March 2010 Archives

AWARD-winning boxing documentary SONS OF CUBA (15) is only having one screening in Birmingham - at the Electric Cinema, Station St from 6.30pm on Thursday, April 1.

But it's well worth a look if you enjoy documentary movies which really get underneath a country's skin.

Click below to read my review.

NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS (12A) is an underground film made in Iran.

Its purpose is to illustrate how music can empower young people in search of democracy - even if it means putting their own safety at risk.

If you care about subject matter like this, I would urge you to see it.

Sadly, the first screening in the Midlands will not be until April 11-13 at the Stratford Picture House (and Leicester Phoenix, April 12-19) even though it's opening elsewhere on Friday, March 26.

Click here for a list of where and when it is playing so that you can catch it somewhere.

Watch Persian Cats and remember not to take your own freedoms for granted in this country.

If you do, I recommend the film Taking Liberties, made by Bromsgrove's Chris Atkins and released on May 29, 2007.

Come to think of it, this movie ought to get a re-release a week before the General Election. . . perhaps at the Electric Cinema, Station St in Birmingham or at the new MAC in Cannon Hill Park if it's open again in time.

PS. The Electric, which celebrated its centenary only in December, and is classed as being Britain's oldest working cinema, has joined the 3D revolution this week and is now showing Alice In Wonderland 3D. What a fantastic achievement!

In 2009, Universal Pictures began to use high definition digital quality to introduce some classic movies to a new generation of film fans.

Its titles included Spartacus, Scarface, Gladiator, An American Werewolf In London, Animal House, The Blues Brothers and The Thing.

Universal is now asking film lovers to help it to decide which titles should be preserved in future.

The next batch for consideration includes King Kong, ET and Jaws.

To take part simply click on to the following link and tick the boxes of the films which you'd most like to see back on the silver screen.

http://www.wps-dev.co.uk/limesurvey/index.php?sid=36745&lang=en

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FOUR days have already elapsed since the Oscars, so this is a good time to take a more considered view of the results.

Sadly, Ladbrokes' don't do accumulators with the Academy Awards.

If they did, they tell me I could have turned £10 into £250 with the following predictions made here last Friday.

Find out why by clicking on the link below.

IT'S THAT time of the year again when everyone is getting excited about which movies, stars, writers and creative teams will go home with an Oscar this weekend.

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards can be seen live on Sky Premiere from 1am on Sunday night (Monday morning).

The big difference this year is that the Academy has expanded the Best Picture Category to include ten films.

Each Academy member has to vote for their own top ten in preference order so it will be interesting if this system delivers an expected consensus, or springs a favourite.

As my tipsters' list illustrates, the big night will once again be a battle between who and what should win. . . and who and what will win.

Click on the link below to see my predictions both ways. and also for the latest betting odds to help you to make your own mind up.

And enjoy the show!

THE CINEMA hosting the UK premiere of The Disappearance of Alice Creed, starring Quantum of Solace actress Gemma Arterton, is to be decided by cinema-goers. 

Ahead of its April 30 release, the film will begin its theatrical run at a cinema of the public's choosing, exchanging the glitz of Leicester Square for a more intimate local affair.

But will it be in or around Birmingham?

Read the link below to find out more.

 

THE giant IMAX cinema at Millennium Point is to stop screening the record-breaking 3D movie Avatar on Thursday night (Mar 4, 2010) - even though the film is still selling out.

My Oscar tips for the 2010 Academy Awards' ceremony this weekend.

Don't miss them later this week if you fancy a flutter!