ETERNALS : Wednesday 3rd November 2021.

I saw 'ETERNALS' earlier this week at an advanced screening at my local multiplex, and this M Rated much hyped, eagerly anticipated and long awaited epic superhero film is based on the Marvel Comics characters of the same name. This is the 26th film in the MCU and the third film in the MCU's Phase Four. Directed and Co-Written by Chloe Zhao whose prior film credits are 2015's 'Songs My Brother Taught Me' her debut, then 'The Rider' in 2017 and the critically acclaimed 'Nomadland' in 2020. Originally set for release on 6th November 2020, it was then moved back to 12th February 2021 and then to this week in the US, UK, Australia and other international territories due to the COVID-19 pandemic, following its World Premier in LA on 18th October. The film cost US$200M to produce and has so far generated mixed or average Reviews, and at the time of writing the film has grossed US$30M. 

The core Eternals team who landed on our little blue planet about seven thousand years ago, consists of ten characters, each with their own set of very particular skills and super powers. There is Sersi (Gemma Chan), who can transform objects into different elements, such as rock into sand, metal into water, wood into stone and so on; Ikaris (Richard Madden), has the ability to fly and fire cosmic laser beams from his eyes; Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), who can project energy blasts from his hands; Sprite (Lia McHugh), a twelve year old girl who can summon illusions at will ; Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry), an inventor extraordinaire; Makkari (Lauren Ridloff), who is deaf but has superhuman speed; Druig (Barry Keoghan), with the ability to control many multiple minds at once; Gilgamesh (Don Lee) with super strength, and Thena (Angelina Jolie), the Goddess of war who can summon weapons of cosmic light; and leading the pack is Ajak (Salma Hayek), the 'Prime Eternal' who has the ability to heal herself and others and is able to communicate with the Celestial Arishem the Judge (voiced by David Kaye) as a surrogate mother and protector of the Eternals. 

And so the Eternals are an immortal alien race created millennia ago by the Celestials (their mythology is that they are members of the first lifeforms created in and by the original universe, and have contributed to the creation of the Multiverse, including the evolution of life therein) and who were sent to Earth to protect humanity from the Deviants (an offshoot of the evolutionary process that created sentient life on Earth instigated by the alien Celestials). In 5000 BC, the Eternals arrived on Earth from their home planet Olympia sent by the Celestial Arishem, where they have to fight the invasive Deviants and ultimately destroy them all. Over the ensuing millennia, they have protected humanity from the dangers posed by these mutant creatures, but were not permitted to stand in the way of the development of mankind. The last of the Deviants were seemingly killed off some five hundred years ago, at which point the group became divided, as views differed about their responsibility towards the world's growing population. They subsequently spent the next few centuries largely separated from each other, waiting for Arishem to send them back to Olympia.

Fast forward to present day London and Sersi and Sprite are living together. After Sersi was left by her partner Ikaris more than five hundred years previously, she now has a relationship with Dane Whitman (Kit Harington) who works at London's Natural History Museum. When the three are attacked one evening by the Deviant leader Kro, Ikaris appears and chases the creature away after observing that this Deviant was able to self heal. Sersi, Sprite and Ikaris decide to reunite all Eternals to prepare for the renewed danger. They round up the rest of the group, all except for Ajak who was seemingly killed by a Deviant. 

As the new leader of the group, Ajak gave Sersi the ability to communicate with Arishem. In a conversation with the Celestial, Arishem tells her that the overriding mission of the Eternals was not to fight the Deviants, but to prepare Earth for 'The Emergence'. Arishem further explains that for millions of years, the Celestials have been planting their seeds in populated planets so that a new Celestial can be born from them. Since the energy of innumerable individuals is required for this, the Celestials sent the Deviants, so that the respective apex predators of the planet could be eradicated therefore paving the way for the ongoing development of life. However, the Deviants evolved and became apex predators themselves, explaining why the Eternals were sent to thwart them. Arishem concludes that Earth has now reached the necessary population density so that The Emergence - the birth of the Celestial Tiamut and the consequent destruction of Earth - can occur. This fact was known by Ajak since the Eternals arrived, but she was sworn to secrecy, telling Ikaris a few centuries ago but only revealing in flashback seven days before The Emergence was due to begin. Arisham also reveals that there was no home planet, Olympia, from which the Eternals originally hailed, and that they are destined to die with The Emergence. 

The Eternals came to love and respect humanity, despite all their flaws, over the centuries gone by, and so they decide not to obey the will of Arishem and instead want to prevent The Emergence. Through the 'Uni-Mind' created by Phastos - a connection between all Eternals that brings their collective powers together in a single force, Druig is then meant to harness the necessary power to bring Tiamut to sleep by means of his mind control abilities. However, not all Eternals are satisfied with the plan and Kingo leaves the group because he does not want to face Arishem and Ikaris reveals himself as an opponent. It was he who had been informed of The Emergence by Ajak and who finally sacrificed the leader to the Deviants when she too spoke out in opposition to the destruction of the Earth.

Makkari sprints around the world at warp speed to locate the place of The Emergence at the foot of an active volcano. There, a fight between Ikaris and the Eternals breaks out. The Deviant Kro, who wants to take out his revenge on the Eternals and who had previously killed Gilgamesh, is also there. Together, the group are able to bring Ikaris under control, while Thena defeats Kro at the same time by slicing and dicing him up with the aid of a pair of swords of cosmic light. 

Phastos activates the Uni-Mind, which Ikaris also joins after he has rethought his life on Earth and his relationship with Sersi. Since Druig is too weak from the previous fight to face Tiamut, Sersi, who is able to manipulate and transform substances, takes on the job and kills Tiamut by transforming the molten lava flow into ice and then hardened rock, so solidifying the emerging Tiamut. Wracked by guilt, Ikaris flies off taking one last look at planet Earth before flying directly into the sun. Sersi grants Sprite human life so that she can grow into an adult and experience all the things that adults do, albeit knowing that she will some day die too; Phastos remains with his partner and husband Ben (Haaz Sleiman) and their adoptive son Jack (Esai Daniel Cross), Kingo returns to his life as a famous Bollywood Actor; and Sersi returns to London to be with Dane Whitman. Thena, Druig and Makkari fly into space aboard their spaceship to find other Eternals. 

One day when Sersi and Dane are out walking and talking about her recent exploits in saving the world on Hampstead Heath with the City of London in the background, Arisham arrives on the horizon and summons Sersi and the other still earthbound Eternals telling them that with their killing of Tiamut he is still yet to judge whether Earth's civilisation will live or die. Keep watching for a mid-credits and a post-credits sequence in which Thena, Druig and Makkari get an unexpected couple of visitors on board their spaceship, and Dane Whitman opens up an old chest inherited from his forebearers.  

In crafting 'Eternals' Director and Co-Screenwriter Chloe Zhao has thrown out the MCU how-to rule book and created a film that takes the near fifteen year old epic franchise in a new and fresh direction. This film has emotion, sex, homosexuality and a rag tag bunch of various nationalities, cultures and beliefs all wrapped up into one neat little package that is not short on the action set pieces, or the humour delivered for the most part by Kingo and Gilgamesh. That said, its hard to get truly invested in ten characters when there is so little time given to their respective back stories which span millennia; the film labours at the mid-section and at a running time of 157 minutes it is, for me at least, twenty minutes overcooked. There will be those that love this film, and those that hate it, and as for this Reviewer, well I sit somewhere in the middle. But credit has to go to Chloe Zhao for steeping foot outside of the tried and tested MCU formula and delivering us something different, which despite its flaws, paves the way for a perhaps invigorated Phase Four - only time will tell where these characters take us. 

'Eternals' warrants three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps. 

-Steve, from Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 4th November 2021.

The 34th Tokyo International Film Festival is currently in full flight having opened on Saturday 30th October and ending on Monday 8th November. This festival is one of Asia's competitive film festivals, and the only Japanese festival accredited by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations). TIFF has played an integral role in Japan's film industry and cultural scene since it was founded in 1985. TIFF aspires to be recognised as one of the four major film festivals in the world and in the same league as Cannes, Venice and Berlin. This year the Opening Night film was 'Cry Macho' Directed, Co-Produced and starring Clint Eastwood, with the Closing Night film being 'Dear Evan Hansen' Directed by Stephen Chbosky.

In Official Competition at TIFF this year The International Competition Jury will award the Tokyo Grand Prix, Special Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Artistic Contribution and the Audience Award from a line up of fifteen films. The winners will be announced at the Closing Ceremony, with the Tokyo Gran Prix winner collecting prize money of US$30K. Those films are :-

* 'Arisaka' - from The Philippines and Directed by Mikhail Red. World Premier screening.

* 'Californie' - from Italy and Directed by Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffman. Asian Premier.

* 'Crane Lantern' - from Azerbaijan and Directed by Hilal Baydarov. World Premier screening.

* 'The Daughter' - from Spain and Directed by Manuel Martin Cuenca. Asian Premier.

* 'The Dawning of the Day' - from Sri Lanka and Directed by Asoka Handagama. World Premier screening.

* 'The Four Walls' - from Turkey and Directed by Bahman Ghobadi. World Premier screening.

* 'Hommage' - from Korea and Directed by Shin Su-won. World Premier screening.

* 'Just Remembering' - from Japan and Directed by Matsui Daigo. World Premier screening.

* 'La Civil' - from Belgium, Romania and Mexico and Directed by Teodora Ana Mihai. Asian Premier.

* 'One and Four' - from China and Directed by Jigme Trinley. World Premier screening.

* 'The Other Tom' - from Mexico and the US and Directed by Rodrigo Pla and Laura Santullo. Asian Premier.

* 'Payback' - from The Philippines and Directed by Brillante Ma Mendoza. World Premier screening.

* 'Poet' - from Kazakhstan and Directed by Darezhan Omirbaev. World Premier screening.

* 'Third Time Lucky' - from Japan and Directed by Nohara Tadashi. World Premier screening.

* 'Vera Dreams of the Sea' - from Kosovo, North Macedonia and Albania and Directed by Kaltrina Krasniqi. Asian Premier.

The Gala Section premieres the latest films ahead of their Japanese release. Ten films will be showcased this year which include much-talked-about films in international film festivals around the world, the latest films from internationally renowned auteurs, and entertainment films that were massive hits in their home countries. Those titles are : 'Churuli', 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye', 'The French Dispatch', 'Gensan Punch', 'The Hand of God', 'Last Night in Soho', 'Limbo', 'Memoria', 'The Power of the Dog' and 'Raging Fire'.

The World Focus section presents notable works from various international film festivals and the latest films that have yet to be released in Japan. The eight films showcased here are : 'The Box', 'Libertad', 'Veneciafrenia', 'Il Buco', 'Murina', 'Swan Song', 'Terrorizers' and 'Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash'.

Asian Future is a competitive section that features up-and-coming Asian Directors who have Directed no more than three feature-length films. The top film will be awarded the 'Asian Future Best Film Award' and prize money of US$10K. Two Japanese films have been selected this year. All ten films competing in the section will have their World Premiere showcasing. Those films are : 'American Girl', 'Asu', 'The Brittle Thread', 'The Brokers', 'The Coffin Painters', 'The Last Birds of Passage', 'The Nighthawk's First Love', 'Somebody's Flowers', 'When Pomegranates Howl' and 'World, Northern Hemisphere'.

For the complete run down of scheduled films and a whole lot more from this years 34th Tokyo International Film Festival, you can go to the official website at : https://www.2021.tiff-jp.net/ 

This coming week then we have four latest release new films coming to you local Odeon, and we kick off with the 26th instalment in the MCU that sees a race of immortal beings with superhuman powers who have lived on Earth for thousands of years hidden in plain sight, reunite to battle the evil Deviants. This is followed by a story of a violent gang war from the perspectives of mobster Dickie Moltisanti and his teenage nephew, Anthony Soprano, in the midst of Newark's 1967 riots. Next up, and in the world of international crime, an Interpol agent attempts to hunt down and capture the world's most wanted art thief, with the help of the world's second most wanted art thief. And closing out the week is a documentary  about a legendary cookbook author and television superstar, who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women.

