News

Andriivka's name is shared with several other places, transcribed variously from Ukrainian or Russian. The closest version of 'Andrew's Town' in English is maybe Anderston. There's one of those in Glasgow, almost indescribably more populous than the village in the Donetsk Oblast. Anderston's famous inhabitants include Sir Billy Connolly, Eddi Reader, Tony Roper, among a list long enough that it was possible to select those who've had multiple screen appearances from notables that include politicans, playwrights, and a Nobel laureate.

2000 meters is given context too. About ten minutes' run, the film says; half that (4:43.13) if you're an Olympian recordholder. A few minutes' drive, just over a minute at UK motorway speeds. We see the moon in variously obscured skies. At one point Apollo 8's crew were covering that distance five and a half times a second, their craft, unnamed, making them the fastest men alive. It was...

It’s not too hard to push the nostalgia button for someone who grew up in the ‘90s. All you need to do is mention the Power Rangers or Pearl Jam, and their eyes will light up. The same goes for these four little letters: T-g-i-f. No matter how many mozzarella sticks they scarf down from the other TGIFs, for them, those letters in that order will immediately trigger the sound of Steve. Urkel’s distinct laugh or Michelle Tanner’s “You got it, dude!”

On September 22, 1989, ABC launched a Friday primetime block of shows aimed at revitalizing one of TV’s most difficult nights to program by consolidating two hours of family-oriented comedies. It was called Tgif to trade on the familiarity of the phrase “Thank God it’s Friday,” although officially it stood for “Thank goodness it’s funny” to avoid legal issues with the Tgi Fridays restaurant chain.

"Renaissance man" is used a lot in the entertainment industry, mostly referring to a writer/director, actor/musician, or even all of the above. Properly defined, a "renaissance man" is someone who thrives in multiple fields in the arts and sciences. So when I think of one, I think of the late, great Michael Crichton. 

Crichton was a polymath before it was popular -- and before he hit it big.  He dreamed of being a writer and published his first piece before he could drive. He graduated from Harvard (where he also played basketball), taught Anthropology at Cambridge, UK and came back to Cambridge, Mass to earn his MD while writing pulp page-turners under pseudonyms on the side. Crichton finally became famous writing under his own name with 1969's "The Andromeda Strain." He never looked back until his death from cancer in 2008.

A "Michael Crichton" list can be many things -- and super long.

On Thursday 8 May 2025, U&Eden broadcasts Parkinson!

Episode Summary

In the upcoming episode of “Parkinson,” viewers can look forward to an engaging evening filled with laughter and music. The episode features the legendary comedian Billy Connolly, who will be joined by his wife, Pamela Stephenson. Their conversation with Michael Parkinson promises to be both insightful and entertaining, as they share stories from their lives and careers.

Ricky Tomlinson, another beloved figure in comedy, will also be part of the show. His unique humor and perspective are sure to add to the lively discussion. The mix of personalities in this episode is expected to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for fans of the show.

In addition to the interviews, the episode will include a musical performance by David Gray. Known for his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, Gray’s presence will bring a musical touch to the evening. This...

“Parkinson” is set to return with an exciting episode featuring a mix of humor and heartfelt conversations. Airing at 4:00 Am on Thursday, May 8, 2025, on U&Eden, this episode promises to be a delightful treat for fans of the classic talk show.

Michael Parkinson will welcome the legendary comedian Billy Connolly and his wife, Pamela Stephenson. Their chemistry is sure to bring laughter and warmth to the screen, as they share stories from their lives and careers. Billy Connolly’s unique perspective on life, combined with Pamela’s insights, will create an engaging dialogue that viewers won’t want to miss.

Additionally, the episode will feature Ricky Tomlinson, known for his quick wit and charm. His stories and experiences are bound to add another layer of entertainment to the show. To top it all off, singer-songwriter David Gray will perform, bringing his soulful music to the mix. This episode of...

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 12:40 Pm, U&Eden will air a special episode of “Parkinson.” This beloved talk show features the legendary host Michael Parkinson, who is known for his engaging interviews and warm personality. In this episode, Parkinson welcomes two iconic guests: comedian Billy Connolly and his wife, Pamela Stephenson. Their conversation promises to be lively and full of laughter, as they share stories from their lives and careers.

Billy Connolly, famous for his unique style of comedy and storytelling, is sure to bring his charm and wit to the show. Alongside him, Pamela Stephenson, a talented writer and psychologist, adds depth to the discussion with her insights and experiences. Together, they make a dynamic duo that will entertain and inspire viewers.

In addition to the fascinating interviews, the episode features a musical performance by David Gray. Known for his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, Gray’s music will...

