May – June 2011 film season released

Our May and June film season is now on sale and is looking absolutely cracking! We have  fantastic films for the whole family including Disney’s new release Winnie the Pooh which will feature five previously unadapted stories from the original books. Did you know that Winnie the Pooh is named after a teddy bear owned by Milne’s son Christopher Robin Milne who is the basis for the character Christopher Robin…? There are many more family films coming to macrobert over the next couple of months such as Mars Needs Moms, Rango, A Turtle’s Tale and much more… check out the full listings of family films here www.macrobert.org/family

New to macrobert – dance films and workshops. Have you ever adored the stunning dance moves in films? Now you don’t have to just adore them any longer, macrobert dance artists will teach you the moves! You can come along, learn the moves for Footloose or Chicago, watch the movie and enjoy a free glass of wine, the perfect girls night out! More info here www.macrobert.org/filmevents

We will also be screening beautiful foreign films like the 1964 Silken Skin (La Peau Douce, original title) which tells the tale of Pierre, a well-known publisher and lecturer who is married but falls in love with an air hostess and starts an affair. Find all our foreign films at www.macrobert.org/foreign

macrobert iRIDE is a series of film events inspired by two wheels. Why not change the comfort of your saddle for a few hours to enjoy only the best bike films in macrobert’s filmhouse and the chance to meet like-minded people in our cafebar afterwards. iRIDE in May-June will host Hell on Wheels, a breathtaking documentary which covers all aspects of the 2003 Tour de France, focusing on German team-mates Eric Zabel and Rolf Aldag. Also screening as part of the iRIDE events in two of  Mark Huskissan’s films Home and Find which depict the lives of passionate riders. More info on these events and our iRIDE event on the 27th April here at www.macrobert.org/iride

On top of all this macrobert will still be screening award-winning blockbusters, heart-felt documentaries, live arts and more. Check out the full listings of what’s on in our filmhouse at www.macrobert.org/cinema

Film review ‘ The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud’

Ashleigh Burns who reviewed ‘Samson and Delilah’ came back and reviewed ‘The Death and Life of Charlie St Cloud‘ so here it is guys….

Charlie St. Cloud (Zac Efron) is the golden boy: He’s talented, family orientated, funny and is about to embark on a journey to college on a full sailing scholarship. Tragically, however, he and his younger brother Sam (Charlie Tahan) are part of a car accident and on losing the sibling he is close to Charlie’s whole life is altered.

After the accident the film moves directly on to Sam’s funeral where Charlie is grappling with the loss and encounters what can only be described as his brother’s ghost. He then reiterates a promise that he made whilst his brother was alive – the pair will practice baseball together each and every day.

Skip forward five years and Charlie can be seen working at the local graveyard and fulfilling his promise to practice baseball with his (dead) brother each day. His penance for having been given a second chance at life.

Enter pretty sailing girl Tessa Carroll (Amanda Crew) who catches Charlie’s eye and throughout the film the relationship helps him to rediscover his purpose and worth.

It’s a unique film which deals with the issues at the core of humanity: Love, loss and the purpose of life.

It does push the boundaries of reality and has a tendency to succumb to clichéd scenes and stereotypical exchanges, both which were a bit unnecessary as the story would have been powerful enough of its own accord. It’s not entirely easy to relate to and at times feels a little too polished.

However the characterisation is incredible. Efron, in particular, has set himself up as an actor capable of emotive roles and plays this one beautifully. Charlie is three dimensional, personable and translates off screen. Tahan too, is noteworthy as the scenes between these two are genuine and demand a real emotional response.

The film is intense but has frequent humour added for reprisal. Look out for Charlie’s only friend: The eccentric, if unrealistic, Englishman who adds a bit of novelty and illustrates perfectly the paradox between his full and changing life and Charlie’s non-existent one.

It’s a sad film but it’s also a funny and sweet film. An unobtrusive romance/tragedy. I’d give it 6 thumbs up (out of ten).

Once again, I would like to say a massive thanks to Ashleigh and if you are interested in reviewing any of the movies coming to macrobert please get in touch with Amanda Mcphee via email amanda.mcphee@macrobert.org or give me a call on 01786 467160

Hope to see you soon!

