Category Archives: Film

24 hour Movie Marathon!

10 Tuesday Mar 2015

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Cinematheque VancouverIt’s been over a week since I took part in this delightful event put on by the Cinematheque and I can easily say it took me a good few days to catch up on sleep! Introduced two years ago this is only the second time they have put on this event so I felt it was good timing I happened to be here and was meant to be! Once I heard about it I thought I just have to do it. With a line up of 15 films, that of which you are not told, the event kicked off at 10am and would run for a full 24 hrs with a few breaks in between. I had only bought my ticket the night before and didn’t realise it started at 9.30 with a talk so arrived pretty much smack on 10 and the film was already in its opening credits. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the day, just that there was a theme (again not disclosed) and we would discover this theme as we watched the films.

24 hour Movie Marathon timetable Cinematheque

My crumpled timetable

The opening film was Groundhog Day, which although I have seen countless number of times, still works its magic. I’m used to watching this film around Christmas time so felt quite strange watching it in a dark room on a sunny morning in March but what the heck I still enjoyed it! The second film of the day was a little gem, Chris Marker’s La Jette, a film which many Sci Fi films have since been based on. Only 28 minutes long the film is made up entirely of black and white still photographs with voiceover and tells the story of Scientists who decide to send a man into the past to try to prevent the nuclear war that has almost destroyed the earth and threatens to annihilate the human race. This was the only non feature  length film of the night and definitely left an impression on many people. Third up it was the wonderful Hitchcock film Rope which was probably one of my favourites of the day. Again I had seen this before back in A level Media Studies however it still felt so fresh and new and has one of my favourite actors in, James Stewart who as always was fantastic. I loved that the camera never pauses and follows the action of the whole event as if you are in the theatre watching a play. Some shots were executed wonderfully such as the shot of the door swinging open and dropping the rope into the drawer. His films are completely timeless. Continue reading →

Future Cinema presents Who Framed Roger Rabbit

18 Tuesday Feb 2014

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Future Cinema Who framed Roger Rabbit

Future Cinema Ink & Paint Club

Future Cinema held a Valentines spectacular, showcasing Who Framed Roger Rabbit at the Troxy. The event opened on Valentines day and runs until February 23rd.

Just a few minutes walk away from Limehouse station you step in to an immersive cinema experience as soon as you join the que. Who framed Roger Rabbit is almost 30 years old and is a timeless film. I must’ve watched it half a dozen times when I was little and although remember iconic moments and characters such as Jessica Rabbit, there was a lot I had completely forgotten! This is where Future Cinema steps in and transports you back to 70s Brooklyn,capturing the feel of Who Framed Roger Rabbit perfectly.

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As you wait to go into the Troxy, the weasels are there jumping in and out of the crowd making jokes. You are met at the entrance by someone who shakes your hand and acts as if they have known you for years but the stand out moment is when you enter the Troxy and pass through the red curtain and see that the Troxy has been transformed into the ink and paint club to perfection. White tablecloths cover over 100 round tables; there are several mini stages in places throughout the ground floor. At the front is a long narrow stage with a microphone for the performers whilst at the back is the cocktail bar serving cocktails such as the Jessica Rabbit which consists of vodka, raspberry puree, topped with Prosecco. Not forgetting the incredible food bar serving hot dawgs, pulled porker and beef in a bun.

026 (1024x683) 029 (1024x683)Pulled Porker - Future Cinema Continue reading →

It might be called Frozen but it will warm your heart!

14 Tuesday Jan 2014

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If there’s one thing I love, and I’m sure over half the population would agree on this, it’s a good Disney film! The moral story, catchy tunes and saucy moments, whether you’re two years old or 92 years old you can always find a place in your heart or time in the day to watch some Disney. Therefore after seeing the trailer for the new Disney film Frozen, I could not wait to get down to the cinema and see it.Disney's Frozen

Voiced by Kristen Bell and Wicked’s Idina Menzel, Frozen, loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson’s tale, The Snow Queen, tells the story of a fearless princess, Anna, who sets off on a journey to find her sister, whose hidden icy powers have left their kingdom frozen over. With the help of Kristoff, a thrill seeking mountain man, his best friend who is also his pet reindeer and Olaf, the scene stealing snowman, Anna finds herself on an epic adventure that will change her life forever.FrozenFrozen is Disney’s best animated feature since Tangled. The songs stay with you long after you have left the cinema and the character Olaf is brought to life to leave you in hysterics. His song about Summer is one of the highlights of cinematic experience for anyone who sees it this year. A beautiful, encapsulating story that puts sisterly love at the heart of it, Frozen is definitely not one to be missed this winter.Olaf from Frozen

