It’s an action packed week at Union Films starting off with The Raid: Redemption on Tuesday from which you can be sure of 101 minutes of pure action. This is followed up by the ultimate Avengers weekend: all six Avengers: Phase One films on the Saturday and a double screening of Avengers Assemble on Sunday. If this action packed week seems a bit too much, don’t worry – there’s also a chance to catch the touching, tragedy focused Canadian-French drama Monsieur Lazhar in this week’s Phoenix world cinema screening.
Tuesday 9th October at 7pm: The Raid: Redemption:
The Raid: Redemption brings an interesting twist to the crime and thriller genre by asking: What would happen if you unleashed a crack team of police on a thirty storey building used as a safe house for the world’s most dangerous killers and gangsters? The answer appears to be a whole load of violence which only escalates as the team’s cover is blown and news of their assault reaches the notorious drug lord that runs the building. Their only option is to fight their way through the corridors of hardened criminals to succeed in their mission. Starring Indonesian martial arts sensation Iko Uwais, this is a film that revels in dramatic tension, action packed fight scenes and a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Wednesday 10th October at 7:30pm: Monsieur Lazhar:
Directed and written by Philippe Falardeau, Monsieur Lazhar is a French-Canadian drama film
that deals with the concept of grief and loss through a most tender and touching portrayal of one man’s recovery from tragedy. At a Montréal public grade school Bashier Lazhar, an Algerian immigrant, is hired to replace a popular teacher who committed suicide in her classroom. While helping his students deal with their grief, his own recent loss is revealed as his reason for fleeing Algeria. Starring actor Mohammed Fellag as Beshier Lazhar, the film was put forward as the Canadian entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2011 Oscars. Its gently humorous tone and interesting focus on the almost taboo subject of death that especially surrounds children makes this film a heart warming watch.
Saturday 13th October: Avengers: Phase One and Sunday 14th October: Avengers Assemble:
Union Films are giving you the chance to watch all 6 Avengers Phase One films in a row! The line up is as follows: 12:00 Captain America, 14:15 Iron Man, 17:00 The Incredible Hulk, 19:15 Iron Man 2, 21:45 Thor, 00:00 Avengers Assemble (for event ticket holders only). Tickets are £3 per film or you can buy an Avengers: Phase 1 event ticket which will get you into all 6 films for just £10 (£8 for pass holders). As a collection these films have all the usual tropes of the superhero genre; the heroes all have touchingly human failings (Iron Man’s arrogance, Thor’s pride, the Hulk’s anger management issues, etc) which they have to overcome to ‘save the day’.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the Avengers films:
Set in 1942 as America enters World War II, Captain America is a superhero dedicated to defending USA ideals. Scientifically enhanced to become the physical epitome of human potential, he must help his comrades defeat Nazi Germany’s secret research project.
Iron Man and Iron Man 2 follow the story of wealthy genius Tony Stark, a man forced to build an armoured suit after a life-threatening incident which he ultimately decides to use to fight against evil.
The Incredible Hulk is a superhero/monster created when a gamma ray experiment goes wrong and transforms Dr Bruce Banner into a massive green hulk whenever his pulse rate quickens. He must help defeat the result of a copy cat experiment, The Abomination.
Thor, the legendary god from Viking mythology, is cast out of his home world Asgard for his arrogant attempts to begin a new war with the Ice Giants and banished to Earth until he becomes worthy of his position of power. Whilst on Earth he soon becomes one of the planet’s defenders as a dark force is sent to it.
Avengers Assemble!
The most recent Avengers offering Avengers Assemble, available at either the 5pm or 8pm showing on Sunday 14th October, is a film that joins the forces of these superheroes to face the slightly power-crazed Loki who has decided to rule the Earth as a God and unleashed an army of otherworldly creatures upon New York. With great special effects, hilarious one-liners and a fantastic cast, if you haven’t already this is definitely one to watch.
So whether you want to catch just one of these on the big screen, or submit your senses to the onslaught of over 12 hours of non-stop action head on down to the Union Cinema this weekend.
