Movies Now Course: Your Movie Club
Film. Focus on cinema.
This unique and popular movie appreciation course is like having your own private movie club. In its 17th year, Movies Now offers you ‘private movie premieres’ prior to their commercial release with each featured movie specially selected by the presenter and popular film critic, Andrew L Urban. The selected movies remain a secret until their screening to ensure that you approach each film on its own merits, uncompromised by outside opinions.
Following each screening, a special guest will join the group for a discussion designed to help explore the background of each film whilst analysing the themes and cinematic elements. Where possible, the special guests will include the filmmakers themselves. You will also be given access to the production notes of each film, providing background information about the film and the filmmakers.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- appreciate and discuss films with a broader cinematic vocabulary
- recognise the importance of the many elements that make up a film, from the screenplay (story, subtext, context) to casting and performances, the direction, cinematography, design and music.
Content
You will experience a range of cinematic styles and genres, including foreign language films, exploring the whole spectrum of the human condition as conveyed on screen. Each movie is chosen to engage and challenge, to stimulate discussion and to explore how different filmmakers tell their stories.
A past featured movie
THE FATHER (2020)
Screened 16 December 2020; commercial release 1 April, 2021.
A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages. As he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality.
Directed by Florian Zeller
Writing credits: Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller (based on a play by Florian Zeller)
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Olivia Williams, Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell
Music by Ludovico Einaudi
Cinematography by Ben Smithard
Film Editing by Yorgos Lamprinos
Production design by Peter Francis
AWARDS 2021: Oscars for Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins & Best Adapted Screenplay by Hampton & Zeller (plus 4 Oscar nominations); total 27 award wins and 140 nominations.
Prerequisites
You must be 18 years of age or over.
Delivery style
Face-to-face screenings delivered weekly, and held at Dendy Cinemas Newtown.
Materials
Course notes are distributed electronically after each week.
Features
- Expert trainers
- Central locations
- Free, expert advice
- Course materials – yours to keep
- CCE Statement of Completion
What others say.
As always, the presenter provided a fabulous course with great content, wonderful guest speakers and all round terrific entertainment. This series of movies in particular were very enjoyable and I look forward to enrolling in the next course.
The presenter has an appealing and professional manner as the convenor of the movie nights. An enjoyable way to learn and appreciate.
Something wonderful. Challenging. Thrilling. Endearing.
Once again, a fabulous series of movies. The presenter is always knowledgeable and conveys to us the concepts of the movies and what we should be looking for. The guests are always interesting and the discussions at the end of each movie are very enlightening! It is remarkable how 80 people can watch the same movie and yet have such different views about it. I’ll be enrolling again.
This has been a most enjoyable six weeks. I looked forward to every session. The movies and the guests were well chosen. The subsequent discussion was well pitched. Hearing the different audience reactions as well as the expert guest response was very interesting. I’ll be back!
This course is great fun. I have enrolled in quite a few now, and enjoy it more each time. The movies are thoughtfully chosen and the guest speakers always interesting.
I particularly enjoyed this season of ‘Movies Now’. Some great movies and good guests for an informative after movie chat. I looked forward to attending many more!
The course is a wonderful experience that broadens ones horizons. The input of industry professionals in the discussions is greatly enriching.
A most informative and well-rounded experience. Engaging with top industry professionals made this a truly gripping adventure.
I’ve been coming to these courses since their inception, only missing one series through illness. I love them and will continue to attend – they are the highlight of my week!
Great course, interesting films and elated informal atmosphere add to enjoyment.
Another great ‘Movies Now’ class! Thank you for sharing your connections and insights!
Highly enriching, informative, interesting. Wonderful to hear the comments of industry professionals on specific aspects of film making relevant to each film and to participate in the discussions after the films.
The value of the guest discussants varied tremendously. The good ones provided really valuable insight. Would love to see more of that. Otherwise an excellent course. Thanks for opening our eyes to a more multi-faceted way to assess and enjoy a film.
I really enjoyed the ‘Movies Now’ Course, particularly the calibre of guests we had and the interesting post-film discussions.
The course allows me to see high quality movies I would not otherwise be highly aware of. The perceptions gained from discussions with film industry experts enhance the experience immensely.
‘Movies Now’ brightens my week, truly something very special to look forward to. The selection never fails to engage and surprise, and I have enjoyed many hilarious and thought-provoking discussions with the guests. Can’t wait for the next season!
Great variety of contrasting films presented. Sessions well chaired by the presenter with good topics raised and with student-centred discussions. Interesting visiting contributors.
Another great mix of challenging, entertaining and truly creative cinema combined with knowledgeable guests and a probing interviewer. Love the intimate vibe in the new Dendy theatrette. The bonus movie was a fantastic choice. Thanks!
Once again, an outstanding series of movies. This is a fantastic course and I will keep re-enrolling!
The discussion after the movie adds a new dimension to movie going. It is like a quiet time to reflect on the experience.
I really enjoyed the course and hope to sign up for the next one. A wonderful tutor and I also enjoyed the special guests. It’s a great way to spend a Wednesday night! Thanks.
Outstanding organisation! Great to see movies before they are released. The discussions following the movie are very beneficial.
Overview
Sessions:
Location:
Price:
Class schedule
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<p>{block name:"Block - COVID 19 updates"}</p>
<p>This unique and popular movie appreciation course is like having your own private movie club. In its 17th
...Wed 8 Nov 2023
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 15 Nov 2023
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 22 Nov 2023
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 29 Nov 2023
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 6 Dec 2023
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 13 Dec 2023
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
<p>{block name:"Course Tagline - Film"}</p>
<p>{block name:"Block - COVID 19 updates"}</p>
<p>This unique and popular movie appreciation course is like having your own private movie club. In its 17th
...Wed 7 Feb 2024
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 14 Feb 2024
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 21 Feb 2024
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 28 Feb 2024
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 6 Mar 2024
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
Wed 13 Mar 2024
6:30pm - 9pm (UTC+11:00)
If there isn't a class to suit your preferred time or delivery format, please JOIN the waiting list.
Featured facilitators
Andrew Urban
Creator & interviewer, Front Up (SBS TV) Channel Host, World Movies Channel Presenter, Movies This Week, Ovation & World Movies Channels Founder and editor, urbancinefile.com.au A career...
What others say
This course provides a great opportunity to see a range of movies and to hear the tutor and other experts review different aspects of filmmaking.
- Jennifer Kidson
So interesting and so much fun. I look forward to this class every week.
- Jennifer Kidson
Excellent material and great tutor. Very worthwhile course!
- Michael Freelander