PREVIEW: Renoir

Fans of French cinema will not be disappointed by Gilles Bourdos’ new film Renoir, a WW1 period drama which recounts the story of the eponymous artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Michel Bouquet), his film-maker son Jean (Vincent Rottiers), and the woman that connects the two, Andree (Christa Theret).

The film, which was beautifully shot by Taiwanese cinematographer Mark Lee Ping Bin, was premiered at the 2012 Cannes film festival, and since then, it has gone on to achieve modest international success.  Besides the gorgeous setting, Bouquet gives a stellar performance as the aging impressionist – arguably one of his best performances in the 90 films he has made over a 66 year career.

Despite the achingly slow pace, the film is touching and beautiful – and has catapulted Gilles Bourdos in the limelight, and secured Bouquet as a true French legend. The film has already made millions at the French and American box office, and with its UK release, it is due to make far more.

*Renoir’s celebration of the flesh is beautiful to behold* The Guardian

*The sun-dappled cinematography by Taiwanese Mark Ping Bin Lee (Norwegian Wood) would have you drooling for a French holiday had the weather not turned so hot here* Birmingham Mail

Watch the trailer here

Showing on the following dates: Monday 5th at 7.45pm, Tuesday 6th at 7.45pm, Wednesday 7th at 2pm, Wednesday 7th at 7.45pm, Thursday 8th at 10.45am [CineCubs Screening], Thursday 8th at 7.45pm

PREVIEW - Epic (U)

From the creators of Ice Age and Rio comes their new film EPIC, a beautiful fantasy adventure for all the family to enjoy. 
From Writer/ Director Chris Wedge, known by many for the voice of the lovable Scrat in the Ice Age films, along with his work on other kids favorites such as Rio and Robots. 

With an incredibly large cast assembled with a mix of ages and experience voicing the animated characters, with headline names such as Amanda Seyfried (Les Miserables, Mamma Mia), Collin Farrell (In Bruges), Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained) and Chris O'dowd (Bridesmaids) to name but a few. There is also surprise appearances from singers Beyonce and Pitbull.
It's an all star cast for an all star family adventure. 

Epic begins with the work of biologist Bomba (Sudeikis) continuing his search to find what he believes to be the small people of the forest, all observed by his uncaring, bored daughter Mary Katherine (Seyfried) who despises her father for his obsession however, one day Mary Katherine is shrunken by Queen Tara (Beyonce) to the size of an insect and thrown into a hidden world that humans can't see.


What Mary Katherine has entered into isn't a world she imagined she's thrown into a battlefield between good and evil. 
The good are led by old school leaf-man Ronin (Farrell) and his young recruit Nod (Hutcherson) who Mary Katherine joins on their quest to defend their woodland with beautiful birds and creatures from the enemy. 

The enemy who go by the name of Boggans headed by the brutal Mandrake (Waltz) and his son Dagda (Anderson). 
What follows is a battle of life and death, with some lighthearted comedy on the way coming from slug and snail Mub (Ansari) and Grub (O'Dowd).


Its a fantastic take on a standard good versus evil storyline and Wedge has got it spot on with the cast and crew alike, to form a wonderful film for everyone to enjoy.

*This has enough wit and charm to entertain both big and little people*

Anna Smith

*The latest animation from the creators of the Ice Age movies and Rio is a forest of fun*

Jenny McCartney

Have a look at the trailer below to see what you think;

Epic is showing at Gloucester Guildhall for one day only on Saturday 27th July at 3pm, be sure not to miss it!

PREVIEW: Star Trek Into Darkness

After the success of JJ Abrams first Star Trek film in 2009, he's back again with the same Enterprise crew and a menacing new villian.

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization.  Leaving the world in a state of crisis and with a personal score to settle Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.  As our heroes are propelled into an epic game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left.

In it's opening weekend, Star Trek Into Darkness brought in $31.7 million, much more than the first film, and has now earned over $444 million world wide! As one of the summers biggest blockbusters, it's one that must not be missed, even if it's just to see Benedict Cumberbatch as the best cinematic villian of the year.

