MAGAZINE

THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

MARCH…

“possibly Britain’s most beautiful cinema...” (BBC)

MARCH 2008 Issue 36 www.therexcinema.com 01442 877759 Mon-Sat 10.30-6pm Sun 4.30-6.30pm To advertise email [email protected] WELCOME

Gallery 5 March Evenings 9-17 Coming Soon 18 March Films at a glance 18 March Matinees 19-26 Dear Mrs Trellis 29, 31 SEAT PRICES: Circle £7.00 Concessions £5.50 At Table £9.00 Concessions £7.50 Royal Box (seats 6) £11.00 or for the Box £60.00 BOX OFFICE: 01442 877759 Mon to Sat 10.30 – 6.00 Sun 4.30 – 6.30 (Credit/Debit card booking fee 50p) Disabled and flat access: through the gate on High Street (right of apartments) First moon over Holliday St. Jan 2008

Some of the girls and boys you see at the Box Office and Bar: THE RECEIVING OF CHEESE… ’ve been asked to mention this on behalf of the ushers. If expectant of Rosie Abbott Linda Moss Henry Beardshaw Louise Ormiston cheese, please be alert when you see plates approaching, especially in Julia Childs Izzi Robinson the dark and particularly upstairs. Lindsey Davies I Georgia Rose Of late there have been some tragic incidents of cheese. Some has been Holly Gilbert Diya Sagar Becky Ginn Miranda Samson delivered into the wrong hands, leaving those awaiting the presence of Tom Glasser Tina Thorpe cheese bereft and likely to fidget. Beth Hannaway Olivia Wilson If you are guilty of ‘wrong hands’ cheese please own up immediately and Luke Karmali Calum Wood Jo Littlejohn Keymea Yazdanian report to cheddar monitor Adolf. She will chastise you in the proper Bethany McKay manner, whereupon you will be withdrawn from cheese until we are satisfied. I hope I have made myself clear. Sally Thorpe In charge Alun Rees Chief projectionist (Original) ICE CREAM… Jon Waugh 1st assistant projectionist Martin Coffill Part-time assistant projectionist We have new local ice cream, made front the finest ingredients. No more Jacquie Rose Chief Box Office & Bar Oliver Hicks Best Boy Baileys rage. There will be three flavours only and we will expect you to Jemma Gask Key Grip do as you’re told - and enjoy them. Michael Glasheen Gaffer Val & Lisa Williams Set PRICE ‘ADJUSTMENTS’… Jane Clucas & Lynn Hendry PR/Marketing/FoH From April fools day our ticket prices will rise to accommodate the very silly VAT we’ve been paying for these first three years. Inflation and its Ian Muirhead Accountant various impostors will not be present. It is VAT pure and simple. As VAT Resident creative builders Darren Flindall, Michael Glasheen is like Wilde’s truth: ‘rarely pure and never simple’ we will round it up or down to suit our change, thus avoiding 5ps and arithmetic the children Artists Andrew Dixon, Paul Rowbottom can’t fathom. It won’t hurt much and Matinee prices will stay the same Advisors and Investors until September. Paul Fullagar, Alan Clooney Ed Mauger Genius THEY WERE THERE… Demiurge Design Designers 01296 632366 wo boys in foyer after I’m Not There. They were brothers, the elder Allison Nunn Publisher 07786 540418 no more than fourteen or fifteen, the younger 12ish. When I asked James Hannaway CEO 01442 877999 Twhat they thought, the smaller one said it was really good and looked Betty Patterson Company Secretary and like he’d got it. The elder boy’s critique… “I don’t think it quite knew when THE ORIGINAL VISIONARY of The Rex. it should have stopped… It went on.” Between them they’d grasped it and The Rex his is probably the most astute and succinct description of all. Thousands of High Street (Three Close Lane) words wasted by critics, and all it needed was a couple of kids to see it. Berkhamsted HP4 2FG Not unlike the boy in the Emperor's New Clothes… www.therexcinema.com GALLERY www.therexcinema.com 5

Richard Briers sent us these precious originals of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford dated 1928 and signed by them in proper ink, to thank us. And gave Ollie (our best boy) fabulous Good Life memorabilia for taking them to the station. (Right) Allison Steadman, Richard and Anne Briers, Adrian, his son Jake.

Adrian Scarborough 19th January 2008

Our celebrations for Adrian’s birthday to thank him for all the guests and stars he has brought to the Rex in three short years. (left) Ade and Rose. (below) Imelda Staunton, Alison Steadman & friends. MARCH EVENINGS 10 Box Office: 01442 877759 MARCH EVENINGS

No Country for An Officer and A The Kite Runner Old Men Gentleman Wed 5 7.30, Thu 6 7.30 7.00, 7.30, Sun 2 6.00 Sat 1 Mon 3 Director: Marc Forster Tue 4 7.30 Starring: Zekeria Ebrahimi, Khalid Abdalla, Ahmad Mahmidzada Director: Coen Brothers Certificate: 12A Starring: Tommy Jones, Woody Duration: 128 mins Harrelson, , Origin: USA 2007 Certificate: 15 By: Paramount International Pictures Duration: 122 mins Origin: USA 2007 A glorious afternoon in Kabul and By: Paramount International Pictures the skies are filled with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting It’s 1970s small-town . Richard Gere plays Zack Mayo tournament. But in the aftermath of A Vietnam vet stumbles across a bag (why not Ned Dwogg or Arthur the day’s victory, one boy’s fearful act of middle-of-nowhere cash. Bromwich?) an aloof, taciturn man of betrayal will mark two lives Enter Javier Bardem’s bad-hair, coin- who aspires to be a navy pilot. forever and set in motion an epic and tossing killer in cold pursuit… Once at training camp Mayo falls perilous quest for redemption… Coen’s - business as usual. foul of abrasive, no-nonsense drill With much of Kabul destroyed, “Harrelson delivers an icy cameo as sergeant Emil Foley (Louis Gossett Forster used a region of China to the corrupt private dick. Tommy Lee Jr.). Mayo or “Mayonnaise” (ahh stand in for Amir’s childhood Kabul plays weary seen-it-all sheriff who that’s why) as he is dubbed by the “The [Afghan] people felt it was a doesn’t miss a trick.” (Times) Better mean (heart-of-gold – you see that love letter to Afghanistan”? than all weary seen-it-all sheriffs. coming a mile off) Foley is an PS It’s too late. The time to be scared “The beauty is that it is Cormac’s excellent cadet, but a little cold was when the yanks thought they words throughout… A great story around the heart. could play chess! Crushing teller… it doesn’t go in the extemp… Foley rides Mayo mercilessly, sensing ‘communism’ at ALL costs fooled us Faithful to the book plus the highest he is prime officer material if he all (see Charlie Wilson’s War). level of acting… Are we going to weren’t so self-absorbed. We knew nothing of it. Now we’re change Cormac McCarthy??? (No Zack’s affair with working girl Paula alright; we have ‘facebook’. jokes). Its his words, they don’t need to Pokrifi (Debra Winger) is likewise Kabul, beautiful for centuries, is now be changed. Speeches were all taken compromised by his unwillingness to a deliberate wasteland chained to the verbatim from the book as are the ‘commit’ (you know that one girls). Middle Ages. descriptions of the scenes. Only after something happens…! Happily, the beards have chosen not The garrotting-cycling scene is straight Would you believe this creamy to use medieval weaponry, except for from the book…” synopsis has told me the end…? torture of course. The West was/is “Preparations – storyboard most luckily Arthur and Ned got to it first. always happy to supply weapons of important - everything is prepared to Now you can bring your mum and a mass destruction, torture trinkets and the frame… but (serious-ish) always big hanky for this charming little real ale. willing and/open to change on set…? number. Now instantly www’d comfortably The dialogue is right from the book… Hope there’s no bad language but from home, we are more impotent ‘We were just following instructions’” suddenly I’ve got a horrible feeling than when Hitler became vice- (Joel and Ethan one at a time and ones ‘mother’ might be referred to chancellor or when Hannibal crossed interrupting - from a BBC The World from time to time. Sorry I’ve only the fucking Alps. Service interview Jan 2008) just read the storyline… Waited nearly a year for this, so don’t miss.

