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The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trips and stumbles

Marvel’s first family has returned, and this time under the umbrella of the MCU. Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. With director Matt Shakman helming the film, is the fifth time the charm for the Fantastic Four, or is The Fantastic Four: First Steps another misstep for this famed family? The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens with the Fantastic Four at…

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Get ready to hit Skid Row in Little Shop of Horrors

It’s so much closer now, folks. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is almost here. Get ready for a thrilling and hilariously heartwarming experience as Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and TheatreworX Productions proudly present an all-new Irish production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, coming to our stage for the very first time from Friday, 25th of July to Saturday, 09th of August. Tickets priced from €24.20 are on…

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Jane Austen Wrecked My Life - Hardly, my dear

Out now in cinemas is Jane Austen Wrecked My Life. This French romantic comedy follows Agathe (Camille Rutherford), a book shop owner, as she tries to find herself during a two-week writing retreat. Directed and written by Laura Piani in her feature film debut, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is a brilliant film. All I knew about this film was its title. With such a blunt and straightforward title,…

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The Galway Film Fair at the 37th Galway Film Fleadh has announced that acclaimed director Ali Abbasi will lead this year’s Directors Masterclass, supported by Screen Skills Ireland.

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Deborah Doherty and John Kennedy, two of Ireland’s most respected post-production leaders are set to spearhead new post-production and visual effects studio Elephant Goldfish.

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How to Train Your Dragon - An unnecessary, but fun flight of fancy

It’s 2010, and young(er) Graham has just walked out of Dean DeBlois’ animated fantasy adventure How to Train Your Dragon. I adored it, it had everything I loved, from stellar animation to a world brimming with dragons, my favourite creature, fictional or otherwise. With two sequels and a multitude of spin-offs, it is, in my opinion, one of the best animated franchises ever. Fast-forward to 2025,…

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Predator: Killer of Killers - All Killer, No Filler

Director Dan Trachtenberg came out with Prey in 2022 and it was adored by fans of the Predator franchise. With its interesting time period, charismatic protagonist, and its impressive Yautja, aka a Predator. Now, three years on, Trachtenberg has returned to the Predator franchise with Predator: Killer of Killers. Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated anthology film with a striking animation…

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The Galway Film Fleadh announces advance ticket sales for selected films from the 2025 programme and confirmation of Pálás venue for Fleadh 25.

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Thunderbolts* - A bunch of losers that I loved

Out this week in cinemas is Marvel’s latest superhero entry, Thunderbolts*. Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, Hannah John-Kamen, and Lewis Pullman. along with several other notable actors. Thunderbolts* is about the shadier figures that are on the fringes of the MCU, and how these loners and misfits feel when they’re not doing battle with the good guys. The film…

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Cloud - A fascinating look at the greed of humanity

Cloud is a 2024 film directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and starring Masaki Suda. Masaki Suda plays Yoshii, a reseller in Japan, essentially a professional scalper. He hates his day job, even though his boss is trying to promote him, and wishes to live a life of “freedom” with his girlfriend Akiko (Kotone Furukawa). As the film progresses and Yoshii seemingly finds his freedom,. However, his past comes…

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Bradford 2025, Ardán, WRAP, and Screen Yorkshire, are seeking applications from producers to take part in a Bradford/West of Ireland Screen Producer Exchange programme. 

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Teki Cometh - Looking back on life

When festival season comes around, I’m always excited because I’m likely going to see films that I wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to. Whether I love them or hate them, I always come away with new knowledge and appreciation for the industry. Teki Cometh is one of those films, though I didn’t love it, I ultimately appreciated the story it was telling. Teki Cometh follows retired professor…

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A Samurai in Time - A low budget darling

The Japanese Film Festival is currently happening all across Ireland, and this year looks to have more films shown across Ireland. The first film I got to see was A Samurai in Time. This film follows Kosaka Shinzaemon (Makiya Yamaguchi), a samurai from the Azui clan in the Edo Period. During one night, he clashes with another samurai, and when lightning strikes, he is transported into the future,…

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The Japanese Film Festival Ireland 25 is here

The Japanese Film Festival Ireland returns for its 16th edition this month, bringing a selection of new and classic Japanese films to screens across Ireland. Ireland’s only truly national film festival will showcase 16 films this year, from festival favourites to the latest anime features. The festival will run until April 26th, with screenings in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Sligo, Waterford, Dundalk,…

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The Making of a Japanese - The beauty of childhood tinged with bitter pressure

From director Ema Ryan Yamazaki comes the documentary The Making of a Japanese. Following the students of an elementary school in Japan, Yamazaki puts the lens on the first and sixth graders of the school. Showcasing the everyday lives these children live in their formative years and how it differs from here in the West. Being a child of both worlds Yamazaki has a unique perspective. She wishes…

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Four Mothers - A Celebration of Irish Mammies

Out this week in Irish cinemas is Four Mothers directed and written by Darren Thorton. A film I would describe as an ode to Irish mammies and what they’ve given up for us and what we owe to them. Four Mothers stars James McArdle, Fionnula Flanagan, Paddy Glynn, Dearbhla Molloy, and Stella McCusker. The film follows Edward, an author who is about to break America with his latest book.…

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Love Bound - A story of love and struggle

Directed by Shanshan Chen, Love Bound is a documentary about the story of LGBTQ+ activist Qiuyan Chen. This young woman shot to fame in the 2010s due to her heroic battle against homophobic textbooks. After being outed by her tutor, and suffering conversion therapy pushed by her parents, Qiuyan fled to the UK for some form of respite. There, she met Bling, and the two started a beautiful…