IRRESISTIBLE : Tuesday 20th October 2020

'IRRESISTIBLE' which I saw at my local multiplex earlier this week is an M Rated American political comedy film Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Jon Stewart. The film was released in selected theatres and through Premium Video on Demand in the US at the back end of June, has so far taken US$253K and has generated mixed or average Reviews. Stewart's only other previous film making gig was with 'Rosewater' in 2014, although he has written numerous television series and specials, has forty-eight Producer credits and thirty-four Actor credits to his name too and has hosted his own long running television show, the Academy Awards (twice) and the Grammy Awards (twice) too amongst other things. 

After the opening credits sequence in which we see still photographs of a number of ex-US Presidents all from within living memory in various states of relaxed playfulness, we cut to a scene in which the successful Democratic Party campaign consultant Gary Zimmer (Steve Carell) is in a state of despair following the results of the 2016 presidential election. Zimmer is a few days later shown a video that has gone viral of Marine Colonel Jack Hastings (Chris Cooper) turned local respected farmer standing up for the immigrant population of his hometown of Deerlaken, Wisconsin at a local town hall meeting chaired by Mayor Braun (Brent Sexton). At his Washington D.C. office surrounded by a number of his staffers, Zimmer makes the decision that if he can run Hastings as the Democratic mayoral candidate in the next town election, then he stands a good chance of convincing the people in the American heartland to vote Democrat in the next presidential election. 

Zimmer travels to Deerlaken in order to convince Hastings to run for mayor. Upon arriving, it would be fair to say that Zimmer is somewhat surprised and shocked by the cultural divide that exists between the ordinary rural dwelling townsfolk of Deerlaken compared to the cut & thrust, take no prisoners cashed up privileged existence of life in Washington D.C. After spending a day helping out on Hastings' farm, Zimmer meets with Diana Hastings (Mackenzie Davis), the 28 year old daughter of the Colonel, and he then pitches this idea to them both. Initially the Colonel is not struck on the idea, but Zimmer can be very convincing when he wants to be. After some reluctance, the Colonel agrees but upon condition that Zimmer personally runs the campaign from Deerlaken himself, because after all, the Colonel considers himself conservative with no real leanings towards politics, or experience in this field. 

Following his first introduction to a small gathered group of townsfolk at his farm in front of assembled cameras, the Colonel recruits his friends and neighbours as campaign volunteers to aid his efforts. A number of setbacks soon come to the fore including the fact that most of the town appears conservative and that the incumbent Mayor Braun is being funded directly by the Republican National Committee. The RNC sends Faith Brewster (Rose Byrne) Zimmer's arch nemesis to Deerlaken, to counteract him.

Zimmer decides he needs to take Hastings to New York to meet the powerbrokers there - especially the ones with the deep pockets prepared to donate to his campaign. Arriving at the private lavish townhouse residence of a Mr. Peeler (Bruce Altman), Hastings gives an impassioned speech to the gathered group of potential donors and how he needs their collective help to save his small town in country Wisconsin. On the flight back Zimmer is overcome with emotion recounting Hastings speech, and over the ensuing days the donations come flooding in, so allowing Zimmer to upgrade their approach and enlist the technology and the human resources to make a difference and thwart the incumbent mayor, Braun. 

As a result Hastings who was lagging behind in the polls to Braun, soon catches him up and they are fairly evenly matched. However, just as things appear to be going in Hastings favour, the campaign takes a nose dive when one of Zimmer's team members Tina De Tessant (Natasha Lyonne) advertises a pro-contraceptive platform to a group of single women who turn out to be nuns. Needless to see the media, and Faith Brewster, have a field day.

When Zimmer starts going off at his campaign mates, which he often does in public and in private but often being overheard, Diana convinces him to apologise and that if he is going to run her father's campaign, he needs to be more civil. When it begins to look like Braun is going to win the election, Zimmer tries to convince Hastings and Diana to play dirty and start exploiting the skeletons in Braun's cupboards. Diana is mortified that Zimmer would even consider playing dirty tricks and goes to Braun for advice. Braun and Diana decide to secretly reveal a bigger scandal about Braun so Zimmer will not go after Braun's brother, which was his original plan. The scandal it is later revealed is fake.

