That’s Jentertainment

I thought it was a Christmas movie. This is a terrible poster and tag-line for a really sweet movie. Everybody’s Fine is a story about Frank Goode played by Robert De Niro who wants his children to take time from their busy lives and all come together for a visit. His wife has recently died and he lives alone. After all of his children cancel on a visit to see him, he decides to travel to the different states that they live in to reunite his gown-up children: Drew Barrymore and Sam Rockwell playing two of them. What’s great about this movie is Frank. He is such a ‘normal’ character that will really pull your heartstrings as he goes on this journey. As the story unfolds, we discover more about Frank, his past and his children.

Somehow, this movie reminded me a little of ‘Up in the Air’ because of the journey of the two male characters and their ultimate quest for truth but I found this film less drawn out and slow than Up in the Air. Maybe if you loved Up in The Air, you’ll hate this. Either way, It’s interesting seeing a film from a parent’s perspective and I thought the story for Everybody’s Fine was subtly powerful. It might be a bit too sentimental for everybody’s taste and it won’t be going on my favorites list anytime soon but it’s worth a watch if family is important to you.Most importantly though, this is not a Christmas movie. It won’t lift or enhance your Christmas spirit at all so for that reason, it’s going on my worst movie posters list.

I randomly came across this video on Vimeo and think it’s brilliant. Watch it and then leave a comment letting me know what you expected it to be.

100 from Mickey Reece on Vimeo.

As part of the competition for the Done in 60 seconds Empire & Jameson Awards, Tinfoil productions reunited for another parody. I never thought 60 seconds would take so long but with different schedules and the amount of time that went into editing, this took a couple of weeks to get together. We had a great laugh as usual though and I thought Denis (Truman) was really suited to this role.

There’s an extended edition that featured my own mother, the very charismatic ‘Mamo Davis’ but unfortunately we had to cut it due to our 60 second time restraint. She was devastated and I think it will take a lot of grovelling if I need her to appear in our next feature. As a Tribute, I wanted to post the extended version here so that everyone can see her talent. I think it’s very reminiscent of Fair City. She couldn’t understand why Denis was putting on an American accent as she had never seen the Truman Show so that’s the reason she’s holding back a grin. Our biggest challenge was the end of the film- Truman’s escape.

I went through a few ideas of painting a wall blue with clouds or bringing a door to the beach but in the end, I think it worked out nicely thanks to Ian’s handy editing. We find out soon whether we’re shortlisted as the top twenty entries should be announced next week. It’s an international competition so there’s a lot of entries including another Truman but I’m hopeful we’ll get through. Hopefully, I’ll be asking you all for your votes soon. In the meantime here are the videos:

This is the 60 second version:

And here is the extended version:

The Truman Show Parody- Extended Version from Jentertainment on Vimeo.

I love Grey’s Anatomy. I bought the first season on DVD in HMV a few years back and said ‘hmm, I wonder if this will be any good.’ When I sat down to watch it that evening, I was totally engrossed. What can I say? I love the narration, the sum up quips at the end with the life lessons, the fact that whenever one of the main characters is having a problem, there’s always a suffering patient with a similar problem on the same day that somehow helps them see the light. Let’s face it; the show is also great for a good cry. All those emotions flying around makes it difficult not to get caught up in it. Yes, I’m a sucker for all that stuff. They certainly know how to write a dramatic episode, that’s for sure. The season finale of season 5 last May was possibly the best TV show finale I have ever seen. I sat bolt upright and I’m pretty sure I actually gasped. If Grey’s Anatomy was a novel, I’d read it cover to cover. I’d never be able to put it down.

However, there’s one thing about those doctors that really grinds my gears. I was willing to let this slide if they cleaned up their act with the new season but as I was watching the season six premiere, there it was. Staring me right in the face. I’m not letting this one go. If something happened to me while I was in Seattle on a fictional holiday, I would not be delighted to be operated on by Dr. Calle Torres or any other female surgeon on Grey’s. Why? Dangly earrings, that’s why. If I see another episode of those earrings hanging over open surgery I am going to be very exasperated indeed. It takes me out of the whole story. I don’t care if that lovable fictional character lives or dies. All I can focus on is those earrings and the damage they would do if they dangled into the patient’s intestines. So the next time you’re watching those doctors in action, have a look at their ears. If you can’t focus on anything else, then my job here is done. We’re all going to suffer.

