What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 27th March 2025

The 23rd Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) kicks off on Thursday 27th March and runs through until Sunday 30th March, and is New Jersey’s Premier Independent Film Festival that enriches the State with robust year-round programming. Founded in 2002, the artistic philosophy of the Garden State Film Festival is rooted in the celebration of the independent film genre and the creation of a forum where local and other independent filmmakers can exhibit their work. It was also created to pay tribute to New Jersey’s legacy as the birthplace of the American filmmaking industry in Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratories where he invented the first film cameras and projectors, to Fort Lee, where the original studios were founded. The event provides novice and aspiring filmmakers, actors, and others interested in careers in the film business, the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals in an atmosphere conducive to learning and mentoring - so reads the official website.

The feature films being showcased at this years festival are as follows :-

* 'The Ballad of a Hustler' - is a Latino human rights drama Directed by Heitor Dhalia. From the USA.

* 'Bardejov' - this drama based on a true story is Directed by Danny A. Abeckaser. From the USA.

* 'Beggarman' - this drama film is Directed by Danny Montero . From the USA.

* 'The Compatriots' - is a comedy drama film Directed by Spencer Cohen. From the USA.

* 'Counting In' - is a mockumentary comedy Film Directed by Griffin M. Davis. From the USA.

* 'First Rites' - this action drama film is Directed by Michael Fredianelli. From the USA.

* 'Here's Yianni!' - is a drama film Directed by Christina Eliopoulos and stars Eric Roberts, Rosanna Arquette, Julia Ormand and Kevin Pollack. From the USA.

* 'If That Mockingbird Don't Sing' - this comedy drama film is Directed by Sadie Bones. From the USA.

* 'Lady Parts' - is a comedy drama film Directed by Nancy Boyd. From the USA.

* 'Love, Danielle' - this comedy drama film is Directed by Marianna Palka and stars Lesley Ann Warren. From the USA.

* 'Scarlet Winter' - is an action drama film Directed by Munjal Yagnik. From the USA.

* 'The Short Game' - is a family sports drama film Directed by Frank Sanza. From the USA.

* 'The Creep From the Bar Last Night' - this drama film is Directed by Michael Coppola. From the USA.

For the full synopsis of the above named films, plus all the details of the documentary features, the short films and a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can go to the official website at : https://www.gsff.org/

This week we have six new movie release offerings to tease you out to your local Odeon, kicking off with an action thriller that sees a man who left his profession behind to work construction and be a good dad to his daughter, but when a local girl vanishes, he's asked to return to the skills that made him a mythic figure in the shadowy world of counter-terrorism. This is followed up by a psychological horror film about a mysterious woman who repeatedly appears in a family's front yard, often delivering chilling warnings and unsettling messages, leaving them to question her identity, motives and the potential danger she might pose. Next up is a Sci-Fi set on a struggling cattle farm some years in the future, where a woman discovers the unsettling consequences of her husband's animal breeding technology. Then we turn to a drama film about a man, one of sixty thousand draft evaders and deserters who fled to Canada to avoid serving in Vietnam, who shares all his secrets to de-mythologise his mythologised life. Following on is a Japanese documentary about an ample cat colony that inhabits a Shinto shrine - residents care for them and others are disturbed by the mess - here the filmmaker observes their coexistence. And closing out the week we have an Aussie doco about the legend, the mateship, the magic—made against all odds, this film unveils the untold story behind Australia’s most successful film. 

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

'A WORKING MAN' (Rated MA15+) - is an American action thriller that is Co-Written for the screen and Co-Produced by Sylvester Stallone and David Ayer and Directed by David Ayer, whose prior film making credits take in his Directorial debut in 2005 with 'Harsh Times', and which he would follow up with other titles including 'Street Kings' in 2008, 'End of Watch' in 2012, 'Fury' in 2014, 'Suicide Squad' in 2016, 'Bright' in 2017 and 'The Beekeeper' in 2024. This film is based on Chuck Dixon's 2014 novel 'Levon's Trade'. The film is released in the US this week too.

