Wes Anderson works with stop-motion animation and an outstanding voice cast to bring Roald Dahl's much loved story to the screen.
In his first animated feature, Wes Anderson proves the perfect filmmaker to bring Roald Dahl's much-loved story to the screen.
Mr and Mrs Fox live an idyllic home life with their son Ash and visiting young nephew Kristofferson. But, after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr Fox's wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief, and in doing so endangers not only his own beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground with not enough food to go round, the animals band together to fight against the evil farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean, who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr Fox at any cost. - Sandra Hebron
Ray Winstone and friends behaving very badly in this powerful drama of a wronged husband trying to regain his self-respect.
Anyone inclined to bemoan the shocking behaviour of young people would be advised to take a look at 44 Inch Chest, which features some spectacularly foul mouthed and habitually violent behaviour from a group of men well beyond any flush of youth. This debut feature by Malcolm Venville from a script by Sexy Beast writers Louis Mellis and David Scinto is a powerful drama of a wronged husband trying to regain his self-respect. Colin (Ray Winstone) is devastated when his wife announces she's leaving him for a younger man, and when we first meet him he is sprawled drunkenly amidst the wreckage of their final argument, as Nilsson's 'Without You' loops in the background. This virtuoso opening really sets the tone for what follows, aggressive and maudlin by turns. Colin's motley crew of old friends (John Hurt, Ian McShane, Tom Wilkinson, Stephen Dillane) rally to his aid, though their plot to kidnap the lover and push Colin into taking revenge is misguided in conception and inept in execution. A provocative and darkly funny study of masculinity at its most troubling, 44 Inch Chest gives the actors full rein to explore the male ego pushed to its limits, and this wonderful ensemble certainly rise to the task. - Sandra Hebron
Where & When Sat 17 | 18:00 | Vue Screen 5 Sat 17 | 18:15 | Vue Screen 7 Sun 18 | 16:15 | Vue Screen 9 Mon 19 | 13:00 | Vue Screen 5
Raindance is the UK’s leading independent film festival and each year more and more films achieve success after Raindance screenings. Recent triumphs include IN SEARCH OF A MIDNIGHT KISS (Independent Spirit Award-winner, 2009), TOYLAND (Oscar-winner, Best Short 2009) and ONCE (Oscar-winner, Best Song, 2008).The 2009 Festival line-up can be found here! Short Films will be announced on the 4th of September.
Over the years, the festival has hosted such guests and filmmakers as Christopher Nolan, Shane Meadows, Ken Loach, Marky Ramone, Iggy Pop, Anton Corbijn, Mick Jones, Andrea Arnold, Adam Yauch, Quentin Tarantino, Faye Dunaway and Lou Reed.
But we’re here for the little guys too. Our big-name successes ensure that attention is on the whole programme. Everyone’s looking for the next big indie hit. Our audience of film fans, journalists, acquisition executives, actors, producers and directors know that a screening at the Raindance Film Festival is a sign of quality.
Join us at FRIGHTFEST the UK's Leading fantasy & horror film festival. For The premiere event of the year for horror fans - Time Out
UK PREMIERE MILLENNIUM: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (18)
Directed by Niels Arden Oplev
Cases rarely come colder than the inexplicable 1960s disappearance of a teen heiress from her family’s remote island retreat. Nor do fiction debuts come any hotter than the European best seller ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ by Swedish journalist Stieg Larsson on which this gripping nail-biter is based. Director Niels Arden Oplev’s atmospheric and strikingly original thriller introduces the provocative odd couple of a disgraced financial journalist and a multi-pierced hacker with severe social behaviour problems. Together they uncover an undetected chain of serial killings when investigating the decades-old mystery in a startling and near-the-knuckle giallo Swedish style. With very disturbing and intense scenes, and an international superstar-making performance from Noomi Rapace as the tattooed Lisbeth, MILLENNIUM is the Euro sensation of the moment. The other two parts of the MILLENNIUM movie trilogy, based on ‘The Girl Who Played With Fire’ and ‘The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest’, are released soon.
FRIGHTFEST: UK PREMIERE of Millennium: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Saturday August 29, 2009 at 3:45pm Empire Cinema, Leicester Square 5-6 Leicester Square London London, England WC2H 7NA
!!JUST ANNOUNCED!! Robot Chicken Premiere and Q&A Seth Green via Webcast
It’s time, once more, to get ANIMATED!
