What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 18th May 2023.

The 76th Cannes Film Festival launched on Tuesday 16th May and runs through until Saturday 27th May. Held annually in Cannes, France, the festival previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around the world. Founded in 1946, the invitation-only festival is held at the Palais des Festivals et des Congres. It is one of the 'Big Three' major European film festivals, alongside the Venice Film Festival in Italy and the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, as well as one of the 'Big Five' major international film festivals, which consists of the three major European film festivals, the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada, and the Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, USA.

The Swedish Director and Screenwriter Ruben Ostlund serves as Jury President this year for those films in Official Competition aided by the likes of Paul Dano, Brie Larson, Julia Ducournau and Maryam Touzani. 

This years opening film is the French 'Jeanne du Barry' Directed, Written, Co-Produced and starring Maiwenn in the title role alongside Johnny Depp as King Louis XV of France. The closing film is Pixar's computer-animated romantic comedy-drama film 'Elemental' Directed by Peter Sohn. 

Those twenty-one films in official competition for the prestigious Palme d'Or award are as given below :-

* 'About Dry Grasses' from Turkey and is Co-Written and Directed by Nuri Bilge Ceylan.

* 'Anatomy of a Fall' from France and is Co-Written and Directed by Justine Triet.

* 'Asteroid City' from the US and is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Wes Anderson and features an ensemble cast including Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie and Jeff Goldblum.

* 'Banel & Adama' from Senegal and is Written and Directed by Ramata-Toulaye Sy in her feature film making debut. 

* 'Black Flies' from the US and is Directed by Jean-Stephane Sauvaire and stars Sean Penn, Ty Sheridan Katherine Waterston, Michael Pitt and Mike Tyson.

* 'A Brighter Tomorrow' from Italy and France and is Co-Written, Co-Produced, Directed and stars Nanni Moretti. 

* 'La Chimera' from Italy, France and Switzerland and is Written and Directed by Alice Rohrwacher and stars Josh O'Connor and Isabella Rossellini. 

* 'Club Zero' from the UK, France, Austria and Denmark and is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Jessica Hausner and stars Mia Wasikowska and Sidse Babett Knudsen.

* 'Fallen Leaves' from Finland and Written and Directed by Aki Kaurismaki. 

* 'Firebrand' from the UK and Directed by Karim Ainouz and stars Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, Sam Riley, Eddie Marsan and Simon Russell Beale.

* 'Four Daughters' from Tunisia and Written, Directed and Co-Edited by Kaouther Ben Hania.

* 'Homecoming' from France and Co-Written and Directed by Catherine Corsini. 

* 'Kidnapped' from Italy and Co-Written and Directed by Marco Bellocchio. 

* 'Last Summer' from France and Co-Written and Directed by Catherine Breillat. 

* 'May December' from the US and Directed by Todd Haynes and starring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore and Charles Melton.

* 'Monster' from Japan and is Directed and Edited by Hirokazu Kore-eda.

* 'The Old Oak' from the UK, France and Belgium and is Directed by Ken Loach and stars Dave Turner and Ebla Mari.

* 'Perfect Days' from Japan and Germany and is Directed by Wim Wenders and stars Koji Yakusho.

* 'The Pot-au-Feu' from France and Written and Directed by Tran Anh Hung and stars Juliette Binochet and Benoit Magimel.

* 'Youth (Spring)' from China and Directed by Wang Bing.

* 'The Zone of Interest' from the UK, Poland and the US and is Written and Directed by Jonathan Glazer.

For the full low down on those films competing for the Palme d'Or plus the other films in competition in the Un Certain Regard and Camera d'Or sections and the other strands featuring at this years Cannes Film Festival, you can visit the official website at : https://www.festival.cannes.com/en/

