Brian Bowe
@brian-bowe.bsky.social
professional word wrangler
•Words: Sight & Sound | LWLies | RTÉ
•Editor: HeadStuff
•Portfolio: http://bquinn.contently.com
•Words: Sight & Sound | LWLies | RTÉ
•Editor: HeadStuff
•Portfolio: http://bquinn.contently.com
Pinned
Brian Bowe
@brian-bowe.bsky.social
· Mar 6
Bad Painter review: a gleefully absurd self-portrait
German artist Albert Oehlen invites audiences into his subconscious with an irreverent mockumentary starring Udo Kier.
www.bfi.org.uk
Thrilled to be back in @sightsoundmag.bsky.social with my review of Albert Oehlen’s delightfully bonkers solo directorial debut, BAD PAINTER, fresh from its world premiere at International Film Festival Rotterdam #IFFR
www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-so...
www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-so...
Favourite first-time watches of January 2026:
• Heavenly Creatures (1994)
• Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
• Marty Supreme (2025)
• Cluny Brown (1946)
• Heavenly Creatures (1994)
• Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
• Marty Supreme (2025)
• Cluny Brown (1946)
February 5, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Favourite first-time watches of January 2026:
• Heavenly Creatures (1994)
• Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
• Marty Supreme (2025)
• Cluny Brown (1946)
• Heavenly Creatures (1994)
• Ruggles of Red Gap (1935)
• Marty Supreme (2025)
• Cluny Brown (1946)
Reposted by Brian Bowe
Some news! There’ll be a London launch for LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD: THE NINE LIVES OF MURIEL SPARK⚡️
On 21 April, I’ll be at @hatchards.bsky.social with @sophiehaydock.bsky.social to talk all things Spark. Please come if you can! Tell a friend!
Tickets here! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-nine-l...
On 21 April, I’ll be at @hatchards.bsky.social with @sophiehaydock.bsky.social to talk all things Spark. Please come if you can! Tell a friend!
Tickets here! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-nine-l...
The Nine Lives of Muriel Spark with James Bailey - Hatchards, Piccadilly
James Bailey will discuss his new book Like a Cat Loves a Bird: The Nine Lives of Muriel Spark in conversation with Sophie Haydock.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Some news! There’ll be a London launch for LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD: THE NINE LIVES OF MURIEL SPARK⚡️
On 21 April, I’ll be at @hatchards.bsky.social with @sophiehaydock.bsky.social to talk all things Spark. Please come if you can! Tell a friend!
Tickets here! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-nine-l...
On 21 April, I’ll be at @hatchards.bsky.social with @sophiehaydock.bsky.social to talk all things Spark. Please come if you can! Tell a friend!
Tickets here! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-nine-l...
Reposted by Brian Bowe
they should make a movie series about how it’s irresponsible to use technology to mess with the natural order of things for profit
Xfinity has just released its Jurassic Park-themed Super Bowl ad that features a digitally de-aged Sam Neil, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum. https://bit.ly/4rmRhrK
February 3, 2026 at 3:32 AM
they should make a movie series about how it’s irresponsible to use technology to mess with the natural order of things for profit
Reposted by Brian Bowe
Mickey Squires (Richard Bernstein) was in attendance for MICKEY & RICHARD, a heartfelt portrait of the gay porn icon and brilliant archive of the its golden age.
Dublin’s GAZE film festival would be doing well to grab this for their summer lineup. 👀
Dublin’s GAZE film festival would be doing well to grab this for their summer lineup. 👀
February 1, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Mickey Squires (Richard Bernstein) was in attendance for MICKEY & RICHARD, a heartfelt portrait of the gay porn icon and brilliant archive of the its golden age.
Dublin’s GAZE film festival would be doing well to grab this for their summer lineup. 👀
Dublin’s GAZE film festival would be doing well to grab this for their summer lineup. 👀
Reposted by Brian Bowe
NEW BLOG POST 📽️
Actor RICHARD MCWILLIAMS has appeared on Fair City, Vikings and was recently nominated Best Actor and at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards.
The last time he cried in a movie theatre? Andrei Zvyagintsev’s 2017 searing drama LOVELESS 👉 reelfeels.substack.com/p/crying-at-...
Actor RICHARD MCWILLIAMS has appeared on Fair City, Vikings and was recently nominated Best Actor and at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards.
The last time he cried in a movie theatre? Andrei Zvyagintsev’s 2017 searing drama LOVELESS 👉 reelfeels.substack.com/p/crying-at-...