Director: Taylor Hackford Starring: Richard Gere, Debra Winger, David Keith, Robert Loggia Certificate: 15 Duration: 124 mins Origin: USA 1982 By: Paramount MARCH EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 11 Things We Lost In The Fire American Gangster Sun 9 6.00 Fri 7 7.30, Sat 8 7.00 Director: Susanne Bier Starring: Halle Berry, David Audrey Burke (Berry) had it all: Duchovny, a stunning home in a prosperous Certificate: 15 suburb, two happy children and a Duration: 118 mins devoted husband, Brian Origin: USA 2008 (Duchovny). He was successful and By: Paramount International Pictures unquestioningly committed to his family and friends. So when he is killed in a random incident, the lives of his wife, family and friends are “The loudest (dressed) man in the understandably blown apart. room is the weakest man in the Attempting to come to terms with her room…” grief, Audrey seeks out Brian’s This is the ‘true’ tale of a Harlem childhood friend and favourite lost henchman whose uncompromising cause, the long-term addict Jerry (Del loyalty and loathing of ‘bling’ made Toro). Although previously critical of him the drug kingpin of the early 70’s. the needy friend, Audrey hopes that Nobody noticed Frank Lucas he might hold the key to turning her (Washington), until his underworld life around. As with her two films the boss died. most most fabulous Susanne Bier From nowhere, he sets a new explores with characteristic insight standard. Without blinking, Frank and with a distinctly European ruthlessly claims his status as sensibility how lives are transformed Harlem’s most dangerous and by tragic events. innovative drug dealer by delivering it “Del Toro proves utterly magnetic in pure and cheaper – direct from a character perfectly suited to his Vietnam to the treacherous envy of shambolic demeanour and eccentric his competitors, family, friends and line readings.” (Channel 4) corrupt cops. “Berry shows that Monster’s Ball was Enter Russell Crowe’s dishevelled, no fluke. She never overplays, her philandering, but unbendingly straight quiet desperation is measured and cop (Richie Roberts) and Frank’s subtle… A sombre film, but never a empire begins to rattle from all sides. depressing… here is a director who But it is more complex. wants to do more than just send us Here are two stories with different comfortably home.” (Standard) notions of family but with the same integrity, stubborn egos and extreme loyalty. Each is used to violence and its results. It is a surprisingly compelling film with much more to it than its non-stop triple pace-maker heartbeat. Thought it wouldn’t be back, how wrong? Might even be an Oscar for Ruby Dee glorious as Frank’s mum.

Director: Ridley Scott Starring: Cuba Jr, Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin Certificate: 18 Duration: 157 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd 12 Box Office: 01442 877759 MARCH EVENINGS

Battle for Haditha Charlie Wilson’s The Savages Mon 10 7.30 War Wed 12 7.30 Tue 11 7.30 Thu 13 7.30 Director: Nick Broomfield Starring: Andrew McLaren, Yasmine Director: Tamara Jenkins Hanani, Elliot Ruíz Starring: Laura Linney, Phillip Certificate: 15 Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco Duration: 98 mins Certificate: 15 Origin: UK 2007 Duration: 114 mins By: Contender Films Origin: USA 2006 By: Twentieth Century Fox In November 2005 in the Iraqi city of Haditha, a roadside bomb kills a This adaptation of George Crile “Subjects seldom aired – ageing, US Marine. III’s incendiary bestseller tells the compromise, death – take centre What follows is the slaughter of 24 remarkable story of the Texas stage capturing well the short-cuts men, women and children in alleged congressman whose efforts to to affection and irritation that retaliation by four of his unit. prevent the Red Army from intimacy brings.” (Time Out) Like his ‘Ghosts’ (Rex March 07) overtaking Afghanistan eventually It takes the unglamorous subject of Broomfield’s dramatic jigsawing of led to the collapse of the Soviet ageing and turns it into something real events brings the viewer Union and at the same time witty and wise. uncomfortably close to the action. fuelling the rise of radical Islam! Wendy Savage (Linney) is an Bursting with powerful imagery, (well done Charlie from Texas). aspiring playwright who temps while finding compassion and humanity In the early 1980s, a hastily applying for grants without success. amidst the brutality, his disturbingly assembled army of Afghan ‘freedom She is single, but embroiled in an realistic cinematography imagines the fighters’ achieved the remarkable feat affair with a married man. circumstances surrounding the of fending off Soviet invaders against Her brother Jon (Seymour Hoffman) slaughter. overwhelming odds. Wilson is a college professor specialising in Moreover, as impressive as his non- spearheaded an effort to provide Brecht’s alienation theories. He has a actors are (especially former Marine hundreds of millions of dollars in girlfriend, but – it’s got no chance. Ruíz) the heartbreak is the film’s weapons and training to the The siblings have little contact with astonishing objectivity and attempt to Mujahadeen with more than a little each other, until their ageing and see events from all sides. help from suspect CIA man Gust estranged father is dying. “It persuasively shows the marines Avrokotos (Hoffman) and rich, Forced to find a way of caring for a themselves not as hateful murderers, republican, nutter, widow (Julia parent who never cared much for but bored, excitable and very scared Glorious Roberts). them, they have to face up to the young men – boys!” (Guardian) “This is intelligent political discomfort of their own relationship. “Cinema Verete… is a documentary filmmaking of the highest class.” “Hoffman and Linney hit every beat, forum but it is definitely drama. There “Aaron Sorkin’s masterful script underplay it so perfectly that is a script but I used people, not actors combines insight, wit and political crumpled, bittersweet truths continue – Marines were played by ex soldiers nous but never forgets its own to surface.” (TO) the Iraqis by refugees… Because who underlying seriousness.” (Channel 4) “It’s a bit neat and tidy with some has been through the fighting and “Hanks and Roberts have fun off-the-peg touches (cue words of knew that madness could bring a much harnessing their screen personas to wisdom from an African nurse).” stronger performance - heart rending - these juicy roles; Hoffman’s feverish (Knowledge, Times) than trained actors, as indeed they do” ranting is yet another glowing “a triumph – an impeccably acted and (verbatim: Nick Broomfield The Film testament to his skills at playing beautifully observed study of the end Prog BBC R4) Filmed in Jordan. charismatic ass-holes” (Time Out) of life, spiked with refreshingly Come, laugh and be scared. irreverent humour… never mawkish.”(Times) Don’t miss. Director: Mike Nichols Starring: Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Tom Hanks Certificate: 15 Duration: 102 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd MARCH EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 13 Sweeney Todd Fri 14 7.30, Sat 15 7.00, Director: Tim Burton Sun 16 6.00 Starring: Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Take a Victorian tupenny- Timothy Spall melodrama, let Sondheim turn into Certificate: 18 a musical thriller. Simmer for thirty Duration: 116 mins years. Enter Tim Burton and hey Origin: UK/USA 2007 presto 120 years later its on the big By: Warner Brothers screen. So what is all the fuss about? You’ll have to come and see. Embittered for being wrongly imprisoned and determined to avenge the grim fate that befell his wife and daughter, Johnny returns home, changes his name and opens a barbers shop. However a quick trim will leave you nothing for the weekend, sir! So he became known as ‘The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ by the terrified locals, whom nevertheless loved Mrs Lovett’s (Bonham Carter) succulent ‘meat’ pies…

