** DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THIS SCREENING WAS POSTPONED FROM ITS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED DATE. CLICK http://www.anufg.org.au/read/6293/screening-change-hop-paul-now-on.html[HERE] FOR MORE DETAILS. **

Shakespeare's "The Tempest" was probably his last play, and arguably his best in terms of literary merit and classical structure. This means, of course, it's not your light, casual theatre experience. No rollicking fools, no man vs woman comedy. So it was inspired of director Julie Taymor to cast Helen Mirren as the main character Prospero (Shakespeare wrote it as a male part). Mirren's wealth of experience in Shakespeare's plays and strong dramas shines as she grasps this role with both hands and guides the story of Prospero (now Prospera) and her infant daughter's exile to a barren island, their travails (the infant daughter will grow up, of course), of revenge and redemption.

That said, it's not easy to follow the dialogue and plot (or plots) in the play, and this film has similar moments. But it's a great interpretation, and one not to miss.

Watch for Russell Brand, who departs (sort-of) from his usual smart-arse drunk persona and is impressive in the role of Trinculo. Also Djimon Hounsou as Caliban, Tom Conti as Gonzalo and Alfred Molina as Stephano.

** DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THIS SCREENING WAS POSTPONED FROM ITS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED DATE. CLICK http://www.anufg.org.au/read/6293/screening-change-hop-paul-now-on.html[HERE] FOR MORE DETAILS. **

I don't know about you, but when Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was released in 2003, I was in swashbuckling-adventure heaven. The fun continues, as the multi-billion-dollar franchise enters its fourth instalment, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Reuniting writers Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio (writers of the previous Pirates films and other hilarious gems such as Shrek and The Road to El Dorado), as well as audience favourites Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), Captain Barbossa (Rush) and Mr Gibbs (Kevin R. McNally), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is sure to re-ignite the spirit of the original.

We have lost three shipmates along the way: Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and director, Gore Verbinski. But never fear, me hearties, director Rob Marshall (Chicago), and new characters including Angelica (Cruz) and Captain Blackbeard (McShane, of TV's "Deadwood") come aboard and are destined to, erm, rock the boat (if you'll excuse the pun).

Once again, Captain Jack finds himself in an awkward situation as Angelica (a mysterious and determined woman from Sparrow's past, who proves that she is more than a match for him) forces Jack aboard the 'Queen Anne's Revenge', the ship of the fearsome Captain Blackbeard. It seems that in this film, everyone is searching for the legendary Fountain of Youth, as the story evolves into an epic race between Barbossa, Blackbeard, Jack and Angelica. So come and get in on the adventure and join the rest of the swashbucklers at the Film Group!