107mins / Certificate ‘15’

Tickets: £6.00
Bar opens 6pm / Film starts 7.30pm

Nina, a ballerina in New York City, lives with her obsessive former ballerina mother, who exerts a suffocating control over her, and is completely consumed with dance. When artistic director Thomas Leroy decides to replace a prima ballerina for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But she has competition from a new dancer, Lily, who has also impressed. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan with guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side – a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

The dazzling Natalie Portman deservedly won an Oscar and a BAFTA for her mesmeric performance as Nina. She is ably supported in this multi-award winning film by Winona Ryder, as the prima ballerina, Vincent Cassel, as the ballet director, Barbara Hershey as Nina’s domineering mother and Mila Kunis as her sensuous rival.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Plus full supporting programme

click here for the trailer

Buy tickets in advance online here or or call the box office on 01702 351135 or pay on the door on the night.

Palace Theatre / Station Road Southend-on-Sea SS0 7RA

The competition highlights the creative talent across Southend, Rochford and Castle Point.

Winning entrants will see their work presented at the Southend Film Festival which will take place over the first Bank Holiday Weekend in May 2012.

Guidelines:

Judging will take place in the spring of 2012 by a specially selected panel.
There will be a special screening of the winning films at the 2012 festival with an introduction by the panel along with expected media coverage. As many as possible of the submitted films will be screened during the festival.

Download the application form for the Southend Film Festival competition here.

More information about Southend Film Festival – see their website.

This Sunday, the White Bus present two films at the Park Inn Palace Hotel: The Naked Truth and Submarine.

SUNDAY MATINEE
THE NAKED TRUTH
88mins /1957 / Certificate ‘U’
Sunday 8th January 4pm / £6.00
The smarmy editor of a muck-raking scandal magazine tells a group of well-known public figures that he will expose unsavoury aspects of their private lives unless they buy the stories before publication. Unable to meet his exorbitant fees, they each plot to kill him…

This classic, jet black British comedy, which could almost be torn from today’s headlines, has a wonderful cast. As the thoroughly despicable editor, Dennis Price has never been more snake-like, hissing, with relish, lines such as “Don’t try to appeal to my better nature, because I haven’t got one”. And as his would-be victims we have Peter Sellers, supplied with some of his funniest and finest material, Southend-born Peggy Mount, lovely Shirley Eaton and (as a distinctly dodgy peer of the realm) the marvellous Terry-Thomas. The stars are ably supported by familiar faces such as Kenneth Griffiths, Joan Sims and David Lodge. And the wonderful Miles Malleson pops up as Peggy Mount’s thoroughly befuddled fiancé!

SUNDAY EVENING
SUBMARINE
96mins/ 2010 / Certificate ‘15’
Sunday 8th January 7.30pm / £6.00

Swansea, 1986. Young Oliver Tate’s coming of age is coming even sooner than expected. Prone to daydreaming, listening to French crooners and indulging other self-absorbed fantasies, he suddenly finds himself submerged in real-life challenges: plotting to lose his virginity with a quirky new girlfriend while struggling to reconcile his parent’s marriage – even though his mother seems smitten with the self-help guru next door.

This charmingly original comedy from executive producer Ben Stiller and writer/director Richard Ayoade (best known as Moss on The IT Crowd) brings inventive visuals and mordant wit to a classic coming-of-age story. Newcomers Craig Roberts (as Oliver) and Yasmin Page (as his love interest Jordana) are wonderfully supported by Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky), Paddy Considine (The Bourne Ultimatum) and Noah Taylor (Shine) as Submarine navigates both sides of Oliver’s life with comic ingenuity.

Tickets will be available from 3pm (for The Naked Truth) and 6pm (for Submarine) at the Film Desk in the Park Inn Palace Hotel. The hotel’s large ballroom comfortably seats 250, so no-one is likely to be turned away.

Park Inn Palace Hotel / Church Road Southend – SS1 2AL, website

THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004/U cert) : 1pm
Santa Claus does not exist. Or does he? For one doubting boy, an astonishing event occurs. Late on Christmas Eve night, lying in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh, the boy hears, to his surprise, a steam engine’s roar and whistle right outside his window. The conductor invites him on board to join other children on an extraordinary journey to the North Pole. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.
Trailer for The Polar Express:

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992/U cert) : 4pm
‘Tis the season for love, laughter, and one of the most cherished stories of all time! Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Michael Caine gives a performance that’s anything but “bah, humbug!” as greedy, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge. One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Together with kind, humble Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) and his family, the Spirits open Scrooge’s eyes — and his heart — to the true meaning of Christmas.

WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954/U cert) : 7.30pm
White Christmas is a treasury of Irving Berlin classics, including, of course, the beloved title song. Two song-and-dance men (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business. One winter, they join forces with a sister act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) and trek to Vermont for a white Christmas. Of course, there’s the requisite fun with the ladies, but the real adventure starts when Crosby and Kaye discover that the inn is run by their old army general – and he’s in financial trouble. Can the boys help save the day? A wonderful, magical film.

To book the tickets, click here.

This 1957 classic film was directed by Jacques Tourneur, starring Dana Andrews, Peggy Cummins and Niall MacGinnis.

Duration: 91mins Certificate ‘PG’

Synopsis: Following his colleague’s mysterious death, a cynicalpsychologist continues his efforts to discredit a notorious occultist. But confronted with a series of bizarre and inexplicable events, he finds his long-held views falling apart.

