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MAGAZINE

JANUARY 2007 ISSUE 22 www.therexcinema.com

GABRIELLE WHAT’S ON IN JANUARY...

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

BOOKINGS & 01442 877759 INFORMATION Mon-Sat 10.30-6pm Sun 4.30-6.30pm To advertise email [email protected] Introduction

January Films 10-22 Gallery 5, 7 Coming Soon 22 January Films at a glance 22 Dear Mrs Trellis 25, 27 SEAT PRICES: Circle £7.00 Members & Concessions £5.50 At Table £9.00 Members & Concessions £7.50 Royal Box (seats 6) £11.00 or for the Box £60.00 Box Office: 01442 877759 Mon to Sat 10.30am – 6.00pm Sun 4.30pm – 6.30pm (Credit/Debit card booking fee 50p) Disabled and flat access: by gate on High A very relaxed before Q&A: . Here with Rose Street. Tel: 01442 877999 and Adrian Scarborough. Adrian brought him to celebrate the Rex’s 2nd anniversary (5 Dec 06). He was delightful, charming and brilliant on stage, Some of the girls and boys you see at the Box chatted with Adrian for over an hour and answered audience questions. Office and Bar: So relaxed, he was almost lying down by the end. A magical evening. Daniel Anderson Beth Hannaway Christine Fressineau Jo Littlejohn Welcome to 2007 – Happy New Year Keymea Yazdanian Olivia Palmer Jemma Gask Jeremy Read just heard someone say how lovely it is that the Rex is here… “It has given Olivia Glasser us something to look forward to in January…” As compliments go, this Sally Thorpe In charge Imust be one of the best. Alun Rees Chief projectionist (Original) January, following so flatly and coldly behind the Christmas climax, is Jon Waugh 1st assistant projectionist probably the most dreaded month of the year. So turning it into something to Martin Coffill Part-time assistant look forward to is truly extraordinary. If filling an empty January with some projectionist excitement and even a little hope, is the only thing the Rex has done, it is Jacquie Rose Chief Box Office & Bar Greg Tomkins Film director enough. At the risk of gloating, we like it here too.

Jane Clucas & Lynn Hendry We’ve had most of the best new releases over our first two years, with many PR/Marketing/FoH more to come. Alonside an endless list of favourites, classics and foreign- language films, the programme remains a glorious jumble. Laurence Wiper Bar supervisor Inevitably, there have been quite a few turkies. Here are some. Ian Muirhead Accountant Children of Men, I hated from start to finish. Much of the acting involved 1st Alan Lambourne Caretaker year drama workshop-shouting, which made even Clive Owen look good. I hoped I wouldn’t, but knew I would despair at Death of Mr Lazarescu. Resident creative builders Long tedious hand-held shots of nothing happening were more depressing than Darren Flindall the story. Michael Glasheen We’ve had some nasty films, some self-indulgent, others plain ugly but all Artists should have gone straight to video or left on the cutting room floor: Andrew Dixon Wolf Creek Paul Rowbottom The Descent (“Chicks with picks”) Advisors and Investors Little Fish Paul Fullagar Tideland Alan Clooney Hard Candy Keane Ed Mauger Genius Nine Songs Demiurge Design Designers 01582 791996 A Cock & Bull Story Allison Nunn Publisher 07786 540418 A couple of surprises which were expected to be awful – The Queen and James Hannaway CEO 01442 877999 Driving Lessons, were okay. Severance only just redeemed itself. I’m guessing Borat is likely to be the worst of the Emperor’s New Clothes. Betty Patterson Company Secretary and Wah Wah could have been made for TV, as should to Brighton, Starter THE ORIGINAL VISIONARY of The Rex. for Ten and Red Road. The Rex High Street (Three Close Lane) Berkhamsted HP4 2FG The Motor Cycle Diaries, Everything is Illuminated, The Sea Inside, The Wind www.therexcinema.com That Shakes… will return, alongside anticipated requests; Pan’s Labyrinth, Perfume, History Boys and The Page Turner. We’re hoping you will have had enough of James Bond and The Queen by February…? Would very much like to hear what is on your ‘worst’ list. GALLERY www.therexcinema.com 5 Beggars, Big Issue, and Traffic Wardens

Big Issue behind. Are they actors, students, bully. Who decided this technique state agents aside, the High defenders of the earth? Perhaps on ‘behalf’ of charities? Do the Street has a growing they’re all three and mean every charities know? Do they care? Epopulation of people to word…? If you’re lucky, some How much ends up on the charity avoid. It goes without saying the other poor soul will be caught, floor? How much in the “agency” Big Issue woman is an intimidating just in front of you. “off-shore”? pain in the arse. People now cross How did we ever let charity get Don’t think twice, ask them. the road to avoid her, or pretend to this far? Isn’t there some They’ll have pat answers, but see be on the phone/iPod. Others really aggressive ‘marketing’ company how quickly they run to find an dread walking passed Boots. behind all this? Charity? easier fish. How do you avoid her once you’ve What kind of word is it? Berkhamsted’s a seemingly rich been caught a first time? Try not What does it mean? town. Someone’s done their turning around when she shouts or These ‘actors’ are intimidating – homework. pretend it’s nothing when she all they want is your money. On recent visits to Manchester, rugby-tackles you from behind. They might live in awful condi - I didn’t see one organised It’s not your fault or duty. In the tions and be run by terror gangs tabarded beggar near the station spare-a-shilling dept, your life (Do you remember they ran those or in the city centre. Their might be just as bad. ‘Leave me poor kids who knocked on your absence was tangible on such alone’ is simple and unequivocal, door in the dark to sell you a four teeming pavements. and enough to immediately quid dish cloth?). But that’s none Berkhamsted is not rich on inform the assailant that any of your business, and yours is ordinary days, it’s full of people further and continued ‘persuasion’ none of theirs. picking up or dropping off kids, might be harassment. These ‘actors’ are paid what people out for a quick sandwich percentage of your donation? or on their way somewhere. Charity tabard beggars They have to learn that smile, talk Worst of all, those who get caught They are all too young to smile the talk, and show a thick skin. may be worse off than the tabards. and gush so much. It is like Who pays them? How do they get It is hateful. someone’s working them from here? Are they bussed-in by the Tell them to go and stand next to Ku Klux Klan to intimidate and the Bentley/Rolls/big 4W wagon and wait for the bad hair to return. If you want to walk freely don’t talk to them. Don’t say a word – walk by. “Don’t look anyone in the eye, but don’t look away either.” (The Godfather). Try it. It doesn’t take long and when you’ve learned, it’s easy. Don’t look – keep walking. Don’t speak – keep walking. If you want to support the charities they ‘represent’ – do so in your own way, in your own time. Traffic Wardens Think of odd shapes in uniform who are only “obeying orders”. Remember a year or so when parking was free for up to an Sylvia Syms (left). She was, irreverent, warm, witty and gorgeous in hour, if you were unlucky, you got Q&A: The Queen. Here with JH and her sister Joan Webb (6 Nov 06) a ticket? Now we pay and still get GALLERY www.therexcinema.com 7

