What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 7th August 2025

This years 73rd Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) launches on Thursday 7th August and runs through until Sunday 24th August, in Victoria's capital city Melbourne, Australia. MIFF’s 73-year history significantly contributes to Melbourne’s standing as a cultural city. With its ongoing commitment to the collective festival experience being open to all, MIFF has contributed to community and connectedness in Melbourne. Audiences come to MIFF for its bold, diverse and adventurous programming. There is delight in the shared cinema experience and in seeking to discover something new about the self or the world. MIFF is an independent not-for-profit organisation that has been continuously running since 1952, making it the premier film festival in Australia and one of the world’s oldest film festivals, alongside Cannes and Berlin. Presenting a curated global programme of innovative screen experiences and the world’s largest showcase of exceptional Australian filmmaking, MIFF is an accessible, iconic cultural event that provides transformative experiences for audiences and filmmakers alike, so reads the official website.

This years Opening Night Gala film presentation is 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' from the USA and this drama film is Written and Directed by Mary Bronstein and starring Rose Byrne (who won the Berlinale Silver Bear for her Best Leading Performance), Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald and A$AP Rocky. With her life crashing down around her, Linda (Rose Byrne) attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.

The flagship Bright Horizons Award celebrates filmmakers on the ascent, featuring an extraordinary international line-up of first and second-time filmmakers, chosen from within the Bright Horizons film competition. Awarding A$140K to the winner, it is one of the most substantial film prizes in the world.

There are ten feature films within this section, and they are as follows :-

* 'April' - from France, Italy and Georgia and Written and Directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili. Australian Premiere.

* 'First Light' - from Australia and the Philippines and Written and Directed by James J. Robinson. World Premiere.

* 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' - from the USA and Written and Directed by Mary Bronstein. Australian Premiere.

* 'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo' - from Germany, France, Belgium, Spain and Chile and Written and Directed by Diego Cespedes. Australian Premiere.

* 'A Poet' - from Germany, Colombia and Sweden and Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Simon Mesa Soto. Australian Premiere.

* 'Renoir' - from Japan, the Philippines, France, Singapore and Indonesia and Written and Directed by Chie Hayakawa. Australian Premiere.

* 'The Rivals of Amziah King' - from the USA and UK and Directed by Andrew Patterson and starring Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell. Australian Premiere.

* 'Sound of Falling' - from Germany and Co-Written and Directed by Mascha Schilinski. Australian Premiere.

* 'Urchin' - from the UK and Written and Directed by Harris Dickinson. Australian Premiere.

* 'A Useful Ghost' - from Thailand and Written and Directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke. Australian Premiere.

For the full synopsis of the above named films in the Bright Horizons Competitive strand, plus the other feature, documentary, animated and short films being showcased at this years Melbourne International Film Festival, plus a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : https://miff.com.au/

Turning back to this weeks six hot new release movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, we kick off with a mystery horror offering of when all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is the reason for their sudden and unexplained disappearance. This is followed by a sword and sorcery offering telling the story of a young girl who rises from the ashes of tragedy to become the most feared warrior woman of all time - the She-Devil with a Sword. Then we turn to a fantasy comedy film about a mother and daughter who discover that lightning may indeed strike twice as they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge. Next up we have a psychological drama thriller about how after their mother suffers a fatal overdose, two sisters fear that the foster system will separate them and decide to hide the body. And closing out the week we have a pair of doco's - the first takes eight kids on the ultimate school excursion - a road trip across Europe to seek solutions to the climate crisis; and the second reveals a superfan's intensely personal connection to this iconic rapper and that artist's profound influence, while also exploring fandom's power to forge identity and community.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the six latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'WEAPONS' (Rated MA15+) - this American mystery horror film is Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Co-Scored by Zach Cregger, whose prior feature film making output are 'Miss March' in 2009, 'The Civil War on Drugs' in 2011 and the critically and commercially successful horror thriller 'Barbarian' in 2022. The film is released in the US from next week, and cost US$38M to produce. 

Seventeen children from Justine Gandy's (Julia Garner) class all leave their homes in Maybrook and disappear at exactly 2:17 AM. Though only one child Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher) from the class didn't vanish, Justine herself counts as one of two people from the classroom who didn't, and so the community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. Justine needless to say becomes the #1 suspect. Also starring Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong and Amy Madigan. 

