Get Out More.....CInema Listing

MAC CINEMA, MARCH APRIL

23-02-2007

Here are the latest film listings for MAC Cinemain Canon Hill Park, covering March and April. Highlights include a "last chance" opportunity to see Pan's Labyrinth, and popular recent movies including The History Boys. There's a few classics thrown in as well, including Casabalanca and Belle De Jour. To see the full list click here.

Fri 23 Feb - Thu 1 March

Bobby (15)

Dir: Emilio Estevez 2006 USA 2h
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, William H Macy

Hollywood-kid-turned-actor-turned-director, Estevez's film lingers less on the assassination of the younger Kennedy brother and more on the ordinary people who unwittingly found themselves at the centre of one of the most important events in America's recent past. An all star cast make a worthy ensemble turning in some surprising and first-class performances.

Fri 23 - Thu 1 March

Infamous (15)

Dir: Douglas McGrath USA 2006 1h58m
Cast: Toby Jones, Sandra Bullock, Daniel Craig, Hope Davis
The second Capote biopic of recent years, this is an equally enthralling but very different film, based on George Plimpton's book. The sharp script is ably backed by a superb cast which features a pre-Bond Daniel Craig as murder case defendant Perry Smith, whilst Toby Jones' characterisation of the eccentric Capote treads a beautiful line between flamboyance and seriousness.

Fri 23 - Thu 8 March

For Your Consideration (12A)
Dir: Christopher Guest. US. 2006. 86mins.
Cast: Catherine O'Hara, Harry Shearer, Parker Posey, Christopher Guest,
As the genuine Oscar fever circles film-makers and film-lovers worldwide, here's a timely new painfully truthful comedy from Christopher Guest and writing partner Eugene Levy (Best in Show, A Mighty Wind) that satirises the whole Academy Awards Industry. Director Jay Berman (Guest) has finished his first film, Home for Purim when murmers of Oscar success begin to buzz causing everyone even mildly associated with the production to start practicing their acceptance speech.

Tuesday 27 February
Single Shot
Single Shot is a collection of specially commissioned film and video pieces by well-known artists and new talent with all the works being shot in one single take. While the Single Shot pieces demonstrate a wide diversity of approaches, what they share is a desire to create a work of power and complexity from the most basic of cinematic elements - the single, unedited shot. Whether humorous or poignant, seductive or disturbing - or indeed all of these things - what each work attempts is to catch the viewer's eye and hold it, unblinkingly, until the end. With films from George Barber, Sean Dower, Clio Barnard, Ben Dodd, Matthew Murdoch, Tula Parker, Anna Weatherston, Dave Richards, Ori Gersht, Paul Rooney, Shane Davey, Matthew Grinter, Julie Hill, Christian Krupa, Mike Marshall and Hyewon Kwon.

‘Single Shot' is the first product of a major new collaboration between the UK Film Council's New Cinema Fund and Arts Council England. The project has received additional support from Illy. ‘Single Shot' is managed by Film and Video Umbrella and Maya Vision International. ‘Single Shot' in Birmingham is presented in collaboration with Ikon Gallery.

Birmingham
Continuing its tour of the country, Single Shot's arrival in England's second city extends the blueprint for showcasing moving-image work over a range of new and distinctive locations. Placing an emphasis not just on widespread exposure for the work, but on siting individual pieces in sympathetic and appropriate contexts, collaborations with Ikon Gallery, Vivid, mac, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, and with BBC Big Screen in Chamberlain Square, highlight the multi-faceted, and multi-platform, nature of Single Shot. Whether encountered as single pieces (as a short before the main feature in a cinema, or as a site-specific intervention) or when collected together in occasional compilations, this city-wide manifestation of Single Shot matches the diversity of the works themselves with a equal diverse set of exhibition venues.

The screening will be introduced by a representative from the Film & Video Umbrella

Cinema 8.30pm
£3.50/£2.50 (Concessions)

www.single-shot.co.uk

Fri 2 - Thu 8 March

Notes On A Scandal (15)

Dir: Richard Eyre 2006 UK Time 1h31
Cast: Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy
Two of the world's most powerful and acclaimed actresses pair up for this story of loneliness, loyalty, envy and love. Older teacher Barbara (Dench) begins a dangerous infatuation with bohemian new art teacher Sheba (Blanchett). When Barbara discovers Sheba's illicit affair with a student she seizes the opportunity for blackmail, infiltrating every area of Sheba's life and family.