On the day of the election, only two votes are cast - one for each candidate, which confuses both Zimmer and Brewster. In the town hall where the candidates and their campaign staffers are all gathered to hear the final results it is revealed that the election was in fact an elaborate ruse orchestrated by Diana. She shot the video of her father's immigration speech so that Zimmer and Brewster would watch it and ultimately campaign to pour thousands of dollars into the election, which would help the town through its financial trouble due to the earlier closure of the military base there. Diana conceded that they were only looking to raise US$750K to keep Deerlaken's High School open, but they actually raised US$45M. Zimmer is shocked that Diana would play him in such a way and Diana then explains the town set this up because the D.C. politicians play small towns like theirs all the time. When Zimmer reveals that he was hoping that there was a spark between them, Diana rejects him. Fast forward six months and Diana and her Dad are seen laying out plans for several new buildings and businesses in Deerlaken and extensions to the High School with the US$45M in donations received. Diana becomes the mayor of Deerlaken after a special election, and in closing we are shown three possible love interests involving Zimmer with Diana, Zimmer with Faith Brewster, and Zimmer with Ann (Blair Sims - the owner of the local Cafe, who plies him everyday with coffee and blueberry streusel). 

As political satires go, this film isn't great, but it isn't bad either. There are no laugh out loud moments here, but it did raise a few smirks and chuckles along the way mostly thanks to the comedic expressions, one liners and deadpan delivery of Steve Carell playing the Democratic campaign activist with a sadistic streak but his heart is still in the right place. Rose Byrne also puts in a good turn, as the campaign activist on the other side of the fence but tarred with the same brush as Carell's character, while Chris Cooper and Mackenzie Davis's characters were left somewhat undercooked. As for the Writer and Director Jon Stewart who has crafted a career out of political satire I would have expected a story with a little more cutting edge sharpness and relevance to todays American political landscape - instead he opts for a middle of road, non-committal crowd pleaser that doesn't always land, but the twist in the tale at the end and the chemistry between Carell and Byrne are redeeming payoffs. Also starring Topher Grace and Debra Messing.

'Irresistible' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 15th October 2020.

The British Film Institute London Film Festival is currently in full swing having opened on 7th October and running through until 18th October. This year marks the 64th BFI London Film Festival and this year the programme of cinema screenings and at-home viewings looks very different thanks to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. The festival is being showcased all across the UK, inviting its audience to experience the world’s best new films wherever you are. Twelve days of UK premieres are being made available to enjoy online via BFI Player or in cinemas at BFI Southbank, around London, and throughout the UK. Steve McQueen's 'Mangrove' opened the festival and the closing night film is Francis Lee's 'Ammonite'. 

Of the other fifty-six feature films either being shown virtually or in theatres dotted around the UK, those to watch out for include :

* 'Another Round' - Directed by Thomas Vinterberg , this Danish film stars Mads Mikkelsen. 

* 'Limbo' - Directed and Written by Ben Shurrock, this UK produced film stars Amir El-Masry and Sidse Babett Knudsen.

* 'Nomadland' - Directed, Co-Produced and Written by Chloe Zhao, this American film stars Frances McDormand and Davis Strathairn. 

* 'Notturno' - Directed, Co-Produced and Written by Gianfranco Rosi this is an Italian, French and German co-produced documentary. 

* 'One Night in Miami' - Directed by Regina King, this American film stars Ben-Adir Kingsley, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge and Leslie Odom Jnr. 

* 'Stray' - Directed and Co-Produced by Elizabeth Lo in her feature film making debut, this is an American documentary.

* 'Mogul Mowgli' - Directed and Co-Written by Bassam Tariq in his feature film making debut, this British film stars Riz Ahmed and Alyy Khan. 

* 'Shirley' - Directed by Josephine Decker this American feature film drama stars Elisabeth Moss, Michael Stuhlbarg, Odessa Young and Logan Lerman. 

* 'Siberia' - Directed and Co-Written by Abel Ferrara, this Italian, German and Mexican co-produced thriller film stars Willem Dafoe.

* 'Wildfire' - Directed and Written by Cathy Brady in her feature film making debut, this British film stars Nika McGuigan and Nora Jane Noone. 

* 'David Byrne's American Utopia' - Directed and Co-Produced by Spike Lee this American concert film stars David Byrne.

* 'The Disciple' - Directed and Written by Chaitanya Tamhane, and Executive Produced by Alfonso Cuaron, this Indian production stars Aditya Modak and Arun David.

* 'The Painter and the Thief' - Directed by Benjamin Ree, this is a Norwegian documentary film. 

* 'Ammonite' - Directed and Written by Francis Lee this British drama film stars Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Jones and James McArdle. Selected a the Closing Night feature film. 

* 'Herself' - Directed by Phyllida Lloyd this Irish and British co-produced drama stars Clare Dunne, Harriet Walter and Conleth Hill.

* 'Lovers Rock' - Directed and Co-Written by Steve McQueen as part of his 'Small Axe' anthology this British film stars Amarah-Jae St Aubyn, Michael Ward and Shaniqua Okwok.

* 'Supernova' - Directed by Harry Macqueen this British drama film stars Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci.

* 'Undine' - Directed and Written by Christian Petzold, this German drama stars Paula Beer and Franz Rogowski.

* 'Possessor' - this Brandon Cronenberg (son of David) Written and Directed thriller is a Canadian and British co-production starring Andrea Riseborough, Christopher Abbott and Sean Bean. 