*Into Darkness is a sleek, thrilling epic that's also a triumphantly witty popcorn morality play. It's everything you could want in a Star Trek movie.*

Entertainment Weekly

*In some sense, the title is misleading. Into Darkness is a blast, fun, funny, spectacular and exhilarating.*

Empire Magazine

Star Trek Into Darkness is showing at Gloucester Guildhall on Friday 19th July at 7.45pm, Saturday 20th July at 10.45am, 3pm (CineCubs showing) and 7.45pm and Monday 22nd at 2pm.

PREVIEW: Our Children (15)

From renowned Belgian writer/director Joachim Lafosse comes his fifth feature film and based on the huge critical acclaim, quite possibly his best yet. Competing in the Un Certain Regard category at last year's Cannes Film Festival and winning the Best Actress award in the process, Our Children is a tense psychological drama inspired by the real-life incidents surrounding Geneivieve Lhermitte. On December 19, 2008 Lhermitte was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her five children in February 2007, followed by an apparent failed suicide attempt. Although she was reported to have demonstrated serious mental issues, via regular psyhciatric appointments, she claimed that her motive to kill her own children was due to troubles at home. It's this aspect that the film ultimately attempts to portray...

Murielle (Emilie Dequenne) and Mounir (Tahar Rahim) love each other passionately. Ever since he was a boy, the young man has been living with Doctor Pinget (Niels Arestrup) who provides him with a comfortable life. When Mounir and Murielle decide to marry and have children, the couple's dependence on the doctor becomes excessive. Murielle finds herself caught up in an unhealthy emotional climate that insidiously leads the family towards a tragic outcome.

Marking Lafosse's second appearance amongst the bespoke nominees of the annual Magritte Awards (the Belgian equivalent of the Oscars), Our Children not only won Best Film and Best Director but was also selected as the official Belgian entry for the 85th Academy Awards. Even though it failed to make the final shortlist, there is no denying that this film, harrowing as the subject matter may be, is worthy of consideration (particularly yours) thanks to fantastic performances from the entire cast, especially from Emile Dequenne.

*Suffice to say that pathos is intertwined with pathology in Lafosse's fifth feature, inspired by a true story-but Murielle's decline isn't any less full of tough home truths.* Film Comment Magazine

Check out the trailer here:

Our Children (15) Monday 22nd at 7.45pm, Tuesday 23rd at 2pm, & 7.45pm, Wednesday 24th at 7.45pm

PREVIEW: Love Is All You Need

Love is All You Need is a 2012 romantic comedy by Danish director Susanne Bier and starring Pierce Brosnan and Trine Dyrholm.

A love story and two families come together on the picturesque Amalfi Coast.  The fates of Philip and Ida two bruised souls are about to intertwine as they embark for a trip to Italy to attend the wedding of Patrick and Astrid, Philip's son and Ida's daughter.  This is a film about the simple yet profound pains and joys of moving on - and forward - with your life and will leave only the hardest heart untouched. 

This is a real adult romantic comedy, almost like Mamma Mia! but better! This film is subtitled, alternating between Danish, Italian and English, but the variety of languages doesn't stop the romance.

* Dyrholm has an unusual magnetism, the kind of face that seems open and unguarded, yet you can't figure out just what it is she's thinking - she and Brosnan share an excitingly adult chemistry.* 

TIME Magazine

*Buffeted by languorous Italian vistas and the emotional depth of the characters, the film falls more into the Nancy Meyers camp of rom com, in which relatable late-in-life romances are played out against sumptuous settings.*

Film Comment Magazine

Love Is All You Need is showing at Gloucester Guildhall on Friday 12th July at 7.45pm, Saturday 13th July at 10.45am and 7.45pm and Monday 15th July at 2pm.

PREVIEW - Caesar Must Die (12A)

From the experienced Writer/Director partnership of  Italian brothers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani comes their new film and adaptation of the great Shakespeare play Julius Caesar entitled Caesar Must Die.
With over 20 Director and Writer collaborative films between the two brothers, their first being in 1954, Caesar Must Die looks set to be their best yet with already 10 wins at festivals around the world attached to their film.

The cast of the film are all unknown and all of whom are making their acting debuts, but don't let this put you off as their rawness and natural approach to acting gives a welcome appearance from the many 'strict' formats of Hollywood. The cast more than give us a performance and judging by this they'll find it hard to put in a better performance. 
The crew of the film provides a totally different level of experience with both Editor and Producer compiling over 100 film credits to their name, the Taviani brothers have got the mix spot on.