Brighton Rock is a 2010 British film based on the novel of the same name by Graham Greene. Rowan Joffe wrote the screenplay and directed the film, which stars Sam Riley, Andrea Riseborough, Andy Serkis, John Hurt, and Helen Mirren.

The novel was previously made into a film in 1947 by the Boulting brothers under the same title. Although the novel and original film are both set in the 1930s, the 21st century adaptation takes place in Brighton and is set during the Mods and Rockers era of the 1960s.

Riley plays “Pinkie”, the role originally played by Richard Attenborough. It was largely filmed in the nearby town of Eastbourne and Eastbourne Pier standing in for Brighton Pier. Some scenes were shot at Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire and in Brighton itself.

Trailer:

To find out more about the film, see the Brighton Rock’s official website.

Admission £6, tickets available from 6pm
Park Inn Palace Hotel / Church Rd, Southend, SS1 2AL
Info: press AT thewhitebus.org.uk / 07981 824283

118mins : 2010 : Certificate ‘12A’
£6.00
Bar opens 6pm / Film starts 7.30pm

1939: Britain has declared war on Germany. King George VI must make a radio broadcast rallying his people for the dark days that lie ahead. But the King, who reluctantly accepted the throne following the abdication of his self-confident brother, has a debilitating stammer. With the help of eccentric therapist Lionel Logue he negotiated his responses at his coronation, but can he now deliver the most important speech of his life?

Colin Firth deservedly won an Oscar for his superb, moving portrayal of a self-effacing man who neither sought nor wanted high office, but who accepts his duty. And Geoffrey Rush, Oscar nominated as Best Supporting Actor, is equally excellent as the eccentric speech therapist. These two splendid actors are well supported by a wonderful cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Timothy Spall, Derek Jacobi and Michael Gambon, with Claire Bloom as Queen Mary. The film deservedly won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

MUSIC IN THE FOYER
Pianist Taylor Higgs will be playing in the foyer bar from 6.15pm-7.15pm.

For advance tickets: www.palacetheatresouthend.co.uk
or call the box office on 01702 351135 or pay on the door on the night.

This Sunday, The White Bus presents a local band Ruckus Juice an’ Chitlin’s followed by a screening of the latest Mike Leigh film Another Year at The Palace Theatre.

Duration: 129mins / 2010 / Certificate ‘12’

Bar opens 6pm / Film starts 7.30pm

Mike Leigh’s latest film warmly observes a married couple and their relations with themselves, their friends and their relatives through the four seasons of one year. Jolly industrial geologist Tom and silver haired care worker Gerri are the focus of this wistful, free-flowing film which deftly draws together a number of fraught and funny domestic situations.

Trying desperately to remain happy in the face of the depression, loneliness and despair of others, Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen head a wonderful cast which includes a memorable turn from Lesley Manville as their friend Mary, relentlessly perky despite her lonely existence, and the likes of Peter Wight and David Bradley. The screenplay of this wonderful film was deservedly nominated for an Oscar.

Outstanding. One of the very best film’s in Mike Leigh’s career Daily Telegraph

A rich and deeply compassionate film The Guardian

A pitch perfect production Variety

+ special attraction:

MUSIC IN THE FOYER

Complementing the film willbe music from wonderfully named local group Ruckus Juice an’ Chitlin’s. This four-piece band play a wide selection of old timey, good time jazz, jug and skiffle music – which, as theyput it, ‘is a lot more fun than ridin’ the rails to Alabamy to get the banjo surgically removed from your knee’! So come on down to the Palace from 6pm for a free music session.
Check their MYSPACE page HERE.

Book tickets HERE.

Film makers are invited to participate in the 2011 SFF short film competition. The competition highlights the creative talent across Southend, Rochford and Castle Point. Winning entrants will see their work presented at the Southend Film Festival which will take place over the first Bank Holiday Weekend in May 2011.

Conditions:

- Open to all individuals or groups who live or study in Southend-on-Sea, Rochford and Castle Point.

- There will be two age groups. Under 16 and over 16.

- There are five categories to enter: Animation, Documentary, Fiction, Music and one on the subject of Southend-on-Sea which could use any style to present your work.

- All films should run for less than 10 minutes.

- Entry is £5 per film.

- Deadline is Monday 28th March 2011

- All films to be submitted on DVD (not-returnable)

- All submitted films must be made between March 29th 2010 and March 28th 2011.

- A short synopsis about the film, not more than 200 words, must be included with each film.

- Judging will take place in the spring of 2011 by a specially selected panel. There will be a special screening of the winning films at the 2011 festival with an introduction by the panel along with expected media coverage.

- As many as possible of the submitted films will be screened during the festival.

- You can submit your film to the competition whether it is in conjunction with your school/college or individually.

DOWNLOAD the application form for the Southend Film Festival Short Film Competition HERE.

This Sunday, The White Bus presents a screening of Wild Target at the Palace Theatre.

Starts at 7.30pm / 98 mins duration / 12A cert

WILD TARGET stars Bill Nighy, Eileen Atkins, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint and Rupert Everett

Bill Nighy is Victor Maynard, a middle-aged, solitary assassin, who lives to please his formidable mother, Louisa (Eileen Atkins), despite his own peerless reputation for lethal efficiency.  His professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims, Rose (Emily Blunt).  He spares her life, unexpectedly acquiring a young apprentice in the process, Tony (Rupert Grint).  Believing Victor to be a private detective, his two new companions tag along, while he attempts to thwart the murderous attentions of his unhappy client (Rupert Everett).

Click here to book

WILD TARGET trailer: