The Roses
A change of programme at The Roses this week, and a good mix of films. On Sunday 16 January, there is a screening of the original West Side Story. It was on TV over Christmas, but it is definitely worth seeing on a big screen. There is another opportunity to see Titane (dir Julia Ducournau), if you haven’t yet discovered what all the fuss is about (the picture above will give you a clue). And as a different manifestation of French cinema there is Petite Maman, directed by Céline Sciamma, whose last film was the acclaimed Portrait of a Lady on Fire. This film, part ghost story, part social observation, explores the nature of loss and grief, from the point of view of a child.
Independent British film making gets a look-in with Boiling Point, a one-take film directed by Philip Barantini, set in a fashionable restaurant and starring Stephen Graham as the chef on the edge. From the more mainstream sector, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain continues, but only in a special screening for parents and carers (no doubt any kids with them will love it) and for franchise fans there is The Matrix Resurrections this weekend, with The King’s Man, starting on Friday 21 January..
Also starting on Friday 21 January is The Humans, directed by Stephen Karam, from his own play. It is set inside a family home in Manhattan at Thanksgiving and is described as a piercingly funny drama about a dysfunctional family. Is there any other sort of family in Movie-land? Friday is a busy day at The Roses as it also has its first screening of Licorice Pizza, Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, a freewheeling comedy drama set in 1973 and starring Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. Great soundtrack and a notable cameo from Tom Waits. Spoiler alert: he doesn’t sing.
The Guildhall
House of Gucci totters on and there are a couple more screenings of West Side Story. Lamb, described last week, also continues. Dogs feature in the titles of two of the new films there this week, though beyond that there is no resemblance. Clifford the Big Red Dog, a film based on a series of children’s books, has already been around at Cineworld for a while. Power of the Dog, directed by Jane Campion is a modern Western and stars the busy Benedict Cumberbatch in the somewhat unlikely role of a cattle rancher. He is really rather good once you get over the shock. Finally the Guildhall also has The Humans from Friday 21 January.
The Cineworlds
Cineworld has Scream (2022), a sequel to a sequel or something, in both Gloucester and Cheltenham. Otherwise, it is really not worth struggling with their incompetent website in an attempt to find dreary films to watch in an unpleasant environment. Keep up the good work, Cineworld.
The Tivoli
The Tivoli has all the same stuff. The seats don’t get any more comfortable, the screens don’t get any bigger, the drinks don’t get any cheaper and the whole experience doesn’t get any more respectful to cinematic art. But don’t let me put you off. Give it a try. After all, it’s only £20.
The Sherborne
Oh no. West Side Story, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Spider-man. Mark, if you can’t be bothered any more, I’ll buy it off you. I’m serious.