TWISTERS : Tuesday 16th July 2024.

I saw the M Rated 'TWISTERS' at my local multiplex this week, and this American action adventure disaster film is Directed by Lee Isaac Chung who rose to fame and recognition with 'Minari' in 2020 which went on to collect 122 award wins and a further 245 nominations from around the awards and festival circuit. This film is a stand alone sequel to the 1996 film 'Twister' which starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, was Directed Jan de Bont and grossed US$495M against a production budget of US$90M. This film had a production budget of about US$180M and was released stateside this week on 19th July, has so far grossed US$31M and has received positive critical acclaim.

The films opens up with a team of storm chasers in Oklahoma, led by Kate Copper (Daisy Edgar-Jones), her love interest Jeb (Daryl McCormack), Javi (Anthony Ramos), Addy (Kiernan Shipka) and Praveen (Nik Dodani) as they battle against all odds to suck the energy out of a category EF5 tornado armed with barrels of a compound akin to what they make disposable nappies from. Initially expecting the said tornado to be a category EF1 or EF2 it quickly spirals into a category EF5 leaving the gang of five to attempt to take shelter under a road bridge, only for Praveen to be sucked into the vortex followed quickly by Addy and then Jeb while he is trying to protect Kate who is clinging onto a railing for dear life. In the heat of the moment Kates leg is badly slashed by a piece of flying debris. She emerges sometime later to a countryside laid to waste.

We then fast forward five years and Kate is seen working at a New York meteorology office and has seemingly settled into her new life and far away from chasing down twisters in Oklahoma's Tornado Alley. Into the office that same day sidles Javi who is now a well meaning entrepreneur with a plan to lure Kate back to Oklahoma by using some of the latest 3D image capturing devices to gain a far better understanding of what makes tornado's tick. Javi meanwhile seems to be on the payroll of a morally corrupt real estate agent wanting to purchase the land for a song from the victims of the tornado's devastating impacts and when they are at their most vulnerable. Kate is initially dismissive of Javi's suggestion, but soon comes round and takes a week off work to study tornado's up close and personal as storm season ramps up across Oklahoma. 

Arriving in Oklahoma at a meeting point with a rag tag bunch of other amateur storm chasers, Kate meets Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) who goes by the moniker of 'Tornado Wrangler' - a seemingly charming but often reckless social media superstar who thrives on posting to his own YouTube channel his storm chasing exploits and has had over one million views. On Tyler's team there is also Boone (Brandon Perea) the videographer, Lilly (Sasha Lane) the drone operator, Dexter (Tunde Adebimpe) and Dani (Katy O'Brian) a mechanic, as well as Ben (Harry Hadden-Paton) a south London journalist who is profiling Tyler. We are also introduced to Scott (David Corenswet) - Javi's business partner. 

What follows is a series of twisters that both Javi and Tyler compete for to get there first before said tornado's slice a swathe of destruction through central Oklahoma leaving levelled towns and villages in their wake. In the meantime, we have Javi and Scott coming to blows over Javi's steadfast belief in Kate's ability to locate the next twister just by looking at the cloud formations, the direction the wind is blowing and how much precipitation there is in the air; plus Javi's belief that they should stop and help the clean up efforts at the devastated towns they pass through rather that Scott's POV that they should call in their unscrupulous real estate business partner.

And then there is the interest that Kate and Tyler are developing for each other. Kate decides to look up her Mum, Cathy (Maura Tierney) whom she hasn't seen or spoken to in a long while and who lives on a farm a couple of hours drive away. The pair reconnect and the next day Tyler rocks up unexpectedly and is invited to stay overnight by Cathy. In the shed on the farm property lies Kate's mock up of small town with a large fan placed underneath with which she used to create her own indoor tornado's as part of her scientific experiments, plus all of her note books journalling her theories, successes and failures. All of this leads Tyler and Kate to contact Javi and ask him for the hard-drive of the 3D images that they had so far captured from targeting a twister. This data in turn enables them to determine with greater accuracy the validity of Kate's earlier hypothesis. Armed with this data, and about a dozen barrels of sodium polyacrylate (the super absorbent compound found in those disposable nappies), the pair venture out to locate the next twister and release the stuff. 

