Quick Takes : The movies I saw in January 2025.

Although I was off-line throughout January enjoying the heat of an Aussie summer, as well as some much needed summer rain, this didn't stop me from enjoying my weekly trip to my local movie theatre to catch a film of choice. Below are my quick takes of the latest films seen this past month.

'NOSFERATU' (Rated M) - Tuesday 7th January 2025.

This American supernatural horror film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Robert Eggers whose prior feature film making credits take in his debut in 2015 with 'The Witch', and he followed this up with 'The Lighthouse' in 2019, and 'The Northman' in 2022. This film is a remake of the classic silent film of 1922 of the same name by Director F.W. Murnau and an unauthorised adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel 'Count Dracula'. This film saw its World Premiere screening in Berlin, Germany in early December, was released in the US on Christmas Day, in Australia on New Years Day having garnered widespread critical acclaim, has so far grossed US$167M from a production budget of US$50M and has collected thirty-two award wins and another 164 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit, with a number of those award nods still pending an outcome.

Set in 1838 in the town of Wisborg, Germany, the film follows estate agent Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) as he travels to Transylvania's Carpathian Mountains for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard), a prospective client who wants to sell his run down old castle in the mountains and relocate to Wisborg. In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Anna (Emma Corrin) Harding. Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen soon encounters an evil force that's far beyond her control. Also starring Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson and Simon McBurney. 

In his fourth feature film outing Writer, Producer and Director Robert Eggers here has delivered us a very worthy remake of the 1922 and 1979 (Directed by Werner Herzog) films with an updated version that is a chilling, macabre, Victorian era horror story from which he eeks out first rate awards worthy performances from Depp, Hoult and Dafoe while lensman Jarin Blaschke adds a foreboding sense of dread and fear to the films aesthetic. 

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

'DEN OF THIEVES : PANTERA' (Rated M) - Tuesday 14th January 2025.                              This American heist film is a sequel to the 2018 film 'Den of Thieves' and is Written and Directed once again by Christian Gudegast in only his second feature film making outing. The film was released here in Australia and the US on 9th and 10th January respectively, has so far recovered US$48M from its US$40M production budget and has generated mixed or average reviews. Here then, Nicholas 'Big Nick' O'Brien (Gerard Butler, who also serves as Co-Producer here) the recently divorced LASD Sheriff is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie Wilson (O'Shea Jackson who also Co-Produces), who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world's largest diamond exchange in Nice, Southern France. Also starring Evin Ahmad. Gerard Butler has already indicated his willingness to make a third film in the franchise and not to leave it too long for the next instalment. 

I have to say that I went into this viewing with fairly average expectations, but came out just a little more than surprised by what Writer and Director Christian Gudegast has delivered. The two lead Actors in Butler and Jackson have a natural on screen chemistry, the sun drenched locations of the French Riviera, the well executed action sequences and the staging of the heist on the World Diamond Centre all amount to a well crafted film, albeit one that you can leave your brain at the door, and is fairly predictable run of the mill fare. In the final analysis you know exactly what you're gonna get from this follow up instalment that adds nothing new to the heist genre, but does it in an acceptable fashion.

'Den of Thieves : Pantera' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

'WOLF MAN' (Rated MA15+) : Tuesday 21st January 2025 - is an American horror film Co-Written and Directed by Leigh Whannell, whose three prior feature film credits are 'Insidious : Chapter 3' in 2015, 'Upgrade' in 2018, and 'The Invisible Man' in 2020, with his Writing and Executive Producer credits taking in the majority of the 'Saw' franchise films, plus a few others in between time. The film was first muted in mid-2014 and was to be part of the Dark Universe, a shared cinematic universe surrounding the Universal Studios Monsters. However, following the critical and commercial failure of 2017's 'The Mummy' Universal moved its focus to standalone films, although the success of Whannell's 2020 'The Invisible Man' reignited Universal's interest in the Monsters franchise. This film serves as a reboot of the 1941 film 'The Wolf Man', has garnered mixed or average critical reviews and has so far grossed US$28M from its production budget of US$25M. 

Here, Blake (Christopher Abbott), his wife Charlotte (Julia Garner) and their young daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth) are attacked by an unseen animal in rural Oregon and, in a desperate escape, barricade themselves inside Blake's inherited remote farmhouse as the creature stalks the perimeter. As the night stretches on, however, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognisable that soon places his family in grave danger. Leigh Whannell's 'Wolf Man' I would describe more as a thriller than a horror offering that is light on jump scares, edge of your seat tension, nail biting emotion and dramatic punch. That said the performances of Abbott and Garner are on point, the visuals from the PoV of a transformed Blake add a fresh dimension, but I found the transformation of Blake into the titular Wolf Man to be sub-par when compared to the John Landis classic 1981 'An American Werewolf in London' which set the standard by which all other lycanthropic films are judged . . . and that was 44 years ago! 'Wolf Man' is an OK film albeit a fairly predictable one.

