Author: Mark L.

NW6 Film Club July: Amy
There has been an equal amount of buzz and controversy about the new documentary from Asif Kapadia (creator of the remarkable Senna). Amy promises to tell the story of Amy Winehouse in her own words, featuring unseen archival footage and unheard tracks. It is also the holder of a 100% ‘fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes after 34 reviews, which is no mean feat.

As a result, we thought it would make an excellent choice for our next NW6 Film Club meet up on Wednesday July 8th. This is the first time we have selected a documentary in the 2 ½-year history of the film club but we feel confident that this one will bear out our choice.

So what do you need to know?
- Everybody is welcome!
- We are going to the 8:40pm screening at the Tricycle Cinema on the Kilburn High Road on Wednesday July 8th
- We will be meeting from 8:15pm in the bar area of the Tricycle, and there will be post film drinks in the Black Lion opposite.
- If you want to sit with us then please ask for Row G when buying your tickets on the night (you don’t have to)
Should be a great night, see you all there!

Mark & Nathan
July 1, 2015
NW6 Film Club May: Mad Max Fury Road

Thirty six years ago (yes really!) – Australian ex-doctor George Miller made his astonishing first feature, Mad Max.This low budget post apocalyptic cost less than half a million dollars to make but grossed more than 100 million – making it one of the most successful movies (dollar for
dollar) of all time.

Not surprisingly it spawned a couple of sequels, Mad Max 2 being one of those rare sequels general regarded as superior to the original.

What’s perhaps more surprising is the 30 year gap between the third installment and the fourth, Mad Max Fury Road, which is this month’s Film Club choice.

Mad Max 4 should provide quite a contrast to our recent more restrained Film Club movies. That said, for all its high octane action, this movie is getting plenty of critical support too – currently a massive 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s even being attacked as being “feminist propaganda“!

More than filling Mel Gibson’s shoes is the always superb Tom Hardy – whilst Charlize Theron apparently is at least his equal.

To get the full sensory overload we’re going to see it at the Imax Odeon Swiss Cottage on Wednesday 20th May at 9pm.

Tickets aren’t cheap but you can get a discount with Meerkat Movies. By all means tweet/search using #nw6filmclub to pair up. It could well be busy so best book well in advance.

We’ll meet in the bar at 8.30pm and assemble there after for a drink if we’re still conscious.

See you there!

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan

May 15, 2015
NW6 Film Club April 22nd: Force Majeure

For a while it’s seemed like you can’t turn on the TV without coming across yet another high quality Scandinavian drama series. It’s a remarkable achievement for a relatively small population a long way from the resources of Hollywood. The Nordic Noir phenomenon has also had some success in the cinema and now we have a new Swedish film getting rave reviews: Force Majeure.

The Times calls it “one of the most perceptive and savagely funny films of the year”; the Standard “a gripping film with a superb cast,” and the Guardian says it’s “compelling, intelligent and grimly entertaining”. It also warns that its not a date movie. So, the perfect film to see with your Film Club friends!

Force Majeure tells the story of a Swedish family on holiday in the French Alps. A tragic event changes everything and the film follows the repercussions. It may not sound like a cheery premise but many reviews describe the film as darkly funny. Come along and decide for yourself whether it’s a comedy, a tragedy or both.

We’re seeing the film at our usual home The Tricycle, but not on the usual day! We’ll be going to the 8.40pm screening on Wednesday April 22nd. As usual, we’ll meet in the bar beforehand from 8.10.

We’re delighted that once again there’s a special NW6 Film Club discount. Just quote WHAMPFILM when you book online or on the phone and you get £1 off.* To get the discount you must book ahead of the screening, if you just turn up on the day you’ll have to pay full price, and unfortunately it can’t be combined with other offers so if you’re already a Tricycle member, you’re better off using that to get £1.50 off.

As usual – book Row G if you want to sit with the rest of us (you don’t have to).

The film will end fairly late but hopefully there will be time to head to the Black Lion across the road for a very quick drink and discussion.

See you there,

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan

FILM CLUB FAQ
How do I join Film Club?
There’s no membership as such. Just come along to the screening and join us in the Tricycle bar beforehand to say ‘hi’.

How often does Film Club meet?
Usually once a month. The exact date depends on the schedules at The Tricycle (our usual home) and other local cinemas.

How can I hear about future Film Club events?
Just subscribe to the West Hampstead Life weekly newsletter, check the website or follow @NxNW6 on twitter.

* T&C’s: Limited offer, advance booking only. Not available retroactively or in conjunction with any other offer. Available at management’s discretion.

April 17, 2015
NW6 Film Club March 22nd: Still Alice

We’re now in that delicious post-Oscars season when the award-winning films we’ve heard so much about finally get a UK release and we get to see what all the fuss is about.

This month we’re going to see Still Alice, which won Julianne Moore a Best Actress Oscar. Perhaps surprisingly, this is her first despite having been nominated four times before. But by all accounts she gives an astonishing performance, quite possibly the best of her career – high praise indeed given her superb record. The rest of the cast is impressive too with Alex Baldwin and Kristen Stewart playing supporting roles.

The film is the story of a linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. It’s based on a novel written by a working neuroscientist, which was itself a phenomenon: it was self-published but went on to reach the New York Times bestseller list.

What’s also unsual is that the film is co-directed by a married couple – Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer. What’s more, Richard has ALS, another degenerative neurological disease, making this a film of immense personal significance.

The Telegraph calls it “astonishing” and gives it 5 stars. Mark Kermode in the Observer calls it “uplifting”.

We’re seeing it at our usual home The Tricycle, and we’ve negotiated a special NW6 Film Club discount.

Just quote WHAMPFILM when you book online or on the phone and you get £1 off. To get the discount you must book ahead of the screening, if you just turn up on the day, you’ll have to pay full price, and unfortunately it can’t be combined with other offers so if you’re already a Tricycle member, you’re better off using that to get £1.50 off.

As usual – book Row G if you want to sit with the rest of us (you don’t have to).

We’re seeing it on Sunday 22nd March. The film starts at 8.15pm and we’ll be in the bar from 7:45.

Afterwards we’ll head to the Black Lion across the road for a drink and discussion. The film isn’t too long so there should be time.

Hopefully see you there,

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan

March 13, 2015