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MOVIE MAGIC

March > April 2011 www.merlincinemas.co.uk

Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides

THOR

SOuRce cOde

HOP

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MOVIE MAGIC

CONTENTS

Merlin Cinemas bringing you the magic of the movies Savoy Penzance 01736 363330 Royal St Ives 01736 796843 Regal Redruth 01209 216278

Editor rebecca matthews Ad sales craig may Design www.morewhitespace.co.uk

flora Helston 01326 569977

to advertise in this magazine

Contributors matthew aunger, matthew brigden, Jennifer clayton, Joe cole, ryan cope,

The Phoenix Falmouth 01326 313072

contact craig may, savoy suite,

amy evans, emma farley, Kit Goodliffe, cheyenne hill, emma ingham, Darren maciag,

New Carlton Okehampton 01837 658586

causewayhead, penzance,

Kingsley marshall, ian martin, hannah may, thomas mitchell, amy ralfe, brody rossiter, Jake

Embassy Ilfracombe 01271 862323

tr18 2sn. tel 01736 331177

stephenson, bethany stubbings, Justin vingoe, chris wasey, elizabeth woods, James wright

Tivoli Tiverton 01884 255554

email: admin@merlincinemas.co.uk

Publisher verve publishing Printed by Deltor print Sponsors thanks to all our advertisers

Central Torquay 01803 380001

8 Blockbuster season might be on the horizon - but there’s some unmissable films winging their way to cinema screens before 2011’s sensational summer of cinema dawns. from riveting thrillers and chilling horrors to heartwarming dramas and spellbinding adventures, prepare to escape in style this spring. Whether you like your animation cutting edge or classic, there’s a fantastical flick to suit as a series of charming and comical capers hit cinemas, from newbies Rango and Rio to

old favourite Winnie the Pooh. Crossing the rock biopic with a humorous coming-of-age tale, Killing Bono is a must-see - not least for the final performance of acting legend Pete Postlethwaite. And, most exciting of all, Captain Jack Sparrow makes his triumphant return in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Joined by Penélope Cruz and ian mcShane, prepare for pirate fever to grip the nation as Johnny Depp takes another turn as the iconic seadog. Can’t wait. Rebecca

www.merlincinemas.co.uk

9 BATTLE: LOS ANGELES

INDEX

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Roll cRedits craig may merlin cinemas’ marketing manager would like to thank…

locally.......................................... 04 merlin children’s parties .................. and private hire ........................... 06 the adjustment bureau................ 09 battle: los angeles ...................... 09 Feature pirates of the caribbean ...10 the company men ........................12 the eagle .......................................12 fair Game / hall pass..................... 13 the roommate / hop..................... 14 ironclad / Killing bono......................15 film Directory ................................. 16 limitless ........................................... 18 the lincoln lawyer ........................ 18 mars need mums ........................... 19 rango ............................................... 19 red riding hood / rio ................... 20 scream 4 / source code ............... 21 sucker punch / thor ...................... 22 unknown .......................................... 23 winnie the pooh ............................. 23 future films ................................. 24 merlin news ................................. 26 merlin’s cornwall cinemas ........... 28 merlin’s Devon cinemas............... 30

WiNNiE ThE POOh © verve publishing. all rights reserved. nothing in this magazine may be published without written permission. while reasonable steps are taken to check the accuracy of the content within this publication, verve publishing cannot take responsibility for any mistakes or omissions or the views of our contributors or advertisers. all views expressed in movie magic are not necessarily those of verve publishing.

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locally

Locally

Princess Pavilion

Events, promotions and news from across Cornwall

Falmouth 01326 211222 www.princesspavilion.co.uk

GREG DAVIES wednesday 27 april

8 To launch their soon-to-be-regular 5-star comedy programme, Princess Pavilion welcomes Britain’s tallest comedian: Greg Davies and his one-man stand up show, Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog. Perhaps best known as Mr Gilbert, the psychotic head of the sixth form in The Inbetweeners, Davies is also a regular guest panellist on shows including Mock the Week, 8 out of 10 Cats and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. With a hilariously manic stage persona and an eye for the absurd, it’s no wonder his hotly anticipated stand-up show was nominated for the Fosters comedy award at the Edinburgh Festival. Now’s your chance to see his incredible debut stand-up show. 5 march - the enid, 11 & 12 march - magic of the movies, 17 march - mercury, 18 march - courtney pine, 19 march - Jack Bruce and the Blues experience, 26 & 27 march - Falmouth spring Flower show, 29, 30 & 31 march - a chorus line, 2 april - John cooper clarke, 8 april - rock around the 60s, 15 april the Blackout, 21 april - saxon, 27 april - Greg davies, 28 april - talon, 29 april - midge ure, 30 april - livewire acdc

Hall for Cornwall truro 01872 262466 www.hallForcornwall.co.uk

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET Friday 22 april - saturday 23 april

8 One of Britain’s leading classical ballet companies shows off its extraordinary diversity in performances that feature a selection of highlights from their favourite ballets, including an excerpt from Coppélia, a joyous, witty ballet Events, promotions that is an ever-popular celebration of love that and news from is guaranteed to lift the hearts of all the family. across Cornwall This beautiful montage is followed by Allegri diversi, a sparklingly energetic classical ballet to Rossini’s bubbly score. Full of quivering jumps and turns, dance phrases that freeze into glitteringly unpredictable poses and speeds that reach apparently impossible highs. It will leave you breathless.

Locally

28 Feb-5 march - the history Boys, 6 march - eu chamber orchestra, 8-9 march - ailey 2, 10 march - that’ll Be the day, 11 march - Bjorn again, 16-19 march - Fiddler on the roof, 22-27 march - swan lake on ice, 29 march-2 april - tell me on a sunday, 7-9 april - the nutcracker, 12-16 april - king lear, 18 april - sarah millican, 20 april city of london sinfonia, 22-23 april - Birmingham royal Ballet

CoMing Soon...

LIVE MUSIC

tue 8 - Wed 9 Mar

ailEy 2

Thursday 17 March

the most talented dancers of their generation, captivating audiences and translating their strength, agility and grace of body and soul into stirring, powerful performances

MERCURY

The next best thing to Queen Friday 18 March

COURTNEY PINE

Celebrated jazz artist New album, Europa

tue 22 - Sun 27 Mar

Saturday 19 March

SWan lakE on iCE

+ The Blues Experience Founding member of Cream

the world’s premier theatrical ice skating company, the imperial ice Stars, are back with their award-winning masterpiece.

