"This is the work of a man who knows how to direct a thriller." — Roger Ebert
"Delectably amusing...'The Ghost Writer' is irresistible...a very fine film from start to finish." - The New York Times
A gifted author hired to ghostwrite the memoirs of a controversial former British Prime Minister becomes a hunted man when he uncovers explosive secrets about the past. Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams and Kim Catrall star in The Ghost Writer, a taut, suspenseful thriller from the Oscar®-winning director of The Pianist.
The Ghost (Ewan McGregor) senses something's not right from the minute he gets the lucrative assignment to complete Adam Lang's (Pierce Brosnan) autobiography. For starters, the previous ghostwriter, a longtime aide to the ex-Prime Minister, is dead—an apparent suicide victim. As Lang becomes engulfed in a scandal over his administration's harsh counter-terrorism tactics, The Ghost digs into the charismatic politician's past, discovering clues that he may be hiding something far more shocking than the current allegations against him.
dir. Roman Polanski, w/ Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Catrall, 2h08m
"Shutter Island" maintains a degree of tension and suspense akin to the best films of Alfred Hitchcock. - Moises Chiullan, Hollywood Elsewhere
[This is] the work of a master at his height. This is Scorsese flexing his muscles and cracking his knuckles and making a movie that's intense and thrilling and engrossing and beautiful and dense. - Devin Faraci, CHUD
From Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, SHUTTER ISLAND is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the islands fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.
dir. Martin Scorsese, w/ Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley 2h18m
Nominated for 2 Academy Awards: Best Actress, Helen Mirren & Best Supporting Actor, Chritopher Plummer
This production, directed by Michael Hoffman, is like a great night at the theatre--the two performing demons go at each other full tilt and produce scenes of Shakespearean affection, chagrin, and rage. - David Denby, The New Yorker
After almost fifty years of marriage, the Countess Sofya (Helen Mirren), Leo Tolstoy’s (Christopher Plummer) devoted wife, passionate lover, muse and secretary suddenly finds her entire world turned upside down. In the name of his newly created religion, the great Russian novelist has renounced his noble title, his property and even his family in favor of poverty, vegetarianism and even celibacy.
When Sofya then discovers that Tolstoy’s trusted disciple, Chertkov (PaulGiamatti) may have secretly convinced her husband to sign anew will, leaving the rights to his iconic novels to the Russian people rather than hisvery own family, she is consumed by righteous outrage. Into this minefield wanders Tolstoy’s worshipful new assistant, the young, gullible Valentin (James McAvoy). In no time, he becomes a pawn, first of the scheming Chertkov and then of the wounded, vengeful Sofya as each plots to undermine the other’s gains.
dir. Michael Hoffman, w/ Chrisopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy 1h52m
Senior Matinee presentation Wednesday, March 17 @ 2:10pm. Please note that this screening will be in the 45-seat Screening Room. To guarantee a seat, please purchase your tickets early.
The films included in this program are the Academy Award Nominated Short Films from 2010 and represent the finest in short film.
2010 Oscar Shorts – Live Action Program – total running time 92 min.
KAVI – Kavi is a boy in India who wants to play cricket and go to school, but instead he is forced to work in a brick kiln as a modern-day slave. Unsatisfied with his fate, Kavi must either accept what he’s always been told, or fight for a different life even if he’s unsure of the ultimate outcome. (USA/INDIA, 19 min., Director: Gregg Helvey)
THE NEW TENANTS – A prying neighbour, a glassy-eyed drug dealer, and a husband brandishing both a weapon and a vendetta make up the welcome wagon. Set amidst the as-yet-unopened boxes and the hopes for a fresh start of two men on what might just be the worst moving day ever. Their new apartment reveals its terrifying history in a film that is by turns funny, frightening, and unexpectedly romantic. (Denmark/USA, 20 min., Director: Joachim Back)
MIRACLE FISH – 8-year-old Joe has a Birthday he will never forget. After friends tease him, he sneaks off to the sick bay, wishing everyone in the world would go away. He wakes up to find his dream may have become a reality. (Australia, 17 min., Director: Luke Doolan)
THE DOOR – A father attempts to come to terms with the devastating effects of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. (Ireland, 17 min., Director: Juanita Wilson)
INSTEAD OF ABRACADABRA – Tomas is a bit too old for still living at home with his parents, but his failure to become a magician leaves him with no other choice. His father Bengt wants him to get a proper job. On Bengt’s 60th birthday party Tomas give him, and all his guests, an quite bizarre show. (Sweden, 22 min., Director: Patrik Eklund)
This program is comprised of the five films nominated for this year’s Academy Award for Best Animated Short, plus three additional shortlisted films. Note: the first seven films in this program are suitable all ages; the final short, LOGORAMA, contains strong language.