Film review ‘Samson and Delilah’

Asheigh Burns came along to macrobert a few days ago to see Samson and Delilah in our filmhouse and wrote a lovely review of the film…

Samson and Delilah is a beautifully raw story detailing the complexities of life offset against the simplicity that can often be love. Set in an Aboriginal community in Central Australia it follows two youngsters, Samson and Delilah, as they struggle to escape the monotony and tragedy of their lives before finding contentment with each other.

The film, written and directed by Warwick Thornton, deals with loss, compassion, cruelty and exploitation to name but a few; A consistent theme is the individual’s overpowering need for companionship. It’s gritty, focusing on the often unpleasant and seeping in realism tinged with sadness. However, there is the odd inset of soft humour which helps to humanise the characters.

The beginning of the story sees Delilah at first snubbing Samson before finally warming to him. Following a calamity the pair run away together and watching the transition of their relationship whilst on the run is engaging. One of the pinnacle moments at the beginning is when Delilah takes refuge in a beat up car to indulge in her love of music. It is there she witnesses Samson sharing her passion as he dances outside to music of his own. It is through actions like this that the connection between the characters becomes palpable and real.

The cinematography is simple, which is apt, and there is very little in the way of dialogue – the only dialogue serving poignant moments in the narrative – which intensifies the film. The lack of dialogue can make the characters hard to identify with at the start but it eventually becomes natural as the warmth of the personalities becomes evident. There is neither the witty script or cleverly crafted meet cute that is often prominent in modern day tales of romance. The actions of each character speak for themselves and the detail in the characterisation is strong enough to carry the story. The strength of protagonist Delilah (Marissa Gibson) is, if nothing else, worthy of respect and her portrayal is one of the films biggest achievements. It’s tragic – filled with both grief and optimism. It is an original love story that will foster faith in even the most sceptical.

I would like to say a massive thanks to Ashleigh and if you are interested in reviewing any of the movies coming to macrobert please get in touch with Amanda Mcphee via email amanda.mcphee@macrobert.org or give me a call on 01786 467160.

All the best 🙂

18th French Film Festival UK at macrobert

macrobert is proud to host The French Film Festival which is now in it’s 18th year. The festival provides a glittering, stimulating and, at times, a challenging array of titles at leading cinemas throughout the country each year. Check out the amazing French films coming to macrobert over the next couple of weeks…

L’autre Dumas (12A)
Nobody knows Auguste Maquet, and yet everybody knows The Three Musketeers. Everybody knows Alexandre Dumas who wrote the swashbuckling masterpiece but who knows that Maquet is his co-writer? Nobody does, as his name does not appear on the cover. At least not Charlotte Desrives, the lovely daughter of a doctor stagnating in prison for his political opinions. When the lively girl mistakes the shy Maquet for the fiery ex-revolutionary Dumas, begging him to help her to have her father released, the former makes few efforts to put her right. With a refreshing comic touch and a quintet of fine performances, Dumas tells a fictionalised story about the relationship between the great French novelist and his ghost-writer.

Tuesday 16 Nov 7.30pm
More information and online booking here

Mademoiselle Chambon (15)
Jean, his loving wife and son live a simple, happy life. At his son’s homeroom teacher Madamoiselle Chambon’s request, he volunteers as substitute teacher and starts to fall for her delicate and elegant charm. His ordinary life between family and work starts to falter. After the international success of Not Here To Be Loved, Stéphane Brizé returns with this touching, softy-spoken portrait of two adults fighting to contain their carnal passions from spilling over into a full-blown affair, filmed with great subtlety and tenderness, revealing another side of passion with distinct shades of Brief Encounter. It is the fourth film collaboration of Sandrine Kiberlain and Vincent Lindon and their obvious complicity and screen-synergy is evident – a simple glance between them is fraught with meaning.

Wednesday 17 Nov 7.30pm
More information, online booking and film trailer here

Le Petit Nicolas (U)
Based on the famous comic books of Jean-Jacques Sempé and René Goscinny, Director Laurent Tirard delivers a hilarious and captivating comedy that is sure to thrill family audiences about the misadventures of a mischievous little boy in 1950s France, whose peaceful life is suddenly overturned. Nicolas has a happy existence, parents who love him, a great group of friends with whom he has great fun, and all he wants is that nothing changes. However, one day, he overhears a conversation that leads him to believe that his life might change forever, his mother is pregnant!

