The official blog of The Cinema at Gloucester Guildhall and its Film Club. News, reviews and everything to do with the films showing at Gloucester Guildhall.
This week at The Cinema At Gloucester Guildhall why not check out the critically acclaimed drama A Late Quartet starring the cream of American screen talent including Academy Award winners Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) and Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter) and Academy Award nominee Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich, Capote).
When the beloved cellist of a world-renowned string quartet receives a life changing diagnosis, the group's future suddenly hangs in the balance: suppressed emotions, competing egos, and uncontrollable passions threaten to derail years of friendship and collaboration. As they are about to play their 25th anniversary concert, quite possibly their last, only their intimate bond and the power of music can preserve their legacy.
Inspired by and structured around Beethoven's Opus 131 String Quartet in C-sharp minor, the film pays homage to chamber music and the cultural world of New York.
Thanks to an outstanding ensemble cast who all lend weight and depth to the dramatic script, leaves the end result of an insightful and emotionally satisfying film.
"A movie with clarity and grownup complexity"
Peter Bradshaw- The Guardian
"Insightful and incandescent, this is a film for both music lovers and movie lovers."
Nigel Andrews- Financial Times
Check out the trailer here:
A Late Quartet (15) opens Monday 3rd June and closes Thursday 6th June with performances at 7:45pm including a Screen Tea matinee on Wednesday 5th June at 2pm.
The highly anticipated new drama from director Derek Cianfrance Blue Valentine powerfully explores the consequences of motorcycle rider Luke's - Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling - fateful decision to commit a crime to support his child. The incident renders him targeted by policeman Avery - Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Cooper. The two men become locked on a tense collision course which will have a devastating impact on both of their families in the years following. The film has received favourable reviews, earning an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 68 out of 100 on Metacritic. Although this is a film which is bleak and raw it is vibrating with energy. Three years ago, Derek Cianfrance enjoyed success on a big scale with his small-scale breakthrough movie: Blue Valentine, the story of a claustrophobically unhappy relationship between a married couple played by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams Gosling gives his most open and engaging performance yet, his sleepy, woozy mannerisms developing into a complex interior world of hurt, resentment and disappointment. Bradley Cooper's Avery, on the other hand, appears first as a fresh-faced officer.
*Cianfrance and his sterling cast keep it all together, vanquishing doubt and soap suds. There's a palpable sense of teamwork that brings out the best in all of these players.* Toronto Star
*Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper occupy the two halves of an operatically ambitious film that sees director Derek Cianfrance making a bid for the auteur league* The Guardian
Watch the trailer below:
Screening on: Friday 31st May at 7.45pm, Saturday 1st June at 10.45am & 7.45pm and Monday 3rd June at 2pm.
Director/Producer Gary Winick (Letter to Juliet, Bride Wars) brings one of the most beloved stories of our time back to the big screen.
Loved and adored by generations of children and parents alike, the magic and loving tale continues to be an important part of our childhood.
Since it's original adaptation from book to screen in 1973 with the release of it's animated feature of the same name a follow up sequel to the original storyline entitled Charlotte's Web 2: Wilburs Great Adventure was released 30 years later.
Since then fans have been crying out for a live action release of the classic tale and that's what Winick has given them and it doesn't disappoint.
Joined by a fantastic recognised cast with names at every spin of the web from the great John Cleese, Robert Redford and Julia Roberts to the young star Dakota Fanning, it's no coincidence that the films has attracted this calibre and array of stars.
Winick's film is a true reflection of the original book released in 1952 by author E.B.White and illustrated by Garth Williams.
Charlotte's Web is a classic tale of the runt of the litter pig Wilbur who is saved from slaughter by the innocent child of Fern (Fanning) who keeps him refuge in a barn amongst the farmyard animals.
It's here where the magic starts.
All around Wilbur is a array of animals with a mind and voice of their own from Samuel the Sheep (Cleese) and Ike the Horse (Redford) to Templeton the Rat (Buscemi). However, it's the spider nestled in the corner of the barn Charlotte A. Cavitica who steals the show.
As Wilbur grows up, the fear of his death grows as Ferns dad contemplates Wilbur's life. This is where the star of the film Charlotte comes in, her delicate and loving voice sets her apart from the other animals and in many ways is Wilbur's guardian angel as she watches over him.
Charlotte uses her web to spin words and phrases towards Ferns dad, the most recognisable being "some pig".
After this an influx of people visit the farm purely to see the new star Wilbur and soon Mr Zukerman decides he should take advantage of this, he showcases Wilbur at a local fair for best pig and saving Wilbur from certain death.
The story of Charlotte's Web has many meanings and structures by it's without a doubt that it's grounded in the rhythms of the natural world that reiterates
the cycle of life, death and reproduction.
The film could be interpreted in another way, Charlotte has saved Wilbur's life by making him famous it is therefore, fitting that Wilbur should be surrounded by a host of real-life stars throughout his journey.
If you adored the book you will love this film.
*Winick’s adaptation of E.B. White’s classic is destined to achieve the same status for its combination of heart, humour and gorgeous production values*
Michael Adams
*Superior voice cast and Fanning's unforced charm make for another film that'll put you off pork forever*
Total Film
Watch the trailer for Winick's interpretation of Charlotte's Web below;
Charlotte's Web is showing at Gloucester Guildhall for ONE DAY ONLY on Thursday 30th May at 3pm.
You may not have heard of The Guilt Trip. Released Mother's Day weekend it got swamped under the success of Oz: The Great And Powerful
and seems to have been forgotten about. This new take on the road movie
sees Andy Brewster (Seth Rogan) taking his mother (Barbra Streisand)
across country to market his new cleaning product. A
mother/son road movie is something that hasn't been seen before and -
let's be honest - would be most sons worst nightmare. Taking Barbra
Streisand from one side of America to the other could be filled with
huge laughs but instead it misses. Since
Streisand's appearances in the Focker's series, she has put her foot in
the door as a comedic actress and alongside Rogan, Guilt Trip was
set to be the comic film of the year. With the trailer filled with
laugh-out-loud moments, the film was a disappointment. The funniest
parts were in the trailer and many parts that could've been were skipped
over.
If
this had been marketed more as a drama than a comedy audiences would
have been left pleasantly surprised but instead were left with a barely
amusing film with a heartwarming core.
The Cinema at Gloucester Guildhall welcomes the heart-warming Song For Marion to our screen. Marion is the soloist in a choir for old people led by Elizabeth, a lively but unconventional choir-mistress. When Marion is taken ill, her beloved husband Arthur grudgingly her place, even though he’s far from happy at the idea of singing. At odds with his son James, it is down to Elizabeth to try and persuade Arthur that he can learn to embrace life and help him confront the undercurrents of his own grumbling persona as he embarks on a hilarious, life-affirming journey of musical self-discovery. The director Paul Andrew William creates a charming and life-affirming comedy. The film features a stellar cast which include Vanessa Redgrave and Terence Stamp. This is a truly moving films with fantastic performances from all involved. Also included in this film are the crowd-pleasing, tear-jerking elements of Calender Girls, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Quartet.
*Terence Stamp is on fine form, as a grumpy pensioner who's talked into joining his terminally ill wife's choir* The Telegraph
*Williams’ film is largely on song and full of genuine, heartfelt emotion. Stamp’s masterclass in melancholy is something to behold* Total Film
Watch the trailer below:
Screening on: Tuesday 14th May at 7.45pm, Wednesday 15th at 2pm & 7.45pm, Thursday 16th at 10.45 (cine cubs) & 7.45pm.
