What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 16th October 2025

This years Adelaide Film Festival (AFF) runs from Wednesday 15th through until Sunday 26th October in the South Australian capital city of Adelaide. AFF is South Australia’s premier screen event and one of Australia’s leading film festivals. It’s a celebration of courageous cinema where filmmakers and audiences come together for two weeks of local and international film premieres, art, talks and parties in October. Named as one of the top fifty film festivals in the world by Variety, and winner of the 2021 Ruby Award for Best Festival, AFF has a reputation for being distinct and innovative. AFF screens features, shorts, documentaries and moving image projects you can’t see anywhere else - from both emerging and established Australian and global talent. AFF is renowned for its warmth and inclusivity, welcoming new audience members and industry guests alike to South Australia and its eclectic cinema theatres . . . so reads the official website.

This years Opening Night Gala film presentation is 'Jimpa' from Australia, Netherlands and Finland and Directed by Sophie Hyde. In Amsterdam, an Adelaide filmmaker Hannah (Olivia Colman) and their non-binary teen Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde) reconnect with the family’s flamboyant patriarch known as Jimpa (John Lithgow). As old tensions resurface, Jimpa becomes a tender, emotionally precise portrait of queer family, care and the shifting boundaries between generations. The Closing Night Gala feature film is 'Wolfram' from Australia and Directed by Warwick Thornton and set in 1932 in Central Australia, marking the follow up to his acclaimed 'Sweet Country'. Aboriginal children are forced into wolfram (tungsten) mining until violence entangles them with ruthless outlaws. At the heart of the story is Pansy (Deborah Mailman), longing for her stolen children in a tightly wrought western of reckoning.

This years Feature Fiction Film Competition sees the following entries :-

* 'Vanilla' - from Mexico and Directed by Mayra Hermosillo. In late-1980's Mexico, Vanilla is a textured family drama told through the eyes of a young girl raised by seven formidable women. As debt threatens their home, she witnesses resilience, tenderness and struggle that reshape her sense of belonging and the meaning of family. Australian Premiere.

* 'Reedland' - from the Netherlands and Belgium and Directed by Sven Bresser in his feature film debut. Johan harvests reeds in the Dutch marshlands. When he discovers the body of a girl, he embarks on a search for the killer. Australian Premiere.

* 'Perla' - from Austria and Slovakia and Directed by Alexandra Makarova. In 1981 Vienna, a Slovakian exile struggles to support her daughter. When the child’s father re-appears in her life, Perla makes the dangerous journey back to communist Czechoslovakia, where she is torn between the demands of conflicting loves that threaten to pull her life apart. Australian Premiere.

* 'Phantoms of July' - from Germany and Directed by Julian  Radlmaier. When Ursula and Neda embark on a ghost hunt, their encounter becomes a story of eccentric locals, spectral rumours and the surprising connections strangeness can spark. Australian Premiere.

* 'A Useful Ghost' - from Thailand, France, Singapore and Germany and Directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, here we have a politically tinged, absurdist comedy/drama in which the ghost of a young woman returns to her husband as a bright-red vacuum cleaner, determined to prove herself a loving ghost.

For the details of the Feature Documentary Film Competition, plus all the other film strands being showcased, and a whole lot of other good stuff, you can go to the official website at : https://www.adelaidefilmfestival.org

Homing in on this weeks five new release movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, we kick off with a psychological thriller in which a college professor finds herself at a personal and professional crossroad when a star student levels an accusation against one of her colleagues, threatening to expose a dark secret from her own past. This is followed by another psychological thriller telling the story of when his past and his debts start to catch up with him, a high-stakes gambler laying low in Macau encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation. Then we turn to a supernatural horror film sequel that sees this young man, now 17, struggling with life after his captivity and subsequent escape having killed his abductor, when his sister begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions. Next up is a crime comedy drama offering based on an unbelievable true story, the film follows a former Army Ranger and struggling father who turns to robbing McDonald’s. And closing out the week we have a drama film telling the story of a group of troubled boys who are kidnapped, abandoned and forced into a ruthless 'Wilderness Therapy' programme in the Utah desert, and cut off from the world, they must survive both the elements and the mind games of a director who may not be trying to save them at all.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five 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 week ahead.

