JURASSIC WORLD : DOMINION - Tuesday 14th June 2022.

I saw the M Rated 'JURASSIC WORLD : DOMINION' at my local multiplex this week and this American Sci-Fi action film is Directed and Co-Written for the screen and based on a story developed by Colin Tervorrow and based on characters created by Michael Chrichton. It is the sequel to 2018's 'Jurassic World : Fallen Kingdom', the sixth instalment in the 'Jurassic Park' franchise, the final film in the Jurassic World trilogy, and the conclusion to the storyline started in the original 'Jurassic Park' trilogy released in 1993, 1997 and 2001. This film saw its World Premier in Mexico City on 23rd May and went on worldwide release from last week. The film cost US$185M to produce, has so far grossed US$450M and has generated largely negative critical Reviews.

Set some four years after Isla Nublar had been destroyed and the events that subsequently unfolded at the Lockwood Estate, dinosaurs now live, and hunt, alongside humans the world over. Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), the former Operations Manager at Jurassic World, works for the Dinosaur Protection Group. She and Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) have been living in a remote cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountains where they are secretly raising and caring for the now fourteen year old Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), Benjamin Lockwood's cloned granddaughter. Owen's previously trained Velociraptor, Blue, one day arrives at the cabin with an offspring that was reproduced asexually, and whom Maisie names Beta.

Meanwhile, Biosyn Genetics which have grown to be a globally domineering and highly profitable company conducts medical research on dinosaurs, seeking cures for all manner of human ailments. Unknown to Claire and Owen, Biosyn is very keen on studying Maisie's DNA and have been searching for her for the last four years. When Maisie, frustrated with living in seclusion with no other human interaction other than Claire and Owen, sneaks away to a nearby town, Biosyn operatives, led by Rainn Delacourt (Scott Haze) kidnap her and also Beta. Owen and Claire immediately give chase to rescue them. 

Elsewhere, swarms of formerly extinct giant locusts have inexplicably appeared across huge swathes of the southern United States laying waste to valuable crops and so threatening the world's food supply. Paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) upon examining a captured live specimen discovers they avoid eating crops grown with Biosyn seed, leading her to suspect that Biosyn created them. Believing the locust's DNA dates to the Cretaceous period, Ellie approaches former partner and paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), who is on a dig in Utah, and who agrees to help her infiltrate and investigate Biosyn.

With help from Franklin Webb (Justice Smith), a contact within the CIA and former dinosaur rights activist who has previously worked with Claire, Claire and Owen track Maisie and Beta to Malta where they visit a black market trading in live dinosaur specimens. When undercover agents raid the market led by Barry Sembene (Omar Sy) dinosaurs are unintentionally released, creating havoc with Delacourt subsequently eaten alive together with various others caught in the fracas. Soyona Santos (Dichen Lachman), a Biosyn employee and dinosaur smuggler, having been captured by Sembene, informs Claire and Owen that Maisie and Beta are being transported to Biosyn's headquarters and dinosaur valley in Italy's Dolomites mountain range. They meet Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise), a sympathetic cargo pilot with access to the valley, who agrees to fly Owen and Claire there.

Chaos theorist Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), who now works for Biosyn as a contractor, invites Alan and Ellie to the headquarters to help him uncover Biosyn CEO Lewis Dodgson's (Campbell Scott) illegal activities. Ian's ally, Communications Director and apparent right hand man to Dodgson, Ramsay Cole (Mamoudou Athie) assists. As it turns out geneticist Dr. Henry Wu (B D Wong) genetically engineered the locusts to only consume rival companies' crops so that Biosyn will dominate the global agricultural market. The locust plague has subsequently spread worldwide. Wu meets Maisie and explains she is not a clone. Instead, her mother, Charlotte Lockwood (Elva Trill, seen through archive video footage only), Benjamin Lockwood's daughter and Wu's former colleague, used her own DNA to create Maisie asexually as her child. Charlotte died from a genetic disease shortly after Maisie was born, but she had altered Maisie's DNA so making her immune. Wu believes that Maisie's and Beta's DNA are the keys to creating a pathogen that can halt the escalating locust outbreak. 