Thursday 18 Nov 7.30pm
More information, online booking and film trailer here

Aswell as the fab French films, macrobert’s cafebar will be serving some French classics such as French onion soup and beef bourguignon, so why not make a day of it and join in on the fun with a French meal followed by a superb film….

For more information, to book tickets or to reserve a table at the cafebar call Tickets and Information on 01786 466666 or use our online booking (only for ticket purchase).

à bientôt!

Great films this weekend…

This weekend looks like it’s going to be dull, wet and well just sad so here’s something to get you out the house….

The Illusionist
Opening the Edinburgh International Film Festival to critical acclaim this year, The Illusionist is an old-style, hand-drawn animation that brings to life scenes from Scotland in the 1950s with eerie directness. A semi-silent movie, with rudimentary, mumbled fragments of dialogue, it tells the story of an old-fashioned variety-turn conjuror, who travels all the way from France to Scotland and acquires a companion, a girl from rural Scotland, who shares tatty theatrical digs with him as a daughter-figure. It is in Edinburgh that the illusionist becomes disillusioned, but brings off an authentic act of human magic.

Dates & times:
Fri 5 Nov & Sun 7 Nov 5.15pm
Sat 6 Nov 8.15pm

Tamara Drewe
When Tamara Drewe sashays back to the bucolic village of her youth, life for the locals is thrown upside down. Tamara, once an ugly duckling, has been transformed into a devastating beauty. As infatuations, jealousies, love affairs and career ambitions collide among the inhabitants of the neighbouring farmsteads, Tamara sets a contemporary comedy of manners into play using the oldest magic in the book – sex appeal.

Dates & times:
Fri 5 & Sun 7 Nov 8.15pm
Sat 6 Nov 5.15pm

Diary of a Whimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a live-action adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s illustrated novel about a wise-cracking sixth grade student, for whom middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. It’s a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are morons, wedgies, swirlies, bullies and lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor. To survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves, Greg devises an endless series of can’t-miss schemes, all of which, of course, go awry.

Dates & times:

Sat 6 & Sun 7 Nov 1.30pm

So there is no excuse to be sitting around all weekend feeling sorry for yourself and having nothing to do, check out the macrobert website here for more info and to book online and one more thing…

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND 🙂

Home » What’s On » Cinema » Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Book Now!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Thor Freudenthal, 2010

Event Details

Sat 06 November – Sun 07 November, 1.30pm

Duration: 94 mins

Cert:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a live-action adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s illustrated novel about a wise-cracking sixth grade student, for whom middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. It’s a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are morons, wedgies, swirlies, bullies and lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor. To survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves, Greg devises an endless series of can’t-miss schemes, all of which, of course, go awry.

Dates & times:
Sat 6 & Sun 7 Nov 1.30pm

The secret of fairy life is given away

A new Disney animation taking place years before Tinker Bell meets Wendy and the Lost Boys. Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue takes place in the English countryside amidst cottages with thatched roofs and stone bridges, where Tinker Bell meets her very first human, a little girl named Lizzie.

The Flower Fairies are visiting England for fairy camp one summer when Tinker Bell ignores warnings to stay away from the human house and decides to investigate the new family and the carriage that moves without a horse (the car). Tinker Bell discovers a fairy house that Lizzy built and decides to investigate. Lizzie catches her and the Flower Fairies decide to build a boat to stage a daring rescue to free Tinker Bell. Lizzie desperately wants a friend and she and Tinker Bell become good friends while she is waiting for the rain to stop so she can go home. In case you didn’t know, fairies cannot fly in rain. Their wings get wet.

Have a sneak peek of the movie here

http://www.youtube.com/v/Mwvqe4bmEHU?fs=1&hl=en_GB&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01

This movie will answer the questions you wanted to know about fairies or remind yourself of your childhood when believing in fairies. In true Disney style, the music is fab, magical and haunting at times and the animation is life like! Come along and take yourself back to your childhood and start your kids imagination rolling…

Saturday 2 October & Sunday 3 October 1.30pm

For more information call 01786 466666 or check out our cinema listings.

Michael Collins

Liam Neeson plays a politically charged giant (not really but look how tall he looks)!