a ticket – sometimes walking to the pay machine! They photo - graph your car from all angles to show your wretched offence and their brand new ticket at a rakish angle on your windscreen. Next time, why don’t you stop and ask if they’d like their picture taken, draped and pouting across the bonnet, epaulettes a little off- the-shoulder. Again, someone’s making millions – from us, the easiest targets of all… The-willing-to-pay. Broken pavement High St (10 Dec 06) They came from nowhere and are here to stay. We have no chance. However, if we all stuck together, parked anywhere and refused to pay, they might go away? But we won’t and nor will they. Though, a bit of civil disobiedience would be very nice. Pavements One of our oldest and most loyal fans, fell on the pavement in the High Street, walking to the Rex on Saturday (2nd December). She was bruised and blooded, but insisted on staying to watch the film. We looked after her, and walked her home after the show. (Above) Nancy in the gods, first lights and We may have contravened some (below right) with replica ‘original’ health and safety clause but an chandelier pre-Gatsby (Nov 2002) ambulance would have made a ridiculous fuss, in triplicate, and Tim McInnerny (right) sparkling Q&A guest ‘Severance’ (27 Oct 06) she would have missed ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ – which, on reflection, might have done her a favour. That aside, she stayed, enjoyed the show and got home safely. She was shaken but not stirred and is fine, shooing any fuss. We can’t look after everyone who falls on Dacorum Borough/Herts County Council’s pavements. Deal with it. Make it safe to walk. No need to chop down street trees. Just straighten the Baby Hamish collecting his pavements. It is that easy. matinee ticket… JANUARY FILMS JANUARY FILMS www.therexcinema.com11

The History Boys Tues 2 7.30 Starter for Ten Director: Wed 3 2.00 7.30 Starring: Stephen Campbell-Moore, Matinee Warning: May contain babies Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, This looks a lot better than it sounds. Clive Merrison It is a breath of silly fresh air. Certificate: 15 Based on David Nicholl’s bestselling Duration: 109 mins novel, this is a romantic comedy set Origin: UK 2006 in the mid-‘80s about a working-class By: Twentieth Century Fox kid (McAvoy - Mr Tumnus) The History Boys tells the story of navigating his turbulent first year at a group of bright History students university. He achieves his long-held in pursuit of undergraduate places ambition to appear on University at Oxbridge. Bounced between one Challenge to impress the luscious teacher and another, a grossly Alice (Hall). He plans to win her outnumbered History teacher and a heart through his advanced general squirming headmaster obsessed with knowledge. This is a charming results, the boys attempt to sift coming-of-age comedy about loyalty, through it all to pass the daunting social class, falling in love and the university selection process. difference between knowledge and The cast is extremely well marshalled wisdom. The film is set to an ‘80s by director Hytner (so they should be; soundtrack including New Order, The the same boys have been playing Cure and The Smiths – oh dear, for a these roles for two years in the West moment there I thought we were End). A huge Richard Griffiths has alright – never mind. The League of fantastic fun as the all-groping, Gentlemen’s Mark Gatkiss is (at last) irreverantly, queer ‘General Studies’ a hoot as original Univ Ch’ host professor. The grown-ups are fab Bamber Gascoigne. Apparently he throughout, with the brilliant Ms de hates being so like the real ultra-cool, Director: Tom Vaughan la Tour shining. The boys - are Bamber. There is justice after all… Starring: James McAvoy, Catherine teenage boys – horrible at first, then Tate, Alice Eve, Mark Gatkiss, grow on you. Never a film, more an ITV1 rom- Rebecca Hall “The real strength of this extremely com, mini series, before the nine Certificate: 12A appealing, intelligent and enjoyable o’clock watershed over three Duration: 97 mins film is Bennett’s scintillating Wednesdays. Origin: UK 2006 writing…” (City Screens). By: Icon Film Distribution Ltd What else can you expect from Alan Bennett but perfectly drawn characters, all with plenty to say. 12 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY FILMS Perfume Fri 5 7.30 Sat 6 7.00 Sun 7 6.00

A gripping adaptation of Patrick Süskind’s bestselling novel, Perfume is a fascinating tale of fixation and desire, largely in a kind of grotesque dumb-show. In mid-18th-century Paris, young Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Whishaw – best Hamlet for decades at The Old Vic, 2004), can only to determine words to speak, through their scent. He prefers not to talk at all. Added to this, his body doesn’t smell of anything at all, but his sense of smell is extraordinarily refined. Thus he is apprenticed to a perfumery (what else could he do?). Taught by the master, Baldini (Hoffman), the art of mixing scents, he soon becomes obsessed. Uh oh! Possessed by the idea of preserving human aromas, he kills girls whose scent turns him on... When he meets the beautiful Laura (Hurd-Wood), he is lost to her ‘supernatural scent’. Laura’s father, Richis (Rickman), senses his daughter is in grave danger, so a cat-and-mouse game between fatherly love and a deadly passion unfolds. Complete with one hell of an orgy somewhere in the folds. “A German director, adapting a German novel set in France, with actors speaking English, plus extensive voice-over and a near-mute protagonist who spends a lot of his time sniffing. It doesn’t exactly sound like a recipe for cinematic success. Remarkably, (director of Run Lola Run, the most innovative and exciting film of the nineties) overcomes its more awkward elements to be a visually impressive, highly unusual period thriller… It’s touch and go at times whether Twyker will be able to sustain his drama about a sniffing psycho for two-and-half hours, but with the aid of notable visuals and Suskind’s unique premise he does. “Marvellous” . Come for “the rotting fish and oysters and roses and fields of lavender”, filmed as they smell… As for Ben Wishaw’s startling Jean-Baptiste; not a false gesture… Quite miraculous.

