Talking Movies: Oxford

In collaboration with The Ultimate Picture Palace we at Talking Movies Oxford are proudly hosting a special Saturday night screening of atmospheric Japanese Horror Film ‘Onibaba' (1964) on 35mm celluloid. The film will be briefly introduced by Japanese cinema expert Dr. Alexander Jacoby.

This event will act as the ‘starter’ to our main event “Japanese Horror: Masked Demons, Feudal Fears and Ghosts In The Machine” happening later on 22nd October. Here Dr. Jacoby will be our guest also

https://www.meetup.com/talking-movies-oxford/events/316583744/

Please buy tickets here, if you wish to seat by/near us we are D3 & D4. Please only RSVP if you intend on coming

https://uppcinema.com/show/onibaba/

“Medieval Japan is in a state of war, and two impoverished swamp women (one old one young) have to survive by murdering lost or wounded samurai. One day Hachi a young deserter comes home and drives a wedge between them…But that’s not their only problem as something is lurking in the tall reeds which surrounds their home.”

After the event we will go for drinks at a nearby pub/bar (to be decided)

*Please read the full description, and make sure to check the first comment below on where to see these films*

Join us downstairs at The Castle pub for our Halloween special event Japanese Supernatural Horror: Masked Demons, Feudal Fears, and Ghosts In The Machine*’*! with our guest expert.

With drink in hand we will we have a fun ‘informal but informative’ discussion about Ghosts and Demons in Japanese art/culture/folklore through their depiction in 3 films

-Kwaidan (1964) -**An eerily beautiful collection of feudal ghost stories

-Onibaba (1964) -Atmospheric tale of two women, one man and what monster lurks in the tall grass

-Ringu (aka Ring or The Ring) (1998) -There are stories of a cursed videotape, watch it and 7 days later you will die

Japan is rich in art, culture, and history. Yet beneath today's urban skyscrapers and neon lights lies an ancient nation, shaped by centuries of tradition, war, and trauma. To become the modern country it is today, Japan had to leave behind its centuries of isolation and many of its old superstitions… But ghosts of the past do not simply disappear, and the demons of old cannot stay buried.

To join us we have a special guest, Dr. Alexander Jacoby (Oxford Brookes University). Alexander is a Senior Lecturer in Japanese Studies, and has published books and articles on the subject of Japanese Cinema He has curated Japanese film retrospectives at the British Film Institute, The Bologna Film Festival and for The New York Museum of Modern Art.

https://www.brookes.ac.uk/profiles/staff/alexander-jacoby

As a companion to this event I am delighted to say we have our own screening of Onibaba** in collaboration with The Ultimate Picture Palace on Saturday 10th October, where Alexander will give an introduction which will serve as a ‘taster’ of what to expect in this event!

https://www.meetup.com/talking-movies-oxford/events/316583631/

Come join us at the Curzon bar to meet fellow film fans and discuss all things film over a drink.

We'll give our thoughts on some of the latest releases, and also discuss our opinions on what films have been selected this month. Some are new and at the cinema, some are can be enjoyed from home. Whether you're an avid cinemagoer, home streamer...Or a bit of both! Please come and share your views on the following films:

Remember!
*Please only RSVP if you intend on turning up

*Don't worry, you are not expected to see every film, this is just a selection for you to choose from. Watch what want or what you can!

*Check the first comment below for details on where to see these films!

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At The Cinema
The Social Reckoning

Sequel to David Fincher’s The Social Network. It is 2021 and Facebook has long ceased to be a social network, it is a mega corporation that specialises in consuming data, large quantities of it from which to build profiles, targeted adverts, and user psychology. Frances, a data engineer leaks an internal memo to the press, it details that Facebook knows its site and algorithms are pushing societally harmful content, everything from teen eating disorders to national hate campaigns. Mark Zuckerberg, now one of the richest men on the planet, is put into the firing line.

On Streaming
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die

Madcap sci-fi apocalyptic comedy from director Gore Verbinski. A crazy techno time traveller from the future (who kind of looks like a tramp) appears to customers in a diner. he informs them they have no choice but to help him stop a 9 year old computer prodigy. This tech whizkid will create the AI that will doom humanity.. Sam Rockwell stars

Romeria

Directed by Carla Simon. It is 2004 and 18yr old Marina is ready to go to university, however her application demands that her name appear on on her father’s death certificate. However she never know her father, and so must travel to the coastal city of Vigo to meet her paternal family and get the error amended. Whilst Marina also never knew her mother, she has her diary and is confused that the things she’s being told about her parents doesn’t sync with what’s been written down. Also her arrival, and mention of her father seems to agitate her long lost family. Is there more to this story?

Wasteman

British prison drama.Taylor is still a young man but he has spent 13 years behind bars. However there is light at the end of the tunnel, he is told that he will soon be released on condition that he maintains his good behaviour. However he receives a new hotheaded cellmate, Dee who plans to set up a new drug dealing empire in prison. Taylor is torn, keep his nose clean and inform the authorities so he can get his release (at the risk of being attacked by fellow inmates), or stick to the prisoner code, become complicit in the operation, and risk ruining everything he’s strived for.

Drive (2011)
Chosen by: Nancy
Phrase: Bad Romance

Nicolas Winding Refn’s stylishly cool, electro infused Neo-noir. “The Driver” scrapes a living in L.A doing odd automotive jobs, stunt driving, being a mechanic and a getaway driver. He grows close to his neighbour Irene and her son, however her convict husband is soon to be released…And he has criminal debts to pay. In order to save Irene and her son from harm the driver agrees to help her husband, but its a path that will lead them to death and destruction with the serious organised crime gangs in L.A breathing down their neck. This film helped to make Ryan Gosling a star, with Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston and Christina Hendricks also starring.

The Furious (2026)
Chosen by: Stuart
Phrase: Hong Kong/China

High octane, bar raising, violent Hong Kong action brawler dubbed 'the best action film of the decade'. A mute handyman and journalist must form an alliance to rescue their loved ones from a human trafficking gang. The corrupt cops won't help and so they must take matters into their own hands (or fists!), and fight their way through the cities dark criminal underworld.

Join us at the UPP, for one hell of a late night screening!
One of the most notorious, legendary films in history is finally here, restored, uncut and on the big screen- Ken Russell's The Devils (1971)

**IMPORTANT- Please note that this film has strong content, BBFC rating 18: -strong violence, sexual violence, and nudity**

we are on seats D6 & D7 should you wish to join us. Please only RSVP if you intend on turning up!
https://uppoxford.savoysystems.co.uk/UPPOxford.dll/TSelectItems.waSelectItemsPrompt.TcsWebMenuItem_0.TcsWebTab_0.TcsPerformance_3771829.TcsSection_1564963

It is the 17th-century and a French priest, Urbain Grandier, is accused of witchcraft after a group of nuns claim to be possessed, at the centre of the story is their convent where mass hysteria has broken out

On its release the religious leaders and censors were appalled by this critique of the Catholic church, and the display of religion, hysteria, corruption, blood, sex and a blasphemy.

The film was heavily cut, banned in many countries, and Warner Brothers was reluctant to approve any non-censored screenings, or release uncut versions on home video.

The film critic Mark Kermode promised the director Ken Russell that he would try and find cut scenes, and get his uncut Director's vision released. Russell left detailed notes of his vision of the film, should that be possible. Although Russell died in 2011 this new complete version was created in line with those notes.