Monday's Moments - 8/10

Happy Monday one and all, I'm pleased to announce that Moments are back where they should be - kicking the ass of Monday Blues. It's been another busy one at Casa Cherry this week with movie screenings and events but this weekend has been one of the most chilled I've had in aeons. Next weekend is sure to make up for that though with the trip to London with the Sis, I'm super excited for that. Are we ready to start? 

1. That's Fabbo News! 

I'd a pretty amazing mail from Dinah from the iFabbo group last week. She was writing to tell me that I've made their Top 50 International Bloggers to Watch & Learn From!! I'm hugely appreciative and thrilled that they've chosen CherrySue to be part of the group, given that there's so much choice and talent when it comes to blogging these days, especially if you consider blogs from the world over. 

I've been pretty much chuffed all weekend at the thought and can't wait until October 11th to see what fabulous company I'm in. 

2. Autumnal TV

Moment two is actually a series of moments (series, geddit?) it's realising that pretty much all of my favourite shows are back as of this week. I still can't talk about my upset at the goings on on Sons of Anarchy but Dexter is back and as good as ever. Criminal Minds has started back and Revenge, the cheesiest show known to man gracing our monitors once more, as mozarella filled as ever. Also, the biggie is back next week, The Walking Dead. 

There's one thing I don't mind about letting go of Summer and that's the kick ass autumn shows. 

3. By All Means, Freak Out. 

2 Mad Maggies

That's Orla & Aoife up there, my crazy nieces. They're the giggliest, loveliest little girls you could meet but not everyone seems to think so. The girls are twins you see and apparently some people don't like that. 

When we were in the shopping centre last week, we were waiting on the lift doors to close when a young looking (20ish) Poindexter stood in. He took one look at us then at the girls and said 'Oh Jesus, twins in lifts freak me out'. I'm not sure he meant to say it out loud but we erupted with laughter. So much so that he jabbed the button and got out on the next floor. Was the heartiest we've laughed in a long time. God bless 'im. 

4. VIP Isseh? 

I've made no secret of my love for Origins, I've yet to try a product that hasn't completely blown me away. That's why it was with ridiculous excitement that I opened the mail to tell me I'd been selected as part of the VIP Panel to test some of their products. 

It's been a couple of weeks now and my skin has never looked this good. I'll need to submit reviews to the good folks at Debenhams first, but rest assured I'll be telling you all about these goodies for a while to come. 

5. Easy Like Sunday Morning (and afternoon and evening)

Part of the relaxing weekend I was talking about involved an entire day 'off the grid'. The youngest and I cosied up under my duvet on the couch in our bajamers and spent the entire day watching old Buffy episodes, only pausing them long enough for him to do a snack run. 

I'm usually left to my own devices of a Sunday so it was lovely to have some company but even lovelier to hear him say 'This is nice, Mam, isn't it?'. Sunday bliss right there. 

So tell me, what's going on in your corner of the world? Anything weird, wonderful or just something you'd like to share? I'd love to hear it! 

Have a great week everyone. 

Cherry Pick of the Week - The Coronas - Closer to You

I'll hold up my hands and admit I've never really been a Coronas fan, their sound is a little repetitive for me but this track? I'm loving it. 

There's more than a humm of The Shins from Closer to You and maybe a little Bell X1, two of my favourite bands. 

Tell me, what's been playing on repeat in your noggin this week? 

The Lone Ranger - First Official Trailer

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski, the filmmaking team behind the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, comes Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films' The Lone Ranger. 

I know what you're thinking, that is Helena Bonham Carter wandering round there, I can only assume Tim Burton is hiding under her bushel. 

This looks like a ton of fun, even if they've made sure Tonto won't be able to utter the ' Speak for yourself, pale face' line. Le sigh. 

The Lone Ranger opens in Irish cinemas on August 9th 2013. 

Madagascar Meet & Greet in Dublin!

There's big news for little 'uns and fun for all the family this weekend in Dublin City. 
DreamWorks Animation and Paramount Pictures in assocation with Stephens
Green Centre, Dublin's 98fm and Fossett's Irelands National Circus are to host a very special Madagascar event at Stephen's Green Shopping Centre. 

Alex The Lion and the penguins (my personal favourites) will  be there to  meet and greet you but not only that Fossett's circus artistes will perform led by the infamous
Ringmaster herself Marion Fossett during the day. 

Schedule of events are as follows:

Saturday October 6- 12.30-4pm

Dublins 98fm Thunder Team will be there to join in the fun and you could
win exclusive goodies from Madagascar 3 : Europe's Most Wanted

12.30pm - Alex the Lion and  the penguins will be at the centre to meet
and greet till 3pm. Truth be told I'd pay serious money to meet the 'real' Kowalski, Private, Skipper & Rico. 

12.45pm- Fossets Circus performers enter the centre and will be there
till 4pm.

Sunday October 7- 12-2pm

More of the same mayhem!

Grafton Street is a circus at the weekend at the best of times but if you have smallies that love these guys, then I'd say get in there early and say howdy. Sounds like it'll be a fab event. 

What Richard Did - Movie Review

Who's in it?

 Jack Reynor, Roisin Murphy and Sam Keeley 

What's it About?

Based loosely on Kevin Power's novel Bad Day in Blackrock, Lenny Abrahamson tells the tale  of Richard Karlsen, an 18 year old privileged youngster from the South side of Dublin with a bright future ahead of him until his one senseless action has devastating consequences for all concerned.  

Any Good?

Shot in the leafy suburbs of south Dublin, Wicklow and Brittas Bay, What Richard Did is a credit to cinematographer David Grennon. Although slow burning, the atmosphere and suspense is always there, an undercurrent likely to change as quickly as the summer weather. 

Director, Lenny Abrahamson of Adam and Paul fame has once again captured the essence of a Dublin demographic, this time it's the moneyed youth of the south side, their friendships and their lives insulated from the everyday Irish worries until something goes very wrong. 

It's a credit to writer Malcolm Campbell too to show this group of happy, go lucky well off teens as 'loikable lads' despite the laboured D4 accents and their carefree lifestyle. The entire film feels like a snapshot of how these kids would actually interact with one another and that makes the stark reality of their actions all the more frightening. 

A lot of time is spent focussed on Richard, showing him as the undisputed alpha of the group. He's a born leader but a compassionate and caring friend, looking out for his mates and doling out advice as needed. When his teenage impulses shine through after too much drink at a house party though, events take a turn for the devastating. 

As the drama unfolds, the scenes almost slow down. Richard's yearning to turn back the clock and his struggle to grasp the enormity of what he has done is almost palpable. Jack Reynor is certainly an up and comer to watch. He played the character with intense conviction, so much so that when he showed up to the screening I wanted to slap him but then to hug him too. 

At the Q&A section of our screening I asked Lenny whether he thought if Conor's character was given more screen time before his death if the audience would feel quite so much empathy for Richard. His answer? 'That's a great question.' Very telling in and of itself that he's not making moral judgements or choosing sides here, he's merely giving us a beautifully shot, carefully constructed, terrifying tale for parents of teenagers everywhere. It's an incredible piece of work. 

What Richard Did opens in Irish cinemas today, October 5th. 

Rating: