I remember a while back that the Guardian film blog posted about favourite cinemas. I sadly can’t relocate the original post (if you can please let me know and I’ll add a link). Yet in light of the many posts/articles I seem to be endlessly reading about why visiting the cinema isn’t what it used to be- (mobile phones, unruly children, rising ticket prices and so on and so on) I thought it was about time that we took stock and reflected on why cinema going has and still does hold such a special place in our hearts.
So…I’ve asked the Soda bods to take a few moments to reflect on their favourite independent cinemas, not just the most comfortable or the best surround sound, but those great experiences that have stood the test of time… (more…)
With ‘Critics Week’ at this year’s Cannes announced yesterday we are happy to reveal that upcoming Soda release ‘Better Things’ from British director Duane Hopkins is included in the line up.
Variety have commented on Duane’s debut feature as a “frosh (sic) youth drama” (I’m assuming they were aiming for fresh). Unless you’re in Cannes this year then you’ll have to wait till late 2008 when the film will be released in the UK. In the meantime however you can catch some of Duane’s award winning shorts over on the BBC film networks website…
Taking 10 minutes out of my lunch break yesterday I decided to answer this very question. If the Soda staff were films instead of people what would we be? My visions of an eclectic range of classic cinema were sadly dashed as I sourced imdb for our namesakes and below is the resulting alternative guide to the Soda staff (well those who were in on Monday)…
Ben Metcalf: Theatrical Sales Co-ordinator Tagline: Where Willard ended, Ben begins, and this time he’s not alone imdb rating= 4.5 & imdb keywords= Eaten alive by rats, Cornflakes, Harmonica, Firetruck (more…)
Released April 7th on the Soda Vintage label was Mike Leigh’s debut feature ‘Bleak Moments’. Days before this DVD hit UK stores there was, as always, that gut wrenching moment as us Soda bods checked over the final product to ensure we’d crossed every t and dotted all the lower case j’s.
However, it is inevitable (so is life) that mistakes will happen from time to time, and this time it was the onbody of the disk (onbody= the artwork on the DVD itself). Where the title ‘Bleak Moments’ was supposed to be silver, it was instead a rather fetching shade of pink (Pantone Process Magenta’ to be precise)…
Mingled amongst the mornings press releases for DVD boxsets and the like was this gem of a site, whereby you can whittle away the hours rummaging through vintage Ladybird book illustrations. Sadly several minutes of Soda’s once productive morning are now lost in the sites timewarp exploration of images of childhoods past, and we now encourage you to do the same. Following is a small selection of our personal favourites, starting with a slightly tenuous film based connection…
Looking for something to do on April the 23rd at 7:30?, then look no further as ‘It’ girl of the moment Ellen Page’s The Tracey Fragments previews at this years ‘East End Film Festival’ followed by the ‘Tracey Remixed’ after party extravaganza,
(reasonably) Fresh from The Glasgow Film Festival 2008 we’re happy to present Asif Kapadia talking about Far North. From the discovery of the original 5 page short (True North) at the well known NFT bookfair, through to the challenges of filming in the barren icy tundras of Norway. (more…)
Its that time of year where I feel as though I am watching the whole world of online disappear to Austin Texas for a weekend of films, music and interactive fun. I’m sad to say that I and no one else from Soda will be off to join them, but I hope (begrudgingly )that everyone going has a great time.
On a slightly more upbeat note I’m pleased to say that receiving its world premiere at SXSW this year is upcoming Soda title ‘Living with the Tudors’ directed by Karen Guthrie & Nina Pope. (more…)
Having just seen the post over on the Guardian blog today celebrating Mike Leigh’s Naked as one of the most under-rated British films that is unavailable on DVD - we thought we’d take the time to quickly highlight that thankfully Naked will be available soon (I’m told April 7th-ish) as part of a general re-issue of Film 4’s back catalogue (similar to the recent Ken Loach box set), the box set includes other Leigh titles currently not available on DVD (including Bleak Moments- c/o Soda Pictures’ ‘Soda Vintage’ label). I personally will be taking the opportunity to see the film that Ben Myers writes is ” it is Mike Leigh’s finest work and arguably the best British film in recent history”. (more…)
No we’ve not acquired the rights to anything ‘Noddy’, however Soda Pictures first ever TV advert will be airing at 08:01am during channel 5’s ‘Make Way for Noddy’ on Wednesday the 30th of Jan. Although this might not be earth shattering news for the rest of the world, but it does mean a lot to us here especially as we’re in the final countdown to the 8th of Feb release date for ‘The Princes’ Quest’.
Any early birds out there hope you can find time in your schedule for the little guy with blue hat- you don’t even have to watch the show (unless you feel so inclined)- just the ads
(more info after the jump…)
