Julie Feeney releases haunting new video

She dresses in art noveau finery, calls in an army, sings down by a lake and serenades a corpse - it can only be the new music video from Miss Julie Feeney.

The Galway composer and singer filmed the haunting promo clip for her latest single, Just a Few Hours, in and around Cork in freezing conditions last December.

Watch it here.

The video was made by Cork-based EPIC Productions and was shot over four days in the city, taking in historic locations such as St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Gougane Barra and the Ballincollig Powder Mills, and such cultural institutions as the Cork School of Music. The Irish Military re-enactment group were drafted in for the shoot.

Sorry to bother you, but are you one of the Choice Music Award judges?

Just a Few Hours is lifted from Feeney's third album, Clocks, which is nominated for the Choice Music Award 2012.

The winner will be announced at Dublin's Vicar Street on March 7 and it could see the maverick singer and composer win for the second time following victory for her debut album 13 Songs in 2005.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

RTÉ TEN Top TV Picks of the Day

Wedding make-ups, boozy break-ups and a headline-grabbing heart-to-heart - it's all on the telly tonight.

Des Bishop: Under the Influence, 10.15pm, RTÉ One

In the final part of the series where comedian Des Bishop looks at the Irish and our drinking habits, he questions where it is socially acceptable to be in nightclubs sober. At the tender age of 14 his parents sent him to Ireland because, as he says, he had 'developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol'. Now he sets the nation two tasks of firstly bringing back the slow-set (whoop whoop!) and a 31-day challenge for the month of March. Find out more tonight.

The Wedding Shop, 9pm, ITV

The wedding business is big business and for one shop in particular there is an unending number of brides coming through their doors to choose the all-important dress. In tonight's documentary we meet three brides-to-be and get a glimpse into the happiest and perhaps most stressful time of their lives. From tears to tantrums, it's all here; there's Tammy who hasn't spoken to her mum in five years, Jo is wants to remarry Darren and Natasha who found, then lost and has refound her first love, Ches. Real-life soap stuff.

Ear to the Ground, 8.30pm, RTÉ One
On tonight's programme, the final in the series Ella McSweeney interviews Meath jockey, Johnny Murtagh who opens up about his headline-grabbing career. The champion jockey talks about his many triumphant moments and also the devastating battles he fought both personally and professionally. Plus Darragh McCullough reports from Limerick on the fodder crisis facing farmers.

Johnny Murtagh and Ella McSweeney got along famously

Taragh Loughrey-Grant

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Florence, Stones win at NME Awards

Florence Welch and The Rolling Stones were the big winners at last night's NME Awards.

Best Solo Artist went to the Florence + The Machine singer, who also took home the gong for Best Dancefloor Anthem for Sweet Nothing.

Ronnie Wood collected the Best Live Band award for The Rolling Stones, as well as the Best Music Film award for Crossfire Hurricane.

Biffy Clyro were named Best British Band, Foals' Inhaler was awarded Best Single and The Maccabees' Given to the Wild was crowed Best Album.

Ronnie Wood and Johnny Marr

The Killers won Best International Band, while Palma Violets were named Best New Band.

One Direction were named the Worst Band, with Harry Styles picking up the Villain of the Year award.

Check out a full list of the 2013 NME Award winners below:

Best British Band
Biffy Clyro

Best Album
The Maccabees - Given To The Wild

Godlike Genius
Johnny Marr

Best International Band
The Killers

Best Track
Foals - Inhaler

Best Re-Issue
Blur - 21

Best Solo Artist
Florence Welch

Best New Band
Palma Violets

Best Music Video
Arctic Monkeys - R U Mine?

Best Festival
Reading & Leeds

Best Small Festival
Festival No.6

Best Live Band
The Rolling Stones

Outstanding Contribution to Music
The Cribs

Philip Hall Radar Award
Child Of Lov

Best Dancefloor Anthem
Calvin Harris and Florence Welch - Sweet Nothing

Music Moment Of The Year
London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Hero Of The Year
Barack Obama

Villain Of The Year
Harry Styles

Worst Band
One Direction

Best Book
Mike Skinner - The Story Of The Streets

Best Film
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Best Music Film
The Rolling Stones - Crossfire Hurricane

Best TV Show
Fresh Meat

Best Fan Community
Muse

Best Twitter
Alana Haim, Haim (@babyhaim

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rosanna Davison makes Pseuds Corner

Chris de Burgh's daughter Rosanna Davison has beaten off stiff competition from Irish writers, pundits and arts journalists to make the hallowed columns of Pseuds Corner in Private Eye magazine.

The item runs in the UK's premiere satirical periodical in recognition of hyperbole and pretention wherever and whenever they rear their lovely heads.

In the current issue, the former Miss Ireland made the list for these deathless words from an interview she gave to The Irish Times which touched on her decision to strip for Playboy magazine:

"One of my big worries doing Playboy was my responsibility towards women and towards feminism . . . I decided to do it based on my academic understanding of women's writing and literature."

Fine words indeed, fine words.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Arbitrage – RTÉ TEN review

The acclaimed, Richard Gere-starring financial thriller Arbitrage opens in Irish cinemas tomorrow, Friday March 1. RTÉ TEN's Harry Guerin puts on his red braces.