Teaming up with popular cable channel Adult Swim, and the London International Animation Festival, Curzon Soho bring you a night of titillating, shocking and absurd animations on the big screen. Check out the premiere of Robot Chicken Season 2. Brain child of Seth Green, the skits play around with cult film, cult TV and celebrity personalities. We also present a special selection of freaky animations as a taster for the LIAF which starts on 31st Aug at Renoir Cinema.
Before the film we will be hosting a Q&A via webcast with Seth Green. Come prepared with your questions whether it be anything Robot Chicken, Buffy or Scott Evil!
Defying the usual conventions of film, RAGE is the new cinematic creation from writer-director Sally Potter. Using a radical narrative structure focused entirely on individual performances, RAGE consists of a dynamic series of interviews, as if shot by a schoolboy on his mobile phone. He goes behind the scenes at a New York fashion show during a week in which an accident on the catwalk turns into a murder investigation.
Fourteen actors, both celebrated stars and emerging talents, play characters who each have a role in the show, from the designer (Simon Abkarian) and his models (Lily Cole and Jude Law), the fashion critic (Judi Dench) and photographer (Steve Buscemi), to the fashion-house financier (Eddie Izzard) and his bodyguard (John Leguizamo).
The radical style of RAGE is embraced in its unique distribution strategy, with the film premiering on mobile and internet alongside its digital screen and DVD release.
The premiere event will be broadcast live by satellite from London's BFI Southbank to dozens of cinemas across the UK. You can be part of the satellite broadcast of the Q&A after the film, sending your questions by Skype video and SMS direct from your local cinema live to Sally Potter and members of the RAGE cast, including Jude Law, Eddie Izzard and Lily Cole
RAGE (15) A Film by Sally Potter With Interactive Q&A Live via Satellite Thursday 24 September, 8.30
The premiere event will be broadcast live from BFI Southbank. You can be part of the satellite Q&A by sending your questions via Skype video and SMS to Sally Potter and members of the RAGE cast, including Jude Law, Eddie Izzard and Lily Cole (line-up TBC).
WORLD PREMIERE - Director John Landis’ classic 1981 horror, that set the standard for the modern werewolf movie, is back where it belongs. Fully restored, looking pristine and fabulous, and on the Big Screen just around the corner from where its stunning action climax was filmed in Piccadilly Circus. A brilliant meld of side splitting laughs, hair-raising terror and Rick Baker’s Oscar-winning man-into-wolf prosthetic special effects transformations, Landis’ lycanthropic masterpiece has never been bettered. David Naughton and Griffin Dunne are the two Americans backpackers attacked on the English moors by a snarling creature that changes their mortal lives forever. Jenny Agutter is the nurse Naughton moves in with before realising he’s roaming the West End committing brutal murders in werewolf disguise. One of the most influential horror movies ever in terms of gory comedy horror, Film4 FrightFest will be assembling as many of the cast and crew we can muster on the Empire stage.
Friday August 28, 2009 at 8:00pm
The Empire Cinema Leicester Square London, EnglandWC2H
Terror mounts as fear cuts deeper in the chilling continuation to the globally successful horror hit THE DESCENT. Dazed, confused and traumatized, Sarah Carter emerges alone from the cave system where she confronted frightening enemies: herself and her darkest dread. With no rational explanation to what exactly happened or why she’s covered in blood, the authorities force her back into the subterranean depths to help locate her five missing girlfriends. But as the rescue party enters further uncharted domains, flashbacks start haunting Sarah as shocking memories of the recent past hideously hit home. Only she realizes the full horror of their futile mission. And only she knows what lurks to trap them in the eerie shadows of the labyrinthine warrens. For they are venturing into the habitat of a new tribe of Crawlers, inbred, deformed and even more viciously feral than Sarah faced before in the black recesses of her worst nightmares.
FRIGHTFEST: World Premiere - The Descent: Part 2 Monday August 31, 2009 at 9:15pm Empire Cinema, Leicester Square 5-6 Leicester Square London London, England WC2H 7NA
FILM4 FRIGHTFEST is the UK's premiere fantasy and horror film festival. Now in its tenth year, each August thousands of genre fans gather together in the heart of London's West End at the prodigious Empire Cinema for five packed days of premieres, previews, personal appearances, signings and surprises.
