What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 23rd November 2023.

The 20th Edition of the Marrakesh International Film Festival this year takes place between Friday November 24th and Saturday 2nd December, in Marrakesh, Morocco. After more than twenty years, the Festival is a place of expression and discovery that takes up the challenges of diversity, exchange and enrichment. It is also an opportunity for Morocco to welcome and pay tribute to great personalities of the world of film. The event attracts a large audience, both national and international, and benefits from a strong reputation and its prestigious image. The official selection features an international competition of first and second features dedicated to the discovery of filmmakers from around the world, as well as a wide selection of films of different genres from nations worldwide. The Festival’s several sections include Galas, Special Screenings, the 11th Continent—a section dedicated to bold and innovative films—a Panorama of Moroccan Cinema and Cinema for Young Audiences. 

This 20th edition of the festival opens with Director, Co-Producer and Co-Writer  Richard Linklater’s fast-paced action comedy 'Hit Man', starring Glen Powell as an undercover Houston Police Officer who poses as a reliable hitman to arrest those trying to hire him until he tries to save a woman in need.

This years Jury for the Official Competition line-up is comprised of the American Actress and Producer Jessica Chastain, as Jury President, ably aided by the likes of the French Actress Camille Cottin; the Australian Actor and Director Joel Edgerton; the British Director, Screenwriter and Producer Joanna Hogg and the Swedish Actor Alexander Skarsgard.

During the Festival Closing & Award Ceremony, five prestigious prizes are awarded by the Jury to films selected in Competition. Those prizes are the Festival Grand Prize which awards US$50K to be shared between the Director and Producer, the Best Directing Prize, the Jury Prize, the Best Performance by a Actress, and the Best Performance by an Actor. The Official Competition, a selection of first and second feature films, reveals new talent in world cinema. Of the fourteen films in competition, ten are by first-time Directors, of whom eight are women. The films in the running for the Etoile d’Or explore a variety of cinematic genres, from modern fable, documentary, and film noir to political farce, romance and family drama. Those films in Official Competition are as follows :-

* 'Banel & Adama' - freom France, Senegal and Mali and Directed by Ramata-Toulaye Sy.

* 'Bye Bye Tiberias' - from Palestine, France, Belgium and Qatar and Directed by Lina Soualem.

* 'City of Wind' - from France, Mongolia, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany and Qatar and Directed by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir.

* 'Disco Afrika : A Malagasy Story' - from France, Madagascar, Mauritius, Germany, South Africa and Directed by Luck Razanajaona.

* 'Dormitory' - from Turkey, Germany and France and Directed by Nehir Tuna.

* 'Excursion' - from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, France, Norway and Qatar and Directed by Una Gunjak.

* 'Hounds' - from Morocco, France, Belgium, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and Directed by Kamal Lazraq.

* 'The Mother of All Lies' - from Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar and Directed by Asmae El Moudir.

* 'The Other Son' - from Colombia, France and Argentina and Directed by Juan Sebastian Quebrada.

* 'Phantom Youth' - from Kosovo and France and Directed by Luana Bajrami.

* 'Prison in the Andes' - from Chile and Brazil and Directed by Felipe Carmona.

* 'Silent Roar' - from the UK and Directed by Johnny Barrington.

* 'Toll' - from Brazil and Portugal and Directed by Carolina Markowicz.

* 'Tuesday' - from the USA and the UK and Directed by Daina O. Pusic. 

For all the other details on the film strands being showcased at this years festival, plus the flagship programme of the Marrakech International Film Festival, the 'In Conversation With . . . ' series gives audiences the chance to meet some of the biggest names in cinema from around the world, including in this years line-up - Simon Baker, Willem Dafoe, Mads Mikkelsen, Viggo Mortensen and Tilda Swinton. For this, and a whole lot more, you can go to the official website at : https://marrakesh-festival.com/en/home/

Turning the attention then back to this weeks four new movies due for release, we launch with an epic historical drama offering from an acclaimed Director based on the true story of a famed French military commander and political leader charting his rise to power and his relationship with his mistress and later wife. Then we have an Aussie psychological thriller about two young female backpackers, who take jobs at a remote Australian Outback hotel and bar where they become disturbed by the male customers. Next up is another psychological thriller offering about a college sophomore student who goes on a date with the older man, but she finds that in real life he doesn't live up to the man she has been flirting with over texts. And closing out the week there is an Aussie biographical music doco that explores the mysterious world of the musical genius, of brilliant musicians as well as transformational story-telling, the mystery of prodigy and the impact of music on the brain.

