What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 9th February 2017.

The 70th British Academy Film Awards will be presented on Sunday evening 12th February at London's Royal Albert Hall with Stephen Fry hosting the ceremony for the twelfth time. Those up for the prized BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards, in the major categories are :-

* BEST FILM : 'Arrival', 'I, Daniel Blake', 'La La Land', 'Manchester By The Sea' and 'Moonlight'.
* BEST DIRECTOR : Dennis Villeneuve for 'Arrival', Ken Loach for 'I, Daniel Blake', Damien Chazelle for 'La La Land', Kenneth Lonergan for 'Manchester By The Sea' and Tom Ford for 'Nocturnal Animals'.
* BEST LEAD ACTOR : Ryan Gosling for 'La La Land', Casey Affleck for 'Manchester By The Sea',  Jake Gyllenhaal for 'Nocturnal Animals', Andrew Garfield for 'Hacksaw Ridge' and Viggo Mortensen for 'Captain Fantastic'.
* BEST LEAD ACTRESS : Amy Adams for 'Arrival', Emma Stone for 'La La Land', Emily Blunt for 'Girl On The Train', Natalie Portman for 'Jackie' and Meryl Streep for 'Florence Foster Jenkins'.
* BEST SUPPORT ACTOR : Aaron Taylor Johnson for 'Nocturnal Animals', Mahershala Ali for 'Moonlight', Hugh Grant for 'Florence Foster Jenkins', Dev Patel for 'Lion' and Jeff Bridges for 'Hell or High Water'.
* BEST SUPPORT ACTRESS : Hayley Squires for 'I, Daniel Blake', Michelle Williams for 'Manchester By The Sea', Naomie Harris for 'Moonlight', Nicole Kidman for 'Lion' and Viola Davis for 'Fences'.
* BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY : Paul Leverty for 'I, Daniel Blake', Damien Chazelle for 'La La Land', Kenneth Lonergan for 'Manchester By The Sea', Barry Jenkins for 'Moonlight' and Taylor Sheridan for 'Hell or High Water'.
* OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM : 'American Honey', 'Denial', 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', 'I, Daniel Blake', 'Notes on Blindness' and 'Under the Shadow'.
* BEST SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS : 'Arrival', 'Doctor Strange', 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them', 'The Jungle Book' and 'Rogue One : A Star Wars Story'.
* BEST ANIMATED FILM : 'Finding Dory, 'Moana', 'Kubo and the Two Strings' and 'Zootopia'.
* BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM : 'Dheepan', 'Julieta', 'Mustang', 'Son of Saul' and 'Toni Erdmann'
* RISING STAR AWARD : Laia Costa (seen recently in 'Victoria' and soon in 'Newness'), Lucas Hedges (seen most recently in 'Manchester By The Sea'), Tom Holland (about to be seen in 'The Lost City of Z' and 'Spider-Man : Homecoming'), Ruth Nega (about to be seen in 'Loving'), and Anya Taylor Joy (seen recently in 'The Witch', 'Morgan' and 'Split')

This week there are four new release films to tempt you out to your local air conditioned multiplex. Kicking off with big screen adaptation of a successful stage play adapted from a early '80's novel, this film has created much buzz for its award winning Director and Star who appeared on the Broadway stage with this in 2010 and now sits in front of, and behind the camera to bring us this story of 1950's era dreams, disappointments and decisions that have far reaching implications for one man and those closest to him. We then switch to a #1 best selling erotic novel - the first in a trilogy that just had to be committed to the big screen, and after the commercial success of that first cinematic outing here comes the second instalment. Then this weeks foreign language offering sees a German comedy drama that has won much critical acclaim for this story of a fractured father and daughter relationship that takes the fathers alter ego to patch things up. We wrap up the week with a British comedy drama about a drug addicted busker trying to break his habit, by teaming up with a stray ginger feline that sees a reversal of fortune for the former, and a home and all the attention for the latter.

When you have sat in a darkened enclosed space with a bunch of complete strangers for two hours all looking in the same direction, then you are warmly invited to share your movie going experience with your like minded Cinephiles here in the Blogosphere. Leave your relevant, brief and thoughtful observations in the Comments section below this or any other Post - as always we'd love to hear from you. In the meantime, enjoy your movie, wherever it takes you.