The Film4 FrightFest 2009 celebrates ten years of chills, thrills and kills by moving to the Empire Cinema, Leicester Sq, to serve up its distinctive and controversial mix of must-see and yet-to-be discovered genre movies from around the world. From Thurs 27 August to Monday 31 August the UK’s top event for horror fans will unveil thirty five new films in two screens. Empire 1 will house the main event while ‘FrightFest Discovery’ will play in Empire 4.
This year twelve countries are represented across four continents and there are a record eleven world premieres and fifteen UK premieres. British horror scores heavily with the world premiere of Christopher Smith’s shocker TRIANGLE opening the festival and the world premiere of the much anticipated THE DESCENT: PART TWO as the closing night finale. There is also the world premiere of Philip Ridley’s unique horror fantasy HEARTLESS and the UK premiere of CLIVE BARKER’S DREAD.
Internationally, the festival strikes gold with the UK premiere of MILLENIUM: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, based on the best selling novel by Swedish journalist Stieg Larsson. Then there’s Dario Argento’s latest thriller GIALLO, HIERRO, from the producers of PAN’S LABYRINTH, the eagerly awaited slasher tribute THE HILLS RUN RED, Christian Alvart’s powerfully disturbing CASE 39, Ti West’s occult masterpiece THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL and from the producers of WOLF CREEK, an Aussie gripper – COFFIN ROCK. Monsters loom large in this year’s line-up with zombies particularly in good form. There’s DEAD SNOW (Nazi zombies), COLIN (low-budget zombies) THE HORDE (angry zombies) and ZOMBIE WOMEN OF SATAN (burlesque zombies). Monster mayhem and murder take centre-stage with a sinister collection of night-creatures in the riveting horror anthology TRICK R TREAT and an army of big bad bugs in INFESTATION. Then there is the aptly named VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL and perhaps the most controversial film at this year’s event – THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE.
Fans of AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON will get the chance to meet John Landis, who is attending the festival, alongside the cast, to present a fully restored version of the classic, as well as a never-seen-before documentary feature. Other directors currently confirmed to attend include:, Adam Gierasch (NIGHT OF THE DEMONS), Ti West (THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL) Dave Parker (THE HILLS RUN RED), Lee Demabre (SMASH CUT), Christopher Smith (TRIANGLE), Philip Ridley (HEARTLESS) and Federico Zampaglione (SHADOW). Other special guests include directors Adam Green, & Joe Lynch and actors Jim Sturgess and David Hess.
FrightFest Discovery makes its debut this year in Empire 4, where nine new films will be screening including the world premieres of EVIL THINGS, directed by Dominic Perez and FRAGMENT, directed by Andrew Miles – both films using the device of camera footage to chilling effect. Also showing are Cannes headline grabber COLIN, reputedly made for £45, the critically-acclaimed PONTYPOOL and the grisly remake of Larry Cohen’s cult classic IT’S ALIVE. Also this year there is a horror writing competition (details to be announced), a ‘100 Best Deaths’ event, hosted by DEAD SET actor Andy Nyman, plus the usual special guest appearances, Q & A’s, sneak previews, a short film strand, signings, competition prizes and give-aways – all of which goes to make up the unique experience that fans across the world have come and made their own.
Film4FrightFest 2009
Thursday August 27, 2009 - Monday August 31, 2009 from 5:00pm - 12:00am
The Boat That Shocked! First came CREEP. Then SEVERANCE. Now Film4 FrightFest is delighted to premiere British director Christopher Smith’s latest spellbinding horror fantasy. When Jess (Melissa George) hits a seagull driving to her local harbour, it jangles her already distraught nerves. But little does she know it signals a harrowing omen for her yachting trip with friends. For their boat is overturned in a weird storm and they take refuge on a strangely deserted liner that suddenly cruises into view. All is not as it seems on board the SS Aeolus, yet Jess just can’t put her finger on why… From epic ocean vistas to poignantly shocking finale, TRIANGLE is Smith’s best, polished and most mature work. His sophisticated and intricate script is always kept on an intriguing angle, the sudden violence is jolting, the atmosphere remains continually creepy and Melissa George gives an exceptionally haunting and moving performance.
