Is The Mist Beginning To Clear?

As I write, it is a year to the day since the start of the first U.K. lockdown. It feels an under-statement to say that a lot has changed. Many lives have been lost. Unlike 'the snap' of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there is nothing that can be done to bring them back.

But, like the MCU, we have also discovered that the world is full of superheroes. From the staff of the NHS, to care home workers, refuse collectors, delivery drivers, shop workers, teachers, farmers, postmen, bus drivers, train drivers and soldiers. From those battling to produce and test vaccines to those struggling to shield due to their age or medical risk profile. And, to the rest of us who have 'just kept going'. Everyone has shown their own unique set of superhero powers.

Today, Banksy's 'Game Changer' artwork raised £14.4M for the NHS

Observing today's minute silence in memory of the victims was humbling, but as the UK passes the 50% vaccination point for all adults, there are also signs for optimism, for a better future.

In the face of lost loved ones, financial hardship and stalled dreams, it might seem churlish to talk of the cinema, but for many, an evening sat next to family and friends, eating popcorn, drinking coke and escaping from reality for a couple of hours is an important release. So, we were delighted to read today that the Cineworld group is making plans to reopen its cinemas and movie theatres.

A handful of its U.S. 'Regal' movie theatres will open in April. In the U.K., Cineworld cinemas will open in May, as long as government guidance permits.

Cineworld also announced that they have signed a deal with Warner Brothers to show films in cinemas for a month before they are available to stream at home. That is fantastic news for an industry decimated by the pandemic and with the long-term threat of 'straight to home streaming' also hanging over them.

First up, is the fourth movie of Legendary Pictures' 'MonsterVerse', Adam Wingard's monster face-off "Godzilla vs Kong"!

    

Starring Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry and two enormous and angry monsters, it will, according to director Wingard, have a definitive outcome!

Whatever your current circumstances, as Spring arrives here in the U.K., we hope that you are also seeing positive signs and feeling optimistic for the future.

See you next week.

Adam and the Art of the Movies team.