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Review of the Netflix Series”The House of Guinness”

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is rare that I get to review something Ireland-related, but this is one of those times. A pint of Guinness and the famous brewery are synonymous with Ireland, nearly as much as the Catholic Church, GAA, and the Irish language.

The doors to the brewery are iconic. I’m sure all native Dubliners would know their location.

This series is a work of fiction, inspired by real events. Set in the 1880s, following the lives of the grandchildren of the founder of the brewery after the death of their father. It was created by the same people as “Peaky Blinders”.

The scenes of old Georgian Dublin are quite simply mesmerizing. It is recognizable, and yet so different. Unfortunately, much of Georgian and old Viking Dublin was later demolished. It captures Ireland and Irish people well, but there are times when it’s easy to tell the pure fiction.

An example is the opening fight scene at a funeral. That would never happen – Irish people love funerals, much better to silently say poisonous mutterings. It wouldn’t make for great TV, though, except as comedy, perhaps.

Anthony Boyle delivers a standout performance as Arthur Guinness, portrayed as a cunning, intelligent, and fierce individual. He happens to be gay, a criminal offence of a grave nature at the time, which adds to the intrigue.

This is a great drama. If you have Netflix, watch it tonight. If not, get it tomorrow.

Five stars out of five from me.

Distant Love (Part 35)

Timothy found himself lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling once more. He is due back at work within the hour, but is having difficulty processing what has happened.

Maeve’s family was involved in drugs. How did she not know? It was a large ship, though.

Arguments continue back and forth in his mangled mind.

He thinks back to that time, many years ago, when he considered ending it all. He had been told the week before by a serious-looking consultant decked out in white attire that nanotechnology would not be able to make him walk again. It had been a shock to find out that he’s part of a rare breed whose body turns on the nanonites. The emotional toil took time to build, but then exploded.

Maeve had been there for him, apparently sensitive to his despair even if he never told her exactly why. Hour after hour of mindless chatter helped him through those dark times.

It’s my turn to help her.

An idea springs to mind. His adoptive Mum left him a ship. He could leave the lunar system with her. Looking up the current position of La Madame, the final pieces of a possible plan fall into place.

Distant Love (Part 34)

His wheels clank as he goes down a bump, his surroundings becoming less wheelchair friendly. Taking a left, then a right.

I’ll have to turn around if things get worse. A big step and I’m goosed.

He hears chatter coming around the next corner, where he is met by two armed, stern-faced men. A chill goes down Derek’s spine. They are decked out in the attire of the Drugs and Firearms Force. All red with the insignia of the sun on their helmet.

The taller one grimaces, “What are you doing here? This is a restricted area.”

Timothy replies, “I wish to speak to the crew of the crashed ship.”

“No chance, off with you.”

Deflated, Derek starts to wheel around, but stops on hearing a door open behind the men.

Maeve’s Mum is being led out. On seeing Derek, she tries to break free of the two further guards with her, “Save Maeve, Derek. She didn’t know anything, save my baby girl.”

For a brief moment, their eyes meet. Derek sees the fear as tears roll down her face. He shouts out, “I’ll save her.”

She is dragged away in the opposite direction.

Derek wheels away, unsure what to do next.

September writing update

My dear readers, I do hope life is good. These are exciting times for my writing and this website. Shortly, the website will pass two thousand views with a quarter of the year still to go. This will be the first time it has passed this milestone in a calendar year.

For some background, the limited research I have done suggests that you would need approximately twenty-four thousand views to generate a modest income. Yes, I’m still a long way off, but not as much as I was.

I am now regularly getting visitors from Google searches. Even Bing is sending the odd person my way. This has the capacity to grow exponentially in the future. Interestingly, most of my visitors are now from the US.

Other positive news is that as of today, I now have two thousand, two hundred followers on Bluesky. Bluesky is becoming integral to my overall strategy. The fact that I can now generate AI images to go with posts is of great assistance. It makes them more appealing to click on, I reckon.

