PREVIEW-You Will Be My Son

A welcome addition to our March programme at The Cinema at Gloucester Guidhall is the latest feature from relatively unknown French director Gilles Legrand in the form of You Will Be My Son. Although renowned for co-producing Jean Pierre Jeunet's superb Micmacs (2009), his directorial efforts have largely and undeservedly gone unnoticed, which is all the more reason for you to seek out this vintage gem.

Niels Arestrup (The Beat My Heart Skipped, The Diving Bell & The Butterfly, War Horse) plays Paul de Marseul, a passionate and demanding winemaker unsatisfied with the prospect of his son, Martin (Lorànt Deutsch) taking over his vineyard. He dreams of a more talented one, and finds him in the shape of Phillipe (Nicolas Bridet), the son of his steward, François (Patrick Chesnais). de Marseul lavishes attention and praise on Phillipe, all the time degrading Martin's achievements, eventually inviting Phillipe rather than his own son to attend his investiture in the Legion d'honneur.

Like any true French classic, naturally set in a vineyard, this boasts great performances from the entire cast and luscious cinematography, ultimately resulting in an incredibly compelling and at times of dark drama.

Why not enjoy it over a glass of wine from our bar, which you can take into the auditorium with you?

"Legrand handles the absurdity with some style, and there is something clever in making an apparently minor character responsible for a major narrative flourish. An enjoyable spectacle."

Peter Bradshaw- The Guardian

"As metaphors for life go, wine has a very high yield, and Gilles Legrand's sensitive screenplay tramples out every last drop of juice."

Robbie Collin- Daily Telegraph

"The feelings have a persuasive, bloody rawness to them."

Hannah McGill- The List

Check out the trailer here:

You Will Be My Son is playing on Wednesday 6th March ONLY at 7:45pm

PREVIEW: Quartet (12A)

From Hollywood actor Dustin Hoffman comes his directorial debut, Quartet. 

Lifelong friends Wilf and Reggie, together with former colleague Cissy, are residents of Beecham House, a home for retired opera singers. Every year on Giuseppe Verdi's birthday, the residents unite to give a concert to raise funds for their home. But when Jean Horton, a former grande dame of the opera fallen on hard times, who also happens to be Reggie's ex-wife, moves into the home, old grudges threaten to undermine past glories and theatrical temperaments play havoc with the rehearsal schedule as plans for this year's concert start to unravel.

Quartet is based on the play of the same name that ran in London's West End for nine years, with the original writer Ron Harwood writing the screenplay. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012 and has since brought Hoffman honours for his direction.

Quartet boasts an impressive "Best of British" cast. Bringing together some of Britain's most identifiable actors, both old and new. A wickedly comic film about redefining old age and growing old with hope, featuring an all-star British cast, including Dame Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon and Billy Connolly.  

*Hoffman uses all he's learned as a virtuoso actor to shape a film of flesh-and-blood characters, flushed with humor and tenderness.* Rolling Stone

*frothy and often charming directorial effort from Hoffman, his first in a Hollywood career that's spanned five decades, that will keep Downton fans happy.* Empire Magazine

Check out the trailer below:

Quartet opens on Friday March 1st and closes on Thursday March 7th with performances at 7.45pm including Screen Tea showings on Saturday at 10.45am, Monday and Wednesday at 2pm, and a Cine Cubs showing on Thursday at 10.45am.

PREVIEW: A Streetcar Named Desire (12)

Winner of 4 Oscars including Best Leading Actress, released in 1951 A Streetcar Named Desire is one of the true classics of Cinema.

Directed by Turkish filmmaker Elia Kazan (On The Waterfront and East of Eden), the film is based on the popular Broadway show from 1947 of the same name written by the great Tennessee Williams.

A Streetcar Named Desire showcases two of cinemas finest natural actors Vivien Leigh (Gone With the Wind and Ship of a Fool) and Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront, The Godfather and Apocalypse Now).
The two leads are supported by the equally impressive supports coming from Kim Hunter (Planet of the Apes Trilogy) and Karl Malden (On The Waterfront).
A Streetcar Named Desire brings together a showcase of the stars raw, exciting talents that announced them to the world.

