Calling all film fans! This month as part of the Edinburgh Rewards programme all residents with an EH postcode can enjoy 2-for-1 cinema tickets!
To find out more visit: https://edinburgh.org/residentrewards
Resident Rewards for capital film fans
Tag: film
Film Fest In The City 2022 Programme Revealed
Edinburgh International Film Festival in partnership with Essential Edinburgh returns to St Andrew Square Gardens for an opening weekend of free outdoor screenings from Friday 12th August to Sunday 14th August.
Film Fest in the City in St Andrew Square Gardens returns as part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival programme on the festival’s opening weekend from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th August. The free and non-ticketed outdoor screening programme of new and classic cinematic favourites reflect the wider EIFF 2022 themes, including a celebration of Scotland’s Stories on Screen for Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
The programme is delivered in partnership with Essential Edinburgh and supported by Innis & Gunn, EIFF’s Official Beer Partner, travel partner LNER and supported by EventScotland as part of the Year of Stories 2022 and reflects EIFF’s return to August embracing other cultural festivals around it. EIFF is working closely with local travel partner Lothian Buses to encourage sustainable travel to Edinburgh’s city centre, plan your journey at lothianbuses.co.uk or download the Lothian buses app.
On Friday 12th August, EIFF tips its hat to the Edinburgh International Book Festival with a day of films that all started in the twinkle of an author’s eye.
The day will also feature a selection of short films with a Scottish connection, screened before feature films and presented in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 as Scotland’s Stories on Screen.
On Saturday 13th August, the celebration of Scotland’s Stories on Screen picks up pace as the Film Fest in the City programme fills the square with homegrown stories and some family fun, including a special live musical performance to accompany the 100 year anniversary screening of the 1922 classic Rob Roy, as well as Brave, set in the Highlands story of Princess Merida and The Illusionist set in Edinburgh plus more short films with a Scottish connection. And if all that homegrown fun wasn’t enough, stay on and enjoy the evening with the family favourite WALL-E followed by the recent blockbuster, Free Guy.
Sunday 14th August sees EIFF Youth Programmers from Edinburgh and Aberdeen take over the square with a selection of favourites including Twilight, Big, Shrek and Whip It to celebrate big screen favourites all directed their favourite female directors.
As a nod to EIFF’s closing night film, After Yang, the Film Fest in the City explores the idea of Artificial Intelligence on screen. For sci-fi purists out there there’s Stanley Kubrick classic, 2001 A Space Odyssey. If you like your A.I. all singing, all dancing, don’t miss everybody’s favourite Pixar robot Wall-E or maybe you just want to spend Saturday night with Ryan Reynolds (who doesn’t?!) then don’t miss Free Guy.
This special open-air series of screenings coincides with the main programme of full in-person cinema screenings as part of the 75th anniversary of the city’s International Film Festival, giving the Film Festival an East-to-West city centre presence and making cinema accessible to both film buffs and Edinburgh residents of all ages. Attending audiences can look out for lots of special surprises at each screening too.
These events are free. Film times and details of accompanying activities can be found by visiting www.edfilmfest.org.uk.
Audiences will enjoy the outdoor screenings with an amazing range of food and drink produce available to purchase on site, including EIFF Official Beer Partner Innis & Gunn. Heritage gastropub The Voyage of Buck will be have a bar on site which will be focusing on Lind and Lime Gin cocktails including collins and spritzes featuring summer flavours with London essence tonics and sodas.
Bring your favourite cinema snacks and picnic blankets or sit yourself down on one of the famous St Andrew Square deck chairs to enjoy the following:
FRIDAY, 12 AUGUST
11.00 | Paddington (2014 / dir. Paul King)
Everyone’s favourite bear in his first big screen adventure as he travels from deepest darkest Peru to London to try and find himself a new home.
13.00 | Fantastic Mr Fox (2009 / dir. Wes Anderson)
Filmmaker Wes Anderson guides an A-list cast in this stop-motion take on Roald Dahl’s classic book.
14.45 | SHORT FILM: What Makes Soup, Soup? (dirs. Conor Reilly, Tommy Reilly, Malcolm Cumming)
…one of life’s greatest mysteries. From BBC Social team, a short film including a rising star, Glasgow-based Malcolm Cumming and composer Tommy Reilly, both known for their work on Anna & The Apocalype. In celebration of Scotland’s Stories on Screen.
15.00 | Christopher Robin (2018 / dir. Marc Forster)
Perth-born Hollywood actor Ewan McGregor stars as a now-grown-up Christopher Robin who is visited by Winnie the Pooh to help find his lost friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.
17.00 | SHORT FILM: Neville is Dead (dir. Louis Paxton)
Neville is Magnus’ best friend. Neville can’t die. This is going to be AMAZING. A short film from an Edinburgh filmmaker who recently directed the last ever episode of tv series Shetland. In celebration of Scotland’s Stories on Screen.
17.30 | Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000 / dir. Ang Lee)
Join us for high-flying spectacle in filmmaker Ang Lee’s martial arts masterpiece
19.40 | SHORT FILM: Flit (dir. Jack Allen)
A world-renowned, professional fly killer, named Carl, is on the cusp of finalising his latest and most powerful invention… an exciting new short film from an emerging Scottish filmmaker and animator.
In celebration of Scotland’s Stories on Screen.
20.00 | 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968 / dir. Stanley Kubrick)
One of the greatest cinematic experiences of all time. Stanley Kubrick’s journey into space is designed for the big screen.
SATURDAY, 13 AUGUST
11:00 | Brave (2012 / dirs. Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews)
Follow Princess Merida as she forges her own path in Disney and Pixar’s journey into the mythical Scottish kingdom of DunBroch. Celebrating Scotland’s Stories on Screen. Pre-screening family entertainment, including face-painting.
12.50 | SHORT FILM: Fear of Flying (dir. Conor Finnegan)
A small bird with a fear of flying tries to avoid heading South for the winter. A short animation which screened at EIFF in 2013. Celebrating Scotland’s Stories on Screen.
13:00 | The Illusionist (2010 / dir. Sylvain Chomet)
Based on the story by Jacques Tati, this beautifully animated tale tells of a French illusionist who travels to Scotland, where he meets a young woman where their exciting adventures together change both their lives forever. Celebrating Scotland’s Stories on Screen. Pre-screening family entertainment.
14.49 | SHORT FILM: Widdershins (dir. Simon Biggs)
A pampered gentleman’s seamlessly automated life is thrown into chaos when he pursues a free-spirited woman, against the advice of his robot butler. Scottish Film Talent Network-funded Scottish animation from the team at Once Were Farmers. Celebrating Scotland’s Stories on Screen.
15:30 | Rob Roy (1922 / dir. W. P. Kellino), in celebration of Scotland’s Stories on Screen
Join us for a special live musical performance to accompany this impressive 1922 classic film.
17.20 | SHORT FILM: Betty (Will Anderson)
A new short from the BAFTA Award-winning Scottish animator tells the story of an avian protagonist as he falls in love with Betty and then loses her through a series of bad decisions…
Celebrating Scotland’s Stories on Screen.
18:00 | Wall-E (2008 / dir. Andrew Stanton)
An all singing, all dancing modern classic from Pixar.
20.00 | SHORT FILM: Don Vs Lighting (dir. Big Red Button)
Unlucky Don keeps getting struck by lightning… a short film from Big Red Button (Johnny Burns and Pier van Tijn), starring award-winning Scottish actor Peter Mullan. Celebrating Scotland’s Stories on Screen.
20:15 | Free Guy (2021 / dir. Shawn Levy)
Affable bank clerk Ryan Reynolds discovers he is a computer game character in this recent action comedy.
SUNDAY, 14 AUGUST
11:00 | Shrek (2001 / dirs. Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson)
Join a whole host of fairy tale characters in this animated, tuneful and funny animated adventure.
13:00 | Big (1989 / dir. Penny Marshall)
Tom Hanks reconnects with his youth in this 80s family classic.
15:15 | Whip It (2009 / dir. Drew Barrymore)
Get your skates on and join Babe Ruthless and the roller-derby team in this funny and quirky drama.
17:30 | The Farewell (2021 / dir. Lulu Wang)
A funny and uplifting tale of a family reconnecting with their past
19:45 | Twilight (2008 / dir. Catherine Hardwicke)
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in this everlasting teenage vampire romance.
Edinburgh to experience CURIOUS film event this weekend
Summer season of curious film experiences gets underway
All events as part of Film Feels: Curious, a nationwide celebration of curiosity and cinema officially launched by comedian Joe Lycett, have now been confirmed.
An event is taking place in Edinburgh this Saturday as part of CURIOUS, a film festival partnership between Film Feels and Changing Times supporting independent programming.
Edinburgh-based Cinetopia is collaborating with The Debutante (a feminist-surrealist magazine), and musician-composers Aurora Engine (Deborah Shaw), and Bell Lungs (Ceylan Hay) to bring audiences Electric Muses: a women-led evening of surrealist film.
Electric Muses celebrates women working in creative technology spanning across two centuries, bringing their overlooked input into the public eye. Since the birth of cinema, women filmmakers have used this “electric” art form to tell their stories. With Electric Muses Cinetopia will merge cinema and live, technologically enhanced music to highlight the profound contributions women have made in creative technology art forms.
The main feature will be ‘The Seashell and the Clergyman’ (1928) by Germaine Dulac, a female surrealist filmmaker and director active during the 1920’s. This will be accompanied by a live soundtrack composed and performed by Aurora Engine and Bell Lungs. In addition, audiences will experience a newly commissioned score of Maya Deren’s experimental short, ‘Meshes of the Afternoon’ (1943) composed and performed by the same musical team. Two additional short films will be screened curated by The Debutante.
Electric Muses takes place at the Old Royal High School and details can be found at https://filmfeels.co.uk/venues/old-royal-high-school/173/
Curiosity is the theme of this year’s FilmFeels season from the BFI Film Audience Network, made possible with National Lottery funding, taking place at independent cinemas across the UK following its launch by Joe at Flatpack Festival 2022.
For the first time since 2018’s inaugural Film Feels, event organisers have also partnered with the Screen Heritage programme Changing Times under the unifying theme for this year of CURIOUS.
A total of 27 projects have been funded across all the regions of the UK, including a curated programme of classics by The Place Bedford throughout June and July, a programme as part of London Short Film Festival on July 30th and 31st, and from July 8th, a three-day update of Cinetopia’s Electric Muses programme in partnership with feminist magazine The Debutante – a women-led evening of surrealist film and technologically-enhanced live music in Edinburgh.
In addition, throughout July, the charity Birds’ Eye View, which supports films by women and non-binary people, is touring Queerious both across the country and via streaming on BFI Player. Events will be accompanied by curated live or participatory events in select cinemas to explore the themes of sexual awakenings and re-awakenings, and queer love through a feminist lens.
Venues and organisations including Chester’s Story House, Fabrica of Brighton, Hove and Lewes, Birmingham’sVictoria Park Productions, Derby QUAD and Cornwall Film Festival are also taking part, with events touching upon the forgotten films of the 1990s and 2000s, Queer culture, Filmosophy for Families and more, all of which are designed to connect people through film.
Manon Euler is Major Programmes Manager at Film Hub Midlands, part of BFI FAN. She said: “With CURIOUS, we wanted to take audiences out of the ordinary and down the wonderful rabbit hole of cinema, with intriguing, exciting film programmes that will stimulate the mind and the senses and allow everyone to (re)connect with their wondrous selves.