The Simpsons’ Groundskeeper Willie sure doesn’t seem like the most favorable representation of Scottish culture. After all, this is a character who accidentally flashed a crowd of spectators during the bogus “Scotchtoberfest” celebration, and couldn’t sell a plate of haggis to save his life.

But oddly enough, two cities in Scotland once clashed over who had the right to claim Willie as their own.

Back in 2009, The Scotsman reported that the Glasgow City Council had included Groundskeeper Willie in their online list of “Famous Glaswegians,” alongside the names of non-cartoon celebrities like Billy Connolly and Lulu. While the city acknowledged that Willie’s roots hadn’t been totally confirmed, their claim wasn’t totally without evidence. Glasgow officials pointed to the Season Eight episode “Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious” in which Willie connects with his old friend, magical nanny Shary Bobbins. Reminiscing on their days together in the “old country,...

Gulliver's Travels, starring Jack Black, Emily Blunt, and Jason Segel, has found a new streaming home just in time for its 15th anniversary. The movie can now be found on Hulu.

Gulliver's Travels was among the dozens of titles added to Hulu on April 1. Per the official synopsis, the story follows "travel writer Lemuel Gulliver who takes an assignment in Bermuda, but ends up on the island of Liliput, where he towers over its tiny citizens." Rob Letterman directed the film from a screenplay by Joe Stillman and Nicholas Stoller.

Unlike the source material, the film is set in the present day and includes references to contemporary pop culture. It also includes a stellar cast with Jack Black in the lead role, alongside Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, Chris O'Dowd, T.J. Miller, James Corden, and Catherine Tate.

Despite her contractual obligation to star in Gulliver's Travels (at...

Garfield fans are in for a treat that's almost as good as lasagna. On April 11, the first two live-action Garfield movies will be streaming on Hulu.

In 2004, 20th Century Fox brought Jim Davis' beloved comic strip to the silver screen with Bill Murray portraying the CGI cat. Murray's live-action co-stars included Breckin Meyer as Jon Arbuckle and Jennifer Love Hewitt as Dr. Liz Wilson, with the film's plot chronicling how the overweight and grumpy Garfield's life is thrown upside down when his owner, Jon, adopts a hyperactive young dog named Odie.

Garfield: The Movie ended up being a commercial success for 20th Century Fox, maxing over $200 million worldwide against a budget of $50 million. However, the Bill Murray-led movie based on the popular comic strip didn't do so well with critics or audiences. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, only 14% of critics' responses to the film were positive. Audiences felt similar,...

When it comes to The Oscars, it's fair to say that it's one of the most anticipated celebrations in the film industry. For many filmmakers, winning an Oscar is the finest achievement possible, mostly because it's tied with a lot of recognition. Thus, movies like Gone with The Wind and Parasite remain with the audience because they have such a coveted position in the film business.

However, certain critics turn their noses up at animated movies. Although these films secure awards in their own right, they're typically undervalued because they are mostly associated with children. In turn, a lot of film buffs are missing out on the best Oscar-winning films of a generation.

A Little Girl Must Complete Forced Labor to Save Her Parents Spirited Away

Chihiro and her family are excited to start again in their new home. During their journey to the house, her parents stop off at an abandoned amusement park.

Jane Tranter has been named advisory chair for the 2025 Edinburgh TV Festival, which also marks the 50th anniversary of its MacTaggart Lecture.

The influential TV executive, whose production company Bad Wolf is currently producing “Doctor Who” alongside BBC Studios, will work with creative director Rowan Woods to shape the festival’s editorial direction.

Tranter brings serious industry muscle to the role, having previously served as BBC’s controller of drama and fiction before launching BBC Worldwide Productions in Los Angeles. The veteran producer’s slate includes HBO’s Emmy-winning “The Night Of,” BBC/HBO’s “Industry,” and the BAFTA-winning “I Hate Suzie.” She also executive produced HBO’s zeitgeist-defining drama “Succession.”

The festival is rolling out major changes to its programming approach, introducing an open call for session ideas and producers – a departure from its previous advisory committee model. Session producers will receive complimentary festival passes, while a series of...

To celebrate the release of Columbo: The Final Years on Blu-Ray Box-Set from 18th November, we are giving a away a Blu-Ray Box set to one lucky winner!

Columbo is the landmark series that set the standard for the murder-mystery genre. The original run ended in 1978, but the series triumphantly returned in 1989 with an older and wiser Columbo! Remastered in 4K by NBC Universal, Columbo: The Final Years stars Peter Falk in his award-winning role as the cigar-chomping, trenchcoat-wearing police lieutenant. This Blu-ray boxset includes the final 24 episodes of this enduring classic that ran from 1989-2003.