Set in Rome's Rebibbia prison in Italy, home of Italy's most dangerous criminals from murders to Mafia members.
Caesar Must Die centers on the production of Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar performed by the inmates of the high secure wing in Rebibbia. The film is not only of a story of a Shakespeare play but a journey and message against the stereotypes of prison inmates. 

Shot in a similar way to a documentary Caesar Must Die is a quirky take on the classic Shakespeare play and wonderful fresh take on an adaptation, as we live through every part of the process to the final performance. 
It's also a welcome return to form for the two Taviani brothers.

Already winner of the prestigious Golden Bear Award for Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival, Caesar Must Die is destined for even bigger things.

*A hit in Berlin, the Taviani siblings' doc has plenty of wit and punch*

Patrick Peters 

*Tavianis come not to use or mangle Shakespeare but to honor him*

Anthony Lane

Have a look at the trailer below for Caesar Must Die;

Caesar Must Die is showing at Gloucester Guildhall on Monday 15th July at 7.45pm, Wednesday 17th July at 2pm and 7.45pm and Thursday 18th July at 7.45pm

PREVIEW - The Great Gatsby (12A)

We welcome back to the screens one of films most visual directors and writers Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge and Australia) for the first time in five years with his highly anticipated release F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic The Great Gatsby.

Know worldwide as a 'classic' novel, The great Gatsby has been subject to many a novel to film transition lastly in 1974 with Robert Redford playing the lead.
Luhrmann has given the film a much needed update since then with a great cast, art direction and a stunning soundtrack to match. This really is a film of cinematic beauty.

The lead role of Gatsby is played by the highly sought after Leonardo DiCaprio (Inception and Shutter Island) who's many mannerisms can be recognised from his performance in Django Unchained.
Joining DiCaprio is a great army of talent from around the world. The stunning and talented British actress Carey Mulligan is joined by Toby Maguire, Joel Edgerton and Isla Fisher to name a few.
The rest of the large cast includes some stunning performances from some actors many won't have heard of but on these performances there's definitely more to come from them.

The classic story of The Great Gatsby takes place in 1922 New York, it's a very glitzy and glamorous affair with those who can afford that lifestyle. Someone who can is Jay Gatsby (DiCapro) a millionaire bootlegger who lives in an eccentric modern mansion in West Egg a township outside of Manhattan. Across the bay in East Egg are the grand houses owned by the rich of yesterday, the houses are grand but not on the scale of Gatsby's.
Within the houses of East Egg is a character of brutality and drive Tom Buchanan (Edgerton) husband of Daisy (Mulligan), of whom was taken from the penniless Gatsby by Buchanan in the First World War.

As Gatsby seeks revenge for that day will his riches and the glitz and glamour that goes with it draw Daisy back into his arms?

To guide us through the film is the character of Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate, second cousin to Daisy who owns a cottage next to Gatsby. Carraways voice-over is given through an explanation of the events we see to his psychiatrist.

The Great Gatsby is a great watch with stunning visuals and sterling performances.

*Soundtracks will sell, DiCaprio will be on bedroom walls again and new readers may discover the book*

Jane Crowther

*Luhrmann demonstrates an ability with actors that he hasn’t shown in the past*

David Denby

Have a look at the trailer for The Great Gatsby below;

The Great Gatsby is showing at Gloucester Guildhall on Monday 8th July at 7.45pm, Tuesday 9th July at 7.45pm, Wednesday 10th July at 2pm and 7.45pm and Thursday 11th July at 7.45pm.



PREVIEW - The Eye of the Storm (15)

The vastly experienced Australian Director Fred Schepisi known primarily for his work in the 80's and early 90's, with the releases of A Cry in the Dark and Six Degrees of Separation.
Schepisi returns to our screens for the first time since 2005 with his new release The Eye of the Storm.

Schepisi has assembled a great cast, with the three main roles being played by Charlotte Rampling (Melancholia and The Duchess), along with Judy Davis (Barton Fink) and Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean Sequels), together the three work well to give what many would describe as their best performances.
The Eye of the Storm also sees a whole host of promising youngsters not only from Australia but Britain as well such as Jamie Timony (Sleeping Beauty and The Hunter) along with the director Schepisi's daughter Alexandra.

