Never mind Alien vs. Predator or Godzilla vs. Kong, we’ve got a proper clash of the cinematic titans this week: Gladiator vs. Paddington.
The big-hearted bear is currently sitting pretty at the top of the box office charts – having scored the biggest opening weekend for a British film since No Time to Die, to boot – but faces stiff competition this week from Ridley Scott’s spectacular swords-and-sandals sequel.
Given the film’s gargantuan budget, Scott will be hoping Paul Mescal can pummel his ursine adversary into the ground – otherwise a vastly stripped-back Gladiator III could see Dean Gaffney arm-wrestling a stoat in a lay-by off the M4.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit more down-to-earth, the Barry Keoghan-starring coming-of-age drama Bird could be just the ticket – although after Saltburn, all bets are off…
New releases
Gladiator II
Paul Mescal steps into the ring for Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated follow-up to his all-conquering historical epic – but can he measure up to the mighty Maximus?
Enthusiastic reviews suggest the answer is a resounding ‘Yes’, with Scott dialling up the camp and the spectacle and delivering what the BBC calls ‘by far the best popcorn film of the year’.
Like Russell Crowe before him, Mescal’s Lucius is sold into slavery before earning a fearsome reputation taking on all comers in the Colosseum, under the watchful eye of Denzel Washington’s scheming Lucius – while facing off against not one but two hissably despicable emperors.
| Cert 15, 148 mins | |
| Cineworld, City Screen, Everyman, Vue | |
| From Fri Nov 15 | |
| More details |
Bird
Celebrated British director Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank, American Honey) returns with another clear-eyed yet lyrical portrait of life on the margins.
The story follows young Bailey (newcomer Nykiya Adams), who clashes with her loving but chaotic dad Bug (Barry Keoghan) over his spontaneous decision to marry his new girlfriend, while also fearing for the safety of her younger siblings who are living with her mum and her abusive partner.
Walking the streets of her Kent hometown, Bailey encounters a mysterious, otherworldly outsider called Bird (Franz Rogowski), and decides to help him in his quest to find his family.
| Cert 15, 119 mins | |
| City Screen | |
| Fri Nov 15, Mon 18, Weds 20 (matinees only) | |
| More details |
Other screenings
Family-friendly films
City Screen’s Kids’ Club continues to celebrate the enduring appeal of Kermit and co. with a screening of 1999’s Muppets from Space (Sat 16th, tickets £3.30), which sees Gonzo trying to make contact with his alien ancestors.
Period caper Buffalo Kids is your budget viewing choice at Cineworld this week (Sat 16th/Sun 17th, £2.50), while Bill Nighy lends his vocal talents to fantasy adventure Dragonkeeper over at Vue (Sat 16th/Sun 17th, £2.49) – though I have to say it’s very difficult to imagine a Nighy-voiced dragon breathing fire at all and sundry; lightly toasting a crumpet, perhaps…
Everyman’s Toddler Club has another Wallace & Gromit two-for-one in the form of A Close Shave & A Matter of Loaf and Death (Fri 15th/Sat 16th, £6.25 child/£9.80 adult plus toddler), while Cineworld are doing the Donaldson double with The Highway Rat & The Snail and the Whale (Sat 16th/Sun 17th, £5.00).
Plus, the party continues over at Vue with a few more screenings of Hey Duggee Is 10 (Sat 16th/Sun 17th, £3.99) and Bing & Friends: Birthday Celebration (Fri 15th, Sun 17th, Thurs 21st, £3.99).
Edmonds says no to drugs and a Paddington you can watch with your Pugs: other new releases and old favourites
If one of your cherished TV memories is watching a stony-faced Noel Edmonds earnestly warning viewers not to take the deadly drug Cake (it stimulates, if you recall, a part of the brain called Shatner’s Bassoon), then City Screen have a treat for you this weekend.
On Sat 16th, they’re hosting a rare screening of Oxide Ghosts: The Brass Eye Tapes, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Chris Morris’ cult comedy classic, including a live introduction and Q&A session with the show’s (and film’s) director Michael Cumming – originally premiered in 2017, the film will only ever be available to view at special cinema screenings like this, so it’s a must-see for seasoned Morris-heads.
Later in the week, City Screen also host a screening of 1990 BBC documentary All the King’s Jews on Thurs 21st – partly filmed in York, the programme examines the story behind Edward I’s royal decree of 1290 expelling the Jews from England; Jonathan Cowap will chair a panel discussion afterwards with Rabbi Elisheva & Benjamin Till.
City Screen also have a preview of Ralph Fiennes-starring thriller Conclave, in which a cardinal is tasked with organising the election of the new pope, on Tues 19th, while on Sun 17th, Paddington in Peru is bestowed with one of cinema’s greatest honours, the City Screen Dog-Friendly screening – remember, dogs must be carried on the escalator.
Over at Vue, a wedding planner finds an unlikely new career in the funeral business in acclaimed Cantonese comedy drama The Last Dance, showing daily and possibly destined to be viewed by a few confused punters who thought they’d booked for the new Venom film.
Following the tragic news of Liam Payne’s death last month, Vue have what will undoubtedly be a poignant screening of 2013 documentary One Direction: This Is Us on Sat 16th.
In a fairly quiet week for re-releases, you can catch a few more pre-Wicked screenings of The Wizard of Oz at Vue (Sat 16th, Sun 17th, Tues 19th, Thurs 21st), as well as some post-Halloween, pre-you-know-what screenings of The Nightmare Before Christmas (Sat 16th, Sun 17th, Mon 18th, Weds 20th), while Cineworld are firing up the proton packs for Ghostbusters II on Mon 18th.
City Screen’s season celebrating Searchlight Pictures continues on Sun 17th with Danny Boyle’s 2007 sci-fi thriller Sunshine – a film which failed to set the box office alight on its release but is regarded by many as one of the director’s most underrated works.
And finally, Cineworld’s musical season concludes by breaking out the Baz with a screening of Moulin Rouge! on Sun 17th – still waiting for that Jim Broadbent Madonna covers album, by the way…