The pair arrive in El Reno, Oklahoma and can see that a twister is already forming and making its presence felt on the outskirts of the town. The local townsfolk all begin to scatter and panic as the tornado forms into an EF5 and so begins its destructive force on the town. Javi and Scott are in hot pursuit and observing that a desperate situation is about to unfold on El Reno, Javi says that they need to go and help while Scott is adamant that they need to give their real estate contact the heads-up, and to forget about the people of the soon to be flattened town. Javi wins the day and leaves Scott abandoned on the side of the road out of town. 

With a tornado bearing down Tyler, Kate and Javi corral as many of the townsfolk as they can into a local movie theatre for protection from the storm, however, the roof gets ripped off as does the outer wall in front of which is the cinema screen, with Tyler barely clinging on to Lilly from being sucked out into the vortex. In the meantime, Kate has driven Tyler's truck into the base of the tornado and has successfully launched the sodium polyacrylate into the heart of the twister, with it having the desired effect and effectively drying out the tornado from within. Within a couple of minutes the storm has eased, and so Tyler and Javi run across the field to Kate's aid.

In the closing scene Javi drops Kate off at the airport to catch her return flight home to New York. Tyler pulls up in his truck and the two men bid an uneasy farewell to Kate, with Kate's closing words to Tyler being his own credo 'if you feel it, chase it!' Standing at the departure gate Kate hears a message that her flight has been delayed due to a severe weather warning at which point Tyler emerges by her side and the pair leave the airport together.

'Twisters' is certainly worth the price of your cinema ticket, and for all the expertly rendered CGI effects this film makes for compelling viewing on a big screen as the cloud formations, the swirling violent vortex of the twisters themselves, the flying debris and the destruction on the ground in the aftermath are writ large on a grand scale. Both Powell and Edgar-Jones give convincing performances which helps in carrying the storyline forward in a grounded and realistic manner, although a little bit of a romantic relationship between the pair would not have gone amiss either. Whilst it is more than likely to cement its place as one of this season's blockbuster offerings, I couldn't help feel that the plot was a little predictable, and just a rehash of the 1996 original brought up to date with modern day effects and lots of scientific mumbo jumbo that you have to take with a handful of salt. That said, Director Lee Isaac Chung has crafted a film that is sure to please fans of the disaster genre, and offer up something new to those fans unfamiliar with its predecessor.

'Twisters' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 11th July 2024.

Well hello again to all you movie goers, you cinephiles and you film fanatics the world over, I'm back after a five month hiatus from bringing you Odeon Online at least twice a week. Normal service is resumed and it's good to return to your screens with all the latest goings on at your local big screen Odeon, so stay tuned, locked in and online for more of the good stuff from across the world of cinema.

So getting straight back into it, this week there are four new movies coming to your local Odeon, all of which hail from the US. Launching with a stand alone sequel to a hugely successful 1996 film that this time around sees a retired tornado-chaser and meteorologist persuaded to return to Oklahoma to work with a new team and new weather-alert technologies. Then we turn to a triptych offering that are loosely connected that sees a man seeking to break free from his predetermined path; a cop who questions his wife's demeanour after her return from a supposed drowning; and a woman in search for an extraordinary individual prophesied to become a renowned spiritual leader. This is followed by a romantic dramedy that sees a marketing maven and a by the book launch director who must team up for a mission set against the high stakes backdrop of NASA's 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing; and wrapping up the week we have a horror slasher movie that is the reported third and final outing in this trilogy set this time in 1980's Hollywood when an adult film star and aspiring actress finally gets her big break, but, as a mysterious killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood, a trail of blood threatens to reveal her sinister past.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the four 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.

'TWISTERS' (Rated M) - this American action adventure disaster film is Directed by Lee Isaac Chung who rose to fame and recognition with 'Minari' in 2020 which went on to collect 122 award wins and a further 245 nominations from around the awards and festival circuit. This film is a stand alone sequel to the 1996 film 'Twister' which starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, was Directed Jan de Bont and grossed US$495M against a production budget of US$90M. 

Still wracked by a devastating encounter with a tornado, Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is lured back to the wide open plains by her friend, Javi (Anthony Ramos), to test a groundbreaking yet experimental weather alert system. She soon crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), a charming but often reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures. As the tornado season intensifies, Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves in a fight for their lives as multiple storm systems converge over central Oklahoma. This film had a production budget of US$200M and is released stateside next week on 19th July. 