Back in the early Nineties, a writer in either Melody Maker or the NME came out with the classic line that being a fan of Depeche Mode was like supporting Arsenal: no-one was going to thank you for it.

If you're a fan of Richard Gere you know the feeling.

Despite Gere delivering some great performances over the decades - Brooklyn's Finest, The Mothman Prophecies, Pretty Woman, An Officer and a Gentleman, Days of Heaven - chances are he's not top of your nearest and dearest's list for a cinema trip.

Arbitrage warrants a 'retrebling' of your efforts, and if indifference or point blank refusal is the response it really is their loss. This is a very classy thriller, and perhaps the performance of Gere's career.

As he turns 60, hedge fund magnate Robert Miller (Gere) can look to a beautiful family (wife played by Susan Sarandon, daughter Brit Marling), great wealth and legend status on Wall Street. Miller, however, wants more - or, it seems, less. He's setting up a deal to sell his business in order to shine that old spend-more-time-with-my-family chestnut. But as the dotted line deadline looms Miller's personal and professional life go into freefall, with the prospects of him seeing 61 in the same rude health becoming more remote by the day.

In his feature debut, writer-director Nicholas Jarecki has made the movie that Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps should have been. Arbitrage is effortlessly slick, packed with bedroom, boardroom and courtroom tension and makes viewers question their own integrity and just how far they'd go to stay one step ahead.

Golden Globe-nominated and another actor who can feel short-changed by the lack of a place on the Oscar shortlist, Gere is superb in every scene, while the supporting cast - which includes Tim Roth as the hangdog cop with the bit between his teeth and Nate Parker as the kid caught between a rock and a hard place - bring much to a film that's all about black, white and grey areas. We can expect Jarecki's stock to soar.

As the joke goes, if honesty is the best policy, then it follows that dishonesty is the second best policy. You'll get plenty of the latter here, and a lot more besides.

4/5

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kraftwerk go 3D for Longitude Festival

German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk will perform their live 3D spectacular at the climax of Ireland's newest music weekender, the Longitude Festival which takes place in Marlay Park this summer.

Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, Foals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Hot Chip are also part of the three-day event which runs between July 19 to 21 in the south Dublin Park.

Early Bird Weekend tickets go on sale on March 4 at €129.50 plus fees. For day tickets, the early bird price is €44.50, which includes booking fee.

The full line up is as follows: Kraftwerk, Phoenix, Vampire Weekend, Foals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Villagers, Hot Chip, Modest Mouse, TEED, Paul Kalkenbrenner, SBTRKT (DJ set) Mark Lanegan, Local Natives, Django Django, Jessi Ware, Trentemøller, Kodaline, MMoths, Tom Odell, AlunaGeorge, Flume, Cast of Cheers, Young Wonder, Mø, Mikhael Paskalev, S O H N, Petite Noir, Half Moon Run, Vondelpark and Stealing Sheep.

For more information see www.longitude.ie

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

OT's leaders lose over 11½ stone

As the current series of Operation Transformation ends on RTÉ One tonight, Wednesday February 27, at 8:30pm, it has been revealed that this year's five leaders have collectively lost over 11½ stone.

Deirdre Hosford, Charlotte O'Connell, Monica Percy, Greg Starr and Gavin Walker have surpassed their original weight loss targets, collectively losing 11 stone, 8.5 pounds.

Another of the stars of this year's series, schoolboy Aaron Walsh, has lost 3½ stone to date.

Operation Transformation presenter Kathryn Thomas said: "I am so thrilled for our leaders Gavin, Monica, Deirdre, Greg and Charlotte. It was brilliant to see them all take to the catwalk; I think they all look amazing.

"Every year the series continues to get bigger and better. When I'm out and about, whether it's in a supermarket or with my own friends, there is a huge level of awareness out there.

"I think more and more Operation Transformation is highlighting the obesity epidemic the country is facing.

"It's not just a weight loss show, it's so much more than that and I am very proud to be involved in it."

Leader Weight Loss to Date:

Deirdre Hosford from Whitechurch in Cork: 1st 10lbs

Charlotte O'Connell from Bailieborough in Cavan: 2st 5.5lbs

Monica Percy from Ballon in Carlow: 1st 10lbs

Greg Starr from Aglish in Tipperary: 2st 11lbs

Gavin Walker from Tallaght in Dublin: 3st

John Murray, RTÉ Radio 1 presenter, said: "I'm so impressed by the work that our five leaders have put in this year; they all look incredible and should be extremely proud of themselves. Not only that, but they have all dramatically improved their fitness levels and their health.

"The programme continues to resonate with people and it has been wonderful to see the huge number of community groups and individuals across the country taking that vital first step to becoming fitter, healthier and happier people by embarking upon their own Operation Transformations.

"Not least, we saw this reflected in the Trojan work put in by 12-year-old Aaron Walsh, who bravely stepped up to the mantle and has become an inspiration to children and parents struggling with childhood obesity."

All five of this year's leaders will be interviewed on The John Murray Show on RTÉ Radio 1 from 9:00am on Thursday February 28.

For more on Operation Transformation, visit: www.rte.ie/ot.