Director: Tom Tykwer Starring: Alan Rickman, Dustin Hoffman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Ben Whishaw Certificate: 15 Duration: 147 mins Origin: France 2006 By: Pathe Distribution JANUARY FILMS www.therexcinema.com13

Danny Champion of the World Sat 6 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Gabrielle Director: Gavin Millar Mon 8 7.30 Tues 9 7.30It’s slow, it’s French, it is Isabelle Starring: Robbie Coltrane, Samuel Huppert. – It’s about two people Irons, , Cyril Cusack who love and loathe each other, and Certificate: U there’s no sex. How nice to have a Duration: 99 mins familiar, life-affirming story once in Origin: UK 1989 a while? Come and see what you By: Winstone Film Distributors already know – but in French. Set in 1911, Patrice Chéreau’s At last a children’s film set in 1950s adaptation of “Joseph Conrad’s Rural England. ‘The Return’ has none of the life- William Smith (Jeremy Irons) and his was-simpler-then reassurances, son Danny (Samuel Irons), that’s expected of costume dramas.” handy, live in a caravan on a few Awkward discussions are punctuated acres of land, making their living by with attempts to live life as normal: running a petrol station and car repair a dinner party, the rituals of eating service. When they refuse to sell up and dressing. to local landowner Hazell (big Robbie), who claims to want the land “Most satisfying is how Chéreau so that he can expand his vast decides to give equal measure to pheasant shoot, he turns nasty and dialogue, photography and music. threatens to get them out one way or A chilling orchestral score slips in another. William retaliates by taking Director: Patrice Chereau and out, and some classic, sweeping up poaching again. Danny joins in the Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Pascal camerawork uses the labyrinthine adventure… Agreat old fashioned Greggory, Claudia Coli house and its chorus of servants to adventure yarn, with beautiful scenes Certificate: 15 stress the social fallout of Gabrielle’s of English countryside summers … Duration: 90 mins decisions. Use of black and white, in when it never rained. Origin: France 2006 and out of colour, serves as a jolting By: Artificial Eye flashback mechanism”. – It could be irritating if it didn’t work so well. Come for Isabelle and Pascal’s beautifully measured performances. “Another boring, pretentious, convoluted French film”. (MIFF Melbourne International Film Fest – What would Oz know of France?) (critiques from yahoo movies, Observer and MIFF, the best from – Wally Hammond Time Out) 14 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY FILMS

Hollywoodland Snowcake Red Road Wed 10 2.00 7.30 Thu 11 7.30 Fri 12 7.30 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Director: Andrea Arnold Director: Allen Coulter Starring: Tony Curran, Kate Dickie, Starring: , Adrien Martin Compston, Nathalie Press Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck Certificate: 18 Certificate: 15 Duration: 114 mins Duration: 126 mins Origin: UK 2006 Origin: USA 2006 By: Verve By: Buena Vista International A taciturn Englishman (Rickman), This is one of a new spate of British We’ve been reading about this for just released from prison, films “telling it how it is”. Its grim, months, and for once the reading is reluctantly agrees to give a it’s winning awards, it’s a thriller. worth seeing. vivacious 19-year-old hitchhiker a Come for one of them and decide It is based on a true story about the lift – not realising that this small for yourself. mysterious death of George Reeves, decision will transform his life Jackie (Kate Dickie) works as a an actor who found fame as Superman irrevocably. Sigourney Weaver (in CCTV operator. Each day she on American television in the ‘50s. one of her finest roles) as Linda, a watches over a small part of the Apparently, he committed suicide in high-functioning autistic woman, and world, protecting the people living his Hollywood apartment in 1959. Carrie-Anne Moss, play this drama their lives under her gaze. One day a Brody is the opportunist private for all it’s worth. They have man appears on her monitor, a man detective Louis Simo, seeking to “everything to lose in the complexity she thought she would never see make a name for himself by exposing and the hard-won rewards of human again, a man she never wanted to see the corruption of the Hollywood relationships”. Whatever that means again. Now she has no choice, she is system. there’s a soundtrack from Canadian compelled to confront him. As he digs, he learns more about alternative rockers, Broken Social Reeves (for once, a superb Affleck) Scene, and some ravishing exterior “This tense and atmospheric first and his torrid affair with Toni Mannix cinematography of the Canadian feature form Andrea Arnold (ex-Zoo (Lane), wife of MGM mogul Eddie landscape, it’s not quite like any other dancer and children’s TV presenter), Mannix (Hoskins – sorry, yes its Bob film you’ll see this year. Oscared for her short film Wasp, has with another terrible accent). “Ever since Dustin Hoffman twitched a superb lead performance from Kate Presenting the dark side of the his way to an Oscar for ‘Rainman’ in Dickie as a CCTV operator who Hollywood’s allure in the ‘50s 1988 (for which Tom Cruise should follows her nemesis into bleak through the eyes of a down-at-heel have won something for keeping his Glasgow housing estate…” (DM gumshoe with a troubled past, the head down, so beautifully), autism Standard) director’s debut almost evokes the has been the subject of a many a fictional world of James Ellroy, but soggy melodrama. Thankfully not quite. director Marc Evans shows a light Apparently, it’s good but scrappy, with touch and Sigourney Weaver delivers Ben’s performance outshining the an infectious performance… usually exceptional Brody’s (but then Ultimately a deeply moving, life- he’s had to get over King-Kong). affirming tale – the many scathing Wierdest of all; Superman and one-liners are just icing on the cake” Reeve(s)…? (BBC web) It could be awful. The critics were mixed. So come for the one-liners.