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

'NAPOLEON' (Rated MA15+) - this US and UK Co-Production is an epic historical drama film Co-Produced and Directed by Ridley Scott, who I'm sure need no introduction, suffice to say he has helmed numerous critically acclaimed films over the years including his debut in 1977 with 'The Duellists' followed by the likes of 'Alien', 'Blade Runner', 'Thelma & Louise', 'Gladiator', 'Black Hawk Down', 'American Gangster', 'Prometheus', 'The Martian', 'The Last Duel' and 'The House of Gucci' most recently. This film is scheduled to be released in the US, the UK and here in Australia this week before streaming on Apple TV+ at a later date. It cost US$130M to produce. 

A look at the French military commander Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix, who also Co-Produces here) who lived from 1769 until 1821, his origins and his swift, ruthless climb to Emperor and his inevitable fall from grace, viewed through the prism of his addictive and often volatile relationship with his wife and one true love, Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).

'THE ROYAL HOTEL' (Rated MA15+) - is an Australian psychological thriller film Co-Written and Directed by Kitty Green, whose first feature documentary film was 'Ukraine Is Not a Brothel' in 2013 which she would follow up with another documentary 'Casting JonBenet' in 2017 and her debut feature film 'The Assistant' in 2019. This film saw its World Premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in early September and also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival the following week before its wide release in the US in early October having so far grossed US$877K and generating largely positive reviews. Here then, two young American backpackers, Hanna (Julia Garner) and Liv (Jessica Henwick), take temporary live-in jobs at The Royal Hotel, a remote Australian Outback mining town bar run by Billy (Hugo Weaving). Soon, they find themselves trapped in an unnerving situation that grows rapidly out of their control as they become increasingly agitated by the male patrons. Also starring Toby Wallace and Daniel Henshall. 

'CAT PERSON' (Rated MA15+) - this psychological thriller film is Directed by Susanna Fogel and is based on 2017 short story of the same name by Kristen Roupenian. Fogel's previous feature film credits take in her debut with 'Life Partners' in 2014 and 'The Spy Who Dumped Me' in 2018, and she is also credited with Co-Writing 2019's 'Booksmart' and 2021's 'The Addams Family 2'. Here, 20-year-old sophomore college student Margot (Emilia Jones) has a brief relationship with Robert (Nicholas Braun), an older man who frequently visits the movie theatre where she works, who she met over an online dating app. and who may just turn out to be a murderer. The film also stars Isabella Rossellini, Hope Davis and Michael Gandolfini, had its World Premiere showcasing at the Sundance Film Festival back in late January, was released Stateside in early October and has so far grossed just US$324K off the back of a US$12M production budget having garnered mixed or average reviews. 

'A MUSICAL MIND : A PORTRAIT IN PROCESS' (Rated M) - is an Australian biographical music documentary Co-Written and Directed by Scott Hicks whose previous feature film making credits take in his 1974 debut with 'The Wanderer' and which he would follow up with the likes of 'Shine' in 1996, 'Snow Falling on Cedars' in 1999, 'Hearts in Atlantis' in 2001, 'No Reservations' in 2007, 'The Boys Are Back' in 2009, 'Fallen' in 2016 and most recently 'My Name's Ben Folds - I Play Piano'. Sparked by the impending 25th anniversary of the Academy award-winning blockbuster 'Shine', this vivid theatrical film explores the power of the musical brain. Featuring exclusive, intimate footage of super-star international musicians in their private worlds, it opens an intriguing portal into the musical mind. A glimpse into the private worlds and elite musical processes of four superstar musicians - Daniel Johns, Ben Folds, Simon Tedeschi and David Helfgott whose story inspired 'Shine', brought together through their connection with the blockbuster movie 'Shine' and its Director Scott Hicks.