“This macabre musical, their sixth partnership, has Depp’s demon barber wielding razors (like extensions of his arms). “Shocking but exhilarating, is this the first 18 certificate musical?” (Observer) A flat middle section contrasts with the atmospheric opening and spectacular finale but mostly this is grand-scale studio-work at its most beguiling… A great deal bloodier than most musicals, Burton’s beautifully crafted direction feels like a kids’ film –not for children! The Hulk, meets Fred West!” (Time Out) “Tim recalls dreaming of “venting anger on a grand scale” (at his parents’ restricting values). Here, set free by Sondheim, he lets rip… Just about perfect” (Standard) As for the hype about the singing: “The songs are amiably lilting and melodic without ever once producing a barnstorming set-piece singalong.” (Knowledge, Times) Johnny’s a bit Anthony Newley, Helena and Alan Rickman hit the big notes okay and no one sounds like Jeremy Hardy. Ignore it all and come. 14 Box Office: 01442 877759 MARCH EVENINGS

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly The Bucket List Fri 21 7.30, Sat 22 7.00 Mon 17 7.30, Tue 18 7.30, Director: Julian Schnabel Wed 19 7.30, Thu 20 7.30 Starring: Marie-Josee Croze, Anne Schnabel’s third feature recounts Consigny, Emmanuelle Seigner, the remarkable true story of Jean- Mathieu Amalric Dominique Bauby (Amalric), Certificate: 12A charismatic editor of French Elle Duration: 112 mins magazine, who at the age of 43 Origin: France 2008 suffered a stroke that rendered his By: Pathe Distribution brain stem inactive. He awoke from a coma to find himself a victim of locked-in syndrome: mentally alert but physically paralysed. His only and Morgan means of communicating was by Freeman star as two terminally ill blinking his left eye. He was forced to cancer patients who decide to look into himself for two other things break out of the hospital and live that weren’t paralysed, his imagination their last days to the fullest in and his memory. Reiner’s ‘serio-comic’ road movie. He learned a blinking code for each Billionaire Edward (Nicholson) and letter of the alphabet and (through mechanic Carter (Freeman) are devoted women) painstakingly told sharing a hospital room. this profound story. Though initially they seem to have “The performance of Mathieu nothing in common, conversation Amalric as Bauby (once reserved for gradually reveals that they both have Johnny Depp!) is as honest as anyone a long list of things to do before they could wish, whether frozen to his bed ‘kick the bucket’. When they make a and voicing his exasperated thoughts break for it with their checklist: or as the seemingly healthy young gambling in Monte Carlo, women, tyro from Elle.” (Derek Malcolm) fast cars, exploring the world they’ve “It’s a gorgeously atmospheric and so far missed, etc “the two men also deeply affecting piece of work” forge a truly remarkable friendship.” (Times) My arse. It is an all-expenses-paid “Schnabel treats this amazing real-life Jack romp with expensive locations, story as a testament to the importance pretty girls (on & off-set) and a few of memory and the boundlessness of drinks… human imagination” (Time Out) Come just for these and laugh as The faces, the screenplay, the much as it makes you. language, the camera… and that Who cares if it’s irritating, it didn’t music, will move you beyond where stop Atonement. you want to go. Don’t miss a second, then come and see it again.

Director: Rob Reiner Starring: Jack Nicholson, Certificate: 12A Duration: 97 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Warner Brothers MARCH EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 15

EASTER SUNDAY The Ladykillers A Knights Tale Sun 23 6.00 Director: Alexander Mackendrick Mon 24 7.30 Starring: Peter Sellers, , Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom, In celebration of who Danny Green, Katie Johnson, Jack died in January. Warner, Frankie Howard “This is a deeply silly film... And yet Certificate: U I came out of the cinema with a great Duration: 97 mins big grin on my face. It’s somehow Origin: UK 1955 very entertaining, and its bizarre, in- By: Optimum Releasing your-face anachronisms are carried off with such insouciance, such We searched for a classic family cheerful effrontery, that you can’t film (still in print) for Easter help indulging them.” (Peter Sunday and found this gem. Bradshaw, Guardian 2001). Mackendrick and Ealing’s resident We had the same grin. From Chaucer American writer William Rose (Bettany) being found naked on a collaborated again on this, their last, hillside having lost his shirt possibly the most enduring and one of gambling, to Sewell’s nastier than the best known of all the Ealing nasty Black Knight, through to Comedies. The sheer blackness of the mediaeval jousting set to Freddie central concept is barely disguised by Mercury and David Bowie, it is the accomplished farce which fabulous. surrounds it. Katie Johnson, the “He (Ledger) also holds his own innocent hostess to a gang who find it against two British screen easier to silence each other than her, kleptomaniacs who will steal any proves resistant to all shades of scene their in… You cannot science, strategy and brute force as underestimate the charisma ballast she unwittingly and beautifully foils a you need not to be swept away by criminal getaway, which never gets strong idiosyncratic performances as further than St Pancras. A finely these (Bettany and Sewell), and the wrought image of the time (1955). fact that he is a plausible romantic Charles Barr suggested the gang hero who also knows how to bounce represents the first post-war Labour the laughs back at them - a Director: Brain Helgeland government! Apparently, after this considerable performance.” Starring: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Mackendrick immediately upped for (Adam Mars-Jones BBCR4 Jan 08) Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany America and the darker ironies of Come, it is great fun from start to Certificate: 12A Sweet Smell Of Success! finish and it saves going over Duration: 132 mins That’s the history. This is now. Come Brokeback Mountain again. Better to Origin: USA 2001 and see how fresh it is. celebrate a life through laughter than cowboy tears, don’t you think? By: Sony Pictures Releasing 16 Box Office: 01442 877759 MARCH EVENINGS

