Cineworld Cardiff

• 2022
• US

• Directed by: James Wan
• Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Temuera Morrison

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• 2003
• US / Germany
• 1h 31min
• 15

• Directed by: Terry Zwigoff
• Written by: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa, uncredited:, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Terry Zwigoff
• Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly, Lauren Graham, Lauren Tom, John Ritter, Bernie Mac

Wickedly funny movie about a pair of con men posing as Santa and his elf in order to rob department stores. Thornton's Father Christmas, a foul-mouthed, womanising drunk named Willie T Stokes, is a work of comic genius whose consistently shocking catalogue of crimes and misdemeanours includes arriving inebriated; pissing his pants with a child sitting on his lap; and indulging his penchant for anal sex with big black women. Don't bring your kids to this one.

• 71%
• 70%
• 78%

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• 2018
• UK
• 1h 30min
• PG

• Directed by: Tom Cairns
• Cast: Simon Callow

One-man theatrical version of the classic Christmas story based on Dickens' own performance adaptation. Created by Simon Callow and director-designer Tom Cairns.

• 76%

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• 1988
• US
• 2h 11min
• 18

• Directed by: John McTiernan
• Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Alexander Godunov

Willis plays a cop who attends a tower block Christmas party with his estranged spouse. The building is raided by terrorists, so it's left to Willis to bump off the baddies and save the hostages while the police and FBI languish ineptly on the sidelines. Unbearably tense actioner that gets good mileage out of yawning lift-shafts and flying bullets, while Willis is convincing as an ordinary guy trying to cope with it all. Watch out for Brit Rickman as a villain with a sense of humour.

• 82%
• 72%
• 92%

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• 2023
• Japan
• 2h 5min

• Directed by: Takashi Yamazaki
• Cast: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki

Returning the franchise to its roots, post-war Japan is at its lowest point when a new threat emerges in the form of a gigantic monster.

• 84%
• 79%

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• 1990
• US
• 1h 43min
• PG

• Directed by: Chris Columbus
• Written by: John Hughes
• Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O'Hara

An alternative Christmas treat chosen by you. When Kevin is accidently left Home Alone he is forced to protect his house from a pair of bungling burglars.

Peter and Kate McCallister (Heard and O'Hara) have an eight-year-old brat and wisely – albeit accidentally – leave him behind in Chicago when they go on holiday to Paris. Left to his own devices young Kevin (Culkin) has to deal with two bungling burglars (Pesci and Stern) who threaten to invade his peaceful haven. Jolly, if sadistic, scare-comedy antics produced by teen flick veteran John Hughes.

• 77%
• 63%
• 55%

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• 1992
• US
• 2h
• PG

• Directed by: Chris Columbus
• Written by: John Hughes
• Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern

Young Kevin McAllister is once again left alone for Christmas (this time in the Big Apple), with two crooks to contend with.

• 68%
• 46%
• 24%

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• 1946
• US
• 2h 9min
• U

• Directed by: Frank Capra
• Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers

Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmas Classic follows the tribulations of small town everyman George Bailey (James Stewart), who, at the end of his luck and deep in debt, contemplates suicide one snowy, bleak Christmas Eve. But when George wishes that he had never been born, his guardian angel Clarence (Henry Travers) takes a trip from the heavens to persuade him otherwise.

After a nightmarish journey through an alternative Bedford Falls, George realizes the difference he has made to the people around him, learning lessons of love, loyalty, and what it means to lead a wonderful life.

• 86%
• 89%
• 94%

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• 2024
• US

Acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell brings a vital new production of one of opera’s most enduringly powerful works, reinvigorating the classic story with a staging that moves the action to the modern day and finds at the heart of the drama issues that could not be more relevant today: gendered violence, abusive labor structures, and the desire to break through societal boundaries. Dazzling young mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina leads a powerhouse quartet of stars in the complex and volatile title role, alongside tenor Piotr Beczała as Carmen’s troubled lover Don José, soprano Angel Blue as the loyal Micaëla, and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the swaggering Escamillo. Daniele Rustioni conducts Bizet’s heart-pounding score.

