What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 18th February 2016.

Sunday evening 14th February saw the 69th British Academy Film Awards as presented by BAFTA and hosted for the eleventh year by Stephen Fry from the Royal Opera House in London. This years winners & grinners saw two films scoop the majority wins with 'The Revenant' walking away with five awards and 'Mad Max : Fury Road' with four. In summary, the highlights were : Best Film - 'The Revenant', Best Leading Actor - Leonardo DiCaprio for 'The Revenant' (finally!), Best Director - Alejandro G. Inarritu for 'The Revenant', Best Sound and Best Cinematography for 'The Revenant'. Best Lead Actress went to Brie Larson for 'The Room'; Best Supporting Actor went to Mark Rylance for 'Bridge of Spies' and Best Lead Actress went to Kate Winslet for 'Steve Jobs'. Best Original Screenplay went to 'Spotlight', Best Adapted Screenplay to 'The Big Short' and Best Original Music to 'The Hateful Eight'. Finally, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Make-Up and Hair, and Best Editing all went to 'Mad Max : Fury Road'. Sincerest congratulations and a big well done to all those winners, and those nominees too. The Oscar's await in less than two weeks. You can recap on my Reviews and Previews of all of these films within these Blog pages, or go to www.batfa.org

This week there are six new release films to tease and tempt you out to a movie theatre kicking off with a couple of autobiographical offerings from the present day world of NFL and some medical revelations that threaten a national game, and a historical tale of a Hollywood Writer imprisoned on allegations of treason. Then there is a story of an ageing English couple whose life is turned upside down by an event that occurred fifty years ago which poses questions, might provide some answers, but reveals some hidden truths that they must both reach beyond. Following this is a Biblical story of what happened during the first forty days after Christ's crucifixion, and then two comedies to close out the week - two girls on the hunt for men, drinks and good times in NYC and then two guys on the hunt for a man, drugs and bad times in Miami!

So much choice and so little time! When you have sat through your movie of choice in the week ahead, share your movie thoughts, views and opinions with your friends here at Odeon Online by leaving a note in the Comments section below this or any other Post - we'd love to hear from y'all! In the meantime, enjoy your movie!

CONCUSSION (Rated M) - released Stateside at Christmas, this latest Will Smith vehicle has so far received luke warm reviews but has made US$42M off its US$35M budget. This biographical sports medical drama is based on the article written for GQ magazine in 2009 called 'Game Brain' by Jeanne Marie Laskas, and was written for the big screen and Directed by Peter Landesman.

Here we have Will Smith starring s Nigerian forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu who conducts the autopsy on NFL player Mike Webster (David Morse) and determines that he died from severe brain damage. Investigating further he comes to the conclusion that Webster suffered from long term chronic traumatic encephalopathy as a result of repeated blows to the head incurred during his NFL career. Attempting to bring this to the attention of the NFL he meets with brick walls, denial and dismissal, until further cases are revealed amidst the NFL player fraternity, and eventually the sport has to sit up and take notice. Also starring Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Eddie Marsan and Paul Reiser.

TRUMBO (Rated M) - Sticking with the biographical theme, here we have another, this time Directed by Jay Roach and based on the book 'Dalton Trumbo' by Bruce Alexander Cook. This film is a period piece dating back to the mid-20th Century and the golden age of Hollywood when real life top Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was blacklisted in 1947, along with numerous other contemporaries of the time, for allegedly perpetrating propaganda in the Hollywood films of the time. He refused to testify at The United States Congress and so was locked up for eleven months in a federal prison in 1950. This is his story and how using the power of words and wit he won two Academy Awards to expose the farce of the black list which engulfed the likes of John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Otto Preminger, and columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren). Also starring Diane Lane, Elle Fanning and John Goodman.The film cost US$15M to make and was released stateside in early November, and has so far recouped US$8M, and has garnered two award wins and 23 nominations together with an Academy Award nomination for Bryan Cranston for Best Actor, two Golden Globe, one BAFTA and three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

45 YEARS (Rated M) - here we have a romantic drama film that is based on a short story and adapted for the big screen and Directed by Andrew Haigh, and starring Charlotte Rampling as Kate Mercer and Tom Courtenay as Geoff Mercer, a retired reasonably well off married childless couple living in England's Norfolk. Married for 45 years, on the eve of a big celebration get together with friends Geoff receives a letter from Switzerland advising him that the body of his girlfriend of almost 50 years ago has been discovered under the melting ice of a glacier that she fell into way back then and perished. Asked to return to identify the body he must decide between foregoing his anniversary party and the chance to see his earlier love again in all likelihood preserved in the ice, together with haunting memories that come flooding back, whilst answering all the questions that Kate will inevitable have. At the Berlin International Film Festival last year Rampling won the Silver Bear Award for Best Actress and Courtney won it for Best Actor, and Rampling too has an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Could well be a surprise performer.

