Saturday, March 16, 2013

Filmspot

Filmspot

Let Gene Kelly dance those blues away..

Posted: 15 Mar 2013 06:45 PM PDT

Maybe it’s the cold weather that just seems to be going on and on without end, but everyone around these parts seems to be suffering from the doldrums! Well, I have the antidote, and that is… a good dose of Gene Kelly film clips to cheer you all up!

Tap dancing! Singing! on Roller Skates? … and why not? From ‘It’s Always Fair Weather‘.

Taking on La Belle Epoque… in unusually attired style! Kelly brings to life the character from Toulouse-Lautrec‘s ‘Chocolat dansant dans un bar’.  From the wonderful ‘An American in Paris‘

I could have included the original ‘sitting dance’ clip, which is just superb, but Volkswagon gave it a fresh twist, in their Jetta ad.

From an early film, ‘Cover Girl‘, Gene Kelly appears to have been served… by himself.

Somehow we always manage to fit the Muppets in somewhere. Here is Gene Kelly in a peculiarly moving performance, with our favourite fuzzyfilm stars!

…well, all that’s just for a warm up! Ready for more toe-tapping? We can’t wait for our screening of the wonderful *Singin in the Rain* at Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Centre on 6th April. It’s part of our ‘Golden Age of Hollywood‘ weekend, and we’ll also be showing the wonderfully dark *Sunset Boulevard* on Friday 5th April.

Tickets are available from here for Singin in the Rain or here for Sunset Boulevard

We hope to see you all there!
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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Filmspot

Filmspot

Call for performers and unwanted brollies – and ‘Great White Silence’ postponed

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:05 PM PST

Yes, unfortunately we have had to postpone our upcoming screening of ‘The Great White Silence‘ at Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum, due to unforeseen circumstances. This was originally planned for Saturday 9 March, but will now happen on Saturday 5 October. If you already hold a ticket, these will still be valid for the new date – but if you would like to discuss the screening, or cannot make 5th October, do please contact Salisbury Museum directly on 01722 332151.

If you live in East Sussex, our screening at Newhaven Fort will go ahead as planned, on 15 June.

On a completely different note, we are looking for volunteer ushers/ usherettes/ performers for our upcoming Hollywood themed weekend at Eastbourne Devonshire Park Tennis Centre, where we will be showing:

5th April – SUNSET BOULEVARD: 7.30pm (doors 7.00pm)

6th April – SINGIN IN THE RAIN: 4.00pm (doors 3.30pm)

See my previous post for full details and trailers for each of the films.

We are looking for ‘vintage’ ushers and usherettes for both events. For Sunset Boulevard, we are recruiting performers to take the part of 1950s paparazzi, to create a buzz on our ‘red carpet’, at the entrance to the screening. For Singin’ in the Rain, Filmspot are looking for a number of dancers or performers to dress up in yellow macs, wielding brollies (the suspicious need not apply!). We will provide costumes.

We can offer travel expenses and food – and the chance to dress up and be the envy of all your friends! We are going to be filming at the event, and can provide any performers who take part with copies of videos, for their portfolios.

Email Rachel Hunter, Co-Director of Filmspot, for details: rachel@filmspot.org.uk or call 07525 357393.

ALSO! We are looking for donations of any unwanted or broken umbrellas for a large-scale installation at the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Centre

Any donations are gratefully received – please contact Rachel Hunter (rachel@filmspot.org.uk or 07525 357393).

 

 
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Filmspot

Filmspot

Announcing our Spring/ Summer Season!

Posted: 11 Feb 2013 02:24 PM PST

We are really pleased to be presenting our upcoming season of films for 2013. There is one final addition to the programme, which we are in the process of confirming, so do check back in the next week or two for details of that, but in the meantime, get out the diary and start marking up dates! We’re looking forward to seeing you all at events around the South East soon!