FRIGHTFEST: World Premiere Triangle - OPENING FILM Thursday August 27, 2009 at 6:30pm Empire Cinema, Leicester Square 5-6 Leicester Square London London, England WC2H 7NA OPENING FILM - WORLD PREMIERE
Warner Brothers is pleased to invite you to the UK Premiere of Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds".
"In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis.
The Basterds soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a cinema in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers."
No names have been confirmed to attend, but we are hoping that attending will be: Pitt, maybe his equally famous lady love Angeline Jolie, and the movie’s other stars including Roth, Kruger, 300’s Michael Fassbender and Mike Myers (yes, he of the Austin Powers and Shrek movies).
UK Premiere Of Inglourious Basterds Thursday July 23, 2009 at 6:00pm Odeon Leicester Sq. 24-26 Leicester Square, London, England WC2H 7JY
We were fortunate to crack the nod for the UK Premiere of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
"It is with great pleasure Paramount Pictures invite you to the UK Premiere of Transformers Revenge of the Fallen.
In aid of Starlight in association with Sky Movies HD on 15th June 2009 at the Odeon Leicester Square, London.
In the highly-anticipated Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) again joins with the Autobots against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons. Michael Bay directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman.
In attendance will be director Michael Bay plus the stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel. This epic event will take place on the evening of Monday 15Th June in London's Leicester Square."
Being a little over the expected age limit for Transformers and not being a fan at all. I was completely blown away by the first Transformers film (incidentally this was Michael Bay's finest film to date). 3 Other Blockbuster releases this year were really good i.e. Terminator Salvation, Star Trek & Watchmen. So I was really quite keen to see the TROTF. Plus the Leicester Square Odeon has the best cinematic sound in the UK combined with the special effects this was going to be a pretty good evening.
The evening was a spectacular star studded event. With appearances by; Shia LaBouef, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Jasmine Guiness, Danielle Lloyd, Tyrese Gibson, John Turterro,VV Brown,Michael Bay,Matthew Marsden, Ramon Rodriguez, Sam Branson, Bianca Gascoigne, Kate Walsh, Aston Merrygold, Ortise Williams, JLS, Sarah Cawood, Danny O'Donoghue, Ozwald Boateng, Dizzee Rascal, Beverley Knight, Tiny Iron, Jamie O Hara, Lemar, Phillip Taylor and Bumblebee
In the video you can see the backs of Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson and if you place your eyes as close to your computer screen as possible and squint Megan Fox at the far end of the Blue Carpet.
I really wanted to enjoy the film. But ultimately it is aimed at a younger audience and more in line with the Transformers toys target market. For many of the wrong reasons I did feel like I had just watched a George Lucas film.
But it is big, loud, has lots of big robots fighting loudly and is quite the big screen spectacle. It is really a great Saturday matinee kids popcorn flick. The special effects will not disappoint.
Universal Pictures is honoured to invite you to the European Premiere of Public Enemies.
On Monday 29 June, the stars of Universal Pictures’ PUBLIC ENEMIES, Johnny Depp and Marion Cotillard, and acclaimed film director Michael Mann, will be bring some ‘30s gangster glamour to the West End, when they attend the European Premiere at London’s Empire, Leicester Square.
Attention Watchmen fans! Get down to the World Premiere of Watchmen in Leicester Square on Monday February 23 and text "Watchmen" to 61661 between 5.30pm and 6.00pm and you could win a entrance to see the film! For your chance of winning this once in a lifetime prize simply arrive at Leicester Square on Monday with your mobile phone!
Watchmen is a dark, multilayered mystery adventure form visionary director Zack Snyder. This year everything you know will change. Their mission is to watch over humanity... but who is watching the watchmen?
Last weekend Secret Cinema pulled off their most awesome screening yet!:
- Dress for an 80s rock evening (Rock Gods, Shady Promoters, Metal Heads and Old School Rockers) - Meet at the Sheperds Bush Empire - An introduction by the legend that is Mr. Ralph Brown or Danny as he is known to his friends - A screening of a short film about a Lebanese drummer - An actual performance by up and coming rock band Cauldron - A UK Premiere screening of ANVIL!
