Feb 27th  
Her**      

(US 2013)                                      

In the semi-future a divorced computer nerd falls in love with a computer operating system who helps him improve himself.
Oddly touching and quite absorbing (for its 2-hour length) modern romance for the Internet generation, done with complete sympathy for its central characters.

Written and Directed by: Spike Jonze.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson (voice only), Amy Adams, Olivia Wilde, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Brian Cox (voice only).
Photography: Hoyte van Hoytema.
Music: Arcade Fire, Owen Pallett.
Production Design: K.K. Barrett.

+ Samantha Morton was originally the voice of 'Samantha', but was replaced in post-production by Scarlett Johansson

Feb 20th   
The Epic of Everest*       

(GB 1924)                          
Explorers' Films. 90m. bw. silent    

The filmed record of Mallory's noble attempt at climbing Mount Everest, done as a home movie by the explorers with heavy subtitle exposition but fascinating early use of zoom cameras at high altitudes, although big screens are required to see the tiny dots in the distance that were Mallory and Irvine, with of course added poignancy given the ultimate outcome.

Produced/Photography by: J.B. Noel.

Music (2013): Simon Fisher Turner.

Feb 11th      
American Friends**      

(GB 1991)                                      

An Oxford don befriends two American women on holiday in the Swiss Alps, at potential risk to his own career.
Slight romantic travelogue, based on Palin's great grandfather, with tiny elements of his Pythonesque humour simmering underneath, but gradually absorbs as a quite moving character drama. See also East of Ipswich, from the same team.

Written by: Michael Palin, Tristram Powell.
Producers: Patrick Cassavetti, Steve Abbott.
Director: Tristram Powell.
Starring: Michael Palin, Trini Alvarado, Connie Booth, Alfred Molina, Alun Armstrong, David Calder, Robert Eddison, Bryan Pringle, Jimmy Jewel.
Photography: Philip Bonham-Carter.
Music: Georges Delerue.