'KINDS OF KINDNESS' (Rated MA15+) - labelled an absurdist black comedy anthology film this is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by the acclaimed Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos whose previous film output includes 'The Lobster', 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer', 'The Favourite' and 'Poor Things' most recently. Structured as a 'triptych fable', this film comprises three distinct but loosely connected stories, titled 'The Death of R.M.F.' which follows a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; 'R.M.F. is Flying', about a Policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person; and 'R.M.F. Eats a Sandwich' about a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader. The films stars Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn and Mamoudou Athie, saw its World Premiere screening at this years Cannes Film Festival, was released in the US on the 21st June, in the UK on 28th June and this week here in Australia, having so far grossed US$6M off the back of a US$15M production budget. 

'FLY ME TO THE MOON' (Rated M) - this American romantic dramedy is Directed by Greg Berlanti whose prior feature film output takes in 'The Broken Hearts Club' in 2000, 'Life as We Know It' in 2010 and 'Love, Simon' in 2018 as well as creating, writing and producing numerous successful TV shows and series. Set during the 1960's Space Race between the USA and the USSR, a relationship develops between the NASA Director in charge of the Apollo 11 launch, Cole Davis (Channing Tatum) and the marketing specialist, Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson) brought in to fix NASA's public image and stage a 'back-up' fake Moon landing in the event that the real mission fails. Also starring Woody Harrelson and Ray Romano the film is released this week in the US and Canada too and had a production budget of US$100M.

'MAXXXINE' (Rated MA15+) - is an American slasher action thriller film Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Edited by Ti West and is the third film in the 'X' series which kicked off with 'X' in 2022 and was quickly followed by 'Pearl : An X-traordinary Origin Story' also in 2022. Those first two films in the series grossed a combined near US$30M off the back of a total budget of just US$2M and both were also critically lauded. Here, Maxine (once again played by Mia Goth) sets out for fame and fortune in 1980's Hollywood while being targeted by a mysterious killer, after being cast as the lead in a new horror film being helmed by Elizabeth Bender (Elizabeth Debicki), in spite of the fact that all of her previous film credits were in adult films. Also starring Kevin Bacon, Giancarlo Esposito, Lily Collins, Halsey, Bobby Cannavale and Michelle Monaghan. The film was released in the US last week and has so far grossed US$8M. 

With four 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-

MINARI : Tuesday 2nd March 2021.

'MINARI' which I saw earlier this week, is a PG Rated American drama film Written and Directed by Lee Isaac Chung whose previous feature film credits are 'Munyurangabo', 'Lucky Life', 'Abigail Harm' and the documentary 'I Have Seen My Last Born'. The film saw its World Premiere showcasing at the Sundance Film Festival at the end of January 2020, winning both the US Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the US Dramatic Audience Award, and in the meantime has collected sixty-seven award wins and a further 161 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit including three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, ten Critics' Choice Movie Award nominations, six Independent Spirit Award nominations, and the recently announced Golden Globe Award win for Best Foreign Language Film. Needless to say the film has been universally acclaimed, cost US$2M to produce and has so far returned US$737K since its release in the US on 12th February and here in Australia on 18th February.

Set during the 1980's the Korean American Yi family moves from California to a rural plot of fifty acres in Arkansas in search of their own American Dream. Arriving at the new home is husband and father Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun), his wife and mother Monica (Han Ye-ri), older daughter Anne (Noel Kate Cho) and younger son David (Alan Kim). Although Jacob has visited the property before, this is the first time that the other family members have clapped eyes on the place, and suffice to say there are none too pleased with the sight that greets them. There new home in the Ozarks hinterland is a mobile home propped up on wheels that seems to be a far cry from the comforts they enjoyed in California. But nonetheless Jacob is determined to make a go of it and live off the land, by cultivating Korean crops which he will sell to markets and shops in Dallas to sustain the 40,000 or so Korean immigrants to America every year. 

One of the early decisions Jacob makes is to pass on the services of a water diviner for the sum of US$300 and so he digs a well in a spot he finds on his own. Next up he enlists the help of Paul (Will Patton), a local man who sells him a tractor for US$2,000 and who is also deeply religious. While Jacob is optimistic about the family's future prospects, Monica is disappointed and worries about David's heart condition. David is constantly told not to run for fear of worsening the condition. The husband and wife team work sexing chicks at a nearby hatchery and argue a lot while David and Anne listen in from their bedrooms. 