Here, Levon Cade (Jason Statham, who also Co-Produces here), an ex-Royal Marines Commando, leads a peaceful life as a construction worker in Chicago. However, Levon is forced to use his old set of skills to find the teenaged daughter Jenny Garcia (Arianna Rivas) of his boss Joe Garcia (Michael Pena), who has been kidnapped by human traffickers, and soon uncovers a conspiracy of corruption and government agents' involvement in human trafficking. Also starring David Harbour and Jason Flemyng.

'THE WOMAN IN THE YARD' (Rated CTC) - this American psychological horror film is Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, whose prior feature film credits take in his debut with 'House of Wax' in 2005, followed by others including 'Orphan' in 2009, 'Unknown' in 2011, 'Non-Stop' in 2014, 'Run All Night' in 2015, 'The Commuter' in 2018 (these last four films all starred Liam Neeson), 'Jungle Cruise' in 2021, 'Black Adam' in 2022 and 'Carry On' most recently in 2024. Here then, Ramona (Danielle Deadwyler) is a woman crippled by grief after she survives a car accident that takes her husband (Russell Hornsby). Seriously injured, Ramona now must care for their 14-year-old son (Peyton Jackson) and 6-year-old-daughter (Estella Kahiha), alone in her rural farmhouse. A lone, spectral woman (Okwui Okpokwasili) shrouded entirely in black appears on their front lawn without explanation and warns them 'today's the day'. The film is released Stateside this week too.

'IN VITRO' (Rated M) - is an Australian Sci-Fi film Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Will Howarth (who also Co-Produces and Co-stars here) and Tom Mckeith. Set in the near future, Layla (Talia Zucker) and her husband Jack (Ashley Zukerman) live on an remote cattle property hundreds of miles from the nearest neighbour. With their son away at boarding school, Jack spends his days tending to the livestock and experimenting with new biotechnology, Layla pines for her son and the life she once had. One night, everything changes when a storm knocks out power to the property and they soon discover that something unknown has been released onto the farm. But as Layla discovers more about the mysterious presence and Jack’s behaviour becomes increasingly controlling, Layla finally uncovers a secret that brings her face to face with the reality of her relationship with Jack and their life on the farm. The film premiered at last years Sydney Film Festival in June, and only now is it released here in Australia. 

'OH, CANADA' (Rated M) - this American drama film is Written and Directed by Paul Schrader, and is based on the 2021 novel 'Foregone' by Russell Banks. Schrader made his Directorial debut with 'Blue Collar' in 1978 and over the years he would follow this up with the likes of 'American Gigolo' in 1980, 'Cat People' in 1982, 'Affliction' in 1997, 'Dying of the Light' in 2014, 'Dog Eat Dog' in 2016, 'First Reformed' in 2017, 'The Card Counter' in 2021, and 'Master Gardener' in 2022. Here, filmmaker Leonard 'Leo' Fife (played by Richard Gere in the present and Jacob Elordi in flashbacks) is dying of cancer. He is a hero to Canadian progressives, who revere his award-winning muckraking documentaries and are fascinated by his life story. According to legend, Leo fled America for Montreal to dodge the Vietnam War draft, and went on a Kerouac-style road trip to Castro's communist Cuba. In his last days, he agrees to sit for a CBC documentary filmed by his former students Malcolm (Michael Imperioli) and Diana (Victoria Hill). Malcolm promises that he is making an admiring retrospective of Leo’s career. Also starring Uma Thurman. The film saw its World Premiere at last years Cannes Film Festival in mid-May, was released in the US in early December, has so far grossed US$1.2M and has garnered generally favourable critical reviews.

'THE CATS OF GOKOGU SHRINE' (Rated G) - is a Japanese documentary film Co-Produced, Directed, photographed, and Edited by Kazuhiro Soda. Gokogu is a small, ancient Shinto shrine in Ushimado, Japan. Home to dozens of street cats, it is also known as Cat Shrine. Many people visit the shrine for various reasons - some to worship gods, others to enjoy gardening. Some people come to clean the shrine as volunteers while others just stop by on their way to fish Japanese sardinella, and, it is the perfect place for kids to play after school. It is a heaven for cat-loving residents and visitors too. Some people visit Gokogu to feed the freely roaming stray cats. Others just come to see these cats or to take pictures of them. But some residents complain about the waste the cats leave around the neighbourhood. Gokogu looks peaceful on the surface, but it is also the epicentre of a sensitive issue that divides the local community. 

