MEN IN BLACK : INTERNATIONAL - Tuesday 18th June 2019.

'MEN IN BLACK : INTERNATIONAL' which I saw earlier in the week is the fourth film in the ever popular science fiction action comedy franchise and is Directed by F. Gary Gray whose previous Directorial outings take in the likes of 'The Negotiator', 'The Italian Job', 'Be Cool', 'Law Abiding Citizen', 'Straight Outta Compton' and 'The Fate of the Furious'. The first three films in the series were Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, in 1997, 2002 and 2012, grossed collectively approaching US$1.7B on the back of combined production budgets of US$495M and starred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as our alien crime fighting duo Agent J and Agent K respectively. This instalment is a sort of sequel, sort of spin-off that cost around about US$100M, was released Stateside last week too, has so far recovered US$113M in Box Office receipts and has garnered generally lacklustre critical Reviews so far.

Back in the mid-'90's and young Molly Wright sees her parents being neuralysed by a couple of Men in Black Agents who are on the hunt for a pesky up to no good alien, that Molly helps escape. Molly herself escapes being neuralysed by averting her eyes from her bedroom window up above the street where her parents are talking to the Agents. Fast forward some twenty years and Molly (Tessa Thompson) is unsuccessful in her attempts to join the FBI and the CIA on the basis of her wild conclusions that alien life forms live among us, and she really wants to help combat them having made it her life goal to do so.

Molly is able to track down a crashed alien space craft and follows the MiB vehicles with captured alien in custody, back to their secret headquarters. She successfully manages to infiltrate the HQ but is captured by the hi-tech security scanning devices and is subsequently questioned by Agent O (Emma Thompson) upon whom Molly makes a sufficient enough impression to be granted probationary agent status as Agent M, and is instantly assigned to the London branch of the MiB. Once there she is quickly introduced to High T (Liam Neeson) who heads up the UK Division.

There Agent M is assigned to Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) the most highly regarded Agent working out of the London Office who saved the world back in 2016 with High T atop the Eiffel Tower when they prevented 'The Hive' from gaining access through a wormhole there with potentially catastrophic consequences for our planet.

Later that evening both Agents meet up with Vungus the Ugly (Kayvan Novak) in night club. Vungus is a member of an alien Royal Family who is a long term good friend of H. Upon leaving, Vungus' car is attacked by alien twins ('Les Twins' aka Larry and Laurent Bourgeois) who are able to harness the power of pure energy making them almost indestructible. Vungus is seriously wounded, but on this occasion the twins are thwarted (but only temporarily) by the might of the high tech weaponry readily available to our pair of protagonists from their vehicle.

Moments before dying Vungus passes a multi-dimensional purple coloured crystal on to M, claiming that he cannot trust H with it as he has changed since they last met some years ago. In a debrief meeting in High T's office Agent C (Rafe Spall) openly shows his contempt for H's actions. M however, has concluded that only a handful of people knew Vungus' location when he was attacked, which leads her to believe that Vungus' location was betrayed by one of their own agents. Reeling at the impact of a traitor within the MiB ranks, High T assigns C and M to conduct an investigation while H is assigned to driving his desk. Further investigations seem to determine that the twins may have had DNA traces of the Hive, a parasitic race who invade other planets by merging with the DNA of the conquered species. M learns that H and High T were responsible for driving off a Hive invasion in Paris in 2016, but since then H's attitude has gone downhill, showing a slack approach to his work and seemingly only holding on to his job because of his relationship with High T and his past track record.

H convinces M to join him in chasing up a lead in Marrakesh, where they come across 'Pawny' (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani), the sole survivor of a small group of aliens who were attacked by the Twins. Pawny pledges his loyalty to M, as his new Queen, but they are then attacked by MiB agents coordinated by C, who has recovered CCTV footage of Vungus handing the crystal to M, and as a result now believes that she is the traitor in their midst.

Helped by one of his alien contacts, H is able to acquire a rocket-powered hover bike and escape with M and Pawny. Successfully evading their marauding colleagues, they crash land on the dunes out in the desert, where they learn that the crystal Vungus gave M actually conceals an all powerful weapon generated by a compressed blue giant. As they repair the damaged bike, H's alien contact who had stowed away in a drink bottle, manages to steal the crystal and take it to Riza Stravos (Rebecca Fergusson), an alien arms merchant with whom H had a relationship in the past.

Having repaired the jet propelled hover bike, the gang of three travel by speed boat to Riza's island fortress where they attempt to infiltrate the base and recover the weapon, but are caught by Riza and her bodyguard. M gets caught in a fight with Riza while H gets beaten up in no uncertain terms by the alien bodyguard, but always somehow miraculously manages to get back up (just like Thor!) However, this bodyguard turns out to be the very same alien that M rescued as a child, and recognising each other, he returns the favour by allowing them to leave while he keeps Riza apprehended. While attempting to get off the island the three are attacked by the Twins once again, but they are killed by High T and a group of Agents freshly arrived on the scene.