The OT leaders

The OT team

Deirdre Hosford

Charlotte O'Connell

Monica Percy

Greg Starr

Gavin Walker

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

EL James will tone it down in next book

The author of Fifty Shades of Grey has said her next fictional work will feature less sex, and will probably be written under a different pseudonym.

Speaking at the Vanity Fair Oscars party, the hugely successful author - real name Erika Mitchell - told the New York Post that her next novel "won't be nearly so raunchy - and I will probably write it under another name".

The first novel in James's trilogy has sold more than six million copies in the UK alone.

James is also unlikely to write another book featuring the torrid adventures of Ana and Christian.

"Never say never - but they're on the back burner at the moment, as I have a few other stories to tell first," she declared on her website.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Duhamel shares baby excitement

Josh Duhamel has shared his excitement about becoming a dad with RTÉ TEN.

The actor, who was in Dublin to promote his latest film Safe Haven, announced last week that he and his wife Fergie are expecting their first child.

Watch our interview with Safe Haven stars Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough by clicking the link on the left.

He said of their news: "It's what it's about for me; it's what we've wanted for a long time. You don't really understand it until you actually go through it; I never did until I was in there looking at the ultrasound going, 'Oh my God, I made that!' So it's been exciting every step of the way."

The 40-year-old actor added that playing a father of two kids in Safe Haven helped him in the process of becoming a dad, saying: "I think anytime you can spend time with kids at whatever age you learn something from them and these kids were great. If my kids could turn out like them that would be ideal. So I learned a lot from them.

"My sister's got twins so I learned from them; you really get a close up view of every stage from infant all the way through to three-years-old now."

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters 3D review

The Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton-starring Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters arrives in Irish cinemas in 3D today, Wednesday February 27. Tadhg Peavoy finds out if this is an adventure worth having.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters is an attempt to reboot the classic 19th-century German folk tale of two children who escape the clutches of a cannibalistic witch.

Sadly, the reboot is far from a Duracell bunny, and more of a Yellow Pack brand.

We join the story after a synopsis of the well-known Brothers Grimm tale, as in just after Hansel and Gretel have been left to fend for themselves in a German wood, where they kill a witch attempting to eat them both for dinner.

Many years later the siblings have become bounty hunters and are hired to track down and exterminate witches who are threatening the good folk of rural Germany.

When on assignment in Augsburg they meet an adversary who possesses power and evil above and beyond their normal foes.

That adversary is the witch Muriel (Famke Janssen) who has concocted an "I'm going to take over the world" idea for which she is putting the last items in place as the Blood Moon approaches.

What ensues is H&G attempting to track down Muriel while also trying to find out clues to their own childhood, which remains shrouded in mystery.

The A-list duo of Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton fill the title roles and are therefore the driving force of the film.

The script is penned and directed by Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola.

And it is with this lead duo and auteur that the main problems with the film lie.

The script just doesn't engage: there are plot holes, overly convenient happenings and scenarios, and clichés peppered throughout; from the get-go it is apparent that this is the case.

Renner and Arterton attempt to get a hold of the script and breathe life into what could actually have been two very intriguing characters. But they don't manage it.

It's hard to criticise actors when working with such an average script - as there is only so much they can work with - but suffice it to say: Jennifer Lawrence won't be succeeded by Arterton as the Academy Award-winning Best Actress for this role; Renner won't get any gongs either.

The redeeming factors for poor scripts and performances in popcorn movies is so often the CGI and action. But in this case they're not. Many of the set piece stunts are awful, and you feel as though you can almost see the strings that enable the actors to perform their martial arts moves.

There are moments when the 3D and CGI get into the sweet spot, but they quickly move out of it soon after.

The plot is very murky and fails to engage the viewer, mainly because the plan with which Muriel is to achieve her world domination is never properly addressed.

The character development is wafer thin, with Peter Stormare (Fargo, The Big Lebowski) as the local sheriff criminally underused and underdeveloped.

The film is really more of a kids' movie than an action movie, and kids' movies that transcend their target market and engage adults are some of the unexpected treats of cinema-going, but this effort won't be filed in that category.

That said, the film is being advertised and marketed to death and the estimated $50,000,000 budget recouped $19,690,956 in its opening weekend alone. To paraphrase Field of Dreams: "If you advertise it, they will come."

2/5

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Les Dawson for hologram return to TV

Les Dawson is to make a return to TV, two decades after he died from a heart attack aged 62.

His ghostly apparition will be seen on an edition of the ITV format An Audience with... featuring the popular comedian in hologram form. Shades of that touring Elvis Presley show that used to hit these shores some years ago.

"This will be the first time a celebrity appears on the show after their own death," a source told the Daily Mirror. "[Les] was in talks with ITV to do An Audience with . before he died. It appealed to him and this will be a final fling."

Dawson's widow, Tracy, and daughter, Charlotte, have approved the project, which is being planned to commemorate the 20th aniversary of Dawson's death in 1993.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Legendary Dublin studio issues tape appeal

A recording studio which has hosted U2, Depeche Mode and The Rolling Stones has issued an appeal to musicians who have worked there to collect their master tapes - or else they'll be destroyed.

Dublin's Windmill Lane where U2 recorded parts of their albums Boy, War and The Joshua Tree are calling on all past artists to claim the tapes which include pre-digital recordings by the likes of AC/DC, The Chieftains, U2 and The Spice Girls.

