LOSE YOURSELF IN FILM
ISSUE 43 NOV/DEC 2015
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THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN CAROL IN THE HEART OF THE SEA STEVE JOBS THE LADY IN THE VAN BRIDGE OF SPIES STAR WARS: EPISODE VII – THE FORCE AWAKENS Free in cinemas/£2.50 where sold
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IN A WORLD ON THE BRINK
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WAR AND PEACE
WAS ONE HONEST MAN.
INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS
IN CINEMAS NOVEMBER 27
© 2015 DREAMWORKS II DISTRIBUTION CO., LLC and TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION. PROPERTY OF FOX. PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE, DUPLICATION OR OTHER TRANSFER OF THIS MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
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Hello
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04 GET SET…
The latest news, rumours and speculations from film land
06 ON SCREEN
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Bridge Of Spies, Steve Jobs, Victor Frankenstein and many more
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14 MASTER BROWN’S BOYS
Charlie, Snoopy and the gang come to the big screen
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18 GAMES OVER
The Hunger Games reaches its epic conclusion in Mockingjay – Part 2 p08
20 LOSE YOURSELF IN…
... dance!
24 COMING SOON
Our regular peek over the film horizon
“Snow is falling, all around me children playing, having fun” – did Shakin’ Stevens foretell the hopes and dreams of Katniss Everdeen all those years ago? Who can honestly say, but it is coming up to Christmas and The Hunger Games’ dramatic finale. There is also the small matter of the reawakening of the Star Wars series in December while Snoopy and Charlie Brown will be bringing some festive family cheer. And if you’re planning to cut some rug over Christmas, check out our dance special for some proper moves from the movies. Enjoy the issue and have yourselves a very Merry Christmas! Jim Staton, Editor
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Managing Editor and Empire Cinemas UK Marketing Director Jon Nutton / Empire Cinemas Film Booker Rob Knight / Managing Director Simon Chappell / Editor Jim Staton email editor@escape-magazine.co.uk / Assistant Editor Emily Craft / Art Director Wayne Hayton / Senior Art Editor Emma Bramwell / Designer Natasha Lipinski Cox / Designer Sarah Overs / Sub Editor Kate Feasey / Production Manager Jo Malby / To advertise in Escape please email jim.staton@summersault.co.uk ESCAPE IS PUBLISHED BY SUMMERSAULT COMMUNICATIONS LTD, VICTORIA COURT, 8 DORMER PLACE, LEAMINGTON SPA CV32 5AE TEL: 01926 339 949 EMAIL: INFO@SUMMERSAULT.CO.UK. EMPIRE CINEMAS LIMITED. REGISTERED ADDRESS: EMPIRE STUDIOS, THE EMPIRE, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON WC2H 7NA. EMPIRE CINEMAS, EMPIRE AND EMPIRE OF LEICESTER SQUARE ARE TRADEMARKS OF THE EMPIRE CINEMAS GROUP. ESCAPE LOSE YOURSELF IN FILM IS A TRADEMARK OF EMPIRE CINEMAS LIMITED. ALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION, IN PART OR WHOLE, WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHERS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. THE PUBLISHERS CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS AND ARTWORK © SUMMERSAULT COMMUNICATIONS 2015
PLEASE NOTE: NOT ALL MOVIES LISTED IN ESCAPE WILL SHOW AT ALL EMPIRE CINEMAS. RELEASE DATES AND RATINGS ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Nov-Dec 2015
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nd mours aland u r , s g n li film Rumbn ws from on-set e
Wild world Rabbits and foxes just don’t get on. And it’s no different in the modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia. Produced by Disney, Zootopia is set in a world filled with animals and animals only. This vast city, with neighbourhoods that include Sahara Square and Tundratown, is filled with a wide and diverse array of characters, from the teeny-tiny shrew right up to ice cream-selling elephants, all living in relative harmony. The plot centres around Officer Judy Hopps, a rabbit, and fast-talking fox Nick Wilde, who are forced to team up, despite their obvious and predetermined dislike for each other, in order to solve a huge mystery. Once Upon A Time’s Ginnifer Goodwin voices Hopps while Jason Bateman gets all foxlike. Looking like a whole lot of fun, Zootopia is scheduled for release in the UK next March.
She’s having a baby Well hello Miss Jones It’s goodbye diary, hello iPad as Bridget Jones comes back to the big screen next year. It’s been over 10 years since we were last invited into the rather chaotic life of the memoir-writing publishing exec, so we’re about due a catch-up. Bridget Jones’s Baby is third in the series and a follow-up to 2004’s Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason. And guess what? She’s having a baby. Shooting only started on the film in September and
at the time of writing, details are few. What we do know is that both Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth return as Jones and Darcy, while one new face is Grey’s Anatomy’s Patrick Dempsey. Sadly though, it’s reported that Hugh Grant won’t be reprising his role as that utter rogue, Daniel Cleaver. The film will be directed by Sharon Maguire, who first brought Jones to the screen back in 2001, and is due to be released in the UK on 16 September.