RISEN (Rated M) - is a Biblical epic retelling of the first forty days following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as Directed by Kevin Reynolds. Here long serving Roman military tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) is tasked by Pontius Pilate (Peter Firth) to explore rumours that a Jewish Messiah Jesus (Cliff Curtis) has risen from the dead, and he is tasked to locate the missing body. With a possible uprising in Jerusalem imminent, Clavius and his trusted aide Lucius (Tom Felton) begin a journey to disprove talk of a risen Messiah, but in so doing begin to question their own beliefs and spirituality and the truth behind what it is they are seeking.

HOW TO BE SINGLE (Rated M) - Directed by Christian Ditter this RomCom was released in London on 9th February, Stateside three days later and has so far grossed US$28M towards its US$38M budget. Starring Dakota Johnson as college graduate Alice who decides that at this point in her life she needs a break from studies, her boyfriend, life as she knows it and it's therefore time to live a little. Moving to NYC as a paralegal, she is excited by a life of freedom and adventure in the Big Apple and so befriends co-worker Robin (Rebel Wilson) who lives life large, enjoys one night stands, drinks plenty, party's hard, and does just about everything to excess. It's not long before Robin becomes Alice's guide around town and new best friend while learning quickly how to score free drinks in a bar, meet men aplenty and enjoy the single life to the max. Also starring Alison Brie and Leslie Mann.

RIDE ALONG 2 (Rated M) - the 2014 original movie Directed by Tim Story was made for US$25M and made US$155M although no thanks to me, so it was inevitable that a sequel would hit our screens sooner or later.  Now two short years later, here it is again also Directed as before by Tim Story and starring Ice Cube as Detective James Payton and sidekick Kevin Hart as rookie Officer Ben Barber. This film benefits from a bigger budget at US$40M and has so far raked in US$108M, so God help us all if this prompts the Producers to green light '3'. Travelling to Miami the dynamic duo are following up a hot lead to a drug syndicate that brings them in connection with a Homicide Detective, and a Computer Hacker A.J. (Ken Jeong) who just happens to have evidence to implicate a respected local businessman Antonio Pope (Benjamin Bratt). I am sure that much wise crackin', gun totin', cringe inducin' soft porn teen fodder action will follow - just don't expect me to Review this film!

With six new films out in the week ahead, there is plenty of choice once again coming to a cinema near you, as well as a whole raft of other great movie content still out on general release and worthy of your cinema going dollar. Be sure to catch something this week, and share your thoughts.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 11th February 2016.

This year the 69th annual British Academy Film Awards presented by BAFTA will be held on Sunday evening 14th February at the Royal Opera House in London and hosted once again by Stephen Fry. Recognising the best in film performance and production the main contenders in the top categories are : Best Film - 'The Big Short', 'Carol', 'Spotlight', 'The Revenant' and 'Bridge of Spies'. Best Direction  - Adam McKay, Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, Todd Haynes and Alejandro Inarritu.  Best Actor - Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Eddie Redmayne, Bryan Cranston and Michael Fassbender.  Best Actress - Maggie Smith, Cate Blanchett, Brie Larson, Alicia Vikander and Saoirse Ronan. Best Supporting Actor - Christian Bale, Idris Elba, Mark Ruffalo, Mark Rylance and Benicio del Toro. Best Supporting Actress - Kate Winslet, Alicia Vikander, Rooney Mara, Julie Walters and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Of course there are a whole bunch of other Awards that take in all the usual categories - Original Screenplay, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score, Cinematography, Visual Effects, Costume Design, Hair & Make-up, Editing, Animated Film, British Film etc. 'Bridge of Spies' and 'Carol' each have nine nominations - the most this year, 'The Revenant' has eight, 'Mad Max : Fury Road' has seven, 'Brooklyn' and 'The Martian' have six, 'The Danish Girl', 'Ex Machina' and 'The Big Short' each carry five, and 'Star Wars : The Force Awakens' has four. You can see more at www.bafta.org and, you can read the Reviews of most of these within this Blog. Good luck, best wishes and well done to all nominees.

And so what of this weeks latest release movies, of which one is released in Australia this week just in time for the aforementioned BAFTA and Academy Awards and tells the story of a young Irish migrant woman venturing forth to New York in search of a new life; then there is a haute couture spoof sequel that has been sixteen years in the making and reuniting that comedy classic cohort staring down right at you; followed up with the first Marvel offering of 2016 with the first feature dedicated to this character even though we have seen him before; and finally to tantalise your tastebuds there is a story of food, food and more food and a certain world renowned Chef's obsession with it!

