Category Archives: Irish Film

McIlroy to star in HAPPY GILMORE 2

McIlroy in HAPPY GILMORE 2

McIlroy in HAPPY GILMORE 2

In a surprising turn of events that’s stirring up both the sports and entertainment worlds, golf superstar Rory McIlroy is making his silver screen debut in one of the most anticipated sequels of the year, HAPPY GILMORE 2.

The Netflix production marks a significant milestone for the 35-year-old professional golfer, who’s stepping out of his comfort zone on the fairways to join Adam Sandler in the follow-up to the beloved 1996 comedy HAPPY GILMORE.

The star-studded cast brings together an eclectic mix of talent, with Sandler returning to his iconic role alongside original cast members Carl Weathers, Julie Bowen, and golf legend Lee Trevino.

In an interesting blend of sports and entertainment, the film also features Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (known as much for his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift as his football prowess), AEW wrestling star Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and music sensation Bad Bunny. The golf world is well-represented, with McIlroy joining fellow pros Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, and Will Zalatoris in what promises to be a unique crossover event.

McIlroy, who was recently spotted on set, expressed his amazement at being part of the production, describing it as a “completely different experience” from his usual routine on the golf course. As fans eagerly await the Netflix release later this year, it remains to be seen whether McIlroy’s natural charisma on the golf course will translate to the big screen in this highly anticipated sequel.

Irish Film

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BLACK BAG in theatres Mar 14

BLACK BAG in theatres Mar 14

BLACK BAG in theatres Mar 14

Steven Soderbergh’s relentless creative drive continues to defy his own premature retirement announcement from eleven years ago. The acclaimed director of OCEAN’S ELEVEN and CONTAGION is now preparing to captivate audiences once again with BLACK BAG, a sophisticated spy thriller set to premiere in theaters on March 14, 2025. This marks a notable return to theatrical release for Soderbergh, who has recently favored streaming platforms for projects like KIMI and LET THEM ALL TALK.

At the heart of BLACK BAG lies an emotionally charged narrative following George and Kathryn Woodhouse, married intelligence agents whose professional and personal lives become dangerously entangled when Kathryn faces accusations of treason. The film promises to transcend typical espionage thriller conventions, weaving together elements of marital drama reminiscent of MARRIAGE STORY with classic spy genre tension. This unique blend should come as no surprise from Soderbergh, whose versatility has long been a hallmark of his filmmaking career.

The project reunites Soderbergh with screenwriter David Koepp, known for his work on JURASSIC PARK and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, following their recent collaboration on KIMI. This partnership, combined with the powerhouse casting of Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender as the Woodhouses, suggests an exceptional cinematic experience in the making. Fassbender, fresh from his role in the television series THE AGENCY, returns to work with Soderbergh for the first time since their 2011 thriller HAYWIRE.

With Soderbergh’s masterful direction, a compelling premise that challenges the boundaries between loyalty and duty, and two of cinema’s most accomplished actors at its center, BLACK BAG appears poised to emerge as one of 2025’s most compelling theatrical offerings.

Irish Film

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Martin McDonagh’s WILD HORSE NINE

Martin McDonagh's WILD HORSE NINE

Martin McDonagh's WILD HORSE NINE

Martin McDonagh continues to captivate audiences with his signature blend of dark humor and human drama, now setting his sights on yet another isolated locale for his latest venture. The Oscar-winning filmmaker’s upcoming project, WILD HORSE NINE, has found its home at Searchlight Pictures, assembling an impressive ensemble cast that speaks to McDonagh’s ability to attract top-tier talent.

Sam Rockwell, a frequent collaborator who earned an Academy Award for his role in THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI, leads the cast alongside John Malkovich, Mark Ruffalo, and Parker Posey. The film is set to begin production in March on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), the world’s most remote inhabited island – a setting that follows McDonagh’s pattern of placing his characters in isolated environments where their stories can simmer and intensify.

This fascination with isolation has been a consistent thread throughout McDonagh’s filmography. His directorial debut, IN BRUGES, placed Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in the confines of a picturesque Belgian city, where their characters’ guilt and redemption played out against gothic architecture and tourist-filled squares. SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS, his sophomore feature, reunited him with Rockwell in a meta-theatrical tale of dog-napping gone wrong, while THREE BILLBOARDS examined small-town American justice with Frances McDormand’s towering performance at its center.

