★★★★ “For all its moments of discord, Manchester By the Sea sings its lonely song with tremendous heart and soul.” The Observer
★★★★ “That Manchester By The Sea is so absorbing is down to Lonergan’s painstaking directorial style and to a superb Method-style performance from the lead actor.” Independent
Our next film is a highly regarded drama about grief and living with tragedy (it’s not about Blackpool, as the title might suggest!).
Casey Affleck picked up the Oscar for Best Actor, and justly so: his performance is nothing short of astounding, anchoring this very human story in a compelling way. Michelle Williams puts in a strong supporting performance, and writer-director Kenneth Lonergan’s script won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
What sets the film apart is the way it blends heartbreak with moments of touching humour. This is a serious piece of filmmaking, but it’s also very accessible.
This is our last performance of the 2017/18 season, so we’ll lay on a bit of a spread. All profits from the event will go to support the local Llancarfan Cricket Team as their new season gets underway.
We’re pleased to announce arguably our strongest ever line up of crowd-pleasing delights!
Florence Foster Jenkins (2016, PG) Friday 13 January
★★★★
“Streep is glorious in Florence Foster Jenkins as she does for the aria what Les Dawson did for the piano.” The Daily Mail
★★★★
“Florence Foster Jenkins is the perfect antidote for sobering times” The Daily Telegraph
The new season gets underway with a funny and heart-warming true story starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant. Set in the glittering high society of 1940s New York, director Stephen Frears (who brought us The Queen and Philomena) brings to vivid life the delusions of a legendary heiress and socialite obsessed with becoming a great singer. Just one problem: Florence Foster Jenkins had trouble carrying a tune! The film has been rapturously received by audiences and critics, and Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant are both deservedly in the running for major awards.
Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016, 15) Friday 17 February
★★★★
“A warm, witty and welcome return – intelligently evolved and an absolute hoot. As Bridget would say: ‘v.good’” Total Film
The hapless Miss Jones is back and facing the greatest dilemma of her life as she tries in vain to work out who the father of her baby is. Renée Zellweger puts in a spirited performance as Bridget while Colin Firth is on top form as straight-laced Mr Darcy, and Patrick Dempsey makes the perfect alternative love interest.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016, 12A) Friday 17 March
★★★★
“With more laughs and bush challenges than an episode of I’m a Celebrity…, this is a charming and quietly quirky film that succeeds not because of big-budget special effects, but its moving yet witty script.” The Daily Mail
★★★★
“A big-hearted picture full of magic. Off-kilter charmer.” The Observer
★★★★
“Comic dynamite.” The Guardian
This raucous comedy from New Zealand struck home with cinema goers across the globe on its release, even scooping the audience award at this year’s Edinburgh Film Festival. The film tells the story of defiant city kid Ricky, who gets a fresh start in the countryside with his new foster family: the loving Aunt Bella and the cantankerous Uncle Hec (Sam Neill). When Ricky is threatened with moving to another home, he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family.
Nocturnal Animals (2016, 15) Thursday 30 March
★★★★★ The Independent ★★★★★ The Daily Mail ★★★★★ The Guardian
Tom Ford, best known as a top fashion designer, has crafted a superbly dark thriller in the follow-up to his acclaimed debut A Single Man. Nocturnal Animals, adapted by Ford from a novel by Austin Wright, won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 Venice International Film Festival and is expected to feature strongly during the upcoming awards season.
Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal star as a divorced couple discovering dark truths about each other and themselves. Susan Morrow (Adams) lives a privileged yet unfulfilled life with her husband Hutton Morrow (Armie Hammer). One weekend, as Hutton departs on one of his too-frequent business trips, Susan receives an unsolicited package. It is a novel, Nocturnal Animals, written by her ex-husband Edward Sheffield (Gyllenhaal), with whom she has had no contact for years. Edward’s note accompanying the manuscript encourages Susan to read the work and then to contact him during his visit to the city. Alone at night, in bed, Susan begins reading…
This special Cariad Film event will run without an intermission, so the tension will be maintained throughout!
Sully (2016, 12A) Friday 28 April
★★★★★ “It is a superb film, as crisp as a stone, and staged and acted with an absorbing and unshowy cinematic fluency.” The Daily Telegraph
You might recall that on 15 January 2009 the world witnessed the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ when Captain “Sully” Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career. These events are captured with thrilling and clinical precision by director Clint Eastwood, and the ever reliable Tom Hanks’s portrayal of Sully is almost certain to be in the running for Best Actor at the Oscars.
To book tickets for any of these performances call 01446 781 144 or email llancarfancine@gmail.com
The Library Suicides / Y Llyfrgell (2016, 15) Thursday 8 December
“There’s plenty to admire about this nifty, twisty Welsh-language thriller from director Euros Lyn.” Little White Lies
This very special event, our second Cariad Film presentation, brings a stylish and offbeat murder mystery to Llancarfan Village Hall. Based on Fflur Dafydd’s bestselling novel, this Welsh-language thriller stars Catrin Stewart as twin sister librarians Nan and Ana who plan revenge when their author mother commits suicide, with her final words suggesting her biographer murdered her.
The film is director Euros Lyn’s first feature, but he has years of experience making some of the best loved and most critically acclaimed British TV dramas in recent times, including ITV’s Broadchurch and the BBC’s Happy Valley as well as episodes of Doctor Who, Torchwood, Sherlock, Daredevil, Casualty, Black Mirror, Upstairs Downstairs and Last Tango in Halifax.