Over the years these master tapes have begun deteriorating and are taking up valuable space as the studio goes through expansion.

The studio, which was set up in 1978 by engineer Brian Masterson, was originally used by traditional musicians before U2 began working there in 1980. Windmill has since relocated from its small quayside setting to Dublin's Ringsend Road and is now owned by Pulse Recording College. However, the old studio is still a site of pilgrimage for fans visiting the much-graffitied "U2 wall."

"We're appealing to any artists who've worked here using two-inch multitrack tapes to come in and reclaim them because we're in the process of disposing of these tapes," Ian Brady of Pulse told RTÉ Ten.

Some of the old tapes, including work by PJ Harvey, The Cranberries and Paul Brady, on display at Dublin's Windmill Lane Studios

"There's a lot of stuff here of huge historical interest by the likes of U2, Riverdance, AC/DC and The Chieftains but the tapes can weight tonnes and they occupy valuable space. It they're not reclaimed, they will be disposed of."

Brady adds that the studio is encouraging all enthusiasts and fans to drop in and pay a visit for their last chance ever see the significance of these nostalgic pieces all in one place.

"Disposal will commence on May 7th, and we urge any interested parties who wish to claim their tapes to contact us before that date." he says.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alicia Silverstone to return to TV

Alicia Silverstone is set to return the small screen in HR and will play a human resources director who takes a bold new approach to life after suffering a brain injury.

HR, which is written by Glenn Porter, was ordered by American TV network Lifetime in 2012, on the condition they found the right actress to play the lead role.

After a year-long search 36-year-old Silverstone has finally been cast giving the project the green light for production.

Silverstone is best-known for film roles including Clueless and Batman & Robin. Her past television work includes a stint in the comedy Suburgatory and a starring role in the short-lived Miss Match.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Billy Elliot's Bell to star in new spy drama

Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell will star in a pilot for a new AMC drama set during the American War of Independence.

Set in colonial New York, Long Island and Connecticut, Turn is about a band of young soldiers and civilians who come together to form American's first top-secret spy ring.

Bell will play the lead role of Abraham Woodhull, a cabbage farmer living in a small town in Long Island who begins spying on British colonialists for the Patriot cause in the lead up to the American War of Independence.

The show has been written by Nikita creator Craig Silverstein and the pilot will be directed by Rise of the Planet of the Apes's Rupert Wyatt. The pilot is being produced by AMC, the makers of Mad Men.

Turn will mark Bell's major television debut, having made his acting breakthrough in Billy Elliot and since starring in films such as 2005's King Kong, 2008's Defiance and The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn in 2011.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wahlberg 'grew up around drugs and gangs'

Actor Mark Wahlberg says he was faced with two career choices when he was growing up in Boston - drugs or gangs.

In his new movie, Broken City, the 41-year-old actor plays a private investigator who becomes entangled in high-level political corruption centring on the re-development of a blue-collar housing project in New York.

Speaking to RTÉ Ten, Wahlberg says the film's plot chimed with him because of his own working class background in Boston.

"It's funny because when I was talking to people about the movie they just assumed it would be about the New York they knew - this great, glamorous place, the Big Apple and Broadway," he says.

"It's the same with Boston. It's a big school town and everybody raves about going there and getting a great education. I grew up fifteen minutes from downtown and I was not getting a great education. I got an Eighth Grade education and I got forced into either getting involved with drugs or gangs.

"You're forced into being one of the guys with the peer pressure and everything else. But it's the same in every American city and cities across the world; you've got the good, the bad and the in-between."

Wahlberg also talks to RTÉ Ten about working with Russell Crowe in Broken City. Click on the link on the left to watch our interview.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

One Direction auctioning clothes for charity

The stars of One Direction are selling selected items of their wardrobe on eBay to boost ongoing fundraising efforts for Comic Relief.

All of the clothes up for sale feature items worn on the band's recent trip to Ghana or on the set of their One Way Or Another (Teenage Kicks) video shoot, according to Contact Music.

Among the items up for grabs are Harry Styles' white Converse shoes, Zayn Malik's black and white Vans trucker cap and Niall Horan's Supra sneakers.

The various auctions have just over five days left to run.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Arbitrage director relives Gere audition

With his acclaimed financial thriller Arbitrage opening in Irish cinemas this Friday, March 1, writer-director Nicholas Jarecki has been telling RTÉ TEN about the unusual setting in which he persuaded A-lister Richard Gere to play "business gangster" Robert Miller in his first, modestly budgeted feature film as a director.

You can watch our interview with Nicholas Jarecki by clicking the link on your left.

On his visit last week to Dublin for the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival, Jarecki took up the story: "Richard's agent was a big fan of the screenplay and I said to him, 'Listen do you think we could ever get Richard [to star]?' He sent him the script; 18 hours later Richard called back.

"Richard said, 'I love the script but I have to meet this director because he's never made a movie - how do I know he knows what he's doing?!'"

Jarecki continued: "Anyway, we met up. Richard owns a restaurant in Upstate New York - he actually owns a hotel. We sat in the hotel, I was introduced and he said, 'Convince me. How do I know you know what you're doing?' I said, 'Alright, here's how I see it'.