This week then, to tease you out on a very cool late Autumn evening to your local Odeon, we have five new cinematic release coming your way. We launch with the eleventh film in this hugely successful fast paced action franchise that sees this former criminal and professional street racer and his family being targeted by the vengeful son of a drug baron who was killed at the end of 'Fast Five'. Next up we have a neo-noir crime thriller set in 1939 LA that has a seasoned Private Detective becoming embroiled in an investigation with a wealthy family in Bay City, California after a beautiful blonde hires him to find her former lover. This is followed by an Aussie crime thriller that sees a jaded detective placed in charge of looking into a twenty-year-old outback cold case murder. Then we turn to a Moroccan drama offering in which a middle-aged tailor and his wife find their relationship upended by the arrival of a handsome new apprentice; before closing out the week with an Aussie biopic charting the life and times of an icon of the Australian music scene.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'FAST X' (Rated M) - is an American action film that is a direct sequel to 2021's 'F9' and the tenth instalment and the eleventh feature film in the 'Fast & Furious' franchise. Those ten films have grossed over US$6.6B at the global Box Office off the back of combined production budgets of a little over US$1.4B. It should also be noted that this franchise also includes short films, a television series, toys, video games, live shows, and theme park attractions. This film is Directed by Louis Leterrier whose previous feature film credits include 'Transporter 2' in 2005, 'The Incredible Hulk' in 2008, 'Clash of the Titans' in 2010, 'Now You See Me' in 2013 and 'The Takedown' in 2022. Leterrier replaced Director Justin Lin (who helmed five of the series films) who left within the first month of principle photography due to creative differences. This film has an estimated production budget of US$340M making it the seventh-most expensive film ever made, and is released worldwide this week. Its sequel, intended to be the main series' final instalment, is slated for a release in 2025.

Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they must confront the most lethal opponent they've ever faced in the guise of Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), the son of drug lord Hernan Reyes, seeking revenge for his father's death, and who has now joined forced with Cipher (Chalize Theron). Ignited by revenge, a terrifying threat emerges from the shadows of the past to shatter Dom's world and destroy everything, and everyone, he holds dear. Also starring a who who's of acting talent including Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, John Cena, Jason Statham, Sung Kang, Daniela Melchior, Scott Eastwood, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, Cardi B and Michael Rooker. 

'MARLOWE' (Rated MA15+) - is a neo-noir crime thriller film Co-Written and Directed by Neil Jordan based on the on the 2014 novel 'The Black-Eyed Blonde' by Benjamin Black, and based on the fictional private detective character Philip Marlowe, created by Raymond Chandler who first appeared in print in the 1939 novel 'The Big Sleep'. Neil Jordan's previous film making credits take in the likes of his feature film debut with 'Angel' in 1982, then 'The Company of Wolves' in 1984, 'Mona Lisa' in 1986, 'The Crying Game' in 1992, 'Interview with the Vampire' in 1994, 'Michael Collins' in 1996, 'The End of the Affair' in 1999, 'The Brave One' in 2007 and 'Greta' in 2018. Here then, set in Los Angeles in 1939 private detective Philip Marlowe (Liam Neeson) is hired by wealthy heiress Clare Cavendish (Diane Kruger) to find her missing lover, Nico Peterson (Francois Arnaud), a prop master at Pacific Film Studios. Marlowe is wary of the supposed circumstances around Peterson's death and begins to investigate further, despite lack of interest from his friend, homicide detective Joe Green (Ian Hart). As Marlowe digs deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of lies and corruption among the city's elite. Also starring Jessica Lange, Danny Huston, Alan Cumming, Colm Meaney and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. The film saw its World Premiere at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in late September last year and was released in the US in mid-February having received mixed critical reviews and so far grossing US$5.4M at the Box Office. 

'LIMBO' (Rated MA15+) - this Australian crime thriller is Written, Co-Produced, Directed, Edited, photographed and scored by Ivan Sen whose prior feature film directorial offerings include his debut in 2002 for 'Beneath Clouds' followed by the likes of 'Dreamland' in 2009, 'Mystery Road' in 2013, 'Goldstone' in 2016 and 'Expired' in 2022. Set in the small Australian outback town of Limbo, Travis Hurley (Simon Baker), a detective, comes to investigate a twenty-year-old unsolved homicide of an Aboriginal woman. Travis discovers a collection of unpleasant truths, highlighting the intricacies of loss and injustice faced by Aboriginal Australians. This film saw its World Premier at February's Berlin International Film Festival where it was in competition for the Golden Bear, and has generated mostly positive critical reviews.

'THE BLUE CAFTAN' (Rated M) -  a Moroccan Arabic-language drama film Co-Written and Directed by Maryam Touzani in only her second feature film making outing following 'Adam' in 2019. Halim (Saleh Bakri) and Mina (Lubna Azabal) run a traditional caftan store in Sale, one of Morocco's oldest medinas. In order to keep up with demanding customers, they hire a talented young man Youssef (Ayoub Missioui) as an apprentice. Mina slowly realises just how much her husband is moved by his presence. The film had its World Premier showing at the May 2022 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, has collected nine wins and another twelve nominations from around the awards and festival circuit, and has garnered widespread critical acclaim. 

