MOLIÈRE

IN AUGUST...

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

AUGUST 2007 Issue 29 www.therexcinema.com 01442 877759 Mon-Sat 10.30-6pm Sun 4.30-6.30pm To advertise email [email protected] INTRODUCTION

August Matinees 10-17 August Evenings 18-28 Gallery 5, 7 Coming Soon 29 August Films at a glance 29 Dear Mrs Trellis 33, 35 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 Street. Tel: 01442 877999

Some of the girls and boys you see at the Box Office and Bar: Rosie Abbott Eva Jaurena Katie Anderson Jo Littlejohn Emily Doyle Bethany McKay Christine Linda Moss Fressineau Louise Ormiston Karina Gale Julian Paredes Jemma Gask Amberly Rose Holly Gilbert Charlotte Stephens Rosa Gilbert Tina Thorpe Olivia Glasser Alex Tucker Beth Hannaway Beth Wallman Oliver Hicks Olivia Wilson “Perhaps the chimneys stood too tall in this beautiful valley to stay there Sarah Holloway Keymea Yazdanian forever. For new-comers they were part of the scenery. For the born & breds Sally Thorpe In charge under 50, they had always been there. Being ‘used-to’ has an inexplicable value Alun Rees Chief projectionist (Original) of its own…” Jon Waugh 1st assistant projectionist The ‘Mother’ chimney brought down at precisely 11am on a very cold Martin Coffill Part-time assistant projectionist Christmas Day 1999. You can see the freezing wind blowing the ashes towards Jacquie Rose Chief Box Office & Bar Greg Tomkins Film director the “ancient windmill”. Jane Clucas & Lynn Hendry PR/Marketing/FoH Times Property Section ‘Bricks and Mortar’ Laurence Wiper Bar supervisor 29 June 2007 Ian Muirhead Accountant Headed: “Hot Tip Of The Week” Resident creative builders Darren Flindall Michael Glasheen In Pitstone, Buckinghamshire. The views are stunning, with rolling

Artists hills, woodland and wide open spaces. You could be somewhere in Andrew Dixon Switzerland, but in reality you are on the edge of the Chiltern Hills…

Paul Rowbottom One of the larger villages around Tring, Pitstone is widely known for its ancient Advisors and Investors windmill“ (pictured above) and the medieval church of St Mary Virgin, founded Paul Fullagar in 1180. The surrounding area has much to offer – the Grand Union Canal, “ the Alan Clooney bluebell woods at their best in May, nearby Whipsnade Zoo, and the Kings Ed Mauger Genius Head Restaurant at Ivinghoe. The market towns of Aylesbury, Tring and Demiurge Design Designers 01582 791996 Berkhamsted are alive with interesting shops. Allison Nunn Publisher 07786 540418 The revamped Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted is arguably the finest James Hannaway CEO 01442 independent cinema in the country…” 877999 Taken from the Times (Fri 29 June) ‘Bricks and Mortar’ p27. Betty Patterson Company Secretary and THE ORIGINAL VISIONARY of The Rex. Thank you to the young couple who kept it for us. The Rex High Street (Three Close Lane) Berkhamsted HP4 2FG To risk sour grapes at the old lie: ‘any publicity is…’ - why are we always in www.therexcinema.com the ‘property sections’? GALLERY www.therexcinema.com 5

his is estate agent land. ‘Bricks It’s about as courageous as washing and Mortar’ and all such Booking blurb and new things: behind your ears. (But thank you T‘Property’ pages are paid for by Romaine). estate agents. They look like articles • Full houses: Try the raffle on the but are bijou advertorials. door – a very high success rate. ho knows what motivated This one gushes all over with the • Midweek Matinees: If you have Castle Cement at alpine Swissness of Pitstone! On a table tickets please come in WPitstone Cement Works, clear day you can hear yodelling. through the downstairs doors. but for fifty years it employed One cross-heading reads: “Why are We will be there to see you in. thousands locally. As part of the people suddenly so excited about It will save all those stairs. landscape, five skinny chimneys Pitstone?” Even for the million pound • It is probably another worse-than- were a three-dimensional compass answer, the closest phone-a-friend - worst idea, but we’ve started point on the horizon. You could see friend, would hang-up. afternoon teas. Mon to Thurs after them for miles. They orientated It boasts: “Much of the rural setting the Matinees. you, a landmark of post-war rural has been restored (with) 275 homes England re-building after the blitz. built on the old cement works… evaporate on to DVD – never to be No doubt they supplied some of the with a further 161 new dwellings seen on the big screen again. crappiest architecture with cement scheduled…” We keep the best (and worst) titles for some of the most unforgivable How do the words ‘rural setting’ and alive many weeks later, for an civic buildings and housing estates ‘restored’ go with 536 houses and a audience who queues to see them. in the 50s, 60s and 70s. new road cut through green meadows We show films, great and small on a But it was only supplying the to give access to the (essential, now big screen in a civilised, welcoming mortar for the bricks. Like ‘only we’re living in the country, dahlink) and gorgeous setting. During a recent obeying orders’ I suppose? 1072 four-wheel drives? visit, Mainline Pictures chief (The The chimneys must be turning in At the pleasure of repetition, The Rex Screen on the…), Romaine Hart, their cement slippers at the half- was not lovingly restored to what may remarked that our “magical creation” timbered four-bedroomed breeze well be the last remaining fully was “courageous” to screen a semis built on top of them, working, single screen 1930’s cinema; different film most nights. We employ with walls so well insulated, shoe possibly Britain’s most beautiful, to almost forty, pay all our bills and laces can be heard being tied a cul- sweeten the sale of “three, four and aren’t out for huge profits. It is an de-sac away. five bedroom houses…”. We restored extended family. It sounds idyllic but A snip at half a million. it to show films for anyone and if you’re not greedy, it can work Favourite line… “…alive with everybody in a place more magical anywhere. interesting shops”. than the film itself. With a little imagination you can find more challenging aids to house prices – like how nicely drained are the craggy pavements and what an adven - ture it is to get home in one piece. Isn’t there a page in The Times where you might want to write about what we do, besides what a great asset we are to estate agents? Even the latest fears of the industry are fun to read. Getting us on the right page might sell even more ‘properties’ for you?

Currently studio chiefs and distributors of big-budget Block-Bs and the ever growing independents are worried. The Coens, Rodrigues, Tarantino and Clooney, Europeans, South Americans and Ken Loach in the UK, are more and more concerned that their films are only seen in “cesspits” (not quite their word). Then, after the first two Toby Jones Sunday 8 July big weeks on general release, they GALLERY www.therexcinema.com 7

Toby, looking very pleased with Sandra Bullock wrapped around his neck. But even happier (left) with family and friends by The Rex ‘garden’.

Infamous: Toby Jones, Adrian Scarborough, James Hannaway. (Sandra is just out of shot). A lovely man, brilliant on the big screen and even better on stage. These star gigs are always apprehensive in preparation, but there seems to be no need. From Dame Judi to Humph, they’ve all been been easy-going and gracious. Toby was particulaly gorgeous from the minute he walked in, and great company. Lost his raybans in the foyer and almost missed his flight. It doesn’t get much better… until we gush about the next one… AUGUST MATINEES

ALL MATINEES: Balcony £5.00 • Table seats £6.50 • Royal Box seats £10.00 AUGUST MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 11

