What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 8th February 2024.

This years 74th Berlin International Film Festival (The Berlinale) launches on Thursday 15th February and runs through until Sunday 25th February. The official website reads 'the Berlinale is a unique place of artistic exploration and entertainment. It is one of the largest public film festivals in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe each year. For the film industry and the media, the eleven days in February are also one of the most important events in the annual calendar and an indispensable trading forum. The festival was created for the Berlin public in 1951, at the beginning of the Cold War, as a 'showcase of the free world'. Shaped by the turbulent post-war period and the unique situation of a divided city, the Berlinale has developed into a place of intercultural exchange and a platform for the critical cinematic exploration of social issues. To this day it is considered the most political of all the major film festivals. The Berlinale brings the big stars of international cinema to Berlin and discovers new talents. It accompanies filmmakers of all disciplines on their paths into the spotlight and supports careers, projects, dreams and visions'.

The International Jury presents the following awards within its main competition strand : Golden Bear for Best Film (awarded to the film’s Producers), Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, Silver Bear Jury Prize, Silver Bear for Best Director, Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance, Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance, Silver Bear for Best Screenplay and Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution.

This years films in Competition are as follows :-

* 'Another End' - from Italy and Directed by Pierro Messina and starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Olivia Williams. World Premiere.

* 'Architecton' - from Germany, France and the USA and Directed by Victor Kossakovsky. Documentary World Premiere.

* 'Black Tea' - from France, Mauritania, Luxembourg, Taiwan and Cote d'Ivorie and Directed by Abderrahmane Sissako. World Premiere.

* 'La Cocina' - from Mexico and the USA and Directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios and starring Rooney Mara. World Premiere. 

* 'Dahomey' - from France, Senegal and Benin and Directed by Mati Diop. Documentary World Premiere.

* 'A Different Man' - from the USA and Directed by Aaron Schimberg. 

* 'The Empire' - from France, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Portugal and Directed by Bruno Dumont and starring Camille Cottin. World Premiere.

* 'Gloria!' - from Italy and Switzerland and Directed by Margherita Vicario. World Premiere.

* 'Suspended Time' - from France and Directed by Olivier Assayas. World Premiere.

* 'From Hilde, With Love' - from Germany and Directed by Andreas Dresen. World Premiere.

* 'My Favourite Cake' - from Iran, France, Sweden and Germany and Directed by Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha. World Premiere.

* 'Langue Etrangere' - from France, Germany and Belgium and Directed by Claire Burger and starring Nina Hoss. World Premiere. 

* 'Who Do I Belong To' - from Tunisia, France, Canada, Norway, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and Directed by Meryam Joobeur. World Premiere.

* 'Pepe' - from the Dominican Republic, Namibia, Germany and France and Directed by Nelson Carlos De Los Santos Arias. World Premiere.

* 'Shambhala' - from Nepal, France, Norway, Hong Kong, China, Turkey, Taiwan, USA and Qatar and Directed by Min Bahadur Bham. World Premiere.

* 'Small Things Like These' - from Ireland and Belgium and Directed by Tim Mielants and starring Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson. World Premiere and the Opening Night Film. 

* 'Dying' - from Germany and Directed by Matthias Glasner. World Premiere.

* 'The Devil's Bath' - from Austria and Germany and Directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala. World Premiere.

* 'Sons' - from Denmark and Sweden and Directed by Gustav Moller and starring Sidse Babette Knudsen. World Premiere.

* 'A Traveller's Needs' - from South Korea and Directed by Hong Sangsoo and starring Isabelle Huppert. World Premiere.

For the full synopsis of the aforementioned films in competition, plus all the other competitive strands and the Honorary Golden Bear Award which this year is being presented to the US Director, Producer and Screenwriter Martin Scorsese for his lifetime achievement, you can visit the official website at : https://www.berlinale.de/

This week there are just three new cinematic releases to tempt you out to a cool air conditioned movie theatre to stave off the heat of an Aussie summer, and we kick off with a sequel to a 2020 Australian thriller, that this time sees five women participate in a hiking retreat but only four come out the other side, with this returning Federal Agent heading into the mountains hoping to find his informant still alive. This is followed by a National Theatre production that tells the story of the England soccer team, and how with the worst track record for penalties in the world, their manager knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt, to take his team and country back to the promised land. And closing out the week we have for two nights only a 65th anniversary concert tour of one of Britain's most iconic musicians. 