Director: Marc Evans Starring: Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss Certificate: 15 Duration: 111 mins Origin: UK 2006 By: Momentum Pictures JANUARY FILMS www.therexcinema.com15

Step Up Sat 13 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Casino Royale There are three good things about Director: Anne Fletcher Sat 13 7.00 this film. Starring: Jenna Dewan, Channing Sun 14 6.00 Tatum 1. It remains loyal to Fleming’s Certificate: PG original story including a famous Duration: 103 mins closing line. Fifties Cold War Russia Origin: USA 2006 is updated to Africa, terrorism and By: Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd money laundering. A heavy knotted rope replaces the carpet beater in the “An aspiring ballerina from a the nethers scene. Prepare to wince. wealthy family takes lessons in 2. Action set pieces are breathtaking dance, and life from a roughneck- in every detail; all real with no with-soul, in this teen drama from special effects. Heart-stopping former choreographer Fletcher. stunts are performed in one take, no Tyler (Tatum) finds himself doing second chance. community service at a dance 3. Daniel Craig. academy. He catches the eye of Nora He has played difficult roles to get to (Dewan), a ballet student who is this – Some almost hard to watch in trying to incorporate hip-hop moves Mother and Enduring Love (and into her classical routines. Tyler is a brilliant as the spoilt brat gangster’s talented street dancer and Nora son in Road to Perdition). As Bond he persuades him to team up with her doesn’t have to over-act. On the for a major class project. Tyler gains contrary, he is measured, evil, sadistic new self-respect as he gives in to the and perfect. This is the new Bond. discipline of the school, but he In fact it is the old one – Fleming’s wonders if this new opportunity original creation. Albeit a lightweight means turning his back on who he book written in a few days in 1952, really is. Matters become even more ten years later it captured the new complicated when Tyler and Nora ‘spirit’ of the emerging 1960’s. realise they’re falling in love.” After Dr No was passed under the Very drippy, predictable but great desks of twitchy fifteen year old boys, teeny stuff – full of not-really-bad- Health and Efficiency was torn up! just-misunderstood-boy-does-good None of us had even heard of Ursula clichés. Ten to thirteen year olds will Andress but there was Honey, still wet love it… on the page. Daniel is the millennium's Ursula. Now our box office smells worse than that class of forty eight, boys in 1962. So much for the feminine higher plain. Bond will never be the same. Sean delivered killer-instinct. Daniel oozes it.

Welcome to Coldfinger – and love every minute.

Director: Martin Campbell Starring: Daniel Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Eva Green, Jeffrey Wright, Mads Mikklesen Certificate: 12A Duration: 145 mins Origin: USA 2006 By: Sony Pictures Releasing 16 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY FILMS

Rivers and Tides: Mon 15 7.30 London to Brighton Tue 16 7.30 Director: Thomas Riedelsheimer Certificate: U Already winning awards and tipped Duration: 90 mins for a pocketful more, the film takes Origin: Germany/Scotland 2001 24 hours in the life of a prostitute By: Cinefrance (Stanley) and a young runaway (Groome), and drops them in it. This breathtaking film is not to be They are fleeing to Brighton, to missed. Written and shot by escape a London crime lord and a Riedelsheimer, it is an certain, very unpleasant, death. extraordinary journey into the A film of remarkable assurance, it world and mind of sculptor Andy makes astonishing use of little-known Goldsworthy. He lets us into his actors, drawing performances of utter tough, hard graft world of natural, conviction. Perhaps most impressive - found materials which he turns into ly, it manages to avoid the clichés of magical things, where the elements the British crime thriller, creating a ‘last say’ in these creations is part of chillingly realistic world of petty the creation itself. His ingenious crime, sexual depravity and violence. patterns of wood, leaves, stone and There’s a spate of new British films ice, move and erode with tide, time, depicting low-life on the edges of and weather. The camera follows him society, but mercifully, this one is for over a year, intimately never squalid. “In flashback, things documenting his improvised process are gradually pieced together, with and capturing the serene spectacle of one impossibly tense scene after his sculptures and their delicate another, heightened because you changes. Goldsworthy’s private and genuinely can’t predict how anyone often ephemeral pieces are well will react” known – goodness knows how, when “Groome’s heartbreaking they disappear almost as they are performance is key, and makes it finished? His love for everything almost unbearable”. around him is palpable but not It’s not an easy ride, so come for the namby and his voice is the perfect new faces – gritty as they are, they’ll guide. be in Love Actually III in a year or so Come… “see something you never and Eastenders much sooner… Director: Paul Williams saw before… that was always there… You saw them here first. Starring: Alexander Morton, ” Cancel everything. “Stanley is stunning as Kelly – Nathan Constance, Johnny Harris, beaten-down, desperate but with a Sam Spruell, Georgia Groome, David dignity and morality…” Keeling, Lorraine Stanley, Jamie Kenna “Unremittingly bleak and utterly Certificate: 18 gripping…” Duration: 86 mins (various critics) Origin: UK 2006 Not self indulgent and only cost By: Vertigo Films £80,000. JANUARY FILMS www.therexcinema.com17

A Good Year Leonard Cohen - The Wizard of Oz Wed 17 2.00 7.30 I’m Your Man Sat 20 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Thu 18 7.30 Matinee Warning: May contain babies

Director: Lian Lunson Starring: Leonard Cohen Certificate: PG Duration: 103 mins Origin: USA 2006 By: Lionsgate Films UK

