IRIS PRIZE SHORT FILM REVIEW: ‘One Summer’

During my time at the Iris Prize Festival, I was lucky enough to be able to see a few of the competition winners, which includes ÔÇÿBest British ShortÔÇÖ, and ÔÇÿBest International ShortÔÇÖ, to name a few. One Summer The pastoral to gay narratives is what waterlilies were to Monet; inseparable and unimaginably beautiful. ÔÇÿOne SummerÔÇÖ is the quiet, sun-drenched story of two sheepshearers wiling their … Continue reading IRIS PRIZE SHORT FILM REVIEW: ‘One Summer’

Quenchmas Countdown: Day 2 – ‘Gremlins’

This film has everything you love about Christmas. Carol singers, snowmen, tinsel and most importantly, elderly women being shot out of windows. Fun for all the family. Gremlins is a bit quirky. Released in the Summer of 84 to rival against Temple of Doom and Ghostbusters, the film mocks the commercialisation of Christmas as well as tell a story which is particularly dark at times, … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 2 – ‘Gremlins’

Quenchmas Countdown: Day 1 – ‘The Polar Express’

The power couple that gave us Forrest Gump reunites once more to rejoice our screens with a Christmas classic. ‘The Polar Express’ directed by Robert Zemeckis and voiced by Tom Hanks, among others, reimagines the 1985ÔÇÖs children book written by Chris Van Allsburg. The animators have attempted to preserve the look of the original illustrations of the book using state-of-the-art motion-capture technology, the result is … Continue reading Quenchmas Countdown: Day 1 – ‘The Polar Express’

IRIS PRIZE REVIEW: Prom King, 2010

The LGBTQ+ narrative in cinema is one that comes with a rather complicated history. From ÔÇÿBrokeback MountainÔÇÖ right up to this yearÔÇÖs most lauded romance, ÔÇÿCall Me by Your NameÔÇÖ, LGBTQ+ stories in film have repeatedly been dominated by drama, tragedy and, more often than one would like, death. How refreshing it is, then, as a huge fan of queer narratives, to come across Christopher … Continue reading IRIS PRIZE REVIEW: Prom King, 2010

IRIS PRIZE REVIEW: Signature Move

Ever since the Autumn of 2016, and under the administration of Donald Trump, countless groups of people have been vilified, scrutinised, and scapegoated by the very government that is supposed to represent them. From the announcement of TrumpÔÇÖs decision to campaign to become the president of the United States onwards, much conversation in America has revolved around the rights of minorities, and much of it … Continue reading IRIS PRIZE REVIEW: Signature Move

Big Life Lessons from the Big Screen – Part II

┬áFerris Bueller told us that “Life moves pretty fast. If you donÔÇÖt stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”, Timon and Pumbaa said that the philosophy of Hakuna Matata was the way forward for stress-free days and Forrest Gump’s mum always said “Life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get”. Quench’s contributors write about their … Continue reading Big Life Lessons from the Big Screen – Part II

Q&A with David Attenborough plus Live Screening of ‘Blue Planet 2’

ItÔÇÖs that time again, and the soothing, dulcet tones of the legendary Sir David Attenborough are back acting as the music to our ears. And whilst his voice was warming our ears, our eyes were being graced and mesmerised by the sheer beauty of our Blue Planet. The discovery of smarter fish using tools in this first episode, has once again heralded another success for … Continue reading Q&A with David Attenborough plus Live Screening of ‘Blue Planet 2’

Big Life Lessons from the Big Screen continued…

For Issue 164, Quench Film and TV asked contributors to send in their favourite moments in film that either inspired viewers or changed their life and outlook on the world. It was incredible to see such a big interest in the piece, so we also decided to take the piece online… Spike JonzeÔÇÖs ÔÇÿHerÔÇÖ is, for me, nothing short of a modern masterpiece. Written as … Continue reading Big Life Lessons from the Big Screen continued…

Stranger Things 2: Final trailer thoughts and predictions

WeÔÇÖre a few days away from the release of NetflixÔÇÖs number one show, Stranger Things. We were treated to the final trailer before the debut of the new season on the Friday 13th of October, and here are my thoughts and predictions for Stranger Things, season two. The final trailer for season two of NetflixÔÇÖs Stranger Things has been released, and I couldnÔÇÖt be more … Continue reading Stranger Things 2: Final trailer thoughts and predictions

Interview & Review with School Life Director, Neasa Ní Chianáin and Co-Director/Producer, David Rane

