Anatomy of a Murder (dir: Otto Preminger, 1959, 12A) + Sean Gibbs Quartet
Shown as part of the awesome Cinematic Time Machine (and in conjunction with THSH’s Jazzlines) this film caused a stir on original release for its unflinching portrayal of rape and sex leading to bans in several US states. Jimmy Stewart and George C. Scott (both Oscar nominated) bang legal heads, bending truth and morality to suit the justice they prefer. Contains an incredible score from Duke Ellington, which the Sean Gibbs Quartet will be performing after the screening at 10.30pm.
Sat 18 Jun at The Electric, 7.30pm £14.50. Tickets: www.thsh.co.uk
Breathless – A Bout de Souffle (dir: Jean-Luc Godard, 1960, cert PG)
Another Cinematic Time Machine showing and quite simply one of the hippest movies ever made. With iconic performances from Jean Seberg in her now archetypical ‘crop and Breton top’ aesthetic and nihilistically suave Jean-Paul Belmondo. The French New Wave instilled an effortless narcissistic cool into its movies, with Godard’s debut revolutionising film making and probably doing more to promote smoking than any amount of advertising ever could. Pass the Gitanes.
Sun 19 Jun at The Electric 12pm £10.50. Tickets: www.theelectric.co.uk
Andrei Tarkovsky Season at the mac
We cannot begin to tell you how excited we are by the forthcoming Andrei Tarkovsky season at The Mac. Tarkovsky died aged 54 and left behind a relatively small body of work. But what a body of work it is. A supreme filmmaker and possibly the greatest director there has ever been. If you haven’t yet seen any of his work then you really need to see these sumptuously restored editions of his classics. As Ingmar Bergman noted “Tarkovsky for me is the greatest.” No self-respecting movie fan’s imagination should be without these giant milestones of cinema. Consider yourselves told! The season begins this week with the disorientating and euphoric untangling of the human psyche that is the sci-fi epics “Stalker” and “Solaris”.
Stalker (dir Andrei Tarkovsky, 1979, PG) Tue 14 Jun at Mac 8pm, £8 www.macbirmingham.co.uk
Solaris (dir: Andrei Tarkovsky, 1972, 12A) Sun 19 Jun at Mac 2pm, £8 www.macbirmingham.co.uk
When Marnie Was There (dir: Hiromasa Yonebayashi, 2016, cert. PG)
There are rumours that this will be the last Studio Ghibli film. If that is the case it is a stunning achievement with which to bow out. Hayao Miyazaki’s influence looms large on this enchanting, almost genteel ghost story, and while it never quite reaches the heights of Spirited Away’s magical animated imaginations, it is still leagues ahead of the competition.
Fri 17 Jun – Thu 23 Jun at The Electric various times, £10.50 www.theelectric.co.uk
Princess Mononoke (dir: Hayao Miyazaki, 1997, cert PG)
With Studio Ghibli winding down after the release of When Marnie Was There, which is also screening this week, you should take the opportunity to view a classic Miyazaki Ghibli release on the big screen. An epic story beautifully told and crafted by a true master at the top of his game. As an added bonus it’s screened at The Electric in its original language, sparing your ears the nauseating whining of Minnie Driver! However, if you simply can’t live without her ‘dulcet’ tones, the dubbed version is being screened at The Mac.
Sun 19 Jun June at The Electric, 2.30pm (& Thu 23 Jun 8.30pm) £10.50 www.theelectric.co.uk
Sat 18 Jun at mac, 2pm (dubbed version) Please note this is a screen juniors event. £3 www.macbirmingham.co.uk
Zombie day Screenings at The Gunmakers Arms
The Beyond (dir: Lucio Fulci, 1981, cert 18) and Zombie Flesh Eaters (dir: Lucio Fulci, 1979, cert 18). See our Zombie Day feature here. The first film screens at 7pm and tickets are £5. Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Thelma & Louise (dir: Ridley Scott, 1991, cert 15)
Probably one of the most discussed ‘road’ movies ever because of its supposed ‘feminist’ subtext. Whether you think Thelma and Louise are feminist icons or patriarchal patsies, there is no denying the energy and edge of your seat thrills as our titular heroes race towards an uncertain future. Certainly more than just Easy Rider with breasts!
Tue 14 Jun, The Lighthouse, Wolverhampton, 7pm, £7.90
www.light-house.co.uk
- Words:
- Giles Logan
- Published on:
- Sat 11 Jun 2016