Tickets 0871 902 5754
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Hello, and welcome,
to the first listings programme for The Birks Cinema. For those of you unfamiliar with our story, The Birks was built in 1939 and was the place where many of the residents of Aberfeldy and beyond had their first cinematic experience. Many life stories are intertwined with the history of The Birks, from the “Jeely Jar” screenings to amorous explorations up the back in the “Chummies”. Sadly, The Birks faded over the years and fell out of use as a cinema in the mid80’s. In late-2005, following the closure of the building as an amusement arcade, local resident Charlotte Flower came up with the brilliantly ambitious plan to set up a charity to purchase and restore the cinema on behalf of the local community. Over 7 years later, we’ve finally crossed the finishing line and are now set to celebrate the re-opening of The Birks on Friday April 19th with a special red carpet, VIP evening for the lucky winners of our Golden Ticket campaign. After the 19th, we’ve got a packed programme of the finest films from the last 12 months including my personal favourite from last year, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’. We’ve also got a host of new releases, including the latest instalments of the Star Trek and Iron Man franchises. In the mix, we’ve also got a ton of live broadcasts from the National Theatre, Bolshoi and Royal Opera House as well as our regular Saturday ‘Little Birks’ family screenings. We’ve been lucky enough to get the support of too many people to mention in this column but it’s safe to say that we’re incredibly thankful to all of those who have made what seemed like a crazy dream in 2005 a reality in 2013. All are welcome at The Birks and we’ll strive to create a programme that has something for everyone. We’ll be listening to what you have to say, so don’t hesitate to let us know what we can do to give you the best cinematic experience possible. So there we are - 100 seats in the auditorium, 64 seats in the cafe/bar and one big ol’ screen showing the stories that you’ll cry over, fall in love with and have you jumping out of your seat. Become a member of our ‘Birks Card’ system and earn points for each film you see. Once you hit the magic number of points, you’ll earn free entry to selected screenings. The system is free to join and details can be found on our website, as well as the inside back page of this very brochure. On a personal note, I’d like to thank all the ‘Friends of The Birks’ for their tireless commitment to the cause - I promise I’ll look after her! See you soon! Paul Foley , General Manager p.s. Yes, we have all-new chummies for the romantically-inclined amongst you but no, we no longer accept jam jars... 2
www.birkscinema.co.uk
New Films
Iron Man 3 3D Fri 17 - Thu 23 May The third outing for Marvel’s chameleon action hero finds sardonic billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Downey) undone by a mercilessly ingenious foe known only as The Mandarin (a suitably sinister Kingsley). Naturally, in the guise of his ironclad alter ego, Stark fights to put his world back together again while simultaneously inflicting maximum retribution. Directed this time by Lethal Weapon veteran Black, but with Iron Man’ regulars Pepper Potts (Paltrow),James Rhodes/ War Machine (Don Cheadle) and Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau)in tow and double Oscar-winning cinematographer John Toll (Braveheart, Cloud Atlas) behind the camera, it’s an exhilarating, optically awesome ride. And in the process our hero finally manages to assuage his nagging doubt as to whether the man makes the suit or the suit makes the man. Dir: Shane Black USA 2013 /
tbc
/ 3D /
tbc
Tickets 0871 902 5754
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New Films
Trance Sat 20 - Thurs 25 April With Welcome To The Punch already one of this spring’s standouts, James McAvoy again burns up the screen with this, a very different crime thriller from ace director Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire). McAvoy plays Simon, an auctioneer who has fallen in with a criminal gang that’s planning to steal a near-priceless Goya. But when concussion causes amnesia, Simon forgets where he hid the painting. The gang’s leader (Cassel, in a role no less ruthless than his portrayal of Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1) is mighty angry, until a glamorous hypnotist (Dawson, Unstoppable, Sin City) is hired to jog Simon’s memory – fast. Co-written by long-time Boyle collaborator John Hodge, Trance delivers all the visual and emotional pyrotechnics you’d expect, but it also has wit, narrative subtleties and satisfying twists in abundance. Dir: Danny Boyle UK 2013 / 1h41m / Digital / 15 4
www.birkscinema.co.uk
Life of Pi 3D Sat 20 - Mon 22 April Ever the innovator, Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, The Ice Storm) takes on a magical story-within-astory based on Yann Martel’s celebrated novel. As related by The Writer (Spall, PROMETHEUS), this is the story of Pi, a zoo owner’s son in 1970s India who emigrates to Canada along with several animals, including a tiger known enigmatically as Richard Parker. After a storm wrecks their ship, the terrified Pi finds himself adrift in a lifeboat with an equally unnerved Richard Parker, and their relationship develops into one of mutual dependence. Reflecting nature’s splendid beauty and merciless power, Lee’s film employs jaw-dropping 3D and a most convincing CGI tiger. Add in a remarkable performance from newcomer Sharma as Pi, and we have a film both epic in scope and deeply thought-provoking.
