West Hampstead Life

Tag: nw6 film club

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
NW6 Film Club February 8th: Selma

With awards season in full swing we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to high quality movies.

After the superb Birdman, Film Club is going to see another Best Picture Oscar nominee. Selma is a film about Martin Luther King Jr and his fight for equal voting rights. MLK is a towering figure in American history: he has streets in over 700 US cities named after him not to mention his own birthday as a national holiday.

Which makes it extraordinary that this is the first major movie telling any part of his life story (at least I can’t think of any – please comment below if I’ve missed one).

The other astonishing fact about this movie is the sheer array of British acting talent. King himself is played by Brit David Oyelowo (for me best known as Danny from Spooks) and Tom Wilkinson is President Johnson. With King’s wife also British (Carmen Ejogo) and Tim Roth playing a major role – this is a real testament to the quality of British actors.

The film itself is getting rave reviews and numerous award nominations (as well as getting 99% positive review on Rotten Tomatoes). With racial politics in America as important an issue now as it’s ever been this is set to be a powerful and timely film.

We’re seeing it at our usual home – The Tricycle – on Sun 8th Feb.
The film starts at 8pm and we’ll be in the bar from 7:30.

Everyone is welcome, and you can book in advance or turn up on the day Book Row G if you want to sit with the rest of us (you don’t have to).

Afterwards we’ll head to the Black Lion across the road for a drink and discussion if it’s not too late.

Hopefully see you there,

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan

January 29, 2015
NW6 Film Club January 11th: Birdman

Film Club is back in 2015 with a movie that looks like it’s going to set the quality bar high for the new year.

Birdman is an extraordinary film from the visionary filmmaker Alejandro Iñárritu. It stars Michael Keaton; once a Hollywood A-lister thanks to his role as the superhero Batman, but an actor whose recent career hasn’t exactly been triumphant.

He plays an actor – once a Hollywood A-lister thanks to his role as the superhero Birdman – but whose recent career hasn’t exactly been triumphant.

As you can probably tell, this a satire on Hollywood that uses clever casting to blur onscreen and offscreen truths. It’s also a technical masterpiece, much of it filmed in a single take (or at least appearing as such).

Strange, funny, unique, beautiful and fun are just some of the adjectives being used in rave reviews. It has already won many awards and is a hot tip for Oscar success.

We’re going to see it at Kilburn’s Tricycle Cinema on Sunday 11th January. The film starts at 8pm and we’ll be in the bar from 7.30.

Everyone is welcome, and you can book in advance or turn up on the day. Book Row G if you want to sit with the rest of us (you don’t have to).

Afterwards we’ll head to the Black Lion across the road for a drink and discussion if it’s not too late.

Hopefully see you there,

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan

January 4, 2015
NW6 Film Club December 8th: St Vincent

After a great turnout for The Imitation Game, NW6 Film Club is back at the Tricycle on Monday December 8th, for another bargain night.

The movie is St Vincent – the story of a misanthropic hard living old man who unexpectedly ends up looking after a 12 year old boy. This may sound like a familiar set up – but apparently its elevated by superb performances from both from the leads.

Bill Murray has a career to die for and this is said to be one of his best – high praise indeed – while newcomer Jaeden Lieberher gives Bill a run for his money with an astonishingly assured performance as the teenager.

Since it’s the last Film Club of 2014 we’re planning to meet a little earlier: 7.30pm at the Black Lion on Kilburn High Road, for food and drinks. The pub does excellent 2-for-1 burgers on a Monday so you can enjoy bargain food as well as bargain cinema.

At the Tricycle, Monday tickets are just £6 and if you’re a Brent Resident then take along proof of address and you get a ticket for even less (£4.50). The film itself starts at 8.45pm so you might want to get your ticket first and then come and join us in the pub.

Everyone is welcome, and you can book in advance or turn up on the day Book Row G if you want to sit with the rest of us (you don’t have to).

Once again – we’re not meeting in the Tricycle bar but in the Black Lion pub opposite from 7.30. Do tweet us if you’re coming, or just turn up!

See you there,

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan

November 30, 2014
NW6 Film Club November 17th: The Imitation Game

Few people’s lives seem more deserving of the cinematic treatment than Alan Turing’s. His achievements are astonishing: laying the mathematical foundations for all modern computers and helping the Allies win the Second World War by breaking the Enigma code. But his life encompassed tragedy as well as triumph – he was persecuted by the state for his homosexuality, with terrible consequences.

With such an epic life story it’s amazing that there hasn’t been a movie about him before (though there have been plays, books, documentaries and a made-for-TV film starring Derek Jacobi). A film about the Enigma story was made, though it strangely omitted Turing, replacing him with a very heterosexual fictional lead. But finally, Turing’s story is told in The Imitation Game. Lets hope it’s worthy of the man himself. The buzz is certainly extraordinary – it opened the London Film Festival and won the top award at the Toronto Festival.

