the adjustment bureau has more going for it than a rubbish title

The Adjustment Bureau, Gibsons Cinema

Friday 25 to Thursday 31 March, 7:15pm

Don’t be fooled by the rubbish title and almost equally as dull trailer, The Adjustment Bureau is well worth a peek. Starting tonight at Gibsons Cinema, the film based on a Philip K. Dick short story, is sci-fi with brains. The flick tackles the idea of controlling your own fate and making choices for the greater good, with a little bit of good ol’ romance chucked in. Starring Matt Damon (reliable as ever), Emily Blunt (she's smokin’! - what was Buble thinking?) and, as is seemingly de rigueur for any film released now, at least one person from Mad Men. This time it’s Roger Sterling.

If the thought of those not-so-comfy seats at Gibsons is slightly off putting then it's worth checking out Take 5 Media to grab a DVD of some other movies inspired by the writing of Philip K. Dick.

Screamers (1995)

It might have had a modest budget and it may have received a few scathing reviews in its day but Screamers is a great little film with creepy ambience, paranoia and a ton of jumpy moments. It deviates quite a bit from Philip K. Dick's short story, Second Variety, but that doesn’t detract from the atmosphere created by this darkly enjoyable film. Set on a far away mining planet in a dystopian future, populated by self-replicating killing machines – that also look like children (!), a handful of soldiers must trek across a treacherous wasteland to attend some negotiation or another which will end a war or something. Clearly a riveting plot... but who needs a good plot when you've got good sci-fi.

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

A faithful adaptation of Philip K. Dick's novel, A Scanner Darkly takes the viewer on a visual and mind-blowing journey into the author's conception of a drug-addled and politically unstable world. Richard Linklater created the perfect look for this movie, with themes of drug-induced paranoia and police surveillance captured hypnotically through the use of rotoscoping, a process of animating over digitally captured footage. It’s to the actors’ credit that, although smothered in animation they’re never overshadowed by its use. The top notch cast starring Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr, Woody Harrelson and Winona Ryder adds some serious street cred.

Blade Runner (1982)

Using the novel Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? as its inspiration, Blade Runner would reinvent the future for us in a neon-noir nightmare. Misunderstood when it first hit theaters, the influence of Ridley Scott's mysterious Blade Runner has deepened with time. A visually remarkable, achingly human sci-fi masterpiece. With the universal theme of what actually makes us human, a key element in Dick’s writing and the driving force behind the movie, coupled with incredible set pieces and effects, it’s a film that has rightly earned its status as a bone fide classic with some iconic casting in Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer.

Image Credit: Moviesmeter.com, Geekadelphia.com 

another year. another great mike leigh film

Cinematheque Series: Another Year 
Wed 9 March & Thurs 10 March, 7:00pm (1:30pm mats both days)
Patricia Theatre, 5848 Ash Avenue, Powell River

 

Mike Leigh's films are one of a kind. They're artful gifts of observation, humor and bruised humanity. Another Year is up there with the best of them. The script covers four seasons in the life of one British couple, Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri (Ruth Sheen). They'd like to see their lawyer son, Joe (Oliver Maltman), find the right woman. And that doesn't mean Mary (Lesley Manville), Gerri's co-worker. Mary drinks as hard as she chatters and flirts outrageously with the much younger Joe. Out of a script developed over months with his cast, Leigh creates a universe we can all find a place in. All the actors are sublime. But Manville shines brightest. Never more lonely than when she's trying to hide it, Mary still musters the courage to fight being reduced to a joke. Just watch the magnificent Manville, in a raw and riveting award-class performance that exposes a grieving heart under siege.

Her last scene is quietly devastating. So is this intimate miracle of a movie. Make sure you check it out at the Patricia Theatre this Wednesday and Thursday. Hopefully it will be making its way to the lower Sunshine Coast in the weeks ahead! For ticket info see Patriciatheatre.com.

Review by Peter Travers for Rolling Stone Magazine, 29 Dec 2010.

 Image Credit: drnorth.wordpress.com

zenith is a retro-futuristic steam-punk thriller

Zenith

Tues 1 Mar, Black Cat Cinema, Roberts Creek Hall, 7:30pm

Thirty or so years from now, in a desolate and indefinite post-industrial future, the population has been genetically altered to live in a constant state of happiness. But what they soon discover is that without contrasting it to sorrow, happiness dissipates, leaving only a feeling of never-ending numbness. Only pain can now make people feel alive.

 

Enter Jack, who offers his customers the phenomenon of pain via drugs from modern times. But when Jack receives a mysterious videotape of his dead father, he sets out to unmask the dangerous conspiracy that has created this dystopian world. 

 

Added to the backdrop of this biological nightmare, this new world has been robbed of its language, and in its place is a bland, simplistic type of speech: "For" as one character puts it "what you cannot express in language, does not exist in human minds."

 

Tonight's screening of Zenith by Black Cat Cinema is the Canadian Premiere and I'm keen to hear what you think of the film - it's received some trippy reviews. If you're up for an art-house Bladerunner, with the frontal-lobe screwiness of Memento and 12 Monkeys then this could be the flick you've been waiting for.

 

Zeniththefilm.com

force of nature

Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie

Tues 22 Feb, 7:30pm, Black Cat Cinema, Roberts Creek

At 75 years old, David Suzuki shows no signs of slowing down. In this captivating documentary portrait, the passionate environmentalist’s legacy lecture is entwined with candid interviews in which he reflects on his life and shares deeply personal stories, revealing a side previously unseen.

Catch the film tonight at Black Cat Cinema - but get there early cause it's sure to be packed! Doors open at 7:00pm.

Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie

reel youth film festival

Reel Youth Film Festival

Thurs 17 Feb, 7:30pm, Black Cat Cinema, Roberts Creek

Kids can do some crazy things with cameras! As long as you enjoy a good story - and in this case, several of them in short film form, then you'll get a kick out of the Reel Youth Film Festival being presented by Black Cat Cinema tonight.  The 80-minute show covers all sorts of topics filmed by artists 20 and younger as they share their visions for a more just and sustainable world from BC, Canada and across the globe.

To get the scoop on the films see Reelyouth.ca or Blackcatcinema.ca

bad @ss meets ballet in powell river today

Cinematheque Presents The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Wed 16 & Thurs 17 February, Patricia Theatre, Powell River, 7:00pm 

(mat 1:30pm Thursday)

Bad-@ss babe Lisbeth Salander returns to finish it all in the highly anticipated final installation of the Swedish-produced Millennium trilogy, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest" which opens in Powell River tonight.

The third adaptation from the best-selling Millennium trilogy written by the late Swedish author, Stieg Larsson (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire), promises to deliver a stunning finale worthy of the most dedicated Salander fans. Noomi Rapace is back in the starring role of the pierced and tattooed genius computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, Michael Nyqvist as Mikael Blomkvist, the crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, and Lena Endre (Erika Berger) the editor of the magazine and Blomkvist’s occasional lover.

In this last installment, Salander lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge — against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.

Let me know what you think of the flick! The reviews are a bit bla but surely watching girl-crush worthy Lisbeth Salander kicking butt is all that matters...

For ticket prices see Patriciatheatre.com

Ballet Jorgen - Coppélia

  Max Cameron Theatre, Powell River, 7:30pm

If Bad-@ss ain't your thing then consider taking a journey into the mind of the mysterious Dr Coppélius instead. 

The story of Coppélia takes us to the magical world of Dr. Coppélius, a disillusioned toy maker in search of the perfect partner. His quest drives him to create a dancing doll so beautiful that Nathanael, one of the local villagers, falls madly in love with her. Nathanael’s spurned sweetheart Klara delivers retribution by dressing as the doll and pretending to come to life. A journey that transcends the boundaries of real versus imaginary experiences, this classic love story is told through the vibrant contemporary choreography of the award winning Bengt Jörgen. 

For more information see Balletjorgen.ca

vanishing of the bees

Tues 15 Feb, Vanishing of the Bees, 7:00pm - 9:30pm

Black Cat Cinema, Roberts Creek Hall

Brighten up your garden with some bee-friendly flower seeds. Plant wildflower seeds in your garden, patio pots or window boxes, the Honeybees are vanishing... 

Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. Known as Colony Collapse Disorder, this phenomen has brought beekepers to crisis in an industry responsible for producing apples, broccoli, watermelon, onions, cherries and hundred of other fruits and vegetables. Commercial honeybee operations pollinate crops that make up one out of every three bites of food on our tables.

The docmentary, Vanishing of the Bees, which screens tonight at Black Cat Cinema, follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as the two friends plead their case on Capital Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees.

Get planting, it's almost Spring! Vanishingbees.com

friday night flix

DAFT PUNK ROCKS TRON

Tron Legacy

Fri 11 Feb to Tues 15 Feb, Patricia Theatre Powell River, 7:00pm

(mat Sun 13 Feb, 1:30pm)

There are loads of top flicks screening at Sunshine Coast Cinemas this week but since I've already covered True Grit and the King's Speech in an earlier post, my pick for this week's Friday night flick has got to be Tron Legacy, it’s just too big to ignore. The Coast does its utmost to promote the art-house and the undervalued, but when you’ve got visuals like this on display, it’s like you’ve been invited to the greatest party in the world, your eyeballs are the guests of honour and Jeff Bridges wants to give you a high-five. But it’s not just a delight for your eyes, your ears are in for a treat too, as none other than Daft Punk have created the movie soundtrack. They pepper orchestral sweeps with their unmistakable electronica, and feature scrambled 8-bit beats that would have Crystal Castles reaching for their chiptune emulators in envy. It’s certainly a step up from the original film which I don't think even made it to video/DVD. For more details see Patriciatheatre.com

now playing: gibsons

The King's Speech

Fri 11 Feb to Thurs 17 Feb, Gibsons Cinema, 7:15pm 

(mats Sun 13 Feb & Thurs 17 Feb, 4:00pm) Gibsonscinema.ca

now playing: sechelt

True Grit

Fri 11 Feb to Thurs 17 Feb, Raven's Cry Theatre, 7:00pm
(mats Tues 15 Feb & Thurs 17 Feb, 2:00pm)

Ravenscrytheatre.com

Review: Naag.com

Image source: imdb.com

double up on climate change

Black Cat Cinema presents a Double Feature on Climate Change!

Tuesday, 8th February 2011 
7:00pm - 9:30pm, Roberts Creek Community Hall

Remember when only nerds watched science flicks? Thankfully times are a changin, especially when it comes to films about the environment. Expect a packed house tonight when the Black Cat Cinema screens documentaries, 'The Cloud Mystery' and 'Inuit Knowledge on Climate Change,' both films offer a unique and visually intriguing take on the topic. 

The Cloud Mystery is a scientific detective story covering 10 years of pioneering experiments by Danish scientist, Henrik Svensmark, who solved the puzzle of how the Galaxy and the Sun interfere in our everyday weather. These provocative revelations challenge the belief of most climate theorists that carbon dioxide has been the main driver of global warming. As a result the Copenhagen based scientist has faced never-ending opposition.

Inuit Knowledge & Climate Change is the world's first Inuktitut language film that documents the knowledge and experience of Inuit elders and the impact of climate change. The film takes the viewer “on the land” with elders and hunters to explore the social and ecological impacts of a warming Arctic. This unforgettable film helps us to appreciate Inuit culture and expertise regarding environmental change and indigenous ways of adapting to it.

See Blackcatcinema.ca for more information.

man's best friend

My Dog Tulip, Monday 7th February, 7:30pm

Gibsons Heritage Playhouse (brought to you by Sunshine Coast Film Society)

Adapted from a semi-autobiographical novel by J.R. Ackerley, My Dog Tulip is an eloquently told woofs and all portrait of Ackerley’s intimate relationship with his best friend, a cheeky Alsation.

The film’s hand-drawn animation by the directors Paul and Sandra Fierlinger and Christopher Plummer's conversational narrative combine to make “My Dog Tulip,” one of the most sophisticated dog movies ever created. Animated with 58,320 beautiful minimalistic drawings and swirling pastel colours, the film’s quaint and unassuming look both perfectly suits the story and narration and belies its more risqué elements.

