Michaelmas 2006

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Captain Jack Sparrow returns in an adventure even more spectacular than its predecessor. An afterlife of eternal servitude awaits him if he fails to discover the infamous locker of undead captain Davy Jones (memorably played by Bill Nighy). Will and Elizabeth are soon dragged in too, creating an adventure darker and more suspenseful than it predecessor, but retaining all the energy, humour and wit.
7.30pm & 10.30pm, Sunday 8th October [note early first showing]
USA, 2006, 150mins, d. Gore Verbinski; stars Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley

Chariots Of Fire
This inspiring film tells the story of two young British sprinters competing for fame in the 1924 Olympics. Eric, a devout Scottish missionary, runs to please God; Harold, the son of a newly wealthy Jew, runs to prove his place in Cambridge society. With a memorable score by Vangelis, this film still fully deserves its classic status.
10pm, Thursday 12th October
UK, 1981, 123mins, d. Hugh Hudson; stars Ian Charleson, Ben Cross

Brokeback Mountain
In the summer of 1963, a Wyoming ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy find work herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain. Unexpectedly forging a lifelong connection, the two men go on to face a series of complications, joys and tragedies which ultimately provide a testament to the endurance and power of love. With stunning scenery and equally stunning performances, this is unforgettably moving film.
8pm & 10.30pm, Sunday 15th October
USA, 2005, 134mins, d. Ang Lee; stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger

Withnail And I
In 1960s London, two hard-up actors are mired in an underworld of drink and drugs. They head north for a break in the Penrith cottage of Withnail's uncle Monty, but oddball locals, no modern conveniences and a visit from the amorous Monty make the experience anything but relaxing. Infamously quotable and equally alcoholic, Grant's iconic performance makes this a true cult classic.
10pm, Thursday 19th October
UK, 1987, 107mins, d. Bruce Robinson; stars Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann

Good Night And Good Luck
Amid the anti-Communist paranoia created by Senator Joseph McCarthy, CBS reporter Edward Murrow and his producer took a stand against the fear-mongering using the new medium of television. Using a documentary style and sharp black-and-white photography, Clooney's film is a tense and engrossing story which not only details a controversial period in American history, but also makes a stark reflection on journalism and politics today.
8pm & 10.30pm, Sunday 22rd October
USA, 2005, 93mins, d. George Clooney; stars George Clooney, David Strathairn

If....
Suffering indignities and abuse at a boys' public school, Mick Travis rallies his friends into orchestrating a rebellion. What begins as a well-observed portrait of the school's nightmarish realities gradually slips into a disturbing and violent fantasy which has lost none of its impact today. One of the most thought-provoking and important British works of the 1960s, Lindsay Anderson's film is essential viewing.
10pm, Thursday 26th October
UK, 1968, 111 mins, d. Lindsay Anderson; stars Malcolm McDowell, David Wood

Walk The Line
The lives of Johnny Cash and June Carter are beautifully captured in this epic story of love, fame, redemption and country music. Following Cash from childhood through to eventual stardom, it gives a sensitive account of his many struggles: with his career, with drugs and in his relationship with June Carter. The acting of Phoenix and Witherspoon is remarkable; their vocal performances are truly spectacular.
8pm & 10.30pm, Sunday 29th October
USA, 2005, 136min, d. James Mangold; stars Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon

Taxi Driver
Travis Bickle is a disgruntled Vietnam veteran and an alienated loner. Working as a night-time cabbie in New York City, he comes to despise the low-lifes that seem to fill the streets. Meanwhile his inability to communicate with people he meets drives him further into despair and instability, culminating in an explosive and shocking finale. Intense and thought-provoking, this classic film includes DeNiro's legendary performance.
10pm, Thursday 2rd November
USA, 1976, 113 mins, d. Martin Scorsese; stars Robert DeNiro, Jodie Foster

Thank You For Smoking
This brilliantly sharp satire follows Nick Naylor, a lobbyist for the American tobacco industry. His smooth-talking skills are tested by a succession of misadventures involving an unscrupulous journalist, a hard-line senator and an eccentric Hollywood agent. Meanwhile, his twelve-year-old son makes him question his actions at every stage. Hilarious situations and memorable lines make for an unmissable film.
8pm & 10.30pm, Sunday 5th November
USA, 2005, 92min, d. Jason Reitman; stars Aaron Eckhart, Katie Holmes

La Haine
Depicting racial tensions in a Paris housing estate, this bare-knuckled drama tells the story of a multi-racial trio of young friends. Following a riot, one of the three is critically injured by the brutal local police. The others are soon caught up in a violent uprising against the oppressive authorities, making for a powerful and thoughtful study on the nature of hatred and violence.
10pm, Thursday 9th November
France, 1995, 96 mins, d. Mathieu Kassovitz; stars Vincent Cassel, Hubert Kounde

The Wind That Shakes The Barley
In early 1920s Ireland, Damien and Teddy are brothers who become involved in the IRA. A bloody rebellion against the brutal British occupation takes them on a painful journey, which the eventual peace treaty only makes more harrowing. This unflinching Palme d'Or-winning account provoked considerable controversy in its portrayal of the British, and with a show-stopping performance from Cillian Murphy, it demands to be seen.
8pm & 10.30pm, Sunday 12th November
Ireland / UK, 2006, 127min, d. Ken Loach; stars Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney

Annie Hall
Combining romantic comedy with genuine wit and inventiveness, this landmark film charts the rise and fall of the romance between neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer and the ditzy Annie Hall. Combining the best of Allen's trademark motormouthed paranoia and Keaton's perfected eccentric charm, it is further distinguished by colourful and often surreal artistic flourishes, and by its philosophical but ultimately life-affirming take on romance.
10pm, Thursday 16th November
USA, 1977, 93 mins, d. Woody Allen; stars Woody Allen, Diane Keaton

Shooting Dogs
Telling the story of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, this uncompromising film follows a weary Catholic priest and an idealistic young English teacher. As the situation slides out of control, the school comes under siege and the pair are forced into a living nightmare. Unlike the recent ``Hotel Rwanda'', this picture makes no attempt to blunt the event's horrific realities, and is difficult but compelling viewing.
8pm & 10.30pm, Sunday 19th November
UK / Germany, 2005, 115min, d. Michael Caton-Jones; stars John Hurt, Hugh Dancy

The Odd Couple
After breaking up with his wife, the despondent Felix is saved when his friend Oscar invites him to stay. But while Oscar is a lazy slob, Felix is a cleaning-obsessed neurotic, and a comedy of catastrophe soon ensues. The inspired pairing of Matthau and Lemmon, together with Neil Simon's flawless script, creates one of the most fondly-remembered comedy double acts ever to grace the screen.
10pm, Thursday 23rd November
USA, 1968, 105mins, d. Gene Saks; stars Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau

Being John Malkovich
Craig is a struggling puppeteer who takes a job in an office building. When he discovers a hidden doorway leading literally into the mind of John Malkovich, his co-worker Maxine immediately tries to commercialise the experience. Meanwhile, Craig, his wife and Malkovich himself all have wildly conflicting intentions. Scripted by the inimitable Charlie Kaufman, this comedy is ingenious, insane, exhilarating and relentlessly hilarious.
8pm & 10.30pm, Sunday 26th November
USA, 1999, 112min, d. Spike Jonze; stars John Cusack, John Malkovich