All profits from the event will go to Mary’s Meals, a charity that provides food and support for some of the poorest children around the globe- a fitting cause during this festive season.
So please join us for what promises to be another memorable night, complete with free festive refreshments and a pay bar.
“Stellan Skarsgard as a Russian defector and Damian Lewis as a British intelligence officer both give dynamite performances.” Rolling Stone
A couple holidaying in Marrakesh are drawn into the murky world of international espionage when a Russian Mafia money launderer seeks their help to deliver classified information to the British Secret Services.
Adapted from John le Carré’s novel, the film stars Ewan McGregor, Naomie Harris, Damian Lewis and Stellan Skarsgard. It promises plenty of taut and twisty plot lines in a contemporary take on the old-fashioned spy thriller.
NEW ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMME:
It Follows (2015, 15) Friday 28 October
* * * * “The horror hits of the 70s and 80s are lovingly referenced in David Robert Mitchell’s slick stalker movie” Mark Kermode
What better way to mark the coming haunting season than hunkering down in the village hall to enjoy a highly acclaimed horror film in the company of friends and neighbours?!
It Follows won many four and five star reviews when it was released last year, and for good reason. It’s a highly effective, and very unnerving, update of the classic Hollywood ‘stalker’ movie.
To book call 01446 781 144 or email llancarfancine@gmail.com
With the kind support of Film Hub Wales, as part of their nationwide Roald Dahl on Film season, we’re going to transform the village hall into a chocolate factory (complete with a chocolate fountain!) for a screening of director Mel Stuart’s 1971 cult adaptation starring Gene Wilder as the unconventional confectioner Willy Wonka.
Everyone arriving in a costume based on their favourite Roald Dahl character (from this or any other film) will be awarded a special prize, plus we’ll be running other competitions at the event.
So join us for an afternoon of madcap fun for all ages: expect the unexpected! All profits from the event are going to support the work of local charity The Cerys Potter Foundation.
Our Kind of Traitor (2015, 15) Friday 14 October
“Director White has an eye for striking and sometimes melodramatic imagery […] Skarsgård is in flamboyant form, urbane and charming one moment, utterly brutal the next […] McGregor is also engaging as the innocent British everyman, somehow caught up in the great game of international espionage.” Independent
“Ewan McGregor plays the Jimmy Stewart-like everyman in a globe-trotting espionage thriller that puts an ordinary Brit at the center of a high-profile defection.” Variety
While holidaying in Marrakech, an ordinary English couple (Ewan McGregor and Naomie Harris) befriend a flamboyant and charismatic Russian (Stellan Skarsgård) who turns out to be a money launderer for the Russian mafia.
The couple are drawn into the dangerous world of international espionage when the Russian asks for their help to deliver classified information to the British Secret Services (look out for Damian Lewis, who plays a ruthless and determined MI6 agent).
This taut thriller is adapted from John le Carré’s acclaimed novel, and should appeal to anyone who enjoyed the BBC’s recent adaptation of The Night Manager.
Love & Friendship (2016, U) Friday 18 November
“A fresh, beguiling movie, and the wittiest Austen adaptation to grace the screen.” The Times
“Breathlessly funny […] Beckinsale doesn’t miss a beat.” The Telegraph
“A devious delight […] Beckinsale is a hoot to watch.” The Guardian
Based on the Jane Austen novella ‘Lady Susan’, Love & Friendship relates the story of beautiful young widow Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), seeking refuge with her in-laws from the colourful rumours about her love life swirling around polite society.
While there, Lady Susan decides to find another husband for herself and one for her eligible, but reluctant, daughter. Matters get complicated when she attracts the simultaneous attentions of the young, handsome Reginald DeCourcy, the rich and silly Sir James Martin and the divinely handsome, but married, Lord Manwaring.
The film is directed and scripted by Whit Stillman (The Last Days of Disco) and the excellent cast also includes Chloe Sevigny, Xavier Samuel, Tom Bennett, Stephen Fry and James Fleet.
The Library Suicides / Y Llyfrgell (2016, 15) Thursday 8 December
“There’s plenty to admire about this nifty, twisty Welsh-language thriller from director Euros Lyn.” Little White Lies
Our second Cariad Film presentation brings a stylish and offbeat murder mystery to Llancarfan Village Hall. Based on Fflur Dafydd’s bestselling novel, this Welsh-language thriller stars Catrin Stewart as twin sister librarians Nan and Ana who plan revenge when their author mother commits suicide, with her final words suggesting her biographer murdered her.
The film is set within the stately National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, where it was filmed on location. This is director Euro Lyn’s first feature, but he knows a thing or two about what makes a good contemporary thriller, having directed the first season of ITV’s acclaimed drama Broadchurch and the BBC’s Happy Valley. He’s also directed episodes of Doctor Who, Torchwood and Sherlock.
The BFG (2016, PG) Saturday 10 December, 3.00pm
* * * * “[F]or all its digital wizardry, The BFG remains a flesh-and-blood film, a story of two living, breathing misfits in whose emotional bonds we can invest, believe and rejoice. Bravo!” The Guardian
* * * * * “Steven Spielberg creates a landscape of astonishments” The Telegraph
We end the season where we began, with another acclaimed Roald Dahl adaptation. This time, master cinematic storyteller Steven Spielberg brings to life Roald Dahl’s uproarious tale of a big hearted giant who befriends a lonely young orphan, with Mark Rylance as the eponymous hero.
All proceeds from this special festive screening will go to the Llancarfan Primary School PTA.