Upon reaching Biosyn airspace, a group of giant pterosaurs attack Kayla's cargo plane, ripping a gaping hole in the body of the aircraft and taking out its two engines. Claire ejects while Owen and Kayla survive crash landing on a frozen water reservoir. Following their separate encounters with various dinosaurs, and not of the good kind, the three manage to regroup. Inside the Biosyn facility, Ian and Ramsey allow Ellie and Alan access to a restricted lab where the giant locusts are being bred. They steal a locust DNA sample and come across Maisie, who has escaped and released Beta in the process. After seeing them on security footage some twelve minutes later, Dodgson torches the locust laboratory to destroy all evidence but in the process swarms of burning locusts burst through a ventilation shaft and out into the surrounding woodland, inadvertently starting a forest fire. Dodgson also terminates Ian's employment for exposing his operation. 

Alan, Ellie, and Maisie escape with Ramsay's assistance through a defunct subterranean amber mine, but not before having various close encounters with several dinosaurs  of their own. After finding Ian, they meet up with Owen, Claire, and Kayla. Meanwhile, Dodgson attempts to leave with dinosaur embryos via a hyperloop underground train, but when the power fails, he becomes trapped and subsequently killed by a group of three Dilophosaurus. Electronic devices retrieve the dinosaurs to the Biosyn headquarters to protect them from the fire. Owen, assisted by Maisie and Alan, captures Beta. 

In the meantime Kayla has run off to a helicopter to get the group the hell outta Dodge when a Giganotosaurus terrorises the group until the Therizinosaurus and the Tyrannosaurus rex kill it. The group escapes with Kayla at the controls of the helicopter, taking Wu, who claims to be able to eradicate the locusts, with them. Ellie and Alan renew their romantic relationship prior to joining Ian and Ramsay in testifying against Biosyn. Sometime later Wu releases a locust carrying the pathogen he discovered while studying Maisie and Beta, ultimately destroying the locusts within one season. Owen, Claire, and Maisie return home to their cabin in the Sierra Nevada and reunite Beta with Blue. Around the world, dinosaurs adapt to co-exist with modern bird, sea and wildlife while the United Nations declares Biosyn Valley a dinosaur sanctuary. 

I went in to see 'Jurassic World : Dominion' with fairly low expectations and came out fairly surprised that the Critics had been so harsh on this final instalment of the second trilogy. Sure, it rehashes everything that has gone before including the ultimate destruction of every dino enclosure from Isla Nublar right through to the Lockwood Estate; and when it comes down to it the story has come full circle from harnessing dino DNA from mozzies through to creating dino sized crop busting locusts by manipulating their DNA. The action sequences and the spectacle of dinosaurs living amongst us is impressively handled, but this film is more about combating a plague of locusts than it is about marauding dinosaurs chomping and stomping up the scenery and any mere mortal who dare get in their way. Reuniting Neill, Dern and Goldblum from the original trilogy doesn't really add any weight to the storyline other than to connect the dots back to the 'Jurassic Park' series. And so in these respects 'Jurassic World : Dominion' is predictable and by the numbers, devoid of any emotion, and a storyline that for the most part we have seen before. It is entertaining enough, and at a run time of two and a half hours it moves along at a good enough pace, but I think it's time that this franchise goes the way of the dinosaurs, and is finally declared extinct!

'Jurassic World : Dominion' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

PALM BEACH : Friday 9th August 2019.

I saw 'PALM BEACH' towards the end of last week, and this M Rated Australian drama comedy offering is Directed and Co-Written by Australian Actress, film and television Director and Screenwriter Rachel Ward and stars an ensemble cast set amidst the back drop of Palm Beach on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The film had its Premier screening at the recent Sydney Film Festival, went on general release in Australia on 8th August and has so far met with mostly mixed Reviews.




To mark a milestone birthday, Frank (Bryan Brown and real life husband of Rachel Ward) and his wife Charlotte (Greta Scacchi) decide to throw a three-day party to celebrate at their luxurious house at Palm Beach, welcoming their nearest and dearest friends. Frank flies in long term friends Leo (Sam Neill) and his wife Bridget (Jacqueline McKenzie) and Billy (Richard E. Grant) and his wife Eva (Heather Mitchell) from various corners of the globe having arrived Business Class in Sydney and then flown by private charter seaplane upto the ritzy Northern Beaches oceanside suburb of Palm Beach. Upon arrival the two couples are ushered into the spectacularly lavish, light, airy and spacious home overlooking the peninsula out to the lighthouse perched atop Barrenjoey Headland. Almost immediately the Dom Perignon is flowing and the gathered families including adult children sit down to a lavish meal of prawns, oysters, salmon, more Champagne and wine aplenty. By now we have also learned that Frank, Leo and Billy were once involved in a band together called 'The Pacific Sideburns' who had one hit record called 'Fearless' back in 1977 but little beyond that.