Dir: Ang Lee USA 2012 / 2h / 3D / PG
Oz: The Great and the Powerful Sat 20 - Wed 24 April For this fourth feature-length version of L. Frank Baum’s classic novel – fifth, if you count 2005’s The Muppets’ Wizard Of Oz – maverick fantasy-horror director Raimi (The Evil Dead, Spider-Man) takes a typically offbeat tack. Oscar (Franco) is a young, somewhat shady magician working in small-town Kansas who’s accidentally transported to the magical kingdom of Oz. There he meets and swoons over Glinda, a good witch (Williams), who persuades him to battle a brace of bad witches (Weisz and Kunis) and right the many wrongs of the kingdom. Despite his doubtful supernatural powers, Oscar reluctantly rises to the challenge, eventually redeeming himself in more senses than one. Backed by Walt Disney Pictures, Raimi’s film employs all the special effects imaginable, and is all the more entertaining for it.
Dir: Sam Raimi USA 2013 / 2h10m / 3D / PG Tickets 0871 902 5754
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Lawrence of Arabia Sun 21 - Thu 25 April Director David Lean and screenwriters Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson’s expansive account of the Arab revolt and the duplicity of the imperial powers in the latter stages of World War One is not an attempt to elucidate the truth about the part played by a still mysterious and controversial figure. Rather, it is a grandiose, Fordian celebration of the myth the real T. E. Lawrence did so much to create. Peter O’Toole’s charismatic (and best) performance presents a character of fascinatingly half-hidden complexities and flaws. A carefully orchestrated narrative of battles, heroic journeys and betrayals, this supreme achievement of epic cinema is shown here in a new, full digital restoration to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary.
Dir: David Lean UK/USA 1962 / 3h48m / PG
Argo Mon 22 - Thu 25 April In his first feature since directing and starring in the dark, Oscar-nominatedcrime caper The Town, Ben Affleck repeats the feat with a very different drama, this time based on real events. The film follows the Revolutionary Guards’ 1979 attack on the US embassy in Tehran and the subsequent hostage crisis. A thickly bearded Affleck plays Tony Mendez, a CIA ‘ex-filtration’ specialist charged with rescuing six of his countrymen who have been holed up in the Canadian embassy. To accomplish a task fraught with immense danger, Mendez and his pal John Chambers (Goodman) develop an audacious plan involving the production of a bogus sci-fi movie in the Iranian desert. This is both a fine psychological drama and a gripping action thriller. In his first feature since directing and starring in the dark, Oscar-nominated crime caper The Town, Ben Affleck repeats the feat with a very different drama, this time based on real events. Argo follows the Revolutionary Guards’ 1979 attack on the US embassy in Tehran and the subsequent hostage crisis.
Dir: Ben Affleck USA 2012 / 2h / Digital 6
www.birkscinema.co.uk
Film + Satellite Q&A
I’m So Excited + satellite Q&A with Almodovar Tue 23 April 18:30 After the more serious territory of his recent films, Almodóvar’s latest will come as a tonic to those who miss the flamboyant farceur whose energetic romps (Law Of Desire, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown) never came up for air. Featuring cameos from Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz, I’m So Excited! sees Almodóvar return to his crazy comedy roots. A group of travellers face a lifethreatening situation on board a plane to Mexico City and, trapped in a confined space, they let off steam, attempt to seduce and be seduced, lie to themselves and each other, and battle with fear, loneliness and the prospect of death. The result is one of Almodóvar’s most ambitious comedies yet, and confirms his status as the most daring and original voice in contemporary cinema.
Spain 2013 / Digital / Spanish
with
English
subtitles
Tickets 0871 902 5754
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Live Broadcast Bolshoi LIVE: Romeo and Juliet Sun 12 May 16:00 Bolshoi at The Birks! Based on the Shakespeare play, the Bolshoi rep deliver Prokofiev’s beautiful 1934 ballet which will be beamed live to The Birks in glorious Hi-definition. 10 cameras capture the sizzling kinetic energy, sumptuous beauty and grace of some of the worlds greatest dancers. Both music and movement were deemed unlistenable and undanceable at the time of composition, but time has been kind and the ballet is the composers best-loved work. Shakespeare’s story is shorn of extraneous detail to the point of abstraction, leaving the dancers and musicians space to communicate the raw emotion of the core storyline. Come shake the yoke of inauspicious stars with us, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Bolshoi Ballet LIVE
broadcast
/ 2h45m
NT LIVE: This House Thu 16 May 19:00 It’s 1974, and the corridors of Westminster ring with the sound of infighting and backbiting as Britain’s political parties battle to change the future of the nation, whatever it takes. In this hung parliament, the ruling party holds on by a thread. Votes are won and lost by one, fistfights erupt in the bars, and ill MPs are hauled in to cast their votes. It’s a time when a staggering number of politicians die, and age-old traditions and allegiances are thrown aside in the struggle for power. James Graham’s biting, energetic and critically acclaimed new play strips politics down to the practical realities of those behind the scenes who roll up their sleeves, and on occasion bend the rules, to manoeuvre a diverse and conflicting chorus of MPs within the Mother of all Parliaments.
