From the big blockbusters and a new Bond movie to some strong Irish offerings, Esther McCarthy looks at the cinema highlights for the year ahead.

It’s been an iffy year for movies, but the year has been bookended by some true diamonds in the rough:

From movies to music, fashion to food, our writers pick the cultural highlights of summer.

Audrey's been sorting out Cork people for ages...

Here is this week's entertainment news.

Des O'Driscoll shares the latest from the entertainment world.

For classically trained composer Doyle, whose epic film soundtracks include Thor, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Carlito’s Way, happening upon Sgt Stubby prompted him to make Cork his home.

Some of the world’s biggest names in Hollywood are currently filming on these shores as a wave of movie and TV productions get underway.

With the success of the Harry Potter series and David Walliams’s books, you might think writing for kids is easy. Think again, says Áilín Quinlan.

Actor Kenneth Branagh has said he is humbled to receive the freedom of his native Belfast.

Kenneth Branagh said he was humbled and proud after being awarded the freedom of his home city of Belfast.

From movies to music, food to fashion, our critics round up the big tickets for autumn

Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk (12A) is an epic tale of the greatest mass rescue of World War II, when 400,000 men of the British Expeditionary Force were left stranded and undefended on Dunkirk beach as the German army closed in for the kill.

It’s a small door, but it could lead to a big future.

Here are the top three films you don’t want to miss this week, writes Declan Burke.

Cillian Murphy has given Harry Styles the seal of approval for his debut movie role.

Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer has written a play based on his oldest friend’s diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, writes Colette Sheridan

Henning Mankell, the internationally renowned Swedish crime writer whose books about the gloomy, soul-searching police inspector Kurt Wallander enticed readers around the world, has died aged 67.

Crime pays — at least the fictional kind — for Ireland’s best selling children’s author Eoin Colfer, as accumulated profits at his book firm topped €2.6m last year.

Carey Mulligan’s role in a Hardy adaptation marks the latest step up the ladder for the talented actress, writes Susan Griffin

Acclaimed director Joss Whedon will be walking away from the Marvel Cinematic Universe soon and he's been speaking out about why that's happening

Cinderella ****

LILY JAMES can’t believe the furore over the size of her waist in the new cinematic retelling of Disney’s Cinderella.

Having shot to fame in Misfits and Love/Hate, Robert Sheehan returns to Ireland as a rapidly rising Hollywood star, writes Padraic Killeen.

MUSIC NEWS: Reginald D Hunter’s series, Songs of the South, is essential viewing for music fans tomorrow night (BBC Two, 9pm), and this second episode is all the more attractive because it is followed by a new documentary on James Brown. 

The short sequel to Frozen brings back the whole cast of characters for a special story which you can see ahead of Disney's Cinderella

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2015 runs from the 19th to the 29th of March 2015, and its time to get with the announcements.

2015 is here, which means that its time to start getting excited about the filmed entertainment coming to cinemas over the next 12 months

Declan Burke provides a quick snapshot of new year movie releases.

Declan Burke provides a quick snapshot of new year movie releases.

EXCITED.

As Downton Abbey returns to our screens, the actress playing Lady Rose is relishing her role in the period drama, writes Jeananne Craig

Michael Fassbender is the most popular Irish actor, according to the ultimate fame barometer.

It’s traditional for school children to attend a camp during the holidays, but there are equivalents for adults now, teaching everything from scriptwriting to beekeeping and sailing, says Arlene Harris.

Booker Prize-winning novelist John Banville has criticised the raft of violent crime dramas on TV.

A fan favourite is heading for the exit door at the 'Downton Abbey'.