THE GOLDEN COMPASS

JANUARY…

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

JANUARY 2008 Issue 34 www.therexcinema.com 01442 877759 Mon-Sat 10.30-6pm Sun 4.30-6.30pm To advertise email [email protected] WELCOME

Gallery 5 January Evenings 11-19 Coming Soon 20 January Films at a glance 20 January Matinees 22-27 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 The Band’s Visit (Mon 28 Jan) Another once-in-a-while gem… BOX OFFICE: 01442 877759 Mon to Sat 10.30 – 6.00 THE REX AND CITY SCREEN… Sun 4.30 – 6.30 (Credit/Debit card booking fee 50p) ow can we talk about films we haven’t seen, let alone recommend or Disabled and flat access: through the gate on High Street (right of apartments) make fun of them? In December we told you City Screen (CS) sends Hus synopses and outlines. Some of the girls and boys you see at the Box We précis them, add reviews, good and bad then comment about the stars, Office and Bar: director, hype, etc. But here are the other nine-tenths under the surface… Rosie Abbott Linda Moss Six years or so ago City Screen executive, Clare Binns, and a colleague came Karina Gale Louise Ormiston to see the then derelict Rex. They were encouraging and helpful but not Jemma Gask Julian Paredes hopeful, neither for the project nor the notion of a repertory programme on a Holly Gilbert Amberly Rose single screen. Beth Hannaway Tina Thorpe Sarah Holloway Olivia Wilson Three years later in the autumn of 2004 after glancing at various programming Jo Littlejohn Keymea Yazdanian Bethany McKay options, and the sad loss of The Riverside’s Ed Lewis, we asked Clare to help us. By then it was four weeks before opening. The Rex was suddenly real, with freshly laid carpets, projectors being rebuilt, big beautiful curved screen in a Sally Thorpe In charge Alun Rees Chief projectionist (Original) glorious gold proscenium arch, perfect sound system and seats delivered - Jon Waugh 1st assistant projectionist but no films. The short preparation time didn’t bother her. Although she still Martin Coffill Part-time assistant wasn’t sure about our repertory programme – a different film every night. projectionist Clare had twenty five years experience in the business, she could pull a Jacquie Rose Chief Box Office & Bar programme together overnight. We knew nothing. Jane Clucas & Lynn Hendry But I didn’t understand the one title a week routine. It would have meant four PR/Marketing/FoH films only in the whole of our opening December! Oliver Hicks Bar supervisor Ed Mauger our genius engineer joined the discussion but on Clare’s side! Ian Muirhead Accountant Before the afternoon was out it was agreed to try repertory. We requested Resident creative builders Cinema Paradiso, The Motorcycle Diaries and It’s a Wonderful Life; one show Darren Flindall Michael Glasheen a piece. Unhappily, Cinema Paradiso was lost - no 35mm print left in the world! This and some Italian legal stuff meant we couldn’t open with it. Artists Andrew Dixon The other two were made available and three years on they’re still showing Paul Rowbottom here. We have all grown better at the repertory game, with City Screen finding the best new releases from across the world. Advisors and Investors Paul Fullagar Alan Clooney hey view all new releases, offering us the big, the small, the Ed Mauger Genius insignificant and the magical. Hence together, we programme everything you see. Demiurge Design Designers 01296 632366 T Allison Nunn Publisher 07786 540418 City Screen has over twenty cinemas of its own. It also looks after a handful of important independents not part of its ‘Picture House’ chain: The Electric, James Hannaway CEO 01442 Portobello, The Everyman Hampstead, etc. As you can see by the diversity of 877999 our programme, over the last three years, CS’s designated programmer, Jo Betty Patterson Company Secretary and Blair has done a fabulous job. That’s why we don’t need to see anything THE ORIGINAL VISIONARY of The Rex. beforehand... It doesn’t stop the remarks however. The Rex As you can see, to put anything current into context a little history is needed. High Street (Three Close Lane) Berkhamsted HP4 2FG So at long last we are plucking from five and twenty memories, to compile a www.therexcinema.com reliable history from start to finish. It will be completed in a year or so. GALLERY www.therexcinema.com 5

LOOKING BACK - 2007 Meet Howard Guard Esq, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire. He came with the Mayor of Dacorum and brightened up a dull November day in full regalia. Our first Official visit and a most fabulous and unexpected pleasure. (don’t try this at home, children)

The best covers from 2007. Thank you for making it an extraordinary and magical third year. Happy New Year and welcome to 2008… JANUARY EVENINGS JANUARY EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 11

You Kill Me The Darjeeling Limited Thu 3 7.30 Wed 2 7.30

Free of the slowly-creaking cogs of Director: John Dahl his last movie – The Life Aquatic, Starring: Luke Wilson, Tea Leoni, ‘The Darjeeling Limited’ is more Ben Kingsley energetic. It is a road-movie set on a Certificate: 15 train. Adrien Brody and Jason Duration: 93 mins Schwartzman are brothers cajoled by Origin: USA 2007 their domineering older sibling By: Revolver Film Distribution (Owen Wilson) – an unhappy A return to form for Dahl, You Kill businessman with a mysterious Me achieves the blackest of bandage around his head – to take a romantic comedies, laced with dark trip to India a year after their father’s humour but held together by a death. It’s time for some serious delightfully warm heart. bonding with escapades, snakes, a Frank Falencyzk (Kingsley) is a hit little romance and a dose of straight- man for his Polish mob family in faced tragedy. Buffalo, New York. “It doesn’t matter where Anderson He is also an alcoholic. When his travels; he always brings Americans addiction gets in the way of his with him for company. business his uncle sends him off to And often the same Americans, to straighten himself out. mostly men, usually Bill Murray, There, Frank takes a job in a sometimes Schwartzman, always mortuary and starts going to AA Wilson…” (Time Out) meetings, where he meets Laurel “Anderson’s stylish approach has (Leoni), a woman dangerously free of earned him praise and opprobrium in boundaries who promises to help him almost equal measure – you either settle old scores. love his hipster credentials or hate his Featuring a nicely judged cameo from whimsy. Bill Pullman, the film belongs to A rambling, episodic road trip, The Director: Wes Anderson Kingsley who is back to his Sexy Darjeeling Limited looks likely to Starring: Adrien Brody, Amara Beast best. polarise its audiences just as Karan, Jason Schwartzman, Owen A small gem. Don’t miss. violently…” (The Knowledge, The Wilson Times) Certificate: 15 As always, you will choose. Duration: 106 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Twentieth Century Fox 12 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY EVENINGS American Gangster Manhattan Sun 6 6.00 Fri 4 7.30, Sat 5 7.00 Director: Ridley Scott Starring: Cuba Jr, Denzel The tale of a Harlem kid whose Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh loathing of oppression and refusal Brolin to be anybody’s ‘boy’ made him the Certificate: 18 drug kingpin of the early 70’s. Duration: 157 mins The story goes he even smuggled Origin: USA 2007 heroin in the coffins of U.S. soldiers By: (UK) Ltd killed in Vietnam. Nobody noticed reserved driver Frank Lucas (Washington), but when his This is Woody Allen’s rapturous, underworld boss dies suddenly, he poignant, romantic comedy about seizes the opportunity to build his the fretful life of an obsessive TV own empire. In the following months writer. In those days Allen put Lucas solidifies his status as himself at the centre of all his films. Harlem’s most innovative drug dealer Here we find him worrying over his by delivering a product, purer and current, ex and future women cheaper than that of his competitors. (Hemingway, Streep and Keaton). Enter Russell Crowe’s deshevelled, His hypochondria and his philandering, straight cop (Richie contemplated switch to serious Roberts) and Frank’s empire begins to literature cause no end of inner rattle. turmoil. “A compelling true story of power Above all the film is a declaration of and confrontation with stunning love for the cerebral life and fashion performances from the two leads.” of the gleaming glass Manhattan Though no Scorsese, this ‘true Island, towering over the Hudson, set mobster story’ is safe in Ridley to Gershwin and filmed in silvery Scott’s powerful unflashy direction - widescreen monochrome by Gordon said to be his best for years,. Willis. “A storming return to form for If you can stand Woody you’ll love it. director, Scott” If you can’t, you’ll admit it is a “It has substance aplenty, and the classic, however indulgent… power to entertain, which marks it out as one of the year’s most rewarding pictures…” “A film that deserves attention, if not your full respect.” (mixed crits) As always come and see…

