Stoke on Trent


Bringing the best in Independent and World Cinema to North Staffordshire

March

Fri 1 & Sat 2 Mar    7.45pm

LES MISERABLES (12A)

Les MiserablesStoke Your FiresAn adaptation of the long running stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, from The King's Speech director Tom Hooper. The sweeping story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, and sacrifice, centred on Jean Valjean, a paroled prisoner in 19th century France. Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne bring their singing skills to bear in an epic musical.

UK, 2012, 158 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Sat 2 Mar    Matinee: 2.30pm

THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (PG)

Thwe Man Who Would Be KingA gloriously old fashioned sprawling epic, telling the story of Daniel Dravot and Peachy Carnahan, former soldiers from the Indian army. With ambitions to become Kings, they set off from 19th century British India in search of adventure and the unknown land of Kafiristan. John Huston directs Michael Caine and Sean Connery in a classic adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's short story.

UK/USA, 1975, 123 mins

Free Admission

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Mon 4 Mar    7.45pm

SABOTAGE (PG)

SabotageAlfred Hitchcock Season

One of Alfred Hitchcock's last British films before his move to Hollywood, Sabotage adapts and relocates Joseph Conrad's novel The Secret Agent, while retaining its dark mood. Mr. Verloc is the manager of a small cinema in London, where he lives with his wife and her younger brother. Unbeknown to either, he is also a member of a gang of terrorist saboteurs operating in the capital. However Scotland Yard is on the case and suspects Verloc's involvement.

UK (B/W), 1936, 74mins

Free Admission

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Tue 5 Mar    7.45pm

MCCULLIN (15)

McCullinStoke Your FiresDon McCullin is one of the legendary names in photo journalism, particularly for his harrowing war photos and coverage of humanitarian crisis such as the famine in Biafra. Through an insightful interview with Don McCullin and his pictures this moving documentary follows his career from its beginning to The Observer and the Sunday Times. McCullin is a stunning document of an incredible life, describing remarkable acts of individual compassion as well as atrocities and the political backdrop to conflicts.

UK, 2012, 91 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Thu 7 Mar    7.45pm

DJANGO UNCHAINED (18)

Django UnchainedDjango Unchained is a spaghetti western set in the deep south in 1858 directed by Quentin Tarantino. Django is a slave who strikes a bargain with Dr. King Schultz; assist him in hunting down a ruthless band of killers and he will help Django to rescue his wife from vicious plantation owner Calvin Candie. Jamie Foxx stars as the titular hero, joined by Leonardo DiCaprio and Christophe Waltz as Schultz and Candie.

USA, 2012, 165 mins

Further information regarding scenes used by the BBFC to determine the film's certification, may be found at the extended classification link on this web page - please note that this page contains spoilers.

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Fri 8 & Sat 9 Mar    7.45pm

HYDE PARK ON THE HUDSON (12A)

Hyde Park on the HudsonBill Murray gives a marvellously wry performance as President Franklin D. Roosevelt in this entertaining and charming tale set during King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's visit to America. Combining the personal with the political, the president's affair with his distant cousin Daisy, plays out against the bewildered Royals' attempts to obtain their host's assistance in the impending conflict with Germany. Olivia Williams and Laura Linney play the women in Roosevelt's life while Samuel West and Olivia Coleman play the king and queen.

UK, 2012, 95 mins

Reviews:   :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Mon 11 Mar    7.45pm

PSYCHO (15)

PsychoAlfred Hitchcock Season

Marion Crane is desperate to marry her boyfriend Sam, but with most of his income tied up in debts and alimony payments he refuses. When an opportunity presents itself she embezzles $40,000 from her employer and flees. On route to Sam in California bad weather forces her to stay overnight in the secluded Bates Motel, where she encounters its troubled proprietor Norman Bates. Hitchcock's macabre masterpiece starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins.

USA (B/W), 1960, 106mins

Free Admission

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Tue 12 Mar    7.45pm

THE SESSIONS (15)

SessionsThe Sessions is a poignant film based on the true story of Californian journalist and poet Mark O'Brien, who has spent all but a few hours a day in an iron lung since contracting polio aged six. At 38, Mark (John Hawkes) is determined to finally lose his virginity, and after raising the issue with his unconventional priest (William H Macy), he decides to pursue his goal. Funny and candid this is a touching film that celebrates life and is a rare, refreshingly frank look at sex and sexual discovery. Strong performances abound from a fine cast including Helen hunt as Mark's sex surrogate.

