Brogue in a Box

M:  Ok, in all honesty, we've watched more than one movie that we presently need to blog about. However, we're feeling a little lazy...and wine-y. Thus, here is a video of cats being jerks. And "speaking" with brogues.  Cheers!

M: We suck...

Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey Broguey-Woguey

J: Okay. It's time. I'm ready. (I think.) I have just finished watching all six seasons (and numerous specials) of the new "Dr. Who," and my god, I think I'm in love. Not just with David Tennant (10 is my favorite Doctor so far, but 11 is definitely giving him a run for his money), but with the whole show. I've been converted, heart and soul, into a Whovian. This is all thanks to my dear friend Lesley (who also introduced me to Tumblr, incidentally), and to her I will be forever grateful.

The 9th Doctor.
Or as I like to say, "Meh."

10. Love of my life even though he's married with
the most beautiful baby you've ever seen.

Let's just start with the basic premise. The Doctor is a Time Lord, the last of his kind, and he travels through the space-time vortex in a spaceship disguised as a blue police box. He is capable of regeneration upon death (hence 10th, 11th, etc.) and often takes a companion with him on his almost-always perilous journeys. The show technically started decades ago, but was revamped in 2005 for a modern generation, and oh, my, am I besotted. As the recent bit is all I've seen, this post will only cover Doctors 9-11.

Number 11. Bowties are cool. Also, I look like Mick Cottin.

Oh, Rose Tyler. You get to kiss 
David Tennant and I totally hate you for it.
No seriously, stop smirking.

Characters, then. The Doctor is silly, caring, protective, loyal, compassionate, humorous, and - above all - British. With the exception of David Tennant (swoon) who is, of course, Scottish, though you wouldn't know it from his beautiful accent. The first Doctor of the modern series, Christopher Eccleston, was not my particular favorite, but I suspect that a reviewing might raise my opinion of him. David Tennant, Doctor Who Extraordinaire, takes over for Seasons 2-4, and finally Matt Smith has brought us to the present with Seasons 5, 6 and 7 (which is about to start!!!). I adore David Tennant for so many reasons, but probably mostly for his excellent hair, wardrobe, and facial expressions. You just sort of implicitly trust the man and believe that no matter what happens, he'll probably sort it out before long. Matt Smith, as previously stated, has grown on me immensely. A much sweeter Doctor than Tennant, he has some similarly impressive goofy chops and never fails to come through in a pinch (I suspect this has more to do with the writing than the acting, but nevertheless...).

I don't like you either, Martha.

Ms. Donna Noble. Earth girl.
Platonic friend and therefore 
tolerable.

Our first companion is Rose Tyler, a spunky, blonde, passionate young woman who always seems to know just want to say to make a scene work. Often seen in the company of Mickey, her sometimes-boyfriend, Rose takes us through Seasons 1, 2, and makes guest appearances in 3 and 4. Martha Jones shows up next, and she's easily my least favorite. She's a bit of a simpering mess too much of the time, though she definitely comes through in the end. Then Donna Noble, who is downright fantastic as the last companion of the 10th Doctor. Clever, confident, snarky, and just altogether a pleasure to watch. Dear friend Lesley has also shared with me some comedy skits that David Tennant and Catherine Tate did outside of the show, and their comedic chemistry is undeniable. At the start of Season 5 we get our first glimpse of the newest (and current) companion, (cue trumpet fanfare) Amelia Pond! She and boyfriend/fiance/husband Rory are probably my very favorite companions so far. She's red-headed, super sassy and Scottish, and Rory is just darling (and devoted and brave, sigh). The team they make with the 11th Doctor is unparalleled, in my opinion, and I just think the show has only improved since it came out back in 2005.

The ever-adorable Ponds.

There are a few foes that appear repeatedly throughout the show, most notably the Daleks, the Cybermen, and the Weeping Angels. The episode entitled "Don't Blink" (first appearance of the Angels) has reached an iconic status, at least in the Tumblr world (as has much of Dr. Who anything). However, the Doctor refuses in almost every single instance to carry a weapon, relying instead on a sonic screwdriver. The special effects aren't really worth mentioning, but the makeup is really pretty impressive at times, and there have only been a handful of episodes where I was disappointed in the way it turned out, aesthetically or otherwise. Not only that, but this really is a family-friendly show. In the same vein as truly good young adult fiction (and, say, Star Trek), the stories manage to convey a sense of universality and maturity without relying on explicit anything. I'd share more, but that would be, you know, "Spoilers!"

