Crime/Thriller
Saturday 23 September, 7 pm

American Made (M)

In Universal Pictures’ American Made, Tom Cruise reunites with his Edge of Tomorrow director, Doug Liman, in this international escapade based on the outrageous (and real) exploits of Barry Seal, a hustler and TWA pilot unexpectedly recruited by the CIA to run one of the biggest covert operations in U.S. history. The operation spawns the birth of the Medellin cartel and almost brings down the Reagan White House. American Made is produced by Academy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind), Cross Creek Pictures’ Brian Oliver (Black Swan) and Tyler Thompson (Everest), Quadrant Pictures’ Doug Davison (The Departed), and Kim Roth (Inside Man)

 

Romance/Comedy
Saturday 30 September, 7 pm

Madame (M)

Toni Collette, Harvey Keitel, Rossy de Palma and Michael Smiley star in this romantic comedy about an unexpected love affair that starts at dinner and spreads to the Paris streets. Anne (Collette) and Bob (Keitel), a wealthy, well-connected American couple, move into a manor in Paris. While preparing a luxurious dinner for sophisticated international friends, Anne discovers there are only 13 guests. So, she insists her loyal maid, Maria (Almodóvar regular Rossy de Palma; Julieta), disguise herself as a mysterious Spanish noblewoman to even out the numbers. Too much wine and some playful chat lead Maria to endear herself to a dandy British artdealer (Smiley). Their budding romance soon has Anne chasing her maid around Paris, reinventing the truth and finally plotting to destroy this most unexpected and joyous love affair.

 

Comedy/Drama/Romance
Monday 2 October, 2 pm

Paris Can Wait (PG)

What better way to welcome Spring than with a healthy dose of glorious French countryside, this October Long weekend, with a matinee screening of the delightful Paris Can Wait, a gastronomic road trip for grown-ups. Anne (Diane Lane) is at a crossroads in her life. Married to a successful but inattentive movie producer (Alec Baldwin), she unexpectedly finds herself taking a car trip from Cannes to Paris with her husband’s business associate (Arnaud Viard). What should be a seven-hour car drive turns into a carefree two-day adventure replete with diversions involving picturesque sights, fine food and wine, humour, wisdom and romance, reawakening Anne’s senses and giving her a new lust for life. Paris Can Wait is directed, written and co-produced by Eleanor Coppola.

 

Family Musical
Saturday 7 October, 3 pm
Sunday 8 October, 1.30 pm

Doctor Dolittle

Join the Maitland Musical Society as they take you on an amazing Journey with Doctor Dolittle and his friends on the stage in a big Broadway-sized family musical. All of the characters (human and animal) we’ve come to love through the stories of Hugh Lofting and the magical movie musical are given new life in the stage version of Doctor Dolittle. Directed by Jeanette Massey, Assisted by Craig Croxton with Musical Direction by Ian Massey and Choregraphy by Angie Hutchison-Ussher. Starring Glen Ironman as Doctor Dolittle, Ben Starling as Matthew Mugg, Jane Martin as Polynesia, Angie Hutchison-Ussher as Emma Fairfax and Ricky C as Tommy Stubbins and supported by a cast of 30. Come along and join us for the magical world of Doctor Dolittle these school holidays. This is a show not to be missed!
Tickets are available at the door, or online.
Adult – $25
Concession/Pensioner – $20
Child (5-15) – $15
Children under 5 are Free
Family (2 adults, 2 children) – $70.

 

Comedy/Action
Saturday 14 October, 7.30 pm

Logan Lucky (M)

We welcome back summertime to the movies with Logan Lucky, and our new regular starting time for the season returns to 7.30 pm. The Logans are a hardscrabble family from the hills of West Virginia, and their clan has been famous for its bad luck for nearly 90 years. But the conniving Jimmy Logan (Channing Tatum) and his brother Clyde Logan (Adam Driver) decides it’s time to turn the family’s luck around, and with a little help from his friends, the Redneck Robbers, set out to execute an elaborate robbery during the legendary Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. See how the other half steals. Directed by Stephen Soderbergh (Ocean’s 11, 12 and 13), Logan Lucky features an ensemble cast including Daniel Craig, Seth MacFarlane, Katie Holmes, and Hilary Swank.

 

Action/Adventure/Biography
Sunday 15 October, 7 pm

The Lost City of Z (PG)

This month’s offering of the Dungog Film Society is The Lost City of Z. This tells the incredible true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam), who journeys into the Amazon at the dawn of the 20th century and discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization that may have once inhabited the region. Despite being ridiculed by the scientific establishment who regard indigenous populations as savages, the determined Fawcett, supported by his devoted wife, son and aide de camp returns time and again to his beloved jungle in an attempt to prove his case, culminating in his mysterious disappearance in 1925. The Lost City of Z’s stately pace and visual grandeur hearken back to classic exploration epics. Directed and written for the screen by James Gray, based on the book by David Grann, The Lost City of Z also stars Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland and Sienna Miller.

 

Drama/Biography
Saturday 21 October, 7.30 pm

Victoria and Abdul (M)

Victoria & Abdul is a British-American biographical drama directed by Stephen Frears and written by Lee Hall. It tells the extraordinary true story of an unlikely friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria’s (Judi Dench) remarkable rule. When Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal), a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favour with the Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance with a loyalty to one another that her household and inner circle all attempt to destroy. As the friendship deepens, the Queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes and joyfully reclaims her humanity Victoria and Abdul is based on the book of same name by Shrabani Basu, on the real-life relationship between Queen Victoria and her Indian servant Abdul Karim. The film stars Judi Dench, Olivia Williams, Ali Fazal, Eddie Izzard, Tim Pigott-Smith (in his last film role).