USA, 2012, 95 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Thu 14 Mar    7.45pm

ZERO DARK THIRTY (15)

Zero Dark ThirtyA powerful account of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden from Katherine Bigelow following Maya, a CIA operative whose hunch about the Taliban leader's whereabouts led to the Navy Seal operation on his compound in 2011. The Hurt Locker writer Mark Boal's screenplay compliments Bigelow's heightened realism, presenting the decade long man hunt as a thriller. Jessica Chastain gives a brilliant performance as Maya, whose single mindedness and stubbornness prove vital.

USA, 2012, 157 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Fri 15 & Sat 16 Mar    7.45pm

HITCHCOCK (12A)

HitchcockSacha Gervasi offers his own take on the story behind the making of Psycho, loosely adapting Stephen Rebello's nonfiction account, focusing on the creative and personal partnership between the director and his wife Alma. Anthony Hopkins catches the essence of Hitchcock and Helen Mirren is Alma, his chief adviser, censor, muse and friend, steering him through the uncertain waters. Among the supporting players Scarlett Johansson and James D'arcy play Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins and the docudrama is enhanced by a captivating soundtrack from Danny Elfman.

USA, 2012, 98 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Mon 18 Mar    7.45pm

25TH HOUR (15)

25th HourEast Coast Stories

In shooting 25th Hour, Spike Lee became the first major director to deal with the immediate aftermath of 9/11. Monty (Edward Norton) is forced to re-examine his life before his imminent imprisonment, following conviction on drugs charges. We follow him and his friends as they roam New York on his final day of freedom. Featuring Philip Seymour Hoffman.

USA, 2003, 135 mins

Free Admission

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Tue 19 & Thu 21 Mar    7.45pm

AMOUR (12A)

AmourMichael Haneke's powerful and deeply moving film following the tender and loving relationship between two elderly musicians. Anne and George's happy marriage is tested when Anne suffers a series of devastating strokes and George insists on caring for her at home. Amour is a masterwork with a heartrending portrayal of Anne's physical and mental decline from Emmanuelle Riva. An incredibly moving tale of devotion.

Austria/France/Germany (subtitled), 2012, 127 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Fri 22 & Sat 23 Mar    7.45pm

LINCOLN (12A)

LincolnA nation divided by war and social change forms the backdrop to Steven Spielberg's historical drama, revealing the conflict within Abraham Lincoln's cabinet as he seeks to emancipate the slaves. Daniel Day-Lewis' commanding performance as the 16th President of the United States has drawn much acclaim among a stellar cast including Tommy Lee Jones, John Hawkes, James Spader and Sally Field.

USA, 2012, 150 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Mon 25 Mar    7.45pm

TINY FURNITURE (15)

Tiny FurnitureEast Coast Stories

Twenty two year old Aura returns from college to her artist mother's Tribeca loft apartment with a useless film theory degree, 357 hits on her YouTube page, a boyfriend who's left her to find himself at Burning Man and a dying hamster. Aura would like you to know she is having a very, very hard time.

USA, 2010, 98 mins

Free Admission

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Tue 26 Mar    7.45pm

BULLHEAD (15)

BullheadJacky is a young cattle farmer who relies on drug supplements to increase the growth rate of his livestock. An approach from an unscrupulous veterinarian leads to dire consequences when he is drawn into a mafia controlled underworld. Matthias Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone) is Jacky in director Michaël R. Roskam's impressive debut. A timely tragedy about fate, revenge, and redemption, that questions the nature of masculinity.

Belgium/Netherlands (subtitled), 2011, 129 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Thu 28 Mar    7.45pm

WHAT RICHARD DID (15)

What Richard DidRichard is a complacent teenager from Dublin who seems set to achieve great things, a promising sports star with a bright future ahead of him. While enjoying an idyllic summer of beach parties, booze and flirting he makes a tragic mistake, caught in a downward spiral of anger, guilt and shame, even as he tries to do the right thing. A powerful, tense Irish drama features highly naturalistic performances from its young cast.

Ireland, 2012, 88 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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Fri 29 & Sat 30 Mar    7.45pm

QUARTET (12A)

QuartertQuartet is a charming, funny and insightful film in which four aging opera singers are reunited at Beecham House, a specialist home for retired musicians. Plans for their annual Verdi's birthday concert begin to unravel with the arrival of a former grande dame of the opera and news that Beecham House is facing closure. Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut starring Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Pauline Collins and Sheridan Smith.

UK, 2012, 98 mins

Reviews:    :: The Observer :: The Guardian :: The Independent ::

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