Alex O’Reilly

Alex O’Reilly

@sisch35.bsky.social

Retired GP. Lefty film lover and discovering Funeral Doom metal

602 followers332 following2.5K posts

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky The Kid with a Bike (2012) France . Abandoned by his father and left in state care, a young boy finds a new friend in the town's hairdresser, who agrees to foster him on weekends. ‘engrossingly perceptive human drama and a powerful religious parable” A Dardennes brothers' film.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Iron Sky (2012) Germany it's 2018 and the Nazis invade Earth from their secret Moon base built in 1945. Crazy Idea and cue for tasteless humour. Some sharp comments about modern life. Enhanced by the presence of Udo Kier. Cult stuff. Shown at the Peterborough Film Society 2013

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky A Dangerous Method (2011) UK The film tracks the back story behind of the eventual rift between Sigmund Freud and his ‘successor’ Carl Jung. The latter develops a relationship with a highly intelligent young woman patient being treated for hysteria. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Hanna Arendt (2012) Germany A biopic of the famed German philosopher whose witness account of the trial of Adolf Eichmann in 1961 caused a furore. Written and directed by Margarethe von Trotta. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

2/ Famously in a relationship with Heidegger, her tutor and senior of 17 years before the war, she had to escape to the USA. “The banality of evil” now seems prescient when looking at enablers today.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Looking for Hortense (2012) France A man in an unhappy marriage is coerced to intervene in an illegal alien (Aurore) case. But it means asking his hostile father, a state councillor for help. An unlikely friendship arises with Aurore. Mixture of farce and bitter sweet romance.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky I am Nasrine (2012) Iran/UK After a run-in with the police, Nasrine and Ali must leave Tehran and move to the UK. They struggle to adapt to their settings in the North East. Then tragedy strikes. Though a little contrived it gives insights aplenty into both cultures and opens minds.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Those in Peril (2013) UK Aaron, a young misfit living in a remote Scottish fishing community, lone survivor of a strange fishing accident that claimed the lives of five men, including his older brother. Outcast by the community he resolves to recover them all. Original and haunting

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Primavera (2025) Italy A talented violinist, Cecilia, confined in an orphanage, meets Vivaldi who becomes her teacher. Under his mentorship and through his music, she gains courage to break free from the life she was destined for and pursue her passion. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Shun Li and the Poet (2011) Italy Tao Zhao is the Chinese bartender, working to pay off the debt which will finally allow her young son to join her in Italy. Rade Serbedzija is the grizzled Yugoslavian fisherman-cum-poet who recognises a kindred spirit. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky The Kings of Summer (2013) US Three teenagers, two friends and a strange lad want to escape to the woods and build a home there. No responsibility or dependence on parents, forging their own destiny. Coming of age and friendship. Caused a stir at The Sundance Film Festival.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Thérèse Desqueyroux (2012) France In 1920’s France, Therese realises she is meant to just breed for her boring husband. The actions she takes to escape will end up in court. Audrey Tatou takes the title role and performs with nuance. From the 1927 French novel by François Mauriac.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Behind the Candelabra (2013) US Michael Douglas in a tour de force role playing Liberace. It covers the six year romance with a young lover (Scott Damon). A frank and open biopic on a life that then legally remained secret. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

2/ Great to see actors playing against type. Unusual cinematic release by Netflix which is why I got to see it at our film society. Like Scorsese we believe films are best appreciated in a theatre with an audience.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Ondine (2009) Ireland Neil Jordan pens and directs a romance between a mythical creature, the selkie, appearing as a young woman caught in the net a trawler man (Colin Farrell). Her name is Ondine and she brings magic into his life.1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky El Secreto de Sus Ojos (2009) Argentina Retired criminal investigator Benjamín Espósito begins writing a novel based on the decades-old unsolved mystery of a newlywed's rape and murder. With the help of a former colleague, Irene Hastings, Benjamín attempts to make sense of the past. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Last Station (2009) UK Leo Tolstoy is nearing the end of his life. What to do with his legacy? His wife believes it should be with the family but he wishes the Russian people to benefit. His disciple moves a spy into the family to enable the latter. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