A Streetcar Named Desire tells the story of disturbed and confused Blanche DuBois (Leigh) who turns up in New Orleans, jumping on a streetcar route named Desire to the apartment of her sister Stella (Hunter).

Blanche is welcomed in by her sister however, her news of the loss of the family's southern plantation Belle Reve in Mississippi Blanche comes under an ambush of questions and pressure, something that's not helped by the arrival of the dominant Stanley (Brando), Stella's partner.

A friend of Stella and Stanley Mitch arrives on the scene as soon a relationship transpires between him and Blanche protecting her from the ever intimidating Stanley. 
The real truth about the demise of the family ranch soon become apparent as Blanche's fragile mind begins to play between what is real and fantasy.

The film concludes in a way that shocked and surprised the audience of the time and underpins along with the rest of the films content why it's still a film that cinema goers must see.

*Epic performances in a movie that seethes with atmosphere*

Kim Newman

*Simply a masterful adap of Tennessee Williams' sultry, searing play and an affirmation of Marlon Brando's acting genius*

Total Film

For those of you that haven't seen it the trailer is below;

The reviews and admiration for this timeless classic speak for itself, so for your chance to see A Streetcar Named Desire on the big screen in all its glory head down to Gloucester Guildhall on Friday 1st March at 2pm and Saturday 2nd March at 3pm.

SNIPPET: Oscars Winners

It's the Monday after the Oscars and here at Gloucester Guildhall we are delighted with the Winners.

Especially with the astounding LIFE OF PI picking up a whopping four Oscars last night, including Best Director for Ang Lee, you can catch it at the Guildhall until Friday this week, starting at 2pm this afternoon!

Over the next few weeks we are screening the following award winners.


Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis - Lincoln and Production Design
Best Actress - Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook
Best Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz - Django Unchained
Best Supporting Actress - Anne Hathaway - Les Miserables, Makeup and Hairstyling and Sound Mixing 
Sound Editing - Zero Dark Thirty

You will have already seen a  number of the award winners at our cinema during the past few months:

Best Film - Argo
Best Foreign Language Film - Amour
Best Original Song - Skyfall
Best Documentary Feature - Searching for Sugar Man
Best Costume Design - Anna Karenina
Best Animated Feature Film - Brave

PREVIEW: Life of Pi

This week is Oscar week and we have chosen to screen the amazing Life of Pi.  

This synopsis of the film sums up what you will be seeing which is a stunning adaptation of Yann Martel’s modern classic by director Ang Lee – the most visually impressive film you’ll see all year! After the tragic sinking of a ship carrying a family and their zoo animals to a new home in Canada, a solitary lifeboat remains bobbing on the Pacific Ocean. Inside there is a 16-year old boy named Pi, who finds himself stranded at sea with a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Bengal tiger for company. As he tries to make his way home, Pi finds himself on an epic journey of adventure and discovery as he fights for survival against almost impossible odds. 

Life of Pi is the Taiwanese director’s 12th feature; a warm, wise and wondrous adventure story adapted from Yann Martel’s 2002 Booker Prize-winning novel.

Despite its length - something you do not notice.  Life Of Pi has been inundated with nominations and has won various awards these include WINNER of the Golden Globe award for Best Original Score.  

Nominated for:11 Oscars - Best Picture, Best Director, Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Cinematography, Editing, Production Design, Original Score, Original Song, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, Visual Effects.  

Nominations for 3 Golden Globe Awards - Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score and finally 9 BAFTAS nominations - Best Film, Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Original Music, Cinematography, Editing, Production Design, Sound, Special Visual Effects.