To help mind the children throughout the day, they arrange for Monica's mother Soon-ja (Youn Yuh-jung) to travel from Korea to live with them. David, who only meets his grandmother for the first time, is forced to share his bedroom with her, and he goes out of his way to avoid her because she does not conform to his idea of how a grandmother should be - she swears a lot, doesn't bake cookies and smells are just some of his complaints. That said, Soon-ja attempts to adjust to life in the US and bond with her grandchildren.

In the meantime, Jacob's crops are growing well and plentiful, although one day he notices that the drip irrigation lines have stopped running. The well that Jacob dug some months earlier had run dry. He is reluctant to pay for county water, but ultimately is forced to do so. He also encounters additional challenges, such as the vendor in Dallas cancelling their order just as he was about to dispatch it. Still, he perseveres despite Monica's repeated wishes to return to California. This puts extra strain on their marriage.
  

One day Soon-ja takes David out walking on the property, and they come to a stream where she says to the young boy that they should plant minari seeds by the waters edge. She tells them of how resilient and useful the plant is, and predicts plentiful growth, using the seeds that she brought over from Korea. David gradually starts to bond with his grandmother after she teaches him card games, bandages a wound to his foot, and gently strokes him to sleep. She also encourages him to be more physical, suggesting he run more even though his parents discourage any form of physical activity that would put undue pressure on his already fragile heart, saying that he is stronger than they think he is.

Soon-ja suffers a stroke one night and whilst she survives with the aid of medical treatment, she is left with impaired speech and movement. Jacob, Monica, David, and Anne travel to Oklahoma City for David's heart appointment with a specialist doctor and to meet with a potential vendor to sell Jacob's produce. They learn that David's heart condition has dramatically improved and Jacob makes a deal to sell vegetables to a Korean grocer, although Jacob also indirectly admits to Monica that the success of his crops is more important to him than the stability of their family, and if she wants to go back to California then she is free to do so, but without him, as he needs to finish what he started. Following an emotional argument, the pair quietly agree to go their separate ways.

While the family were in Oklahoma Soon-ja was left home alone, where she decided to have a clear out of the barn and burn the garbage, as was common practice. However, that evening while stoking the fire in an old oil drum, she accidentally sets the barn containing David's recently harvested crops on fire. Driving back in the dark Soon-ja comments that she smells smoke and there is a faint glow on the horizon. Upon arriving home to the burning barn, Jacob rushes in to save his crops, and Monica soon follows. Quickly the fire grows out of control, and they decide to save each other while leaving the barn and all of its produce to burn. A distraught and confused Soon-ja starts to wander off into the night, as Anne and David call for her to come back. As she does not responding to them, David breaks into a sprint to catch up with her, blocking her path. Soon-ja appears to recognise David for a moment, and reaches for his hand and the grandchildren lead her back home. Later, Jacob and Monica are with the water diviner who locates a position for a well. They mark it with a heavy stone noting their intention to remain on the farm. Jacob and David then head to the stream to harvest the minari, which had grown plentifully, with Jacob noting that Soon-ja picked a good place to plant the seeds.

'Minari' moves along at a slow lumbering pace with nothing really by way of story line other that what goes down in the daily lives of this immigrant family that have moved from Korea to California to rural Arkansas in search of the great American Dream - and do the get there? Well kind of I guess, but not without hardship and anguish along the way. This is hardly an uplifting film, although at the end there is some light at the end of the tunnel as the family seem to have reconciled themselves to their fate. The positives are the performances from the principle cast most notably young Alan Kim and the family matriarch Youn Yuh-jung who is not afraid to speak her mind, uses profanity, plays practical jokes and makes decisions in isolation of others no matter the consequences. The full range of human behaviour and emotions are on display here which adds depth and heart to the otherwise thin story, and a poignancy to Director Chung's autobiographical film of his own upbringing in rural Arkansas. 

'Minari' warrants four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a potential five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 18th February 2021.

The 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam was held from 1st through to 7th February in various locations in and around Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Since its foundation in 1972, it has maintained a focus on independent and experimental filmmaking by showcasing emerging talents and established auteurs. The festival also places a focus on presenting cutting edge media art and arthouse film, with most of the participants in the short film programme identified as artists or experimental filmmakers. 