Fantastic Four Wed 1 2.00, Thu 2 2.00 Ocean’s Thirteen Matinee Warning: May contain babies Fri 3 2.00 Director: Tim Story Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Soderbergh’s pacing is brisk, like Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis he wants to get it all over as quickly Certificate: PG as possible. You may hope so too? Duration: 92 mins “Better than the awful Twelve but not Origin: USA 2007 as fresh as Eleven”. By: Twentieth Century Fox George, Brad, Matt and the rest are as cool as ever. They know when their “At last! A comic book blockbuster luck is in. It’s back to Vegas, where that isn’t burdened by a self Al Pacino’s casino big-shot (apply important subtext and a bum- named Willie Bank) upsets the gang numbing running time. Unlike X- and pays for it… men or Spiderman movies. The stars don’t have to try. They This Fantastic Four: is a delicious hardly have to string more than two lightweight sequel – a 92 minute dash sentences together. But then, it’s not through some simplistic moral Shakespeare. There are some good problems, emotional hiccups and one-liners but the action is better. mildly, diverting PG-rated set-pieces. Dice are magnetised, card shufflers Of course, it’s all deeply stupid stuff, are bribed, slot machines are rigged and the movie knows it, even and an earthquake is faked with a celebrates it.” (‘Knowledge’ Sat Times) giant drill! At last a reviewer has got a BlockB “That’s only the half of it. I wouldn’t right. So has 20th C Fox. Finally a want to spoil your guilty pleasure at studio has decided to forget the story. this preposterous plotline.” (Standard) Instead, turn on the action button It is complete spoofy nonsense. with Mr-can’t-pass-a-mirror (with They all look like their having a great silly, unpronouncible name) time and, unlike Brit comic-strips Gruffodd; the gorgeous Alba – the actors, share it with the audience. only one who shouldn’t be invisible; So come for this, George, the thrills, some non descript flame guy from the in-jokes and the obvious finale… Director: Steven Soderbergh coolsville and an animated pooper But more, for the gorgeously flawed Starring: Don Cheadle, George unscooped. Ellen Barkin. Clooney, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, Forget the story. You already know… Andy Garcia there isn’t one. Certificate: PG So come for the black-hole whirlpool Duration: 122 mins in the middle of the Thames and the Origin: USA 2007 most fantastical techno-visuals on our By: Warner Brothers huge screen… with all the usual hospitality. Here for the first few days of August with one evening for grown-up kids… 12 Box Office: 01442 877759 AUGUST MATINEES

Hoodwinked The Incredibles La Vie En Rose Sat 4 2.00 Mon 6 2.00 Tue 7 12.30, Wed 8 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Director: Brad Bird Starring: Holly Hunter, Brad Bird, Jason Lee, Samuel L Jackson Certificate: U Duration: 120 mins Origin: USA 2004 By: Buena Vista International

THE INCREDIBLES is a hilarious action-packed animated adventure The animators are getting better about superheroes. Bob Parr used to and better. There are Pixar geeks be one of the world’s greatest versus Disney stalwarts. There are superheroes (known to all as ‘Mr conventions and daytrips. They’re Incredible’) saving lives and fighting excited by all the new electro-toys evil on a daily basis. But now, 15 and clever enough to use them, which years later, Bob and his wife have LA VIE EN ROSE is elevated for us and our kids means an hour or adopted civilian identities and retired above many other biopics by so of unbridled spectacle, fantasy and to the suburbs to live normal lives Marion Cotillard. This little girl’s, wow! with their three kids. magnetism and instant presence lifts This is an utterly irreverent and Brad Bird, the man largely the whole film into something above hugely enjoyable mixture of classic responsible for the The Simpsons, as argument. fairytale and a hard-bitten cop yarn well as the 1999 animated feature - From the slums of Paris to the with healthy doses of humour. Ted Hughes’ The Iron Giant, has limelight of New York, Piaf’s life was HOODWINKED (the clue is in the created this little gem. a constant battle to sing and survive, title!) is Little Red Riding Hood You may have seen it before and got to live and love. Piaf’s magical turned on its side. This story begins it at home, but the big screen creates voice, and her passionate romances where the famous Grimm’s tale ends. a different world. and friendships with some of the The Grandmother (bunny-blr, Close) Besides they’re not making kids films greatest names of the period, made and the Woodcutter (Belushi) as quickly as we need to show them, so her a star the world over. But in her confront the Big Bad Wolf (Chazz). bring your grandparents out for a treat. audacious attempt to tame her tragic The Police (all known fairy faces) Luckily most new films for children destiny, the ‘Little Sparrow’ flew so arrive blocking the entrances to the are spiked with ‘grown-up’ gags. high it was inevitable that she would house, and begin their investigation So you don’t need a child. Come and burn her wings. Capturing the of the human inhabitants. Little Red elbow them out of the way. Riding Hood (Hathaway) is the prime French icon’s bravado, brilliance and suspect, with the Woodcutter and the self-destruction, Grandmother also under suspicion. “Marion Cotillard expertly imperson - A character-based animation with ates the legendary singer whose wise-cracks, jokey in-jokes and a passionate vibrato, like a demented procession of instantly familiar car-alarm, electrified the nation…. fairytale figures. Come for the a great performance” (PB Guardian) cheeky brilliance, but bring your Don’t listen to them. Come for her grandparents to keep you in the and a heartbreaking story, beautifully frame… told. “Cotillard is little short of genius”… absolument. Director: Cory Edwards, Todd Edwards Director: Olivier Dahan Starring: Glenn Close, Anne Starring: Sylvie Testud, Marion Hathaway, James Belushi, Chazz Cotillard, Pascal Greggory Palminteri Certificate: 12A Certificate: U Duration: 140 mins Duration: 81 mins Origin: Czech Republic, France, UK Origin: USA 2006 2007 By: Momentum By: Icon Film Distribution Ltd AUGUST MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 13

Madagascar Fly Away Home Ladies in Lavender Thu 9 2.00 Sat 11 2.00 Mon 13 2.00

Directors: Eric Darnell & Tom Director: Charles Dance McGrath Starring: Dame Judi Dench, Maggie Voices of: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Smith, Miriam Margoyles, Natascha David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith. Mcelhone, Daniel Bruhl Certificate: U Certificate: 12A Duration: 86 mins Duration: 103 mins Origin: USA 2005 Origin: UK 2004 By: UIP By: Entertainment Film Distribution

“Someone’s got a zoo loose…” the This ran and ran when we first clue is in the title! opened and introduced us to the Four residents, best friends and fiercest and most feared of “stars” of the Central Park Zoo in audiences. Charles Dance was one of New York City: Alex the lion (Stiller), our first guest directors, whom later Marty the zebra (Rock), Melman the and unforgettably, brought Judi Dench to chat to him on our stage. giraffe (Schwimmer) and a pregnant From the director of The Black hippo - Gloria (Jada). When one of He came across this short story while Stallion comes the story of a family waiting to shoot a scene in a library. them goes missing, the other three who adopt a flock of geese after its break out to look for him. They are After many ups and downs, it front flyer dies. Ultimately they help eventually became this small, captured but instead of returning to the flock migrate south by piloting an the zoo they are shipped back to their beautifully shot, independent film. ultra-light plane. It cleverly transcends the sentimental roots: Africa, only to find that the This film is based on the real-life escapees are too soft city-slick for through its warm sketches of genuine exploits of Bill Lishman whose story people. In exquisitely judged their wild origins. Pixar may have was featured on a “20/20” news raised crayon of perfection, but performances, Dame Judy tries to segment in 1993. The news item suppress carnal desires and Dame Dreamworks is going keyboard-to- inspired this film. keyboard when it comes to popular Maggie tuts. The sister’s world is Featured among the ensemble cast simple and uncomplicated. Their appeal. “So sophisticated is digital are Jeff Daniels, Dana Delany and animation nowadays, the makers are words are measured, manners perfect Academy-Award-winning actress and repression absolute. The sun forced to study the old masters Chuck Anna (The Piano) Paquin. Jones, Tex Avery and Hanna-Barbara shines and waves pound. It is about a Preliminary scenes are said to show time long lost, where smokey pubs to create an authentic retro-cartoon the hatching eggs of real geese: look” (Mail on Sunday). Watch out were the domain of ruddy faced old “The newborn geese ‘imprint’ onto men and policemen doffed their caps, for Ali G as a singing lemur, but its the first living thing they see and the renegade penguins who steal it for clipped cheeky young’uns around the then follow it”. That could be ear and got away with ‘Now bugger me. tricky… What if its Gary Glitter? (Warning: “PG for mild language, off or I’ll be round to see yer father’. crude humour and some thematic Once more we look forward (with a elements”) Thematic elements - how little trepidation) to the patter of awful). sensible shoes.