'AFTER THE HUNT' (Rated MA15+) - is a psychological thriller film Co-Produced and Directed by Luca Guadagnino who prior feature film making credits include his debut offering in 1999 with 'The Protagonists' and which he would follow up with the likes of 'I Am Love' in 2009, 'A Bigger Splash' in 2015, 'Call Me by Your Name' in 2017, 'Suspiria' in 2018, 'Bones And All' in 2022, and both 'Challengers' and 'Queer' in 2024. This film had its World Premiere showcasing out of competition in this years Venice International Film Festival in late August, where it received mixed reviews from critics. It saw a limited released last week in the USA, before going wide from this week. 

Alma Olsson (Julia Roberts) is a respected, well-liked professor at Yale University, who is forced to grapple with her own secretive past after one of her colleagues Henrik 'Hank' Gibson (Andrew Garfield) is faced with a sexual abuse allegation involving one of her students, Margaret 'Maggie' Resnick (Ayo Edebiri). Also starring Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloe Sevigny. 

'BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER' (Rated MA15+) - this British psychological thriller film is Directed by Edward Berger whose most recent feature film making credits are the two critically lauded films 'All Quiet on the Western Front' and 'Conclave'. This film is based on the 2104 novel of the same name by Lawrence Osborne. Here, Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell) is laying low in Macau, spending his days and nights on the casino floors, drinking heavily and gambling what little money he has left. Struggling to keep up with his ever mounting debts, he is offered a lifeline by the mysterious Dao Ming (Fala Chen), a casino employee with secrets of her own. However, in hot pursuit is Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton), a private investigator ready to confront Doyle with what he is running from. As Doyle tries to climb to salvation, the confines of reality start to close in. The film saw its World Premiere screening at the Telluride Film Festival on 29th August, will have a limited release in the USA, UK and here in Australia from this week before streaming on Netflix from 29th October. 

'BLACK PHONE 2' (Rated MA15+) - is an American supernatural horror film Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Scott Derrickson and is a sequel to the 2021 film that took US$162M at the global Box Office off the back of a US$17M production budget, and was also Directed by Scott Derrickson. Bad dreams haunt fifteen-year-old Gwen (Madeleine McGraw, reprising her role from the first film) as she receives calls from the black phone and sees disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp. Accompanied by her brother, Finn (Mason Thames, also reprising), they head to Alpine Lake Camp to solve the mystery, only to confront the Grabber (Ethan Hawke, reprising), a killer who's grown even more powerful in death. Also starring Demian Bichir, Jeremy Davies and Arianna Rivas. The film Premiered at Fantastic Fest on 20th September, is released in the US and here in Australia this week, and has garnered generally favourable critical reviews. 

'ROOFMAN' (Rated M) - this American crime comedy drama film is Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Derek Cianfrance who made his Directorial debut with 'Brother Tied' in 1998 and would follow this up with 'Blue Valentine' in 2010, 'The Place Beyond the Pines' in 2012, and 'The Light Between Oceans' in 2016. The film is a biopic of the fugitive Jeffrey Manchester (Channing Tatum), a former United States Army Reserve officer and struggling father, known colloquially as Roofman due to his propensity to steal from branches of McDonald's after entering their premises via the roof. After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys 'R' Us store for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mum drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in. The film had its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in early September, was released in the US last week and has generated largely positive press. Also starring Ben Mendelsohn, Peter Dinklage, Juno Temple, LaKeith Stanfield and Tony Revolori.

'THE WILDERNESS' (Rated CTC) - is an American drama film that is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Spencer King who made his feature film debut in 2016 with 'Black Petunia' and would follow this up with the documentary 'Death on Me : The Story of Dex Osama' in 2020 and 'Time Now' in 2021. In this story, a group of troubled teenage boys are kidnapped from their homes and taken deep into the unforgiving Utah desert and forced to attend a wilderness therapy programme. Cut off from the outside world, their only path home lies in gaining the favour of the cryptic programme director, whose intentions are anything but healing. As rehabilitation slips into manipulation, the boys must choose to either endure the programme or find a way out. Starring Hunter Doohan, Lamar Johnson, Vinessa Shaw, Sam Jaeger, Sean Avery and Liana Liberato. This film is released Stateside this week too.

