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The last film from the late director Roger Michell (Notting Hill [1999]), the simple tale of a man and an art heist entitled The Duke, is one of the most enchanting and heart-warming films of the year.

Michell’s film tells the story of 60-year-old taxi driver, Kempton Bunton (Jim Broadbent), who, in 1961 removed Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. Bunton then sent ransom notes demanding that the government put aside more money for the care of the elderly if the museum wanted the painting returned. The truth was far from the tall tales that Kempton told on a daily basis to any within earshot. The only certainty of the entire affair was that Kempton was a good man intent on keeping his marriage, and family intact.

As directed by Michell (whose additional work includes notable pieces such as Venus [2006] and My Cousin Rachel...

Martin Shaw, who has headlined some of the most popular English dramas of the last half century, says he has the role of his career in “George Gently” as the title character, a police detective who struggles to find his footing after his wife is killed. The long-running British series is finally eligible for the Emmys thanks to the participation of the streaming service Acorn TV.

Back in 2007, Shaw had his pick of projects and was drawn to this loose adaptation of the Alan Hunter crime novels by the creative forces behind the scenes. “Peter Flannery has such a wonderful reputation. He’d won awards for ‘Our Friends in the North.’ His name first and foremost made me drive to London to meet. I read the first script and thought it was sensational.”

While the first 23 telefilms were set in the swinging 60s, the last two see Gently and company...

The long-running British series “George Gently” is finally eligible for the Emmys thanks to the participation of the streaming service Acorn TV. Martin Shaw, who has headlined some of the most popular English dramas of the last half century, has the role of his career as the title character, a police detective who struggles to find his footing after his wife is killed.

While the first 23 telefilms were set in the swinging 60s, the last two see Gently and company adjusting to life in the 1970s. The last installment in the series, “George Gently and the New Age,” is contending for Best TV Movie at the 2018 Emmys. This finale brings Shaw’s character full circle as he inches closer to solving the death of his wife. That tragedy had been he catalyst for Gently leaving London in 1964 and joining the North East police force.

A large part of the appeal...

Every Second Sunday produced by Hubbard and Banks Media has won two ‘Special Mention Awards Of Merit’ from The Best Shorts Film Competition, California. The awards were given for both the short film and actress in a supporting role category, with Dublin born actress Jane Elizabeth Walsh winning an award for her role as ‘Kim’. The awards follow on from previous wins at the IndieFest Film competition in Los Angeles. From Director Simon Hubbard: “It feels fantastic to receive theses awards, the team have worked so hard. We set out to highlight the plight of single parents everywhere and really hope these awards will highlight this important topic. We are currently developing the script into a three part drama with a major British production company, which will follow on from the short film.” Actress Jane Elizabeth Walsh who also co-produced the film says: “I’m thrilled that ‘Every Second Sunday...

Hubbard and Banks Media goes into production with short film 'Every Second Sunday' this weekend. Starring Simon Delaney (Zonad) and Lee Ingleby (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) it will shoot in Dublin and Bray. Simon Hubbard (Jack) is the writer/director of the project with Fergal O'Hanlon (Yu Ming is Ainm Dom) on board as director of photography. The short film will start production this coming Saturday, August 14th. Fergal O'Hanlon will be shooting the project on Red. Confirmed cast includes Simon Delaney (Zonad, Rewind, Intermission), Craig Conway (Doomsday, Dog Soldiers, Vera Drake), Vivienne Connolly (Shackled, In World War), Jane Elizabeth Walsh (A Christmas Carol, Daughters Of Rome) and Vanessa Matias Fahy (Mariana, Ghostwood). Furthermore the Irish Rock group The Coronas will score the film.