Most recently, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN garnered widespread acclaim and numerous awards nominations, returning to the partnership of Farrell and Gleeson on a windswept Irish isle. The film’s success seems to have reinforced McDonagh’s instinct for using geographic isolation as a pressure cooker for his characters’ relationships and conflicts. Now, trading the harsh Irish weather for the mysterious landscapes of Rapa Nui, WILD HORSE NINE promises to continue this tradition while breaking new ground in the director’s already distinguished career.

The addition of Parker Posey, fresh from her roles in THELMA and BEAU IS AFRAID, adds another layer of intrigue to this project. As McDonagh’s sixth feature film approaches production, it’s clear that his ability to craft compelling narratives in confined spaces, coupled with his talent for assembling remarkable casts, remains undiminished. From the cobblestone streets of Bruges to the ancient mysteries of Easter Island, McDonagh’s journey as a filmmaker continues to evolve while maintaining the darkly comic sensibilities that have made him one of contemporary cinema’s most distinctive voices.

 

Irish Film

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Ronan wins big at London Critics’ Circle Film Awards

Ronan wins big at London Critics’ Circle Film Awards

In a remarkable testament to her enduring talent, Saoirse Ronan has once again captured the spotlight at the 45th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, securing the prestigious British/Irish Performer of The Year award for her compelling performances in BLITZ and THE OUTRUN. Her portrayal in BLITZ sees her embodying Rita, a working-class single mother navigating the harrowing challenges of World War II alongside her 9-year-old son George, played by newcomer Elliott Heffernan, as they become separated during the German bombing campaign against the UK. In THE OUTRUN, adapted from Amy Liptrot’s poignant memoir, Ronan not only stars as a woman reconstructing her life after a decade-long battle with addiction but also took on a producer role alongside Sarah Brocklehurst, Dominic Norris, and Jack Lowden, showcasing her expanding influence in the industry.

The ceremony also celebrated emerging talent, with Rich Peppiatt earning the Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker award for his direction of KNEECAP. The film’s impact resonated throughout the awards, garnering nominations in several major categories including Film of The Year, Foreign-Language Film of The Year, and British/Irish Film of The Year. The momentum continues into the upcoming IFTA Awards, where both Ronan and Peppiatt have secured multiple nominations. Ronan’s dual nominations in the Lead Actress and Supporting Actress categories for THE OUTRUN and BLITZ respectively, along with Peppiatt’s nominations for Director and Script, underscore their significant contributions to cinema. KNEECAP leads the pack with an impressive 17 nominations, including Best Film, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting ceremony at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on February 14th, 2025. This latest recognition adds to Ronan’s illustrious career, which has previously seen her acclaimed for performances in BROOKLYN and LOST RIVER, consistently proving her versatility and mastery of her craft.

 

More Saoirse Ronan

Ronan shines in ELLE magazine feature
ACTORS ON ACTORS: Ronan and Gomez
THE OUTRUN now on Prime
Saoirse Ronan stars in the new film BLITZ

Irish Film

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BOYZONE: NO MATTER WHAT prems Feb 2

BOYZONE: NO MATTER WHAT prems Feb 2

BOYZONE: NO MATTER WHAT prems Feb 2

In the annals of Irish pop music history, few stories capture the essence of fame, friendship, and fate quite like the tale of Boyzone, as beautifully chronicled in Sky Documentaries’ NO MATTER WHAT. While their music may not have pushed artistic boundaries, the human drama behind Ireland’s most successful boyband proves far more compelling than their catalogue of hits ever could.

The three-part documentary weaves a narrative worthy of Shakespeare, complete with ambition, rivalry, triumph, and tragedy. At its heart stands Louis Walsh, a puppet master whose calculated manipulation of the media included fabricating tabloid stories – even a fictional plane crash – to keep his Dublin protégés in the spotlight. His strategy worked brilliantly: from their awkward debut on THE LATE LATE SHOW, where five unpolished lads stumbled through a hastily assembled dance routine, to commanding an audience of 100,000 at Hyde Park just five years later, Boyzone’s ascent was meteoric.

