ALLIED : Tuesday 3rd January 2017.

'ALLIED' which I saw earlier this week is Directed by Robert Zemeckis and Written by Steven Knight based on a story he had been told some thirty years ago during his days travelling around the US, which whilst not confirmed as being true, proved too good to be true not to make a film out of it. And so whilst the notion has been kicking around for thirty years or so, it is only now that his story has been committed to celluloid. Costing US$85M the film opened in the US in late November and has so far made back US$87M, and garnered mixed reviews since, although its two lead performances have been largely praised.

Here Royal Canadian Airforce Intelligence Officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) must travel to Casablanca to assassinate a German Ambassador. The film picks up with him parachuting into the French Morocco desert sometime in 1942, being picked up by a car en route to Casablanca to rendezvous with his 'wife', a new identity for the mission, and a suitcase full of secret agent stuff! He is partnered up with French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) who fled from France after her resistance group was compromised and killed. The couple masquerade as French husband and wife, under the guise that they are being reunited in Casablanca after a long period of absence from each other due to his career in remote phosphate mining. She is trusted by the German's who have a stronghold on the territory.

Their planned assassination is still ten days away, so the couple get acquainted and do the things that couple do - enjoy the streetside cafes, party with acquaintances, be seen together arm in arm, take machine gun shooting practice out in the desert, and make love in the cramped front seat of a car in the middle of a raging sandstorm the day before the assassination attempt (must be a metaphor in there somewhere methinks!), because hey, they both might be dead in 24 hours time if their plan doesn't pull off.

After their mission to kill the German Ambassador at a glitzy gathering goes according to plan, and they are able to escape unhindered, Max asks Marianne to join him back in England. She agrees, they marry, fall pregnant, they set up home in Hampstead and settle down to a life of domesticity with him still working for the British Government and reporting to Frank Heslop as his Commanding Officer (Jared Harris) and friend. In time Marianne gives birth to a baby daughter, Anna, during a bombing raid over London, and the three return to the family home in the suburbs and all is good in the world.

Fast forward a few more months and Max learns from a Special Operations Executive (SOE), that Marianne is in fact suspected of being a German spy, having assumed the identity of the real Marianne, now long since dead. The SOE intend to run a 'blue dye' test whereby at a given time (11:07pm) a phone call will be made to their home and Max is to write down a piece of false intelligence, where Marianne can easily find it. If the information is picked up from intercepted German transmissions within a few days, Max must personally execute her, or be hanged for treason. He is told otherwise to act normally, and not to discuss the matter with anyone. Max is needless to say distraught with this news, and believes it all to be a big mistake - after all Marianne shot and killed the German Ambassador!

Defying orders Max first confides in his sister Bridget (Lizzy Caplan) knowing that she will keep a secret. He then visits a former colleague in hospital who knew Marianne well, but he was blinded in battle and is therefore unable to identify a photograph of her, but points Max in the direction of someone who may be able to help. Ultimately, Max flies to France to meet with someone who knew Marianne and will be able to identify his wife from a photograph. Landing under cover of darkness he learns that his contact is in fact in a local Police cell for drunken and disorderly conduct. Knowing that time is running out and this is his last ditch attempt to clear his wife's name, he and some Resistance Fighters break into the Police Station and confront his contact, who coming out of a drunken stupor recalled that Marianne was an accomplished pianist.

Back in London, Max forcibly takes Marianne to a local pub after hours, but where he knows there is a piano. They break in, and Max orders Marianne to play the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, on the piano because he had been told that she can, and beautifully. Marianne confesses to Max that yes, she is a German spy but her feelings for Max had always been genuine. She advises that her handlers in London had threatened both her and Anna if she did not continue complying with orders. Max refuses to kill his wife as instructed, and instead kills her handlers en route to the local RAF airstrip so that the three of them can effect their escape before the SOE close in with the news that he now knows is inevitable. In the pouring rain at the airstrip their escape plans are foiled by Heslop who intercepts their plans to commandeer a plane. Heslop confirms that their suspicions are confirmed as the Military Police arrive. Marianne gets out of the car, having secured Anna in the back seat, confirms her love for them both, and then promptly shoots herself in the head. She slumps to the ground beside the plane dead. Heslop who witnesses this commands the Military Police that what they saw was Max execute his wife as per his orders, to avoid any repercussions on him.