With next to no dialogue, directors Paul Fierlinger and Sandra Fierlinger rely on Christopher Plummer's extensive voice over lifted from Ackerley’s writing. With wry, acerbic flair Acklerley discusses all aspects of dog life – spiritedly embracing the less than sophisticated subjects of poop, fornication, ass whiffing and other doggie matters.

It is through Acklerley’s observations about Tulip that the narrator emerges as a strong character. Not unlike the protagonist of Notes on a Scandal, Acklerley’s perspective is both high-minded and scandalous, painting a picture of a loner and borderline misanthrope who observes human behaviour from a distance – and, in this instance, canine behaviour from close-up.

With it’s mixture of brevity and profundity, lofty ideas, low brow humour and a lovely visual style, My Dog Tulip plays like an adult picture book littered with candid and concise illuminations on the dynamic between pooches and people.

The film works both as a deep and affecting personal ode to the bond between man and dog and as a piece of frivolous entertainment. Like Adam Elliott’s sublime claymation Mary and Max, My Dog Tulip can crack poo jokes one moment and make poignant soul-tingling observations the next, while never jeopardising the sense that this is real art. And very good art, too. Review by Luke Buckmaster at Crikey.com.au 

For anyone interested in animated art, it is well worth reading an insightful interview with film makers Paul and Sandra Fierlinger on BMFI's blog here



culture: friday night flix

Black Swan

Fri 4 Feb to Thurs 10 Feb, 7:00pm Raven's Cry Theatre, Sechelt

(Plus Mats Feb 6, 8, 10 @ 1:00pm)

After much anticipation, Black Swan finally hits the Raven's Cry Theatre tonight. Having lived the ballet world for 14 years, the teenager in me is pretty excited about the idea of an evil ballerina movie. What's not to love about ladies in cool costumes, dance themes, horror flix, and a totally confused sense of reality??? Throw in a Hollywood scandal, that being the real life romance that developed between Natalie Portman and her fiancee-to-be choreographer, Benjamin Millepied, and it's got the makings of the perfect gossip filled girls night out.

For more info see Ravenscrytheatre.com

And here are some pics from February Russian Vogue thanks to Fashion Gone Rogue. Totally ballet inspired and gorgeous.

culture: friday night flicks

The Fighter

Fri 14 Jan to Thurs 20 Jan, 7pm Raven's Cry Theatre, Sechelt

(Plus Tues 18 & Thurs 20 Jan at 1pm)

With the Golden Globe Awards being announced this Sunday (16th Jan), it's worth catching The Fighter, which has been nominated for 6 Awards including Best Picture. Opening tonight at the Raven's Cry Theatre, The Fighter has been reviewed as the best real boxing movie since Raging Bull. Not only does it go deep into the mechanics of how fighters train and think, it is a powerful film about the brutal realities of working class American families. Plus, it stars Christian Bale, which is worth the admission price alone! http://www.ravenscrytheatre.com/

The Brideless Groom

Friday 14 Jan, 7pm Arts Building on South Fletcher Road, Gibsons

Suffering from a bit of cabin fever but aren't up for a big night out? It's vintage film night at the Arts Building on South Fletcher, and they're showing the classic Three Stooges film, The Brideless Groom, from 1947. It's only 17 minutes long so you can hurry back to your duvet and hot chocolate whilst still getting your social fix.

All ages are welcome for admission of $2.

May I be Frank

Tues 18 Jan, 7:30pm Roberts Creek Hall

Black Cat Cinema is known for putting on films that entertain and inspire, whilst expanding our consciousness and awareness of the world. This Tuesday they introduce us to Frank. Great name. Frank is 54, weighs 290lbs, had a lifetime of drug & alcohol abuse and as a result contracted Hepatitis-C. Not great qualities for a singles ad right? But Frank's life changes when he stumbles into a Raw Food Cafe in San Fran and the staff vouch to help him transform his life and fall in love one more time. All in under 42 days.

Admission is $8. For more information call 604-886-2780, email blackcat@resist.ca or see http://www.blackcatcinema.ca/

Source: blackcatcinema.ca, imdb.com, justjared.buzznet.com, threestooges.com