The incredible wealth of guest stars includes Little Richard, George Hamilton, George Wendt, Anthony Zerbe, Anthony Andrews, Ian McShane, Patrick McGoohan, Juliet Mills, Tyne Daly, Faye Dunaway, William Shatner, Rod Steiger, Billy Connolly and many more.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Small Print

This competition is open to UK residents only The competition will close...

The Boondock Saints may have taken its fair share of inspiration from other hit crime movies, but director Troy Duffy has revealed one of his stars shocked reactions to a later movies striking similarities. Following the story of Irish twins and vigilantes Connor and Murphy MacManus (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus), Duffy has previously revealed that his debut film drew a great deal of inspiration from Quentin Tarantinos Reservoir Dogs. Impressed with Tarantinos use of unconventional flashbacks, he intentionally used a similar approach for Willem Dafoes FBI agent Paul Smecker.

However, during an interview with Screen Rant for the movies 25th anniversary, Duffy also revealed that Billy Connolly called him in shock upon learning that Guy Ritchie appeared to appropriate one of Duffys scenes for Snatch. During Duffys film, Connollys legendary hitman, known as "Il Duce", confronts the twins prior to learning of their identities as his own children,...

The Boondock Saints director Troy Duffy gleefully admits that he ripped off Quentin Tarantino for the Willem Dafoe scenes. Written and directed by Duffy in his feature debut, the 1999 film follows Irish twin brothers who turn into vigilantes after killing two Russian mobsters in self-defense and, following a shared epiphany, the brothers embark on a mission to cleanse Boston of its criminal underworld in the name of God, all while being tracked by an FBI Agent. The movie stars Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, David Della Rocco, and Billy Connolly.

During an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for the film's 25th anniversary, Troy Duffy gleefully admitted that he ripped off Quentin Tarantino for the Willem Dafoe scenes in The Boondock Saints. Duffy admired how Tarantino used nontraditional flashbacks in Reservoir Dogs and decided to "rip him off" by adopting a similar approach, but with his own personal spin.

Tom Cruise's fighting in The Last Samurai earns a positive review from a real-life martial arts and katana instructor. Released in 2003, historical epic The Last Samurai is directed by Edward Zwick, with Cruise starring as Nathan Algren, a U.S. Army Captain who finds himself torn between two sides after being taken hostage by samurai warriors in 19th century Japan. The film, which also stars Ken Watanabe and Billy Connolly, features a number of intense action sequences, with Nathan engaging in various battles after learning to fight like a samurai.

In a recent video for Insider, martial arts and katana instructor Seki Nobuhide Sensei analyzes a ninja ambush scene from The Last Samurai, grading it for its accuracy. While he admits that the scene is "not very realistic" overall, he does praise Cruise's fighting and his use of jujutsu while in a confined space. One thing the film gets wrong,...

Despite Richard Donners fame, there is one sci-fi movie, which featured Gerard Butler and Paul Walker in Donners second foray into the time travel genre, that's been forgotten. Richard Donner is most notably known for directing classic 80s movies such as The Goonies, Lethal Weapon and Scrooged. His work on the first three Lethal Weapon movies has been highly praised for helping revitalize buddy cop movies, despite the producer's first choice of director for Lethal Weapon being Ridley Scott, and The Goonies has gained so much popularity that it is now one of the rarest and most expensive VHS tapes.

Richard Donner seems to thrive in the action genre, however, there is one historical sci-fi film involving time travel which stands out in his filmography. 2003s Timeline was a sci-fi adventure directed by Donner and co-produced by The Donners' Company, a production company he founded in 1986. The historical sci-fi movie...

Lisa Westcott, the British makeup artist who won an Oscar for her work on 2012’s Les Misérables, has died, her husband told The Hollywood Reporter. She was 76.

Westcott died July 30 at her home in Oxford with her husband, Jeremy Ancock, and her twin children, George Ancock and Harriette Rothwell, with her. She was a staunch advocate for crew workers’ rights and fought fiercely for them to be upheld over the years, her family said.

She shared the Oscar for best makeup and hairstyling with Julie Dartnell for their efforts on the musical’s film adaptation that starred Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.

The pair were photographed accepting the prestigious prize from Jennifer Aniston and Channing Tatum 11 years ago, beaming as they posed for photos afterward.

Westcott also earned two consecutive Oscar nominations for Mrs Brown (1997), starring Judi Dench, Billy Connolly and Gerard Butler, and Shakespeare in Love (1998), with Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes,...

Boondock Saints 3 aims to surpass the poor critical reception of the first two movies. The original film was critically panned but gained a cult following on home video. Boondock Saints 3 needs a simpler story and more focus on comedy to succeed.

The Boondock Saints 3 has been confirmed to be in development, and it needs to break the unflattering record the series currently has with Rotten Tomatoes. Released in 1999, The Boondock Saints follows Connor and Murphy MacManus, a pair of brothers in Boston who become vigilante killers targeting one of the larger mobs in town. The film's hyper-violence and dark comedy made it highly controversial when it was released, leading to a critical drubbing and a major box-office disappointment.