Watch the trailer here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294629/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Make sure to check this out to brighten up your day! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnEB2F_v_cE

Halloween special at Bea’s of Bloomsbury

10 Sunday Nov 2013

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Bea's of Bloomsbury

I loved Bea’s of Bloomsbury before I’d even been there. A café that shows films is my idea of a perfect venue so to learn that Bea’s were putting on a Halloween night, I couldn’t wait to see what it was like! Craig and I had already been to a big Halloween event the previous Saturday at Scala which was incredible. There were 4 floors of different entertainment from bands, hair and make up, contortionists as well as a very impressive actress dressed up as Miss Haversham. A corner of a room was decorated to perfection as Miss Haversham’s work desk and she would creepily hover around girls and tell them to break their boyfriends hearts. She was also however giving out some rather delicious home made fruit bread/cake which compensated for her creepiness.
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Scala was great for a night out to celebrate Halloween but as Halloween itself fell on a Thursday this year we wanted to do something fun but chilled and therefore watching a horror film at Bea’s sounded like the perfect recipe. I’d heard about Bea’s of Bloomsbury through a friend and have been meaning to go to one of their events for ages. If you look at their website you can read about all their up and coming exciting events from a thanksgiving feast to a screening of the amazing ‘Stand By Me’ http://www.beasofbloomsbury.com/events/ There are four Bea’s cafes located around London in St. Paul’s, Farringdon, Maltby Street and Bloomsbury. The film screenings are held at Matlby Street and this is where we watched Nightmare on Elm Street. We arrived at 7p.m and the cafe was almost packed to full capacity already but luckily we found two seats near the front. The cafe consists primarily of a big screen, some fold away chairs and behind the screen is a mini canteen where they serve chilli dogs, mac and cheese, deep fried brownies and duffins!

Bea's Mac and CheeseBea's Brownies & DuffinsBea's Chilli Dog

We opted for the chili dog and a beer and if I wasn’t so full I would’ve tried the brownie but I will just have to come back and try that at another screening. The chili dog was huge and the cheese on top tasted like sweet mash potato, it was delicious. The staff were all so warm and friendly and it really was such a fun evening watching Nightmare on Elm Street with 40 other people and realising just how much horror films have changed! I remember trying to watch Nightmare On Elm Street when I was about 15 and turning it off because I didn’t want to be freaked out however watching it ten years later, I couldn’t stop laughing. From the mother’s acting to the special effects and seeing Freddie Kreuger running with his huge gangley arms it was just priceless and it made it even better watching it with others who were laughing along too.Bea's of Bloomsbury

At one rare tense point in the film, the chairs that had been stacked on the side suddenly fell, crashing to the ground, causing quite a lot of people to literally jump out of their seats, but again it just added to the comic factor of the night.

I would definitely recommend Bea’s to others highly. With the film beginning at 7p.m it gives you enough time to get over there after work, grab a delicious bite to eat, watch a film and still have a good couple of hours to enjoy the rest of your evening. We had a lovely stroll along the river after, passing an Itsu where we managed to grab a bargain of a half price salad (this never happens as it closes at ten) and a few people dressed up for Halloween too.

Looking on their website I will definitely be coming back to try the American breakfast and will make another visit fir the afternoon tea. It’s only fair to try out all four locations, wouldn’t you agree?

beas

Take time to dine at Bincho

20 Sunday Oct 2013

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Bincho

Bincho Old Compton Street

Bincho

Five years ago now, oh god where does time go, I signed up to be an activity leader for Embassey Ces summer school. It involved a lot of taking students on tours around London- informing them about facts and historical figures (I’m pretty sure I made a few up!), showing them dance moves at discos and other exciting events like performing a Jack the Ripper Tour! I lived in central London in the university accommodation for the whole summer and although I worked ridiculously long hours for less than the minimum wage, I absolutely loved it and formed some of the best friendships. One bond of friendship which blossomed from this exciting summer was meeting Jen and Marta, who became my two embassy buddies in crime. Marta didn’t even live in the accommodation during the summer but I usually forget because she was around so often. We bonded over lots of things, from moaning about the crazy hours and airport pick ups we had to do, to some of the behaviour of the students, however, we all found common ground and passion in our love of food. We used to receive meal tokens and we would sometimes save them up and go all out at lunch buying coffee republic milkshakes and humongous baguettes from upper crust. These meal tokens were definitely the perks of the job. Continue reading →

Joe Wright’s ‘Anna Karenina’

29 Saturday Dec 2012

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As a big fan of Joe Wright’s work I have finally managed to get round to watching Anna Karenina. Being a lover of costume drama I had high hopes for the film, however it was rather different from what I had in mind…

Anna Karenina

Dir: Joe Wright / UK / 2012 / 130 mins / 12A

Joe Wright’s adaptation of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina stands apart from the several others that have been done before him due to his imagination, creativity and his postmodernist take on filmmaking.

