Fantasy/Adventure/Family
Saturday 22 December, 3 pm
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (M)
The second instalment of the Fantastic Beasts series set in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World featuring the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander.
In an effort to thwart the plants of the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) to raise pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
Fantasy/Adventure
Thursday 10 January, 11 am
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG)
All Clara wants is a key – a one of a kind key – which will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at her godfather’s annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key – which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip, a gang of mice, and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger, to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.
Action/SciFi/Adventure
Thursday 17 January, 11 am
Bumblebee (PG)
On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.
Comedy/Drama/World Cinema
Saturday 19 January, 7.30 pm
Normandy Nude (M)
Normandy Nude is a warm and wise tale of a proud farming community who must put their grievances aside in order to save their village. The charming town of Mêle-sur-Sarthe, Normandy, is in crisis. Dairy and livestock prices have plummeted due to a flood of imports, and farmers are threatened with foreclosure. Mayor Georges Balbuzard (the irrepressible François Cluzet, beloved from Intouchables and The Country Doctor) does his best to fight and raise awareness of their plight, but the situation isn’t deemed newsworthy for national media. Things seem hopeless… until the day famous American photographer Newman (Toby Jones) passes through the village, inadvertently discovering the perfect backdrop for his next shoot. Balbuzard sees a rare opportunity, and sets about convincing the townsfolk – the farmers, the butcher, the pharmacist, some 200 in all – to participate. The catch? They all have to pose naked. Le Guay’s wonderful ensemble delivers a memorable portrait of community, resilience and fraternité. Leave your inhibitions at home; you’re assured of returning with a smile. In French, with English subtitles.
Comedy/Animation/Adventure
Thursday 24 January, 11 am
Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG)
Wreck-it Ralph is back for a new adventure, and this one takes him to the terrifying world of the internet. Taking place six years after saving the arcade from Turbo’s vengeance, the Sugar Rush arcade cabinet has broken, forcing video bad-guy Ralph (voice of John C Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) to navigate the vast and dynamic world wide web via the newly-installed Wi-Fi router in Litwak’s Arcade to retrieve the piece capable of saving the game.
Adventure/Family
Saturday 26 January, 7.30 pm
Sunday 27 January, 3 pm
Mary Poppins Returns (G)
Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael’s children through a difficult time in their lives. In Depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Directed by Rob Marshall, and based on the book series by P. L. Travers and a sequel to 1964’s Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns stars Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins, with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth, and Meryl Streep in supporting roles.
Drama/Family
Saturday 2 February, 3 pm
Storm Boy (PG)
A beautiful and contemporary retelling of Colin Thiele’s classic Australian tale. ‘Storm Boy’ has grown up to be Michael Kingley, a successful retired businessman and grandfather. When Kingley starts to see images from his past that he can’t explain, he is forced to remember his long-forgotten childhood, growing up on an isolated coastline with his father. He recounts to his grand-daughter the story of how, as a boy, he rescued and raised an extraordinary orphaned pelican, Mr Percival. Their remarkable adventures and very special bond has a profound effect on all their lives. Based on the beloved book, Storm Boy is a timeless story of an unusual and unconditional friendship.
Comedy/Family
Saturday 2 February, 7.30 pm
Instant Family (PG)
When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family. Instant Family is inspired by the real events from the life of writer/director Sean Anders and also stars Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro and Margo Martindale
Drama/Biography/Historical
Sunday 17 February, 7 pm
The Favourite (MA15+)
Our 2018 program of Sunday night art-house films resumes this year with Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone starring in a historical biopic from Yorgos Lanthimos, Oscar-nominated director of The Lobster. Early 18th century. England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing and Abigail sees a chance at a return to her aristocratic roots. As the politics of war become time consuming for Sarah, Abigail steps into the breach to fill in as the Queen’s companion. Their burgeoning friendship gives her a chance to fulfil her ambitions and she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way.
Drama/Biography/History
Saturday 23 February, 7.30 pm
Mary Queen of Scots (M)
Mary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary (Saoirse Ronan) defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie). Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination. Rivals in power and in love, and female regents in a masculine world, the two must decide how to play the game of marriage versus independence. Determined to rule as much more than a figurehead, Mary asserts her claim to the English throne, threatening Elizabeth’s sovereignty. Betrayal, rebellion, and conspiracies within each court imperil both thrones – and change the course of history.
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