Oxegen 2007 was my last. It was an absolute disaster. I decided it would be a great idea to drive there because then I could bring a lot of heavy stuff. More drink, an airbed, a cooler box full of food, more clothes than I needed (you know, to have a choice in the mornings). It seemed like a great idea. I have no sense of direction what so ever. I followed the traffic and nearly had a heart attack to hear that the car parks were closed due to flooding. We were being re-directed further away and told a shuttle bus would bring us from that car park to the campsite. I planned a couple of trips to the car so this did not seem ideal. Cars were parked along the road miles back and there was no way I’d find a spot this close. It was then, in the queue to turn around that I saw a spot. I couldn’t believe my luck. Sinéad asked if she should go check it out. I told her not to be silly, that I could see perfectly and turned into my lucky spot. My lucky spot was a small ditch. I had driven into a ditch. I’d like to say that nobody saw but there were queues of traffic all stopped with nothing else to look at but my shame. People were walking by. It was absolute jammers and raining. I tried to reverse my way out of the pickle but I was stuck. A gang of men walking by saw this lady in distress. They took control of the situation by putting the car mat under the wheel instead of spraying muck everywhere. It wasn’t working. More people were stopping to help. Half the street were over pushing the car and one guy kept saying “we’re gonna have to lift it.” People scattered. Cars were at a standstill beside poor Daisy and luckily for me, so was a Dublin bus. The driver opened his door and offered advice. Passengers on the bus offered the same and others hurled abuse. Again the guy shouts “We have to lift it!” We all looked around and nodded. A stranger was in the driver’s seat trying to reverse while everyone lifted the front. It actually worked! Everyone on the road in buses, cars and on foot clapped and cheered. We cracked open a box of cans and passed them around cheering. We were all on a high. I was so relieved and couldn’t believe my luck. I was so close to the campsite that I could surely make two trips, or so I thought. With this naïve notion, I left the beer in the car and walked what I assumed would be a 20 minute walk to the campsite. Two and a half hours later, I wanted to cry.

The campsite was just muck. No grass, no straw, no sand. Nothing had been put down on the ground. Tired from the long walk, with heavy bags I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My first thought was to return to the car but I thought that I’d feel better when the tent was set up. I had no wellies. I know it was stupid but I had old runners that I thought would do fine. I couldn’t walk and the weight of everything I was holding was pushing me further and further into the ground. When we finally set up the tent, the walk had taken so long that we were camped over an hour’s walk from the stage because the muck slowed us down so much. I spent €30 on wellies that I thought would solve my problems but all they had was ones three sizes too big. They were staying in the muck and I was falling out. The beer was in the car. There was no way we could have carried it and this didn’t brighten my mood. During that weekend, I saw around 20 adults cry because they were so frustrated with the campsite situation. That was one year, I don’t know if organisation has improved since then. I doubt it.

However, every year has the same problems.

1.    Portaloos. As comical as it is to see people’s faces coming out, it’s not a pleasant experience for anyone. If they were cleaned as regularly as they should be, a lot of camper’s experiences would be improved.
2.    Prices. As with all concerts, prices are ridiculous. Prices of food and pints and so expensive for what they are. I once paid €4 for a small carton of milk.
3.    Queues. You’re willing to pay these crazy prices but you have to wait 40 minutes in line for this privilege.
4.    The best thing, the reason for Oxegen is something I have yet to mention. The music. It is great that they have lots of different types of music for different interests but 2009 especially, I was extremely underwhelmed by the line up. Every band I like that is playing this year I have seen before. Not only have I seen them before, but I’ve seen them at Oxegen. Headlining this year are Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon and The Killers. Change the record please!
So, Oxegen 2007 I spent €230 for a camping ticket, €100 on camping gear including a tent, chair and raincoat, €50 on petrol, €150 on shopping the day before including alcohol shopping, €30 for wellies when I got there, €25 for new car mats when I got back and around €100 on food and drink in the venue. Altogether that’s €685 that I spent to camp in the muck in the rain, use the luxurious toilets, not be able to walk and to see bands I’ve seen before. Thinking of all the lovely things I could have done with that money makes me crazy- a fortnight on a sunny holiday, a shopping spree, going to see all the bands I want (that I’ve never seen before) in intimate venues over the whole summer, comedy gigs or a lovely weekend away in a nice hotel in Ireland. This year, I’m spending my Oxegen money on a trip to New York.

So if you’re not going to Oxegen, let me know what you’re spending YOUR Oxegen money on.