Here at Virgin Media we’re pretty mad about our movies, so partnering up with the Dublin International Film Festival was the ultimate no-brainer! We know we’re not the only ones who are keen on the big screen either, so in the run-up to the festival we’re singling out some stone-cold classics that any self-respecting film buff needs to see. Some are brand new arrivals, some are contemporary classics; there’s animation, drama, documentary, and plenty in between; there’s homegrown heroics and international treasures too. The one thing they have in common is that you simply must see them all!
ABOUT TIME
Available to rent now on Virgin Movies from €2.99
Long before battling the Republic in Star Wars, our own Domhnall Gleeson was winning our hearts in this sentimental and sincere romance. Playing a man with the ability to time travel – who wishes to use his powers in the pursuit of true love – he stars opposite Rachel McAdams in a movie that’s as warm and fuzzy as a winter duvet!
THE BREADWINNER
Available to rent now on Virgin Movies from €4.99
The Kilkenny-based animation whizzes Cartoon Saloon have won favour around the world with their uncommonly inspired and visually stunning movies – and their latest might just be the pick of the bunch. Telling the story of a young Afghan girl, it garnered their third Oscar nomination earlier this year, and reinforced their position amongst the world’s elite when it comes to delicious drawing!
MAKING THE GRADE
Available to rent now on Virgin Movies from €2.99
Ken Wardrop has long shown a keen eye for spotting interesting documentary subjects, and his newest project shines a light on something a lot of people think of with trepidation – piano lessons! Following students and teachers alike, it’s a delightful movie that might be enough to make you want to tickle the ivories yourself!
ROOM
Available to rent now on Virgin Movies from €2.99
In this country, we’d been telling everyone that would listen of the genius of Lenny Abrahamson; for the rest of the world, this movie left them in no doubt whatsoever! The adaptation of Emma Donohue’s novel earned a raft of award nominations, with Brie Larson walking away with a Best Actress Oscar, and the story of a young family imprisoned in a tiny space remains one of the most memorable of the decade.
THE REVENANT
Available to rent now on Virgin Movies from €2.99
FIlmmaking at its most visceral, Alejandro Iñárritu’s snowbound epic will stay in the mind long after the credits roll. Anchored by an award-winning turn from Leonardo diCaprio, the story of an expedition gone wrong is part western, part survival thriller, and is arresting and captivating in equal measure – this is the epitome of grand scale cinema.
LOCKE
Available to rent now on Virgin Movies from €2.99
If there was ever doubt about Tom Hardy’s abilities as an actor, watching this movie should surely put them to bed – he’s the only one on screen for the entire thing! Taking and making phone calls from his car, it’s proof that a film doesn’t need dramatic scenery, high-octane action or even a multitude of characters to be compelling viewing!
RECOMMENDED BY DIFF...
Available to rent now on Virgin Movies, the following movies come highly commended with a foreword from Grainne Humphreys, Director of the Dublin International Film Festival.
You Were Never Really There
- LYNNE RAMSEY’S LATEST AND BEST FILM IS A LONG TERRIFYING SCREAM OF A FILM – GUTTURAL AND EXTREME WITH A TERRIFYING PERFORMANCE BY JOAQUIN PHOENIX.
Journeyman
- PADDY CONSIDINE’S SECOND FEATURE IS A HEARTFELT AND SOMBRE CHARACTER STUDY, A PERSONAL PROJECT FOR LIFE-LONG BOXING FAN WITH SUPERB SUPPORT FROM JODIE WHITAKER.
Wonderstruck
- TODD HAYNES BEAUTIFULLY RE-CREATES BRIAN SELZNICK’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NOVEL ABOUT TWO CHILDREN FROM TWO DIFFERENT ERAS WHO SECRETLY WISH THEIR LIVES WERE DIFFERENT.
The Breadwinner
- NORA TWOMEY HAS TAKEN A MUCH-LOVED BOOK AND FASHIONED A MAGICAL TALE OF SURVIVAL WITH TRADITIONAL CARTOON SALOON VISUAL FLAIR.
Making the Grade (HD)
- KEN WARDROP’S BEAUTIFULLY-OBSERVED LOOK AT THE WORLD OF PIANO EXAMS.
The Delinquent Season
- MARK O’ROWE’S MUCH ANTICIPATED DEBUT FEATURE IS A BEAUTIFULLY ACTED CHAMBER PIECE ABOUT FOUR ADULTS TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
Free Fire (HD)
BEN WHEATLEY, A DESERTED WAREHOUSE, TWO RIVAL GANGS AND A FEMME FATALE. TOO MANY GUNS AND TOO LITTLE TIME. SIT BACK AND WATCH IT ALL PLAY OUT...
Sing Street
- JOHN CARNEY'S FANTASTIC NEW FILM SIMG STREET IS A BEGUILING PORTRAIT OF '80'S DUBLIN, COMPLETE WITH STONEWASHED JEANS, WILD HAIRCUTS AND A NOSTALGIA FILLED SOUNDTRACK WITH HITS FROM THE CURE, DURAN DURAN,THE POLICE AND GENESIS.
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