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GIG Willowman Festival
THE FLICKS The Amazing Spider-Man ANOTHER big box office outing for the superhero Spider-Man with British actor Andrew Garfield taking up the lead role. Producer and director Sam Raimi thrilled movie-goers with his trilogy of box-office busting Spider-Man films, which he made between 2002 and 2007. Expectations are also high for this new addition to the superhero franchise that follows a different path to its predecessors and is directed by Marc Webb on his first action movie outing. This is the first in a series of movies that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story. Through his journey to put the pieces of his past together, Peter uncovers a secret that his father held…a secret that will ultimately shape his destiny as Spider-Man. Andrew Garfield is joined by actors Emma Stone, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen, Sally Field and fellow British actor Rhys Ifans.
The Dark Knight Rises DIRECTOR Christopher Nolan revisits Batman for The Dark Knight Rises, which is planned to be the third and final installment in his series. Again starring Christian Bale in the lead role, this latest offering is a sequel to Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008) - with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman also renewing their roles.
48 REST & RELAX
Prometheus SOUTH Shields-born movie director Ridley Scott makes a return trip to sci-fi after a 30 year break. Ridley Scott first defined the modern sci-fi era of moviemaking with his hugely successful film Alien, before going on to stretch the boundaries with cult classic Blade Runner. This new outing is eagerly anticipated though the producers are giving little away about the movie, describing it as a ‘journey to the darkest corners of the universe’. The film stars Guy Pearce, Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender as space explorers who discover a clue to the origins of mankind. This inevitably leads to a universe hopping journey, with battles along the way. Whatever happens expect darkness, suspense, action and probably a fair share of gore!
The film is set eight years after the events of The Dark Knight and will introduce the characters of Selina Kyle and Bane - portrayed by Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy, respectively - two villains from the Batman mythology. Expect mega action in this blockbuster which many film critics believe will be the highest grossing movie of the summer.
THE COUNTDOWN is on for North Yorkshire’s four-day Willowman Music Festival, featuring four ground-breaking Sunderland acts.
City-based Hyde and Beast, BEAK, The Lake Poets and Chased by Wolves are all set to appear at the festival which takes place over Solstice weekend June 21 to 24. The Sunderland acts will be sharing an eclectic bill which includes Benjamin Francis Leftwich, former Stranglers front man Hugh Cornwall, Ska legend Neville Staples from The Specials, Utah Saints, Vintage Trouble and Jah Wobble. To offer festival-goers a better experience this year, Willowman has moved location. The new site, between Thirsk and Northallerton, boasts flat camping areas, panoramic views of the Hambleton hills, water points and easy access from the A19. It’s also just an hour away from Sunderland by car. Willowman director Steve Williams said: “The Willowman festival is here to stay and we need to offer good value and exceptional facilities in order to compete in this fast growing industry. “The new site is perfectly placed to host live music and I can’t wait to see the Sunderland acts on the bill.” Tickets, which include four days camping, are £70 (under 12s free) and are available from Hot Rats, Stockton Road (0191 567 2099) or online from www.willowmanfestival.co.uk • See page 46 for details on how you could win a pair of tickets to Willowman.