Rounding out the guest list are Frank and Charlotte's grown up kids - the aimless son Dan (Charlie Vickers) and new doctor Ella (Matilda Brown, and real life daughter of Brown and Ward), with Caitlin (Frances Berry) the daughter of Leo and Bridget, together with Holly (Claire van der Boom) the daughter of a departed friend and her new sheep farmer beau Doug (Aaron Jeffrey).

After a satisfying lunch, the hosts and guests all settle down in various parts of the house enjoying a night cap and pleasant conversation. All that though is about to implode as Leo confides in Charlotte that he had a recent skin cancer scare from which he is now fully recovered and that he deeply regrets a decision they and Frank made together twenty years ago and is now willing to tear their families apart so that the truth can finally emerge. This news comes as a devastating blow to Charlotte who Leo tasks with telling Frank of his decision after all these years. Just then Leo and Charlotte are called into the lounge to watch an award winning French TV commercial for adult incontinence nappies put together by Billy but using their song 'Fearless' as the backdrop to the ad. No one up to this point has seen the ad, not even Eva, and when Leo and Frank hear their music in the background they are needless to say furious.

The next morning Frank makes his peace with Billy and they all go off for a surf. And so another day begins and so does another day of eating and drinking. Amidst all of this Frank tasks his guests with the construction of an outdoor pizza oven, Bridget lets it slip that she believes that Leo has never really loved her, and Eva as a jobbing Actress is torn between a part playing a grandmother in an upcoming movie much to Billy's constant derisory comments that at 60, she is still too young to be playing such roles, despite the fact that such roles are the only one's now being offered to her.

Added to this there is Holly and Doug's emerging romance, the fact that Frank is secretly on anti-depressants and ever since he sold his hugely successful sportswear company, 'Swagger Gear', he has felt 'dead inside' and he can barely relate to his no hope son, Dan. And the final insult to Frank is Billy's constant comments about twin chimney pots blotting the view from the house out across the Headland and the two bodies of water either side - to which Frank responds after several niggling comments by taking a hammer to said chimney pots in a fit of rage, only to be rescued down from his ladder by his gathered friends, but not before Frank has muttered a few terse words in their direction.

The next night the friends are all taken by boat to a beachside restaurant where more celebrations follow and a firework display in Frank's honour. Ella makes a speech to mark her fathers birthday which starts off very negatively but ends on a positive one to which Frank is invited to respond but is so overcome with emotion that he can't. One on the walk home Holly reveals to Doug after he has asked for her hand in marriage, that she is not the one for him, and he is obviously knocked for six by her rebuttal.

The next day the group board the boat once again and head up the waterway to a secluded spot and enjoy another lavish lunch at a picnic spot under the trees. Doug has repaired the outboard motor to Franks speed boat, so enabling Dan to take out Caitlin on a doughnut. While speeding along Dan is distracted and to avoid a collision with a youngster enjoying himself out on the water swerves the boat, loses control and is tossed overboard and knocked unconscious in the fall. He is rushed to hospital in an ambulance with a very concerned Frank and Charlotte by his side, while the other house guests all return to Palm Beach in a very sombre mood awaiting news. Doug meanwhile has said goodbye to Holly for the last time.

In hospital Dan regains consciousness and it is determined that he has a broken collar bone only and is therefore out of danger. Frank makes his peace with Dan and vows never to question him again, and Dan responds tearfully that he'll make his own way in the world and will prove himself worthy. Holly meanwhile texts Doug to say simply that she can't have children, at which point he turns the car around and returns to Palm Beach.

With all of this going on Leo, Charlotte and Frank confront each other over the secret that they have harboured for over twenty years. And that is who is the true biological father of Dan. Leo believes it his him, following a one night stand with Charlotte, even though Frank has raised him. Ella overhearing the discussion comes to the rescue with the results of a DNA test that she and Dan had done some years ago proving that 99.95% that they are biological brother and sister, and unless Leo slept with Charlotte giving rise to Ella as well, then they must both be Frank's children. And so this matter too is resolved once and for all.

The next morning Eva awakes early, packs her things and tells Billy that she is leaving him, for good. She orders a cab, it arrives and off they drive with Billy chasing the cab on foot down the drive. He implores Eva to give him one last chance, apologises profusely for his actions, his attitude and the things that he has said and done. Reluctantly she agrees to come back on the basis that he promises that the next ten years will be their best ten years. As the sun sets on another day, the pizza oven has been fired up, cocktails are shaken and the party gets underway once again and everything is good in the world.

