WE have had a brilliant year with more people coming to our small cinema in Malton to find out what we are like. It is a great feeling to get their feedback that they were encouraged to come to see us by one of our regular patrons.

We really do care about what we do and the response from new people is great. Thank you for not just supporting us, but for spreading the word. We try hard to accommodate everyone and be the best.

We have watched The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (12A) – it is a load of battles against overwhelming enemies and then the good guys win. Okay, there is a lot more to it. The whole feel of this film has more of the Lord of The Rings for me.

This third Hobbit film starts and goes at a pace from the outset. The dragon attack is the start of the film and Stephen Fry’s character is both amusing and nasty. This is clearly the culmination of the film and how the five armies interact, join forces and break up.

I have to say that I did get more than a little confused as the battles raged.

There is great humour woven into these scenes, as well as some pretty gruesome-esk parts. While the battles raged, there was some really quite violent scenes the blood was thankfully lacking so that it was easily within the 12A certificate.

There were two armies which really confused me as they were definitely in similar armour. I can’t remember the names of them, not being an aficionado of the Hobbit, but they did have a real good go at each other.

There were flying things like eagles, which came in and sorted some of it out and the ravens were with the baddies, I think.

All-in-all The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is a mix of intrigue, jealousies and battles. There are all of the characters you expect played by Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom and Martin Freeman is brilliant as Bilbo Baggins and then Ian Holm is back as old Bilbo.

It has a great feel and Peter Jackson has done way more than just make a vanity film as it seeks to explain the whole relationship of the Lord of the Rings Hobbit and Middle Earth.

The other film we have watched is Get Santa (U) – what an absolutely lovely film, so different from the run-of-the-mill. It is slightly Miracle on 34th Street, but charmingly British.

Santa, who is brilliantly played by Jim Broadbent, has a problem and he seeks the help of Tom and his dad, Steve. The story develops and keeps us guessing as prison antics ensue (“Get Outta Your Face!” – features in the Trailer if you want a giggle!) then out of prison and then back in. Sounds daft but it really is an entertaining romp around the countryside and back in town.Warwick Davis takes a really good part as a convict and doesn’t want to be called an elf.

Get Santa is a lovely family film and so British in its story. acting and charm. I left the screen smiling and had a warm feeling of films of the past.

Films this week

From Saturday, December 27, we have the following: Penguins of Madagascar (U) Paddington (PG) and Get Santa (U) continuing for another week.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (12A) continues for another week at least.

Joining us on Saturday is Unbroken (15), a chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner, after a near-fatal plane crash and after 47 days in a life raft, by Japanese forces during the Second World War. It is directed by Angelina Jolie and the cast includes Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson. This looks to be a graphic portrayal of the time and experiences.

Also joining us on Saturday is Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (PG) – the third in the Night at the Museum franchise. The last two have been really entertaining. Sadly, it seems the monkey is still in it, but gets laughs from all ages from the trailer. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (PG) should be another great film for the post Christmas season.

Live stage productions

Following NT Live: Treasure Island (12A) on January 22, the next live production will be ROH Live Opera: Andrea Chenier (12A), the story of the poet Andrea Chenier and the servant Carlo Gerard who both love the young aristocrat Maddalena. When Maddalena loses everything in the French Revolution, Andrea offers her protection inciting the envy of Carlo who has become a powerful official. Andrea is arrested during the Terror and Carlo, spurred by his jealousy, condemns him. Maddalena makes a desperate appeal and Carlo tries, too late, to defend Andrea. Carlo helps Maddalena to join Andrea in prison - the lovers then face the guillotine together. ROH Live Opera: Andrea Chenier plays live on January 29, at 7pm. There are still some pretty good seats available.