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Daily Record
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
MOVIE REVIEW: We decide if you should feel compelled to watch exorcism-themed horror 'Shadow of God'
Wastes its genre-flipping premise and several actors we've seen do much better work. Exorcism-flavoured movies are a dime a multitude of dozens and while Shadow of God attempts to flip some of the genre tropes on their swivelled heads, it largely fails miserably. Mark O'Brien stars as Mason Harper, an elite exorcist with a troubled childhood who suspects the entity he is doing battle with might be a holy being rather than something demonic. If that sounds like an interesting take on the genre then you'll be even more disappointed by director Michael Peterson (Knuckleball) and writer Tim Cairo's execution of the material. Much of what they present to us, particularly during the final third, makes little sense. There's some sort of group-wide conspiracy at play but it's never clear exactly why they are doing what they are up to - or who is leading the show. O'Brien (Ready or Not) tries his best to embody his character with mistrust and grit on a downtrodden path but his lack of passion sometimes comes across as boredom and you are never fully behind his quest for answers. Speaking of bored, Shaun Johnston feels like he is sleepwalking his way through his turn as Mason's dad Angus. Jacqueline Byers (Tanis), who starred in her own religious horror, 2022's Prey for the Devil, is given such short story shrift, she could be cut from the film altogether and it wouldn't make much of a difference. Josh Cruddas is no stranger to offbeat roles but his presence here enters unintentionally hilarious territory. Peterson's visuals are very hit-and-miss; some are creative and interesting while others are bizarre and quite cheap looking. He should have made greater use of the well-rendered practical effects over the distinctly dismal CGI. Bungling an intriguing main central premise and wasting several actors we've seen do much better work, Shadow of God should've been doused in holy water before its creative team felt compelled to get their hands on it. ● Do you have any favourite exorcism-themed horror flicks? Pop me an email at and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers. ● Shadow of God is available to stream now on Shudder. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Otago Daily Times
27-04-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
War hospital brought back to life
Hurunui's fallen soldiers were remembered at two events on Anzac Day. The Soldiers' Block in the former Queen Mary Hospital grounds in Hanmer Springs was brought back to life for its official opening on Friday afternoon while a new war memorial was unveiled in Culverden earlier. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the $3.6m Soldiers' Block restoration was the culmination of two decades of community advocacy to preserve the site. ''It is tremendous. It demonstrates the value of working in the community.'' The Soldiers Block opened in 1916 to support soldiers recovering from the horrors of World War 1, being built alongside the hot springs, long valued for healing qualities. Queen Mary Hospital later became a mental health hospital, and then a drug and alcohol addiction treatment centre under the Taha Māori recovery programme up until 2003. The Ministry of Health had intentions to sell the site, but the local community rallied round and it was eventually vested in the council in 2010. The restoration was made possible by funding from Government, the Lotteries Commission, the Rata Foundation and the council's earthquake fund. Hanmer Springs firm O'Brien Construction was awarded the contract and began work restoring the Soldiers' Block in May last year. ''It has been an enjoyable job,'' Mark O'Brien said. ''The building was very sound. It was in very good condition considering its age.'' To ensure the building survives for another 100 years, O'Brien Construction laid down new foundations, with 64 piles drilled into the ground 900mm deep. The floors were then restored with the same material as the original floors - Jarrah in the wards and rimu in the hallway. Hanmer Springs business owner Jason Fletcher was a driving force behind the project. He said the Soldiers' Block is now open for community use for events and community functions and there is a community fitness centre onsite. A wharenui attached to the Soldiers' Block is also being restored by Ngāti Kūri and will be officially opened later in the year. Long term the community plans to turn the Soldiers' Block into an interactive museum, bringing the stories of the soldiers back to life. The Queen Mary Historic Reserve Trust has been working with Weta Workshop on the design, but will need to raise around $6m. Anzac Day services returned to Culverden after a four year absence with the unveiling of a new war memorial, a six-metre high Corten steel laser-cut soldier and poppy that will be lit up at night. The $150,000 project was made possible thanks to the legacy of the Rutherford family, which has been farming in the district since 1860. Duncan Rutherford built a drill hall in the town in 1902, donating it to the community for the mounted rifles to use for training. The hall served the community for 80 years until it was sold, with the proceeds put away for ''a special project''. ''This is that special project,'' Amuri Community Committee chairperson David Croft said. ''Those funds went a long way towards meeting our goal and it was made possible because of the generosity of so many businesses and individuals.'' Funding was also received from the Lotteries Commission, the council and a local community cull cow drive. A $5000 grant from the council's contestable fund allowed for two storyboards to be made, telling the stories of the men who gave their lives in the two world wars. The memorial is now taking pride of place in the Rutherford Railway Reserve. Duncan Rutherford's descendants came out in force, including his grandson, 103-year-old John Rutherford. John Rutherford was joined by some of his great-grandchildren to plant a tree to mark the occasion. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