“There’s absolutely no doubt that these projects will deliver exactly that, with both in-person and virtual options. We’ve been so impressed by the imagination that has gone into the creation of such a varied and intriguing season by programmers at all levels of experience, including young people. We can’t wait to hear what audiences think.”
CURIOUS was chosen as the theme for this celebration as it’s clear as we continue to recover from the worst of the pandemic that bringing people together to experience art collectively and learn more about the people and things around us, is more important than ever.
Over the past four years, Film Feels has funded more than 150 projects and more than 1,000 screenings have taken place across the festival seasons nationwide, with around 40 per cent of increasingly diverse audiences each year being new to the festival. Previous themes have included obsession, uprising, hopeful and connected, with almost £400,000 given to participating programmers in total so far.
Screen Heritage Producer Andy Robson added: “Inspired by our theme and our collective experience of multiple lockdowns, which gave many a new awareness of our communities as well as the wider world around us, this year’s programmers are helping us to both better understand the unfamiliar, and seek solutions.
“Through film’s ability to transport us, illuminate ideas and spark conversation, we can recognise things we may have missed or never considered before, and find new passions together.”
Find more information about the full nationwide programme for CURIOUS, including all participating venues and exhibitors, at filmfeels.co.uk.
Support for screen heritage screenings and events is also still available through Changing Times: Curious.
Top 10 films to watch over the Jubilee weekend
By Justin Trefgarne, course leader at MetFilm School Love them or loathe them, the Royal Family in its various forms has been entertaining, enthralling and fascinating us for centuries. The British Monarchy’s catalogue of blood feuds, forbidden love affairs, wars, abdications and endless scandals has supplied material for the writers of every age. From Shakespeare’s thinly disguised commentaries on Elizabeth and James I respectively to Peter Morgan’s reimagining of the Royals as high-end Soap Opera in The Crown, the audience for these gilded dramas has never waned. And now, as Elizabeth II, and indeed millions of Britons, celebrate her becoming not just the longest serving British monarch but the third longest serving monarch in world history, we take the opportunity to cast our gaze over some of the best Royalty-themed films of the first century of cinema. In no particular order, here are the top 10 picks to watch over the Jubilee weekend: Spencer Kristin Stewart brings her own brand of sparkle and unpredictability to this intense, poetic take on Princess Diana. Whether Diana was really like this or not is sort of missing the point. Pablo Larraín’s film is a tightly wound character study of a woman unravelling under intense pressure and as a consequence plays out as much as a psychological horror as it does conventional drama.  The Queen Given the intense scrutiny the modern day Royals find themselves under, it’s quite rare to find Elizabeth II at the centre of a movie narrative. Helen Mirren transcends as a Queen in semi-exile after the death of Diana, facing a crossroads in her reign and, more immediately, a beguiling stag that haunts her estate in the Scottish Highlands.  Elizabeth Radical choice of director (Shekhar Kapur): tick. Young actress ready for super-stardom (Cate Blanchet): tick. The rise of Elizabeth retold as The Godfather: tick. A period film for all the ages.  The King I confess to being on the fence about Timothée Chalamet until I gave this film a whirl. And it’s astonishing. His spindly, hungover, sad rendition of Prince Hal slowly morphs into something raw, timeless and utterly believable. Joel Edgerton and David Michôd’s masterful retelling of the ‘Henriad’ exerts a compelling, epic grip that makes it one of the best historical films since Gladiator.  Mrs Brown Judi Dench cemented her reputation as one of the world’s most accomplished screen actors with this moving portrayal of a grieving Queen Victoria. But perhaps the film’s biggest surprise was the unexpected, nuanced performance of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly as the ‘commoner’ who encouraged her to return to public life.  The Lion In Winter One of three stage plays adapted for the screen on this list, The Lion In Winter brings together the titanic screen presences of Katherine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole for a heady dose of relationship fireworks. They really don’t make ‘em like this any more. Notable too for Anthony Hopkins making his screen debut.  A Man For All Seasons I was forced to watch this at school and was ready to write it off until the genius of writer Robert Bolt’s characters and the play’s moral conscience completely captivated me. A film as relevant now as it was when first released. Watch out for a late-period Orson Welles filling up the frame with his interpretation of Cardinal Wolsey.  The Madness Of King George A film in which the a King descends into ‘madness’ only to be retrieved from the abyss by a radical form of treatment. Gentle, funny, heartbreaking and sumptuous all at once, this is British period filmmaking at its finest.  Viceroy’s House If all this feels too much like Royalist propaganda, then cleanse the palate with Gurinder Chadha’s brilliant, bold dismantling of the accepted history of the Queen’s Uncle’s attempt at managing the Partition between India and Pakistan. Moria Bufini and Chadha’s masterful script weaves the political and the personal together seamlessly to challenge and confront the dissolution of the ‘British Raj’.  Sid & Nancy Since The Sex Pistols blew up pop music in the late 1970s, no Royal celebration is complete without an airing of their alternative jubilee anthem, ‘God Save The Queen’. And why not indulge, then, in the film that launched the careers of Oscar Winners Gary Oldman, Roger Deakins, maverick director Alex Cox and Working Title chief Eric Fellner?  |
Leonardo DiCaprio tops list of most-viewed Oscar acceptance speeches
- Leonardo DiCaprio officially has the most popular Academy Award acceptance speech of all time, with more than 47 million views.
- Matthew McConaughey has the second most-viewed Oscar’s acceptance speech on record, with more than 21 million views.
- Jennifer Lawrence’s fall up the Academy steps has more than 14 million views on YouTube.
New research reveals that Leonardo DiCaprio has the most-viewed Oscar’s acceptance speech of all time.