This years opening night feature presentation was 'Riders of Justice' from Denmark and Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen and stars Mads Mikkelsen, Nicolas Bro, Lars Brygmann and Nikolaj Lie Kaas. The films tells the story of a former soldier who returns home to care for his daughter after his wife died in a tragic train accident. However, when a survivor of the wreck surfaces and claims foul play, he begins to suspect his wife was murdered and embarks on a mission to find those responsible.

IFFR's trade mark Tiger Competition celebrates the innovative and adventurous spirit of up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world. The competition was founded in 1995 with the aim of discovering, raising the profile of and rewarding up-and-coming international film talent. The Tiger Award is accompanied by a €40K cash prize, to be shared between the Director and Producer of the winning film. Two Special Jury Awards worth €10K are also presented for exceptional artistic achievement within the competition.

This years winner of the Tiger Award was presented to P. S. Vinothraj in his Directorial debut for the Indian film 'Pebbles' about a poverty-stricken father and son who wander a southern Indian landscape where anger and frustration burn hotter than the sun. Two Special Jury Award prizes were presented to Pascal Tagnati for his Directorial debut feature film 'I Comete - A Corsican Summer' from France exploring a cross-section of life in a Corsican village where tradition is revered, observing the locals throughout one summer; and presented to Norika Sefa for her Directorial feature film debut 'Looking for Venera' from Kosovo about Kosovan teenager Venera, struggling to go her own way in a strongly patriarchal situation. All three films saw their World Premier screening at IFFR. 

The films selected for the Big Screen Competition are presented to an audience jury composed of five film lovers. Together they determine which film they think deserves to be shown in movie theatres across the Netherlands and broadcast on television after the festival. The winner of the Big Screen Award wins a cash prize of €30K, half of which goes to the distributor who decides to buy the film. And this years winner, from a line up of fourteen films, was 'El perro que no calla' ('How to Be a Man') Directed by Ana Katz from Argentina.

The Audience Award is given to the filmmaker of the film in the official selection with the highest average vote in the audience poll. The winning filmmaker will receive a €5K prize! This years winner was announced as Jasmila Zbanic for her film 'Quo Vadis, Aida?' from Bosnia and Herzegovina from a line up of thirty-five films in total. 

The Critics FIPRESCI Award is given to the best film in the Tiger Competition. The jury assembles members of the Federation Internationale de la Presse Cinematographique (FIPRESCI), which consists of international film journalists, and this years win went to 'The Edge of Daybreak' from Thailand by Director Taiki Sakpisit in his feature film making debut. The film had its World Premier screening. The Critics KNF Award is given by the 'Circle of Dutch Film Journalists' with this year the Award went to the best film in the Tiger Short Competition being the twenty-seven minute short film 'Manifesto' from Norway and Directed by Ane Hjort Guttu. This film saw its International Premier showcasing. 

For the full line up of awards presented, plus all the news, views and reviews from this years 50th IFFR, you can visit the official website at : https://iffr.com/en

And so turning attention back to this week, we have six latest release new movies coming to your local Odeon. And we start off with a drama offering about a Korean American family who move to rural Arkansas in the '80's in search of a new life and the American Dream. This is followed by an American crime thriller about a Deputy Sheriff sent to Los Angeles who becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorising the city. Next up is an English film about a teenage lad who spends his summer listening to heavy metal music and trying to get along with his librarian mum, and we then close out the week with three documentaries, the first of which concerns a handful of men who search for the rare, expensive and delicious white Alba truffles deep in the forests of Piedmont, Italy. Then the second is an in depth exploration of the life and work of an acclaimed musician who never shied away from the political and social turbulence of his era. And we wrap up the week with an Aussie doco charting the first thirty years of an influential and acclaimed dance company that has its roots firmly set in Aboriginal culture. 

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the six 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.

'MINARI' (Rated PG) - is an American drama film Written and Directed by Lee Isaac Chung whose previous feature film credits are 'Munyurangabo', 'Lucky Life', 'Abigail Harm' and the documentary 'I Have Seen My Last Born'. The film saw its World Premiere showcasing at the Sundance Film Festival at the end of January 2020, winning both the US Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the US Dramatic Audience Award, and in the meantime has collected fifty-four award wins and a further 142 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit including three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, ten Critics' Choice Movie Award nominations, six Independent Spirit Award nominations, and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Needless to say the film has been universally acclaimed, and was released theatrically in the US last week. 