Away from Her Tue 25 7.30 Before The Devil Knows Wed 26 7.30, Thu 27 7.30 Director: Sarah Polley You’re Dead Starring: Julie Christie, Michael Murphy, Gordon Pinsent, Olympia Sidney Lumet may be 83 but his Dukakis new film – the best he has made Certificate: 12A for some time – looks like the work Duration: 109 mins of a much younger man. It’s a Origin: Canada 2007 thriller about a robbery that turns By: Metrodome Distributors into a colossal mess. We’ve seen many such before, but in Already awarded (and an Oscar?) this case the robbery involves an for a beautiful 66 year old Julie entire family and the result is even Christie in this overlooked film of more traumatic for it. middle-aged love. We had it here Businessman Andy (Phillip Seymour first in June 07. Hoffman) has a drug habit and wants There are some startling women this out of his boring job and into a year. Hope it’s not an empty token. Brazilian adventure. So he persuades This intelligent directorial debut from Hank, his feckless and cash-strapped actress Sarah Polley is adapted from a “baby” brother (Ethan Hawke), to short story by Alice Munro - a New rob a jewellery store owned by their Yorker short story through and parents (Rosemary Harris and Albert through - all quiet lyricism and Finney). No one will be harmed, the emotional restraint (as was store is fully insured and the brothers Brokeback Mountain). will share the loot between them. Grant (Pinsent) and Fiona (Christie) Uh oh, Hank can’t do anything are a long-married couple in their right…. golden years, still in love and “It’s a heist thriller-meets-Greek connected to each other in every way. tragedy” (Guardian) Torrents of guilt and regret stir when “Perhaps the movie is too long at two Fiona insists on being put into care as Director: Sidney Lumet hours, but that is an old Lumet her memory begins to slip. Starring: , Ethan trait…” (Standard) There, one seemingly well-meaning Hawke, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, So what? Let’s indulge the old Dog but awful decision turns everybody’s Marisa Tomei Day bugger in his late afternoon. lives upside down… Certificate: 15 “It avoids the clichés and high drama Duration: 123 mins of films about a long-loving couple Origin: USA 2007 succumbing to illness. There’s no By: Entertainment Film Distribution tugging at heartstrings… but seems inaccurate as a portrayal of dementia” “Julie Christie, has seldom been better… through her, small glimpses of awareness are snuffed out, little by little…” (mixed crits) Critics, awards? As always, you will decide. MARCH EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 17

Director: Jason Reitman 4 Months, 3 Starring: Ellen Page, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Michael Cera Weeks and 2 Days Certificate: 12A Mon 31 7.30 Duration: 95mins Juno Origin: USA 2007 By: Twentieth Century Fox Fri 28 7.30, Sat 29 7.00, Sun 30 6.00 The second film from Reitman looks likely to be one of the most enjoyable of the year. Juno MacGuff (Page, “Get over the fact that it’s the most whose Hard Candy girl had people depressing subject imaginable fainting in the audience) a bright (illegal abortion in Ceausescu’s teenager with a fine sardonic wit, finds ), this Cannes-winner is a herself pregnant after first time sex genuine revelation, brilliantly with her classmate Paulie Bleeker crafted and acted, superbly (Cera). With the aid of her best friend and the small ads she finds her unborn observed, subtle and as exciting as child a set of ‘perfect’ parents: an any thriller” (Bradshaw, Guardian) affluent suburban couple, Mark and “Who would have thought a small Vanessa (Bateman and Garner) who Romanian film, made for £200,000, are longing to adopt. However, things would not only win the Palme d’Or aren’t quite as straightforward as they but the International Critics Award as seem and she faces some tough best film of the year? decisions as she flirts with adulthood ’s brilliant little tale and figures out where she fits. set in the last years of Ceaucescu’s A film of heart-warming depth with a vile regime, deserves the praise frequently hilarious script, it offers a heaped upon it. It could hardly be whip-smart observation of teenage life. better told. (Standard) Altogether now… who gives a flying “Marinca gives a wonderful teenage **** ? performance as Otilia, who puts I wanted to like Thank You for herself in harm’s way to aid her Smoking more than I did. I don’t want friend. (If her face is familiar, she to like this at all. It is hyped to the pain was in David Yates’ Sex Traffic and threshold and it’s about spotty, trendy Coppola’s Youth Without Youth). clever-arsed American teenies. I want Mungiu’s direction looks plain but is, to hate it and hope I do and you too. in fact, precise and well-judged.” (Time Out) “This exceptional, masterful piece of film-making combines social realism, political comment and nail-biting tension” (Times) Critics agreeing, especially in the gushing with praise dept, is never pretty nor a good sign… Remember Dylan wasn’t there but Jesse James was, was and was…

Director: Cristian Mungiu Starring: Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Certificate: 15 Duration: 113 mins Origin: Romania 2007 By: Artificial Eye MARCH LISTINGS AND COMING SOON

Coming Soon MARCH FILMS AT A GLANCE Please check times carefully and watch out for early shows. New releases SAT 1 ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS 2.00 There will be Blood SAT 1 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN 7.00 Caramel SUN 2 AN OFFICER & A GENTLEMAN 6.00 The Other Boleyn Girl MON 3 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN 2.00, 7.30 Don’t Touch The Axe TUE 4 EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN 12.30 The Lady Vanishes TUE 4 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN 7.30 WED 5 THE KITE RUNNER 2.00, 7.30 Back by demand THU 6 THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE 2.00 Diving Bell and the THU 6 THE KITE RUNNER 7.30 Butterfly FRI 7 THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE 7.30 The Band’s Visit SAT 8 ENCHANTED 2.00 SAT 8 THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE 7.00 SUN 9 AMERICAN GANGSTER 6.00 Don’t Touch The Axe MON 10 ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE 2.00 MON 10 BATTLE FOR HADITHA 7.30 TUE 11 BRICK LANE 12.30 TUE 11 CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR 7.30 WED 12 THE SAVAGES 2.00, 7.30 THU 13 SIDEWAYS 2.00 THU 13 THE SAVAGES 7.30 FRI 14 SWEENEY TODD 7.30 SAT 15 THE WATERHORSE 2.00 SAT 15 SWEENEY TODD 7.00 The Other Boleyn Girl SUN 16 SWEENEY TODD 6.00 MON 17 SWEENEY TODD 2.00 MON 17 DIVING BELL & THE BUTTERFLY 7.30 TUE 18 DIVING BELL & THE BUTTERFLY 12.30, 7.30 WED 19 DIVING BELL & THE BUTTERFLY 2.00, 7.30 THU 20 THE BUCKET LIST 2.00 THU 20 DIVING BELL & THE BUTTERFLY 7.30 FRI 21 THE BUCKET LIST 7.30 There will be blood SAT 22 GOLDEN COMPASS 2.00 SAT 22 THE BUCKET LIST 7.00 SUN 23 THE LADYKILLERS 6.00 MON 24 A KNIGHTS TALE 7.30 TUE 25 EARTH 12.30 TUE 25 AWAY FROM HER 7.30 WED 26 WINGED MIGRATION 2.00 WED 26 BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD 7.30 THU 27 FINDING NEMO 2.00 THU 27 BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD 7.30 FRI 28 JUNO 7.30 SAT 29 AZUR AND ASMAR 2.00 SAT 29 JUNO 7.00 SUN 30 JUNO 6.00 MON 31 JUNO 2.00 Caramel MON 31 4 MONTHS 3 WEEKS & 2 DAYS 7.30 MARCH MATINEES