However, the film eventually became a cult classic that generated a sequel (that also failed to earn many critical raves). With a third Boondock Saints on the way with Norman Reedus and...

Robot cowboys and reborn Dinosaurs blasted and roared across the silver screen because of the writing brilliance of Michael Crichton. A great deal of how the ideas of science fiction manifested and were stylized on film was initially inspired by this novelist's cautionary tales about potential futures and the technologies therein. It wasn't enough for Michael Crichton to just be a writer of his books which were so often adapted to the screen, but he also directed a good number of them as well.

Michael Crichton is often known for his large influence on science fiction action films. However, he has also had his hand in hospital dramas and westerns as well, fostering and featuring some of Hollywood's biggest names. Despite his passing in 2008, his legacy of books and films has continued, with the most prominent titles being Jurassic Park which has now spurred its own multi-film franchise, and HBO's Westworld.

We can all attest to those periods of feeling that your life is passing you by, but what if that was your constant reality, trapped at home with an ailing parent and ignored and shunted to the side by everyone, including your family? Director Luke Roulstone decided to take this notion and dive into the surreal in his new comedy horror short Shelf Life. Dorothy, played by Philippa Dunne, trudges through her every day, her only beacon of hope shines from the artificial glow of a computer screen and orchestrated brief interactions with a lusted after pizza delivery man. Shelf Life, one moment pithy and erring on the lighter side soon takes a sinister turn as our lonely spinster finds herself deteriorating akin to the putrid, sad fruit left too long on the shelf. Roulstone’s visuals are impressively vivid, cinematic and grander in their aesthetic than the tragically insular...

Norman Reedus reveals The Boondock Saints 3 will start with a wild prison break, promising an action-packed opening sequence. Despite rocky beginnings, the original cult classic has evolved into a fan-favorite franchise with a strong following over the years. The new movie, produced by Thunder Road, is said to focus on new "Saints" and may feature return appearances from familiar faces like Willem Dafoe.

The Boondock Saints will be returning for a third chapter in their storied history, and star Norman Reedus has revealed when The Boondock Saints 3 will pick up the story following the events in the 2009 sequel. Released on January 21, 2000, The Boondock Saints became a commercial flop after being shown in just five theaters thanks to distribution issues, and earning $35,000. The film would find new life on home video, earning more than $50 million in sales over the years, leading to The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day in 2009. Like its predecessor,...

BBC One’s upcoming series, In My Own Words, has unveiled its first batch of celebrity subjects, including Billy Connolly, Jilly Cooper, Jackie Kay, Hanif Kureishi, and Alison Lapper. This series, from BBC Arts, will offer viewers an intimate look into the lives and creative processes of some of the UK’s most renowned cultural figures. Each […]

BBC One’s In My Own Words Reveals Celebrity Subjects...

Butler's career skyrocketed after 300, solidifying him as a leading action star in Hollywood with international acclaim. Inspired by 300's success, Butler continued in the action genre, starring in multiple box office hits throughout his career. Despite being typecasted as an action star, Butler's iconic performance as King Leonidas in 300 remains his greatest to date.

The classic action movie 300 transformed Gerard Butler's Hollywood career and just may be the peak of his extensive filmography. 300 was released in the United States on March 9, 2007, and became the tenth highest-grossing movie of that year, earning $456 million worldwide against a production budget of $60 million. The epic action film was only Zack Snyder's second feature directorial effort following his breakout 2004 horror film Dawn of the Dead. The success and cultural impact of 300 led Snyder to take on other massive blockbusters such as Watchmen (2009), Man of Steel (2013), and Justice League...

Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (May 3-5) Total gross to date Week 1. Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes (Disney) £3.2m £3.8m 1 2. The Fall Guy (Universal) £948,970 £6.7m 2 3. Challengers (Warner Bros) £333,125 £4.7m 3 4. Back To Black (Studiocanal) £211,104 £11.3m 5 5. Tarot (Sony) £140,983 £923,013 2

Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.25

Disney’s Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes topped the UK and Ireland box office with £3.2m, with warm weather possibly deterring cinemagoers.

The fourth instalment in the Planet Of The Apes reboot series, and the first of a planned trilogy, swung into 650 cinemas for a £4,923 location average and made £3.8m overall including previews.

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes...

Hiroyuki Sanada has been honing his acting skills for over fifty years, having started when he was six years old. He landed his first role opposite the celebrated Japanese actor and martial artist Sonny Chiba in Game of Chance. Since then, the Tokyo-born actor, 63, has barely decelerated.