Directors: Carroll Ballard Starring: Anna Delany, Terry Kinney, Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin Certificate: U Duration: 107 mins Origin: USA 1996 By: Sony Pictures Releasing 14 Box Office: 01442 877759 AUGUST MATINEES

Winged Migration Miss Potter Millions Tue 14 12.30 Wed 15 2.00 Thu 16 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies

Director: Chris Noonan Starring: Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Bill Paterson, Emily Watson Certificate: PG Duration: 93 mins Origin: UK 2006 By: Momentum Pictures

Unerringly beautifully from first frame to last, this magical tale An Oscar nominee, it is visually follows Beatrix Potter’s rise to being Danny Boyle, has brought his ravishing and an amazing feat of the most successful children’s author unique style to a story about two camera work. Startling close-ups of all time. Despite delighting gener - young boys (aged seven and ten) and beautiful long tracking aerial ations of children with her books, she who have recently lost their mother shots follow these birds south for the kept her own story carefully locked and whose lives are dramatically winter. It tells us that over hundreds away. The film reveals how she devel - changed even more when the and thousands of air miles are oped storytelling from a young age and younger one chances upon a huge navigated by the stars, the sun, the rebelled against draconian convention bag of cash – “fallen from heaven” earth’s gravitational field and best of by refusing to marry. Her first book, only days before the UK is to adopt all - familiar landmarks! Apparently, Tales of Peter Rabbit, was a publishing the Euro! The boy is obsessed with 225 feet of film were exposed for phenomenon and led to a forbidden saints and martyrs, many of whom he every foot used on the screen! romance with her publisher Norman talks to throughout the film. “Some birds were raised to be the Warne (a most irritating Ewan Mc). He feels obliged to disperse the stars of the film; they were exposed “MISS POTTER wrenches the heart… money amongst the needy. to the sounds of aeroplanes and Sure it’s shamelessly sentimental, but Only days before the UK is to adopt movie cameras while still in the shell, strangely moving” (Channel 4) the euro, his older brother, fully aware and upon hatching, were greeted by Or… the money is a stray bag from a heist crew members!” (how terrifying for “…barely scratches the Dickensian of an enormous load of incinerator- the newborns ). surface of true female repression. bound cash, is determined to spend it Shots were taken from microlights, Zellweger tries to make up for this with while they’ve still got the chance. hot air balloons and gliders. coy mannerisms, squinty-eyed gri - Millions is a delightful child’s-eye- Happily the film lets the pictures tell maces and precision in studied ‘period’ view of the world which delivers on the story. The light narration does not gestures.” (Hollywood Reporter) all fronts. Danny Boyle draws distract from the breathtaking visuals. Most comments on leaving refer to inspired performances from his Apart from passing predators this it is Renee as Brigid Jones - in costume. youthful cast and creates a wondrous a beautiful flight. I think she’s great, but to remove the vision of the impossible. clutter of ‘stardom’ and let the story It is charming, funny and surprising breathe, they should have used all at once. For everyone. unknowns. All agree on its unaffected enchantment and charm. It is, as her tales, a perfect escape. So come for this.

Director: Danny Boyle Starring: Alexander Etel, Lewis Director: Jacques Cluzaud, Michel McGibbon, James Nesbitt, Daisy Debats Donovan Certificate: U Certificate: 12A Duration: 89 mins Duration: 98 mins Origin: France 2002 Origin: UK 2005 By: Sony Pictures Releasing By: Pathe Distribution AUGUST MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 15

Stormbreaker Mrs Henderson Deep Blue Sat 18 2.00 Presents Tue 21 12.30 Mon 20 2.00 Director: Geoffrey Sax Directors: Andy Byatt, Alastair Starring: Ewan McGregor, Alex Fothergill Pettyfer, Mickey Rourke, Bill Nighy Certificate: PG Certificate: PG Duration: 90 mins Duration: 93 mins Origin: UK 2004 Origin: USA 2006 By: Optimum Releasing By: Entertainment Now, for the first time ever, it is “Being only fourteen, he’s not possible to explore a world few have licensed to speak until spoken to, ever seen. let alone kill. Inhabiting a role she was born to From the familiar to the unknown, Luckily, there’s more to this caper play, Judi Dench is the certifiably the film reveals the sea and its than Pettyfer’s pretty face. eccentric, tart-tongued Laura communities at their most enchant - The humorous spirit of Horowitz’s Henderson, a woman of ing, alluring and fierce. books has, in the main, transferred considerable wealth and social Deep Blue is a film about the Earth’s nicely to the screen”. (Time Out) standing who refuses to go gently Oceans. The orchestral score is Stormbreaker introduces this reluctant into widowhood. Bored with drab gorgeous. Narration by Michael teenage super-spy to the big screen. 1930’s Britain, she buys a rundown, Gambon is not a travelogue. Alex Rider is a 14-year-old orphan Soho theatre – The Windmill. Twenty specialist camera teams shot who has been nurtured throughout In response to failing audiences and 7,000 hours of footage in more than childood by, his MI6 agent, uncle to in an effort to shake up the staid 200 locations around the world for learn the spying game. When the British establishment (and for one more than five years, descending uncle (McGregor) is killed, the new good reason she saves for a rousing almost five miles below the surface. boy is pressed into daring-do on/in and moving speech towards the end), We know more about the surface of grand (Manx, as Cornish) landscapes she introduces nudity into her ever the moon than we do about the deep and London’s famous landmarks. increasingly risqué shows. oceans! Imagine it, take it in, be It’s teenage James Bond – with gadgets, Consistently brilliant Stephen Frears, terrified at the thought - but come gizmos, villains and spikey hair. effortlessly turns pitch-perfect and see for yourself, this vital two “It’s strange to see a new film that performances into a feast of witty thirds of our planet on our big screen. hasn’t one original idea. (Strange? and quotable acerbic dialogue. The real star is the water and the life There are hundreds released every The stage routines are daring and in it and around it. Even then you week). But Bill Nighy lifts it into the stunning. Bob Hoskins plays posh will hardly grasp the infinity of it all. extrordinay as always, and Andy (somebody should have told him), But you might marvel at the Serkis, still not given his whole body Judi is flawless and Kelly Reilly is miniscule significance and gross to play. Here he’s a mute with a knife stunning, gorgeous and brilliant. stupidity of the human race. ‘accident’ for a smile. It has already sold out here umpteen (Filmed by the BBC Natural History Fabulous action for all the family and times, but is a must for these new Unit: makers of “The Blue Planet”). some glorious shots of London. rainy day matinees. Judi as Mrs Non-stop from beginning to end. Henderson, or anybody, especially herself, is lavender for all seasons. Watch out for Aylesbury Vale from Coombe Hill in the opening shot.

Director: Stephen Frears Starring: Dame Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Guest Certificate: 12A Duration: 102 mins Origin: UK 2005 By: Pathe Distribution 16 Box Office: 01442 877759 AUGUST MATINEES

Shrek The Third Molière Thu 23 2.00, Sat 25 2.00 Wed 22 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies In 1645, the French playwright Director: Laurent Tirard Molière mysteriously disappeared. Starring: Fabrice Luchini, Laura It was only weeks. This comedy- Morante, Romain Duris, Ludivine drama is inspired by his disappearance Sagnier and imagines all manner of possible Certificate: 12A scenarios to colour what might have The recipe hasn’t changed much, Duration: 120 mins happened to him – and what mischief even if the cooking is underdone. Origin: France 2007 he might make? At the time, Molière By: Pathe Distribution They’re all here - Donkey (Eddie (Duris) was touring the French Murphy) Puss in Boots (Antonio countryside with his theatre company. Banderas) John Cleese’s dying King He was yet to be recognised as a great Harold, nasty Prince Charming author or make any money. (Rupert Everett) Shrek’s pregnant He is recruited by Jourdain (Luchini), wife Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) a wealthy man who has fallen in love Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews). with a widow, Célimène (Sagnier), What a bunch? Sounds like fun for despite having a beautiful wife and a jogger. two daughters already! “There are, of course, a few He needs someone to help with his genuinely funny moments and a acting and to polish his self-indulgent, sprinkling of decent one-liners. terrible play, designed to seduce But the rest is poorly written and Célimène. “Brilliantly written and dully characterised. Even the cast directed, MOLIÈRE is witty and seem less bouncy than before…” handsomely played, and is “Despite a number of protracted representative of French cinema at its moments, a few scenes are truly very finest…” It is totally speculative, inspired: the dying-frog sequence for hence a great story, told with certain one, and Shrek’s “Exorcist”- inspired knowledge of Molière - but no idea nightmare about parenthood for where he went or what happened another. Some jokes sail close to during his absence. It is the “knowing innuendo, but in the main they’re him” which creates this likely tale. balanced enough to appeal to all ages. Come and be wooed by inspired The CG animation, too, is as refined fantasy, Duris’ presence and Laura as we’ve come to expect. Just a Morante’s face. shame it lacks the smart sassiness of its predecessors. Time to call time???” (crits: Eve Standard, Time Out)