ALL MATINEES: Balcony £5.00 • Table seats £6.50 • Royal Box seats £10.00 20 Box Office: 01442 877759 MARCH MATINEES

Alvin and The No Country for Eat Drink Man Chipmunks Old Men Woman Sat 1 2.00 Mon 3 2.00 Tue 4 12.30

Director: Tim Hill Director: Ang Lee Starring: , Justin Long Starring: Sihung Lung, Yu-Wen Certificate: U Wang, Chien-Lien Wu, Kuei-Mei Yang Duration: 91 mins Certificate: PG Origin: USA 2007 Duration: 123 mins By: Twentieth Century Fox Origin: Taiwan 2007 By: Park Circus Films Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are back in director Tim Hill’s Retired Master Chef Chu lives in a computer-animation/live-action large house in Taipei with his three hybrid following the further It’s 1970s small-town Texas. A unmarried daughters, Jia- Jen, a adventures of the world’s most Vietnam vet stumbles across a bag chemistry teacher converted to adorable singing trio… of middle-of-nowhere cash. Christianity, Jia-Chien, an airline Very silly and funny. Enter Javier Bardem’s bad-hair, coin- executive, and Jia-Ning, a student tossing killer in cold pursuit… who also works in a fast food Coen’s - business as usual. restaurant. “Harrelson delivers an icy cameo as Life in the house revolves around the the corrupt private dick. Tommy Lee ritual of an elaborate dinner each plays weary seen-it-all sheriff who Sunday, and the love lives of all the doesn’t miss a trick.” (Times) Better family members. than all weary seen-it-all sheriffs. It is as simple as that. There isn’t “The beauty is that it is Cormac’s much to it or anything more to say, words throughout… A great story except it is Ang Lee and there’s teller… it doesn’t go in the extemp… bound to be sex. Faithful to the book plus the highest He paints slow pictures, beautifully level of acting… Are we going to and always with an edge… change Cormac McCarthy??? (No Come and watch paint and be edged jokes). Its his words, they don’t need (who knows how) on a Tuesday to be changed. Speeches were all afternoon… taken verbatim from the book as are the descriptions of the scenes. The garrotting-cycling scene is straight from the book…” “Preparations – storyboard most important - everything is prepared to the frame… but (serious-ish) always willing and/open to change on set…? The dialogue is right from the book… ‘We were just following instructions’” (Joel and Ethan one at a time and interrupting - from a BBC The World Service interview Jan 2008) Waited nearly a year for this, so don’t miss.

Director: Coen Brothers Starring: Tommy Jones, , Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin Certificate: 15 Duration: 122 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Paramount International Pictures MARCH MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 21

The Kite Runner Things We Lost In Enchanted Wed 5 2.00 The Fire Sat 8 2.00 Wed Matinee Warning: May contain babies Thu 6 2.00

Director: Susanne Bier Starring: Halle Berry, David Duchovny, Benicio Del Toro Certificate: 15 Duration: 118 mins Origin: USA 2008 By: Paramount International Pictures Classic Disney animation meets Audrey Burke (Berry) had it all: A glorious afternoon in Kabul and contemporary urban chaos when a a stunning home in a prosperous the skies are filled with the princess is banished from her suburb, two happy children and a exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting magical animated homeland to to devoted husband, Brian tournament. But in the aftermath of the unforgiving metropolis of New (Duchovny). He was successful and the day’s victory, one boy’s fearful act Yo rk . Princess Giselle (Adams, an unquestioningly committed to his of betrayal will mark two lives Oscar nominee for Junebug) lives in family and friends. So when he is forever and set in motion an epic and the blissful cartoon world of Andalasia, killed in a random incident, the lives perilous quest for redemption… where magical beings frolic freely and of his wife, family and friends are With much of Kabul destroyed, musical interludes punctuate every understandably blown apart. Forster used a region of China to interaction. She is engaged to the Attempting to come to terms with her stand in for Amir’s childhood Kabul handsome Prince Edward (Marsden) grief, Audrey seeks out Brian’s “The [Afghan] people felt it was a but fate takes a turn for the worse childhood friend and favourite lost love letter to Afghanistan”? when the villainous Queen Narissa cause, the long-term addict Jerry (Del PS It’s too late. The time to be scared (Sarandon) banishes her … Toro). Although previously critical of was when the yanks thought they “Enchanted embodies the best the needy friend, Audrey hopes that could play chess! Crushing traditions of Disney - while gently he might hold the key to turning her ‘communism’ at ALL costs fooled us mocking its legacy… She (Adams) can life around. As with her two films the all (see Charlie Wilson’s War). play both toughness and wide-eyed most most fabulous Susanne Bier We knew nothing of it. Now we’re innocence, with finely calibrated explores with characteristic insight alright; we have ‘facebook’. timing to make her a great screen and with a distinctly European Kabul, beautiful for centuries, is now comedienne… hers is the star-making sensibility how lives are transformed a deliberate wasteland chained to the performance of this year.” (Telegraph) by tragic events. Middle Ages. “The best adult romantic comedy and “Del Toro proves utterly magnetic in Happily, the beards have chosen not to child’s fairy tale we’ve had for a long a character perfectly suited to his use medieval weaponry, except for time. shambolic demeanour and eccentric torture of course. The West was/is It’s the sheer force of her (Adams) line readings.” (Channel 4) always happy to supply weapons of compelling charm that makes “Berry shows that Monster’s Ball was mass destruction, torture trinkets and Enchanted so enchanting’ (Times) no fluke. She never overplays, her real ale. “It is sentimental, quite silly and quiet desperation is measured and Now instantly www’d comfortably determinedly old-style Disney, while subtle… A sombre film, but never a from home, we are more impotent maintaining a gentle knowing and depressing… here is a director who than when Hitler became vice- ironic touch.” (Standard). wants to do more than just send us chancellor or when Hannibal crossed Fab in Feb, magic in March. comfortably home.” (Standard) the fucking Alps. Bring grandparents… everybody’s.

