What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 23rd April 2026.

The 69th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM) occurs this year from Friday 24th April through until Monday 4th May. The SFFILM Festival is the longest-running film festival in the Americas bringing the most innovative films from around the globe to the Bay Area since 1957. The programme features eleven days of hand-selected films, world class talent, captivating Festival Talks, an Industry Summit for filmmakers, College Days, and Schools at the Festival exclusively for local students. Audiences visit to find singular movies from the latest and greatest filmmakers. We teach kids about the world through film and movie-going. And we make sure independent filmmakers get their stories to the big screen. SFFILM invests in the entire cycle of the cinema experience. From world-class festivals to accessible education programmes to grants for working filmmakers, we fuel every aspect of a thriving film culture. So reads the official website.

This years two Opening Night Film presentations are 'Late Fame' from the USA and Directed by Kent Jones and tells the story of when a retired poet’s forgotten writings capture the attention of a vibrant NYC group, admiration, longing, and desire stir in this heartfelt, witty meditation on ambition and second chances. Willem Dafoe and Greta Lee star. And the second is 'The Invite' from the USA and Directed by Olivia Wilde where two San Francisco couples meet for a casual get-to-know-one-another dinner but instead find themselves traversing surprising boundaries of intimacy and relationships. Penelope Cruz, Olivia Wilde, Edward Norton, and Seth Rogen star. Closing out this years SFFILM Festival is a very special Star Wars Day (May the Fourth) screening of 'Star Wars : Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' from 1980 and Directed by Irvin Kershner.

In the Global Visions Competition, the following titles are being showcased :-

* 'The World of Love' - from South Korea and Directed by Yoon Ga-eun. Boisterous and unshakable, a young girl’s harmonious world unravels after a public clash and anonymous letters force her to confront long-buried truths, testing her sense of self and resilience.

* 'Risa and the Wind Phone' - from Argentina and Directed by Juan Cabral. In a small town where the dead call from an abandoned phone booth, a young girl discovers she alone can hear them, setting off a whimsical quest to help spirits—and find her father.

* 'Memory of Princess Mumbi' - from Kenya and Directed by Damien Hauser. In this futuristic Sci-Fi mockumentary, a filmmaker repurposes footage shot in the African nation of Umata as a love letter to the life of Princess Mumbi.

* 'Those Who Whistle After Dark' - from Turkey and Directed by Pinar Yorgancioglu. Retired Melih drifts through life as his wife and daughter pursue risky professional schemes. When ghostly figures appear, domestic absurdity spirals in this offbeat, comic, and charming portrait of family life.

* 'Salvation' - from Turkey and Directed by Emin Alper. This tense and visually striking drama explores the explosive consequences when territorial rivalries ignite in a remote Turkish mountain village.

* 'The Fox King' - from Malaysia and Directed by Woo Ming Jin. Twin brothers try to make a life for themselves with scant resources as they reel from their mother’s death.

* 'Ungrateful Beings' - from the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia and France, and Directed by Olmo Omerzu. What begins as a summer crush evolves into a snowballing disaster as a recently separated father desperately tries to reconnect with his kids.

* 'Inside Amir' - from Iran and Directed by Amir Azizi. A young man hovers on the precipice of a major life change, biking through his beloved Tehran as he awaits a visa approval.

For the details of the other two competitive strands - the Spotlights Documentary Competition and the Spotlights New Directors Competition, and the low down on the other sections being showcased, plus a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : http://www.sffilm.org

Turning the focus then back on this weeks seven hot new release movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, we launch with a musical drama biopic following the life of American singer Michael Jackson, covering the period from his involvement in the Jackson 5 in the 60's to his early solo career, taking in his hit albums 'Off The Wall', 'Thriller' and 'Bad'. Then we turn to a sport action drama offering in which a once-feared MMA champion is pulled back in for the fight of his life after years away from the cage, when his younger brother is put in danger. This is followed by a Japanese psychological horror film where strange events plague a young man as he searches for the exit in an endless subway tunnel. Next up we have a Australian romantic comedy drama film about an isolated young couple who have moved from the big city to the remote countryside lose control of a joke about imaginary friends. Then we have a French historical drama focusing on the origin story of the protagonist from Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, that follows this man's release from prison in 1815 and his transformative encounter with a kindly and forgiving Bishop. Following on is a Moroccan film about a woman who fights to keep her childhood house in Morocco after her daughter decides to sell it; and closing out the week we have a Japanese animated film in which a dying prisoner reflects on his final summer of freedom in 1986, when he lived with a woman and her son surrounded by Housenka flowers.