And so case closed, or is it? Back at London MiB HQ at a celebratory party, both H and M have a moment of clarity and realise that the Twins' passing comments could mean that they wanted the weapon to use against the Hive rather than to use it for them. This resonated especially when the only evidence of Hive DNA was provided by High T. Agent C concedes that the evidence points to the notion of a deception by High T, and so permits H and M to follow High T to the Eiffel Tower. En route to the wormhole, M questions H's memory of his defeat of the Hive revealing that he was probably neuralysed, which is confirmed when they confront High T atop the Eiffel Tower. The Hive transformed High T into one of their own and neuralysed H so that he could be seen as the 'hero' and to mask their true intentions. The High T/Hive 'hybrid' manifests itself and is able to launch a wormhole that will draw the Hive to Earth. As H and the hybrid fight it out, H is able to draw out High T's true personality just long enough for M to use the weapon to destroy High T and the encroaching Hive infestation.

With the case now well and truly closed, Agent O joins H and M in Paris, where she grants M full agent status and appoints H as probationary Head of MiB's London branch until such time as a new head is found.

Aside from the fairly obvious chemistry that Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson share together on screen, and Hemsworth flexing his emerging comedic chops once again, there is little else going for this effects laden albeit pedestrian, play it safe, by the numbers fourth instalment in this flagging franchise. I honestly had expected more from 'Men in Black : International' but emerged from the theatre feeling totally underwhelmed by a film that relies all to heavily on its CGI set pieces, which have by now all become far to commonplace to create any point of difference here, at the expense of any real storyline, and what thinly veiled storyline there is you can see coming from ten miles away. This is predictable fluff that does nothing for the franchise other than seal its fate like the final nail in the coffin, and its disappointing to see fine acting talent like Hemsworth, Thompson, Thompson, Neeson and Spall succumb to the dredging that this film has so far garnered, despite the best intentions no doubt of F. Gary Gray. All style over substance.

'Men in Black : International' merits two claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard, out of a potential five.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 13th June 2019.

The 66th annual Sydney Film Festival launched last week on Wednesday 5th June and runs through until Sunday 16th June. Featuring over 300 films screened at eight cinema locations across greater Sydney, from 58 countries and including 33 World Premiers, the programme launched with Director Rachel Ward's drama comedy 'Palm Beach' starring Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Richard E. Grant, Greta Scacchi, Jacqueline Mackenzie and Heather Mitchell.

There are twelve films in Official Competition this year, all vying for the AU$60K prize money for the film that presents as being heralded as 'the most audacious, cutting edge and courageous'. The official SFF website describes this competition as celebrating 'that rare but thrilling film that truly moves the art form forward. Innovative, provocative or controversial, they broaden our understanding of the world and say important things in original ways'.

Those films in the Official Competition line up this year are :
* 'BACARAU' - a Brazil and France Co-Production Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles who here deliver a searing political parable and a magic-realist, explosive genre film. Winner, Jury Prize, Cannes.
* 'BELLBIRD' - from New Zealand, and Directed by Hamish Bennet in his feature debut, this quietly powerful film is told with warm humour, that takes us into the heart of a small rural town in New Zealand, where a community comes together after a tragic death.
* 'DIRTY GOD' - a UK, Dutch, Belgian and Irish Co-Produced film is Directed by Sacha Polak who here paints an intimate portrait of a young mother from East London left scarred after an acid attack in this compelling tale of courage and self-acceptance.
* 'GOD EXISTS, HER NAME IS PETRUNYA' - here this North Macedonian, Belgian, Slovenia, French and Croatian Co-Production is Directed by Teona Struger Mitevska and in this award-winning feminist satire, based on true events, Petrunya causes fury in her small Macedonian town when she participates in a men only contest, and wins.
* 'HEARTS AND BONES' - this Australian Production is Directed by Ben Lawrence in his feature film debut and stars Hugo Weaving as a war photographer and Andrew Luri as a South Sudanese refugee living in Australia who discover a photograph that threatens to destroy them both.
* 'JUDY & PUNCH' - this Australian Production is Directed by first timer Mirrah Foulkes and reimagines the Punch & Judy puppet show as a blackly comic feminist revenge tale starring Mia Wasikowska and Damon Herriman.
* 'MONOS' - a Co-Production from Colombia, Argentina, The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Uruguay, this Spanish foreign language film is Directed by Alejandro Landes and follows almost feral child soldiers holding a female doctor hostage in a remote Latin American jungle location. Special Jury Award, Sundance.
* 'NEVER LOOK AWAY' - this German offering is Directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and takes a vast view of German history, over three eras, in this remarkable love story inspired by the life of revered artist Gerhard Richter.
* 'PAIN AND GLORY' - this Spanish film is Directed by Pedro Almodovar who here reunites with Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz in his most personal film yet: a reflection on cinema, art, family, love and sexual awakening.
* 'PARASITE' - Winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, here renowned Korean Director Bong Joon-ho presents a thrilling, satirical take on income inequality as told through two families.
* 'THE SOUVENIR' - this UK film is Directed by Joanna Hogg who here weaves a dream-like, visually splendid tale of first love starring Honor Swinton Byrne alongside her mother, Tilda Swinton, and Tom Burke. Winner, Grand Jury Prize, Sundance.
* 'SYNONYMS' - this Co-Production from France, Israel and Germany is Directed by Nadav Lapid and is an intense, neurotic fever dream about a young Israeli man who goes to Paris to erase his identity. Winner, Berlinale Golden Bear.