Director: Kevin Lima Director: Marc Forster Starring: Patrick Dempsey, Amy Starring: Zekeria Ebrahimi, Khalid Adams, Susan Sarandon, James Abdalla, Ahmad Mahmidzada Marsden Certificate: 12A Certificate: PG Duration: 128 mins Duration: 108 mins Origin: USA 2007 Origin: USA 2007 By: Paramount International Pictures By: Buena Vista International 22 Box Office: 01442 877759 MARCH MATINEES

Elizabeth: The Brick Lane The Savages Golden Age Tue 11 12.30 Wed 12 2.00 Mon 10 2.00 Wed Matinee Warning: May contain babies Director: Sarah Gavron Starring: Satish Kaushik, Christopher Simpson, Tannishtha Chatterjee Certificate: 15 Duration: 101 mins Origin: UK 2007 By: Optimum Releasing “Subjects seldom aired – ageing, This is Sarah Gavron’s adaptation compromise, death – take centre of Monica Ali’s Booker-nominated stage capturing well the short-cuts first novel. to affection and irritation that Returning to their roles, Blanchett It is faithful to the book though intimacy brings.” (Time Out) and Rush play their ruffs off in this inevitably, less subtle and wide- It takes the unglamorous subject of captivating, if unreliable, historical ranging. Its characterisations are ageing and turns it into something thriller laced with treachery and simpler, but its focus on the struggles witty and wise. romance. Joining them is ship’s of a young Bangladeshi woman Wendy Savage (Linney) is an plank, Clive Owen as Sir Walter saddled with an arranged marriage in aspiring playwright who temps while Raleigh. Elizabeth is facing bloodlust a foreign land remains the same. applying for grants without success. over her throne, family betrayal and She, Nazneen (Chatterjee) is She is single, but embroiled in an an open challenge from Philip II of seventeen and beautiful. He is affair with a married man. Her Spain. As she prepares for war and neither. From a sunny Bangladeshi brother Jon (Seymour Hoffman) is a crushes enemies and traitors, she village childhood to a block of flats college professor specialising in cannot balance her duties with a in east London with a grown man she Brecht’s alienation theories. He has a tantalizing, unexpected and has never met. girlfriend, but – it’s got no chance. vulnerable urge for Raleigh. Unable Pining for her birthplace and her The siblings have little contact with to act on her feelings, the silly Queen sister, she struggles to make sense of each other, until their ageing and encourages her favourite lady-in- it all. Worse, the terrifying duty to an estranged father is dying. waiting to befriend him… to keep unknown husband, who sorely tests Forced to find a way of caring for a him near? her compliance. Nazneen submits as parent who never cared much for “All spectacle, dazzling, over-the-top she must, devoting her life to raising them, they have to face up to the opulence, fabulous frocks and her family and resisting the demons discomfort of their own relationship. (ridiculous) hair. Every shot of discontent. Until Karim, a hot- “Hoffman and Linney hit every beat, composed like an oil painting (not headed local man, bursts into her life. underplay it so perfectly that unlike Zhang Yimou’s flying Against a background of escalating crumpled, bittersweet truths continue circuses)… you will long for a racial tension, they embark on an to surface.” (TO) moment of peace in this visual affair which finally forces Nazneen to “It’s a bit neat and tidy with some battering…” (Times, Knowledge) take control of her life. There are no off-the-peg touches (cue words of Cate Blanchett is a miracle of heroes or villains, only people… wisdom from an African nurse).” uncertain beauty and absolute “unfashionably gentle, human, (Knowledge, Times) conviction, as always. Geoffrey can optimistic” (Guardian) “a triumph – an impeccably acted and do no wrong. Samantha Morton’s beautifully observed study of the end gorgeous breathing is all too short- of life, spiked with refreshingly lived and Clive’s Raleigh is all spud irreverent humour… never and no tobacco. mawkish.”(Times) Don’t miss.

Director: Shekhar Kapur Director: Tamara Jenkins Starring: Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Starring: Laura Linney, Phillip Samantha Morton, Seymour Hoffman, Philip Bosco Certificate: 12A Certificate: 15 Duration: 115 mins Duration: 114 mins Origin: USA 2007 Origin: USA 2006 By: Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd By: Twentieth Century Fox MARCH MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 23

Sideways The Waterhorse Sweeney Todd Thu 13 2.00 Sat 15 2.00 Mon 17 2.00

Director: Director: Tim Burton Starring: Sandra Oh, Marylouise Starring: Johnny Depp, Alan Burke, , Thomas Haden Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, Church, Virginia Madsen Timothy Spall Certificate: 15 Certificate: 18 Duration: 127 mins Duration: 116 mins Origin: USA 2005 Origin: UK/USA 2007 By: Twentieth Century Fox By: Warner Brothers

Back for a matinee, this was one of Take a Victorian tupenny- the favourite films of our first year. melodrama, let Sondheim turn into a A lonely boy, Angus, vows to Everybody loved it. If there is musical thriller. Simmer for thirty protect the strange hatchling as it demand we’ll show it one evening in years. Enter Tim Burton and hey presto emerges from a mysterious egg he April or May. No forget demand, 120 years later its on the big screen. So found on the shore of a Scottish we’ll show it anyway. what is all the fuss about? You’ll have loch in Russell’s adaptation of Dick As often happens, two very different to come and see. Embittered for being King-Smith’s children’s novel. people can make the greatest friends. wrongly imprisoned and determined to The bizarre creature comes to be Here one is a bull headed go-getting avenge the grim fate that befell his called a ‘Water Horse’. womanizer on his last week of wife and daughter, Johnny returns As it grows at an alarming rate, it freedom before marriage, the other a home, changes his name and opens a becomes obvious that Angus will not lovelorn academic, would-be writer barbers shop. However a quick trim be able to keep it a secret for very and wine lover. Many accolades. will leave you nothing for the weekend, long. Much talked about. But an Oscar sir! So he became known as ‘The The government develops a (2005) for Best Adapted Screenplay Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ by the particularly keen interest in these hardly describes the warmth of this terrified locals, whom nevertheless Highland shenanigans. overheard conversation between two loved Mrs Lovett’s (Bonham Carter) So when Captain Hamilton luke-warm grown men who still don’t succulent ‘meat’ pies… (Morrissey) of the Royal Navy know what any of it is about. Top “This macabre musical, their sixth arrives to investigate, the boy has to performances from Giamatti as the partnership, has Depp’s demon barber do some seriously quick thinking to charismatically challenged, anal, wine wielding razors (like extensions of his keep his new-found friend out of the expert and the Arnie lookalike, arms). “Shocking but exhilarating, is hands of scientists and get it back to . The whole this the first 18 certificate musical?” the aquatic home where it belongs. film is one fabulous comic-tragic- (Observer) Shades of the Loch Ness monster as happy-sad moment where nothing is A flat middle section contrasts with the a young whipper-snapper. played for laughs, but you wet atmospheric opening and spectacular A ‘what if’ of the highest caliber. yourself. Virginia Madsen brilliantly finale but mostly this is grand-scale Good CGI and fabulous Scottish underplays her role as the seen/heard- studio-work at its most beguiling… scenery on the big screen. it-all Maya who gently woos A great deal bloodier than most Fight your grandchildren for a seat… Giamatti’s Miles out of his misery musicals, Burton’s beautifully crafted and back again… Compelling. direction feels like a kids’ film – not Nothing much seems to happen while for children! The Hulk, meets Fred everything does. West!” (Time Out)

