View from the projection box - issue 13 - Belper Ritz Cinema

The view from the projection box with RItz Cinema (Belper) projectionist Paul WInfield.

The weather pundits are predicting a heat wave summer but as I sit here looking through the window at a slate grey sky and pouring rain it seems a long way off! I'm sure it will arrive and with it comes this year's crop of summer blockbuster films. More about those later, but first...

As a special treat this summer why not book The Ritz for a Sunday afternoon soiree? Every Sunday in July and August we are offering you the chance to watch a film of your choice. For just £150 you will get all the luxury seats and sofas (that's 26 seats in total).

Maybe you have a birthday surprise planned or a retirement party; a corporate treat for valued employees or perhaps you've always dreamed of seeing your favourite film on the big screen dedicated just to you!

Booking requests for July must be received by Monday 8th June and for August by Monday 6th July - please email your chosen date and film to info@ritz-belper.co.uk. This is a limited offer for summer only so be sure not to miss out!

Now let's have a look at the big films coming your way...

Terminator Salvation - after much of humanity has been wiped out by the nuclear holocaust, the survivors led by John Connor struggle to stop Skynet finishing the job, but it will be strange without Arnie!

One I'm looking forward to is Ice Age: Dawn of the DInosaurs - I've seen bits of it and it's really funny, a film for everyone in he family.

Two megastars; Johnny Depp and Christian Bale come together in Public Enemies - a 1930's gangster film brought up to date by director Michael Mann.

At last, after months of delay, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will be with us this summer and the war against Voldermort is not going well.

Finally looking into the Autumn and I can't wait - a new film at last from Quentin Tarantino - Inglorious Basterds. I can't tell you much about it but Brad Pitt stars in a story of a hit squad of Jewish American soldiers operating in occupied Europe at he end of the 2nd World War.

Such a lot to look forward to.

View from the projection box - issue 11

With all the doom and gloom on the TV and the newspapers full of credit crunch mania, what better than to put on your coat and come to The Ritz and escape into the wonderful world of cinema? That's better - a wine and a nice piece of cake and some great films are coming to chase the blues away.

Already tipped for awards, the lovely Kate Winslet stars in The Reader a dark tale set in post war Germany when a young man's obsession with an older women runs headlong into a war crimes trial, where he learns an awful truth. Staying with WWll, Tom Cruise heads a strong cast in Valkyrie a thriller based on actual events.

Mid-February sees half-term and Inkheart which we think will be popular with our younger customers. Looking further ahead and one of my favourites Kate Blanchett stars with Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button the story of a man who starts aging backwards (I wish!) with bizarre consequences.

Set during the mid 1950's in a Connecticut suburb Revolutionary Road centres on a young couple coming to terms with personal problems and trying to raise their two young children.

Also coming soon is a new Woody Allen film Vicky Christina Barcelona and Young Victoria, a dramatisation of the turbulent first ears of Queen Victoria's reign and her romance with Prince Albert.

So once again, we hope there's something for everyone and we look forward to seeing you at The Ritz.

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

What's on at the Belper Ritz

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

Just a year ago when I was writing the first of these features for All Things Local, it was great to report that over 50,000 people had visited The Ritz. Now with the latest figures I have show that the success has continued with over 100,000 admissions since we opened - so from all of us at The Ritz - a big, big "thank you".

What a year 2008 has been. Here are just a few personal memories:

The first 'Ritzy Awards' in June, our own version of The Oscars, when the red carpet and our guests arriving in evening dress brought a little bit of Leicester Square to King Street, Belper. I also remember my hangover the following day - but that's another story! We were amazed that so many of our 'Ritzy' award winners emailed us from around the world saying they would visit The Ritz when they were next filming in the UK. There were people singing and dancing in the aisles during the run of Mamma Mia! Just the other week, the audience were leaving the cinema stunned into silence after watching the last few minutes of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

So what can we look forward to in 2009? Well a few films caught my eye. FIrstly, Valkyre, a thriller based on actual events as German generals hatch a plot to assassinate Hitler at the height of WWll, Tom Cruise stars.

A new Woody Allen film is always an event and Vicky Christina Barcelona, a romantic comedy set in Spain stars Javier Bardem, Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz. Spring and early summer sees the start of the blockbuster season with Star Trek Xl; Ben Stiller returns in Night at the Museum 2. There's a new Terminator film - Christian Bale stars as John Connor in Terminator Salvation.

There's also Ice Age lll and the much delayed Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince along with our usual mix of other films. We hope there's something for everyone.

So from Amanda & Neil, Catherine, myself and all The Ritz boys and girls - have a safe and happy Christmas and a great 2009.