'RED SONJA' (Rated MA15+) - is an American sword and sorcery film Directed by M. J. Bassett whose previous feature film making credits take in her debut in 2002 with 'Deathwatch' followed by the likes of 'Wilderness' in 2006, 'Solomon Kane' in 2009, 'Silent Hill : Revelation' in 2012, 'Inside Man : Most Wanted' in 2019, 'Rogue' in 2020 and 'Endangered Species' in 2021. This film is a reworking of the 1985 film of the same name that starred Brigitte Nielsen (then Mrs. Sylvester Stallone) in the title role. Here then, captured, chained and forced to fight for survival, barbarian huntress Red Sonja (Matilda Lutz) must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant's empire while rallying an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan the Magnificent (Robert Sheehan) and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia (Wallis Day). The film is released in the US on 15th August. 

'FREAKIER FRIDAY' (Rated PG) - this fantasy comedy film is Directed by Nisha Ganatra who saw her feature film Directorial debut with 1999's 'Chutney Popcorn' which she would follow up with 'Fast Food High' in 2003, 'Cake' in 2005, 'Late Night' in 2019 and 'The High Note' in 2020. This film is a sequel to the 2003 film 'Freaky Friday' which grossed US$161M off the back of a US$26M production budget, and is the seventh film in the franchise which began in 1976 with 'Freaky Friday' and starred Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris in the two lead roles in which a mother and her daughter switch their bodies, and they get a taste of each other's lives. Here then, 22 years after Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis, who also Co-Produces here) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might strike twice. The film is released Stateside on 8th August.

'WHAT WE HIDE' (Rated CTC) - is an American psychological drama thriller film Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Dan Kay in only his second feature film outing following 'Way Off Broadway' in 2001. After their mother suffers a fatal overdose, two sisters Spider (Mckenna Grace) and Jessie (Jojo Regina) fear that the foster system will separate them, and decide to hide the body. But with the local sheriff asking questions and their mum's drug dealer lurking, their future becomes uncertain, as their lie may be discovered and they must decide how far they are willing to go to keep their secret. Also starring Dacre Montgomery, Forrest Goodluck and Jesse Williams. The film gets a limited released in the US at the end of this month. 

'FUTURE COUNCIL' (Rated PG) - this Netherlands and Australian documentary film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Damon Gameau whose previous feature length doco's are 'That Sugar Film' in 2014 and '2040' in 2019. As millions of children around the world become increasingly frustrated by the dire lack of action to protect the planet and their future, with their only avenue to express these concerns has been protesting on the streets. And so Damon Gameau invites eight passionate, curious, and very funny children on an epic adventure across Europe in a school bus powered by biofuel. Their mission is to better understand the planet’s predicament, explore solutions and, most importantly, take the conversation from the streets, into the boardrooms of some of the world’s most influential companies. This inspiring and rollicking journey results in the children forming a Future Council to advise and collaborate with the world's most powerful companies. It is a coming-of-age journey that dares to imagine a brighter future.

'STANS' (Rated M) - this American documentary film is Co-Produced and Directed by Steven Leckart in his feature length debut. Released in 2000, and now twenty-five years following on from hip-hop icon Eminem’s song 'Stan', about an obsessed fan who takes his admiration for the rapper too far, the landscape of fandom has completely changed. Flipping the music documentary format on its head, Stans follows not just Eminem’s artistic trajectory, but that of his most loyal superfans, with the film offering an entertaining and vibrant look at the modern nature of fandom and how social media has irrevocably changed the relationship between artists and their audience. The film is released worldwide this week at select movie theatres for a limited time only screening.

With six new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 23rd May 2019.

As reported last week, the 72nd Cannes Film Festival is now in full swing until 25th May. As well as those twenty-one films in main competition for the prestigious 'Palme d'Or' award, the 'Un Certain Regard' section sees a further eighteen films compete for the 'Prix Un Certain Regard' which was introduced to the section to recognise young talent and to encourage innovative and daring works by presenting one of the films with a grant to aid its distribution in France. The name literally translated means 'a certain glance' but is understood by French speakers to mean 'from another point of view'. Here it means films with various types of visions and styles, which tell their stories in nontraditional ways. This section presents 'original and different' works which seek international recognition. The 'Camera d'Or' ('Golden Camera') is an award of the Festival for the best first feature film presented in one of the Cannes' selections and is awarded during the Festival's Closing Ceremony by an independent jury. The rules define first film as 'the first feature film for theatrical screening (whatever the format; fiction, documentary or animation) of sixty minutes or more in length, by a Director who has not made another film of sixty minutes or more in length and released theatrically.

