Christmas is nearing ever closer and all thoughts are on the upcoming holiday break. But before you leave Southampton, why not take a trip to Ocean Village for a little cinematic reprieve? In this feature, we continue to bring you news of all the latest films, special screenings, and student-friendly deals that Harbour Lights has to offer. This week sees the release of the latest Star Wars film and a number of exciting one-off screenings.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (12A)
It’s the film we’ve all been waiting for. The end of this week sees the highly anticipated release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Starring Felicity Jones, the film is set shortly before the events of A New Hope and follows a band of resistance fighters who unite to steal the plans of the Galactic Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star. Directed by Godzilla’s Gareth Edwards, the film also stars Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Riz Ahmed, Forest Whitaker and Mads Mikklesen.
Paterson (15)
Jim Jarmusch’s immersive follow-up to Only Lovers Left Alive is also making it’s UK cinematic debut this week. Starring Adam Driver, Paterson chronicles a week in the life of a bus driver in the city of Paterson, New Jersey. He rises each day at the same time, goes to work, and then comes home to his creative, adoring wife, Laura, whose ever-changing world of new projects and dreams dovetails happily with his. In the broader strokes, each day is the same, differing only in the details – but this regularity is underpinned by Paterson’s passion for poetry, in which he finds refuge for reflection.
Sully: Miracle on the Hudson (12A)
Clint Eastwood’s astonishing real life drama, Sully: Miracle on the Hudson is still showing this week. Starring the great Tom Hanks, the film tells the story of how Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger landed his airliner in Manhattan’s Hudson River in 2009 without loss of life, following a bird strike that disabled both of the plane’s engines. In the aftermath, even as the public and media heralded the heroics of the captain and his co-pilot Skiles, the pair faced an official investigation that accused them of endangering the lives of the 155 souls they actually saved. Also starring Aaron Eckhart and Laura Linney, you can read our first look review here.
A United Kingdom (12A)
Amma Asante’s follow-up to her acclaimed 2013 feature Belle is another real-life story based on a love affair that defied class divisions, racial bias and social conventions. Starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike, A United Kingdom follows the international stir caused by the interracial marriage of the King of Bechuanaland (now Botswana) and a British office worker. Celebrating the triumph of love and intelligence in the face of oppression and intolerance, this is a must-see. Read our LFF review here.
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (12A)
There’s still time to revisit J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world in Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. Starring Eddie Redmayne, the film follows magizoologist (and Hufflepuff) Newt Scamander as he attempts to recover the fantastic beasts that run amok in New York City after they escape from his magical briefcase. A must watch for Potter fans and featuring an all star cast including Colin Farrell, Katherine Waterston, Jon Voight and Ezra Miller, read our review here.
Blue Velvet (18)
David Lynch’s cult neo-noir mystery, Blue Velvet, is being re-released in cinemas this week. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini and Dennis Hopper, the film follows a young man who embarks on an investigation into a beautiful and mysterious nightclub singer and the group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child. A fascinating but disturbing film, don’t miss your chance to see it on the big screen this Monday!
Under The Shadow (15)
This week’s Discover Tuesday is Babak Anvari’s Under The Shadow. Drawing on his childhood experiences in the Iran-Iraq war, the film follows a family who are holed up in their Tehran apartment while their conscripted husband/father is away fighting. After an air raid badly damages the building, the children’s once familiar playthings go missing and the mother begins seeing frightening images.
Your Name (12A)
On Wednesday, Harbour Lights will be holding a screening of Makoto Shinkai’s animated fantasy, Your Name. Mitsuha and Taki are two total strangers living completely different lives. But when Mitsuha makes a wish to leave her mountain town for the bustling city of Tokyo, they become connected in a bizarre way. She dreams she is a boy living in Tokyo while Taki dreams he is a girl from a rural town he’s never been to. If you like anime, we implore you to head down and find out. Read our review here.
It Follows (15)
As part of Harbour Lights’ ongoing ‘Warning to the Curious’ season, this Sunday sees a special screening of David Robert Mitchell’s 2015 lo-fi horror film, It Follows. Starring Maika Monroe, the film follows a young girl who finds herself tormented by a strange, stalking presence after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter. Read our review here.
Scrooge (U)
As part of their Christmas season, Harbour Lights are screening Brian Desmond-Hurt’s classic 1951 film, Scrooge. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale, the film stars Alastair Sim as the definitive miser, Ebenezer Scrooge.
Student tickets range from £7.00 – £9.50. For more information, visit the Harbour Lights website or call the Box Office on 0871 902 5733.