'JOHN FARNHAM : FINDING THE VOICE' (Rated M) - this Australian music documentary film is Directed by Poppy Stockwell in her second film making offering following 'Scrum' in 2015. This film tells the untold story of an Australian music icon. In this first authorised biopic, we follow John Farnham’s life from the quiet suburbs of Melbourne to 1960's pop fame, through incredible highs and lows, and ultimately to record-breaking success as ‘Australia’s Voice’. John Farnham was 38 years old when 'Whispering Jack' was released. Nobody ever questioned that Farnham could sing, but the challenge to find his artistic voice and become Australia’s most trusted and beloved performer took half a lifetime. 'Whispering Jack' remains the highest-selling Australian album of all time, and this powerful documentary tracks the personal and public journey that has made Farnham Australia’s greatest and most beloved musical artist. The film also features commentary by Olivia Newton-John, Jimmy Barnes, Robbie Williams, Celine Dion, Richard Marx, Darryl Braithwaite, Glenn and Gaynor Wheatley, James and Robert Farnham plus many more.

With five new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 17th March 2022.

The 37th Film Independent Spirit Awards, honouring the best independent films and television series of 2021, were presented by Film Independent on 6th March. The nominations were announced on 14th December 2021 by Actresses Beanie Feldstein, Regina Hall, and Naomi Watts. Returning to an in-person ceremony this year, the event was held at the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, California and hosted by married couple Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman.

The winners, grinners and also rans in this years thirteen feature films categories are as given below :-

* Best Feature - awarded to 'THE LOST DAUGHTER', beating out 'A Chiara', 'C'mon C'mon', 'The Novice' and 'Zola'. 

* Best Director - presented to MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL for 'The Lost Daughter', beating out Janicza Bravo for 'Zola', Lauren Hadaway for 'The Novice', Mike Mills for 'C'mon C'mon' and Ninja Thyberg for 'Pleasure'.

* Best Male Lead - presented to SIMON REX for 'Red Rocket', beating out Clifton Collins Jnr. for 'Jockey', Frankie Faison for 'The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain', Michael Greyeyes for 'Wild Indian' and Udo Kier for 'Swan Song'.

* Best Female Lead' - awarded to TAYLOUR PAIGE for 'Zola', beating out Isabelle Fuhrman for 'The Novice', Brittany S. Hall for 'Test Pattern', Patti Harrison for 'Together Together' and Kali Reis for 'Catch the Fair One'.

* Best Supporting Male - presented to TROY KOTSUR for 'CODA', beating out Colman Domingo for 'Zola', Meeko Gattuso for 'Queen of Glory', Will Patton for 'Sweet Thing' and Chaske Spencer for 'Wild Indian'. 

* Best Supporting Female - awarded to RUTH NEGGA for 'Passing', beating out Jessie Buckley for 'The Lost Daughter', Amy Forsyth for 'The Novice', Revika Reustle for 'Pleasure' and Suzanna Son for 'Red Rocket'.

* Best Screenplay - awarded to MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL for 'The Lost Daughter', beating out Nikole Beckwith for 'Together Together', Janicza Bravo and Jeremy O. Harris for 'Zola', Mike Mills for 'C'mon C'mon' and Todd Stephens for 'Swan Song'.

* Best First Screenplay - presented to MICHAEL SARNOSKI and VANESSA BLOCK for 'Pig', beating out Sheldon D. Brown and Matthew Fifer for 'Cicada', Lyle Mitchell Corbine Jnr. for 'Wild Indian', Shatara Michelle Ford for 'Test Pattern' and Fran Kranz for 'Mass'.

* Best First Feature - presented to '7 DAYS', beating out 'Holler', 'Queen of Glory', 'Test Pattern' and 'Wild Indian'.

* Best Documentary Feature - awarded to 'SUMMER OF SOUL ( . . . OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED), beating out 'Ascension', 'Flee', 'In the Same Breath' and 'Procession'.

* Best Cinematography - awarded to EDUARD GRAU for 'Passing', beating out Ante Cheng and Matthew Chuang for 'Blue Bayou', Lol Crawley for 'The Humans', Tim Curtin for 'A Chiara' and Ari Wegner for 'Zola'.

* Best Editing - presented to JOI MCMILLON for 'Zola', beating out Affonso Goncalves for 'A Chiara', Ali Greer for 'The Nowhere Inn', Lauren Hadaway and Nathan Nugent for 'The Novice' and Enrico Natale for 'The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain'.

* Best International Film - presented to 'DRIVE MY CAR' from Japan, beating out 'Compartment No. 6' from Estonia, Finland, Germany and Russia, 'Parallel Mothers' from Spain, 'Pebbles' from India, 'Petite Maman' from France and 'Prayers for the Stolen' from Mexico. 