"We start talking; three hours go by. All of a sudden we're really deep in conversation. I got the script here and he says [shouts], 'Do this scene!' So I start playing his mistress; he's playing 'himself', Robert Miller the billionaire. And all of a sudden he's grabbing the script and going [shouts again], 'C'mere! Stand up!'

"We're in the restaurant; there's 50 people in the restaurant! He throws me up against the wall and we stared deep into each other's eyes. And it was kind of from this moment that we realised we had a shared insanity!

"I was super-lucky that he responded to the material in this way. I think he saw something in the character that he could really give a great performance."

Gere was Golden Globe-nominated for his work on Arbitrage, and you can judge for yourself whether it's the performance of his career when it opens in cinemas from Friday March 1.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

RTÉ CO records Gleeson movie score

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra is in the studio today, Tuesday February 26, recording composer Patrick Cassidy's score for Calvary, the new film which reunites Brendan Gleeson with The Guard director John Michael McDonagh.

Speaking ahead of recording the Calvary score, Mayo-born, Los Angeles-based Cassidy said: "The RTÉ Concert Orchestra is an excellent orchestra with a great attitude - the musicians really give it their all."

He added: "And Calvary is a very good movie, very inspiring - that lends itself to creating good music!"

The Priest (Brendan Gleeson) in Calvary is described as "the flipside to The Guard's Sergeant Gerry Boyle." The film also stars Marie Josée Crozé, Isaach De Bankolé, Aidan Gillen, Domhnall Gleeson, Dylan Moran, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Pat Shortt and David Wilmot.

Calvary will be released later this year.

Composer Cassidy's CV includes the films Hannibal, Veronica Guerin, King Arthur, Layer Cake, Che Guevara and Kingdom of Heaven, along with classical works The Children of Lir and Famine Remembrance, which received its European premiere with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

He began work on the score for Calvary last year, with director McDonagh sending him examples of music he liked, including the soundtrack to Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Day-Lewis makes history at Oscars

Daniel Day-Lewis has become the first man to win the Best Actor Academy Award three times.

At the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night, he was presented with the Oscar for his starring role in Lincoln, which was directed by Steven Spielberg.

Accepting his award from Meryl Streep, an emotional Day-Lewis told the audience: "I really don't know how any of this happened. I do know that I have received so much more than my fair share of good fortune in my life and I'm so grateful to the Academy for this beautiful honour."

He paid tribute to his wife, the author and director Rebecca Miller, and tearfully dedicated the award to his mother, the late actress Jill Balcon.

Daniel Day-Lewis and director Steven Spielberg

The Best Picture Oscar went to Argo, directed by Ben Affleck, while Ang Lee won the Best Director Oscar for Life of Pi.

Argo also won the Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay (Chris Terrio) and Best Editing (William Goldenberg), while Life of Pi also won Oscars for Original Score (Mychael Danna), Cinematography (Claudio Miranda) and Visual Effects (Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R Elliott).

Jennifer Lawrence was named Best Actress for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook, while Anne Hathaway won Best Supporting Actress for Les Misérables, one of three awards for the musical on the night.

Christoph Waltz won Best Supporting Actor for Django Unchained, his second Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in a Quentin Tarantino film following his victory for Inglorious Basterds.

Tarantino won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar - also his second - for his script for Django Unchained.

The award for Best Foreign Film went to Amour; Searching for Sugar Man won Best Documentary Feature and Brave was named Best Animated Feature.

Adele and producer and co-writer Paul Epworth won the Best Original Song Oscar for their Bond theme Skyfall.

Argo producers Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck and George Clooney pick up the Best Film Oscar

The Winners

Actor in a Leading Role
Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln

Actor in a Supporting Role
Christoph Waltz in Django Unchained

Actress in a Leading Role
Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook

Actress in a Supporting Role
Anne Hathaway in Les Misérables

Director
Ang Lee for Life of Pi

Music (Original Score)
Mychael Danna for Life of Pi

Music (Original Song)
Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth for Skyfall from Skyfall

Best Picture
Argo

Animated Feature Film
Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman for Brave

Cinematography
Claudio Miranda for Life of Pi

Costume Design
Jacqueline Durran for Anna Karenina

Documentary Feature
Malik Bendjelloul and Simon Chinn for Searching for Sugar Man

Documentary Short Subject
Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine for Inocente

Film Editing
William Goldenberg for Argo

Foreign Language Film
Amour

Makeup and Hairstyling
Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell for Les Misérables

Production Design
Rick Carter (Production Design) and Jim Erickson (Set Decoration) for Lincoln

Animated Short Film
John Kahrs for Paperman

Live Action Short Film
Shawn Christensen for Curfew

Sound Editing
Per Hallberg and Karen Baker Landers for Skyfall and Paul NJ Ottosson for Zero Dark Thirty

Sound Mixing
Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes for Les Misérables

Visual Effects
Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R Elliott for Life of Pi

Adapted Screenplay
Chris Terrio for Argo

Original Screenplay
Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Barbra Streisand performs at Oscars

Barbra Streisand returned to the Oscars last night to perform at the event for the first time in 36 years during the show's In Memoriam montage which ended with an image of The Way We Were composer Marvin Hamlisch.