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.

'FORCE OF NATURE : THE DRY 2' (Rated M) - is an Australian mystery thriller film Written for the screen and Directed by Robert Connolly, and is based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Jane Harper. This film is a sequel to 2020 film 'The Dry' which first introduced the world to detective Aaron Falk played by Eric Bana who reprises his role here and also acts as Co-Producer. Robert Connolly's previous feature film making credits take in his debut in 2002 with 'The Bank' which he would follow up with 'Three Dollars' in 2005, 'Balibo' in 2009, 'The Turning' in 2013, 'Paper Planes' in 2015, and 'The Dry' in 2020. 

Here, five women take part in a corporate hiking retreat deep in the Victorian mountain ranges, one of the five is a whistle-blower and she disappears. When only four of those women return with each telling a different story, Detectives Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) and Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie) must find out what really happened before time runs out and the hope of finding her alive becomes more remote. Also starring Deborra Lee-Furness, Anna Torv, Robin McLeavy and Richard Roxburgh. 

'DEAR ENGLAND' (Rated E) - this English National Theatre Live film is Written by James Graham and Directed by Rupert Goold and centres on England football Manager Gareth Southgate (played by Joseph Fiennes), the pressures of elite sport, and the role of the national men's football team in the national psyche. The play explores how Southgate helped to change notions of masculinity on the England team, in the run-up to, and aftermath of, three tournaments - its unexpected run to the semifinals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia; its disappointing defeat in the 2020 European Championship final at Wembley Stadium and its quarterfinal exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The title of the play comes from the open letter Southgate wrote to England fans in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Dear England' saw its World Premiere at the National Theatre in London, where it ran from 20th June to 11th August 2023, before transferring to to the Prince Edward Theatre in London's West End for a limited fourteen-week run from 9th October 2023 until 13th January 2024.

'CLIFF RICHARD : THE BLUE SAPPHIRE TOUR' (Rated G) - for a very limited time in cinema's the British music icon Cliff Richard, now 83 years of age, is celebrating his 65th anniversary as of one of Britain’s all-time greatest hit makers. Cliff Richard’s anticipated Blue Sapphire Tour is set to dazzle the silver screen in this two-date only cinema event, recorded from London’s Hammersmith Eventim Apollo, and Directed by Brian Klein. Across his illustrious and unrivalled eight-decade career spanning stage and screen, Sir Cliff Richard has become a British icon and cultural treasure, amassing many gold and platinum records, well over 250 million records sales worldwide, fourteen number-one singles, a colossal 96 Top 20 hits, seven number-one albums and a string of Brit and Ivor Novello awards to his name. Sir Cliff will be bringing a selection from his huge catalogue of hits back to the stage for this monumental celebration in cinemas nationwide, including 'Move It', 'Wired for Sound', 'Saviours Day' and 'The Young Ones'. This special presentation also includes bonus footage exclusive to cinemas.

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, and after ten years of writing my Blog, and 1,400 posts, I'm taking a break from writing my Reviews and Previews of the latest release movies. But fear not, I'll be back, in a few months when I'll take off again with all the latest at your big screen Odeon. 

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Sunday 1st January 2023

The movie industry awards season is about to ramp up, having already seen the Gotham Awards presented on 28th November, the British Independent Film Awards on 4th December, the AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Awards on 5th December, the People's Choice Awards on 6th December and the American Film Institute Top Ten Awards on 9th December amongst others. In the count down to Hollywood's Night of Night's, the Oscar Ceremony on 12th March, below is a list of the more significant upcoming awards presentations that might merit your attention, and scrutiny. 

* 10th January 2023 - The 80th Golden Globe Awards as chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

* 15th January 2023 - The 28th Critics Choice Awards.

* 11th February 2023 - The 27th Satellite Awards presented by the International Press Academy. 

* 18th February 2023 - The 75th Directors Guild of America Awards.

* 19th February 2023 - The 76th BAFTA Awards.

* 24th February 2023 - The 12th AACTA International Awards.

* 25th February 2023 - The 34th Producers Guild of America Awards.

* 25th February 2023 - The 50th Annie Awards presented by the International Animated Film Association - Hollywood.

* 26th February 2023 - The 29th Screen Actors Guild of America Awards.