Dir: Jeremy Herrin National Theatre LIVE 8
broadcast
www.birkscinema.co.uk
/ 3h
ROH LIVE: Donna Del Lago Mon 27 May 18:45
ROH LIVE: Nabucco Mon 29 April 19:15 Plácido Domingo, one of the most celebrated talents of our time, is making a major role debut. This is a rare chance to see a genre-defining masterwork, containing some of the greatest choral music ever written, along with some wonderful arias and ensembles. This new production of Nabucco is unmissable. Domingo takes another thrilling step into the baritone repertory following his triumphs as Simon Boccanegra, as he sings the title role of Nabucco for the first time. He is joined by an exciting young cast including Ukranian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska (Lady Macbeth in Macbeth for The Royal Opera, 2011) as the powerhungry priestess Abigaille. Acclaimed theatre and opera director Daniele Abbado makes his Royal Opera debut directing this coproduction with La Scala, Milan. The plot is based on the biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar (Nabucco), and focuses on his imprisonment of the Hebrews, his struggle against his unscrupulous daughter, Abigaille, his divine punishment and final salvation.
The ultimate bel canto cast is assembled for this important yet rarely performed masterpiece. Based on Sir Walter Scott’s poem The Lady of the Lake, La Donna del Lago is the most fully Romantic of Rossini’s Italian operas. Expansive ensembles and shimmering orchestration generate an opulence seldom heard in the composer’s comic works. John Fulljames’s staging evokes the exoticized mystery of Rossini’s Romantic landscape, and provides an insight into this rich but underexplored seam of operatic gold. In the hands of three of the leading bel canto voices of our time, Juan Diego Flórez (Count Almaviva in The Royal Opera’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, Tonio in The Royal Opera’s La Fille du régiment), Joyce DiDonato (who sang the title role in Cendrillon with The Royal Opera last Season), and Colin Lee (Tonio in the 2012 revival of La Fille du régiment), La Donna del Lago promises to be a musical revelation. ROH / 3h20m / Live Broadcast
ROH / 2h50m / Live Broadcast Tickets 0871 902 5754
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The Little Birks Saturday mornings are dedicated to the Little Birks, The Little Birks is our family film club. This way you can introduce cinema to the younger members of your family. With all tickets prices at £3.50 (£5 for 3D) for everyone it is also the best possible deal to bring your family to the cinema.
Brave 3D Sat 27 April - Morning Screening Pixar is back with a computer-animated 3D story that evokes the classic fairytale formula of Disney’s early hand-drawn gems. Set in the rugged, emerald wilds of the ancient Scottish Highlands, Brave follows a young princess named Merida as she challenges tradition and faces her destiny head-on. A skilled archer and a feisty free spirit, Merida is determined to break free from the patriarchal shackles of her father’s (Connolly) kingdom, and causes a stir among the citizens when she participates in a long-established archery contest. Amidst the ensuing commotion she turns to an eccentric old Wise Woman (Walters) and is granted a wish that will plunge everyone she holds dear into danger. With a dark curse unleashed, Merida will have to muster all of her strength and courage to restore harmony to the land. Dir: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
USA 2012 / 1h40m / 3D / PG
The Croods 3D Sat 4 May - Morning Screening This beautifully realised cartoon feature follows the world’s first prehistoric family. The family are forced to abandon the cave that has long been their haven. They enter a new and often frightening world in search of a safer environment, and are eventually led to a magical new land by a quick-witted teenager (Reynolds). Originating as it does from DreamWorks, this is more than just kids’ entertainment: its underlying messages won’t be lost on environmentalists, or on those who cherish meaningful family values. Plus, of course, the 3D imagery is – quite literally – fantastic. Dir: K. De Micco, C. Sanders 10
www.birkscinema.co.uk
USA 2013 / 1h39m / 3D / U
Sammy’s Great Escape 3D Sat 18 May - Morning Screening
Sammy and Ray are a pair of young turtles who get abducted by a poacher to be part of a new aquarium. They fall in with Big D, the seahorse head honcho at the aquarium, and his plans to stage a daring escape but they formulate plans of their own with their fishy friends. Aimed at younger kids, there’s a ton of fun to be had and the 3D animation will delight and amaze.
