Going Out Films Baby capers a joy metro Arts & Entertainment life The Lost Pirates In Town This Weekend Concept gig fusing sea shanties with ska, disco and punk from Stoke Newington Airport, whose nautical yarns involve a rum-soaked skirmish between Captain Porkbelly and the dreaded Siamese Pirate Tonight & tomorrow, Metro Bosco Theatre, Georges Dock, IFSC D1, 8.45pm, 16. Tel: 1850 374 643. www.fringefest.com Absolut Fringe Awards Theyve been practising their acceptance speeches, crocodile tears and disappointed-but-delighted-for- the-winner looks all week. On Sunday, the final day of the festival, the artists of this years Fringe will be awarded for their spectacular efforts Sun, Spiegeltent, Georges Dock, IFSC D1, 8.30pm, 10. Tel: 1850 374 643. www.fringefest.com The Monumental Gathering Your cousin Conor sends you a postcard on www. longlostcousin.net. Hes coming over to Dublin, and thinks he might be related to three Irish families. Is he or isnt he, and does it matter? Find out at this presentation by Coney Theatre Tomorrow, Smithfield Plaza, Smithfield D7, 3pm, free. Tel: 1850 374 643. www.fringefest.com Book Now Gift Grub So respected is radio satirist Mario Rosenstock that even his mocked victims give him their blessing: Rosenstock was personally invited by then Chelsea football manager to perform Jose [Mourinho] And His Technicolor Overcoat for his team before green-lighting its release as a single, while his 2005 parody of Will Youngs Leave Right Now was released as a tribute to Roy Keane and became Irelands Christmas No.1. Rosenstock has been mimicking and jibing politicians and celebrities alike on Today FM for more than ten years this November, he brings his Gift Grub characters to the stage for the very first time Nov 9 to 11 & 17 to 19, Vicar Street, 58-59 Thomas Street D8, 8pm, 35. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.giftgrub.ie Away We Go Running time: 98min Its no surprise to learn that this comedy-drama is scripted by a married couple: its portrayal of a thirtysomething relationship is both appealing and authentic. Burt (John Krasinski) and Verona (Maya Rudolph, both pictured) are expecting a baby. They have little sense of purpose in life they just love each other and want the best for their baby. Their parenthood plan initially includes the involvement of Burts parents (the very funny Catherine OHara and Jeff Daniels). But when the capricious pair announce their decision to move to Antwerp, Burt and Verona decide to move too: but where? Cue a road trip around the US and Canada, visiting friends and relatives who may or may not be a good influence on their unborn child. Each encounter is both entertaining and instructive, moving from the amusing to the quietly poignant. We begin with the hilarious Allison Janney as a boisterous mother who cheerfully insults her kids within their earshot (its all white noise to them, she insists). Later, Maggie Gyllenhaal gives a stand-out performance as a serene bohemian called LN, for whom Burt unwisely buys a stroller (I love my babies. Why would I want to push them away from me?). All this gives Burt and Verona a stronger sense of who they are and a shared sense of direction. Theres little suspense, however: their final destination is clearly signalled and the journey feels more like a series of fun sketches than a coherent drama. It certainly lacks director Sam Mendess typically epic touch. But if youre not expecting another American Beauty, youll find it a pleasant, enjoyable little indie movie. Anna Smith 18 metrolife Friday, September 18, 2009 Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs (U) Running time: 90min This animated comedy is a good all- rounder, dishing out healthy portions of wish-fulfilment for kids and smart gags for grown-ups. Based on the book by Judi and Ron Barrett, it sees geeky inventor Flint Lockwood (pictured below, voiced by Bill Hader) hitting the big time when he comes up with a machine that turns water into food. He accidentally propels it into the sky, and hey presto! Its raining hamburgers. Soon, everyones placing orders: steak one day, ice-cream the next. The mayor is Flints new best bud and the tourists come flocking. But will the attention go to Flints head, and is it really healthy to fiddle with the weather and food? Yep, theres an environmental message, but it isnt shoved down our throats. The focus is on light-hearted, imaginative entertainment think spaghetti twisters and kick-boxing Gummi Bears. AS The Firm (18) Running time: 90min Nick Love (Football Factory, The Business) is not a director known for his subtlety but The Firm, a remake of the 1980s footie hooligan TV movie, certainly has finesse. It focuses on Dom (Calum McNab), a cheeky young chap who meets and idolises feared firm leader Bex (Paul Anderson). Dom copies Bexs studied style right down to the designer trainers, and he looks set to follow him into the path of danger. But despite Doms unwise choices, hes an endearing character we come to know and love, and its this that drives the plot forward. With wit, wisdom and a peppy 1980s soundtrack, The Firm is reminiscent of Shane Meadows classic This Is England. Its not as clever or funny but its Loves finest by a long shot. AS Three Miles North Of Molkom (15A) Running time: 107min F**king tree huggers! Thats how Nick, a typical Aussie bloke, sums up fellow attendees at Swedens annual No Mind festival in ngsbacka week-long workshops in the likes of throat singing, tantric yoga, know your power animal and, yes, shamanic tree hugging. The genius here was finding Nick, an emotionally constipated rugby coach, through whose rolling eyes we first gawk at this gaggle of sandal-wearing narcissists in this crazily hilarious doc. Theyve all come to sing and chant and be at one with something I bloody hate it! he scoffs, cynically plugging his head into his iPod. Yet within days, the relentless touchy- feeliness has sucked Nick in to the point hes not only sharing at circle time but snogging trees himself. Neatly observed and a right giggle. Larushka Ivan-Zadeh Gamer (18) Running time: 95min Gerard Butler should fire his agent: after Phantom Of The Opera, 300 and The Ugly Truth, heres the latest thing to sully his CV. Butler is Kable, a death-row inmate who can win his freedom if he downloads himself into brutal computer game Slayers and machine gun his way to victory. The snag? That hes not controlling his movements a 17-year-old boy is. This is from the people behind the Crank movies, and it shares many of the same qualities, like over the top, quick-cut action, clunking dialogue and utter confusion. But Crank was at least fun: this is ridiculous and grim, and, in its critique of the gaming world, it bizarrely serves only to take pot-shots at the few people wholl actually want to see it. Sharon Lougher CLUBBING Shawn Rudiman / Daniel Wang / Ben Klock Having spent the first part of the 1990s releasing music as part of industrial act Total Harmonic Distortion, it was no surprise that Pennsylvania producer Shawn Rudiman subsequently turned his attention to making underground techno. A chance encounter with Dan Bell led to Rudiman releasing his first solo record on the Detroit producers 7th City imprint in 1999. A few years later, Rudiman set up his own label, Technoir Audio, which has been the main outlet for his starkly futuristic sound. One of the most exhilarating live techno acts, Rudiman uses banks of equipment to create a unique gig and tonights show will be no exception. Tonight, Test, The Underground, Westland Row D2, 11pm, 12 THE HOTTEST TICKETS IN TOWN We have a pair of tickets to see GIFT GRUB Nov 9 at Vicar Street, 8pm For a chance to win, e-mail your answer to the question below to life@metroireland.ie by noon today with Hot Tickets in the subject line. With your answer please include your name, address and a number where you can be contacted between 1pm and 3pm. Strictly one entry per person; entrants must be age 18+. Q. Mario Rosenstock found Gift Grub fame on whose breakfast radio show? A. Ian Dempsey B. Ray Foley The winners of yesterdays tickets to see DJ Yoda are: Aoife Grey & Kerri-Ann Pattison index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html