Ireland in great shape, 2023 6 other lessons the screens taught me – Irish Times

I spent 2023 watching great series and movies, middling streaming efforts, and totally baffling shows. But as I look back on the past 12 months, I realize that all that time staring at TV and movie screens has taught me some important lessons. So, as we close out 2023, let’s reflect on what his year on screen taught me and what it means for the year ahead.

Things always get worse

In January, I, like many others around the world, became emotional about this country. the last of us (Sky Atlantic). But while I loved watching the father-son relationship develop between the handsome but scarred Joel (Pedro Pascal) and the scarred and heroic Ellie (Bella Ramsey), The gloom piled up with each episode. I wasn’t expecting sunshine and daisies as they were making their way through an apocalyptic landscape. But on this show, every time you thought things were going to reach new depths of severity, there was more waiting around the fungus-infected corner. Sadly, this serves as a metaphor for what he’s going to be like in 2023 as a whole, especially since he was probably preparing us for what the world will be like after October. Thanks guys.

Never trust the ‘next Game of Thrones’

In ripe old age, [redacted], I now have to accept that the show that promises to be “the next Game of Thrones” is (a) not the next Game of Thrones and (b) not for me. It doesn’t have to be. Rather, it will be a continuation of a series that has gotten worse the longer it continues.I watched the second season this year wheel of time (Prime) is Amazon president Jeff Bezos’ multibillion-dollar fantasy series based on the book by Robert Jordan. Despite frantically googling and watching season 1, I couldn’t make heads or tails of the whole thing. It turns out that even an infinite budget can’t make this series great.

A strange, imperfect beat is perfect

One of the most enjoyable streaming experiences of 2023 was also one of the most frustrating. And, dear reader, I’m okay with that. Murder at the end of the world (Disney+) made some strange choices, such as the double serial killer timeline, but it never completely stuck. But it was written and directed by the intrepid pairing of Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, who produced the bizarre cult hit The OA (one of five series planned by Netflix). He is also the creator of the second and later canned version. This meant that off-the-mark moments were balanced by deftly drawing out ideas about the future of AI and climate change. Additionally, Emma Corrin brought subtle charisma to the lead role of super-smart hacker Darby. There were parts of the series that made me think, “Huh?”, but they were still fresh and convincing. This series showed me that I’m not looking for perfection. I just want to feel like the show’s creators are exploring new ideas. Risk-taking feels rare in the streaming world these days, but perhaps this was a sign that things were about to change.

“Reservation streaming” rules, I understand.

For a few months, Thursday nights became my time, where I would ditch my phone and catch up on the latest episode of Murder at the End of the World. slow horse. It wasn’t “Appointment TV,” it was “Appointment Streaming.” To avoid the endless scroll of streamers, I’ve cut down on binge-watching this year and focused more on the intentional enjoyment of watching multiple weekly streaming series. Treating episodes as if they are only available at certain times gives you space to watch them and actually pay attention to them.

We need a comeback during the break.

Cinema history is full of blockbusters that I’ve seen and loved, but I still get nervous when I hear a new movie is over three hours long. Murderers of the Flower Moon This movie (206 minutes), directed by the beloved Martin Scorsese, may tell an important and fascinating story, but by the first two and a half hours I was chewing on unpopped popcorn. His legs were shaking restlessly.Same as oppenheimer (181 minutes). As much as I enjoy watching filmmakers take the time they rightfully need to tell a story, a part of me yearns for days of rest. Steve McQueen’s four-and-a-half-hour documentary Occupied City will be released in February. Each screening includes a 15 minute intermission. Can you set a trend? I and my restless limbs can only hope so.

Big screen still trumps small size

While we are fully steeped in the era of streamers funding large-scale film productions, 2023 has seen a new shift in the movie release and streaming discussion. Apple brings us Killers of Flower Moon. napoleon Coming to the big screen thanks to a partnership with Paramount Pictures, the preeminent arthouse streamer Mubi continued to offer great films such as: how to have sex Instead of going straight to streaming, take some time to watch it in theaters. But streamers understandably want to lure viewers back to the small screen, which can make theatrical release windows feel horribly short.I’m watching maestro During its brief theatrical run at The Lighthouse (Netflix), it proved time and time again that the experience on the big screen is always better than the experience at home. Sure, we can’t all go to the movie theater, but why not give more people the chance to watch movies the way the movie gods intended?

Ireland is riding the golden tide

Maybe in 100 years we’ll find out that the government has introduced experimental drugs that enhance filmmaking and acting abilities. Or maybe ours is just a country that, thanks to a combination of talent, confidence, charm, and financial resources, gently but firmly punches above its weight in the movie world. Either way, 2023 will be remembered for Ireland’s numerous Oscar nominations, the Goodbye Irish statuette, Anne Cailin Siuyin’s global success, and Paul Mescal’s powerful Hollywood takeover. Dew. I was lucky enough to be in Los Angeles to cover this year’s Oscars, and the reverence for Irish cinema from within the industry was palpable. Thanks to the involvement of Irish people, oppenheimer, all of us strangers, salt burn and poor thing (For starters) Ireland’s official Oscar entry, as well as the documentary In the shadow of Beirut, the 2024 awards season is also taking on a greenish hue. me!