'FENCES' (Rated PG) - the screen adaptation of this film started its life as a Pulitzer Prize winning 1983 stage play of the same name written by August Wilson who died in October 2005 aged sixty. Wilson died having written the screenplay. The stage play Premiered on Broadway back in 1987 with James Earl Jones in the lead role, won much critical applause then and was highly awarded. Fast track to 2010 and the revival of the Broadway stage show saw Denzel Washington and Viola Davis as the two lead husband and wife characters in a limited season of thirteen weeks. That stage production was nominated for ten Tony Awards, winning three - for Best Revival of a Play, Best Actor in a Play for Washington, and Best Actress in a Play for Davis. In 2013 in an interview with a well known movie magazine, Washington expressed his desire to star in and Direct a big screen adaptation of the play. In early 2016 it was announced that Washington would Direct, Co-Produce and star in that big screen adaptation with Scott Rudin also Co-Producing, as he did with the successful stage play. And here now in our cinemas are the fruits of those efforts with many of those stage Actors reprising their roles for this film production, which has thus far received positive critical recognition, four Oscar and one BAFTA nomination, a Golden Globe win for Viola Davis, a SAG win for Davis and Washington and all up a tally of 39 award wins and 96 further nominations. From its US$24M budget it has so far recovered US$53M.

The story here is set in 1950's Pittsburgh and Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) lives with his wife Rose (Viola Davis) and their son Cory (Jovan Adepo). Troy works as a waste collector, dreams of the life that may have been as a professional in the Negro Leagues baseball but failed to graduate to Major League Baseball, because of his colour or his advancing years, or both. As the years begin to catch-up on Troy he makes decisions that have far reaching implications upon his family life - impacting his son, his wife, his mentally impaired older brother Gabriel (Mykelti Williamson), and ultimately himself.

'FIFTY SHADES DARKER' (Rated MA15+) - 2015's 'Fifty Shades of Grey' was based on the hugely successful novel of the same name by British author E. L. James, and the first in her erotic romantic drama trilogy of books to be adapted for the big screen.  That first instalment saw a return on a production budget of US$40M of US$571M, despite its generally poor Reviews. Now two years later we have this follow up Directed by James Foley taking over from Sam Taylor-Johnson, that sees the two principal characters of Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) and Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) reprise their roles as the events of this film follow on from where its predecessor left off. Here we have Anastasia trying to move on from her relationship with Christian, but a wounded and forlorn Christian convinces his former lover to resume their romance but under whatever terms Anastasia deems appropriate. As they begin their so called 'normal' relationship, Christian's past resurfaces that might just tear the couple apart. Also starring Kim Basinger, Luke Grimes and Marcia Gay Harden. The third instalment in the film franchise ('Fifty Shades Freed') was shot back to back with 'Fifty Shades Darker', and is due for release on 9th February 2018.

'TONI ERDMANN' (Rated M) - this German/Austrian Co-Produced comedy/drama had its world Premier at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, has been nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category at the upcoming Oscars, and it won five major awards at the 29th European Film Awards held in Poland just before Christmas. The film was released in Germany and Austria in mid-July last year and finally arrives in Australian cinemas this week. Costing US$3.2M to make, it has so far taken US$8.3M, and is Directed, Written and Co-Produced by German film Director Maren Ade. The story here is one of estranged father and daughter relationship, with Winfried Conradi (Peter Simonischek) an ageing divorced music teacher who upon the death of his beloved pet dog decides to reconnect with his daughter Ines (Sandra Huller) who is working the corporate life in Bucharest, Romania. Winfried is a practical joker and he annoys his daughter with corny pranks, hi-jinks and jibes about her corporate lifestyle and everything associated with it. When father and daughter reach an impasse, Winfried agrees to go home to Germany. But soon afterwards emerges Toni Erdmann, Winfried's flashy alter ego - disguised in a tacky suit, ill fitting wayward wig and fake teeth. Toni then infiltrates Ines' work circle, claiming to be her CEO's life coach. As Toni, Winfried isn't backward in coming forward, and Ines rises to the challenge as laid down by her father, which helps her see him in  totally different light. In all the madness, Ines begins to see that her eccentric father might just warrant a place in her life after all. A highly acclaimed foreign language offering with a three hour running time.

