A strange scheduling quirk means there’s a chance for cinemagoers to get royally confused by the similar titles of two of this week’s big new releases.
So, to clarify: If you’re looking to watch the spectacular historical epic about an all-female African army, that’s The Woman King.
The British comedy-drama about the lady who led the search for the remains of Richard III? That’s The Lost King.
For those wishing to avoid disappointment, the advice from exasperated cinema staff is clear: Check your King ticket before you go in…
New releases
The Woman King
Viola Davis leads a fearsome all-female army in this acclaimed historical epic from director Gina Prince-Bythewood (who marshalled another team of warriors in 2020’s The Old Guard).
Inspired by real events, the film tells the story of the Agojie, a band of warrior women who defended the African Kingdom of Dahomey from the 17th to 19th centuries, focussing on General Nanisca (Davis) as she trains her new recruits for battle.
The top-notch ensemble cast includes John Boyega as King Ghezo and Lashana Lynch (No Time To Die) and Sheila Atim (The Underground Railroad) as two of Nanisca’s most trusted lieutenants.
The Agojie are said to have been an inspiration for Black Panther’s elite fighting unit the Dora Milaje, and impressive reviews suggest that The Woman King is more than worthy of comparison to Marvel’s superhero smash, with the Observer concluding that it’s ‘a thunderously cinematic good time: see it on the biggest screen you can find’.
Cert 15, 134 mins | |
Cineworld, City Screen, Everyman, Vue | |
From Fri Oct 7 | |
More details |
The Lost King
This British comedy-drama tells the story of the amateur historian whose research led to the discovery of the remains of King Richard III in 2012.
Sally Hawkins stars as Philippa Langley, who becomes obsessed with the much-maligned monarch after watching a performance of Shakespeare’s play, joining the Richard III Society and coming into conflict with eminent historians and academics (some of whom are apparently less than thrilled with their portrayal in the film) in her quest to discover the king’s final resting place.
It’s brought to the big screen by co-writers Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope and director Stephen Frears, the team behind 2013’s acclaimed true-life drama Philomena – with Coogan again taking a co-starring role as Philippa’s ex-partner John, who supports her in her quest.
Cert 12A, 108 mins | |
Cineworld, City Screen, Everyman, Vue | |
From Fri Oct 7 | |
More details |
Amsterdam
American Hustle director David O. Russell returns here with another comedic crime caper featuring an all-star ensemble, led by Hustle star Christian Bale alongside Margot Robbie and John David Washington.
Based loosely on a little-known 1930s political conspiracy in the US, the film centres on doctor Burt Berendsen (Bale), lawyer Harold Woodsman (Washington) and nurse Valerie Voze (Robbie), who forge a tight bond in post-war Amsterdam.
Years later, the trio are reunited when Burt and Harold are framed for the murder of a US senator, and Valerie sets about helping them to clear their name by finding the real culprit.
Look out for supporting turns by everyone from Mike Myers to regular Russell collaborator Robert De Niro, plus a certain Ms. Taylor Swift (perhaps hoping to shake off her previous big screen outing in 2019’s ill-fated Cats).
Cert 15, 134 mins | |
Cineworld, City Screen, Everyman, Vue | |
From Fri Oct 7 | |
More details |
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Halloween: The countdown begins…
The season of jump-scares and spilt popcorn is upon us, and you can expect to see a selection of familiar frightening favourites on the big screen over the next few weeks.
On the family-friendly side of things, this week sees the return of 1993 Bette Midler comedy Hocus Pocus, perfectly timed to coincide with the release of the Disney+ sequel – you can catch the original at Vue on Sat 8th, Sun 9th and Tues 11th (further screenings follow throughout the month).
Adults on the lookout for something different, however, are pointed in the direction of cult 1973 horror Ganja & Hess (City Screen, Sun 9th) – described as ‘a unique and radically black take on the vampire genre’, it’s a film so beloved of Spike Lee that he remade it as Da Sweet Blood of Jesus in 2014.
City Screen also have a screening of the recent Welsh-language chiller The Feast, in which a dinner party takes a decidedly icky turn, on Tues 11th.
And finally, the first of several classic oldies getting the anniversary treatment this month is 1992’s Keanu-and-Winona-fest Bram Stoker’s Dracula, celebrating 30 years of being undead with a new 4K restoration at Vue (Sat 8th, Mon 10th) and Cineworld (Mon 10th).
Whatever your take on Francis Ford Coppola’s version of the classic tale, I doubt it’s as swoonsome (or as funny) as singer-songwriter John Grant’s. She never did get that accent right, did she…
Other screenings
While few would have bet on the US Office’s shamelessly flaky temp Ryan achieving anything with his life, it’s good to see that his real-life counterpart B.J. Novak is a bit more focussed.
Novak’s directorial feature debut Vengeance is a black comedy in which he stars as a radio host investigating the murder of his girlfriend (Insecure’s Issa Rae) – it’s showing at Vue throughout the week.
And talking of breakout TV stars, they don’t come much breaker-outier than Sex Education’s Emma Mackey, who seems to be everywhere all of a sudden this year, and now lands the plum role of Emily Brontë in imaginatively-titled new biopic Emily, which previews at City Screen on Mon 10th.
There are also previews of forthcoming family film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, featuring pop star Shawn Mendes as the titular singing croc and showing at Cineworld, Everyman and Vue on Sat 8th and Sun 9th.
Shrek 2 is your budget family-friendly offering at City Screen this week (Sat 8th, tickets £3.00), while Cineworld are showing Lightyear (Sat 8th/Sun 9th, £2.50) and Everyman have the original animated version of Beauty and the Beast (Sun 9th, £8.20); Vue are keeping younger kids happy with Bing and his Friends at the Cinema (Sat 8th/Sun 9th, £2.49).
You can spend a weekend in Middle Earth over at Vue, where they’re screening the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy (Fellowship on Fri 7th and Sat 8th, Two Towers on Sat 8th and Sun 9th, and Return of the King on Sun 9th).
And finally, with James Bond celebrating his cinematic 60th this week, there’s one more screening of his latest outing No Time to Die at Vue on Sat 8th – and here’s The Specials to get the party started.
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Community cinema
South Bank Community Cinema kicks off its autumn season this week with a lesser-seen work from the director of one of the most iconic British films of all time.
Released in 1948, mystery thriller The Fallen Idol was the film which director Carol Reed made immediately prior to his noir classic The Third Man, and if it’s been inevitably overshadowed by the latter’s success, it’s still regarded by many (including Richard Ayoade, above) as a classic in its own right, with Time Out placing it 45th in their list of the 100 best British films earlier this year.
Based, like The Third Man, on a Graham Greene story, the plot follows the attempts of Philippe (Bobby Henrey), the young son of an ambassador living in London, to help his beloved butler Baines (Ralph Richardson), who is suspected of murder.
The film shows at Clements Hall on Fri 7th at 8pm (doors 7:30pm) – tickets are £4, and SBCC advise that it’s best to book in advance by e-mailing [email protected].