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

'A COMPLETE UNKNOWN' (Rated M) : Tuesday 28th January 2025. This American biographical drama film is Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by James Mangold, whose prior film making credits take in the likes of 'Cop Land' in 1997, 'Girl, Interrupted' in 1999, 'Walk the Line' in 2005, '3:10 to Yuma' in 2007, 'The Wolverine' in 2013, 'Logan' in 2017, 'Ford v Ferrari' in 2019 and 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' in 2023. This film is based on the 2015 book 'Dylan Goes Electric!' by Elijah Wald, and is about the early formative years of singer and songwriter Bob Dylan. The film has so far grossed US$75M from a production budget of about US$60M, has garnered generally positive critical reviews and has so far collected sixteen award wins and a further 109 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit with many of those nods still pending a final decision. 

The film opens up in New York City in 1961, where amidst the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old Bob Dylan (Timothee Chalamet, who also Co-Produces here) from Minnesota arrives with his acoustic guitar, harmonica and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village including a very sick and in ill health in hospital Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) and later Johnny Cash (Boyd Holbrook) on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival at which Dylan and his band were the closing act, that reverberates worldwide. Also starring Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Dylan's girlfriend at the time. Chalamet is a compelling watch in the biopic of the great American singer/songwriter, more than ably supported by especially Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro. Mangold's deft Direction and his superlative attention to the early 1960's production values, when coupled with Chalamet's commitment to learning to play the guitar and harmonica, and, master Dylan's voice over a five year period all add up to a film that is more than worthy of your attention, and the price of your movie ticket. My only criticism is that at times Chalamet's voice is a little too gravelly and verging on the indecipherable. Nonetheless, Chalamet and Mangold deserve all the accolades they get.

'A Complete Unknown' warrants four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's : Wednesday 1st January 2025

As 2024 draws to a close, all that remains for me to say is to wish you the very best for a Happy New Year that is safe, healthy and prosperous. Wherever you are in the world, get out and watch a movie at your local multiplex or independent cinema and support all those working tirelessly in front and behind the camera. Thanks for your continuing support over the past twelve months and I look forward to bringing you more of the same content in the year ahead, kicking off at the end of January, as I'm taking the next month off as many Aussie's do during the summer holiday period. Until next time . . .

This week there are just three new movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, starting with a remake of a classic 1922 horror film of the same name that tells the story of the obsession between a haunted young woman, and the ancient Transylvanian vampire stalking her bringing untold horror with him. This is followed by an American drama offering set during a weekend backpacking trip in the Catskills, where a seventeen year old young woman navigates the clash of egos between her father and his oldest friend; before closing out the week with the third instalment in this popular family live action animated franchise that sees this beloved bear travel with his adopted English family as they visit an Aunt in Peru, but a mystery sends them to the Amazon rainforest and up Peruvian mountains.

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

'NOSFERATU' (Rated M) - this American horror film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Robert Eggers whose prior feature film making credits take in his debut in 2015 with 'The Witch', and he followed this up with 'The Lighthouse' in 2019, and 'The Northman' in 2022. This film is a remake of the classic silent film of 1922 of the same name by Director F.W. Murnau and an unauthorised adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel 'Count Dracula'. This film saw its World Premiere screening in Berlin, Germany in early December, was released in the US on Christmas Day, having garnered universal critical acclaim, and has so far grossed US$44M from a production budget of US$50M.

Set in 1838 in Germany, the film follows estate agent Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) as he travels to Transylvania for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard), a prospective client. In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Anna (Emma Corrin) Harding. Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen soon encounters an evil force that's far beyond her control. Also starring Willem Dafoe and Ralph Ineson. The film has so far collected eighteen award wins and another 56 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit.

'GOOD ONE' (Rated CTC) - is an American drama film Written, Co-Produced and Directed by India Donaldson in her Directorial debut. The film had its World Premiere showcasing at the Sundance Film Festival in late January 2024, was released Stateside in early August, has generated universal critical acclaim and has so far grossed US$351K. Here, seventeen-year-old Sam (Lily Collias) embarks on a three-day backpacking trip in the Catskill Mountains, in southeastern New York State with her dad, Chris (James Le Gros) and his oldest friend, Matt (Danny McCarthy). As the two men quickly settle into a gently quarrelsome brotherly dynamic, airing long-held grievances, Sam, wise beyond her years, attempts to mediate. But when lines are crossed and Sam's trust is betrayed, tensions reach a fever pitch, as Sam struggles with her dad's emotional limitations and experiences the universal moment when the parental bond is tested.

'PADDINGTON IN PERU' (Rated PG) - this live action animated adventure comedy film is Directed by Dougal Wilson in his feature film Directing debut after helming numerous music videos and TV commercials. This is the third film in the Paddington Bear franchise following 2014's 'Paddington' and 2017's 'Paddington 2' which between them grossed US$495M off the back of combined production budgets of US$97M. Here then, when Paddington Bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) discovers his beloved Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton) has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he and the Brown family (Hugh Bonneville as father Henry, Emily Mortimer as mother Mary, Madeleine Harris as daughter Judy and Samuel Joslin as son Jonathan) head to the jungles of Peru to find her. Determined to solve the mystery, they soon stumble across a legendary treasure as they make their way through the rainforests of the Amazon. Also starring Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Hayley Atwell. The film has so far grossed US$47M since its release in the UK on 8th November last year, is scheduled for a US release on 14th February, and has gained positive critical reviews. It has been reported that a fourth Paddington film is already in the works due for a release sometime in 2027/28, along with a spin-off TV series.