Hiroyuki Sanada in Shōgun (Credit: FX)

That being said, we cannot overlook the brilliant performance he gave in Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks’ Shōgun. As Lord Yoshii Toranaga, he practically steals every scene of the FX series. Unfortunately, the 10-episode series is over, but he has starred in a number of similar flicks that are well worth your time.

Nevertheless, Sanada’s résumé includes a number of stellar but lesser-known roles. Rest assured, if you enjoy his portrayal of Lord Toranaga, here are three must-see films starring the talented actor that will satisfy your craving for more of his compelling performances.

1. The Twilight Samurai...

Disney’s Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes leads the new titles at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, with the ape adventure starting in over 650 sites.

Directed by Wes Ball, Kingdom is the fourth film since the Planet Of The Apes series reboot in 2011; and 10thPlanet Of The Apes film overall since the series began with Franklin J. Schaffner’s 1968 classic starring Charlton Heston.

Set 300 years after the events of 2017’s War For The Planet Of The Apes, Kingdom sees a young chimpanzee hunter embark on a journey with a human woman, to a dangerous holdout ruled by an ambitious bonobo monarch.

Universal’s “The Fall Guy” debuted atop the U.K. and Ireland box office with £3.5 million ($4.5 million), according to numbers from Comscore.

But the force was strong with Disney’s 25th anniversary rerelease of “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” as it debuted in second place with £1.1 million. This, when added to the £56.4 million grossed when it originally released in 1999, makes the film neck-and-neck with “Joker” at No. 30 on the all-time box office chart for the territory.

In its second weekend, Warner Bros.’ “Challengers,” headlined by Zendaya, moved down to third place with £986,885 for a total of £3.6 million. In fourth position, in its fourth weekend, Studiocanal’s “Back to Black” added £770,973 for a total of £10.5 million.

Rounding off the top five was Univeral’s “Kung Fu Panda 4,” which earned £562,704 in its sixth weekend for a total of £20.4 million.

There were two more debuts in the Top 10. Sony...

Restored 1976 doc of Connolly’s tour of Ireland shows that, despite his bombastic stage presence, he is impeccably polite. But his naughtier material hasn’t aged well

Here is a 70s time capsule as pungent as a brimming pub ashtray. Restored and rereleased, Big Banana Feet is the 1976 documentary about Billy Connolly’s live shows in Dublin and Belfast the year before, just after his appearance on the BBC’s Parkinson show made him a star virtually overnight, and allowed his legions of new fans to hear him live and unexpurgated.

Billy and his hangdog entourage – all looking like a very downbeat version of the Bay City Rollers – travel to Dublin then to Belfast by private plane, but aside from that, everything looks very non-luxury. The backstage areas have the air of a scout hut, and there don’t seem to be any riders with Jack Daniel’s, cocaine, only-green-coloured M&Ms,...

Joe Pasquale has a Pampers advert and Bob Hoskins to thank for landing a role in 2006’s Garfield movie: more here.

If you’re reading this from the UK, then you may already be acquainted with the work of comedian Joe Pasquale, whose all-but-trademarked squeaky voice is a distinctive part of his act. It’s also a voice that’s earned him a lot of professional voiceover work, and one of those jobs many moons ago was for a nappy advert.

As he explained on the Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, he was hired to do one particular Pampers campaign with the late Bob Hoskins. Unusually, the pair were to sit in a recording booth together, rather than record their lines separately. Yet as Pasquale explained, Hoskins didn’t believe the sound coming out of his co-star was quite right. “That voice… I’ve never heard it come...

Boondock Saints III: Norman Reedus & Sean Patrick Flanery Returning? ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

Despite high expectations for a trilogy following the release of the second Boondock Saints film in 2009, the likelihood of its materializing decreased as difficulties arose. However, there is newfound hope with the confirmation of Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery reprising their roles for the third part.

The revival of the 1999 cult classic film is currently in progress. Known for its thrilling sequences and dynamic choreography, this American vigilante action film is set to return. Thunder Road, recognized for producing the John Wick saga, has joined forces with Dragonfly Films to produce the next installment – or installments – in the Saints saga.

According to Deadline, Basil Iwanyk from Thunder Road Films conveyed excitement about bringing the MacManus brothers back to the screen, intending to enrich the iconic mythology and characters for existing fans and a fresh audience. Finally, Norman...

In 2009, when the second Boondock Saints film came out, it seemed all but inevitable that there would be a trilogy. As time went on, and obstacles arose, the idea faded further and further from reality. Hope, however, is never lost, as Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery will finally reprise their roles in Boondock Saints III.

As reported by Deadline, “The rebirth of the 1999 cult favorite film The Boondock Saints is upon us.” The American vigilante action film was a sort of proto-John Wick, with thrilling sequences and dynamic choreography. Thus, it’s particularly appropriate that Thunder Road, who have produced the John Wick saga, has signed on to help Dragonfly Films produce the following entry – or entries – to the Saints saga.