For all the other Television and Special Awards presented at the 37th Film Independent Spirit Awards and a whole lot more, you can visit the official website at : https://www.spiritawards.com

This week to entice you out to your local multiplex or independent movie theatre to watch any one or more of the seven new films coming your way, we kick off with a comedy drama that sees two former Army Rangers paired against their will on the road trip of a lifetime - one an ex-soldier and the other a  Belgian Malinois dog, as they race down the Pacific Coast to get to a fellow soldier's funeral on time. Next up we have a Spanish drama about a man who worked all his life at a Manchester bank, and when he is awarded an early retirement, he decides to visit his brother in Benidorm, only to discover that he's disappeared. Then we have a Sci-Fi offering set in an uncharted future, where two hardened souls meet and confront each other with the things they have done and what they have become. This is followed with an Irish film about stylists in a working-class Dublin hair salon who become vigilantes by accident and local heroes as they take on the gang members and gentrifiers threatening their community. We turn next to a South Korean film concerning rival diplomats from North Korea and South Korea who become trapped as civil war rages in Mogadishu, Somalia, and with no aid from either government, their only shot at survival requires uniting with bitter adversaries to escape. Following on from this we turn to an Aussie doco into how Lebanon has ended up in a state of complete catastrophe, exposing the country's dark underbelly which is its most sinister enemy; before closing out the week with another Aussie doco giving us intimate access to the private life of Australian singer and songwriter Courtney Barnett, an anti-influencer who is a powerful voice for our times as she embarks on a world tour

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the seven latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the week ahead.

'DOG' (Rated M) - this American comedy drama film is Directed and Co-Produced by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin with the latter also having story and screenplay credits, and with both making their directorial debuts. The film was originally slated for its release in the US in mid-February 2021 but was pushed back to mid-July, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then pushed back again to 18th February 2022 in the US and to this week in Australia. The film has garnered positive critical reviews and has so far grossed US$45M off the back of a US$15M production budget. 

Here, U.S. Army Ranger Jackson Briggs (Channing Tatum) is tasked with bringing Lulu, a Belgian Malinois military working dog, down the Pacific Coast from Joint Base Lewis–McChord in Washington to Nogales, Arizona in time to attend her handler's funeral. Along the way, and behind the wheel of a 1984 Ford Bronco, Briggs has to come to terms with his post-traumatic stress disorder as well as his difficulty with making emotional connections. Also starring Jane Adams, Kevin Nash, Ethan Suplee and Q'orianka Kilcher.

'IT SNOWS IN BENIDORM' (Rated MA15+) - is a Spanish drama film Written and Directed by Isabel Coixet whose prior feature films include 'Things I Never Told You' in 1996 with Andrew McCarthy, 'My Life Without Me' in 2003 with Sarah Polley, 'The Secret Life of Words' in 2005 with Sarah Polley again, 'Elegy' in 2008 with Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz, 'Another Me' in 2013 with Sophie Turner, 'Learning to Drive' in 2014 with Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley, and 'The Bookshop' in 2017 with Emily Mortimer and Bill Nighy. Here then, after being forced to retire, Peter (Timothy Spall), a man of routines and few joys, decides to go to Benidorm to visit his brother Daniel with whom he has had minimal contact. But when he arrives in Benidorm, Daniel appears to have vanished. Peter will then discover that his brother owns the Benidorm Club, where a group of dancers make exotic and burlesque performances. Among them, is Alex (Sarita Choudhury), a beautiful woman with an enigmatic past, who will steal his heart. In the search of his brother, Peter will confront dangers involving real estate mafias and unpaid debts. And Benidorm is one more protagonist in this story, a place sometimes beautiful, sometimes dangerous and at times gloomy. Also starring Pedro Casablanc, Carmen Machi and Ana Torrent, the film was released in its native Spain way back in mid-December 2020, and only now does it get a release in Australia. 

'LOVELAND' (Rated M) - is an Australian Sci-Fi film Written, Directed, Co-Produced, Edited, filmed and scored by the Indigenous Australian Ivan Sen whose previous film making credits are his debut 'Beneath Clouds' in 2002, 'Dreamland' in 2009, 'Toomelah' in 2011, 'Mystery Road' in 2013 and 'Goldstone' in 2016. In the near future Hong Kong, a hired mercenary named Jack (Ryan Kwanten) lives a lonely and monotonous existence filled with robotic lovers and callous executions. However, everything changes when he meets April (Jillian Nguyen), a soulful nightclub singer. As his heart comes alive for the first time, his body mysteriously begins to break down. Pursued by robotic henchmen, Jack seeks the help of reclusive life extension scientist Dr. Bergman (Hugo Weaving), who may hold the answers to his dark predicament. 

