Billy Connolly

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Sir Billy Connolly Opens Up On Parkinson's Battle: "I'm Near The End"


Billy Connolly

Legendary comedian Sir Billy Connolly has opened up in a devastating new interview about his battle with Parkinson’s disease, admitting that the condition has left him “slipping away” and “near the end”.

Connolly was speaking about his condition, with which he was diagnosed in 2013, as part of his new BBC series ‘Made In Scotland’ which premieres on Friday (January 4th). Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological condition that affects speech and movement, and Connolly, famous for his wildly energetic and verbose performance style, says he can’t do what he used to be able to do.

“My life, it's slipping away and I can feel it and I should,” the icon, who recently turned 76 after filming ended, will say in the documentary, according to the Daily Mirror.

Continue reading: Sir Billy Connolly Opens Up On Parkinson's Battle: "I'm Near The End"

Sir Billy Connolly Finally Receives His Knighthood


Billy Connolly

Just weeks before his 75th birthday, comedy legend Billy Connolly finally receives the knighthood he deserves after a long and successful career on stage and in cinema. While he lamented that certain members of his family were not alive to witness the achievement, he couldn't be happier.

Billy Connolly at the National TV AwardsBilly Connolly at the National TV Awards

The Scottish comedian received his knighthood for services to Entertainment and Charity from the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace this week, as announced in the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours list back in June. His only regret is that his older sister Florence had passed too late to see it.

Continue reading: Sir Billy Connolly Finally Receives His Knighthood

Billy Connolly "Pleased And Embarrassed" To Become A Sir


Billy Connolly

At 74-years-old, Billy Connolly is to become a Sir, after his name was released as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Hailing from Glasgow in Scotland, the comedian first shot to fame in the mid 1960s, before going on to appear in a series of movies such as 'Muppet Treasure Island' in 1996 and more recently, 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' in 2014.

Billy Connolly isn't the biggest fan of the establishmentBilly Connolly isn't the biggest fan of the establishment

Though it's come as great news to the star, he admits he was shocked when he realised he was to become a part of the establishment, of which he says "isn't a place I relish".

Continue reading: Billy Connolly "Pleased And Embarrassed" To Become A Sir

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Review


Very Good

Peter Jackson's expanded take on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit comes to a conclusion in a battle epic packed with enormous action sequences that oddly distract attention from the much more engaging central plotline. By the time it thunders to its satisfying conclusion after nearly two and a half hours, there's a sense of balance restored, providing some powerfully emotional moments along with the thrills. But there's a lot of chaotic mayhem to get through first.

The action picks up immediately, as the dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch) roars into Laketown causing further desolation before being stopped by the heroic Bard (Luke Evans), who then leads the survivors back to their long-abandoned city in the mountains. Meanwhile, dwarf king Thorin (Richard Armitage) has reclaimed his throne and Smaug's enormous stash of gold, which consumes his soul with greed. But he abandons his promises to Bard and the elf leader Thranduil (Lee Pace), who assembles the elf army against him. So Thorin calls in a dwarf battalion to take them on. Meanwhile, the hobbit Bilbo (Martin Freeman) is trying to diffuse the situation and snap Thorin out of his avaricious funk. And wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) discovers that two waves of ruthless orcs are descending on Thorin.

All of this strategising and squaring-off feels fragmented and uneven, as Jackson cuts back and forth between the sprawling ensemble cast while trying to build momentum toward the earth-rattling collision of these five armies. Thankfully, there's also a lot of interpersonal stuff going on to hold the interest. Elf warrior Legolas (Orlando Bloom) is still caught up in a romantic triangle with his intended Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) and her forbidden love, the unusually hot dwarf Kili (Aidan Turner). And there's some comic relief from Alfrid (Ryan Gage), a weaselly human who worms his way into Bard's inner circle for some inexplicable reason. Best of all is the push and pull between Bilbo and Thorin, which is very nicely played by Freeman and Armitage.

