What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 24th June 2021.

This past week has seen three international film festivals draw to a close. Running from 9th June through to 20th June was the 20th Tribeca Film Festival staged in New York; running almost concurrently was the 24th Shanghai International Film Festival held from 11th June until 20th June and is considered by many to be the second largest film festival in Asia after the Tokyo International Film Festival; and then there was the 61st Annecy International Animation Film Festival which occurs in the French town of Annecy, and which this year ran from 14th June through to 19th June. 

The 'Annecy International Animation Film Festival' abbreviated as AIAFF, was created in 1960 and takes place at the beginning of June in the town of Annecy, France. Initially occurring every two years, the festival became an annual event in 1998. It is one of the four international animated film festivals sponsored by the International Animated Film Association. The festival is a competition between cartoon films of various techniques (animated drawings, cut-out papers, modelling clay, computer generated imagery, etc.) classified in various categories, namely, feature films, short films, films produced for television and advertising, student films and films made for the internet (since 2002).

This years feature films once again comprised an international line up, consisting the following :

* 'FLEE' - is an international Co-Produced animated documentary film Directed and Co-Written by Jonas Poher Rasmussen with Riz Ahmed and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau both serving as Executive Producers. The film had its World Premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival in late January this year, where it won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Documentary section. 'Flee' won the top Cristal Award for a feature film, as well as the Gan Foundation Award for distribution, and its composer Uno Helmersson received the award for Best Original Music in a feature film.

* 'HAYOP KA! THE NIMFA DIMAANO STORY' - is an  adult animated romantic comedy film from the Philippines and US and is Directed and Co-Produced by Avid Liongoren.

* 'JIANG ZIYA : THE LEGEND OF DEIFICATION' - is a Chinese 3D computer-animated fantasy adventure film Directed by Cheng Teng and Li Wei. Featuring the mythological and fictional version of the popular Chinese figure Jiang Ziya, the plot is loosely based on the novel 'Investiture of the Gods' by Xu Zhonglin. It is a follow-up to 2019's 'Ne Zha' and the second instalment of the 'Fengshen Cinematic Universe'.

* 'LAMYA'S POEM' - is a US and Canadian Co-Produced film Directed by Alex Kronemer.

* 'JOSEE, THE TIGER AND THE FISH' - is a Japanese animated romance comedy drama film, based on a Japanese short story of the same name by Seiko Tanabe. The film is Directed by Kotaro Tamura.

* 'THE CROSSING' - is a German, French and Czech Republic Co-Production that is Directed by Florence Miailhe. This film collected the Jury Distinction Award for a feature film. 

* 'MY SUNNY MAAD' - from the Czech Republic, France and Slovakia and Directed by Michaela Pavlatova. This film picked up the Jury Award.

* 'SNOTTY BOY' - from Austria and Germany and Directed by Marcus Rosenmuller and Santiago Lopez Jover.

* 'THE APE STAR' - from Sweden, Norway and Denmark and Directed by Linda Hamback.

* 'THE DEER KING' - is a Japanese fantasy novel series written by Nahoko Uehashi. An anime film adaptation is scheduled to premiere in September this year, Directed by Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji.

* 'POUPELLE OF CHIMNEY TOWN' - from Japan and is an animated fantasy film Directed by Yusuke Hirota, featuring character designs by Atsuko Fukushima. The film is based on a picture book authored by Japanese actor and comedian, Akihiro Nishino, whom also wrote the film's screenplay and was the film's Executive Producer.

