Come meet fellow film fans for drink and discussion upstairs in the Curzon Cinema bar. We will chat about what films we've seen at home, in the cinema, what we did/didn't like, and what we'd recommend.
Please only RSVP if you intend on turning up, you certainly don't need to see all the featured films...But it helps if you've seen at least one!
Although we discuss both new and old movies, here are some new releases (and one classic) you may wish to see and give your views on....
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The Phoenician Scheme
The new Wes Anderson film arrives starring Benicio Del Toro, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ruiz Ahmed, Bill Murray, Richard Ayoade, Willem Dafoe and many more…Zsa Zsa Korda is a wealthy Howard Hughes-esque mogul, with a vast business empire. Despite having 9 sons he decides that he wants to leave his fortune to his only daughter (Mia Threapleton), who is a nun. Zsa Zsa fears his death may be close at hand because he has a revolutionary new project underway in North Africa. However everyone from spies, assassins, business rivals, to rebel militias are determined to get in the way of Gabor’s latest venture, he must be stopped!
Lilo & Stitch
As the weather turns sunny we head into summer blockbuster season. One of Disney’s most beloved animations of the 2000s gets its turn for the obligatory live action remake, and unlike Snow White this one is tipped to do very well. On Hawaii an orphaned girl named Lilo is struggling through life, despite her sisters best efforts to be the head of the household. They decide a friend for Lilo would give her company, and so adopt a dog…Only it’s not a dog, it’s a mischievous, calamitous alien experiment. How will these two get along?
The Ugly Stepsister (in cinema and on Shudder)
A warped, beautifully shot, feminist infused, Norweigian period drama body horror!? It’s the 19th century and Rebekkah has married an older gentleman of wealth and status, however after tragedy strikes she discovers he was penniless all along. Her only choice is to marry off her daughter Elvira. However Elvira is considered well…ugly, and will struggle to capture male attention, especially next to her beautiful step-sister Agnes. If only some medical procedures and extensive makeovers could turn this ugly duckling into a swan.
The Assessment (Amazon Prime Video)
Dystopian natal sci-fi starring Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander and Himesh Patel. It is the near future and climate change (and other natural disasters) have ravaged the worlds resources. With demand on the limited food supply high, the powers that be have dictated that only state approved procreation is allowed, and all applicants wishing to have a child must undergo a 7 day assessment. Mia and Aaryan wish to undergo this vetting process and so a state sanctioned assessor must move in with them, to ensure they’re fit parents. One who will will raise an ‘optimised citizen’ who isn’t a wasteful mouth to feed….Only thing is though, this interloper is a little bit odd!
Motel Destino
A neon infused erotic thriller from Brazil. On the coast of Ceara lies Motel Destino, a scene of beaches, nightlife, sex and lack of inhibition. Heraldo flees there, he is a young hitman who has botched a hit and so goes on the run in fear of what retaliation he’ll receive. He stays at the motel which is run by a couple, Elias and Dayana. However his attempts to escape his notoriety are confounded when he is drawn into a power play of sex, violence and excess.
On Falling (Amazon Prime Video)
Highly acclaimed British independent film, which is widely available on streaming after a recent limited release. On Falling highlights the modern reality of low wage migrant workers caught in the warehouse and ‘gig economy’ cycle. Aurora, is a Portuguese worker living in Scotland at a fulfilment warehouse. Though she tries to carve out a life for herself (along with her fellow workers) the endless cycle of targets, limited funds and fatigue keep trying to suppress her personality and the life she wants to live.
A New Cinema In Oxford!
Something a little bit different, but a great talking point. The cinema on Magdalen street was closed in 2023 after years of being unloved as part of the Odeon chain. Now, an independent small chain of cinemas has taken over the place, refurbished and re-decorated it,to bring the historic cinema back to life as the new ‘Oxford Cinema and Cafe’. This new owner has reached out to our group and has stated a host of brilliant new events and special screenings that he hopes to put. Isn’t is great to see a cinema opening after the tough times the industry has had?! Give them a visit and tell us your thoughts
Member's Choice Film
The Village (2004)
Chosen by: Fred
Available on Disney+
M. Night Shymalan’s spooky period thriller comes from an era where he was riding high in Hollywood (after the success of The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs). A christian settlement in Pennsylvania is cut off, surrounded by thick woodland…Which both protects and imprisons them from the outside world. In the woods and beyond there are monsters, attracted by the colour red, and strange happenings interfering in their humble community. The frightened elders wish to stop all travel to the outside world as it would only agitate the evil forces, but necessity and curiosity surely can’t be suppressed forever?! Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sigourney Weaver and more, all star!
Also to Consider- Mission Impossible Final Reckoning, Final Destination, Tornado, Karate Kid Legends