Set during the 1980's a Korean American family moves from California to a rural plot of land in Arkansas in search of its own American Dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home. Starring Steven Yeun as the father Jacob Yi, Han Ye-ri as mother Monica, Alan Kim as their son David, Noel Kate Cho as daughter Anne and Youn Yuh-jung as Monica's mother Soon-ja who travels from Korea to help out the struggling new farmers with their children. Also starring Will Patton. 

'THE LITTLE THINGS' (Rated M) - is an American crime thriller Directed, Written and Co-Produced by John Lee Hancock who previous film making outings include 'The Rookie', 'The Alamo', 'The Blind Side', 'Saving Mr. Banks', 'The Founder' and 'The Highwaymen'. The film cost US$30M to make, has so far generated mixed or average Reviews and has recouped US$13M of that initial budget investment since its release Stateside at the end of January. Here, Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe 'Deke' Deacon (Denzel Washington) joins forces with Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) to search for a serial killer who's terrorising Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, suspect #1 Albert Sparma (Jared Leto), Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke's past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case. For his performance, Leto received Best Supporting Actor nominations at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

'DAYS OF THE BAGNOLD SUMMER' (Rated M) - this British film is Directed by 'The Inbetweeners' star Simon Bird in his feature film making debut. It saw its World Premier screening at the Locarno Film Festival back in August 2019, went on release in the UK in early June last year and only now does it arrive at Australian cinemas. The film is based on the graphic novel by Jeff Winterhart, features a soundtrack by Belle & Sebastian, and has garnered positive Press so far. The film centres around the somewhat precarious relationship between well-meaning single librarian mother Sue Bagnold (Monica Dolan) and her black-clad teenage son Daniel (Earl Cave), who'd rather listen to the death metal sounds of Metallica than his mother. Daniel was meant to spend the summer in Florida visiting his Dad, but is now stuck with Mum following the trip's cancellation. Over the course of the six week summer break, will mother and son be able to find some common ground from which they can begin to relate to each other and reignite the fun times they used to have together? Also starring Rob Bryden, Tamsin Greig and Alice Lowe.

'THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS' (Rated M) - this Italian documentary film is Directed and Written by Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw who also take on the roles of Cinematographers here too. The film has garnered universal critical acclaim since its World Premier screening at the Sundance Film Festival back in January 2020. This week it gets its release in Australia and in the US on 5th March. Deep in the forests of Piedmont, Italy, a handful of men, seventy or eighty years of age, hunt for the rare and expensive white Alba truffle—which so far has resisted all of modern science's efforts at cultivation. They're guided by a secret culture and training handed down through generations, as well as by the noses of their cherished and expertly trained dogs. They live a simpler, slower pace of life, in harmony with their loyal animals and their picture perfect country-side, that seemingly comes straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. 

'ZAPPA' (Rated MA15+) - Directed and Co-Produced by Alex Winter - the Actor, film maker, Producer and Writer who has thirty-seven directorial, twenty-eight acting, sixteen Producer and eleven writing credits to his name including as Bill, in three 'Bill & Ted' films, here brings us this highly acclaimed documentary exploring the life of musician Frank Zappa. He died in 1993 at the age of 52, but during his career as a rock guitarist, orchestral composer, music producer, innovative filmmaker, businessman, and social and political commentator he left an indelible mark on his chosen path in life that continues to amaze with over sixty albums of music from rock to orchestral, in addition to innumerable films, concerts and other accomplishments. With unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage, this film explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time.

'FIRESTARTER : THE STORY OF BANGARA' (Rated M) - this Australian documentary film is Directed and Written by Wayne Blair and Nel Minchin and charts the birth and spectacular growth to where this Australian dance company is today as it enters its fourth decade. It recognises Bangarra’s early founders and tells the story of how three young Aboriginal brothers – Stephen, David and Russell Page – turned the newly born dance group into one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies. Through the eyes of the Page brothers and company alumni, 'Firestarter' explores the loss and reclaiming of culture, the burden of intergenerational trauma and crucially, the extraordinary power of art as a messenger for social change and healing.

With six 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-