'Palm Beach' is a take it or leave it, something and nothing, style over substance kinda movie where the views, the vistas and the stunning scenery seen from the sun soaked deck of an opulent unspoilt abode perched above the ocean on one side and Pittwater on the other take priority over the plot. This is the story of a largely group of seniors (aged 60 years+) with their affluent, privileged lifestyle living off the royalties of their one hit wonder from yesteryear and their subsequent mostly successful careers, and their close knit mateship, all suffering from first world problems, getting under the skin of each other but willing to forgive and forget in a heartbeat because they, after all, are long term friends and all disputes can be settled with a good feed washed down with a chilled Chardonnay. Ward has assembled a fine cast of Antipodean movie royalty here (many of whom have worked numerous times with each other over the years) and you certainly get a sense that filming this movie must have been a hoot all the way through. But, I was left wanting more melodrama, more laughs, and more substance in what is described as a drama comedy, rather than just being kept engaged by a film that really has few standout moments other than the backdrop of Palm Beach and the environs itself.

'Palm Beach' warrants two claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard, from a possible five.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE : Friday 10th June 2016.

'HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE' which I saw on Friday last week is a New Zealand produced film that cost NZ$3M to make and broke Box Office records when it opened in New Zealand on 31st March setting a new record for the highest grossing first week of any New Zealand film ever. The film Premiered in competition at this years Sundance Film Festival back in January and now has over NZ$10M under its belt. Directed by Taika Waititi who also wrote the Screenplay based on the 'Wild Pork and Watercress' book by Barry Crump, this film lifted the bar for highest opening weekend and highest opening first week of any locally Produced New Zealand film, and has received critical acclaim from just about all quarters.

The film tells the story of rebellious young Ricky (13 year old Julian Dennison in his third acting role) who is sent away by Child Welfare Services to live in the country with a foster 'Aunt and Uncle'. At thirteen young Ricky has been passed around from foster family to foster family since being adopted at birth. We are told in an opening voiceover that he has committed many juvenile crimes including graffiti, spitting, throwing rocks, malicious damage, and probably drugs and alcohol too, and so getting sent away to the remote wild southwest is the last resort for the young troubled kid - or juvenile prison. As the Police car pulls up with officer Andy (Oscar Kightley) and case worker Paula Hall (Rachel House) to the homestead of Bella Faulkner (Rima Te Wiata) and Hec Faulkner (Sam Neill), young Ricky is ordered out of the vehicle, takes a walk around the property, surveys the lay of the land, gives the overly welcoming Bella and grumpy old Hec the once over and promptly gets back in the car and says he not staying. But as Paula Hall points out - he has little choice, and so reluctantly he stays.

Bella tries her best to settle the young lad down, and make him feel welcome with big hearty meals (because judging by his size he likes to eat), a warm bed, fresh clothes and all the loving attention you would expect a mother to give her son. He tries to run away at night but doesn't get very far, makes vague attempts to help out around the property, but gradually he starts to warm to his new 'Aunt and Uncle', despite Grumpy old Hec telling him to just keep out of his way. Hec prefers the company of his dog 'Zag' rather than some young fat upstart would be gangsta kid.

Things however, take a turn when foster Aunt Bella passes away suddenly while hanging out the washing. Hec is distraught, they attend the funeral with half a dozen friends and parishioners led by the Minister (a cameo here by Director Taika Waititi) who rambles on about confectionery, lifes choices and other nonsensical stuff. Afterwards Hec begins to pack up the house, saying he is going bush for a few months, going to disappear and work out what he's going to do with his life. He has received a letter meanwhile from the Child Welfare Services people saying that the following week they will collect Ricky for rehousing elsewhere. Ricky wants none of it and wants to stay, but Hec is not interested, so undercover of night armed with sandwiches, chips, toilet roll, a torch and his new dog -'Tupac' that he was given by Bella and Hec as a birthday present, he decides to venture out and take life into his own hands. Within two days he has run out of toilet paper, eaten his sandwiches and chips, has got drenched and soaked through in a rain storm and is basically lost walking around the bush in circles, when Hec comes to the rescue.

