Thursday 28 January 2010 – 7.00 for 7.30pm

“Last Chance Harvey” (2009)

There’s great star chemistry between Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, both on top form, in this delightfully old-fashioned, charming and sentimental romantic comedy about New Yorker Harvey Shine (Hoffman) heading to London to attend the wedding of his estranged daughter.  Down on his luck, just about to lose his job and possibly his sanity, he meets a woman (Thompson) in one of those chance meetings in life that leaves him a changed man - for the better - forever. Written and directed by Joel Hopkins “…this is a traditional, sweet and polite comedy without sex, nudity or any lewdness and is guaranteed not to offend. It's meant for hopeless romantics, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.” Radio Times Film Guide. 92 mins.

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Thursday 25 February – 7.00 for 7.30pm

“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000)

This is a quirky, episodic and highly engaging comedy about the adventures of three hapless convicts on the run from a chain gang in 1930s Mississippi.  Ethan and Joel Coen produced and directed this splendidly funny, not to be missed film - probably the best comedy of their career - drawing a fine, self-mocking, central  performance from George Clooney.  The story journeys through modern American myths and legends with a lightly satirical touch and enormous charm, with brilliant narrative and dialogue and excellent use of  the  popular music of the location and period.  “It’s such a charming, happy and beautiful film that the only possible response is one of admiration and gratitude.”  Edward Porter, Sunday Times. 106 mins.

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Thursday 25 March – 7.00 for 7.30pm

“Bright Star” (2009)

romantic love. The story of their slow-burning affair, which was halted by Keats' succumbing to tuberculosis, is told largely from Fanny's viewpoint in this British-Australian co-production – a period film and a biopic that thankfully never feels a typical example of either genre. Director Jane Campion (‘The Piano’) has a knack for portraying female characters so intimately that she seems to get beneath their skin.  This is an exquisite piece of film-making which feels special without being at all precious. Eloquent, too, but not self-consciously lyrical or florid, it is a deeply felt and intelligent film which gained high critical acclaim on its release last year. “Jane Campion's calm, subtle and measured film about Keats is the best of her career.”  Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian. “Sit and savour this marvellous film until the lights come up.” Philip French, The Observer. “Beautiful cinematography,  exceptional performances and an admirable sense of restraint combine to make it one of the most gorgeous and satisfying period dramas in recent memory.” Allan Hunter, Daily Express. 119 mins.

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Thursday 29 April – 7.00 for 7.30pm

“The Lives of Others” (2007)

 
This outstanding, award-winning, psychological and political thriller gives us a fascinating insight into the lengths and depths to which the communist governments of Eastern Europe would go in order to keep tabs on the lives of its population in the ‘80s.  A cold and brutal official Weisler (Ulrich Tukur) initially relishes the task of spying on acclaimed playwright Dreyman (Sebastian Koch) and his actress girlfriend (Martina Gedeck), but as he becomes intimate with
their lives, their passions and ideas, so he comes to doubt the morality of his work and his politics and begins to walk a dangerous path between his duty and his new-found humanity.  This suspenseful, poignant and utterly compelling film from critically acclaimed director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck won dozens of awards, including the Oscar and BAFTA awards for best foreign film.  “Magnificent and

unmissable.” Daily Telegraph.  “The best film of the year.”  The Guardian. 132 mins. (German with English sub-titles)

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Thursday 27 May - 7.00 for 7.30pm

“No Country for Old Men” (2007)

Be warned, this gripping, supercharged action-thriller is a violent, bloody and amoral film.  When a man stumbles on a bloody crime scene, a pick-up truck loaded with heroin, and two million dollars in cash, his decision to take the money sets off an unstoppable chain reaction of mayhem and violence. Not even the West Texas law can contain it.  Based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy, and featuring an acclaimed cast led by Tommy Lee Jones, this gritty game of cat and mouse will take you to the edge of your seat and beyond – right up to its heart-stopping final moment.  Directed and produced by the acclaimed Coen brothers, this film won four Oscars, including best picture and best direction, and is one of The Sunday Times top ten films of the decade. Not for the faint-hearted, this was one of the most requested films in our last members’ poll. 122 mins.

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Thursday 24th June 2010

“Random Harvest” (1942)

“Rightly, one of the best-loved and best remembered movies of all time,” writes the Radio Times Film Guide.  Two of MGM’s most romantic stars, Ronald Coleman and Greer Garson, are teamed in this superb James Hilton story of a shell-shocked First World War officer who escapes from an asylum, marries a music hall singer, and is idyllically happy until a shock makes him remember that  he is the head of a noble family and causes him totally to forget his new-found love and happiness.  In the end, all is resolved under Mervyn Leroy’s masterly direction. Produced with all the wartime gloss MGM could muster, this film is clever, gracious, superbly satisfying and genuinely moving - regularly seducing generation after cynical generation.  “A triumph... and hugely enjoyable because it is done so enthusiastically.”  Halliwell’s Film Guide. 126 mins.

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