A Star is Born - 3rd times a charm!

Ooops, I did it again.  And again!

Within the space of 3 weekends I saw Lady Gaga's new movie "A Star is Born" three times. I loved it when I saw it first and I can honestly say I love it even more after seeing it for the third time.

Lady Gaga is electric when she makes her appearance on Jackson Maine's stage and Bradley Cooper is brilliantly believable as hard drinking Jack Maine in the twilight of his career.

The story is is a beautiful love story (this is the 4th retelling with Kris Kristofferson and Barbara Streisand in the 1970's version) - but bring tissues!

The main thing about this film that I loved was the music. Most of it was written for the movie and if it doesn't win an Oscar for best music I will be even more annoyed than when La La Land didn't win best picture.....but best not mention this as I still feel for the La La Land crew on this one.

So obviously I highly recommend this film but I say don't go once, plan to go 2 or 3 times to really enjoy the experience!

Cruising prep!

We met up with our Sailing Crew yesterday evening to go over the plans for our big trip to the Caribbean.

It's all terribly exciting with not long to go now. Look at the concentration on all of our faces.....except for me - I was having selfie time!

Today I bought some gloves for the crew. It will be way windier than past trips to Europe so the Captain reckons gloves will be necessary. I bought a pair during the Summer and I find them to be brilliant - an essential piece of kit.

London BABY!

To say we are busy with Ciaran's art is an understatement!

At the moment we are busy prepping for The Other Art Fair in London. We have lots of arrangements to make which we are currently working on. 

Flights and accommodation are booked. The next step is for the final selection to be made about which pieces to bring. Once the final selection is confirmed shipping will need to be set up. 

This is a new piece that is definitely making the cut and will be making its way to the London Art Show. It's called "The Extra-Ordinary Crucified for You"

So although it is busy, busy, busy it is also terribly exciting and it is great to  introduce Pigsy to the UK market in London!

Oh and did I mention that we are putting the band back together! It will be Pigsy, myself and Amy all back together selling art - the dream team!

And that's another thing I need to do - I have to order Amy and I new t-shirts. Identical twins wearing identical clothes - what's not to like?!

These pics are from Ciaran's last show in Fumbally Exchange which was an incredible success - we intend to replicate this success again in London. 

So if you are in London over the 4-7th of Oct do call in and see us at The Other Art Fair - click on to Ciaran's blog for info about complimentary tickets. 

Bristol here we come! (Bristol Independent Film Festival)

Bristol BABY!

"Pigsy" the movie by Mike Andrews and featuring Ciaran will be next screened at the Bristol Independent Film Festival in the Everyman Theatre.

We are all set! I've booked the flights from Ireland, booked a hotel and also booked a Banksy walking tour on the morning we arrive.

Check out the trailer for the documentary below and watch out for  a full report mid September when we return from the film festival.




Pigsy will be screened on the Saturday afternoon at 4.40pm in the Everyman Theatre, Bristol

Edit - PIGSY Art movie is now available online

Spike Lee's "Blackkklansman"

We went to see Blackkklansman on Sunday evening in the Omniplex Rathmines.

The cinema was packed - we booked a few hours beforehand and I got seats in the middle to the side. I saw some of the audience in the front row looking up to the back for spare seats that they could move to.

At the end of the film there was dead silence. I think I was actually holding my breath. It was scary and tense and honestly I despair for the USA right now. 

This is a must see movie and it is a reminder that we always must stand up against racism.

We got new wardrobes!

Worth the wait!

We got new wardrobes in our spare room.  They are double height and huge. I straightaway filled them with Winter coats, Summer clothes and suitcases.

The wardrobes were designed by Ciaran and built and installed by Dean Cooper of Dean Cooper & Co. 

Our kitchen and bar are also Dean Cooper originals - we are building quite the collection of Dean Cooper furniture!

Check out the knobs. They are be Buster & Punch. The detail on them is incredible.

The drawers move so smoothly. You can certainly feel the quality.

The general theme of this room is grey so the new wardrobes complement the wall paper perfectly and we even have a blanket on the bed that is the exact colour of the wardrobes.

I am beyond happy with these new closets......next big job is to get a handrail for the glass stairs - watch this space!

Mamma Mia - Here we go again! And Again!

Arrangements were made last week to go see Mamma Mia 2 in the glorious Stella with Amy & Alice. 

We had a great night! We LOVED the show!
For Amy and Alice it was a first time visit to the Stella and they adored the place and the ambiance. We had not been to the cinema together in ages (last time was in the Tropic in Key West back in November - and that movie theatre is quite special too) so it was nice to choose a unique theatre for our meet up. 

So after enjoying the film so much, Amy and I decided to go again! We went to a 5pm showing in the Omniplex in a lovely big screening room - not quite the Stella but very comfortable indeed.

Watching a movie for the second time at the cinema is to be recommended. I caught so much more of the story in the second viewing probably due to being overawed by all of the singing and sights (Hello, Young Bill Anderson!) in the first viewing.

Anyway here is the full song list for the movie - I can't decide if my favourite songs were "Andante Andante" or "I've been waiting for you" Certainly the scene was incredible when "I've been waiting for you" was played. I don't want to give away spoilers but let's just say it is life changing for Donna - for me this was one of the best scenes in the movie.

1. "When I Kissed the Teacher" – Young Donna and the Dynamos, Vice-Chancellor
2. "I Wonder (Departure)" – Young Donna and the Dynamos
3. "One of Us" – Sophie, Sky
4. "Waterloo" – Young Harry, Young Donna
5. "Why Did It Have to Be Me?" – Young Bill, Young Donna, Young Harry
6. "I Have a Dream" – Young Donna
7. "Kisses of Fire" – Lazaros
8. "Andante, Andante" – Young Donna
9. "The Name of the Game" – Young Donna
10. "Knowing Me, Knowing You" – Young Donna, Young Sam
11. "Mamma Mia" – Young Donna and the Dynamos
12. "Angel Eyes" – Rosie, Tanya, Sophie
13. "Dancing Queen" – Sophie, Rosie, Tanya, Sam, Bill, Harry
14. "I've Been Waiting for You" – Sophie, Rosie, Tanya
15. "Fernando" – Ruby, Fernando
16. "My Love, My Life" – Young Donna, Donna, Sophie
17. "Super Trouper" – Ruby, Donna, Rosie, Tanya, Sophie, Sky, Sam, Bill, Harry, Fernando, Young Donna, Young Rosie, Young Tanya, Young Bill, Young Sam, Young Harry
18. "The Day Before You Came" – Donna

A big mention has to go to Lily James - what a fantastic performance. I had only seen her in Baby Driver previously but in this film she is spectacular and puts in an electric performance. This movie is worth watching for her alone.....but of course there are lots of other great performers too. 

So don't go "Andante Andante" to your nearest movie theatre, just go there with haste and catch Mamma Mia - Here we go again - it's the feel good movie of the Summer of 2018!