For the full line up and all the latest news and views from the Sydney Film Festival, you can visit the official website at : https://www.sff.org.au/

Turning back to this weeks four latest release movies coming to an Odeon near you, we have the fourth film in a highly successful alien crime busting franchise that this time around leaves Uncle Sam behind and ventures further afield to more international pastures where them no good pesky alien types are also getting up to all kinds of mischief, and only two special black clad secret agents can take them on. We then turn to a biographical drama of the life and times of one of the 20th Century's great literary masters whose mid-century series of works are still devoured today by young and older and have been subsequently committed to both the big and small screens. Next up is an English tale of an average Scottish lass straight out of prison, who has a singing talent and has dreams of making if big in Nashville, Tennessee. We then wrap up the week with an extreme surfing documentary film about big waves and one man's dream of making a never before attempted surfing statement.

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 coming week.

'MEN IN BLACK : INTERNATIONAL' (Rated M) - this fourth film in the ever popular science fiction action comedy franchise is Directed by F. Gary Gray whose previous Directorial outings take in the likes of 'The Negotiator', 'The Italian Job', 'Be Cool', 'Law Abiding Citizen', 'Straight Outta Compton' and 'The Fate of the Furious'. The first three films in the series were Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, in 1997, 2002 and 2012, grossed collectively approaching US$1.7B off the back of combined production budgets of US$495M and starred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as our alien crime fighting duo Agent J and Agent K respectively. This instalment is a sort of sequel, sort of spin-off that cost US$110M and is released Stateside this week too.

Following the events of 'Men in Black 3', it is revealed that London too has a branch of Men in Black (MIB). After finding the MIB London base, a woman (Tessa Thompson) joins them. The head of the branch, High T (Liam Neeson), pairs her up with Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) and she becomes known as Agent M. These two secret MIB agents become involved in a series of alien attacks that sees them travelling around the globe with their alien busting high tech weaponry, whilst also uncovering a potential more major threat within their own organisation. Also starring Rebecca Fergusson, Rafe Spall, Emma Thompson and Les Twins.

'TOLKIEN' (Rated M) - here in this American biographical drama offering we have the story from the other side of the tracks compared to the epic big screen spectacles of Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy and later 'The Hobbit' trilogy as written by one John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, who in this film is the subject matter. As a teenager, J. R. R. Tolkien (Nicholas Hoult) befriends a group of fellow artists and writers at his school, with whom he finds both inspiration and courage. Their bond of fellowship grows over the ensuing years, as they experience life together. Meanwhile, Tolkien meets Edith Bratt (Lily Collins), with whom he falls in love. But when World War I breaks out, Tolkien's relationships with his friends are tested, an act which threatens to tear their 'fellowship' apart, but which nonetheless serves as inspiration for his later highly acclaimed published works. Also starring Derek Jacobi, Colm Meaney and Pam Ferris, the film was made for US$20M, has so far recouped US$8M, was released in the UK in early May and has generated mixed Reviews and is Directed by the Finn, Thomas 'Dome' Karukoski.

'WILD ROSE' (Rated M) - this British musical drama offering is Directed by Tom Harper, whose previous credits include Directing duties on multiple episodes of television series including 'Demons', 'This is England '86', 'Misfits', 'Peaky Blinders', 'War & Peace' and 'Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams', as well as feature films 'The Borrowers', 'War Book' and 'The Woman in Black : Angel of Death'. Here, straight out of prison, a Scottish woman Rose-Lynn Harlan (Jessie Buckley) juggles her new job and two children while pursuing her dream of becoming a country music star. She soon gets her chance when she travels to Nashville, Tennessee, on a life-changing journey to discover her true voice. Also starring Julie Walters as Rose's mother Marion, and Sophie Okonedo the film saw its World Premier screening at TIFF last September, its UK release in mid-April and now this week its release in Australia and the US and has thus far garnered largely positive Reviews.

