View from the Projection Box with Ritz Cinema - Belper

The View from the Projection Box with Ritz Cinema projectionist Paul Winfield.

I hear there’s a big football tournament this summer, but for those of you who want to escape the big screen TVs, there are some cracking films coming to our really big screen. A definite antidote to the World Cup will be the return of the girls in Sex and the City II. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis are all back in this sequel with writer/producer/director Michael Patrick King.

For those who like adventures of a different kind, the latest reincarnation of Robin Hood is with us soon. This time the legendary hero is played by Russell Crowe. Only a few weeks ago we played the original version as our Sunday Classic Film, with Errol Flynn donning the green tights. To me that will always be the Robin Hood, but the new one looks to be a great action movie and a lot of the location was done here in Derbyshire.

Despite its rather morbid title, Cemetery Junction is a 1970s set comedy centred on three upstart professional men working at an insurance company. Ralph Fiennes stars alongside Ricky Gervais who also directs.

Now we come to Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. Some of you may remember the 1992 version, set in New York. This time the action moves south to steamy post-Katrina New Orleans, where a drug and gambling addicted detective is investigating the killing of five Senegalese immigrants. For those of you who like dark and gripping drama this is a must-see and the soundtrack music is really cool.

Looking a little further into the summer months, there’s a new Shrek movie and Woody, Buzz and the rest of the Toy Box friends return in Toy Story 3. And, wait for it, there’s a new big screen version of the 1980s hit The A Team.

So, there’s plenty of choice for all tastes at The Ritz. Looking forward to seeing you.

View from the Projection Box - issue 7

The View from the Projection Box with Ritz Cinema Projectionist Paul Winfield (pictured).

Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are with us again, hopefully! We have some great films coming to The Ritz. But first let me make you an offer you can't refuse, because for two performances only we have one of the greatest films ever made, The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola's epic mafia family saga.

If you've only ever seen it on TV or DVD take this chance to see it as the Director intended on our big panavision screen.

Filmed on location in Australia, Nims Island is a warm-hearted family comedy set on a magical island ruled by a young girl's imagination - Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin star.

Dennis Quaid stars in erudite comedy Smart People along with Sarah Jessica Parker - more about Sarah later.....

To read the entire article from Issue 7 of All Things Local, click here to view page 69 in pdf format. There'll be more from Paul next issue.