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 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.

'ETERNALS' (Rated M) - this much hyped epic superhero film is based on the Marvel Comics characters of the same name, is the 26th film in the MCU and the third film in the MCU's Phase Four. Directed and Co-Written by Chloe Zhao whose prior film credits are 2015's 'Songs My Brother Taught Me' her debut, then 'The Rider' in 2017 and the critically acclaimed 'Nomadland' in 2020. Originally set for release on 6th November 2020, it was then moved back to 12th February 2021 and then to this week in the US, UK, Australia and other international territories due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film cost US$200M to produce and has so far generated mixed or average Reviews. 

Starring an ensemble cast that takes in Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Harish Patel, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie that following the return of half the global population in 'Avengers: Endgame' ignites 'the emergence', the Eternals (an offshoot of the evolutionary process that created sentient life on Earth) —an immortal alien race created by the Celestials (their mythology is that they are members of the first lifeforms created in and by the original universe, and have contributed to the creation of the Multiverse including the evolution of life therein) who have secretly lived on Earth for more than seven thousand years, are forced into reuniting to protect humanity from their evil counterparts, the Deviants (an offshoot of the evolutionary process that created sentient life on Earth instigated by the alien Celestials, and wage war against their counterparts, the Eternals), after an unexpected tragedy forces them out of hiding in plain sight. 

'THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK' (Rated MA15+) - is an American crime drama story Directed by Alan Taylor whose previous film making credits take in his debut 'Palookaville' in 1995, 'The Emperor's New Clothes' in 2001, 'Thor : The Dark World' in 2013 and 'Terminator : Genisys' in 2015. In the meantime he has also Directed multiple episodes of 'Homicide : Life on the Street', 'Sex and the City', 'The Sopranos' and 'Game of Thrones'. Co-Written by and based on characters created by David Chase this film serves as a prequel to Chase's HBO crime drama series 'The Sopranos', and takes place during the 1960's and '70's in Newark, New Jersey. The film follows a young Anthony Soprano who is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark's history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family's hold over the increasingly race-torn city. Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he worships, Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola), who struggles to manage both his professional and personal responsibilities, and whose influence over his impressionable nephew will help make the teenager into the all-powerful mob boss we'll later come to know - Tony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini, and the son of James Gandolfini who played Tony Soprano in the TV series). The film has garnered largely positive critical acclaim, has so far recouped US$12M off the back of a US$50M production budget, saw its World Premier showcasing at the Tribeca Film Festival in late September and went to general release in the US on 1st October along with a month-long simultaneous release on HBO Max. Also starring Jon Bernthal, Leslie Odom Jnr., Corey Stoll, Vera Farmiga, Ray Liotta and Billy Magnussen. 

'RED NOTICE' (Rated M) - is an American action comedy film Written, Directed and Co-Produced by Rawson Marshall Thurber, whose prior film making credits include his debut 'DodgeBall : A True Underdog Story' in 2004, 'We're the Millers' in 2013, 'Central Intelligence' in 2016 and 'Skyscraper' in 2018. The film gets a limited cinematic release from this week, before going to air on Netflix from 12th November. With a budget somewhere in the vicinity of US$180M it represents the biggest investment made by the streaming service in a feature film to date. Here then, when Interpol issue a Red Notice — the highest level arrest warrant to hunt and capture the world’s most wanted criminals, the FBI’s top profiler John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson) lands the case. His world wide pursuit finds him in the middle of a daring robbery where he’s forced to team up with the world’s greatest art thief Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) in order to catch the world’s most wanted art thief, Sarah Black aka 'The Bishop' (Gal Gadot). 