'DEADLY CUTS' (Rated MA15+) - this Irish comedy offering is Written and Directed by Rachel Carey in her feature film making debut, and centres around a group of hair stylists in a working-class Dublin hair salon, called 'Deadly Cuts' and operated by the fearless Michelle (Angeline Ball), who become accidental vigilantes and community heroes as they take on gang members demanding protection money and gentrifiers threatening their community by wanting to demolish their street and put up a tourist hotel. Also starring Ian Lloyd Anderson, Aidan McArdle, Ericka Roe, Lauren Larkin, Shauna Higgins and Victoria Smurfit. 

'ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU' (Rated MA15+) - is a South Korean action drama film with English subtitles that is Written and Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan. The film, based on real events, is set during the Somali Civil War and the two Koreas' efforts to be admitted to the United Nations in the late 1980's and early 1990's. It depicts details of a perilous escape attempt made by North and South Korean embassy workers stranded during the conflict, and stars Kim Yoon-seok as Han Sin-seong, the South Korean Ambassador to Somalia; Jo In-sung as Kang Dae-jin, South Korea's ANSP Counselor/intelligence officer; Heo Joon-ho as Rim Yong-su, the North Korean Ambassador to Somalia and Koo Kyo-hwan as Tae Joon-ki, North Korea's MSS Counselor/intelligence officer. The film was generally well received by Critics and grossed an estimated US$29M so far, having been released in South Korea in late July 2021and so far garnering twenty award wins and another eight nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit.

'ENOUGH! LEBANON'S DARKEST HOUR' (Rated Exempt) - is a documentary film Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Lebanese-Australian filmmaker Daizy Gedeon in only her second feature doco following her 1996 film 'Lebanon . . . Imprisoned Splendour'. Filmed over four years and across four continents, the film documents Lebanon's descent into a state of turmoil over recent years. The eyes of the world have been forced to turn their gaze upon Lebanon, not only because of the Beirut Port explosion that devastated this ancient city on 4th August 2020, but also because Lebanon stands as an allegory for kleptocratic regimes that have seen a resurgence across the globe, and their catastrophic impact. It covers the 2019 October Revolution and includes exclusive interviews with many key political leaders of the past four years, including Prime Minister Saad Hariri, former foreign minister Gebran Bassil, warlord Dr. Samir Geagea, Hezbollah minister Mohammad Fneich, former justice minister Salim Jreissati and governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, Riad Salame. 

'ANONYMOUS CLUB' (Rated M) - Directed, Written and filmed by Danny Cohen in his debut feature documentary after directing several music videos for Courtney Barnett and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. Here he returns once again to Courtney Barnett who in 2012 started recording music in her inner-Melbourne bedroom and, alongside fellow musician Jen Cloher, founded her own record label, Milk! Records. Since then, the notoriously shy but vastly talented singer/songwriter has released two EPs and two albums, landed a suite of accolades and amassed adoring fans around the world. In 2018, she embarked on the world tour for her album 'Tell Me How You Really Feel' – and Danny Cohen tagged along to document the journey. Shot over a three-year period this film charts Barnett’s ups and downs both artistically and personally. The narration, forthright and unguarded, is voiced by Barnett herself – she kept an audio diary on the road, at Cohen’s request – while Cohen provides vivid, energetic footage.

With seven new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the coming week.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

GOLDSTONE : Tuesday 12th July 2016.

'GOLDSTONE' which I saw this week opened the Sydney Film Festival on 8th June and had its World Premier then, before going on general release in Australia last week. Directed and Written by Ivan Sen who also acted as Cinematographer, Editor and wrote the music score, this is the standalone sequel to his highly acclaimed and multi-award winning and nominated 2013 film 'Mystery Road' which also opened that years Sydney Film Festival. Here, Sen has written a taught, atmospheric and relevant story with the backdrop of a barren sun scorched dusty outback land that stretches for mile upon mile of vast nothingness that is further heightened by widescreen shots taken from afar, or from a birds eye view looking down.

