#mike ahern

Extra Ordinary Mike Ahern, Enda Loughman. 2019

Bargains Galore O'Connell Square, Edenderry, Co. Offaly, Ireland See in map

(Insert relatable intro about 2020 and lockdown). One good thing was that I had time to tackle all the things I said I’d do “when I have the time”. What’s funny is that sometimes when I said stuff like “no yeah I’ll totally watch it when I have the time”, I thought to myself “I’d need something like a quarantine to get through that list…”. Ha hahaha hahahaha haha imsosickofitthough.

I have spent more than 6 months doing my best to watch at least one horror movie a day, for example. And my watchlist has slimmed down a little bit. Which makes me happy. Also, I thought this year would only add to my edges and my stiffness, but in some ways, it softened me and that makes me happy too.

Extra Ordinary (2019)

(Still thinking what to say here. Idk had fun.)

The Lure (2015)

When I say “I think you'd like this Polish horror musical with mermaids”, my heart sings (and I get a little ego boost because sometimes I’m horrible). I don't know what took me so long because I had a lot of fun and I wish I could speak like those mermaids…

I’m No Longer Here (2019)

This movie will break my heart every time and I’ll let it. I'm thankful that someone acknowledged and preserved this movement because I didn't know how special it was and how little it lasted; I liked the honest and beautiful way in which a story like this was told, I liked Juan Daniel Garcia Treviño's performance. Most of all I loved it for what it made me think and learn, and that it made me clean the lenses through which I see my country and its people.

November (2017)

I don't know why I didn't know anything about this film, but I like it so much. It is beautiful, I am always happy to see well-told folk tales… 10/10.

Palm Springs (2020)

This film made me finally grow up, stop generalizing, and stop hating on rom coms. It also made me feel a little more hopeful about relationships. That is why I try not to overthink it, but they do get extra love for taking inspiration from The Great Beauty.

Host (2020)

Social media horror during the lockdown… I expected a lot of mediocrity from this film. But it was the opposite. I liked its self-awareness, the pacing, the scares, and the creativity.

Pee Mak Phrakanong (2013)

I thought this film is charming, and while it's not perfect, I had a lot of fun learning about Thai ghosts and superstition. Also, someone watch it so we can learn the dance and do it together.

Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb (2020)

I have watched many documentaries about Egypt and history because I was that kind of kid growing up, and I went into this documentary without expecting anything. The color, shapes, and shadows of hieroglyphs on the walls still give me butterflies.

I thought the tomb was interesting itself, I am happy they found it, and I like that they showed us the process rather than just giving us a history lesson. Most of all, I loved to see Egyptians working with their own history and heritage, the lovely relationship they have with it, and how much fun they are having. It reminded me that there are cool people out there, who are doing important work I care about, whom I can learn from. And I really needed that.

Extra Ordinary    [trailer]

In an Irish town you call Rose, the driving instructor, if you have ghost etc. problems. Martin's deceased wife bothers him, so he calls Rose.

What a delightful little movie. Pleasantly, weirdly funny. The tagline "Putting the Normal in Paranormal" is very fitting.

Another fine example what you can achieve with a small budget and a low-key approach. And in this particular case, that you don't even need fancy special effects. I hope it will become much more popular. No need for another Ghostbusters sequel.

Extra Ordinary

Mike Ahern and Enda Loughman’s Extra Ordinary looks like a whole lot of fun as a comedy about the paranormal in a small Irish town that’s just trying to get on with their lives, specifically the leads Maeve Higgins and Barry Ward. The tone, look, and feel almost make it as though it could inhabit the same cinematic universe as What We Do In the Shadows. 

On top of that, Will Forte gets to don a mustache and play a villainous rock star who sells his soul to regain his former glory (and seemingly accompanied by the hysterical Claudia O’Doherty). Just seeing that from the trailer alone has us pretty on board.

Extra Ordinary Mike Ahern, Enda Loughman. 2019

Castle Charleville Castle, Charleville Demesne, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland See in map