Adrian Phelan

Post 49

Intro| Saoirse and Oasis| Here comes the bride| Youth Mental Health Day| Goodbye and thanks| Social links| Links to past posts

Back to school

It was the first full week of the normal routine, and the rhythm is slowly returning. For one week only the brand-new school shirts will look and smell fresh and that will be it. I’m not sure they’ll be cleaner than a joke on children’s hour again. If you get that reference, you’re showing your age. Anyway, we went to a cracking wedding in Nottingham at the weekend and caught a couple of movies at the cinema. Read on to find out more.  

I hope you enjoy this week’s issue.  

The big filim bit 

I saw the Oasis movie ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ on Wednesday. I didn’t get tickets to any of the concerts, so I don’t have that connection, but I was still mildly giddy with excitement at the prospect, and very curious as well.  

I had read enough reviews in advance to have my expectations managed and I think they were pretty much spot on. It is a very polished, sentimental offering; Liam and Noel sharing equal billing with fans from the various countries they visited.  

One of those countries was of course Ireland with a good showcasing of Croke Park as a venue, and the road outside for that matter as footage showed fans without tickets joining in the sing-song anyway.  

My brother was at one of the Croker gigs, and he liked the film enough to want to go and see it a second time if that helps you decide on going or not. 

It would seem an announcement about tickets is imminent so here’s to hope not killing us for a second time. I’ll let you know how that goes, next week.  

Saoirse Ronan’s apples  

I caught a preview screening of Bad Apples starring Saoirse Ronan last Sunday and it left me with mixed feelings.  

In it, Ronan plays Maria, an Irish Year 5/6 teacher at a primary school in a quiet village in the English West Country. The film unfolds as she takes matters into her own hands by kidnapping the token disruptive kid in her class (Danny, played ably by movie debutant Eddie Waller) at the outset of an Ofsted inspection. It follows the developing relationship between the two as he is held captive in her basement, and the occasional curve balls that might expose her secret.  

It’s described as a dark comedy which gave it licence to be a bit ridiculous. The ending is farcical and overall, the story in the film would just never happen.  

However, it’s saving grace are the turns by the debutant actors, Eddie Waller mentioned above and Nia Brown who arguably steals the show as class oddball, Pauline who is a fly in Maria’s ointment, as she tries to contain her situation.  

I thought Saoirse Ronan was too big for a production at this level, much like Ralph Fiennes in 2025’s The Choral.  

But that is more a personal than professional opinion so referring back to my mixed feelings, this film comes out on Friday and I think there is just enough to invest in the price of the ticket.  

If you do go, I’d love to know what you think. I gave it 2.5 out of 5. If you would add an extra star or two, let me know.  

The kindness bit – wedding at Batman’s  

We’ve just spent two nights in Nottingham for the wedding of our good friends Ally and Chris.  

It was a brilliant occasion, held at the stunning Wollaton Hall. The distinct looking building is a classic example of gothic architecture making it no surprise that Christopher Nolan chose it as the location for Wayne Manor in the 2012 Batman movie Dark Knight Rises.  

But back to the wedding itself, it was the perfect day. Everything was timed to perfection and all the planning paid off as we got to enjoy the splendour of the venue, have delicious food and drink and spend quality time with friends old and new.  

And of course, dancing. It seems like every time I go to Nottingham there’s a boogie on offer which is great.  

A big standout for the day for me was the speeches.  All were very eloquently delivered with good humour and grace, and Ally’s son Josh brought the room to a standstill when on behalf of him and his brother Joe, he gave a heartfelt welcome to the family to their new stepdad. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.  

Congratulations Ally and Chris. As the old saying goes, may all your troubles be little ones.  

Do Good Well – Youth Mental Health Day 2026 

When looking for awareness days for this week I came across Youth Mental Health Day 2026. Youth Mental Health Day brings together young people, schools, families, professionals and organisations across the UK to focus on helping young people thrive. It’s held on 18 September every year and the theme this year is Build Future You. Find out here how you can support the campaign. The key hashtags are #BuildForYou and #YMHD.  

I know the internet helps but there just wasn’t enough around this when I was young so I’m glad there is for young people now.  

I hope someone finds it helpful. 

Goodbye and thanks 

We’re rocking ever closer to 29 September and then post 51 of this blog, marking the end of our first year. Thanks so much for sticking with it and if you would like to find out more of what I have to offer, check out my CV.  

I’ll see you next week.  

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