This film sees Aaron Pedersen reprising his role as Indigenous Detective Jay Swan from 'Mystery Road', who drives half-drunk and semi-conscious into the Australian outback mining town of Goldstone (shot in the very remote, sparsely populated western Queensland) where he is promptly picked up by the only cop in this one horse town, Josh Waters (Alex Russell). Asking for a breath test Swan blows positive and is promptly handcuffed, thrown in the back of the Police car and given a 'room' and 'bed' for the night at the local Police Station to sober up and cool down. Whilst sleeping, Josh rifles through Swan's kit bag and comes across a Police issue Glock pistol and Swan's Police ID. The next day, Swan's 4WD is delivered by tow truck to the Police Station, and off he goes to find accommodation in a local caravan park (aka 'The Diggers Rest Motel'). Later, while sleeping, he is rudely awaken by two biker types outside his caravan peppering the side of his temporary home with bullets. Swan escapes unhurt, but it is not long before Josh is on the case asking questions and doing some digging of his own. Swan reveals what he is doing in Goldstone - sent on the search for a young missing Asian girl under authority from the Federal Police. Josh quickly dismisses the notion that anyone is missing, and that he should return post haste from whence he came.

With his accommodation shot up Josh moves Swan out to a remote cabin on the outskirts of town. Swan meanwhile goes about his investigations visiting the local Aboriginal community and meeting up with the local elder Jimmy (David Gulpilil) before coming across the fenced off boundary of the Furnace Creek Gold Mine with dire warnings to keep out. Siddling up to a rocky outcrop within the boundary area at dusk he spies an incoming light plane and witnesses Asian women getting on and off the aircraft. Returning to his parked car he is set upon by armed Security Guards, who promptly cart him off for an audience with local mine manager Johnny (David Wenham) who questions him and cautions him that it would be in his own best interests if he gets out of town, asks no more questions and doesn't look back.

By now the local Mayor, Maureen (Jacki Weaver) is asking questions and seeking a private meeting with Swan. Maureen has been married five times before we learn and came to Goldstone to escape the world and live her life as she wanted. She now oversees the community as a smiling assassin - turning a blind eye to the goings on below the surface while feathering her own nest off the back of the prospects the gold mine presents her on a personal level. She bakes Swan a welcoming apple pie, but tells him in no uncertain terms to stop his meddling in business that doesn't concern him.

None of this puts Swan off the scent and his quest for the missing girl. Seeing a link between the Asian girls flown in and his missing person investigation, as well as his meeting with Johnny and more recently with Maureen, he questions Josh as to whether he is on the take? Josh flatly denies this, but really who would know, but the question does make Josh look inwardly, and so he visits 'The Ranch' - the local bar & knocking shop where Asian girls are sold. He questions the four girls who were recently flown in. They remain silent, but Josh suspects there is more to this, and returns on  number of occasions under the guise as a 'customer' to question one girl, May (Michelle Lim Davidson) in particular who takes Josh into her confidence over successive visits.

In the meantime Jimmy is the lynchpin in the signing over of more Aboriginal land rights to Furnace Creek Mining Group to exploit the resources within the Goldstone catchment. The FCMG management are in attendance and talking up the benefits to the local gathered community by way of education, training, jobs, security and wealth but Jimmy can see right through this and leaves ashamed, just as the final papers are to be executed. Johnny and Maureen catch wind of this and meet in secret to discuss what can be done - Maureen threatens to dispense with Jimmy so that the next in line gains authority to sign the deed, but Johnny wants none of this. Maureen tasks local Land & Environment Officer Tommy (Tom E. Lewis) to attend to this.

When a local hermit contacts Swan unexpectedly by mobile phone and arranges a discreet meeting way out of town, a passport is handed over belonging to the missing girl that Swan is searching for. Protecting his anonymity initially, Swan tracks the loner down who leads him to where he found the passport. This sets off the final chain of events that culminates in a shoot out at the Furnace Creek mining village with Swan and Jay joining forces, donning bullet proof vests, and righting the wrongs perpetrated by Johnny and Maureen ultimately, with a few henchmen casualties along the way. Not everyone however, gets their comeuppance as Johnny flies off into the sunset having made a quick getaway with a stash of cash; Maureen has shredded all documentary evidence of her untoward nefarious activities and skipped town; but the ring of prostitution is broken; the missing girl is found although it didn't end well for her; and at the local Aboriginal community justice is served.

This modern day outback Aussie Western is well crafted and packs a punch. Addressing issues such as Aboriginal environmental land rights, corporate greed, corruption, politics, human trafficking, the sex trade and indigenous culture, underpinned with strong performances from the principle cast and the back drop of the vast emptiness of the barren, hostile yet beautiful Queensland outback this is worthy of your attention and commands the price of your ticket. Ivan Sen is proving on the quiet that he is a multi-tasking force to be reckoned with, and a talent to look out for.




