On our Radar
Streaming: Artemis Fowl (Disney +, from June 12) We have been waiting a long time for this one. Director Kenneth Branagh brings the exciting adventures of Eoin Colfer’s beloved anti-hero directly into our living rooms. Kilkenny newcomer Ferdia Shaw (grandson of the legendary Robert Shaw) takes on the lead role, supported by a strong roster of talent including Colin Farrell, Judi Dench, Lara McDonnell and Josh Gad. See feature page 8.
Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast
Frank Skinner has made his mark as a footy mad stand-up, but this former teacher has hidden depths. Listeners to his Absolute Radio podcast (present company included) are already aware of his passion for medieval England and the Venerable Bede. Now he gets to demonstrate why his favourite Muse is not Thalia (comedy), as expected, but Calliope (poetry).
Movies on demand: The High Note (Universal) Set in the heady world of the LA music scene, Nisha Ganatra’s feel-good drama chronicles the relationship between soul singing diva Grace Davis ( Tracee Ellis Ross, daughter of you know who) and
her overworked personal assistant, Maggie (Dakota Johnson, daughter of you know who else). Each is at a crossroads in their life and career. Maggie dreams of being a producer while Grace is keen to record an album of new material, much to the chagrin of her manager (Ice Cube), who prefers the safety and security of a residency in Vegas. While there are issues with the narrative, not least a fanciful third act which careers into Dr Phil territory, both leads deliver strong performances, Kelvin Harrison Jr provides solid support, and the soundtrack is a gem.
Youtube: Karaoke in Mary’s Gaff We know Mary Murray to be a terrific actress, but she also has a real set of pipes on her. Karaoke in Mary’s Gaff covers everybody from plaintive balladeers (Simon and Garfunkel) to belting divas (Bassey and Babs). “Anything to keep her away from the fridge and the news;” quote/ unquote. Brava!
Streaming: The Curious Works of Roger Doyle (available on volta.ie)
Brian Lally’s compelling documentary chronicles the life and work Roger Doyle, who last year was elected as a Saoi of Aosdána. It follows the avant garde Dublin composer’s diverse career from his early days working on Moogs and synthesisers (earning him the soubriquet, ‘ The Godfather of Electronica’), to his ambient film scores for directors such as Bob Quinn and Cathal Black, and his many performance collaborations with Olwen Fouéré. The documentary culminates in a triumphant staging of his first electronic opera, Heresy, in Dublin’s Project Arts Centre in 2016. Doyle is an excellent subject throughout, skilfully outlining his innovative approach to the sonic arts, an approach that has often resulted in more critical than popular acclaim. The most striking sequence of the documentary sees Doyle play a moving piano piece, Coathanger Kisses, composed in tribute to Jonathan Philbin Bowman, and inspired by a Joycean message left on the composer’s answering machine by the late journalist.
Blu-ray: 1917 (eOne)
The great Roger Deakins scooped a second Oscar for his remarkable cinematography on Sam Mendes’ bravura, shot-as-if-one-sequence,
WWI drama. George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman play Tommies navigating their way through the perilous trenches, but the real star of the show is Deakins’ roving camera. Blu-ray extras include commentaries, makingof featurettes and a special feature on Thomas Newman’s superb score.
Online: Love in Isolation (RT É Player, from June 9) They say that love will find a way, even in isolation and lockdown. In this new Player series, singletons across the country have been set up on zoom dates, over the course of which they get to know each other and are each set a specific challenge. Each show is twelve minutes long - short, snappy and (hopefully) romantic.