Like a bird on a wire, Leonard Cohen is free without trying and unique without caring. To the Russell Crowe being frightfully philistine – music “To slit wrists by”. English and jokey doesn’t work for Some of the best songs of the second the first five minutes – then you get half of the twentieth century, belong to used to it, then its okay. Whatever his voice. Alongside Dylan’s, James you think of him, he’s a powerful Taylor’s and Jackson Browne’s, his actor, who always takes you with him voice remains majestic and uplifting to It’s the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ – in the end. at least two generations (a generation cleaned up for the big screen. He plays against type as the hard- is 25 years – so count the heads). nosed investment banker whose Like the others, his songs were never Not only, don’t miss it, bring every childhood memories of Provence pop, will never age and can’t fall foul child in the street, if only to frighten awaken a fresh outlook on life. of fashion. the life out them. Johhny Depp’s favourite fabulous Received in rapture at Robert Made in 1939 (just a year after the child, Freddie Highmore, plays the Redford’s Sundance Film Festival, Rex first opened; it must have been young Crowe. it’s a tribute concert from the Sydney shown here), it tells the story of It is based on the bestseller ‘A Year in Opera House in January 2005. Dorothy and her new friends on a Provence’ by Peter Mayle (which was This might be the films downfall. huge, surreal adventure. loved and loathed in equal measure). However, he “touches us with his Max Skinner (Crowe) returns to the perfect mind/body” voice, talking us I didn’t get it as a kid and hated it at vineyard of his childhood after the through a life loved by millions, which Christmas ever since. But don’t let death of his estranged uncle (Finney). he never courted, and was largely that put you off. Every child must be Intending to sell the vineyard as unaware. subjected to it, like cod-liver oil by quickly as possible, Max instead The stage is strewn with pop’s big- spoon and goose-grease rubbed into rediscovers that part of himself, lost heads, eager to be loved. He lets the your chest every winter until you are in the cut-throat world of coming-of- young pups have their way with his in long trousers. age. It is a moving tale of re- priceless songs. The best is the fade from black and evaluation brought about by personal Among those old Cohen’s on stage are white into spectacular colour. tragedy. “It is a feast for the eyes that Perla Battala and Julie Christensen. captures the seductive beauty of Hope Jennifer Warnes turns up and Judy Garland still frightens me. Provence in glorious cinemascope…” Leonard talks about his women. But come more for Albert, young You’re welcome as always, but don’t Freddie and Russell’s ability to grow care, this time, if I have the whole on you, however hard you resist. place to myself…

Director: Victor Fleming Director: Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Starring: Albert Finney, Marion Morgan, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Ray Cotillard, Russell Crowe, Valeria Bruni Bolger, Margaret Hamilton, Billie Tedeschi Burke Certificate: 12A Certificate: U Duration: 117 mins Duration: 98 mins Origin: USA 2006 Origin: USA 1939 By: Twentieth Century Fox By: 18 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY FILMS

Pan’s Labyrinth Breaking and Entering Mon 22 7.30 Sat 20 7.00 Sun 21 6.00 Tue 23 7.30 A very interesting if unusual story Director: Anthony Minghella – one that would never happen – so Starring: Jude Law, , has no bearing upon reality. Yet it Martin Freeman, Robin Wright Penn, is set in the geographical and cultural , changes of today’s London, and Certificate: 15 expects you believe the police would Duration: 119 mins actually turn up let alone care about Origin: UK 2006 your break-in! Furthermore, Jude and By: Buena Vista International Martin stalk and almost catch the little burglars themselves! Yes of course. Jude then proceeds to fall for This is one of the most unusual and the mother of one of them. Dear god. exciting film of the year, and The story tells of a series of thefts - should not be missed. some criminal, some emotional. A fairytale for adults inspired by the Will (Jude) is a partner with Martin paintings of Francisco Goya and Freeman in a thriving landscape rooted, like The Devil’s Backbone, in architecture practice. He finds war. This is del Toro’s most himself spending less and less time at accomplished work even in his own home, while out stalking the local opinion. It is 1940s Franco’s Spain. gang repeatedly targeting his state-of- Finding her new life terrifying, amid the-art studio. He follows one of the cruel, excesses of fascist them, Miro (Rafi Gavron), back to inquisitors. Ofelia seeks refuge in a the sink-estate flat he shares with his labyrinth she discovers next to the mother, Amira (Binoche), a Bosnian house. A magical creature named refugee. Already questioning his Pan, of the labyrinth, relationship, Jude is drawn closer to reveals that Ofelia is the long-lost Amira, and the excuses he finds to princess of a magical kingdom. spend time with her propel him ever To discover the truth, she will have to further from his familiar world. complete three very dangerous tasks. “Spinning multiple characters and “Del Toro’s startling vision rests on a their interlinked stories, the film is profoundly moving story with ultimately a tale of reconciliation and universal appeal.” – Stunning. understanding.” – Perhaps, but it Definitely not for children. It’s not takes a great cast and brilliant the ‘monsters’ who are frightening, director pull-off the impossible. as always it’s the (male) humans. Whether they quite manage it is up “The special effects are breathtaking, to you… and the ghastly portrait of this small bit of Franco’s Spain, equally repulsive”. “A major achievement, beautifully acted and shot with almost unerring certainty… ‘Matter-of-fact surrealism’ - I can’t improve on that...” (various reviews).

Director: Guillermo Toro Starring: Doug Jones, Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Maribel Verdu, Sergi Lopez Certificate: 15 Duration: 119 mins Origin: Spain 2006 By: Optimum Releasing JANUARY FILMS www.therexcinema.com19

The Queen All the King’s Men Little Children Wed 24 2.00 7.30 Thu 25 7.30 Fri 26 7.30 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Sat 27 7.00

