The season of the multiple societies and festivals has ended and now we are able to once again think about the future. The domain for this site needed renewing and I was considering letting it go altogether, but I’ve decided to keep it up for now. I shall attempt to revert to the original purpose… [continues]

Free news and commentary about film and culture in Cheltenham News (by which I mean events) The best way to list events online would be with some sort of calendar or grid, but getting that to work on multiple ‘platforms’ (viewports, if you will) is tricky. So for now you’re getting text+, as I call… [continues]

For some. I’m on my way to a funeral Today Two more disorganised but intermittently glorious events today. No, one disorganised one and one probably very well organised. At The Exmouth tonight we are putting on a totally-relaxed showing of the Edgar Wright films. IE, one for people who want to drink, talk, shout, crash… [continues]

10 Days to Change Minds Through the Moving Image There are 10 days left of our ramshackle but increasingly enjoyable film festival. Tonight Tonight, at the Exmouth Arms in Bath Road, we have La Cocina, in the upstairs room at the back. Starting at about 7pm, admission £7. I have now seen all but the… [continues]

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are It’s a Sunday and I want to interrupt your routine to ask you to come and see a film tonight. The bad news is that it’s at The Barn in Cirencester. It’s about half an hour by car, an hour-and-a-half on a bike, or seven-and-a-half hours on foot.… [continues]

Tonight we celebrate 50 Years of Monty Python and the Holy Grail at the Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School. Someone who shall be nameless vigorously promoted a live appearance by its co-director Terry Gilliam and then, after a whole nightmare, the appearance fell through. We have been apologising and trying to salvage something ever since. … [continues]

It’s all been happening and not happening in the febrile fan-dance of Film Festival Central the last few days. But there is movement. #OldFest has had a number of disappointments as various venues, guests, etc have dropped out. I would like to clarify some those things but try getting anyone on the phone in the… [continues]

Today’s the day. OldFest #OldFest launches with its first film, North by Northwest, at the Sherborne in Gloucester. You really should go. Wonderful film, Bernard Herrmann‘s best score, Cary Grant (sumus Bristolienses), delightful private cinema, enthusiastic team of young people. Information from The Committee for Public Safety: if you buy a coffee, make sure they… [continues]

Those of you who follow film in Cheltenham closely will no doubt be aware of the cluster**** surrounding the International Film Festival. Having been part of it some years ago, I’ve let it slip away, but I like film and [grits teeth] I have a passing regard for Cheltenham so I am trying to pull… [continues]

Women. Life. Freedom I’m in favour of all those things, and so I have organised a coach party to the demonstration in Trafalgar Square, which takes place tomorrow at 14:00. It’s a demonstration against the brutal and stupid rulers of the Islamic Government of Iran, which is killing women and children in their own country… [continues]

World Cinema Monday (5/12)       01:25   Film4   Sauvage (2018) Stephen’s Picks Saturday (3/12)        22:00    5 Star    Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)  (also Friday 22:00)  Sunday (4/12)           00:10    5 Star    Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)  (also Saturday 00:15)              … [continues]

To be honest, I haven’t had time to do this page this week, so here are the links to the websites. Click on them and you’ll find the rich panoply of pleasures the cinema industry currently has to offer in our area. Hope to do better next time, if I get a bit of help… [continues]