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    Movie Review

    Kenneth Branagh relives the good and bad of his own childhood in Belfast

    Alex Bentley
    Nov 11, 2021 | 3:07 pm
    Kenneth Branagh relives the good and bad of his own childhood in Belfast
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    Making an autobiographical film can be tough work for any filmmaker. What lives in memories is often difficult to fully express on film, and many filmmakers try to remove themselves from that burden by telling a story inspired by their life, not an actual retelling of events.

     

    Writer/director Kenneth Branagh appears to take that challenge head on with Belfast, a film about a family living in the title city in Northern Ireland in 1969 just as the riots that would become known as “The Troubles” started. A political conflict that could be viewed by outsiders as a religious one, the riots pitted Protestants against Catholics, with Protestants mostly wanting to stay in the United Kingdom, and Catholics wanting to unify with Ireland.

     

    Those details, however, are only hinted at in this film. Instead, it centers on how the violence affects Buddy (Jude Hill), his brother Will (Lewis McAskie), his mother (Caitriona Balfe), father (Jamie Dornan), grandmother (Judi Dench), and grandfather (Ciarán Hinds). Living in a tight-knit neighborhood in Belfast, Buddy is alternately fascinated by and frightened of the unrest that surrounds them, finding distractions in school and a young crush.

     

    A quick scan of Branagh’s bio reveals that, indeed, he lived in Belfast until the age of 9 when the riots started, so it’s clear that he’s telling his own story, or at least a version closer than most filmmakers attempt. It’s a film that’s both a nostalgic trip down memory lane for what life was like in his particular neighborhood, and a wistful retelling of a regrettable series of events that forced many people from their homes.

     

    The film hinges on the closeness of the family, and Branagh and the actors do an extraordinary job of depicting that intimacy. The stress of the situation, not helped by the fact that Buddy’s father has to be away for work much of the time, can be felt deeply, but so too can their love for each other. The film also depicts the unique nature of the neighborhood well, with people often outside observing the activities of their neighbors.

     

    The film is shot in black and white except for occasional bursts of color when Buddy is watching movies or plays. This is a particularly nice way of indicating the escape those productions provided for Branagh as a child amid the turmoil, and probably why Branagh went on to become involved in theater and movies himself.

     

    Hill is an ideal kid to fill the central role, as not only is he really freaking cute, but he has a presence about him that makes it feel like he’s truly experiencing the events of the film. Balfe, as anyone who watches Outlander knows, is a powerhouse, and she’s mesmerizing here. Dench and Hinds fill the old souls roles extremely well, giving the story the gravitas it needs.

     

     Belfast is a brilliantly told story about a time that only those who were there know well. Branagh has managed to make the city of his youth come alive again, for better and for worse, and moviegoers are all the better for his efforts.

     

    ---

     

    Belfast opens in select theaters on November 12.

    Jude Hill in Belfast.

    Jude Hill in Belfast
      
    Photo by Rob Youngson / Focus Features
    Jude Hill in Belfast.
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    news/entertainment

    Pickleball News

    Indoor pickleball concept from Georgia bounces into Frisco

    Raven Jordan
    Jul 7, 2025 | 7:06 pm
    Pickleball paddles
    Ace
    Pickleball paddles face off.

    There's a new indoor pickleball concept coming to Dallas: Called Ace Pickleball Club, it's a growing chain from Georgia, making its Texas debut in Frisco in an old BuyBuy Baby space at at 2930 Preston Rd. #600. According to a release, it opens July 12.

    Ace Pickleball was founded in Roswell, Georgia in 2023, and calls itself the only facility of its kind, delivering a member-focused approach and all-inclusive pricing.

    Professional-grade cushioned courts and a welcoming community create the optimal playing experience for all skill levels. The chain currently has 15 locations across the U.S. including Colorado, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

    They emphasize an inclusive community with unlimited open play, and offer clinics, tournaments, social events, and ball machine reservations. They also offer paddle demos so that members can test out the newest technology from a variety of brands to find their favorite.

    When they open, they'll offer free introductory pickleball clinics for beginners to go over the rules of the sport and feel more comfortable as they learn about the game.

     Ace Pickleball Club Ace Pickleball ClubAce Pickleball Club 

    Indoor facilities have an advantage in that they're impervious to weather so players can play year-round.

    The Frisco location is a nearly 33,000-square-foot facility with 11 full-size courts and one dinking court designed to welcome players of all skill levels. Memberships are $129 monthly with the first month free.

    Bringing the concept to Frisco is Juan Menchaca, a former corporate worker who is a pickleball player himself. When he and his wife relocated to the DFW area in May 2023, he brought with him a lifelong dream of opening a sports facility.

    Introduced to pickleball by his brother-in-law, who is now training to go pro in pickleball, Menchaca was instantly hooked by the game’s fast pace, simple rules, and strong sense of community.

    Opening a dedicated pickleball facility felt like the ideal first serve into the world of sports.

    “I saw the demand I knew Ace Pickleball Club was the right fit,” Menchaca says. “The model is perfect for all skill levels across the Frisco community. I’ve always wanted to create something people could rally around, and this not only provides that, but helps in bringing our community closer.”

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