Ticking over Thor: Ragnarok has found its director. Best known for acting in and directing the recent and very funny vampire mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows, Taika Waititi has been called upon by Marvel to tackle the Norse God’s third solo outing. A leftfield choice perhaps, but Marvel has had great success with this approach so far, so fingers crossed…
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Despite being defined as robots in disguise, we’ve seen so much of them in recent years, it wouldn’t be hard to spot a transformer. Transformers 5 is due to be with us in 2017 and Hasbro Studios President, Stephen J. Davis, recently announced that plans for new instalments have been ‘mapped out for the next 10 years’.
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HERE’S SOME RATHER INTRIGUING ARTWORK FOR ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. The follow-up to Tim Burton’s 2010 Alice In Wonderland will once again star Mia Wasikowska as Alice and Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. The film is due for release on 27 May next year.
GOOD GAME, GOOD GAME? Things seem to be shaping up nicely for Assassin’s Creed. Yes, it’s based on a computer game, which is not usually something to get too excited about, but there is hope for Creed’s jump to the big screen. Fresh from glorious success with Macbeth, Creed director Justin Kurzel is currently filming with his King and Lady again – Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. Joining the pair are Brendan Gleeson and Jeremy Irons as their respective fathers. Kidnapped by a mysterious organisation, Fassbender’s Callum Lynch is forced to relive the memories of his assassin ancestors in order to become, well, slightly more than the everyman we meet. Fighting and fantasy will come to cinemas in December 2016.
highest-earning film stars
If you’re short of a bob or two, these guys would probably be able to lend you a couple of quid: they’re the highest-earning actors and actresses in 2015 (source: Forbes). 1 JENNIFER LAWRENCE $52M 2 SCARLETT JOHANSSON $35.5M 3 MELISSA MCCARTHY $23M 4 BINGBING FAN $21M
JON FAVREAU’S LIVE-ACTION (BLENDED WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART CGI) VERSION OF THE JUNGLE BOOK IS DUE OUT IN APRIL NEXT YEAR and if this newly released still is anything to go by, then it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on. The little lad is, of course, Mowgli (played by newcomer Neel Sethi) while good guy/panther Bagheera is voiced by Ben Kingsley. Scarlett Johansson voices the slippery Kaa while Idris Elba, Bill Murray
and Christopher Walken will also lend their vocal talents as Shere Khan, Baloo and King Louie. Oh, oobee doo!
He’s the greatest, he’s fantastic, wherever there’s an opportunity for a film franchise he’ll be there. Yes, great news Danger Mouse fans, it looks like DM will be coming to the big screen. Sony Pictures Animation and StudioCanal will be teaming up to give
5 JENNIFER ANISTON $16.5M
1 ROBERT DOWNEY JR. $80M 2 JACKIE CHAN $50M 3 VIN DIESEL $47M 4 BRADLEY COOPER $41.5M 5 ADAM SANDLER $41M
the greatest secret agent in the world a cinematic adventure of his very own. A revived version of the 80s TV series has recently been screened on CBBC, so it’s as good a time as any to take Danger Mouse and his haphazard hamster assistant Penfold to a global audience.
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n O n e e scr ut and o s m l i f All theat the cinema about
Bridge Of Spies ● The 50s X-Factor judges were notoriously hard to impress
In from the cold
In The Heart Of The Sea
Certificate: TBC Released: 27 November Director: Steven Spielberg Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda
Certificate: 12A Released: 25 December Director: Ron Howard Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy
I
t has been a few years since Mr Spielberg released a film and it always sparks a great deal of interest when he’s back behind the camera. Moving forward just under 100 years from 2012’s Lincoln, Bridge Of Spies is set during the height of the Cold War, when relations between the US and the Soviet Union were fractious to say the least. Hanks, once again, plays the all-American everyman to get behind, as Brooklyn lawyer James Donovan. Operating in the field of insurance, Donovan is taken out of his comfort zone when the CIA hires him to take on an almost impossible mission – to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot in return for the US handing over convicted KGB spy Rudolph Abel (played by Wolf Hall’s Mark Rylance). A tense drama based on real-life events – the real Rudolph Abel led a fascinating life himself – Bridge Of Spies will suit all those who like a pedigree performance from their leading actors and an established hand behind the camera. 06 ❘
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Black Mass Certificate: 15 Released: 27 November Director: Scott Cooper Starring: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Kevin Bacon For all those waiting for a ‘return to form’ from Depp, we can confidently say that Black Mass is (finally) it. Based on real-life events around notorious Boston gangster Whitey Bulger (Depp), Black Mass explores Bulger’s life as an FBI informant when he set out to help bring down the Mafia. This was hardly out of the goodness of his heart, however, as the partnership would help clear out a force that was invading his area of criminal operations. Joel Edgerton plays the FBI Agent John Connolly who sets up the deal.
