Showing this week: 500 Days of Summer (12A), Coraline (PG) and The Soloist (12A)

500 Days of Summer (12A)

This is a story of boy meets girl. Tom still believes, even in this cynical modern world, in the notion of a destined, lightning-strikes-once kind of love. Summer, the girl, does not. But that doesn’t stop Tom from going after her, again and again, like a modern Don Quixote. Suddenly, Tom is in love not just with a lovely and intelligent woman, but with the very idea of a love that has the power to change the world. What follows is a funny and unique dissection of a no-holds-barred love affair.

Dir. Marc Webb, USA, 2009, 1hr35

BBFC Advice: Contains one use of strong language and moderate sex references

Fri: 6.05 & 8.15pm
Sun – Mon: 6 & 8.15pmTue: 8.15pm
Wed: 2.15, 6 & 8.15pm

Coraline (PG)

A special 2d screening of the stunning stop motion feature from Henry Selick. A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life – only much better. But when this wondrously off-kilter, fantastical adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit other mother tries to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her stubborn determination, bravery, the aid of her neighbours and a talking black cat to save her real parents and some ghost children and to get back home. ‘Terrifying and beautiful, believable and fantastical, this is one of the best children’s films in years and Selick’s finest – better even than The Nightmare Before Christmas.’ Empire

Showing as part of Flip Animation Festival 2009

Dir. Henry Selick, USA, 2009, 1hr 41

BBFC Advice: Contains mild threat and scary scenes and one use of mild language

Fri: 7.30pm
Sat: 2pm & 7.30pm

The Soloist (12A)

From the director of the Academy Award-nominated Atonement, and starring Oscar winner Jamie Foxx and Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr, comes a poignant and ultimately soaring tale. The Soloist is based on an incredible true story of a disenchanted journalist’s odyssey through the hidden streets of Los Angeles, where he discovers and builds a most unlikely friendship with a man from those same streets, bonding through the redemptive power of music.

Dir. Joe Wright, USA, 2009, 1hr57

BBFC Advice: Contains one use of strong language, moderate threat and drug use

Sun  – Tue : 5.35 & 8.20pm
Wed : 2, 5.35 & 8.20pm
Thu : 5.35 & 8.20pm

Busy November…

Wow where has the year gone, How is November all ready?

No chance of it slowing down for us though this month we’ve got so much going on I honestly don’t know where to start!!

We’ve the  Flip Animation and Deaffest festival and all that they bring with the Gala Awards Ceremony, Student competitions, spotlight talks and special screenings of Coraline and UP.

We’ve got our film discussion, this month based around “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”,  The controversial(?) screening on 1 Day presented by Screen WM and the Buster Keaton Double Bill and then there’s the  two exhibition openings, including “The Art of Collection” by the lovely Lisa who works here with us and  a screen forum  event with the showing of Magic Hour!

Then as usual we’ve multitude of training sessions, the standard film programme and the monthly film quiz!

For full listings you can visit our what’s on page and in the meantime I’m going get myslef a coffee and prepare for a busy, busy few weeks.

 

Showing this week: District 9 (15) & The September Issue (12A)

District 9 (15)

Alien refugees have arrived on Earth, and are housed in South Africa’s District 9 as the world’s nations argue over what to do with them. Securing the area is contracted to MNU, a private company uninterested in the aliens’ welfare. The tension between the aliens and the humans comes to a head when an MNU operative, Wikus, contracts a mysterious virus that begins changing his DNA. Wikus becomes a hunted man. Ostracized and friendless, there is only one place left for him to hide.

Dir. Neil Blomkamp, S.Afr, 2009, 1hr52

BBFC Advice: Contains one use of very strong language and strong bloody violence

Fri: 5.40 & 8.20pm
Sat: 5.30pm
Sun – Tue : 5.40 & 8.20pm
Wed: 2, 5.40 & 8.20pm
Thu: 5.30pm

The September Issue (12A)

This documentary is a behind the scenes look at the world’s most influential fashion magazine, Vogue. Under the leadership of legendary editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, the editorial staff set out to assemble their biggest issue ever. Director R.J. Cutler takes an intimate, and often funny, look inside the hallowed hallways of Vogue. He chronicles the tedium of staff meetings, the scrutinising of designers new collections from catwalk shows and the chaos of a cover photo shoot in the streets of Rome.

Dir. RJ Cutler, USA, 2009, 1hr30

BBFC Advice: Contains one use of strong language

Fri – Tue: 6.10 & 8.30pm
Wed: 2.15, 6.10 & 8.30pm
Thu: 6.10 & 8.30pm

1 Day – Screening @ Light House

Screen WM present a special screening of 1 Day as part of their Festival of Film which showcases sensational films that have been inspired by, produced or filmed in the West Midlands.

Filmed entirely on location on the inner-city streets of Birmingham,  1 Day has utilised local talent both in front of and behind the camera, enhancing the authenticity of the film.

The film plunges you right into the heart of life on the streets as it follows 24 hours in the life of a young street hustler – Flash. Flash wakes up to a phone call from Angel announcing that he’s being released from prison and wants the £500k he’d left with Flash for safekeeping. Short of the full amount, Flash is forced to strike a deal with Evil who more than lives up to his name.

1 Day, which is due for national release on 6th November has caused quite some controversy with the Birmingham Post reporting that it has been criticised for “encouraging impressionable youngsters to join violent criminal gangs” and “glamorising gun crime“  and BBC have reported that at least 2 of the big Birmingham cinemas, Cineworld and Odeon  are not going to be screening it .

1 Day will be screened at Light House Tuesday 24 November 6pm

Admission free. To reserve your ticket visit www.screenwm.co.uk

To find out more about the film visit the 1 Day website: www.1daythemovie.co.uk/

Deaffest tickets are now on sale!

Tickets now on sale for Deaffest Film & TV Gala Awards The Deaffest Film & TV Gala Awards will be held on Saturday 28 November when the awards for Best Drama, Best Experimental Film, Best Factual Film and Best TV Programme will be announced. There will be live entertainment from comedian and actor Rob Roy and magician Alex Jobson. The Deaffest party will follow the Gala Awards with a live DJ and networking opportunities. Doors open at 7.30pm. Smart dress code (no jeans or trainers). Tickets cost: £17.50 full price. Book on or before Fri 6 Nov for the early bird rate of £15. To buy tickets contact Light House Box Office on 01902 716055 or book online. Deaffest is supported through Screen WM’s Investment Fund with funds from The National Lottery through the UK Film Council, and through the UK Film Council Festival Fund. It is supported by Light House, Wolverhampton City Council, Zebra Uno and University of Wolverhampton. Deaffest is pleased to announce that Hearsay.TV is sponsoring the Film & TV Gala Awards. Hearsay.TV is a new service from Lastindependent.TV See Hear: The Deaf Brain Deprivation/stimulation I’m Deaf Visit www.deaffest.co.uk for full information about the festival.