The study conducted by casino experts MapleCasino examined the verified Oscars YouTube account to reveal the most-viewed Acadamy Award acceptance speeches, to establish the Internet’s favourite Oscar speeches ahead of this year’s ceremony.
The research revealed that Leonardo DiCaprio has the most-viewed Oscar acceptance speech in history.
After multiple nominations, DiCaprio finally won his long-awaited ‘Best Actor’ Acadamy Award in 2016 for his role in The Revenant, attracting more than 47 million views on YouTube. The Hollywood actor used his speech to address critical issues, highlighting the threat of climate change and the damaging effects of big polluters, telling the audience to “not take this planet for granted.”
Matthew McConaughey has the second most popular Oscars acceptance speech, with more than 26 million views on YouTube. The Dallas Buyer’s Club actor won his ‘Best Actor’ award in 2014 – beating the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale – and delivered a passionate talk thanking God, his family and colleagues, before finishing his speech with his signature phrase, “alright, alright, alright”.
With more than 21 million views, the Internet’s third favourite Oscar acceptance speech goes to Heath Ledger. As one of the most emotional speeches of all time, the late Heath Ledger won ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in 2009 for his role as the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. Due to Heath Ledger’s sudden death the year before, his family accepted the award on his behalf, going down in history as one of the most memorable award acceptance speeches of all time.
Kate Winslet has the fourth most popular Oscar’s acceptance speech, in addition to the most-watched speech for a ‘Best Actress’ winner. Kate Winslet won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in The Reader in 2009, beating the likes of Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. The actress struggled to hold back her emotions during her evocative speech, which has now received more than 17 million views.
The findings revealed that Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar acceptance speech is the fifth most popular on record for her 2013 ‘Best Actress’ award for Silver Linings Playbook. Jennifer Lawrence will go down in Oscars history, sadly not for her speech, but for her fall up the Academy steps on her way to collect her award, which has now received more than 14.5 million views on YouTube.
Additionally, Marlon Brando’s acceptance speech also features as one of the Internet’s favourites, placing eighth overall, making it the oldest acceptance speech in the ranking.
Receiving the ‘Best Actor’ award for his role in The Godfather, Brando’s 1973 speech has more than 11 million YouTube views, despite him not making an appearance. During the iconic speech, actress and Native American civil rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather spoke on Brando’s behalf, protesting the treatment of Native Americans in the film industry.
A spokesperson for MapleCasino commented on the findings: “From Kate Winslet’s emotional speech to Leonardo DiCaprio’s political address, acceptance speeches can be used to not only celebrate wins but also as a vital platform to voice political and social change.
“The Internet celebrated when DiCaprio won his well-deserved Academy Award back in 2016, delivering such a powerful speech that it still sparks interest today.
“As a keen environmental activist, DiCaprio used his platform to call attention to the detrimental effects of climate change, which now has close to double the number of views of Matthew McConaughey’s speech.”
The study was conducted by Maple Casino – the premier authority for the best online casinos in Canada, devoted to connecting Canadian players with the top online casino reviews.
| Top 10 most viewed Oscar acceptance speeches of all time | |
| Winner | YouTube views |
| Leonardo DiCaprio | 47,352,852 |
| Matthew McConaughey | 26,186,277 |
| Heath Ledger | 21,425,866 |
| Kate Winslet | 17,530,502 |
| Jennifer Lawrence | 14,589,004 |
| Eddie Redmayne | 13,734,109 |
| Natalie Portman | 12,183,834 |
| Marlon Brando | 11,454,828 |
| Joaquin Phoenix | 11,386,659 |
| Sandra Bullock | 10,917,316 |
END
New documentary turns the spotlight on asylum seekers’ experiences
Film captures the harsh realities of life in temporary accommodation during a pandemic
A NEW film documents the hardships and challenging living conditions faced by asylum seekers in Glasgow during the Covid-19 pandemic.
I’m Still Here, based on video diaries and photos shared by people living in temporary accommodation and other forms of housing, highlights the insecurity of their lives and constant battle to find the strength to carry on.
Around 350 asylum seekers were moved from their settled flats into various hotels in the city centre following the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020 in what was said to be an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.
A study last year by Edinburgh Napier University researchers found that they faced unsafe conditions, mobility restrictions and a lack of communication from service providers.
The report said the asylum seekers’ accounts – in which they likened their hotel-type accommodation to detention centres – “pointed to a provision that was inattentive towards their needs, vulnerability and wellbeing.”
Now an 18-minute documentary film produced as part of the research project by staff from Edinburgh Napier is to be premiered at Glasgow’s GMAC Film hub at a stakeholder event from 11am-2pm tomorrow – Wednesday February 23.
Further public screenings are being organised across Scotland and the UK to highlight the challenges faced by the country’s asylum seekers and raise public awareness of the issue.
Film director Dr Kirsten MacLeod, the University’s Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Television, said: “I’m Still Here offers a powerful insight into the lived realities of men, women and children placed in temporary accommodation in Glasgow during the pandemic.
“Participants speak of the insecurity of the system in which they find themselves and of extremely challenging living conditions.
“From hotels, hostels and a mother and baby unit, they tell of the stress and hardships they have faced as well as their personal efforts to stay strong, bravely sharing their experiences in the hope that their stories can affect audiences and create change.
“Featuring footage from across 2021, the film aims to humanise and give voice to those seeking asylum and living in Scotland and highlights inadequate policy and treatment of asylum seekers.”
The research study – funded by the Economic and Social Research Council – and film were produced in collaboration with migrant-led grassroots organisation Migrants Organising for Rights and Empowerment (MORE).
Dr Taulant Guma, Principal Investigator and lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Applied Sciences, said: “The recent moves by private sector firms to relocate asylum seekers to hotels across the UK during the pandemic have led to a great deal of misinformation in the public and media about the ‘luxurious’ conditions offered by these temporary arrangements, misinformation which has further perpetuated the stigmatisation of asylum seekers during the pandemic.