'HEAVY WATER' (Rated M) - here South African film maker Michael Oblowitz Directs, Produces and wrote the Screenplay upon which this extreme surfing documentary biopic is based. 'Heavy Water' follows big wave surfer Nathan Fletcher through the evolution of his surfing and his relationship with big waves. Tracing his lineage back to his grandfather, it all began in the '40's, with Fletcher’s grandfather and the first big-wave pioneers at Waimea Bay, Hawaii, then progresses through the ‘80s with Nathan’s father Herbie Fletcher pioneering the first tow-surfing with a JetSki. By that time, skateboard astronauts Jay Adams and Christian Hosoi were Nathan’s babysitters. And before long, his older brother Christian Fletcher was being kicked off the world skateboarding tour for flying too high. Amidst all of this, Nathan had his own unique course. Motorcycles, snowboards, skateboards, surfboards… it really didn’t matter what it was, Nathan just liked jumping off things. This led him to eventually jumping off a helicopter from 20 feet above the outer reef big waves on one of the most life threatening waves ridden - Code Red Teahupo’o in Tahiti - one of the gnarliest rides, and wipeouts, of all time. It's a voyage through the eyes of the surfing community that delves deep into the roots and mindset of board sports culture, culminating in a spectacular, never-before-performed stunt, as Fletcher once again attempts to raise the bar of what's 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 13th April 2017.

With the release of 'The Fate of the Furious' as Previewed below, this mega sixteen year long running franchise that has so far grossed over US$3.9B from combined production budgets for the first seven feature length films of US$759M, I thought it timely to provide a quick summary of the franchise today, in chronological order.
* Film #1 : 'The Fast and the Furious' released in 2001, Directed by Rob Cohen, took US$207M from a US$38M budget.
* Film #2 : 'The Turbo Charged Prelude for 2 Fast 2 Furious' released in 2003, Directed by Philip G. Atwell, is a six minute short film connecting the first and second films.
* Film #3 : '2 Fast 2 Furious' released in 2003, Directed by John Singleton, took US$236M from a US$76M budget.
* Film #4 : 'Los Bandoleros' released in 2009, Directed by Vin Diesel, this twenty minute short film provides a back-story for the characters and events leading up to the oil truck heist at the start of the fourth film in the series.
* Film #5 : 'Fast & Furious' released in 2009, Directed by Justin Lin, took US$363M from a US$85M budget.
* Film #6 : 'Fast Five' released in 2011, Directed by Justin Lin, took US$630M from a US$125M budget.
* Film #7 : 'Fast & Furious 6', released in 2013, Directed by Justin Lin, took US$789M from a US$160M budget.
* Film #8 : 'The Fast and Furious : Tokyo Drift' released in 2006, Directed by Justin Lin, took US$158M from a US$85M budget and was released as the third film in the series.
* Film #9 : 'Furious 7' released in 2015, Directed by James Wan, took US$1.52B from a US$190M budget.
* Film 10 : 'The Fate of the Furious' released in 2017, Directed by F. Gary Gray, and made for a reported US$250M.

And so to this week where we have five new movie offerings with which to tempt that cinema dollar out of your pocket. We kick off with the eighth feature length instalment in a franchise that is now sixteen years old and has brought in mega bucks for the studio behind this high octane, all action, pedal to the metal series. This is followed up by a Sci-Fi comedy featuring a hard drinking party girl who discovers she has something in common with a Godzilla like creature running rampant in Korea; and then a psychological thriller about a personal assistant and gofer who thinks she sees dead people, but is only really searching for one! We then go to a historical true telling of a courtroom drama that unfolded in the mid-'90's surrounding the denial that the Nazi Germany Holocaust of WWII actually occurred, and then wrapping up the week with a French and German foreign language tale of the aftermath of WWI as a grieving woman meets up unexpectedly with a former close friend of her recently killed in action fiancé and the bond that is forged between them, despite the challenges of the time, nationalities and other personalities on the periphery.

As usual, you are here cordially reminded that your constructive, relevant and timely views are welcomed when you have sat through your movie of choice in the week ahead. Simply record your opinions and observations of your film experience by leaving your Comment in the box below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and see what you've got to say about any film as Previewed below, or as Reviewed and Previewed between these humble Blog pages previously. Meanwhile, enjoy your cinema experience in the coming week.

'THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS' (Rated M) - also known as 'Fast and Furious 8', 'Fast 8' and 'F8', this mega franchise never seems to stop rolling, and so it is with this latest instalment in a line of Fast & Furious films that had its humble beginnings back in 2001 and has gone on to rake in a staggering US$3.9B from the first seven films, and has spawned two short films, video games, toys and model kits, a theme park ride and possible spin-off movies down the track. Following hot on the heels of 'Furious 7' released in 2015, Directed by James Wan and taking a huge US$1.52B at the worldwide Box Office making it the sixth highest grossing film in history currently, here we have this eighth offering this time Directed by F. Gary Gray, and released in the US this week too following its Worldwide Premier in Berlin last week. All the usual cast that we have come to know and love have returned together with a few new faces to add further gravitas to the already ensemble cast.

