Mind Your Language

You just can’t keep firebrand Colin Farrell far from the headlines, no matter how hard you might try.

An English radio station, interviewing the Irish star of the newly-released Miami Vice, felt it would be safer to pre-tape their chat … just in case he said something naughty.

And, sure enough, he did utter the dreaded F-word. It was, natch, bleeped out for the broadcast.

You Just Can’t: Part II

Still embroiled in that on-going legal battle with his ex, Farrell hasn’t let his troubles get in the way of romance.

Insider rumours have it that he has been squiring Miami Vice co-star Gong Li around some of the hot spots. The lovely lady is, at 40, 10 years his senior.

Jonathan Bronte

There’s a strong double Irish connection to be found in the upcoming film about the famous Bronte sisters: Charlotte, Emily and Anne.

People usually associate the talented literary trio with the wuthering heights of the Yorkshire Moors, but their father, Irish-born Patrick, was a preacher and teacher near Rathfriland in Co Down before moving to England. He actually out-lived all his off-spring. You can visit the Bronte Homeland Interpretative Centre in Drumballyroney.

The other connection is that Dubliner Jonathan Rhys Meyers will play the sisters’ black sheep brother, Bramwell.

In Tune With Bond

At least he seems to have one fan … Daniel Craig, the actor who replaced Pierce Brosnan as the new James Bond, that is.

Composer Chris Coralle says he wouldn’t have written the music for any of the Brosnan 007 films because he didn’t rate the Irish star. But now that Craig’s donned the tux he’s hard at work with the old quavers … no accounting for taste!

For the Defence

To be fair to Craig, he says he’s doing his best – giving it 110% - and can’t understand the continued backlash to his getting the 007 role. It’s not, he says, that he replaced Brosnan but rather that Brosnan was ditched and then he was signed up.

OK, jury’s out until we see the evidence on screen.

Seen At Last

We’ve been lining up for a long time but now we are being allowed to see a controversial film that’s been banned for 26 years.

Lee Dunne is to introduce director Daniel Haller’s screen version of his novel Goodbye to the Hill – Paddy – now that the Irish Film Archive has brought a copy from the USA.

Starring Milo O’Shea and Des Cave, this Alfie-type film was banned because of its sexual nature but now it’s set for a premiere in Dublin on September 13.