Wyre Forest u3a Film

October 2014

AGEING & CINEMAThe 2013-14 season began with 4 French films –now we start the 2014-15 season with a very different theme: ageing, suggested by Janet Mann.We will present 3 films on this topical subject: see details on the last page. I have avoided some of the more obvious choices, like Iris, On Golden Pond, for example.If the ageing theme causes you concern then rest easy. Humour, often of a dark character, is central to all our films on the ageing theme. I will publish a list of my recommended films on the ageing theme in the next newsletter.

War films Thanks are due to Lynn and Paul for running the final June film session. Lynn chose the classic 1930 version of All Quiet on the Western Front. I thought it might be interesting to repeat this theme by ending the new 2014-15 season with the same theme - a film which depicts war from the viewpoint of the enemy. So our June 2015 film will be Grave of the Fireflies(1988), a very moving Japanese animation which is the story of how 2 orphaned children survive during US bombardments of their home city, Kobe.

This month

Page 2: Film Reviews

Page 3: Film news/What’s on tv

Page 4: What’s on at local cinemas

Page 5: Film programme 2014-15

ABOUT SCHMIDT(2002)In our first film of the new season on Wed Oct 8 2014 you might see veteran Hollywood actor Jack Nicholson in a new light. He plays a leading, but surprisingly low-key role as a newly retired insurance executive looking for ways to find meaning in his changed life.

Page 1Film reviews

This month’s film – u3a

GENDER BIAS IN FILM INDUSTRYA report compiled by the British producer and writer Stephen Follows found that 75% of all film production crew jobs are filled by males, with only makeup and wardrobe showing a female majority. Only 5% of directors and 10% of scriptwriters are female. How many female directors could you name? Only one female has won Best Director Oscar – Kathryn Bigalow – for The Hurt Locker(2009).

Actresses have long complained about the lack of leading roles for women. Following these reports it is to be hoped that the film industry will address the situation.

Page 2

(BOYHOOD - Richard Linklater2013) Despite my dislike of all previous Linklater films and my general lack of enthusiasm for long films, I was persuaded by the positive reviews(yes, I admit it, I do sometimes believe what film critics say!), to watch this film. Much publicity had been aimed at the unusual fact that the film showed the life of a boy from ages 6-18 and needed 12 years to film, with his close family members played by the same cast throughout this period. I came quickly to realise that this is much more than a selling point. The clever direction/editing ensures that the film manages successfully to depict the passage of time in remarkably seamless fashion, a considerable achievement.

I was completely taken by this relatively simple tale of everyday family life, with brilliant acting performances from all the cast. The lengthy running time of 165 mins did not affect this positive view.The excellent cast includes Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke. It was described as “Film of the decade”, by Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian. That may be a bit OTT but the film is very likely to be among the award winners in the new year.

Tony Flynn

Film News

WHAT DO YOU THINK?Do you have any views on films you have seen? Is so, we would be glad to hear them, however contentious. You can write about a film you saw at the cinema, watched on tv or a film you saw ages ago and either loved or hated. If you are tired of hearing my views on film, why not let us hear yours instead?!

FILM4 THURS 2 OCT 2330-0150

THE SOCIAL NETWORK (David Fincher 2010 USA) Surprisingly riveting story of how the online network Facebook started. It may sound less than exciting but it’s really worth watching. Totally convincing performances from the lead actors.

FILM4 FRIDAY 3 OCT 0150-0400

IF (Lindsay Anderson 1968 UK) Malcolm MacDowell in typically subversive mode in an original tale of a one man revolution against the establishment and the public school system in particular. A bit dated but it’s a fun watch.

CINEMA IN THE HALL BEWDLEY 9 Oct

NEBRASKA(Alexander Payne USA 2013) Oscar winning Bruce Dern takes centre stage in this tale of in this tale of an ageing father who sets off on a dubious trip with his son, meeting family on the way. This director has recently made several films of high quality including Sideways & About Schmidt. It’s quite long and it’s in B & W, but it is truly an original film.

CINEMA IN THE HALL BEWDLEY 23 Oct

TRACKS(John Curran - Australia 2013) Mia Wasikowska does a sterling job playing Robyn Davidson who trekked across 1700 miles of the unforgiving Australian outback in 1977 with only camels and a dog for company. A bit slow at the start but beautifully photographed.

MAC, BIRMINGHAM 10-16 OctIDA(Pawel Pawlikowski – Poland 2013) A gripping tale set in 1962 of an orphan girl about to take her vows in a convent who makes shocking discoveries about her past. Made by the director of the successful My Summer of Love(2004).

Page 3

What’s on TV

What’s on at the Cinema

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL JUNE 2014Two days, one night, the social-realist film by the Belgian Dardenne Brothers, won best film. Most roles in their films tend to be played by amateurs, but unusually, the Dardennes gave the lead to a professional actress, Marion Cotillard, who had already achieved considerable acclaim, playing many lead roles in for example (as Edith Piaf) La Vie en Rose(2007) and Rust and Bone(2010).

FILM PROGRAMME 2014-2015

Page 4

Films about Ageing Season

Oct 8 2014 About Schmidt (Alexander Payne 2002) A newly retired insurance exec reviews his life and family ties while making a journey to his daughter’s wedding. Jack Nicholson takes the lead role.

Nov 12 2014 Wrinkles (Ignacio Ferreras 2013) Highly unusual Spanish animation about life for a group of friends in a residential care home for the elderly.

Dec 10 2014 Cinema Paradiso (Giuseppe Tornatore 1988) Justly famed nostalgic tale of a man looking back on his youth and the main 2 loves of his life: the cinema and the lovely Elena.

Comedy SeasonJan 8 2015 Stan & Ollie in “Towed in a Hole”(1932) & the Marx

Bros in Duck Soup(1935)Is this Stan & Ollie's best short? And is Duck Soup the Marx Bros best feature film? I think so in both cases, but come along and judge for yourself.  Chaos and laughs are guaranteed!

Comedy SeasonFeb 11 2015 The Card (Ronald Neame 1952) British 50s stars Alec

Guinness, Glynis Johns and Valerie Hobson in this Arnold Bennett tale of a young man with plans to succeed at all costs!

Mar 11 2015 to be decidedApr 8 2015 to be decidedMay 13 2015 to be decided

Jun 10 2015 Grave of the Fireflies  (Isao Takahata 1988) Powerful animation showing the last days of World War 2 from the viewpoint of 2 Japanese children.

WHAT’S ON – FILMS IN THE HALL THURSDAYS AT 7.30pm

Thursday 2 Oct - The SeaThursday 9 Oct – NebraskaThursday 16 Oct – The ImpossibleThursday 23 Oct – TracksThursday 30 Oct – Belle

FILM NEWSFLASH Following the amazingly successful showing to a full house of a complete opera – Madame Butterfly - in The Hall in September, it is planned to include more opera, ballet and theatre productions in future programmes. Praise is due to the organising group for showing such enterprise in their choices.

Programme above subject to change, as new films are often suggested by members of the Film Group.

The film sessions run on the 2nd Wednesday of each month(Oct-Jun) from 1.00 - 4.00pm. (Film starts 1.30pm) Tea/coffee served. Wribbenhall Community Centre, Shaw Hedge Rd, Bewdley.

Contact Tony Flynn(Group Leader) 01299 401158 or tonyzflynn@hotmail.co.uk if you have any suggestions about films you would like included or if you have any articles/reviews for the newsletter.

Page 5