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.

'MICHAEL' (Rated PG) - this American biographical musical drama film is Directed by Antoine Fuqua, whose previous feature film credits take in the likes of his debut in 1998 with 'The Replacement Killers' which he would follow up with 'Training Day' in 2001, 'Tears of the Sun' in 2003, 'Shooter' in 2007, 'Olympus Has Fallen' in 2013, 'Southpaw' in 2015, 'The Magnificent Seven' in 2016, and 'The Equalizer' trilogy in 2014, 2018 and 2023. He has also helmed a number of documentaries over the years including 'What's My Name : Muhammad Ali' in 2019.  This film Premiered in Berlin earlier this month and is released in the US this week too, having cost in the region of US$200M to produce.

This cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, telling the story of Michael Jackson's life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fuelled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. Starring Michael's nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role and in his film debut, with Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson (father), Nia Long as Katherine Jackson (mother), Miles Teller as John Branca (entertainment lawyer and manager) and Jamal R. Henerson, Tre Horton, Rhyan Hill, Joseph David-Jones and Jessica Sula as Jermaine, Marlon, Tito, Jackie and La Toya - Michael's older siblings respectively. Juliano Krue Valdi stars as the young Michael.

'BEAST' (Rated MA15+) - is a sports action drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Tyler Atkins in only his second feature film making effort following 'Bosch & Rockit' (aka 'Ocean Boy'). Here, after years away from the cage, and now working as a commercial fisherman, the once-feared MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) champion Patton James (Daniel MacPherson) is pulled back in for the fight of his life when his younger brother is put in danger. Reuniting with the trainer Sammy (Russell Crowe) who once made him a legend, he commits to one final showdown against the reigning title-holder Xavier Grau (Bren Foster), a brutal fighter determined to dismantle the ex-champ's legacy in front of the world. Pushed to his breaking point, the contender's stakes are simple - win, or lose everything he's built. The film also stars Luke Hemsworth and Amy Shark, and was released Stateside earlier this month and has so far grossed US$1M.

'EXIT 8' (Rated M) - this Japanese mystery psychological horror film is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Genki Kawamura, and is based on the 2023 video game 'The Exit 8'. A man, credited only as 'The Lost Man' (Kazunari Ninomiya) is trapped in a endless sterile subway passageway and must set out to find Exit 8. The rules of his quest are simple - do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you discover an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don’t, carry on. Then leave from Exit 8. But even a single oversight will send him back to the beginning. Will he ever reach his goal and escape this infinite corridor? The film had its Premiere showcasing at the Midnight Screenings of last years Cannes Film Festival in mid-May, and was released in its native Japan in late August last year. The film has received positive reviews from critics and has so far grossed US$41M.

'ALPHABET LANE' (Rated M) - this Australian romantic comedy drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by James Litchfield in his feature film making debut. Here, Anna (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) and Jack (Nicholas Denton) are a young couple who have recently moved to rural New South Wales from Sydney. With the reality of their new situation failing to live up to their expectations, as a joke they invent imaginary neighbours to cope with their growing loneliness. As letters begin to arrive from their new friends, what started out as a joke soon comes to take over their entire relationship. Also starring Henry Nixon, Alan Dukes and Lily Stewart.

'JEAN VALJEAN' (Rated M) - is a French drama film Co-Written and Directed by Eric Besnard and based on the first one hundred pages of the classic Victor Hugo novel 'Les Miserables'. The film focuses on the specific chapter of the novel where Jean Valjean (Gregory Gadebois) is turned away by society after serving nineteen years of hard labour in prison, and his release in 1815. Issued with identification that forever sees him branded a criminal and ostracised, Jean is not surprised to be repeatedly turned away as he seeks refuge for the night. Desperate, he unknowingly knocks at the door of the house of Monseigneur Bienvenu (Bernard Campan), who lives simply with his sister Baptistine (Isabelle Carre) and a lone servant Magloire (Alexandra Lamy). Against all odds, Bienvenu invites him in. On this crucial night, Jean will face a choice that will define his future. The film saw its release in its native France in mid-November last year, and has been releasing progressively in other territories since.