Of those films competing for the Camera d'Or, below you'll find a quick summary of the main contenders :-

* 'A Brother's Love' - here this Canadian drama comedy offering is Directed and Written by Monia Chokri about Sophia (Anne Elisabeth Bosse), an immature university graduate student who is forced to reassess her life when her brother Karim (Patrick Hivon), with whom she has always had a very close and codependent relationship, falls in love with her gynecologist Éloise (Évelyne Brochu).

* 'Les Miserables' - this is a French drama film Directed and Co-Written by Ladj Ly about the 2005 Paris riots and stars Damien Bonnard.

* 'Bull' - this American drama film is Directed and Written by Annie Silverstein and stars Vicky Kadian, Yolonda Ross and Rob Morgan.

* 'Homeward' - this is a Ukrainian drama offering Written and Directed by Nariman Aliev.

* 'Particles' - this French/Swiss Co-Produced drama film is Directed and Written by Blaise Harrison and stars Thomas Daloz, Salvatore Ferro and Leo Couilfort.

* 'Port Authority' - this is an American drama film Directed and Written by Danielle Lessovitz

* 'The Bare Necessity' - this French drama film is Written and Directed by Erwan Le Duc and stars Fanny Ardant, Maud Wyler and Swann Arlaud.

* 'The Climb' - is an American comedy film Directed and Written by Michael Covino

* 'Sick, Sick, Sick' - this Brazillian/French and Dutch Co-Produced drama offering is Written, Directed and Co-Edited by Alice Furtado and stars Digao Ribeiro, Juan Paiva and Lourenco Mutarelli.

* 'Song Without a Name' - here this Peruvian and Swiss Co-Produced drama film is Co-Written, Directed and Co-Edited by Melina Leon and stars Lidia Quipse, Lucio Rojas and Maykol Hernández.

* 'Summer of Changsha' - this Chinese crime drama film is Written and Directed by Zu Feng.

You can get the full low down on these films, plus the many more screening both in and out of competition, and all the latest news and views at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival by visiting the official website at : https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/

Putting the focus back to this weeks latest release films coming to your local Odeon, we have four new offerings to tempt the ardent cinema goer. We launch into the week with a live action remake of a critically and commercially successful Disney animated feature from 27 years ago that sees a street urchin offered a chance to make something of his life courtesy of a magic lamp, a genie and three wishes. We then have a change of pace completely with a superhero horror offering that sees the gift of a perfect baby boy turn on its head when that young lad reaches puberty and things begin to go south very quickly for those around him. Next up we have an acclaimed foreign language offering about a pair of previously wealthy women, who by virtue of inheritance, have fallen on tough times for the first time in their thirty years together. Resorting to driving well to do ladies around town to make ends meet, one of the women makes a new connection that breathes fresh and invigorating life into the old girl. We then close the week with a documentary offering a look at an ideal future twenty years hence that is well within humanities grasp to effect lasting and meaningful change based on the technologies available today, for the benefit of the next generation and those that come after it, our planet and our collective future.  

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the four latest release new movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the week ahead.

'ALADDIN' (Rated PG) - in 1992 Disney released a feature length animated 'Aladdin' film starring Robin Williams as our titular genie from the magic lantern, which was in turn based on the Arabic folktale of the same name from the 'One Thousand and One Nights' which dates back to the early 18th Century. That film was made for US$28M, grossed US$504M at the global Box Office, was hailed a critical success and spawned various derived works and other material inspired by the film, including two direct-to-video sequels, 1994's 'The Return of Jafar' and 1996's 'Aladdin and the King of Thieves', an animated television series of the same name, and a Broadway production. The film picked up 32 award wins and 22 other nominations including two Academy Awards wins, three Golden Globe wins and five Grammy wins. Fast forward to 2016 and Guy Ritchie (yes he of 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels', 'Snatch', 'Revolver', two successful 'Sherlock Holmes' films and 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' fame amongst others) was announced to Direct a live action remake of the Disney classic of the same name.