Director: Director: Todd Field Starring: , Michael Starring: Kate Winslet, Jennifer Sheen, Sylvia Syms, James Cromwell Connelly, Patrick Wilson, Noah Certificate: 12A Emmerich Duration: 103 mins Certificate: 15 Origin: UK 2006 Duration: 137 mins By: Pathe Distribution Origin: USA 2006 By: Entertainment Film Distribution If you can get over the all too obvious detail that it is only HM Kate is lusty and Patrick Wilson who looks anything like HM (the Willie Stark (Penn) is a man of the gets uglier. Where did he come rest get as close as it needs in people, for the people; at least from? He played the paedophile in mannerism, but Spitting Image that’s what he tells the people. ‘Hard Candy’ and still looks the part. made better faces), then you can Propelled into a race for governor by A good actor perhaps. Thus, great relax. For the most part, it turns into opposing forces looking to split the casting..? a well drawn study of a family in a “hick vote”, he makes his way into Based on the acclaimed novel of the state of shock, mourning and office on a not-so-solid foundation of same name by Tom Perrotta, Todd bewilderment. social-service promises. Field’s follow-up to ‘In the Bedroom’ Albeit a unique family, it touches the When idealism gives way to harsh is a quietly engrossing tale with faint same sickening inertia, we all know realities, the fast-talking politico is echoes of ‘American Beauty’. too well, at the sudden, inexplicable quick to discover just how far one The film focuses on a group of loss of that one loved one, we thought can fall when ambition and power young married couples, whose lives immortal. lead to very speedy betrayal of intersect in the playgrounds, town There are cheap laughs, of course. original good intentions. pools and streets of their small The Queen Mother indignant at the Taken from Robert Penn Warren’s community in surprising and hurried funeral ceremony ‘stealing’ book of the same name, this is a potentially dangerous ways. her kick-the-bucket regal send-off, or thinly veiled portrait of populist As a former actor, Field knows how a hapless Philip – “fuzzy-wuzzying” Southern politician, Governor Huey to get the best from his performers with no clue what all the fuss is Long in Depression-era Louisiana, and he draws superlative turns from about. The best are those scenes whose lofty ambitions for the future Winslet and Wilson in the central behind closed doors, guessing at what left him open to corruption and roles. was said. Best line, roughly scandal. “A film of great depth and subtlety, remembered: “That damned man This big fat starry cast keep just keep this is a perceptive take on the (Queen on phone to Blair) Now your on top of a laboured plot and souring of ideals.” But Jennifer tea’s gone cold” grinding script. Connelly steals it. She is perfect. “…a very interesting piece of social But it’s fair with history and tells it You believe every breath she takes as history”. (Demiurge) straight. It is only a question of if you the cheated wife. PS Sylvia Syms (fab and “hilarious” can stand Sean Penn’s face for two as HM The Queen Mother) came to hours and twenty minutes? talk after the show on Mon 6th Nov… She was, irreverent, warm, witty and gorgeous. Ms Syms will be back.

HHM in her glorious princess days - 1989 Director: Steve Zaillian Starring: Sean Penn, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Kathy Baker Certificate: 12A Duration: 140 mins Origin: USA 2005 By: Sony Pictures Releasing 20 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY FILMS

Flushed Away The Seven The Page Turner Sat 27 2.00 Samurai Mon 29 7.30 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Sun 28 4.00

Director: Akira Kurosawa Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Minoru Chiaki, Yoshio Inaba, Seiji Miyaguchi, Daisuke Kato, Ko Kimura Certificate: PG Duration: 204 mins Origin: Japan 1954 If revenge is a ‘dish best served cold’, A pampered society mouse must By: British Film Institute it doesn’t get any cooler than this. fight his way back to the comforts This was the film which spawned The French and their piano teachers…? of Kensington after he is sent “The Magnificent Seven” and “Dercourt has crafted an expert spiralling into an underground launched the careers of McQueen, behavioural thriller (what’s a world filled with scavenger rats and Coburn and Bronson; made also- ‘behavioural thriller? ‘Don’t do that villainous toads. rans of new hearthrob Horst George’?). With attention to detail - it This “fun-filled family adventure Buchholz and the lip ‘on’ brick highlights both the strict social mores produced by DreamWorks and demise of Robert Vaughn… and the of the wealthy and their emotional Aardman” has Roddy (Jackman) one we instantly forgot, Brad who? aridity.” (Where do they dream up this living the high life when he first As for Yul – his ‘haircut’ would language? ‘Berkhamsted Life’?) meets Sid the sewer rat (Shane become a drong uniform 44 years A young girl, Mélanie Prouvost Richie). Not-to-be-trusted, later. This original black and white (François), nervously undergoes a Sid sends the hapless mouse down masterpiece tells the story as it was long awaited, terrifying, make or the pipes and stealthily takes his first told. It’s an epic tale of honour break, piano audition. For her it is the place in the lap of luxury. Upon and duty. Set in a time when the old climax of years of practice and meeting scavenger rat Rita (Winslet), order is breaking down. It opens with sleepless nights. The examiner, famed Roddy hopes to get back to the master samurai Kambei posing as a recitalist Ariane Fouchécourt (Frot), surface in Rita’s boat, but her help monk to save a kidnapped farmer’s carelessly allows a fan into the doesn’t come cheap. “FLUSHED child. Impressed by his selflessness audition room in the middle of AWAY is replete with a meticulous and bravery, a group of farmers begs Mélanie’s piece… attention to detail, beautiful him to defend their terrorized village She fails. characterisation and idiosyncratic from bandits. There is no material Uh oh, Mdme Fouchécourt; don’t wit.” – There’s also lots of poo with gain or honour to be had yet agrees think you should have done that. speaking parts!! – Perfect for children and rounds up the others whom Many years later Mélanie works her of nose-picking age…the whole include a disciple, a comic impostor, way back into the examiner’s life. population, then. a master swordsman and the other “Vanity, deception, selfishness and It’s got to be fab – Bill Nighy is in it. samurai. The rest you know. If it’s a false liberal charity play their part in Don’t think twice, forget the critics – well restored print wrapped in cotton this beautifully observed film that bring everybody!! wool by the BFI it will be fantastic somehow works on the barest and extraordinary on the big screen. elements of both plot and character At nearly four hours long, you’ll need development.” a packed lunch, an iPod and some Come for an edge-of-the-seat thriller, knitting. only the French can make. It will be back in February. Don’t miss it twice.