Related 'When the Time's Right': Potential Smallville Revival Gets Exciting Update From Series Star Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, and more are on board for a planned sequel to the iconic series.

A third movie in The Boondock Saints franchise is now in the works. Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery are set to return as the gun-toting brothers. The plot for Boondock Saints 3 will focus on the introduction of new "Saints."

The Boondock Saints are back, with a new movie in the action thriller franchise now in the works. Both Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery are all set to return as the gun-wielding brothers Murphy and Connor MacManus, with Thunder Road, the producer behind the John Wick movies joining forces with rights holder Dragonfly Films to create this “expansion” of the series, which centers on two vigilante brothers who wage a war on crime in their hometown of Boston.

According to a report by Deadline, director Troy Duffy, who helmed both the 1999 original The Boondock Saints and the 2009 sequel The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, will not return for...

Exclusive: The rebirth of the 1999 cult favorite film The Boondock Saints is upon us. Thunder Road, the producer behind the John Wick films, has stepped in and joined rights-holder Dragonfly Films to make what they are calling a universe expansion of the action film franchise about the fraternal twin Irish brothers who raise holy hell to rid their Boston hometown of all criminals.

In the current configuration, Troy Duffy will step aside as director after creating and helming the original and the 2009 sequel The Boondock Saints: All Saints Day. Both films starred The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery as the MacManus brothers, with Billy Connolly playing their father.

Reedus and Flanery will reprise their roles, and the search is on for a new director. Duffy plans to write a series of books about the Saints, continuing their story that way.

There might be a renaissance going on for these action franchises,...

The BBC has revealed more details about this year’s Comic Relief telethon, which will be broadcast on 15th March on BBC One.

Comic Relief launched in 1985 with a telethon that has since become embedded in British culture. Known as Red Nose Day, on account of the red noses sold as part of the appeal, over the years this has led to many classic comic moments, from The Young Ones singing Livin’ Doll with Cliff Richard, to Johnny Depp and Sting appearing in The Vicar Of Dibley, to Billy Connolly running naked through Trafalgar Square and Mr Bean infiltrating both Blind Date, and a Torvill and Dean dance routine.

Lenny Henry, who co-founded Comic Relief with Richard Curtis, recently revealed that he will be stepping down as host after this year’s telethon. Henry said of his decision that “when we first started Comic Relief back in 1985, I never dreamed...

Zombies often take the horror-comedy to a new level. In their shambling quest to mine humor from the most horrific circumstances, zombie comedies invert the apocalyptic nihilism that an outbreak of the undead tends to elicit. They also subvert the expectations of zombie horror, frequently going meta to poke fun at some of the most time honored tropes.

Because it’s Monday, we could all use a laugh or three. So, this week’s streaming picks are dedicated to zombie comedies that aim not for the jugular (or brain) but your funny bone.

These five zombie comedies find unique ways to play with the genre and get silly with it, messing with form and era in the process. Here’s where you can stream them this week.

For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.

Dead Heat – The Roku Channel, Tubi

Dead Heat takes the buddy cop formula popularized...

Rare Billy Connolly documentary Big Banana Feet is undergoing restoration for a DVD and Blu-ray release, courtesy of the BFI.

Billy Connolly is unquestionably one of the most beloved stand-up comedians to ever grace the stage.

An alternative comedian before the term existed, Connolly was playing folk clubs with the likes of Jasper Carrott and Richard Digance in the early 1970s. Eventually, his patter between songs became so popular, Connolly ditched the music and became a stand up comic full time.

He has consistently been voted amongst the best stand up comedians on history by peers and public alike. He undertook his final tour, High Horse, in 2016 and published his latest autobiography, Windswept And Interesting, in 2021.

1975 was a landmark year for Connolly, as it marked the first of many appearences on Michael Parkinson’s chat show. The same year, a documentary called Big Banana Feet was filmed. It’s title came from the huge,...

The BBC have launched this year’s Comic Relief appeal, while Lenny Henry has also confirmed that he will step down as host.

Comic Relief launched in 1985 with a telethon that has since become embedded in British culture. Known as Red Nose Day, on account of the red noses sold as part of the appeal, over the years this has led to many classic comic moments, from The Young Ones singing Livin’ Doll with Cliff Richard, to Johnny Depp and Sting appearing in The Vicar Of Dibley, to Billy Connolly running naked through Trafalgar Square and Mr Bean infiltrating both Blind Date and a Torvill and Dean dance routine.

The BBC have launched this year’s appeal with a sketch featuring Alex Jones, Alison Hammond, Davina McCall, Gemma Collins, Dame Joan Collins, Jonathan Bailey, Nick Grimshaw, Rosie Jones and Simon Cowell, which you can see below:

Lenny Henry, who co-founded Comic Relief with Richard Curtis,...

