That’s Bros as in nose, not Bros as in moss…
A film surely destined to be attended, somewhere in the country, by at least one confused devotee of the Goss brothers, new romcom Bros is not, sadly, a biopic of the 80s heartthrobs – though surely it’s only a matter of time?
There’s thrills and spills aplenty as Halloween festivities reach their climax, and York becomes a city of pop-up cinemas once more with the return of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival…
New releases
Bros
A happily single gay man begins to question his avowedly self-reliant lifestyle after meeting the man who just might be his soulmate, in this Judd Apatow-produced romcom.
Fortysomething writer and podcast host Bobby (Billy Eichner) is busy preparing for the opening of his LGBTQ+ museum when a chance meeting with lawyer Aaron (Luke Macfarlane, Brothers and Sisters) turns both men’s worlds upside down.
A familiar face from the small screen thanks to his hit YouTube series Billy on the Street (you may also recognise him from his memorable turn in Parks and Recreation), Eichner co-writes as well as stars in this acclaimed comedy, while director Nicholas Stoller has previously helmed the likes of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Five-Year Engagement.
| Cert 15, 116 mins | |
| Cineworld, Everyman, Vue | |
| From Fri Oct 28 | |
| More details |
Barbarian
A classic horror movie ‘What could possibly go wrong’ scenario for you here – a young woman arrives at her Airbnb booking, only to find there’s a strange man already staying there.
With the abode in question situated in a run-down area of Detroit, Tess (Georgina Campbell, seen recently in dark British comedy All My Friends Hate Me) reluctantly agrees to make the best of it and share – only to be awoken by a mysterious noise in the dead of night…
The fact that her co-habitee is played by Bill Skarsgård (aka IT’s terrifying Pennywise) really should have tipped her off – and with enthusiastic reviews suggesting this is another one of those films that’s best approached knowing as little as possible in advance, I’ll leave it at that.
| Cert 18, 103 mins | |
| Cineworld, Everyman, Vue | |
| From Fri Oct 28 | |
| More details |
Triangle of Sadness
Already notorious for one of the most stomach-clutching dinner scenes this side of Alien, this darkly comedic satire from director Ruben Östlund (Force Majeure, The Square) takes aim at the super-rich.
Harris Dickinson (Where the Crawdads Sing) and Charlbi Dean (Black Lightning) star as two model influencers invited on a luxury cruise, where the wealthy patrons treat the staff like dirt – but when a storm leaves them all shipwrecked on a desert island, the tables are turned.
Winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes, the film’s release comes tinged with sadness following the sudden death of rising star Charlbi Dean in August this year, which prompted heartfelt tributes from across the industry.
| Cert 15, 150 mins | |
| City Screen, Vue | |
| From Fri Oct 28 |
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Aesthetica Short Film Festival returns – with 50% off for York residents
York’s very own film festival returns for its 12th year this week – and for the first time, York residents can access the festival’s plethora of screenings and events at a bargain price.
ASFF 2022 runs from Tuesday 1st to Sunday 6th November, with screenings taking place in the usual array of beautiful and characterful venues across the city – and they’re also continuing the hybrid model introduced last year, meaning that you can access the festival online for the whole of November.
As ever, the festival offers a dazzling array of over 300 short films in genres covering everything from comedy to music videos, alongside a wide range of masterclasses and workshops on all aspects of films and filmmaking – with this year’s new additions including filmmaking workshops for kids and a fringe event on Coney Street.
Tickets range from £7.50 for a single screening (usually comprising five or six films) to £75 for the full weekend – day passes can be purchased at £25 for one day or £40 for two, while hybrid and online-only options are also available; full details and tickets are available on the ASFF website.
As an ASFF veteran, I can attest that a day pass is definitely the best way to experience the festival, allowing you to duck in and out of darkened rooms across York all day long – so it’s great to see that this year ASFF are introducing cheaper access for York residents in the form of York Days.
Taking place on Tues 1st, Weds 2nd and Sun 6th, York Days allow you to buy a day pass for the festival at 50% off the standard price – meaning you can access all screenings, masterclasses, VR Labs and workshops on that day for £12.50.
All you need to purchase the tickets is a York Card or proof of a York address – see the ASFF website for full details.