Fox-hunting, shooting pheasants, rabbit trapping – all pastimes where those who take part are never really in danger from their prey. However, if you are to go hunting for whales and you rub them up the wrong way, man are you going to be in trouble. And this turn of the hunter becoming the hunted is the story told by In The Heart Of The Sea. Based on the true story that inspired Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and set in the winter of 1820, Ron Howard’s film follows the misfortunes of the crew of the New England whaling ship Essex as they try to survive after their vessel is destroyed by a mammoth-size whale.
ONSCREEN
He Named Me Malala Certificate: PG Released: 6 November Director: Davis Guggenheim Starring: Malala Yousafzai, Ziauddin Yousafzai
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Certificate: TBC Released: 19 November Director: Francis Lawrence Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson Liam Hemsworth, Sam Claflin
An intimate and life-affirming portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai. Targeted by the Taliban and severely wounded by a gunshot when returning home in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, Malala miraculously survived to become a leading campaigner for girls’ education as co-founder of the Malala Fund.
By The Sea Certificate: TBC Released: 11 December Director: Angelina Jolie Pitt Starring: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie Pitt Jolie Pitt is behind the camera again and has decided to grace us with her presence in front of it too. Joined by her real-life husband, the pair portray a married couple whose relationship is on the rocks. Set in France during the 1970s, the former dancer and writer travel the country while things continue to fall apart – until they reach a seaside town whose vibrant inhabitants have a profound impact on them.
It’s time to wave goodbye to Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) as The Hunger Games series reaches its highly anticipated conclusion. Picking up where Part I left off, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, District 13 and Katniss take the fight to President Snow’s Capitol to bring down his brutal regime. Let the games... end.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens It begins (again) Certificate: TBC Released: 17 December Director: J.J. Abrams Starring: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher
S
o it’s finally upon us; the return to that galaxy far, far away. This time, it’s not quite as long ago, with The Force Awakens set 30 years after the events of Return Of The Jedi. Of course, the plot has been kept a tightly guarded secret by director J.J. Abrams, so, refreshingly, you can hope to watch this one with the unknowing eyes that would’ve caught the original Star Wars back in 1977. What we do know for certain is that Chewie, Han, Luke, Leia and the droids will definitely be returning – but for how long and in what capacity is yet
● Carrying the Olympic torch on Tatooine was often frowned upon by the Empire
to be determined. And avoiding any spoilerish rumours, it’s safe to assume that at least one of the new faces will have a family connection to either Skywalker or Solo, or both. Two of those new faces who will be integral to the action include John Boyega’s Finn and Daisy Ridley’s Rey, both
seemingly cut from rebel cloth. While lining up on the dark side are Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Game Of Thrones’ Gwendoline Christie as stormtrooper commander Captain Phasma, and Adam Driver and Andy Serkis as Kylo Ren and Supreme Leader Snoke – the real deal on the dark side of the force. Nov-Dec 2015
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Krampus Certificate: 15 Released: 4 December Director: Michael Dougherty Starring: Adam Scott, Toni Collette, Allison Tolman, Emjay Anthony
The Hallow Certificate: 15 Released: 13 November Director: Corin Hardy Starring: Joseph Mawle, Bojana Novakovic, Michael McElhatton, Stuart Graham
Be thee warned anyone whose Christmas table brings to it a large dysfunctional family – for this is the case for young Max (Anthony). With his family continually clashing, he turns his back on Christmas. Big mistake, as this unleashes the wrath of Krampus; an ancient demon intent on punishing non-believers. A fun festive comedy horror.
There’s a simple rule that characters in horror films seem to pay little heed to – if there are some woods and they look creepy, stay away from them. In The Hallow, it’s another case of woods ignorance. A conservationist and his family move from London to outside a secluded forest in rural Ireland. Unwittingly, he disturbs the demonic forces therein. Slick, scary horror.
Also showing Sisters Released: 18 December Starring: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, James Brolin
Comedy golden girls Poehler and Fey play sisters who hold one final party at their family home.
Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse
Released: 6 November Starring: Tye Sheridan, Logan Miller, Halston Sage
Three scouts must save their home town from a zombie invasion. Flesheating comedy horror.
Fathers And Daughters Released: 13 November Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Aaron Paul, Diane Kruger
An award-winning writer struggles to bring up his daughter after losing his wife. Drama from the director of The Pursuit of Happyness.
Victor Frankenstein It’s alive! Certificate: TBC Released: 4 December Director: Paul McGuigan Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy, Charles Dance
T
he tale of Frankenstein is no stranger to the big screen. From the 1930 classic that saw Boris Karloff ’s iconic interpretation to more recent adaptations such as Kenneth Branagh’s 1992 Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, we’re fairly up to speed with the actions of the piecedtogether monster. But Victor Frankenstein is something of a different take on the legend. James McAvoy stars as the radical scientist Victor Frankenstein, with Daniel Radcliffe as his assistant and protégé, Igor Strausman. In this interpretation, the story is told through Igor’s eyes. And this time he’s not the disfigured hunchback he has often been parodied as (there wasn’t even 08 ❘
Nov-Dec 2015
● “Is it still raining? I hadn’t noticed”
a lab assistant in Mary Shelley’s novel, let alone an Igor). With a dark, disturbed past, Igor is befriended by Frankenstein. Between them they get to work on groundbreaking experimentation, which begins as a noble vision of aiding humanity through research into immortality. But, as is to be expected in a drama horror, these experiments go too far. Victor’s obsession with pushing the boundaries of
nature spins completely out of control, bringing about a number of horrific consequences. With Frankenstein lying in the mouth of madness, Igor becomes the only person who can bring him back from the brink and save him from his own monstrous creation. A bit of sci-fi, plenty of drama and a healthy slice of horror should be a good fit for lovers of all things Gothic.
ONSCREEN
Christmas With The Coopers Certificate: TBC Released: 4 December Director: Jessie Nelson Starring: Amanda Seyfried, John Goodman, Anthony Mackie, Diane Keaton
Snoopy And Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie Certificate: U Released: 21 December Director: Steve Martino Starring: Noah Schnapp, Venus Schultheis
Actors... ensemble! A host of familiar faces come together for this festive comedy. High on farce, mishaps, misunderstandings, child cuteness, unexpected guests and romance, Christmas With The Coopers is not a film for the bah humbug brigade but one that aims to celebrate the Christmas spirit.
Charles M. Schulz’s much-loved comic strip creation Peanuts comes to cinemas with an expertly blended appearance of old and new animation techniques. The first big-screen outing centres around the hapless Charlie Brown and his efforts to get the (Little Red-Haired) Girl of his dreams. Previews on 12 and 13 December.
Also showing Burnt Released: 6 November Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Alicia Vikander
Cooper plays ‘rock star’ chef Adam Jones – a man who had it all, but ‘lost the pot’. With his act cleaned up he attempts to revive his career in the kitchen.
Sunset Song Released: 4 December Starring: Peter Mullan, Agyness Deyn, Jack Greenlees
Coming-of-age story set in turn of the 20th century Scotland. Based on the 1932 novel by Lewis Grassic Gibbon.
Pawn Sacrifice
Released: 4 December Starring: Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Peter Sarsgaard
Based on the true story of American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer, and his political and mental struggles.
The Night Before Wrapped up Certificate: TBC Released: 4 December Director: Jonathan Levine Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, Lizzy Caplan
W
arm Bodies director Jonathan Levine has lined up a trio of the hotter properties in Hollywood for this tale of three guys’ swansong to their days of debauchery. Chris (Mackie), Ethan (Gordon-Levitt) and Isaac (Rogen) have been best friends since childhood. For the last 14 years the three have met up each Christmas Eve for an evening of festive cheer, entertainment, hilarity and an assortment of outlandish antics. But all good things must come to an end. With Isaac on the verge of 10 ❘
Nov-Dec 2015
● There’s no time like the presents
becoming a father, this Christmas Eve of partying will have to be their very last. And it’s fervently agreed that they’re going out in style. So begins an evening of complete and utter mayhem as they party and offend their way across New York to the Nutcracka Ball – the Holy Grail of Christmas parties.
your tickets online, on the go, by phone or in cinema
EmpireCinemas.co.uk 08 714 714 714*
ONSCREEN
The Lady In The Van Certificate: 12A Released: 13 November Director: Nicholas Hytner Starring: Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, James Corden, Dominic Cooper
The Perfect Guy Certificate: 15 Released: 20 November Director: David M. Rosenthal Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy, Morris Chestnut, Charles S. Dutton
The Lady In The Van is the strange but perfectly true story of the relationship between British playwright and institution Alan Bennett, and Miss Shephard. Dame Maggie Smith plays the lady, of uncertain origins, in question who temporarily parked her van on Bennett’s London driveway and ended up living there for 15 years. Alex Jennings (The Queen) provides a smart performance as Bennett in this drama, healthily peppered with comedy.
Is there such a thing as the perfect guy? No, there isn’t. However, there is a film called The Perfect Guy and this is it. After a painful break-up with her partner Dave (Chestnut), lobbyist Leah Vaughn (Lathan) begins a passionate affair with a mysterious stranger (Ealy). But, wait for it, he is not all he seems and soon Leah finds her life is in serious danger.