Childhood is a strange thing. When youÔÇÖre young, primary school feels like the centre of the universe, and no one on this earth could tell you that the friends youÔÇÖve made wonÔÇÖt always be there. Everything seemed so much simpler, right? Well, actually, maybe not. We might think weÔÇÖre stressed out now, with looming university assignments and deadlines creeping around the corner, but our primary … Continue reading Interview & Review with School Life Director,┬áNeasa N├¡ Chian├íin┬áand Co-Director/Producer,┬áDavid Rane

Interview & Review with Chicken director Joe Stephenson

Heart-warming, emotionally captivating and equal parts darkness and light, Joe StephensonÔÇÖs feature debut film Chicken is, conversely to the title, not solely about farm animals. Originally a play by Freddie Machin, it follows Richard (Scott Chambers), an optimistic and sunny teenage boy living in a caravan with his volatile brother Polly (Morgan Watkins), dealing with both PollyÔÇÖs changeable moods and his own undiagnosed learning difficulties. … Continue reading Interview & Review with Chicken director Joe Stephenson

Spoiler Review: Game of Thrones finale

Game of Thrones series 7 was shorter in length to what weÔÇÖre used to, but in usual Game of Thrones styley, there were quite a number of twists and turns (n family lovinÔÇÖ between Ice and Fire). We had brutal deaths, zombie dragons and the collapse of the Great Wall. Our wonderful Quench contributors wrote their thoughts on the finale and the series in general: … Continue reading Spoiler Review: Game of Thrones finale

Review: The Hitman’s Bodyguard

The HitmanÔÇÖs Bodyguard is the new action-comedy film by director Patrick Hughes, whose previous pictures can be counted on one hand by a person missing three fingers: Red Hill (me neither) and The Expendables 3 (yes, they really did make three). The film stars Ryan Reynolds as Michael Bryce, a disgraced security contractor who must escort his arch-nemesis, hitman Darius Kincaid, played by Samuel L. … Continue reading Review: The Hitman’s Bodyguard

How Great is the new ‘Great British Bake Off’?

The move of our beloved Great British Bake Off from BBC to Channel 4 had sparked outcry, social media riots and branding the once-adored-by-many Paul Hollywood into the biggest snake that ever was. We said goodbye to British sweetheart Mary Berry, goodbye to the hilarious duo Mel and Sue, and goodbye to the Beeb. We didn’t quite welcome the news with open arms, it must … Continue reading How Great is the new ‘Great British Bake Off’?

Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them After the CGI shambles of ÔÇÿThe HobbitÔÇÖ, the endless swathe of Marvel and DC releases, and the largely likeable ÔÇÿStar WarsÔÇÖ sequel, the Harry Potter franchise made its lurch into the age of the reboot this week with ÔÇÿFantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemÔÇÖ. J.K. Rowling had so far focused only on a narrow sliver of the … Continue reading Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Veronica Mars’ Journey To The Silver Screen

ThereÔÇÖs a school reunion going on and you just got invited. You might have not really liked her, but that was the a key foundation of the success of Veronica Mars ÔÇô the teenage detective that kept company to most people post the high school. We meet Veronica (Kristen Bell) during her first year in Neptune High California, popular and happy. She was also dating … Continue reading Veronica Mars’ Journey To The Silver Screen

Marvel vs. DC

Marvel. DC. The two biggest publishers in the comic book industry; their rivalry stretches back for years, but recently that rivalry has evolved and transgressed over to two other mediums: film and TV. With the dramatic rise of popularity in the comic book movie a new, multi-billion dollar platform has opened up for the big two to compete in. Yet film is not the only … Continue reading Marvel vs. DC

Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is perhaps Marvel StudiosÔÇÖ most intricately crafted film yet. The set-up is straightforward enough: ┬áCap and Black Widow are working for Nick Fury when S.H.I.E.L.D. comes under attack. Unsure of whom, if anyone, to trust, they must uncover a hidden threat before it destroys them all. The film not only serves as a strong follow-up to CapÔÇÖs first outing, Captain … Continue reading Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The Musketeers: “Knight Takes Queen” Review

Warning! Spoilers follow Hardly any spoilers are possible for the main plot of an episode called ÔÇÿKnight Takes QueenÔÇÖ, knowing the premise from last weekÔÇÖs preview: some of the Musketeers, Aramis included, are besieged in a convent, trying to protect the young Queen Anne. We already know, from previous not too subtle hints, that she has a weak spot for him, and Santiago Cabrera had … Continue reading The Musketeers: “Knight Takes Queen” Review