As it is St Patrick’s Day, we are screening the fantastic Irish film ‘Michael Collins’. Here are our film notes:

Synopsis

Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) plays a crucial role in the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s, but becomes vilified by those hoping to create a completely independent Irish republic. Also Starring Alan Rickman as de Valera and Julia Roberts as Kitty Kiernan.

Trivia

• Neil Jordan also directed Breakfast on Pluto (2005), Interview with a Vampire (1994) The Crying Game (1992).
• The Cinematographer, Chris Menges, was also cinematographer for The Reader (2008), winning an Oscar for his efforts.
• Tom Cruise was offered the ‘Jonathan Rhys-Meyers’ cameo of the Assassin.
• The film was initially meant to be a Certificate 15, but because of the historical context, it was given a PG to allow more people to see it.
• Kevin Costner was originally meant to star as Michael Collins.
• Liam Neeson was 43 when this movie was made. The real-life Michael Collins was 31 when he died.

See this if you liked…

Battle of Algiers(1966), The wind that shakes the barley (2006), War of the buttons (1994-at macrobert 20^th&21^st March)
Book your tickets here or give us a call on 01786 466 666

Departures

Departures is Showing at macrobert tonight, and here are our film notes…

Synopsis

A newly unemployed cellist takes a job preparing the dead for funerals, acting as a gentle gatekeeper between life and death, between the departed and the family of the departed. The film follows his profound and sometimes comical journey with death as he uncovers the wonder, joy and meaning of life and living.

Trivia

• The film is also known as ‘Okuribito’ – ‘Departures’ is its international title.
• The Japanese title “Okuribito” means “the sending [away/off] people” (as in: people who send) – but this word is not normally used in Japanese.
• It was filmed in Sakata and Yamagata in Japan.
• In 2009 it won the Oscar for best foreign language film of the year.
• Okuribito is loosely based on Aoki Shinmon’s autobiographical book Nkanfu Nikki (1993), published in English as Coffinman: The Journal of a Buddhist Mortician (2004).

If you liked this you should see…

The Painted Veil (2006), Welcome (2009 – at macrobert 23^rd March) or Only When I Dance (2009 – at macrobert 24^th and 23^rd March).

The Hills are alive with the sound of music

Zombieland

Tonight and tomorrow, we have Zombieland screening at macrobert, a smart and stylish horror comedy starring Woody Harrelson.

The Director Ruben Fleischer has said that he was inspired to make the film by Shaun of the Dead (2004), which is apparent throughout. The same tongue in cheek, post-modern references to classic Zombie films give Zombieland its charm.

I found that the opening scenes, where Columbus is explaining his rules which have kept him alive, were very stylish and clever. I would suggest that this was over-played throughout the film, but it was a nice touch so I didn’t mind seeing it again.

The film made me laugh and kept me excited throughout. I would definitely suggest this film to anyone who loved Shaun of the Dead. However I would also say that you do not need to be a Zombie-movie fan to enjoy the film, as there was a lot more than just that.

Zombieland is at macrobert 24th and 25th of February call us on 01786 466 666 to book your tickets now.

It’s Complicated

Meryl knew it was Alec who kicked her under the table and she wasn't happy!

First comes marriage. Then comes divorce. But then comes…

It’s Complicated is the new film by Nancy Meyers who wrote and directed The Holiday (2006) and Something’s Gotta Give (2003). The film tells the story of two exes (great word) who fall back in love with each other. Things are ‘Complicated’ however, because Alec Baldwin’s character is married. Wow, what an interesting premise I hear you cry from out there in the blogosphere, with a hint of sarcasm and tiredness in your voice. Well…”Fear Not!” is my rebuttal to that!

It’s Complicated is actually a very nice film, that does not offend or make an audience work. I find romantic comedies have to try very hard nowadays to not come across as clichéd or gut wrenching sweet. But It’s Complicated seemed to tow the line effortlessly and was sweet enough to make you smile but funny enough to make you laugh out loud.

The characters are quite interesting, unlike the normal 2 dimensional characters we have too often witnessed in countless romantic comedies. I enjoyed Meryl Streep’s character in particular, and felt genuinely interested in how her story turned out.

I challenge anybody to come out of the cinema without a smile on their face, and this is exactly what It’s complicated was trying to do. Nice, wholesome fun with a few dirty jokes thrown in.