Directors: Raman Hui, Chris Miller Starring: Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Mike Myers Certificate: U Duration: 93 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Paramount International Pictures AUGUST MATINEES www.therexcinema.com 17

Lives of Others The Painted Veil Singing in the Rain Tue 28 12.30 Wed 29 2.00 Thu 30 2.00 Matinee Warning: May contain babies Director: Florian Henckel von Director: Gene Kelly Donnersmarck Starring: Debbie Reynolds, Donald Starring: Martina Gedeck, Ulrich O'Connor, Gene Kelly Mühe, Sebastian Koch Certificate: U Certificate: 15 Duration: 102 mins Duration: 138 mins Origin: USA 1952 Origin: Germany 2007 By: British Film Institute By: Lionsgate Films UK Its 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina This remarkably heartbreaking Lamont are the darlings of the and uplifting film has left silent silver screen. audiences in absolute consent. Off screen, Don, aided by his happy- “Sometimes the greatest journey is It is literally stunning. Set mainly in go-lucky friend and piano the distance between two people…” East Berlin during the mid 1980s, the accompanist, Cosmo Brown (the W.Somerset Maugham’s Painted Veil film chronicles the consequences of brilliant Donald O’), has to dodge is set in 1925. Dr Walter Fane the Minister of Culture’s decision to Lina’s romantic overtures, especially (Norton) falls in love with and investigate the lives of a successful when he falls for chorus girl Kathy marries Kitty (Watt), the beautiful, playwright and his actress wife. Selden (sacchrine Debbie Reynolds). frivolous daughter of a wealthy Unfortunately she has the fat, With the advent of sound in motion family. He knows she doesn’t love gargoyle politician slobbering after pictures, Don and Lina’s new film him, but hopes… They move to her. His power ensures he gets his will be turned into a ‘talkie’ and a Shanghai, where he takes up a way. Questioning the ethics of his musical at that! The only problem is practice and she takes a lover. work, the Stasi officer in charge of Lina’s voice could scrape It was bound to happen, but she the spying, ends up as profoundly blackboards. Thus, Kathy is brought picked the wrong man to cuckold. affected by the bugging as the couple. in to dub her speaking and singing in Impulsively, he takes a commission to The Lives Of Others succeeds both as secret. Don is as pleased as punched, a Chinese village, deep in the heart of a convincing historical recreation and over the moon, on top of the world… nowhere – and stricken with a a compelling tale of individuals But then Lina finds out... cholera! He takes her with him. trapped in the dying years of evil Come for her (she’s the best in it) The daily trials of living in appalling institutional mistrust. and of course Gene’s big dance (they conditions have a striking impact A great cast of perfect faces. The had to mix milk with the rain so the upon them both… film has caused an extraordinary stir. cameras could pick it up) but most “A rare, perfect masterpiece… It is back by overwhelming demand, of all, Donald O’Connor’s Powerful and exhilarating” (Horizons) and will be here again and again unsuppassed show-biz masterpiece – “A timeless love story… Let it sweep Again, cancel everything. ‘Make ‘em Laugh’. you away” (Rolling Stone) “Gripping. Not to be missed” (Daily Mail - So it must be true) Forget all that. Just come. It works on every level, especially the faces, most of the words and his immaculate shirts… A beautiful journey from beginning to end.

Director: John Curran Starring: Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Edward Norton, Toby Jones Certificate: 12A Duration: 125 mins Origin: China, USA 2006 By: Momentum Pictures AUGUST EVENINGS AUGUST EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 19

Fantastic Four Wed 1 7.30 Ocean’s Thirteen Thu 2 7.30, Fri 3 7.30, Director: Tim Story Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Sat 4 7.00 Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis Certificate: PG Soderbergh’s pacing is brisk, like Duration: 92 mins he wants to get it all over as quickly Origin: USA 2007 as possible. You may hope so too? By: Twentieth Century Fox “Better than the awful Twelve but not as fresh as Eleven”. “At last! A comic book blockbuster George, Brad, Matt and the rest are as that isn’t burdened by a self cool as ever. They know when their important subtext and a bum- luck is in. It’s back to Vegas, where numbing running time. Unlike X- Al Pacino’s casino big-shot (apply men or Spiderman movies. named Willie Bank) upsets the gang This Fantastic Four: is a delicious and pays for it… lightweight sequel – a 92 minute dash The stars don’t have to try. They through some simplistic moral hardly have to string more than two problems, emotional hiccups and sentences together. But then, it’s not mildly, diverting PG-rated set-pieces. Shakespeare. There are some good Of course, it’s all deeply stupid stuff, one-liners but the action is better. and the movie knows it, even Dice are magnetised, card shufflers celebrates it.” (‘Knowledge’ Sat Times) are bribed, slot machines are rigged At last a reviewer has got a BlockB and an earthquake is faked with a right. So has 20th C Fox. Finally a giant drill! studio has decided to forget the story. “That’s only the half of it. I wouldn’t Instead, turn on the action button want to spoil your guilty pleasure at with Mr-can’t-pass-a-mirror (with this preposterous plotline.” (Standard) silly, unpronouncible name) It is complete spoofy nonsense. Gruffodd; the gorgeous Alba – the They all look like their having a great only one who shouldn’t be invisible; time and, unlike Brit comic-strips some non descript flame guy from actors, share it with the audience. coolsville and an animated pooper So come for this, George, the thrills, Director: Steven Soderbergh unscooped. the in-jokes and the obvious finale… Starring: Don Cheadle, George Forget the story. You already know… But more, for the gorgeously flawed Clooney, Brad Pitt, Al Pacino, there isn’t one. Ellen Barkin. Andy Garcia So come for the black-hole whirlpool Certificate: PG in the middle of the Thames and the Duration: 122 mins most fantastical techno-visuals on our Origin: USA 2007 huge screen… with all the usual By: Warner Brothers hospitality. Here for the first few days of August with one evening for grown-up kids… 20 Box Office: 01442 877759 AUGUST EVENINGS

Buena Vista Social Tell No One La Vie En Rose Club Mon 6 7.30 Tues 7, Wed 8, Thu 9 Sun 5 6.00 7.30 LA VIE EN ROSE is elevated Director: Wim Wenders above many other biopics by Starring: Ry Cooder, Joaquim Marion Cotillard. Cooder, Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben This little girl’s, magnetism and Gonzalis, Eliades Ochoa, Omara instant presence lifts the whole film Portuondo, Compay Segundo into something above argument. Certificate: U From the slums of Paris to the Duration: 105 mins limelight of New York, Piaf’s life Origin: Cuba, Germany 1999 was a constant battle to sing and By: Pathe Distribution survive, to live and love. Piaf’s Another gem the French have magical voice, and her passionate A group of ageing, legendary ‘stolen’ from the yanks and romances and friendships with some Cuban musicians, some in their showing how to make a thriller a of the greatest names of the period, nineties, whose talents had been million times more thrilling, told in made her a star the world over. But virtually forgotten during Castro’s French! Remember “The Beat that in her audacious attempt to tame her reign, are brought out of retirement My Heart Skipped”? Though Cluzet tragic destiny, the ‘Little Sparrow’ to play a few last gigs. The legend is no Romain Duris, this is an edge of flew so high it was inevitable that has it, Ry Cooder with his son the seat thriller to beat them all. she would burn her wings. Joachim, where in Havana to record An anonymous email. When he clicks Capturing the French icon’s bravado, with a group of players from across on the link he sees Margot’s face brilliance and self-destruction, the world. They didn’t make it. standing in a crowd and being filmed “Marion Cotillard expertly imperson - So he asked around about the in real time. Is she still alive? ates the legendary singer whose legendary Buena Vista Social Club. And why does she instruct him to tell passionate vibrato, like a demented The result: a triumphant celebration no one? car-alarm, electrified the nation…. of hundreds of lost years between “Relentless suspense and a tense, a great performance” (PB Guardian) them, without grudge. multilayered plot combine to Don’t listen to them. Come for her It is not only for musos but for superlative effect in this pulsating and a heartbreaking story, beautifully everyone who cherishes the ideal that French thriller adapted from Harlan told. “Cotillard is little short of being lost is not forgotten… Coben’s bestseller of the same name” genius”… absolument. Come for the optimism, the grace, (CS). So don’t drink, or wear a nappy, the low key ease of their unhurried but don’t leave your seat for a music. The way they walk, talk and second… That’s all you need to know. are. Come for them. Above all, come Don’t ask, just come. for their beautiful faces in close-up. Already selling out in August, even Especially Omara Portuondo’s before its first screening in July… teardrop lovingly smudged away in Vive la French thrillers. an instant by Ibrahim Ferrer’s “big flat black thumb” and right at the end, his long, bewildered gaze into a Carnegie Hall on its feet in rapture and in tears. Heartbreaking and uplifting in every word, gesture and note.