“This co-produced documentary captures the impact and reality of these moves through the eyes and from the perspective of asylum seekers themselves.
“Through their video diaries, our participants tell a very different story from the one we often hear, a story that sheds new light on Covid realities for those individuals whose lives and mobility are largely regulated and restricted by the state and private companies.”
Yvonne Blake, co-founder of MORE, said: “The footage of the prison-like conditions the participants endured in the hotel capture the hostile environment at work and its significant impact on people’s mental health.
“Sadly, it has become common practice for the UK government Home Office through various contractors to subject international protection applicants to this kind of treatment.”
World’s Best Video Game Adaptations?
Ahead of the cinema release of video game adaptation Uncharted in the UK, new data has found the best video game movie, revealing Pokémon’s ‘Detective Pikachu’ to be a favourite across the globe.
- Pokémon’s ‘Detective Pikachu’ scored the best video game adaptation with scores 53/100 on Metacritic and 68% via Rotten Tomatoes
- Second is ‘Rampage’ seeing a box office of £350 million, Critic scores of 51% on Rotten Tomatoes and an IMDB rating of 6.1/10
- ‘Warcraft’ in third, this video game movie was the highest earner at the box office with £376 million
Gaming experts SolitaireBliss, analysed 34 video games made into movies looking at both critic and viewer ratings and box office income adjusted for inflation to find the most popular video game movie.
First is ‘Detective Pikachu’ from the Pokémon franchise. Released in 2019, the adventure game could be played on Nintendo, where players accompany Pikachu to solve mysteries. Starring Ryan Reynolds in the movie, the film took in £348 million at the box office, making it the third highest-earning video game movie adaptation.
The film received a Metacritic score of 53/100, and the highest Rotten Tomatoes score of all films in the list, at 68%.
‘Rampage’ is the second highest in the list, after placing second at the box office with £350 million. The video game was first created in 1986, made originally as an arcade game, and players control three monsters with aims to survive against the military. The movie claimed Hollywood stars Dwayne Johnson and Naomie Harris to play the lead roles.
The Third most successful movie based on a game is ‘Warcraft’. Starring Paula Patton and Dominic Cooper, the film scored 28% on Rotten Tomatoes and 32/100 on Metacritic, but ranked highly after being the highest earner at box office with £376 million. Warcraft is built up around five core games in the franchise, where opposing players order virtual armies to battle against each other.
The action-adventure game adaptation with Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton and Ben Kingsley, ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’, ranked fourth in the listing with an average score of 51 in the viewer and critic score, the movie made more than £317 million at box office when it was released in 2010.
Released in February 2020, ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ takes fifth place in the ranking. The movie featuring Jim Carrey received an IMDB score of 6.5/10 and 63% via Rotten Tomatoes. The series follows Sonic battling a mad scientist.
Sixth most popular is ‘Tomb Raider’ released in 2018, the film took in almost £225 million at the box office. ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’, the first instalment of this series of movies in 2001, placed eighth in the list. The game ‘Tomb Raider’ is an action-adventure which follows Lara Croft travelling the globe for lost artefacts, involving puzzle solving and fighting enemies.
The Resident Evil series with Kaya Scodelario placed twice in the top ten with ‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter’ ranking seventh in the list, and ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ in ninth. The Franchise is a survival horror series which includes zombies and puzzle solving.
Tenth in the list is the fighting, action-adventure game adaptation ‘Mortal Kombat’, the video game movie received a Metacritic score of 60/100 and IMDB rating of 6.1/10.
| Most Popular Video Game Movie | |
| Rank | Movie Title |
| 1 | Detective Pikachu |
| 2 | Rampage |
| 3 | Warcraft |
| 4 | Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time |
| 5 | Sonic the Hedgehog |
| 6 | Tomb Raider |
| 7 | Resident Evil: The Final Chapter |
| 8 | Lara Croft: Tomb Raider |
| 9 | Resident Evil: Afterlife |
| 10 | Mortal Kombat |
Commenting on their findings, a spokesperson from SolitaireBliss said, “With the release of the new video game movie adaptation, Uncharted, it’s fascinating to see how viewers and professional critics score the movies based on games, and comparing that with how each film performed at the box office.
“Movies based on video games have the advantage of a set of fans already familiar with the brand, and likely keen to see it. However, it can be a double-edged sword as those same fans are likely to have strong opinions and high expectations. This data shows that plenty of video game films have made good money, but many have struggled to impress fans and critics.”
This study was conducted by SolitaireBliss, which provides an online gaming service allowing users to play a wide array of card games and challenges.
Edinburgh film-makers shortlisted in FilmG Gaelic Short Film Competition
Filmmakers taking part in this year’s prestigious Gaelic short film competition FilmG 2022 have been inspired by nature, environmental issues and the great outdoors – with many of the shortlisted films exploring these topics.
Many films followed this year’s competition theme Lorg, which means search, find or trace, it could even be interpreted as footsteps, with some shortlisted films exploring the outdoors, getting closer to nature and appreciating and protecting the environment.
Nominees have now been confirmed across 17 categories and all the shortlisted films are available to watch on the FilmG website.
The competition received 91 entries this year, which covered various different stories and current events, and the judges had a tough job whittling down the entries over multiple days.
On the environmental theme, eponymous Uilleam Uaine (Green William) is in Staffin to help the pupils to make the right choices for the environment, in a film of the same name which was written and produced by pupils at Staffin Primary School on the Isle of Skye. It has been shortlisted as the Best Production (Under 12).
And a film by pupils at Sgoil Bhagh a’ Chaisteil on the Isle of Barra called ‘Cosgais A Churaim’, (The Cost of Caring) which looks into the effects of disposable face masks on our environment, has been nominated for Best Documentary.