Continue reading: The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Review

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Trailer


The Lonely Mountain has been reclaimed from the dragon Smaug. The dwarves of Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) have won; although they soon discover that the price of their victory was steep. Smaug has laid waste to Lake Town, leaving the residents homeless after Thorin promised them riches. The elves of Mirkwood seek the dwarves that escaped their dungeons, while an army of orcs seek to end the line of Durin. And behind the scenes, a dark lord of shadow, long since defeated, is preparing to make a return to Middle Earth - the secret to his power lies in a small, golden ring. A ring that has chosen a new owner; The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman). 

'The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies' serves as the final chapter in Academy Award winning director Peter Jackson's Middle Earth saga. The film serves as the sixth film by Jackson to be based on the works of writer J. R. R. Tolkien, and the final part of 'The Hobbit' trilogy. When Tolkien released 'The Hobbit' in 1937, it was a single book. Jackson released the final part of his adaptation of 'Lord of the Rings' in 2003, and stated that he would not work on a 'Hobbit' movie. However, he eventually signed on to direct a two part adaptation of 'The Hobbit', which later turned into a trilogy in 2012. 

The film is due to be released on 12th December, 2014 in the UK, with a US release date of 17th December.

What We Did On Our Holiday Review


Excellent

Although its story easily could have spun right off the rails, this British comedy uses earthy honesty to win the audience over. The filmmakers also refuse to shy away from things that are usually taboo in family movies, like marital problems, sexuality and mortality. And by never indulging in wacky slapstick or trite moralising, the movie makes the point that sometimes the worst thing we can do to our kids is try to protect them from what's really happening.

The story starts in London, as Abi and Doug (Rosamund Pike and David Tennant) set off to drive north to the Scotland Highlands for the 75th birthday of David's father Gordy (Billy Connolly). They've told their three hilariously overactive kids Lottie, Mickey and Jess (Emilia Jones, Bobby Smalldridge and Harriet Turnbull) not to say anything to anyone about their crumbling marriage. And when they arrive it's clear that everyone has something they don't want to talk about. Gordy is avoiding conversations about his terminal cancer, while David's brother Gavin (Ben Miller) and his wife Margaret (Amelia Bullmore) are also covering up facts from their recent past. Then on a day trip to the beach, the holiday takes a startling turn.

Where the film goes from here hinges on the actions of three children under 10 years old, and all three actors are terrific, creating believable characters who are bursting with individualistic personalities. Watching them try to decode the adult world around them is thoroughly engaging, with the humour lightly balanced by some darker truths. Meanwhile, the grown-up cast get to play the more obviously comical moments, including a few rather too-broad gags. But each of them keeps their character in focus, never letting them tip over into cartoonish silliness. Pike, Tennant and Connolly are all terrific, with pointed support from Miller and Bullmore, plus Imrie as a rather too-knowing social worker.

Continue reading: What We Did On Our Holiday Review

Billy Connolly Recalls How Robin Williams "Tried To Say Goodbye To Me" Before His Suicide


Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly recently revealed that his good friend and legendary comedian, Robin Williams, may have tried to say his final goodbyes in an emotional phone call to the Scottish funnyman before committing suicide last month.

Billy Connolly
Connolly recently recalled his final conversation with Williams

Connolly, 71, who revealed he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease this time last year, recently told The Telegraph that he and the 'Mrs. Doubtfire' actor would frequently speak about their experiences dealing with the nervous disorder. Williams is believed to have taken his own life not long after discovering he was suffering with early-stage Parkinson's, he was 63 years-old.

Continue reading: Billy Connolly Recalls How Robin Williams "Tried To Say Goodbye To Me" Before His Suicide

What We Did On Our Holiday - Extended Trailer


When Doug (David Tennant) and his family travel to the Scottish Highlands for his father's (Billy Connolly) birthday party, hilarity ensues as they embark on what will no doubt be a holiday to remember. Along the way there will be plenty of time spent allowing the children to drive and verbally battle with their grandfather. That, and debate with their Uncle Gavin (Ben Miller) whether he is rich or not and how he is able to live in such a big house. 