Are you living up to those New Year’s resolutions so far? Need a little help gaining momentum? BBC Maestro is here to help with a phenomenal deal. Sign up by January 31 and you can take 40% off any purchase. The most popular plan is their annual subscription, now $72 instead of $120. That’s just $6/month to learn a world of new skills. Use the code JANUARY2024 to get the deal.

Get the Deal $6/month bbcmaestro.com Save $48 on the Annual Plan with code JANUARY2024 What is BBC Maestro?

BBC Maestro is very similar to the well-known MasterClass series. Celebrity instructors will walk you through everything you need to know to get started on a new skill set. Gain new skills in the kitchen, learn how to create stories, and discover how to start a business!

Each course runs between 2-4 hours, and the lessons are broken into short videos.

While you...

Soon you, too, can nail the art of playing a bastard. Having bid farewell to the darkly funny HBO drama, Succession star Brian Cox is set to impart his acting skills on the education platform, BBC Maestro. “I believe everyone is an actor, but the difficulty is turning it into a career,” says Cox in the trailer for the online course titled “Acting.”

According to the course description Cox will shine a spotlight on what it takes to deliver an award-winning performance and leave your audience wanting more. He will...

“Succession” star Brian Cox is the latest luminary to impart his knowledge as part of the BBC’s Maestro online education initiative.

Cox’s course, titled simply “Acting,” will shine a spotlight on how to deliver award-winning performances, capture — and hold — an audience’s collective attention, and embody a multitude of iconic characters. As is customary with the Maestro template, across his lessons, Cox will direct aspiring actors through practical exercises designed to help them master both stage and screen. Lessons will delve into character development, script analysis and the essential techniques to take into their next audition. The course will include a discussion of the key components of acting, insights from a casting director and a practical workshop led by Cox.

The classically trained actor is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Besides Logan Roy in “Succession,” his performances as Hermann Göring in “Nuremberg,...

Sir Michael Parkinson, beloved television presenter and talk show host, has sadly passed away at the age of 88. Parkinson was a master of the talk show, interviewing some of the biggest stars in the world with his warm and welcoming manner. Tributes from the entertainment industry, including Sir David Attenborough and Sir Elton John, have poured in for the iconic TV legend.

The world lost a talk show legend today, as Sir Michael Parkinson has sadly passed away at the age of 88. The BBC has confirmed that Parkinson, a beloved television presenter, broadcaster, journalist, and author, passed away surrounded by his family after a short illness.

"After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family," Sir Michael Parkinson's family said in a statement.

Best known for his chat show, Parkinson, which first began on the BBC back in 1971, Sir...

Michael Parkinson, the British chat show king who was confirmed dead on Thursday, will be remembered as one of the outstanding interviewers of his generation. During his show’s 36-year run across the BBC and ITV, Parkinson sat down with some of the biggest stars of our time, attracting acclaim and sometimes controversy. Scroll on for some of his most memorable moments.

Muhammad Ali

Parkinson had three significant encounters with the greatest boxer of all time, the first of which took place in 1971. The interview, in which Ali reflected on his skill in front of the camera and in the ring, was organized before a time when publicists heavily policed celebrity talk show appearances. On hearing Ali was in the UK to promote a soft drink, Parkinson’s producer snagged the boxer on a trip to a bottling factory for a “news interview.” In reality, Parkinson and a studio audience were eagerly waiting.

Legendary UK broadcaster and chat show host Michael Parkinson has died aged 88, according to his family.

A statement from his family to the BBC read: “After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.”

The British broadcaster was an evergreen on UK screens in a career spanning seven decades, and he interviewed the world’s biggest stars on his long-running chat show.

High-profile guests included Muhammad Ali, Elton John, Madonna, Helen Mirren and Billy Connolly.

Parkinson received radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer in 2013, but got the all-clear from doctors two years later.

BBC Director General Tim Davie called him “the king of the chat show” and said he had “defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed.”

“He interviewed the biggest stars of the...

Actors Yami Gautam and Akshay Kumar on Friday announced that their upcoming film ‘Omg 2’ will hit the screens on August 11.

Akshay also shared a new poster of the film, where he is seen as lord Shiva and is holding a ‘damru’. It has the date of release written in Hindi over it, with ‘Omg 2’ written below.

For the caption, he wrote: “Aa rahe hain hum, aayega aap bhi. 11th August. In theatres. #OMG2.”

Yami shared the same poster on her Instagram account.

She captioned it: “The date is locked! #OMG2 releasing in theatres on August 11, 2023. See you there!”

