Des O’Driscoll looks at five things to do in the world of arts and culture this week.

Movie adaptations of famous books have long been big business in the film industry. 

Fever Pitch author doesn't trust Arsenal side, believes Leicester will take first Premier League title.

UNLIKE Nick Hornby’s Stuff I’ve Been Reading, Clive James’ collection of essays exploring the literature he’s devoured since being diagnosed with leukaemia, lacks pace and punch.

The entertainment firm owned by one of Ireland’s most successful actresses, Saoirse Ronan, recorded profits of €111,677 in its first year in business.

For the first time in its seven-year history, a West Cork theatre tour boasts an international dimension, with links to Berlin and Boston, writes Colette Sheridan

Amanda Marcotte of the online magazine Slate did the state some service recently when pinpointing a flaw or two in the admittedly tired criticism of the Women’s World Cup, which was running over the past few weeks.

A period romantic drama starring Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson, Brooklyn will be coming to Irish cinemas in November 2015

Nick Hornby said it best in Fever Pitch when he suggested that the natural state of the football fan is one of bitter disappointment, no matter what the score. Sitting in the Estadio Riazor last Sunday evening as more than 33,000 Deportivo La Coruña supporters shuffled out glumly onto the sun-speckled streets on the back of a 2-0 win over Levante spoke painfully for that.

When Reese Witherspoon acquired the rights to turn Cheryl Strayed’s life-affirming solo Pacific Crest Trail trek into a movie, she didn’t intend to play the lead role, too. But, as she tells Susan Griffin, doing so has been extremely inspiring

Looking for plans for the weekend? Here’s a list of what’s on and where.

 

Nick Hornby

Brian O’Driscoll’s latest book supposedly makes for an interesting read when digested in large chunks, but the extracts have fallen well short of Roy Keane’s on the Richter scale.

Tom Campbell

Tony Leen was at Anfield 25 years ago tonight for the most remarkable league triumph in football history.

"It’s up for grabs now."

"It’s up for grabs now."

The sensation was strange at first. Unfamiliar.

A novel by award winning author Colm Toibin is to be made into a movie.

Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found

US singer Mark Mulcahy is back in the music business after taking a break to look after his twin daughters following the sudden death of his wife in 2008.

Reese Witherspoon turned down 'Legally Blonde 3'.

What is it about Christmas that makes movies, music and books so awfully naff? Richard Fitzpatrick gets nostalgic

Every year Christmas records sell — but do the artists live happily ever after? Simon Hattenstone asks those who know, from the Pogues to Boney M to Slade.

Reese Witherspoon will star in a new film penned by Nick Hornby.

Victory is the great redeemer.

BRIAN FINNEGAN

James Mylet began to write when he was 21. Before that he had no interest in reading, or in writing.

IT feels, this week and in this country, like someone should gently place a Sinatra record under a record player stylus as we bob downstream together towards oblivion.

THIS IS the time of year that publishers reveal their book prize candidates for feckless people like me seeking inspiration for Christmas presents.

FOUR Irish artists have been invited to join the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body which nominates and votes on the Oscars each year.

Lynn Barber

Dubliner Richard Baneham has won an Oscar for his work on visual effects on 'Avatar', but it was director Kathryn Bigelow and 'The Hurt Locker' who emerged as the victors from the battle of the blockbusters at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles last night.

All eyes at tonight's Oscars will be on the showdown between 'Avatar' and 'The Hurt Locker'. Each has nine nominations.