Directors: Guillaume Canet, André Dussolier Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze Certificate: 15 Duration: 131 mins Origin: France 2006 By: Revolver Film AUGUST EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 21

Director: Olivier Dahan Vacancy Goldfinger Starring: Sylvie Testud, Marion 7.30 Cotillard, Pascal Greggory Fri 10 Sat 11 7.00 Certificate: 12A Duration: 140 mins Director: Guy Hamilton Origin: Czech Republic, France, UK Starring: Sean Connery, Honor 2007 Blackman, Gert Frobe, Harold Sakata By: Icon Film Distribution Ltd Certificate: PG Duration: 112 mins Origin: UK 1964 By: Park Circus Films

The first Bond to hit home. It was the third, so had to become iconic When David and Amy’s car breaks or lose its grip on that part of the down in the middle of nowhere, vital mid-sixties. With Sean just they are forced to spend the night coming into his own and making at the grubby, and only motel Bond unmistakably his (until Daniel around. Trying to be cheerful, C), it hit iconic with such force, it is pretending that everything is fine, still running. It created a hit song that they discover the low-budget slasher even now, 42 years later, won’t lie movies they’re watching were all down and die. filmed in the their room! Oddjob is immortalised through his With hidden cameras now aimed at lethal, frisbee bowler, Gert Frobe had them and filming their every move, only to deliver one line properly: they are trapped wherever they run or “No Mr Bond, I expect you die”. crawl. Will they get out alive before Shirley Eaton died naked in gold and cameraman can finish his tea? Who the gorgeous Honor Blackman will cares. be forever ‘Poosy’. “There may not be much edification A finest hour all round. Now we have in American horror’s fixation torture a brand new print to show on our big porn, but at least Vacancy spares us screen without a crackle or a blemish. objectionable teenage victims in Come now. favour of a bickering married couple, Next time, after it’s done the rounds, (Wilson and Beckinsale)… Intense it might be full of holes. and nerve-racking for the best part of an hour, eventually runs out of options and wimps out at the climax. But it is a notch above average all the same”. (The Knowledge) It’s complete tripe. Can’t think why I booked it. Oh yes, Kate Beckinsale. Could be a perfect Friday night horror flick? Only come if you take the cliches – Short cut, car breaks down, lonely motel… Makes suicide bombing sound attractive.

Director: Nimród Antal Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Luke Wilson Certificate: 15 Duration: 85 mins Origin: USA 2007 By: Sony Pictures Releasing 22 Box Office: 01442 877759 AUGUST EVENINGS

A Very Long Brothers Water Engagement Mon 13 7.30 Tue 14 7.30 Sun 12 6.00 Director: Susanne Bier Starring: Connie Nielsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Bent Mejding, Ulrich Thomsen Certificate: 15 Duration: 117 mins Origin: Denmark 2005 By: Soda Pictures

Made two years before After The Wedding and shown here in June 2005, Bier’s delicate approach, draws deep and tender performances from First shown in March 2005 and a beautifully balanced cast. again in July last year. You must see Brothers Michael (Thomsen) and This final eloquent part of Deepa it now. Wide eyed Audrey Tautou is Jannick (Lie Kaas) couldn’t be more Mehta’s Elemental Trilogy is set in unrecognisable in this heart-breaking poles apart. Jannick, a waster, is the holy city of Varanasi in 1938, tale of love, desperation and released from prison. Michael, an army when widows, some of them honour… and one piece of very officer and loving husband and father, children, were incarcerated in satisfying revenge. is called up by the UN to help rebuild impoverished ashrams (temples). A hauntingly tragic story, beautifully the war-ravaged Afghan infrastructure. The beautiful, headstrong Kalyani told of loyalty and hope, where there When he is reported ‘missing in (Ray) is unwilling to accept the harsh is none. action, presumed dead’ Jannik wakes restrictions imposed by Indian society As World War One comes to an end, a up and takes on the responsibility of on widows. Her relationship with a young French woman’s greatest fight is his brother’s family. Grief and man from a lower caste, a follower of about to begin. Mathilde receives word necessity draw Sarah (Nielsen) and the Mahatma, doesn’t help. of Manech, her childhood children closer to Jannick. Inevitibly “These dramas about the experiences sweetheart… That’s all… But there are Sarah and Jannick become very close. of women at various points in Indian four other soldiers. Follow her, However, Michael is not dead but held history, Fire (1997) and Earth (1998) following each one. Jeunet’s squalid in a squalid desert, rebel camp have now been joined by this tale of a trench life and terrible decisions made struggling for his survival, and that of girl (simply credited as Sarala) who, in haste by incompetents, are only the his terrified cellmate. This is all you after an arranged marriage is left a spokes in the puzzle. More, in no time, need to know. widow at the age of eight! Ghandi is he somehow creates whole biographies Bier carefully balances scenes of preaching freedom, but Hindu dogma of four ordinary men and one boy, tenderness and disturbing cruelty. demands that the child spends her life caught in hell. It is linked more by the She builds the story and lets the in a joyless ashram. Although too French countryside than the war, and characters find their way through it, melodramatic to be moving, the film Mathilde’s determination to find much as she does with After The carries you…” (Landesman & Porter) Manech through listening very Wedding. Only this time she deals with Filming was interrupted for four carefully. Above all, it is a beautifully the unthinkable, unseen and beyond years following huge protests from executed ‘detective’ story, with some imagination hence ‘forgotten’ in the Hindu fundamentalists. Throughout it startling twists and fantastic Gallic business of everyday life in a cold, safe maintains a profound sense of faces… It is the most compelling and climate on the other side of the world. humanism. The ensemble cast of moving thing you are ever likely to see. Cancel holidays. women and children brings an Cancel everything on Sunday 12th extraordinary honesty to the screen. August.