The Great White Silence (1924) [U]

at Salisbury Museum, Saturday 9th March, 2.30pm (doors 2.00pm)

I posted about this remarkable film a couple of weeks ago, so for further information, please look back to my last post. Last time, I included the trailer, but for those of you who can’t wait for the event, here’s a few Q&As about the film from the BFI:

Tickets: £6 Members of Salisbury Museum, £8 Non-Members

From: 01722 332151

 

The Golden Age of Hollywood Weekend

at Devonshire Park Tennis Centre, Friday 5th and Saturday 6th April

Filmspot are delighted to be partnering up with Eastbourne Borough Council Events to present two very different films about Hollywood, with theatrical touches, music, period trailers and themed snacks.

Sunset Boulevard (1950) [PG]

Friday 5th April, 7.30pm (doors 7.00pm)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest films of American cinema, Billy Wilder‘s classic noir is a scathing satire of the movie industry. William Holden portrays an unsuccessful screenwriter who is sucked into a web of sleaze and insanity by a deluded, faded silent movie star, played by tour-de-force, Gloria Swanson.

Tickets: £6.50 adults, £4.00 children

From: http://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/What%27s_On/show.asp?showID=2670

Singin’ in the Rain (1952) [U]

Saturday 6th April, 4.00pm (doors 3.30pm)

Gene Kelly’s comedy-musical is a lighthearted look at Hollywood’s transition from silent film to ‘talkies’. Starring Kelly alongside the undisputed talents of Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds, the films boasts instantly recognisable tunes, fun and awe-inspiring dance routines and charming comic performances. A sure-fire hit for the entire family! dance routines and charming comic performances.

Tickets: £6.50 adults, £4.00 children, £18.00 family (two adults, two)

From: http://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/What%27s_On/show.asp?showID=2671

Filmspot at Newhaven Fort

Filmspot are delighted to be working with Newhaven Fort again in 2013 for three exciting film screening events. Expect theatrical touches, installations, as well as period trailers and newsreels to set the scene. Themed refreshments will be available, including a licenced café.

The Dam Busters (1955) [U]

at Newhaven Fort, Thursday 16th May, 7.30pm (doors 6.30pm)

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the RAF Squadron 617's raid on the Ruhr Valley dams, Filmspot are pleased to be presenting a special screening of The Dam Busters at Newhaven Fort, as part of Museums at Night.

Based on true events as featured in the book 'Enemy Coast Ahead' by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the film focuses on scientist Barnes Willis's (played by Michael Redgrave) work on the 'bouncing bomb' during WWII, as well as on the mission itself. The breathtaking footage of aircraft required that five Lancaster Bombers were rebuilt, with the aircraft expenses making up a tenth of the film's overall budget. With its 'docu-drama' tone, stellar cast and memorable music, The Dam Busters is regarded as one of the finest British war films.

Tickets for The Dam Busters are free but must be booked in advance.

Call Newhaven Fort for bookings on 01273 517622 

The Great White Silence (1924) [U]

At Newhaven Fort, Saturday 15th June, 7.30pm (doors 7pm)

We are taking Captain Scott and company on the road – for those of you who cannot quite get to Salisbury on 9 March, we are presenting The Great White Silence in the atmospheric setting of Newhaven Fort.

Tickets: Adults: £6.00; Children: £4.00.

Call Newhaven Fort for bookings on 01273 517622

 

As I mentioned above, we have one more very special screening to be confirmed for our Spring/ Summer season, more news on that to follow, but in the meantime get booking your tickets – we hope to see you all soon! 
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Sunday, January 20, 2013

Filmspot

Filmspot

‘The Great White Silence’ and other chilly cinematic delights…

Posted: 19 Jan 2013 04:06 PM PST

SNOW! You are probably sick of hearing about the stuff by now, but that has never stopped us Filmspotters from pulling on our wellies, hats and gloves… although in reality, this weather does just make us yearn for blankets and a good, cosy film to watch.

By coincidence, though, we are pleased to announce that our first Filmspot screening for 2013 will be the very appropriate ‘Great White Silence’ [1924], at Salisbury Museum on Saturday 9th March at 2.30pm

Newly restored by the BFI and a winner of awards, The Great White Silence is a deeply moving account of Scott's sea journey south from New Zealand and, once his team reaches Antarctica, their preparations for the long walk.

