THE KING'S MAN : Tuesday 11th January 2022.

I saw 'THE KING'S MAN' at my local multiplex this week and this MA15+ Rated spy action film is Directed, written for the screen, based on a story and Co-Produced by Matthew Vaughn, and is based on the 2012 comic book series created by Mark Miller and Dave Gibbons known as 'The Secret Service'. This film serves as a prequel to 2014's 'The Kingsman : The Secret Service' and 2017's 'Kingsman : The Golden Circle' both Directed also by Matthew Vaughn which between them grossed US$826M off the back of combined production budgets of US$195M. This film was released on 22nd December in the US, on 26th December 2021 in the UK and was last week released in Australia having been delayed several times from an original November 2019 release date, partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film received mixed reviews from critics, grossing US$75M so far. 

At the turn of the 20th Century Orlando, the Duke of Oxford (Ralph Fiennes), his wife Emily (Alexandra Maria Lara) and young son Conrad (Alexander Shaw) visit a concentration camp in South Africa during the Boer War while working for the Red Cross. Emily is killed during a Boer sniper attack on the camp, causing pacifist Orlando to determine that the world needs someone to head off such conflicts before they arise. Fast forward twelve years, and Orlando has recruited two of his servants, Shola (Djimon Hounsou) and Polly (Gemma Arterton), into his spy network dedicated to protecting the United Kingdom and the British Empire from the imminent Great War. Conrad (Harris Dickinson) is eager to fight on the front line but is forbidden to join up by his protective father, who persuades his close friend Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for War (Charles Dance), not to let him join the army. 

Upon the express wishes of Lord Kitchener, Conrad and Orlando ride with Orlando's friend Archduke Franz Ferdinand (Ron Cook) through Sarajevo, and Conrad saves the Archduke from a bomb thrown by Gavrilo Princip (Joel Basman), a rebel intent on sparking a war. Later, Princip runs into the Archduke's entourage again, this time succeeding in fatally shooting Ferdinand and his wife Sophia. Orlando's group learn that Princip was part of a plot to pit the German, Russian, and British empires against each other. The group, headed by the mysterious Shepherd from a secret mountain-top headquarters, have their own network of agents, including the Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin (Rhys Ifans), a trusted adviser to Tsar Nicholas (Tom Hollander) of Russia. Rasputin, working under the direction of the Shepherd, manipulates Tsar Nicholas by poisoning his young son, and only curing him when the Tsar agrees to leave the war. 

Conrad is notified of Rasputin's manipulation by his cousin Felix Yusupov (Aaron Vodovoz). Knowing the Western Front will be left vulnerable if Russia exits the war, Conrad delivers this information to Kitchener and his personal assistant Major Morton (Matthew Goode), who embark for Russia on a steam ship. Their ship is torpedoed by a submarine, which is split in two and sinks rapidly in a ball of flame apparently killing them both. Word of Kitchener's death reaches Orlando, spurring him to head to Russia with Shola, Polly, and Conrad to put an end to Rasputin once and for all. At a Christmas party hosted by Prince Yusupov, Orlando, Shola, Conrad, and Rasputin get into a fight with the skirmish only ending when Polly shoots Rasputin between the eyes and kills him.

Again, at the Shepherd's insistence, Erik Jan Hanussen (Daniel Bruhl), an adviser to Kaiser Wilhelm II (Tom Hollander), sends a secret diplomatic communication that proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico, hoping to sidetrack Britain and the USA. Although the message is intercepted by British intelligence and given to the United States, President Woodrow Wilson (Ian Kelly) refuses to join the war without absolute proof. The Shepherd recruits Vladimir Lenin (August Diehl) and orders his Bolsheviks to overthrow the Tsar and remove Russia from the war, and sending an assassin to kill off the Romanovs.

