What's in the Cinema this Week? (April 13-19)
Opening in Oxford this week is Curse of the Golden Flower (Man cheng jin dai huang jin jia), starring Chow Yun-Fat, Ye Liu, Gong Li, and Jay Chou. Set almost entirely within an anachronistic Forbidden City in 928 as the once-powerful but still unfeasibly decadent Tang Dynasty is in decline, the film sumptuously shimmers in gold and red. The Empress (Gong Li) and her sons are awaiting the return of the Emperor (Chow Yun-Fat) from a military campaign. In the lavish palace with its elaborate and strictly adhered-to system of customs and ceremonies, clandestine affairs, secrets and political intrigue bubble just beneath the surface only to climax in a stupendous battle and tragedy of Shakespearian proportions. The film is subtitled.(15) 
Showing at the Phoenix this week is The Lives of Others, starring Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe, and Sebastian Koch. Set mainly in East Berlin during the mid-‘80s, the film chronicles the consequences of the Minister of Culture's decision to investigate, by means of surveillance, the lives of a successful playwright and his actress wife (whose sexual favours the politician clearly lusts after). The surveillance expert in charge of spying on the artists ends up as profoundly affected by the bugging as the couple as he comes to question the ethics of his work. The film is subtitled. (15)
Lastly, Opening at the Vue this week is Perfect Stranger, starring Bruce Willis, Halle Berry, Jason Antoon, Jared Burke, and Jane Bradbury. When her friend is murdered, investigative reporter Rowena Price (Halle Berry) goes undercover to ensnare the prime suspect, powerful executive Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis). Price poses as a temp at Hill’s agency as well as a woman flirting with him online, but it soon turns out that she might not be the only one playing games with identity in this tense thriller. (15)
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The Browning Version - Local amateur theatre company Oxford Theatre Guild presents a double bill of two of Rattigan's finest plays. The Browning Version is often regarded as Terence Rattigan's best play, and the one by which he himself wished to be judged. Harlequinade, a hilarious farce written to accompany The Browning Version, introduces us to 'luvvies' Arthur and Edna Gosport who are 'simply adored' by their theatre-going public. The darlings of the Theatre World are deep into a dress rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet when an unexpected visitor arrives.
Reginald D Hunter - Audiences everywhere have been enthralled by Reginald D. Hunter's straight-talking, no-holds-barred approach to some of the most contentious issues of contemporary society. Join him here for his unique take on the deals we make every day with each other. 
Richard Alston Dance Company - One of the country's finest contemporary dance companies present a critically acclaimed triple bill which shows his lyrical and lighter side. 
Nightmare Songs - When the D'Oyly Carte Opera was at its zenith, it ran two companies which both toured the country for 48 weeks a year, performing all the hits of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire. Each company had its comedy baritone lead who performed all ten of the "patter roles", and each patter man had an understudy - who also had to keep all ten roles, and their wordy patter songs, in his head. On a rainy night in a town in the North of England, the understudy is given a day’s notice that he is 'on'. A sleepless night ensues, and in the dingy bedroom of his theatrical digs, he tries to rehearse his role - helped, but more often hindered, by one of the other residents of the house - an itinerant variety performer. 
Concentio - 'They're young, motivated and dig choral music. What can be cooler than that?' Oxford Brookes' Premier Chamber Choir present an evening of a capella folk songs and popular arrangements. Conducted by their dynamic and passionate Musical Director, Adam Boniface, this evening promises to be unmissable. Music by Copland, Grainger, Rutter and Joel. 
Up Close and Personal: McFly - Teenage punk popsters McFly - who take their name from the 'Back To The Future' films - are Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and Harry Jude. Tom lost out to best buddy Charlie in the Busted audition - but they are obviously still friends; McFly supported Busted on their 2004 tour and have been unstoppable ever since. Their debut single 5 Colours In Her Hair stayed at No. 1 for two weeks and their three subsequent releases all made the Top 5. The T4 Smash Hits Poll Winners Party 2004 might have well been called the McFly party with the boys picking up an incredible 5 awards.