With five 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 coming week.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

CONCLAVE : Monday 3rd February 2025

I saw the PG Rated 'CONCLAVE' at the Open Air Cinema at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair this week, overlooking the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the CBD. This UK and US Co-Produced film is Directed by Edward Berger and is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. Edward Berger's previous film credits take in 'Jack' in 2014, 'All My Loving' in 2019 and the critically acclaimed and multi award winning 'All Quiet on the Western Front' in 2022. This film had its World Premiere screening at last years Telluride Film Festival in late August, was released in the US in late October, in the UK in late November, cost US$20M to produce, and has so far grossed US$92M. It has received generally positive critical reviews and has so far collected 59 award wins and another 294 nominations, many of which are still pending a final determination, from around the awards and festival circuit, including eight Academy Award nods. 

The films opens with the dead body of the pope lying peacefully in his bed where he passed away several hours before. It is the early hours of the morning and already sitting beside the late pope's bedside are Aldo Bellini (Stanley Tucci) and Joseph Tremblay (John Lithgow) - two of his closest Cardinals. Into the room in the early hours of the morning comes dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), and shortly thereafter the body is prepared before being removed (rather unceremoniously) by a pair of Ambulance men. Under the leadership of Lawrence, the College of Cardinals must convene in a Conclave, to elect the next pope. 

There are four leading candidates, all of whom have their sights set on the next papacy. These are Bellini of the US, Tremblay of Canada, Goffredo Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) of Italy and Joshua Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) of Nigeria. Janusz Wozniak (Jacek Koman), the prefect of the papal household, has information for Lawrence that the late pope demanded Tremblay's resignation on the night he died. Lawrence confronts Tremblay with this news, which he vehemently denies. Bellini tells his supporters his goal is to prevent Tedesco from becoming pope, because he is way too traditional in his views of the role of the pope. 

Meanwhile, Lawrence is taken aback by the last-minute arrival of Archbishop Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz) of Kabul, whom the late pope named cardinal the previous year in secret. None of the one hundred or so Cardinals had any prior knowledge of Benitez existence up that point, and Lawrence had no reason to doubt his claims as genuine.

After the first ballot is counted, no one obtains the required two-thirds majority, though Adeyemi has a slight edge and Bellini and Lawrence split the liberal vote. Raymond O'Malley (Brian F. O'Byrne), Lawrence's assistant, does some background digging on Benitez, where he learns the late pope paid for his plane ticket to Geneva for a canceled medical appointment. On the second day, while the Cardinals were gathered for lunch, the college witnesses a confrontation between Adeyemi, who leads in the votes, and Sister Shanumi (Balkissa Maiga), a nun recently transferred from Nigeria to Vatican City. After Adeyemi storms out of the lunch room, Lawrence privately speaks with Shanumi, who confesses to an illicit relationship that led to the birth of a son, albeit some twenty years ago. Lawrence then confronts Adeyemi with this news, and asks him is he wishes to confess. Though Lawrence is bound to secrecy by order of the Confession, a whisper campaign puts an end to Adeyemi's candidacy. Bellini thereafter, reluctantly decides to back Tremblay.

Working with Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini), the nun overseeing the cardinals' catering and housekeeping arrangements, Lawrence learns that Tremblay arranged for Shanumi's transfer. When confronted, Tremblay claims that he did so at the late pope's request. Lawrence then breaks into the late pope's quarters and discovers documents that implicate Tremblay did so, but without the pope's consent. He shows the documents to Bellini, whose plea not to reveal their existence sparks an argument. Lawrence has Sister Agnes copy the document for every member of the college.

On the third day, following the revelation of Tremblay's actions, Lawrence reconciles with Bellini and agrees to oppose Tedesco. Lawrence votes for himself during the sixth ballot, which is interrupted by an explosion that knocks him to the floor and damages the Sistine Chapel, covering many of the Cardinal's in dust and debris, and none are seriously injured. 

