What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 20th October 2016.

Not many people will have heard of Jim Grant, but a good many will have heard of Lee Child - the pseudonym under which Jim Grant writes his acclaimed and hugely popular 'Jack Reacher' series of books. With the release of the second Jack Reacher film this week 'Never Look Back' with Tom Cruise in the title role once again, it looks like this franchise has legs, and so I thought a little Jack Reacher synopsis was in order. The character of Jack Reacher first hit the book stands in 1997 with 'Killing Floor', followed up by a book every year since, except 2010 when two books were published. With 'Night School' due for imminent release, this marks the 21st novel in the long running history of this former Major in the US Military Police Corp now turned drifter, odd job man, and investigator of suspicious and often dangerous situations, more often than not across the USA from urban to rural locations, and occasionally overseas. Two books have so far made it to the big screen - the first Jack Reacher outing in 2012 based on 'One Shot' published in 2005, and 'Never Go Back' published in 2013. In addition, there has also been a collection of novella's and short stories which in all to date make up 32 publications featuring the character, including the yet to be released 'Night School'. To date Lee Child has sold over seventy million Jack Reacher novels putting the character firmly in the billion dollar brand category.  Lee Child has won numerous awards for his writing efforts about the exploits of his created character.

This week then, we have six new movies coming to a big screen near you. Starting off with a sequel to a very popular fictional character from a very popular series of books reprised by a popular Actor now establishing what could be a popular new franchise. Then a period piece framed around the Hollywood of yesteryear from an acclaimed and prolific Writer, Director and Actor once again with his trademark all star cast. Next up is an action comedy putting a new spin on a tried & tested formula that we have seen before that sees a meddling couple get in over their heads with a pair of highly trained secret agents; before moving onto a young models burgeoning career in over drive but at what cost ultimately to herself and those around her in this horror thriller that has split audience opinion. Sticking with the horror theme, we move to mid-'60's LA for an origin prequel about a board game that conjures up all sorts of nasties from the other side for this young family in mourning, before wrapping up with an acclaimed Australian supernatural coming of age story from a first time Director.

With more great choices as Previewed here, Reviewed previously and those others still out on general release it's a week of action, drama, jump scares with a little comedy thrown in for good measure. When you have sat through your movie of choice, remember that you are encouraged to share your moviegoing views and opinions by leaving your Comment below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear form you, and in the meantime, enjoy your film.

'JACK REACHER : NEVER GO BACK' (Rated M) - the character of Jack Reacher first burst onto our cinema screens in 2012 as portrayed by Tom Cruise in the title role. Based on the best selling series of books by Lee Child, that first outing was based on Child's 2005 book in the series 'One Shot' as Directed by Christopher McQuarrie and Co-Produced by Cruise for US$60M with a worldwide Box Office take of over US$218M, and generally positive critical Reviews too. Now in 2016 Jack Reacher is back and Tom Cruise is reprising his role in Lee Child's 2013 novel adaptation 'Never Go Back'. Once again Co-Produced by Tom Cruise but Directed and Co-Written for the screen by Edward Zwick this time, the film was made for US$96M.

Set four years after the events of that first film, Jack Reacher returns to his old military base to meet with Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) who has been working with Reacher on various cases across the country that have required his particular set of skills. Upon arriving he quickly learns that Major Turner has been accused of treason. Seeking to uncover the truth behind a major governmental conspiracy, and that Turner is innocent, he goes on the run in order to clear his name, that of Turner's whilst uncovering a secret from his past, that could change his future forever.

'CAFE SOCIETY' (Rated M) - marking Woody Allen's 47th film as Director, 'Cafe Society' was Written by him, and he provides the narration for the film too. Made at a cost of US$30M this is Allen's most expensive film to date. The film Premiered at Cannes earlier this year, was released Stateside in mid-July and so far has garnered critical praise. Set in the 1930's, Bobby Dorman (Jesse Eisenberg) leaves his home in the Bronx for all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood hoping to make it big in the movies.  He lands a job with his powerful talent agent uncle Phil Stern (Steve Carell) where he quickly falls for his secretary Vonnie (Kristen Stewart) who is tasked with introducing young Bobby to Hollywood. Coming to realise that Vonnie is Phil's mistress, Bobby returns to the Bronx heartbroken, and lands a job in a nightclub and in time Bobby meets the new love of his life, Veronica  Hayes (Blake Lively) and they eventually marry. All goes well, until Phil and Vonnie visit New York and Bobby's nightclub when old feelings are reignited. Also starring Parker Posey, Corey Stoll and Ken Stott.

'KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES' (Rated PG) - this action comedy offering from Director Greg Mottola sees the perfect and beautiful neighbourhood couple Mr. and Mrs. Jones (Tim, as played by John Hamm, and Natalie, as played by Gal Gadot) channelling a certain 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' (John as played by Brad Pitt and Jane as played by Angelina Jolie from 2005) - a couple of highly trained and elite government secret agents living in suburbia whose neighbours Jeff and Karen Gaffney (Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher respectively) suspect that there may be more to their perfect neighbours lives than meets the eye. The Gaffney's soon become entangled in a web of international intrigue and espionage with their perfect neighbours, that certainly brightens up their otherwise mundane lives but puts them straight in the path of danger, destruction and death all in the name of Uncle Sam - and doubtless with hilarious results!

'NEON DEMON' (Rated R18+) - Directed, Co-Produced, written for the screen and based on a story by Danish Nicolas Winding Refn, this horror thriller costs just US$7M to make, competed at Cannes this year for the Palme D'Or and divided audiences. The film was released back in June in the US, France and Denmark and has so far grossed just under US$4M. Starring Elle Fanning as  Jesse who shortly after her sixteenth birthday ups sticks and relocates herself to Los Angeles to pursue a career, fame and fortune as a model. Her modelling agency believes in her, telling the young Jesse she has the natural beauty and ability to go all the way to the top, but she quickly incurs the wrath of those other models within the agency and the industry at large for her fresh faced looks and natural beauty. As Jesses's career starts to take off, those other models almost are cast aside as yesterdays news and has-beens, leaving the new 'it girl' to learn new skills to ensure she maintains her position at the top of the heap and overcome the adversity thrown at her by her jealous rivals. Also starring Christina Hendricks, Jena Malone, Bella Heathcote, Abbey Lee and Keanu Reeves. This film has polarised audiences for all its extreme, gut wrenching craziness.

'OUIJA : ORIGIN OF EVIL' (Rated M) - in 2014 Stiles White in his Directorial debut brought us 'Ouija' which was panned by the critics, but it nonetheless returned US$104M from its initial US$5M budget outlay, making a follow-up a sure thing. Now two short years later and we have that follow-up in the form of a prequel to that earlier horror thriller film - hence 'Origin of Evil'. Made for US$6M this time and Directed and Co-Written by Mike Flanagan, here we are transported back to the mid-60's Los Angeles where widowed mother and her family run scam seances to earn a crust. Upon discovering a Ouija game board Doris Zander (Lulu Wilson) sees this as a way to connect with her deceased father. As the game gets underway, a dark figure manifests itself, and Doris is possessed by an evil spirit. Doris' new 'friends' from another world try to pass into this world and claim the young girl for their own. This results in the family having to play the Ouija game for themselves, confront their worst fears and rescue Doris from unthinkable malevolent forces if their lives are ever to be returned to some sort of normalcy.

'BOYS IN THE TREES' (Rated M) - Written, Directed and Edited by first timer Nicholas Verso this Australian supernatural thriller is set on Halloween 1997, and for some it's the final day of High School. Celebrating their passing of childhood into adulthood Corey (Tony Wallace), Jango (Justin Holborow) and their skater gang mates 'The Gromits' run wild with their new found freedom and the prospect of what lies ahead in their lives. When a bullied old schoolmate and former friend Jonah (Gulliver McGrath) is harassed by the other Gromits, Corey's plans for an evening of wild adventure take a different turn. With Jonah persuading Corey to walk him home, the pair step into a realm of supernatural fears, dark secrets, and old nightmares that cloud what's real and what is imagined, before they emerge at the other end with the scariest prospect facing us all - real life and everything it throws at us. Also starring Mitzi Ruhlmann as Romany. Critically acclaimed, this debut feature for Melbourne Director Verso shot mostly in the suburbs of Adelaide, has been well received at both the Toronto and Venice Film Festivals, and for a local production is one to watch out for.

Six new filmic offerings to coerce you out to your local Odeon in the coming week then offering horror, thriller, drama, action, comedy and supernatural themes to give you plenty of choice once more. Share your thoughts when you have sat through your movie of choice, and in the meantime, I'll see you at the Odeon sometime in the week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-