February 1, 2026 at 10:33 AM
NEW BLOG POST 📽️
Actor RICHARD MCWILLIAMS has appeared on Fair City, Vikings and was recently nominated Best Actor and at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards.
The last time he cried in a movie theatre? Andrei Zvyagintsev’s 2017 searing drama LOVELESS 👉 reelfeels.substack.com/p/crying-at-...
Actor RICHARD MCWILLIAMS has appeared on Fair City, Vikings and was recently nominated Best Actor and at the 15th Underground Cinema Film Awards.
The last time he cried in a movie theatre? Andrei Zvyagintsev’s 2017 searing drama LOVELESS 👉 reelfeels.substack.com/p/crying-at-...
My dear old mother, ever the patriot, keeps referring to the young star of One Battle After Another as Jason Finnerty.
No, she hasn’t seen the film yet and, for the sake of this exceptional eggcorn, I hope she never does.
No, she hasn’t seen the film yet and, for the sake of this exceptional eggcorn, I hope she never does.
January 28, 2026 at 1:28 PM
My dear old mother, ever the patriot, keeps referring to the young star of One Battle After Another as Jason Finnerty.
No, she hasn’t seen the film yet and, for the sake of this exceptional eggcorn, I hope she never does.
No, she hasn’t seen the film yet and, for the sake of this exceptional eggcorn, I hope she never does.
Last night’s Q&A screening of Ben Wheatley’s BULK made for a lovely evening @irishfilminstitute.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Last night’s Q&A screening of Ben Wheatley’s BULK made for a lovely evening @irishfilminstitute.bsky.social
Reposted by Brian Bowe
Absolutely thrilled that THE DEAD, John Huston’s final (and some would say best) film is now on Blu-ray from @criterion.bsky.social.
One of my favourites for many years, one of cinema’s greatest swansongs, and the finest film to come out of Ireland yet.
My review: filmhounds.co.uk/2026/01/the-...
One of my favourites for many years, one of cinema’s greatest swansongs, and the finest film to come out of Ireland yet.
My review: filmhounds.co.uk/2026/01/the-...
The Dead (Blu-ray Review)
John Huston's tender and true final film, The Dead, adapted from James Joyce’s short story, joins the Criterion Collection.
filmhounds.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Absolutely thrilled that THE DEAD, John Huston’s final (and some would say best) film is now on Blu-ray from @criterion.bsky.social.
One of my favourites for many years, one of cinema’s greatest swansongs, and the finest film to come out of Ireland yet.
My review: filmhounds.co.uk/2026/01/the-...
One of my favourites for many years, one of cinema’s greatest swansongs, and the finest film to come out of Ireland yet.
My review: filmhounds.co.uk/2026/01/the-...
SONG SUNG BLUE really hit my sweet spot. A perfectly pitched underdog biopic that wears its goofy heart on its sleeve, proudly embracing the dizzying feel of TV movie melodramas. And wow, at a daunting 133 mins, it sure goes down easy. 🌩
January 25, 2026 at 12:24 PM
SONG SUNG BLUE really hit my sweet spot. A perfectly pitched underdog biopic that wears its goofy heart on its sleeve, proudly embracing the dizzying feel of TV movie melodramas. And wow, at a daunting 133 mins, it sure goes down easy. 🌩
A bunch of great write-ups from our team this week -- including news of IMBOLG, an upcoming Dublin festival celebrating women who terrify, both on screen and behind the camera.
January 24, 2026 at 1:38 PM
A bunch of great write-ups from our team this week -- including news of IMBOLG, an upcoming Dublin festival celebrating women who terrify, both on screen and behind the camera.
HAMNET received 8 Oscar nominations, including Best Actress, Picture and Director. Read our review by @cynicalfilm.bsky.social:
“Zhao’s vision isn’t subtle, but it reaches for big emotions and achieves them, sometimes in spite of itself.”
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
“Zhao’s vision isn’t subtle, but it reaches for big emotions and achieves them, sometimes in spite of itself.”
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
Hamnet Movie Review | Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal’s Sublimely Sad Shakespeare Story - HeadStuff
Philip Bagnall reviews Hamnet, Chloé Zhao's film about William and Agnes Shakespeare – and the tragic loss of their child.
headstuff.org
January 22, 2026 at 6:48 PM
HAMNET received 8 Oscar nominations, including Best Actress, Picture and Director. Read our review by @cynicalfilm.bsky.social:
“Zhao’s vision isn’t subtle, but it reaches for big emotions and achieves them, sometimes in spite of itself.”