Documentary at mac

Friday 9 March

Djourou (Ctba)
A Rope Round Your Neck
Dir: Olivier Zuchuat France 2005 1hr 4mins
In the seventies, sub-Saharan countries borrowed millions of dollars in developmental aid. Some of these countries, such as Mali, have already paid back more than seven times the amount initially borrowed from rich countries. Nonetheless, the balance of the debt to be paid is still multiplied by a factor of four. The mathematics of finance sometimes work in rather strange ways... Some of the borrowed amounts have even found their way into Swiss bank accounts. As it attempts to relate the diverse and often irreconcilable opinions of a Malian minister of finance, an expert in development economics, two Swiss lawyers in charge of finding dictatorship money hidden in Swiss bank accounts, Malian cotton growers, an executive of the IMF, and the ghost of a deposed dictator, Zuchuat's film raises the question: Who is helping whom?

The film will be followed by a post-screening discussion hosted by Reverend Professor Michael Taylor, Chair of the Jubilee Debt Campaign. The screenings are funded by Screen West Midlands.

Fri 9 - Sun 11 March

Sleeping Dogs Lie (18)

Dir: Bob Goldthwait 2006 UK Time 1h27m

Cast: Melinda Page Hamilton, Bryce Johnson, Bonita Friedericy

Writer-director Goldthwait made his name as an 80s stand up and in the Police Academy films, but his latest film is quite likely to garner him more attention. Although frankly well deserving of it's 18 rating, this is a “gross-out” comedy/drama which is also a thoughtful and touching look at what it takes to make relationships work, exploring the real implications of telling the truth. When nice, normal Amy's fiancé encourages absolute honesty in their relationship, her startling revelation of a past sexual deviance with “man's best friend” threatens to destroy her world.

Fri 9 & Sat 10 March

Page Turner (15)

Dir: Denis Dercourt 2006 France, French Time 1h25m

Cast: Catherine Frot, Deborah Francois, Jacques Bonaffe, Pascal Greggory

When 10 year old Melanie sits for her piano exam she knows that if she passes, a professional career lies ahead. When one of the examiners, an established pianist Arianne (Frot) distracts her mid-exam by casually signing an autograph, Melanie's dreams are in tatters. Ten years later, now a cool and crisp young woman, Melanie (Francois) plots her way into the home of Arianne, intent on wreaking revenge. Trying to resurrect her now floundering career, Arianne becomes dependent on Melanie as her page turner and confidante, little knowing the young woman's vengeful plan.

Sun 11 & Mon 12 March

Deep Water (PG)

Dir: Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell 2006 UK Time 1h33m
Deep Water is an engrossing documentary from the producers of Touching the Void about Donald Crowhurst, a nautical instrument-maker who was one of nine men who entered the non-stop, single-handed round-the-world yacht race in 1968. Mortgaging the family home, he entered to find fame and fortune. However, unexperienced and ill-equipped, David's story became one of tragic deceit.

Mon 12 - Thu 15 March

A Prairie Home Companion (PG)

Dir: Robert Altman 2006 USA Time 1h45m

Cast: Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Kline, Tommy Lee Jones

Altman's last film was written with Garrison Kieler, who also stars as the host of a fictitious Minnesota Country radio show in this warm look at small-town America. Having managed to survive against the increasing popularity of TV, a corporate Texas conglomerate look set to takeover, razing the theatre to the ground. An all-star cast recreate the last few hours of drama backstage at the show, with the action switching with the musical performances whilst the Angel of Death stalks the company.

Tue 13 & Thu 15 March

Little Red Flowers (12A)

Dir: Zhang Yuan & Zhang Zuan 2006 China/Italy Chinese (with subtitles) Time 1h32m

Cast: Dong Bowen, Li Xiaofeng, Xiaofeng Li, Yuanyuan Ning

Full of charm and humour, the film follows 4 year-old Qiang (Bowen) whose bawling entrance to a 1950s Beijing kindergarten, is a sign of the pint-sized revolution to come. Refusing to accept the new strict rules imposed on him, he still covets the Little Red Flowers given to children for good behaviour. Yet the little boy's fight for individualism can not be thwarted, winning over the other children to wage war on the strict headmistress whom Qiang is sure is a “child-eating ogre”.

Thu 15 March

Moving Parts Dance Film Night

7.30pm, Hexagon, 12+, £5 (£3)
Moving Parts is a cornerstone of mac's programming with a focus on exciting work in the worlds of physicl theatre and dance. This year we have included, for the first time, an evening of dance on screen, presenting an intriguing range of short films selected by some of the UK's leading lights in the fields of choreography and film.

Dance film is an area of ever growing interest with its roots at the beginning of cinema; cameras were able to capture moving pictures for the first time and dance was considered the ideal art form to record. Although the popularity of film musical has meant that dancing has never been far from our screens, the format of big budget Hollywood show-stoppers has perhaps obscured the exciting area of dance and film coming together as art, rather than as pure escapism.