The following is a quote from www.metalhammer.co.uk which sums up the film pretty neatly:
"It’s not as if we metal fans aren’t used to being patronised and misunderstood by outsiders, but the strength of the Anvil movie lies in the fact that it’s a genuinely touching story about human beings, relationships and the pursuit of childhood dreams; all things that the vast majority of people can relate to without recourse to sneering superiority. In fact, the most startling thing about this screening of the film is that as it progresses, there’s a very noticeable change in atmosphere, as bemused giggling slowly evolves into bona fide sympathy and affection for Anvil and their rollercoaster ride."
The film moved me (a non hard metal fan) to purchase the latest ANVIL CD. I say "moved" as I have not bought a hard copy music in about 4 years. I knew of the ANVIL film and although impressed on hearing that ANVIL the band had been making live appearance to support the films launch had already decided that I would see it as a download or when it was on TV. I'm really glad I got to see the film big screen at Secret Cinema. I should mention that I had it the wrong way around - the film was created to promote the story of ANVIl. I only found out at that screening that the film was actually made by a dedicated ANVIL fan who had followed them since their early performances.
In many ways not only is it true to the spirit of rock but independent film making as well. So the film is over. It's time to pack up and leave. WRONG! Secret Cinema was just starting! After the credits the lights dim, a lone guitar riffs metal and a spotlight lights up a second tier balcony revealing "Lips" wailing on his axe.
- The screening was followed by a performance from ANVIL themselves and if that was not enough they pulled in Scott Ian (legendary Anthrax guitarist) to play a couple of songs. ANVIL pretty much got the audience on their feet and rocking out. It was a genuine rock gig by a genuine rock band.
Thanks Secret Cinema and thank you ANVIL for continuing to rock!
We the people have had enough of rich, bratty rock stars getting all the money and fame. We DEMAND to see ANVIL live on the Glastonbury stage in the summer of 2009. It's not just that they've earned it, it's that ANVIL ROCKS!'
After 35 years of putting in the work for NO REWARD, now is the time for ANVIL!!!
Continuing my discussion of The Wrestler and a chance to chat to Mickey Rourke.
Mon 5 December 2008, early evening Leicester Square, London. The producers opted for a low key UK premiere for The Wrestler with a celebrity audience as well as Mickey Rourke in attendance. Meanwhile just around the corner at the Curzon Soho an intimate audience of around 250 people gathered at the Curzon Soho to view a special preview of The Wrestler and participate in a Q&A session with the film's leading man Mickey Rourke.
I was keen to gain some insight into the man I had held in a revere, pertinent questions such as; how did he feel about his career in light of the buzz around The Wrestler? Did he dig deeper for this role than others? Did he have to undergo any physical conditioning (apart from wrestling training) for the role? Did he contribute to the storyline (and location choices)? What's next for Mickey Rourke? What was the latest with Sin City 2? Would Marv be back?
Rourke has clearly been left burned and disillusioned by the politics behind Hollywood. But after hitting rock bottom "living on fumes", he is trying to change what "he did not understand needed to be changed". Up until the post production process of The Wrestler he was unaware of his next steps or what his next job might be. He is grateful for the kudos received for the Wrestler and is hopeful for the future. In spite of his his troubles Rourke is still very much his own person.
He really wanted to work with Aranofsky and had developed a bond after Aranofsky put his backing behind Rourke for the role. Although Aranofsky set the
bar high for cast, Rourke strived to bring the character of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson to life as much to apply his craft as to meet Aranofsky's expectations.
His training regime allowed him to gain 34 pounds of muscle for the role. In the film he looks every bit the professional Wrestler. He underwent Wrestling training intense enough to shift him from thinking that Wrestling was on par with pantomime to respect for the sport and the sportsmen that participate in it. He sustained several serious injuries while filming.
My initial thoughts on seeing 13 were: Mind blowing little film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Has all the trademarks of a first time film school production (lighting, black & white, metaphors, etc.) but all comes together in a gritty tale. Hopefully the remake starrring; Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, Ray Winstone, and 50 Cent will stay true to its roots.
Twenty-two-year-old Sebastien leads an impoverished life with his immigrant family constantly struggling to support them. While repairing the roof of a neighbor's house, he overhears a conversation about an expected package which promises to make the household rich.