* 4th March 2023 - The 38th Film Independent Spirit Awards.

* 5th March 2023 - The 75th Writers Guild of America Awards.

* 12th March 2023 - The 95th Academy Awards.

Stay tuned into your future Odeon Online editions for the full list of all the winners, grinners and also-rans of the aforementioned awards ceremonies, and perhaps then some. 

This New Years Day then, there are only two new release movies coming to a big screen Odeon near you, and we begin with an American remake of a Swedish film from 2015 about a sixty-year-old grump who no longer sees purpose in his life following the loss of his wife and is ready to end it all, but his plans are interrupted when a lively young family moves in next door. And closing out the week we have an Aussie drama film about a young girl, who while learning to dive, befriends a magnificent wild blue groper, beginning her life-long journey to save the world's coral reefs.

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

'A MAN CALLED OTTO' (Rated M) - this American comedy drama film is Directed by Marc Forster and is the second film adaptation of the 2012 novel 'A Man Called Ove' by Swedish author Fredrik Backman, following the 2015 Swedish film of the same name Written and Directed by Hannes Holm. Marc Forster's prior film making credits take in the likes of 'Monster's Ball' in 2001, 'Finding Neverland' in 2004, 'The Kite Runner' in 2007, 'Quantum of Solace' in 2008, 'World War Z' in 2013 and 'Christopher Robin' in 2018. The film saw a limited release in the US from 30th December before a much wider release from 13th January and has so far garnered mixed or average reviews.

The film tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), who after his wife dies and he is forced to retire from his job of nearly forty years, this grumpy sixty-year-old decides to end his own life. He lives his life by a staunch set of principles, strict routines and a short fuse, and gives everyone in his gated neighbourhood community a hard time as he watches over it like a hawk. His only joy comes from criticising and judging his exasperated neighbours. However, his attempts at suicide are thwarted when a lively young family moves in next door, and he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol (Mariana Trevino), leading to an unexpected friendship that will turn his world upside-down. Also starring Rachel Keller and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo.

'BLUEBACK' (Rated PG) - is an Australian drama film Directed and Co-Produced by Robert Connolly, from a screenplay written by Robert Connolly and Tim Winton, based on Winton's 1997 novel of the same name. Connolly's previous feature film making credits include his debut in 2001 with 'The Bank', then 'Three Dollars' in 2005, 'Balibo' in 2009, 'The Turning' in 2013, 'Paper Planes' in 2015 and 'The Dry' in 2021. This film saw its World Premier screening at the Toronto International Film Festival back in mid-September 2022, and is released here in Australia on New Years Day. The film follows Abby (played by Ariel Donoghue as a child, Ilsa Fogg as a teenager and Mia Wasikowska as an adult), a child who befriends a magnificent wild blue groper while diving. When Abby realises that the fish is under threat, she takes inspiration from her environmental activist Mum, Dora (Radha Mitchell) and takes on poachers to save her friend, and help protect the ocean that she so loves. Also starring Eric Bana and Erik Thomson. 

With just two 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 15th January 2015.

It's mid-January already - awards season is upon us and earlier this week The Golden Globes paved the way for the upcoming Hollywood night of nights in a few weeks time. What this means for the movie going public like you and me is that a whole raft of great films will be released in the coming weeks to ensure that those nominated are fresh in our minds come awards night. For the most part these have already been released 'Stateside' hoping now to gain an extra shot in the Box Office arm carried along by all the publicity and furore that 'The Oscars' generates.

This week is no exception with one of the most talked about movies for a long time hitting our multiplexes that is creating lots of buzz already; then we have the second Directorial outing for one of Hollywood's most recognised actresses and one half of a very powerful Tinseltown couple; and then there is an Aussie family friendly flying flick that ticks all the right boxes!

With so much great stuff out there on general release and Previewed or Reviewed in previous weeks, plus more great new offerings this week and in the following weeks you had better start diarising what your going to see first, next and thereafter! Whatever you decide upon, share your thoughts and observations with the Odeon Online ever expanding readership and Post a Comment after this, or any other Post. Enjoy your movie!

