newsletter 8 - The Phoenix

NEWSLETTER 8
Just a reminder, in case you kneeded it, that as we near the University’s Easter vacation, you may wish
to hold your breath in anticipation of the arrival of new seating in the cinema. Legs crossed, it will
happen, but if it doesn’t, we’re not guilty yer honour, we wasn’t there, didn’t see nuffink, etc.
Cue the music … name that tune
We have promised to let you know about the musics being played whilst our weekly slide
sequence runs onscreen. Wherever possible the choice is ours and is based on the
background of the film, often linked to the place where the movie was filmed. Please do let us
know what you think about the slide sequence, and what you are hear whilst waiting for the
film, and whether or not it adds to your evening at the Phoenix.
Queen and Country (06/01): a various artists collection entitled Timeless Hits of the 1950s.
Clouds of Sils Maria (13/01): a selection of pieces written by Georg Frederic Handel.
Marshland: a CD entitled The Rough Guide to the Music of Spain.
Phoenix: a CD entitled Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill.
Theeb: a CD of field recordings by Deben Battacharya
entitled Bedouins of the Middle East.
The Wonders: an album entitled Banditaliana by Tuscanybased Riccardo Tesi.
The Tribe: a CD by anarcho-punk band Crass entitled Best
Before 1984.
Dark Horse: a CD entitled Melody by Welsh trio Alaw.
An Autumn Afternoon: an album entitled Traditional
Japanese Music by Yoshikazu Iwamoto.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl: a collection on Spotify
including music by Brian Eno, Cat Stevens, Fred Neil, Roy
Orbison and Lou Reed based on the film’s OST.
Just occasionally it may be possible that we are stumped
for a suitable choice of recorded music, but never fear,
for after months of intense tuition and rehearsals we can
now fall back on Adrian’s organic skills on the pictured
Omneorchestra (which is located somewhere under the
seats … but you don’t want to go there!)
Finally, if you are looking for original soundtracks on CD, why not try the Oxfam Music shop just
at the top of East Street and but a stone’s throw from the Bargate. They always have a good
selection of film OSTs as well as quality second-hand music of all genres on CD and vinyl.
Our Gap Week Members’ choice is decided
The result of the vote for the Gap Week film on May 18 is Grandma. The breakdown of votes, from
an audience of 164 was as follows (with 3 points being awarded for a 1st choice, 2 for a 2nd, and 1
for a 3rd. There were many slips with only one vote recorded so the figures do not tally.
Brooklyn:
1st choice
37 x 3 = 111
2nd choice
29 x 2=58
3rd choice
17 x 1=17
Total 186
Carol:
32 x 3 = 96
19 x 2 = 38
26 x 1 = 26
Total 160
Grandma:
42 x 3 = 126
21 x 2 = 42
23 x 1 = 23
Total 191
Having had just a one week run at the Odeon, it will be your choice at the Phoenix on May 18.
Beautiful, pretentious, chilling, grim, brilliant, interesting, enjoyable –
just some of the more frequently used adjectives from members’ comments …
Pride
A++ Best film I’ve seen
in a long time.
Stations of the Cross
Interesting study of
how young minds can
be influenced.
Fascinating and
frustrating in equal
measure, but for that
brand of Catholicism,
substitute any religion.
I am thankful that I am
a humanist.
A disturbing film.
Thank you; the film
made me so angry.
The God awful side of
Christianity.
Att: 153 81%
Life-enhancing and
heart-breaking;
fantastic.
Timbuktu
Beautiful, gentle, but
so effectively horrific.
It all seems so
terrifyingly easy.
Beauty of the scenery
set against brutality
and oppression.
Fear and hypocrisy
rule. What God?
It brought home what
effect Sharia law has
on ordinary villagers.
A wonderful film, shows
how prejudice can be
overcome.
The usual excellent
acting from Imelda
Staunton and Bill
Nighy, and some jolly
singing and dancing.
The Welsh are lovely.
Sad we can’t recreate
the solidarity.
Bloody brilliant!.
Att: 156 93.5%
But how did they
charge their mobile
phones?
Att: 166 81.8%
Clouds of Sils Maria
Amazing acting, so
true to life. Juliette
Binoche certainly won
the part of the ageless
and wise woman.
Remarkable acting by
Binoche and Stewart,
but incomprehensible.
The Clouds were
wonderful, the rest
was mediocre!
Disappointing and
pretentious rubbish.
Brilliant scenery, but
terrible film - boring!
Att: 132 64%
Marshland
The characters, plot,
political situation and
scenery played together
in an excellent film.
On the edge of my seat
all the way through,
despite the lack of
legroom!!
The murderous
madness of masculinity.
Moral ambivalence
elevated the crime story
to a different level.
Queen and Country
Silly and delightful, with
serious undertones and
consequences.
Hidden depths.
Good film, but one or two
glaring military errors.
Lovely evocation of National
Service life in the 1950s.
Disappointing after Hope
and Glory; a pastiche of
M.A.S.H., Dad’s Army and
It Ain’t Half Hot Mum! with
some cheesy acting thrown
in.
Good, well-made British film.
Att: 132 85.4%
Phoenix
A very unusual story;
based on truth?
Gripping to the end.
Theeb
Exciting as well as an
insight into another
culture.
Fantastic acting from
such a young man entrancing.
The Holocaust – full of
many difficult and
intriguing situations. Fine
performances, especially
from Nina Hoss.
Music, mountains,
melancholy – all added
to the wonderful
atmosphere. Excellent.
Far-fetched.
I preferred it to the
(much over-rated)
Lawrence of Arabia.
Was there ever a more
poignant song on film?
Just beautiful
A bit weird and
inconclusive.
Best thriller in years!
Sensitive presentation of
moving subject, very
atmospheric, but totally
implausible.
Att: 172 88.5%
Att: 130 81.8%
Very good, but grim.
A lot of nothing.
Att: 164 86.6%
Our next Newsletter will be with you shortly after the University’s paschal break, by which
time we hope you may be able to read it in the comfort of your own easy-on-the-knees-andbum new seat. In the meantime we hope you have an eggstraordinarily wonderful and
Happy Easter; just remember to go easy on the chocolate, and don’t shoot the bunnies!
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