This film carries on from where 'Furious 7' left off. We see that Dominic Turetto (Vin Diesel) has settled down to a life of domesticity with his newly wed wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and are enjoying their honeymoon together in some far way secluded paradise no doubt. The Brian and Mia characters from the previous films have retired and are out of the game, and the remaining crew have been pardoned and are spread far and wide doing their respective thing. Just when you think the guys were finally getting their lives back in order, enter a criminal mastermind to throw the proverbial brown sticky smelly stuff at the fan! Her name is Cipher (Charlize Theron) who successfully manages to corrupt Dom against his family, his allies and those he is closest to, by coercing him back into a life of crime, from which there seems to be no means of escaping. The crew reassembles and will be put to the test like never before. Also starring Dwayne Johnson returning as Luke Hobbs, Jason Statham returning as Deckard Shaw, Tyrese Gibson returning as Roman Pearce, Kurt Russell returning as Mr. Nobody/Frank Petty, with Helen Mirren, Scott Eastwood and a bunch of others . . . oh, and not to forget a whole cavalcade of expensive sports cars, souped up vehicles, guns, explosions, car chases, crazy fight sequences, technical gadgetry, a tank and a nuclear submarine. 'F8' is sure to fuel the appetite, drive bums on seats, and accelerate the Box Office spend of any self respecting fifteen year old lad who gets off on high octane senseless action fare.

'COLOSSAL' (Rated M) - this Sci-Fi comedy film is Directed and Written by Spaniard Nacho Vigalondo and it Premiered at TIFF back in September last year before its US release last week. Here, Gloria (Anne Hathaway) is a hard drinking, party hard girl, who can't hold down a job, or a boyfriend either it seems, and after being dumped by her boyfriend Tim (Dan Stevens) and kicked out of his Manhattan apartment, she decides its time to return to her home town in a last ditch attempt to regain her life and start afresh. Back on her home turf Gloria reignites her friendship with childhood friend Oscar (Jason Sudeikis) who just happens to be the owner of a bar, and where he spends the majority of his time hanging out with his best buddies and locals Garth (Tim Blake Nelson) and Joel (Austin Stowell). Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in downtown Seoul, a giant scaly monster is wreaking havoc in the streets like something akin to Godzilla. As the world watches on in disbelief, Gloria from the comfort of her suburban lounge room, inadvertently makes a connection with said scaly monster. In time she comes to realise that when she makes a move, so the monster thousands of miles away replicates those moves identically. How can this be, what does it mean and what must she do to stop the death and destruction of innocent Koreans?

'PERSONAL SHOPPER' (Rated MA15+) - this psychological thriller is Directed and Written by Frenchman Oilvier Assayas and the film Premiered at Cannes last May in competition for the Palme d'Or where is shared the Best Director Award, before its release in France in December and in the US in early March. Here American Maureen (Kristen Stewart) is a personal shopper for wealthy clients buying clothes, accessories and taking care of lesser tasks mostly in her home city of Paris, but her shopping trips often take her to London too and other European centres. Maureen's twin brother died recently and they both shared a genetic heart condition. Before he passed away they made a pact that whoever would go first, would then reach out from the other side and make a connection somehow with the surviving sibling. They both believed they had the ability to connect with the spirit world, but his powers were stronger than hers. Upon visiting the house where her brother died she starts to sense a presence, which manifests itself moreso with text messages, strange sightings and things that go bump in the night from an unknown source. The film has received positive Reviews, and some are saying it is Stewart's best performance to date.

'DENIAL' (Rated M) - here we have a true story historical drama Directed by Mick Jackson based on American author, Deborah Lipstadt's book 'History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier'. The film dramatises the 1996 Irving v Penguin Books Ltd case, in which Lipstadt, a Holocaust scholar, was sued by Holocaust denier David Irving for libel. In English law the burden of proof rests with the accused, and so Lipstadt and her legal team must fight to prove that the Holocaust did occur. Starring Rachel Weisz at Deborah Lipstadt an American Professor of Holocaust Studies, Timothy Spall as David Irving a Nazi German Scholar and Tom Wilkinson as Richard Rampton the Barrister and Andrew Scott as Solicitor Anthony Julius working for Lipstadt to prove the case for the Holocaust. The film Premiered at TIFF in September last year, was released in the US in late September and in the UK in late January this year, has so far gained generally positive Reviews and has recovered just over half of its US$10M production budget.