Steve Jobs Certificate: 15 Released: 13 November Director: Danny Boyle Starring: Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels Set backstage at the launch of three iconic tech products and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Michael Fassbender’s portrayal of the big Apple man, Steve Jobs, is already being tipped for an Oscar. Danny Boyle – a notoriously safe pair of hands – delves into the character of a businessmanstroke-genius who was completely unique. Kate Winslet and Seth Rogen support.
Brooklyn Certificate: 12A Released: 6 November Director: John Crowley Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent
Daddy’s Home Certificate: 12A Released: 25 December Directors: Sean Anders, John Morris Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell, Linda Cardellini, Thomas Haden Church Ferrell and Wahlberg starred together in 2010 comedy The Other Guys. There was a definite chemistry between them, so it’s no bad thing to see them back together in another comedy. In Daddy’s Home, Ferrell plays husband to Sarah (Avengers: Age of Ultron’s Cardellini) and doting stepfather to her kids. But when their dad, Dusty (Wahlberg), turns up out of the blue, the two get into a furious competition to win the affections of the children.
Brooklyn is an across-the-pond-and-backagain love story. Eilis Lacey (Ronan) is a young Irish immigrant recently arrived in 50s Brooklyn. Having departed Ireland and the comforts of home, she begins a new life in the US. Homesickness soon starts to fade when she falls in love with local lad Tony (Cohen). Unexpectedly called back home to Ireland, she must decide whether to stay there or return to her love.
Kill Your Friends Certificate: TBC Released: 6 November Director: Owen Harris Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Ed Skrein, Rosanna Arquette, James Corden, Craig Roberts Based on John Niven’s cult 90s-set novel of the same name, Kill Your Friends is a very black comedy in which Nicholas Hoult plays the deeply unpleasant Stelfox – a music talent scout who will do whatever it takes to get his next big hit (the title of the film should give you a clue). A sort of Patrick Bateman who prefers Britpop to Genesis. Nov-Dec 2015
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ONSCREEN
Carol Certificate: 15 Released: 27 November Director: Todd Haynes Starring: Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, Kyle Chandler
The Good Dinosaur Certificate: U Released: 27 November Director: Peter Sohn Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Steve Zahn, Anna Paquin, Frances McDormand, Raymond Ochoa
Carol is based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 novel The Price Of Salt. Probably bestknown for The Talented Mr Ripley, in this adaptation of her work, murder is sidelined for lesbian melodrama – but Cate Blanchett remains. And there is a huge Oscar buzz around her performance, and Mara’s too. Set in 50s New York, Mara plays a department store clerk who falls for Blanchett’s older, married woman. A thoughtful and romantic drama, which will require a few tissues to get you through.
Scientists believe that a massive meteorite wiped out the dinosaurs, however, the folks at Pixar have a much better theory – the meteorite missed and dinosaurs never became extinct. And so we get to journey into the world of dinosaurs and meet a young Apatosaurus named Arlo (Ochoa), who makes an unlikely human friend. Together they go on a journey of discovery. One for all the family.
Kate Winslet takes centre stage in this comedy drama set in 50s Australia. After years of working in glamorous Parisian fashion houses, Tilly Dunnage (Winslet) returns to her rural home, Dungatar. A fancy fish out of water, Tilly tries to reconnect with her mother, Molly (Judy Davis), begins to fall for local lad Teddy (Hemsworth) and uses her sewing skills to win over the locals. 12 ❘
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James Franco and Chris O’Dowd star in Steinbeck’s powerful play centred around the bonds of friendship. Filmed onstage in New York. Running time: c. 2h 29m
Live in cinemas: 16 December
Certificate: 15 Released: 11 December Director: Paul Weitz Starring: Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Sam Elliott, Judy Greer
Certificate: TBC Released: 20 November Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse Starring: Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth
Live in cinemas: 19 November
ROH: The Nutcracker (Live)
Grandma
The Dressmaker
National Theatre Live: Of Mice And Men
Another film with plenty of Oscar chat, thanks to a stellar performance by its leading lady Lily Tomlin, is Grandma. Having just got over a break-up, Elle (Tomlin, ie Grandma) receives an out-ofthe-blue visit from her granddaughter, Sage (Garner), who needs money, and quick. Elle offers to help out Sage and the pair go in search of raising funds, digging up family history as they go. A rounded ‘dramedy’.
It’s the ultimate Christmas ballet! Join Clara on her magical journey to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sweets. Running time: c. 2h 15m.