With three 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 2nd October 2014.

With the Australian School Holidays drawing to a close but a long weekend looming, there are three new films this week to entice you out from in front of the small screen to take a comfy chair in front of a big screen with all the surround sound, Hi-Def audio visual mastery that you know and love at the movies! Coming your way then this week is a supernatural horror chiller that is a spin-off from an earlier supernatural horror chiller that takes the story back to its origins; then we have a retelling of a very well established horror icon of the big screen and popular culture mashed up with a whole lot of action, fantasy and drama along the way; and then there is a long awaited murder mystery thriller from an acclaimed Director and starring an acclaimed Director and Actor in its lead.

Some solid new content here for the coming week, and much more equally solid viewing that has been released in recent weeks and still going strong at the Box Office. This weeks choices are however, for a more mature audience methinks. When you have seen your movie of the week, or any of those Reviewed/Previewed in prior weeks, drop a line in the 'Comments' section immediately following this or any other Post, and let me and my other ardent Reader know what you think! Enjoy your Odeon experience!

GONE GIRL (Rated MA15+) - Directed by the acclaimed David Fincher, and written for the screen by the author of the book, Gillian Flynn, 'Gone Girl' tells the story of seemingly happily married couple Nick and Amy Dunne (Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike respectively). On their fifth wedding anniversary Nick Dunne returns home during the day to see signs of a violent struggle in the household, and reports that wife Amy is missing. With mounting pressure from the Police who suspect kidnapping or worse, and the media on his doorstep creating a frenzy at every turn, the picture of a seemingly beautiful, happy, loving marriage starts to crack, and the main suspect here is husband Nick.

The media attention is because wife Amy is the famous inspiration behind a children's book, and Nick is behaving in a way that is uncharacteristic of someone in his position. But, is he just being stoic and putting on  brave face while his world crumbles around him, or, is he hiding his secret relief that he may finally be rid of her? Also starring Neil Patrick Harris as former lover of Amy, Desi Collings, you'll have to watch this film as it twists and turns, and perhaps, not everything is quite as it seems. With strong performances from its principle cast, an acclaimed Director, a gripping story and critical acclaim so far heaped upon it, 'Gone Girl' is a must see in the week ahead!

ANNABELLE (Rated MA15+) - frequent Cinematographer but only third time Director, John R. Leonetti brings us 'Annabelle' a horror chiller spin-off and prequel origin story to 2013's 'The Conjuring'. A regular collaborator with Australian Director, Producer and Screenwriter James Wan who bought us 'Saw', 'Insidious' and is Directing 'Fast & Furious 7', we should have a strong pedigree here. This film sees John Form (Ward Horton) and his wife Mia (Annabelle Wallis) expecting their first child together. John buys a beautiful rare vintage china doll adorned in a white wedding gown as a present for expectant Mia, much to her surprise and delight. Soon afterwards the house is invaded by a group of satanists who violently attack John and Mia, and their neighbours leaving a trail of blood and destruction in their wake. John and Mia survive and relocate to another house to put that awful memory behind them. What they don't realise though, is that the satanic miscreants conjured up a demonic force to inhabit Annabelle with such evil malevolence that their lives will quickly descend into Hell on Earth!

DRACULA : UNTOLD (Rated M) - Dracula has been around in the movies for almost as long as the movies have been around. In 2014 he gets a makeover, but not so much of the horror kind, but more of the dramatic action fantasy kind. The 1922  'Nosferatu', Directed by F.W. Murnau still stands tall as the probable originator of Dracula on screen with Max Schrek delivering more than a convincing turn as the fanged menace. Tod Browning's 1931 'Dracula' with Bela Lugosi raised the bar equally high, and that has been rarely attained again. Don't expect any of that mastery from this retelling of the story underwritten by a US$100M budget and more green screen CGI effects that you can wave a silver crucifix at. This is based on the legendary Bram Stoker character and takes the Transylvanian Prince back to his 15th Century roots and how he became Count Dracula in the first place. Vlad Teppes (Luke Evans) is the Prince and troubled ruler struggling to protect his family, his people and his lands from Sultan Mehmed (Dominic Cooper) who demands 1,000  of the kingdom's boys (including Vlad's own son) for his army. To save his son and his family, Vlad journeys to Broken Tooth Mountain where lives Caligula (Charles Dance) an ex-Roman Emperor and now ancient sorcerer where a deal is struck that will give Vlad the strength of 100 men, the power to thwart his enemies, and the speed of a falling star. But all of this comes at a price - including a thirst quenching appetite for human blood. Rallying against his enemies, Vlad must accept his destiny that will eventually see him rise up for all eternity as 'Dracula'.

Once again, there you have it - not quite something for everyone, but certainly something for the more discerning and the more mature viewer this week. Check out a film, and share your views and opinions right here with the rest of the movie going world!

Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-