Scott chose to take Salisbury-born Herbert Ponting to record the journey. Thanks to Ponting's superb eye, a century later we have an astonishing visual account of his tragic quest. After Scott's death Ponting began a lecture tour which he eventually built into a silent film (now with a new haunting score performed by the contemporary string ensemble, The Elysian Quartet) with intertitles, as well as his own stills, maps, portraits and paintings, to create a narrative of the terrible events. He even filmed some novel sequences using models and stop-motion photography to show the various journeys of the polar teams. The final film was tinted and toned to express lighting effects. Although he did not travel beyond the final base camp, Ponting had the foresight to film Scott, Edward Wilson, ‘Taff’ Evans and Henry Bowers (interestingly, the same men, with Lawrence Oates, were to form the – as yet unselected – polar team) manhauling the sledge and cooking and sleeping in their tent, just as they were to do for real on the way to and from the Pole. It really is a compelling and beautiful film. Here is the trailer, to whet your appetite.

Please contact Salisbury Museum to book your tickets (£6 for members; £8 for non-members) on 01722 332151. The Museum has a webpage about the event here

For those Filmspotters in the East Sussex area, we will be running a screening of ‘The Great White Silence’ at Newhaven Fort in June, and will announce final details in the coming weeks.

Inspired by Captain Scott and our upcoming visit to Salisbury, as well as the ‘winter wonderland’, which is now rapidly melting outside, we have been thinking about some of our favourite films featuring snow. So, without further ado, here you are:

1. Fargo [1996]

Joel and Ethan Coen‘s quirky crime comedy uses its snow bound ‘Minnesota nice’ setting to great effect – and particularly revel in the contract of white and red, and ‘niceness’ and ‘nastiness’. The film boasts a fantastic cast, featuring many of the Coen’s regular collaborators, including Frances McDormand, William H Macy and Steve Buscemi – and of course the unforgettably sing-song accents: ‘Yah, you betcha!’

2. The Gold Rush [1925]

This wonderful silent comedy is the film that Chaplin himself said he wanted to be remembered for – and indeed, this film features many of Chaplin’s most memorable scenes, including he often parodied ‘bread roll dance’. The film follows the exploits of The Tramp as he travels to take part in the Klondike gold rush.

3. Touching The Void [2003]

Kevin McDonald’s gripping documentary follows the story of Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, who successfully climbed to the summit of previously unclimbed Siula Grande in Peru. After a disastrous accident, leaving his partner hanging by a rope over a cliff, Yates, who felt sure Simpson was dead, cut the rope. Consisting of re-enactment footage, together with interviews with the mountaineers.

4. Ikiru [1952]

Admittedly the trailer above doesn’t exactly scream SNOW at you, but snow features in the most pivotal scene of this wonderful, moving film. In this humble Filmspotter’s opinion, this is Akira Kurosawa’s best film, with a touching performance by the underrated Takashi Shimura. The story follows a middle-aged bureaucrat who, on learning he has less than a year to live, attempts to come to terms with his impending death and sets about discovering the secret to happiness.

5. Bambi

I know that this, like Ikiru, isn’t entirely focussed on snow, but the clip above of Bambi on ice is the Disney studio demonstrating why they were at the top of the animation tree for so long.

Hope to see some of you in Salisbury in March – keep cosy!

 
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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Filmspot

Filmspot

Happy New Year from Filmspot!

Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:48 AM PST

Apologies for the lack of updates, Filmspotters. We’ve had a busy few months at Filmspot HQ, and now the last few plans are just being confirmed up for our 2013 season. We will be updating the blog with our plans, as well as the website in the next couple of weeks, so do check back soon, but in the meantime here are a few films to look forward to in 2013!

Mood Indigo [Dir: Michel Gondry]

We are big fans of the master of crafty-cinema, Michel Gondry, from his ingenious music videos to the charmingly dreamlike ‘Science of Sleep‘. ‘Mood Indigo’ looks like it will be the perfect Gondry project, with some fantastic acting talent attached in the form of Audrey Tautou and Romain Duris. Based on a novel ( titled ‘L’Écume des jours‘) by French polymath Boris Vian, the film tells the tale of Colin, a man who falls in love with Chloe, a woman who is suffering from an illness caused by a flower growing in her lungs.

Django Unchained [Dir: Quentin Tarantino]

We are not exactly devotees of Tarantino here at team Filmspot, but there’s something rather appealing about this concoction! This Western focuses on a freed slave (played by Jamie Foxx), who travels across America with a bounty hunter (Christopher Waltz) to rescue his wife from a plantation owner (played with equal charisma and menace by Leonardo DiCaprio).

Gangster Squad [Dir: Reuben Fleischer]

The combination of Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and gangsters is surely enough to tell you to book your ticket early! it tells the story of LAPD Detectives who are attempting to keep Los Angeles free of gangsters during the 1940s and ’50s. Judging from the trailer we’re in for a very classy, slick looking thriller.

Kaze Tachinu [Dir: Hayao Miyazaki]

Japanese anime master, Hayao Miyazaki’s first film in five years is sure to excite animation fans the world over. Based on his manga of the same title (meaning ‘The Wind is Rising’), Miyazaki’s film focuses on the designer of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane, flown as one of the country's primary warcraft during World War II. Studio Ghibli will also release ‘The Tale of Princess Kaguya’, directed by the other founder of the studio, Isao Takahata – so 2013 promises to be a great year for animation!

Before Midnight [Dir: Richard Linklater]

Rumoured to be the final film in Linklater’s series chronicling the relationship of American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delphy), who met by chance on a Budapest – Vienna train in Before Sunrise (1995). Fans of Linklater’s indie films will be delighted – however, they are not for everyone. A friend who I suggested the last installment (Before Sunset) to, complained that there was ‘too much talking!’

So – in the next blog, you can expect some upcoming Filmspot dates. until then, let us know what films you’re looking forward to, either here in the comments, or contact us on twitter @filmspotter
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Sunday, October 21, 2012

Filmspot

Filmspot

Friendly aliens!

Posted: 21 Oct 2012 11:01 AM PDT

In part two of our E.T. inspired recommended film lists, we thought we’d share the antidote to last week’s scary aliens list, and give some examples of friends from other worlds. See below the list for full details of our upcoming E.T. screening event at Newhaven Fort, we hope to see you all there!

*batteries not included (1987)

Set in a New York apartment block, this sweet family film from the 80s features the cutest aliens ever to be created from scrap metal. This, like E.T, is one of those films that to watch without shedding a tear is evidence of a heart of stone.

K-PAX (2001)

This is a great film (although, predictably an even greater series of books!), which is a kind of combination of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Starman. Kevin Spacey is perfectly cast, too – I saw him as the protagonist man/ alien, Prot, when I originally read the book.

Superman (1978)

Possibly the most helpful of all aliens (well, along with Dr Who) is Superman. Where would we be without him to save us in our every hour of need?

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Less friendly, more naughty, but totally lovable. Stitch is the kind of alien anybody would have wanted as a pet when they were a child. This is a very fine Disney film indeed, standing as a beacon against such horrors as Treasure Planet.

Paul (2011)

It was only a question of time before uber-geeks Simon Pegg and Nick Frost starred in the UFO-related film, and Paul is certainly a very friendly being. It is a kind of ‘greatest hits’ of UFO sci fi, featuring so many homages that if you blink you’ll miss one!

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

..and so, this had to feature on this list. As all know, the friendliest of all aliens is of course E.T, but as we’re screening that on 3rd November (see below), we thought we’d give a plug to Spielberg’s other wonderful classic friendly alien film, Close Encounters. It will have you craving mashed potatoes.

..so a brief round up of friendly aliens there, but why not come and see the friendliest of all extra terrestrial creatures, E.T: The Etra Terrestrial? 

For tickets, please contact Newhaven Fort, details are on their website. We hope to see you all there!

 
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Saturday, October 13, 2012

Filmspot

Filmspot

Aliens!