As so with the two gone bush, we follow their exploits over the ensuing months as Hec stumbles in the forest and fractures his ankle meaning they have to hole up for six weeks in a makeshift camp while his injury heals. During this time the two get to know each other and a bond starts to form. They come across a bunch of hunters in a remote cabin who have seen the news reports of the missing two that state Hec is a old pervert who has abducted the young defenceless boy against his will and for whom there is a sizable bounty. As the hunters set upon Hec to restrain him, it is young Ricky who has to rescue Hec this time with a couple of strategically fired shots from the old mans rifle. They then go on the run again, knowing that the authorities are in hot pursuit led by Police Officer Andy and case worker Paula Hall who is becoming increasingly militant, gung-ho and determined at all costs to see that justice is served and that 'no child is left behind'. She goes on national news, where her unhinged attitude to this manhunt manifests itself.

The months pass by with Ricky & Hec still successfully managing to thwart the authorities, bounty hunters and the national media. Along the way we see sweeping vistas of magnificent New Zealand scenery as they stop to take in the beauty of their surroundings and in one poignant moment scatter the ashes of Bella that Ricky has been carrying in his back pack all this time, unknown to Hec - a moment that brings them together.

They come across an old cabin in a clearing and decide to shelter there for the night, but inside the cabin is a Warden close to death. Ricky is sent off to alert the authorities while Hec stays to look over the dying man. Ricky stumbles across young girl Kahu (Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne) who takes him to her home where he meets her father who welcomes him with open arms as though he is a celebrity, recognising him instantly from the news reports. The authorities are alerted to the whereabouts of the dying Warden and agree to arrange to collect him early the next day. Ricky having eaten falls asleep and wakes the next morning alarmed that Hec will be captured when the authorities descend upon the cabin, so he makes off with all haste. When Ricky returns to the cabin, the authorities are there as is Paula Hall, but no sign of Hec.

Separated, the two eventually meet up again the next day or so, but they know the authorities are closing in. They come across Psycho Sam (Rhys Darby) - a conspiracy theorist living alone in a run down caravan deep in the bush who gives them shelter, a warm bed and something to eat. But the next day their overnight sanctuary is descended upon by the authorities on foot, by car and in the sky, but luckily Psycho Sam has a beat up old pick-up truck with which the two can make their getaway, leaving Psycho Sam to defend his property and give them time to make their escape. That plan however, doesn't last long.

What follows is a car chase with Ricky at the wheel of the pick up truck with Police pursuit vehicles, helicopters, and Paula Hall in a tank all giving chase. What manhunt would be complete without the obligatory car chase, and a nod to those sequences from the 80's action movies and TV series that many of us grew up on. It all ends with Ricky turning the car on its roof in a scrap yard, Ricky being taken into custody and Hec getting shot in the arse . . . by Ricky!

As it plays out, Hec sees his moment in court with all those involved, including Ricky, giving evidence both for and against his case. Hec is sentenced and serves his time and in the closing minutes is visited by Ricky when Hec is at a halfway house. Ricky has since been taken in by Kahu and her father, and invites Hec to move in too - it's a big rambling house on the edge of the bush with plenty of room for them all. After a few minutes of thought as to the alternatives - Hec agrees, and in closing we see the two wandering off into the bush together in search of a bird they believe they have seen that is thought to have been long extinct.

This is a feel good film that is engaging and engrossing on many levels. It's a great buddy story of two guys on the run and how each leave an indelible mark on the other, and how those bonds profit them both in the end. It is a simple story, well told, beautifully filmed, with a few laugh out loud moments, emotion, heart and grounded, honest, believable performances from Sam Neill and the young Julian Dennison. Director Taika Waititi further demonstrates his film-making prowess with this offering, and is up next on Director duty with big Hollywood action fare 'Thor : Ragnarok' and then a sequel to his successful 2013 vampire comedy 'What We Do in the Shadows'. See this film at the cinema - you won't be disappointed.



-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 26th May 2016.

The 69th annual Cannes Film Festival wrapped up last Sunday 22nd May, having commenced on 11th May amidst all the pomp & ceremony, the film world glitterati and glamourati, the movers & shakers, and the stars from in front of, and behind the camera in what must rank as the film festival to be seen at for anyone who's anyone in the movie business. The festival opened with Woody Allen's 47th film 'Cafe Society' showing out of competition, and Ken Loach's 'I, Daniel Blake' closing the festival and in main competition.

