20th Century Flicks, Bristol

Tim Burton brings Stephen Sondheim's musical prodigy to the big screen and as you'd expect he does a beautiful and atmospheric job of it. Both Depp and Carter revel in the opportunity given to them and the tale has a gloriously dark, gruesomely humourous tone, which brings me on to my own personal issues� the modern musical; much of the the of dialogue in Sweeney Todd is sung and there is just so much lilting 'mockney' cockney I can take. I can accept this is hugely entertaining film, it's just find out more...

THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (1993)

CertificationU Our Rating

Sumptuous adaptation of Edith Wharton's period drama set in the NY high society of the 1880s. Day Lewis plays the gentleman set to be married to May in the wedding of the year, but increasingly fascinated by the beautiful Countess Olenska. Decor reflects and oppresses characters, posture, gesture, glance and witty ironic narration convey not only individual psychology but the ideals of an entire etiquette-obsessed elite. Tragedy awaits. Awesome; one of the best period adaptations ever made, both find out more...

No Image for THE COLOUR OF POMEGRANATES / LEGEND OF THE SURAM FORTRESS

THE COLOUR OF POMEGRANATES / LEGEND OF THE SURAM FORTRESS (1969)

CertificationU Our Rating

The mythical "Colour of Pomegranates", the life of 18th century Armenian poet Sayat Nova, (included in Time Out's 100 greatest all time movie list), double-billed with the "Legend of the Suram Fortress", a Georgian myth about a young boy who saves the constantly crumbling Suram Fortress by allowing himself to be covered with earth and eggs and walled up alive. Eloquent images and obscure symbols constructed in striking tableaux vivants, emblematic gestures or formalised movement. Beautiful, surr find out more...

No Image for THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP (1943)

CertificationPG Our Rating

Based on David Low's cartoon character, Major General Clive Wynne-Candy, VC, we back-track over his life, drawing us into sympathy with the prime virtues of honour and chivalry which have transformed him from dashing young spark of the 1890s into crusty old buffer of World War II. Roger Livesey gives us not just a great performance, but a man's whole life, losing his only love (Deborah Kerr) to the German officer (Walbrook) with whom he fought a duel in pre-WWI Berlin, then becoming the latter's find out more...

THE PIANO (1993)

Certification15 Our Rating

Jane Campion's outstanding and acclaimed dramatic masterpiece. Hunter turns in an incredible performance as the mute Ada, sold into a marriage with Neill. Her piano is her voice and she must earn it back from Baines, key by key, in a moving emotional bargain. Stunning - the best film of the year. find out more...

THE RED VIOLIN (1988)

Certification15 Our Rating

Francois Girard (Thirty Two Short Stories About Glen Gould) directs this series of vignettes from renaissance Italy thru' the cultural revolution in China to modern day America, all linked by a now fabled red violin. This is a film about obsession and love spanning continents, cultures and centuries. 'The Red Violin' is a beautiful and unusual film.. find out more...

THE WARRIOR (2002)

Certification12 Our Rating

The leader of a small band of thugs under the control of a dark lord has an epiphany and rejects his violent ways. Our hero's choice however comes at great personal cost and leads him on a lonely, momentous and almost mythological quest for atonement. The Warrior is a beautifully shot film, enhanced by a story that is reminiscent of the simple but acutely observed tales of morality and heroism that brought Akira Kurosawa such world acclaim. find out more...

THE WHITE RIBBON (2009)

Certification15 Our Rating

1913; a strict Protestant village in northern Germany and the locals are plagued by a series of malevolences; a farmer's wife falls through rotten floorboards, a wire placed at knee-height has brought down the the doctor's horse, a window is opened exposing a newborn baby to the cold of the winter, cabbages are beheaded with a scythe, one of the Baron's sons is discovered bound and lashed by a whip, a barn is set on fire, a farmer hangs himself, a handicapped child is found tied to a tree with a find out more...