Plus, look forward to the return of legendary storyteller Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli with The Boy and the Heron, and we’re getting into the festive spirit with two special screenings of Love Actually – perfectly accompanied by mulled wine available in our cinema bar from Fri 8 Dec.
Check out our festive opening hours.
‘Maestro‘ Image courtesy of Altitude/Netflix.
Opening on Fri 1 Dec is the phenomenal biographical drama Maestro, directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, about the life of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein. Competing for the Golden Lion at Venice, Maestro marks Cooper’s second directorial effort following 2018’s heartfelt A Star is Born and establishes his place as one of Hollywood’s most reliable filmmakers. Cooper’s performance as Bernstein, however, is the showstopper. He embodies the man in all his complexities – capturing his genius public life, as well as showing his innermost and not-fully knowable desires. A standout performance from Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman) as actress and wife Felicia Montealegre, provides at times a feeling of rage and resignation, but overarchingly plays out devotion in a way that is rarely captured on camera.
Check out this glowing review from Time Magazine, and view the moving trailer for Maestro.
‘Earth Mama‘ Image courtesy of We Are Parable.
Following this, Sundance Film Festival favourite Earth Mama graces our screens from Fri 8 Dec. This intimate and piercing debut from British-American director Savanah Leaf highlights a care system deeply stacked against poor American single mothers. The story follows Gia, a pregnant single mother with two children in foster care, embracing her Bay Area community during a fight to reclaim her family. Roger Ebert once called films ’empathy machines’, and Earth Mama succeeds phenomenally in empathising with Gia’s struggle to reclaim her motherhood.
Have a read of The Hollywood Reporter’s adoring review, and watch the powerful trailer for Earth Mama.
‘Wonka‘ Image courtesy of Warner Bros.
Also from Fri 8 Dec, Willy Wonka makes his long-awaited cinematic return in Paul King’s musical fantasy film, Wonka. Timothée Chalamet takes up the mantle of playing the eccentric chocolatier – tracing his journey from a young adult selling chocolate in a small shop, to the world-renowned genius that we have all come to know. Featuring an all-star ensemble with the likes of Olivia Colman (The Favourite, The Crown), Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean), and a much shorter than usual Hugh Grant (Notting Hill, Love Actually), Wonka marks the unmissable Christmas film event of the year. With first reactions calling it ‘an instant holiday classic’ and ‘infinitely charming’, make sure you watch it this month!
Check out the fantastical trailer for Wonka, and keep an eye out for Wonka’s Whipple Scrumptious Hot Chocolate in our cinema bar!
‘Love Actually‘ Image courtesy of Universal Pictures.
Continuing the festive cheer this month, we are hosting two special screenings of Love Actually on Sun 17 Dec and Thu 21 Dec. One of the most iconic Christmas movies, with a stack of memorable scenes from the classic climactic airport chase, Rowan Atkinson’s hilarious handling of potpourri, to the heart-warming ‘To Me, You are Perfect’ moment. It’s okay to come and rewatch, we won’t judge.
‘The Boy and The Heron‘ Image courtesy of Elysian Films.
Rounding out the month we have The Boy and the Heron, the latest (and perhaps final) film from visionary director Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away). Based upon the 1937 novel How Do You Live by Genzaburo Yoshino, the film follows a young boy named Mahito who ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead in search for his mother. Premiering at the Toronto Film Festival to critical acclaim, make sure that you end the year right with this gem.
Check out IndieWire’s review, and watch the gorgeous trailer for The Boy and the Heron!
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