18/03/2010
Tragic Anniversary For Neeson
It is a year to the day since Co Antrim actor Liam Neeson was struck by tragedy.
The Ballymena-born star lost his wife Natasha Richardson last March 18th after an accident but has since been able to find solace in his work - helped with support from a fellow actor and long-term friend.
Neeson - who has been making a new version of a classic film set in ancient times - Clash of the Titans - will feature in the epic alongside Ralph Fiennes and $100 million worth of special effects.
Liam found his fellow actor played a tremendously supportive role after Natasha, 45, died of bleeding in her skull a year ago today, just two days after she fell during a skiing lesson in the Canadian resort of Mont Tremblant.
The two had men formed a friendship on the set of Schindler's List in 1993 and will now appear together again in the Greek epic.
Meanwhile, the award-wining locally made film, Five Minutes of Heaven - which was released in the US in August last year - hits the screens today in Australia, with critics noting that the New York premiere was Neeson's first walk down the red carpet after the death of his wife.
As well as filming parts in Clash of the Titans, The A-Team and the Paul Haggis drama The Next Three Days, Neeson's voice will also be heard as Aslan the lion in the next Chronicles of Narnia movie, and he's now at work in Germany headlining the thriller Unknown White Male.
Clash of the Titans is just one of a series of major films underway that hark back to the sword and sandals era of Ben Hur and other blood in the sands movies.
There are also high-profile Ninth Legion films underway, one called Eagle of the Ninth, directed by Kevin Macdonald and Neil Marshall's action movie Centurion is also being made at present.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is already in the can and Mickey Rourke is starring in Dawn of War, a mortals-versus-gods adventure from the director Tarsem Singh.
The TV series Rome is also being revamped for the big screen, and the hottest story in US TV is the explicit sex and violence in the Gladiator-inspired series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
According to the London Times, this is not without its critics as the sex and violence in Spartacus, with orgies and on-screen dismemberment, is regarded as controversial.
The British pressure group Mediawatch UK is so offended that it is trying to block Spartacus from reaching UK TV screens.
The cue to the surge in developments is said to be the technology, which has evolved so far that it can allow a new generation of filmmakers to really bring these stories to life.
See: Neeson 'Devastated' Over Natasha's Ski Fall Death
See: Ancient Times Powers Movie Epics
(BMcc/GK)
The Ballymena-born star lost his wife Natasha Richardson last March 18th after an accident but has since been able to find solace in his work - helped with support from a fellow actor and long-term friend.
Neeson - who has been making a new version of a classic film set in ancient times - Clash of the Titans - will feature in the epic alongside Ralph Fiennes and $100 million worth of special effects.
Liam found his fellow actor played a tremendously supportive role after Natasha, 45, died of bleeding in her skull a year ago today, just two days after she fell during a skiing lesson in the Canadian resort of Mont Tremblant.
The two had men formed a friendship on the set of Schindler's List in 1993 and will now appear together again in the Greek epic.
Meanwhile, the award-wining locally made film, Five Minutes of Heaven - which was released in the US in August last year - hits the screens today in Australia, with critics noting that the New York premiere was Neeson's first walk down the red carpet after the death of his wife.
As well as filming parts in Clash of the Titans, The A-Team and the Paul Haggis drama The Next Three Days, Neeson's voice will also be heard as Aslan the lion in the next Chronicles of Narnia movie, and he's now at work in Germany headlining the thriller Unknown White Male.
Clash of the Titans is just one of a series of major films underway that hark back to the sword and sandals era of Ben Hur and other blood in the sands movies.
There are also high-profile Ninth Legion films underway, one called Eagle of the Ninth, directed by Kevin Macdonald and Neil Marshall's action movie Centurion is also being made at present.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is already in the can and Mickey Rourke is starring in Dawn of War, a mortals-versus-gods adventure from the director Tarsem Singh.
The TV series Rome is also being revamped for the big screen, and the hottest story in US TV is the explicit sex and violence in the Gladiator-inspired series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
According to the London Times, this is not without its critics as the sex and violence in Spartacus, with orgies and on-screen dismemberment, is regarded as controversial.
The British pressure group Mediawatch UK is so offended that it is trying to block Spartacus from reaching UK TV screens.
The cue to the surge in developments is said to be the technology, which has evolved so far that it can allow a new generation of filmmakers to really bring these stories to life.
See: Neeson 'Devastated' Over Natasha's Ski Fall Death
See: Ancient Times Powers Movie Epics
(BMcc/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 February 2024
NI Fastest Growing UK Region For New Companies
Northern Ireland was the fastest-growing region of the UK for newly registered companies in 2023, according to a new index from Ulster Bank and Beauhurst. The New Startup Index highlights how in 2023 Northern Ireland gained 14,000 new companies, a 59% increase on 2022.
NI Fastest Growing UK Region For New Companies
Northern Ireland was the fastest-growing region of the UK for newly registered companies in 2023, according to a new index from Ulster Bank and Beauhurst. The New Startup Index highlights how in 2023 Northern Ireland gained 14,000 new companies, a 59% increase on 2022.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
20 March 2024
New £575,000 Immersive Technologies Challenge Fund Announced
A new £575,000 Augment the City Challenge Fund has been announced to support innovation in immersive technologies. Led by Belfast City Council's City Innovation Office and funded by the Belfast Region City Deal, the fund will open in April 2024, to support local SMEs to explore the future role of immersive technologies in visitor experiences.
New £575,000 Immersive Technologies Challenge Fund Announced
A new £575,000 Augment the City Challenge Fund has been announced to support innovation in immersive technologies. Led by Belfast City Council's City Innovation Office and funded by the Belfast Region City Deal, the fund will open in April 2024, to support local SMEs to explore the future role of immersive technologies in visitor experiences.
19 March 2024
New Cost-Of-Living Support For NI Community Groups
New funding has been announced to support 287 Voluntary and Community organisations across Northern Ireland, funded through Department for Communities Voluntary & Community Division (V&CD) and Community Empowerment Division (CED).
New Cost-Of-Living Support For NI Community Groups
New funding has been announced to support 287 Voluntary and Community organisations across Northern Ireland, funded through Department for Communities Voluntary & Community Division (V&CD) and Community Empowerment Division (CED).
13 March 2024
SDLP Launches Petition For Restoration Of Integrated Schools Funding
The SDLP has launched a petition calling for the restoration of funding for new buildings at ten integrated schools across NI. The petition follows the recent announcement of the withdrawal of this funding as part of the financial package agreed between Executive parties and the UK Government.
SDLP Launches Petition For Restoration Of Integrated Schools Funding
The SDLP has launched a petition calling for the restoration of funding for new buildings at ten integrated schools across NI. The petition follows the recent announcement of the withdrawal of this funding as part of the financial package agreed between Executive parties and the UK Government.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain this morning, heavy at times, especially over north Antrim. Becoming drier and brighter this afternoon with sunny spells and a few showers. Winds becoming light. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Further showers this evening, some heavy, especially in the east, dying out early tonight. Then mainly dry with clear periods developing, leading to a touch of frost and icy patches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.