Dir: Pat Carroll, Cinda Admas, Dino Andrade
Belgium 2012 / 1h32m / 3D / U
Finding Nemo 3D Sat 25 May - Morning Screening
Nemo’s back...and this time, in 3D! The original film is already an all-time classic and the 3D version allows you to fully immerse yourself in its underwater world. Every fin and tendril swishes in front of your face, tickling your senses. For those who somehow missed it first time round, Finding Nemo tells the heartwarming story of Marlin (Albert Brooks) and his journey to find his lost son, Nemo (Alexander Gould). With a stand-out turn from Ellen DeGeneres as Dory, this is a film that kids of all ages will fall in love with for many years to come (or at least until the sequel ‘Finding Dory’ arrives in 2015!).
Dir: Andrew Stanton
USA 2012 / 1h36m / 3D / U Tickets 0871 902 5754
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Diary
COLOUR KEYS
THE LITTLE BIRKS SCREENING SATELLITE Q&A LIVE EVENT/BROADCAST Heartland Film Society
Day / Film
Times
Day / Film
Times
Sat 20 April Oz: The Great and the Powerfull Life of Pi 3D Trance
12:00 16:00 19:30
Tue 30 April Song For Marion Oblivion 14:15 Good Vibrations
12:00 17:15 20:15
Sun 21 April Oz: The Great and the Powerful Lawrence of Arabia Trance
13:00 16:00 20:30
Wed 1 May Amour Oblivion 14:40 Side Effects
12:00 20:00 17:30
Mon 22 April Life of Pi, 3D Trance 15:00 Argo
12:00 17:30 20:00
Thu 2 May Silver Linings Playbook Oblivion 14:35 A Separation
12:00 17:20 20:15
12:30 15:00
Fri 3 May Love is All You need The Place Beyond the Pines
17:25 20:00
Tue 23 April Quartet Trance I’m So Excited + Satellite Q&A with Almodovar Wed 24 April Argo Trance 14:45 Oz: The Great and the Powerful
18:30 12:00 20:15 17:15
12:00 14:30
Sat 4 May The Croods, 3D Skyfall The Place Beyond the Pines Love is All You need
10:30 13:30 17:00 20:00
Sun 5 May The Croods, 3D Les Miserables Love is All You need The Place Beyond the Pines
12:00 14:15 17:25 20:00
Thu 25 April Lawrence of Arabia Trance Argo
12:30 17:00 19:30
Fri 26 April Oblivion Side Effects
11:45 14:45
17:15 20:15
Mon 6 May The Place Beyond the Pines 12:00 Love is All You need Skyfall
17:15 14:50 20:05
Sat 27 April Brave 3D Oblivion 13:30 Silver Linings Playbook
10:30 19:30 16:30
Tue 7 May Les Miserables The Place Beyond the Pines 15:00 Love is All You need
12:00 17:15 20:35
Sun 28 April Brave, 3D Oblivion 14:15 Amour
12:00 17:05 20:00
Wed 8 May Love is All You need The Place Beyond the Pines
12:00 14:30
17:45 20:00
Mon 29 April Good Vibrations Oblivion ROH LIVE: Nabucco
12:00 15:00 19:15
Thu 9 May Skyfall Love is All You need 15:00 The Place Beyond the Pines
12:00 20:25 17:30
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www.birkscinema.co.uk
Day / Film
Times
Fri 10 May Promised Land 12:00 17:15 In the House 14:30 Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival 20:30
Day / Film
Times
Tue 21 May Iron Man 3 (3D)
12:00 17:35
14:45 20:25
Wed 22 May Iron Man 3 (3D)
12:00 17:35
14:45 20:25
Thu 23 May Iron Man 3 (3D)
12:00 17:35
14:45 20:25
Sat 11 May Wreck It Ralph 3D The Hobbit 3D Lincoln Promised Land
10:30 13:05 16:45 20:00
Sun 12 May Wreck It Ralph 3D BOLSHOI LIVE: Romeo and Juliet Promised Land
12:30 16:00 19:30
Fri 24 May Star Trek Into The Darkness 12:00 3D 17:30
14:45 20:15
Mon 13 May In The House Arbitrage Promised Land Django Unchained
12:00 14:25 16:45 19:15
Sat 25 May Finding Nemo 3D Star Trek Into The Darkness 12:00 3D 17:30
10:30 14:45 20:15
Tue 14 May Lincoln In then House Promised Land Arbitrage
12:00 15:15 17:45 20:15
Sun 26 May Star Trek Into The Darkness 12:00 3D 17:30
14:45 20:15
Wed 15 May Arbitrage Promised Land 14:30 In the House
12:00 20:00 17:15
Thu 16 May In the House Promised Land NT LIVE: This House
12:00 14:30 19:00
Fri 17 May Iron Man 3 (3D)
14:45 20:25
12:00 17:35
Sat 18 May Sammy’s Great Escape 3D Iron Man 3 12:00 3D 17:35
10:30 14:45 20:25
Sun 19 May Iron Man 3 (3D)
12:00 17:35
14:45 20:25
Mon 20 May Iron Man 3 (3D)
12:00 17:35
14:45 20:25
Mon 27 May Star Trek Into The Darkness 12:00 3D ROH LIVE: Donna Del Lago
14:45 18.45
Tue 28 May Star Trek Into The Darkness 12:00 3D 17:30
14:45 20:15
Wed 29 May Star Trek Into The Darkness 12:00 3D 17:30
14:45 20:15
Thu 30 May Star Trek Into The Darkness 13:30 3D Made of Stone + Satellite Q&A with Director
Tickets 0871 902 5754
16:30 19:30
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New Films
Oblivion Fri 26 April - Thu 2 May It’s 2073, and Earth has been devastated by the Scavs, a race of brutal aliens. One of the few remaining drone repairmen, ex-Commander Jack Harper (a steely Cruise), discovers a crashed spacecraft. Amazingly, a young woman (Kurylenko, Quantum Of Solace, To The Wonder) has survived the impact, but she brings with her some secrets that oblige Harper to reassess everything he believed about the planetary war and his role in it – and his doubts are further deepened after his capture by a wily old resistance leader (Freeman).