Don't blink.

Also known as a Dalek. Exterminate!

As I'm sure you can guess, I absolutely adore all the British-speak in the show. Accents vary depending on region, nationality, etc., but never fail to please. I'm still impressed at David Tennant's ability to mask his Scottish accent so thoroughly, but if Hugh Laurie can manage to sound that American for "House", I'm sure David Tennant can pull off British without a thought.

Shut up I can post as many as I want.
 Is that velour you're wearing, David?

Oh, to be forever immersed in an imagination-rich BBC show about time and space travel with beautiful men wearing suits and Converse sneakers or bowties. Even though it makes me cry on the regular, I will never, ever stop loving Dr. Who.

Brownies, Beer & Brogue

J: So, it's been awhile.

M: As usual. We're sorry?

J: Question mark?

M: What's more fun than blogging? Chimes. That's gonna be hard to explain.

J: My clock just chimed. That's all. So do we have a point to this post?

M: We do. Today we're going to blog (blague) about a fine piece of Irish cinema starring every Irish actor of whom you may have heard. That makes the em-phass-is seem way wrong, but I can't end a sentence with 'of.'

J: I was very pleasantly surprised by this movie, not the least of which because Colin Farrell finally plays a character true to his nature. The movie's called Intermission and it's witty and funny, sweet...

M: And Irish. Just throwing that in... [trails off into giggles] Choose yer chime!

Classy.

J: Yes. Definitely Irish. Also dramatic, suspenseful, and surprising in turn.

M: This is the worst blog post ever. Terrible.

J: Give us a brief plot synopsis for everyone who may actually read this and decide they want to see the movie.

M: It's a film of many overlapping stories, but mostly centers around a man named John (Cillian Murphy) and his "intermission" of a relationship.

J: Ohhhhhhh! I totally get it now. [laughs]

M: [stares blankly] [blinks]

J: Sorry. Do go on...

M: John, deciding to randomly assert his independence and have an "intermission" of sorts from his girlfriend, starts a chain of events that...

REDRUM!!

J: [rasps] That ends in murder! Collin Farrell plays your typical thug/bad guy and Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter plays a girl with a moustache but she's actually really cute. Her name is Shirley Henderson.

M: She looks like a Shirley.

J: In any case, there are scenes in a bar, on a bus, in shops, on the street, and even out in the countryside.

M: And a supermarket.

J: Okay, just warning you, someone barfs in a supermarket. Watch out for that. I think my favorite character was John's friend.

Oscar and John go clubbin'. 

M: Oscar?

J: His name is David Wilmot. He's so endearing.

M: And gingery.

J: He's a big ginger. Who was your favorite character?

Mask of unknown gentleman (x3).

M: I'd say it's really a toss-up. The film is literally full of good characters. I want to say it's the highest grossing Irish film... [looks it up]

J: According to Wikipedia, it was the "Best Irish Film" of 2003 according to the Irish Film and Television Awards.

M: Good stats. Stat.

J: Indeed. A good movie, too, and one we recommend. Easier to understand than The Guard, but still chock full of delicious Irish brogue. Only a couple moments of questionable comprehension.

M: Story of my life.

Fin

Football in Brogueland!

Euro 2012 logo
(shamelessly "borrowed")

J: Welcome back to Blog with a Brogue! I'd like to say our long absence has been fruitful and productive, but the truth is, we've just been so distracted by the [then upcoming] Euros, we couldn't manage to get to a computer! For those of you wondering, the Euros are a massive football (soccer) tournament just for European national teams held every four years, opposite the World Cup. It's hosted by the Union des Associations Européennes de Football, or UEFA for short (there's a little French brogue for ya). We've just reached the end of the Group stages and are moving on to the Knockout phase, which consists of both the quarter-finals and the semi-finals. Meredith, who are you rooting for this season? Also, what's going on?

M: Like many heartbroken Irish fans, I was cheering for the team in green, the Republic of Ireland.

J: I detect sadness. Also past tense. Tell me more.

M: After a valiant and apparently exhausting effort to qualify for the tournament, the Irish had a very disappointing start against Croatia, which was followed by a crushing 4-0 defeat from the defending world champs, España.

J: I'm so sorry for your loss. Is there not anyone left to cheer for? BWAB wants to know.