I enjoyed this romantic war time drama because it is a throw back to the war time melodramas of yesteryear that seldom get made any more these days. Ever since the days of 'Saving Private Ryan' and right up to the recent 'Hacksaw Ridge' war time films have been about the horrors of war writ large in graphic detail of severed limbs, flayed bodies, psychological trauma, physical injury, bloodshed and pain. 'Allied' offers us some welcome respite from this - it is a simple enough story, but well told by Robert Zemeckis who has a track record of delivering great performances from his Actors. And so he does so with Pitt and Cotillard. The pair are well matched and well suited to this period piece both looking very dapper and debonair in their '40's uniforms and fashions, and the era is recreated well enough to make the film complete. Certainly worth the price of entry, and worth looking at in homage to those films this one pays tribute to, albeit with a few random acts of violence, sex and profanity that those films of yesteryear wouldn't have deployed. Nonetheless a good watch.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Monday 26th December 2016.

It's been another year of movie Reviews, Previews, Birthday Tributes and sadly a few obituaries along the way. In the last twelve months I have Posted 62 Reviews of the films I have seen at the Odeon, and I have Previewed 218 new release films to give you the inside word on what's hot (and perhaps what's not!) and coming to a movie theatre near you. I thank-you for you ongoing support of this humble little movie Blog that in recent weeks has seen my all time visits surpass 51,000 as our global reach expands. And so with a slew of new release films coming your way this week and in the weeks and months ahead, 2017 promises to be more of the same, but different! Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year, and I look forward to seeing you in 2017 at the movies and at this Blog. Happy New Year!

Turning to the week ahead, we have seven new release films to tease you out to you local multiplex. Kicking off with a WWII drama of a derring do intelligence officer teaming up with a French Resistance fighter in more ways than one; then a modern day take on the song and dance musicals of yesteryear that is already generating Oscar buzz; and then a bio-pic of influential musical talents of the '60's that helped define an era of what we listed to. We turn next to an Aussie outback story of a teenage lad and a stray dog who form a friendship in this prequel to a much loved film of a few years back. This is followed by a RomCom of an unlikely coupling of an extroverted Billionaire man and his introverted student girlfriend whose parents are hell bent on ensuring their relationship and pending marriage fails before it has begun. We then wrap up with two animated features that sees a strong return to form from the House of the Mouse with a Polynesian offering an adventure story of a highly spirited teenage girl paired up with a Demi-God to fulfil her quest; before we wrap up with this all star voice cast film of a struggling Koala looking to revive the fortunes of his once famed theatre by staging a singing contest to end all singing contests.

With seven features offering everything from war time drama, to nostalgic song & dance routines, to musical bio-pic, to romantic comedy, canine Aussie outback adventure and a couple of strong animated films you have every reason to see a movie during this festive holiday period. When you have done so, share your movie going experience with us here at Odeon Online by leaving your Comment below this or any other Post. As always your constructive, relevant and unbiased thoughts are warmly welcomed. In the meantime, enjoy your film.

'ALLIED' (Rated M) - Directed by Robert Zemickis and Written by Steven Knight based on a story he had been told some thirty years ago during his days around the US, which whilst not confirmed as being true, proved too good to be true not to make a film out of it. And so whilst the notion has been kicking around for thirty years or so, it is only now that his story has been committed to celluloid. Costing US$85M the film opened in the US in late November and has so far made back US$78M, and garnered generally positive reviews since, particularly for its two lead performers.

Here Royal Canadian Airforce Intelligence Officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) must travel to Casablanca to assassinate a German Ambassador. He is partnered up with French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) who fled from France after her resistance group was compromised and killed. During their mission masquerading as man and wife they grow close, and following its success Max asks Marianne to join him back in England, where they settle down, marry and have a daughter together. Fast forward twelve months and Max learns from a Special Operations Executive, that Marianne is in fact suspected of being a German spy, having assumed the identity of the real Marianne, now long since dead. Max therefore needs to learn the truth about Marianne as their relationship is put to the test with the backdrop of war, suspicion, trust and love. Also starring Jared Harris, Matthew Goode and Lizzy Caplan.

'LA LA LAND' (Rated M) - this musical romantic dramedy Written and Directed by Damien Chazelle whose last Directorial outing was the highly acclaimed 'Whiplash' seems to have struck pay-dirt again with this follow up, the equally highly acclaimed 'La La Land'. Praised for its Direction, praised for its two principle leads and praised for its musical numbers, this film harking back to a bygone era of song & dance musicals, cost US$30M to make, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August this year, and saw its US release earlier this month so far taking US$21M. Telling the story of Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling) an aspiring jazz pianist who has dreams of opening his own Jazz Club and Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) an aspiring actress who makes espresso's at the film studios where she works to make ends meet. In their native Los Angeles, following a freak meeting and then being reunited some months later, the pair fall for each other bonding by their common desire to follow their dreams and pursue what they love in their lives. But as success starts to build for them both they are forced into making decisions that will pull at the framework of their affair, and the dreams they have worked together and supported each other in threatens to tear them apart. Also starring J.K.Simmons, Rosmarie DeWitt and John Legend. There is Oscar buzz around this film, so best add it to your list of must-sees!