A diverse mix of films to choose from in the coming week with plenty of great offerings still on general release and as either Reviewed or Previewed between these humble Blog Posts.  Remember to share your views and don't be backward in coming forward with your opinions of your film experience by sharing a Comment below this or any Post. Enjoy your movie this week.

DEADPOOL (Rated MA15+) - this is the next instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that will also see 'X-Men : Apocalypse' later this year and another 'Captain America' instalment. This is not the first time we have seen 'Deadpool' on the big screen, with the character making his first appearance in 'X-Men Origins : Wolverine' in 2009 when Ryan Reynolds portrayed this character back then too. Development of this first film kicked off way back in 2004 passing through several Studios and Writers along the way, although Tim Miller was hired to Direct in 2011 with filming starting in Canada in early 2015. Reynolds had always wanted to play the character of Wade Wilson/Deadpool since 2003, and stated that this adaptation of the Superhero character would be more authentic than the role he portrayed in the earlier 2009 'Wolverine' outing.

And so Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a special forces operative who  undergoes an experimental regenerative operation to cure his cancer. Things don't go quite according to plan and as result he is left badly scarred with disfigured skin and with borderline insanity, a dark twisted sense of humour,  but with the ability to heal himself . . . and quickly. Armed with new abilities and a new identity, Wilson goes on the hunt for the man who almost destroyed his life. Ed Skrein stars as Francis/Ajax, Gina Carano as Angel Dust, Stefan Kapicic as Peter Rasputin/Colossus, T.J.Miller as Weasel, Morena Baccarin as Wilson's girlfriend Vanessa Carlysle, and watch out for the trademark Stan Lee cameo.

BROOKLYN (Rated M) - another Academy Award nominated film in the race for three golden statues - Best Actress, Best Film and Best Adapted Screenplay based on the novel of the same name by Colm Toibin. Premiered at Sundance in early 2015, the film was released in the UK and US in early November , with its Australian release this week just days before the BAFTA's for which it is nominated for six Awards and the Oscar's two weeks later. Directed by John Crowley and starring Saoirse Ronan as Eilis Lacey - a young Irish woman who relocates herself to 1950's Brooklyn in the hope of finding a better life. She quickly falls for local lad Tony Fiorello (Emory Cohen) and begins to feel more settled in her new home town until the day comes when she must choose between the two countries and the two lives that have become intertwined. Also starring Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters and nominated for six BAFTA's, three Academy Awards, and has won 23 accolades already with another 109 nominations.

2OOLANDER (Rated M) - in 2001 Ben Stiller introduced the world to his creation of Derek Zoolander in a satire of the fashion industry that he wrote, Directed, Produced and starred in for US$28M that he turned into US$61M. Having created a comedy cult character it was almost inevitable that a follow up would eventuate, and so here 15 years later is the follow up that he also wrote, Directed, Produced and stars in, with his stablemates from that earlier film - Hansel (Owen Wilson), Jacobim Mugatu (Will Ferrell), Matilda Jeffries (Christina Taylor) and a few others. This instalment centres around the 'worlds most beautiful people' being systematically assassinated  all wearing Derek's famed 'Blue Steel' look as their death mask. Needing to bring the arch criminals behind the killings to justice, Derek and Hansel are  put on the case by Interpol, but in the meantime  Mugatu is released from jail and is after Derek now and seeking revenge. Also starring Penelope Cruz, Kristen Wiig, Kanye West, Benedict Cumberbatch and a host of cameo's including Sting, Billy Zane, Justin Bieber and others. If this is anywhere near as good as the first, then it will be hit for sure.

NOMA : MY PERFECT STORM (Rated M) - if you consider yourself a foodie, a gourmand, a lover of food porn and a follower of gastronomy then this is the film of the week for you! Voted Best Restaurant in the world in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, Rene Redzepi's famed Copenhagen eatery 'Noma' barely knows no equal. This documentary film charts Redzepi's journey from humble beginnings to rise to the very top of the food chain as Chef and joint owner of this restaurant -  voted the world's best four times and to which people will travel from the world over to dine at. Charting the story of what drives the man to extraordinary lengths of culinary excellence, his determination, his vision, his sacrifices and what it takes to reach the very pinnacle of fine dining . . . and stay there! Directed by Pierre Deschamps, starring the great Chef, his kitchen brigade and some great food!

Four very different films to tempt you out to a movie theatre in the week ahead. When you have dined out on your movie of choice remember to drop us a line and share your experience - we'd love to hear from you! In the meantime, see you at the Odeon!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-