Now nineteen years of age, Conrad is free to join the war effort without intervention from his father. He is commissioned into the Grenadier Guards against his father's wishes. Orlando meets with King George V (Tom Hollander) who agrees to give his son an administrative pen pushing desk job and thus summons Conrad back to Britain. Conrad sends back a young soldier in his place named Lance Corporal Archie Reid (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), giving him the codename 'Lancelot' to send a message to his father. Disguised as Archie, a member of the Black Watch, Royal Regiment of Scotland, Conrad volunteers for a mission into No-Man's Land to retrieve information from a British agent wounded there, but is mistaken for a German spy upon his return and executed at point blank range with a bullet to the head. However, the information he retrieved from the spy is the proof President Wilson required to enter the war. Orlando is devastated by the news of his sons death, and crawls inside a bottle of Scotch to drown his sorrows, refuses to eat, shave, and leave the house for weeks on end. It takes King George to visit Orlando and present him with a Victoria Cross medal awarded posthumously to Conrad for gallantry and valour and Polly to finally make him come to his senses, after she resigns from his service, which he ultimately refuses to accept. 

Orlando's group learns that President Wilson is being blackmailed with a film of him being seduced by one of the Shepherd's agents, Mata Hari (Valerie Pachner). Orlando locates her at the American Embassy and after overpowering her recovers her cashmere scarf, made from rare wool only found in one specific mountainous region. Having identified this location as the Shepherd's base of operations, Orlando, Shola, and Polly head there and fight their way inside. Morton, who had faked his own death and sunk the battleship, is revealed to be the Shepherd (Matthew Goode). Orlando and Shola fight and kill the Shepherd while Polly recovers the original film negative of Wilson's seduction and returns it to the American President, who promptly burns it on the open fireplace in the Oval Office, so allowing his country's forces to mobilise, and ultimately bring an end to the Great War.

Fast forward twelve months after the end of the war, and Orlando has purchased the Kingsman Tailor Shop as a front for his organisation. Gathered around the table as Orlando announces the formation of the original Kingsman are Polly (codenamed Galahad), King George (Percival), Archie Reid (Lancelot), and US Ambassador Chester King (Stanley Tucci as Bedivere) as Shola enters the room late and is given the codename Merlin, with Orlando taking the name of Arthur - all from the legend of King Arthur in honour of Conrad. Remain in your seat for a mid-credits sequence in which Hanussen has assumed the mantle of the Shepherd and in talks with Lenin introduces him to the Romanovs assassin - one young Adolf Hitler (David Kross).

Like Quentin Tarantino's movie 'Inglorious Basterds' did with reimagining the outcome of WWII, here Matthew Vaughn reimagines the outcome of WWI and does so with a comic book style that helps keep the narrative fresh and at times surprising. The action set pieces, of which there are plenty, are well handled but offer up nothing new that we haven't seen a hundred times before, but which are nonetheless likely to satisfy fans of the first two films in the series. Whilst there are some moments of humour in this film, the storyline here offers up more emotion, and greater sincerity than its predecessors which helps in keeping the wild running plot grounded and relatable . . . just! Ralph Fiennes is dependable as ever in his role as the main protagonist here and playing largely against type just as Colin Firth did in the first two instalments, and proving just how adept he is at close quarter hand to hand combat, and maintaining that stiff British upper lip whilst dressed in the best threads of the era. The remaining ensemble cast all deliver too, especially Rhys Ifans in his over the top camp performance as Rasputin, who ultimately gets his comeuppance that isn't too far removed from the truth it seems. All up, 'The King's Man' is an enjoyable enough romp through an alternate WWI history, is an acceptable origin story, has some standout performances but fails to deliver on what made 'Kingsman : The Secret Service' so memorable and fresh, and is only just a notch or two above 'Kingsman : The Golden Circle'. 

'The King's Man' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

THEIR FINEST : Wednesday 3rd May 2017.