'JULIA' (Rated PG) - this American documentary film is Directed and Co-Produced by Julie Cohen and Betsy West with Ron Howard serving as Executive Director. The film chronicles the life of Julia Child, who lived from 1912 until 2004 and was an American cooking teacher, author, and television personality. She is recognised for bringing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' (published in 1961) and her subsequent television programs, the most notable of which was 'The French Chef', which premiered in 1963 and aired over 145 episodes through until 1973. All up Julia Child claimed fifteen TV series, eight DVD releases, published eighteen books and in 2009, a feature film 'Julie & Julia' adapted by Nora Ephron from Child's memoir 'My Life in France' saw Meryl Streep played Child. The film won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical or Comedy. This film has garnered mostly positive Reviews, saw its World Premier screening at the Telluride Film Festival in early September, and now gets its release in the US and here in Australia from this week. 

With four new release films 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-

Odeon's closed, productions halted, movies delayed : the impact of the coronavirus!

Usually on a Wednesday I would report on the latest release new movies coming to an Odeon near you in Australia during the week commencing tomorrow. But as cinemas all around the country and elsewhere are temporarily closed, this week and for the foreseeable future this is not to be. So, as the world remains in lockdown, self isolation is the new de rigueur, and all but twenty of the worlds countries are suffering from the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that has seen large social gatherings forbidden, stores and businesses shut their doors indefinitely, millions of people now working from home or stood down, the global economy on an ever descending downward spiral, borders closed, airlines grounded, and all but essential services and retailers still operating. And, as at the time of writing, there is no end in sight! All that we know is that this global pandemic will pass . . . eventually, but who knows when, and who knows what the world will look like on the other side?

In Australia, movie theatres across the land closed their doors some three weeks ago now, as they did in many other countries around the world. At around about the same time television and film productions were halted indefinitely or cancelled altogether and the Studios who had their movies slated for imminent release have moved back those scheduled release dates to later in the year, or next year, or to some future unspecified date.

So, in case you were wondering what the status is of the big movies originally scheduled for release during the coming months, here is what we know of them so far :-

* 'THE HUNT' - this Blumhouse produced horror thriller is Directed by Craig Zobel and stars Betty Gilpin, Amy Madigan, Hilary Swank, Emma Roberts, Ethan Suplee, and Ike Barinholtz and was released Stateside on 13th March. One week later it was pulled from any further theatrical releases and it was then made available on digital streaming services.

* 'A QUIET PLACE : PART II' - the follow up film to John Krasinski's hugely successful 2018 horror  thriller film is Directed and Written once again by John Krasinski, and stars his wife Emily Blunt with Cillian Murphy, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds, Djimon Hounsou and Krasinski in newly film flash backs. The film was scheduled for an 19th March release, and has since been delayed until 4th September 2020.

* 'PETER RABBIT 2 : THE RUNAWAY' - this live action computer animated comedy film is based on the characters created by Beatrix Potter over one hundred years ago, and is the sequel to 2018's 'Peter Rabbit'. Directed by Will Gluck and starring in live action roles are Domhnall Gleeson, Rose Byrne and David Oyelowo with voices provided by James Cordon, Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, Lennie James, Sam Neill, Ewen Leslie and Damon Herriman. This film was also scheduled for a 19th March release and has since been put back until 15th January 2021.

* THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD' - this comedy drama offering based on the original story by Charles Dickens was released in the UK in late January, and is Directed, Co-Produced, and Co-Written for the screen by Armando Iannucci, and stars Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Laurie, Ben Whishaw, Paul Whitehouse, Benedict Wong, Aneurin Barnard, Gwendoline Christie, and Morfydd Clark. The film was scheduled for a release in Australia on 26th March. Earlier that month the film was pulled from its further release schedule, and a re-release date has yet to be confirmed. This Reviewer saw an early screening of the film however, back in February at Sydney's Open Air Cinema, so you can check out my Review, to see what you missed.

* 'MULAN' - this Disney live action remake of their 1998 animated feature film was initially scheduled for a 26th March release, but that has now been pushed back to an unspecified future date. Directed by Niki Caro and starring Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee, Jet Li, and Tzi Ma.