Oblivion is based on director/co-writer Kosinski’s own graphic novel, and unsurprisingly he brings maximum authenticity to the proceedings; while the cast, which includes busy British actress Riseborough (Shadow Dancer, Welcome To The Punch), recreates the sense of awe Kosinski so effectively evoked with his visually stunning Tron: Legacy. Contains moderate violence and one use of strong language. Dir: Joseph Kosinski. USA 2013 / 2h4m / Digital / 12A 14
www.birkscinema.co.uk
Silver Linings Playbook Sat 27 April - Thu 2 May David O. Russell (I Heart Huckabees, The Fighter) returns to helm this gloriously dark, quirky comedy about a bipolar ex-teacher adapting to life after a stint in a psychiatric hospital. Pat (Cooper) is struggling to rejoin the real world since moving back in with his long-suffering parents, and is desperately trying to rekindle his relationship with his ex-wife after a manic episode landed him in an institution. But when he meets the mysterious Tiffany (Lawrence), a widow with problems of her own, a brighter future seems possible. Can Pat overcome his demons and start a new life? Boasting winning turns from a great cast and a sharp script with a feel-good twist, this new comedy-drama is a must-see treat from one of America’s top young filmmakers.
Dir: David O’Russell USA 2012 / 2h2m / Digital / 15
Amour Sun 28 April - Wed 1 May Austrian auteur Michael Haneke (Hidden, The White Ribbon) returns with this masterful, heartbreaking new film about a marriage tested by the onset of illness. Elderly couple Georges (Trintignant, Three Colours Red) and Anne (Riva, Hiroshima Mon Amour), retired music teachers, live a contented life enjoying one another’s company in Paris, dividing their time between reading, playing music and attending concerts in the evenings. But when Anne suffers a stroke, Georges must learn to care for her in an entirely new way, calling on their daughter Eva (Huppert, The Piano Teacher) to help him cope with a wife and mother almost entirely transformed by illness. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, this exquisite, beautifully acted film – arguably one of the year’s finest – is an absolute must see for both fans of Haneke and newcomers to his devastating filmmaking style. Contains one use of strong language and distressing scenes.
Dir: Michael Haneke Austria 2012/2h7m/Digital/12A/Subtitled Tickets 0871 902 5754
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Good Vibrations Mon 29 April - Tue 30 April A little too easily tagged as Belfast’s 24 Hour Party People, directors D’Sa and Leyburn’s little gem affectionately chronicles record shop owner Terri Hooley’s almost single-handed creation of Northern Ireland’s punk scene, while also exploring its sectarian background. As the affable but often naive vinyl junkie who discovered The Undertones, The Outcasts and more, Dormer’s performance is a marvellous career best, with Whittaker (Venus, Attack The Block) also excellent as his more grounded wife. A perfectly judged cast of Irish thesps and musicians – including an almost unrecognisable Dylan Moran as a dour bar owner help push the film merrily through the Troubles, ending with Hooley leading a raucous and uplifting, if improbable, version of Sony Bono’s Laugh at Me to a huge, ecstatic Belfast audience. Dir: Lisa Barros D’Sa, Glenn Leyburn.
UK 2012/1h43m/Digital/15/
Song for Marion Tue 30 April Best known for the bleak thriller London To Brighton, director Paul Andrew Williams reveals a flair for good-humoured social drama with Song For Marion. Vanessa Redgrave plays the cancer-stricken Marion, determinedly enjoying her final months singing in a community choir run by Elizabeth (Arterton), a young teacher who has boldly entered them in a national competition. Unfortunately, Marion’s husband (Stamp) is just a little overprotective, and the dividing line between his concern and his innate curmudgeonliness wears thinner as the weeks roll by. But when the inevitable finally happens, his abiding love for Marion and the understanding of loneliness that he shares with Elizabeth turn his life around.