Directors: David Bowers, Sam Fell Director: Denis Dercourt Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Starring: Catherine Frot, Déborah Winslet, , Bill Nighy François, Pascal Greggory Certificate: U Certificate: 15 Duration: 85 mins Duration: 85 mins Origin: USA 2006 Origin: France 2006 By: UIP By: Artificial Eye JANUARY FILMS www.therexcinema.com21 The U.S. vs. John Lennon Deep Water Wed 31 2.00 7.30 Tue 30 7.30 The lost boys... Matinee Warning: May contain babies

Directors: David Leaf, John Scheinfeld Starring: Gore Vidal, Yoko Ono, Noam Chomsky Certificate: 12A Duration: 99 mins Origin: USA 2006

Jesus – we adored him, and hated Yoko. He was a major living rebel This is a great story of fear and for a vast generation. But why? courage at odds in the mind of a Thousands of millions loved his man alone on the ocean and with singing voice but hearing him speak; everything to lose – which ever way his embarrassingly bombastic and he turned, beautifully narrated by inconsequential ramblings, clichéd . and loud, were only matched by his This was 1968 and the British still ever-thinning speaking voice. Yet we despised cheats. loved him. With Yoko, it was not Now through “reality TV” (a loath - malice, it just came easy. He loved some oxy moron in every sense), her, so we pretended she was okay, they are celebrated. like parents do when their sons/ Following the same documentary daughters (and more terrifyingly reconstruction as ‘Touching the Void’ these days, their once solid, sensible it intersperses, Donald Crowhurst’s parents) marry twats! own story with actors re-living the The evangelical storm that greeted whole sorry tale. The Beatles in America after It is based on his fateful voyage Lennon’s “Bigger than Jesus” during the first solo, non-stop, round- (‘unplugged and crucified’) might the-world boat race. He faces a have made him think twice before terrible and terrifying dilemma: to doing it again. After the 60s euphoria continue into the Southern Ocean in faded into the dire 70s, he Yoko’d a sinking boat or return home to face into idiotic bed-ins and bag-ins, certain bankruptcy. He opts to stall moved to New York and hung-out things hoping to think of a way out. with, and was flattered by, hip self- Literally, between the devil and the proclaimed revolutionaries. deep blue sea, he decides to radio a Thus couldn’t resist being a series of fake record-breaking daily mouthpiece. He didn’t have a clue. distances. With great archive footage and In reality Crowhurst is slipping interviews from those who knew him further and further behind his stated then, it tells the story of how the FBI position and inevitably becomes and Nixon’s henchmen were so trapped in the own lie. Left very rattled, they wanted him silenced. alone to decide whether to die or lie Short of another “grassy knoll”, and live – and even still die… deportation was their best bet – until… Directors: Jerry Rothwell, Louise When Nixon was cold and gone, did Osmond they get their colder revenge as Starring: Tilda Swinton (narrator), Moondog Johnny re-emerged from Donald Crowhurt 5/6 years of doting fatherhood and Certificate: PG reclusive silence...? Where do the Duration: 93 mins yanks get these lone-gunman-nutters Origin: UK 2006 from? By: Pathe Distribution 22 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY FILMS

Coming Soon JANUARY FILMS AT A GLANCE Please check times carefully and watch out for early shows.

From February... MON 1 CLOSED New releases Flags of our Fathers TUE 2 THE HISTORY BOYS 7.30 Miss Potter WED 3 STARTER FOR TEN 2.00 7.30 The Fallen Idol Shortbus THU 4 BAFTA HIRE The Holiday FRI 5 PERFUME 7.30 The Last King of Scotland Apocalypto SAT 6 DANNY CHAMPION OF THE WORLD 2.00 SAT 6 PERFUME 7.00 Plus the evergreens SUN 7 PERFUME 6.00 Breakfast on Pluto Everything is Illuminated MON 8 GABRIELLE 7.30

Miss Potter TUE 9 GABRIELLE 7.30 WED 10 HOLLYWOODLAND 2.00 7.30 THU 11 SNOWCAKE 7.30 FRI 12 RED ROAD 7.30 SAT 13 STEP UP 2.00 SAT 13 CASINO ROYALE 7.00 SUN 14 CASINO ROYALE 6.00 MON 15 RIVERS AND TIDES 7.30 TUE 16 LONDON TO BRIGHTON 7.30 WED 17 A GOOD YEAR 2.00 7.30 THU 18 LEONARD COHEN - I'M YOUR MAN 7.30 SAT 20 THE WIZARD OF OZ 2.00 Shortbus SAT 20 BREAKING & ENTERING 7.00 The Holiday SUN 21 BREAKING & ENTERING 6.00 MON 22 PAN'S LABYRINTH 7.30 TUE 23 PAN'S LABYRINTH 7.30 WED 24 THE QUEEN 2.00 7.30 THU 25 ALL THE KINGS MEN 7.30 FRI 26 LITTLE CHILDREN 7.30 SAT 27 FLUSHED AWAY 2.00 SAT 27 LITTLE CHILDREN 7.00 SUN 28 THE SEVEN SAMURAI 4.00 MON 29 THE PAGE TURNER 7.30 TUE 30 THE US VERSUS JOHN LENNON 7.30 Flags of our Fathers WED 31 DEEP WATER 2.00 7.30 DEAR MRS TRELLIS... www.therexcinema.com 25 Rants and Pants

