AT THE MOVIES
Hamilton's Westdale Theatre celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. Opening on Saturday August 31, 1935, with the Canadian premiere of the British musical DANCE BAND, starring Charles "Buddy" Rogers and June Clyde as rival band leaders who fall in love; the Westdale has been in continuous operation as a cinema ever since. That is its claim to fame locally, the fact that, other than a few brief renovations, it has never stopped showing films.
Designed by Hamilton architect W. Bruce Riddell, who was also responsible for the 1930 renovations to the Century theatre on Mary Street, the Westdale still retains all of its original art deco plaster work; while it was designed as a neighbourhood cinema to serve the newly affluent Westdale community around McMaster university. All of us who grew up in Hamilton can still recall the dozens and dozens of films we saw on its large screen.
Currently the cinema programmer at the Westdale is Paul Zoccolillo, and he was kind enough to let me know about the upcoming screenings in February which include:
First up is the groundbreaking 1995 Brad Pitt thriller SEVEN, also featuring Morgan Freeman; this David Fincher directed thriller is still legendary for its notoriously dark ending. It screens Friday February 7 at 9:15pm and Thursday 13 at 9:00pm. It is the 30th anniversary presentation with a newly issued 4K restoration, so it will look and sound fabulous on the big screen.
Director David Lean's 1965 Russian Revolution drama DOCTOR ZHIVAGO is up next in the series. Starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie. Showing Sunday February 16 @ 6:30pm and Monday 17th @ 12:15, it's the 60th anniversary presentation.
The Academy Award winning performance by Cher is at the heart of Canadian director Norman Jewison's 1987 film MOONSTRUCK, which screens Saturday February 15 @ 6:45pm and again on Monday 17th @ 4:30pm. Shot in Toronto, with a script by John Patrick Shanley, Nicolas Cage channels his inner Italian machismo.
The 2022 Science fiction film EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE represents the current generation of film-making. Michelle Yeoh deservedly won the Academy Award for best actor spanning multiple realities in a dynamic way. (Monday 17th @ 7:15pm and Tuesday 18th @ 6:00pm; special Family Day screening and encore).
Meanwhile over at the Playhouse, I'm keen to see BAFTA award-winning British director Mike Leigh's latest film HARD TRUTHS, which reunites him with SECRET AND LIES actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste. It also stars Michele Austin, and David Webber and tells the story of two sisters estranged over the death of their mother.
Beginning on the 7th, is BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN, a music documentary about the iconic heavy metal band. Featuring never before seen performances and interviews, this deep dive into the band's music looks compelling.
Opening on February 21, is THE MONKEY, the new Stephen King adaptation which got really good buzz at the Toronto international film Festival this past September. It stars Theo James, Tatiana Maslany and Elijah Wood. It is written and directed by Osgood Perkins.
Lots to enjoy in February; hopefully I will see you at the cinema!
- Brian Morton