First look at Mickey Rourke in "13"
Sensing the opportunity of a lifetime, Sebastien intercepts the package which contains a series of specific instructions. Following the clues, he assumes a false identity and manages to slip through the grasp of the enclosing police as he ventures deeper and deeper into the countryside. The closer he gets to his destination and the more people he meets along the way, the less he understands about what he is looking for. Ultimately, he comes face to face with a ring of clandestine gamblers placing bets on the outcome of a multi-player, high stakes tournament of Russian roulette. Directed by newcomer Gela Babluani, "13 Tzameti" (pronounced: 'zah-meti') is a winner-takes-all thriller, where an unfortunate young man is transformed into contestant #13 with no way out save his luck.
He is also in Bret Easton Ellis's The Informers and Elmore Leonard's much delayed Killshot which will also be released in 2009. He is also rumoured to be in Stallone's "The Expendables" and cast as "Whiplash" a villain in Iron Man 2.
In private discussion he was tight lipped about Marv's possible return in Sin City 2. I did not found out what the significance of the fun fairs was or if there was indeed any. Hopefully Mickey's talent will be recognised and his path ahead is less bumpy than the one behind hm.
Something's burning white hot in freezing London tonight and it's Mickey Rourke's seethingly intense performance. Part 1
Mon 5 December, early evening Leicester Square, London. The producers opted for a low key UK premiere for The Wrestler with a celebrity audience as well as Mickey Rourke in attendance. Meanwhile just around the corner at the Curzon Soho an intimate audience of around 250 people gathered at the Curzon Soho to view a special preview of The Wrestler and participate in a Q&A session with the film's leading man Mickey Rourke.
The Players Darren Aronofsky 39 year old film director. Lauded as the second coming with his debut feature film Pi (1998), critical acclaim continued with the bleak Requiem For A Dream. In 2006 finally opinions divided with The Fountain. The 2006 Hugh Jackman starring mind melting /time travelling /sci fi feature also starred Aranofsky's wife Rachel Weiszs and was seen as self indulgent by many. Aronofsky has followed up the high concept Fountain with a pared down, back to basics, handy-cam shot story of a man past his prime. So far the The Wrestler has won critical acclaim, been nominated for countless awards, garnered a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and there has been much talk of Mickey Rourke deserving an Oscar for his performance. Aronofsky's films are studies into the human condition - Pi (Paranoia & technophobia), Requiem for a Dream (old age, drug dependency & lust), The Fountain (Loss of a loved one). He tends to explore the issues that are part of life but ignored by any filmmaker that wants a paying audience to view their films. With The Wrestler Aronofsky explores the world of an ageing professional athlete; his post prime career, his relationships and socio environment. Think more Requiem For A Dream than The Fountain.
To carry both the gruelling physical and mental weight of the leading role, Aronofsky called on the man whose own career could have easily been the blueprint for The Wrestler had he taken a different path. Allthough Aranofsky's choice, Rourke's casting was not a sure thing as Nicholas Cage almost sealed the deal at one stage.
Phillip Andre Rourke Jr. aka Mickey Rourke aka. Sir Eddie Cook aka 'Boogie', Marv, Harry Angel, Harley Davidson, The Pope or Motorcycle Boy started off as a boxer before embarking on a promising film career. Rourke studied method acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute under Sandra Seacat. In 29 years he has built an impressive resume with some standout performances. He has worked with some greats including Spielburg, Michael Cimino, William Hurt, Levinson, Ford Coppola, Alan Parker, Robert De Niro, Gene Hackman, Nicolas Roeg, Faye Dunaway, Barbet Schroeder, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Walken, Steven Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson.
Somewhere in the early 90s Rourke's hell-raising lifestyle overshadowed his talent and he was blacklisted by Hollywood. Rourke started producing films from material he had written but ultimately he was forced him to take some questionable roles as he says "to pay for his lifestyle". "The 90s were bad!"
Even in the most dire of productions Rourke's performance does not falter, sometimes misguided and out of place - he has remained his own man and true to ensuring his performances are solid. Somwhere in the early 2000s Rourke rebooted his career he started taking on small roles in rated films a handful of loyal friends keeping involved in bigger projects such as Stallone's Get Carter, Robert Rodriguez's Once upon a time in Mexico & Sin City and Tony Scott's Domino & Man on Fire.