JACK BRUCE

Saturday 2 April

JOHN COOPER CLARKE

tue 29 Mar - Sat 2 apr

Musician, comedian and poet

tEll ME on a SunDay

Friday 15 April

THE BLACKOUT

‘a tour de force performance. audiences should embrace the chance to hear this gorgeous score again.’ the Stage

Chart-topping new hard rock/punks Thursday 21 April

SAXON

‘70,000 Tons of Heavy Metal’ Support: Wolfsbane Thursday 28 April

TALON

The Best of The Eagles Farewell 1 Tour Friday 29 April

MIDGE URE

Platinum selling solo artist Saturday 30 April

LIVE/WIRE AC/DC

Close your eyes - hear AC/DC + THE ENID + SPRING FLOWER SHOW + A CHORUS LINE

Sun 6 Mar

EuropEan union ChaMbEr orChEStra With nikolai Demidenko thu 10 Mar

that’ll bE thE Day the cult rock’n’roll comedy show Fri 11 Mar

björn again a feast of abba hits Wed 16 to Sat 19 Mar

FiDDlEr on thE rooF a raoSt production thu 7 - Sat 9 apr

PRINCESS PAVILION MELVILL ROAD, FALMOUTH TR11 4AR

Tickets + Full Details - See Website

www.princesspavilion.co.uk

+ Tickets from Box Office 01326 211222 (9am-1pm) + Hall For Cornwall + seetickets.com

thE nutCraCkEr Duchy ballet tue 12 - Sat 16 apr

king lEar with Sir Derek jacobi

Wed 20 apr

City oF lonDon SinFonia With Marcin Zdunik Fri 22 - Sat 23 apr

birMinghaM royal ballEt Coppélia and allegri diversi tue 3 May

tiM VinE the joke-amotive Wed 4 May

katE ruSby Contemporary Folk Music 20 May

thE SoliD SilVEr 60S ShoW Classic hits from the originals

giFt VouChErS aVailablE

✪✪✪

www.hallforcornwall.co.uk ...................................

boX . . . . . . .oFFiCE . . . . . . . . . .01872 . . . . . . . . .262466 .........

lEMon Quay | truro | CornWall | tr1 2ll the hall for Cornwall trust is a charity promoting the arts & education.

WHIRLWIND SPORTS

Bringing you all the big name brands this Spring

Penzance 01736 363855

Helston 01326 564297

Camborne 01209 612454

The Big Picture Cavan Donnelly, A level Film Studies student, has been burning the candle at both ends waiting for Martin Campbell’s adaptation of GREEN LANTERN. Green Lantern originates in a series of comic books which ran in the golden age of the DC universe through the 1940’s, where it held its own in the big league with Superman and Captain America. With such financially successful comic-book adaptations as the Spiderman and Batman films, it was just a matter of time before Warner Bros, who have owned DC Comics since 1969, brought Green Lantern to the big screen. In 2006 there was a script floating around where the Green Lantern, aka Hal Jordan, had been turned into a comedy character to be played by Jack Black. Fans quickly put Warner Bros right about that idea and the proposed production was shut down, and the script was tossed. With a new, faithful adaptation by Greg Berlanti, whose credits include scripts for popular American TV shows such as Brothers & Sisters and Eli Stone; as well as a number of A-list directors eager to bring this film to life, there seemed to be new hope. Justin Timberlake and Bradley Cooper were considered for the lead role but the decision was made to cast Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds fresh from his success in The Proposal. With a buffed and toned physique Reynolds is tasked with taking on the eponymous role of the Green Lantern. I’m a seventeen year old avid film watcher so I fit bang into the target audience of this young male aimed adaptation, and Reynolds seems in my eyes a good fit. Adding to the star ratings are actors Peter Sarsgaard, Blake Lively, Tim Robbins and Mark Strong; and with Martin Campbell (The Mask of

Zorro, Casino Royale) directing, hopes of success are pushed ever higher. The hype has been building for a long time, but with very little in the way of teaser posters or trailers, the fans were beginning to get restless. During ComicCon 2010, a few lucky fans at a Q&A session with the cast and crew asked Reynolds what it was like to recite the famed ‘Green Lantern Oath’ for the first time on film. Reynolds not only answered the question but publicly recited the oath for hundreds of gob-smacked fans. Shortly after Comic-Con the first trailer was released, and now it’s out there to be critiqued by millions of fans, such as myself, and every detail is being picked apart, particularly the exact shade of green for Green Lantern’s suit. The question which obsessed all the fans watching the trailer was the most obvious: is the film actually going to be any good? Or after all the waiting and Google searches, will it go down with the likes of Daredevil (2003) and Elektra (2005), films we swept under the rug, or just pretended we never saw. Set for a July 2011 release, Green Lantern is going to be hitting the summer blockbusters list hard, and with an estimated budget of one hundred and fifty million dollars, the studio are going to be expecting a massive return. But now all we can do is wait for the house lights to dim, the music to strike up and keep our fingers crossed that Green Lantern will be the great film that we are hoping for and the massive blockbuster hit of 2011.

Truro and Penwith College... Your story in the making For information on courses call 01872 267000 or visit www.trurocollege.ac.uk

the latest films coming to your local cinema use the icons as your guide to film content

WHAT’S ON fantasy Crime mind-bending you’re adventure nicked

mUsiC singing and notes

family keep the kids happy

sCary reach for the cushion

sCi-fi space and robots

violent blood and guts galore

Comedy a laugh a minute

romantiC slushy love and kissing

aCtion more thrills than Rambo

drama emotion and excitement

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

FiLM info FiLM credits

8 There’s no shortage of thrillers around at the moment and this has to be high up on your list of ones to see. Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick and featuring a stellar cast including Bourne veteran Matt Damon and British talent Emily Blunt, The Adjustment Bureau promises to be utterly nail-biting stuff. When ambitious politician David Morris (Damon) meets, by chance, contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Blunt), he begins to fall for her. But it seems a group of mysterious men are conspiring to keep them apart. But who? And why? Enter The Adjustment Bureau. The agents of fate itself, these are the men who vow to keep you on your predetermined path in life - a path which, for David Morris, just doesn’t feature his new love. In a journey that sees the pair risk life and limb to defy fate and be together, The Adjustment Bureau do everything in their power to tear them apart. If you believe in free will, if you believe in chance or if you believe in choice, this film will show just how hard you sometimes have to fight for it. Jennifer Clayton

director George Nolfi starring Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Terence Stamp release date 4 March cONTENT icons

FiLM info FiLM credits

BATTLE: LOS ANGELES

director Jonathan Liebesman

8 Late last year the rather inadequate Skyline smudged our screens, leaving in its wake a bitter taste in the mouths of many of us who were unfortunate enough to pay for the viewing pleasure. Now, just four months later, Hollywood is once again ready to release another ‘Aliens descend on LA’ destruction extravaganza. As people everywhere watch the world’s great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind. Leading the fight is Marine staff sergeant Michael Nantz (Eckhart) and his fresh-faced platoon who are plunged into a frantic war with a mysterious enemy unlike any encountered previously. The initial trailers would suggest that Battle: Los Angeles will not be another Skyline but, rather, a much grittier and exciting delivery of what is fast becoming a formulaic storyline. To put it into perspective, if Skyline was the terrible younger brother of a sterilised Independence Day, then Battle: Los Angeles is the filthy junkyard lovechild of District 9, Transformers and War of the Worlds. Put frankly, it is one spectacle that promises to be far too engrossing, exhilarating and action-packed to miss. James Wright

starring Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Ramon Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan release date 11 March cONTENT icons