Dihaoinean airson Teachd (Fridays of the Future) tells the story of a scientist who wants to save the world with a potion she has invented to create an Eco Superhero. However, the wrong people keep drinking it!
Made by pupils at Craighill Primary School in Tain, this film has also been shortlisted as the Best Production (Under 12).
Gaelic Medium pupils at Oban High School have been nominated for ‘GOP 26’, which is about an environmental conference GOP26 taking place in Glasgow with leaders from all over the world making speeches, but one of the speakers mysteriously goes missing. The film was shortlisted for the quality of the spoken Gaelic throughout.
Several films explore the great outdoors including a film about hillwalking and scrambling as a way to get a new perspective on the world from beyond the cold, dark glens and high above the clouds.
Called ‘Thar Nan Sgòth – Beinn Eighe’ (Above the Clouds – Beinn Eighe) this film, made by Anndra Cuimeanach from Gairloch, has been nominated for Best Documentary and Best Young Filmmaker in the Youth Category (12-17).
Also in the Youth Category a film by Emma Rose Passmore from Harris called ‘Falaichte Ann an Roghdal’ (Hidden in Rodal) which looks at the secret history of Roghdal in Harris, has been nominated for Best Documentary and Best Young Filmmaker.
In the Open category a short documentary called ‘A’ Mhuir’ (The Sea) about wild swimming and the students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the Isle of Skye who take part in the sport, has been nominated for Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Somhairle MacIain), Best Student Film and Best Director (Anna Garvin).
‘Am Buaile Dubh’ by Eòghan Stiùbhart from Inverness, which takes a look around Am Buaile Dubh on the outskirts of Inverness, has been nominated for Best Film, Film Duthchais (which translates as best heritage or community film), Best Performance (Eòghan Stiùbhart), Best Director and Best Script.
While a spoof of outdoor programmes called ‘Rachamaid’ by Ross Young from Inverurie has been shortlisted for Best Performance (Ross Young) and Best Student Film.
And ‘Eilean Lois’ (Lois’s Island) by Somhairle MacIain from Glasgow, which follows him and his girlfriend, Lois, as they cycled the Hebridean Way in the summer and he teaches her to speak Gaelic on the trip, has been shortlisted for Best Student Film.
This is just a few of an array of fantastic films by talented filmmakers, schools and community groups from across Scotland that have made it to the shortlists for the FilmG 2022 Short Film Competition.
Karen Elder, a journalist for An Là is a Scottish Gaelic-language news programme broadcast on the Gaelic-language channel, BBC ALBA, was one of the judges this year.She said: “It was a privilege to once again be a part of the judging panel for FilmG. There was a wide variety of films entered, from strong documentaries to comedy. It was no small task.”
You can watch shortlisted films on the FilmG website. FilmG is the Gaelic short film competition, funded by MG ALBA and delivered by Cànan Graphics Studio on the Isle of Skye.
The winners of this year’s prestigious Gaelic Short Film Competition FilmG will be revealed on BBC ALBA from 9pm on Friday, February 25 via a new, specially created, awards programme broadcast from Stornoway.
The show will be hosted by FilmG and BBC ALBA stalwarts Fiona MacKenzie and Niall Iain MacDonald.
For more information, www.filmg.co.uk
Shortlists:
Youth (Under 12) Category
| Filmmaker | Location | Film | Category | Link to Film | Description |
| Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghleann Dail (Glendale Primary School) | Glasgow | Deiseil neo aindeiseil? | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/JXLuSzXW0lk | Things go wrong when a group of pupils try and play a game of hide and seek instead of learning about it. Where did Penelope go?! |
| Bun-sgoil Achadh na Creige (Rockfield Primary School) | Oban | Lorden Bino agus Ned | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/axhZ-LBu_yw | Lorden, Bino and Ned have told the dinner ladies at Rockfield Primary School that their food is not good enough and they will make school dinners better. |
| Sgoil Staffainn (Staffin Primary School) | Isle of Skye | Tearlach san Eilean | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/eWOxlGeXD5E | Prince Charles visits Staffin |
| Bun-sgoil Dun Bheagan (Dunvegan Primary School) | Isle of Skye | Air Chall ‘s Air Lorg | Best Film (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/J_eMMxhCzrc | Will one young girl’s conscience help her do the right thing? |
| Bun-sgoil Thaigh A’ Chladaich (Sandbank Primary School) | Dunoon | Coignear Air Chall | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/U2xnw4qEA5U | Five Children go to Kilmun on Halloween. Did they get away safely? They met a strange family – the Adams Family! |
| Sgoil Staffainn (Staffin Primary School) | Isle of Skye | Uilleam Uaine | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/s4wPduOWU04 | Uilleam Uaine is in Staffin to help the pupils make the right choices for the environment |
| Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige (Craighill Primary School) | Tain | Dihaoinean airson Teachd | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/MDHwFPaTmVM | A Scientist wants to save the world with a potion she has invented – to create an Eco Superhero. However, the wrong people keep drinking it! |
| Bun-sgoil Ghlinn Urchadain (Glenurquhart Primary School) | Drumnadrochit | An Iuchair Draoidheil | Best Production (Under 12) | https://youtu.be/iQm8t4qOMGM | A student finds a magic key and brings it into class |
Youth (12-17) Category
| Filmmaker | Location | Film | Category | Link to film | Description |
| Parker Dawes | Ardnamurchan | Spies-R-Us | Best Film (Fluent), Best Production, Best Young Filmmaker, Best Performance (Parker Dawes) | https://youtu.be/yRN6I9rNduo | Seumas McGuffin, the best spy in the world and friend Iain stole a secret file from the most secure facility in Scotland. Here’s what happened. |