Curated by:
Wanjiku Nyachae (Writer/Curator), Oliver Scott (Director/Choreographer, Mercurial Dance company), Sarah Wood (Filmmaker & Programmer), Ravi Deepres (Artist/Filmmaker), Rosie Kay (Director/Choreographer ROSIE KAY DANCE COMPANY) & Derek Nisbet (Director/Composer, Talking Birds)

ASD: To be hosted by the curators of this evening's programme

Fri 16 - Sun 18 March

History Boys (15)

Dir : Nicholas Hynter UK 2006 1hr 49mins

Cast: Richard Griffiths, Stephen Campbell Moore, Frances De La Tour

With demand persistent, here's another chance to see this tale of an unruly class of gifted and charming teenage boys as they pursue sex, sport, and higher education in this adaptation of Alan Bennet's acclaimed play. We recommend you book in advance for this film, and take advantage of our trial period of assigned seating.

Fri 16 - Sun 18 March

Pan's Labyrinth (15)

Dir: Guillermo Del Toro, 2006, Mexico/Spain/USA, Spanish with Subtitles, 1h52m

Cast: Ivana Banquero, Doug Jones, Sergi López, Ariadna Gil

Here's another chance to see this film nominated for several of this year's Oscars including Best Original Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film. Del Toro's film is a brutal Spanish civil war tale which transforms through the eyes of its child heroine into a treacherous yet alluring underworld, full of sinister mythological creatures.

Mon 19 & Tue 20 March

Dark Horse (Voksne mennesker) (tba)

Dir: Dagur Kári 2005 Denmark/Iceland, Danish With subtitles UK Time 1h49m

Cast: Jakob Cedergren, Tilly Scott Pedersen, Nicolas Bro

A gently absurdist, wryly comedic look at a demotivated outsider, twentysomething graffiti-artist, Daniel (Cedergren), whose only commitment is his friendship with portly fellow-slacker ‘Grandpa' (Bro). Meandering through life like the characters of Kevin Smith's Clerks, their aimless world is disrupted when both fall for vulnerable shop assistant Franc (Pedersen).

Mon 19 & Tue 20 March

Casablanca (PG)

Dir: Michael Curtiz 1942 UK Time 1h42

Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains

Whip out your hankies, and prepare for some of the most memorable moments in cinematic history, as terse bar owner Rick Blaine (a career-defining performance from Bogey) meets up with old flame Ilsa Lund (Bergman) in the uncertain early days of World War II in Morocco. She's with another man, but is that enough to make him suppress his feelings? Does he love her enough to let go? Did Bogey ever actually say “Play it again, Sam”? - all will be answered…

Wed 21 & Thu 22 March

Little Children (15)

Dir: Todd Field 2006 UK Time 2h10m

Cast: Kate Winslett, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley

Kate Winslet has bagged another Oscar nomination for Best Actress, whilst co-star Jackie Earle Haley joins her with a nod for Best Supporting Actor in this tale of a group of people in a small Boston suburb whose lives intersect in potentially dangerous ways. Based on Tom Perotta's novel, both he and director Field are up for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar too. Rebelling against parenthood, Winslet's Sarah, a discontented housewife, initiates an affair with house-husband Brad (Wilson) a man frozen out by his career-minded wife (Connelly). Potential sex offender Ronnie (Haley) becomes center of a campaign, to run him out of town. All three want to change their lives in a radical manner, leading to a violent climactic scene.

Wed 21 & Thu 22 March

Belle De Jour (18)

Dir: Louis Buñuel, 1967 France/Italy, French/Spanish with subtitles 1h40m

Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Jean Sorel, Michel Piccoli, Genevieve Page

Physically repulsed and unable to have sex with her husband, doll-like newlywed Séverine (Deneuve) prefers to spend her time working in a high-class brothel, servicing her kinky clients.

Tom Pointon, tutor of mac's European Cinema course will be introducing a special screening of this film on Thursday 22nd March at 8.45pm.

Fri 23 - Thu 29 March

Letters From Iwo Jima (15)

Dir: Clint Eastwood 2006 US Time 2h 21m

Cast: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase, Shidou Nakamura

Up for Best Film and Best Director at the Oscars, this is the companion film to Eastwood's recent release Flags of Our Fathers. This time the film depicts the battle of Iwo Jima from Japanese perspective. Whereas, the former focuses on the American publicity machine and propaganda, the latter focuses more explicitly on the conflict and its human toll. The unconventional Lt. General Kuribayashi (Watanabe) is given command of the forces on the island but knows his troops are unlikely to survive the thirty-five day battle. Conscripted baker Saigo (Ninomiya) and his friends struggle to survive the Army's regime, all the time knowing that a fierce battle looms.