'CALLE MALAGA' (Rated M) - this Spanish language drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Maryam Touzani, in her third feature film outing following 'Adam' in 2019 and 'The Blue Caftan' in 2022. Seventy-nine-year-old Maria Angeles (Carmen Maura) lives an independent existence in the Spanish quarter of Tangier, Morocco. When her daughter Clara (Marta Etura), a nurse who is facing emotional turmoil and economic difficulties, arrives from Madrid to pressure her into selling the family home, where Maria has lived all her life, the stable trajectory of María's life is thrown off course, until she rediscovers her city and unexpectedly finds a romantic spark that will change her life. The film had its World Premiere in the Venice Spotlight section at last years Venice International Film Festival in late August where it won the section's Audience Award. It was released in France in mid-March, in Spain earlier this month, having generated mostly positive critical reviews.

'THE LAST BLOSSOM' (Rated PG) - is a Japanese animated film that is Co-Written and Directed by Baku Kinoshita. Here, and elderly former Yakuza inmate serving a life sentence, awaits a lonely death in his solitary prison cell, until a voice calls out to him. It belongs to a balsam flower, Housenka (voiced by Pierre Taki) that speaks like a human. Through their 'conversation', the old man begins to reflect on the life he’s led. The film was released in Japan in mid-October last year, and is released here in Australia this week. 

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-

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 10th September 2020.

The 77th annual Venice International Film Festival is currently being held, running from 2nd through to 12th September, albeit in an abridge format because of the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Australian Actress Cate Blanchett has been appointed as the Jury President for this years Main Competition, with other jury members including Matt Dillon (the American Actor), Joanna Hogg (the British Director and Screenwriter), Christian Petzold (the German Director and Screenwriter) and Veronica Franz (the Austrian Director and Screenwriter). Two Italian films were chosen to open and close this years festival - 'The Ties' Directed by Daniele Luchetti opens the festival, and 'You Came Back' Directed by Stefano Mordini, will close. 

The following films are amongst the eighteen features selected to be in the Main International Competition this year.

* 'And Tomorrow the Entire World' from Germany and France this political drama film is Directed by Julia von Heinz.

* 'The Disciple' from India is a drama film Directed, Written and Edited by Chaitanya Tamhane, with Alfonso Cuaron Executive Producing. 

* In Between Dying' is an Azerbaijan, Mexico, United States Co-Production that is Directed, Co-Written, Co-Produced and Edited by Hilal Baydarov.

* 'Lovers' from France, this thriller is Directed by Nicole Garcia and stars Benoit Magimel and Stacy Martin.

* The Macaluso Sisters' is an Italian drama film Directed and written for the screen by Emma Dante based on her own 2014 play of the same name.

* 'Miss Marx' from Italy and Belgium, this English language biographical period drama film is Written and Directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli and stars Romola Garai, Patrick Kennedy, John Gordon Sinclair, Felicity Montagu and Emma Cunnliffe.

* 'New Order' is a Mexican and French Co-Production that is Directed, Written, Co-Produced and Co-Edited by Michel Franco.

* 'Nomadland', from the USA is Written, Directed, Edited and Co-Produced by Chloe Zhao and stars Frances McDormand and David Strathairn.

* 'Notturno' from Italy, France and Germany is a documentary film Directed, Written, Co-Produced and lensed by Gianfranco Rosi. 

* 'Pieces of a Woman' is an Hungarian, American and Canadian Co-Produced drama film Directed by Kornel Mundruczo, Executive Produced by Martin Scorsese and starring Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn, Sarah Snook and Benny Safdie.

* 'Quo Vadis, Aida?' - is an internationally Co-Produced war drama film Written and Directed by Jasmila Zbanic. 

* 'Wife of a Spy' is a Japanese historical romantic drama film Directed and Co-Written by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. 

* 'The World to Come' is an American drama film Directed by Mona Fastvold and starring Vanessa Kirby, Katherine Waterston, Casey Affleck, Christopher Abbott and Jesse Plemmons. 

For all the latest news and views from this years Venice International Film Festival, you can check out the official website at : https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2020

This week then we have five latest release new movies gracing your local Odeon screen. We start with the third instalment in a franchise that saw its humble beginnings back in 1989, with its follow up offering coming two years later, and its been almost thirty years since this pair of would-be slacker rock legends graced our screens, but here they are again, setting off in their time travelling phone booth to save the known universe. We then move to a Moroccan film about the unlikely bond that develops between two very different women that could just bring about their salvation. Next up we have a home invasion tale surrounding a young teenage girl out to thwart a group of convicts on the run after they invade the weekend getaway home she and her family are staying in searching for a special key. This is followed by a sequel to a 2019 film about young love and the trials and tribulations surrounding this couple, and whether the guy is really meant to be with the girl. And we close out the week with an Australian documentary film about a much loved Australian country music icon, and his wife in particular who struggled for years to gain the recognition she deserved to be regarded as a singer/songwriter in her own right.   