The college learns the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber who detonated himself near the Vatican, killing about a dozen in the crowd, and injuring many more. Tedesco calls for a religious war, while Benitez says that violence should not be met with violence. The college overwhelmingly elects Benitez in the seventh ballot, and he chooses the papal name of 'Innocent'.

Lawrence is initially enthusiastic and relieved, until O'Malley pulls him aside to discuss the nature of Benitez's canceled medical appointment . . . and I'll leave it there, for to tell of the twist in this tale will likely spoil it for those who have yet to see 'Conclave'. Needless to say, you won't have seen that one coming!

With 'Conclave' Director Edward Berger has here crafted a film aimed squarely at a more mature audience, looking for good old fashioned high stakes drama underscored by a first rate all on their A-game cast, top notch cinematography, and a taut riveting story that will maintain your unwavering interest right up until the end. This film has political intrigue, some real laugh out loud moments, and all the plot twists and turns that you could possibly hope for all wrapped up in a neat entertaining package that is well worth the price of your movie ticket and will keep you enthralled for its two hour run time. 

'Conclave' merits five claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 13th October 2022.

The 60th annual New York Film Festival kicked off on Friday 30th September and runs through until Sunday 16th October. Since its launch in 1963 the New York Film Festival highlights the best in world cinema, featuring top films from celebrated filmmakers as well as fresh new talent. Since its inaugural year the New York Film Festival has brought new and important cinematic works from around the world to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to the Main Slate official selections, the festival includes Currents, Spotlight, Revivals, and Talks.

Noah Baumbach's film 'White Noise' was selected to be the Opening Night Film of the festival, while Laura Poitras' documentary 'All the Beauty and the Bloodshed' was chosen to be NYFF's Centerpiece. Elegance Bratton's 'The Inspection', was selected to be the festival's Closing Film, while James Gray's 'Armageddon Time', was selected to be the festival's celebration movie to mark its 60th anniversary.

Among the Main Slate of films being showcased are the following titles :-

* 'Aftersun' - from the UK, Directed by Charlotte Wells and starring Paul Mescal and Francesca Corio as a divorced father and his daughter whose close bond is quietly shaken during a brooding weekend at a coastal resort in Turkey.

* 'Alcarras' - from Spain and Italy and Directed by Carla Simon about a rural family in present-day Catalonia whose way of life is rapidly changing. North American Premier.

* 'Corsage' - from Austria, Directed by Marie Kreutzer and starring Vicky Krieps as Empress Elizabeth of Austria, who begins to see her life of royal privilege as a prison as she reaches her fortieth birthday. US Premier.

* 'Decision to Leave' - from South Korea and Directed by Park Cahn-wook. A Busan detective is increasingly obsessed with a murder suspect in a puzzling new case - that of a middle-aged businessman who has mysteriously fallen to his death and his wife might be to blame.

* 'Enys Men' - from the UK and Directed by Mark Jenkin about an isolated middle-aged woman who spends her days conducting an environmental study on an uninhabited, windswept, rocky island off the coast of Cornwall in southwest England, yet she’s also increasingly haunted by her own nightmarish visitations. US Premier.

* 'EO' - from Poland and Italy and Directed by Jerzy Skolimowski. The film floows the travels of a peripatetic donkey named EO who begins as a circus performer before escaping on a pastoral trek across the Polish and Italian countryside. US Premier.

* 'The Eternal Daughter' - from the UK and US and Directed by Joanna Hogg and starring Tilda Swinton as a middle-aged filmmaker, who together with her elderly mother take an eerie, emotional trip to the past when they stay at a fog-enshrouded hotel in the English countryside.

* 'Master Gardener' - from the US and Directed by Paul Schrader about dormant violence and the possibility of regeneration, surrounding on a horticulturist (Joel Edgerton) who works for the imperious owner (Sigourney Weaver) of a wealthy estate. North American Premier.

* 'No Bears' - from Iran and Directed by Jafar Panahi with the Director appearing as himself, relocated to a rural border town to remotely oversee the making of a new film in Turkey, the story of which comes to sharply parallel disturbing events that begin to occur around him. US Premier.