For the full details of the 61st Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the other categories showcased, the winners and the also rans plus a whole lot more, you can visit the official website at : https://www.annecy.org/home

The Winter Solstice has come and gone this week which means it's all down hill to Summer, and while it's still mid-Winter what better way is there than to spend a couple of hours in a dark place with a bunch of a strangers staring at a big screen catching a movie of your choice. And so to that end, this week we have six latest release new movies coming to your local Odeon, kicking off with a sequel to a successful 2017 film that this time sees the bodyguard continue his 'friendship' with the hitman as they try to save the assassins wife and thwart a megalomaniac from over throwing Europe. This is followed by a film version of the Broadway musical in which a sympathetic New York bodega owner, saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life. Next up is a story that unfolds a year after the loss of a young lads father, so he and his mother move to Western Australian to live with boys estranged grandfather. Then we turn to filmmaker Edgar Wright who explores how one rock band can be successful, underrated, hugely influential and criminally overlooked, all at the same time, as he charts a musical odyssey exploring five weird and wonderful decades celebrating the inspiring legacy of your favourite band's favourite band. Next is a Brazilian offering about a caretaker for luxury condominiums who relies on her resourcefulness and her eye for opportunity over three summers as her employers are caught in major corruption scandals. And we close out the week with a German animated feature about a young boy who embarks on an enchanting journey together with a couple of sidekicks to rescue his little sister from the evil Moon Man.

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.

'THE HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD' (Rated MA15+) - Directed by the Australian Patrick Hughes this action comedy film is the sequel to 2017's 'The Hitman's Bodyguard' which he also Directed as well as 'Red Hill' in 2010, 'The Expendables 3' in 2014 with 'The Man from Toronto' set for a 2022 release. The first film collected US$177M at the global Box Office from a budget of US$69M making this sequel inevitable I guess, but that initial success is no guarantee of further acclaim, as this instalment has so far garnered largely negative Reviews and has taken US$25M off the back of a US$60M production budget since it opened in the US last week. 

And so here, the world's most dangerous and deadly odd couple, bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) and hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) are back in action for another life-threatening mission. Still unlicensed and under scrutiny, Bryce is forced into action by Darius's even more volatile wife, the infamous international con artist Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek). As Bryce is driven over the edge by his two most dangerous protectees, the trio get in over their heads in a global plot and soon find that they are all that stand between Europe and a vengeful and powerful madman Aristotle Papadopoulos (Antonio Banderas). Also starring Morgan Freeman, Richard E. Grant, Frank Grillo, Gary Oldman and Tom Hooper. With a cast that good, what could possibly go wrong??

'IN THE HEIGHTS' (Rated PG) - is an American musical drama film based on the stage musical of the same name by Quiara Alegria Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda which opened on Broadway in March 2008. Originally set to be adapted into a full length feature film in 2008, when that version fell through, the project was eventually started back up in 2016, with Jon M. Chu set to Direct. Chu has previously helmed other features including 'Step Up 2 : The Streets', 'G.I.Joe : Retaliation', 'Now You See Me 2', and 'Crazy Rich Asians'. And of course Lin-Manuel Miranda is the man behind the immensely successful stage play 'Hamilton' who also Co-Produces here. In Washington Heights, New York the scent of warm coffee hangs in the air just outside of the 181st St. subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a likable and magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life. Also starring Corey Hawkins, Jimmy Smits and Marc Anthony. The film has garnered universal critical praise and has so far taken US$22M at the Box Office off the back of its US$55M budget since its release in the US earlier this month.

'BUCKLEY'S CHANCE' (Rated PG) - this Canadian and Australian Co-Produced drama film is Directed, Co-Produced and Co-Written by Tim Brown whose previous film making outings are 'The Cradle' in 2007, 'Devil in the Dark' in 2017, the video 'Treasure Hounds' that same year with 'The Retirement Plan' due in 2022 with Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman. And so here, following the loss of his father, the young boy Ridley (Milan Burch) is forced to move to the Australian outback to live with his estranged Grandfather Spencer (Bill Nighy). During his adventures he becomes lost and befriends a dingo excluded from its own pack. A strong bond is formed in the harsh Australian outback as the two try to make their way home. Also starring Martin Sacks and Victoria Hill.

'THE SPARKS BROTHERS' (Rated M) - is a documentary film Directed and Co-Produced by Edgar Wright whose prior film making credits take in the likes of 'Shaun of the Dead', 'Hot Fuzz', 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World', 'The World's End', 'Baby Driver' and the yet to be released 'Last Night in Soho'. The film is about Ron and Russell Mael, members of the pop and rock duo 'Sparks' who are still going strong having formed in 1967 albeit under a different name, and have subsequently released twenty-four albums with a 25th currently in production. Possibly their most successful hit was 1974's 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us'. Featuring interviews and conversations with film, TV and music personalities including Beck, Flea, Bjork, Jonathan Ross, Mike Myers, Vince Clarke, Andy Bell, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Nick Heyward and many others. The film saw its World Premier screening at the Sundance Film Festival in January of this year and was released Stateside last week to universal critical acclaim.

'THREE SUMMERS' (Rated PG) - this Brazilian dark comedy drama is Directed and written for the screen by Sandra Kogut. Unfolding over the course of three consecutive summers - 2015 to 2017 - the film follows Mada (Regina Case), a fifty-something caretaker for a cluster of luxury beach-side condos owned by a wealthy Rio de Janeiro family, as she invests in a roadside snack kiosk while tending to the every need of her condescending employers. She becomes a bystander in a major money-laundering scandal, which eventually launches a whole new career for herself. With every dizzying new turn of events, Mada manages to retain her high spirits, her sense of loyalty to those who deserve it - and her eagle eye for opportunity. It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the September 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.

'MOONBOUND' (Rated PG) - this German animated feature film is based on one of Germany's most popular children's books and is Directed, Co-Produced and Co-Written by Ali Samadi Ahadi. The film tells the story of Pete who embarks on a magical journey to the moon to find his little sister Anne. Together with June bug Mr. Zoomzeman and the Sandman they seek to rescue Anne from the evil Moon Man.

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 coming week, at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 31st August 2017.

These last couple of months have seen more than their fare share of celebrity passings from the world of film and television. Many of these pass under the radar, confined to a few lines of remembrance and respect on the social media pages from which many these days rely on as their sole source of news. As August draw to a close I thought I would look back on the last two months or so and remember here, those that have touched out lives on both the big screen and the small screen, over the years, and who have left a legacy by which they will be forever remembered.

* Adam West, American film and television Actor, born 1928, died 9th June 2017. Most notable appearances : 'The Young Philadelphians', 'Geronimo', 'Batman', 'The Detectives' television series, 'Batman' television series and 'Family Guy' television series.
* Michael Nyqvist, Swedish Actor, born 1960, died 27th June 2017. Most notable appearances : 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo', 'The Girl Who Played with Fire', 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest', 'Mission Impossible : Ghost Protocol'and 'John Wick'. Still to be released : 'Hunter Killer', 'Radegund' and 'Kursk'.
* Barry Norman, British Film Critic, born 1933, died 30th June 2017. Television presenter of BBC 1's annual 'Film . . . ' programme from 1972 until 1998.
* Martin Landau, American stage, television and film Actor, born 1928, died 15th July 2017. Most notable appearances : 'Mission Impossible' television series, 'Space 1999' television series, 'North by Northwest', 'They Call Me Mr. Tibbs', 'Crimes and Misdemeanours', 'Ed Wood' and 'Remember'.
* George R. Romero, American Director, Writer, Editor and Actor born 1940, died 16th July 2017. Most notable films : 'Night of the Living Dead', 'Dawn of the Dead', 'Day of the Dead', 'Land of the Dead', 'Diary of the Dead', 'Survival of the Dead', 'The Crazies', 'Creepshow', and 'Monkey Shines'.
* John Heard, American film and television Actor, born 1945, died 21st July 2017. Most notable appearances : 'Cat People', 'C.H.U.D.', 'The Seventh Sign', 'BIG', 'Beaches', 'Home Alone', 'Home Alone 2 : Lost in New York', 'Awakenings', 'In the Line of Fire', 'The Pelican Brief', 'Sharknado', 'The Client' television series, 'The Sopranos' television series, and 'Prison Break' television series.
* Sam Shepard, American stage, television and film Actor, playwright, author and Director, born 1943, died 27th July 2017. Most notable appearances : 'The Right Stuff', 'Steel Magnolias', 'The Pelican Brief', 'Black Hawk Down', 'The Notebook', 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward  Robert Ford', 'Safehouse' 'Killing Them Softly', 'Mud', 'August : Osage County' and 'Midnight Special'.
* Robert Hardy, English stage, television and film Actor, born 1925, died 3rd August 2017. Most notable appearances : 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold', '10, Rillington Place', 'Young Winston', 'The Shooting Party', 'Sense and Sensibility', 'An Ideal Husband', 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets', 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban', 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire', 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', 'War and Remembrance' television mini-series, and 'All Creatures Great and Small' television series.
* Sonny Landham, American film Actor and Stuntman, born 1941, died 17th August 2017. Most notable appearances : 'The Warriors', 'Poltergeist', '48 Hours', 'Predator', 'Action Jackson' and 'Lock Up'.
* Bruce Forsyth, English television Presenter, Actor, Comedian, Writer, Singer and Dancer, born 1928, died 18th August 2017. Most notable appearances : 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium', 'The Bruce Forsyth Show', 'The Generation Game', 'Play Your Cards Right', 'You Bet', 'Takeover Bid' game shows, and films 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks', 'The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins' and 'Anna Pavolva'.
* Jerry Lewis, American stage, television, film and radio Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, Singer and Comedian, born 1926, died 20th August 2017. Most notable appearances : seventeen films with Dean Martin, 'The Nutty Professor', 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World', 'The Family Jewels', 'The King of Comedy', and 'Max Rose'.
* Tobe Hooper, American film Director, Producer and Writer, born 1943, died 26th August 2017. Most notable films : 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre', 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2', 'Eaten Alive', 'Poltergeist', 'Lifeforce', 'Night Terrors', 'The Mangler', 'Toolbox Murders', 'Mortuary', 'Djinn' and television mini-series 'Salem's Lot'.