ENO: The Mikado (Live) Live in cinemas: 3 December Broadcast live from the London Coliseum, this much-loved Gilbert and Sullivan opera is filled with wit and memorable For full melodies. Perfect details of venues for all ages. and times for Extra screenings, Running time: please visit c. 2h 30m. EmpireCinemas. co.uk
neen O … sAct r a glance
your tickets online, on the go, by phone or in cinema
Release dates
EmpireCinemas.co.uk 08 714 714 714*
Burnt
06 Nov p10
He Named Me Malala
06 Nov p07
Black Mass
27 Nov
p06
Brooklyn
06 Nov p11
Christmas With The Coopers
04 Dec
p10
Victor Frankenstein
04 Dec p08
The Night Before
04 Dec p10
Krampus
04 Dec p08
Pawn Sacrifice
04 Dec
p10
Sunset Song
04 Dec
p10
Grandma
11 Dec
p12
By The Sea
11 Dec
p07
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens
17 Dec
p07
Sisters
18 Dec
p08
Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse
06 Nov p08
Kill Your Friends
06 Nov
p11
The Hallow
13 Nov
p08
The Lady In The Van
13 Nov
p11
Steve Jobs
13 Nov
p11
Fathers And Daughters
13 Nov
p08
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
19 Nov
p07
The Dressmaker
20 Nov p12
The Perfect Guy
20 Nov
p11
Bridge Of Spies
27 Nov
p06
Snoopy And Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie
21 Dec
p10
Carol
27 Nov
p12
Daddy’s Home
25 Dec
p11
The Good Dinosaur
27 Nov
p12
In The Heart Of The Sea
25 Dec
p06
Nov-Dec 2015
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The
BEAGLE
Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of spectacular big-screen debut in Snoop y a 14 â?˜
Nov-Dec 2015
FEATURE
I
n the US, Charlie Brown is something of an institution. Along with his beloved and eccentric dog, Snoopy, he appeared in the comic strip Peanuts for nearly 50 years, up until the death of his creator, Charles M. Schulz, in 2000. And while Charlie and co might not have been quite as ubiquitous on these shores, they have found a place in the hearts of thousands of loser-loving Brits. Now, with a new adventure coming to cinemas for the first time, the Peanuts gang can expect a whole lot more loving. The cartoon strip, Peanuts, debuted in US newspapers on 2 October 1950 and subsequently went on to appear in over 2,600 newspapers across 75 countries while being translated into 21 languages. The format of the four-panel strip barely changed over its 50 years – its simplistically effective style being a huge part of its charm. So when a series that is 65 years old is updated with state-ofthe-art 3D animation, alarm bells might begin to ring. Fear not though Snoopy fans because if you’ve seen any of the trailers, you should feel reassured that the kids are in safe hands. Taking the style directly from the countless TV specials that have been made over the years, most notably the landmark A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) – staple festive viewing each year in the US – would probably have come across as a little dated. Equally well, change for changes sake is never a good thing. Blue
has landed
the beloved Peanuts gang make their and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie Nov-Dec 2015
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Sky – the creative studio behind Ice Age – has managed to pull off the perfect compromise though, recreating these beloved characters and keeping the essence of the original while using 3D CG to really brighten them up and bring them to life on the big screen. The film, like the strip and previous animated outings, splits in two: there’s the more down-to-earth story of the hapless, yet ever-plucky, loser Charlie Brown and then the wild up-in-the-air flights of fancy of Snoopy. As Charlie concentrates his efforts on trying to speak to the new girl in school (Little Red-Haired Girl, of course), Snoopy takes to the skies to pursue his arch nemesis – World War I fighter pilot, The Red Baron – which is where the 3D action scenes really come into their own. Released on 21 December (with previews on 12 and 13), The Peanuts Movie lands at the perfect time for a festive family outing. Featuring the regular gang and all the hotspots from the strip, including the local baseball field, the kite-eating tree and Lucy’s psychiatrist booth, The Peanuts film is bright, colourful and filled with the warm humour expected from Schulz’s world. Suitable for all ages, it’s a Christmas holiday treat and, conveniently, it’s in a galaxy that’s not that far away.
Charlie Brown
Snoopy
Linus
FIRST APPEARANCE: 2 October, 1950 The hero – although never that heroic. Despite his almost constant knack for messing up and losing, ‘Good ol’ Charlie Brown’ is the epitome of picking himself up, dusting himself down and starting all over again. WEAKNESS Kite-eating tree, Little Red-Haired Girl, baseball, life in general.
FIRST APPEARANCE: 4 October, 1950 A dog of many talents, Snoopy is the coolest cat in town. When he’s not struggling to write the great American novel, his imagination takes him to the skies as a World War I flying ace. On days off he becomes Joe Cool; an aloof, unflappable dog about town. WEAKNESS The Red Baron.
FIRST APPEARANCE: 19 September, 1952 Linus is the sweetnatured philosopher of the bunch. Nice to everybody, the blanket-loving child always has words of wisdom at his disposal – quite the opposite of his overpowering sister, Lucy. WEAKNESS His faith in the Great Pumpkin.