Director: Woody Allen Starring: , Woody Allen, Certificate: 15 Duration: 96 mins Origin: USA 1979 By: Park Circus Films JANUARY EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 13 The Elizabeth: The Golden Age Counterfeiters Tue 8 7.30, Wed 9 7.30 Mon 7 7.30 Returning to their roles, Blanchett Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky and Rush play their ruffs off in this Starring: Martin Brambach, August captivating, if unreliable, historical Diehl, Karl Markovics, Devid thriller laced with treachery and Striesow romance. Joining them is ship’s Certificate: 15 plank, Clive Owen as Sir Walter Duration: 99 mins Raleigh. Elizabeth is facing bloodlust Origin: Austria, Germany 2006 over her throne, family betrayal and By: Metrodome Distributors an open challenge from Philip II of Spain. As she prepares for war and A devastatingly effective wartime crushes enemies and traitors, she thriller based upon real events, The cannot balance her duties with a Counterfeiters crackles with class tantalizing, unexpected and and intelligence. In 1936, the Nazis vulnerable urge for Raleigh. established the largest Unable to act on her feelings, she counterfeiting operation in history, encourages her favourite lady-in- with the intention of flooding the waiting to befriend him… “All British and American economies spectacle, dazzling, over-the-top with fake currency. ‘Enlisted’ were opulence, fabulous frocks and any concentration camp inmates with (ridiculous) hair. Every shot the required skills. Among them was composed like an oil painting (not master forger, gambler, libertine and unlike Zhang Yimou’s flying charismatic rogue Salomon ‘Sally’ circuses)… you will long for a Sorowitsch (brought vividly to life by moment of peace in this visual Karl Markovics’ gaunt, haunting battering…” (Times, Knowledge) face), who is at first energised by his is a miracle of new task. uncertain beauty and absolute As the war grinds on, the moral conviction, as always. Geoffrey can frailty of Sally’s position becomes do no wrong. Samantha Morton’s more and more apparent, and he must Director: Shekhar Kapur gorgeous breathing is all too short- choose which side he is on. Starring: Cate Blanchett, Clive lived and Clive’s Raleigh is all spud An incredible true story, written by a Owen, Samantha Morton, Geoffrey and no tobacco. Rush camp survivor, clearly told and Certificate: 12A beautifully shot with extraordinary Duration: 115 mins performances on all sides. Origin: USA 2007 Overnight, or certainly in the last By: Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd three years starting with Downfall and Sophie Scholl, then taking a 2007 Oscar for The Lives of Others, it seems Germany is winning a war at last – film-making! Don’t miss. 14 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY EVENINGS

Brick Lane Thu 10 7.30 Beowulf Fri 11 7.30, Sat 12 7.00 Director: Robert Zemeckis Beowulf: the great eponymous, Starring: , Ray anonymous eight-century Old Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, English epic poem and potentially John Malkovich the most boring tale in the English Certificate: 12A language. If the screenplay does one Duration: 114 mins thing decently, it is to make some sort Origin: USA 2007 of sense of a most confusing story. By: Warner Brothers Sarah Gavron’s superlative Ray as big B, has been digitally adaptation of Monica Ali’s Booker- transformed into a chunky he-man nominated first novel is a who fights stark naked, causing contemporary story of love, discreet furniture to pop up in front cultural difference and the strength of his battling vitals. Imagine that lot of the human spirit. It is faithful to coming at you in 3-D! the book though inevitably, less Luckily we have the flat 2-D version. subtle and wide-ranging. The yarn: Beowulf rescues the King Its characterisations are simpler, but from the dragon, falls for the Queen, its focus on the struggles of a young is tempted by the dragon’s mum and Bangladeshi woman saddled with an goes from boorish thug to soldier of arranged marriage in the foreign city honour. of London remains substantially the The poetry of the original text was same. After an arranged marriage to written largely by monks… an older man, 17-year-old Nazneen “I don’t think, however, they would (Chatterjee) exchanges her have sanctioned the line uttered by Bangladeshi village for a block of one of Beowulf’s henchmen to a flats in east London. Pining for her busty Dane: ‘Bollocks! Give me a birthplace and her sister, she gobble, then!’… struggles to make sense of her Of the many miscalculations made in existence and to do her duty to her Zemeckis’ tediously protracted, mis- husband, who sorely tests her judged and puerile animated compliance. Nazneen submits, as she adaptation, the dialogue is the must, to fate and devotes her life to worst…” raising her family and resisting the The final, kinetic aerial battle scenes demons of discontent. Until, Karim, a are eye-poppingly spectacular but hot-headed local man, bursts into her they come way too late to save the life. Against a background of film. Sounds great - a ‘must see’. escalating racial tension, they embark (Standard/ Time Out). on an affair which finally forces Nazneen to take control of her life. There are no heroes and villains, only people… “unfashionably gentle, human, optimistic” (Guardian).