1News
26-04-2025
- Health
- 1News
Hanmer war hospital brought back to life
Hurunui's fallen soldiers were remembered at two events on Anzac Day. The Soldiers' Block in the former Queen Mary Hospital grounds in Hanmer Springs was brought back to life for its official opening on Friday afternoon while a new war memorial was unveiled in Culverden earlier. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the $3.6m Soldiers' Block restoration was the culmination of two decades of community advocacy to preserve the site. "It is tremendous. It demonstrates the value of working in the community." The Soldiers Block opened in 1916 to support soldiers recovering from the horrors of World War 1, being built alongside the hot springs, long valued for healing qualities. Queen Mary Hospital later became a mental health hospital, and then a drug and alcohol addiction treatment centre under the Taha Māori recovery programme up until 2003. The Ministry of Health had intentions to sell the site, but the local community rallied round and it was eventually vested in the council in 2010. The restoration was made possible by funding from Government, the Lotteries Commission, the Rata Foundation and the council's earthquake fund. Hanmer Springs firm O'Brien Construction was awarded the contract and began work restoring the Soldiers' Block in May last year. "It has been an enjoyable job," Mark O'Brien said. "The building was very sound. It was in very good condition considering its age." To ensure the building survives for another 100 years, O'Brien Construction laid down new foundations, with 64 piles drilled into the ground 900mm deep. The floors were then restored with the same material as the original floors — Jarrah in the wards and rimu in the hallway. Hanmer Springs business owner Jason Fletcher was a driving force behind the project. He said the Soldiers' Block is now open for community use for events and community functions and there is a community fitness centre onsite. A wharenui attached to the Soldiers' Block is also being restored by Ngāti Kūri and will be officially opened later in the year. Long term the community plans to turn the Soldiers' Block into an interactive museum, bringing the stories of the soldiers back to life. The Queen Mary Historic Reserve Trust has been working with Weta Workshop on the design but will need to raise around $6m. Anzac Day services returned to Culverden after a four-year absence with the unveiling of a new war memorial, a six-metre high Corten steel laser-cut soldier and poppy that will be lit up at night. The $150,000 project was made possible thanks to the legacy of the Rutherford family, which has been farming in the district since 1860. Duncan Rutherford built a drill hall in the town in 1902, donating it to the community for the mounted rifles to use for training. The hall served the community for 80 years until it was sold, with the proceeds put away for "a special project". "This is that special project," Amuri Community Committee chairperson David Croft said. "Those funds went a long way towards meeting our goal and it was made possible because of the generosity of so many businesses and individuals." Funding was also received from the Lotteries Commission, the council and a local community cull cow drive. A $5000 grant from the council's contestable fund allowed for two storyboards to be made, telling the stories of the men who gave their lives in the two world wars. The memorial is now taking pride of place in the Rutherford Railway Reserve. Duncan Rutherford's descendants came out in force, including his grandson, 103-year-old John Rutherford. John Rutherford was joined by some of his great-grandchildren to plant a tree to mark the occasion. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
26-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Hanmer War Hospital Brought Back To Life
Hurunui's fallen soldiers were remembered at two events on Anzac Day. The Soldiers' Block in the former Queen Mary Hospital grounds in Hanmer Springs was brought back to life for its official opening on Friday afternoon while a new war memorial was unveiled in Culverden earlier. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the $3.6m Soldiers' Block restoration was the culmination of two decades of community advocacy to preserve the site. ''It is tremendous. It demonstrates the value of working in the community.'' The Soldiers Block opened in 1916 to support soldiers recovering from the horrors of World War 1, being built alongside the hot springs, long valued for healing qualities. Queen Mary Hospital later became a mental health hospital, and then a drug and alcohol addiction treatment centre under the Taha Māori recovery programme up until 2003. The Ministry of Health had intentions to sell the site, but the local community rallied round and it was eventually vested in the council in 2010. The restoration was made possible by funding from Government, the Lotteries Commission, the Rata Foundation and the council's earthquake fund. Hanmer Springs firm O'Brien Construction was awarded the contract and began work restoring the Soldiers' Block in May last year. ''It has been an enjoyable job,'' Mark O'Brien said. ''The building was very sound. It was in very good condition considering its age.'' To ensure the building survives for another 100 years, O'Brien Construction laid down new foundations, with 64 piles drilled into the ground 900mm deep. The floors were then restored with the same material as the original floors - Jarrah in the wards and rimu in the hallway. Hanmer Springs business owner Jason Fletcher was a driving force behind the project. He said the Soldiers' Block is now open for community use for events and community functions and there is a community fitness centre onsite. A wharenui attached to the Soldiers' Block is also being restored by Ngāti Kūri and will be officially opened later in the year. Long term the community plans to turn the Soldiers' Block into an interactive museum, bringing the stories of the soldiers back to life. The Queen Mary Historic Reserve Trust has been working with Weta Workshop on the design, but will need to raise around $6m. Anzac Day services returned to Culverden after a four year absence with the unveiling of a new war memorial, a six-metre high Corten steel laser-cut soldier and poppy that will be lit up at night. The $150,000 project was made possible thanks to the legacy of the Rutherford family, which has been farming in the district since 1860. Duncan Rutherford built a drill hall in the town in 1902, donating it to the community for the mounted rifles to use for training. The hall served the community for 80 years until it was sold, with the proceeds put away for ''a special project''. ''This is that special project,'' Amuri Community Committee chairperson David Croft said. ''Those funds went a long way towards meeting our goal and it was made possible because of the generosity of so many businesses and individuals.'' Funding was also received from the Lotteries Commission, the council and a local community cull cow drive. A $5000 grant from the council's contestable fund allowed for two storyboards to be made, telling the stories of the men who gave their lives in the two world wars. The memorial is now taking pride of place in the Rutherford Railway Reserve. Duncan Rutherford's descendants came out in force, including his grandson, 103-year-old John Rutherford. John Rutherford was joined by some of his great-grandchildren to plant a tree to mark the occasion. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Irish Examiner
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cork U20s make one change for Limerick clash
Cork U20 hurling manager Noel Furlong has made one personnel change for Wednesday's clash with Limerick from the side which lost to Tipperary three weeks ago. Ballincollig's David O'Leary comes in at centre-back, replacing Cillian O'Callaghan. Dungourney man O'Callaghan is among the substitutes. In their two games thus far in the Munster U20 Championship, Cork drew with Clare in the opening round and then lost to Tipperary by six points at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Limerick boss Evan Loftus has made two changes for the game with Dara Ferland coming into the starting line up in place of Tadhg Boddy and Mark O'Brien coming in for Ruairi O'Connor. The Treaty County defeated Tipperary in their opening game and then drew with Waterford. Wednesday's game at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, which will be refereed by Waterford man Nicky Barry, throws in at 7:30pm. There will also be live coverage on TG4. Meanwhile, Munster GAA has announced that The Frank and Walters will perform a 30 minute set before this Sunday's Munster SHC game between Cork and Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The set will begin at 2:40pm with the game throwing in at 4pm. CORK: D O'Connell (Dromina); D Cashman (Bride Rovers), J O'Brien (Fermoy), T Wilk (Cobh); Ben Walsh (Killeagh), D O'Leary (Ballincollig), D Murnane (Carrigtwohill); E Guinane (Valley Rovers), R Deasy (Ballymartle); J Murphy (Mallow), B O'Flynn (Sarsfields), P O'Shea (Erin's Own); J Wigginton Barrett (St Finbarr's), R O'Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), Barry Walsh (Killeagh) Subs: O Walsh (Youghal), C Dunphy (Erin's Own), C O'Callaghan (Dungourney), D McCarthy (Killeagh), A O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig), J Murphy (Dromina), O Fitzgerald (St. Catherine's), Mark O'Brien (Douglas), Finn O'Brien (Erin's Own) LIMERICK: F O'Brien (Bruree); J Murphy (Patrickswell), S Casey (Bruff), D Scully (Dromin/Athlacca); J Cosgrave (Ahane), A O'Connell (Doon), D Langan (Monaleen); M Fitzgerald (MOnaleen), J Finn (Na Piarsaigh); R O'Farrell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), D Ferland (Monaleen), H Flanagan (Garryspillane); M O'Brien (Mungret St Paul's), D Coughlan (Doon), F Fitzgerald (Mungret St Paul's) Subs: P Connery (Kilmallock), B Adams (Ballybrown), T Boddy (Dromin/Athlacca), C Bickford (Ahane), S Duff (Mungret St Paul's), Frewen (Glenroe), D Hurley (Hospital-Herbertstown), R O'Connor (Feenagh/Kilmeedy), O Meaney (Bruff)
