What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 11th September 2014.

Spring is here, the deluge that has waterlogged Sydney for the last three weeks is fast becoming a fading memory, the days are growing longer, the temperatures are rising, and, there are four new films to tempt, tease and tantalise those tastebuds to ensure you venture out and experience big screen entertainment at its best at your local multiplex, or independent movie theatre. For the week ahead we have another all singing' all dancin' body poppin' foot tappin' so ya think y'can dance competition type offering that is a another sequel to a long list of films bearing the same pre-fix that you may have seen before (if you like this kinda thing!). Then we have the next generation of world saviours that started life 20 years ago as an animated series before finding live action stardom amidst the teen set before fading into obscurity - only to get the big studio treatment once again and spring back into life when you least expect it! Next up is a future Sci-Fi outing featuring some big names and a different world; and to close a tree hugging' greenies outing to prove a point . . . explosively!

When you get our there this week to your local movie theatre and sit there in awe of the silver screen, drop me a line afterwards and share your experience with my other Reader, by adding a comment at the end of this article, and let us know what you thought of this weeks latest release . . . or any of those others still doing the rounds and Previewed/Reviewed in previous weeks. Thanks!

NIGHT MOVES (Rated M) - This is the story of three young radical new-age sensitive environmentalists who up to now have done their bit to save the world by being eco-friendly, going green, and connecting with their inner organic selves by working in agricultural communities, and hugging the occasional tree. All that is about to change when they realise that these efforts ain't gonna change much in the world, and so they need to take the law into their own hands and make a bouncing bold brash statement to make people sit up and take notice! And so our intrepid gang of three comprising Josh (Jesse Eisenberg), Dena (Dakota Fanning) and Harmon (Peter Sarsgard) hatch a plan to blow up a hydro-electric dam. The explosive expertise comes via Harmon who conveniently is an ex-Marine and an explosives guru so they have a motive, they have the nouse, and now all they need to do is secure the explosives and a means of getting to said dam - via a small but nimble little motor cruiser called 'Night Moves'.

The central set-piece sees the dam duly destroyed and you would think therefore that the job was done - mission accomplished! But what follows is the unravelling of the three as they become consumed by guilt, regret, remorse, and the ramifications of their actions upon themselves potentially, and the more far reaching community. Directed by Kelly Reichardt this is touted as suspenseful, gripping and intelligent film-making underpinned by a solid storyline that should resonate with us all for the wider message it contains.

THE GIVER (Rated M) - there is a solid cast in this future dystopian (or is it Utopian?) Sci-Fi story Directed by Philip Noyce and based on the 1993 Lois Lowry book of the same name. It is a future Earth where there is no war, no hunger, no pain and suffering, no racism or conflict and everyone in society has a purpose. And so too Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) at age 12 is selected to be the community 'Receiver of Memories' and undertakes a training programme to do so from 'The Giver' (Jeff Bridges) which involves him learning of all the pain, suffering, hardship, war, sadness that endured on the 'old' Earth and their former 'real' World. In doing so Jonas comes to realise that his World is in fact fake, manufactured and far from ideal with much that has been kept from them in an attempt to create a level of 'sameness' across all lives - this includes the removal of colour, music, and love and with everything controlled by 'The Elders' who are revered and looked upon positively by society. So Jonas is confronted with choices to make about his own life and that of his future, and in doing so will put himself and those others close to him at risk as he searches for freedom and answers. Also starring Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes, Taylor Swift and Alexander Skarsgard, this is the first of four books in this series which might just see this potential film franchise going the way of 'Divergent', 'The Hunger Games', 'Twilight' and 'Potter' - wait and see - it's up to you - the movie going, ticket buying audience!

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (Rated M) - once again New York City in under attack - this time from an unsavoury mob called 'The Foot Clan' and the city folk seem powerless or prepared to do anything to stand in their unscrupulous way! The future therefore looks uncertain and bleak, although help is at hand from the least likely of places! Lurking in the sewers beneath the city's streets are four masked saviours who have grown in the past 15 years since being tested on in laboratories and fed mutagens to develop their emotional, physical and mental strength to the point where, just in time, they are ready to save their fair city from all manner of doom and peril. Enter Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Donatello and Raphael, and Splinter their trusted Master . . . aka, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Discovered by intrepid Reporter April O'Neill (Megan Fox) and committed to remaining silent about their identity, their origin and their hideaway she is ably supported by roving cameraman and love interest Vernon Fenwick (Will Arnett) who with The Turtles must now foil a plan by The Foot Clan and their leader 'The Shredder' to spread a deadly virus across their fair city. Starring also William Fichtner, Whoopi Goldberg and the voice of Johnny Knoxville this is gonna be everything you would expect it to be brought up to date with the latest eye-popping CGI for a whole new audience!

STEP UP : ALL IN (Rated PG) - here we go again - another instalment in this long running well-past-its-use-by-date dance franchise that just regurgitates what has been seen and done already in this franchise, and others handed down through motion picture history dating back to 'Fame', 'Flashdance' and 'Footloose' methinks! This time the dance action takes place in Las Vegas, involves competing crews, a dance-off competition with a big pay-off at the end, and the prospect of a dance career, fame and possible fortune. Along the way their will doubtless be obstacles to be overcome, relationships tested, highly choreographed montages, and mindless dialogue that is expected to move whatever loose plot there is, along!

Four new offerings then that couldn't be more different, which together with all the other solid cinema content out there right now will give you plenty of choice. When you have seen your movie of choice this week (or two or three!) be your own critic and let us know what you thought via this - your favourite online movie Blog! Enjoy the experience!

Movies - see at least one this week!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-