2/ A power house ensemble plays out the skullduggery and bitterness. And yet overall the feelings are warm and natural. Old joke: Tolstoy asks does this train go directly to Minsk? Don't be a fool, everyone knows you must change at Crewe.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Up in the Air (2009) US Ryan (George Clooney) flies the country diplomatically terminating people’s careers. His goal is to achieve record air miles. But he too is at risk of redundancy. A developing relationship with another frequent flyer lets him see 'others' in a new light.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky The Idiot Cycle (2009) Documentary The Idiot Cycle investigates six major chemical companies not only responsible for decades of cancer causing chemicals, but who also profit from cancer treatments.1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky A Single Man (2009) US George Falconer, an English professor at a Los Angeles area college, is finding it difficult to cope with life. Jim, his personal partner of sixteen years, died in a car accident eight months earlier when he was visiting with family. Is life worth living? 1/

Alex O’Reilly
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📽️ #filmsky Lebanon (2009) Israel June, 1982 - The First Lebanon War. A lone tank and a infantry platoon are dispatched to search a hostile town - a simple mission that turns into a nightmare.1/

Alex O’Reilly
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2/ The director, who admits to having killed a man on his own tour of duty, is painting a portrait of an utterly hopeless, chaotic and morally compromised scenario in which nobody wins........the lesson of history.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010) UK Biopic of Ian Dury here played by the brilliant Andy Serkis. Despite being blighted by polio at a young age he rises above adversity and bullying to eminence as a truly original artist. His life is chaotic in keeping with the Punk scene.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Everlasting Moments (2008) Sweden Sweden, early 1900s, an era of social change, unrest, war and poverty. Young working class Maria wins a camera in a lottery. Despite raising a family and dealing with her womanising though loving husband she finds a “voice’ through her camera’s eye.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Rose of Nevada (2025) UK Three decades ago, the Rose of Nevada vanished at sea, along with its crew. Now, it has returned. Its reappearance is embraced as an auspicious sign, with the local citizens convinced the luck of their economically devastated community may turn. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Rudo y Cursi (2008) Mexico The two eponymous half-brothers dream of escaping from their tough challenging lives working on a plantation. The arrival of a football scout brings about a ‘promising’ future. But they have other passions too and conflicts arise. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Coraline (2009) Animation Bored young girl Coraline discovers a hidden door in her new rambling old house. It takes her to another world seemingly more welcoming than her own. Her new family there invites her to stay forever…….but…1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Anything for Her (2008) France Julien’s wife is arrested and imprisoned for 20 years for the crime of murder. The evidence is strong but he, an unprepossessing teacher is convinced otherwise. He must transform and associate with dodgy criminals to effect her release. Powerful thriller.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky The Band’s Visit (2007) Egypt The Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra arrives in Israel from Egypt for a cultural event. They slowly become aware they are in the wrong town. And what follows is engagement of members with locals. Funny and warm hearted Cannes winner. NB pre Gaza war.

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky My Brother is an Only Child (2007) Italy Family saga about two brothers in the 60’s travelling different paths. One charming and leftist, the other serious joins the fascists. Over 10 years romance, family, politics and responsibilities flesh the story. Blood is thicker....IMDB 7.0

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Exit through the Gift Shop.(2010) UK The story of how an eccentric French shop-keeper and amateur film-maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner. 1/

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

2/ ‘Rhys Ifans narrates an overlapping documentary where the line between what is real and what might be fake blurs, as modern art and celebrity are put under the microscope’. The Art business (like dog's business?).

Alex O’Reilly
@sisch35.bsky.social

📽️ #filmsky Easier with Practice (2009) US A young aspiring writer, Davy, becoming despondent and alone receives a phone call in his motel room. It develops into a long term relationship with a woman. Trying to progress to meeting Nicole will bring insight. 1/