Check out our list of 10 things to look forward to at the fest to get you in the mood – and try a sample of standout shorts from years gone by in ASFF’s online library.
| Venues across York and online | |
| Tues Nov 1 – Sun Nov 6 (Nov 1 – 30 online) | |
| ASFF website |
Halloween Hellraisers
The spookiest night of the year is almost upon us, which means there are no end of jump-scares and spine-tinglers on offer this week.
Before we get down to the tried-and-tested favourites, let’s start with a one-off screening which promises to be a properly atmospheric experience: The Phantom of the Opera with a live musical accompaniment.
That’s the original 1925 silent movie version of the classic tale, showing in a new restoration at City Screen on Fri 28th, with renowned pianist and broadcaster Neil Brand performing a live soundtrack – he’ll also take part in a short Q&A session prior to the performance.
Of the two new horror films out on general release this week, Barbarian (see preview above) – which has been wowing audiences and critics alike in the US – sounds like the one to plump for, but those after a bit of good old-fashioned demonic possession may like to check out Prey for the Devil (daily at Cineworld and Vue), which sees a young nun discover a talent for exorcism.
Those old favourites, then: first up, there’s a more recent (and family-friendly) addition to the canon in the form of ParaNorman – the second film from stop-motion masters Laika studios, this 2012 animated comedy follows a young boy whose ability to speak to spooks comes in handy when there’s a zombie outbreak in his Massachusetts town.
It’s showing at Cineworld from Fri 28th to Sun 30th, and Vue from Sat 29th to Mon 31st – plus it’s also this week’s Kids’ Club screening at City Screen on Sat 29th (tickets only £3.00 for the latter).
Also on the more wholesome end of things is Hocus Pocus, still flying high on the back of its recent Disney+ sequel – catch up with Bette Midler and co. at Everyman from Fri 28th to Sun 30th, and Vue from Sat 29th to Tues 1st.
Some parental supervision might be required – not least because it’s swearier than you remember – for the evergreen antics of Messrs. Spengler, Stantz, Venkman and Zeddemore in the original Ghostbusters, showing at Everyman on Sun 30th.
More grown-up chills come courtesy of cult hit Trick ‘r Treat, an anthology of four spooky but funny tales which has become a favourite of discerning horror fans since its release in 2007 – find out what the fuss is about at Cineworld (Sat 30th) and Vue (Fri 28th to Mon 31st).
And we finish with two 80s classics for the Halloween hardcore – John Carpenter’s The Thing celebrates 40 years of claustrophobic chills at Cineworld (Mon 31st) and Vue (Sat 29th, Mon 31st), and of course we can’t overlook (sorry) Stanley Kubrick’s classic The Shining, showing at City Screen on Sun 30th.
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Other screenings
If you can get past the alarming fact that it’s 20 years old, there’s plenty of nostalgic fun to be had for Potterheads as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets returns to the big screen this week.
The boy wizard’s second, darker big screen outing is showing daily at Cineworld and Everyman, and at Vue on Fri 28th, Sat 29th, Sun 30th and Weds 2nd – and after you’ve seen it, why not check out the recently published diaries of Snape himself, Alan Rickman, for some enjoyably gossipy behind-the-scenes stories?
If you fancy sticking around in the noughties (entirely understandable given the absolute state of the 2020s), Chris Martin and the gang bring their spectacular stage show to the big screen on Sat 29th, when Coldplay: Music of the Spheres is broadcast (almost) live from Buenos Aires to all four York cinemas.
Meanwhile, documentary Music Is My Life (City Screen, Sun 30th) sheds light on a group whose best of was to be found in many a CD collection in the late 90s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, telling the story of how their late founder Joseph Shabalala went from humble rural beginnings to global acclaim.
DC League of Super-Pets is once again your budget family-friendly viewing option at Cineworld (Fri 28th – Sun 30th, tickets £2.50) and Vue (Fri 28th – Sun 30th), and there’s also an Autism-Friendly screening of the animated caper at Vue on Sun 30th (tickets for all screenings £2.49), while City Screen’s Kids’ Club offering is ParaNorman (Sat 29th, £3.00).
And finally, City Screen’s Dementia-Friendly screening this month is 1956 Cole Porter musical High Society (Mon 31st), featuring the classic song Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, which ought to be a shoo-in for our new PM’s walk-on music at the Tory conference next year – assuming he lasts that long, of course…