And so here we are, opening in cinemas around the world this week, Aladdin (Mena Massoud), a young street urchin who's only friend is his kleptomaniac pet monkey Abu (voiced by Frank Welker), falls in love with Jasmine (Naomi Scott), the Princess of Agrabah who is set to marry a Prince by her Sultan father (Navid Negahban). When he and Abu find a magic lamp containing a Genie (Will Smith channelling the late great Robin Williams), however, they must protect it from the wicked Grand Vizier, Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) and his loyal parrot Iago (voiced by Alan Tudyk), who both want to rule Agrabah with the Genie’s wishes and powers most awesome.

'BRIGHTBURN' (Rated MA15+) - here we have something new and seemingly fresh - a superhero horror film as Directed by David Yarovesky, Written by Mark and Brian Gunn and Co-Produced by James Gunn. Costing US$7M to bring to the big screen, the film tells the story of Tori (Elizabeth Banks) who after a difficult struggle with fertility, has her dreams of motherhood come unexpectedly true with the arrival of a mysterious baby boy who crash lands on Earth somewhere in the vicinity of  small-town Kansas form another world it appears. Young Brandon (Jackson A. Dunn) appears to be everything Tori and her husband Kyle (David Denman) ever wanted, he's bright, talented and curious about the world. But as Brandon nears puberty, a powerful darkness seems to manifest within him, and Tori becomes consumed by terrible doubts about her son. Once Brandon begins to act on his twisted urges, those closest to him find themselves in grave danger, as the miracle child transforms into a vicious predator. The film is released in the US this week too.

'THE HEIRESSES' (Rated M) - this Paraguayan drama film is Directed, Written and Co-Produced by Marcelo Martinessi and saw its Premier screening at the Berlin International Film Festival back in February 2018 where it was in main competition for the Golden Bear, and it was also selected as the Paraguayan entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at this years 91st Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. The film has however, accumulated a total of 34 award wins and 35 other nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit and has garnered generally positive Reviews. Only now does it go on limited release in Australia. Here, Chela (Ana Brun) and Chiquita (Margarita Irun) are both descended from wealthy families in Asunción, Paraguay and have been together for more than thirty years. Recently however, their financial situation has declined leaving them no option but to sell off their inherited possessions. But when their debts result in Chiquita being imprisoned on fraud charges, Chela is forced to face a new harsh reality. Driving for the first time in years, she starts to provide a local taxi service to a group of well off elderly ladies. As Chela settles into her new life, she encounters the much younger Angy (Ana Ivanova), forging a fresh and invigorating new connection. Chela finally begins to break out of her shell and engage with the world, embarking on her own personal, intimate revolution.

'2040' (Rated G) - here Australian Actor, Writer, Producer and Director Damon Gameau delivers us this climate change documentary with a difference. This award winning Director for his debut feature length 2014 doco 'That Sugar Film', drills down on the best minds from around the world to focus on climate, economics, technology, civil society, agriculture and sustainability. '2040' maps out a pathway for change that can lead us to a more ecologically sustainable and equitable future. Motivated by his four year-old daughter who will turn 25 in 2040 and a concern for the planet she will inherit, Damon Gameau ventures out on a global journey to meet the proactive innovators and change agents at the forefront of delivering the best solutions already available to us today to improve the health of our planet and societies tomorrow, rather than the politicians who simply take a reactive approach to the matter by throwing seemingly vast sums of cash at the issue without any clear strategy. Described as an aspirational film full of hope about the possibility to make changes that will shift the course for humanity and the planet. This is the narrative the next generation needs to see, to aspire to, and to believe is possible.

With four new release movies this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere in the week ahead, at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 26th February 2015.

In Australia, this weekend marks the official last day of Summer, but I'm sure not the last day of sunshine, blue skies, warm days and plenty of good reasons to get outdoors! One very good reason to get out of course is to go see a new release movie, and this week we have three new films to tempt, tease and tantalise that movie dollar from out of your wallet! With the Oscar winners and grinners announced earlier this week too, there still remains plenty of great movies that featured in this years Academy Awards that are still on general or limited release giving you lots of reasons to see a new, or recently released, film. Whatever you decide, when you have seen your movie of choice share your thoughts with our other readers at Odeon Online and spread the word - good, bad or ugly!

