Film-wise, there’s a lot more going on in York than you might realise. Everyone knows about the main three cinemas, but you may not be aware of some of the smaller film projects that go on in York, ran by either these big cinemas or smaller organisations.
City Screen Picturehouse have a consistently eclectic line-up of independent or art-house films. Although many of their showings may not be to your taste, City Screen put on so many films that you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll like. If you know your ballet, head to the Picturehouse at 4.00pm this Sunday for a screening of Yury Grigorovich’s seminal 1984 version of Swan Lake, performed and filmed in the historical Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow.
Later that evening, to conclude this weekend’s Roman Festival, City Screen are showing the cult classic Life Of Brian at 8.30pm. The likelihood is you’ve seen it already, but this’ll probably be the only chance you’ll ever get to watch it on the big screen.
City Screen is also showing Outside The Law, an Algerian-made film portraying the country’s struggle to become independent from French governance in the ‘50s. The second instalment of a three-part series on the subject, Outside The Law is certainly no Hangover Pt. 2 – it’s a bleak, all-encompassing work, and those with no prior knowledge of its subject matter may find it a little inaccessible. If revolution’s your thing, though, catch it at 8.30pm on Monday or 12.45pm on Tuesday.
Continuing with the political activism theme, City Screen are showing apocalyptic documentary Countdown To Zero on Tuesday at 6.30pm (no trailers before it, mind, so don’t be late). It looks at the many ways that a nuclear holocaust could be triggered – but far from a mishmash of loony conspiracy theories, Countdown To Zero has been described as persuasive and effective. It’s followed by a satellite broadcast discussion by the Queen of Jordan, an ex-Foreign Secretary, an ex-CIA operative and an Oscar-winning film producer. I’d say between them they know what they’re talking about.
If you’re in the mood for something a little lighter, or feel like splashing out after a hard term of exams, perhaps what you need is a night at Brandy Brown’s. Part of the bar/restaurant 1331, this miniature cinema is named after a legendary harlot who once patrolled the area nightly. Unlike its namesake, Brandy Brown’s is a classy establishment, with 20 armchairs and a sofa for seats. You’ll fork out £12 to see a movie, but this includes a choice of dinner from their menu. Films show at 7pm every Saturday, and this week they’re showing The Fighter.
Regular readers of the Film section will already know that the Student Cinema is showing Source Code on Friday at 7.30pm, and Limitless the Monday after at the same time, both in P/X/001 (£3 entry for each). They’re both a lot of fun, with noisy and fast-paced action scenes to keep boredom at bay, but also with enough intelligence to keep them stuck in your mind afterwards.
The York Movie Society is showing classic American History X this Sunday at 7pm, in V/045. This one’s for the film-lovers on a low budget, since you’ll just have to pay the £1 membership fee and you’re good to go. If you haven’t seen American History X, you really should grab this opportunity to watch it on the big screen, because as well as being brilliantly thought-provoking, excruciatingly gritty and an example of Ed Norton at his magnificent finest, it’s also a very well-shot, cinematic film, and that just won’t come across on your 15 inch laptop screen.
A quick summary:
Friday 17/06:
7.30pm (doors at 6.45): Source Code in P/X/001 – £3 (York Student Cinema)
Saturday 18/06:
7pm: The Fighter at Brandy Brown’s, in 1331 Bar and Restaurant, Grape Lane – £12 (meal included)
Sunday 19/06:
4pm: Bolshoi: Swan Lake at City Screen Picturehouse – £5.80
7pm: American History X in V/045 – £1 (York Movie Society)
8.30pm: Life Of Brian at City Screen Picturehouse – £5.80
Monday 20/06
7.30pm (doors at 6.45): Limitless in P/X/001 – £3 (York Student Cinema)
8.30pm: Outside The Law at City Screen Picturehouse – £4.80
Tuesday 21/06
12.45pm: Outside The Law at City Screen Picturehouse – £4.80
6.30pm: Countdown To Zero at City Screen Picturehouse – £4.80