'LOVE OF AN ICON : THE LEGEND OF CROCODILE DUNDEE' (Rated PG) - this Australian documentary film is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Co-Directed by Victoria Baldock and Delvene Delaney. Crocodile Dundee burst onto global cinema screens, and into the hearts of millions, nearly forty years ago in 1986, and remains Australia’s most successful film ever. What were the magic ingredients that contributed to this cultural icon? And why does it still mean so much to so many? This origin story behind the box office record breaking classic, features Paul Hogan (who starred as Michael J. 'Crocodile' Dundee in all three films in the franchise), Delvene Delaney, the late John Cornell (Co-Creator), Linda Kozlowski, Peter Fairman (Director), Russell Boyd (Cinematographer), David Gulpilil and the late John Meillon among many others.

With six 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 7th December 2023.

The Red Sea International Film Festival marks its third edition this year, running from Thursday 30th November through until Saturday 9th December. Over the course of ten days, the festival celebrates the best of local and international filmmaking talents in an exciting platform for everything film-related. With eleven film categories to choose from, the Red Sea Film Festival programme has something for everyone, satisfying every cinematic palate under the sun. Each section is expertly curated by a team of internationally renowned programmers, delivering the best in Arab and world cinema, television, and VR. You will also get to rediscover old favourites and restored classics, and enjoy an exciting collection of experimental and short films. It is an expansive roundup of the year’s international hits and audience and critics’ favourites, hot from the international cinematic circuit, as well as the best Saudi films, all competing in the heart of Jeddah. 

This years International Spectacular strand, the following feature films are being showcased :-

* 'Copa 71' - from the UK and Co-Written and Co-Directed by Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine, this documentary is about why the first Women's World Cup has been written out of history.

* 'Chicken Run : Dawn of the Nugget' - from the UK and Directed by Sam Fell, this animated adventure comedy film tells the story of how, having escaped from the farm, Ginger and Rocky welcome a new little adventurer into their lives. Back on the mainland, the whole of chicken-kind faces a terrible new threat. Starring the voice talents of Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Jane Horrocks, Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall and Miranda Richardson.

* 'Dammi' - from France and the UK and Co-Written and Directed by Yann Mounir Demange and starring Riz Ahmed and Isabelle Adjani, this short drama film tells the story of a man who travels back to Paris while navigating his past experiences and weird glimpses of the present in an effort to reconnect with his estranged father. He is forced to face his fears and guilt while also reclaiming his lost Arab identity.

* 'The President's Wife' (aka 'Bernadette') - from France and Written and Directed by Lea Domenach, this biographical comedy drama film stars Catherine Deneuve following Bernadette Chirac during the two French presidential mandates of her husband, Jacques Chirac from 1995, until the election of Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007.

* 'The Boy and the Heron' - from Japan and Written and Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this animated adventure drama film sees Mahito, a young 12-year-old boy, who struggles to settle in a new town after his mother's death. However, when a talking heron informs Mahito that his mother is still alive, he enters an abandoned tower in search of her, which takes him to another world.

* 'Origin' - from the USA, India and Germany and Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Ava DuVernay, this drama film charts the unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Vera Farmiga, Connie Neilsen, Jon Bernthal, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood and Finn Wittrock.

* 'Priscilla' - from the USA and Italy and Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Sofia Coppola this musical biographical drama film is based on the 1985 memoir 'Elvis and Me' by Priscilla Presley and follows the life of Presley (Cailee Spaeny) and her relationship with Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi).

* 'Silent Night' - from the USA and Co-Produced and Directed by John Woo, this action film stars Joel Kinnaman, Catalina Sandino Moreno and Kid Cudi about a grieving father who enacts his long-awaited revenge against a ruthless gang on Christmas Eve.

