Neeson presents SPIRIT OF IRELAND award

Neeson presents SPIRIT OF IRELAND award

Neeson presents SPIRIT OF IRELAND award

Two of Hollywood’s most respected actors shared a touching moment at the 25th annual Irish Arts Center Gala, where Liam Neeson (ABSOLUTION), an honorary chair of the New York City-based center, presented his dear friend Meryl Streep with the Spirit of Ireland Award. Their friendship, which blossomed after co-starring in the 1996 film , BEFORE AND AFTER, has endured for decades.

In accepting the honor (previously bestowed on Stephen Colbert), Streep, the most Oscar-nominated actor in history with 21 nominations and three wins, delved into her rich Irish heritage. She traced her lineage to her great-great-grandmother Grace Strain, who was born in County Donegal in the 1830s. Grace’s journey took her to Philadelphia at age 14, where she met her husband Manus McFadden, eventually leading to the family’s settlement in New Jersey, where Streep was born.

The award ceremony highlighted not only Streep’s impressive career but also her ongoing connection to Irish arts. She recalled her previous support of Irish culture, including her participation in a fundraising event for a Belfast arts center during the filming of MAMMA MIA in 2007.

Irish Film

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Ronan shines in Elle magazine feature

Ronan shines in ELLE magazine feature

Ronan shines in ELLE magazine feature

In a revealing new interview with ELLE magazine, Irish actress Saoirse Ronan shares lots of personal details. Ronan stands at a fascinating turning point in her career, taking on roles that challenge her accessible image. Her latest venture, THE OUTRUN, sees her not only starring but stepping into a producer role alongside her husband, Jack Lowden. The film, based on a memoir, pushed Ronan to explore the complex territory of addiction recovery – a subject that hits close to home.

“Addiction touched my life through people I love,” she reveals, her voice softening. “You start with anger, with this impossible question: ‘Why can’t they just stop?’ But gradually, you learn to see it as the illness it truly is.” She pauses, considering her words carefully. “Taking on this role became my way of processing that journey, of understanding what I couldn’t before.”

This introspective project runs parallel to her work in Steve McQueen’s BLITZ, a World War II drama that strips away the polished veneer of historical cinema. As a mother to a biracial child in war-torn London, Ronan confronts the uglier truths of British society during the Blitz – the racism that persisted even as bombs fell. The role marked several firsts: her debut as an on-screen mother and her first time performing musical numbers, for which she underwent intensive vocal training.

There’s a newfound boldness in how Ronan approaches her craft these days. “I used to worry about looking pretty, about staying within the lines,” she admits, deliberately contorting her face to make a point. “Now? I’m more interested in the mess, in the uncomfortable moments that make characters real.”

The conversation shifts to her upcoming directorial debut, a short film she’s writing. Her eyes light up when discussing how Greta Gerwig’s evolution from actor to filmmaker has inspired her own ambitions behind the camera. Yet there’s a touch of playful regret when she mentions missing out on BARBIE, alongside her frequent co-star Timothée Chalamet, due to scheduling conflicts. She laughs about it now: “We’re like jealous siblings, watching our favorite director make magic without us.”

At 29, Ronan has already spent two decades in front of the camera, but she’s clearly just getting started. Her trajectory suggests an artist increasingly willing to push boundaries, whether through producing, directing, or taking on roles that scrape away at her comfortable image as cinema’s approachable ingenue.

Brosnan on THE LAST RIFLEMAN

Brosnan on THE LAST RIFLEMAN


Brosnan on THE LAST RIFLEMAN

Pierce Brosnan, at 71, continues to demonstrate his remarkable versatility and enduring presence in Hollywood with a slate of high-profile projects. In his latest release, THE LAST RIFLEMAN, available now on demand, Brosnan transforms into D-Day veteran Artie Crawford through an intensive two-hour daily makeup process by Millennium FX. The film, directed by Terry Loane and featuring Clémence Poésy and Jürgen Prochnow, tells the story of a widowed veteran who journeys from Northern Ireland to France for D-Day’s 75th anniversary.

Brosnan’s upcoming schedule showcases his continuing draw as a leading actor, with several major productions in the pipeline. He’s set to star alongside Cate Blanchett in Steven Soderbergh’s spy thriller BLACK BAG marking another prestigious collaboration in his career. The actor will also join an impressive ensemble including Helen Mirren and Ben Kingsley in Chris Columbus’s adaptation of THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB Additionally, Brosnan is attached to a new CLIFFHANGER project, demonstrating his ongoing appeal in action-oriented roles.

This impressive lineup of projects, spanning various genres and working with acclaimed directors and co-stars, underscores Brosnan’s sustained influence and adaptability in the film industry well into his seventies.

Irish Film

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Mescal to host SNL Dec 7

Mescal to host SNL

Mescal to host SNL

Paul Mescal will host SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE on December 7, 2023, with musical guest Shaboozey. This will be his first time hosting the show and comes as part of his promotional tour for GLADIATOR 2 in which he stars as Hanno, a former Roman heir turned gladiator. The movie, directed by Ridley Scott and featuring stars like Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington, will release two weeks before his SNL appearance.

This episode will air after SNL’s three-week Thanksgiving break and is part of the show’s milestone 50th season. The current season has already featured notable hosts including Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton, John Mulaney, Bill Burr, and Charli XCX. SNL will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special primetime episode on February 16, 2024.

