Well no sooner did I say the sun is cracking the flagstones and the weather forecast got it right (well a day late) and we got the rain to entice people into the cinema. I promise I haven’t been doing my rain dance!

We went away for the weekend to see my favourite daughter who gave us some gossip from the movie biz, none of which I can print here. But on the way there we were in the queue at the motorway services and someone bumped into Caroline and it transpired that he lives in Yeadon and works in Bradford and his wife travels to meet a friend in Malton at our esteemed cinema – you just can’t credit it. He is talking about coming to the D-Day: 70 Years On Live from the Royal Albert Hall as he also passionately believes that our armed forces deserve recognition.

Food Festival – had some better weather on the Sunday and so did we. I had a description that the car parking was sterilised in the town and that was the reason people would not be coming to see us. We had hoped to be part of the Treasure Trail but we seem to have been missed.

Films this week

Postman Pat the Movie (U) – we loved it! There was a little lull at one point but it was probably not aimed at my age group! From the very outset the film was Postman Pat for a contemporary audience. There was a good strong message of family and friends throughout. Jess the Cat is still in and provides some hilarious interludes. Stephen Mangan as Pat is a great choice and somehow the animators have captured him in Pat’s features – I don’t know what I mean by that but there are some subtle mannerisms and something about the mouth in particular. A large part of the story revolved around the talent show hosted by Simon Cowbell, Ronan Keating sings a song and the critique is really funny. I can’t believe I could get so excited about a film aimed at the young, well families, but it genuinely is a good story. Postman Pat will be playing for a few weeks yet I am sure!

X-Men: Days of Future Past (12A) – I have been disappointed by some of the films based on the Marvel Comics but X-Men: Days of Future Past bucks that trend. It is a great film, cast, script and action. The performances by Patrick Stewart (who plays Professor X) and Ian McKellen (who plays Magneto) are superb. There is a huge suspension of disbelief required for the base premise for the film and there are also a couple of lulls but not for long. The Wolverine character (played by Hugh Jackman) is the main one in this film and he is excellent as usual. The whole story is the basis for the introduction of a new set of actors (as the existing are aging a little after all) and they can start the story lines again. X-Men: Days of Future Past is well worth watching as it has pure escapism and great acting.

Maleficent (PG) - Maleficent is the untold story of Disney's most iconic villain, from the classic 'Sleeping Beauty', and the betrayal that ultimately turned her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent places an irrevocable curse upon the human King's newborn infant Aurora. Maleficent is played by Angelina Jolie and other members of the cast include Elle Fanning, Imelda Staunton, Sam Riley and Lesley Manville.

The Other Woman (12A) and Tracks (12A) finish tomorrow (Thursday).

Stage Productions:

We have a fantastic announcement for a live theatrical event including Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan feature in the highly anticipated production of David Hare's Skylight, directed by Stephen Daldry and broadcast live from the West End by National Theatre Live.

On a bitterly cold London evening, schoolteacher Kyra Hollis receives an unexpected visit from her former lover, Tom Sergeant, a successful and charismatic restaurateur whose wife has recently died. As the evening progresses, the two attempt to rekindle their once passionate relationship only to find themselves locked in a dangerous battle of opposing ideologies and mutual desires. Skylight will be broadcast live on Thursday the 17th of July.

D-Day: 70 Years On Live from the Royal Albert Hall, not far away now from Friday the 6th of June and we have been asked to reserve two seats for Veterans should they be needed – so we may have some VIPs as our guests on the night as well. Tickets are still available though mostly towards the front. A lot of the money for tickets is going to forces related charities – so much the better!

All for this week, thank you for reading and hope to see you soon.