Director: Sarah Gavron Starring: Satish Kaushik, Christopher Simpson, Tannishtha Chatterjee Certificate: 15 Duration: 101 mins Origin: UK 2007 By: Optimum Releasing JANUARY EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 15

Butch Cassidy and Silent Light Air Guitar Nation The Sundance Kid Mon 14 7.30 Tue 15 7.30 Sun 13 6.00 Director: Carlos Reygadas Starring: Miriam Toews, Cornelio Fehr, Maria Pankratz Certificate: 15 Duration: 136 mins Origin: Mexico, France, Netherlands, Germany 2007 By: Tartan Films

I desperately want to like this after hearing him talk. I hated his last Early in 1970 at a small cinema off film – Battle in Heaven. Two likeable and curiously talented Oxford St, just as the final frame He spoke with such assurance about nutters are the protagonists in caught them, there was a dead using non-actors. “When you put a Alexandra Lipsitz’s documentary silence. Then the clapping started. known face in front of the camera, about the World Air Guitar By the time the screen had turned you’ll see the acting not the person… Championships. The annual event had to sepia the audience was on its feet, you’re contributing to the grand been quietly taking place in Oulu, applauding loudly through tears. It delusion of cinema… I don’t like this Finland for eleven years until in 2003 was the first time I had experienced whole circus, these people (stars) America woke up to the commercial such an outpouring at the end of a being recycled. Cinema is a fancy potential in the ‘instrument’. Being the film, and the last, until the Rex dress party… The presense and US, the preliminary heats are decided reopened. It has stayed with me as precision of the camera and a real appropriately at a West Coast strip the most powerful moment at the end face is all you need.” joint! Meanwhile Finns are becoming of any performance. The story: A father’s faith in God is agitated by the prospect of an influx of The film was, and remains, faultless put to the test when he falls for new blood. and holds up as fresh today as it did another woman. We follow David “C-Diddy” Jung and forty years ago. It is witty, sharp, a “Slow and long but beautiful and Dan “Bjorn Turoque” Crane through great story and the camera doesn’t resonant. It is an art movie you will the competition. Crane is the author of miss a trick. want to leave quite early or hang on the gloriously entitled To Air Is “I got vision while the rest of the till the end with increasing respect.” Human! world wears bi-foculs…” (Time Out) In case you’ve been helping out at an What ever happened to director, “This is an unusual film, probably Alpine ski-resort for the last fifty George Roy Hill? too unusual for many. But it is also years, air-guitar involves pretending to Supposed to be a true story of two an extraordinary exercise which play an electric guitar to recorded rock bandits who made outlaw history in sticks in the mind as well as the eye standards without actually having the Wyoming of the late 19th and somehow imparts a little more anything in one’s hands. Century. It emerges as a fabulous faith in humanity than we might “While much of the film affectionately comedy of errors played beautifully otherwise have.” (Standard) records the sheer folly of grown men to the last shot by the glorious pairing Come and slow down. pretending to rock out, there emerges of Redford and Newman. a more sublime sense of something “…ahh… For a minute there I mystical: in one minute each thought we were in trouble…” contestant has to make his mark and connect with something deep and lost…” Director: George Roy Hill (Standard) Come and smile. Starring: Paul Newman, , , Strother Director: Alexandra Lipsitz Martin, Henry Jones, Jeff Corey, Starring: Peter Cilella, Dan Crane, Cloris Leachman, Ted Cassidy Gordon Hintz, David S. Jung Certificate: PG Certificate: 15 Duration: 110 mins Duration: 81 mins Origin: USA 1969 Origin: USA 2006 By: Twentieth Century Fox By: Contender Films 16 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY EVENINGS

Jane Austen Rescue Dawn The Smallest Show Book Club Thu 17 7.30, Fri 18 7.30 on Earth

Wed 16 7.30 Director: Werner Herzog Sat 19 7.00 Starring: Steve Zahn, Christian Bale, Marshall Bell, Zach Grenier Certificate: 12A Duration: 125 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Pathe Distribution

Dietrich Dengler is catapulted into the hell of the Indochinese jungles when he’s selected for the covert Tonkin Bay operation that sparked This perfectly formed, tiny Ealing the US war in Vietnam. gem will be accompanied by some Miraculously surviving his plane cranky old cutting room floor ads. In this rather silly, totally crash, he faces near-starvation, The Smallest Show On Earth is a superficial film, a bevy of capture and imprisonment with an gentle little skit on Britain’s post-war, immaculately dressed and coiffed unstinting belief in his own salvation. neighbourhood-cinema ‘industry’. middle-class American women Herzog is still fascinated with putting Creepily squeeky clean and worse - form a book club devoted to the his performers through the mangle; real-life husband and wife Bill works of Jane Austen. remember Aguirre and Fitzcarraldo? Travers and Virginia McKenna star as They all have emotional problems As always, closely observing the middleclass Spencers who inherit with partners – largely, one suspects, mundane procedures such as coaxing a decrepit movie house in a tiny because they are so far up fire from bamboo shavings or forging railroad whistle stop, complete with themselves. But Jane, through her a handcuff key from a rusty nail. its doddering employees. stories, sorts them out. Terrific. The camera stays tight and Making the best of things, the Read the books and you’ll find true neutral, sympathetic but not Spencers set up shop, enduring the love seems to be the message. privileging the humans over the trials of small-time cinema owners: Maria Bello, Amy Brenneman, Kathy environment. Always sceptical substandard projection and sound Baker and Emily Blunt do their best, Herzog laces his picture with quiet equipment, a dismal selection of and so do the equally irritating men ironies, such as the early training film films (B-movie Westerns) and sundry in their lives (there’s one lesbian pair, coaching pilots how to survive the mishaps with the audience. Just when too). jungle. That, in Herzog’s world, is they’re about to write off the theatre “This is a rom-com that tries to be asking for trouble. Method acting as a loss, their doorman comes up sassy and true but ends up insanic Bale, literally waists away on with an ingenious way of making a ridiculously unlike any kind of reality camera.” (Time Out, Independent) huge profit… at all”. (Standard) “Here we have a director less anxious A masterpiece of comic everything; “However, it is still enjoyable for the to show the world what a crazy artistic timing, character, slapstick, sleight- uninitiated, as the characters are genius he is. This is the work of a man of-hand and gorgeously understated lively and the many story threads who is tired of being a legend and whimsy. weave into an artful tapestry of love wants to make a living.” So glad we could get it. lost and found.” (Synopsis). (S Times) Note: This an industry viewing. Unhappily it means only the balcony is available this time. But it will be back for everybody.