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FEATURE

MARCH > APRIL

As the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise sets sails once again, Chris Wasey investigates the phenomenon that brought us a cast of creatures from the deep, episodes of rum-soaked swashbuckling and a certain Captain Jack Sparrow

o one could have anticipated the success of Pirates of the Caribbean. Believe it or not, ten years ago the name referred to little more than a 40-year-old Disneyland ride with creaking animatronics. Now the franchise’s cinema gross far exceeds $2 billion and is one of Disney’s most valued commodities. The effect on ‘pirate’ culture should not be underestimated either. Consider the world pre2003, synonymous only with 1920s’ swashbucklers and rushed fancy dress. Gore Verbinski’s movie revived the genre, heralding a new breed of Johnny Depp wannabes: a heritage of bandanas and short trousers shirked in favour of rum-swilling and carefully applied guyliner. Sailing onto our screens at the helm of a sinking dingy, the Captain Jack Sparrow phenomenon was born. Blow by blow, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl followed the Jerry Bruckheimer formula to the letter: huge production values, some child-friendly humour and a cast lucky dip mixing established stars with flavour of the month thesps.

Fresh from his role as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings, Orlando Bloom grew a beard, kept his natural hair colour and indulged in more sword fighting as Will Turner, orphaned son of a pirate. His object of desire was feisty Governor’s daughter Elizabeth Swann, played by Keira Knightley, who, at the time, was famous only for work in small Brit movies The Hole and Bend It Like Beckham. Of course, Johnny Depp’s rumguzzling, alternative turn as Captain Jack was the film’s lynchpin, which although challenged by Disney at the time, would ultimately cement his status as the thinking woman’s sex symbol. It was no surprise that a trilogy was announced and, following the pattern made popular by The Lord of the Rings or The Matrix years earlier, two sequels were shot back to back. Three years after Captain Jack Sparrow’s first slurred line, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was released. Bringing back many of the original cast, bigger was better: bigger villains, bigger sea battles, bigger sword fights. The Swann/ Sparrow/Turner love triangle developed with a backdrop of Davy Jones sea lore, complete with half crustacean pirates and an unstoppable Kraken. The result?

A cool billion at the box office. Unfortunately, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End became a victim of its own hype. Much like The Matrix four years previously, plot holes and a bloated narrative in the trilogy’s final chapter saw critical support dwindle. Although the film was a commercial success, a third sequel seemed unlikely.

All the loose ends were tied up: Davy Jones defeated, Will Turner commanding The Flying Dutchman and Pirate Queen Elizabeth Swann awaiting his return. That is, save for the semi-cliffhanger ending, which saw Barbossa stealing the Pearl once again, only to discover Jack in turn has pilfered the only existing map to the Fountain of Youth. It is here that Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides picks up, with hearty promises that it has learnt from the mistakes of the last outing. Many of the same ingredients remain, but change is afoot in the Pirates franchise. In the director’s chair, Gore Verbinski has been replaced by Rob Marshall who, having helmed modern musicals Nine and Chicago, is accustomed to the mixture of bombast and charm that the series demands. Yet the biggest change occurs on screen, where neither Knightley nor Bloom return. Instead, leading lady status goes to Penélope Cruz as Angelica, a beautiful and silvertongued thief with whom Jack was once in love. With cunning to rival even the infamous captain, their sub-text heavy battle of wills should be a sparky addition to the series. Villain of the piece is Angelica’s father: legendary pirate Blackbeard who covets the Fountain of Youth

>> MARCH > APRIL

for himself. Played by Ian McShane, a veteran of ‘charming but merciless’ roles (think Deadwood or Sexy Beast), it is safe to say the uneasy alliance forged by Captains Jack and Barbossa now faces a daunting new adversary. Despite all the new faces, Pirates 4 sees the return of an Anglo-centric support cast. The trilogy gave us MacKenzie Crook (Gareth from The Office) chasing an eyeball and Jack Davenport (Coupling, Ultraviolet) complete with a plummy British accent. This time we get Judi Dench and Stephen Graham (Snatch, This is England), while Keith Richards reprises his cameo as the enigmatic Captain Teague. In terms of visuals, Pirates adheres to the post-Avatar checklist for summer blockbusters - namely, 3D. Yet, where recent offerings have relied on lazy ‘blood-

coming-at-camera’ style effects (My Bloody Valentine) or simply jumped on the bandwagon with some pointless post-production (Clash of the Titans), the highoctane Sparrow-verse suits fully fledged 3D. Canon balls flying, crewmen swinging from the rafters and Caribbean sunshine over grand seascapes should sidestep customary ‘slightly too dark with the glasses on’ grievances. There may be some who have written off the franchise. There may be some who believe that, much like Jack Sparrow, the Pirates franchise will cheat death again and again. Given what Disney is paying Depp to bring you more sea-faring adventures (reportedly in the region of $55 million), they are banking heavily on the latter. Savvy? Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is released on 18th May

FEATURE

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MARCH > APRIL

WHAT’S ON

THE COMPANY MEN 8 ‘In America, we give our lives to our jobs. It’s time to take them back,’ says the tagline, as desire for action over reaction to the economic crisis is growing. The effect of recession is a timely topic, examined unsentimentally by first-time feature director John Wells (ER, The West Wing and the US version of Shameless). Bobby Walker (Affleck), a family man who enjoys a breezy American Dream lifestyle of Porsches and Sundays at the golf club, suddenly faces unemployment when his high rung on the corporate ladder is torn away. Colleagues Phil (Cooper) and Gene (Jones) fall to the same fate, and the three struggle with the reality that a stable and affluent existence can unravel overnight. Bobby grudgingly turns to his wife’s bluecollar brother (Costner) for work that requires not spreadsheet expertise but drywall installation. As he and his ex co-workers face the unfamiliar, they’re forced to tackle questions of self-worth and competence as they struggle to rebuild their lives and relationships from a sturdier foundation. An uplifting, honest portrayal by a powerful cast, also starring Maria Bello and Craig T. Nelson. Cheyenne Hill

FiLM info

FiLM credits

Director John Wells Starring Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Maria Bello, Craig T. Nelson release date 11 March CONTENT icons

FiLM info FiLM credits

THE EAGLE

Director Kevin Macdonald Starring Channing

8 Based on the same legendary Ninth Legion of the Roman army as 2010’s Centurion, The Eagle is set 20 years after their mysterious disappearance in 140 A.D. Against the backdrop of Roman Britain, the story follows Marcus Aquila (Tatum), whose father commanded the 5,000-strong Legion. Determined to restore his father’s reputation, he ventures north of Hadrian’s Wall to discover the whereabouts of the Legion’s treasured golden eagle emblem. Young Celtic slave Esca (Bell), who Marcus rescued from a gladiatorial arena, joins him on his quest. Disguising himself as an occultist as he braves the perilous climes of the Scottish highlands, Marcus not only encounters savage tribes, but a secret linking his companion with his father’s disappearance. Director Kevin Macdonald’s past work, such as State of Play, The Last King of Scotland and documentary Touching the Void, have all been exceptional. With Mark Strong and Donald Sutherland rounding off the impressive cast, The Eagle has a lot to live up to - but, with this team and subject matter, it shouldn’t disappoint. Ian J. Martin

Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland, Mark Strong, Tahar Rahim release date 25 March CONTENT icons

>> MARCH > APRIL

WHAT’S ON

FILM info

FILM credits

Director Doug Liman

FAIR GAME

Starring Naomi Watts, Sean Penn, Noah Emmerich, Liraz Charchi,

8 From the director of The Bourne Identity, Mr and Mrs Smith and Jumper, Doug Liman brings audiences a suspense-filled glimpse into the dark corridors of political power. Fair Game is a riveting action-thriller based on the autobiography of real-life undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame (Watts). As a covert officer in the CIA’s Counter-Proliferation Division, Valerie leads an investigation into the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Her diplomat husband Joe Wilson (Penn) delves into the investigation to substantiate an alleged sale of enriched uranium from Niger. But when his findings are ignored and the administration proceeds to use the issue to support the call to war, Joe writes a piece in the New York Times to outline his conclusions. In doing so, he whips up a storm of controversy. The tension reaches its climax as Valerie’s covert identity is exposed by a politically motivated press leak, destroying her career and straining her marriage to its limits in the process. Get set for an intense ride.

Nicholas Sadler release date 11 March CONTENT icons

Amy Ralfe

FILM info

FILM credits

Director Bobby Farrelly,

HALL PASS

Peter Farrelly Starring Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Richard Jenkins, Christina Applegate release date 11 March CONTENT icons

8 Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis team up in this latest comedy following best friends Rick (Wilson) and Fred (Sudeikis) who, like most friends, have much in common. Having both been married for many years, the two start to become distracted from their loved ones and feel eager to experience something new in their lives. Taking a bold approach to revitalise their marriages, their wives (Fischer, Applegate) grant their husbands a ‘hall pass’: a week of freedom to do whatever they want without any questions asked. What at first sounds like a dream come true for the pair soon turns into a week of hard work, as the hype of living the single life disappoints and escalates into a series of hilarious antics that prove their expectations are out of sync with reality. From comedy duo the Farrelly brothers, who brought us There’s Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber, this latest outing promises plenty of laugh out loud moments and might prompt even the most confident of people to reassess their chat up lines. Thomas Mitchell

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MARCH > APRIL

WHAT’S ON

FilM info FilM credits

THE ROOMMATE

Director Christian E. Christiansen

8 Combining a college setting, chilling storyline and cast of hot young stars, The Roommate has all the ingredients of the archetypal teen thriller. Sara Matthews (Kelly) leaves her hometown in Iowa to study fashion at college in Los Angeles with high hopes for college life. She gets a lot more than she bargained for courtesy of her creepy roommate, Rebecca (Gossip Girl’s Meester). At first, Rebecca is positively angelic and the pair become firm friends. But the honeymoon period doesn’t last for long. As her attachment to Sara develops into a sinister, all-consuming obsession, Rebecca targets each person she perceives as a threat to Sara’s attention and affection - from friends and teachers to love interests. Cue many a knife-wielding, terror-inducing scene - and Leighton Meester pouting and loitering in the shadows. A lot. There are definite echoes of Single White Female here, but will The Roommate hit an equally suspensefilled spot? Leighton Meester - who can also be seen starring alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in Country Strong this spring - will be hoping this role marks her transition from small screen queen to regular big screen fixture. Rebecca Matthews

Starring Leighton Meester, Minka Kelly, Cam Gigandet, Alyson Michalka release date 8 April cOnTEnT icons

HOP

FilM info

FilM credits

Director Tim Hill Starring James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco, Hank Azaria, Gary Cole, Elizabeth Perkins release date 1 April cOnTEnT icons

8 Forget The Santa Clause at Christmas - it’s now all about Hop at Easter. Director Tim Hill, who brought us the charming and quirky 2007 hit Alvin and the Chipmunks, is back with a comedy which sees an unusual duo on a mission to save Easter. Voiced by Russell Brand, E.B. is the teenage son of the Easter Bunny, who tries to escape to Hollywood on the eve of taking over the family business. His ambitions lie elsewhere - a keen drummer, he is set on becoming a rock and roll legend, not delivering eggs in his role as the Easter Bunny. On the night in question, E.B. is accidentally hit by a car driven by out-of-work slacker Fred (played by Enchanted and 27 Dresses actor James Marsden). It appears all E.B.’s dreams have come true as he feigns his injuries and manipulates Fred to take him in whilst he recovers. As Fred struggles with the worst houseguest he could possibly imagine, the two will learn what it takes to finally grow up. But will they save Easter? Emma Ingham

>> MARCH > APRIL

WHAT’S ON

FILm info

FILm credits

Director Jonathan English Starring James Purefoy,

IRONCLAD

Brian Cox, Kate Mara, Paul Giamatti, Derek Jacobi, Jason Flemying

8 In the year 1215, King John (Giamatti) royally seals a promise to uphold the rights and freedom of the people of England in the landmark contract The Magna Carta, promising to bestow peace on a realm that is on the verge of Civil War. The sly and deceitful King, however, plots to regain control, setting about destroying all those who signed the document and seizing absolute power of the great nation for himself. Upon hearing of the King’s renege on his promise, Knight Templar of the Crusade Marshall (Purefoy) gathers together a band of not-so-merry men and noble barons, preparing to fight or die for the freedoms and rights promised to the people that he and his fellow men fought for. The King and his relentlessly loyal army must pass through the seemingly indestructible walls of Rochester Castle where the heroes make their stand. As the walls crumble, the knight in muddy armour and his band of free men must rely on their superior fighting skills as the defenders of freedom fight to save the great nation that lies within the mighty fortress. Matt Aunger

KILLING BONO

FILm info Director Nick Hamm Starring Ben Barnes, Robert Sheeham, Pete Postlethwaite, Martin McCann release date 1 april CONteNt icons

FILm credits

8 Those expecting a film depicting the finality of St Bono’s life will be sadly disappointed. Based on the book by Neil McCormick, music critic of the Daily Telegraph, Killing Bono is almost a true story, which follows the McCormick brothers’ attempt to become the world’s biggest band against the backdrop of 1970s’ Dublin. The only thing standing in the way of Neil (Barnes) and Ivan (Sheeham) is another upcoming band going by the name of U2. Controversially, Neil’s dreams of stardom ultimately prevent Ivan from joining the phenomenally successful rival rockers. Directed by Nick Hamm, this coming-of-age tale sees esteemed actor Pete Postlethwaite giving his final performance as flamboyant landlord Karl. The film has been in production for five years, so anticipation is high surrounding its release. It was met with much love and laughter when U2 themselves had a private screening in Australia during their hectic tour schedule. Expect lots of laughs, a parade of questionable hairstyles and a compelling take on rock history. Darren L. Maciag

release date 4 March CONteNt icons

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FILM DIRECTORY

MARCH > APRIL

FILM DIRECTORY Please note: UK release dates are shown but may be subject to change

