Paul Markey

Writer, projectionist and cinephile

Farewell, Sundance - how Robert Redford changed cinema forever

I first encountered Hollywood's forever 'golden boy' on 70s TV soap Coronation Street...

In Memoriam • 17 Sep

The return of Barry Lyndon - Kubrick's Irish masterpiece turns 50

"Before Private Barry Lyndon there came Commander Napoleon Bonaparte. For a director who sets his heart upon a lad in uniform must prepare to change lovers pretty quickly, or his life will be but a sad one."

Film • 17 Jul

Pier Angeli and Gene Kelly in forgotten 1952 WWII thriller Devil Makes Three (Pic: Getty)

Von Trapps, Nazis, and Gene Kelly: scenes from a film buff trip

In recent years, I've had a habit of turning my holidays into film pilgrimages. With such an approach, deciding where to go always begs the question: which comes first, the film or the destination?

Travel • 02 Jul

Richard Dreyfuss (L) and Ian Shaw (R) in New York after a performance of The Shark is Broken in 2023 (Pic: Getty)

Quint's ghost: Robert Shaw resurrected in The Shark Is Broken

There's a common misconception that the credit and blame for blockbuster cinema rests with Star Wars. That the classic movie age died on May 4th 1977, with the release of George Lucas' space opera upon an unsuspecting public.

Film • 13 May

Peter O'Toole in Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)

Lawrence and beyond - why David Lean is a true master of cinema

When mulling over a list of the best hangout films, of course you'd have to include the likes of American Graffiti, The Breakfast Club, Easy Rider, and Stand By Me—to name but a handful.

Film • 10 Apr

I'm Still Here has been playing to sold out houses nationwide

Ireland's love affair with cinemagoing never went away

Last week, I did something on my day off I'd never thought I'd ever do again: I snuck into a film underage.

Opinion and Analysis • 04 Mar

How Letterboxd turned Gen Z onto movies like The Brutalist

It was away from social media I was trying to get when I found myself signing up to yet another new app.

Film • 24 Jan

Filmmaker David Lynch remembered: 'Jimmy Stewart from Mars'

It's only January, but to glance daily at the news, one can't help but keep asking: what year is this? Turns out it's the year that the man known as 'Jimmy Stewart from Mars' ascends.

In Memoriam • 17 Jan

Daniel Craig (L) and Drew Starkey (R) in Queer

The 10 best movies of 2024 - Paul Markey's big screen highlights

Was it a good year for movies? Call me biased, but every year is a good year for films, whether you're streaming them or sitting in the cinema. I'll always stand by the latter; but as long as we keep embracing them, they'll keep making 'em.

Best Of 2024 • 11 Dec 24

The 10 best movies of 2024 - Paul Markey's big screen highlights

Was it a good year for movies? Call me biased, but every year is a good year for films, whether you're streaming them or sitting in the cinema. I'll always stand by the latter; but as long as we keep embracing them, they'll keep making 'em.

Best Of 2024 • 19 Dec 24