'FRANTZ' (Rated PG) - this French and German Co-production is Directed by Frenchman Francois Ozon and is a drama film set in the aftermath of WWI in 1919 and is based on the 1932 American film 'Broken Lullaby' Directed by Ernst Lubitsch which was in turn based on a 1930 play by Maurice Rostand and its 1931 English language adaptation by Reginald Berkeley. The film Premiered in Paris in July last year before its wider release in France in early September and Germany later that same month. It picked up a Venice Film Festival and a Caesar Award win and was nominated in several other categories at these same Awards. Set in the German town of Quedlinburg in 1919 young German woman Anna (Paula Beer) is mourning the death of her fiancé Frantz (Anton von Lucke) who died in combat a year before. One day, Anna is shocked to discover that his grave is visited by Adrian (Pierre Niney), a Frenchman claiming that he and Frantz were friends in Paris before the war. In time the two form a bond as Adrian recounts fond memories of his time spent with Frantz, despite certain ill feeling towards the Frenchman's presence in the town given the scars of the war are still deep and fresh. Nonetheless as their relationship develops Anna follows Adrian back to Paris in the hope of discovering more of his world, understanding him, and determining if her feelings toward him are genuine, or simply a rebound from Frantz. Filmed in black and white with splashes of occasional colour for emphasis.

Five very different cinematic choices this week, and whether you like epic big screen action, courtroom drama, historical foreign language drama, Sci-Fi comedy or psychological thriller fare, there is sure to be something for you to get your cinema ticket clipped in the week ahead. Don't forget too to share your movie going views with us right here, when you have done so. In the meantime, I'll see you somewhere, sometime in the week ahead at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON - Tuesday 15th September 2015.

I'm a product of the 80's and I was aware in the latter half of that decade of the emergence of a radical new band of Gangsta Rappers blazing a trail across the music scenes telling in no uncertain terms the stories of their lives, the violence, the injustice, the hardship and their life experiences - they were Niggaz Wit Attitude (N.W.A.) and hailed from the south Los Angeles suburb of Compton. 25+ years on the story of these groundbreaking yet notorious boys from da hood is told in F. Gary Gray's biopic of their lives in 'STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON' which I saw this week.



Director F. Gary Gray has crafted a strong telling here of the rise and fall of that revolutionary California hip hop group that rose to prominence for mostly the wrong reasons given their outspoken vocals, the messages in their lyrics, their views and opinions, their frequent run-ins with the Police and the party hi-jinx as their star status began to rise. Gray also Produces, as does Ice Cube and Dr. Dre and the film was made for US$28M and at the time of writing this review Box Office receipts have topped US$180M.

As the film opens it's 1986 and friends Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson), Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), DJ Yella (Neil Brown), MC Ren (Aldis Hodge), and Arabian Prince (Brandon Lafourche) form the band N.W.A. and release their first single under their own label, Ruthless Records. Spotted by has been music manager Jerry Heller (Paul Giamatti) he throws Eazy-E a line about how he can open doors, pave the way and put the newly formed act on the map. After the small time concert circuit in their very early days they begin to develop a following and are eventually picked up by Priority Records who provide the resources for the band to cut their first album - 'Straight Outta Compton'.

Such is the success of their first album, that the group embark on a national tour playing to larger crowds in larger venues and increasingly living large, although at this point it is only Eazy-E who has a formalised contract with Heller - none of the others do not, which in itself starts to create friction and in-fighting. At a concert in Detroit, the band is told by the local Police not to sing their smash hit 'Fuck tha Police' fearful that this will incite a disturbance and potentially a riot. Needless to say, the boys do, having been egged on by the crowd, and yes, a riot ensues during which our N.W.A. are cuffed up and thrown in the back of a Police truck on trumped up charges, which they dodge of course and are released.

Shortly after, things come to a head between Heller and Ice Cube resulting in the latter's resignation from the group to pursue his own singing and acting career. Ice Cube's first solo album - 'AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted' was released in mid-1990 and met with big critical and commercial success outstripping the reception received from the earlier N.W.A. offering 'Straight Outta Compton'. What followed was a tit for tat campaign between N.W.A. and Cube with each side dissing each other in their lyrics resulting in more acrimony, more ill feeling and more angst between the former friends who drifted further and further apart as a result.

As N.W.A. cut their second album 'Niggaz4Life', Dr. Dre becomes more disillusioned with Heller and gets entwined with Suge Knight (R. Marcos Taylor) and the two form 'Death Row Records'. With his new freedoom and seemingly the world at his feet Dre records his own solo album 'The Chronic' released in late 1992 as well as Producing new up & coming talent - the likes of which included Snoop Dog and Tupac Shakur. Dre's lyrics too on his new solo album diss Eazy-E, leaving the latter out in the cold with no new revenue stream, a band in disarray and mounting debts. This leads to a confrontation with Heller, at which Eazy-E fires Heller for embezzling funds from the bands coffers.

