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

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

count down to singles awareness day

Singles Awareness Day is almost upon us and while you won't find me making any grand romantic gestures, I'd be more than happy to make the road/ferry trip to Powell River for the People's Prom if they have dudes like the poster boy on offer! I have just the right pair of shoulder pads hiding in the back of my closet to take him down...

If you don't fancy a journey up north and the V-Day thing is something you celebrate, then why not take a slightly shorter trip (though still get in a ferry ride) and head to Gambier Island for the night for their Valentine's Jazz Evening. Being on a beautiful island by candlelight doesn't sound all that bad???

For Prom-goers, check out the details on the CJMP blog and if you're into some island bliss you can find out more on the Gambier Island website. PS. Reservations for the Gambier Island bash must be made by 4th February 2010 so get in quick.

Image source: CJMP Community Radio