It seems that if you want a portrayal of a repressed and socially awkward British genius there’s only one actor to turn to: Benedict Cumberbatch. His performance is reportedly so remarkable that it has even won over Turing’s family. With a cast that includes Keira Knightley, Mark Strong and Charles Dance, this looks set to be another showcase for British talent (albeit with a Norwegian director).

For a change, we’re going to see it on a Monday night, which thanks to the Tricycle’s generous Monday pricing means bargain tickets of just £6. Brent residents do even better; take along proof of address and you get a ticket for just £4.50.

The film is at 8.40pm, on Monday November 17th. As usual, we’ll meet in the bar beforehand from 8:15. Everyone is welcome, and you can book in advance or just turn up on the day. Book Row G if you want to sit with the rest of us (you don’t have to).

Afterwards we’ll head to the Black Lion across the road for a drink and discussion if it’s not too late.

See you there,

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan

November 6, 2014
NW6 Film Club October 19th: ’71

After the last month’s Film Club movie – the wonderful Pride – we are going to see another British film dealing with a troubled period of recent British history.

The movie is ’71 and whilst it’s probably not going to have the feel-good factor of Pride, it’s getting spectacular reviews (97% on Rotten Tomatoes) and great audience feedback.

The film is set in Belfast at the height of The Troubles and follows an English paratrooper as he fights to survive, alone, in a seemingly hostile land.

Don’t worry if you’re not an expert on the politics of Northern Ireland. By all accounts this film avoids big “P” politics and uses the real-life situation as the backdrop to a suspenseful thriller that should have everyone biting their nails. With great performances and superb direction from first-timer Yann Demange, this is lining up to be one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year so far:

“This taut drama about a British soldier caught behind enemy lines in Belfast is a cracking debut” The Guardian
“’71 hurtles along, visceral and daring.” This Is London
“This is a tense, gripping thriller that combines real-world relevance with high-concept entertainment.” Empire

The film is on at the slightly earlier than usual time of 5:30 on Sunday 19th at the Tricycle Cinema. We’ll meet in the bar from 5pm and there should be plenty of time to chat about it over a drink afterwards.

Hope to see you there,

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan.

October 14, 2014
NW6 Film Club September 14th: Pride

As the dark nights and drizzle approach there’s something to look forward to: NW6 Film club is back!

Our next film is Pride, a British movie that some are calling the new Full Monty.

It’s not always easy to predict a Brit Hit – who would have thought a movie about speech therapy would be a runaway success? Two themes that do feature in a lot of successful British films are industrial disputes (Billy Elliot, Brassed Off, Made in Dagenham) and sexuality (My Beautiful Laundrette, The Crying Game, Kinky Boots and many others).

Pride brings the two subjects together to tell the story of the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign.

It’s one of those “so ridiculous it must be true” stories and early signs are promising – all 11 reviews currently on Rotten Tomatoes are positive. And if that’s not reason enough to see it, it has a superb British cast including local regulars Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton.

What’s more, some scenes were even filmed locally.

We’re seeing the film at 8pm on Sunday 14th Sep at the Tricycle. As usual, we’ll meet in the bar from 7:30.

Everyone is welcome, and you can book in advance or turn up on the day (it pretty much never sells out on a Sunday night). Book Row G if you want to sit with the rest of us (you don’t have to).

Afterwards we’ll head to the Black Lion across the road for a drink and discussion.

See you there,

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan

September 5, 2014
NW6 Film Club July 21st – Boyhood

The next Film Club will be the last before we take a short summer break, but it should be a good one.

The film is Boyhood – a movie as unusual as its creator and the only film to be Film of the Week twice on West Hampstead Life! Director Richard Linklater is truly one of cinema’s unique talents. He’s made everything from mainstream comedy (School of Rock) to obscure animations (Waking Life).

He made the wonderful romantic Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight trilogy and now he’s back with perhaps his most ambitious project yet.

Boyhood follows the life of a child, Mason, from the age of 7 through to 19 – nothing too unusual there. What is unique is that it was filmed using the same actor growing up on screen in a sort of realtime – taking 12 years to complete.

The result is, by all accounts, phenomenal. Mark has already seen it called it “unique and brilliant”. On Rotten Tomatoes it currently has a very rare 100% rating. This could well be the film of the year. It’s so good Mark is going to come and see it again!

Because of the Monty Python codgers being broadcast live it’s not showing in the usual Sunday night slot. Instead we’re going to go to the Tricycle’s Monday night showing on July 21st at 8pm. That means we can benefit from the Monday night reduction: tickets are only £6 – what a bargain!

As usual, we’ll meet in the bar from 7:30.

Everyone is welcome, and you can book in advance or turn up on the day (it rarely sells out). Book Row G if you want to sit with the rest of us (you don’t have to).

If there’s time for a swift half afterwards then we’ll head to the Black Lion across the road for a drink and discussion.

See you there,

Nathan, Mark and Jonathan

July 11, 2014