This week we have five new films coming to a multiplex or independent theatre near you. We kick off with action adventure comedy featuring an unlikely buddy pairing of two adversaries that need to depend on each other with their lives to be able to make it to their intended destination the next day; followed by a tug of love and a custody battle between a Uncle and a Grandmother over a very gifted young child caught up in the middle; then four girlfriends on a weekend away living it up large and boisterous; before closing out with two Australian offerings - the first a comedy of life's wrong decisions based on the very real experiences of the lead Actor and Writer, and then an action thriller with the backdrop of a deadly contagion released over Sydney.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the four new release movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are here warmly invited 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 meanwhile, enjoy your cinematic outing during the coming week.

'THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD' (Rated MA15+) - Directed by Australian Patrick Hughes whose previous credits include 'Red Hill' and 'Expendables 3' here is in the chair for this off-kilter action comedy buddy movie about a Hitman, and his Bodyguard! Released in the US in mid-August and costing US$30M the film has so far grossed US$63M, and has received average Reviews praising the on-screen chemistry that seems to exist between the two lead characters, but downplaying the cliched plot and delivery, despite the collective talents of the assembled cast.

Here former top bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) who is now disgraced and makes a meagre living protecting corporate executive types, is enlisted to bring notorious Hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) to testify at the International Courts of Justice in The Hague, against the ruthless and merciless Dictator of Belarus Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman) for crimes against humanity. Bryce has had run ins with Kincaid in the past when they were on opposite sides of a loaded gun, and so the Bodyguard is very reluctant to escort the Hitman anywhere, but agrees for the reinstatement of his good name and reputation. The two must put their differences aside and work together to make it to The Hague on time, untarnished and very much alive in order for Kincaid to testify so sending the evil Dictator down. Along the way all manner of challenges, obstacles and no good henchmen hell bent on preventing them from making it to their intended destination stand in their way. There will be bullets flying, gun play, explosions, fist fights, car chases, cursing and swearing and laughs aplenty before the final credits role. Also starring Selma Hayek, Richard E. Grant, Sam Hazeldine, and Elodie Yung.

