Cineworld 2025
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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING
On 4th June, a total of 23
members gathered at Cineworld, Brighton for a hot drink and cake before seeing
the blockbuster movie that was screened at 11.15 am and ended just before 2pm.
In "Mission: Impossible –
The Final Reckoning", Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the IMF team face the
threat of a malevolent AI, "The Entity," which has seized control of
global nuclear weapons. Ethan, seeking to destroy the Entity, must retrieve a
"Podkova" module (also known as the
Rabbit’s foot) containing the Entity's source code from a sunken submarine. He
faces opposition from a cult, Gabriel (the Entity's former proxy), and the US
government, who also want to control the Entity. The final showdown involves
using Luther's "poison pill" to trap and corrupt the Entity. By doing
so The World is saved from destruction.
The film contains many facets
of blockbuster movies, great actors/actresses, plenty of action, unbelievable
and death defying stunts (e.g. hanging from an
aircraft) all undertaken by Tom Cruise. This coupled with a bit of comedy and
raw emotion with amazing soundtrack and spectacular scenery made the film an
extremely enjoyable watch. Probably one of the best films that our members have
watched.
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Bridget Jones - Mad About the Boy
On 19th February, 29 members
and guests attended this latest screening the Club had arranged
and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Briefly the plot was as
follows.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the
Boy is a novel by Helen Fielding. It is the third instalment in her Bridget
Jones series. When the story begins, thirty five year old Bridget is dating twenty
nine year old Roxster. He is her first serious relationship years after
the death of her husband Mark. Bridget does not want to be alone anymore.
However, she wants to be a good mother and have a career. Over the course of a
year, she struggles to balance a dating life, a home life, and a career.
Ultimately, things do not work out with Roxster
because of the age difference. Bridget ends up dating Scott Wallaker, a
military veteran, turned teacher, who has two kids of his own.
The main character, Renee
Zellweger put in another sterling performance as Bridget and ably supported by
Hugh Grant (Daniel Cleaver) Lee Woodall (Roxster),
Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scott), to mention a few.
It was an excellent romantic
comedy that had bawdy humour with the odd expletive every so often
but this didn’t spoil it for the audience and it
turned out to be a thoroughly good watch, probably the best film of those we
have seen this season.
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On 2nd February, 24 members and
guests attended the 40th anniversary screening of Les Misérables, one of the
world’s most popular musicals, and witnessed the
spectacularly staged concert version on the big screen featuring an all-star
cast including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas and
John Owen Jones. With a cast and orchestra of over 65 and including the songs I
Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home, One Day More and On
My Own this sensationaly staged concert was
magnificent and thoroughly entertaining, bringing a tear to many eyes with the its emotional story. Matt Lucas's rendition of Master of
the House was amazing.
An afternoon to remember.
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On 15th January 2025, a total
of 25 members and guests attended our first visit of the year to Cineworld
Brighton Marina at 10.30 am for our usual morning coffee and cake/cookie prior
to seeing the movie: “Mufasa- The Lion King”.
The film is a prequel that
narrates Mufasa’s journey from orphaned cub to King of the Pride Lands. After
being separated from his parents by a flood, Mufasa is adopted by a royal lion
family, forming a brotherly bond with Taka, the future Scar. As they grow,
rivalries and betrayals emerge, particularly over their mutual affection for
Sarabi. Facing external threats from vengeful white lions and internal
conflicts, Mufasa overcomes challenges to unite the animal kingdom, ultimately
ascending as king and redefining his relationship with Taka, who becomes known
as Scar.
It was a masterpiece of
animated animal production from Disney using the latest digital graphic
technology leading you to believe it was real animals talking to one another.
Everyone who attended the screening thought the film was excellent and in my
view was a great start to the Cineworld season.
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On 11th September 2025 being a blustry Thursday morning, 21 members attended Cineworld to
enjoy as usual the customary hot drink and cake before venturing into Screen 4
to watch “The Roses”. A synopsis of the film follows:-
This is a dark comedy film
directed by Jay Roach and written by Tony McNamara, and
is a modern re-imaging of the 1989 classic film "The War of the
Roses," that was based on the novel by Warren Adler. The movie stars
Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo and Olivia Colman as Ivy, a seemingly perfect
couple whose marriage begins to unravel when their careers take opposite turns.
The film's plot centres on
Theo, a successful architect, and Ivy, a gifted chef, who meet and fall in
love. Initially, Theo is the primary breadwinner, and Ivy puts her career
aspirations on hold to raise their two children. However, their dynamic shifts
dramatically change when Theo's career suffers a major setback, and at the same
time, Ivy's culinary business takes off, leading to her becoming a celebrated
success.
As Ivy's star rises, Theo
becomes a stay-at-home dad, a role that he struggles with and that fuels his
resentment and feelings of inadequacy. The reversal of their professional
fortunes creates a breeding ground for bitterness and fierce competition. The
couple's playful banter turns into cutting remarks and their once-loving
relationship devolves into a toxic and destructive feud.
With their children grown and
having left for an elite sports school, the couple's underlying frustrations
intensify. The conflict reaches a boiling point over their lavish dream house,
which was built with Ivy's money but according to Theo's vision. The house
becomes the central point of a brutal divorce battle, as both Theo and Ivy are
unwilling to compromise and seek to leave the other with nothing. The film
follows their escalating war of wills, as they resort to increasingly cruel and
outrageous tactics to make each other's lives unbearable.
There were excellent
performances from the lead actors and the members to whom I spoke to afterwards
enjoyed the film, albeit with some strong language.
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Downton abbey - the grand finale
On 24th September 2025, a pleasant sunny morning, 32 members and guests attended Brighton Cineworld at 10.30am
After the customary refreshments the members took their seats in Screen 1 to what can probably be described as one of the best films of 2025 and that was reflected by the comments of members following the screening. One member asked if she could see the film again she was so enthralled by the film as indeed we all were.
This was third and final film in the Downton Abbey franchise, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, brings the story of the Crawley family and their staff into the 1930s. The film focuses on the household's response to an era of great change, particularly as the next generation prepares to take the lead. The plot centres around a public scandal involving Lady Mary’s divorce and the family's financial struggles. These challenges threaten the Crawley's social standing and force the entire household to confront an uncertain future. As they navigate these difficulties, secrets are revealed, old relationships are tested, and new beginnings emerge.
The film serves as an emotional and elegant farewell, blending romance, wit, and regal splendour for a final, unforgettable chapter. Written by the infamous Julian Fellowes, it was a masterpiece of his work following the successful TV series and the two previous big screen films.
Without singling out any particular actor/actress it is fair to say that they all performed superbly as we have come to expect in this classic drama over the years.
To any member who has not seen the film it is thoroughly recommended to watch.