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FEATURE
Charles M. Schulz created a total of 17,897 Peanuts strips, of which there are 15,391 daily strips and 2,506 Sunday strips. The ‘wah wah’ sound of the teachers’ voices is created by a muted trombone. There are only two official Peanuts musicals: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; and Snoopy!!! The Musical.
“I don’t like the name of my strip at all. I wanted to call it Good Old Charlie Brown, but the person at the syndicate who selected Peanuts just picked it at random from a list of possible titles he jotted down” Charles M. Schulz, 1969
Snoopy reads War and Peace at the rate of one word a day. Charlie Brown’s dad is a barber, just like Charles M. Schulz’s father was.
LUCY
Peppermint Patty
FIRST APPEARANCE: 3 March, 1952 Often referred to as being ‘crabby’ and/or ‘bossy’, Lucy Van Pelt seems to bask in humiliating Charlie Brown. However, Lucy does offer ‘help’ to her friends in the form of her 5-cent psychiatrist’s booth. WEAKNESS Her unrequited love for the piano whizz Schroeder.
FIRST APPEARANCE: 22 August, 1966 Peppermint Patty is another who is none too impressed with the education system. A natural leader, she does, however, excel at sports. WEAKNESS Her hopeless love for Charlie, or Chuck as she calls him.
Sally FIRST APPEARANCE: 23 August, 1959 Charlie Brown’s inquisitive little sister is down on school and in love with Linus, who she refers to as her Sweet Babboo. WEAKNESS School.
Nov-Dec 2015
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Game set match
Get ready for the 76th Hunger Games, as the Districts unite to take down the Capitol. Will the odds be in Katniss’s favour?
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he fourth instalment of The Hunger Games – Mockingjay – Part 2 – has landed, marking the climactic conclusion to one big franchise. When the first Hunger Games film hit screens back in 2012, it catapulted its leading lady, Jennifer Lawrence, to stardom almost overnight. And the films certainly exceeded initial expectations too, managing to shed Twilight comparisons by outgrossing the entire saga by just film two. For those who have managed to miss the phenomenon, The Hunger Games follows the struggles of 12 oppressed districts living in the autocratic state of Panem. 18 ❘
Nov-Dec 2015
President Snow (Donald Sutherland) rules extreme lengths to drown out a revolution. from the Capitol and punishes the citizens With the fate of Panem resting on her for supporting the District 13 rebellion shoulders, Katniss must accept her role many years before by forcing them to take as the Mockingjay, the uniting face of the part in the annual Hunger Games. Two rebellion, no matter what the personal tributes from each district are selected at cost. The fight to overthrow the Capitol is random in the ‘reaping’ to compete in the set to go up a notch in Mockingjay – Part 2 Hunger Games, a no-expenses spared fight as Katniss sets off on a secret mission. to the death in a As the rebels get With the fate of Panem resting specially designed closer and closer on her shoulders, Katniss arena, which is to the Capitol, the must accept her role as broadcast across purpose of their the Mockingjay, the uniting the empire. To mission seems most people’s further away face of the rebellion surprise, both when District 13’s the District 12 tributes, Katniss Everdeen President Coin, the virtuous head of the and Peeta Mellark, win the Games, and revolution, reveals her true colours. the hearts and minds of Panem, due to Filming for Mockingjay – Part 2 began Katniss’s skill, fearlessness and ability to before the first half had even reached undermine Snow within the confines of cinemas and Part 2 will be the only the arena. instalment shown in 3D – a sign that Mockingjay – Part 1 covers the escalating director Francis Lawrence wants his conflict between the districts and the beloved work to go out with a bang. Capitol. As punishment for Katniss’s defiance, Snow has launched an all-out ■ The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 war against her supporters and will go to is in cinemas 19 November
FEATURE
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
THE HUNGER GAMES SERIES A quick rundown on the films’ key facts… Each district has a different function or specialism to support itself and the Capitol.
WEAPONS
TRIBUTES 1 boy and 1 girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected from each district to compete in the Hunger Games.
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DISTRICT 13
The independent district led by President Coin is ready for the next rebellion.
Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Katniss Everdeen, was ranked as the world’s highest-paid actress in 2015, earning $52 million between June 2014 and June 2015.
PANEM
is derived from the Roman expression ‘panem et circenses’, which translates as ‘bread and circuses’.
The Hunger Games (released March 2012) made $691,247,768 worldwide The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (released November 2013) made $864,912,963 worldwide The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (released November 2014) made $752,100,229 worldwide
Actresses who auditioned for the part of Katniss included Emma Roberts, Hailee Steinfeld, Kaya Scodelario, Emily Browning and Chloë Grace Moretz. Nov-Dec 2015
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LOSE YOURSELF IN...
e c n a D With Strictly beaming into homes across the nation, we’re celebrating the very best of dance in the movie world. Can you name the films these groovy cats appeared in? Answers are on the next page. PS some characters just popped in for a drink...