Director: Jay Russell Starring: Ben Chaplin, Alex Etel, Emily Watson, David Morrissey Certificate: PG Duration: 111 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Sony Pictures Releasing 24 Box Office: 01442 877759 MARCH MATINEES

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly The Bucket List Tue 18 12.30, Wed 19 2.00 Thu 20 2.00 Director: Rob Reiner Wed Matinee Warning: May contain babies Starring: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman Freeman star as two terminally ill Certificate: 12A cancer patients who decide to break Duration: 97 mins out of the hospital and live their Origin: USA 2007 last days to the fullest in Reiner’s By: Warner Brothers ‘serio-comic’ road movie. Billionaire Edward (Nicholson) and mechanic Carter (Freeman) are sharing a hospital room. Schnabel’s third feature recounts Though initially they seem to have the remarkable true story of Jean- nothing in common, conversation Dominique Bauby (Amalric), gradually reveals that they both have charismatic editor of French Elle a long list of things to do before they magazine, who at the age of 43 ‘kick the bucket’. suffered a stroke that rendered his When they make a break for it with brain stem inactive. He awoke from their checklist: gambling in Monte a coma to find himself a victim of Carlo, women, fast cars, exploring the locked-in syndrome: mentally alert world they’ve so far missed, etc “the but physically paralysed. His only two men also forge a truly remarkable means of communicating was by friendship.” My arse. It is an all- blinking his left eye. He was forced to expenses-paid Jack romp with look into himself for two other things expensive locations, pretty girls (on & that weren’t paralysed, his off-set) and a few drinks… imagination and his memory. Come just for these and laugh as He learned a blinking code for each much as it makes you. letter of the alphabet and (through Who cares if it’s irritating, it didn’t devoted women) painstakingly told stop Atonement. this profound story. “The performance of Mathieu Amalric as Bauby (once reserved for Johnny Depp!) is as honest as anyone could wish, whether frozen to his bed and voicing his exasperated thoughts or as the seemingly healthy young tyro from Elle.” (Derek Malcolm) “It’s a gorgeously atmospheric and deeply affecting piece of work” (Times) The faces, the screenplay, the language, the camera… and that music, will move you beyond where you want to go. Don’t miss a second, then come and see it again.

Director: Julian Schnabel Starring: Marie-Josee Croze, Anne Consigny, Emmanuelle Seigner, Mathieu Amalric Certificate: 12A Duration: 112 mins Origin: France 2008 By: Pathe Distribution MARCH MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 25

The Golden Earth Winged Migration Compass Sat 22 2.00 Tue 25 12.30 Wed 26 2.00 Wed Matinee Warning: May contain babies

Directors: Mark Linfield, Alastair Fothergill Starring: Patrick Stewart, David Attenborough Certificate: PG Duration: 99 mins Origin: UK 2007 By: Lionsgate Films UK

This tiny precious place we and the other creatures in this film call Based on Philip Pullman’s award- home, is fragile. winning trilogy: His Dark It shows how it all started by Materials, The Golden Compass is ‘accident’. And nothing will destroy a fantasy adventure. In a parallel it as long as these beautiful creatures world where people’s souls manifest remain here. Five billion years ago an themselves as small animals, where asteroid crashed to Earth, tilting the talking ice-bears fight wars and planet by 23.5 degrees. This cosmic accident created the world we know children mysteriously disappear, 12- An Oscar nominee, it is visually today. year-old Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards ravishing and an amazing feat of In the Arctic, a polar bear family – poor kid until she opens her mouth, camera work. Startling close-ups awakes to the first sunlight of spring. then poor us) sets out on an and beautiful long tracking aerial Will they find food before the ice extraordinary quest to rescue her shots follow these birds south for the starts to melt? friend. winter. It tells us that over hundreds Half a world away, an elephant “This beautifully made, spectacularly and thousands of air miles are mother and her calf must share designed family movie asks serious navigated by the stars, the sun, the precious water with a pride of lions. questions about good and evil, free earth’s gravitational field and best of Will their uneasy truce last? will and adolescent sexuality” all - familiar landmarks! For the final part of the journey, we (Standard) Hmmm. Apparently, 225 feet of film were follow a humpback whale mother. “It’s a convoluted, enjoyable, very exposed for every foot used on the She must keep her calf safe on their mad, deeply conservative and, at one screen! 6000 km migration to Antarctica. moment, horribly violent “Some birds were raised to be the Filmed in high definition, this is an extravaganza…. Kidman steals the stars of the film; they were exposed unforgettable journey through the show - pure blonde evil… hear the to the sounds of aeroplanes and changing seasons and the daily crackle of her stockings as she movie cameras while still in the shell, struggles of and for life across the sashays threateningly on to the screen and upon hatching, were greeted by Earth. It’s alright children, all these - a ridiculous coupling of Darth crew members!” (how terrifying for creatures will live happily ever after. Vader and Veronica Lake…” (PB the newborns ). Guardian) Shots were taken from microlights, If nothing else, come for 007’s hot air balloons and gliders. Happily school-gates beard. Oddly 12A is a the film lets the pictures tell the story. ‘provisional certificate’. So bring The light narration does not distract your provisional twelve year olds (but from the breathtaking visuals. don’t let them read this). Apart from passing predators this it is a beautiful flight.

Director: Chris Weitz Starring: Nicole Kidman, Eva Director: Jacques Cluzaud, Michel Green, , Daniel Craig Debats Certificate: 12A Certificate: U Duration: 114 mins Duration: 89 mins Origin: USA 2007 Origin: France 2002 By: Entertainment Film Distribution By: Sony Pictures Releasing 26 Box Office: 01442 877759 MARCH MATINEES

Finding Nemo Azur and Asmar Juno Thu 27 2.00 Sat 29 2.00 Mon 31 2.00

Director: Andrew Stanton Director: Jason Reitman Starring: Geoffrey Rush, Willem Starring: Ellen Page, Jennifer Dafoe, Garner, Jason Bateman, Michael Cera Certificate: U Certificate: 12A Duration: 104mins Duration: 95mins Origin: USA 2003 Origin: USA 2007 By: Buena Vista International By: Twentieth Century Fox

