The town of Slane has a village square with four almost identical Georgian houses on each corner of it. They stand guard over the two main streets of the town. It’s along these streets that the Slane Street Food Festival recently took place.
Brown Door Georgian House
White Door Georgian House
Blue Door Georgian House
Red Door Georgian House
There were locals as well as those from the surrounding areas out to showcase all they had to offer. While the sun may not have been shining as brightly as it could there was certainly a festive cheer throughout the town. Take a look at some of the highlights of the day, everything from baked goods to beer and cordial to cheese.
With a title that includes the words ‘Dying Girl’ you can fully expect its not going to have a happy ending. Quirky characters, refreshingly humorous dialogue, awkward teens and the tragedy of cancer combine to make Me Earl & The Dying Girl a modern engaging coming of age story. Thomas Mann plays Greg a teenager doing his best to coast through high school life without drawing too much attention to himself. Afraid to form close personal attachments his social life among his peers is confined to short not committal interactions which keeps him at arms length from everyone.
Thomas Mann & RJ Cyler
His one close friend is Earl (RJ Cyler making his movie debut) who he refers to as his ‘co-worker’. Earl is from the wrong side of town and a somewhat broken home while Greg lives in a more wholesome environment with two parents who are more than a little involved in his life. He and Earl share a love of film making and together have produced a string of parody movies based on cinematic classics such as A Clockwork Orange (A Sockwork Orange), Vertigo (Vere’d He Go?) and Death in Venice (Death in Tennis). The parodies themselves are pure genius and the movie references will certainly entertain the serious movie fan.
When Greg’s mum learns that a neighbours daughter has cancer, she insists on Greg taking the chance to do something good and be a friend to her. Intrigued by Greg’s awkward honesty and self deprecating nature the two begin to form a bond as she comes to terms with her illness. Before long she and Greg are spending most days together and as her cancer spreads their friendship deepens to a level neither ever expected. Cooke’s portrayal of the emotional roller-coaster Rachel’s character is facing is unsettlingly real.
While Greg and Rachel’s relationship has grown, so too has Earl and Rachel’s and he shares some their home-made movies with her. This prompts them to work on making a movie for Rachel. As her condition worsens they struggle to finish the movie. Rachel starts to give up her fight which in turn prompts a fight between her and Greg and one between Greg and Earl. Frightened of losing her and afraid for his future without her Greg manages to channel his feelings into finishing the movie before its too late.
Olivia Cooke and Thomas Mann
Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (American Horror Story) and based on the book and screenplay by Jesse Andrews Me Earl & The Dying Girl is interesting, engaging and has enough tragedy to pull on the heart strings. It may not please everyone but it makes a nice change to the typical American teen high school based movies we are all so used to. I’m giving it 3.5 out of 5. Check out the trailer below.
Something very exciting was happening at the Vanilla Podrestaurant in Kells recently. As part of the Boyne Valley Food Series they were hosting a five course Hungry for Heritage dinner and I had the pleasure of taking part. Continue reading →
I’ve heard plenty of buzz, good and bad about Avenueby Nick Munier. I remember reading peoples outrage that a burger could cost €25 and thinking to myself that value is relative. If you think it such an incredulous thing to ask, there is a very simple resolution, don’t order it. I prefer to make up my own mind about places, so with that in mind myself and a friend headed to check it out. Continue reading →
The first installment of the highly successful National Lampoons Vacation series hit our screens over thirty years ago in 1983. Vacation is part reboot, part retelling and part continuation of the series. I suspect many people will roll their eyes, mutter ‘reboot’ and expect it to be rubbish. Being a fan of the original series I didn’t exactly have high hopes for it myself; so with a semi closed mind I took my seat, sat back and waited to roll my own eyes. Continue reading →
So apparently Beer has plenty of Health Benefits. I’ve been telling people this for years. When drunk in ‘moderation‘, beer can have health benefits ranging from boosting brain activity to limiting arthritis risk. I spotted this over on Revivol (they make hangover type tablets, Lifeline types stuff). It’s an infographic which lists a few of the benefits. Worth a look, even if it’s just to shut up those who blabber on about Alcohol being bad bah humbug
Just off Westland Row on Fenian Street you will find a cracking little pub called The Gingerman. It attracts a mixed bunch with plenty of after work drinkers enjoying a pint as well as many a tourist from three large hotels on its door step. Continue reading →
Amy Schumer has been a popular comedian for some time now and her brand of no apologies, personal, straight forward, self-deprecating comedy is hilariously entertaining. Not surprising she has drawn the attention of director Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin) who has helped other comedians like Seth Rogan and Lena Dunham hit a more mainstream audience. Continue reading →