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1 Star Wars IV: A New Hope 2 Casablanca 3 Risky Business 4 Magic Mike 5 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 6 Coyote Ugly 7 Cocktail 8 X-Men: First Class 9 Dirty Dancing 10 The Blues Brothers 11 Strictly Ballroom 12 Saturday Night Fever 13 Boogie Nights 14 Grease 15 Pulp Fiction 16 Top Hat 17 West Side Story 18 Fame 19 Singin’ In The Rain 20 Roadhouse 21 The Full Monty 22 Footloose
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g n i Cosm … n oo what ’sizon t a e s p A glim a hor m e n i c e on th
Joy Certificate: TBC Released: 13 November Director: David O. Russell Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Isabella Rossellini Director David O. Russell just can’t get enough of J-Law. Following Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, Joy now marks the third time the pair have teamed up. Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro also return for their third slice of O. Russell direction. Based on the true story of Joy Mangano (Lawrence), who invented the hugely successful Miracle Mop in the 1990s, Joy is a drama about one woman’s rise to the top in the business world and the joys and pitfalls of her own life. Cue betrayal, treachery, loss of innocence, family feuds and the inevitable scars of love. Like Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle before it, bank on another emotional and human comedy drama. 24 ❘
Nov-Dec 2015
COMINGSOON
Deadpool Certificate: TBC Released: 5 February Director: Tim Miller Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano, Andre Tricoteux If you’re not familiar with the character Deadpool, a quick glance at the picture here should be enough to tell you that he is not your average superhero. We are awash with Marvel and (soon enough) DC comic characters slugging it out in high-budget, big-screen adaptations, and depending on who you are and what you like, this may or may not be a good thing. Either way, Deadpool will certainly make a refreshing change. Former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is subjected to a rogue experiment, leaving him with accelerated healing powers. Becoming Deadpool, known as the ‘merc with the mouth’, he sets out to find the man who almost destroyed his life. Expect dark humour and plenty of action.
The Revenant Certificate: TBC Released: 15 January Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu Starring: Tom Hardy, Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Poulter, Domhnall Gleeson Landing just in time for Oscars season, could this finally be the performance that lands Leonardo DiCaprio his first golden statue? The early buzz is that Leo is on fine form once again in this Western from Alejandro González Iñárritu – an Oscar winner himself with last year’s Birdman. Set in a savagely wild early 19th century South Dakota, DiCaprio plays Hugh Glass – a tough mountain man whose real-life survival ordeal is the stuff of legend. When out with a hunting party, Glass is attacked by a bear and left for dead by two of his men (Hardy and Poulter). But Glass survives, albeit with gruesome injuries, and pursues the men for hundreds of miles, driven on by revenge. True grit. Nov-Dec 2015
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COMINGSOON
Dad’s Army Certificate: TBC Released: 5 February Director: Oliver Parker Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon, Toby Jones
Room Certificate: TBC Released: 15 January Director: Lenny Abrahamson Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, Room is all about the extraordinary relationship between a young mother (Larson) and her five-year-old son Jack (Tremblay). Extraordinary because they have been trapped in a single windowless room for all of Jack’s life. A harrowing but ultimately rewarding drama.
Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Road Chip Certificate: TBC Released: 12 February Director: Walt Becker Starring: Jason Lee, Justin Long, Kaley Cuoco Alvin and his rodent brothers return for their fourth big-screen outing and this time they’re hitting the road. Believing that Dave (Lee) is going to propose to his new girlfriend and then ditch them, the boys head out to Miami to stop him. Fur sure.
It came a little out of the blue but a Dad’s Army film is actually happening. Based on the hugely popular 60s sitcom, the film version brings back the Walmingtonon-Sea Home Guard – Britain’s last bastion of defence against Mr Hitler during WWII. The plot focuses on the endearingly inept bunch trying to fish out a German spy who is operating in the area as the war heads towards its end. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays a glamorous journalist new to the area (a spy?!), while Toby Jones and Bill Nighy head up the men as Captain Mainwaring and Sergeant Wilson. With some inspired casting, this one looks like it could be surprisingly good.
Goosebumps Certificate: TBC Released: 5 February Director: Rob Letterman Starring: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Amy Ryan Having sold over 400 million books worldwide in 32 languages since its series introduction in 1992, it’s fair to say that Goosebumps has a bit of a following. In its jump to film, Jack Black plays R. L. Stine – the author of the Goosebumps series. A prisoner of his own imagination, the monsters in his books are actually real and he keeps his readers safe by keeping them locked up in the pages. But then the monsters are unintentionally released. 26 ❘
Nov-Dec 2015