We have had an interesting year in 2013. We built our third screen from the old lounge, investing a substantial sum in projection equipment (thanks to Skyfall).

The live productions we now show have become very popular. Some of the big films of the year were a little disappointing in the way they attracted audiences and also as films.

Others were absolutely brilliant, thinking about Despicable Me 2 for example, which stayed with us for many weeks, beating those expected to blow it out of the water. There is to be a Minions Movie in 2015.

Philomena is another with a good story and brilliant acting. Steve Coogan showed himself to be an accomplished actor in Philomena.

New in from this week is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, a fairly sensitive treatment of the story of Walter Mitty. We have not seen it yet, with everything that is happening at the moment.

Films next year include: Mandela (12A) – this looks like a brilliant film, starring Idris Elba as Mandela, and is based on the South African president Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming president.

The Railway Man (15) – starring Colin Firth, is based on the true story of Eric Lomax, a British Army officer who is tormented as a prisoner of war at a Japanese labour camp during the Second World War. Decades later, he discovers that the Japanese interpreter he holds responsible for much of his treatment is still alive and sets out to confront him.

Moshi Monsters (U) – in Moshi world threatened by the evil Dr Strangelove, who has stolen a rare Moshling egg and is getting ready to crush it, our heroes are on a race against time to save the egg from certain destruction.

Twelve Years a Slave (15) – is the story of a man living in New York during the mid-1800s who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the deep south. Looks a strong story.

August in Osage County (15) – stars (among others) Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper and Benedict Cumberbatch and is the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the Weston family and the events following the disappearance of “a husband”.

Grace of Monaco – Nicole Kidman plays the newly-minted Princess of Monaco, former actress Grace Kelly, who proves herself against all odds by leading her adopted country in its struggle against France when it tries to take over Monaco.

Guardians of the Galaxy – (look out for the costumes in this one) this is an unlikely cast of characters who must team up to defeat a cosmic force of epic proportion. It is a Marvel film so will be full of action.

Stage productions next year include: Giselle – we have been able to release some seats for this production on January 27.

The Donmar Warehouse production of Coriolanus – Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge, with Tom Hiddleston in the title role and Mark Gatiss as Menenius.

Noel Coward’s Private Lives on February 6 still has some good seats available for this classic comedy.

NT Live – War Horse – Thursday, February 27, unfortunately this sold out within hours, but there are some good seats still available for the Encore performances.

The Sleeping Beauty appears on March 19 and is very popular, as always, and The Winter’s Tale is on April 28. We have the RSC’s Henry IV Part 1 on May 14 and Henry IV Part 2 on Wednesday, June 18. Andre Rieu is due back in the summer live from Maastricht.

That is all for now, other than to say thank you for reading my ramblings over the past year and thank you for your massive support of your local three-screen cinema. See you in the New Year.