Mescal, who gained recognition from NORMAL PEOPLE (2020) and received an Oscar nomination for AFTERSUN is venturing into mainstream territory with both GLADIATOR 2 and this comedy hosting opportunity on SNL.

Andrew Scott at GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Andrew Scott at GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Andrew Scott at GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Maynooth native Paul Mescal was the star of the show last night as the world premiere of GLADIATOR II took place in London’s Leicester Square.

The Normal People actor, who plays the role of Lucius in the highly anticipated sequel, walked the red carpet alongside a host of his co-stars, including Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Pedro Pascal, as well as director Ridley Scott.

Mescal was supported at the event by his friend and fellow Irish actor Andrew Scott, known for his roles in FLEABAG and SHERLOCK. The two actors, who recently starred together in the film ALL OF US STRANGERS, shared a warm embrace as they made their way into the screening, highlighting their close on-screen relationship.

Last week, Mescal received a similarly enthusiastic welcome in Dublin, where the Irish premiere of GLADIATOR II was held at the Lighthouse Cinema. The actor spent an hour chatting with fans before the screening, admitting that he never expected the film to be “as big” as it has turned out to be.

Set decades after the events of the original 2000 Oscar-winning film, GLADIATOR II sees Mescal’s character Lucius, the grandson of the former Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, forced into slavery and fighting as a gladiator after his town is invaded by Roman soldiers.

Mescal’s performance as the lead in this highly anticipated sequel is sure to cement his status as one of the most exciting young actors working today. GLADIATOR II opens in cinemas worldwide November 15th.

Irish Film

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Farrell returns to THE BATMAN

Colin Farrell's THE BATMAN return

Colin Farrell's THE BATMAN return

Colin Farrell, star of HBO’s acclaimed series THE PENGUIN, has confirmed his return as Gotham’s crime boss in several scenes of the upcoming Batman sequel starring Robert Pattinson.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Farrell will appear in five to six scenes in THE BATMAN pt 2, potentially extending into a third film. This builds on his praised performance that began in 2022’s THE BATMAN, where he first transformed into Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot through extensive prosthetics and makeup.

Despite initially declaring, “I never want to put that fucking suit and that f**king head on again,” Farrell’s stance shifted after the show’s success. His complete transformation, requiring 4-5 hours of daily makeup application, has garnered widespread acclaim. Recently, he expressed interest in a second season, noting, “I do believe I know him better than anyone now.”

The eight-episode series, which follows Cobblepot’s rise in Gotham’s criminal underworld, has earned an 8.8/10 on IMDB and 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. While Farrell’s performance anchors the show, the stellar cast includes standout performances from Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, Deirdre O’Connell as Francis Cobb, and Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar.

Originally planned as a limited series bridging 2022’s THE BATMAN with the 2026 sequel, the show’s success has sparked discussions about continuation. Farrell’s dedication to the role included remaining in character throughout filming, even wearing a ski mask when not in makeup – a commitment that has resonated strongly with audiences who note how completely he disappears into the character.

Irish Film

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Paul Mescal’s GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Mescal's GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Mescal's GLADIATOR 2 premiere

Kildare native Paul Mescal was the center of attention at the Irish premiere of the highly anticipated GLADIATOR 2 at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin on Nov 7. The Oscar-nominated actor spent nearly an hour greeting fans and posing for selfies as he made his way down the red carpet.

Gladiator II, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator, marks a significant milestone in Mescal’s rising film career. In the new installment, he takes on the lead role of Lucius, set 15 years after the events of the original film. The plot follows Lucius as he navigates the deadly and violent world of the Colosseum, seeking revenge against the Roman Empire.

As Mescal steps into the spotlight of a global-scale production, he is surrounded by a stellar cast, including Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen. Producer Douglas Wick acknowledged the challenge of creating a sequel that would captivate audiences, stating, “Whatever we created had to provide captivating new thrills – a true spectacle for the ages.”

While official reviews are still under embargo, fans are eagerly anticipating the response to Gladiator II and the continued success of Paul Mescal’s flourishing film career.

KNEECAP leads BIFA nominations

KNEECAP leads BIFA nominations

KNEECAP leads BIFA nominations

The Irish-language rap comedy KNEECAP leads the British Independent Film Awards with an impressive 14 nominations. Set in Belfast, the film secured nominations for Best British Independent Film and Best Joint Lead Performance for its trio of stars – Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, who perform as Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí respectively.

The film, which features Michael Fassbender alongside the Irish-language rappers, received funding from both the British Film Institute and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish language broadcast fund. Director Rich Peppiatt earned multiple nominations, including Best Director and Best Screenwriter, along with nominations in both debut categories.

Following closely is LOVE LIES BLEEDING with 12 nominations. This bodybuilding noir, directed by SAINT MAUD filmmaker Rose Glass, stars Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian. Glass received nominations for Best Director and Best Screenwriter (shared with co-writer Weronika Tofilska), while Stewart and O’Brian are nominated for Best Joint Lead Performance.

Rounding out the top contenders is THE OUTRUN, garnering nine nominations. This Orkney-set adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir features Saoirse Ronan, who received a nomination for Best Lead Performance.