You know the story so come and see The second film from Reitman looks it on the big screen in these early likely to be one of the most enjoyable Easter holidays. of the year. Juno MacGuff (Page, Marlin, Nemo’s dad, loses him and whose Hard Candy girl had people sets out to find him. The adventure is fainting in the audience) a bright endless, heartstopping and funny. teenager with a fine sardonic wit, finds There are clown fish, sharks, tortoises herself pregnant after first time sex and a pelican. with her classmate Paulie Bleeker As Marlin searches for his son, he (Cera). With the aid of her best friend and the small ads she finds her unborn makes friends with a friendly but Once upon a time there were two absent-minded Regal Blue Tang child a set of ‘perfect’ parents: an children who were brought up by affluent suburban couple, Mark and named Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a the same woman, a nurse: her own Great White Shark named Bruce Vanessa (Bateman and Garner) who son Asmar, the dark-skinned and are longing to adopt. However, things (Barry Humphries – Dame Edna - ask dark-eyed one and Azur a blond, your parents) who is trying to cut fish aren’t quite as straightforward as they blue-eyed son of a nobleman. seem and she faces some tough out of his diet, a beach-rat Sea As they grow up the nurse tells them Tortoise named Crush (Andrew decisions as she flirts with adulthood many enchanting stories but their and figures out where she fits. A film Stanton), and Nigel (Geoffrey Rush), favourite one is about the Djinn a Pelican who can take Marlin’s of heart-warming depth with a waiting to be released from captivity frequently hilarious script, it offers a search from the ocean to dry land. by a good and heroic prince. Listen out for , Allison whip-smart observation of teenage life. One dark day Azur’s father cruelly Altogether now… who gives a flying Janney, and Eric (better heard than separates the boys. He sends Azur to seen) Bana (but only just). teenage **** ? the city for a private education and I wanted to like Thank You for Come, bring whole families. It’s what banishes the nurse and Asmar from Smoking more than I did. I don’t want the film is about…and its fabulous on his home. Some years later Azur sets to like this at all. It is hyped to the pain the big screen… out on a long journey to find the threshold and it’s about spotty, trendy nurse and Asmar. clever-arsed American teenies. I want When they are finally reunited, it to hate it and hope I do and you too. becomes clear that Azur and Asmar will compete against each other to be the first one to rescue the Djinn. Fantastic stuff. Might be a little complicated for the under 6s, but they can always fidget or sleep.

Director: Michael Ocelot Certificate: U Duration: 100mins Origin: France 2006 By: Soda Pictures DEAR MRS TRELLIS... www.therexcinema.com Rants and Pants Obituary BOX OFFICE PHONE CALL 4TH FEB Box office: “I’d happily tell you if you stop being so patronising.” man was asking how he’s Customer: “I don’t think I’m being “suppose to get patronising I am just trying to do Ainformation” from our web YOU a favour!” site when he couldn’t get on it Box Office (Jemma afterwards): “I was determined not to be rude back Box office: “Sorry we have been and resisted putting the phone down. having some problems with our Though I would have loved to have website for the last 3 days… We are told him where he could stick it…” aware and are working on it…” Customer: “Well DEAR I’m What you see in Rs&Ps each month phoning to tell you your web site is all there is! There might be one or hasn’t been working for the last 2 two a week. We choose between the Heath Ledger died 22 January aged weeks. I tried to access it 2 weeks animated and the obnoxious. 28. Very sad and a terrible waste. ago and it wasn’t working.” Compared with the thousands of “There’s always hypocrisy in our (We’re not sure of this. Apparently it normal enquiries a week, it is mourning of the beautiful dead. was updated about 4 days before. miniscule, as are they. They’re in a glass coffin. It is checked daily. This is how we Recording artists live on but film knew it was down. Sorry we couldn’t As for the website, I have tried to actors become their work the way nobody else does. We can see and ‘post it’ on the website to tell you it care. Now, succumbing to the hear them caught in time, time and was down.) children (and the two lovely ladies time again. Even when they’re Customer: “So how am I suppose from Hackney) a new one is being much younger than us… somehow to find out what’s sold out DEAR ‘designed’ and will be ready when they outlast us” When I can’t get on your web page the techno-mules have stopped (Adam Mars-Jones on Heath Ledger BBC Jan 2008) (all said in a horrid tone)?” getting very excited indeed.

The nursery is waking up Perennials are emerging and looking fresh Buds are swelling on the shrubs and trees and the Bulbs are looking oh so pretty!

LittleLittle HeathHeath Farm,Farm, LittleLittle HeathHeath Lane,Lane, PottenPotten End,End, BerkhamstedBerkhamsted HP4HP4 2RY2RY Tel:Tel: 0144201442 864951864951 FromFrom BerkhamstedBerkhamsted taketake thethe A4251A4251 towardstowards BourneBourne End.End. AtAt BourneBourne EndEnd ChurchChurch turnturn leftleft intointo LittleLittle HeathHeath LaneLane.Lane.. FollowFollow thethe lanelane forfor aboutabout aa milemile andand aa halfhalf andand LittleLittle HeathHeath FarmFarm willwill bebe onon youryour right.right. OPENOPEN 10-510-5 EVERYEVERY DAYDAY DEAR MRS TRELLIS... www.therexcinema.com

LITTLE BOXES ON THE HILLSIDE… usp for opportunist sales. It makes no difference to me what a man nce more The Rex is does for a living you understand, being used to sell houses. as long as he doesn’t use me OThis time at Stag Lane, without pay or permission. where talked-up designs will Bellway has used the Rex in its make you feel local with thirty six sales campaign without posh unit names: permission. The Winkwell, The Tringford, The They may have presumed it would Boxmoor, etc. But curiously no be okay but failed to ask. If they The Hemel? The thirty seventh is had, the answer would have been just called ‘Affordable Housing’. No! In total 150 plus the Affordables. So they went ahead. Hence we That’s all fine and I’m sure they have a conflict of interests. are using the very best materials Not only are we featured in their and most expensive, elite local glossy sales brochure with words expertise, but it has nothing to do lifted straight from our with us at The Rex. copyrighted material (see big pic), I have made it very clear the Rex but also in full view in the front wants nothing to do with the window of Aitchesons (small pic). buying and selling of ‘properties’ I can’t see Waitrose/Tesco in any and will never endorse its use of their material. Uncharacteristic either to hike up prices or as some of developers generally, Bellgate may have believed by the time anyone catches on, it’ll be too late and they’ll have got away with it. Clearly, The Rex is not an island. On the contrary, it is very much part of Berkhamsted, the THIS IS NOT AN ADVERT community and for miles around. We don’t advertise. ur prog/Magazine has a readership of over 35,000. OWe have trouble holding on to an archive box, 32 page full-colour, of 15,000 print run… EVERY month. But as a businessman, I’m willing to do business. So let’s say: either recall all your current brochures naming us as an asset to your Locks development at Stag Lane and take us out of Aitchesons window or pay for it. Like you I’m a reasonable man, not greedy. Hence a modest percentage on all sales will do. PS Are you planning to build a school for all the new kids your Locks will bring/produce? Oh yes one more… What does ‘Affordable’ mean? And what is its opposite? Look forward to your call.