* 'THE NEW MUTANTS' - this Superhero horror film intended to be an instalment of the 'X-Men' franchise has been plagued by release date delays, but the most recently publicised date was for an 3rd April release time frame which has now been pushed back to an unspecified date, although expected to be some time in later 2020. Directed by Josh Boone and starring Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Blu Hunt and Henry Zaga as the five new young mutants.

* 'ARTEMIS FOWL' - this Sci-Fi adventure offering is a Disney film based on the 2001 book of the same name by Eoin Colfer, Directed by Kenneth Branagh and stars Ferdia Shaw in the title role with Josh Gad, Colin Farrell and Judy Dench. Scheduled for a 3rd April release, this film has been pulled from its cinematic release and will instead air on Disney+ at an as yet undisclosed date.

* 'NO TIME TO DIE' - the 25th instalment in the James Bond franchise is Directed by Cary Fukunaga and starring Daniel Craig for the final time as Bond with Christoph Waltz, Rami Malek, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Lea Seydoux, Naomi Harris, Ana de Armas, and Rory Kinnear. Originally slated for a 9th April release this latest instalment has been pushed back officially to 12th November 2020.

* 'ANTLERS' - this supernatural horror offering with Guillermo del Toro and David S. Goyer both taking Co-Producer credits was due for a release on 16th April, but has subsequently been pushed back to some future undisclosed date in 2020. Directed by Scott Cooper and starring Keri Russell, Jesse Plemmons, Amy Madigan, Graham Greene and Jeremy T. Thomas.

* 'PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN' - is a black comedy drama offering Directed, Co-Produced and Written by Emerald Fennell and starring Carey Mulligan, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Alfred Molina. Originally set for a 16th April release, this film is still publicised for this date, but that seems highly unlikely at this stage, pending advice from the distributor.

* 'ANTEBELLUM' - is an American horror drama film that was slated for release on 24th April, but a new date for its release has yet to be announced. Directed by Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz and starring Janelle Monae, Jena Malone, Jack Huston and Gabourey Sibide.

* 'BLACK WIDOW' - this MCU Superhero gets her own standalone film despite being killed off in 'Avengers : Endgame'. With Scarlett Johannson as Black Widow, with Florence Pugh, David Harbour, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, Rachel Weisz and Robert Downey Jnr as Iron Man/Tony Stark. Directed by Cate Shortland this is the 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and launches the MCU Phase Four and is set after the events of 'Captain America : Civil War'. Originally set for a 1st May release, this film has been pushed back with as yet, no date specified.

* 'SPIRAL' (aka 'SPIRAL : FROM THE BOOK OF SAW') - is a horror film that is the ninth instalment in the 'Saw' franchise and is Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, Written by Chris Rock and also starring him too alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Max Minghella. It was due for release on 15th May, but has since been pushed back indefinitely.

* 'THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW' - this psychological thriller is Directed by Joe Wright, and written for the screen by Tracy Letts who also stars together with Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Bryan Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Julianne Moore. Originally scheduled for a 15th May release, but has been pushed back to an as yet undisclosed date.

* 'F9' (aka 'FAST & FURIOUS 9') - this ninth instalment in the hugely successful and popular action franchise is this time around Directed by Justin Lin and reunites Vin Diesel with Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Charlize Theron, Helen Mirren amongst others and introduces John Cena as the bad guy. Due for a 22nd May release, but this has now be delayed until 2nd April 2021.

* 'WONDER WOMAN 1984' - this sequel to 2017's successful 'Wonder Woman' film and the ninth film in the DCEU, is Directed as before by Patty Jenkins and stars Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/ Diana Prince with Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen. Slated for a 5th June release but has now been pushed back to 14th August 2020.

* 'GREYHOUND' - this WWII American war film was written for the screen by Tom Hanks and also stars him too in the lead role as Commander Ernest Krause in this story of The Battle of the Atlantic which took place in early 1942 - only a few months after the US entered WWII. Directed by Aaron Schneider and also starring Stephen Graham, Elisabeth Shue, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Rob Morgan. Initially scheduled for a 11th June release, this film has been pushed back indefinitely with no date as yet publicised.