Continue: What We Did On Our Holiday - Extended Trailer

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies - Teaser Trailer


Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and the mini-army of dwarves led by Thorin are facing an evermore deadly path in their pursuit of the Lonely Mountain and its mound of treasure which was stolen from the dwarves some time ago by the fiercesome dragon Smaug. Their attempt to slay him has failed, instead unleashing further horrors upon themselves. Angering the dragon has only made things worse with him now determined to murder every creature that lies in its path, demolishing a neighbouring village with little more than a breath. Gandalf remains captured and tensions are ever rising between not only friends, but elves, dwarves, orcs and goblins and it's clear that the  deadliest, brutalist war for thousands of years is well on its way.

Continue: The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies - Teaser Trailer

'What We Did On Our Summer Holiday' Has Kids Saying Funny Things [Trailer]


David Tennant Rosamund Pike Billy Connolly

David Tennant and Rosamund Pike star in the upcoming BBC film, 'What We Did On Our Summer Holiday' from the creators of 'Outnumbered'. And when we say 'Outnumbered' you should know that the film basically just relies on the formula of kids saying funny things because they don’t care about offending people.

What We Did On Our Summer HolidayFamily laughs are what 'What We Did On Our Summer Holiday' are all about

The family comedy drama sees Tenant and Pike as the parents of three outspoken sprogs. They drive up to Scotland - from London or Brighton, probably, considering the kids get Watford confused with the highlands – to visit Billy Connolly (granddad). 

Continue reading: 'What We Did On Our Summer Holiday' Has Kids Saying Funny Things [Trailer]

Billy Connolly - Comedian Billy Connolly arrives at the stage door of The Gaiety Theatre ahead of his first in a series of live shows - Dublin, Ireland - Tuesday 9th April 2013

Billy Connolly

Russell Brand, Eddie Izzard, Sophie Winkleman, Eric Idle and Billy Connolly - Russell Brand, Eddie Izzard, Sophie Winkleman, Eric Idle, Billy Connolly Monday 5th November 2012 at the presscall for 'What About Dick?' held at ID-PR in Hollywood.

Russell Brand, Eddie Izzard, Sophie Winkleman, Eric Idle and Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly Quick Links

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Billy Connolly

Date of birth

24th November, 1942

Occupation

Actor

Sex

Male

Height

1.83




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Billy Connolly Movies

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Movie Review

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Movie Review

Peter Jackson's expanded take on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit comes to a conclusion in a...

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Trailer

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Trailer

The Lonely Mountain has been reclaimed from the dragon Smaug. The dwarves of Thorin Oakenshield...

What We Did on Our Holiday Movie Review

What We Did on Our Holiday Movie Review

Although its story easily could have spun right off the rails, this British comedy uses...

What We Did On Our Holiday Trailer

What We Did On Our Holiday Trailer

When Doug (David Tennant) and his family travel to the Scottish Highlands for his father's...

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Trailer

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies Trailer

Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and the mini-army of dwarves led by Thorin are facing an evermore...

What We Did On Our Holiday Trailer

What We Did On Our Holiday Trailer

Three young children are about to learn what adulthood is really like when they take...

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer

Bilbo Baggins has narrowly escaped several deadly confrontations with the likes of trolls, stone giants...

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Trailer

Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and their company thirteen dwarves have managed to leave the Misty Mountains...

Quartet Movie Review

Quartet Movie Review

For his directing debut, Dustin Hoffman takes no chances, filling the screen with gifted actors...

Brave Movie Review

Brave Movie Review

Pixar continues pushing boundaries with this lavishly animated Scottish adventure, which centres on an involving...

Brave Trailer

Brave Trailer

Princess Merida is the daughter of the warrior, King Fergus and his wife, Queen Elinor....

Open Season 3 Trailer

Open Season 3 Trailer

There's only one day before Boog and Elliott should depart on their guys only trip,...

Gullivers Travels Trailer

Gullivers Travels Trailer

Gulliver works in a mail room, he's got big dreams and ambitions but he's never...

Open Season 2 Trailer

Open Season 2 Trailer

Watch the trailer for Open Season 2!Human's aren't the only thing wild animals have to...

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