Season Five - Spring 2016

PG Film Club - Season 5 - Spring 2016

This season's schedule veered a little off course, perhaps as Brendan pointed out in the beginning;  'Steven Seagal should not be watched on Groundshog day'.  The overarching theme for this season was the Oscars and so we divided up our sessions into different Oscar nomination categories. Highlights of the season include watching the 2006 German film 'The Lives of Others' which was the debut of filmmaker Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and chosen for the 'Best foreign language film' category. Another top pick was 'Spirited Away' - chosen as the best animated feature film which brought some lively and intellectual discussion to the table.





Session 1: Above the Law 
For the theme: Best Steven Seagal Film

Above the Law is the 1988 action movie that launched Steven Seagal's movie career. In the film, Seagal stars as Nico Toscani, a Chicago cop with a CIA past and family in the Mafia who investigates the assassination of a local priest that may be part of a government conspiracy.

Like Steven Seagal? Try watching other films he's in such as: Under Seige
















Session 2: Cinema Trip - Deadpool (2016)

Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative who now works as a mercenary. His world comes crashing down when evil scientist Ajax (Ed Skrein) tortures, disfigures and transforms him into Deadpool. The rogue experiment leaves Deadpool with accelerated healing powers and a twisted sense of humor. With help from mutant allies Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), Deadpool uses his new skills to hunt down the man who nearly destroyed his life.













Session 3: For the theme: 'Best Screenplay - (Oscar Winners from 1960's)
Film 1: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

When Joanna Drayton (Katharine Houghton), a free-thinking white woman, and black doctor John Prentice (Sidney Poitier) become engaged, they travel to San Francisco to meet her parents. Matt Drayton (Spencer Tracy) and his wife Christina (Katharine Hepburn) are wealthy liberals who must confront the latent racism the coming marriage arouses. Also attending the Draytons' dinner are Prentice's parents (Roy E. Glenn Sr., Beah Richards), who vehemently disapprove of the relationship.



Film 2: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

The true story of fast-draws and wild rides, battles with posses, train and bank robberies, a torrid love affair and a new lease on outlaw life in far away Bolivia. It is also a character study of a remarkable friendship between Butch - possibly the most likeable outlaw in frontier history - and his closest associate, the fabled, ever-dangerous Sundance Kid.

Session 4:
The Lives of Others (2006)
For the theme: Best foreign language film

In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), doubting that a famous playwright (Sebastian Koch) is loyal to the Communist Party, receives approval to spy on the man and his actress-lover Christa-Maria (Martina Gedeck). Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, then faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria and orders Wiesler to get the playwright out of the way.
















Session 5: Michael Collins (1996)
For the theme: Centennary of the 1916 Easter Rising 

In the early 20th century, Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) leads the Irish Republican Army with the help of his friends Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn) and Eamon de Valera (Alan Rickman), in a violent battle for Ireland's independence from Britain. But, when he fears the defeat of his revolution, Collins negotiates a treaty with the British, deeming him a traitor to the IRA. When he receives orders to murder his friends, Collins must decide where his loyalties lie.

















Spirited Away (1996)
For the theme: Best animated feature film

In this animated feature by noted Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, 10-year-old Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi) and her parents (Takashi Naitô, Yasuko Sawaguchi) stumble upon a seemingly abandoned amusement park. After her mother and father are turned into giant pigs, Chihiro meets the mysterious Haku (Miyu Irino), who explains that the park is a resort for supernatural beings who need a break from their time spent in the earthly realm, and that she must work there to free herself and her parents.













Cinema Trip: Captain America - Civil War (2016)

Political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability when the actions of the Avengers lead to collateral damage. The new status quo deeply divides members of the team. Captain America (Chris Evans) believes superheroes should remain free to defend humanity without government interference. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) sharply disagrees and supports oversight. As the debate escalates into an all-out feud, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must pick a side.