'GIFTED' (Rated M) - this drama film is Directed by Marc Webb whose previous Directing credits include '(500) Days of Summer' and the 2012 reboot of the 'Spider-Man' franchise with 'The Amazing Spider-Man' and its 2014 sequel 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'. This story surrounds seven year old intellectually gifted Mary Adler (Mckenna Grace) growing up near Tampa, Florida in the care of her Uncle Frank Adler (Chris Evans) since she was six months old when her mother Diane, a promising mathematician, took her own life. Showing a remarkable mathematical talent on her first day of first grade school, she is offered a subsequent scholarship at a school for gifted children. Frank however, turns down the offer based on historical experiences with such schools and not wanting to deprive Mary of a normal childhood. Franks estranged mother and Mary's grandmother, Evelyn Adler (Lindsay Duncan) has a different view, and wants to relocate the young gifted child to Massachusetts under special tutelage and seek custody of Mary. What ensues is a custody battle between Frank and Evelyn with Mary caught in the middle and compromises ultimately having to be made on all sides. The film also stars Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate, was released in the US in early April, has so far grossed US$38M from its US$7M budget outlay and has received generally positive press.

'GIRLS TRIP' (Rated MA15+) - Directed by Malcolm D. Lee this comedy offering features four life long best girl friends - Ryan, Sasha, Lisa and Dina (Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish respectively) who take a long overdue weekend away down to New Orleans for the annual Essence Music Festival. Over the course of the weekend they gradually reignite their sisterhood; and rediscover their wild sides while partying hard; living it up; getting hooked-up; being loud, proud and in yer face; while at the same time experiencing moments of raw, venerable emotion that only serve to make their bond stronger still. Also starring Mike Colter and cameo appearances as themselves by Mariah Carey, Ne-Yo, Estelle, Common, New Edition and various others, this film was released in the US at the end of July, has so far taken US$120M off the back off a US$20M budget and has received generally positive Reviews.

'ALI'S WEDDING' (Rated M) - this Australian RomCom based on real events has garnered much critical acclaim since its world Premier at the 2016 Adelaide Film Festival in October last year. Directed by Jeffrey Walker, this film tells the story of Ali (Osamah Sami), the son of an Iraqi refugee living in a north Melbourne suburb where his father Mahdi (Don Hany) is the leader of the local Mosque. The family has big expectations of Ali, who is struggling with his entrance exam to study medicine at University. He is also under pressure to agree to an an arranged marriage although he secretly admires Dianne (Helena Sawires). Ali just wants to make his father proud, but finds it more than challenging to make this dream a reality. What is a young man to do, other than fake it 'til you make it! And so Ali does, lying about his entrance exam grades to gain acceptance from his father and the local Muslim community, that just lead this one bad decision onto another, then another. Eventually as these decisions spiral out of control, the consequences of which verge on cataclysmic, Ali must decide to be ruled by his head, his heart or his sense of duty. The film is Co-Written by Osamah Sami based on his very own real life experiences which make this film all the more endearing and relevant in today's society from a multi-cultural and acceptance standpoint.

'EVENT ZERO' (Rated MA15+) - here this Australian action thriller is Directed, Produced and Written by Enzo Tedeschi and tells the story of a terrorist attack on Sydney releasing a deadly contagion into the city's populace. When her father Yusuf Nassar (Harry Pavlidis) is in the frame for the biological attack, suspended federal police detective Leyla Nassar (Ash Ricardo) embarks on a mission to clear her fathers name, uncover the truth and bring down the culprits while the leading local Politicians power-hungry to satisfy their own nefarious aims do everything they can to cash in on the catastrophe. Also starring Nicholas Hope and Zoe Carides.

With five new release films this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, of which two are local Aussie fare, one low budget custody drama from the US, then another a comedy about four girls making the most of a weekend getaway, and the other a big screen action comedy also from Stateside, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephiles 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-

THE EXPENDABLES 3 - Tuesday 19th August 2014.

