News from the Projection Box - Ritz Cinema, Belper

The view from the projection box with RItz Cinema projectionist Paul Winfield.

How good is that? Despite all the crunch, recession, downturn or whatever they call it, the British film industry goes from strength to strength with our films collecting arms full of awards at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and the Oscars. Remember though that it's not just the stars and directors who deserve our applause, hundreds of back room people make British film great and we lead the world in special effects and technology.

Of course Hollywood and the rest of the world are waiting for the really big awards of 2009 - "The Ritzys" - when our very own red carpet will be rolled out again on 6th June to celebrate another great year in the industry.

Now the big films coming up....

A new Clint Eastwood film is always an event, whether or not he's in front of the camera or behind the camera. In this case it's both - Gran Torino sees Clint as Walt Kowalski, a Korean war veteran who sets out to reform his teenage neighbour who tried to steal his prized 1972 Gran Torino car, nice to see Clint with a rifle in his hands again.

Old Big 'Ed is back! The Damned United looks at Brian Clough's 44 day reign as manager of Leeds United - I remember it well, there was nothing else on the back pages of the press for weeks so this will be a big one for us.... book early! A strong British cast include MIchael Sheen aka Tony Blair and David Frost.

State of Play is a big screen version of the BBC mini-series of the same name. A team of investigating reporters and a police detective try to solve he murder of a US congressman's mistress; Russell Crowe stars.

There's so many good films around this year - come to The Ritz and see them all. Next issue of All Things Local, I'll look forward to the summer blockbuster season.

Issue 4 (Belper edition) of All Things Local is now online

Hot on the heels of publishing Issue 12 (Village Edition of All Things Local) online, we're very pleased to inform you that the accompanying separate Belper Edition (Issue 4) is now also online for viewing.

Visit All Things Local website and catch up with 9,000 other Belper Edition readers on the latest news and features.

Issue 12 (April/May 2009) of All Things Local is now available online

Issue 12 (April/May 2009) - Village Edition - of All Things Local - the popular community magazine covering the Kilburn and surrounding village areas has just been added to the All Things Local website for reading and viewing online.

Visit All Things Local website now and click on the current village edition to get all the latest news and regular features 9,000 local readers enjoy.

Opportunity for public to abseil down Derby Cathedral Tower

Duffield Based Derby Mountain Rescue Team is currently promoting a sponsored abseil down Derby Cathedral's Tower on the 26th or 27th September 2009.

A Limited opportunity has arisen for members of the public to abseil down Derby Cathedral’s Tower. At 65 metres (212 feet), it is the second highest church tower in the country. Derby Mountain Rescue Team members will be in attendance at the top and base of the Tower, throughout the weekend.

For more information, click here.

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.

Issue 11 Village Edition and Issue 3 Belper Edition now live online

Just a very brief note to let you all know that Issues 11 (Village Edition) and Issue 3 (Belper Edition) of the community magazine - All Things Local - are now available to read and view online.

As well as a round-up of the regular columns, you can also read each edition including back issues in full at our website - http://www.allthingslocal.co.uk

We'll be back later with more snippets and cuttings from this popular community magazine for the Kilburn and Belper areas in Derbyshire.

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.