The program includes the following short films:
FRENCH ROAST - In a fancy Parisian Café, an uptight businessman is about to pay the check when he finds out that he has lost his wallet. To save time he decides to order more coffee. (France, 8 min., Director: Fabrice O. Joubert)
THE LADY AND THE REAPER (La Dama y la muerte) – A sweet old lady lives alone on her farm, waiting for death so that she can see her beloved husband once again. One night, she is invited to enter death’s domain, but someone will ruin it for her. (Spain, 8 min., Director: Javier Recio Gracia)
A MATTER OF LOAF AND DEATH - Wallace & Gromit have started a new bread baking business, ‘Top Bun’ and converted 62 West Wallaby Street into a granary with ovens, robotic kneading arms and an old-fashioned windmill on the roof. The transformation is perfect. Although business is booming, Gromit is concerned by the news that a dozen local bakers have ‘disappeared’ this year – but Wallace isn’t worried. He’s too distracted and ‘dough-eyed’ in love with former beauty and bread enthusiast, Piella Bakewell. While they enjoy being the ‘Toast of the Town’, Gromit soon realises his master’s life is in jeopardy, and turns sleuth to solve the escalating murder mystery – in what quickly becomes ‘A Matter of Loaf and Death.’ (UK, 30 min., Director: Nick Park)
GRANNY O’GRIMM’S SLEEPING BEAUTY - Granny O’Grimm, a seemingly sweet old lady, loses the plot as she tells her version of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ to her terrified granddaughter. (Ireland, 6 min., Director: Nicky Phelan)
PARTLY CLOUDY (additional shortlisted film)
Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies from? The answer lies up in the stratosphere, where cloud people sculpt babies from clouds and bring them to life. Gus, a lonely and insecure grey cloud, is a master at creating “dangerous” babies. Crocodiles, porcupines, rams and more – Gus’s beloved creations are works of art, but more than a handful for his loyal delivery stork partner, Peck. As Gus’s creations become more and more rambunctious, Peck’s job gets harder and harder. How will Peck manage to handle both his hazardous cargo and his friend’s fiery temperament? (US, 6 min., Director: Peter Sohn)
RUNAWAY (additional shortlisted film)
Happy passengers are having a great time on a crowded train, oblivious to the unknown fate that awaits them around the bend. The ensuing crisis leads to a class struggle that is as amusing as it is merciless. Naturally there are victims, but in the end everyone is equal. (Canada, 9 min., Director: Cordell Barker)
THE KINEMATOGRAPH (additional shortlisted film)
Francis is an inventor. His invention is supposed to change the world but he forgot about one thing — dreams have a price. (Poland, 12 min., Director: Tomek Baginski)
LOGORAMA - Spectacular car chases, an intense hostage crisis, wild animals rampaging through the city and even more in Logorama! (France, 16min., Directed by H5: Franςois Alaux, Hervé de Crécy, Ludovic Houplain)
This month's animated shorts were created by fourth grade students in Jacob Burns Film Center's "Minds in Motion" program. Over 65,000 students in grades 3-12 have participated in JBFC education programs.