M: I'm so glad you asked. I'm not sure what I called the team... King George's Men?

J: Georgie's Boys?

M: [laughs hysterically] No. Captain Gerrard and His Men had a dazzling comeback [last Friday] against the Swedes.

J: Hurrah! Thank god for good 'ole England!

M: Jolly old England.

Tommy Smyth.

J: So I watched the Ireland-Croatia game, and the finish not withstanding, I think my favorite part was the Irish announcer.

M: The little bald guy? I'm trying to think of his name.

J: Best Irish/leprechaun accent EVER.

M: He's a gem. Such spirit!

J: Who has been your favorite character in the Euros so far?

M: In all of the Euros? The whole wide Euros?!

J: All of them.

 

Mr. Doyle, in his Wolves kit.

M: God. So many. Well. There's Kevin Doyle. He's beautiful, and then there's Stevie G., who's also beautiful AND talented AND a great leader. And then there's the German goalkeeper who looks like my brother from the right angle. And THEN there's Fernando Torres, who has the largest hips of any man I've seen.

Sr. Torres y las caderas.

J: What?!

M: He's just so peculiar looking. But damn if he can't put the ball in the net. That's about it. Matt would be appalled...

J: And that's why he's not here.

M: ...This is all I've got out of the Euros: 'That guy's hot' and 'that guy's really cute'... But, really, in truth, I do adore soccer with many fibers of my being. Some people will just blindly say 'with every fiber of my being,' but I do have other loves. Soccer just happens to be a very large one.

J: [nods appreciatively] Well said. Any notable brogue-ing?

M: I'd certainly have to tip my hat to Ian Drake and Steve McManaman for their colorful brogue-filled commentary throughout the tournament.

J: Okay. Excellent. Good job.

M: Yaaaaay!

J: Up next: Dr. Who!

M: Dr. What!?

J: The Doctor... is in...

Stevie Goes to Ireland

M: In honor of how little I care about the Manchester Derby (although, it was pretty entertaining to see Liam Gallagher celebrate the Man City win) here's a video of FC Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard on The Late Late Show in Dublin!

As far as brogues go, for me, it just doesn't get much better than this:



(http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/youtube-gerrard-rte-chat-in-full)

Until next time...
Cheers!

"I'm the King of the [Brogue]!"

M: (burp)

J: Does that happen a lot? (removes glasses)

M: In my kitchen? What were we talking about?

J: Titanic! (sigh) How could I forget?

M: Yes! Was it the soundtrack that gave it away?

J: Oh my god! That's what was so terrifyingly depressing and beautiful...

M: Indeed...

J: Made me want to cry... (clutches cup of wine)

M: Wow, it's a good thing they'll let anyone on the internet!

J: (singing in the background)... God, this was not as sad when I was 12!!! Goddamn Irish flute...

M: So, Jenna, I understand that last night you had the opportunity to see Titanic once again in the theaters for the first time since 1997. How would you describe your reaction?

J: Um, powerful. (I'm not usually this drunk when I try to answer these questions.)

M: Go on...

J: Okay, it was far better than I remembered. Damn, I'm not doing this justice... Unexpected. I don't think I really understood the nuances when I was 11 or 12.

M:  So the hand on the window was just a hand on the window?

J: Don't get me wrong, I knew there was something going on there. I knew there was something untoward going on, but I couldn't have described it. As an adult, I can't help but think that had I the chance to share a backseat with Leonardo DiCaprio/Jack Dawson, I would have gladly taken it...

M:  Any other highlights of the film?

J:  The céilí in the lower decks...

M: Go on...

J:  Easily one of the most iconic scenes of the 90s and the decade after... Almost every moment of that scene has stuck with me, 15 years later, and I am still just as enamored of Irish music as I was when Titanic came out in 1997.

M:  More iconic than say the "I'm the king of the world scene!" or the "Jack, I'm flying!" scene?

J:  Or the naked Kate Winslet scene? Ok, no, but this IS Blog with a Brogue. Just trying to appeal to our audience.

M:  Fair enough!

J:  And how many imitations of the circular dance scene have there been? If I had the right shoes on right now...

M:  Awesome. Who would you say was your favorite character of the film?

J:   Twelve-year old Jenna would say Leo. Twenty-six year old Jenna also loves Leo, but appreciates the perspective of Molly Brown.