'THEIR FINEST' which I saw mid-last week is Directed by Lone Scherfig and based on the Lissa Evans 2009 book 'Their Finest Hour and a Half'. The film was first screened at TIFF in September last year, and had its US release in early April and its UK and Australian release toward the back end of April. The film has received generally positive critical Reviews, but this has yet to materialise in hard dollar return on its US$39M budget investment.

This WWII drama film is a film within a film as The British Ministry of Information set about making a morale boosting propaganda film about the evacuation of Dunkirk during the Battle of Britain and Hitler's devastating bombing raids on London. Set in a 1940 war torn London, we are first introduced to screen writer Tom Buckley (Sam Claflin) as he stands eating hot chips out of a newspaper wrapping while watching a film about the British war effort in a packed cinema. But the audience are paying little attention, and laughing at the on screen antics that they should be taking seriously. Such is the quality of the acting, the film-making and the messages being conveyed.

We then move to Welsh lass Catrin Cole (Gemma Arterton), an out of work Secretary who is summonsed to the Ministry of Information to attend for an interview to help write script for short information films to be played at cinemas across the land in between the main features. She lives with her husband Ellis Cole (Jack Huston) a moody artist who is unable to gain work or an exhibition for his paintings of dark industrial Britain, and who avoided the conscript due to an old Spanish Civil War leg wound. They are unable to pay the rent, so she accepts the gig at the Ministry for two pounds a week, but Ellis belittles Catrin's contribution and threatens to send her back to her home to the Welsh valley's under the smokescreen of protecting her from the Blitz. Needless to say, Catrin will have none of this and stands firm in her determination to take the job and the money that goes with it.

Quickly proving her worth, Catrin is promoted by Roger Swain (Richard E. Grant) the Head of Film at the Ministry of Information to work on a British propaganda film that shows 'authenticity and optimism' to the audience, and designed to lift the spirits and the hearts and minds of the British public at a time when they needed it the most. Catrin's role is to write the 'slop' - the women's dialogue that will appeal and be understood by a largely female audience. Her skills with dialogue and story telling catch the attention of Tom Buckley, who also works as a writer at the Ministry. He takes her under his wing to help work on a feature film about two sisters who supposedly helped rescue wounded British soldiers home from Dunkirk in their drunken fathers ramshackle steam boat across the English Channel back to Southend. Catrin visits the sisters for research purposes and discovers that the alleged 'true' story is subject to some poetic licence, and has to make a decision to report back the fact, or the fiction. She opts for the latter - after all, why let the truth get in the way of a good story!

Fairly soon the two writers aided by Raymond Parfitt (Paul Ritter) as another writer are frantically tapping away at their typewriters devising the foundation of the story, the dialogue, the dramatisation and the characters. They sign up ageing dapper screen lothario Ambrose Hilliard (Bill Nighy) much to his disgust having usually played romantic leads but now assigned to a supporting drunken uncle role described as 'a shipwreck of a man, sixties, looks older'. He initially rejects the offer to his Agent Sammy Smith (Eddie Marsan), but when Sammy is killed in an air raid, he is convinced by sister Sophie (Helen McCrory) to take the gig in the absence of anything else, and she becomes Hilliard's new Agent.

Filming starts on the propaganda film down in Devon, and then the team get a summons to attend the Ministry of War offices in London. There they meet with the Secretary of War (Jeremy Irons) who orders the crew to write in a part of an American to give the film an appeal to a US audience. Furthermore, the Secretary has just the man for the job - a very photogenic American-Norwegian fighter pilot Carl Lundbeck (Jack Lacy) who was great in silent films but can't act in the talkies to save his life!

With the Director, the Producers and the Scriptwriters besides themselves over Lundbeck's hamfisted attempts at dialogue, Catrin's persuades Hilliard to give Lundbeck on the run acting lessons in return for enhancements to his role, so saving the picture.

During the location shoot Catrin and Buckley start to develop a fondness for each other, that culminates in him asking her to marry him. Buckley has learnt from another crew member that Catrin isn't in fact married to Ellis, but has taken his name out of propriety. Catrin refuses, and the pair argue.