Dir Paul Andrew Williams. UK 2012 / 1h33m / Digital / PG 16
www.birkscinema.co.uk
Heartland Film Society The Birks welcomes the Heartland Film Society for the final showing of their 2012/13 season. Look out for details of the upcoming 2013/14 season, which kicks off in September.
A Separation Thu 2 May Having swept up three major awards at the 2011 Berlin Film Festival - for Best Film, Best Actor and Best Actress - A Separation hits UK shores earmarked as one of the year’s stand-out releases. This elegant and suspenseful Iranian drama focuses on the life of a fractured family in a turbulent society. Nader (Moaadi) is at a loss after his wife unceremoniously leaves him, but he manages to hire a young woman, Razieh (Bayat), to care for his ailing father (Shahbazi) in his wife’s absence. What Nader doesn’t know, however, is that Razieh is pregnant and working without the permission of her husband. Before long Nader finds himself embroiled in a bitter and very public conflict that will serve to amplify his recent shortcomings. Dir: Asghar Farhadi. Persia 2012 / 2h3m / Digital / PG Tickets 0871 902 5754
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New Films
Star Trek Into Darkness 3D Fri 24 - Thu 30 May Opening as Spock (Quinto) battles to stop a volcano on the planet Nibiru from destroying the fleeing Enterprise, and then descending into a breathtaking vision of 23rd-century London, director Abrams’ second Star Trek outing visually outstuns even his first. With Cumberbatch’s much-teased, much hushed-up role as the heinous villain, plus many old hands back on board – including Pine as Kirk, Karl Urban as Bones, Zoe Saldana as Uhura, and Pegg’s permanently rattled Scotty uttering the immortal line, “I cannae do it, Captain” – everything we love about the ever-evolving franchise, plus an exceptionally big budget, guarantees awe. Abrams of course knows better than simply to gorge on CGI, and working again with writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, he’s built a narrative spine that’s as robust and complex as the Enterprise itself. Dir: Joseph Kosinski. USA 2013 / 2h9m / 3D / 18
cert. tbc
www.birkscinema.co.uk
New Films
Promised Land Fri 10 May - Thu 16 May Its title an ironic biblical reference, Gus Van Sant’s latest has co-writer Matt Damon playing a salesman who believes that selling their fracking rights to his employers, Global Power Solutions, is the only way hard-pressed farmers can stop their rural communities from atrophying. Along with his partner (McDormand), he arrives in McKinley, PA with the usual promises of untold wealth and a sizeable slush fund, only to confront a local schoolteacher (Holbrook) and an environmentalist (John Krasinski) who question both his integrity and the truth about fracking’s ecological impact.
Promised Land charts the twists, turns and romantic asides of the subsequent battle of wills. Having worked together so effectively on Good Will Hunting, Van Sant and Damon have crafted an engaging, often gently witty film that’s also very timely. Dir: Gus Van Sant. USA 2012 / Length 1h42m / Digital / 15 Tickets 0871 902 5754
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In the House Fri 10 May - Thu 16 May If Francois Ozon’s last film, the BAFTA-nominated ‘Potiche’, raised his profile with UK filmgoers, then In The House is set to extend his audience even further. Kristin Scott Thomas hops the channel once more to play the wife of an academic (Ernst Umhauer) who becomes fascinated with the private life of one of his pupils. Both husband and wife become embroiled in a witty and daring passion play. Based on the Spanish play, ‘The Boy In The Last Row’, this will surely prove to be one of this years crossover hits. Those familiar with Ozon’s work can rest assured that this stands with the very best of his work so far, displaying a growing maturity without losing his cutting-edge humour.
Dir: Francois Ozon
France 2012/1h45m/Digital/15/
Lincoln Sat 11 May - Tue 14 May Steven Spielberg’s thoroughly involving Lincoln is less a biopic and more a political thriller. The American president struggles with his adversaries, and indeed his own conscience, to abolish slavery as the Civil War rages. Day-Lewis, well versed in portraying formidable Americans – think Gangs Of New York Or There Will Be Blood – rises magnificently to the occasion, depicting the president as a cunning, intellectual man operating behind a folksy façade, with Field as his nervously supportive wife. The phalanx of fine actors playing characters ranged both for and against him include Tommy Lee Jones as craggy old Republican doyen Hal Holbrook, as well as David Strathairn and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Dramatically intense and period perfect, Lincoln rates as one of Spielberg’s finest achievements. Contains infrequent moderate war violence, gore and strong language. Dir Steven Spielberg USA 2012 / 2h30m / Digital / 12A
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www.birkscinema.co.uk
The Little Birks Screening
Wreck It Ralph 3D Sat 11 - Sun 12 May Disney’s latest animated masterwork cleverly turns a disgruntled arcade-game house-wrecker, the lantern-jawed Ralph, into a hi-tech 3D cartoon hero. Voiced by a boisterous Reilly (Carnage, We Need To Talk About Kevin), Ralph is sick of playing bad guy to his do-gooding nemesis Fix-It Felix (30 Rock’s Jack McBrayer), and the route out of his identity crisis is to jump into a different old-school video game called Sugar Rush. Here he meets another eight-bit outsider, the sharp-tongued Vanellope von Schweetz (Silverman, in perhaps the nearest thing to typecasting possible in cartoon-land), and they successfully join forces to right digital wrongs in a shoot-’em-up, car-crash world. The familiar Disney tactic of imbuing cartoon characters with inner lives once again works brilliantly as Ralph redeems himself and discovers unexpected contentment.