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• 2024
• US

Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Verdi’s grand tale of ill-fated love, deadly vendettas, and family strife, with stellar soprano Lise Davidsen as the noble Leonora, one of the repertory’s most tormented—and thrilling—heroines. Director Mariusz Treliński delivers the company’s first new Forza in nearly 30 years, setting the scene in a contemporary world and making extensive use of the Met’s turntable to represent the unstoppable advance of destiny that drives the opera’s chain of calamitous events. The distinguished cast also features tenor Brian Jagde as Leonora’s forbidden beloved, Don Alvaro; baritone Igor Golovatenko as her vengeful brother, Don Carlo; mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk as the fortune teller Preziosilla; bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi as Fra Melitone; and bass Soloman Howard as both Leonora’s father and Padre Guardiano.

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• 2024
• US

Puccini’s bittersweet love story arrives in cinemas, with soprano Angel Blue starring as the French courtesan Magda, opposite tenor Jonathan Tetelman as Ruggero, an idealistic young man who offers her an alternative to her life of excess. Maestro Speranza Scappucci conducts Nicolas Joël’s Art Deco–inspired staging, which transports audiences from the heart of Parisian nightlife to a dreamy vision of the French Riviera. Soprano Emily Pogorelc and tenor Bekhzod Davronov complete the sterling cast as Lisette and Prunier

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• 2024
• US

Extraordinary soprano Asmik Grigorian tackles the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the loyal geisha at the heart of Puccini’s devastating tragedy. Tenor Jonathan Tetelman stars as the callous American naval officer Pinkerton, whose betrayal destroys her. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong reprises the role of the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Lucas Meachem is the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang takes the podium to conduct Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.

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• 2024
• US

Ancient Babylon comes to life in a classic Met staging of biblical proportions. Baritone George Gagnidze makes his Met role debut as the imperious king Nabucco, alongside soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska reprising her thrilling turn as his vengeful daughter Abigaille. Mezzo-soprano Maria Barakova and tenor SeokJong Baek are Fenena and Ismaele, whose love transcends politics, and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy repeats his celebrated portrayal of the high priest Zaccaria. Daniele Callegari conducts Verdi’s exhilarating early masterpiece, which features the ultimate showcase for the great Met Chorus, the moving “Va, pensiero.”

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• 2024
• US

Two singers at the height of their powers—radiant soprano Nadine Sierra and tenor sensation Benjamin Bernheim—come together as the star-crossed lovers in Gounod’s sumptuous Shakespeare adaptation, with Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium to conduct one of the repertoire’s most romantic scores. Bartlett Sher’s towering staging also features baritone Will Liverman and tenor Frederick Ballentine as the archrivals Mercutio and Tybalt, mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey as the mischievous pageboy Stéphano, and bass-baritone Alfred Walker as Frère Laurent.

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• 1992
• US
• 1h 25min
• U

• Directed by: Brian Henson
• Cast: Michael Caine, Steven Mackintosh, Dave Goelz, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Steve Whitmire

It's Christmas time, and nasty old miser Scrooge (Caine) needs to be taught a lesson by three seasonal ghosts. Colourful version of Dickens' classic tale that will please the kids and keep the adults smiling with its little irreverent spices.

• 77%
• 64%
• 69%

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• 2024
• UK

• Directed by: Rupert Goold
• Cast: Joseph Fiennes

A new play by James Graham directed by Rupert Goold.

Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) plays Gareth Southgate in James Graham’s (Sherwood) gripping examination of nation and game.

The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game?

With the worst track record for penalties in the world, Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt, to take team and country back to the promised land.

Filmed live on stage at the National Theatre, Rupert Goold (Judy) directs this spectacular new play.