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

'BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC' (Rated PG) - here we have the long awaited third instalment in the 'Bill & Ted' franchise following 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure' in 1989 and 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey' in1991. Both of those films combined generated US$79M at the worldwide Box Office off the back of production budgets amounting to US$27M. This film is Directed by Dean Parisot whose previous feature film credits take in 'Galaxy Quest', 'Fun with Dick and Jane' and 'RED 2', was released in the US on 28th August, cost US$25M to produce and has so far grossed US$2.5M. It has generated largely positive Reviews.

Here Alex Winter reprises his role of William S. 'Bill' Preston Esq. and Keanu Reeves his role as Ted 'Theodore' Logan, as The Great Leader (Holland Taylor) the ruler of the future tells them that they must compose a new song to save life as we know it. But instead of writing it, they decide to travel through time to steal it from their older selves. Meanwhile, their young daughters Theadora 'Thea' Preston (Samara Weaving) and Wilhelmina 'Billie' Logan (Brigette Lundy-Paine) devise their own musical scheme to help their fathers bring harmony to the universe.

'ADAM' (Rated PG) - in her Directorial debut, and Co-Written by Maryam Touzani she has here crafted a moving and heart-warming story of food, friendship and female empowerment, set against the backdrop of a modern-day Casablanca medina. This Moroccan drama film saw its selection in the Un Certain Regard category at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Exploring the unlikely friendship between two very different women, one a lonely widow and the other unmarried and pregnant – whose paths cross in a tiny bakery. Initially closed off from the world, the widowed Alba (Lubna Azabal) is reluctantly charmed by pregnant Samia’s (Nisrin Erradi) eagerness to lend a hand with baking. When conservative values threaten both women’s freedoms as Samia struggles to prepare for her growing baby, the bond they grow to share could be the saving of them both.

'BECKY' (Rated R18+) - this American action thriller film is Directed by Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion and was due to have its World Premier screening at the Tribeca Film Festival in April of this year. That showcase was cancelled due to COVID-19 and was subsequently released via VOD, on some digital platforms and in drive-in theatres in the US in early June. Now its gets a limited showing in Australia, having taken US$1M at the Box Office so far, and having garnered mixed or average Reviews thus far. Here courageous, determined and rebellious Becky Hooper (Lulu Wilson) tries to reconnect with her father Jeff (Joel McHale) during a weekend getaway at a lakefront house. But the trip soon takes a turn for the worse when convicts on the run, led by the merciless Dominick (Kevin James), suddenly invade the home in search of a special key stashed away somewhere on the property.

'AFTER WE COLLIDED' (Rated M) - is the sequel offering to 2019's 'After', and this American romantic drama film is Directed by Roger Kumble and is based on the 2014 new-adult fiction novel of the same name by Anna Todd. Is Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) really the deep, thoughtful guy that Tessa Young (Josephine Langford) fell madly in love with, or has he been a stranger all along? She wishes she could walk away. It's just not that simple. Not with the memory of the passionate nights they spent together. Still, Tessa's not sure she can endure another broken promise. She's focused on her studies and just starting an exciting new internship at Vance Publishing. She's also being pursued by Trevor Matthews (Dylan Sprouse), a handsome new co-worker who is exactly the kind of guy she should be with. Hardin knows he made a mistake, possibly the biggest one of his life. He wants to right his wrongs and overcome his demons. He's not going to lose Tessa without a fight. But can, and will, he change?

'SLIM & I' (Rated PG) - Directed and Written by Kriv Stenders, whose previous film making credits take in 'Red Dog', 'Kill Me Three Times', 'Red Dog : True Blue', 'Australia Day' and 'Danger Close : The Battle of Long Tan' most recently last year. Here this Aussie documentary film tells the story of Australia's Queen of Country Music, Joy McKean, who takes us on a journey through her life revealing the story of her career, her decades of touring around Australia, her marriage of more than fifty years to Slim Dusty (the icon of Australian country music who recorded 106 albums throughout his career spanning seven decades), and her determination to be recognised as a performer and songwriter in her own right.

With five 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-