Series: The Purge (Season 1, Episode 1)

Well, I had a look at cinema listings for the weekend - and wouldn't you know it, the Arc cinema in Ennis has a matinee - of The Forever Purge! (Only showing in the evening in Limerick.)  Will probably head to that on Sunday - free parking that day, dontcha know. Well, I mentioned as much to my boss today - and wouldn't you know it, she reminded me that there's a series on Amazon Prime called The Purge! So, in a quiet moment, I checked it out..

Aw, I love it. An online review said it's not as good as the second series (which, I'm glad to say, is also available), but I was impressed with the first episode, most of which is spent in the suspense prior to "commencement" - the beginning of the annual Purge night, during which all crime is legal from 7pm to 7am. All weapons up to "Class 4" are allowed (in real life, at least, this includes grenades and rocket launchers). 

So basically, the wealthier hole up in safety, while those without the wherewithal are forced to buy as much weaponry as they can afford (and there's a run on it), and defend themselves and their family and property as best they can. Hospitals and high-ranking government officials are exempt. In this episode, we follow three stories. One is of a businesswoman, working that night with her colleagues on an important deal, in a secure building - they've all signed agreements not to engage in purging. But she's up to something. Another centres on a young, upwardly mobile couple, invited to a NFFA (New Founding Fathers of America) party - they're politically very important, holding power, and having instigated the purge - and the husband is hoping to sign a major deal at the party. The NFFA hold one every Purge Night, which lasts for the duration. Finally, a young man with a bulletproof vest and weapons is unwisely driving around the seedier parts of town, looking for someone.

I love it. So glad to have found another good series! And I love the suspense, as everyone rushes to get to safety before zero hour, and everyone you pass is carrying weapons, or boarding up their property.. Dying to get to the next episode, to see how the stories started in the first episode pan out.

So - Cultureseekers' quiz on Saturday is Connections in UK Culture / History! Given a series of pictures, say what the connection is, or what the next in the series should be. Not sure I'll do well, but I'll have a go.

And as I say, probably The Forever Purge on Sunday. Nobody's booked yet, so I might rock up on the day and buy a ticket, given that they have a booking fee.. I'll keep an eye on it.

Film: The Father & St. Patrick's Festival: The Hill of Uisneach Tour & 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour

With no more films on in Limerick that I could make and that I was interested in, I checked what was on in Ennis, for yesterday - and lo, The Father is on there, also in the afternoon. This is one that did really well in the Oscars: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, who plays the title role of a man developing dementia (the theme of the weekend, evidently), and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Olivia Coleman, who plays his daughter. Also nominated for best picture, best film editing, and best production design. Sounded worth seeing - again, I was the first person to have booked, and this time they blocked out six seats around me! I'll say something for social distancing - it'll make it a lot less annoying to be in the cinema when others in the audience are eating popcorn! Four more seats were booked by the time I left, with all seats immediately around them blocked. More expensive than Saturday's, and with a booking fee, but hey..

I set off with a little time to spare - but what with slow-moving traffic and trouble parking, I didn't have any to spare at all! As I say, this cinema has no parking adjacent - I headed for the Abbey Street car park, which is the closest. Really summery vibe there, with all the outside tables, people sat eating and drinking at them - of course, this is because they're not yet allowed inside. Plus, it meant the car park was packed! I was really lucky to get a space - someone pulled out just as I was doing a circuit of the car park and about to give up. Then I got lost on the way to the cinema - and had to navigate some serious roadworks on Parnell Street, where the cinema is. They seem to be doing a complete excavation. I finally reached the cinema just at showing time!

A hand sanitiser in the lobby turned out to be empty. I'd never been in here before, so had to figure out that the business end of the cinema was upstairs - there is also a lift. At the top, the one-way system - roped off - took me past the concession stands, where I wasn't going to stop, except that the girl behind the counter asked whether I'd prebooked. Eh, yes. So she asked what my booking number was, and she'd print off my ticket (ironically, although Saturday's QR code didn't come through but this showing's did, they don't have scanners here). So I got a physical ticket, which the guy at the ticket desk tore, and in I went.

An ad for Top Gun: Maverick entertained me - again ironically, I saw something about the original film recently. In this sequel, Tom Cruise is still a US Navy fighter pilot - amazingly successful, but enough of a, well, maverick not to have been promoted. Otherwise, I guess it's more of the same. I loved the original - might well check this one out (it's not due till next winter).

And so to the feature. Another film about dementia, but so different - this is much more of a puzzle, filmed, as it is, from the old man's point of view! So we get to know his daughter - then suddenly, in one scene, another woman entirely seems to assume the role, and we're as confused as he is! She's married to Rufus Sewell - or maybe not. She spends one scene explaining to her father how important it is for her to go to Paris to live with the man she loves - and in another scene, looks completely perplexed when he mentions the same.