When shooting returns to London for final studio filming, Catrin has had chance to cool off and spends the evening during an air raid rewriting the closing scenes of the film, and penning a note to Buckley with her change of heart. She leaves the finished script and her letter on Buckley's desk. The next day in the studio Catrin and Buckley share a moment of passion together out of view from the rest of the cast and crew. Buckley found the finished script and says she nailed it, and her letter too. Just when you thought of the happily ever after, a freak accident occurs that has far reaching ramifications for the couple, and which you would never have seen coming.

As the film draws to a close we see Catrin sneak into a packed cinema to see the fruits of her efforts up on the big screen. The film is a huge success and has struck the right chords with its target audience. She is persuaded by Hilliard to write the next screenplay for a film he is being pitched for and for which he has an idea of a character outline - a cat burgling air raid warden. Catrin sits down at her typewriter and begins to tap away with the seed of another film script slowly maturing.

This is a feel good film with just the the right amount of war torn London horrors and emotional upset to keep it real, grounded and believable. Underpinned too by some standout performances most notably from Gemma Arterton and Bill Nighy, with Jeremy Irons, Eddie Marsan and Jack Lacy all doing well with the little screen time they have. The film within a film structure allows for all the levity and WWII era filmmaking quirks, tricks and smoke & mirrors camera work that adds an authenticity to this offering and is delivered by a sharp intelligent script, witty dialogue, solid acting all round and a message of the female inequality of the era being overcome by working women out of necessity.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 28th May 2015.

Here in Australia we lurch into Winter this week with more excuses to beat the seasonal cold climactic conditions and venture inside to a warm dark place with a big silver screen, surround sound and escapist adventure on a grand scale. The week ahead offers no exception with more great offerings to tempt, tease and tantalise the filmic tastebuds, so don't be shy and get out there see a movie this week!

Speaking of which, we have five great offerings that take in another great theme park future adventure attraction adapted for the big screen and possibly hoping to emulate that Johnny Depp vehicle that has done so well over the years; then there is another natural disaster flick that has been done a hundred times before that sees death, destruction & danger writ large and one man only capable of saving the world . . . apparently; and a Spanish/Argentinian very black comedy offering that sees six unconnected stories linked only be acts of extreme violence and vengeance. Next up is an Aussie film of a determined damaged man, his Utopian commune, his child soldiers and his son through whose eyes we see the story unfold; and finally a case of life imitating art in small town France as an English couple roll into town whose lives seems to mirror those as written about by a an influential French writer in a certain novel 170 years before.

With a heck of a choice this week when you have been to see your movie choice, remember to drop us your views & opinions in the Comments section below this or any other post, and share your critique with the movie going world. Enjoy your film!

TOMORROWLAND (Rated PG) - this film is based on the Disney theme park future Utopian, innovative and optimistic land that first appeared in 1955 and over the years has been through several updated visions and still exists today as more & more Disney theme parks open around the world. The film, which has its inspiration from the attraction, is Directed, Produced and Written by Brad Bird utilising a budget of US$180M and is a Sci-Fi mystery action adventure. The roots of this tale begin in 1964 at The New York World's Fair where a young aspiring inventor meets a seasoned inventor pro who travel together through the 'It's a small world' attraction.

Years later in the present day young inventor Casey Newton (Britt Robertson) meets with that young inventor from back in 1964, Frank Walker (George Clooney) and together they embark on a dangerous journey to uncover the secrets of 'Tomorrowland' a place located somewhere between time and space but with a clock counting down on their future, and that of mankind. In the spirit of the late great Walt Disney this is a story for children of all ages with optimism, invention, adventure, hope and promise at its core that is writ large in this offering that surely would do the man proud for capturing all of those themes on which he built his global empire. Also starring Hugh Laurie and a cast of child acting talent as you would expect.