With four 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 19th May 2016.

Last week I ran the introduction to the latest releases segment with a small feature on the Marvel Cinematic Universe Box Office successes, with the promise that I would do likewise with the DC Extended Universe this week. With 'Batman v. Superman' for DC now at a worldwide Box Office haul of US$870M and 'Captain America : Civil War' for Marvel at US$957M, and both still out on general release, the stakes are high in both camps, and the expectations of what is to come even higher. With that in mind here is the low down on the DC filmography with the Superman and Batman franchises reigning supreme and underpining that universe, here are the numbers :-

• 'Superman' - December 1978 - US$300M - with Christopher Reeve in the title role.
• 'Superman II' - June 1981 - $101M - with Christopher Reeve.
• 'Superman III' - June 1983 - US$60M - with Christopher Reeve.
• 'Superman IV' - July 1987 - US$11M - with Christoper Reeve.
• 'Superman Returns' - June 2006 - US374M - with Brandon Routh in the title role.
• 'Man of Steel' - June 2013 - US$668M - with Henry Cavill in the title role.
• 'Batman' - June 1989 - US$409M - with Michael Keaton in the title role.
• 'Batman Returns' - June 1992 - US$267M - with Michael Keaton.
• 'Batman Forever' - June 1995 - US$336M - with Val Kilmer in the title role.
• 'Batman and Robin' - June 1997 - US$238M - with George Clooney in the title role.
• 'Batman Begins' - June 2005 - US$359M - with Christian Bale in the title role.
• 'The Dark Knight' - July 2008 - US$1,003B - with Christian Bale and #24 highest ranking film of all time currently.
• 'The Dark Knight Rises' - July 2012 - US$1,085B - with Christian Bale and the #16 highest ranking film of all time currently.
• 'Batman v. Superman' - March 2016 - US$868M - with Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill in the title roles and the #45 highest ranking film of all time currently.
• Outside of these, there have been 'Catwoman', 'Constantine', 'Watchmen', 'Jonah Hex', 'Green Lantern' and 'The League of Extraordinary Gentleman' plus a host of other characters from the equally rich source material, some of which have performed reasonably well at the Box Office while others have not. Additionally, there have been numerous animated feature films, television films, short films and television series dating all the way back to the early 40's.

What does the future hold for the DC Extended Universe - already either due for imminent release, filming, in pre-production of on the slate there is : 'Suicide Squad' due August this year; 'Wonder Woman' due in June 2017; 'Justice League : Part One' due in November 2017; 'The Flash' due in March 2018; 'Aquaman' due in July 2018; 'Shazam' due in April 2019; 'Justice League : Part Two' due in June 2019; 'Cyborg' due in April 2020; and 'The Green Lantern Corp.' due in July 2020. Much to get excited about.

And so what is coming your way in the week ahead? Four new films, that's what! First up is another Marvel offering, but outside of their Cinematic Universe, but nonetheless #9 in a hugely successful franchise that sees the resurrected grand-daddy of all mutants go head to head in the world of the 20th Century, and there's only one team that can stand up and save the world. Then we have a film of transferred memories and the hunt for a package that will save the world, starring three fellas who were last together on the big screen in Oliver Stone's 'JFK'. Following on from this we have a comedy drama about a mother/daughter relationship that sees well meaning Mum going too far with the smotherly love only to be told back off - and so she channels its elsewhere, with surprising consequences; and wrapping up a doco of the musical kind definitely with strings attached!

With four new offerings, and still great content on general release as Reviewed and Previewed between these pages, get out amongst it this week to your local cinema, and when you have sat through your movie of choice, feel free to share your thoughts, observations, and ratings below this or any other Post in the Comments Box below. Enjoy your film.