With Australian Director, George Miller acting as President for the Jury for the main competition with 21 films all competing for the prestigious Palme d'Or, and another 18 in the Un Certain Regard category and several other groupings including short films, those made by students at film school, the International Critics Week and the Directors Fortnight, those serving on the various judging panels would have had their work cut out - life's tough, but someone's gotta do it I guess! Listed below are the main winners & grinners of this years awards at Cannes, and therefore those to watch out for when they make it to a screen near you :-

In main competition :

• Palme d'Or : 'I, Daniel Blake' - Directed by Ken Loach
• Grand Prix : 'It's Only the End of the World' - Directed, Produced and Written for the Screen by Xavier Dolan
• Jury Prize : 'American Honey' - Directed and Written by Andrea Arnold
• Best Directors : Olivier Assayas for 'Personal Shopper' tied with Cristian Mungiu for 'Graduation'.

Un Certain Regard :

• Un Certain Regard Award : 'The Happiest Day in the Life of Ollie Maki' - Directed by Juho Kuosmanen
• Jury Prize : 'Harmonium' - Directed and Written by Koji Fukada
• Special Prize : 'The Red Turtle' - Directed and Co-Written by Michael Dudok de Wit
• Best Director : Matt Ross for 'Captain Fantastic', which he also wrote.

Out of competition :

• 'The BFG' - Directed by Steven Spielberg with Mark Rylance, and Ruby Barnhill
• 'Money Monster' - Directed by Jodie Foster with George Clooney and Julia Roberts
• 'The Nice Guys' - Directed by Shane Black with Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling (refer below)
• 'Cafe Society' - Directed by Woody Allen with Steve Carell and Kristen Stewart
• 'The Wailing' - Directed by Na Hong-jin with Kwak Do-won and Hwang Jung-min
• 'Blood Father' - Directed by Jean-Francois Richet with Mel Gibson and Erin Moriarty
• 'Gimme Danger' - Directed by Jim Jarmusch with Iggy Pop and 'The Stooges'
• 'Train to Busan' - Directed by Yeon Sang-ho with Gong Yoo and Jung Yu-mi.

And so coming closer to home what can you expect in the week ahead? Well, actually three films to give you another reason to get amongst it at your local movie theatre.  First up the follow-up to a classic fantasy novel made into several films over the years, but this follow up relates specifically to the most recent 2010 blockbusting version reuniting an all star cast, familiar characters, and all the visual spectacle that this world can muster at the hands of a different Director. Then there is a throw back to the 70's buddy comedy mystery conspiracy thriller movie that brings together two heavy hitters hamming it up to great effect with big hair, wide lapels and flared pants, before winding up with a record breaking New Zealand comedy chase drama that sees the young and the old pitting their wits together as they go on the run cross country to evade the authorities.

As ever, and with heaps of great filmic choice now out on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in this and previous Posts at this humble little Blog, feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and observations after you have sat through your film of choice this week. Leave a Comment in the section below this or any other Post - we'd love to hear from you. In the meantime, enjoy your film.

'ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS' (Rated PG) - Tim Burton's 2010 'Alice in Wonderland' from the classic Lewis Carroll works follows a long line of films, television movies, short films, and various derivatives based on the esteemed works that date back all the way to 1903. Burton's works would however, be arguably the most successful to date having won two Academy Awards for Best Costume Design and Art Direction as well as 32 others wins and 62 further nominations, not to mention is US$1.03B Box Office haul ranking it #23 on the highest all time grossing movies list. It was inevitable therefore that the follow up film also based on Carroll's works would eventually transpire. And so it has, but without Tim Burton in the Director's chair, instead electing to take on a Producer role and allow James Bobin to take the helm whilst reuniting the cast from the first film with a budget of US$170M.

And so Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) has spent the last few years sailing the seas and returns to London having to make a decision that may determine her life's destiny. Coming across Absolem, the caterpillar (voiced by Alan Rickman in his last film appearance), she eventually winds up once again in Wonderland where she discovers that all is not well and the Hatter (Johnny Depp) is behaving more madly than ever falling into a depression over the death of his family. Reuniting with her old friends the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Matt Lucas), she decides that she needs to go back in time to save those she knows and loves. She steals a device from Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen) so that she can go back, but while there encounters the younger Hatter and the evil Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and learns what made her friends and enemies who they are today, whilst also potentially confirming her own destiny back home - but, it's a race against the ticking clock. Also starring Rhys Ifans, Timothy Spall, Toby Jones, John Sessions, Barbara Windsor and Paul Whitehouse.