Posted: 13 Oct 2012 11:29 AM PDT

Yes, it’s that wonderful month. We love Hallowe’en here at Filmspot, and seeing as how we are thinking in an extra terrestrial way at the moment, because of our upcoming ET screening (see below for details), we thought we’d give you a few scary alien picks, ready for Hallowe’en. If these are all a bit gruesome and threatening for you, then fear not! We have a softer, cuddlier, fuzzier alien film list coming next week!

Village of the Damned [1960]

Based on ‘The Midwich Cuckoos‘ by John Wyndham, this film doesn’t explicitly tell us that what we’re dealing with are aliens, but I’m  going along with the assumption that they are. The horror in this one comes purely from the uncanny behaviour of the unworldly-looking children. Martin Stephens, who played David (the leader of the alarming youths), is eerily cold and emotionless – his startlingly precise diction is one of the most unsettling elements of the film.

The Thing [1982]

John Carpenter’s remake of the 1950s flick ‘The Thing from Another World‘ is a gruesome festival of ridiculous gore. The special effects were cutting edge, and the antarctic setting gives the film a strange atmosphere from the very beginning. The alien we are dealing with here is about as horrific as you can imagine – a parasitic, shape shifting monster that assumes the form of every living thing it kills, and it certainly kills a lot during its 109 minutes… I think, given the choice, I’d rather encounter ET, thank you very much (these two films were released in the same year!)

Mars Attacks! [1996]

One of Tim Burton‘s finest, made before he went all family friendly on us. It’s a homage to the sci fi films he loved as a child, and is based on a series of Topp’s trading cards from the 1960s. The cast thoroughly enjoy every minute that they are on screen, playing up the schlock-factor, while the quirky humour, lush visuals and completely ridiculous gore give the film a freshness that Burton’s recent work has lacked. My only regret (being an animation fan) is that the original plans to have stop motion aliens, created by the  masterly Barry Purves, never came to fruition because of the escalating budget.

The Day the Earth Stood Still [1951]

Directed by the wonderful Robert Wise (who directed, amongst many others, The Haunting AND The Sound of Music!), this is one of the original, and finest, alien invasion films. Steeped in cold war paranoia,  the film is surprisingly thoughtful and optimistic. Although I have included it in the Hallowe’en ‘horror’ list, the aliens here are far from evil monsters – in fact, the humanoid Klaatu (Michael Rennie), has come to Earth to give an ultimatum to end our violent ways.  The theremin soundtrack instantly conjures up schlocky B-movie connotations, but bear in mind, this came before all of that. This is the real deal.

Alien [1979]

Alien is probably the scariest extra-terrestrial film of all time. It is almost also the goriest (but misses out to ‘The Thing’, above) mainly from one particular, infamous scene. The film works by playing on the claustrophobic atmosphere of the spaceship, Nostromo. Ridley Scott instructed the set builders to create the ship in dimensions to feel as claustrophobic as possible on camera, and it certainly works. Warrant Officer Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is also one of the best female protagonists of all time. Scott’s usual eye for detail together with H.R.Giger’s horribly sophisticated set designs make for a film that looks and feels like nothing else.

So… after all of those, I should think will need something a little bit more uplifting. Well, as promised above, here are the details of our E.T. screening!

Filmspot present a special 30th anniversary screening of
‘E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial‘
at Newhaven Fort, 3 November 2012, 3pm (film starts at 3.10pm)
Based on an imaginary friend created while his parents were divorcing, Spielberg’s iconic ‘E.T.’ broke box office records on release, and is one of the most successful science fiction films of all time. The story is centred on the friendship between E.T, a stranded alien visitor and Elliot, a lonely ten year old. Although it has its feet firmly set in the science fiction genre, the film is an utterly convincing portrayal of friendship and childhood – both charming and moving. By the end, there won’t be a dry eye in the house!

The historical setting of Newhaven Fort is the perfect setting for this special film event, which promises to be very atmospheric. There will be some special twists to set the scene, including light projections, 80s film trailers, specially chosen music and themed sweet treats for every audience member.

Tickets cost £6 for adults, £4 for children, and include entry to the Fort Museum. Advance booking is strongly recommended. Telephone Newhaven Fort for tickets: 01273 517622.

 
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