It's obviously a representation of his own confusion, and how he gets facts and times mixed up. But it turns into a helluva conundrum, as he keeps leaving his bedroom to find people he doesn't know - and it's a real test for the audience as well, trying to keep the story straight, until we get a kind of conclusion at the end. And it is a sad ending - but this is in no way as much a weepie as Supernova. A tour de force by the ever-charismatic Anthony Hopkins, with the able support of Olivia Colman, looking suitably bewildered as her father comes out with ever-stranger statements.

Afterwards, I did have it in mind to check out Supermac's. Now, that's somewhere I really hadn't been in ages - in fact, I don't think I'd been since I moved to London! (It's not in the UK.) Jeez, but I used to love their cheeseburgers. I moseyed down Parnell Street, which has always had a selection of restaurants - and still does. Again, most had outside seating, most of that under marquees. I decided fairly quickly, though, that I wasn't in the mood for anything major. And I was really, really curious about those cheeseburgers. So I looked up where Supermac's was, and made my way there. Again, a one-way system - and in the short queue, I checked that yes, they still do cheeseburgers. So I ordered one, and waited in the waiting area on the other side. It wasn't long - I took it away with me, ate it on the way back to the car: and DING DING DING! Yes, after all these years, that sauce is as great as ever.. and they do give you plenty of it; it got everywhere.

I'll tell you this though, all those people eating and drinking outside left an impression on me. I don't think it'll be too long before I'm eating out properly. As to eating indoors - it'll first be available to those with digital covid certificates, available to the fully vaccinated, and those who can prove they've recovered from Covid. Watch this space - still waiting for mine. Mind you, driving back, caught in a downpour as I was, I was glad I hadn't eaten at that one restaurant that had uncovered tables and chairs outside..

Last night, I had work to do for an early morning meeting - so no time to blog. Nor during the day, it was so insanely busy! This afternoon, with a gap in what was on tv (which I tend to have on in the background), I turned to the St. Patrick's Festival website again, for something quick to watch. Next up was The Hill of Uisneach Tour, in which we are led around a sacred Neolithic site in the centre of Ireland, as we are instructed. Packed with legend and superstition, it's interesting - yes though, that large statue he passes is contemporary.

More interesting yet to me, though, was the 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour - an atmospheric tour around relevant sites in Dublin, with lots of anecdotes that I hadn't heard. A most welcome distraction from all the **** I had to put up with at work.

For Saturday, well, Cultureseekers will have another quiz, but it hasn't been announced yet. Or there's the St. Patrick's Festival website..

St. Patrick's Festival: Ballad Tours Dublin

With no more films on in Limerick that I could make and that I was interested in, I checked what was on in Ennis, for today - and lo, The Father is on there, also in the afternoon. This is one that did really well in the Oscars: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, who plays the title role of a man developing dementia (the theme of the weekend, evidently), and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Olivia Coleman, who plays his daughter. Also nominated for best picture, best film editing, and best production design. Sounds worth seeing - again, I was the first person to have booked, and this time they've blocked out six seats around me! I'll say something for social distancing - it'll make it a lot less annoying to be in the cinema when others in the audience are eating popcorn! I see four more seats are booked now, with all seats immediately around them blocked. More expensive than yesterday's, and with a booking fee, but hey..

Anyway, with nothing booked for the rest of this afternoon, I haven't left yet. And with nothing really on telly, I turned to the St. Patrick's Festival website again, for something quick to watch. Next up was Ballad Tours Dublin - in which a young chap leads us to various historic sites around Dublin, providing inspiration for some historic ballads.

It's quite atmospheric, some nice shots of Dublin, and he's a decent singer. But he's not on his own. No, he's accompanied by a couple of papier maché characters - a seagull with a strong Dublin accent, and later, Humpty Dumpty. Perhaps he felt lonely. Well, if you can get over the running commentary from this pair, it's a decent watch.

I'll head in soon - happily, town parking is free on Sundays. Might check out Supermac's after the film. Now, that's somewhere I really haven't been in ages - in fact, I don't think I've been since I moved to London! (It's not in the UK.) Jeez, but I used to love their cheeseburgers.. I'll see how I feel.

Quiz: Driving in the UK! & Film: Supernova

Well, the day started with Cultureseekers and another quiz - this time, it was Driving in the UK! I figured I mightn't know everything, but I have driven in the UK a few times, so I said I'd have a go.

10 unusual roadsigns to start, and the general consensus was that this was the hardest section. First up was possibly the most curious:

(No, not an exploding car - this was Do Not Carry Explosives). The sign for Beware - Otters confused one person, who thought that didn't look much like an otter. I got most of these, though.