'THE NICE GUYS' (Rated MA15+) - Directed and Co-Written by Shane Black and having received its Premier at the Cannes Film Festival just over a week ago, it's US release last Friday and arriving on our Australian shores this coming week, this buddy comedy mystery film set in late-70's Los Angeles has so far received much critical acclaim, and US$14M from its US$50M outlay. Starring Russell Crowe as Jackson Healy a street smart, hard hitting shoot first ask questions later enforcer for hire teams up unwittingly with Holland March (Ryan Gosling) - a down on his luck worse cop ever private eye. When the two join forces unexpectedly to track down a missing young girl Amelia Kutner (Margaret Qualley), they quickly learn that are equally dangerous unscrupulous individuals hot of her trail too, and that there is much more to this case than simply a missing person. Various persons wind up dead during the course of their investigation and they uncover a criminal conspiracy that goes all the way to the top! Also starring Kim Bassinger and Keith David.

'HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE' (Rated PG) - this New Zealand produced film that cost NZ$3M to make broke Box Office records when it opened in New Zealand on 31st March setting a new record for the highest grossing first week of any New Zealand film ever. The film Premiered in competition at this years Sundance Film Festival back in January and now reaches our shores with close to NZ$10M under its belt. Directed by Taika Waititi who also wrote the Screenplay based on the 'Wild Pork and Watercress' book by Barry Crump this film tells the story of rebellious young Ricky (13 year old Julian Dennison in his third acting role) who is sent away by Child Welfare Services to live in the country with a foster Aunt and Uncle. When the foster Aunt Bella passes away suddenly the child welfare people want to send Ricky into care, but he hot foots it in protest with grumpy opinionated foster Uncle Hec (Sam Neill) in pursuit. Fearing the worst, the child welfare people think that Hec has abducted Ricky in his grief, and so a national manhunt begins which brings the young lad and the old codger together as they pit their wits against authority as they attempt to thwart those that are likely to send them both away to someplace that neither wants to go.

Three new films that offer comedy, drama, fantasy, action and some big name players to tempt you out on a cool near Winter's evening, as well as a a raft of great cinematic content still out there on general release. Do yourself a favour and catch a movie in the week ahead, and, I'll see you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 17th March 2016.

This year has already got off to a strong start in the big screen live action comic book adaptation department with Marvel's Co-Produced 'Deadpool' released earlier in February to big critical acclaim and substantial Box Office, returning so far US$684M off its US$58M Budget. If you haven't yet seen Ryan Reynolds in his fine fourth wall breaking, sarcastic, violent, no holds barred turn as Wade Wilson, I strongly recommend you do, and, you can read my Review between these pages. But what else can we expect in 2016 from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its counterpart the DC Extended Universe.

• 'Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice' - DC - release date 24th March - Directed by Zack Snyder for US$250M and starring Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill  as Batman & Superman respectively.
• 'Captain America : Civil War' - Marvel - release date 28th April - Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo and starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jnr., Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson and a whole bunch of familiar others.
• 'X-Men : Apocalypse' - Marvel - release date 19th May - Directed by Bryan Singer and starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and all our favourite X-Men.
• 'Suicide Squad' - DC - release date 4th August - Directed by David Ayer and starring Will Smith, Jai Courtney, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie and Joel Kinnaman.
• 'Doctor Strange' - Marvel - release date 27th October - Directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachael McAdams and Tilda Swinton.

So this year that 's Marvel 4 : DC 2. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe entering is Third Phase now and with a very successful proven track record to back it up, and DC just launching, the latter still has much to prove and will be pinning many of its future Extended Universe hopes and dreams on the critical and commercial success of its two outings this year. Time will tell, and only you can make a difference! 

This week we have four new release films coming to a cinema screen near you that traverse most genres - modern day action, historical horror,  family drama and animated animals in an imagined world. First up then is a follow up to a shoot 'em up, blow it up, all guns blazing do or die terrorist offering that first saw the light of day Stateside in 2013 and now makes it way Britside for more of the same crowd pleasing guns, bombs, destruction and terrorism writ large in another nations capital. Then an edge of your seat historical horror offering bringing something new to a sub-genre that has been largely left alone for sometime now in favour of more zombie type fare. This is followed up by a family drama of long buried secrets, an estranged son, a father to be remarried and a remote logging community facing up to the economic realities of life; and last up another animated classic in the making from the house of the mouse that is already doing great things.

In the week ahead when you have visited your favourite movie theatre and sat through your film of choice with your popcorn, bucket of brown fizzy sugar syrup, or choc top and marvelled at the sights and sounds of the big screen, remember to share your thoughts and opinions with your like minded movie going friends here at Odeon Online, by leaving a Comment in the box below this or any other Post.  In the meantime, enjoy your movie.

