The Matrix Trilogy
Whilst Reloaded and Revolutions became increasingly bogged down in metaphysical ‘he’s the chosen one’ cobblers there is no denying the shock to the system innovation of the The Wachowskis original Matrix film. Stunning special effects and hyper stylised violence as Keanu Reeves’ Neo chomps down the red pill and sees reality for what it really is. All three outings back to back at the Mockingbird seems like a fine way to spend bank holiday Monday.
Mon 2 Apr 10.30am at The Mockingbird, Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA £9.50 veezi.com

A Fantastic Woman (dir: Sebastián Lelio, 2017, cert 15)
A true modern classic and cinematic joy, Lelio’s subversive and mischievous film is a marvel, repeatedly wrong footing the viewer and artfully challenging perception and prejudice as trans woman Marina, played beautifully by Daniela Vega, confronts a whirlwind of malicious attitudes when her partner unexpectedly dies. Marina’s defiance, Lelio’s framing and a wonderfully eclectic score make A Fantastic Woman an unforgettable movie.
Mon 2 Apr 6.15pm at Everyman, The Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1RF £13.90 www.everymancinema.com
Mon 2 Apr to Thu 5 Apr at Lighthouse, The Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HT £8.40 light-house.co.uk

The Handmaiden (dir: Chan-Wook Pak, 2017, cert 18)
Park Chan-wook is one of the most daring filmmakers at work today, he doesn’t so much push the envelope as douse it in petrol and burn it. The Handmaiden is a dizzyingly extravagant thriller soaked in an uneasy and intelligent eroticism, don’t relax for a second because Park Chan-wook will trip you up.
Mon 2 Apr to Tue 3 Apr at Lighthouse, The Chubb Buildings, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1HT £8.40 light-house.co.uk

Frankenweenie (dir: Tim Burton, 2012, cert PG)
This bittersweet take on the Frankenstein legend from one of cinema’s finest weirdo’s is a wildly inventive romp filled with gleeful darkness and loving homages to the classics that inspired it, from Nosferatu to Jurassic Park. The black and white stop motion adds a sinister starkness to what is on occasion a hilarious movie, kids may love it but this is no kids film.
Tue 3 Apr 7.30pm at Birmingham LGBT, 38-40 Holloway Circus, Birmingham B1 1EQ Free www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk

The Divine Order (dir: Petra Biondina Volpe, 2017, cert 12A)
Whilst women over 21 in the UK were finally given the right to vote in 1928, astonishingly it took until 1971 in Switzerland. Volpe’s film follows meek housewife Nora (Marie Leuenberger) who, when rebelling against the casual misogyny of her husband, kick starts a movement for change. Yes it’s a formulaic story, but it’s told with an uplifting energy and the central premise of communal action has a contemporary resonance.
Fri 6 Apr to Tue 10 Apr at the mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH £9 macbirmingham.co.uk

Studio Ghibli Marathon
Four films from the imperious canon of master animator Hayao Miyazaki featuring early works Porco Rosso, Castle in the Sky, Pom Poko alongside one of our favourites Howl’s Moving Castle. Adapted from the British writer Diana Wynne Jones’ book it is never less than beautiful to look at for a single moment, as our hero Sophie is turned into an old crone by the Witch of the Waste. There begins a crackpot chase of technicolour splendour as Sophie lurches from one psychedelically beguiling situation to the next. Last time The Mockingbird held a Studio Ghibli marathon it sold out in double quick time so don’t hang about.
Sun 8 Apr 11am at The Mockingbird, Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham B9 4AA £20 veezi.com

Flatpack Film Festival is just around the corner and we’re very excited. Check out our picks here.