4 March

unknown

The AdjusTmenT BureAu

See page 23

See page 9

11 March

Age of The drAgons Director Ryan Little Starring Danny Glover, Vinnie Jones, Corey Sevier Captain Ahab hunts for a great white dragon in this re-imagining of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick

A newly divorced doctor believes she is not alone in her new apartment

23 March

Age of heroes

18 March

25 March

Director Adrian Vitoria Starring Danny Dyer, Izabella Miko, Sean Bean The true story about the formation of Ian Fleming’s 30 Commando unit

The lIncoln lAwyer

counTry sTrong

BATTle: los Angeles See page 9

IronclAd

The compAny men

See page 15

See page 12

rAngo

fAIr gAme

See page 19

See page 13

The TempesT

hAll pAss

Director Julie Taymor Starring Helen Mirren, Tom Conti, Felicity Jones Based on the Shakespeare play, a mother and daughter are banished to a remote island

See page 13

 HALL PASS

The resIdenT Director Antti Jokinen Starring Hilary Swank, Lee Pace, Jeffrey Dean Morgan

See page 18

suBmArIne Director Richard Ayoade Starring Paddy Cosidine, Sally Hawks, Noah Taylor A British coming of age comedy based on Joe Dunthorne’s novel of the same name

you wIll meeT A TAll dArk sTrAnger Director Woody Allen Starring Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Freida Pinto This comedy-drama delves into the complications of modern romance

 THE EAGLE

lImITless See page 18

Director Shana Feste Starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund, Leighton Meester A country music star leaves rehab for her comeback tour

The eAgle See page 12

fAsTer Director George Tillman Jr. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Maggie Grace An ex-con seeks revenge for his brother’s death whilst being tracked by a hit man

A TurTle’s TAle (3d) Director Ben Stassen Starring Melanie Griffith,

>> FILM DIRECTORY

MARCH > APRIL

SEE THEM ALL Not all films will open at your local cinema on the UK release date, but the majority of films will be shown as soon as prints become available and/or it can be scheduled in.

SucKer puncH

ScreaM 4

See page 22

See page 21

reveals chilling evidence of other life forms

MarS needS MoMS (3d)

THe way

arTHur

See page 19

Director Emilio Estevez Starring Emilio Estevez, Martin Sheen, Deborah Kara A grieving father travels to France following the death of his son

Director Jason Winer Starring Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Nick Nolte A playboy risks losing his inheritance when he falls for a woman his family doesn’t like

rio (3d) See page 20 8 April  SUCKER PUNCH

Isabelle Fuhrman, Yuri Lowenthal Animated tale in which a turtle travels the world observing changes made by global warming 1 April

Hop See page 14

THe rooMMaTe

winnie THe pooH

See page 14

See page 23

ToMorrow, wHen THe war Began

your HigHneSS

THor

Director Stuart Beattie Starring Lincoln Lewis, Caitlin Stasey, Rachel Hurd-Wood After their country is invaded, a group of high school teenagers fight for their freedom

Killing Bono See page 15

Source code See page 21

 RIO

27 April

Director David Gordon Green Starring James Franco, Zooey Deschanel, Danny McBride Prince Fabious embarks on a quest to find his captured bride in this comic fantasy 22 April

15 April

apollo 18

red riding Hood

Director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego Lost footage from Apollo 18’s covert mission to the moon

See page 20

 THOR

See page 22 29 April

FaST Five Director Justin Lin Starring Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson Stars from each chapter of the ‘Fast’ franchise return for the ultimate high stakes race

>> 18

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WHAT’S ON

LIMITLESS

FILM info

FILM credits

Director Neil Burger Starring Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, Anna Friel, Tomas Arana release date 23 March conTEnT icons

8 Considering the fact that humans can only use 20% of the brain, it’s amazing that we’ve already managed to accomplish the colossal achievements that we have. But what could we do if we had access to 100% of it? Eddie Morra (Cooper) is a former cocaine addict who now spends his days as a down on his luck writer who’s rather slacking in the intellectual department. He hasn’t written a single word of his book and has been rejected by his girlfriend Lindy (Cornish). But his luck finally changes when he comes across a dealer who can offer him MTD-48, a nootropic drug that allows him to access 100% of his mind. Taking one tablet a day, Eddie writes his book in four days, learns a foreign language and starts to play the stock market, earning himself a vast amount of money. However, just when life appears to be at its best, he realises things aren’t quite as they seem as his addiction to the drug grows and its secret origins are revealed. Limitless looks set to be an engrossing drama about the cost of reaching one’s potential. Ryan Cope

THE LIncoLn LAWYER

FILM info FILM credits

Director Brad Furman Starring Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy release date 18 March conTEnT icons

8 Criminal defence attorney Mickey Haller (McConaughey) has spent his career sifting through the gutters of LA’s seedy underworld. With a client list consisting of biker gangs, drug dealers and con artists, Mickey is the petty criminal’s go-to guy just so long as the price is right. Conducting his business from the backseat of a Lincoln Continental and possessing a moral compass that lacks any sense of direction, Mickey is thrilled when the payday of a lifetime falls into his lap. Tasked with defending Beverly Hills playboy Louis (Phillippe), a seemingly innocent victim of shocking false accusations, he prepares for what seems like a straightforward case. Before long, Mickey faces the ultimate crisis in conscience as earthshattering new evidence surfaces. The case suddenly descends into a downward spiral of murder and deceit, setting in motion a deadly game of cat and mouse between Mickey and his cold-blooded client. Adapted from Michael Connelly’s bestselling novel and featuring an excellent ensemble cast including Marisa Tomei and William H. Macy, The Lincoln Lawyer has all the components to take you on an uncompromising thrill ride through its sordid vision of the City of Angels. Brody Rossiter

>> MARCH > APRIL

WHAT’S ON

MARS NEEDS MOMS

FilM info FilM credits

8 Lock your doors, shut your windows and close your cat flaps - the Martians are coming! From the team that brought us Disney’s A Christmas Carol and heartwarming festive adventure The Polar Express comes an epic rescue spanning the galaxy. Our intergalactic neighbour Mars is in dire need of the attention only a mother can give and, as a result, has been kidnapping ‘Moms’ across the world, planning to steal their ‘Momness’ for their own Martian young. But hey, who needs them anyway? Nine-year-old Milo (Green) finds out just how much he needs his mother (Cusack) after he walks in on the Martians as they whisk her away to their spaceship, setting course for the big red planet. Stowing himself away and hitching a ride - aided by the rebellious Martian girl Ki (Harnois) and earthman Gribble (Fogler) - Milo must take on the alien empire and their leader (Sterling) to save his mum. Expect to be truly entertained in what promises to be a mesmerising 3D family adventure through space and beyond. Matt Aunger