* 'Ferrari' - from the USA and Co-Produced and Directed by Michael Mann this biographical sports drama film stars Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Jack O'Connell and Patrick Dempsey. In the summer of 1957, Enzo Ferrari, reeling from the death of his son Dino, the deteriorating marriage with his wife Laura, and his company's impending bankruptcy, enters his racing team to the 1957 Mille Miglia. Chosen as the Closing Night Gala Film presentation. 

For the other film strands including the Arab Spectacular, the Red Sea : Competition, Red Sea : Treasures and Special Screenings plus a whole lot more, you can go to the official website at : https://redseafilmfest.com/en/

To tease you out to your local big screen Odeon in this first week of Summer, there are no less than eight movies coming your way, kicking off with a biographical offering from only a second time Director but a seasoned Actor nonetheless that charts the lifelong love between a famed music conductor and composer and his Costa Rican wife. Following on, we have a crime thriller about a meticulous horticulturist who is devoted to tending the grounds of a beautiful estate and pandering to his employer, the wealthy dowager. Next up is an actioner from an acclaimed Director of the genre about a grieving father who enacts his long-awaited revenge against a ruthless gang on Christmas Eve. Then we turn to an Aussie Sci-Fi thriller that sees two drug-dependent best friends in Melbourne heist a bag of time-travelling crystal in order to pay off their debt to a volatile dealer; which is followed by a romcom drama offering about a woman who is unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiance who has finally brought her back to life. This is followed by a Japanese animated film that follows a young boy who discovers an abandoned tower in his new town and enters a fantastical world with a talking grey heron; and then a documentary combining interviews with secretly shot footage, that focuses on the difficulties facing North Korean defectors, revealing a way of life unknown to most of the world. And closing out the week we have a musical comedy about two self-obsessed businessmen who discover they're long-lost identical twins and come together to plot the reunion of their eccentric, divorced parents.

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

'MAESTRO' (Rated M) - this American biographical film is Co-Written, Co-Produced, Directed and stars Bradley Cooper in his second feature film making outing after the critically acclaimed and multi award winning 'A Star is Born' in 2018. Also taking Producing credits are Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. This film saw its World Premiere screening at the Venice International Film Festival in early September this year where is was in competition for the Golden Lion, saw a limited cinema release in the US from 22nd November and here in Australia from this week before streaming on Netflix from 20th December. 

This complex love story chronicles the lifelong relationship of famed conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper) and Costa Rican Actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Carey Mulligan) from the time they met at a party in 1946 and continuing through two engagements, a 25 year marriage, and three children - Jamie Bernstein (Maya Hawke), Alexander Bernstein (Sam Nivola) and Nina Bernstein Simmons (Alexa Swinton). Also starring Sarah Silverman as Bernstein's sister Shirley. 

'MASTER GARDENER' (Rated M) - is an American crime thriller film Written and Directed by Paul Schrader whose previous film making credits take in the likes of his debut offering with 'Blue Collar' in 1978 and then 'American Gigolo' in 1980, 'Cat People' in 1982, 'The Comfort of Strangers' in 1990, 'Dying of the Light' in 2014, 'First Reformed' in 2017 and 'The Card Counter' in 2021. Here, a meticulous horticulturist Narvel Roth (Joel Edgerton) is devoted to tending the grounds of a beautiful estate owned by a wealthy dowager Norma Heverhill (Sigourney Weaver). When he's told to take on her troubled great-niece Maya Core (Quintessa Swindell) as an apprentice, his life is thrown into chaos and dark secrets from his past emerge. The film saw its World Premiere out of competition at the Venice International Film Festival in early September 2022, and was released in the US in mid-May this year having so far grossed US$1.4M at the Box Office off the back of a US$4M production budget and garnering generally favourable reviews.

