Bytowne Cinema on Rideau Street is one of Ottawa’s most treasured cultural venues. It is the place to watch ground-breaking and critically acclaimed international and independent movies of all stripes. We would like to feature the films being screened at the Bytowne Cinema this week:
The Piano, November 26
Tonight only, Bytowne Cinema is offering a replay of this classic Jane Campion film from 1993. The movie stars Holly Hunter as a mute pianist and Harvey Keitel as her adult student with ulterior motives, and a young Anna Paquin. Hunter and Paquin both received Academy Awards for their performances, and Campion won the award for Best Original Screenplay. If you never saw it originally be sure to check it out, or just come back for a repeat viewing.
Whiplash, November 26-27
Whiplash is a dynamic and energetic tale of a talented young jazz drummer and his problematic relationship with his drillmaster band leader. Lead by breakout star Miles Teller and character actor extraordinaire J.K. Simmons, Whiplash is being praised for its performances and could win some big prizes as award season nears.
The Theory of Everything, November 26-December 4
The Theory of Everything is a biographical film which traces the story of Stephen and Jane Hawking. Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones team up in this story of intellectual genius, physical frailty, and enduring respect, affection, and love. Redmayne embodies Hawking impressively and will garner much award attention as well.
Warren Miller’s No Turning Back, November 27-28
Warren Miller’s 65th ski film is playing exclusively at Bytowne Cinema. It’s precisely what you would expect from Warren Miller’s work; gorgeous scenery, impressive aerial feats, and a tour of some of the world’s most remote and beautiful mountaintops. Featuring footage from some of today’s most accomplished skiers, including Olympians Ted Ligety and Bode Miller, No Turning Back combines accomplished athletics with skilled filmaking.
Rosewater, November 28-December 11
Jon Stewart’s directorial debut is Rosewater, based on the true story of Maziar Bahari, an Iranian journalist. With the screenplay also written by Stewart, Rosewater tells the tale of Bahari’s imprisonment and the psychological torment he endures. Bahari is well played by Gael García Bernal in a demanding role. The film tackles big themes, including imprisonment, freedom of the press, and international politics, and Stewart handles his role as rookie writer and director admirably.
This is Where I Leave You, November 29-December 1
This film, based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Jonathan Tropper, tells the tale of a large and dysfunctional family that reunites for the funeral of the patriarch. This is Where I Leave You boasts large and impressive cast that include some of the brightest actors of the current era, including Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Rose Byrne, Connie Britton, Adam Driver, Timothy Olyphant, and Corey Stoll, and movie icon Jane Fonda as the matriarch. Each character represents a different aspect of dysfunction and tackles grief in their own way as the family sits shiva.
M*A*S*H, December 2-3
If you caught Altman, the documentary of the legendary American director which played at the Bytowne Cinema, you were probably nostaglic for the classic Altman films. Fortunately, few are better than his directorial debut from 1970, M*A*S*H. Starring Donald Sutherland, Tom Skerritt and Elliott Gould, this classic black comedy set during the Korean War spun off an iconic television series and inspired a generation of filmmakers and writers.
