Category Movie Trivia
GlasyWOOD – Glasgow on Film
Glasgow is a fantastic city. If you have not had the privilege to visit it you will have no doubt had the opportunity to see it. Thanks to 19th century urban planning much of the city resembles the ‘grid system’ of American cities such as New York and Philadelphia. Throw in a cracking selection of […]
Return to Middle Earth
The author reflects on their recent trip to New Zealand’s North Island, exploring filming locations for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, including Hobbiton and Mount Ngauruhoe. They highlight the beauty and magic of these sites and detail their experiences, including a birthday celebration at Hobbiton’s Shires Rest Cafe.
Ireland in Film: Rebel County Studios
Cork City has gained attention as a filming location for several renowned movies. “The Young Offenders” and “Angela’s Ashes” utilized various city sites, while “The First Great Train Robbery” shot at Kent Station. “Strength and Honour” featured Kinsale and Passage West, and “Moby Dick” used Youghal as a stand-in for New Bedford. Unfortunately, the film “Divine Rapture” faced production issues in East Cork.
Ireland in Film: Into the West
In 1951, the movie “The Quiet Man” showcased the verdant land of the west of Ireland, marking a significant milestone for the film industry in Ireland. With iconic scenes shot in the village of Cong and Maam Cross, the movie captured America’s heart and left a lasting impact. Similarly, other films like “The Guard” and “Calvary,” set in picturesque Irish locations, continued to showcase the beauty of the region. Additionally, notable films like “Leap Year” and “Irish Wish” have utilized the stunning landscapes of Ireland, including the Cliffs of Moher, as captivating backdrops for their stories. The dramatic beauty of these natural landmarks has also been featured in popular films such as “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince,” “The Princess Bride,” and the Father Ted TV series.
IF ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE PART 3
New Zealand’s natural beauty has attracted numerous filmmakers, making it a popular destination for filming. From rural towns in Maine to barren fantasy landscapes, locations like Puhoi, Tongariro National Park, and Queenstown have served as backdrops for various movies. Notable films shot in New Zealand include “Willow,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “Alien: Covenant,” “Mission Impossible: Fallout,” and “Pete’s Dragon.” The country’s enchanting scenery has also captivated viewers in movies like “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey.”
Ode to the Orpheum
The Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne, Sydney, is a true gem. Opened in 1935, it fell into decline before being restored to its former glory. The theater hosts unique events like Q&A sessions with film icons. It also features regular midnight screenings and embraces cult classics like “The Room”. Beyond movies, it hosts comedy festivals and music events, making it a must-visit in Sydney for any film enthusiast.
Tales from the Sydney backlot…
Sydney is a town where movies are made. Either as a setting IRL or it casts itself as an imaginary setting – from Metropolis to Angel Grove, Japan to the Matrix itself. With the largest movie production studio in the Southern Hemisphere combining with a rich talent pool of actors, actresses, directors and production crew […]
If All The World’s A Stage Part 2…
Continuing on from the last post. One of my favourite Martial Arts movies was partly filmed in Bangkok. 1989s Kickboxer star Jean Claude Van Damme (JCVD) as Kurt Sloane. The action begins with Jean Claude in Bangkok to act as the cornerman for his brother Eric (played by former World Kickboxing Champion Dennis Alexio) upcoming […]
Adventures in Middle-Earth
“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” Bilbo Baggins, The Felowship of the Ring My first foray into the lore of Middle Earth was in 1996. JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit was on the […]
The Stopover Who Loved Me
Some last minute logistics meant that Karen would fly home a different route from John back to Sydney. Karen’s Journey went smoothly. No delays, connections made, back before she knew what hit her. John’s Journey? Well that’s a little tale all in itself. EI-175 is one of Aer Lingus’s busier routes. It connect Dublin International […]
Two Let Loose on Cockatoo
“Hey! Where shall we go today?”, asked Karen. “It’s a nice day so we could go to Manly/Bondi/Balmoral/Northern Beaches?” replied John “Nah. Just grab your Opal card and the Go-Pro and let’s go explore…” The day began, as many do in Sydney, on a ferry. Karen’s idea was to go visit Cockatoo Island and have […]
Star Wars: Sydney Awakens!
Thursday afternoon and the sun is shining. In a happening city like Sydney there is always something going on… Last week it was a Fan Event for Star Wars VI: The Force Awakens at no less a venue as the Opera House steps!! All credit goes to Adam Fernandes for passing on the tickets (begrudgingly […]
If all the World’s a stage….
… Then Thailand is its Movie Studio and Bangkok, in particular, Sound Stage 1. Bangkok has provided the setting, background and magic for many movies over the years. Either as its genuine self or as a stand in for Phnom Penh, Saigon and Hanoi. I have decided to highlight a few movies that I have […]
North West Frontier
For many years I used to spend a couple of weeks at my granny’s house in Tipperary. It was here that I gained my love of World War 2 history through the various movies we would watch together. We saw them all dozens of times but the magic was always the same. We even had […]
Little Bhaktapur
Sorry I have fallen behind with these. When we were in Bhaktapur (Nepal), we witnessed a film crew shooting some scenes for some local production. This jarred a memory from the previous year….. Sitting in the living room of our apartment in Greenwich with Karen’s Aunt Rez (visiting from Brussels), when she told us of […]
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