Sold-out sessions are delighting organisers of Daylesford’s Phoenix Cinema.
And the community owned and operated cinema has been showered with praise on Facebook as its run of new releases and classics continues.
Showing today (Friday) at.4.30, tomorow at 7pm and at 4.30pm the following two days is `The Christophers’. It looks at today’s art through the story of an enraged unfashionable painter (the magnificent Ian McKellen) who turns his towering wit and cantankerous rants on any targets.
His involvement in a failed reality TV show called `Art Fight’ is attraction alone.
`The Third Man’ (2pm today) takes us to post World War Two Vienna, occupied by four military powers, full of both rubble and black marketeers. A strange death, sinister rackets, perfect acting and Graham Greene’s script make this film unforgettable.
`Michael’ (today 7pm) memorably captures Michael Jackson and his drive to become the world’s biggest entertainer. The film gives cinemagoers front-row seats at some of his outstanding shows.
The district’s recent weather has many farmers humming the theme of `Singin’ in the Rain’ (tomorrow and Monday, 2pm). In the words of one critic, the world of films and beyond is a better place for this musical about a silent movie star who has to quickly adapt to talkies. Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen perform truly great sing-and-dance numbers.
Tomorrow’s 11am film is a classic. “The Wizard of Oz’ is one of cinema’s great fairy tales replete with wonderful scenes and unforgettable moments, such as when the scarecrow is dismantled and the Tin Man says, “Well, that’s you all over.” It combines a superb score, wonderful designs, memorable songs (“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”) with great lines (“Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable”).
Odd note: Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Scarecrow then switched to The Tin Man only to find he was allergic to the makeup.
Fans of `Some Like It Hot’ (Sunday, 11am) who may have seen it dozens of times on TV have been delighted to find it on the big screen. Voted Best Comedy of All Time by the American Film Institute it has Marilyn Monroe as a vulnerable boozy singer caught up with jazz musicians on the run. It is a legendary drag comedy that delights from start to the immortal last line.
Audrey Hepburn was thrust to fame in `Roman Holiday’ (Sunday, 4pm). She is brilliant with Gregory Peck as they play two mismatched lovers.
The sets and perfect performances make `Roman Holiday’ warming winter entertainment.
On Sunday at 7pm the hugely popular `The Devil Wears Prada 2’ continues its record-breaking run.
Next day at 11am Julie Andrews makes her film debut in `Mary Poppins’,an animated live action fantasy musical ,which in 1964 became the highest-grossing American film ($103 million), winning five Oscars.
So,folks, enjoy Week Four!
For bookings and films please go to Phoenix Cinema.