Director: Robin Swicord Director: Basil Dearden Starring: Maria Bello, Amy Starring: , Virginia Brenneman, Kathy Baker, Emily Blunt Mckenna, Certificate: 12A Certificate: U Duration: 105 mins Duration: 82 mins Origin: USA 2007 Origin: UK 1957 By: Sony Pictures Releasing By: Optimum Releasing JANUARY EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 17

Into the Wild The Golden Compass Wed 23 7.30

Sun 20 6.00, Mon 21 7.30 Director: Chris Weitz Tue 22 7.30 Starring: , Eva Green, , Daniel Craig Based on Philip Pullman’s award- Certificate: 12A winning trilogy: His Dark Duration: 114 mins Materials, The Golden Compass is Origin: USA 2007 a fantasy adventure. In a parallel By: Entertainment Film Distribution world where people’s souls manifest themselves as small animals, where talking bears fight wars and children mysteriously disappear, 12-year-old “An example of American auteur Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards – an (think: know-all) cinema at its ASBO on the parents) sets out on an finest, this latest directorial effort extraordinary quest to rescue her from Penn is adapted from John friend. Krakauer’s bestseller.” “A beautifully made, spectacularly It tells the true-ish story of designed family movie, asks serious Christopher McCandless, who aged questions about good and evil, free of 22, turned his back on his will and adolescent sexuality” privileged life and went off. (Standard) He gave his savings away and “It’s a convoluted, enjoyable, very abandoned his nice consumer mad, deeply conservative and, at one lifestyle. moment, horribly violent (The kind of things you can imagine extravaganza…. Nicole Kidman Sean Penn wished he had done, but steals the show. The bewitching Mrs never quite got round to it – Coulter is a figure of pure blonde , big money, big head… evil… you can hear the faint crackle etc. Better to ‘write’ it than live it, of her stockings as she sashays hey Sean?). threateningly on to the screen – a On his journey through America ridiculous mixture of Darth Vader and leading north to Alaska, McCandless Veronica Lake…” (PB Guardian) (Hirsch) encountered a series of Fan’s of the book say the film is characters. trash… and one review said the kid is From whom he learned a few embarrassing with the worst accent important lessons and in return, Penn ever. As for Daniel’s school-gates fantasizes, touched theirs. beard…. You’ll come anyway. That said, he makes fine use of the American landscape. The film’s cinematic references incorporate Five Easy Pieces, Easy Rider and the work of Terrence Malick. “Suffice to say that this expansive and insightful odyssey holds its own amongst such illustrious company.” (synops) Definitely worth seeing.

Director: Sean Penn Starring: William Hurt, Vince Vaughn, Emile Hirsch, Catherine Keener Certificate: 15 Duration: 148 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Paramount International Pictures 18 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY EVENINGS Motorcycle Diaries The Assassination of Jessie James Thu 24 7.30 by the Coward Robert Ford

Fri 25 7.30, Sat 26 7.00 Director: Andrew Dominik Sun 27 6.00 Starring: Sam Rockwell, Sam Shepard, Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck This silly title, telling the end before Certificate: 15 it begins, hides a good story. Duration: 160 mins Jessie James is tired and hunted; Origin: USA 2007 carrying two painful bullet wounds, By: Warner Brothers bad kidneys and manic depression. He trusts no one and is prone to pathological rages. He is right to be a tad suspicious, since one of his few friends will eventually kill him. Yet when he died, he became an instant hero and an enduring legend. Ford “This is not a tale of heroic feats… received hate mail by the sackful (no It is about two lives running emails), and was himself eventually parallel for a time…” shot by a ‘Jack Ruby’ stranger/nutter A beautiful, moving and heart-lifting who, like so many fans, contrived to film with unexpected comic ‘forget’ the real cold-blooded, monster moments. - Jessie J! Legend has much to answer. I defy you not to fall in love with This Oz director’s 155-minute slow Alberto. Gael Garcia Bernal’s Ernesto drawl attempts a “poetic meditation” ‘Che’ is beautiful, passionate and as rather than much action. A great train earnest as his name but it is robbery sequence balances it a bit. newcomer Rodrigo De La Serna’s You need some patience to sit through Alberto who will steal your heart. it, particularly since cool mumblings It tells a true story of their journey double for correct Missouri accents - from Argentina to Peru on an old who cares? 600cc Norton “The Mighty One” and Dub Noel Coward! If it’s worth saying, how it changed their lives… and say it clear. ‘Method’ mumbling is consequently the rest of the world. indulgent toss. Not only unmissable but worth not Casey Affleck, Ben’s kid brother missing again… and again. (hmm), is brilliant as Ford. This remarkable piece of world Venice thought Brad was pretty good cinema has had its own momentum. It and it looks great on the screen… was screened every month for our Come anyway. first two years. Every show sold out - all by word of mouth. Over 7,000 people. Perhaps it can add another 300. It doesn’t matter, here it is back for one more ride.

Director: Walter Salles Exec Producer: Robert Redford Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo De la Serna Certificate: 15 Duration: 126 mins Origin: Argentina, UK 2004 By: Pathe Distribution JANUARY EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 19

The Band’s Visit Michael Clayton I’m Not There Mon 28 7.30 Tue 29 7.30 Wed 30 7.30, Thu 31 7.30

Director: Eran Kolirin Director: Todd Haynes Starring: Sasson Gabai, Ronit Starring: Heath Ledger, Christian Elkabetz, Saleh Bakri Bale, Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Certificate: 12A Ben Whishaw Duration: 87 mins Certificate: 15 Origin: France, Israel 2006 Duration: 136 mins By: Sony Pictures Releasing Origin: USA 2007 By: Paramount International Pictures A truly lovely film which offers a Middle Eastern take on Jarmusch- Bob Dylan – icon, musician, poet – is the subject of a second major ion manners. It was considered the Gorgeous George plays against film in two years. While Martin most charming film at Cannes this type but still cool as a debt-ridden Scorsese’s ‘No Direction Home’ was year (2007). fixer for one of New York’s largest a conventional, albeit monumental, We join the Alexandria Ceremonial law firms in this powerful documentary, Todd Haynes’s vanity is Police Band arriving at Tel Aviv corporate espionage thriller. to imagine his fictional allegory tells airport to play at the opening of an A one-time criminal prosecutor, it better. Arab cultural centre somewhere Michael Clayton is known among his Haynes suggests Dylan was never nearby. Their hosts fail to turn up so colleagues as “The Janitor” because comfortable in one role. Robert they start walking. for 15 years he’s worked behind the Zimmerman assumed multiple After catching a bus to the wrong scenes to clean up high-profile personalities. He indulges his town, it is late and they are stranded. clients’ messy personal problems. chameleon-like subject, with this Hesitantly, they accept the sanctuary As the loan sharks close in, one of “lyrical, poetic, highly stylized of a bar owner Dina (Elkabetz) and the firm’s most brilliant lawyers, portrait of a man determined to resolve to spend a single weird and Arthur Edens (Wilkinson) starts to possess his own identity and not let wonderful night in this desolate place crack up. Caught between this and anyone - media, public, industry - far from home. that and the desperate need for cash, control it.” Hence this montage of From then on, the gentle, slightly Clayton takes the assignment to help famous faces being his face, but not scared Egyptians gingerly mingle Eden… uh oh! his name. We hear his voice twice with their more forthright Israeli “Yet another in a long line of fine over the opening and closing credits. hosts “A sweet-natured examination performances from Clooney” The astonishing Cate Blanchett gets of strangers in a strange land until its (Channel 4) closest, the rest just make up the moving final scenes… “Clooney’s a damaged man, a weak numbers. Above all, it is almost perfectly man, a defeated man, an arresting “Irreverent, playful yet deeply rooted formed and by no means just a performance…muscular and pain- in a knowledge of Dylan’s biography, pleasant work in a minor key. racked at once.” (PB Guardian) this is cinema at its most sublime.” The more you think about it, the This is a fantastic and powerful (mixed crits) I don’t think we were more truthful, thus important, it corporate espionage thriller, with watching the same film. Be prepared seems. everybody on top form. not only for Him not being there, but I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying Tilda is the best. Come for her and on by the end, you might find you’re not it…” (Time Out, Standard). the way, catch George and Tom doing there either! Come empty of Cancel everything. pretty well. expectations. ‘Chronicles’ it is not.