LONDON HAS FALLEN (Rated MA15+) - In 2013 two films were released concerning a terrorist attack on the White House - 'Olympus Has Fallen' and 'White House Down' - the former of which 'London Has Fallen' is the follow-up was Directed and Produced by Antoine Fuqua for US$70M and it made US$161M in the final analysis. This time around Babak Najafi is on Director duty with several Actors reprising their roles from that first film. Released on March 4th in the US this film cost US$60M to make and has so far recovered US$46M. Essentially what's going down here is another good excuse to blow shit up in London this time, with many notable landmarks and places of historical significance succumbing to them thar pesky no-good terrorist types.

This time it's a Pakistani arms dealer and terrorist leader Aamir Barkawi (Alon Moni Aboutboul) who is #6 on the FBI's Most Wanted List. He was believed to be dead, but not so, and he resurfaces in Yemen two years later with his son and right hand henchman Kamran Barkawi (Waleed Zuaiter) who swear revenge for that attack that wiped out members of the family, friends and relatives. Meanwhile many of the worlds leaders converge on London for the State Funeral of Prime Minister James Wilson. And so, US President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart reprising), Secret Service Director Lynne Jacobs (Angela Basset reprising) travel to the UK with Special Agent in charge of Presidential Protection Mike Banning (Gerard Butler reprising) as do the political leaders of Japan, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and the new British PM. It's not long before said political leaders start to get popped off and London goes into lock down as the place gets the shit blasted out of it en route to capturing the US President alive and executing him publicly in front of a global audience. Only one man can stand in the way, and riding his white steed down Whitehall is Agent Banning with all guns blazing. It's gonna be loud, proud and in yer face as Uncle Sam gets its can of whoop ass out once again and overcomes adversity. Morgan Freeman (reprising), Robert Forster (reprising),  Radha Mitchell (reprising), Melissa Leo (reprising) and Jack Earle Haley all star too.

THE WITCH (Rated MA15+) - in his Directorial debut and also Written by Robert Eggers this film has garnered much critical acclaim since its world premier at Sundance in January 2015, and its Special Presentation screening at TIFF in September last year. It then went out in cinema release in the US in February this year and has so far made US$21M off its meagre US$1M budget. Set in 1630 New England, the film tells the story of a remote Puritan living family of father, mother, and five  children whose life is thrown into disarray when the youngest child suddenly and mysteriously disappears, whilst under the watchful charge of the eldest daughter. Living on a farm on the edge of the woods there are evil forces at work that the family may feel are real, or they may be imagined. As things get progressively worse for the family, with the eldest daughter eventually being accused of witchcraft, the family is put to the ultimate test and their strength, loyalty, love and conviction is stretched to the very limit.

THE DAUGHTER (Rated M) - also in his Directorial debut and Written too for the screen by Simon Stone, this promising turn by the Australian Actor is based on the 19th Century Henrik Ibsen play 'The Wild Duck'. With an ensemble Aussie cast this film tells the story of the estranged son  Christian (Paul Schneider) living now in America summonsed home by his father Henry Neilson (Geoffrey Rush) to act as his best man at his forthcoming wedding to his former housekeeper Anna (Anna Torv). Arriving back at a no-name logging town in the present day Neilson also announced that he has to close the mill he owns as the economy closes in. What unfolds as Christian reconnects with old family and childhood friends is the disclosure of a long held family secret that has far reaching implications on Christian, Henry, Anna and those others on the periphery that include Sam Neill, Miranda Otto, Ewen Leslie and Odessa Young. Can things be made right again in light of the revelations made?

ZOOTOPIA (Rated PG) - representing the 55th animated feature film from the house the mouse built - Walt Disney Animated Pictures and released to critical acclaim and Box Office records in many territories upon release, 'Zootopia' has so far made US$312M since it opened in early February in Europe. Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore and and Jared Bush, this film features the voice talents of Jason Bateman in a lead role as Red Fox Nick Wilde a seasoned con-artist who forges an unlikely alliance with a Rabbit named Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) a newly appointed first rabbit Police Officer to the ZPD as they seek to thwart those behind several missing predatory civilians. Also starring the voice talents of J.K.Simmons, Idris Elba, Shakira and Octavia Spencer amongst others, this film is sure to resonate with young and old and has had much praise bestowed upon it for its strong script, voice work and CGI animation.

Four films this week stretching across action, horror, thriller and animation - what's not to like about this weeks latest releases? Something for everyone well and truly, so there can be no excuse for not catching a film in the week ahead. When you have done so, drop us a line or two - see you at the Odeon in the meantime!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-