* 'One Fine Morning' - from France and Directed by Mia Hansen-Love and starring Lea Seydoux as a professional translator and single mother at a crossroads, torn between the romantic desire she feels for a married man and her obligation towards her sick father. 

* 'Pacifiction' - from France, Spain, Germany and Portugal and Directed by Albert Serra about a French bureaucrat drifting through a fateful trip to a French Polynesian island with increasing anxiety. US Premier.

* 'R.M.N.' - from Romania and France and Directed by Christian Mungiu in this portrait of a rural Transylvanian town riven by ethnic conflicts, economic resentment, and personal turmoil. US Premier.

* 'Return to Seoul' - from Cambodia, France, Germany, South Korea and Belgium and Directed by Davy Chou. A young French woman finds herself spontaneously tracking down the South Korean birth parents she has never met while on vacation in Seoul. US Premier.
* 'Saint Omer' - from France and Directed by Alice Diop. A successful journalist and author attends the trial of a young Senegalese woman, who has allegedly murdered her own baby daughter. US Premier.

* 'Showing Up' - from the US and Directed by Kelly Reichardt and starring Michelle Williams for this portrait of a sculptor’s daily work and frustrations in an artist’s enclave in Portland. North American Premier.

* 'Stars at Noon' - from France and Directed by Claire Denis about a dissolute young American journalist (Margaret Qualley) and an English businessman (Joe Alwyn) with ties to the oil industry, who meet by chance while on different, mysterious assignments in modern-day Nicaragua and tumble into a whirlwind romance. North American Premier.

* 'Stonewalling' - from Japan and Directed by Huang Ji and Ryuji Otsuka. A young flight-attendant-in-training’s plans to finish college are thrown into doubt when she discovers she’s pregnant. Not wanting an abortion, she hopes to give the child away after carrying it to term, while staying afloat amidst a series of dead-end jobs. US Premier.
* 'TAR' - from the US and Directed by Todd Field with Cate Blanchett as the fictional character Lydia Tar, and one of the greatest living composer/conductors, and first-ever female chief conductor of a major German orchestra and her gradual unravelling.

* 'Triangle of Sadness' - from Sweden, France, UK, Turkey and Germany and Directed by Ruben Ostlund, this film follows two hot young models (Harris Dickinson and Charlbi Dean) who rub elbows with the super-rich on a luxury cruise gone very wrong, with Woody Harrelson as the Captain of the ship. 

* 'Unrest' - from Switzerland and Directed by Cyril Schaublin sees an anarchist and socialist philosopher who experiences a quiet revolution in the hushed environs of the Swiss watchmaking town of Saint-Imier in the 1870's. US Premier.

* 'Walk Up' - from South Korea and Directed by Hong Sang-soo. Here, a successful middle-aged filmmaker drops by to visit an old friend, the owner of a charming apartment building, only to find his life taking a series of unexpected turns. US Premier.

For the other strands being screened : Spotlight - NYFF’s showcase of the season’s most anticipated and significant films; Currents - complementing the Main Slate, tracing a more complete picture of contemporary cinema with an emphasis on new and innovative forms and voices; and Revivals - showcasing important works from renowned filmmakers that have been digitally remastered, restored, and preserved, you can go to the official website at : https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2022/

Turning back to this weeks new release movies, of which there are nine, which hail from Germany, the US, New Zealand, France, Denmark and South Korea, there is sure to be something for everyone amongst this weeks mammoth haul of latest offerings. Kicking off, we have a young German soldier's terrifying experiences and distress on the western front during World War I. Next up the saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode comes to a spine-chilling climax in this final instalment of the franchise . . . or is it? This is followed by a girl with unusual powers who escapes from a mental asylum and tries to make it on her own in New Orleans. Then we turn to a New Zealand offering of a Police Sergeant who is forced to choose between his job and his people when the government pulls off an armed raid in his community. Next we have a Danish film about a couple who sacrifice everything to get a coveted Michelin star for their popular restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark. Following on is a French film about a Crime Squad investigating a murder victim's complex life and relations, but what starts as professional soon turns into an obsession for the Captain of Police. Then there is a South Korean movie that follows dangerous criminals on a cargo ship who are transported from the Philippines to South Korea, as they unleash a sinister force after an escape attempt leads to a riot; and the second of our French entries this week sees a hopeless romantic finds his life in danger when he falls in love with a beautiful mermaid. And closing out the week, we have a story of a young man's comfortable world that is turned upside down when his birthmother unexpectedly reaches out to him, longing to meet the 18-year-old son she's only held once.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the nine 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.

'ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT' (Rated MA15+) - is a German anti-war film based on the 1929 novel of the same name written by Erich Maria Remarque. This is the third screen adaptation of the acclaimed novel - the first being the 1930 film which won two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director (Lewis Milestone), and the second a 1979 made for TV movie which won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Made for Television and also picked up one Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Film Editing plus a further six nominations. This 2022 version saw its World Premier screening at last months Toronto International Film Festival, is set for its release on Netflix from the 28th of October and is Directed by Edward Berger whose prior big screen offerings include 'Jack' in 2014 and 'All My Loving' in 2019. 

It is 1917. Wartime in Germany. Paul Baumer (Felix Kammerer) lies about his age so that he can enlist together with his friends, all of them very young men filled with romanticised patriotic notions of soldiers going off to win the war. The reality of war almost immediately dismantles their euphoria and very quickly Paul is thrown into a trench, with little equipment, minimal training, and the swiftly repaired uniform of another soldier on his back. Paul and his fellow comrades soon experience first hand how the initial exuberance of war transcends into desperation and fear as they fight for their lives, and each other, in the trenches of the Western Front. Also starring Daniel Bruhl, the film has so far garnered generally favourable Reviews. 

'HALLOWEEN ENDS' (Rated MA15+) - this American slasher horror film is Directed and Co-Written by David Gordon Green and is a sequel to the 2021 film 'Halloween Kills', is the thirteenth instalment in the 'Halloween' film franchise, and the final film in the 'H40' trilogy that commenced with the 2018 film 'Halloween' and which serves as a continuation of the original 1978 film's storyline disregarding all the other screen offerings that came in between up to 2018. The 2018 and 2021 films generated a combined worldwide Box Office haul of US$387M off the back of a total US$30M production budget, making this final instalment a no brainer. Four years after her last encounter with masked killer Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney and Nick Castle), Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is living with her granddaughter Allyson Nelson (Andi Matichak) and trying to complete her memoir. Myers hasn't been seen since, and Laurie finally decides to liberate herself from rage and fear and embrace life. However, when a young man stands accused of murdering a boy that he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that forces Laurie to confront the evil she can't control. 

'MONA LISA AND THE BLOOD MOON' (Rated MA15+) - is an American fantasy thriller film Written and Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour whose previous two feature film outings are 'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night' in 2014 and 'The Bad Batch' in 2016. This film saw its World Premier screening at the Venice International Film Festival back in September 2021 and was released in the US at the end of September this year having garnered generally favourable Reviews. When a struggling single-mother Bonnie (Kate Hudson) befriends a mysterious mental institute escapee, Mona Lisa Lee (Jeon Jong-seo), with supernatural powers, she sees a lucrative opportunity to make some fast cash. But when they draw the attention of a detective Officer Harold (Craig Robinson), their luck starts to run out as the cops close in on their crime-spree. Also starring Ed Skrein. 

'MURU' (Rated MA15+) - this New Zealand action drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Tearapa Kahi in only his second feature film offering following his 2013 drama 'Mt. Zion'. The film was released as the Opening Night film of the New Zealand International Film Festival at the end of July this year, and now is released in Australia having received positive Reviews so far. Inspired by actual events, this film is the story of a local Police Sergeant 'Taffy' Tawharau (Cliff Curtis), who must choose between his badge and his people, when the Government launches an armed raid through his Ruatoki community, on a school day in 2007. Also starring Jay Ryan, Manu Bennett and Simone Kessell. 