ear Mrs Trellis, is achieved (the American AA and It’s always a pleasure to others dispute this) that 75% Dcome to The Rex – well carbon dioxide emission can be chosen films, comfortable seats, achieved. The answer is that it beautiful ambience and a personal cannot. It is a chemical welcome from that nice Mr impossibility, about as impossible Hannaway! as turning base metals into gold. But unhappily this time we want The speaker was at the very best, you to give Mr H a slap on the misinformed. It was a real shame wrist. Dear Mrs Trellis, that his misleading, even My wife and I came to see ‘An I must first thank you at The Rex dangerous notion was presented at Inconvenient Truth’ on 22 for providing us filmgoers with The Rex to such a receptive November, a very persuasive lecture the ‘Rex Experience’ and in audience including the on global warming from Al Gore, particular ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ schoolchildren whose lives will be who convinced us that he wasn’t in a ‘Must See’ for the many who affected far more than mine. it just for the political mileage. still doubt the reality and Global warming is not an easy Before the credits had finished seriousness of the global warming problem to solve. rolling, Mr H leapt to the stage to issue. After the showing on Nov. introduce a special speaker. 22nd, we were entertained further Yours sincerely This person then gave us a sales by the person invited onto the Gareth Evans pitch for a miraculous product that stage, with a message that a would reduce fuel consumption by product exists which can reduce 10% and CO2 by a colossal 75%. fuel usage by 10% and more ou’re right Messrs Riley Well, Mrs Trellis, I can tell you my amazingly, carbon dioxide and Evans, it should never journalistic antennae twitched at emissions by 75%! Wow! Why Yhave happened and I’m that. A wonder pill to save the hadn’t we heard about this before? sorry. As excuses go, feeble is best. planet and one we had never heard The audience warmly welcomed So, persuaded by an enthusiastic of before! what it wanted to hear, namely that and rather pretty woman in the When we got home, a friend the means were at hand for all of foyer, I was hooked. Always a bad phoned to say that he’d also been in us to make a major contrib ution to decision, but a moment shared the audience and had also been reducing carbon emissions. with the downfall of much greater staggered by the guest speaker’s I left the theatre discussing what trousers. Luckily this is only the claims. This is a friend with a technology might be used by this ‘pictures’ and not the Holy chemistry degree. He had scoured apparently miraculous product Roman Empire (happily too it the internet and found that the with a fellow chemistry PhD. wasn’t a pretty, pale skinned boy ‘MPG Pill’ was far from the mini- We knew that a process which or a rather fetching nanny goat). wonder we’d heard about at The extracts carbon dioxide from In mitigation, I had thirty seconds Rex. Had Mr H checked this vehicle exhausts must be used to make a decision, the merchant’s credentials before since the reduction in carbon introduction was over, the film providing him with a willing and dioxide emission far exceeded the about to start, and I was sold an captive audience? We think he claimed reduction in fuel usage. ‘expert’ (late, but on his way) not needs to explain. We wondered what extraction and a salesman. disposal methods were used to We get requests regularly to Yours sincerely and what the energy costs might either announce things, or to Chris Riley be in providing the technology. question the audience on the We both investigated later on the way out. PS: I was particularly irritated that internet and discovered that no I never agree. We try to protect Mr H and the salesman interrupted such extraction process was you from opportunists thinking of and obscured the credits, which suggested and the product was you as captive. So a double slap! contained useful information on simply a chemical pill to be added simple ways of cutting global to the fuel. How is it then possible The show in question was a warming. even if the claimed fuel reduction Wednesday matinee of Al Gore’s DEAR MRS TRELLIS... www.therexcinema.com 27 Rants and Pants

“…Truth”, with sixth formers might be a safer place had he not ‘power-point’ list, nobody could from the Rudolf Steiner school been cheated by the Florida Bush- read, was poured-into columns on and a party of Quakers from bastards. But he was and it isn’t, the big screen behind his Hemel among an audience of 152. and that’s that. We all lost. enormous face (not even the Given the film’s message and Here his new golden opportunity hand-clappers in his own neatly being very scared of the future, was missed again. He should have picked, submissive audience could and even more powerless to demanded an immediate halt to read it), showing California change it, I thought it might be de-forestation of vital rainforests, rebelling against the unforgivable useful, even worthwhile. researched wind power, ocean Bush ‘Administration’ on Kyoto! Never mind. wave power, water filtration, It could have been a list of wart As for your speedy findings, electric cars, clean safe and creams for all that. But we fell for thank you for moving so quickly. efficient public transport; even it, just as I did in the foyer with I’ll try their MPG-CAPS™ on my suggested a total stop on cheap the ‘expert’. car - the ‘company skip’ as flights and a universal abhorrence When all is said and not done, it punishment. Will let you know if of greed and the manufacture of makes no difference. it gets passed Northchurch. useless items like guns, i-pods and The audience was made up of the The credits: (usually) no great unnecessary crap ‘toys’ made by converted. Those who really need loss. They’re always ten minutes slaves in Sub-continental Asia. to see this kind of film will never too long, and that vital piece of Even a strategy for education over come. music or location you desperately ignorance and the hysterical job- Watch out in February, for a wanted to find, either comes up loss fears of economic collapse, properly researched piece of too quickly or not at all. gripping blue-collar America, conspiracy-theory: “Who Killed ‘The End’ where nobody gets a would have been something. the Electric Car”. mention is the perfect ‘Fin’. Instead he released his hot air Who cares who was second-unit into an already over polluted P.S. we use the equivalent of an ‘dolly grip’? atmosphere. old skin-scorching, three kilowatt, However in this case, the curtains Watch him run for Office on the bar electric fire in our main were drawn too quickly over Al’s back of this. projector (3,000 watt lamp) for vital advice, for which the junior I hated the film. Given its hype, it over two hours a show. So we projectionist was severely missed an ‘unforgivable truth’ – have no room to talk. punished. Given the scale of the the opportunity to create real and “Those who are without sin, cast impending doom, his big advice immediate action - politically, the first stone…” (J Christ - was puny and lamentable. He told commercially and through ordinary 33AD) us nothing we didn’t already thinking. Light bulbs: my arse. know. We’re as tiny as a lightbulb in a Child: I like watching Cars An afterthought, when an Chinese iron foundry. We are mummy… audience usually starts to leave, helpless and useless. We can do Mum: Mmmm… is not the best place for vital nothing without the big boys with Child: But I love watching Cars information. If his vital advice their big toys, Arms deals, endless mummy… was worth anything, it should deforestation, manufacturing and Mum: Yes, it’s good watching them have been spouted from his great commodity/oil trading and the on the big screen isn’t it? (over used close-up) face during new bitch on the block – ‘Hedge Child: I love watching cars on the the film – not in the credits. Funds’. big screen… Was this the same kind of advice He could have named names. Mum: Yes… that’s nice. that lost him the presidency? There was no real condemnation Child: Can we watch more Cars Bold and brave ideas for change of the suppression and persecution on the big screen mummy? were essential to the film’s of alternatives; wasteful Mum: I’m afraid it’s finished. But message. Instead we were served governments/industries; illegal shall we come back again soon? self-indulgent “like me” forays collusions and back-handers from Child: Can we watch C-Beebies into a sad family past and a car makers and oil suppliers. here mummy? previous life - as the almost Instead, the sickening back- Mum: Sorry darling, I don’t think president. Perhaps the world slapping applause got louder as a you can watch the TV here.