'SILENT NIGHT' (Rated MA15+) - this American action film is Co-Produced and Directed by John Woo whose prior feature film output includes 'A Better Tomorrow' and 'A Better Tomorrow II' in 1986 and '87, 'The Killer' in 1989, 'Bullet in the Head' in 1990, 'Hard Boiled' in 1992, and then his first Hollywood actioner 'Hard Target' in 1993 followed by 'Broken Arrow' in 1996, 'Face/Off' in 1997, 'Mission : Impossible 2' in 2000, 'Paycheck' in 2003 with 'Red Cliff : Part I' and 'Red Cliff : Part II' in 2008 and 2009 amongst a whole swathe of others. This film is John Woo's first American production since 'Paycheck' twenty years ago and sees a man, Brian Goodluck (Joel Kinnaman) witnesses the death of his young son when the boy gets caught in crossfire between warring gangs on Christmas Eve. Recovering from a wound that cost him his voice, he soon embarks on a bloody and gruelling quest to punish those responsible. The film was released last week in the US and has so far grossed US$3.5M.

'TIME ADDICTS' (Rated MA15+) - is an Australian Sci-Fi thriller Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Sam Odlum in his feature film making debut. In debt to their volatile drug dealer, best friends, Denise (Freya Tingley) and Johnny (Charles Grounds), agree to a sketchy job to pay off their last hit. After breaking into a run down stash house in Melbourne, Victoria to steal a bag of mysterious drugs, escape proves more troublesome, as the pair find themselves trapped inside with a madman. With no way out and not one to miss an opportunity, Johnny smokes the new drug and promptly travels into the past, triggering alarming new events in the future. Separated through time, Denise is left alone to confront her past, their dealer's real identity, and her very own existence.

'ONE TRUE LOVES' (Rated PG) - this American romantic comedy drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Andy Fickman whose previous film making efforts include 'She The Man' in 2006, 'The Game Plan' in 2007, 'Race to Witch Mountain' in 2009, 'Parental Guidance' in 2012, and 'Playing with Fire' in 2019. This film is an adaptation of the 2016 novel of the same name by Taylor Jenkins Reid. After her husband Jesse (Luke Bracey) disappears in a helicopter crash, Emma (Phillipa Soo) moves back to Massachusetts in an effort to mend her life back together. Four years later, Emma runs into her old best friend, Sam (Simu Liu), and they become inseparable. Newly engaged, Emma receives an unexpected phone call revealing Jesse is alive. Completely torn, Emma must now choose between a husband and a fiance. The film was released in the US in early April this year and has generated largely unfavourable reviews.

'THE BOY AND THE HERON' (Rated PG) - is an Japanese animated fantasy film Written and Directed by Hayao Miyazaki and is Produced by Studio Ghibli. Hayao Miyazaki's previous film credits take in the likes of 'Castle in the Sky' in 1986, 'Princess Mononoke' in 1997, 'Spirited Away' in 2001, 'Howl's Moving Castle' in 2004, 'Ponyo' in 2008 and 'The Wind Rises' in 2013 amongst others. All up Miyazaki has won seventy-nine awards and been nominated a further forty-eight times for his work in Japanese animation. Here, Mahito (voiced by Luca Padovan in the English over-dubbed version), a young twelve-year-old boy, struggles to settle in a new town after his mother's death. However, when a talking heron informs Mahito that his mother is still alive, he enters an abandoned tower in search of her, which takes him to another world. The English version includes the voice talents of Robert Pattinson, Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe and Dave Bautista. The film has garnered universal critical acclaim and has so far grossed US$84M at the Box Office since its release in its native Japan in mid-July with a US and Australian release set for this week. 

'BEYOND UTOPIA' (Rated M) - this American documentary film is Directed and Edited by Madeleine Gavin in her third feature doco film since her debut in 2003 with 'What I Want My Words to Do to You : Voices from Inside a Women's Maximum Security Prison' and 2016's 'City of Joy'. The documentary centres around Sengeun Kim, a pastor who defected from North to South Korea and who facilitates North Korean defections of families as they attempt to escape oppression in North Korea, revealing a world most of us have never seen. The film saw its World Premiere showcasing at this years Sundance Film Festival in late January, went on limited release in the US in late October, has so far grossed just US$28K yet had generated universal critical acclaim and has collected six award wins and another thirteen nominations from around the awards and festival circuit.