Audience members may have read the book and you will not be disappointed, with how the versatile Ang Lee brings Yann Martel's tale of shipwreck and spirituality to the big screen in magnificent fashion

*From its opening scene of animals and birds strutting and preening themselves in a sunlit zoo to the final credits of fish and nautical objects shimmering beneath the sea, the movie has a sense of the mysterious, the magical* The Guardian

*Lee is a wizard, Life of Pi is an incredible spectacle and the technical effects are brilliant* This is London

Watch the trailer below:

If you want to see a film which restores you faith in cinema come along to see Life of Pi.  The screening times are: Monday 25th at 2pm & 7.45pm, Tuesday 26th at 7.45pm, Wednesday 27th at 2pm & 7.45pm, Thursday 28th at 7.45pm.

PREVIEW - The Hunt (15)

Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg returns to form with his new release The Hunt.
Since bursting on to the scene with one of his earliest film Festen, Vinterberg over the years has remained obsolete with many critics and fans fearing he lost his 'unique way with film'. However, The Hunt is sure to put everyone at ease.

Vinterberg and co-writer Tobias Lindholm have welcomed a host of Danish talent to the project, headed by one of Denmark's most established actor of the moment Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Clash of the Titans and King Arthur).
It's a film of real quality and talent throughout that encapsulates the skills of all that are part of it.

The Hunt tells the story of Lucas (Mikkelsen) a kindergarten assistant, who's a valid member within the close-knit community that he lives. With a stable job and friends at every corner life is good.
However, Lucas's life is turns upside down after an accusation by a child that was under his care.
Soon the community and his friends have turned their backs on him as the situation escalates as Lucas fights to defend his life and respect amongst an ever expanding HUNT for him.

With references to Peckinpah's Staw Dogs and Von Trier's Dogville, The Hunt also maintains a theme that many fans will recall from Vinterberg's Festen.

The Hunt is one of the best World Cinema films of 2012, with Vinterberg establishing both himself and Denmark's credentials on the big screen.

*Festen director Thomas Vinterberg storms back to form with this drama about a teacher wrongfully accused of child abuse*

Peter Bradshaw

*Beautifully performed and tough as nails, Vinterberg's social drama could not be any more timely*

David Hughes

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

The Hunt is showing at Gloucester Guildhall on Friday 22nd February at 7.45pm, Saturday 23rd February at 10.45am and Saturday 23rd February at 7.45pm.

PREVIEW: The Sapphires (PG)

The Sapphires is the first feature film by Australian director, Wayne Blair. The music comedy stars Irish comedian Chris O'Dowd as talent scout Dave Lovelace, who brings together four talented Aboriginal women  to entertain US troops in Vietnam in 1968.

1968 was the year that changed the world. And for four young Aboriginal sisters from a remote mission in rural Australia, this is the year that would change their lives forever. Singing sisters Gail, Julie and Cynthia, together with their cousin Kay, are discovered by Dave, a down-on-his-luck Irish musician with attitude, a taste for Irish Whiskey and an ear for soul music. Dave steers the girls away from their Country & Western origins, billing them as the Australian answer to The Supremes, then flies them to the war-zones of South Vietnam to sing for the troops. On tour in the Mekong Delta, the girls sing up a storm, dodge bullets… and fall in love. Based on a true story, this is a triumphant celebration of youth, courage, love, family and soul music.

Based on the stage play of the same name, The Sapphires is warm hearted tale of four talented singers being plucked from obscurity and thrust into in the limelight as Australia's version of The Supremes. Written by Tony Briggs' and based on the remarkable true story of his mother and three aunts, The Sapphires has gained critical acclaim worldwide.

Making its World Premiere at Cannes Film Festival in May 2012, it received a ten minute standing ovation and was dubbed the Australian version of Dreamgirls (2008). It has received many award nominations at other international film festivals, including Director to Watch at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

*The Sapphires is a likable, uneven feelgood movie, based on real life: all about a winsome foursome with a lot of soul.* The Guardian

*Far too lovable to resist.* Empire Magazine 

Watch the trailer below:

The Sapphires will be shown at Gloucester Guildhall Wednesday 20th February at 2pm and 7.45pm an Thursday 21st February at 10.45am.