SAN ANDREAS (Rated M) - here we have another natural disaster action adventure film the like of which you have seen one hundred times before. What is different this time around - dunno really except it cost US$100M, was shot on Australia's Gold Coast and in Brisbane as well as LA, San Fran and Bakersfield, and features Dwayne Johnson and Kylie Minogue amongst others! Directed by Brad Peyton this is the story of a magnitude 9 earthquake along California's San Andreas fault line that sees the earth torn apart from under Los Angeles all the way to San Francisco. Needing to locate his estranged daughter search & rescue helicopter pilot Ray Gaines (Dwayne Johnson) and his ex-wife Emma (Carla Gugino) embark on a treacherous journey through the devastation to reach their daughter and escape to safety together with a few other misplaced refugees along the way no doubt. En route cities crumble, the earth will split open, fire & brimstone will spew forth, tidal waves will engulf cities, people will inevitably die by the thousands, after shocks will be felt on the east coast and the world will never be the same again - thanks God though for The Rock! Also starring Alexandra Daddario (as Blake - Ray's estranged daughter), Paul Giamatti, Ioan Gruffudd and our Kylie!

WILD TALES (Rated MA15+) - this Spanish/Argentian collaborated film is Directed by Damian Szifron and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at this years Academy Awards. Made for just US$3.3M it has already grossed US$30M and is a bleak black comedy of six unconnected stories but connected by their themes of violence, vengeance, and what drives people to such extremes. With its story titles 'Pasternak', 'The Rats', 'The Strongest', 'Little Bomb', 'The Proposal' and 'Until Death Do Us Part' this film has already electrified audience and has picked up 23 award wins and 38 further nominations. Laugh, cry and be shocked by the range of raw emotions shown here as these characters are pushed to extremes of human behaviour.

PARTISAN (Rated MA15+) - this is an Australian film Written and Directed by Ariel Kleiman and filmed in Australia and in Georgia. It tells the story of Gregori (Vincent Cassel) who is the leader and founder of a Utopian commune that he has established behind high walls to help troubled woman whilst training an army of child soldiers, shielded from the evils of the outside world. This tale unfolds through the eyes of young Alexander (Jeremy Chabriel) - a child of Grigori's, bright, intelligent and brave. As Alexander knows very little of the outside world we learn on what he comes to discover as he is sent out with other children on assassination raids. With Gregori playing the father figure, the ruler, and the authoritarian he mentors all his children in the art of killings, survival and navigation techniques, but, as Alexander grows up and becomes more wise so he begins to question his fathers motives, intentions and decisions. A raw and emotional journey this film won the Cinematography Award at The Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize there too.

GEMMA BOVERY (Rated MA15+) - this French subtitled DramedyRom is Directed by Anne Fontaine and the Screenplay was Co-Written by her too and stars both French and English acting talent. Here, Martin Joubert (Fabrice Luchini) is a well-heeled Parisian who relocates to Normandy and settles into the peaceful tranquil village life as a baker. One fine day an English newlywed couple move into a neighbouring farm - Gemma and Charles Bovery (Gemma Arterton and Jason Flemyng respectively) and here Martin's idyllic life is turned upside down as he becomes acquainted with the young couple. Martin is an avid follower of the works of famed influential 19th century writer Gustave Flaubert who published 'Madame Bovary' in 1857. Now seemingly witnessing art imitating life in front of his very eyes, the actions of the heroine of that novel, also called Gemma Bovery, begin to mirror those of the woman before him. As his affections grow stronger for the woman, and as she gets sidetracked by other male interests, should he intervene as fact and fiction seem to be on a collision course, or should he stay away from the hand that fate may be about to deal him? You'll just have to see the movie for that answer!

Five new release movies that offer action, adventure, drama, comedy and romance this week and five very good reasons to get out to your local movie theatre. When you have enjoyed your film, share your thoughts, and then go do it again!

Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-