Cinema - Thurles Information

Death Of “The Irish R.M.” Star Peter Bowles.

Actor Peter Bowles in the role of
Major Sinclair Yeates, **in *“The Irish R.M.”* [1983–1985]**

Star of “The Irish R.M.”, and author Mr Peter Bowles has sadly died from cancer, yesterday March 16th, at the age of 85 years.
The actor whose career began with RADA at the Old Vic is survived by wife of some 60 years Sue, together with his three children Guy, Adam and Sasha.

The well-known and much loved charismatic actor of stage and screen will possibly be best remembered, playing the character of ‘Mr Richard DeVere’, starring opposite Penelope Keith as ‘Ms Margo Leadbetter’, in the smash-hit sitcom, “To The Manor Born”, which saw audiences of some 20 million viewers during its twenty-one episodes.

Starting his career at the Old Vic Theatre in 1956, he starred in 45 theatrical productions retiring at the age of 81 in “The Exorcist” at the Phoenix Theatre, having worked consistently on stage and screen, as the typical English gent, wearing a trademark moustache, in the British sitcoms including, “Only When I Laugh”, “The Bounder” and the TV drama “Lytton’s Diary”, which he devised himself.

From 1958 – 2021, Mr Bowles starred in some 42 films and well over 100 Television series, as well as receiving awards & honours including: – RADA Scholarship (1954); Madge Kendal Prize (1955); ITV Personality of the Year (1983); Male Comedy Star Award (1983); The Golden Gate Award (San Francisco International Film Festival, 1993) and an Hon. Doctor of Letters (Nottingham Trent University, 2002).

His book titles include the autobiography: “Ask Me if I’m Happy” and “Behind the Curtain: The Job of Acting”.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

LIT Student Is People’s Choice At Smedia Awards 2021.

President of LIT Professor Vincent Cunnane has congratulated third year LIT Creative Broadcast and Film Production student Ms Alyssa Fleming who won the People’s Choice Award at the Smedia Awards 2021, with her film “The Daily Grind“.

The Daily Grind (Short Film) from alyssamfleming on Vimeo.

“Winning a National Student Media Award – or Smedia – in any year is a great achievement, but to create an award-winning film during a time when our movements were limited due to a global pandemic is particularly significant. Alyssa and her fellow students have shown great determination, creativity and resolve to create such excellent work despite the Covid-19 restrictions,” said Professor Cunnane.

“I would like to congratulate Alyssa on her success and acknowledge the work of her fellow creative broadcast student Matt Murphy, who expertly edited the winning film The Daily Grind. Credit must also go to the LIT teaching staff, who continue to teach, encourage and inspire the next generation of broadcasters and film makers.”

Ms Nora Ní Fhlathárta, Programme Leader, Creative Broadcast & Film Production congratulated the Smedia People Choice Award winner, while also paying tribute to LIT’s Laura Mannix, the first-year student of Creative Broadcast, who was nominated for the Short Animation of the Year award

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic many students had to restructure their original film plans so as to adhere to Government health guidelines. However, all was not lost as sometimes, having to restructure allowed students to embrace formats they might never have considered. Troubleshooting is part and parcel of film making and we are so proud of all our film students who have created a diverse and unique range of film and audio projects this year,” she said.

Alyssa Fleming’s award-winning film tells the story of a stressed coffee shop owner who pushes her eccentric staff for ideas to save the business during lockdown.

Speaking following receiving her Smedia award, Alyssa said, “I’m very grateful to everyone who voted for The Daily Grind and I am also very grateful to my actors and Matt Murphy for editing the piece. Making a film during lockdown was tough, but the final product is something that I am very proud of.”

Top 5 Family Favourite Easter Movies.

Movie night has become a family favourite in Co. Tipperary homes throughout lockdown and thanks to online streaming services we can now access thousands of movies in seconds.

It wasn’t always like that. Those of us that remember the 1980s will recall having to rent a VHS player from the old “Movie Club” video rental shop on Kickham Street , here in Thurles, to watch a movie on a big black VHS cassette. Not only that, but many’s the time you had to wait weeks for your turn to rent your favourite movie because the shop only had a limited number of copies.

How times have changed? As of August 2020, it was estimated that 550,000 Irish people were subscribed to Netflix alone, with thousands also subscribed to Disney+ and Amazon Prime.

There’s no doubt, but watching your favourite movie has never been so easy. Given the time of year it is; here are 5 family movie favourites perfect for the Easter holidays. Some are around so long a few of our readers might even have rented them from that old “Movie Club” video shop back in the day!

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, (1971, rated U) available to stream on Netflix.
Peter Rabbit, (2012, rated U) available to stream on Netflix.
Alice in Wonderland, (1951, rated 0+) available to stream on Disney+.
Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade, (2016, rated 0+) available to stream on Disney+.
Hop, (2011, rated All) available to stream on Amazon Prime

“Last Duel” Begins Filming In Cahir Castle, Tipperary

**Pictured L-R: Ben Affeck, Matt Damon, Jodie Comer & Adam Driver**.

Yesterday, actors Matt Damon and Ben Affeck began filming their new movie in Cahir Castle here in Co. Tipperary.

The famous Hollywood actors are filming “The Last Duel”, directed by Ridley Scott, using several locations across Ireland, in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Tipperary.
Cahir Castle currently remains ‘out of bounds’ for tourists; having been booked by the filming company for the next few weeks.

Based on the book ‘The Last Duel’ by Eric Jager; the film is set in Medieval France, and its story is of an epic tale of betrayal and justice. with King Charles VI declaring that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel.

Obviously, people visiting the town of Cahir will be hoping to catch a glimpse of the actors in the days ahead.

The “Last Duel” also stars the lovely Ms Jodie Comer, who holds the lead role in “Killing Eve”. Ms Comer also played the role of Ivy Bolton in the television presentation of “Lady Chatterley’s Lover”.
Also featuring in this production is acclaimed actor Adam Driver of “Star Wars” fame. Latter you will remember played the role of the villain ‘Kylo Ren’ in “The Rise of Skywalker”.

Coronavirus, Explained

A new series ‘Coronavirus, Explained’ has just begun, today Sunday April 26th, 2020; featured on Netflix, and must now be made essential viewing for everyone on our planet.

The first short episode in the series, explains how the coronavirus become a global pandemic in the first place, changing life as we know it today; and pointing out the necessity and importance for social distancing.

Interviewed medical experts and data made available in this first episode in the series provides a clear, informative overview of COVID-19 and what we know and continue to learn about this virus to-date.

When messed with ‘Mother Nature’ becomes the ultimate bioterrorist

The series narrated by J. K. Simmons, also explores various topics around the subject, while discussing the efforts to halt it.

This excellent American made, limited series, documentary is produced by Vox, which brought us ‘The Mind, Explained’ and ‘Sex, Explained’, is a spin-off of the television series ‘Explained’.

To locate on Netflix; type Coronavirus, Explained into the provided Search Panel, and dare we state, where possible, get your teenage family members to watch.