Five For Your Radar: A Coen caper hits screens and new documentary celebrates Cork's Microdisney
Some of Michelle McGlynn's highlights for the coming week
Thirty years since Cork duo Cathal Coughlan and Sean O'Hagan first formed Microdisney, people are still intrigued by what could have been. Although the band only lasted eight years, they made a lasting impact. The acrimonious split meant that people were shocked when the band reformed in 2012.
This documentary followed them during their 2018 reunion concerts, exploring the band's early days with in-depth interviews and asking why the band never achieved mainstream success. The footage to come out of these interviews and performances became even more important following Cathal's passing in 2022. The recognition is wonderful to see even if it came too late.
Coming out of awards season, and we've had a lot of heavy drama with a sprinkling of dramedy so now it's high time we just had some fun. Enter, Drive-Away Dolls. Filmmakers and spouses Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke have delivered a wild, ridiculous LGBTQ+ road trip film in a way that only they could.
Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan are the odd (non-)couple leading the way on an innocent road trip gone awry featuring Beanie Feldstein as a no-nonsense cop, Pedro Pascal as an enigmatic thief, and Matt Damon as a corrupt conservative politician. It's pretty much a quintessential Coen caper - what joy!
In one form or another, the Hothouse Flowers have been performing for over 35 years. They changed the landscape of the Irish music scene and brought a spark of joy to the not-so-bright late 80s. In just three years, the band went from taking part in a school talent show to performing on a televised talent show to 600 million viewers.
In no time at all, they had released their debut album People, and were headlining the RDS. All these years later, their spark is still burning bright as they take a trip down memory lane while on their latest sold-out tour.
The past 10 years have been some of the best for Simple Minds since they first formed in the 70s. Although just two members of the original line-up remain, their sound is still unmistakably them. They are simply electric having sold out venues around the globe and releasing three critically acclaimed albums over the past decade.
Those heading along to their Dublin gig are in for a treat as they will perform a mix of new tunes and the classic hits that made them household names. Their 2022 40 Years of Hits Tour was hugely successful and the demand for more live shows led to this global tour.
Those who missed out on catching this wonderful film in the cinemas will be delighted that they don't have to wait long to stream it at home. Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal each deliver powerful, heartbreaking performances in this story of grief, love, and loneliness.
The two actors and director Andrew Haigh received widespread critical acclaim. Scott and Mescal both picked up several award nominations, most recently at the IFTAs. The lads take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster and by the time the credits roll, there are few dry eyes in the house but at least now you can have a cry in the comfort of your own home.
