When we present our Greatest Films Of All Time and Cult Classics, we (and you) are harking back to the glory days of the cinema, the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the big productions, the studios and everything else associated with that golden age when film became the Seventh Art. We’d argue that Clint Eastwood survives as the single thread connecting us back to those times. Having staged his elegiac on screen death in Gran Torino, and returned for his comedic role in The Mule, he continues to produce the goods from behind the camera in the tried and trusted way, emerging this week with Juror #2, typically suspense filled and dramatic, and with barely a nod to the 21st century. Long may it go on.
Here is this week’s timetable. The bar opens at 6pm for the 7pm screenings. And please see the end of this newsletter for an important announcement.
Anora
Thursday 5th December at 7pm sharp
Anora is the latest from American independent filmmaker Sean Baker (The Florida Project) and is a romantic comedy drama (or sex comedy drama, depending on your perspective) about Brooklyn sex worker Anora (Mikey Madison) who marries Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian billionaire. News of the marriage doesn’t go down well with Vanya’s parents, who send their henchmen to New York to have the marriage annulled. Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes, the New Yorker describes the film as ‘a wild dream, first joyous then catastrophic, and always fiercely unpredictable’ and critics agree that it’s a great addition to Baker’s growing body of impressive work.
Please note: this film will start promptly at 7pm.
Juror #2
Friday 6th December at 7pm
What more do you need to know about Juror #2 than this: a man serving on the jury of a high profile murder trial realises that he may be responsible for the victim’s death. If that doesn’t scream ‘compelling drama’ we don’t know what does. Nicholas Hoult plays the eponymous juror, with Zoey Deutch as his wife and Toni Colette as the prosecuting attorney, with a supporting cast including Keifer Sutherland, JK Simmons and Amy Aquino. Vulture notes the film is ‘about how the system can fail even as everybody tries their best.’ A 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes supports the contention that Eastwood’s film is ‘another terrific reminder of his knack for plain-spoken drama.’
Heretic
Saturday 7th December at 7pm
A dire warning for door-to-door salespeople everywhere, Heretic is a psychological horror that reinforces Hugh Grant’s second career as a nice guy turned decidedly creepy. Two young Mormon church missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) knock on the door of a Mr Reed (Grant) and find that conversion works both ways as their confidence and faith unravel in the face of…well, no spoilers but you get the idea. Written and directed by horror specialist team Scott Beck and Brian Woods (A Quiet Place, amongst others), the film has quickly grossed $32M worldwide and prompted a response about missionary safety from Utah’s leading Mormon church. For most, of course, the attraction is in seeing Hugh Grant continue to subvert his onscreen persona with obvious relish.
Up Next Week:
Juror #2 (matinee), Bird, Cult Classic: The Matrix, Gladiator II, Paddington In Peru (Sunday matinee).
Important Announcement:
No.6 is never about bad news, just great films and good times at our wonderful cinema. But some of you will have heard about the NMRN’s plans to reimagine Boathouse 6 and, having secured some funds, they are planning to commence this work in late February 2025 with completion in Spring 2026. An amazing update of the space is planned which will include the Royal Marines Museum. This will sadly mean we will need to pause screenings in the No.6 Cinema from Saturday 23rd February to accommodate the work. This is a body blow for us and we are looking into options for operating at some level beyond that date. Alternatively, we are also looking into other venues to keep you all entertained during the closure period. Whatever we are able to do we will of course let you know as soon as we can. Be assured that the No.6 Cinema, and its family of extraordinary volunteers, will not abandon you and your cinema habit. Please bear with us while we navigate this next phase.