Director: Tony Gilroy Starring: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack Certificate: 15 Duration: 120 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Pathe Distribution JANUARY LISTINGS AND COMING SOON

Coming Soon JANUARY FILMS AT A GLANCE Please check times carefully and watch out for early shows. New releases WED 2 THE DARJEELING LIMITED 2.00, 7.30 Enchanted THU 3 NANNY DIARIES 2.00 Bee Movie THU 3 YOU KILL ME 7.30 There Will Be Blood FRI 4 AMERICAN GANGSTER 7.30 My Kid Could Paint That SAT 5 NANNY MCPHEE 2.00 SAT 5 AMERICAN GANGSTER 7.00 Back by demand SUN 6 MANHATTAN 6.00 Once MON 7 THE COUNTERFEITERS 2.00, 7.30 The Golden Compass TUE 8 ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE 12.30, 7.30 WED 9 ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE 2.00, 7.30 There Will Be Blood THU 10 BRICK LANE 2.00, 7.30 FRI 11 BEOWULF 7.30 SAT 12 RATATOUILLE 2.00 SAT 12 BEOWULF 7.00 SUN 13 BUTCH CASSIDY AND SUNDANCE KID 6.00 MON 14 BUTCH CASSIDY AND SUNDANCE KID 2.00 MON 14 SILENT LIGHT 7.30 TUE 15 SILK 12.30 TUE 15 AIR GUITAR NATION 7.30 WED 16 JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB 2.00, 7.30 THU 17 JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB 2.00 THU 17 RESCUE DAWN 7.30 FRI 18 RESCUE DAWN 7.30 SAT 19 THE GOLDEN COMPASS 2.00 SAT 19 THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH 7.00 SUN 20 THE GOLDEN COMPASS 6.00 My Kid Could Paint That MON 21 THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH 2.00 Bee Movie MON 21 THE GOLDEN COMPASS 7.30 TUE 22 LA VIE EN ROSE 12.30 TUE 22 THE GOLDEN COMPASS 7.30 WED 23 THE GOLDEN COMPASS 2.00 WED 23 INTO THE WILD 7.30 THU 24 THE GOLDEN COMPASS 2.00 THU 24 THE MOTORCYLCLE DIARIES 7.30 FRI 25 THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES 7.30 SAT 26 THE THIEF OF BAGDAD 2.00 SAT 26 THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES 7.00 SUN 27 THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES 6.00 MON 28 THE BAND'S VISIT 2.00, 7.30 TUE 29 MICHAEL CLAYTON 12.30, 7.30 WED 30 MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS 2.00 WED 30 I'M NOT THERE 7.30 THU 31 TWO DAYS IN PARIS 2.00 Enchanted THU 31 I'M NOT THERE 7.30 JANUARY MATINEES

ALL MATINEES: Balcony £5.00 • Table seats £6.50 • Royal Box seats £10.00 22 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY MATINEES

The Darjeeling Nanny Diaries Nanny McPhee Limited Thu 3 2.00 Sat 5 2.00 Wed 2 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Director: Kirk Jones Starring: , Colin Director: Wes Anderson Firth, , Imelda Starring: Adrien Brody, Amara Staunton Karan, Jason Schwartzman, Owen Certificate: U Wilson Duration: 98 mins Certificate: 15 Origin: UK 2005 Duration: 106 mins By: United International Pictures Origin: USA 2007 By: Twentieth Century Fox NANNY MCPHEE tells the enchanting story of a governess who uses magic to adjust the Free of the slowly-creaking cogs of behaviour of seven ne’er do well his last movie – The Life Aquatic, children in her charge. ‘The Darjeeling Limited’ is more In this dark and witty fable, energetic. It is a road-movie set on a Thompson portrays a person of train. Adrien Brody and Jason This whimsical, heartwarming unsettling appearance and magical Schwartzman are brothers cajoled by comedy concerns Annie Braddock powers who enters the household of their domineering older sibling (), a recent the recently widowed (Owen Wilson) – an unhappy graduate from New Jersey whose Mr. Brown and attempts to tame his businessman with a mysterious nurse-mother fails to push her into seven exceedingly ill-behaved bandage around his head – to take a a white-collared business career. children. The children have managed trip to India a year after their father’s Sidestepping Mom’s ambitions, she to drive away 17 previous nannies death. It’s time for some serious opts for more colorful pursuits. Annie and are certain they will have no bonding with escapades, snakes, a accepts a job as nanny and domestic trouble with this one. little romance and a dose of straight- servant for a wealthy couple (the X’s) But as Nanny McPhee takes control, faced tragedy. on NY’s Upper East Side. they begin to notice their vile “It doesn’t matter where Anderson She has her first real taste of servant behaviour leads swiftly and magically travels; he always brings Americans life when she arrives and promptly to rather disagreeable consequences. with him for company. And often the sinks into Mrs. X’s luxury tub, only As they soften, so too Nanny same Americans, mostly men, usually to be shuttled off to her own bare- McPhee’s warted features appear to Bill Murray, sometimes Schwartzman, bones room. change, creating even more questions always Wilson…” (Time Out) Face to face, for the first time, with about this mysterious stranger whom “Anderson’s stylish approach has vast social differences, Annie spends the children and their father will earned him praise and opprobrium in her days catering to Mrs X’s every come to love. almost equal measure – you either whim. Navigating the emotional A fabulous tale, worth seeing again love his hipster credentials or hate his landmines set by the domineering Mr by any family with more than two whimsy. X, whilst tending to the demands of kids, a nanny, and an interfering rich A rambling, episodic road trip, The the brat son - Grayer. aunt… and the rest of us. Darjeeling Limited looks likely to The situation grows a bit more polarise its audiences just as awkward and sticky when Annie falls violently…” (The Knowledge, The for the ‘boy next door’- nicknamed Times) As always, you will choose. Harvard Hottie… The usual American navel gazing porridge, but harmless and perfect for a January afternoon.

