Interests
No Points For Second Place As Top Gun Maverick currently soars in cinemas, we go back to Tony Scott’s iconic testosterone fuelled original; Top Gun (1986). Movie producing duo, Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer owned the 80s when it came to producing popular audience action fare. Add in director Tony Scott under their banner and you had a trio that gave us works that still endure, Top Gun being right towards the top. It follows hot shot pilot Maverick (Tom Cruise), who gets a chance to attend Fighter Weapons School where he falls for a civilian instructor (Kelly McGillis) while trying to achieve top pilot status over his peers. This was a star making turn for Cruise. We really see the Cruise persona coming into effect here, cock sure, and arrogant while being likeable and
vulnerable all at the same time. Kelly McGillis is great also, as well as Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer and Tom Skerrit. Tony Scott was often seen as crude by film critics. They thought his movies were cut too fast, shot too erratic, and sounded too loud; not the case. He was a man that created a style really - the MTV style employed new and experimental editing and shooting techniques so he could deliver high octane action scenes. The aerial action scenes here are amazing. And no one used smoke in interior scenes to accentuate an
environment like Scott did. Top Gun was a huge hit for other reasons; a great Harold Faltermeier score not to mention two iconic songs, Take my Breathe Away by Berlin and You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ by the Righteous Brothers. Its success even led to a massive enrolment in pilot training academies. Is it high art? No. Is it cheesy? Yes. Who cares?! It’s really entertaining and exciting action done right. Tony Scott will definitely be a man I’ll be featuring more of in the future. As of writing this, I am about to see its sequel. I hear good things about it but the original casts a long shadow. Here’s hoping Maverick’s second outing will take my breathe away. I’ll see myself out. Available on DVD, Blu Ray & to rent on YouTube.
Dog Dos - Not Just For Summer! By JANE PIGOTT
As the warmer months have gifted us some sunny days of late, many pet owners thoughts have turned to arranging their pet’s summer haircut to keep them comfortable as the temperatures rise. Although a lighter cut in the summer can be helpful, there is no need for drastic measures and a buzz cut in many cases – we live in Ireland, not Barbados after all! By right, grooming and coat care should really be an all-year-round consideration to optimise your pet’s comfort and welfare, not just a summertime concern. Depending
on the length and texture of your pet’s coat, recommended maintenance may range from a wash every 6-8 weeks in the case of very short haired breeds, to daily brushing at home to keep tangles at bay and a full wash, cut and style every 6-8 weeks in the case of longer haired or curly breeds. Some breeds with thick coats may even need help to shed their thick undercoat regularly. If you are not aware of what you need to do to maintain your pet’s coat such that it is tangle free and comfortable, then your local qualified groomer or veterinary practice will be able to guide you. The areas of the body which are
prone to matting are the areas in which there is a lot of movement (the top of the legs in the armpit and groin areas), on and behind the ears, and in some cases around the bottom if the pet has issues with toileting properly. Matts pull and tug at the skin, becoming tighter over time, and can represent a considerable source of pain and distress for pets. Matting can be effectively prevented by regular brushing and visits to the groomers, however if matting is established, then a more extensive professional groom to shave off the mats may be the best solution to return your pet to comfort.
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DiscoverDuhallow@irdduhallow.com
Issue 67 July 1, 2022
GP vet & consultant Veterinary Cardiologist