Dir: Rich Moore USA 2012 / Length 1h48m / 3D / PG Tickets 0871 902 5754
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The Hobbit 3D Sat 11 May In this prequel to The Lord Of The Rings, director Jackson brings back several Tolkien regulars for the fantastical tale of Frodo’s uncle, Bilbo Baggins (Freeman), and his quest to reclaim the lost treasure of the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.
Love Is All You Need Fri 3 May - Thu 9 May The generally rather earnest Bier (Brothers, The Oscar-Winning In A Better World) exhibits a considerable capacity for subtlety and surprise with her latest film, not least in her choice of Brosnan to lead an otherwise all Scandinavian cast as a testy fruit ’n’ veg mogul whose son is getting married in Sorrento. En route to the wedding he literally bumps into recovering cancer sufferer Ida (Dyrholm), who is actually the mother of the bride, and for this and other reasons – including sibling jealousy, spousal death and rampant infidelity – theirs is not an obviously destined pairing. In his most impressive outing since Polanski’s The Ghost, Brosnan is clearly enjoying himself, and the chemistry between the two leads is palpable.
Dir Susanne Bier Europe 2012 / 1h56m / Digital / 15 22
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Once again McKellen’s Gandalf the Grey is the instigator of an epic that involves incalculable danger and wry humour. Benedict Cumberbatch enters Middle-earth for the first time as The Necromancer, while old hands Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood, and especially Andy Serkis’ monstrous Gollum all add to the adventure. Drenched in the most vivid colour, and with Jackson’s signature breathtaking special effects, The Hobbit will delight newcomers as well as die-hard fans of the series. Contains moderate violence.
Dir: Peter Jackson UK 2012/2h49m/Digital/12A/
Skyfall Sat 4 May - Thu 9 May Although director Sam Mendes is fresh to the franchise, several key players are back on board for the latest in post-Fleming Bondmanship. Daniel Craig again reprises the spy’s taut if dignified ruthlessness, apparently returning from the dead to face a new and satisfyingly evil villain: Raoul Silva, played by Javier Bardem with the cool menace he exhibited so effectively in No Country For Old Men. Silva’s murky connections with M (Judi Dench, equally imperturbable) prompt lashings of spectacular mayhem that will delight 007 die-hards. The action is further enhanced by major talents such as Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Albert Finney in what promises to be an unequalled cinematic event this autumn. Contains moderate action violence and one use of strong language.
Dir: Sam Mendes UK 2012/2h49m/Digital/12A/
Les Miserables Sun 5 May - Tue 7 May Victor Hugo’s epic tale of romance and political idealism, set amid the turmoil of the 1832 Paris Uprising, has been filmed many times. But director Hooper (The King’s Speech) daringly adapts Cameron Mackintosh’s mightily successful musical version for the big screen, with a stellar cast – most of whom are not usually known for their singing skills. Jackman is the paroled convict Jean Valjean, who is fleeing the obsessive Inspector Javert (Crowe); Hathaway is Fantine, the reluctant, ailing prostitute for whose child Valjean assumes responsibility. The cast sang the stirring melodies live to camera during filming – a huge gamble by Hooper that paid off impressively. With regular cinematographer Danny Cohen on board, and Helena Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne and Sacha Baron Cohen in major roles, Les Misérables is an all round sensual feast. Contains moderate violence and sex, and infrequent moderate language. Dir Tom Hooper UK 2012 / 2h38m / Digital / 12A Tickets 0871 902 5754
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New Films
Place Beyond the Pines Fri 3 May - Thu 9 May Reunited with Blue Valentine director Cianfrance, Gosling plays Luke, an itinerant fairground stunt-rider (a switch from four wheels to two after his brooding performance in Drive). After some breathtaking footage of him at work, we see Luke quit his perilous profession and settle down to provide for the son he’s fathered during a brief encounter with a waitress (Mendes). Trouble is, that means robbing banks. Enter Cooper as Avery, a rookie cop with problems of his own, who dramatically nails Luke, challenging a corrupt colleague in the process (Ray Liotta at his nastiest). A decade later, the consequences of Luke and Avery’s actions shift the proceedings into a whole new gear. The structure and cinematography of Cianfrance’s hard-hitting film – and especially Gosling’s performance – edge it towards greatness. Dir: Derek Cianfrance. USA 2012 / Length 2h21m / Digital / 15 24