'GIMME DANGER' (Rated M) - another musical, of sorts, but not as you know it. This bio-pic Written and Directed by Jim Jarmusch (having his second released movie in two weeks following the previously Previewed 'Paterson') is a tribute to quite possibly one of the most influential rock bands of the era - 'The Stooges'. Emerging onto the American music scene in the late '60's with a mix of rock, R&B, blues and jazz with Iggy Pop as the flamboyant, aggressive and powerful front man, The Stooges paved for the way for the punk scene and alternative rock that became the hall marks of the '70's and '80's music landscape. Jarmusch here presents an in depth documentary film charting the bands early rise to fame and notoriety with archival footage and interviews with Iggy Pop and the band members.

'RED DOG : TRUE BLUE' (Rated PG) - 2011's Aussie outback story of a loyal Kelpie/Cattle Dog cross that roamed Western Australia Pilbara mining region searching for his master was highly acclaimed, picked up numerous awards, toured the festival circuit and made back AU$21M from its AU$8M budget. Now in 2016 the follow up film has arrived. Based originally on the Louis de Bernieres book of the same name, this sort of prequel is written for the screen again by Daniel Taplitz and Directed again by Kriv Stenders. This time though the action is more kid-friendly as young teenager Mick (Levi Miller) is relocated from the big city to an outback town in remote Western Australia sometime during the late '60's. Mick is a kid all alone in the vast expanse of Australia's desert outback, and here he befriends 'Blue' the dog (played by Phoenix) whom he rescues one night during a storm. And here we have a friendship forged out of mud (literally) that see the two get up to all sorts of exploits, adventures and doubtless some danger along the way. Will this be as endearing as that first film - only you can decide! Also starring Bryan Brown, John Jarrett, Jason Issacs and Steve Le Marquand.

'WHY HIM' (Rated MA15+) - Co-Written for the screen and Directed by John Hamburg, and based on a story by Jonah Hill, Hamburg and Ian Helfer this RomCom cost US$38M to make and has among its producer credits Ben Stiller and Shawn Levy. Starring James Franco as Laird Mayhew a famous heavily tattooed extroverted billionaire who falls for Stephanie Fleming (Zoey Deutch) a student at Stamford University. When Stephanie's parents Ned (Bryan Cranston) and Barb (Megan Mullally) plan a visit to see her during the holiday break, what they don't plan on is meeting Stephanie's boyfriend Laird. Alarm bells begin ringing immediately for the over protective and disapproving Ned, who can't withstand Laird's freewheeling attitude and his colourful language. Things are further complicated when Laird announces to Ned that he intends to ask for his daughters hand in marriage in less than a week. And so the race is on for Laird to prove himself to Ned and Barb that he is a worthy, responsible, committed suitor for their daughter, and for Ned to ensure that Laird crashes and burns without a trace in the process.

'MOANA' (Rated PG) - from Disney Animation comes their first animated feature film centred around the people and culture of Polynesia, and with it comes critical acclaim and a Box Office haul that stands at US$295M since its Stateside opening towards the end of November. The story revolves around a young Polynesian girl named Moana (voiced by Auli'l Carvalho) who is being groomed to take over one day from her father - the Chief of the Island of Motunui. Moana is a head strong young thing and has different ideas. One day while collecting shells she is summonsed by the ocean itself to return an ancient relic to the island Goddess, Te Fiti. She sets out on her quest going beyond the forbidden waters of her island home, where she goes in search of legendary DemiGod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) to help her in her mission, and save her island home from a blight that has stricken it and threatens its very survival. Also starring the voice talents of Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Jemaine Clement and Alan Tudyk this film is likely to please all comers.

'SING' (Rated G) - made by Illumination Entertainment, this computer animated musical comedy is Written, Directed and stars the voice talents of Garth Jennings amongst an ensemble cast of notable others including Matthew McConaughey (as dapper koala bear Buster Moon), Seth McFarlane, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton, Reece Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Saunders. Buster Moon is the owner of a once grand and renowned music theatre that has fallen on hard times. Being the eternal optimist that he is, he hatches a plan to restore his beloved theatre to its former glory, and save his theatre from crumbling away around him. That plan involves staging the biggest singing contest the world has ever seen by offering a prize of $1,000, however, a printing issue sees the marketing fliers for the competition read $100,000! Featuring some 85 classic and well known songs by famous artists, and an original song by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande, this film is sure to get the feet tapping if nothing else. Costing US$75M to make, the film went on release in the US only last week and has so far made US$73M.

With something for everyone this cinema going week nestled nicely between Christmas and New Year there is once agin no excuse for you not to get out amongst it at your local movie theatre. When you have done so, remember to drop us a line or two, here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you in the coming week at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-