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet Director: Deepa Mehta Starring: Audrey Tautou, Starring: Lisa Ray, John Abraham, Dominique Pinon, Gaspard Ulliel Sarala, Seema Biswas Certificate: 15 Certificate: 12A Duration: 134 mins Duration: 114 mins Origin: France 2005 Origin: Canada, India 2005 By: Warner Brothers By: Metrodome Distributors AUGUST EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 23

Taking Liberties Wed 15 7.30 Golden Door Thu 16 7.30 Director: Chris Atkins Certificate: 12A We never see the skyline of a Duration: 106 mins nascent New York City. We are Origin: UK 2007 detained on-deck from the moment By: Revolver Film Distribution a packed and creaking ship slides away from the quay at Palermo “This purports to show the until we reach a stern Ellis Island – shocking truth behind the erosion actually re-created in an old of our fundamental civil liberties Buenos Aires hotel. by Tony Blair’s government. Crialese’s second film, after his It argues that the five pillars of much-praised Respiro, is set at the liberty – the right to liberty/freedom, turn of the century when thousands of to privacy, to a fair trial and to free immigrants left Europe for America. speech, and the absolute outlawing of Our focus is a family of simple torture - have been systematically peasants from the Sicilian countryside destroyed by New Labour in a who embark on the dangerous climate of fear generated by its journey across the sea to a hoped-for government and the media.” Garden of Eden where fruits grow Our hard-won (over 600 years) huge and money falls from trees. longstanding freedoms, withdrawn in Clearly a small budget film, Golden just ten years, are so ridiculous you Door uses fantasy to express their will laugh. Then you’ll be very scared. hopes but realism to show their Chris Atkins makes little mention of poverty at home, the awful journey, those who might be happy to see us and finally the tests they are put dead. Nor does he ask whose name through by the American authorities gave the orders which the police to determine whether they are fit obeyed so bone-headedly. enough physically and mentally to “This lack of investigative reporting become American citizens. What the weakens the diatribe. But at least it film explores particularly effectively holds attention and tries to amuse as is the fact that the journey the much as instruct (oh dear). You don’t Sicilians take is not just geographical. have to agree with it to reckon Salvatore and his family are leaving something may be wrong”. (Thanks an arcane world of superstition and Chris, we hadn’t noticed). ritual and arriving in the bureaucratic “Defiantly hostile… It’s definitely and unforgiving 20th century. partial, and lacks investigation. But Golden Door is touching, beautiful its awful warning strikes home”. and imaginative in its minimalism. (DM Standard) Superbly choreographed, Crialese Pity protesters still look like shite. shows a deft ability to flit between Should have listened to Magritte. the ensemble and the personal. Dress like them. Then they won’t know He creates something very beautiful who you are… If you mean it, try it. with great dignity, never losing sight of the experience of an entire generation of refugees. Don’t miss.

Director: Emanuele Crialese Starring: Aurora Quattrocchi, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vincenzo Amato, Francesco Casisa Certificate: PG Duration: 118 mins Origin: France, Germany, Italy 2006 By: Optimum Releasing 24 Box Office: 01442 877759 AUGUST EVENINGS

The Flying The Painted Veil Y Tu Mama Scotsman Sat 18 7.00 Tambien Fri 17 7.30 Sun 19 6.00

Director: Douglas Mackinnon Director: Alfonso Cuarón Starring: Brian Cox, Laura Fraser, Starring: Maribel Verdu, Gael Garcia Billy Boyd, Jonny Lee Miller Certificate: 18 Certificate: 15 Duration: 105 mins Duration: 103 mins Origin: Mexico 2001 Origin: Germany, UK 2006 By: Icon Film Distribution Ltd By: Verve “A charming, immensely likeable “True stories accurately told are “Sometimes the greatest journey is road movie and coming-of-age rare in the movies, and TV man, the distance between two people…” drama, the film charts the quest of Douglas Mackinnon’s first feature W.Somerset Maugham’s Painted Veil two highly excitable but inexperi - about the remarkable Graeme is set in 1925. Dr Walter Fane enced friends on a journey to a Obree suffers from what it leaves (Norton) falls in love with and mythical sun-kissed paradise”. out”. (DM Standard) marries Kitty (Watt), the beautiful, Have we been watching different Nicknamed The Flying Scotsman, frivolous daughter of a wealthy films? It is moving, intense and Obree was the eccentric cyclist and family. He knows she doesn’t love totally absorbing, not charming or Ayrshire’s national hero who won the him, but hopes… They move to likeable. Who pays these guys? The World Pursuit Championship twice on Shanghai, where he takes up a opening scene is extraordinary, and a bike he built himself (using washing practice and she takes a lover. the ending made me stop breathing. machine parts). He developed the It was bound to happen, but she Along for the ride is the “Superman” crouch position, which picked the wrong man to cuckold. unequivocally dirty wife of an older allowed him to shave seconds off Impulsively, he takes a commission Spanish relative who takes it upon Francesco Moser’s world record. to a Chinese village, deep in the herself to teach her young charges a All without sponsorship and despite heart of nowhere – and stricken with thing or two about…this and that. frequent opposition from the world a cholera! He takes her with him. It boasts sumptuous photography governing body (which kept on The daily trials of living in appalling from Emmanuel Lubezki, and a changing the rules, often banning him conditions have a striking impact startling performance from the then from competing at the last moment), upon them both… rapidly rising star Gael García on 17 July 1993 he broke that first “A rare, perfect masterpiece… Bernal, now fully risen. But it is world record. Miller performs well, as Powerful and exhilarating” Maribel who steals every inch of the the determined but depressive-cum- (Horizons) screen. She oozes that kind of instant suicidal cyclist, whose on-track speed “A timeless love story… Let it sweep allure which leaves you hopeless. battles with Chris Boardman are you away” (Rolling Stone) She can’t move, speak or be still, legendary in Lycra circles. Yet his “Gripping. Not to be missed” (Daily without spilling it. And when she private demons would prove to be a Mail - So it must be true) starts, you know she’s not playing! tougher battle. Forget all that. Just come. It works on This is Mexican film-making. “Too many of the film’s climaxes rely every level, especially the faces, most They don’t mess with fifteen takes or on lengthy sequences of Miller of the words and his immaculate stand-ins. Everything is instant and so sweatily pounding around a velodrome shirts… A beautiful journey from beautifully observed, it hurts. against a rival or duller still, against the beginning to end. Come for this exquisite pain. clock…”(Wendy Ide Times, Knowledge) Tuck into socks or leave your clips at the door.

Director: John Curran Starring: Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Edward Norton, Toby Jones Certificate: 12A Duration: 125 mins Origin: China, USA 2006 By: Momentum Pictures AUGUST EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 25

Ten Canoes Director: Laurent Tirard 7.30 Starring: Fabrice Luchini, Laura Mon 20 Molière Morante, Romain Duris, Ludivine Sagnier Tue 21, Wed 22, Certificate: 12A Duration: 120 mins Thu 23 7.30 Origin: France 2007 In 1645, the French playwright By: Pathe Distribution Molière mysteriously disappeared. It was only weeks. This comedy- drama is inspired by his disappearance and imagines all manner of possible scenarios to colour what might have Set a thousand years ago in happened to him – and what mischief Australia’s far northern Arnhem he might make? At the time, Molière Land, this beautifully shot and (Duris) was touring the French acted tale with an all-native cast, is countryside with his theatre company. a remarkable study of aborigine He was yet to be recognised as a great folklore. author or make any money. Narrated with style and humour by He is recruited by Jourdain (Luchini), David Gulpilil, it is a fairly a wealthy man who has fallen in love straightforward story of forbidden with a widow, Célimène (Sagnier), love, but its relative simplicity is despite having a beautiful wife and fleshed out with tales cutting back two daughters already! and forth across time in timeless He needs someone to help with his examination of coming-of-age. acting and to polish his self-indulgent, “A hit at Cannes and Venice, the film terrible play, designed to seduce is a beguiling and sumptuously Célimène. “Brilliantly written and photographed, examination of an directed, MOLIÈRE is witty and ancient culture… the first about handsomely played, and is Australia’s indigenous people told as representative of French cinema at its their story and wholly owned by very finest…” It is totally speculative, them. de Heer (Oz director) hence a great story, told with certain collaborated at length with the knowledge of Molière - but no idea indigenous (non-starry) community where he went or what happened who went on to star in the film” during his absence. It is the “knowing (Times) him” which creates this likely tale. “… an informal study of storytelling Come and be wooed by inspired and its social functions. Hence, it fantasy, Duris’ presence and Laura wouldn’t have hurt for the film’s own Morante’s face. tales to be better told… Beguiling all the same, this is not a dry, ethnographic treatise, but a good natured, beautifully photographed movie”. (Cosmo L) The opening line will set you up for the surprises to come. Don’t miss.