| Àrd-sgoil an Òbain (Oban High School) | Oban | GOP 26 | Best Film (Fluent) | https://youtu.be/CtVGNy2PsSg | GOP26 is taking place in Glasgow and world leaders are making speeches. But one of the speakers has gone missing! |
| Àrd-sgoil Ghearrloch (Gairloch High School) | Gairloch | An Sithiche Mu Dheireadh | Best Film (Fluent) | https://youtu.be/zt9k4zzFTfg | The Gille Dubh, has lived in the Gairloch area for centuries.But after the laird had hunted him, he was not seen again … until he appeared in our own day |
| Finlay agus Calum Morrison | Glasgow | An Taigh-Òsta | Best Film (Fluent), Best Performance (Finlay Morrison) | https://youtu.be/ziIP9d-EUg4 | Iain and Donald McRamsay explore the goings-on in the fictional village of “Ochanish”. There are some interesting characters staying there! |
| Àrd-sgoil Ile (Islay High School) | Islay | Easga Bhuidhe na Feidh | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/oARMiRNVzyQ | Is Easga Bhuidhe na Feidh as fearful as legend suggests? A group of Islay teenagers try to find out. |
| Acadamaidh Pheairt (Perth Academy) | Perth | An Amaladh a Chèile | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/2QHIWzyBXOQ | A small group of pupils leaves a classroom and see a poster offering a reward for the capture of an escaped llama. |
| Àrd-sgoil Tobar Mhoire (Tobermory High School) | Mull | Seumas Snasail | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/3gS9zxAlx7I | A young girl goes to extreme lengths to meet her idol. Is meeting your heroes ever a good idea? |
| Acadamaidh Allt a’ Mhuilinn (Millburn Academy) | Inverness | Flòraidh | Best Film (Learners) | https://youtu.be/h12m98PjC54 | Can you ever be sure who you’re talking to when you meet someone online? |
| Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh (Portree High School) | Isle of Skye | Cuidhteas | Best Production, Best Performance (Iseabail MacRae) | https://youtu.be/rcEFfex-0v4 | Three respectable wives in the Victorian Era plan a way to find independence from their husbands |
| Àrd-sgoil Loch Abar (Lochaber High School) | Fort William | Gàidsear Chreutairean | Best Production, Best Performance (Calum Stewart) | https://youtu.be/nZmPTyQF8IY | When there’s something strange in your school, who will you phone? Gàidsear Chrutairean (Creature Catcher)! |
| Àrd-sgoil Aird nam Murchan (Ardnamurchan High School) | Ardnamurchan | Beatha Iain Lom | Best Production | https://youtu.be/Rfq93GwOv_s | From birth to death- scenes from the life of one of Scotland’s best known poets. |
| Anndra Cuimeanach | Gairloch | Thar Nan Sgòth – Beinn Eighe | Best Documentary, Best Young Filmmaker | https://youtu.be/RScxxJ-3WGE | Sometimes we have to leave the cold, dark glens and climb high above each cloud. There we get a new perspective on the world. |
| Emma Rose Passmore | Harris | Falaichte Ann an Roghdal | Best Documentary, Best Young Filmmaker | https://youtu.be/ejf_w648ZVY | A look around the secret history of Roghdal in Harris |
| Keri NicIain | Inverness | Latha na Deuchainn | Best Young Filmmaker | https://youtu.be/bnzta6WQjLI | It’s exam day for the Gaelic pupils. This film picks up on the different types of student (and teachers) that you encounter during exams! |
| Sgoil Bhagh a’ Chaisteil | Isle of Barra | Cosgais A Churaim | Best Documentary | https://youtu.be/_0MUTOpstAQ | A look into the effects of disposable face masks on our environment. |
| Àrd-sgoil MhicNeacail (Nicolson Institute) | Isle of Lewis | Ceannairc | Best Documentary | https://youtu.be/hzLk-AyZRJQ | Twenty years after the 9/11 attacks, Nicolson Institute S3 students take a look back at history. |
| Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu | Glagsow | Fo Bhruid | Best Performance (Shreya Saul) | https://youtu.be/J99RYIxIQlY | A group of friends have to follow a number of clues to find out what has happened to their missing friend. |
| Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu | Glasgow | Murt Matamataig | Best Performance (Eylana McCormack) | https://youtu.be/GB_UQI3E7PE | When the maths teacher is murdered, it is up to the class to figure out who amongst them is the murderer. |
Open Category
| Filmmaker | Location | Film | Shortlisted for | ||
| Alina Brust | Edinburgh | An Taigh Solais | Best Film, Best Student Film, Best Director (Alina Brust) | https://youtu.be/EYN7y0ih9vY | A shepherd and her sheep are trapped in a strange lighthouse. |
| Innes MacLeod | Isle of Lewis | Cudaig | Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Director (Innes MacLeod) | https://youtu.be/BNe8wEbmbIs | Cudaig’s life as a Coastguard volunteer. |
| Cursa TBh Sabhal Mòr Ostaig | Isle of Skye | A’ Mhuir | Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Somhairle MacIain), Best Student Film, Best Director (Anna Garvin) | https://youtu.be/0VAitEe_uVE | A short documentary about wild swimming and the students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig who take part in the sport. |
| Eòghan Stiùbhart | Inverness | Am Buaile Dubh | Best Film, Film Duthchais, Best Performance (Eòghan Stiùbhart), Best Director, Best Script | https://youtu.be/yeKqd4ak_0k | A look around Am Buaile Dubh on the outskirts of Inverness |
| Ross Young | Inverurie | Rachamaid | Best Performance (Ross Young), Best Student Film | https://youtu.be/oxjOk9mSy6I | A spoof of outdoor programmes. |
| Somhairle MacIain | Glasgow | Eilean Lois | Best Student Film | https://youtu.be/JLQZtS7A9QU | In the summer me and my girlfriend, Lois, cycled the Hebridean Way. Lois does not speak Gaelic but I try to teach her some on our trip |
| Comunn na Gaidhlig | Nationwide | Lorgan Caluim Cille | Film Duthchais | https://youtu.be/aJkvxxkSOlA | It is the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St Columba. The Comunn na Gàidhlig team works throughout Scotland and seven of our Iomairtean Cànain (language initiatives) looked for local links with Colmcille |