PREVIEW: Love Crime (15)

Love Crime is a deliciously twisted tale of office politics that turn, literally, cut-throat. 

When Christine, a powerful executive, brings on a naive young ingénue, Isabelle, as her assistant, she delights in toying with her naiveté and teaching her hard lessons in a ruthless professional philosophy. But when the protégé’s ideas become tempting enough for Christine to pass one as her own, she underestimates Isabelle's ambition and cunning, and the ground is set for all out war in this devilish, propulsive thriller. Starring Kristin Scott Thomas.

Love Crime was the final film from French director Alain Corneau, released just before his death in 2010. With chilling performances from a wonderful cast, Love Crime is an intelligent thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat.  Part of the official selections for Los Angeles Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival as well as the Irish Film Festival in 2012, Love Crime has been shown internationally and has gained great popularity.

In 2012 Love Crime was remade into an English speaking film Passion starring Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace. 

*The interplay between the two very different leads and the involving, increasingly dark story keep things moving along nicely.* Radio Times

*This is an ingeniously plotted film, and the two superb performances at its centre compensate for any implausibilities* Daily Mail

Watch the trailer below:                                   

Love Crime will be shown at Gloucester Guildhall on Monday 18th February only, at 2pm and 7.45pm

PREVIEW-Seven Psychopaths

In 2008 Martin McDonagh, considered to be one of the most important Irish playwrights living today, presented his feature length debut as the Opening Night film at the prestigious Sundance Festival. In Bruges, a black comedy starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes about two hitmen who hide out in the romantic Belgian city after a job gone wrong, would see McDonagh earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay plus wins in the same category at the BAFTAs and BIFAs and ultimately turning his critically well-received debut into a cult classic.

Five years on, McDonagh and Farrell (who won the Best Actor Golden Globe for In Bruges) have reunited for another sterling effort in the black comedy genre with Seven Psychopaths, together with an all star cast including Sam Rockwell (Moon) Woody Harrelson (The Messenger) and the legendary Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter).

Marty (Farrell) is a struggling writer who dreams of finishing his screenplay, "Seven Psychopaths". Billy (Rockwell) is Marty's best friend, an unemployed actor and part time dog thief, who wants to help Marty by any means necessary. All he needs is a little focus and inspiration. Hans (Walken) is Billy's partner in crime. A religious man with a violent past. Charlie (Harrelson) is the psycho-pathetic gangster whose beloved dog, Billy and Hans have just stolen. Charlie's unpredictable, extremely violent and wouldn't think twice about killing anyone or anything associated with the theft. Marty is going to get all the focus and inspiration he needs, just as long as he lives to tell the tale

Much like that difficult second album, it's often a bit of a tall order for an emerging director to equal the efforts of their debut and In Bruges, for its witty dialogue and deft performances, was certainly one to beat. A parallel to that of Quentin Tarantino could easily be drawn and if McDonagh's debut was his Reservoir Dogs, Seven Psychopaths is unquestionably his equivalent to Pulp Fiction. Whilst the usual generous serving of sharp dialogue and gleeful violence are present and accounted for, it also delivers an incredibly sly cinematic commentary particularly on the mechanics of screenwriting and the division between reality and fantasy. This exceedingly witty and delightfully dark film deserves to be seen and what better place to see it than at your local arthouse.

"Enormously entertaining, endlessly quotable, perfectly cast and packed full of the richest acting you'll see from an ensemble cast all year"

Kim Newman, Empire

"What movie junkie out there wouldn't leap at the chance to see merry pranksters such as Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson go nuts in something called Seven Psychopaths? It's crazy-killer fun."

Pete Travers, Rolling Stone

"There are scenes of complete brilliance, Walken is better than he's been in years, cute plot loops and grace notes."

Catherine Shoard, The Guardian  

Check out the trailer below:

Seven Psychopaths (15) plays on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th February ONLY at 7:45pm with a Screen Tea matinee on Saturday 16th (10:45am)

PREVIEW: I, Anna

 I, Anna, from the novel by Elisa Lewin and adapted for the big screen by Barnaby Southcombe, who also directs, promises to intrigue and compel all audiences, in particular fans of the never tiring stylistic film-noir genre. It stars yet another infectious performance by Charlotte Rampling and a cool, as always, feat by Gabriel Byrne.

A typical psychological narrative is accompanied by the all too familiar characterisations we're all fond of finding in this genre. I, Anna vamps it up and joins the long list of favourites now under the newly coined neo-noir, with its moody urban backdrops. Crime scene police inspecter, Bernie Reid (Byrne) is an insomniac, crackling with neurosis and anxiety. Anna (Rampling) is often seen in a femme fatale's trenchcoat. The iconography is there for all to enjoy.

The film's initially delves into the perils of modern dating for the older woman. Anna is divorced, living in London and soon attends a speed dating arrangement and meets smooth-talking George (Ralph Brown) who later is found dead. The scene is set here. The plot thickens and builds up to an emotionally-packed twist of a final act.




Check out the trailer below:

Showing from Tuesday 12th - Thursday 14th February, plus a special director Q&A session with Barnaby Southcombe after the film on Tuesday 12th.


         

PREVIEW: The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey

2013 marks the near 75th anniversary since the very first publication of author J.R.R Tolkein's seminal masterpiece, The Hobbit. The quest concerning one Mr.Bilbo Baggins and his company of explorers including the wise wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves, would later develop into, and become better known as, the prequel to Tolkein's epic Lord Of The Rings trilogy. That was of course famously adapted for the big screen in 2001-2003, in perhaps one of the biggest and most ambitious projects ever undertaken, by New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson and his co-writers Fran Walsh and Phillpa Boyens. The trilogy, consisting of The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers and The Return Of The King, became a huge critical and commercial success with worldwide box office taking of $2.92 billion and a haul of accolades including 17 of its 30 Academy Award nominations.  

So evidently it was only a matter time before the journey back to the land of Middle-Earth would arise and the prequel would receive the cinematic treatment. Much like LOTR, The Hobbit has been in development for several years, facing all manners of setbacks such as the financial collapse of studio MGM and the departure of its original director Guillermo Del Toro. But finally, after a decade since the release of Return Of The King, the film has finally arrived in what is, similarly to Fellowship, the first part of a planned trilogy. So why not start your Middle Earth adventure where it all began at your local arthouse with The Hobbit: An Unexptected Journey.

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is a home-loving hobbit who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage). Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum (Andy Serkis). Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ...a simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.  

With many familar faces returning to their roles from the The Lord Of The Rings including Hugo Weaving as Lord Elrond, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel and Sir Christopher Lee as Saruman, the true revelation here is Martin Freeman who provides a truly earnest and winning performance as the title character. It's also exciting to see Jackson and the rest of the mainly New Zeleand based production team all reunited and keen to push new technological boundaries. It is a visually resplendent film with eye-popping special effects and sweeping vistas and can only be truly appreciated on the big screen. It certainly got the attention of the awards boards with three Academy Award nominations including Best Visual Effects and three BAFTAs. Additionally it has done the impossible by grossing $900m which surpasses the totals by the first two installments in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. With The Desolation of Smaug and There And Back Again due for release in 2013 and 2014 respectively, this your prime opportunity to immerse yourself into all things Tolkein, whether you've seen The Lord Of The Rings or not.

"Jackson has made The Hobbit with brio and fun, and Martin Freeman is just right as Bilbo Baggins: he plays it with understatement and charm." 

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

"And we're back! Slam bang in Middle-earth as though the Lord of the Rings trilogy never went away, which it didn't."

Kate Muir, The Times

"Jackson has delivered plenty more of the big set pieces that fans loved in the trilogy"

David Sexton, This Is London

Check out the trailer below:

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (12A) opens on Friday 8th February and closes on Monday 11th February with performances at 7:45 pm including Screen Tea shows on Saturday (10:45am) and Monday (2pm)