The Wrestler has many similarities to Rourke's own life but more to his self penned 1988 offering Homeboy. In this little known classic Rourke plays a ageing past his prime boxer that never quite lived up to his promise.
Even one of Rourke's favourite settings a Fun Fair features in one of The Wrestler's most bittersweet scenes. Fun Fairs at Coney Island were used in Angel Heart, 9 1/2 Weeks and Bullet - a film that Rourke wrote and produced. The Wrestler and Homeboy had scenes shot at Asbury Park.
Aronofsky's low fidelity visuals, sometimes barren soundtrack combined with quality performances from the cast that includes Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood and Rourke's gritty performance compliment the stark subject matter to create a crescendo of angst that will have you cringing, smiling and possibly bringing some strong emotions to the fore. Rourke's performance will possibly overshadow the rest of the cast, but mention should be made of the braveness of Oscar winner Marisa Tomei's performance and role.
As favours to Mickey Rourke both Guns n Roses and Bruce Springsteen contributed to the films soundtrack at minimal cost. Their music sets the tone for scenes in which they bleed into.
Film Knight 09: Gonzo - The Life and Work of Dr Hunter S Thompson
LWLies and Suso are proud to announce that Alex Gibney’s Gonzo will be our feature screening on Monday December 1.
With a clear commitment to imagination, creativity and determination, Film Knights celebrates the best in modern movie making from big name directors to hungry young guns. This month sees us once again getting exclusive use of the splendidly plush Rex Cinema in the heart of Soho. Film Knights is all about providing the best experience possible, and that means crystal chandeliers, velvet sofas and the comfiest cinema seats in London.
Be there at 6.45pm prompt, then join us for a drink or two afterwards and stick around for the evening to let us know what you thought of the film.
Set in Belfast’s Maze Prison, ‘Hunger’ presents the life of Republican prisoner Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) as he protests against the UK government’s refusal to grant terrorist prisoners political status. The film follows life before and during Sands’s 1981 hunger strike without adopting a political stance, instead focusing on how the prisoners resorted to using their own bodies as tools to get their voices heard, and documenting Sands’s rapid physical deterioration. Debuting as a director, artist Steve McQueen brings a compelling and sensual tone to the film, sensitively capturing the relationship between the prisoners and their guards.
In addition to our Opening Nights screening, we've also got nine pairs of tickets for the London Film Festival premiere of 'Hunger' at Odeon Leicester Square on Sunday October 19. Simply enter your details as normal for our screening and the premiere tickets will be distributed alongside the screening allocation.
For tickets sign up at http://www.timeout.com/openingnights
The London Film Festival have offered us tickets to a special preview followed by a Q&A this Saturday Afternoon. Tickets are free of charge, but please RSVP direct to address below for tickets. Sat 18 Oct 13:30, ODEON WEST END 1, Leicester Square
Increasingly fed up with the low status that worms seem to have achieved in the world pecking order, Barry decides that there is more to life than his boring day to day existence working at a compost plant. Life seems so dull. But one listen to his favourite disco record and his whole world changes, and he transforms from ordinary Barry to Sunshine Barry, the next big thing on the music scene. Now all he needs is a band, his Disco Worms (and if they're going to start playing instruments, then hands might be useful too). This colourful new animation from Denmark is set to give worms the level of cool that they have always aspired to - if you didn't know that worms had rhythm then prepare yourself for a big surprise...
We are pleased to announce that director Thomas Borch Nielson and members of the Sunshine Barry team will take part in a Q&A with Justin Johnson following this screening.
Please RSVP by Friday 17 October to rsvp(dot)bfisouthbank@bfi(dot)org(dot)uk For acceptances, please ensure that tickets are collected from the guest ticket window at the Box Office between 12:45 - 13:15 on the day of the event. Uncollected tickets will be released for sale to the public at 13:15.
Rourke studied method acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute under Sandra Seacat. In 29 years he has built an impressive resume with some standout performances. He has worked with some greats including Spielburg, Michael Cimino, William Hurt, Levinson, Ford Coppola, Alan Parker, Robert De Niro, Gene Hackman, Nicolas Roeg, Faye Dunaway, Barbet Schroeder, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Walken, Steven Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson.