Director: Rolf Heer Starring: Richard Birrinbirrin, Jamie Gulpilil, David Gulpilil, Johnny Buniyira Certificate: 15 Duration: 92 mins Origin: Australia 2006 By: The Works UK Distribution 26 Box Office: 01442 877759 AUGUST EVENINGS

Shrek The Third Die Hard 4 Sun 26 6.00 Directors: Raman Hui, Chris Miller Starring: Eddie Murphy, Cameron Fri 24 7.30, Sat 25 7.00 Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Mike Myers An old-fashioned cop emerges to Certificate: U foil a hi-tech attack on the United Duration: 93 mins States’ computer infrastructure in Origin: USA 2007 the latest instalment of one of the By: Paramount International Pictures biggest action franchises in screen history. The recipe hasn’t changed much, It’s been over a decade since even if the cooking is underdone. audiences last followed a mission They’re all here - Donkey (Eddie undertaken by New York cop John Murphy) Puss in Boots (Antonio McClane (Willis). Banderas) John Cleese’s dying King Now, as the world’s greatest criminal Harold, nasty Prince Charming mastermind (Olyphant) attempts to (Rupert Everett) Shrek’s pregnant cripple an entire country with an wife Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) innovative act of technological Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews). terrorism, only one cop can ensure What a bunch? Sounds like fun for that the system stays intact. a jogger. It’s nonsense but fantastic spectacle “There are, of course, a few with a nice touch of parody. genuinely funny moments and a He’s older, balder (caused a big sprinkling of decent one-liners. Hollywood debate) but not allowed But the rest is poorly written and his vest… They decided a bald, old dully characterised. Even the cast geezer might just be able to save the seem less bouncy than before…” world… but not in a vest. “Despite a number of protracted moments, a few scenes are truly inspired: the dying-frog sequence for one, and Shrek’s “Exorcist”- inspired nightmare about parenthood for Director: Len Wiseman another. Some jokes sail close to Starring: Bruce Willis, Timothy innuendo, but in the main they’re Olyphant, Jeffrey Wright, Maggie Q balanced enough to appeal to all Certificate: 15 ages. The CG animation, too, is as Duration: 129 mins refined as we’ve come to expect. Just Origin: USA 2007 a shame it lacks the smart sassiness By: Twentieth Century Fox of its predecessors. Time to call time???” (crits: Eve Standard, Time Out) AUGUST EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 27

Paris Je T’Aime Director: Many Lives of Others Starring: Everyone Mon 27 7.30 Certificate: 15 Tue 28 7.30 Duration: 120 mins “What seemed like a good idea - 20 Origin: France, Germany, directors making18 shorts about Liechtenstein, Switzerland 2006 ‘gay Paris’ with a bevy of stars, By: The Works UK Distribution might have worked better if, say ten came, to whittle down the dross…” But eighteen is what we’ve got. A few silly, two dire, the rest okay and a handful of gems. The Coens, Van Sant, Walter Salles and Tom Twyker are among the star directors. It doesn’t mean, the more famous the This remarkably heartbreaking participants, the greater the stories. and uplifting film has left Unfortunately, the portmanteau movie audiences in absolute consent. about being “as good as the sum of It is literally stunning. Set mainly in its parts” lives up to its curse. East Berlin during the mid 1980s, “One segment is a stinker, enough to the film chronicles the consequences possibly sink the whole collection”. of the Minister of Culture’s decision Luckily others rescue it. to investigate the lives of a The best are well worth watching. successful playwright and his actress “Salles’s pensive meditation on wife. Unfortunately she has the fat, immigration and Payne’s bittersweet gargoyle politician slobbering after comedy about a middle-aged her. His power ensures he gets his woman’s first visit”. The real surprise way. Questioning the ethics of his is Gérard Depardieu’s piece. He work, the Stasi officer in charge of reunites Cassavettes’ favourites Gena the spying, ends up as profoundly Rowlands and Ben Gazzara. It’s a affected by the bugging as the heartbreaking little vignette and a 300 couple. The Lives Of Others second master-class. succeeds both as a convincing “The saving grace is that each has historical recreation and a crafted their own Paris-story. Though compelling tale of individuals haphazard, none is touristy.” trapped in the dying years of evil “Isn’t it telling that’s so few French institutional mistrust. directors joined the party?” A great cast of perfect faces. The (crits: Times, Time Out, Standard) film has caused an extraordinary stir. Don’t listen. Come for the one five It is back by overwhelming demand, minutes you’ll love. and will be here again and again Again, cancel everything.

Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck Starring: Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe, Sebastian Koch Certificate: 15 Duration: 138 mins Origin: Germany 2007 By: Lionsgate Films UK 28 Box Office: 01442 877759 AUGUST EVENINGS

The Painted Veil Tell No One Exiled Wed 29 7.30 Thu 30 7.30 Fri 31 7.30

Directors: Guillaume Canet, André Dussolier Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze Certificate: 15 Duration: 131 mins Origin: France 2006 By: Revolver Film

Another gem the French have ‘stolen’ from the yanks and showing “Sometimes the greatest journey is how to make a thriller a million the distance between two people…” Summary: Hong Kong Johnny To times more thrilling, told in French! W.Somerset Maugham’s Painted Veil orchestrates a thriller based in Remember “The Beat that My Heart is set in 1925. Dr Walter Fane Macau where a gang are instructed Skipped”? Though Cluzet is no (Norton) falls in love with and to eliminate a former member Romain Duris, this is an edge of the marries Kitty (Watt), the beautiful, trying to go straight. seat thriller to beat them all. frivolous daughter of a wealthy The time is 1998. The setting is An anonymous email. When he clicks family. He knows she doesn’t love Macau. Everyone jumps at every on the link he sees Margot’s face him, but hopes… They move to chance to make quick money before standing in a crowd and being filmed Shanghai, where he takes up a the Portuguese colony ushers in a new in real time. Is she still alive? practice and she takes a lover. era under the Chinese rule. For the And why does she instruct him to tell It was bound to happen, but she jaded henchmen, the good times are no one? picked the wrong man to cuckold. over. They wonder where this journey “Relentless suspense and a tense, Impulsively, he takes a commission to will end. Against this backdrop come multilayered plot combine to a Chinese village, deep in the heart of two hit men from Hong Kong sent to superlative effect in this pulsating nowhere – and stricken with a take out a renegade member trying to French thriller adapted from Harlan cholera! He takes her with him. turn over a new leaf with his wife and Coben’s bestseller of the same name” The daily trials of living in appalling newborn baby. (CS). So don’t drink, or wear a nappy, conditions have a striking impact They soon find themselves in the but don’t leave your seat for a upon them both… throes of a dilemma when two of their second… That’s all you need to know. “A rare, perfect masterpiece… former associates also show up, intent Don’t ask, just come. Powerful and exhilarating” (Horizons) on thwarting them at every cost. Already selling out in August, even “A timeless love story… Let it sweep “…Exiled… the more accessible before its first screening in July… you away” (Rolling Stone) point of entry to the work of a Vive la French thrillers. “Gripping. Not to be missed” (Daily director who’s long excited both Mail - So it must be true) fanboys and the festival circuit’… Forget all that. Just come. It works on ‘It’s cool, knowing and sustained in every level, especially the faces, most its tension”. “Brilliant sequences, of the words and his immaculate average screenplay…” (Time Out) shirts… A beautiful journey from Don’t be put off by Hong Kong films. beginning to end. Its not all chop chop and they don’t all look the same.

