What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 19th November 2015.

For the last seven years since being established in 2009, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has presented the Governors Awards in November each year as determined by the Academy's Board of Governors. These awards are the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the Honorary Award with the highlights from the event being incorporated into the year's Academy Awards show. On 14th November at The Hollywood & Highland Centre, this year Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda and Laura Linney all presented an Honorary Award to Gena Rowlands; and Samuel L. Jackson, Wesley Snipes and Denzel Washington were presenting an Honorary Award to Spike Lee with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award going to Debbie Reynolds. Spike Lee was described as 'a champion of independent film and an inspiration to young filmmakers'; with Gena Rowlands as 'an original talent whose devotion to her craft has earned her worldwide recognition as an independent film icon'; and Debbie Reynolds as 'a Hollywood icon since she won hearts with her buoyant performance in 'Singin’ in the Rain.' embarked on the role of a lifetime as a founding member of the Thalians, a charitable organisation conceived and sustained by entertainers to promote awareness and treatment of mental health issues'. `Truly formidable talent worthy of such recognition, and an inspiration to many who have come along since.  For more go to : www.oscars.org/governors

For more formidable talent in the week ahead, as well as some of the great content doing the rounds and as Previewed and Reviewed in previous Posts, there are five new films coming your way. These kick off with the conclusion of a highly successful future dystopian franchise that sees democracy restored to an over powering leader at the hands of one determined woman and those that have chosen to follow her. Then a cold murder case revisited by the victims mother and her FBI colleague years later with far reaching consequences for all; followed up by unscrupulous Repo Men doing what they do best without integrity, beyond the law and devoid of emotion until one victim bounces back. We then have an all star comedic cast supported by a dog and a bunch of aliens which sounds like a recipe for a laugh a minute movie; and wrapping up the week a feel good Indian foreign language film of slums, brothers, determination and pizza!

With such diversity again this week, you'll be compelled to get to your local cinema and catch a latest release. When you have, share your thoughts, views and opinions with your like minded cinephiles here at Odeon Online by recording your critique in the Comments Box below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your movie!

THE HUNGER GAMES : MOCKINGJAY, Part 2 (Rated M) - I was rather non-plussed by the first instalment in the concluding two films in this mega franchise that has so far seen a global Box Office return of US$2.31B off combined production budgets of US$333M. In this final instalment of the trilogy written by Suzanne Collins, this US$125M film is again Directed by Francis Lawrence and sees all our favourite characters reunited for the last hurrah . . . although it seems that Lionsgate are considering prequels and further sequels even though there are only three books in the series which have already been committed to celluloid.

And so to the film which began it journey's end a year ago, we have the state of Panem engulfed in full scale all out revolutionary war. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her merry band of followers that include Peeta (Josh Hutchinson), Gale (Liam Hemsworth), Finnick (Sam Claiflin) and Cressida (Natalie Dormer) converge on The Capitol and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) with the aim of taking him out once and for all, liberating the downtrodden citizens of Panem and installing a new world order. At the same time President Snow has become increasingly intent on destroying Katniss and everything she stands for. Although on the 'inside' there is Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) and Johanna (Jena Malone), Katniss must play out one final game in order to overthrow The Capitol, but at what cost to herself, those she knows and loves, and the people of Panem. Also starring Stanley Tucci, Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Banks and Philip Seymour Hoffman in his last role, this is must see I think just to see how it all ends, if for no other reason.

SECRET IN THEIR EYES (Rated M) - This film is based on the 2005 novel by Argentinian writer Eduardo Sacheri that has been adapted for the big screen previously in its native Argentina and won the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2010 Academy Awards Ceremony. Now it has been Hollywood-ised and has been Directed by Billy Ray and Written by him for the screen with a budget of US$20M. The film stars Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Jess (Julia Roberts) as FBI Investigators aided by District Attorney Claire (Nicole Kidman) seeking to bring to justice the brutal murder of Jess' teenage daughter. When the case leads to a dead end and all goes cold, thirteen years later Ray returns with a new lead that may just lead them to resolve the case finally, whilst uncovering old and painful memories of the past, and revealing what vengeance can truly mean to the human psyche.

99 HOMES (Rated M) - A film of house repossessions Written, Produced, Directed and Edited by Ramin Bahrani who also came up with the story which centres upon unemployed construction worker and single Dad Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield) living with his mother Lynn (Laura Dern) in Orlando, Florida with his young son Connor (Noah Lomax). Tough, callous and unscrupulous Rick Carver (Michael Shannon) is a real estate businessman who has made his wealth by evicting struggling home owners when they fail to meet their mortgage payments. When Carver evicts Nash and his family with the help of the local Police, the distraught family move into a dead beat low end Motel thinking all is lost. But salvation is not far away in the form of Rick Carver who offers Nash a job and the chance to reclaim his family home . . . but at what cost to his family, his friends, his conscience and his humility. Made for US$8M this film has received much critical acclaim for its depiction of a situation faced by many Americans when the Global Financial Crisis hit in late 2008. It has already won a number of awards and nominations and been in competition at several International Film Festivals.

ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING (Rated M) - Featuring an all star cast of comedic talent this film should be a sure fire hit . . . in theory, but alas, that does not always come to pass. Written, Directed and also starring Terry Jones, he of Monty Python fame, with an ensemble cast of Monty Python alumni that is John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and also starring the late great Robin Williams in his final role as a dog, no less, and canine companion and mans best friend to Neil Clarke (Simon Pegg). Neil is a down in the dumps disillusioned schoolteacher who one day wakes up with the ability to do anything he wants - absolutely anything - thanks to a bunch of power crazy aliens (this is where the Python Team come in) who have granted him these extraordinary powers.  Coming to terms with his new founds abilities is no easy thing for a mere mortal, and so Neil calls upon his trustee dog, Dennis to help him along the way . . .  as of course you would! Also starring Eddie Izzard, Joanna Lumley and Kate Beckinsale.

THE CROWS EGG (Rated PG) - This Indian Tamil comedy drama film is set in the slums of Chennai where two young brothers live with their mother and grandmother is a small concrete and tin shack. Their boys father is in prison, and so the mother does what she can to support the family unit while the boys scavenge for coal that falls off the passing train trucks at the rail yard and on-selling their haul for as much as they can get. They also scavenge for crows eggs from the nests of these birds and regard these as a delicacy, and so they start calling themselves Crows Egg the Elder and Crows Egg the Younger. One day seeing a commercial on the television for a soon to open pizza franchise nearby the two young lads become fixated on wanting to sample pizza for themselves for the first time, more so that it is endorsed by a famous actor too. Their quest to eat pizza becomes all consuming and they will stop at (almost) nothing to ensure their dream is realised. Starring newcomers Vignesh as Periya (Crows Egg the Elder) and Ramesh as Chinna (Crows Egg the Younger) this film has received much critical acclaim and several awards for Best Childrens Film and Best Child Artists for the two young stars who give compelling and believable performances. Made for just US$110K, the film has so far grossed US$7.5M, making that a very solid return by anyones reckoning.

Five more films released then in the coming week for your viewing consideration, and again all offering something different and offering something for most tastes. Get your yourself to a movie theatre and soak up some solid cinematic entertainment in the week ahead, and then let us know here, what you thought.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

ROBIN WILLIAMS - dies aged 63 - R.I.P.

The world is reeling today following the announcement of the tragic and sudden death of Robin Williams reported overnight. Pronounced dead just after mid-day on Monday 11th August 2014 at his home in Tiburon, Northern California the exact circumstances surrounding his death are still not yet clear, although suicide by asphyxiation is suspected at this time. Struggling with early cocaine abuse and alcohol addiction in later years, he had suffered severe depression in more recent times in the period leading up to his death.