Much slower growth on Twitter – ninety-three followers now. I’m wondering if I should go premium, but I haven’t decided yet.

On the writing front, this is my update on each major project.

Wheelchair Wars – Final draft is close to completion. Hope it will be finished by Christmas. I will try to get it traditionally published, but failing that, I will self-publish in the new year.

Pegasus – Work has yet to start on the second draft.

A compilation of romantic short stories – On its second draft.

Long distance Love – I’m enjoying writing this story, and it has some way to go yet.

There will also be more book/TV/film reviews in the months ahead.

Thanks for all your support.

Distant Love (Part 33)

Derek opens the door and wheels in. The walls of the small room are a blue hue, and contain little except for Maeve, a nondescript table, and two chairs.

At the sight of him, Maeve’s face lights up. Her eyes are as red as her long hair. Rising from her chair, she flings her arms around him, holding him tightly. She sobs, “Oh, Derek, I’m in big trouble.”

“What’s wrong? Why have they not released you?”

She pulls back from him. “At first, they said something about maintenance and taxes not being paid, but then they started saying that we’ve been transporting drugs from Earth to lunar orbit all this time. I can’t believe it, they said drugs were found on board.”

Derek frowns. “Drugs? That’s an automatic life sentence!”

Maeve looks back to where she was sitting. “They are saying it was K-pop ninety-nine. What am I going to do??” Her eyes focus on his.

Holding up his hands. “I am going to get you out of this?”

“How?”

“I don’t know yet, but trust me, okay?”

She nods, “I do.”

“I have to go now, but I’ll be back.”

Derek wheels out of the room. His arms suddenly felt tiring from the exertion. There was no point in going back to where he came from. So, he turned in the other direction and pressed onwards.

Distant Love (Part 32)

As Derek wheels onwards, he feels a whish of cool air pass over his face. No reason to panic, but still unusual on a space station with environmental controls.

The corridor comes to a halt with a left and right turn.

Right time, lucky I hope.

He turns right and goes fifty meters.

A guard appears before him, a rifle resting on his shoulder. They both smile.

“Matt, is that you?”

” No way, Derek. You are last person I expected to meet down here. Been a few years since we did that course on managing space landings. You got a job out of it anyway, eh.”

Derek nodded. “I sure did. Doing that course was the best thing I ever did. And that is the truth. What are you doing down here?”

Matt smirks. “Nothing much to be honest. I’m guarding a woman. Maeve is her name. Her family is in some of trouble with the authorities. Not looking good for her at all. What brings you down this way?”

Despite feeling queasy Derek replies, “Maeve does. She’s sort of my girlfriend. I need to see her. Remember that favor you owe me?”

“Ya dirty dog you. And bringing that up after all those years!” Matt shakes his head and open the door. “Go on! Be quick.”

Distant Love (Part 31)

Derek sat up at the side of the side and pulled his wheelchair closer before transferring onto it in one sweeping, elegant movement.

“Guess, I’ll see you on the next shift?” Nathalia says with a smile.

Looking up, Derek replies, “Yes, and thanks, Nat, for checking up on me.”

“Anytime. You’re like all men. A bit silly at times. Need direction.”

Derek laughs, “Go on, I’ll see you again soon.”

She walks out of his room.

They must be holding Maeve on one of the lower levels. I hope she’s okay. She should have been my priority, not feeling sorry for myself.

On exiting his room, he notices that everyone he passes gives him a smile. The mother, with her child, the middle-aged man, and the man nearing retirement.

Nat wasn’t joking.

He reaches the translucent elevator and presses the button for the second lowest floor, for that is the floor where prisoners are rumored to be kept.

Only for Maeve, I wouldn’t go anywhere near this floor.

The elevator begins its descent. The lunar surface is soon invisible in the distance, replaced by darkness.

It stops, and Derek wheels out. It doesn’t resemble any of the other levels. There is a narrow metallic corridor. There are no people, and no sign of any doors. He turns left and determines to find out more.