This week then we have coming to a movie theatre near you a Big Apple period piece from the early 80's as crime in that town was hitting record highs, and one young entrepreneurial fellow sees an opportunity to make some big bucks, but, first he has to overcome some issues of his own as well as those crims circling overhead poised ready to go in for the kill! Then there is a second telling of a certain hotel in Jaipur, India for the elderly and beautiful that was a sleeper hit in 2012 and is now openings it's doors on a second property hoping to entice some new 'inmates', and, to wrap things up nice & sweetly, we have a sugar coated saccharine infused film about the dangers of the sweet sticky stuff on our health that we may not fully appreciate! Enjoy your film(s) in the week ahead!

A MOST VIOLENT YEAR (Rated MA15+) - Written, Produced and Directed by J. C. Chandor, who brought us the excellent 'All is Lost' last year, has this time turned his hand to 1981 New York - defined as one of the city's most violent and corrupt . . . ever! Made for a modest US$20M we are introduced to Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) the owner and hard working salesman of Standard Oil - a heating oil company that is doing well, but could be doing much better. Aside from a bitterly cold winter (which of course is great for business), Standard Oil has been plagued by the hijacking of several of its trucks leaving one driver badly beaten and wounded. Abel's wife Anna (Jessica Chastain) believes in fighting fire with fire but Abel is reluctant to resort to such means. While this is going on Abel's business is under scrutiny by the DA's Office and Assistant DA Lawrence (David Oyelowo) for suspicion of price fixing, tax evasion and various other alleged dodgy dealings.

Abel knows he needs to expand, grow and become master of his destiny and so hatches a plan to purchase a fuel oil terminal at a $2M+ price tag. Securing a bank loan, remortgaging the house and borrowing money from family, friends and business associates he finalises the deal and pays a substantial deposit. At the same time he moves into a new model home with wife and family, as competitor intimidation begins to ramp up against him, threats are made against his drivers and the DA get more suspicious as events continue to unfold all around him. All the while too unsavoury characters crawl out of the woodwork who want a slice of his action, or want to see him fail and Abel is jockeying his personal and family life, business affairs, the DA's Office, a criminal undercurrent and the need to raise the necessary funds to finalise his terminal deal before it all falls in a heap . . . and it's bloody cold outside! Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Supporting Role this film has so far picked up eight award wins and a further 32 nominations, and if gritty period Noo Yawk crime dramas are your thing then this is likely to please.

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (Rated PG) - 2012's 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' was made for a mere US$10M and grossed US$138M so it was inevitable that a second outing would come our way one day . . . and that day has arrived, this week! Directed once again by John Madden, this film sees us eight months hence from where the first film finished and reunites Hotel owner and entrepreneur Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) with his former hotel guests and cast members Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Ronald Pickup and Celia Imrie who all remain resident at the hotel, carving out new lives in Jaipur and seemingly relatively content with their lot. The hotel though is at capacity with new arrivals due imminently - Guy & Lavina (Richard Gere and Tamsin Grieg) and limited space available. With his wedding also approaching Sonny has his eye on a second property that puts further demands on his already hectic life. How will all this play out intertwined with the exploits of the guests, a new hotel in the offing, family intervention and the new hotel co-manager and resident guest Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) - who seems to be the keeper of secrets amongst fellow guests, and possibly the Miss Fixit to ensure the course of true love runs smoothly and an emerging business runs proficiently! Check-in, and see for yourself!

THAT SUGAR FILM (Rated PG) - there will be similarities thrown around here with Morgan Spurlock's film of 2004 - 'Super Size Me' that involved surviving on a McDonald's diet for a whole month for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper and everything in between. Here Aussie Actor come Director Damon Gameau chooses to go for sixty days on a high sugar diet but it must be stressed that there is no consumption of soft drinks, junk foods, or chocolate bars and sweet treats here. Instead the focus is very much on those foods that are freely available and deemed to be 'healthy'! Consuming the equivalent of 40 teaspoons of sugar a day (average for Australian's) everyday for two months Gameau here tells the story of how this physically and emotionally impacts his own body, but, this is also an exercise in education with expert contributions, informative advice, and insights into the challenges that the sugar industry has to deal with, and what to look out for on your supermarket shelves so that you really can choose healthy, and improve your diet. The film features cameo contributions from the likes of Stephen Fry, Brenton Thwaites, Isabel Lucas, Zoe Tuckwell Smith and Jessica Marais too. A film  for the whole family and something the kids should definitely see - it might make you think very differently about the sweet stuff!

That's it then for this week with three opposing films to choose from offering something sweet, something spicy and something sour to tickle your filmic taste buds. When you've had a taste - give us your thoughts on this weeks movie menu! Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-