Over this past week I have discovered that the places to see films in a local independent setting wasn’t just exclusive to the theatres whose films we list weekly.

Places like Blue Bridge Repertory in Victoria may show live theatre in their home at the old Roxy but they have been known to show films as well. At this time though, showing movies at the theatre has been suspended until Blue Bridge comes up with a more specialized movie schedule.

For now, opportunities to catch a film are plentiful. The Cowichan Theatre in the Cowichan Valley shows both films and live theatre in high-definition, the Community Hall on Pender Island hosts films from time to time, and the Oak Bay Beach Hotel shows films every Tuesday.

I’ve heard Mayne Island hosted movie nights at their community hall every week but as of this time it appears to have discontinued. If anyone knows if Mayne’s movie nights are ongoing, drop me a line and I will be glad to add them to our weekly listings.

Pender Islands ‘Mother Bear’ Community Hall will be playing Jersey Boys on October 11th at 7:30 pm. Jersey Boys is a 2014 American biographical musical drama directed by Clint Eastwood and based on the Tony Award-winning musical of the same name. The film tells the story of the musical group The Four Seasons who had a string of pop hits over a period of decades in the 20th century.

 

On October 14th at 6:15 pm, The Oak Bay Beach Hotel will be playing X-Men: Days of Future Past in the David Foster Foundation Theatre.

The hotel offers gourmet individual pizzas, house-made buttered popcorn and ice cream sandwiches for dessert. You can also purchase one of Oak Bay’s micro-brews, wine or your favourite alcoholic beverage.

 

The Cowichan Theatre will be presenting Macbeth from the Metropolitan Opera.

Anna Netrebko moves boldly into Verdi with her searing portrayal of Lady Macbeth, the mad and murderous mate of Željko Lucic’s doomed Macbeth. Adrian Noble’s chilling production also stars Joseph Calleja as the noble Macduff and René Pape as Banquo. Fabio Luisi conducts.

Macbeth will be on October 11th at 9:55 am.

 

Please check media for local showtimes, ratings and admission rates.

Cinecenta

Cinecenta is located in the thriving community of the University of Victoria (UVic) campus in Saanich. The theatre offers more than a reasonable rate for general admission while giving discounted rates for UVic students, faculty, staff and alumni. Discounted rates are also available to seniors and children 12 and under. Matinées are $4.75 for all seats. Second evening shows at Cinecenta are $4.75 for all UVic undergrads.

Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory
(USA – 78 mins)

Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett
Writer(s): Michael Rossato-Bennett

Cast: Dan Cohen, Louise Dueno, and Nell Hardie

“Alive Inside” is a documentary that investigates the power music has to awaken deeply locked memories. The film follows Dan Cohen, a social worker, who decides to bring iPods to a nursing home. Many residents suffering from memory loss and Alzheimer’s Disease seem to “awaken” when they are able to listen to music from their past. With great excitement, Dan turns to renowned neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks, and we follow them as we investigate the mysterious way music functions inside our brains and our lives.

 

Magic In the Moonlight
(USA – 97 mins)

Director: Woody Allen
Writer(s): Woody Allen

Cast: Colin Firth, Emma Stone, Marcia Gay Harden, Eileen Atkins, and Hamish Linklater

A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue.

 

The Fritz

Located on Salt Spring Island, The Fritz is an up-to-date cinema featuring Dolby Surround Sound, a digital projection system along with everything else you’d expect to find at a cinema in a large city. They offer real butter for their popcorn, Sunday matinées and “cheap” Tuesdays.

The Boxtrolls
(USA – 165 mins)

Director(s): Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi
Writer(s): Irena Brignull, Adam Pava (screenplay), and Alan Snow (novel)

Cast: Ben Kingsley, Jared Harris, Elle Fanning, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan, and Steve Blum

A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator.

 

Star Cinema

Sidney’s Star Cinema is located in the heart of Sidney-by-the-Sea. They are equipped with two digital projectors and new comfortable seating. General admission is 9. Discounts are available to students, seniors and children 3 to 13 years. Admission is $6 for everyone on Tuesdays.

The Judge
(USA – 141 mins)

Director: David Dobkin
Writer(s): Nick Schenk (story/screenplay), Bill Dubuque (screenplay), and David Dobkin (story)

Cast: Robert, Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton, and Vincent D’Onofrio

Big city lawyer Hank Palmer returns to his childhood home where his father, the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth and, along the way, reconnects with his estranged family.

 

The Vic Theatre

Located across the historical Empress Hotel and near Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour, The Vic Theatre has been entertaining movie-goers since 1993. The theatre not only shows foreign and art house films but also screenings of Victoria Film Festival award winners. The Vic Theatre is also one of the annual hosts of Victoria Film Festival and Victoria Foodie Film Festival movies.

Boyhood
(USA – 165 mins)

Director: Richard Linklater
Writer(s): Richard Linklater

Cast: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, and Ethan Hawke

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason, who literally grows up on-screen before our eyes.