The tragic story of a married aristocrat torn between a passionate love affair and maintaining her status in 19th century high Russian society, is adapted in a refreshing way in that Wright uses an old majestic theatre as the setting to unravel her tale. The majority of the story is divulged within the confined walls of the theatre and this is demonstrated by the changing backdrops, dances that lead to new settings or moments in time, and also through objects such as toy trains being used to portray the train journeys that take Anna away from Russia.

All the world's a stage

All the world’s a stage

This created effect of making a film that feels as though you are in a theatre is both inspiring and interesting yet also quite claustrophobic at times. Although the set can be beautiful and imaginative, rare scenes such as the ones where we follow the peasant, Levin, break away from the confinement of the theatre walls come as a refreshing change.

With a screenplay by Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in love) and production design by Sarah Greenwood (Atonement) Wright is known for working with the same crew members and this can be said for his cast also. A valuable actress since her seventeen year old debut as Lara in Campiotti’s Doctor Zhivago and a clear muse for Wright, this is the third film he has chosen Keira Knightly as a lead. However, although her performance is strong it is not until she begins to become more emotional that I had any impression for her performance. Jude Law, however is the  surprise performance, playing a character unlike his standard charming type and evokes sympathy at times which can’t always be said in the case for Anna.

Anna and Vronsky

Anna and Vronsky

As the film follows her destructive path, falling out of Russian society, dividing Anna between her husband and child to bask in her passionate affair, we feel less sympathetic for her, and in her last act of suffering as she commits suicide there is not the same dramatic effect as Wright was able to create in both Atonement and Pride and Prejudice.

All that said it is still definitely worth a visit to the cinema for the cinematography alone. There is also a treat of British talent, including Ruth Wilson and Kelly MacDonald, which although, small in part, add an extra bonus to the film.

The magic in Wright’s film lies in the emotions of the characters being reflected in the way in which he films Anna Karenina. The idea of the film being mostly shot in a studio, created as a theatre, was not only due to budget reasons and vision but because it encapsulates a crucial theme in the novel, that the life in Russian society is like being on a stage and is also how Anna see’s life and it is our opportunity to see this too.

The Rise of Ryan Gosling a.k.a The Golden God

26 Wednesday Dec 2012

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For many the name Ryan Gosling only started to mean something after he played the loving Noah Calhoun in The Notebook, an emotional story about the power of love and how it can keep going despite all its obstacles. However, for true fans of Mr Gosling, they will know that he had been in the public light for quite some time before then.

Born on 12 November 1980, UK fans would be excited to know that he was born in London, however, sorry to dash hopes, but this was London, Ontario. His family soon moved to Cornwall, Ontario where Ryan was home-schooled by his mother. His strict upbringing would later act in his favour as it helped him get in the mind-set of certain character roles.

Ryan first began his career at the tender age of 12 after beating 17,000 others auditioning for a place on the Mickey Mouse Club. Alongside him were future stars in the making, including Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. The Mickey Mouse Club focused on the children’s three talents, singing acting and dancing, and although talented in all three it was in acting where his talents shone. Gosling said himself that he used to dread the dance routines and look forward to the sketch shows as he felt he wasn’t a natural dancer. Despite this he has proved he is capable of both singing and dancing, displaying some smooth dance moves in his films as well as showcasing his vocal talents in his own band Dead Man’s Bones.

Ryan in The Mickey Mouse Club

Ryan in The Mickey Mouse Club

After two years of The Mickey Mouse Club and living with Justin Timberlake, Gosling set out to become an actor and roles in Young Hercules (1998), Remember The Titans (2000) and Murder by Numbers (2002) soon followed.

In Murder by Numbers Ryan plays Richard Heywood who with his classmate Justin (Michael Pitt) believe they can carry out the ‘perfect’ murder. That is until detective Cassie Mayweather (SandraBullock) becomes too involved with the case. There are scenes in the film where Richard flirts with Cassie only to be rebuffed, however in real life a romance began between them and lasted almost two years. Unfortunately the fifteen year age gap became too much and they grew apart.