'A STREET CAT NAMED BOB' (Rated PG) - a British family comedy drama featuring a cat called Bob, Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, and based on the best selling book of the same name by James Bowen. This film was released in the UK in early November, and stars Luke Treadaway as James Bowen - a recovering drug addict who is down on his luck while trying to pick up his life again. With the aid of his trusting support worker Val (Joanne Frogatt) he secures a permanent address. All he needs now is to secure a regular income which he does by busking at Covent Garden, but with very little traction from the thousands of daily passers-by. One day, Bob (Bob the Cat) enters his life, which James assumes to be a lost stray and tries to find its owner without any success. When the cat becomes more of a feature on the housing estate where James lives, the two get to know each more and more, with their lives eventually becoming more and more closely linked with results that James never thought possible.

With four very different films to choose from this week, as well as a raft of other compelling cinema content still out on general release as Reviewed and Previewed between these humble Blog pages, you've got every reason to watch your movie of choice in the week ahead and catch some of that BAFTA and Oscar buzz. When you have done so, share your thoughts! Meanwhile, I'll see you somewhere sometime in the week ahead at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 12th February 2015.

As Summer marches on in Australia and the heat and the humidity ramp up, interspersed with the occasional clap of thunder and sudden brief rain storm, we find ourselves once again at pains to decide which new release movie to go and see in the coming week. And for the week ahead we have six new offerings to choose from nonetheless that offer something for everyone, unless that is you happen to be under the age of 15!

Arriving at a movie theatre near you this week then we have two more films in Oscar contention  - of which one is for Best Picture and the other Best Documentary Feature amongst others; then there is the book that sold 70 million copies finally 'coming' to a big screen near you; a very controversial comedy that almost started WWIII . . . literally!; an outback Aussie zombie gore fest that has to be the must-see of the week (just my humble opinion); an English comedy of holidays, relationships, birthdays and heartbreak; and to cap it off a doco about a whistle blower a few years back that exposes a issue close to all of our hearts!

With more detail shown below, be sure to catch something new in the week ahead, and when you do, don't be shy, make a Comment directly below this or any other Post and share with our ever expanding readership your thoughts on your chosen movie and your film going experience!

SELMA (Rated M) - in 1964 Dr. Martin Luther King accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. At around about the same time four African American girls are killed by an explosion en route to their church, and in the town of Selma, Alabama a black woman Annie Lee Cooper (Oprah Winfrey, who also Produces here) attempts to register a vote to which she is by rights entitled, but is prevented from doing so by a white registrar. Subsequently MLK (here played by David Oyelowo) meets with President Lyndon B. Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) to have legislation passed to enable black citizens to vote without fear of refusal or reprisal - the President says he has more important things to do! King then travels to Selma with a number of other colleagues and followers, and in the meantime J. Edgar Hoover (Dylan Baker) advises the President that he thinks King is problematical. Cooper, whose voting rights were denied, has a scuffle with the town Sheriff in front of the local courthouse and as a result she, King and several others are arrested. The Alabama Governor George Wallace (Tim Roth) speaks out against King. King's new wife Coretta (Carmen Ejogo) seeks support from Malcolm X (Nigel Thatch) and as time progresses the atmosphere becomes more intense in Selma and the rallied black community and the local white law enforcers and political leaders jockey for position and the upper hand.

What follows is the recounting of the Selma to Montgomery march and the bloody battles that ensued along the way as local authorities and officers of the law let loose with tear gas, clubs, batons and many on horseback to break up the march and disperse the activists. The violence was extreme with many injured, and this all plays out on national television with Johnson then having to back peddle to get legislation hurried through Congress to give the black citizens unencumbered voting rights. King uses his best oratory skills to rally his supporters and garner new too, and as the march draws to a relatively peaceful conclusion in Montgomery his final address there is cut with real footage from the day. Directed by Ava DuVernay for a cost of US$20M this has a strong cast headed up by English Oyelowo, that is not an MLK bio-pic but a recounting of the Selma story that served to help change the course of history in which King played a fairly significant role. Nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Song at the upcoming Academy Awards it is one to watch, and another based on real events.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY (Rated MA15+) - the book sold 70 million copies worldwide and spawned two further books in the series which, if this is successful, will spawn two further films in all likelihood. Directed by Sam Taylor Johnson this has Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele and Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey - the two main characters in this story of two individuals  - she a young literature student and he a hugely successful and wealthy international businessman - drawn together by sexual desire, but in her naivety she comes to realise that Grey wants/needs to control everything and do so on his terms, which in turn opens up a whole new world of possibilities! The budget to deliver this to the big screen came in at about US$40M and is likely to do plenty more than that in the final analysis given the book sales and the anticipation around its big screen adaptation.