BIRDMAN (aka THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) - (Rated MA15+) - finally after all the buzz, excitement and anticipation surrounding this Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu Directed film, 'Birdman' has arrived. With it comes talk of career best performances from its lead Actor, and not so bad either from its support cast; the strength and originality of the script; and the camera work to create an almost seamless journey through the life of Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) as he struggles to re-establish his career, stage a Broadway play, and fight his own Demons. With Michael Keaton cast at Thomson ('The Birdman') this is almost a case of art imitating life imitating art! In this film Riggan Thomson is an Actor who back in the day was very successful in the lead role of a Superhero movie franchise, known as 'The Birdman', who quit at the height of his popularity after three films and largely faded into obscurity. Similarly Keaton was very successful in the lead role in Tim Burton's early 'Batman' franchise playing the caped crusader twice and then quitting, and largely fading into obscurity, although he has always been somewhere in the background of film & TV releases subsequently!

Now fast forward and the film takes us inside a Broadway theatre when Riggan Thomson is attempting to reignite his flagging career with a Raymond Carver adapted stage play that he is financing, writing, Directing and starring in. . . what could possibly go wrong? With rehearsals ongoing; in fighting amongst the cast & crew; New York critics chomping at the bit; other egos all getting in the way; and plenty of opinions, advice and wisdom being proffered from all quarters -  is it any surprise that Thomson starts to implode? In doing so he starts to hallucinate, levitate and communicate with his alter ego 'Birdman'. Thomson is very much front and centre throughout this film with memorable characters all crossing his path as opening night approaches - Emma Stone at Riggan's daughter and appointed PA Sam, Edward Norton as renowned Broadway Actor Mike Shiner, Naomi Watts as Lesley - an actress and girlfriend of Shiner, Amy Ryan as Riggan's ex-wife Sylvia, Zach Galifanakis as Jake - friend and Lawyer to Riggan and Andrea Riseborough as Laura - also an actress, and Riggan's girlfriend. Touted already as the film of the year on many levels, this US$18M movie has so far garnered 98 awards wins and another 114 nominations and the Academy Award nominations have not even been announced yet (at the time of Publishing this Post). On this basis - it is the 'must-see without fail' so far in 2015.

UNBROKEN (Rated M) - Angelina Jolie's second turn in the Directors chair for this true life account of the extraordinary life of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini whose WWII exploits were adventurous, colourful, fantastical, miserable and testing all at once. The 1956 autobiography 'Devil at my Heels' this film has been doing the rounds well and truly for the last 50+ years - Tony Curtis was in fact set to play Zamperini back in the day, and then in more recent time Brad Pitt, then Nicolas Cage before Jolie got her hands on it and signed up Jack O'Connell to play our hero. Subsequently Laura Hillenbrand wrote the biography which was published in 2010 with whom Jolie collaborated and brought in Joel & Ethan Coen to help write the screenplay. Known for his fast pace and running prowess at school the young Zamperini ran at the 1936 Olympics although failed to win a medal but showed enough promise to be a shoe-in for the 1940 Tokyo Games. The advent of WWII scuppered that dream and joining the US Forces he was shot down over the Pacific and spent 47 days adrift with several other crewman. He was then captured by the Japanese and spent two years as a prisoner of war undergoing all manner of mental and physical hardships and torture. In many respects this story is such an unbelievable one that you might struggle to believe what the human body, mind and spirit can endure as depicted here. Filmed largely in Australia for US$65M this also stars Jai Courtney, Domhnall Gleeson and Garrett Hedlund, and it has picked up nine award wins and 14 nominations so far.

PAPER PLANES (Rated G) - this Australian family film is likely to surprise and delight young and older audiences for its simple grounded storyline, humour, heart and adversity overcome through opportunity. Young Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) is growing up in outback Australia and has developed a fascination for making  - yes you guessed it - paper planes, and has become very good at it! So much so that he qualifies to compete at an event in Sydney, which in turn gives his a chance to attend the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan. However, he needs to convince Dad Jack, (Sam Worthington) that this is a good idea and that such a change of focus will help him recover from the recent death of his wife and Dylan's mother - whom he has been grieving over for the past five months. With a strong story and effects showing all manner of paper planes ducking, diving, bobbing and weaving through the air in all manner of acrobatic and aeronautic movements this could be a real crowd pleaser for kids of all ages! David Wenham and Deborah Mailman also star, and Directed by Robert Connolly.

Once again three very different offerings with which you can't possibly go wrong. Check one out this week and share your movie thoughts with us all right here at Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-