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Something about Much Ado and Halloween horrors

Bedtime stories have never been the same since the release of The Exorcist. Picture: Columbia/Warner Bros. Inc.
Bedtime stories have never been the same since the release of The Exorcist. Picture: Columbia/Warner Bros. Inc.

MY MOVIE WEEKwith Mike Shaw

» Although he's been beavering away on The Avengers, Joss Whedon has secretly been working on yet another project - an adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing - and filming has wrapped up already.

The news leaked out a few nights ago after tweets from the likes of Nathan Fillion and, while at first it was assumed that it would be a web-only project, it now seems that it is a black and white feature length film and will be hitting the festival circuit in the spring.

A press release appeared on Monday night saying: "Filmed in just 12 days ... the film features a stellar cast of beloved (or soon to be beloved) actors ... all dedicated to the idea that this story bears retelling, that this dialogue is as fresh and intoxicating as any being written, and that the joy of working on a passion project surrounded by dear friends, admired colleagues and an atmosphere of unabashed rapture far outweighs their hilariously miniature paychecks."

I'm intrigued, especially as the last time Whedon made something powered solely by love and favours it was the online musical superhero spoof, Dr Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, and it was fabulous. More news as it comes in ...

» Two very cool bits from the Odeon cinema in Canterbury. The first one is some special late night screenings of The Exorcist on this weekend and on Halloween night itself. Tickets are only £4 each, but if you spend more than £2 on drinks and popcorn, tickets are buy one, get one free.

First released in 1973, William Friedkin's Exorcist is rightly regarded as a horror classic, and still terrifies audiences. If you've never seen it on the big screen, head over to the Odeon Canterbury on Saturday or Sunday, October 29 or 30 at 10.30pm, or - if you don't have work to worry about the next morning - get along on Monday, October 31, and mark Halloween in the most terrifying way possible.

» The second thing is a unique charity event taking place at the Canterbury Odeon. The cinema is holding a Streetfighter IV tournament in aid of the NSPCC, with gamers playing in HD on the huge screens with full surround sound.

The tournament kicks off at 10.30pm on Friday, November 11, is expected to last three hours, and is open to over-15s. Entry is only £3 for competitors while spectators can get in for free (subject to seating capacity).

Gaming store CEX have donated a videogame console (either an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3) as the grand prize, while runners-up will receive a game of their choice on the platform of their choice.

The cinema will also be auctioning off various pieces of film merchandise and extremely limited edition cinema-only promotional material.

Whether you think you stand a chance of winning or simply want to experience Streetfighter IV on the big screen, buy tickets from the box office or call 01227 453577.

» Who says that going to Hollywood will turn you into an gigantic, egocentric twit? Comic-book writer turned scriptwriter Mark Millar (Wanted, Kick-Ass) has auctioned off the name of his next supervillain in aid of charity.

And, unlike other famous names, his charity of choice isn't all about helping dolphins with self-esteem issues or something else unbelievably trendy. No, Millar is raising money for the St Bartholomew's Primary School Pantomime Fund, which Millar established with head teacher Christine Boyle.

"I'm a former pupil at St Bartholomew's and have so many great memories of the place," Mark says.

"I know there's not a lot of money in local government at the moment and I was sad to hear that the annual school trip for the children had been cancelled. By establishing this fund, I hope to have a pot the head teacher can dip into every Christmas and take the entire school to a pantomime every year from now on. The school trips were a big deal to us as little kids and I'd love to get them up and running again."

What a cool guy. Maybe it's not the sexiest charity appeal in the world (not like those poor dolphins, who have one-night-stands just to feel loved, only to wake up the next morning, hungover and with smeared lipstick, hating themselves yet planning to go out again the very next night, continuing the circle of emotional binging and self-loathing) but it's refreshing to hear of someone in the entertainment industry focusing on something close to home.

Hooray for panto!

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