The film also stars Pankaj Tripathi, who too shared the poster and mentioned: “The date is locked! #OMG2 releasing in theatres on August 11, 2023. See you there!”

The film is the second installement of ‘Oh My God!’, which released in 2012. The satirical comedy-drama film was based on the Gujarati stage-play Kanji Virudh Kanji,...

Stars: Jenny Raven, Dillon Casey, Vanessa Smythe, Mercedes Morris, Tommie-Amber Pirie, Michael Xavier, Kenny Wong, Brendan Fehr, Ennis Esmer | Written by Dennis Heaton | Directed by Eric Tessier

The Amityville Curse seemed to bear a couple of its own curses. It’s an Amityville knockoff and after Amityville Cult, Amityville Thanksgiving, Amityville in the Hood, and so many more, it’s pretty much a guarantee of mediocrity. Secondly, it’s a Tubi Original, which usually carries a very similar guarantee.

But there were a couple of reasons to be hopeful as well. Director Éric Tessier may not be well known outside of Quebec but his adaptions of two of Patrick Senécal’s novels, 5150 Elm’s Way and more importantly, Sur le Seuil aka Evil Words, are both excellent. Dennis Heaton wrote the film, based on the novel by the late Hans Holzer. Heaton you may recall wrote the Billy Connolly zom-com Fido.

Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 star Meera Syal is to be awarded the BAFTA Fellowship at the upcoming TV Awards.

Syal will make a speech at the May 14 ceremony and also spend the year working directly with the arts charity on learning, inclusion and talent programs.

She is perhaps best known for starring in two hit BBC comedies Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42 and she was BAFTA nominated for the latter in 2003. Past credits include Yesterday, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger and The Split.

She said she is “thrilled and honored,” adding: “I am particularly delighted that this year’s award is twinned with opportunities to mentor and support participants in BAFTA’s learning programme – where I hope to engage with many talented practitioners and continue working to make BAFTA a truly representative and celebratory place for all our creatives.”

New BAFTA...

With the shocking and sudden passing of Logan Roy in the latest Succession episode titled “Connor’s Wedding,” now feels like an appropriate time to mark the loss of our favorite legacy media patriarch. From his parenting skills to his wolfish persona, Brian Cox’s Logan Roy has left an indelible mark on television, but perhaps none more significant or memorable than his iconic “fuck off!”

There’s a great sketch by Billy Connolly, an icon of British comedy, in which he celebrates its incredible power as one of the...

Lorraine Kelly has opened up about the advice she received from actor and comedian Billy Connolly that helped her combat impostor syndrome.

The Scottish broadcaster has hosted her own weekday morning programme on ITV since the early Nineties.

Lorraine, as it has been known since 2010, sees Kelly discussing the main stories from the morning’s newspapers, as well as segments for fashion, health and entertainment.

Despite her success, the presenter has admitted to feeling an element of impostor syndrome in her career.

In a new interview with Prima, Kelly spoke about how coming from working-class beginnings contributed to a feeling of insecurity in professional settings.

“Coming from a working-class background, I can get impostor syndrome,” she explained.

According to her, Connolly, a fellow Scot, told her the importance of moving past this feeling.

“I’ll ask myself, ‘Am I really good enough to be here?’ Billy Connolly once told me...

Paul Walker enjoyed a lengthy career in Hollywood that carried him through various roles in several unique movies before his unfortunate death in 2013 at just 40 years old. Fans likely remember him best as Brian O'Conner in the "Fast and Furious" franchise, but the talented and handsome actor also appeared in critical hits such as "Pleasantville," "Joy Ride," and Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers," and served as executive producer on the films "Vehicle 19," "Hours," and "Pawn Shop Chronicles." He even enjoyed a guest spot on National Geographic's "Expedition Great White" in 2009.

In his youth, Walker popped up in a variety of high-profile TV shows, among them "Highway to Heaven," "Charles in Charge," "Who's the Boss," and "Touched by an Angel," before making the leap to schlocky B-movie horror films such as "Tammy and the Rex," opposite Denise Richards, in which his character's brain somehow lands inside a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Joe Jonas has reflected on losing the role of Spider-Man to Andrew Garfield.

The Jonas Brothers singer auditioned for the part of the titular superhero for 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man, which eventually went to Garfield.

Jonas, 33, opened up about his acting experience in a recent interview on Just For Variety podcast, during which he was asked what role he considered to be “the one that got away”.

He said: “In the moment [when you lose a part to someone else], you’re destroyed or you’re defeated. But you realise this person was brilliant.

“I remember years ago I was up for Spider-Man and I was so, so excited, and it was the year Andrew Garfield got it. Obviously, he was the right one.”

Jonas – who married Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner in 2019 – went on to explain that he believed he had a good chance at getting the part because the director Marc Webb used to work on music videos.