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
“Zhao’s vision isn’t subtle, but it reaches for big emotions and achieves them, sometimes in spite of itself.”
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
The Academy overlooking Daniel Lopatin’s Marty Supreme score has to be the biggest snub. A downright shame.
January 22, 2026 at 6:17 PM
The Academy overlooking Daniel Lopatin’s Marty Supreme score has to be the biggest snub. A downright shame.
As the RESIDENT EVIL game series gears up to celebrate the big 3-0, join us at HeadStuff as Thomas Caffrey revisits Paul W.S. Anderson’s ambitious six-film adaptation of the iconic franchise.
First up: Resident Evil (2002) 👇
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
First up: Resident Evil (2002) 👇
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
Resident Evil (2002) Retrospective: Through the Looking Glass - HeadStuff
For the first instalment of his Resident Evil Retrospective, Thomas Caffrey revisits Paul W.S. Anderson's first film in the saga from 2002.
headstuff.org
January 21, 2026 at 11:45 AM
As the RESIDENT EVIL game series gears up to celebrate the big 3-0, join us at HeadStuff as Thomas Caffrey revisits Paul W.S. Anderson’s ambitious six-film adaptation of the iconic franchise.
First up: Resident Evil (2002) 👇
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
First up: Resident Evil (2002) 👇
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
Reposted by Brian Bowe
I’M DOING A THING
I asked a bunch of people working in the film industry “When’s The Last Time You Cried in a Movie Theatre?" They spilled their guts over 300-500 words, and if you subscribe (for free!!) you’ll get those words delivered fortnightly.
reelfeels.substack.com
I asked a bunch of people working in the film industry “When’s The Last Time You Cried in a Movie Theatre?" They spilled their guts over 300-500 words, and if you subscribe (for free!!) you’ll get those words delivered fortnightly.
reelfeels.substack.com
reel feels | Substack
Crying at the Movies. Click to read reel feels, a Substack publication. Launched 5 days ago.
reelfeels.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:19 PM
I’M DOING A THING
I asked a bunch of people working in the film industry “When’s The Last Time You Cried in a Movie Theatre?" They spilled their guts over 300-500 words, and if you subscribe (for free!!) you’ll get those words delivered fortnightly.
reelfeels.substack.com
I asked a bunch of people working in the film industry “When’s The Last Time You Cried in a Movie Theatre?" They spilled their guts over 300-500 words, and if you subscribe (for free!!) you’ll get those words delivered fortnightly.
reelfeels.substack.com
I’M DOING A THING
I asked a bunch of people working in the film industry “When’s The Last Time You Cried in a Movie Theatre?" They spilled their guts over 300-500 words, and if you subscribe (for free!!) you’ll get those words delivered fortnightly.
reelfeels.substack.com
I asked a bunch of people working in the film industry “When’s The Last Time You Cried in a Movie Theatre?" They spilled their guts over 300-500 words, and if you subscribe (for free!!) you’ll get those words delivered fortnightly.
reelfeels.substack.com
reel feels | Substack
Crying at the Movies. Click to read reel feels, a Substack publication. Launched 5 days ago.
reelfeels.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:19 PM
I’M DOING A THING
I asked a bunch of people working in the film industry “When’s The Last Time You Cried in a Movie Theatre?" They spilled their guts over 300-500 words, and if you subscribe (for free!!) you’ll get those words delivered fortnightly.
reelfeels.substack.com
I asked a bunch of people working in the film industry “When’s The Last Time You Cried in a Movie Theatre?" They spilled their guts over 300-500 words, and if you subscribe (for free!!) you’ll get those words delivered fortnightly.
reelfeels.substack.com
A strong contender for poster of the year this. Stunning! Hand-painted by Ghanaian artist D.A. Jasper.
Preview + Director Q&A Announcement
We're very excited to welcome My Father's Shadow director Akinola Davis Jr. for Q&A on Bank Holiday Monday Feb 2nd.
Volta Pictures, UMUTI:MA and Maona Art present this special preview.
🎟 https://www.lighthousecinema.ie/film/my-fathers-shadow-director-qa
We're very excited to welcome My Father's Shadow director Akinola Davis Jr. for Q&A on Bank Holiday Monday Feb 2nd.
Volta Pictures, UMUTI:MA and Maona Art present this special preview.