Director: Johnny To Director: John Curran Starring: Anthony Wong Chau- Starring: Naomi Watts, Liev Sang, Francis Ng, Simon Yam, Nick Schreiber, Edward Norton, Toby Jones Cheung, Josie Ho, Roy Cheung Certificate: 12A Certificate: 15 Duration: 125 mins Duration: 110 mins Origin: China, USA 2006 Origin: Hong Kong 2006 By: Momentum Pictures By: Optimum Releasing AUGUST EVENINGS www.therexcinema.com 29

Coming Soon AUGUST FILMS AT A GLANCE Please check times carefully and watch out for early shows. New releases WED 1 FANTASTIC FOUR 2.00, 7.30 Distant Voices, Still Lives THU 2 FANTASTIC FOUR 2.00 Harry Potter THU 2 OCEAN’S THIRTEEN 7.30 Black Gold FRI 3 OCEAN’S THIRTEEN 2.00, 7.30 No Country for Old Men SAT 4 HOODWINKED 2.00 Not here to be Loved SAT 4 OCEAN’S THIRTEEN 7.00 Back by demand SUN 5 BUENA VISTA SOCIAL 6.00 The Painted Veil MON 6 THE INCREDIBLES 2.00 Lives of Others MON 6 TELL NO ONE 7.30 Goya’s Ghost TUE 7 LA VIE EN ROSE 12.30, 7.30 Tell No One WED 8 LA VIE EN ROSE 2.00, 7.30 Everything is Iluminated THU 9 MADAGASCAR 2.00 Transformers THU 9 LA VIE EN ROSE 7.30 FRI 10 VACANCY 7.30 SAT 11 FLY AWAY HOME 2.00 SAT 11 GOLDFINGER (** NEW PRINT**) 7.00 SUN 12 A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT 6.00 MON 13 LADIES IN LAVENDER 2.00 MON 13 BROTHERS 7.30 TUE 14 WINGED MIGRATION 12.30 TUE 14 WATER 7.30 WED 15 MISS POTTER 2.00 WED 15 TAKING LIBERTIES 7.30 THU 16 MILLIONS 2.00 Shut up and Sing THU 16 THE GOLDEN DOOR 7.30 FRI 17 THE FLYING SCOTSMAN 7.30 SAT 18 STORMBREAKER 2.00 SAT 18 THE PAINTED VEIL 7.00 SUN 19 Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN 6.00 MON 20 MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS 2.00 MON 20 TEN CANOES 7.30 TUE 21 DEEP BLUE 12.30 TUE 21 MOLIÈRE 7.30 WED 22 MOLIÈRE 2.00, 7.30 Hairspray THU 23 SHREK THE THIRD 2.00 THU 23 MOLIÈRE 7.30 FRI 24 DIE HARD 4 7.30 SAT 25 SHREK THE THIRD 2.00 SAT 25 DIE HARD 4 7.00 SUN 26 SHREK THE THIRD 6.00 MON 27 PARIS JE T’AIME 7.30 TUE 28 THE LIVES OF OTHERS 12.30, 7.30 WED 29 THE PAINTED VEIL 2.00, 7.30 THU 30 SINGING IN THE RAIN 2.00 THU 30 TELL NO ONE 7.30 FRI 31 EXILED 7.30 DEAR MRS TRELLIS... www.therexcinema.com 33 Rants and Pants

nly a few lines have been cut. Tried to cut more, but Oit needs the full bar-room punchline. This letter was posted to my house at the end of May 2007 addressed to the previous owner. (have kept the envelope) She doesn’t live here anymore – or anywhere else for that matter. She died six years ago. (A friend suggested that in the dark world of “Valueing Diversity” [aka Equal Opportunities], where they have to include someone black, wheelchair bound, welsh or a token woman, then “it’s only fair to include the dead”).

Evelyn sweetheart, I wish you as The cigar night went like a dream. There were brandy glasses with gold-tipped much rest-in-peace as I would Balkan Sobranie in pinks, blues and black on the bars. One guy brought his own wish myself. big cigar and even people who don’t smoke, lit up with us. Those who detest I hope I’m treating your old place smoking didn’t complain. So thank you for joining in with the spirit of this minor well, but probably not. Before you mischief – especially these two! (pictured). tut-tut, consider this saving grace “Encore une cigarette, SVP x”. Joelle, Tessa, Jackie, Great Missenden. 30 June). – I have tended your garden, planted, watered and neglected it ear… Whatever level of involvement you in equal measure. Ducklings have We all rely on the NHS to choose will be helping to shape our just hatched, last week (late June) Dprovide health services services so they meet the needs of in the long grasses you left. Thank whenever our families need them – patients, and the families who care you. Now you can rest indeed, in or we need help ourselves. So we for them. Please show you care by the safe knowledge that ducks are all have a personal interest in the joining a caring organisation. always welcome and those nice quality of those services. There are three ways to register – NHS Chiefs are thinking of you... Hertfordshire Partners NHS Trust you can: Sweet dreams. James invites you to help influence the • Use the form on the back of this development of some key letter – and send it back to us Mon 18 June – L’amico di services… All you have to do is using the Freepost envelope famiglia (The Family Friend) register as a Member of the Trust. enclosed A woman, very nice, as it turned Becoming a member allows you to • Use our online form at www..... out, was asked to leave the choose your level of involvement • In office hours you can phone our auditorium for being too hyper and to suit your circumstances… membership office on (01727) excited (her words) during the Most members will want to receive 897459 our regular newsletter, keeping you film. She couldn’t stop talking, I look forward to welcoming you as up to date with developments. waving and pointing at the screen; a member of the Trust. You will be asked to vote in the causing at least one person to leave elections for our board of and more to complain. governors, and you may want to Yours Sincerely In the foyer she apologised and stand for election as a Governor Bill Mac Signature explained how she had to express yourself sometime in the future. Bill Macintyre her excitement at this “fantastic Some members have asked to be Chief Executive film”. I suggested those around her invited to take part in special (NHS Trust. 99 Waverley Rd, St may have felt the same, but usually events… Albans AL3 5BR) tended to wait until after the film. DEAR MRS TRELLIS... www.therexcinema.com 35 Rants and Pants

The discussion see-sawed from public performances needing silence and private thought – through to freedom of expression and loud appreciation! Once upstairs she was happy to have some tea and wait for her friends. She didn’t ask for another drink. Leaving her with Laurence, I went back to work. Afterwards he told me how she had continued to engage him in ever deeper discussion about the importance of ‘life’s freedoms and the vital expression of feelings’. Her final observation came from nowhere. As if thinking aloud she asked him: “Do you have to be gay Romaine Hart chief exec: Mainline Pictures (The Screens on the…) came to work at The Rex?” to see us in June. Clearly moved, she wrote to thank us for bringing this After a second or two to enjoy the “magical creation” back to life.Thank you Romaine, for coining two question, he replied… “Well no, priceless words. but if it makes husbands feel safer… then probably!” But we’d like to thank you for the nature being what it is, the down Rex, and for the great evenings we poles are often more entertaining 16th June 2007 have every time we come. – unless of course they come with Dear Mr. Hannaway, Yours sincerely, loose change. I was delighted to read your Antonia and James Hancocks. To be fair, the phones are a response to the complaint letter nightmare on release days. If you quoted in Rants and Pants (June Sure enough £37.50 was found live nearby, please come in. It is issue, back page). To find an rattling in the envelope. Very nice. quicker and easier for you. If you employer so justifiably trusting of Thank you. live miles away, then you’ll have his staff, and prepared to stand up The ‘lovely man’ was Michael. to keep trying. But leave it till and say so, is extremely encour - The ‘lady who moved heaven and mid-afternoon. It always eases of aging in these litigation-happy, earth’ would have been Sally, around 1.30ish everyday, and by responsibility-abdicating times. Jacquie Rose, Lynn or Jane. 3ish the whole box office will Enclosed is the equivalent of half a More like hell-on-earth to an old climb over each other to answer. year’s membership which is to be man in a slack vest… used (please!) to give your These R&P pages have given us Cocktails... wonderful team some kind of pat on the chance to enjoy people’s ...are now fully tried and tested. the back – chocolate or wine? unpredictable polarity. From ‘can’t Three refreshing, one very dirty, We’ve never been on the receiving get in’ – ‘have no trouble getting but all generously laden and end of anything other than in’ to ‘can’t get through on the perfectly balanced to hit you where professionalism and courtesy at the phone’ – ‘I always get through on it stops hurting on the second sip. Rex, from the lovely man who the phone’ to ‘how lovely (or) helped with the buggy when I miserable are your staff’. July - from comments book: brought my toddler to the Happy Luckily the down poles have far Fantastic! Lovely and nostalgic! Feet matinee to the lady who moved less mass, so no magnetic, and Excellent Pimms and love the heaven and earth to seat four of us little gravitational pull on what we sweet peas!” for Zodiac away from the back row do or how we think. In short the Sophie Eve Morven, Singapore! when I mentioned that my friend moans are miniature iron filings was heavily pregnant. To my shame compared with the energy pulling Where’s the ice cream? I can’t tell you their names. us toward the up poles. However, Alex Inchenko, Flaunden