THE INTERVIEW (Rated MA15+) - just about anybody and everybody in the movie going world knows of the trouble this film has caused on the international stage and the subsequent fall out from it. World leaders have become involved, Sony Entertainment was cyber-hacked exposing to the world all manner of things not intended for public consumption, the head of Sony Pictures stood down, the release date was put back as the film had to be re-cut, and all because the subject matter about an interview with, and an assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was deemed by him and his cronies to be war mongering. Furthermore, it was threatened by a certain extremist group that if shown on general release those pesky North Koreans would consider this an act of war and take all necessary action against the heinous West without mercy! Really - WTF! Anyway the said satirical spoof concerns Seth Rogen and James Franco as two hapless but reasonably successful television journalists granted an interview with said world leader, and then tasked by the CIA to take out this leader once they have won his confidence. Unlikely to go down in history as the greatest comedy of all time, but, it will go down in history as the movie that almost caused North Korea to fire on North America and in doing so caused much angst, table thumping and gnashing of teeth in the process. As a result of the Hoo-Haa it was released on digital rental on Christmas Eve 2014 and very limited cinema release thereafter where it garnered US$40M and US$9M respectively making is Sony's most successful digital release to date.

WYRMWOOD : ROAD OF THE DEAD (Rated MA15+) - what's not to like about an Aussie outback zombie gore fest that might be best described as 'Mad Max' meets 'The Walking Dead' - bring it on I say! Written by brothers Kiah and Tristan Roache-Turner and Directed by the former this tells the story of family man and mechanic Barry (Jay Gallagher) whose very existence is pulled assunder on the eve of a zombie apocalypse. Forewarned by his sister Brooke (Bianca Bradey) that the zombies are attacking which seems to be the result of a meteor storm hitting Earth and a disease ensuing that turns the population into the flesh eating, gut munching walking dead. Needless to say only a few survive to fight of the marauding masses of the un-dead, but Brooke is kidnapped by a mad scientist hellbent on experimenting on her and various other survivors, and so Barry needs to team up, tool up and man up to rescue Brooke, overthrow the mad evil scientist and save his own skin before he too becomes zombie fodder! Brilliant!

WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAY (Rated PG) - for a slightly more low key offering there is this Brit Pic comedy starring David Tennant, Rosamund Pike (as husband and wife team Doug and Abi respectively) who are on the verge of divorce but have not yet braved up and told Doug's dad of the pending separation. Travelling then up to Scotland to celebrate Dad's birthday - Gordy McLeod (Billy Connolly) it seems that you can't keep a secret a secret for very long especially where three young whipper-snapper grandchildren are concerned. Touted as a solid enough romp with strong performances from the three lead adult actors and pretty good turns from the three grand kids too (Emilia Jones, Amelia Bullmore and Bobby Smalldridge) together with the backdrop of the Scottish highlands this is sure to please lovers of Connolly and a good British comedy yarn that can hold its own.

CITIZENFOUR (Rated M) - this documentary film is up for an Academy Award in the Best Documentary Feature category and is Directed by Laura Poitras who back in January 2013 started receiving anonymous encrypted e-mails from a source known as 'Citizenfour' concerning illegal covert surveillance operations run by the NSA in conjunction with various other government agencies around the world. Fast track to mid-2013 she, and colleague reporters Glenn Greenwald and Ewen MacAskill jet off to Hong Kong to attend the first of many meetings with Edward Snowdon. Taking her camera along to capture the intimate details of those meetings, this film tells the blow by blow account of the information that spilled forth, and the perpetrators of that information and those embroiled in it. It could be compelling viewing giving you an insiders view of Snowdon - his rationale, his state of mind and what he hoped to gain in going public by outing those that would threaten our security, our privacy and our right of freedom.

A real mixed bag then of cinema content this week ahead that is sure to please on some level, somewhere and with someone. Where you're done, remember to reserve your Comments and your feedback of your filmic experience with your rapidly growing favourite movie Blog, and share away!

Movies - catch one this week, at least!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-