Reading like a 'Who's Who' of Hollywood heavy hitters, Barney Ross is at it again with his likable gang of mercenaries doing what they do best in 'THE EXPENDABLES 3' - which I saw last night.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - just seeing these action stars of yesteryear and this year up on screen together, chewing up the scenery, guns blazing, and clearly having a damn good time during production which is evident on screen - is worth the price of your ticket alone. Screenwriter again for this outing, principle mega star, and leader of 'The Expendables' is Sylvester Stallone playing the lovable rogue Barney Ross. He is one again joined by Jason Statham (Lee Christmas) as his right hand man, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Trench in his biggest Expendables role to date, Dolph Lundgren as Gunnar Jensen the strong silent type, Jet Li as Yin Yang back for more martial arts mayhem as only he can, Terry Crews as Hale Caesar, and Randy Couture as Toll Road.

Needless to say the opening scene (like every Bond movie before) starts off with a bang as our Expendables crew lift newcomer Wesley Snipes (Doc) from a heavily guarded prison train in between one heavily guarded prison where he has served eight years already and another heavily guarded fortress somewhere in deepest darkest Russia. With the use of an agile helicopter piloted by Ross and lots of impressive weaponry, our boys overcome adversity and Doc is rescued.

 On the way home our intrepid mercenaries have to make a little side trip to some downtrodden third world country to collect a package, where more mayhem ensues, there are big explosions, rapid machine gun fire, impressive vehicle stunts, overhead cranes, shipping containers and more shit going down than you could poke a M16 at! It is here that an unwelcome discovery is made in the form of one Mel Gibson playing villain in the piece, Conrad Stonebanks - former co-founder of The Expendables who has subsequently gone rogue and become a ruthless international arms dealer who is after the same package as Ross and his cohorts. Ross believes that Stonebanks is dead by his own hand many years earlier - but not so it would seem, and as the two eyeball each other we know that revenge and closure for either is on the radar front & centre!

Realising that their new adversary is bigger and mightier than the dwindling and ageing Expendables Ross folds up his crew and tells them to ride off into the sunset and enjoy their new forced retirement - alive at least!

The next set up is Ross catching up with underworld talent scout Kelsey Grammer (Napoleon Bonaparte) to recruit new, younger, tech savvy and disposable blood to The Expendables to capture Stonebanks and deliver him to the CIA alive - represented this time not by Bruce Willis' Church, but by Harrison Ford's Drummer. Along the way recruited to the fold are the new bloods - Antonio Banderas as Galgo, Kellen Lutz at Smilee, Victor Ortiz as Mars, Glen Powell as Thorn and token ass-kickin' female Ronda Rousey as Luna. Watch out for Banderas because he hams it up beautifully, and clearly is having  great time doing so!

After the new gang are recruited they head off to where Stonebanks is holed up - some fictitious eastern European no-hope war torn country where the new Expendables and joined by the old Expendables and Drummer in the sky doing helicopter acrobatics with Trench and Yin Yang riding shotgun . . . or machine gun! This is the climatic ending that sees helicopter and tank assaults on a booby-trapped one-time office tower where the Expendables are housed, close quarter hand to hand combat, more artillery used and abused than you can image, explosions aplenty, a rapidly rising body count, and jaw dropping action backed up by quick quips and one liners that is sure to raise a smile. And then of course there is the final showdown between Ross and Stonebanks!

Having grown up with these guys in the 80's and the action films they made, this is an updated throw back to that era. It's heavy on the fire power, heavy on the body count, heavy on the ego's and heavy on the quips but it's all good fun, and I found myself chuckling and laughing out loud several times. When Arnie shouts 'Get them to the Choppa' you know he's having a blast, and when Ford says of Church (the Bruce Willis character he replaces from the previous two films) - 'he's out of the picture' - you'll understand the double meaning in this comment that I'm sure Stallone wrote in especially when Willis exited stage left!

Directed by only second time helmer Aussie Patrick Hughes - this is good fun, totally over the top, and good on Stallone for pulling such a talent pool for our entertainment and serving up a dose of nostalgia. For the fourth instalment we should expect to see Cage, Segal, and Chan in there too, and maybe Danny Trejo as the villain - now that would be something! There are those that will dismiss this for a host of reasons, but three films in, Hollywood A-listers lining up to star, and a fourth film announced - The Expendables must be doing something right, and clearly there is an audience!

  

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 14th August 2014.