* 'CANDYMAN' - is a supernatural slasher film Directed by Nia DaCosta and Co-Written by Jordan Peele, and is a direct sequel to the 1992 film of the same name and the fourth film in the 'Candyman' franchise, based on the short story 'The Forbidden' by Clive Barker. Initially slated for an 11th June release, the film has since been put back to 25th September 2020.

* 'TOP GUN : MAVERICK' - this follow up to 1986's 'Top Gun' film with Tom Cruise as Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell sees the intrepid Navy pilot return in this sequel that was originally scheduled for a 24th June release that has since been delayed until 23rd December 2020. Directed by Jospeh Kosinski and also starring Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer and Jennifer Connelly.

* 'FREE GUY' - this Sci-Fi action comedy film is Directed by Shawn Levy and stars Ryan Reynolds (who also Co-Produces) and Taika Waititi, Joe Keery and Lil Rel Howery. Slated for a 3rd July release, this has now been pushed back until 11th December 2020.

* 'GHOSTBUSTERS : AFTERLIFE' - this supernatural comedy offering is a direct sequel to 'Ghostbusters' from 1984 and 'Ghostbusters II' from 1989, and the fourth film in the franchise. Directed by Jason Reitman and starring Mackenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, Bokeem Woodbine, Tracy Letts, and reprising their roles from the first films Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver. Set for a release date of 10th July, this has now been pushed back to 5th March 2021.

* 'MORBIUS' - based on the Marvel Comics Superhero character of the same name this is the third film in Sony's Marvel Universe that was intended for a July release date, but this has now been put back until 19th March 2021. Directed by Daniel Espinosa and starring Jared Leto as Michael Morbius with Matt Smith, Jared Harris, Tyrese Gibson and Michael Keaton.

* 'TENET' - this action thriller film is Directed, Co-Produced and Written by Christopher Nolan with an all star cast taking in John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Clemence Poesy, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. It remains at this time still scheduled for a 17th July release - being the fifth Nolan film to be released in the third weekend of July, which has been hailed as his 'lucky date ' as his prior four projects went on to achieve strong box office returns. This of course remains to be seen, or if indeed 'Tenet' will also get pushed back.

* 'THE FRENCH DISPATCH' - is a comedy drama film Directed and Co-Written by Wes Anderson with an all star ensemble cast including Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Elisabeth Moss, Frances McDormand, Lea Seydoux, Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Christoph Waltz, Owen Wilson, Jeffrey Wright, Timothee Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan. The film was originally scheduled for a July 24th release, but has since been postponed until 16th October 2020.

* 'JUNGLE CRUISE' -  is an action adventure film based on the Disney theme park attraction of the same name. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Dwayne Johnson (who also Co-Produces), Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramirez, and Jesse Plemmons this film was scheduled for a 24th July release date which has since been pushed back to 30th July 2021.

* 'MALIGNANT' - this horror film is Directed, Co-Produced, and Co-Written by James Wan and stars Annabelle Wallis, Jacqueline McKenzie and Mckenna Grace, and was slated for an 14th August release, which has now been pushed back indefinitely.

* 'ETERNALS' - this Superhero film exists in the MCU and is Marvel's 25th entry into their cinematic universe, Directed by Chloe Zhao and starring Richard Madden, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Barry Keoghan, Angelina Jolie and Kit Harrington as some of the 'Eternals' amongst others - an immortal alien race created by the 'Celestials' who have secretly lived on Earth for over 7000 years, and who reunite to protect humanity from their evil counterparts, the 'Deviants'. Originally scheduled for a 6th November release, and subsequently moved back to 12th February 2021.

And so this just about brings you up to date with many of the movie postponements that have so far been announced, doubtless with more to follow depending on how long this pesky virus thing continues to hang around for. Next week, we'll report on the movie productions that have been halted in their tracks for the imminent future and what this means for their planned release schedule. Stay tuned, keep it here and remain safe . . . indoors!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-