Fri 23 - Sun 25 March

Ghosts (15)

Dir: Nick Broomfield 2006 UK Time 1h36m

Cast: Ai Qin Lin, Zhan Yu, Zhe Wei, Shaun Gallagher

This Docu-drama focuses on the 2004 Morecambe Bay tragedy, where 21 Chinese cockle-pickers lost their lives. Ai Qin is a single mother in China, who decides to go work in England to support her parents and young son back home. The emotional pain of leaving them and the gruelling six-month journey across continents results in an alien life in a bleak Britain. Her exhausting work regime is interrupted only by dodging the authorities, her minder (Zhan), a cruel landlord (Gallagher) and xenophobic members of the British public.

Mon 26 - Thu 29 March

Running With Scissors (15)

Dir: Ryan Murphy 2006 USA Time 1h56
Cast: Annette Bening, Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alec Baldwin
Young Augusten Burroughs absorbs experiences that could make for a shocking memoir: the son of an alcoholic father (Baldwin) and an unstable mother (Bening), he's handed off to his mother's therapist, Dr. Finch (Cox), and spends his adolescent years as a member of Finch's bizarre extended family which includes oddball daughter Hope (Paltrow) and beatnik gay son Neil (Fiennes).

Fri 30 March - Thu 5 April

Inland Empire (15)

Dir: David Lynch US-Fr-Pol 2006 UK Time 3h9m
Cast: Laura Dern, Jeremy Irons, Harry Dean Stanton, Justin Theroux, Terryn Westbrook, Julia Ormond
Cult director Lynch tells the story of a woman in love, and in trouble. The woman is Nikki (Dern), an actress who appears to live in a palatial mansion with a jealous husband upstairs. When she begins rehearsals with Kinglsey, an English director (Irons), she begins a torrid affair with her cocky young co-star Devon (Theroux). The film they are making was shot years before, but ended with the murder of the two leads before the venture wrapped. Expect all of Lynch's surreal trademarks as the world's of the actors and characters collide.

Fri 30 March - Mon 2 April

Venus (15)
Dir: Roger Michell 2006 UK 1hr 30m
Cast: Peter O'Toole, Leslie Phillips, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Griffiths
At the grand age of seventy four, O'Toole has notched up his eighth nomination for the Best Actor Oscar, having already collected The Academy's honoury award in 2003.
His performance as the louche veteran actor Maurice focuses on his unusual relationship with his best friend's young and coarse neice. But it's the affectionate interaction with his former wife Valerie (Redgrave) where O'Toole's inimitable charm and warmth really shine.

Tue 3 - Thu 5 April

Orchestra Seats (12A)

Dir: Danièle Thompson 2006 France French and English with English subtitles Time 1h45m
Cast: Cécile De France, Valérie Lemercier, Albert Dupontel, Claude Brasseur, Sydney Pollack.
In a Parisisan café, waitress and dreamer Jessica (De France) serves the great and the good. Among her customers are an overworked concert pianist (Albert Dupontel), an art collector (Claude Brasseur) about to sell his precious collection and a famed TV actress (Lemercier) who longs for a serious role for an American director (Pollack). All their stories converge in this classy French comedy.

Coming Soon…

Fri 6 - Tue 10 April

Charlotte's Web

Dir: Gary Winick, 2006 USA, 1h37m

Cast: Dakota Fanning Voice: Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese

Easter fun for kids with this new live action version of the classic animal tale. Wilbur the pig is scared of the end of the season, because he knows that come that time, he will end up on the dinner table. He hatches a plan with Charlotte, a spider that lives in his pen, to ensure that this will never happen.

Fri 6 - Tue 10 April

Miss Potter (PG)

Dir: Chris Noonan 2006 USA/UK
Cast: Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, Bill Paterson
Another chance to see the story of Beatrix Potter (Zellwegger), the author and illustrator of the beloved and best-selling children's book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit". This period piece animates Potter's drawings to recreate the author's vivid imagination, documenting her love affair with her publisher Norman Warne (McGregor) and her struggle for love, happiness and success in a society that does not understand her.

Fri 6 - Tue 10 April

Becoming Jane (PG)

Dir: Richard Eyre 2006 UK Time TBC
Cast: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, James Cromwell, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters
Becoming Jane tells the story of the true love affair that inspired the young Jane Austen to become a writer. When the 20 year-old Austen (Hathaway) meets the brilliant, roguish and attractive young Irishman Tom Lefroy (McAvoy), she falls madly in love. This little-known but true story was the turning point in Jane becoming the greatest romantic writer in English literature with her romantic adventure with Tom inspiring many of the male characters in her celebrated novels.