I had the privilege to see Robin Williams live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre a few years ago and being a long-term fan will always remember his rapid fire routine, his quick thinking, and his no holds barred approach to his stand-up comedy act. Nothing was off the table and anyone and everyone, anything and everything was fodder for his comedic genius - his quips, his one-liners, his observations on life, his accompanying mannerisms and facial gestures, his vocal capabilities, and his ability for improvisation were almost unequalled, and the foundation for his success. A true comic genius that transcended to the big screen in many memorable performances - humorous, dramatic and at times sinister - Williams had the full range and leaves us with a profound legacy of work that will ensure his memory lives on.

Born Robin McLaurin Williams on July 21st 1951 in Chicago he later moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he graduated from High School. He studied theatrical art at the College of Marin and later won a three years scholarship to Juilliard in New York where he got to know fellow student, Christopher Reeve. He wanted to become a dramatic actor but turned to stand-up comedy when he could get the break he needed.

Then in 1978 his break came on the long running 50's teen sit-com 'Happy Days' when a friendly happy-go-lucky out of place alien was cast on the show. Such was the success of his turn on this show that a spin-off series was created, and so 'Mork & Mindy' hit our television screens with Williams playing 'Mork' from the planet Ork. The hit show ran for four successful years until 1982 during which time he starred as 'Popeye' in the film of the same name in 1980, and 'The World according to Garp' in 1982. In the few years that followed a number of other TV shows and films would occupy his time, but it was 1987's 'Good Morning, Vietnam' that really established Williams as a force to be reckoned with.

From there he never looked back and starred in many film roles utilising his comic talents, his ability for improvisation, his voice range, and his desire to act in the more dramatic movies that would now come his way. His filmography is diverse and varied and includes 'The Adventures of Baron Munchausen', 'Dead Poets Society', 'Toys', 'Awakenings', 'Dead Again', 'The Fisher King', 'Hook', 'Mrs. Doubtfire', 'What Dreams May Come', 'Jumanji', 'The Birdcage', 'Deconstructing Harry', 'Flubber', 'Good Will Hunting', 'Bicentennial Man', 'Jakob the Liar', 'Patch Adams', 'One Hour Photo', 'Insomnia', 'RV', 'Man of the Year' and recently 'The Butler' and 'The Angriest Man in Brooklyn'. He also starred in two 'Night at the Museum' films and lent his considerable voice talents to two 'Happy Feet' films, Disney's 'Aladdin', 'Robot's' and 'A.I. : Artificial Intelligence' amongst others. Due for release later in 2014 are still to come 'Merry Friggin' Christmas' and the third in the 'Night at the Museum' franchise with 'Secret of the Tomb'.

Williams was the recipient of an Academy Award win for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 1998 for 'Good Will Hunting' and was nominated a further three times for the Best Actor in a Lead Role category. He won the Golden Globe in 1978 for 'Mork & Mindy', in 1987 for 'Good Morning, Vietnam', in 1992 for 'The Fisher King', in 1993 for his voice work on 'Aladdin', in 1994 for 'Mrs. Doubtfire' and in 2005 received the Cecil B. DeMille Award. He was nominated a further six times. Added to this he received two BAFTA nominations for 'Dead Poets Society' and 'Good Morning, Vietnam'. All up he had a career haul of 55 award wins and 67 nominations.

He was married three times - from 1978-1988 to Valerie Velardi; from 1989-2008 to Marsha Williams; and from 2011 to today to Susan Schneider. He had three children - Zak born 1983, Zelda born 1989 and Cody born 1991. He and his former wife Marsha formed 'The Windfall Foundation' to raise funds for many charities, and he was an active supporter of 'Comic Relief' and other worthy causes.







Comic genius, talented actor, voice artist and a man guaranteed to lift the spirits and raise a smile - you will be missed by those you leave behind, but in doing so we have your rich legacy to remind us.

Robin Williams - Rest In Peace
1951-2014.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-