'X-MEN : APOCALYPSE' (Rated MA15+) - the eagerly awaited ninth film in the hugely successful 'X-Men' franchise is now upon us with high expectations given how the more recent films in the series have performed. With Bryan Singer back in the Director's chair having also Directed the series opening two films 'X-Men' and 'X2' in 2000 and 2003 respectively, with 2014's 'Days of Future Past' too, it seems that this instalment is in safe and confident hands. In the meantime there has been 'The Last Stand', 'Origins : Wolverine', 'First Class', 'The Wolverine' and this years 'Deadpool'. Counting those previous eight films, the series has so far made US$3.82B from a combined Budget of US$1.08B, with 'Apocalypse' costing US$234M to bring to the big screen. 'Deadpool' has be the most lucrative so far returning US$762M from an outlay of just US$58M compared to 'Days of Future Past' as the next best which returned US$748M from a US$200M outlay.

And so to this next instalment we see 'Apocalypse' (Oscar Isaac) - the first and most powerful mutant worshipped as a God since time began is both immortal and invincible having amassed the power of many other mutants along the way to becoming all powerful. Having been betrayed by his worshippers, he was entombed for centuries and his followers 'The Four Horsemen' destroyed. Now waking from a forced restful slumber in 1983, the newly energised Apocalypse soon realises that the world has forgotten him, and it has changed in ways that are far from his liking. Deciding to destroy the world and rebuild it to his own vision, he enlists four new horsemen - Psylocke (Olivia Munn), Storm (Alexandra Shipp), Archangel (Ben Hardy), and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) to support his cause and bring about the destruction needed to rebuild a new world order. With the fate of our little blue & green planet hanging in the balance, Professor X (James McAvoy) and Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) lead a young team of X-Men to thwart their evil foe and save the Earth. Also starring Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Tye Sheridan as Cyclops, Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, Kodi Smith-McPhee as Nightcrawler with Rose Byrne, Hugh Jackman and Lucas Till. Let the battle commence!

'CRIMINAL' (Rated MA15+) - this action thriller Directed by Ariel Vromen has seen mixed reviews from around the traps for its US$32M Budget for which it has so far returned US$27M having been released Stateside in mid-April, and given the ensemble cast that stars. Essentially CIA Agent Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) is killed on the job while escorting a hacker informant to a safe house. Desperate to find this hacker who it seems can engage all the worlds nuclear warheads at will, Pope's next line of command Quaker Wells (Gary Oldman) reaches out to Dr. Mahal Franks (Tommy Lee Jones) a pre-eminent neurosurgeon who has developed a way of transplanting the memory of a dead man into a living one. Franks believes there is only one person who can undergo such treatment, and that person is convicted criminal Jericho Stewart (Kevin Costner). And so begins a cat and mouse game involving implanted memories, the CIA, a dead mans family, and an anarchist on the hunt for a package hidden somewhere safe that only the dead man's memory can reveal. Sounds completely plausible and rational. Also starring Gal Gadot as the dead Agents wife.

'THE MEDDLER' (Rated M) - Witten and Directed by Lorene Scafaria this is a dramedy that was Premiered at TIFF in September 2015, released in the US towards the end of April, has received strong critical acclaim, but this is yet to transfer into anything resembling serious Box Office takings. Nonetheless, here we have Lori Minervini (Rose Byrne in her second release this week) a still single  successful screenwriter living in LA when her recently widowed beloved Mother Marnie (Susan Sarandon) decides to up sticks and relocate from New Jersey to LA to be closer to her darling daughter. When Mum comes on too strong with the positive advise, interference and persistent meddling in Lori's life, it is time to draw the line, and so Marnie finds new ways to channel her positivity, optimism and generosity to help others change their lives for the better, with surprising results for all concerned. Also starring J.K.Simmons.

'HIGHLY STRUNG' (Rated M) - Scott Hicks latest foray into the world of music and cinema opened the Adelaide Film Festival in October last year, and this week gets its general release. Fitting that it should premier in Adelaide as this is where the Australian String Quartet are based and have been going strong there for the last 30 years. Hicks explores the world of stringed instruments, the power and the passion behind those that play them, the desire of those to own them, how they are made, what they stand for, where and how they sound the best, and the function that each member of the quartet holds. It's a story of drama and beauty, passion, obsession and possession into a world of classical music that many of us would otherwise pass by.

With four very different films once again, promising (almost) something for everyone, there'll be no reason not to catch a movie in the week ahead. When you have done so, share your thoughts, and until then - I'll see you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-