* 'Relic' - Directed and Co-Written by Natalie Erika James this Australian and American co-produced horror film stars Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin and Bella Heathcote.

* 'Rose : A Love Story' - is Directed by Jennifer Sheridan in her feature film debut. This British horror film stars Sophie Rundle, Matt Stokoe and Olive Gray.

* 'Identifying Features' ('Sin Senas Particulares') - Directed and Co-Written by Fernanda Valadez this Mexican and Spanish drama film stars Mercedes Hernandez, David Illescas and Juan Jesus Varela.

* 'Mangrove' - Directed and Co-Written by Steve McQueen as part of his 'Small Axe' anthology this British drama film stars Letitia Wright, Malachi Kirby, Jack Lowden and Shaun Parkes. Selected as the Opening Night feature film.

* 'Time' - Directed and Co-Produced by Garrett Bradley this is an American documentary.

* 'Soul' - is Directed by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers in this Pixar animated feature film starring the voices of Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs and Angela Bassett. 

For all the latest news and views, you can visit the official website at : https://www.bfi.org.uk/london-film-festival

Turning to this week, we launch this weeks four latest release new movies with a crime drama film about an investigation by a LAPD cop and a reporter into the drive by shootings of two famed hip hop artists in 1996 and 1997, before turning to a drama about a couple living in an English seaside town when their relationship is rocked by the announcement of the husband who states that he wants a divorce after 29 years of marriage. Next up is a political comedy about the wheelings and dealings within the US political system to secure votes, and we close out the week with a documentary about a young teenagers quest to reverse the global impacts of climate change. 

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

'CITY OF LIES' (Rated MA15+) - this American crime film is Directed by Brad Furman whose previous film making credits take in 'The Take', 'The Lincoln Lawyer', 'Runner Runner' and 'The Infiltrator'. Based on the 2002 book 'LAbyrinth' by Randall Sullivan, this film was originally scheduled for an early September 2018 release but was subsequently pulled from release due at the time to a later unsubstantiated legal claim. Following the films Premier screening out of competition at the Courmayeur Noir Film Festival in Italy as the closing film, it saw a limited release in Italy in January 2019, and has so far taken US$1.6M at the Box Office. Only now does it go on release in Australia. 

The film tells the story of former LAPD detective, Russell Poole (Johnny Depp), who in 1997 is working the homicide investigations of rappers Tupac Shakur (the highly successful American hip hop artist, who was fatally shot on 7th September 1996, in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 25 years old) and The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace, better known by his stage names 'the Notorious B.I.G.' and 'Biggie Smalls', occurred in the early hours of 9th March 1997. The hip hop artist was shot four times in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California. He was 24 years old). A reporter (based on journalist Randall Sullivan's collaboration with Russell Poole), 'Jack' Jackson (Forest Whitaker), teams up with Poole after nearly two decades to find out the truth. Also starring Xander Berkeley, Shea Whigham and Toby Huss.

'HOPE GAP' (Rated M) - is a British drama film Written and Directed by William Nicholson and based on his own stage play from 1999 'The Retreat from Moscow', and whose previous Screenwriting credits take in 'Shadowlands', 'First Knight', 'Firelight' (which he also Directed), 'Gladiator', 'Elizabeth : The Golden Age', 'Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom', 'Unbroken, 'Everest' and 'Breathe'. The film saw its World Premier screening at TIFF back in September 2019, went on release in the UK towards the end of August and now it gets a limited release in Australia, having garnered mixed or average Reviews so far, and taking just US$113K at the Box Office. Here, Grace (Annette Bening) lives an idyllic life in a British seaside town, but her world soon comes crashing down when her husband Edward (Bill Nighy) of almost thirty years tells her he's leaving her for another woman. Through stages of shock, disbelief and anger, and with support from her son Jamie (Josh O'Connor), Grace in time, regains her footing while learning it's never too late to be happy.

'IRRESISTIBLE' (Rated M) - Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Jon Stewart, this American  political comedy film was released in selected theatres and through Premium Video on Demand in the US at the back end of June, has so far taken US$212K and has generated mixed or average Reviews. Stewart's only other previous film making gig was with 'Rosewater' in 2014, although he has written television series and specials and has forty-eight Producer credits and thirty-four Actor credits to his name too. And so here we have successful Democratic Party campaign strategist Gary Zimmer (Steve Carell) who is in despair after the results of the 2016 presidential election. Gary is shown a viral video of Marine Colonel Jack Hastings (Chris Cooper) giving a speech standing up for the undocumented immigrant population living in his hometown of Deerlaken, Wisconsin. Deciding that if he can run Hastings as the Democratic mayoral candidate in the next election, he can convince the American people in the heartland to vote Democrat in the next presidential election. If only it were that simple! Also starring Rose Byrne, Mackenzie Davis, Topher Grace, Natasha Lyonne and Debra Messing. 