Director: Shari Berman Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Chris Evans Certificate: 12A Duration: 104 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Paramount International Pictures JANUARY MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 23

The Elizabeth: The Brick Lane Counterfeiters Golden Age Thu 10 2.00 Mon 7 2.00 Tue 8 12.30, Wed 9 2.00 Wed Matinee Warning: May contain babies

Director: Shekhar Kapur Starring: Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Samantha Morton, Geoffrey Rush Certificate: 12A Duration: 115 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd Sarah Gavron’s superlative Returning to their roles, Blanchett adaptation of Monica Ali’s Booker- and Rush play their ruffs off in this nominated first novel is a A devastatingly effective wartime captivating, if unreliable, historical contemporary story of love, thriller based upon real events, The thriller laced with treachery and cultural difference and the strength Counterfeiters crackles with class romance. Joining them is ship’s of the human spirit. It is faithful to and intelligence. In 1936, the Nazis plank, Clive Owen as Sir Walter the book though inevitably, less established the largest Raleigh. Elizabeth is facing bloodlust subtle and wide-ranging. counterfeiting operation in history, over her throne, family betrayal and Its characterisations are simpler, but with the intention of flooding the an open challenge from Philip II of its focus on the struggles of a young British and American economies Spain. As she prepares for war and Bangladeshi woman saddled with an with fake currency. ‘Enlisted’ were crushes enemies and traitors, she arranged marriage in the foreign city any concentration camp inmates with cannot balance her duties with a of London remains substantially the the required skills. Among them was tantalizing, unexpected and same. After an arranged marriage to master forger, gambler, libertine and vulnerable urge for Raleigh. an older man, 17-year-old Nazneen charismatic rogue Salomon ‘Sally’ Unable to act on her feelings, she (Chatterjee) exchanges her Sorowitsch (brought vividly to life by encourages her favourite lady-in- Bangladeshi village for a block of Karl Markovics’ gaunt, haunting waiting to befriend him… “All flats in east London. Pining for her face), who is at first energised by his spectacle, dazzling, over-the-top birthplace and her sister, she new task. opulence, fabulous frocks and struggles to make sense of her As the war grinds on, the moral (ridiculous) hair. Every shot existence and to do her duty to her frailty of Sally’s position becomes composed like an oil painting (not husband, who sorely tests her more and more apparent, and he must unlike Zhang Yimou’s flying compliance. Nazneen submits, as she choose which side he is on. circuses)… you will long for a must, to fate and devotes her life to An incredible true story, written by a moment of peace in this visual raising her family and resisting the camp survivor, clearly told and battering…” (Times, Knowledge) demons of discontent. Until, Karim, a beautifully shot with extraordinary Cate Blanchett is a miracle of hot-headed local man, bursts into her performances on all sides. uncertain beauty and absolute life. Against a background of Overnight, or certainly in the last conviction, as always. Geoffrey can escalating racial tension, they embark three years starting with Downfall do no wrong. Samantha Morton’s on an affair which finally forces and Sophie Scholl, then taking a 2007 gorgeous breathing is all too short- Nazneen to take control of her life. Oscar for The Lives of Others, it lived and Clive’s Raleigh is all spud There are no heroes and villains, only seems Germany is winning a war at and no tobacco. people… last – film-making! Don’t miss. “unfashionably gentle, human, optimistic” (Guardian).

Director: Sarah Gavron Director: Stefan Ruzowitzky Starring: Satish Kaushik, Starring: Martin Brambach, August Christopher Simpson, Tannishtha Diehl, Karl Markovics, Devid Striesow Chatterjee Certificate: 15 Certificate: 15 Duration: 99 mins Duration: 101 mins Origin: Austria, Germany 2006 Origin: UK 2007 By: Metrodome Distributors By: Optimum Releasing 24 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY MATINEES

Ratatouille Butch Cassidy and Silk Sat 12 2.00 The Sundance Kid Tue 15 12.30 Mon 14 2.00

Director: George Roy Hill Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin, Henry Jones, Jeff Corey, Cloris Leachman, Ted Cassidy Certificate: PG Duration: 110 mins Origin: USA 1969 By: Twentieth Century Fox It’s hard being a rat with Based on the beloved, bestselling aspirations to be a star chef, but Early in 1970 at a small cinema off novel by Alessandro Baricco, SILK Remy (Oswalt) is convinced he can Oxford St, just as the final frame is the beguiling story of Hervé break the stereotype and make it in caught them, there was a dead Joncour (Pitt), a 19th-Century the world of haute cuisine. silence. Then the clapping started. French silkworm merchant who He teams up with a no-talent chef, By the time the screen had turned travels to Japan. Linguini (Romano), who works in the to sepia the audience was on its feet, Far from his loving wife (Keira) and Paris restaurant above Remy’s home applauding loudly through tears. It whilst trading with a powerful and in the sewer. Together they create was the first time I had experienced feared local baron for the precious some fabulous dishes, but they live in such an outpouring at the end of a silkworm eggs, Joncour becomes fear of discovery. When his cooking film, and the last, until the Rex entranced by the baron’s concubine, turns the haughty world of French reopened. It has stayed with me as the and embarks on a doomed, obsessive cuisine upside down, Remy questions most powerful moment at the end of love affair that transcends language. whether he should pursue his dream any performance. A film of painterly beauty and or go back to the sewer. The film was, and remains, faultless ravishing nuance, Girard’s ambitious With its abundant verbal and visual and holds up as fresh today as it did work is a rapturous historical epic. wit and a soupçon of Gallic forty years ago. It is witty, sharp, a It’s a bit daft but beautiful to watch. sophistication, Ratatouille is the great story and the camera doesn’t Come and wallow in big red seats on perfect pudding. miss a trick. one more incidental January “One of the most witty, clever, gently “I got vision while the rest of the afternoon... and forget what’s outside moral, dramatically convincing and world wears bi-foculs…” for 109 minutes. visually stimulating family What ever happened to director, entertainments of the year. George Roy Hill? The animation is extraordinary too, Supposed to be a true story of two and occasionally breathtaking… bandits who made outlaw history in A test for tiny tots and a mite the Wyoming of the late 19th nostalgic but a delightful” (Time Out) Century. It emerges as a fabulous “Among its many, myriad delights, comedy of errors played beautifully Ratatouille is a film to make you love to the last shot by the glorious pairing the rat” (Guardian). of Redford and Newman. “…ahh… For a minute there I thought we were in trouble…”

Director: Francois Girard Director: Brad Bird Starring: Alfred Molina, Sei Ashina, Starring: Patton Oswalt, Peter Michael Pitt, Keira Knightley O'Toole, Lou Romano, Brad Garrett Certificate: 15 Certificate: U Duration: 109 mins Duration: 111 mins Origin: Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Origin: USA 2007 UK 2007 By: Buena Vista International By: Entertainment Film Distribution JANUARY MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 25