-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 7th July 2016.

Last week I reported on the first six months Box Office success stories from 2016 and their ranking in the all time Box Office league table. So this week I thought I'd analyse our local Australian market to see what we as a nation have so far favoured this year, and where we spent our hard earned dollar. Once again, taken from Box Office MoJo, the Top 10 films that Australian audiences flocked to see, with how much we spent, are listed below :-

• #1 - 'Deadpool' - released February - $33,314M
• #2 - 'Captain America : Civil War' - released April - $25,699M
• #3 - 'Finding Dory' - released June and still on general release - $22,916M
• #4 - 'The Jungle Book' - released April, and still showing in limited theatres - $22,534M
• #5 - 'Batman v. Superman : Dawn of Justice' - released March - $22,517M
• #6 - 'Zootopia' - released March - $21,242M
• #7 - 'The Revenant' - released January - $15,255M
• #8 - 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2' - released March - $11,697M
• #9 - 'X-Men : Apocalypse' - released May, and still showing in limited theatres - $11,392M
• #10 - 'Kung Fu Panda 3' - released March - $9,808M

Those sitting below but still in the Top 50 so far this year, and worthy of note are 'The Conjuring 2' at #13; 'The Angry Birds Movie' at #15; 'Now You See Me 2' at #18; 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' at #19; 'Independence Day : Resurgence' at #20; 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' at #23; 'The Hateful Eight' at #24; 'Warcraft : The Beginning' at #32; 'Spotlight' at #38; 'The BFG' at #48. Many of these are still on general release, and some only very recently so. What this shows once again is that we have an overwhelming appetite for comic book Superheroes, action fantasy, SciFi & CGI; the animated features do well for the kids dragging Mum & Dad along too; and well made drama will always find an audience.

Turning attention to this week then, there are five new movies coming to a cinema near you. Starting off with a hero who has seen plenty of film action over the last one hundred years, this is the first live action feature this century and with an all star cast and an accomplished Director, the jungle drums are beating, the wildlife is circling, and there's familiar yell through the trees that can only mean one man has returned. Then we go to the great Aussie outback that has a search for a missing girl amidst crime, corruption and cover-ups in a small mining community; followed up by a New York love triangle story that seems sure to raise more moral questions than it answers. We then have a true story surrounding the Revolution in Iran of 1979, and the impact on one particular family who went from hero to zero overnight and the lengths they went to in order to secure their safety & security when all about them was in turmoil; and wrapping up with two brothers needing to secure responsible, respectable dates with which to attend a family wedding, but needless to say things don't go quite according to plan.

With action, drama, comedy and romance on this weeks agenda, plus the raft of other great cinematic content still on general release and as Reviewed or Previewed between these pages, there is no excuse not to get out to your local movie theatre. When you have done so, be sure to drop your thoughts and film experience into the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear your views. In the meantime, enjoy your film.

'THE LEGEND OF TARZAN' (Rated M) - this tree swinging, loin cloth wearing, ape loving jungle hero turned 100 years old in 2012 - having first emerged as the subject of a novel 'Tarzan of the Apes' immortalised by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912. The first full length feature film appeared in 1918 with 51 subsequent live action and animated films since then right up to 2005. Perhaps the most memorable and loved Tarzan was played by Johnny Weissmuller - a record breaking swimmer and winner of five Olympic Gold medals at the 1924 and 1928 Olympics in Paris and Amsterdam respectively. His first film 'Tarzan the Ape Man' was released in 1932 and all up he made twelve appearances as the jungle hero. Buster Crabbe, another Olympic Swimmer of 1928 and 1932 appeared in 1933's 'Tarzan the Fearless' with Lex Barker starring in five films and Gordon Scott in six. By the 1970's Tarzan had largely had his time, albeit John Derrick's 'Tarzan the Ape Man' in 1981 with Miles O'Keefe; 'Greystoke : The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes' in 1984 with Christopher Lambert; 'Tarzan in Manhattan' and 'Tarzan Returns' in 1987 and 1996 both with Joe Lara, and then 'Tarzan and the Lost City' with Casper Van Dien in 1998 saw the last of the live action offerings. There have been four animated features since then - three from Disney Studios and as recently as 2005. Tarzan has a rich and colourful history taking in a multitude of films, television series, radio shows, theatre productions, novels, comic books, video games and action figures. And, there is a San Fernando Valley neighbourhood named 'Tarzana' established around a former ranch owned by the characters creator.