A chance meeting at a nightclub between Eazy-E and Ice Cube allow the two to reconcile their differences and talk about the band reforming out of the shadow of Heller now. Next up Eazy-E reaches out to Dr. Dre who also agrees to getting the guys together, and soon afterwards the are reunited with DJ Ren and MC Yella to begin work on a new album. Eazy-E though is not in the best of health and collapses at the house with his friends. Fast forward to a hospital bed and Eazy-E is confronted with the news by the Doctor that he has tested positive from the AIDS virus HIV and has six months to live. One by one, his fiends come by to visit, show support, and rally round before his death in March 1995. The film wraps with Dr. Dre confronting an out of control Suge Knight at the 'Death Row' Studios saying he is done and is walking way to form his own label - 'Aftermath Entertainment'. Subsequently Dre signs up the likes of 50 Cent, Eminem, Busta Rhymes and Kendrick Lamar, and goes on to create Beats Electronics which he sold to Apple in mid-2014 for US$3B. Ice Cube pursued a successful film and television acting and music career that is still going strong today.

I said at the beginning that I was aware of N.W.A. back in the late 80's & early 90's, but, was never a follower of this genre of music. However, I found this a fascinating story and got sucked in by the strong performances, the arc of how the boys from da hood grew from nothing but found their voice through their experiences, the prejudices, the violence, the guns, the drugs, the culture in which they grew up that came out in their music and lyrics, and ultimately found an audience . . . and a very significant one at that. But within ten years they came and went - passed away, moved on, faded out and some with greater success than others.

This is well told; well acted with solid performances especially from those portraying Dre, Cube, Eazy-E and Heller; and as well the music paints a picture of the social commentary of the time - gun crime, racial and social unrest, Police violence, injustice and prejudice, AIDS, sex, drugs and rock & roll, and the Rodney King riots. At 147 minutes this is a long film which toward the end I felt a little drawn out and perhaps overly long, and the stories of how MC Ren, DJ Yella and Arabian Prince contributed in those early years and after were skirted over and had little significance over their more prominent band members.

That said, this is worth checking out, and for anyone around in the 80's and 90's who remembers that era and lived through it this is a great slice of nostalgia and well delivered.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 3rd September 2015.

Finally, it's September which means just one thing! Spring has sprung with the coldest Winter in seventeen years drawing to a close with the promise of longer days, warmer evenings and sunny climes coming our way in Adelaide as we head down hill all the way to Summer. What a relief, but at least we've had some great movies during the long cold Winter months to sustain us all, and some of those Reviews and Previews you may have read here, and there is more to come this Spring. With the energy, excitement and enthusiasm of a new Season stay tuned for more movie musings, cinematic goodness and filmic insights.

This week there are six new films that offer decidedly adult fare but all mostly action and adventure to either a larger or lesser extent, some of it forced and some of it natural, and all of them with some heavy hitting talent. First up, a music bio-pic of an 80's band that grew to fame, fortune and notoriety and whose influence is still evident today; then a sleeper Agent is 'reactivated' with little knowledge of what he is capable of and what he must do to survive; then an unannounced guest arrives one day and turns several lives upside down; and next three times previously seen and now a reboot for this action hero who will drive you hard, fast and dangerous; then a coming of age story of hope, friendship and understanding; and finally two old codgers living one last adventure on foot and reconnecting . . . on many levels.

As is always the case, Odeon Online invites your own feedback on your movie experiences of the week, your observations, critical analysis or simple ponderings by leaving a note in the Comments box below this or any other Post. In the meantime, enjoy your film of choice!

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTION (Rated MA15+) - Back in 1987 five black dudes raised in Compton on the mean streets of South Los Angeles got together through the unity of their music to create a wave of change that revolutionalized the music industry with such a force that its influence remains strong almost thirty years later. Using the power of rhyme; hardcore backing beats; and the frustration, anger and brutality of their lives, they wove their life experiences into popular culture and a social voice like none had done so before. And so it was that N.W.A (Niggaz Wit Attitudes) was born out of the streets of Compton that went on to have a force across the world when it all started with the release of the debut studio album in 1988 - 'Straight Outta Compton'.

Those five guys were friends Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Jnr.), DJ Yella (Neil Brown Jnr.) and MC Ren (Aldis Hodge) forged into a Group by Jerry Heller (Paul Giamatti) as their Manager. Directed by F. Gary Gray this film was made for US$28M and has so far grossed US$141M and has received much critical acclaim for its gritty realism, its honesty, its energy and its voice for the events and experiences that gained exposure through their music.