Romance blossoming on set though is something Ryan only knows too well and this once again brings us back to The Notebook (2004). The role of Noah was written with Gosling in mind and although not normally one for taking on a romantic lead, he loved the story and the character and therefore was happy to get involved in the project. The role of Allie was a little bit more difficult to find as the director was now searching for someone who would have strong chemistry with Ryan. Rachel McAdams, who had only been in a couple of films at the time, was the one to knock them off their feet and do an amazing audition.

Noah and Allie in The Notebook

Noah and Allie in The Notebook

The love/hate relationship presented on screen in The Notebook is one that transcended the screen and off camera Ryan and Rachel dated for over three years. To everyone they seemed like the perfect couple, both being born in the same hospital only two years apart, and both gorgeous and talented, however it was not to last.

Although they have parted ways, both acting careers have soared and in the last five years, Ryan Gosling has firmly planted himself as a ‘sex symbol’ as well as a credible and extremely good actor who seems extremely wise in the role choices he makes.

Blue Valentine (2010) displays sparks of Noah and his romantic side in the films flashbacks where Gosling’s character Dean falls in love at first sight and pursues the girl of his dreams. However Blue Valentine is a contemporary tale of love and the ups and downs that come with it. Ryan in the present is not quite what he was when he first met Cindy (Michelle Williams) and the contrast in character gives a glimpse of what Gosling could end up looking like and it isn’t good! Thankfully for Hollywood and a good diet, he shouldn’t turn out this way.

Since then Gosling has been in hit after hit, firstly playing a getaway driver in Nicolas  Winding Refn’s Drive (2011) a sensational film with an incredible soundtrack , a press secretary in Clooney’s The Ides of March (2011) and of course as the photo shopped hottie in  Ficarra’s Crazy Stupid Love.

Mr Hottie in Crazy Stupid Love

Mr Hottie in Crazy Stupid Love

2012 has been a big year for Gosling and 2013 looks to be a better one. Now dating Eva Mendes who he met on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines and with a stream of films due out this year I know what films I’ll be heading to the cinema to see.

Christmas Time = Films and Wine!

23 Sunday Dec 2012

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Christmas is always a favourite time of years for films. I happily anticipate the day when the packed weekend guide arrives and I can get out my red pen and highlight all the things I want to watch! The fact that I never get round to even half the things I want to watch doesn’t matter; it’s still as fun all the same. Not only is there plenty to watch on TV but classic Christmas films are re-released to cinemas, therefore creating a fantastic excuse for cinemas, especially independent, to put on an amazing event alongside it.

Some of the best events I have seen advertised belong to The Everyman Cinema. Life of Pi and The Hobbit may be currently showing however The Everyman’s return of Enchanted Pictures has been taking place all of this month. Turning the Old Vic Tunnels into a cosy Winter Wonderland, The Everyman cinema have brought the likes of Edward Scissorhands, It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone to screens beneath the streets of London.

Providing homemade pizza, mulled wine and log cabin bars, the Everyman really think about the cosiness and warmth that is associated with Christmas and therefore it is not surprising that tickets were sold out exceptionally fast! Luckily the Everyman are always putting on some wonderful events and you can check them out here:  http://www.everymancinema.com/oldvictunnels

The Prince Charles on the other hand have been doing what they do best, Double Bills, this time, however, it’s Christmas Double Bills! Home Alone and Elf back to back on Boxing Day are films we straight away associate with Christmas, whereas Die Hard and Gremlins maybe not so much. However they are still always Christmas favourites, with Empire magazine itself voting Die Hard as the number one Christmas Film.

A great selection of Christmas Films out in cinemas to see and there’s also the standard films on Television.  We’ve already had E.T and A Christmas Carol, you can bet Home Alone, White Christmas and some form of Shrek film will be on too. It is great to see the favourite’s popping up on the guide however I do feel sometimes it feels like the same films every year. I always love certain films like, Twins and Love Actually but there are certain things I’d like to see more of rather than The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz . Then again it might be a good year to try something new for Christmas.

One thing I am excited about is The Snowman and The Snowdog. It’s been thirty years since Raymond Brigg’s animation, The Snowman made its debut, so it will be super interesting to see how the Snowman and The Snowdog is received. Others that must be watched are The Railway Children and of course Enchanted (Hello Mr McDreamy!)

So with plenty to watch and a week off work, I know I’ll definitely be trying to cram in some TV goodness. Those red circles might just be looked upon again!