With the history lesson over how will this latest live action offering go in an era of Marvel dominated Superheroes, hi-technology, advanced gadgetry and otherworldly enemies? David Yates Directs an all star cast headed up by Alexander Skarsgard as our planet of the apes man for a cool US$180M that sees John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke (aka Tarzan) return to the African Congo from his home in London to thwart Captain Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz) a corrupt and ruthless Belgian officer sent by his King to search for diamonds and take control of the Region. He teams up with Chief Mbonga (Djimon Hounsou) who controls the diamond trade and the Region but has a vendetta against Tarzan. Meanwhile, Tarzan and his wife Jane Porter (Margot Robbie) travel to the Congo with George Washington Williams (Samuel L. Jackson) to investigate stories of locals being enslaved. When paths cross, and the animal kingdom go on the rampage at the will of Tarzan, it will invariably come down to the survival of the fittest and the law of the jungle, and my money is on the loin cloth clad ape man! Jim Broadbent also stars.

'GOLDSTONE' (Rated M) - this film opened the Sydney Film Festival on 8th June and had its World Premier then, before going on general release in Australia this week. Directed and Written by Ivan Sen who also acted as Cinematographer and wrote the music score, this is the sequel to his highly acclaimed and multi-award winning and nominated 2013 film 'Mystery Road'. This films sees Aaron Pedersen reprising his role as Detective Jay Swan who rolls half-drunk and semi-conscious into the Australian outback town of Goldstone where he is promptly picked up by the only cop in this one horse town, Josh (Alex Russell). The two form an unlikely partnership as they in go in search of a missing girl, whilst coming up against various road blocks put in their way by the town's Mayor (Jacki Weaver) and the local mining company boss (David Wenham) that only add to the web of intrigue and unravel a mass of crime and corruption in this remote community. David Gulpilil also stars.

'MAGGIE'S PLAN' (Rated M) - Written, Directed and Co-Produced by Rebecca Miller this dramadeyrom stars Greta Gerwig as Maggie, a young intellectual New Yorker who decides to have a child without the burden of a man. She inseminates herself with the aid of Guy (Travis Fimmel) a former college friend and then promptly falls for John (Ethan Hawke) - an unhappy author married to Georgette (Julianne Moore)  - a Columbia University Professor. John and Georgette's marriage is however, on the slide. Fast track a few years and John and Maggie are now married, but Maggie is fast falling out of love with her husband, and so she hatches a plan to reunite her husband with his ex-wife. The film Premiered at TIFF in September last year, and was subsequently shown at the New York Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival and Berlin Film Festival in February before its official US release in May. It has so far grossed US$2.2M.

'SEPTEMBERS OF SHIRAZ' (Rated M) - based on Dahlia Sofer's 2007 novel 'The Septembers of Shiraz' this is a true story Directed by Wayne Blair set in the lead up to the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Before that time Iran was a prosperous country where there was tolerance of all religions and people could live and flourish. But come the Revolution and life changes for many in an instant, including that of the prosperous Jewish family led by Isaac Amin (Adrien Brody) - a successful jeweller based in Tehran. One morning, for no apparent reason he is arrested, carted off and interrogated leaving his distraught wife Farnez (Selma Hayek) to make sense of it all, secure the release of her husband and get him and their family the hell outta Dodge! A searing insight into how quickly lives can change, and how much pain and anguish can be endured to save those closest to you.

'MIKE AND DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES' (Rated MA15+) - well, here, once again, we have Zac Efron playing . . . well, Zac Efron! Stuck it seems in type cast Hell judging by his more recent fare, here he plays David, surprise surprise half of a delinquent brother duo to Michael (Adam DeVine) who have a reputation for trashing and upsetting family gatherings because of their hi-jinx and dangerous antics. With their sisters wedding on the horizon planned for Hawaii their parents order the boys to secure responsible, respectable wedding dates. After placing an ad. on social media which quickly goes viral, and then the boys appear on the daytime infotainment talk show - 'The Wendy Williams Show' to promote themselves, they catch the eyes and the ears of Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza) and Alice (Anna Kendrick) who appear to be everything that Mike and Dave's parents could wish for. However, when the foursome arrive in Hawaii with family and guests in tow, the girls shows their true colours and the boys find themselves outsmarted, out-partied and outdone at every turn by the uncontrollable and unhinged girls. Directed by Jake Szymanski.

Five new filmic offerings for the week ahead, so get on out to your local multiplex and treat yourself to some movie goodness. Remember to share your thoughts with this Blog after your movie of choice, and in the meantime, I'll see you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-