| Marcas Mac An Tuairneir | Edinburgh | Crò-naomh | Best Performance (Marcas Mac An Tuairneir) | https://youtu.be/bfDLBEPTG3I | A film-poem by Marcas Mac an Tuairneir with the poem’Crò-naomh’ (‘Sacred Heart’) |
| Robbie MacLeod | Edinburgh | Lorgan | Best Performance (Robbie MacLeod), Best Script | https://youtu.be/iqY422knVeg | A film poem examining the things that go out of view, and the traces they leave behind them. |
| Clas Gàidhlig Chamelon | Falkirk | Làrach eucoir anns a’ Ghearasdan | Best Performance (Julia Gull), Best Script | https://youtu.be/R8xJpTJtuxo | A crime was committed in Fort William and the neighbours are shocked. A police officer narrows down the suspects to four people and interviews them. |
| Cheryl Heggie School of Dance + Sìne na Screen | Inverness | Thòisich e le Sreothart! | Best Script | https://youtu.be/IQ4yRWtaqbY | It started with a sneeze! The entries for the Highland dancers scatter everywhere and they end up in the wrong competitions at the Highland games |
Christmas at the Quarter
A look behind the scenes at St James Quarter
St James Quarter has released episode four of its ‘Behind the Quarter’ series, giving viewers a look behind the scenes at Scotland’s top retail-led destination.
Episode four includes some never-before-seen footage of the latest brands opening in The Quarter this December and a look at some of the unique services available to guests.
Nick Peel discusses The Quarter’s first Christmas, the current success stories, latest openings, and a hint of what’s to come in 2022. Representatives from Thai Express Kitchen, Bar Hutte, The Alchemist, Pho and Moriconi provide a unique insight into their brand history and a first-hand look at life Behind the Quarter.
Viewers meet The Quarter’s Guest Services team for the first time who introduce some of the exclusive services accessible to guests, including ‘DropIt’ handsfree shopping and all the pawfect experiences available for any four-legged visitors.
The full video can be streamed here.
To download this teaser content, click here.
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN: The UK’s favourite Christmas Film
- ‘Elf’ is the UK’s favourite Christmas movie
- ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and ‘Home Alone’ take second and third respectively
- ‘Love, Actually’ and ‘Last Christmas’ also make the list
The 2003 comedy ‘Elf’ is the most popular film to watch this Christmas period, according to new research.
Research conducted by PokerListings.com analysed IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes scores, as well as Google search levels and Wikipedia page views to see which Christmas movie is the UK’s number one fan favourite.
‘Elf’ ended up taking the top spot, with more than 30,000 Google searches a month for the Christmas classic, as well as praise from audiences and critics alike.
The film is currently sitting at 7/10 on IMDB and a 79% score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. The Jon Favreau-directed comedy featured an ensemble cast with Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan and many more starring.
In second place is the animated musical ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’. Released in 1993, the film is a high scorer with audiences sitting at an 8/10 on IMDB and a 91% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
It’s the biggest scorer for Wiki page views on the list, with more than 1.1 million visiting in the past month alone. The fantasy title was the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
‘Home Alone’ sits in third place in the list as another audience favourite, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 80% and a 7.6/10 on IMDB. It’s widely considered one of the greatest festive films ever, and the effect the film has is clear, with its success influencing the making of six sequels since its release in 1990.
| Rank | Movie title | RT Audience score | IMDB Rating | Total Searches per month | Wiki Page Views (Past Month) |
| 1 | Elf | 79% | 7 | 30800 | 159,484 |
| 2 | The Nightmare Before Christmas | 91% | 8 | 1070 | 1,100,610 |
| 3 | Home Alone | 80% | 7.6 | 2450 | 530,980 |
| 4 | Mickey’s Christmas Carol | 90% | 8 | 1920 | 75,212 |
| 5 | Last Christmas | 81% | 6.5 | 11900 | 230,285 |
| 6 | Love, Actually | 72% | 7.6 | 2050 | 335,226 |
| 7 | Santa Claus: The Movie | 66% | 6.3 | 36900 | 38,795 |
| 8 | It’s a Wonderful Life | 95% | 8.6 | 800 | 672,539 |
| 9 | Love Hard | 94% | 6.3 | 30 | 699,162 |
| 10 | The Snowman | 91% | 8.2 | 4400 | 93,672 |
‘Love, Actually’ also features in the top ten, sitting in fifth place. The film is one of the most prominent UK rom-coms set in the Christmas period, and features a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Keira Knightley, Emma Thompson and many more. It had a charity short film sequel, Red Nose Day Actually, which aired in 2017 on BBC One with the same cast.
The 2019 Romantic Comedy ‘Last Christmas’ makes an appearance in seventh place. Inspired by the music of George Michael, it stars Emilia Clarke in the leading role, with Emma Thompson and Henry Golding also starring.
It’s an example of a Christmas movie that divided critics and fans, with a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 81% and only a 44% score from critics, with a 6.5/10 on IMDB. It’s also one of the most Googled entries on the list with more than 11,000 searches a month.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for PokerListings said: “It’s great to see how diverse the market for Christmas movies is, with a variety of genres included on the list.
“Despite many new additions every year to the festive line up, many entries in the top ten are more than 20 years old now, which really emphasizes how timeless movies like ‘Elf’ and ‘Home Alone’ are and how they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
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