The 70-year-old music icon said of Hamlisch who died last August "Marvin Hamlisch was a composer of extraordinary depth and versatility."

"He was also a very kind and generous friend who could always make me laugh. Over the years, we shared many adventures together.

"Marvin left us way too soon, but I'll always have those wonderful, wonderful memories."

Streisand sang The Way We Were from the 1973 film of the same title in which she starred with Robert Redford.

Other returning performers to the event last night included 43-year-old Catherine Zeta-Jones who won an Oscar for her performance as Velma in Chicago ten years ago. With the theme of the ceremony being Musical Theatre she reprised the role singing All That Jazz.

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson also returned to sing And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going from Dreamgirls.

Shirley Bassey performed Goldfinger to mark 50 years of James Bond with Adele also performing Skyfall for which she picked up an Oscar last night.

Les Miserables star Amanda Seyfried, Samantha Barks and actor Eddie Redmayne performed One Day More onstage during the Oscars.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

New star arrives at Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo has welcomed a new resident, a female Goeldi's monkey who moved into her new home in the South American House yesterday, Sunday February 24.

The rare, dark-haired Goeldi's monkeys are so adept at blending into their surroundings that they were only first described in 1904.

The South American House, the Zoo says, "is home to over nine species including monkeys, tortoises and parrots from the rainforests of Central and South America. Colourful or camouflaged, shy or show-off, each species has its own place in the forests. However, many of these species are now in danger due to hunting and deforestation."

Dublin Zoo is also celebrating a new sponsor for the South American House, Kellogg's Coco Pops.

Commenting on the new sponsorship, Leo Oosterweghel, Director of Dublin Zoo, said: "This partnership is a major boost for Dublin Zoo as we continuously strive to make vital infrastructural improvements. The sponsorship revenue will contribute to the care, running costs and conservation of the species that live in the South American House."

For more on Dublin Zoo, visit: www.dublinzoo.ie.

All photos: Patrick Bolger

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Britney's brunette one more time

She did it again! Britney Spears debuted a brand new hair colour last night while attending Elton John's Aids Foundation Oscar Viewing Party in Los Angeles.

The 31-year-old singer and former X Factor USA judge debuted her stunning new warm brunette locks while wearing an ultra low-cut black beaded dress by Michael Cinco Couture.

Heavy smoky eyes and a bright pink lip complemented her new healthy chocolate locks with warm golden highlights throughout.

Nicki Minaj, Bono, Miley Cyrus and the Kardashians were also in attendance last night, where Elton John's son Zachary stole the show (read the full story here).

Spears was last seen earlier this week getting groceries in Los Angeles with light blonde hair, tied up in a bun. The last time Britney Spears had brunette hair was briefly at the beginning of 2010.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tubridy the Calf is a cash cow

RTÉ 2fm's Ryan Tubridy donned an auctioneer's hat and took up a gavel today to auction off his bovine namesake, 'Tubridy the Calf', at Dungarvan Cattle Mart, Co. Waterford.

The sale of the Tubridy the Calf to the winning bidder, John 'The Bull' Hayes, fetched a whopping €5,500.

The total amount raised from the auction reached in excess of €40,000, with all proceeds going to Youghal Cancer Support Group.

Speaking about the auction, Tubridy said: "I had bonded with my namesake 'Tubridy the Calf' over recent weeks but, you know what they say: 'If you love something, set it free'! In all seriousness, though, I'm delighted that the sale of the calf and the other animals at the auction has raised these much-needed funds for Youghal Cancer Support Group.

"We've had great fun here today in Dungarvan and it's wonderful to see the community pulling together and turning out in their droves for such a deserving cause."

Tubridy the Calf was auctioned for €5,500 at Dungarvan Cattle Mart, Co. Waterford

Other animals auctioned at the charity cattle auction included calves named after, and auctioned off personally by, RTÉ One's Today presenter Maura Derrane, RTÉ Radio 1's Mooney reporter Brenda Donohue and John Kenny from D'unbelievables amongst others.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hardy Bucks is top new Irish release

Big-screen sensations The Hardy Bucks debut feature film was this weekend's most popular new movie at the Irish box office.

Universal Pictures have announced today that The Hardy Bucks Movie debuted at Number 2 at the Irish box office with €176,887 from 57 locations. (screen average: €3,103).

The movie also had the biggest opening for an Irish film in recent memory (IFTA winner What Richard Did took €57,402 and Grabbers took €30,074).

Speaking about the successful opening weekend Dave Burke, General Manager of Universal Pictures International Ireland said: "We are over the moon with the success of The Hardy Bucks at the Irish box office. The lads have produced a fantastically funny film that has proved that their wide appeal and the fact that there is a huge appetite for Irish comedy on the Big Screen."

Watch Hardy Bucks star Eddie Durkan presenting an edition of RTÉ TEN News here

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Silver Linings wins big at Spirit Awards

The 2013 Independent Spirit Awards took place yesterday (February 23) at Santa Monica Beach in California, celebrating the best in independent filmmaking.

The big winner of the night was Silver Linings Playbook, which took home the top gong for Best Feature, as well as Best Director for David O Russell, Best Screenplay and Best Actress for Jennifer Lawrence.

However, the film's male lead Bradley Cooper lost out on the Best actor award to John Hawkes for The Sessions.

Matthew McConaughey won the award for Best Supporting Male for Magic Mike, while Helen Hunt took home the award for Best Supporting Actress for her work on The Sessions.

Camila Alves, Matthew McConaughey

Jennifer Lawrence

Kerry Washington

Daniel Radcliffe

Rashida Jones

Helen Hunt

Salma Hayek

Bradley Cooper

Take a look at some of the winners of the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards below.

Best Feature
Silver Linings Playbook

Best Director
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook

Best Actor
John Hawkes, The Sessions

Best Actress
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

Best Supporting Actor
Matthew McConaughey, Magic Mike

Best Supporting Actress
Helen Hunt, The Sessions

Best Screenplay
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook

Best First Feature
The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Best First Screenplay
Derek Connolly, Safety Not Guaranteed

Best Documentary
The Invisible War

Best Cinematography
Ben Richardson, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Best International Film
Amour

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Corrie's Paul to leave the cobbles

Coronation Street star Tony Hirst is set to make his departure from the soap later this year, it has been revealed.

The actor, who has played fireman Paul Kershaw since 2010, will leave the popular ITV soap when his contract comes to an end later this year.

The Sunday Mirror quotes an ITV spokesperson saying: "It's a big year for the character of Paul. He will be at the centre of some explosive storylines which will culminate in a dramatic departure".

Hirst plays the love interest of Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) on the cobbles.

The 45 year-old actor rose to fame portraying the character of Mike Barnes on Hollyoaks between 2006 and 2010. Hirst also lends his voice to the popular Discovery Channel UK version of How It's Made.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dancing on Ice to return for ninth series?

Torvill and Dean have spoken about Dancing on Ice, voicing their fears that the show may not return for a ninth season.

The celebrity skating show is reportedly facing the axe due to falling ratings, and the dancing duo have revealed that they aren't sure it will survive.

Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, Christopher Dean said: "To be honest, we don't know if we will be back next year. We've not been told it's getting axed, so we hope it isn't.

"We are very hopeful we will be back for the ninth series next year and then the tenth the year after that.

"We still have a really good core audience which we've had from the beginning. As long as ITV want us we will continue.

"We were part of the creation of Dancing on Ice right from the beginning, so we are very invested in the show."

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Musicals tribute at tonight's Oscars

Attendees and viewers worldwide at tonight's 85th Academy Awards ceremony will be treated to a performance by a number of A-list stars in homage to the success of big-screen musical adaptations over the past decade.

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Crowe, Jennifer Hudson, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway will all reprise their noted roles and perform musical numbers tonight. The tribute is in celebration of the decade of outstanding musical adaptations on the silver screen, notably Chicago, Dreamgirls and Les Misérables.

Chicago set the benchmark for musicals over the past decade, scooping the coveted award for Best Picture in 2003. The film took home six awards from 13 nominations on the night, including Catherine Zeta-Jones for Best Supporting Actress and Colleen Atwood for Costume Design.

Hudson won the Best Supporting Actress award in 2007 for her role as Effie White in 2006's Dreamgirls. The singer and actress is expected to perform her signature song from the film, a cover of Jennifer Holiday's And I Am Telling You.

The cast of Les Misérables (2012) will perform following the box office success of the recent release. Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne and Helena Bonham Carter will join Crowe, Seyfried and other noted cast members in an ensemble performance.

The film has scored eight Oscar nominations for tonight, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Jackman), Best Supporting Actress (Hathaway) and Best Original Song.

Other musical performers tonight include Adele, Dame Shirley Bassey, Norah Jones and Barbra Streisand. The 85th Annual Academy Awards ceremony will take place tonight in Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre with Seth McFarlane as a first-time host.

E! will be broadcasting Live From The Red Carpet beginning tonight at 10:30pm, while RTÉ 2 will broadcast highlights from the ceremony tomorrow, Monday 25th February, between 9pm and 10:45pm.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scott Maslen leaving Eastenders

Eastenders star Scott Maslen has announced that he is leaving his role as Jack Branning on the BBC soap.

The actor, who has played the character since 2007, will bow out of the role at the end of his contract this year.

Maslen said in a statement released today (February 24): "I've loved playing Jack, and who wouldn't want to work on one of the most successful British TV series, but I've been offered many other roles and just not been able to explore them in the past, simply because of time and commitments to EastEnders, and so now it feels like the time to tread a new path for a while".

"I've played Jack for five and a half years and had some fantastic storylines, but it's now time to have a break from him and try something different".

"I'm incredibly attached to Jack, his family and EastEnders, but as an actor I'd like to take on some new challenges for a bit. EastEnders is just incredible, it's phenomenally rewarding and I love working here, but now it's time to move on to pastures new."

EastEnders' executive producer Lorraine Newman added: "Since October 2007, Scott Maslen has brought the wonderful Jack Branning to life on our screens. From Scott's heart-wrenching portrayal of a grieving father, to Jack's determination in the coming week to take on Phil Mitchell, the variety in Scott's material shows his fabulous range as an actor".

"Scott will remain on your screens until late in the year, and there is plenty more drama to be played out before his departure."

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Twilight picks up seven Razzies

Twilight has swept the board at the annual Razzie Awards, which celebrate the worst of Hollywood, winning seven gongs.

The final instalment in the vampire franchise, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, took home Worst Picture, while the film's star Kristen Stewart won the Worst Actress award.

Her co-star Taylor Lautner won Worst Supporting Actor for his role as Jacob Black, while director Bill Condon was named the Worst Director.

The film also won gongs for Worst Screen Couple (Lautner and Mackenzie Foy), Worst Onscreen Ensemble, and Worst Remake, Rip-off or Sequel.

The Adam Sandler comedy That's My Boy came in a distant second with two Razzie awards for Worst Actor and Worst Screenplay.

Rihanna won the award for Worst Supporting Actress for her work on Battleship.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gumede confirms Corrie exit

Coronation Street star Natalie Gumede has confirmed that she is leaving the soap.

The actress, who plays Kirsty Soames on the show, revealed the news on her Twitter page yesterday (February 22), saying that she will film her final scenes next week.

Gumede wrote: "I can now confirm what you all suspected: #Corrie is on a Kirsty countdown!! The last 18 months have been incredible, thank you all so much!

"Your support has touched me greatly, and working with the #Corrie team has been an honour and a pleasure."

The actress also thanked Alan Halsall, the co-star of her domestic violence storyline, saying: "Thank you @alanhalsall for your generosity as a person and as an actor! And all of my castmates, crewmates and all who look after us so well.

"After my final #Corrie filming day next week, I will look back with love, and look forward to new adventures xxx"

Gumede's character Kirsty falsley accused ex-fiancé Tyrone Dobbs of domestic violence last month, with Tyrone now having to prove his innocence in court over the coming weeks.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

RTÉ TEN'S Top TV Picks of the Day

Check out RTÉ TEN's top three TV Picks for today Saturday February 23

Six Nations Rugby RTÉ Two 2.00pm

Tom McGurk is joined by Conor O'Shea, George Hook and Shane Horgan for a live 6 Nations double header as Italy take on Wales in Rome (KO 14:30) with commentary from George Hamilton and Frankie Sheahan followed by England v France from Twickenham (KO 17:00) with commentary from Ryle Nugent and Ralph Keyes. Also see Rugbaí Beo, 7.15pm TG4, featuring Leinster V Scarlets: Live coverage of Leinster v Scarlets from the RDS in the 16th round of the RaboDirect PRO12. Presented by Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill. Both teams will be hoping for a victory tonight to keep the pressure on the teams at the top of the RaboDirect PRO12 league table

Howard Goodall's Story Of Music, 9.30pm BBC Two

In the fifth episode of this a highly-accessible series, composer and presenter Howard Goodall presents his view of modernism in music and how the birth of recorded sound changed the way music was heard, played, and sold, forever. Howard argues that the death of Richard Wagner in 1883 led to a series of developments that in many ways were in opposition to his monumental ambitions. In France, the music of Gabriel Faure, Erik Satie and others emerged and the symphonies of Gustav Mahler invited all forms of music, including folk music.

Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, 7.00pm ITV

Ant & Dec return to the screens to charm the lives of, well, teenagers who love 'em (my house anyway.) Let's face it, most parents are mildly mystified that two guys could get so far with their rather chancy, limited and darn unimaginative brand of wearisome cheeky chappiness. Anyway, each show in the new series will end with some astounding feat of artistry from some quake-in-your-boots superstar - Robbie Williams is the valedictory guest on the first show. One lucky member of the studio audience will also be given the chance to play for the contents of a commercial break in Win the Ads, with prizes like cars and holidays on offer. Stunts and general end-of pier fun, harmless fodder, guaranteeing no revolution in the streets, at least while this anarchic pair are chirping away.

Paddy Kehoe

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ryan Dolan wins Eurosong contest

Ryan Dolan has won this year's competition to represent Ireland in the 2013 Eurovision song contest.

His song Only Love Survives came first in the Eurosong competition on tonight's Late Late Show.

Dolan said of his win: "I am thrilled to have been chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest. A huge thank you to everyone who voted for the song tonight - I really appreciate it.

"I'd like to thank my family, friends and my mentor Stuart for all their support over the last few months. It's such an honour to have been chosen to represent Ireland at Eurovision. I can't wait to perform in Malmo in May."

The five acts who competed were: Aimée (Crashing Down), Zoë Alexis Bohorquez (Fire), Ryan Dolan (Only Love Survives), Inchequin (Son Kez/The Last Time) and Kasey (Kiss Me).

They are mentored by Niall Mooney, Stuart O'Connor, Mark McCabe, Shay Healy and Mairéad Farrell respectively.

Former Eurovision winners Lordi also performed their winning Eurovision song Hard Rock Hallelujah.

Speaking ahead of the show, Mr Lordi said: "It's great to be here; it's so nice to be in Ireland again. We were about to come to Ireland's Eurovision competition last year, but our drummer Otus passed away just two weeks before that. Being here reminds us greatly of him."

This year's Eurovision takes place in Malmo, Sweden, with Ireland competing in the first semi-final on Tuesday May 14.

The final takes place on Saturday May 18.

23.37 | 0 komentar | Read More