Top 5: Major Films To See This Summer in Manchester

Summer may be fast approaching but that’s no excuse to neglect the cinema – especially when there’s so much great stuff on offer. Who needs the sunshine when Manchester’s got the likes of…

Elton Biopic: Rocketman
If you loved Bohemian Rhapsody and fancy yourself a fan of the ever-great and eccentric Elton John, then you’re probably already planning to catch this musical biopic of the soul legend. But even if you are unconvinced, it just might be a great idea to propel yourself into the cinema to witness Taron Egerton transform into Reginald Dwight. “How does a fat boy from nowhere, get to be a soul man?” the trailer asks. The film is sure to tell us, this explosive bio-pic narrates Elton John’s stratospheric evolution to stardom, including his battles with dependency and musical partnership with Bernie Taupin. Rocketman is out on 31 May in cinemas nationwide.

New Tarantino: Once Upon a Time In… Hollywood
It was debated whether or not the much-anticipated ninth film from Quentin Tarantino would be ready in time to premier at Cannes this year, but it looks like the nostalgic drama will be festival ready after all. In his latest, we’re exported to Hollywood itself during the Manson-era of murders in Los Angeles, in what Cannes’s general delegate Thierry Frémaux described as “a love letter to the Hollywood of [Tarantino’s] childhood, a rock music tour of 1969, and an ode to cinema as a whole.” An adequately star studded cast illuminates the bill, Leonardo Dicaprio is a washed up actor, Brad Pitt is his stunt double, and Margot Robbie is murder victim Sharon Tate. Premiering at Cannes May 14th-25th it’ll hit UK cinemas from 9 Aug.

Boyle Does Beatles: Yesterday
Everyone’s heard of the Beatles right? Not in the the parallel universe struggling singer-songwriter Jack suddenly finds himself in. After many failed attempts at trying to make it in the music business, Jack wakes up one day to find himself in a life exactly the same as before – but with one crucial exception: the very-famous, very-iconic band The Beatles never existed and no one has heard their music except him. Elevated to fame almost instantly, Jack finds the world he used to know turned upside down and playing someone else’s music might end up being more trouble than it’s worth. Featuring music from The Beatles hit-heavy back catalogue, this is a heartfelt homage filled with love and laughter from director Danny Boyle and writer Richard Curtis. You’ll find it at cinemas across the city from Fri 28 Jun but HOME are previewing it on Wed 19 Jun, complete with Danny Boyle Q&A.

Ace Indie: Booksmart
Fiercely funny, abstrusely bold, and unashamedly smart. Both critics and twitter alike have gone wild for this sucker-punch of a teen comedy. Not often do we get a coming of age film with two lesbian character leads that doesn’t centre around ‘that fact’. Revelling in the delights and downfalls of friendships, Booksmart a breath of fresh air and promises to have you laughing from start to finish. Devilish, emotional, and simply hilarious, this is the teen comedy of 2019 you certainly won’t want to miss. Audiences can see what all the fuss is about when the film is released in cinemas nationwide from Mon 27 May.

Smart SciFi: High Life
The highly anticipated English language debut from French filmmaker Claire Denis arrives in UK cinemas from 10th May. This provocative and unusual sci-fi drama sees Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Mia Goth, and André Benjamin as a group of criminals sent into deep space. Manchester’s regional arts centre HOME describes it as evocation “of a dub movie with its ghostly echoes of a doomed humanity”. It is an enthralling and sensuous synthesis of both audio and visual and with elements of horror, this film will certainly seek to play on your psyche. You’ll find High Life screening as part of HOME’s Celebrating Women in Global Cinema series from 10 May, and also in select cinemas.

You can catch these films in select cinemas around Manchester this summer, such as HOME (check out their current listings here), Manchester ODEON Great Northern, and Vue Printworks. Or, if you’re looking for something a little different to watch this Summer, why not check out our round up of anticipated upcoming flicks you might not have heard of yet…

May – June 2019, various venues across Manchester, times and prices, see above for detail.

For more films to see in Manchester, click here.