That Hyde Park concert marked a pivotal moment in the band’s history, as Stephen Gately, the group’s natural frontman and heartthrob, faced a personal crisis. Confronted with The Sun’s ultimatum to come out as gay or be outed, Gately chose to tell his truth. The crowd’s response? Pure love, amplifying rather than diminishing his star power. This poignant chapter is recounted through multiple perspectives – bandmates, Walsh, Gately’s sister Michelle, and even the Sun journalist responsible for breaking the story. Gately’s absence from the narrative, following his tragic death from a congenital heart condition in 2009, adds a bittersweet undertone to these memories.

The documentary’s remarkable access reveals the band members in startling clarity. Ronan Keating emerges as simultaneously insecure and nakedly ambitious, while Shane Lynch’s intensity is tempered by thoughtful reflection. Keith Duffy’s charm masks an underlying vulnerability, but it’s Mikey Graham who proves the revelation. Now more resembling a contemplative family friend than a former pop idol, Graham’s struggle with being typecast as “the quiet one” clearly weighs heavily on him, contradicting Walsh’s dismissive assumption that he was content in that role.

Through never-before-seen footage and raw, emotional interviews, NO MATTER WHAT transcends the typical pop documentary format. It tells a universal story about the price of fame, the burden of secrets, and the enduring bonds forged in the crucible of shared experience. Three decades after five Dublin boys were catapulted from obscurity to global stardom, their story resonates not because of the 25 million records they sold, but because of the very human drama that played out behind the perfectly choreographed performances and carefully crafted public image.

Watch BOYZONE: NO MATTER WHAT from Feb 2 here.

Irish Film

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2025 IFTA Rising Star nominees

2025 IFTA Rising Star Nominations

2025 IFTA Rising Star Nominations

The Irish film industry’s next generation of talent takes center stage as the Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) unveils its prestigious Rising Star nominees for 2025, spotlighting four remarkable talents who exemplify the nation’s thriving creative spirit.

Among the nominees is Alisha Weir, who captured hearts worldwide in ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL and has since impressed audiences in ABIGAIL and WICKED LITTLE LETTERS.

Joining Weir in this distinguished cohort is Anthony Boyle, whose versatility shines through performances in SAY NOTHING, MASTERS OF THE AIR, HOUSE OF GUINNESS, and MANHUNT.

The nominations also recognize writer-director Aislinn Clarke, known for FREWAKA, THE DEVIL’S DOORWAY, and EYE EXAM, alongside actor Clinton Liberty, whose powerful performances in HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, HOLDING, RED ELECTION, and NORMAL PEOPLE have marked him as one to watch. This unique award, sponsored by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and selected by a special jury, has historically identified Ireland’s most promising creative talents, with past recipients including luminaries such as Saoirse Ronan, Michael Fassbender, Nicola Coughlan, Domhnall Gleeson, Siobhán Cullen, and Jamie Dornan, all of whom have gone on to achieve international acclaim.

IFTA Chief Executive Áine Moriarty emphasizes the significance of these nominations, noting that these four artists represent the vanguard of Ireland’s homegrown industry making waves on the global stage. The winner will be revealed at the 2025 IFTA Awards Ceremony, set to take place at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on February 14, marking another milestone in Ireland’s remarkable year of world-class film and television production. This prestigious recognition not only celebrates individual talent but also underscores Ireland’s continuing prominence in the global entertainment landscape, as these rising stars carry forward the torch of Irish storytelling excellence.

As social media buzzes with excitement over this unexpected collaboration, fans have been expressing their enthusiasm for what promises to be a remarkable fusion of musical and theatrical talent. The partnership between Fender’s emotionally charged songwriting and Scott’s renowned ability to convey complex emotions suggests that the upcoming music video will be nothing short of extraordinary, offering viewers a unique artistic experience that bridges the worlds of music and cinema.

 

Irish Film, Irish Television

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BLUE ROAD: THE EDNA O’BRIEN STORY in theatres Jan 31

BLUE ROAD now in Irish theatres

BLUE ROAD now in Irish theatres

In 1960, a young woman from rural Ireland shattered the nation’s cultural constraints with a single book. Edna O’Brien’s THE COUNTRY GIRLS emerged as a defiant cry against Ireland’s patriarchal society, launching a remarkable literary career that would span decades and continents. The sexually frank trilogy that followed not only earned her notoriety and condemnation in her homeland but catapulted her into international literary stardom.

