for any question you want an answer about films.

Q. - What's your favourite film and why?

1) My favourite film is actually Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. I have been informed by many people that this is pathetic but I don’t care. It is the first film I remember seeing in the cinema I was about 5, we saw it in the Castle Cinema, Pickering and I have loved it ever since. It is perhaps where my love of cheesy films stems from. I love films that you can pull apart and still enjoy, Dover to Yorkshire on foot in under six hours is a particular favourite. Also Alan Rickman’s Sheriff of Nottingham what’s not to love?

Q - Does your disillusionment of the splitting of The Hobbit extend to all split films (e.g. Kill Bill, Harry Potter 7/7b) or is it because the second film seems to be, how is it best put, a money spinner?

                            A - Do I have a problem with films being split? Generally no, I find with many it helps. Particularly those adapted from books as it allows for more detail, there’s nothing worse than having to explain what was missed out to every customer who hasn’t read the books (Prisoner of Azkaban was perhaps the worst for that). My issue with The Hobbit being split is that, from what I have heard so far, part 1 is The Hobbit and part 2 is to bridge the gap between that and Lord of the Rings. This is a period of time not really covered by Tolkien and seemingly the only significant point is how Bilbo came to be Frodo’s guardian. I realise that in the hands of Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Torro it is unlikely to be messed up but still why mess with something so well loved. Especially as there is more than enough in Hobbit to justify 2 films without adding extra story.

Q - Where does the Palace Cinema get all its cool movie art/collages etc?

          A - 3) Our film collages were the product of two staff members, a stack of old Total Film magazines and a rather slow weekend!

Q - Will the Palace be showing Up?

          A - 4) We will be getting Up when on 23rd October. We will not however be showing it in 3D as we do not, as yet, have a 3d projector.

Q - If you could be an extra in an ongoing film series which one would it be?

          A - 5) I suppose the film series I wouldn’t mind being an extra on would probably be Harry Potter simply for the amazing cast and chance to get my lamppost signed (I have the lamppost standee with holographic Sirrius Black poster from The Prisoner of Azkaban at home). Though to be fair I would be far more interested in the costume departments than being an extra.

Is The Dark Knight overrated?

          A - 6) I actually feel that in many ways The Dark Knight was underrated. Simply because it became all about Heath Ledgers last performance (no-one seemed to notice The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) than the film. Whilst the Joker was an amazing incarnation he was certainly not the only reason to see the film. I think the hype made people expect too much so that when they got a Batman movie they were disappointed. That said Ledger did deserve the Oscar.
 
Q - Do you have a top 5, top 10 or top something films? If so, what are they?
          A -

As for my top 5 or 10 ummm I’m not sure. I own so many different films that I love for many different reasons. Like The Avengers, widely accepted to be utter tosh even by me but I can’t help but love it. They got Sean Connery running around in a giant teddy bear suit, it’s worth it just for that.
The best I can do is the 15 that come to mind (in no real order)
·        The Watchmen
·        Doctor Doolitle – Rex Harrison original not the dire Eddie Murphy version
·        Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
·        Lord of the Rings – all three taken as one. We watched it all in one go at the cinema, so much better that way. Have yet to do it with the extended versions.
·        Sister Act – Whoopie Goldberg + Maggie Smith = Magic.
·        Muppets Christmas Carol
·        The Dark Crystal
·        Strictly Ballroom
·        Calamity Jane
·        Dog Soldiers
·        Empire Records
·        Mallrats
·        Sleepy Hollow
·        Dambusters
·        True Grit
All of which, bar Watchmen, I pretty much know by heart.

 
Laura says - I started working at the cinema in February 2003 and (apart from a few university term shaped gaps) have been here ever since. I’m generally considered part of the furniture, so if you’ve come to see a film over the last six and a half years we have probably met.
          If you have a question about films, actors, directors etc most staff members will direct you straight to me if I’m around. Jeremy does have a tendency to refer to me as the encyclopaedia. My film knowledge does appear to be vast though neither I nor anyone else really knows how I came to know it, they just know I’m useful in a pub quiz!
 
The purpose of this blog is simply to keep people up to date on what is happening here at The Palace Cinema. Including general reviews of what we have showing (covering points such as ‘is this film likely to scare my 6 year old?’) and what we are likely to have next. What films are in the pipeline i.e. in the process of being made. Here I reserve the right to ramble well in advance if my interest is sparked. For example The Hobbit, e.t.a. 2012, sounds amazing and irritating – Why 2 films???
          Also I hope to bring to your attention films you may have missed. These will be anything from recent gems such as Easy Virtue and The Secret of Moonacre to older films including those from before many of us, and in some cases all of us, were born.
 
Finally if you have any film or cinema related questions feel free to email me. I will endeavour to answer them to the best of my abilities and shall post both questions and answers here in the blog for the benefit of all.