There were some multiple choice, which I was doing pretty well at until the questions turned to the number of vehicles in the UK, and the number of purely electric cars - I overestimated in the first case, and underestimated in the second. Other interesting questions included - what do you call a crossing where both horses and pedestrians can cross the road? Well, I have to say, I'd never heard of a Pegasus crossing, but it's a great name.

I was worried at the thought of having to guess where license plates are from - until I realised he was talking about international ones, so all you had to do was know the country code! (which greatly surprised one person on the call, who hadn't realised that different countries can be identified from the license plates. For heaven's sake.) And here's an interesting fact - the first speeding ticket (although there was some dispute about the year) was apparently issued in 1905. Can you guess what speed they were doing? That was the question - the answer: 45mph. Which was a lot faster than most people would have thought.

As usual, an interesting and well-designed quiz.

Well, yesterday marked two weeks since my second vaccine dose, which means I'm as safe as can be to get out and about. So - I did! With Irish theatres still closed, I checked the cinema listings in Limerick (there's one closer to me, in Ennis, but there's no parking near it, so Limerick is handier). Unfortunately, my evenings are still tied up watching tv with my mother - else there are a few horror films I could have gone for. Instead, I booked for Supernova at the Omniplex - I'd just be in nice time to get there after the quiz. Colin Firth accompanies his partner, Stanley Tucci, who's been diagnosed with dementia, on a road trip to relive old memories, while Stanley still can. D' you know, when I booked it, I was the first to book - and nobody else had booked yet, the last I looked. :-) So I think the fact that they blocked five seats around me is neither here nor there..

This was the first thing I went to, in person, since 18 March last year. Which was also a film.

So, after the quiz I did my various chores, and hurried off - had to stop at the recycling centre on the way, and start with a visit to the chemist for something for my mother when I got there: figured I'd better go before the film, as they might be closed after. There were a few parking spaces free in front of the cinema, anyhow - and I see they've introduced a one-way system throughout the shopping centre, marked off with cones and tape, with gaps to cross so you can enter a shop, or just change direction. It was also sad to see that a few businesses have closed, since I was last there.

I did my business and got to the cinema just at film time. Had a spanking new mask for the occasion, which I bought yesterday - lighter and more comfortable than the type I have been wearing. Figured I'd need it, if I intended wearing it for the duration. So - hand sanitisers in the foyer, and a booking system for concessions, so you have to prebook and collect. Much like Argos. He scanned my ticket - luckily, I'd taken a screenshot straight after booking; as it happened, the confirmation email I got was missing the QR code image. And it's just as well he told me where the screen was, it's so long since I was there..

Well, I found my seat without difficulty - it was just near the door. Before the ads started, we were (well, I, the only person there, was) fed informational messages on a loop, including that when it was time to leave, we should do so by row, starting with those closest to the exit. Ok then.. and to sit in our assigned seat. Given that they mentioned the thorough cleaning that the cinemas would get after each showing, I can see why. Just as the ads started, someone else did arrive - and sat up near the back, on the other side.

OMG It felt so good to be back!! The only thing was, it was a bit weird to have to wear a mask throughout. But anyway. The ads were pretty forgettable, given that they were for films I have no interest in. But the feature film.. firstly, it's set in jawdroppingly beautiful scenery - researching afterwards, I discovered it was shot in the Lake District. Wow, I really must get up there, one day.

This is a beautiful story - and as someone said online, a masterclass in acting. The two leads occupy the screen for almost all the film, and two more engaging characters you could hardly hope to meet - I'd love to be invited on holiday with them. But dementia is a terrible, debilitating disease - and so sad, as it robs loved ones of the person they used to know. Apparently, they were originally cast the other way around, but during initial readings, decided it'd work better this way. I think they were right - I can hardly imagine the roles reversed. And watching Colin's character come slowly to the realisation of how bad things are getting for the man he loves is absolutely tragic. (It's really awkward, by the way, to get weepy when you're wearing both glasses and a mask. Which I kept having to remove when I got teary.) So, so highly recommended..

I thought I might take advantage of its proximity to a KFC, while I was there. But you know what, when it came to it, I just didn't feel like it - waited to eat till I got back instead.

As I say, that was the only film I could make and that I was interested in - I'm steering clear of the summer blockbusters, from lack of interest. But then, it occurred to me that I could check what was on in Ennis, for tomorrow - and lo, The Father is on there, also in the afternoon. This is one that did really well in the Oscars: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, who plays the title role of a man developing dementia (the theme of the weekend, evidently), and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Olivia Coleman, who plays his daughter. Also nominated for best picture, best film editing, and best production design. Sounds worth seeing - again, I was the first person to have booked, and this time they've blocked out six seats around me! I'll say something for social distancing - it'll make it a lot less annoying to be in the cinema when others in the audience are eating popcorn! I see a couple more seats are booked now - not too far from me, but again, with all seats immediately around them blocked, we should all be ok. More expensive than today's, and with a booking fee, but hey..