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Django Unchained Mon 13 May Much has been made of the political hot potato that is the portrayal of the US slave trade. Tarantino has trumpeted his film as being one of only a handful to deal with the issue, whilst some commentators have attacked the films cartoonish violence. Whatever the politics, Django Unchained is a great Tarantino movie, and if you enjoyed Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill, you’ll love this. A return to form after the careerlow of Death Proof and the uneven Inglorious Basterds, the director gives vent to all his stylistic flourishes in a homage to the great Western directors on both sides of the ocean. We get the off-kilter tones of Spaghetti Western mixed with the wide-screen vision and visceral mayhem of Hawks and Peckinpah. The central pairing of Waltz and Foxx is up there with the great buddy-movie partnerships and gives the film a solid emoitional core, whilst DiCaprio is astounding as the loathsome, baby-faced despot Calvin Candie. Dir: Quentin Tarantino USA 2012/2h35m/Digital/18/
Arbitrage Mon 13 May - Wed 15 May “You think money’ll fix it?” asks fall guy Jimmy Grant of his benefactor-cum-bully Robert Miller. “What else is there?” shrugs Miller, neatly summarising the moral core of this riveting thriller. An investment guru awash with guilty secrets, Miller (Gere) is the embodiment of beguiling venality. He’s fighting to sell his tottering company while also avoiding a murder rap, and his wife (a diamond-hard Sarandon) and daughter (Brit Marling) exhibit the same expedient duplicity. Jimmy (Parker), however, unwittingly holds the key to Miller’s fate, and as Miller is pursued by the politically motivated Detective Bryer (Roth, suitably sleazy), his façade of indignant innocence is sorely tested. Jarecki’s debut feature is directed with great assurance and no slack, and basks in Yorick Le Saux’s (I Am Love) nouveau noir cinematography. But it’s really Gere’s film: he is terrific.
Dir Nicholas Jarecki. USA 2012 / 1h47m / Digital / 15 Tickets 0871 902 5754
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Made of Stone +satellite Q&A with Director and The Stone Roses Thu 30 May With unprecedented access to previously unseen archive footage, The Stone Roses: Made Of Stone is a revealing journey through the life of one of the most revered and influential bands in British music history. Acclaimed filmmaker Shane Meadows brings his unique directorial style, humour and emotional depth to the film, capturing the band at work and in their everyday lives as they rehearsed for their much-anticipated reunion, which culminated in three triumphant homecoming gigs at Manchester’s Heaton Park in front of 220,000 adoring fans. Incorporating never-before-seen material spanning the band’s musical history, the personal experiences of many of those touched by the band and their music, and unparalleled access to the record-breaking sell-out concerts which took place in summer 2012, this is the definitive record of the definitive band of the past 25 years. Dir: Shane Meadows UK 2013/ Digital / Cert TBC /
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The Birks Card What is The Birks Card? Well, it’s our way of rewarding our regular customers and is free to join up to. For every film you see, you’ll earn points and when you earn enough - you’ll qualify for a free film! You can join up through our website or pick up a form at the box office. For Terms & Conditions visit. www.birkscinema.co.uk
The Birks Cinema is supported by
Scottish Rural Development Programme Big Lottery Fund Scotland Ward Blenkinsop Trust Dunard Fund The Hugh Fraser Foundation Craignish Trust Russell Trust Mary Andrew Charitable Trust We would also like to thank the following companies who have supported the launch activities of The Birks Cinema. I&H Brown Limited, Mackies of Scotland, The co-operative, RW Bell Building Services, Elizabeth Yule Coach Hire, King’s House Travel, Aberfeldy Motors, Broon’s Buses and Taxi’s and all of our Golden Ticket contributors
Tickets 0871 902 5754
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Bookings:
0871 902 5754 £1.50 booking fee on phone bookings
www.birkscinema.co.uk Standard Tickets £6.50 3D Surcharge +£1.50 Special Prices** Seniors £5.50 Students £5.50 Un-Waged £5.50 Disabled £5.50 * There are some pricing exceptions, please see film information for further information ** Please bring proof of your status to The Birks Cinema when purchasing or picking up reduced tickets
Special Screenings:
cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase
except in the case of a cancelled performance.
Ticket
offers are subject to availability and may not be used in conjunction with any other offer.
All
tickets
must be paid at point of booking.
Whilst every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of information within this guide, mistakes do happen. The Birks Cinema reserves the right to make changes to the programme as necessary. The Birks Cinema
reserves the right to refuse admission.
The Birks Cinema
asks all customers to refrain from using mobile phones in the cinema.
The first edition of the Birks Cinema listings booklet was kindly supported by
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The Birks Cinema
Tickets
15 Dunkeld Street Aberfeldy PH15 2DA
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