Distant Love (Part 30)

Derek lies fully dressed in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Hours have passed, and nothing from Maeve.

Was I just fooling myself? Why would a girl like her want anything to do with me? She could get someone who actually walks. I was a fool.

He turns to lie on his side.

No, there was a real connection. I didn’t just imagine it all.

A tear drops onto his pillow.

There is a knock on his door. It can only be Natasha. Everybody else would send him a voice message, but she’s old school.

Derek says, “Open door”. The door opens, and Natasha walks in. “What are you doing in here? Everybody is out here calling you a hero and saying what a great guy you are. It’s making me a bit sick, to be honest. They don’t have you tormenting them in the morning.”

“Maeve hasn’t contacted me, Tash. No chatter since she saw the chair.”

Natasha frowns. “It’s nothing to do with the chair, ya twat. She’s under investigation for safety violations. And even if she had a problem with it, lots of other girls wouldn’t. No reason to go all depressive.”

Derek feels a weight lift off his chest. His heart beats faster. “I’d better go see if she’s okay.”

Narasha shakes her head. “Well, it’s better than moping around in here, I suppose.”

Fast Cars and Star Power: Reviewing Sonny Hayes’ Racing Journey in F1 The Movie

Hello, dear readers, this is my review of a gem I watched during the week. I can still smell the oil and hear the roars of the engines. This is a testosterone-filled, macho film. It’s like being transported back to the eighties.

It is directed by Joseph Kosinski and stars the legendary Brad Pitt, who plays Sonny Hayes.

Sonny Hayes loves to race, regardless of the vehicle. He is called in to a failing F1 team as the last roll of the dice. He is an unlikely choice given his age and the fact that his first stint as an F1 driver was somewhat of a disaster.

The driving scenes in this film are incredible and set it apart. Brad Pitt is Brad Pitt, enigmatic, charming with sex appeal. It being 2025, the love interest is a forty-something racing director played by Kerry Condon with an unforgettably strong Irish accent. She has been warned that Sonny has had a few ex-wives, but let’s be honest, that would never stop her.

Sonny’s racing partner is a young black man with a great career ahead who just needs a bit of direction. The older white guy-young black guy is now something of a trope in films. It’s never a young white guy anymore. Such is life. The part is capable played by Adamson Alade-Bo “Damson” Idris. His character lacks any real depth, though, and just sets up Brad Pitt nicely.

He saves the team. It was never in doubt.

I give it four stars out of five. However, if you like fast cars, read my lips – You must watch this film. Whatever it takes.

Till next time..

And I’d love to hear back from you all. Have you seen it? Do you agree with my review?

The American Dream: A Grandfather’s Last Rodeo

I know what people are going to say. What is wrong with Mark these days watching sloppy films such as The Last Rodeo? I thought he was cool.

Don’t worry everybody, I’m still cool. It was just the strange mood I was in. But I have to say, this is a really good film. If I had something other than stone for a heart, I might even have got teary eyed at times.

I’d argue that the central theme of this film is intergenerational love. A grandfather’s love for his grandson and the love of a father for his daughter. The first few scenes establish the warmth in the grandfather (Neal McDonough) grandson (Mykelti Williamson) relationship. Things turn a bit more frosty when the daughter/mother shows up. She doesn’t want the young lad to become a rodeo, it seems she has the only brain cells in the family.

Things take a dark turn when it’s discovered that the grandson has a brain tumor that requires an immediate operation costing a lot of dosh. So much dosh, it will bankrupt the family. And no, European, the solution is not universal healthcare.

The grandfather needs to rodeo again, and win, of course!

It’s the American dream! Despite his old age and infirmity, it’s a go!

What follows is lovely, heartwarming story about love, and the will to win. Except, he comes second. I think they knew they could only get people to suspend realism so much. It’s okay, the rodeo competitors all chip in and the boy is saved.

This film gets four stars out of five for me.