Director Simon Wells Starring Seth Green, Dan Fogler, Elisabeth Harnois, Mindy Sterling, Kevin Cahoon, Joan Cusack release date 8 April cONtENt icons

RANGO

FilM info

FilM credits

Director Gore Verbinski Starring Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Bill Nighy, Stephen Root, Ray Winstone release date 4 MArch cONtENt icons

8 Marking the fourth collaboration between Johnny Depp and director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2 and 3), Rango follows a small lizard (Depp) as he accidentally finds himself in a remote western town plagued by archetypal bandits anthropomorphised as various desert animals. Combining American greats with the likes of Brits Bill Nighy and Ray Winstone, Rango has all the credentials to warrant great expectations. The first animated film for leading special effects maestros Industrial Light and Magic, Rango uses not the motion capture over which James Cameron and Robert Zemeckis have enthused, but something that leading man Depp has coined ‘emotion-capture’, where performances are captured on a stage but only the vocal performance is kept. This equals a more realistically heartfelt ride without the clunky and awkward movement of Avatar’s Na’vis and the odd and realistic-but-not-realistic facial constructions in The Polar Express and Beowulf. It looks as though Johnny Depp has found his second long-term collaborator in Verbinski and, with this spectacular animation, it looks set to be a very promising partnership indeed. Matt Brigden

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MARCH > APRIL

WHAT’S ON

FIlm info

FIlm credits

RED RIDING HOOD

Director Catherine Hardwicke Starring Amanda Seyfried,

8 The story of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf has been told time and time again: from Charles Perrault’s 1697 morality tale to the Brothers Grimm’s 1857 classic, not to mention the numerous adaptations for the big screen. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) and starring Amanda Seyfried perfectly cast as Red Riding Hood (this time named Valerie) - this Twilight-esque horror/romance is sure to be a hit among today’s cinema goers. Valerie falls in love with mysterious outsider, Peter (Fernandez), but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry (Irons). The couple soon make plans to run away together - that is, until Valerie’s sister is killed by a werewolf. The village calls for werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Oldman), who warns them that the werewolf could be someone in the village. Could it be the one Valerie loves? If you’re a Seyfried or Hardwicke fan, or just want to see a werewolf in Little Red Riding Hood (previously done in Neil Jordan’s 1984 film The Company of Wolves), this film will have you fighting tooth and claw to find a good seat. Justin Vingoe

Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons release date 15 April cONtENt icons

RIO

FIlm info

FIlm credits

Director Carlos Saldanha Starring Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, George Lopez, Tracy Morgan, Jemaine Clement release date 8 April cONtENt icons

8 Prepare for a brand new creature-friendly adventure in 3D from the makers of Ice Age. Rio follows a domesticated macaw named Blu (Eisenberg) on a comical journey that takes him from the comforts of his small hometown in Minnesota all the way to the exotic and lively city of Rio de Janeiro. Blu believes he is the only one of his kind that is, until he meets the beautiful Jewel (Hathaway). Introduced in the hope that they will mate, the two macaws are unexpectedly bird-napped and thrown together on a whirlwind adventure that sees them escaping danger against the enchanting backdrop of Rio. Bumping into many crazy characters along the way, their mission brings them friendship and love, as well as restoring some much needed courage in the flight-challenged Blu. An all-star cast including Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Leslie Mann and Jamie Foxx provide the voice talent. Packed with catchy songs and dance, as well as bursting with vivid animation, Rio promises to be a lovable and hilariously heartwarming family tale that will leave you wanting more. Liz Woods

>> MARCH > APRIL

SCREAM 4

FIlM info FIlM credits

8 It’s been over a decade since the third chapter in the Scream trilogy brought the franchise to a temporary close, but now Wes Craven is back and signed on for what will potentially be a brand new trilogy. Kevin Williamson, the writer of the first two films, and members of the original cast including Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox Arquette also join the veteran horror director for this reinvigoration of the franchise. Having penned a self-help book, Sidney Prescott (Campbell), returns home on the final stop of her book tour where she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey (Arquette), Gale (Cox), her cousin Jill (Roberts) and Aunt Kate (McDonnell). To her horror, Sidney’s appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface. Cue a perilous ride for the town of Woodsboro. Craven assures that Scream 4 will reflect the ways in which the horror genre has changed in the last decade in the same way that its predecessors looked at the nature of horror films in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Taking the series in a new direction, Scream 4 should be a thrillpacked and fun take on the genre. Kit Goodliffe

Director Wes Craven Starring Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox Arquette, Emma Roberts release date 15 April CONtENt icons

SOURCE CODE

FIlM info

FIlM credits

Director Duncan Jones Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright release date 1 April CONtENt icons

8 Duncan Jones has some seriously high expectations to live up to after his impressive debut, the sci-fi drama Moon. Another sci-fi, but this time with more blockbuster potential (thanks to the gorgeous Mr Gyllenhaal), Source Code appears to have an Inceptionmeets-The Adjustment Bureau kind of potential. Jake plays a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he’s on a mission to find a bomber on a Chicago commuter train. He is part of a government experiment that allows him to take on another man’s identity in the final minutes of his life. His feelings for Michelle Monaghan’s Christina make things more difficult, as he has to keep going back in time until he finds a way to locate the bomber and save everyone onboard. The last ten years have seen Jake go from indie kid in Donnie Darko to soldier boy in Jarhead, bust out his abs in Prince of Persia and play the romantic lead in Love and Other Drugs. Plus who could forget his Oscarnominated performance in Brokeback Mountain? I, for one, am looking forward to seeing him flexing his action muscle in this heart-pounding thriller. Emma Farley

WHAT’S ON

>> 22

MARCH > APRIL

WHAT’S ON

SUCKER PUNCH

Film info

Film credits

Director Zack Snyder Starring Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Abbie Cornish, Jamie Chung, Jena Malone release date 1 April CONTENT icons

8 One problem a creative director such as Zach Snyder (300, Watchmen) must face is how to fit all the larger than life characters, the amazingly imaginative settings and savagely cool action sequences that he is known for into one script. His latest offering, Sucker Punch, seems to solve this problem completely as the boundary-free narrative allows for all this and more. The story follows main character Babydoll (Browning) as she is abandoned by her remaining family and dumped in a dark mental asylum. Refusing to give in, Babydoll finds her only escape is her own vivid imagination: a world where she is free to do anything. She is joined in this dream world by a quartet of feisty female fighters to slay dragons, battle samurais and destroy robots in an array of vivid settings such as World War II battlegrounds. This script allows Snyder to roam free and show off every slick trick he’s got up his sleeve, making Sucker Punch a must-see for anyone who wants to be wowed. Jake Stephenson