'A TASTE OF HUNGER' (Rated M) - this Danish culinary drama romance film is Co-Written and Directed by Christoffer Boe whose previous feature film credits take in his 2003 debut with 'Reconstruction' then 'Allegro' in 2005, 'Offscreen' in 2006, 'Everything Will Be Fine' in 2010, 'Sex, Drugs & Taxation' in 2013 and 'Journal 64' in 2018. Here then, a power couple within the Danish gourmet scene, Carsten (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Maggie (Katrine Greis-Rosenthal) run the popular restaurant Malus in Copenhagen. The couple is willing to sacrifice everything to achieve their dream - gaining a coveted Michelin star. The film has garnered generally positive Reviews.

'THE NIGHT OF THE 12TH' (Rated M) - is a French and Belgian Co-Production Co-Written and Directed by Dominik Moll whose prior feature films include the multi-award winning and nominated 'Harry, He's Here to Help' in 2000, 'Lemming' in 2005, 'The Monk' in 2011 and 'Only the Animals' in 2019. In the corridors of the criminal police, it is said that all the investigators have a crime that haunts them. It starts spinning in their heads to the point of obsession, but they don't always know why. Young and ambitious Captain Vivss (Bastien Bouillon) has just been appointed group leader at the Grenoble Criminal Squad when Clara’s murder case lands on his desk. Vives and his team investigate Clara’s (Lulu Cotton-Frapier) complex life and relations, but what starts as a professional and methodical immersion into the victim’s life soon turns into a haunting obsession. One interrogation follows another and the list of suspects continues to grow. Only one thing is certain, however … the crime occurred on the night of the 12th. The film saw its World Premier screening at this years Cannes Film Festival back in May and has generated positive press. 

'PROJECT WOLF HUNTING' (Rated R18+) - this South Korean Sci-Fi action thriller is Written and Directed by Kim Hong-sun whose prior big screen Directing offerings include his 2012 debut with 'Traffickers', then 'The Con Artists' in 2014, 'The Chase' in 2017 and 'Byeonshin' in 2019. During what would normally be described as a routine prisoner transport voyage by cargo ship covering the 1630 miles from Manilla in the Philippines to Busan in South Korea, a group of dangerous criminals unites to stage a coordinated escape attempt. As the jailbreak escalates into a bloody, all-out riot, the fugitives and their allies from the outside exact a brutal terror campaign against the special agents onboard the ship. The film cost US$8.5M to produce and has so far recouped about US$3M following its local South Korean release on 21st September and its US release last week and has generated largely positive Reviews.

'A MERMAID IN PARIS' (Rated M) - is a French fantasy romantic comedy film Co-Written and Directed by Mathias Malzieu in only his second Directorial outing following the animated feature 'Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart' in 2013. Gaspard (Nicolas Duvauchelle), a man who has gone through many relationship breakups in the past, believes he has no more love to give. One day, he crosses paths with an injured mermaid, Lula (Marilyn Lima), by the Seine in Paris and takes her home to heal in his bathtub, but learns that any man who falls in love with her dies. Initially immune to her endearing charm, Gaspard slowly falls in love with Lula, who also truly falls for him. Also starring Tcheky Karyo and Rossy de Palma. The film was released in its native France way back in mid-March 2020 and only now does it get a limited release in Australia have taken so far just US$631K at the Box Office. The film has attracted generally positive Reviews.

'LIFEMARK' (Rated PG) - is an American Christian drama film Co-Written, Directed and Edited by Kevin Peeples in only his second feature film outing following 'Like Arrows' in 2018 although he has Directed three Documentaries between 2013 and 2016. As a pregnant teenager in 1993, Melissa (Marisa Hampton) is preparing for an abortion to end her unwanted pregnancy, when at the very last minute "She told the doctor, 'I can’t do this.'" Instead, she chooses to deliver her son and place him for adoption, where he is adopted by Jimmy and Susan Colton (Kirk Cameron and Rebecca Rogers Nelson respectively) of Louisiana. Eighteen years later, Melissa (Dawn Long) reaches out to David (Raphael Ruggero) through the adoption agency, leading to their connection on social media and ultimately meeting face-to-face. The film was released in the US in early September, has so far grossed US$5M and has received mixed Reviews. 

With nine 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-