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• 2024
• UK
• 15

• Directed by: Sam Yates
• Cast: Andrew Scott

Adapted by Simon Stephens, after Anton Chekhov.

Directed by Sam Yates.

Designed by Rosanna Vize.

Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens’ (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.

Hopes, dreams, and regrets are thrust into sharp focus in this one-man adaptation which explores the complexities of human emotions.

Filmed live during its sold-out run in London’s West End, Vanya will be playing exclusively in cinemas in 2024.

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• 2023
• UK
• 1h 50min

• Directed by: James Hawes
• Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Johnny Flynn

The story of British humanitarian Nicholas Winton, who helped save hundreds of Central European children from the Nazis on the eve of World War II. Featuring Swanage's own hero, Trevor Chadwick.

Starring Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Flynn, Helena Bonham-Carter and directed by James Hawes.

Running time: 1hr 50mins

• 75%
• 67%

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• 2024
• UK

Jonas Kaufmann headlines David McVicar's spectacular staging of Giordano's epic historical drama, conducted by long-time collaborator Antonio Pappano. Co-production with China National Centre for Performing Arts, Beijing and San Francisco Opera.

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• 2024
• UK

Aigul Akmetshina and Vasilisa Berzhanskaya share the title role in Damiano Michieletto's sizzling new production of Bizet’s ever-popular opera. Co-production with Teatro Real, Madrid and La Scala, Milan.

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• 2024
• UK

The Royal Ballet celebrates the breadth of Principal Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan’s one-act ballets, Danses Concertantes, Different Drummer and Requiem.

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• 2024
• UK

Puccini’s devastating tragedy about a young geisha who falls in love with an American naval officer.

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• 2024
• UK
• 12A

Torn between her desire of a life of splendour and riches and her devotion to her true love Des Grieux, the feckless and capricious Manon pays the ultimate price.

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• 2024
• UK
• 12A

The iconic songs of Sting. The electrifying choreography of Kate Prince. This is a tale of hope.

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• 2024
• UK

• Directed by: Ann Yee and Natalie Abrahami

This poetic, contemporary new staging of Dvořák’s lyric fairy tale reveals our uneasy relationship with the natural world and humanity’s attempts to own and tame it.

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• 2024
• UK

Classical ballet's most powerful tale of love, treachery and forgiveness returns to the Royal Opera House stage.

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• 2023
• UK

The Royal Ballet

The Nutcracker ​

Running time 170 minutes (including one interval)

Join Clara at a delightful Christmas Eve party that becomes a magical adventure once everyone else is tucked up in bed. Marvel at the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s score, as Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker fight the Mouse King and visit the Sugar Plum Fairy in the glittering Kingdom of Sweets. Peter Wright’s much-loved production for The Royal Ballet, with gorgeous period designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman, keeps true to the spirit of this festive ballet classic, combining the thrill of the fairy tale with spectacular dancing.

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• 2024
• UK

Shakespeare’s profound story of love and loss, artfully adapted into a contemporary three-act narrative ballet by Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon, returns to the Main Stage. A co-production between The Royal Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada.

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• 1985
• UK / US
• 1h 47min
• U

• Directed by: Jeannot Szwarc
• Written by: David Newman, Leslie Newman (story), David Newman (screenplay)
• Cast: Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, David Huddleston, Judy Cornwell, Burgess Meredith, Jeffrey Kramer

Cuddly Dudley and Father C. himself in the same movie? One to entertain the younger viewers, or those with a high crassness threshold.

• 62%
• 17%

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• 2022
• US
• 2h 7min
• 12A

• Directed by: Sean Anders, John Morris
• Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, Octavia Spencer, Sunita Mani

Sing-along as Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell take on A Christmas Carol.

• 66%
• 55%

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• 2024
• France / Germany / Spain / Belgium
• 1h 55min

• Directed by: Martin Bourboulon
• Cast: François Civil, Vincent Cassel, Pio Marmaï, Romain Duris, Eva Green

Second part of the duology based on Dumas' novel.

• 74%

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