Might check out Supermac's in Ennis, tomorrow. Now, that's somewhere I really haven't been in ages - in fact, I don't think I've been since I moved to London! (It's not in the UK.) Jeez, but I used to love their cheeseburgers.. I'll see how I feel.

Film: Evil Eye

Wow, tv was terrible tonight. Well, it was all films, and I'd either seen them, or didn't want to. So when I finally escaped up to bed, it was straight to Amazon Prime, to trawl through in search of a horror film again. Working off my list, the first one I came across that was actually available was Evil Eye, an Indian film (in English) about a woman, a big believer in horoscopes, who comes to fear that her daughter's oh-so-perfect new boyfriend is actually the reincarnation of the man with whom she was in an abusive relationship before her daughter's birth, and who nearly killed her.

The film list promised me twists and turns, and one of the scariest movies available. Wow - who paid them to say that?! There are a couple of scary scenes near the end, but by no stretch of the imagination is this a scary film. Having said that, it's interesting, the characters are appealing, and I stuck with it to the end. It's also got an empowering message about women standing up for themselves. Watch it as a cautionary tale about control freaks - but don't go into it expecting a horror film..

Well, tomorrow, Cultureseekers are back with another quiz - this time, it's Driving in the UK! I mightn't know everything, but I have driven in the UK a few times, so I'll have a go.

And you know what? Today marks two weeks since my second vaccine dose, which means I'm as safe as can be to get out and about. So - I am! With Irish theatres still closed, I checked the cinema listings in Limerick (there's one closer to me, in Ennis, but there's no parking near it, so Limerick is handier). Unfortunately, my evenings are still tied up watching tv with my mother - else there are a few horror films I could have gone for. Instead, I've booked for Supernova at the Omniplex - I'll just be in nice time to get there after the quiz. Colin Firth accompanies his partner, Stanley Tucci, who's been diagnosed with dementia, on a road trip to relive old memories, while Stanley still can. D' you know, when I booked it, I was the first to book - and nobody else has booked yet. :-) So I think the fact that they blocked five seats around me is neither here nor there..

This is the first thing I'll have been to, in person, since 18 March last year. Which was also a film.

I might take advantage of its proximity to a KFC, while I'm there. Lordy, the last time I was at a KFC was the 13 January last year.. Granted, it'll have to be a takeaway, but for KFC that's fine.

As I say, that was the only film I could make and that I was interested in - I'm steering clear of the summer blockbusters, from lack of interest. But then, it occurred to me that I could check what was on in Ennis, for Sunday - and lo, The Father is on there, also in the afternoon. This is one that did really well in the Oscars: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, who plays the title role of a man developing dementia, and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Olivia Coleman, who plays his daughter. Also nominated for best picture, best film editing, and best production design. Sounds worth seeing - again, I'm the only person to have booked, and this time they've blocked out six seats around me! I'll say something for social distancing - it'll make it a lot less annoying to be in the cinema when others in the audience are eating popcorn!

Hmm.. might check out Supermac's in Ennis, on Sunday. Now, that's somewhere I really haven't been in ages - in fact, I don't think I've been since I moved to London! (It's not in the UK.) Jeez, but I used to love their cheeseburgers..

Film: When a Stranger Calls (1979)

Well, it's not that there wasn't anything on tv tonight, but what there was was underwhelming. I wasn't tired enough to go to sleep yet. And I really wanted to check out what other horror films were on Amazon Prime. So I had a trawl through. One thing I do NOT recommend is just looking through the "horror" category - there's just too much there. I ended up going back to the online lists that have done the sorting for me.

And what I found there was When a Stranger Calls (1979). This starts with a horror trope so classic that it's become an urban legend - a young, female babysitter, alone in the house with the kids, keeps getting these freaky phone calls, telling her to check on the kids (who are asleep upstairs). Unnerved, she finally calls the police, who tell her that they'll put a trace on the phone the next time he calls - when they call her back, they tell her.. that the calls are being made from INSIDE THE HOUSE!

This film has the caller as a lunatic, who's locked away in a mental institution, then does a Michael Myers and escapes, returning to plague the young girl he wanted to kill before. There's an underwhelming chase sequence in the middle, but the film is incredibly strong at beginning and end, as the killer hides in the shadows, whispering threats, and you don't know where the danger is coming from. Truly terrifying - by the end, I wanted to hide myself..

For Saturday, the St. Patrick's Festival website will still be there, if required..