WE are settling down now with our new staff and you will meet them over the coming weeks. I won’t embarrass them by mentioning them here, but I know they will make you welcome at The Palace.

An exciting development is the end of the construction of a new receiver trolley for the live performances, which will enable us to make sure we have no problems with the live shows. It also means that staff can pick up on the process of getting the shows on screen. We are expecting a period of consolidation this month behind the scenes, so that we can make the changes to the experience in front of house.

I will be going around businesses in Malton and Norton this week with Andrew Walker, from The Patisserie, trying to raise the extra money needed to fund the Christmas lights in both Malton and Norton this year. The committee hopes to be able to make more cash this year and make improvements to the displays.

The councils have both stumped up more than last year as has the CIC in Malton, but there is so much more still needed. I can’t help feeling this may be a difficult task.

Films we watched this week

Sex Tape (15) where the premise is that in their flagging relationship the couple at the centre of the film made something for their own consumption. It gets uploaded to “The Cloud” and this is where the story starts. It turned into a jolly jape of ridiculous and touching moments. Sex Tape is less about the sex and more about relationships, though there is a lot of swearing.

The Boxtrolls (PG) is a super film which is all about the things that scare under the ground – the ultimate child’s “I can’t go to sleep story”. The Boxtrolls is based on the book Here Be Monsters! by Alan Snow. The characterisations in the animation are superb, and the way the Boxtrolls convey their dialogue, with limited use of vowels or whatever they use, is both funny and touching. Isaac Hempstead Wright plays Egg’s voice and Elle Fanning plays Winnie. Ben Kinglsey plays the baddie, Snatcher. Nick Frost and Simon Pegg are part of the cast of voices. We had a small party of 11-year-olds in who enjoyed it so much that they stood up and clapped at the end. I don’t know I would go that far, but I really did enjoy it.

The Hundred Foot Journey (PG) started its run with us on Friday – this is the story of a family from India who have to leave their home after being burned out of their home and restaurant. After a very damp time in London they move to France. At the immigration desk Hassan gives a strange, but honest reason for wanting to enter France. There is a lovely feel throughout this film and it is beautifully acted and directed. The script is comical and touching as are the relationships which build up. The food that is cooked looks fabulous.

There is an illustration of French and Indian cultures and cuisine and what is really important in life. Helen Mirren is superb and Om Puri is brilliant as Papa. The two chefs are played by Manish Dayal as Hussan and Charlotte Le Bon as Marguerite. There is an interesting line up of producers for this superb British film (made in France about Indian culture in France) and this may well turn into a classic British film that is well worth watching if a little long we thought, but it ends beautifully and the food is lovely.

Films this week:

Pride (15) joins our schedule from Friday. Pride is set in 1984 and tells the story of gay and lesbian support for miners during the long strike. It looks to be extremely funny with an amazing cast including Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton and Dominic West.

Sex Tape (15 and number two in the top ten) still with us for another week until next Thursday.

The Hundred Foot Journey (PG and number four in the top ten) is with us for at least another week.

The Boxtrolls (PG and number five in the top ten) starts its official release this Friday.

Planes (U) is with us for another week.

Looking further ahead:

Before I Go To Sleep (15) stars Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman in which a woman wakes up every day, remembering nothing as a result of a traumatic accident in her past. One day, new terrifying truths emerge that force her to question everyone around her. Sounds like a really good thriller.

Due for release on September 26 is What We Did On Our Holiday (12A) – a comedy drama about the various members of a dysfunctional family who gather in Scotland for a birthday celebration. What We Did On Our Holiday’s brilliant cast includes Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Billy Connolly, Celia Imrie, Ben Miller, Emilia Jones, Amelia Bullmore and Annette Crosbie.

One Direction “Where We Are” concert movie is on the weekend of October 11-12 – much excitement from younger cinemagoers we think.

Live Stage Productions:

Next week sees A Streetcar Named Desire (12A) with a few seats available for the live show on September 16, the encore showing on September 22 has some still.

Salome shows on Sunday, September 12, at 5.45pm. This doesn’t seem to be too popular as there are quite a few seats still available. Salome stars Al Pacino and there is an interview by Stephen Fry of Al Pacino afterwards.

That’s all for this week from the husband and wife team at The Palace. Hope to see you soon.