 

Action/Adventure/Comedy
Saturday 28 October, 7.30 pm

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (M)

With their headquarters destroyed and the world held hostage, members of Kingsman find new allies when they discover a spy organization in the United States known as Statesman. In an adventure that tests their strength and wits, the elite secret agents from both sides of the pond band together to battle a ruthless enemy and save the day, something that’s becoming a bit of a habit for Eggsy.  Kingsman: The Golden Circle stars Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore, and with an appearance by Elton John for good measure.

 

Drama/Sport
Saturday 4 November, 3 pm

Tommy’s Honour (PG)

Set against the early days of the sport and stunning landscape of Scotland, Tommy’s Honour is based on the intimate and moving true story of the challenging relationship between “Old” Tom Morris (Peter Mullan) and “Young” Tommy Morris (Jack Lowden), the dynamic father-son team who ushered in the modern game of golf. As their fame grew, Tom and Tommy, Scotland’s Golf Royalty, were touched by drama and personal tragedy. At first matching his father’s success, Tommy’s talent and fame grew to outshine his father’s accomplishments as founder of the Open Championship in 1860, his stellar playing record, and his reputation as the local caddie master, greenskeeper and club & ball maker. In contrast to his public persona, Tommy’s inner turmoil ultimately led him to rebel against the aristocracy who gave him opportunity, led by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews chief Alexander Boothby (Sam Neill), and the parents who shunned his passionate relationship with his girlfriend-then-wife Meg Drinnen (Ophelia Lovibond).

 

Down Memory Lane
Sunday 5 November, 1.30 pm

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

On Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls, frustrated and desperate George Bailey (James Stewart) is visited by a guardian angel. Bailey has sacrificed his dreams to protect his home town and despairs of losing the battle against greedy banker Mr Potter (Lionel Barrymore). The angel reveals ‘what would have been’ if Bailey had not been there for Bedford Falls. Beloved by generations of moviegoers, this sentimental fantasy drama has been called ‘the perfect film’ for its classic performances, solid story and simple message. A classic gem.

 

Biography/Comedy/Sport
Saturday 18 November, 7.30 pm

Battle of the Sexes (M)

In the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women’s movement, the 1973 tennis match between women’s World #1 Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-men’s-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the Battle of the Sexes and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time, reaching 90 million viewers around the world. As the rivalry between King and Riggs kicked into high gear, off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. The fiercely private King was not only championing for equality, but also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, as her friendship with Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough) developed. And Riggs, one of the first self-made media-age celebrities, wrestled with his gambling demons, at the expense of his family and wife Priscilla (Elisabeth Shue). Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.

 

Documentary
Sunday 19 November, 7 pm

Mountain (M)

A unique cinematic and musical collaboration between the Australian Chamber Orchestra and BAFTA-nominated director Jennifer Peedom, Mountain is a dazzling exploration of our obsession with mountains. Only three centuries ago, climbing a mountain would have been considered close to lunacy. The idea scarcely existed that wild landscapes might hold any sort of attraction. Peaks were places of peril, not beauty. Why, then, are we now drawn to mountains in our millions? Mountain shows us the spellbinding force of high places – and their ongoing power to shape our lives and our dreams. “A breathtaking cinematic essay… A stunning achievement… you can’t take your eyes or ears off it” – THE AUSTRALIAN

 

Fantasy/Action
Saturday 25 November, 7.30 pm

Thor: Ragnarok (M)

Thor: Ragnarok is directed by Taika Waititi and returns Chris Hemsworth starring as Thor and Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki. They are joined by Cate Blanchett as Hela, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban, with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins. Imprisoned, the mighty Thor finds himself in a lethal gladiatorial contest against the Hulk, his former ally. Thor must fight for survival and race against time to prevent the all-powerful and ruthless Hela from destroying his home and the Asgardian civilisation.

 

Crime/Drama/Mystery
Saturday 9 December, 7.30 pm

Murder on the Orient Express (M)

A lavish train ride unfolds into a stylish & suspenseful mystery. From the novel by Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express tells of thirteen stranded strangers & one man’s race to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again. What starts out as a lavish train ride through Europe quickly unfolds into one of the most stylish, suspenseful and thrilling mysteries ever told. From the novel by best-selling author Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express tells the tale of thirteen strangers stranded on a train, where everyone’s a suspect. One man must race against time to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again. Kenneth Branagh directs and leads an all-star cast including Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley and Josh Gad.

 

Comedy/Romance
Saturday 16 December, 7.30 pm

Three Summers (M)

Shooting his first Australian film, internationally renowned writer, director and comedian Ben Elton delivers a big hearted, of-the-moment, multi-story comedy with a sterling ensemble cast featuring Michael Caton, Magda Szubanski, Deborah Mailman, Jacqueline McKenzie and John Waters. Filmed in Western Australia, Three Summers is set at a fictional summer music festival called ‘Westival’ (based on the real-life Fairbridge Festival). It centres on a love story between two young musicians – a sparky crowd-pleasing violinist played by Rebecca Breeds, formerly of Home and Away, and a serious-minded theremin performer played by Ireland’s Robert Sheehan. Over three consecutive years, the two musicians meet and fall in love at the festival amidst a microcosm of Australian society.

 

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