'DICKS : THE MUSICAL' (Rated MA15+) - is an American musical comedy film Co-Produced and Directed by Larry Charles whose prior film making credits take in 'Masked and Anonymous' in 2003, 'Borat' in 2006, 'Bruno' in 2009, 'The Dictator' in 2012 and 'Army of One' in 2016. This film is based on the off-Broadway musical 'Fucking Identical Twins' by Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson. Here then, two business adversaries Craig and Trevor (Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson respectively) realise they're identical twin brothers, and decide to switch places to reunite their divorced parents so they all can become an actual family again. Also starring Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, Megan Thee Stallion, Sonya Eddy, Danielle Perez and Nick Offerman, the film saw its World Premiere screening at this years Toronto International Film Festival in early September before going on release in the US in early October, having so far grossed US$1.4M and generating mixed or average critical reviews.

With eight 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 2nd December 2021.

The film awards season has kicked off with the first being the 31st Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards, that were held in New York on 29th November. The nominees were announced on 21st October, with Actors Peter Dinklage and Kristen Stewart, Director Jane Campion, film executive Eamonn Bowles, playwright Kathleen Collins (receiving hers posthumously), and the cast of 'The Harder They Fall' all receiving tribute awards.

Among the list of feature film category winners, grinners and also rans, were the following :-

Best Feature Film

* Awarded to 'THE LOST DAUGHTER', beating out 'The Green Knight', 'Passing', 'Pig' and 'Test Pattern'.

Best Documentary Feature

* Awarded to 'FLEE', beating out 'Ascension', 'Faya Dayi', 'President' and 'Summer of Soul ( . . . or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised).

Best International Feature

* Awarded to 'DRIVE MY CAR', beating out 'Azor', 'The Souvenir Part II', 'Titane', 'What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?' and 'The Worst Person in the World'.

Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award

* Awarded to Maggie Gyllenhaal for 'THE LOST DAUGHTER', beating out Edson Oda for 'Nine Days', Rebecca Hall for 'Passing', Emma Seligman for 'Shiva Baby' and Shatara Michelle Ford for 'Test Pattern'.

Best Screenplay

* Awarded to Maggie Gyllenhaal for 'THE LOST DAUGHTER', beating out 'The Card Counter' by Paul Schrader, 'El Planeta' by Amalia Ulman, 'The Green Knight' by David Lowery, 'Passing' by Rebecca Hall and 'Red Rocket' by Sean Baker and Chris Bergoch.

Outstanding Lead Performance

* Awarded to Olivia Colman for 'THE LOST DAUGHTER' and Frankie Faison for 'THE KILLING OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN' in a tie, beating out Michael Greyeyes for 'Wild Indian', Brittany S. Hall for 'Test Pattern', Oscar Isaac for 'The Card Counter', Taylour Paige for 'Zola', Joaquin Phoenix for 'C'mon C'mon', Simon Rex for 'Red Rocket', Lili Taylor for 'Paper Spiders' and Tessa Thompson for 'Passing'.

Outstanding Supporting Performance

* Awarded to Troy Kotsur for 'CODA', beating out Reed Birney for 'Mass', Jessie Buckley for 'The Lost Daughter', Colman Domingo for 'Zola', Gabby Hoffmann for 'C'mon C'mon', Marlee Matlin for 'CODA' and Ruth Negga for 'Passing'.

Breakthrough Performer

* Awarded to Emilia Jones for 'CODA', beating out Natalie Morales for 'Language Lessons', Rachel Sennott for 'Shiva Baby', Suzanna Son for 'Red Rocket' and Amalia Ulman for 'El Planeta'.