O’Brien’s path to becoming one of Ireland’s most celebrated and controversial writers began with an escape from the shadows of an abusive father, only to find herself trapped in marriage to Ernest Gebler, an oppressive older writer who attempted to diminish her talent. When Gebler berated her for using the phrase “blue road” in her writing, insisting no such thing existed, it became emblematic of the suffocating constraints she would spend her life breaking free from.

After her acrimonious divorce, O’Brien carved out an extraordinary existence in London with her two sons, Carlo and Sasha. Her home became a magnetic hub for the era’s cultural elite, hosting luminaries like Marlon Brando, Judy Garland, and Paul McCartney. While her pen never stopped moving – producing pieces for The New Yorker and screenplays for British and American cinema – her personal life proved equally colorful, marked by numerous love affairs, including a passionate relationship with a married British politician.

The documentary captures O’Brien’s final reflections at age 93, her sharp wit and candor undiminished by time. Through intimate diary excerpts read by actress Jessie Buckley and testimonials from acclaimed figures like Gabriel Byrne, Walter Mosely, and Anne Enright, we witness the full scope of her impact. Mosely’s account of how O’Brien changed his life as his teacher adds another layer to her legacy, while her sons offer glimpses into their unconventional upbringing with a mother who defied every social convention of her time.

O’Brien’s journey was marked by both triumph and tribulation – she made fortunes and lost them, faced censorship from the Irish government and condemnation from the Catholic Church, yet remained steadfastly committed to her artistic truth. This documentary, completed shortly before her death in July 2023, serves as both celebration and eulogy, capturing the essence of a woman who dared to write about what others would not speak. Though the spotlight of celebrity may have dimmed in her later years, this intimate portrait reveals O’Brien’s enduring legacy as a literary pioneer who broke Ireland’s silence and changed the landscape of contemporary literature forever.

Watch the BLUE ROAD in theatres.

Irish Film

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GLADIATOR II now streaming

GLADIATOR II now streaming

GLADIATOR II now streaming

Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sequel to the legendary GLADIATOR has stormed both theaters and digital platforms, marking a new chapter in the epic saga of Ancient Rome. Released digitally on December 24, this cinematic powerhouse has already crossed the $400 million mark globally, proving itself as Scott’s most successful venture since THE MARTIAN in 2015. The film’s impressive performance isn’t just reflected in its box office numbers – it has earned the respect of both critics and audiences, garnering a 72% critics score and an 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Set in the richly detailed world of Ancient Rome fifteen years after the events of the original film, GLADIATOR II weaves a compelling narrative of power, vengeance, and honor. The story follows Lucius (Paul Mescal), whose life takes a dramatic turn when his homeland falls to Rome’s tyrannical emperors. Having witnessed the legendary Maximus’s death at his uncle’s hands years before, Lucius finds himself thrust into the blood-soaked arena of the Colosseum. His journey becomes a quest not just for personal revenge, but for the very soul of Rome itself.

The sequel boasts an extraordinary ensemble cast that includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, and Derek Jacobi, each bringing gravitas and intensity to their roles. While the film’s first half might echo familiar beats from its predecessor, it’s in the latter half where it truly finds its unique voice and begins to carve its own path in the annals of epic cinema. The story transforms into something entirely fresh, moving beyond mere homage to become a distinctive and compelling narrative in its own right.

What makes GLADIATOR II particularly noteworthy is its accessibility to both newcomers and fans of the original. While knowledge of the first film enriches the experience, the sequel stands confidently on its own merits, telling a story that resonates with themes of revenge, redemption, and the eternal struggle between tyranny and justice. As Lucius navigates the treacherous waters of Roman politics and the brutal arena of gladiatorial combat, the film builds towards a climax that honors its predecessor while blazing new trails in epic storytelling.

For those eager to experience this continuation of the GLADIATOR saga, the film remains available both in theaters and across various digital platforms, offering viewers the flexibility to choose their preferred viewing experience. Whether witnessed on the big screen or in the comfort of home, GLADIATOR II proves that even after two decades, the allure of Ancient Rome’s grandeur and brutality continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Here’s where to watch GLADAITOR II from home!

More Paul Mescal

Mescal: IFTA Best Supporting Actor
Paul Mescal in GLADIATOR 2
ALL OF US STRANGERS now streaming
Mescal and Scott take The Co-Star Test

Irish Film

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