Last week we had three new releases to tease you out in front of a big stereo surround sound screen, and so it is again this week - but these films could hardly be any different! For the week ahead we have food, family, friends and fanatics - all in some way doing battle with a foe that wants to see them undone! Our first offering is a tale of food across the miles and just across the street as two eateries do battle for custom, reputation and one-up-man-ship. Then we have a tale of youngsters growing up amidst the turmoil of their surroundings and with each other as they battle against everything that bombards and influences the teenage youth of today. And then the third instalment of a balls-out 80's throw back action adventure of epic gun toting proportions as the friendly fanatics do battle with an arch foe from old!

So if it's one of these new releases that tempts you out in the week ahead, or you are catching one or more of the great offerings still out there on general release, then drop me a line in the comments box of this Blog site, and let my other avid reader know that your paying attention, and having something to say about your movie experience. Happy viewing . . . whatever you see!

THE EXPENDABLES 3 (Rated MA15+) - Stallone, Statham, Schwarzenegger, Snipes, Gibson, Ford, Banderas, Lundgren, Li, Crews, Couture, Grammer and token female Ronda Rousey. Many of the cast and stalwarts from the previous two outings are reunited here with the exception of one Bruce Willis who is absent because he wanted a bigger pay cheque, and was refused, so he walked! With a screenplay co-written by Sylvester Stallone, the Director duties this time go to Australian, Patrick Hughes, in only his second feature film outing - but clearly he was thought up to the job and has the US re-make of 'The Raid' to film next.

Seeing all these old 80's action stars on screen has once again gotta be worth the price of a ticket alone! Joined by some younger talent hired to thwart original friend and co-founder of The Expendables - Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson) who in the intervening years became a rogue arms trader and was subsequently dispensed with by Barney Ross (Stallone)  . . . or so Ross thought, until now! Resurfacing  now after all these years, Stonebanks wants revenge and retribution and an end to The Expendables that he helped form. When Ross rounds up the Team he enlists new younger tech-savvy talent to support the older wiser experienced talent to dispense with Stonebanks once and for all. And so what follows is the most personal battle yet for The Expendables, and along the way you can expect big action set pieces, big guns, big explosions, big egos and big one-liners! Bring it on!

THE HUNDRED FOOT JOURNEY (Rated PG) - I read the Richard C. Morais book a couple of years ago, and liked it a lot. Hardly surprising that this should be snapped up and get the big screen treatment given our love of food porn on the silver screen, the compelling story, and this tale of east meets west kitchen rivalry. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom and starring Helen Mirren we have here an Indian family forced to flee their homeland only to settle in rural France and open an Indian Restaurant right across the street from a celebrated Michelin starred fine dining eatery much to the disgust and chagrin of acclaimed chef and owner Madam Mallory (Mirren). When the son of the Indian Restauranteur, Hasan Kadan (Manish Dayal), displays some extraordinary culinary talent he is taken under the wing of Madam Mallory to be taught in the ways of the French gastronomic kitchens and so embarks on a journey of life, love and success. Ruby Murray anyone?

PALO ALTO (Rated MA15+) - based on the semi-autobiographical short stories of James Franco and written for the screen and Directed by Gia Coppola (granddaughter of Francis, and niece to Sofia) this is the telling of four teenagers growing up in the Californian city of Palo Alto as they become bored, troubled, confused and drift from party to party in a daze of sex, drugs, alcohol, fast cars and pressure from their peers. The four teens in question are April (Emma Roberts), Teddy (Jack Kilmer), Fred (Nat Wolff) and Emily (Zoe Levin) who all go from turmoil, to confusion and to deeper angst in their search for love and acceptance. James Franco stars as a seedy soccer coach Mr. B hitting on April, and the other three all have their own challenges and demons to navigate past, and watch out for the brief cameo from Val Kilmer (presumably to keep a watchful eye on son Jack's turn as Teddy!) For her Directorial debut this is described as a worthy start backed up by solid performances albeit with a storyline you have doubtless seen before.

So again, three very different films to get you out amongst it and into your local movie theatre. Whatever you chose to see this week, enjoy the experience!

Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-