WE’RE alive and dazzling with a sparkling of Oscar confetti this week, with two of the greatest films this year has to offer welcomed gladly to our humble screen from February 3rd-9th. We’re not betting people at Ilkley Cinema, but if we were, all our money would go on La La Land winning big in the awards department this year, and quite rightly so.

Musicals seem to have somehow fallen out of fashion in recent years, but in the corner of everyone’s minds, even in the most stoic of folk there’s always room for a little song and dance. La La Land is feel-good film we’ve all been begging for and will leave more than a little twinkle in your eyes and a smile on your face.

Mia (Emma Stone) an aspiring, young actress meets the supremely talented pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and quite simply, they fall in love. Both have dreams of being a success, but will their delicate romance stand the pressures of the bright lights of fame?

Joining this this slick, retro glamour is something a little more grounded in Manchester by the Sea. This understated piece makes much less noise and pizzazz than the aforementioned musical, but in all honesty, it doesn’t need to in order to create a lasting effect on the audience.

Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) leads a rather small life as a janitor, but his simple life is thrown into disarray when his brother dies suddenly, leaving him as the guardian of his teenaged nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). His emotional stability is put to the test when Lee faces having to move back to his hometown, a place where his troubled past threatens to be reawakened in this touching, raw drama.

Finally, dreams are also coming true in Kid’s Club film, delightful animation Ballerina this weekend. Orphan child Félicie dares to risk it all by leaving Brittany for Paris and the chance to pursue her lifelong fantasy of becoming an incredible ballet dancer in the world’s most prestigious dance school.

by Evie Myers