🎟 https://www.lighthousecinema.ie/film/my-fathers-shadow-director-qa
January 20, 2026 at 12:14 PM
A strong contender for poster of the year this. Stunning! Hand-painted by Ghanaian artist D.A. Jasper.
Reposted by Brian Bowe
For MLK Day on @letterboxd.social I decided to do a list of essential Civil Rights and Black Liberation movies.
Freedom Now!: a starter pack of 24 films about the Civil Rights Movement and Black liberation • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Robert Daniels recommends 24 films that shed light on the Civil Rights Movement and the ongoing fight for Black liberation in America.
boxd.it
January 19, 2026 at 7:23 PM
For MLK Day on @letterboxd.social I decided to do a list of essential Civil Rights and Black Liberation movies.
Reposted by Brian Bowe
At our opening night screening of THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB we were honoured to be joined by its director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha. The Q&A was hosted by Donald Clarke. We urge audiences to see this film.
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB screens at the IFI now: https://bit.ly/4sOYcvc
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB screens at the IFI now: https://bit.ly/4sOYcvc
January 19, 2026 at 6:02 PM
At our opening night screening of THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB we were honoured to be joined by its director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha. The Q&A was hosted by Donald Clarke. We urge audiences to see this film.
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB screens at the IFI now: https://bit.ly/4sOYcvc
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB screens at the IFI now: https://bit.ly/4sOYcvc
Reposted by Brian Bowe
In cinemas from today.
“The vista is bleak. But a film like this disallows complacency.”
It’s a privilege to be publishing Ciarán O’Rourke’s review of THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB — I’ll be pumping your timeline with it as much as possible.
🍿in cinemas Jan 16
@irishfilminstitute.bsky.social
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
It’s a privilege to be publishing Ciarán O’Rourke’s review of THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB — I’ll be pumping your timeline with it as much as possible.
🍿in cinemas Jan 16
@irishfilminstitute.bsky.social
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
The Voice of Hind Rajab movie review | a film like this disallows complacency - HeadStuff
Ciaran O'Rourke reviews docudrama The Voice of Hind Rajab, following the Red Crescent response to the murder of Hind Rajab by the IDF
headstuff.org
January 16, 2026 at 10:09 PM
In cinemas from today.
Reposted by Brian Bowe
“In Ireland, when presented with the facts of the Palestinian struggle, government ministers seem to have perfected the art of performative hand-wringing and meticulous double-speak … while ensuring that no practical measures are taken”
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB full review 👇
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB full review 👇
“The vista is bleak. But a film like this disallows complacency.”
It’s a privilege to be publishing Ciarán O’Rourke’s review of THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB — I’ll be pumping your timeline with it as much as possible.
🍿in cinemas Jan 16
@irishfilminstitute.bsky.social
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
It’s a privilege to be publishing Ciarán O’Rourke’s review of THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB — I’ll be pumping your timeline with it as much as possible.
🍿in cinemas Jan 16
@irishfilminstitute.bsky.social
headstuff.org/entertainmen...
The Voice of Hind Rajab movie review | a film like this disallows complacency - HeadStuff
Ciaran O'Rourke reviews docudrama The Voice of Hind Rajab, following the Red Crescent response to the murder of Hind Rajab by the IDF
headstuff.org
January 12, 2026 at 3:12 PM
“In Ireland, when presented with the facts of the Palestinian struggle, government ministers seem to have perfected the art of performative hand-wringing and meticulous double-speak … while ensuring that no practical measures are taken”
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB full review 👇
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB full review 👇
Reposted by Brian Bowe
An annual selection of artist and experimental film that brings together a range of voices from contemporary Irish and international practice, aemi's 2026 touring programme DESIRE LINES premieres at the IFI.
📆 Thu 22nd
⏰ 18.30
🎟 https://ifi.ie/film/ifi-aemi-desire-lines/
📆 Thu 22nd
⏰ 18.30
🎟 https://ifi.ie/film/ifi-aemi-desire-lines/
January 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM
An annual selection of artist and experimental film that brings together a range of voices from contemporary Irish and international practice, aemi's 2026 touring programme DESIRE LINES premieres at the IFI.
📆 Thu 22nd
⏰ 18.30
🎟 https://ifi.ie/film/ifi-aemi-desire-lines/
📆 Thu 22nd
⏰ 18.30
🎟 https://ifi.ie/film/ifi-aemi-desire-lines/