Jane Austen The Golden The Smallest Show Book Club Compass on Earth Wed 16 2.00 Sat 19 2.00, Wed 23 2.00 Mon 21 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Matinee Warning: May contain babies 2.00 Thu 24 2.00 Director: Basil Dearden Thu 17 Starring: Peter Sellers, Virginia Mckenna, Bill Travers Director: Robin Swicord Certificate: U Starring: Maria Bello, Amy Duration: 82 mins Brenneman, Kathy Baker, Emily Blunt Origin: UK 1957 Certificate: 12A By: Optimum Releasing Duration: 105 mins Origin: USA 2007 This perfectly formed, tiny Ealing By: Sony Pictures Releasing gem will be accompanied by some cranky old cutting room floor ads. In this rather silly, totally Based on Philip Pullman’s award- The Smallest Show On Earth is a superficial film, a bevy of winning trilogy: His Dark gentle little skit on Britain’s post-war, immaculately dressed and coiffed Materials, The Golden Compass is neighbourhood-cinema ‘industry’. middle-class American women form a fantasy adventure. In a parallel Creepily squeeky clean and worse - a book club devoted to the works of world where people’s souls manifest real-life husband and wife Bill Jane Austen. themselves as small animals, where Travers and Virginia McKenna star as They all have emotional problems talking bears fight wars and children the middleclass Spencers who inherit with partners – largely, one suspects, mysteriously disappear, 12-year-old a decrepit movie house in a tiny because they are so far up Lyra (Dakota Blue Richards – an railroad whistle stop, complete with themselves. But Jane, through her ASBO on the parents) sets out on an its doddering employees. stories, sorts them out. extraordinary quest to rescue her Making the best of things, the Read the books and you’ll find true friend. Spencers set up shop, enduring the love seems to be the message. “A beautifully made, spectacularly trials of small-time cinema owners: Maria Bello, Amy Brenneman, Kathy designed family movie, asks serious substandard projection and sound Baker and Emily Blunt do their best, questions about good and evil, free equipment, a dismal selection of and so do the equally irritating men will and adolescent sexuality” films (B-movie Westerns) and sundry in their lives (there’s one lesbian pair, (Standard) mishaps with the audience. Just when too). “It’s a convoluted, enjoyable, very they’re about to write off the theatre “This is a rom-com that tries to be mad, deeply conservative and, at one as a loss, their doorman comes up sassy and true but ends up moment, horribly violent with an ingenious way of making a ridiculously unlike any kind of reality extravaganza…. Nicole Kidman huge profit… at all”. (Standard) steals the show. The bewitching Mrs A masterpiece of comic everything; “However, it is still enjoyable for the Coulter is a figure of pure blonde timing, character, slapstick, sleight- uninitiated, as the characters are evil… you can hear the faint crackle of-hand and gorgeously understated lively and the many story threads of her stockings as she sashays whimsy. weave into an artful tapestry of love threateningly on to the screen – a So glad we could get it. lost and found.” (Synopsis). ridiculous mixture of Darth Vader and Veronica Lake…” (PB Guardian) Fan’s of the book say the film is trash… and one review said the kid is embarrassing with the worst accent ever. As for Daniel’s school-gates beard…. You’ll come anyway.

Director: Chris Weitz Starring: Nicole Kidman, Eva Green, Sam Elliott, Daniel Craig Certificate: 12A Duration: 114 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Entertainment Film Distribution 26 Box Office: 01442 877759 JANUARY MATINEES

La Vie En Rose The Thief of The Band’s Visit Tue 22 12.30 Bagdad Mon 28 2.00 Sat 26 2.00 Director: Olivier Dahan Director: Eran Kolirin Starring: Sylvie Testud, Marion Starring: Sasson Gabai, Ronit Cotillard, Pascal Greggory Elkabetz, Saleh Bakri Certificate: 12A Certificate: 12A Duration: 140 mins Duration: 87 mins Origin: Czech Republic, France, Origin: France, Israel 2006 UK 2007 By: Sony Pictures Releasing By: Icon Film Distribution Ltd A truly lovely film which offers a After a huge sell-out run of five Middle Eastern take on Jarmusch- This could be the 1940s months, La Vie En Rose is back for ion manners. It was considered the technicolour/B/W innocent epic one December afternoon. It will be most charming film at Cannes this starring Sabu the elephant boy, or back again and again in the New year (2007). worse the early sixties greased pecs Year. We join the Alexandria Ceremonial remake (equally innocent, pecs and “Cotillard is little short of genius”. Police Band arriving at Tel Aviv She elevates this tragic tale of one all). airport to play at the opening of an huge, tiny life. This little girl’s Either will thrill children of all ages. Arab cultural centre somewhere magnetism and instant presence lifts It is based on an ancient Persian story nearby. Their hosts fail to turn up so the whole film into something above of good triumphing over evil. they start walking. expectations. From the slums of Paris A boy is caught by slavers, escapes, After catching a bus to the wrong to the limelight of New York, Piaf’s is chased all over the place, saves the town, it is late and they are stranded. life was a constant battle to sing and girl, entrusts the treasure with the Hesitantly, they accept the sanctuary survive, to live and love. ‘Little poor, the evil baddies are crushed, of a bar owner Dina (Elkabetz) and Sparrow’ flew so high it was nobody gets killed and it all ends resolve to spend a single weird and inevitable she would burn her wings happily ever after. wonderful night in this desolate place in bravado, brilliance and self- There are genies, magic carpets, far from home. destruction. “ camels, half-naked boys – something From then on, the gentle, slightly expertly impersonates the legendary for everyone. scared Egyptians gingerly mingle singer whose passionate vibrato, like with their more forthright Israeli a demented car-alarm, electrified the Not sure what we’re getting but it hosts “A sweet-natured examination nation….a great performance” (PB will be worth seeing on the big of strangers in a strange land until its Guardian) screen, so come and be surprised moving final scenes… Don’t listen to them. Come for a with us. Above all, it is almost perfectly heartbreaking story, beautifully told formed and by no means just a and photographed right to the last pleasant work in a minor key. teardrop of the closing scene. The more you think about it, the more truthful, thus important, it seems. I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying it…” (Time Out, Standard). Cancel everything.

Director: Michael Powell / Arthur Lubin Starring: Conrad Veidt, Sabu and June Duprez / Steve Reeves, Georgia Moll, Arturo Dominici Certificate: U Duration: 106 mins / 89 mins Origin: UK 1940 / Italy, USA 1961 By: Park Circus Films / Titanus JANUARY MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 27

Michael Clayton Mrs Henderson Two Days in Paris Tue 29 12.30 Presents Thu 31 2.00 Wed 30 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies

Director: Stephen Frears Starring: Dame , Bob Hoskins, Christopher Guest Certificate: 12A Duration: 102 mins Origin: UK 2005 By: Pathe Distribution

