Regal Cinema Melton: Film guide December 8 to 15 - Melton Times

A United Kingdom (12A) As with her previous work, Belle, Amma Asante’s second film delves into a forgotten fragment of British history that highlights class and racial prejudice. In the 1940s, a young African prince, Seretse Khama (Oyelowo, Selma), met, fell in love with and married young British office worker Ruth Williams (Pike, Gone Girl). At a time when Britain was actively supporting apartheid in South Africa, and Khama’s Botswana homeland had protectorate status, the couple faced fierce opposition from their families and the governments of both their countries. Written by Guy Hibbert (Eye In The Sky) and launched to great acclaim at the Toronto Film Festival, Asante’s film vividly chronicles the couple’s determination to overcome the myriad of obstacles laid in their path. Friday at 6pm, Saturday and Monday at 8.30pm, Sunday at 5pm, Tuesday at 2pm and 5pm and Wednesday at 6pm.

Arrival (12A) When 12 alien spacecraft enter Earth’s atmosphere and hang sentinel over the planet, linguistics expert Louise Banks (Adams) is called in to lead government attempts to communicate. Working with scientist Ian Donnelly (Renner), she seeks the answer to one very simple question: what do they want? As paranoia drives humankind to the brink of global war, the pair race against the clock to discover the aliens’ purpose. Friday at 8.30pm and Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Doctor Strange (12A) What if the reality we know is just one of many? Scott Derrickson and Sinister co-writer C. Robert Cargill get mystical as they bring one of Marvel Comics’ most idiosyncratic creations to the big screen. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) is a gifted neurosurgeon who, after a car accident ends his career, embarks on a spiritual journey that leads him to the Ancient One (Swinton) and a secret world of magic and alternate dimensions. Here he discovers gifts of a very different kind – magical abilities and artefacts – and an array of sorcerous beings, including Baron Mordo (Ejiofor) and Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen, The Hunt). They aren’t all benevolent, however, and Strange must harness his powers to defend the world from inter-dimensional threats. Cumberbatch adds another string to his bow in this refreshing superhero offering. Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 7.30pm.

The Polar Express (U) Saturday at 1.30pm.

Storks (U) Saturday at 3.45pm and Sunday at 12.30pm and 2.45pm.

Inferno (12A) Monday at 6pm and Wednesday at 8.30pm.

Rogue One (12A) Thursday at 4.15pm.

NT Live: No Man’s Land (15) Thursday at 7pm.