If you’re a fan of horror movies (and at this time of year, who isn’t?) then Dublin is the place to be this weekend with two festivals bringing fright flicks to the big screen.
Horrorthon takes place in the Irish Film Institute from Thursday 24th to Monday 28th with no less than 35 films due to be screened, many for the first time in Ireland. Along with classics like Night of the Living Dead, The Mummy and Army of Darkness, the festival will play host to the Irish debuts of critically acclaimed new releases including cannibal drama We Are What We Are, Israeli revenge thriller Big Bad Wolves and the festival’s annual highlight, the Sunday evening surprise screening, the identity of which is heavily debated for weeks beforehand by Dublin’s horror fans. More info here: http://www.ifi.ie/horrorthon
If classic vampire movies are your thing then Temple Bar’s Meeting House Square is where you’ll find the film aspect of this year’s Bram Stoker Festival. Movies such as The Monster Squad, the classic 1931 version of Dracula and Hammer’s Brides of Dracula will play on the big outdoor screen from Saturday through Monday. More info here: http://www.bramstokerfestival.com/
If you’re of a more nervous disposition and avoid horror movies then the pick of this week’s new releases is The Selfish Giant, a gritty but charming British drama that sees two young boys from a tough Bradford estate become embroiled in the illegal scrap trade. The film contains some of the best performances you’ll see all year, made all the more remarkable by the fact that most of its cast, including the two young leads, had no previous acting experience. Also opening is Closed Circuit, a bland conspiracy thriller that feels more at home on TV and Enders Game, a sci-fi romp that made this writer feel like he was watching a kid play a video game for two hours (not recommended then).
Image: Conner Chapman in a scene from The Selfish Giant
By Eric Hillis