Gorgeous George plays against Inhabiting a role she was born to This must be the surprise of the type but still cool as a debt-ridden play, Judi Dench is the certifiably year. Julie Delpy: lightweight fixer for one of New York’s largest eccentric, tart-tongued Laura poppet, writes, directs and stars in law firms in this powerful Henderson, a woman of her own movie. It can’t get much corporate espionage thriller. considerable wealth and social worse…? She has taken the ultra- A one-time criminal prosecutor, standing who refuses to go gently lightweight Before Sunrise/Sunset Michael Clayton is known among his into widowhood. Bored with drab and played with them until she colleagues as “The Janitor” because 1930’s Britain, she buys a rundown, created something worth watching. for 15 years he’s worked behind the Soho theatre – The Windmill. Clearly she was plotting it the whole scenes to clean up high-profile In response to failing audiences and time while having to face Ethan clients’ messy personal problems. in an effort to shake up the staid Hawke, take after tergid take. As the loan sharks close in, one of British establishment (and for one They say this one “sparkles very the firm’s most brilliant lawyers, good reason she saves for a rousing brightly indeed”. We’ll see. Arthur Edens (Wilkinson) starts to and moving speech towards the end), “…news that the 38-year-old gamine crack up. Caught between this and she introduces nudity into her ever has not only directed Two Days in that and the desperate need for cash, increasingly risqué shows. Paris but produced, written, edited, Clayton takes the assignment to help Stephen Frears, effortlessly turns scored the music for and starred in it Eden… uh oh! pitch-perfect performances into a might be slightly terrifying… “Yet another in a long line of fine feast of witty and quotable acerbic But it’s great.” (Times) performances from Clooney” dialogue. “Two Days in Paris turns out to be a (Channel 4) The stage routines are daring and very likable, smart, offbeat film….. “Clooney’s a damaged man, a weak stunning. Bob Hoskins plays posh the time has come to stop man, a defeated man, an arresting (somebody should have told him), patronisingly thinking of Julie Delpy performance…muscular and pain- Judi is flawless and Kelly Reilly is as a blonde actress, and start giving racked at once.” (PB Guardian) stunning, gorgeous and brilliant. her some respect as an auteur” (Peter This is a fantastic and powerful It has already sold out here umpteen Bradshaw, The Guardian) corporate espionage thriller, with times, but is a must for these new “Julie Delpy’s second feature as a everybody on top form. rainy day matinees. writer-director is a smart and spiky Tilda is the best. Come for her and on Judi as Mrs Henderson, or anybody self-reflective comedy” (Time Out) the way, catch George and Tom doing she wants to be, is a must on any If they’re all going ga-ga, it must be pretty well. screen. Watch out for Aylesbury Vale worth a look. from Coombe Hill in the opening shot.

Director: Tony Gilroy Starring: George Clooney, Tom Director: Julie Delpy Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Starring: Adam Goldberg, Julie Pollack Delpy Certificate: 15 Certificate: 15 Duration: 120 mins Duration: 101 mins Origin: USA 2007 Origin: France, Germany 2007 By: Pathe Distribution By: The Works UK Distribution DEAR MRS TRELLIS... www.therexcinema.com Rants and Pants

BLOOD ON THE CURTAINS... ustomer: Can I collect he big curtains got stuck tickets for Monday, please? closed at the start of CBox Office: Certainly. This TRatatouille on the Saturday Monday? matinee 15th December. Customer: No, Monday’s my I wasn’t there. Young Rosie bravely name! announced the film and birthdays, then had to go back on to explain the Overheard (and seen)… unexpected curtain failure. Man and woman approaching the I was told of boos and shouting. loos, chatting. I can’t remember being more angry. As they open their respective This is not a football stadium. doors… one said to the other: This is the last place on Earth where “Hope to see you before courtesy matters over profit. Christmas When something goes wrong, we always take it in our stride. If you From the book: dare boo and shout - you do it to me November Mag loved it, love short – not some little girl. When I’m not headed paragraphs far better than there and even when I am, you will usual long ramblings. (anon) treat my girls and boys with the Dressing up for Rocky Horror, utmost respect or don’t come. Listen Funky seats! Cool Decorations! Grease, even Shortbus is expected, carefully: I don’t care who you are – (Patricia Jones Nov 2007) but these beauties came as the little if you booed or shouted at Rosie, I red-hooded monsterette from Don’t never want to see you here again. Happy Birthday thanks to all for Look Now! (Nov). Well done… James Hannaway. so many happy evenings here. 01442 877999 & 07799 834529 (Sue Dyson 5 Dec)

HIS, OUR FIRST TSOUNDTRACKS CD, IS NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES OR THOSE SPECIAL NIGHTS ALONE WITH VALIUM, CIDER AND A RAZOR… THEY ARE (NOT QUITE) REX SOUNDTRACKS – BUT ORIGINAL IN SPIRIT WITH A GREAT SLEEVE.

That special gift for that special someone you hope you will never see again… DEAR MRS TRELLIS... www.therexcinema.com

From the book continued: nce’- lovely …and I ALLAN POPE His, calm manner, effortless didn’t fall asleep It was the best of all funerals. There courtesy and sharp wit came to the ‘O(10 Dec) must have been 500 there. We all rescue of all of us from time to knew every face. It was a proper time. Emporer’s New Groove. The pub funeral, where anyone who had He help to bandage many trials and finest Disney ever. WOULD you ever had a drink there, turned up to tribulations in and around his much make a 31 year old kid very say goodbye. They came back to loved canal side - with Nick happy. Will bully everyone I know Berkhamsted from across the world. winning on points for the most to ensure a sell out for this lesser Allan and Nick, ran the Rising Sun bandages! known Disney film. for nearly twelve years. Between Allan was that rare lovely man with (anon) them they welcomed all the a heart as big as himself. comings and goings along George There are ten thousand stories, It is wonderful to see a beautiful Street’s ‘latin quarter’ - and the most here’s one I wish I didn’t old cinema being so well used. of the rest of the town! Together remember… We have nothing like this in they initiated and celebrated the best He had to throw me out once, but Basildon (shocking I know!) fun-times, played host to so gently I didn’t even notice I’d I love this place, please never spontaneous party-time and lit the been ‘asked to leave’ till half-way close! (or change!). best water side fireworks. down the tow path. Trying to (anon) Their packed houses for matches apologise the next day… are legendary. To watch England “What? I don’t remember… Happy Birthday! Wine, snacks lose, Arsenal, or Man U, do much you’re welcome as always, you and a string quartet… and the 70s the same, on a tiny TV was creative know that…” adverts were great, shame about anarchy, with the most imaginative Thanks Allan. All very the best to the film… the film was compliments saved for referees. Nick and Allan’s family. rubbish!!!!! (Martin Rickett 05 Dec)

I think you should pay the box office staff double for today. They remained as cheerful and helpful as ever despite crashed computer and massive queue! (Ruth Adams 20 Oct)

Popped back from Pinner to proudly talk about the pleasant perspective I have on the perfect cinema you have protected. (P.S Sorry my about the fact my falandricals caused problems through out the performance tah tah) (Percy Proudfoot)

Beeeeeeautiful!!!!!! (Dawn Streets 08 Feb)

They say the Rex was an experience. It IS when you have to queue for 5 hours (M.Walker 17 Feb)

My name is Ellen Meadows and I think The Rex is a very posh place and extraordinarily clean. Keep up the good work.. (Age 10).