THOR

Film info Film credits

8 Following the success of the Iron Man films, Thor is Marvel’s latest superhero to debut on the big screen. The first in a string of new superhero films - Captain America and The Avengers are currently in production - Thor is destined to be a box office hit. Following the story of the unruly God of Thunder as he is expelled from the realm of Asgard, viewers can expect a feast of action and spellbinding special effects. After re-establishing an ancient war, Thor (Hemsworth) is banished to Earth by his father Odin (Hopkins) and forced to live among humans where he meets the beautiful astrophysicist Jane Foster (Portman). Chaos ensues as the evil forces of Asgard follow him. With both worlds descending into turmoil, tensions mount as to whether the world(s) can be saved from the clutches of Thor’s evil nemesis Loki (Hiddleston). Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Thor sees Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek) taking on his first major lead role as the hammer-wielding hero. With supporting performances from the BAFTA winning Natalie Portman and acting legend Anthony Hopkins, viewers should prepare themselves for another epic blockbuster from Marvel Studios. Bethany Stubbings

Director Kenneth Branagh Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins release date 27 April CONTENT icons

>> MARCH > APRIL

WHAT’S ON

FIlm info

FIlm credits

Director Jaume Collet-Serra Starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aidan Quinn, Bruno

UNKNOWN

Ganz, Frank Langella release date 4th March

8From director Jaume Collet-Serra (House of Wax and Orphan) comes a dramatic thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to pulse-racing finish. Dr. Martin Harris (Neeson) awakes from a car accident in Berlin to find that no one has any idea who he is - not even his own wife (Jones). What’s more, he goes on to find out that another man (Quinn) has stolen his identity. As the authorities reject his desperate pleas and assassins stalk his path, he finds himself on the run in a strange country. With the help of a young woman (Kruger), he attempts to prove who he is and, in doing so, delves into a deadly mystery where he is continually forced to question his sanity. There are echoes of 2008 hit Taken in the adrenalinefuelled action sequences, not to mention another awesome performance from Neeson in high-octane action mode. With a stellar supporting cast, Unknown promises to take viewers on one gripping ride. Amy Evans

CONTENT icons

WINNIE THE POOH

FIlm info

FIlm credits

Director Stephen J. Anderson, Don Hall Starring Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, Tom Kenny, Travis Oates, Bud Luckey release date 15 april CONTENT icons

8 Deep in the Hundred Acre Wood, where Christopher Robin plays, the tubby little cubby returns in Disney’s first big screen Pooh adventure in more than 35 years. Inspired by five stories by A.A. Milne, Winnie The Pooh sees the silly old bear embark on one of his busiest days yet. The adventure sees Pooh and faithful friends Piglet, Tigger, Rabbit, Kanga, Roo and Owl searching for a new tail for the loveably grumpy Eeyore and saving Christopher Robin from an imaginary culprit - all the while Pooh seeks to cure the rumbly in his tumbly and find a jar of sticky sweet honey. Set to retain all the delightfulness of the classic featurettes, this grand adventure is sure to warm the hearts of Pooh lovers old and young. Helmed by Meet The Robinsons’ director Stephen J. Anderson with a voice performance from the great Jim Cummings, a return to Disney’s hand-drawn animation style delivers all the charm of the original films and books. If you’re looking for a touch of nostalgia or simply some heartwarming family fun, this visit to the enchanted woods might just leave you feeling all stuffed with fluff. Matt Aunger

>> 24

future films

MARCH > APRIL

Forthcoming Films MAY/JUNE FilMs To GET ExciTEd AboUT

kunG fu pAndA 2 (3d)

X-men: first clAss

17 June Director: Jennifer Yuh Starring: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan

3 June Director: Matthew Vaughn Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence

pirAtes of the cAriBBeAn: on strAnGer tides (3d) 20 May Director: Rob Marshall Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane

AttAck the Block

priest (3d)

13 May Director: Joe Cornish Starring: Nick Frost, Jodie Whittaker, Luke Treadaway

13 May Director: Scott Charles Stewart Starring: Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, Maggie Q

BAd teAcher 24 June Director: Jake Kasdan Starring: Jason Segel, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake

sUMMER 2011 RElEAsEs cAptAin AmericA: the first AvenGer (3d) 29 July Director: Joe Johnston Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones

cArs 2 (3d) 22 July Director: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis Starring: Owen Wilson, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer

hArry potter And the deAthly hAlloWs: pArt 2 (3d) 15 July Director: David Yates, Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

Blitz 6 May Director: Elliott Lester Starring: Jason Statham, Luke Evans, David Morrissey

the smurfs (3d)

BridesmAids

somethinG BorroWed

24 June Director: Paul Feig Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne

10 June Director: Luke Greenfield Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield

diAry of A Wimpy kid 2

soul surfer

27 May Director: David Bowers Starring: Zachary Gordon, Steve Zahn, Rachael Harris

17 June Director: Sean McNamara Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt

Green lAntern

tAke me home toniGht

17 June Director: Martin Campbell Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard

13 May Director: Michael Dowse Starring: Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler

the hAnGover 2

WAter for elephAnts

27 May Director: Todd Phillips Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms

4 May Director: Francis Lawrence Starring: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz

5 August Director: Raja Gosnell Starring: Hank Azaria, Katy Perry, Jonathan Winters

trAnsformers: dArk of the moon 1st July Director: Michael Bay Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Tyrese Gibson UK Release Dates are shown but may be subject to change

>> 26

merlin news

MARCH > APRIL

Merlin Cinemas bringing you the magic of the movies Savoy Penzance 01736 363330 / Royal St Ives 01736 796843 / Regal Redruth 01209 216278 Flora Helston 01326 569977 / The Phoenix Falmouth 01326 313072 / New Carlton Okehampton 01837 658586 Embassy Ilfracombe 01271 862323 / Tivoli Tiverton 01884 255554 / Central Torquay 01803 380001

Merlin News / READ ALL ABOUT IT Only the best for your Mum! If you want to make this Mother’s Day one to remember then why not book one of our unique Movie & Meal Deals at the Regal Cinema, Redruth or Savoy Cinema, Penzance. Bring the whole family along and enjoy a delicious traditional roast dinner, after all your mum only deserves the best! Film choices may include Country Strong, Killing Bono, Source Code and many more. Booking and further details will be available from Friday 18th March when we will be able to confirm the main film line up. Make a reservation early to avoid disappointment!: The Regal Bar & Restaurant, Redruth - 01209 216278 The Savoy Bar & Restaurant, Penzance - 01736 332001

For your chance to win 4 tickets to see a film of your choice plus a small popcorn and regular drink each, just solve the following word search: Find the name of five films that Johnny Depp has appeared in?

Win

Email the five film titles, your name and local cinema to competition@ merlincinemas.co.uk Congratulations to Jenny Copping who won last issues The King’s Speech competition. Enjoy!