'I AM GRETA' (Rated CTC) - this internationally Co-Produced documentary film is Directed by Nathan Grossman, saw its World Premier showing at the Venice International Film Festival in early September, then at TIFF the following week and goes on release here in Australia, the UK and Germany this week and in the US in mid-November. Having received generally favourable Reviews, this film starts with Greta Thunberg's one-person school strike for climate action outside the Swedish Parliament. Then following Greta, a shy student with Asperger’s, in her rise to prominence and her galvanising global impact as she sparks school strikes around the world. The film culminates with her extraordinary wind-powered voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to speak at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York City.

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

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 19th February 2015.

With all the new release movie hiatus that kick-started 2015, things seem to have dropped a gear now that awards season is almost done and the pressure is off until the Easter Holidays when we can expect new cinema content aimed squarely at that holiday season. Until then, we'll make do with those films Reviewed in previous weeks and still doing the rounds on general release, plus a couple of new releases out in the week ahead that in all probability won't cause a huge stir, but are likely to find an audience nonetheless.

And so we have a Directorial debut from one of America's favourite political satirists, television journalists and two time Oscar Host about an Iranian journalist caught in the proverbial cross-fire while going about his work and paying the price for it; and, Director siblings who brought us one of the most groundbreaking hyped up talked about trilogies in cinema history going back to the world of extravagant Sci-Fi that they know best.

Whatever you choose to watch in the coming week ahead. share your thoughts on Odeon Online in the Comments box immediately below this Post, or any other, and be a movie critic yourself with our ever expanding global readership! Enjoy your film!

JUPITER ASCENDING (Rated M) : Written, Produced and Directed by Andy & Lana Wachowski, who of course brought us 'The Matrix' trilogy in 1999 and then wrapped it up in 2003, have spent US$176M to bring us this foray into fast paced action packed effects laden Sci-Fi with 'Jupiter Ascending'. With a strong cast to help the proceedings this might be the draw card this films needs to give it a boost as Box Office returns have generated a below expectation US$92M faring better outside of the US so far than within it. Anyway, to the story!

Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) cleans upmarket houses for a living with her mother. One day she witnesses a strange phenomenon and takes a photo, but later has no recollection of doing so or what the images in the photo mean. During a minor surgical procedure the medical staff attending to her try to kill here but she is saved by Caine Wise (Channing Tatum) who turns out to be a genetically engineered ex-military fighter and hunter who has been sent from a galaxy far far away to protect and save Jupiter - although she of course has no idea why! When all is revealed it seems that Earth (and many other planets) were seeded long ago by alien royalty who act like a cosmic corporation overseeing numerous interplanetary worlds. It seems that Jupiter by genetic reincarnation is the heir to Planet Earth, but there is an alien family who have other plans for Jupiter Jones and her supposed inheritance - hence the attempt to dispense with her while undergoing surgery! This consists of the Abrasax family (the most powerful of all alien dynasties) - Balem (Eddie Redmayne), Kalique (Tuppence Middleton) and Titus (Douglas Booth) who are at odds with what to do with little old Earth when the family matriarch passes away! The struggles and challenges that ensue could change the course of the cosmos forever, unless Jupiter, with the help of Caine and various others - Stinger Apini (Sean Bean) and Diomika Tsing (Nikki Amuka-Bird) of the inter-galactic Police Force, can overcome those who will stop at nothing to have their way!

ROSEWATER (Rated M) - Jon Stewart is the political satirist, television commentator, media critic, Writer, Producer, Host of The Daily Show, two time Host of the Academy Awards, stand-up comic and now film Director - in this his first outing as such. Here he tells us the story of London based Iranian Canadian BBC journalist Maziar Buhari (Gael Garcia Bernal) who returned to Iran in 2009 to cover the unfolding Presidential elections there, and provides his media footage to foreign publications worldwide. As a result of smuggling election campaign riot footage back to the BBC  he was imprisoned for 118 days in Evin Prison northwest of Tehran where he was mostly blindfolded and harassed, tortured and beaten in isolation for his crime of spying and espionage - the work of a traitor. He was later interviewed by Stewart for the Daily Show which was seen as further evidence that he was indeed a spy and in collaboration with the US Government and the CIA. Buhari's captor and interrogator (Kim Bodnia) for the time spent in Evin Prison was distinguishable only by the smell of rosewater - hence the films title! A poignant, relevant true story deftly handled it seems by first time Director Stewart, that lays a solid foundation for future works.

That's it for this week - two films at complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Whatever you decide to see - either of these, both of these, or any of those still doing the rounds, lets us know your thoughts and share with the cinema going, movie loving film fanatics of the world.

Movies - catch one this week!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-