For the complete list of all the winners and nominees in every category, you can visit the official website at : https://www.awards.thegotham.org/

This week we have four new cinematic releases to tease you out to your local Odeon in the first week of the Australian Summer, launching with en epic Sci-Fi adventure story about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy. Next up is a revenge thriller that charts the story of an ex-military interrogator turned prison inmate turned gambler upon his release haunted by the ghosts of his past; and this is followed by an Italian film set in 1980's Naples, Italy, where a young man experiences heartbreak and liberation after he's inadvertently saved from a freak accident by soccer legend Diego Maradona. And we close out the week with a Disney animated film about a young Colombian girl who has to face the frustration of being the only member of her family without magical powers.

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

'DUNE' (Rated M) - is an American epic Sci-Fi film Directed, Co-Written for the screen and Co-Produced by Denis Villeneuve whose previous feature film offerings take in 'Incendies' in 2010, 'Prisoners' in 2013, 'Sicario' in 2015, 'Arrival' in 2016 and 'Blade Runner 2049' in 2017. This film is based on the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert and is the first instalment in a planned two part adaptation with 'Dune : Part Two' now scheduled for an October 2023 release. Originally scheduled for a late November 2020 release, the film was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, instead having its World Premier at the Venice International Film Festival on 3rd September this year ahead of its international release in mid-September. It was then released in US cinemas and streaming on HBO Max on 21st October, and only now does it go on general release in Australia. The film has so far generated largely positive critical acclaim and has so far grossed US$375M off the back of a US$165M production budget. 

Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe, Arrakis, to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of 'spice' the most precious resource in existence, only those who can conquer their own fear will survive. Also starring an ensemble cast including Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem. 

'THE CARD COUNTER' (Rated MA15+) - is an American crime drama film Written and Directed by Paul Schrader, whose prior film making credits include his 1978 debut 'Blue Collar', then 'American Gigolo' in 1980, 'Cat People' in 1982, 'Patty Hearst' in 1988, 'The Comfort of Strangers' in 1990, 'The Walker' in 2007, 'The Dying of the Light' in 2014, 'Dog Eat Dog' in 2016, and 'First Reformed' in 2017. This film saw its World Premier at the Venice Film Festival back in early September and went on release Stateside on 10th September having taken so far US$3.5M in Box Office receipts and garnered generally positive critical reviews. Here then, William Tell (Oscar Isaac) is a gambler who taught himself how to count cards during an eight-year stint in military prison, and former serviceman who sets out to reform a young man seeking revenge on a mutual enemy from their past. Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk Baufort (Tye Sheridan), a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute his plan for revenge on a high ranking military officer Major John Gordo (Willem Dafoe). Tell sees a chance at redemption through his relationship with Cirk. Also starring Tiffany Haddish. 

'THE HAND OF GOD' (Rated MA15+) - this Italian drama film is Written, Directed and Co-Produced by Paolo Sorrentino who previous feature films take in the likes of his 2001 debut 'One Man Up' followed by 'This Must Be The Place' in 2011 with Sean Penn and Frances McDormand and 'Youth' in 2015 with Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel. This film saw its World Premier screening at the Venice International Film Festival in early September where it won the Grand Jury Prize and where Filippo Scotti, as the lead Actor, received the Marcello Mastroianni Award. The film has been selected as the Italian entry for the Best International Feature Film at next years Academy Awards having thus far collected five award wins and a further six nominations from around the awards and festival circuit. It is scheduled for a limited release this week, followed by streaming on Netflix on 15th December. This is the story of a boy, Fabietto Schisa (Filippo Scotti), set in the tumultuous Naples of the 1980's, and is full of unexpected joys, such as the arrival of football legend Diego Maradona, and an equally unexpected tragedy. Fate plays its part, joy and tragedy intertwine, and Fabietto's future is set in motion in this tale of fate and family, sports and cinema, love and loss.

'ENCANTO' (Rated PG) - is an American computer animated musical fantasy comedy film produced by Disney and is the 60th animated feature film produced by the studio. Directed and based on a story co-written by Jared Bush and Byron Howard with eight original songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film saw its World Premier in Los Angeles in early November before its US release on 24th of that month having so far grossed US$70M off the back of a production budget of US$120M and generated largely positive Reviews. The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift, every child that is except for Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger. Also starring John Leguizamo and Diane Guerrero. 

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

-Steve, at Odeon Online-