Alternative Cinema Merlin Cinemas offer a chance to see some interesting films that rarely make it outside of the big cities, whether they are foreign language, cutting edge, contemporary or controversial releases. Films are shown on a Sunday and Monday at the Savoy Penzance, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Royal St Ives, and Thursdays at the Phoenix Falmouth. Take a look below to see what’s showing this season: 27 February - 3 March CATFISH 3 March

PEEPING TOM

(One Day Special at The Royal Cinema) 6 March - 10 March

THE HUNTER

13 March - 17 March

AN ORDINARY EXECUTION

20 March - 24 March

OF GODS AND MEN

27 March - 31 March

BRIGHTON ROCK

3 April - 7 April

HOWL

1 May - 5 May

THE BIG SLEEP

Time for a Change We would like to apologise to all of our regular website users for the problems experienced throughout January. The Merlin Cinemas website is managed by an outside company and therefore we have had very little control over the changes that have occurred in the new year! We think we have managed to sort the majority of the issues however the good news is we are currently looking into launching are very own all singing all dancing website. We realise that the website is a very important forum for our customers and ask that you bear with us over the next few months until we get the new site up and running. Do not fear as we will incorporate the weekly emails into the new system so that you always know what’s showing in your local cinema! We always appreciate your feedback and if you have any suggestions for the new website then please email us at admin@merlincinemas.co.uk

www.merlincinemas.co.uk

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merlin news

MARCH > APRIL

Merlin’s Cornwall Cinemas The Savoy Penzance • Merlin Cinemas began in June 1990 with the purchase of the Savoy Cinema Penzance. Over the next four years the cinema received a well deserved face lift and was converted to provide three screens. In addition a successful pizza take-away and delivery shop was installed in 1993 and a stylish licensed bar and restaurant added in 1996. Now 15 years on we decided the Savoy was in need of another, not so drastic, face lift. As well as a lick of paint and some new signage outside, the bar and restaurant was refurbished along with the launch of a new mouthwatering menu including fresh dough pizzas and delicious homemade burgers! For bookings and information call 01736 363330

The Royal St Ives

• In late 1990 Merlin acquired the very run down Royal Cinema St Ives. Urgent action was taken and with some hard work was also converted to provide customers with three screens. By 1997 admissions had increased at both sites rising from less than

60,000 to over 130,000 per year. Last year the cinema had some external work carried out and with the bright blue and red there is no mistaking it is part of the Merlin group. For bookings and information call 01736 796843

The Regal Redruth

The Flora Helston • In 2002 a failing 80 seat single screen cinema was leased from the charitable trust who operated it. In 2004, following the purchase of the building, the Flora was converted to a high quality two screen 80 and a 60 seat cinema. For booking and information call 01326 569977

The Phoenix Falmouth • The Regal was acquired in July 1998, a logical step in both the expansion and protection of the Merlin empire. The Regal is a cinema and theatre operation and for over a decade has staged live shows for several weeks of the year in the multipurpose 600 seat auditorium. In 2001 the two shops next door to the cinema were purchased to develop an integrated bar and restaurant as well as the introduction of the Screen 7 concept which brought customers our first licensed screen. This year work will begin to enable the Regal to reach it’s full potential. The main auditorium will be converted to house two brand new screens as well as a total refurbishment of the theatre. The existing two screens won’t be left out in the cold and will also receive a much needed refurb. The most exciting news is that the project will see the installation of 3D digital projection!

• May 2009 saw our newest and most exciting project to date with the conversion of the old drill hall in Falmouth to our new five screen cinema, The Phoenix. Merlin now had it’s first cinema able to show the latest 3D releases. In addition we continued with the Regal’s Screen 7 concept providing three licensed screens where customers could enjoy alcoholic beverages and hot snacks ordered and enjoyed from the comfort of their luxury cinema seats. The hard work proved to pay off when the Phoenix scooped the UK Independent Cinema of the Year Award from RAAM in 2010.

For bookings and information

For booking and information

call 01209 216278

call 01326 313072

Online Booking now available at all Merlin Cinemas visit www.merlincinemas.co.uk

>> 30

merlin news

MARCH > APRIL

Merlin’s Devon Cinemas The Central Torquay

cinema in Ilfracombe. It was converted into a modern three screen cinema which also housed a fully functioning bar. In addition we continued the Regal’s Screen 7 concept providing a licensed screen where customers could enjoy alcoholic beverages from the comfort of their luxury cinema seat.

with the facilities for dining as part of our fantastic children’s birthday parties. For booking and information call 01837 658586

For bookings and information call 01271 862323

• In January 2000 Merlin Cinemas were presented with a surprise opportunity to purchase the recently closed two screen Odean in Torquay. It was then given a dramatic facelift along with the Merlin touch and renamed the Central Cinema. With the cinema now providing four screens, all fitted to a very high standard, Torquay now again supports a successful and profitable town centre cinema. In March 2010 the Central received 3D digital installation on the largest screen in the bay to ensure Walt Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” could be screened. Not only was this the first cinema in the area to go 3D but also the first Devon cinema within the Merlin group. Uniquely ticket prices for 3D films at the Central Cinema will be the same as those for all other films, unlike most cinemas who charge a premium price for 3D.

The Tivoli Tiverton

New Carlton Okehampton

For bookings and information call 01803 380001

The Embassy Ilfracombe • In 2006 Merlin Cinemas purchased the freehold of the somewhat dilapidated

• In December 2006 the old Market Hall in Okehampton was converted into a two screen cinema. It houses our largest licensed screen seating 70 people, which offers hot snacks as well as soft and alcoholic beverages, and a conventional auditorium with a capacity of 160. The New Carlton also has a spacious licensed bar

• In 2008 the future of the Tivoli was looking bleak despite a local campaign headed by Dame Helen Mirren to ‘Save the Tivoli’. However Merlin decided to step in and re-opened the cinema in June 2008. There are plans in the near future to expand the site with the introduction of several new screens. For booking and information call 01884 255554

Online Booking now available at all Merlin Cinemas visit www.merlincinemas.co.uk

TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE Truro and Penwith College is one of the best colleges in the UK. Modern, purpose built campuses provide excellent facilities and resources for an amazing variety of subjects. Join students from across Cornwall and the UK in our friendly environment for the highest quality education.

A LEVELS VOCATIONAL APPRENTICESHIPS INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE SPORTS ACADEMIES HIGHER EDUCATION PART-TIME COURSES BUSINESS TRAINING COMMUNITY LEARNING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

BE PART OF OUR SUCCESS T: 01736 335000 E: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk Penwith College, St. Clare Street, Penzance TR18 2SA

T: 01872 267000 E: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk Truro College, College Road, Truro TR1 3XX

www.trurocollege.ac.uk

www.penwithcollege.ac.uk

TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY LEVEL EDUCATION Take a look at our exciting range of University Level subjects available as full and part-time study options, including: ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY FDA

COMMERCIAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION FDA CONTEMPORARY WORLD JAZZ BA (HONS) DANCE FDA DIGITAL VISUALISATION FDA MEDIA ADVERTISING FDA MEDIA MOVING IMAGE HND PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIGITAL IMAGING FDA SOUND ENGINEERING AND MULTIMEDIA INTEGRATION HND For more information please contact Higher Education Admissions on 01872 267122 or email: heinfo@truro-penwith.ac.uk