The Eye of the Storm, an adaptation of the 1973 novel by Patrick White. The film hinges on the skilled talents of actress Charlotte Rampling who plays the character of Elizabeth Hunter an eccentric elderly woman who's life is slowly drawing to an end. In the realisation of her aging self she summons her two offspring's Basil (Rush) and Dorothy (Davis) to her extravagant Sydney home in order to inform them of her will.

What ensues is a mix of comedy and heartfelt moments as Elizabeth tortures her children with mind games and mood swings as both Basil and Dorothy grit their teeth for one last time.

Expect laughter and moments of delicacy as well as a hatful of great performances.

*Top notch performances from the stellar cast help him nail the book's citric tone*

David Parkinson

*Intelligent performances from three heavyweight acting talents*

Peter Bradshaw

Have a look at the trailer below to see what you think;

 The Eye of the Storm is showing at Gloucester Guildhall on Friday 5th July at 7.45pm, Saturday 6th July at 10.45am and 7.45pm and Monday 8th July at 2pm.

PREVIEW: Everybody Has a Plan

Everybody Has a Plan is a 2012 Argentinian crime thriller starring Viggo Mortensen and Soledad VIllamil. Directed by Ana Piterbarg from a screenplay by Anna Cohan and Piterbarg, the film is a joint production of Argentinian and Spanish companies.

Agustín is a man who is desperate to abandon a life living in Buenos Aires which for him has become a frustrating existence.  After the death of his twin brother, Pedro.  Agustín decides to start a new life, adopting the identity of Pedro and returning to the mysterious region of the Delta, where they lived as boys. Shortly after his return, Agustín finds himself unwillingly involved in the dangerous criminal world that was his brother's life.

Set 20 miles north of Buenos Airas, Piterbarg's film is a slow, sombre noir thirller which dual identity themes similar to that of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and The Comedy of Errors, make it a familiar story.
 

*At heart it's a crime flick, but Piterbarg has woven in a woozy psychological undercurrent with a powerful pull that places it a cut above* Little White Lies

*Hardly anyone will see it, but those who do ought to be impressed.* New York Daily News

Watch the trailer here:

Everybody Has a Plan is showing at Gloucester Guildhall on Tuesday 2nd July at 7.45pm

Wednesday 3rd July at 2pm and 7.45pm and Thursday 4th July at 7.45pm.

PREVIEW: Papadopoulos and Sons (15)

Papadopoulos and Sons is brought to our screens by an unknown multi-skilled filmmaker Marcus Markou. Following on from his short The Last Temptation of Christ, Markou debut feature film is one to admire.

An intriguing and funny look at the fall from rich to poor, Papadopoulos and Sons is a film that entertains and is guaranteed to make you smile throughout.

Bringing to the screen an array of nationalities and experience Papadopoulos and Sons is headed by Stephen Dillane (King Arthur) along with a selection of unheard actors such as Cosima Shaw (Alfie), Georges Corraface (Escape from L.A) and Ed Stoppard (The Pianist).
Papadopoulos and Sons also brings promising actress Georgia Gromme, the star of Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging back to our screen along with the son of the lead actor Stephen Dillane all set for a promising future ahead after this performance.

Papadopoulos and Sons focuses on Harry Papadopoulos (Dillane) a businessman who has all a massive house, a successful business and a great future. On the cusp of completing a deal of a lifetime, it all goes downhill amidst a double dip-recession.
Left with nothing apart from an old Fish and Chip shop from his youth, half owned by his estranged brother Spiros (Corraface).

Harry and his brother set about bringing the chippy back to life however, face strong competition from a local Turkish Kebab Shop and an unwanted love triangle.

Papadopoulos and Sons is a sincere comedy-drama exploring family relationships and the British need for a good old fashioned chippy.

*There’s a warmth and charm about Marcus Markou’s feature debut that makes it hard to resist* Philip Kemp

 *Fresh, funny and poignant snapshot of ethnic life in London*

Stella Papamichael 

  

Have a look at the trailer below and see what you think:

Papadopoulos and Sons is showing at Gloucester Guildhall on  Friday 28^th June at 7.45pm, Saturday 29^th at 10.45am, Monday 1^st July at 2pm and 7.45pm