M:  Amen.

J:  Listen, though, she was totally wrong about sending the lifeboat back. They would have been swamped and they all would have died.

M: Unfortunately true. But what a spirit, that woman!

J:  The unsinkable Molly Brown! And let's talk about Mr. Andrews, the ship's designer.

M:  (sigh)

J:  I found myself unexpectedly sympathetic to his character.

M:  Absolutely. He was always a favorite of mine. Especially with that Irish lilt...

J:  Quite so... I'm sad, though, there was such a small fuss about Jack's actual death... Also, the way I remember this movie, it was a poem you memorized for class. The meaning is lost on you at the time, but later on...

M:  Absolutely. Looking back, I was amazed at how many instances where I knew the lines before they were spoken... My, this is ramble-y!

J:  I can't believe you're still typing the things I'm trying to say... We haven't answered any questions about brogue or blogging or anything!

Baby Leo

M:  What would you say about the brogues in this film?

J: Jack didn't have one...

M:  'Cause he was from Chippewa Falls!

J:  Rose didn't have one... The only brogue I really remember was from the curly-haired Irishman -

M:  Tommy!

J:  Tommy - the one that cautions Jack that angels would 'more likely fly out of [his] arse' than he would get next to the likes of Rose. My younger self was convinced that "arse" was 'hair,' but that's a story for another time...

M: Oh, I do hope we get on to that story someday...

J:  So I think I was 11, not 12...

M:  Unreal...

J:  I still can't decide if I want to see it again. I kind of do, but it wouldn't be the same. I literally couldn't breath I was crying so hard!

M: Indeed. To quote from the movie itself:  "Three years, I've thought of nothing except Titanic; but I never got it... I never let it in."

J:  Right! That's it exactly!

M: You wanted to get it...

J:  And you thought you did!

M: But you couldn't...

J:  The reason I never understood it was because I'd never been in love, I'd never had my first love, and then to lose it... God, how do you finish after that?

M:  Your heart must go on!

J:  Fin.

She never let go...

Brogues in Shorts (Short Shorts)

J: No one reads this.

M: [laughs] It's true. Would this be a good time for our contest? Now that we know it's probably not legal...

J: Do we have the goods?

M: We can get the goods. And we will. For one faithful follower.

J: No adultery, y'all! Anyway... in this post we'll be covering two live-action short films nominated for an Academy Award. Yes, they happen to both be from Ireland. One from Ireland proper, the other Northern Ireland. Meredith, let's start with Pentecost.

M: Let's do!

J: Brief synopsis?

M: Despite his best efforts, a young Irish boy is shunned from altar boy duties due to an unfortunate swinging accident involving the, er... what is that thing?


J: The incense burner?

M: There we go.

J: And what happens next?

M: His strict father forbids the poor boy from indulging in football of any kind, most specifically his beloved Liverpool, until he redeems himself in the eyes of God and the church.

J: Personally, my favorite part about this 11-minute short is the comparison between religion and sports. The references are both obvious and hilarious.

M: Quite right!

J: I'd recommend this to anyone who was ever Catholic. Or a sports fan. Or both.

M: Go Reds! (Liverpool)

J: Ahh. Yes, it's a cute one. The next short film is called The Shore, and it's a heartwarming tale about two friends on either sides of the pond (both from Northern Ireland originally) who have lost touch due to the Troubles, as well as a miscommunication regarding a certain lady friend.

M: This lucky film happened to take home Mr. Oscar and fittingly so, as it's a nice little film.

J: I liked it too, particularly the céilidh at the end! Well, I didn't like the mussels. Those are gross. But the drinking and singing and laughing, that all sounded marvelous to me.

M: [shudders at recollection of mussel slurping]

J: I also really liked how funny this one was, even heartbreakingly funny at times. We both felt a bit cheated at the end, as though the film could have gone on quite a bit longer.

M: Quite right!

J: The conclusion, I suppose, is that we still want to go to Ireland already and absorb the culture a bit more in person. That will just have to wait. In the meantime, there is more brogue to be had!

M: In conclusion, I would say that having never seen Oscar-nominated short films before, I was pleasantly surprised and exceedingly entertained. Much gratitude to our special friend who lent us the DVDs!

J: Also, come to the Oscar party next year! It's a hoot!

M: Quite right!

J: And stay tuned for a very excited BWAB contest announcement! That's all, folks!