AMERICAN ULTRA (Rated MA15+) - this film is written by Max Landis (recognise the name?) - yes he the son of legendary Director, Producer, Director and occasional Actor, John Landis, and so I am wondering if any of that aforementioned family talent has rubbed of on the young buck! With a production cost of US$28M, a second time Director in Nima Nourizadeh who is more at hime with music video's and TV commercials and a fairly big name cast, you could be forgiven that this action comedy is gonna be big. It has so far recouped US$12M and the film is about dope head, no hoper stoner Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg) who lives in some no name town in West Virginia where he works as a convenience store clerk with designs on asking the hand in marriage of his long term girlfriend Phoebe Larson (Kristen Stewart). What we quickly learn about Mike is that he is the only survivor of a now dormant CIA Agent programme has been programmed to lead a normal life, hide in plain sight, and lay low until activated by a series of code words that turn him into a lethal killing machine. He is completely oblivious to his hidden talents and his former intensive training until that day comes and then he must dodge death, save his girlfriend and thwart those out to silence him. Also starring Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, Bill Pullman, John Leguizamo and Nash Edgerton.

THE GUEST (Rated MA15+) - This film has been kicking around for a goodly while having Premiered at The Sundance Film Festival in January 2014 before its UK then US release in September 2014. Now a year later, it arrives in Australia. Starring Dan Stevens as just 'David' who appeared in 25 episodes of the highly acclaimed 'Downton Abbey' from 2010-2012 before branching out in movies, this is an action mystery thriller about a man who is believed to be an ex-soldier who turns up unannounced one day at the family home of his dead friend who died in combat. He seems to be a gentle, well mannered, considered guy who is welcomed in and within 24 hours has taken up residence bending over backwards for the still grieving family - parents, son and daughter. It is not long before a series of unexplained and seemingly unrelated deaths appear to be connected by one common denominator . . . David! Directed by Adam Wingard this film has garnered generally positive reviews so may be worth checking out for some fast paced, tongue in cheek, action thrills.

THE TRANSPORTER : REFUELLED (Rated MA15+) - In 2002 Jason Statham drove onto our screens as ace driver & delivery man with a difference Frank Martin in the first of 'The Transporter' series which spawned two sequels in 2005 and 2008. With a combined budget of just US$83M to deliver these three films they grossed a total US$238M so on that basis, reasonably successful. So much so that in 2015 we have a reboot with 'Refuelled' but alas no Statahm, but instead Englishman Ed Skrien plays the younger Frank in what is said to be a three instalment prequel. Made for US$30M Luc Besson has Produced and Written this film with Director duty going to Camille Delamarre. So back in the day Frank leaves a simple less dangerous life doing what he does best - transporting packages with no questions asked, on time, no fuss, but often for people you would rather not associate with. Needless to say, things get complicated in Frank's life when his Dad is kidnapped and held hostage by femme fatale Anna (Loan Chabanol) and her henchman which is part of a bigger picture plan to take down a human trafficking dude who gave her a hard time years before. As Frank gets embroiled in all of this he must play Anna at her dangerous and unpredictable game using all his skills and youthful experience. Tune in for fast cars, fast driving, fast women and fast action - it will be fun . . . and fast!

ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL (Rated M) - This film has already received much critical praise having won the Grand Jury Prize at this years Sundance Film Festival to a standing ovation. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and based on the book of the same name by Jesse Andrews this comedy drama film is all about high school teenager Greg (Thomas Mann) who spends his days making up parodies of classic movies with his good friend Earl (R.J. Cyler). One day his outlook on life and his perspectives change entirely when he is introduced by his Mum to Rachel (Olivia Cooke) who has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Greg has practically grown up with Rachel in the same class ever since Kindergarten, but the two have never engaged, until now. Also starring Jon Bernthal, Connie Britton and Nick Offerman, this film was made for just US$8M and so far made back US$7M.

A WALK IN THE WOODS (Rated M) - this film is based on Bill Bryson's book of the same name from 1998 with Robert Redford as Bill Bryson and Nick Nolte as friend and travelling companion Stephen Katz. Having lived for 20 years in the UK Bryson returned to New Hampshire where he lived for another ten years and decided to reconnect with his old homeland by walking the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail. Stretching from Georgia through to Maine this track takes in some of the most unspoilt, spectacular and tough terrain there is. Agreeing to let Stephen tag along, the two friends are almost polar opposites in terms of how they perceive their trek panning out, and so it is not long before the real adventure starts, the fun begins and their voyage of self discovery unravels as their friendship, emotions and physical condition is tested. Also starring Emma Thompson as Catherine Bryson, Mary Steenburgen as Jeannie, Nick Offerman as Dave, and Kristen Schaal as Mary Allen and Directed by Ken Kwapis.

Now there's a selection that will give you plenty to ponder. Six films in the week ahead so you could watch one a day, and take Sunday off! Whatever you decide upon, enjoy your movie, share your views & opinions, and stay well until next time!

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-