What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 9th June 2022.

The 69th Sydney Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday 8th June and runs through until Sunday 19th June, screening over two hundred films across fifteen screens spread across the city and showcasing the greatest, strangest and most exciting works that the world of cinema has to offer. This year there are twelve films in Official Competition and the Sydney Film Prize is awarded to the most 'audacious, cutting-edge and courageous' film in the Official Competition line-up. The competition is endorsed by FIAPF, the regulating body for international film festivals, and is judged by a jury of filmmakers and industry professionals. The AU$60K cash prize is presented at SFF’s Closing Night ceremony. In addition, a further AU$76K is awarded to other categories that are the Australian Documentary Award, two awards for Australian Short Films, the Australian Animated Short Film, The Craft Award for demonstrated excellence by a craft practitioner in an Australian short film, the Australian First Nations Film Creatives, the Sydney UNESCO City of Film Award and the Sustainable Futures Award. 

Those films in Official Competition are as detailed below :-

* 'Alcarras' - from Spain and Italy and Written and Directed by Carla Simon. Set in Alcarras, Catalonia, the plot consists of a family rural drama concerning the disappearance of agricultural activities, revolving around the intention to install solar panels in an agricultural plot hitherto occupied by a peach orchard, bringing the members of the Sole family to a stand off. Australian Premier. Drama. Winner of the Golden Bear Award at this years Berlin International Film Festival.

* 'Before, Now & Then' - from Indonesia and Written and Directed by Kamila Andini. Set in West Java, Nana (Happy Salma) finds refuge in a second marriage after losing her family to war in the 1940's. Then, she befriends her second husband's mistress, Ino (Laura Basuki), together seeking for the meaning of freedom. Australian Premier. Drama.

* 'Blaze' - from Australia and Co-Written and Directed by Del Kathryn Barton in her feature film debut. After accidentally witnessing a violent crime, a young girl is left catatonic with shock, and struggles to make sense of what she saw, ultimately finding renewal in the inestimable world of her own imagination. Australian Premier. Drama. Starring Simon Baker and Julia Savage.

* 'The Box' - from Mexico and the USA and Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Lorenzo Vigas. A Mexican teenager sets out to collect his fathers remains, only to be sucked into the underbelly of the manufacturing industry. Australian Premier. Drama.

* 'Burning Days' - from Turkey and Written and Directed by Emin Alper. Emre (Sealhattin Pasali), a young prosecutor, newly appointed to the small town of Balkaya finds himself being pulled into a political conflict during his first murder investigation. Australian Premier. Drama.

* 'Close' - from Belgium and Co-Written and Directed by Lukas Dhont. Leo and Remi (Eden Dambrine and Gustav de Waele respectively) two thirteen-year-old boys, have their close friendship suddenly thrown into disarray as the prospect of adolescence looms. Australian Premier. Drama. Winner of the Grand Prix at this years Cannes Film Festival.

* 'Fire of Love' - from the USA and Canada and Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Sara Dosa. Follows the lives and careers of daring French Volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft who ultimately died in a volcanic explosion on Mount Unzen, in Japan, on June 3, 1991. Australian Premier. Documentary.

* 'Godland' - from Denmark and Written and Directed by Hlynur Palmason. In the late 19th Century, a young Danish priest travels to a remote part of Iceland to build a church and photograph its people. But the deeper he goes into the unforgiving landscape, the more he strays from his purpose, his mission and morality. Australian Premier. Drama. 

* 'The Quiet Girl' - from Ireland, and Written for the screen and Directed by Colm Bairead. Set in rural Ireland in 1981 a quiet, neglected girl is sent away from her dysfunctional family to live with foster parents for the Summer. She blossoms in their care, but in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one. Australian Premier. Drama. 

* 'Utama' - from Bolivia, France and Uruguay and Written and Directed by Alejandro Loayza Grisi in his feature film debut. In the Bolivian highlands, an elderly Quechua couple has been living the same daily life for years. During an uncommonly long drought, Virginio (Jose Calcina) and his wife Sisa (Luisa Quispe) face a dilemma: resist, or be defeated by the environment and time itself. Australian Premier. Drama. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2022.

* 'Return to Seoul' - from France, Belgium and Germany and Written and Directed by Davy Chou. A twenty-five-year-old French woman returns to Korea, the country she was born in before being adopted by a French couple, for the very first time. She decides to track down her biological parents, but her journey takes on a surprising turn. Australian Premier. Drama.

* 'You Won't Be Alone' - from Australia and the USA and Written and Directed by Goran Stolevski in his feature film debut. In an isolated mountain village in 19th Century Macedonia, a young girl is kidnapped and then transformed into a witch with the ability to shape shift on her 16th birthday by an ancient spirit. Starring Noomi Rapace. Australian Premier. Drama, horror. 

For the full update on all the Sydney Film Festival information, the other programme strands, and the events taking place over the twelve days, you can visit the official website at : https://www.sff.org.au/

This week to tease you out to your local Odeon on a chilly Winter evening, we have three new movies, kicking off with a highly anticipated Sci-Fi actioner that sees the future of mankind hanging in the balance as humans and dinosaurs coexist following the destruction of Isla Nublar four years previously. Next we have a biographical drama offering about a legendary 20th Century war poet who's life-long quest for personal salvation through his experiences with family, war, his writing, and destructive relationships goes unresolved, never realising it can only come from within. And we close out the week with an Iranian film about a man who gets embroiled in a series of unfortunate events that risk his reputation and relationships when he gets arrested for delaying the repayment of a debt.

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.

'JURASSIC WORLD : DOMINION' (Rated M) - is an American Sci-Fi action film Directed and Co-Written for the screen and based on a story developed by Colin Tervorrow. 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 goes on worldwide release from this week onward. The film cost US$165M to produce and early reaction to the film has been positive. 

Set some four years after Isla Nublar had been destroyed, dinosaurs now live, and hunt, alongside humans the world over. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history's most fearsome creatures. Also starring an ensemble cast that sees Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum reprise their roles from the first three 'Jurassic Park' films, together with Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard from the latter three instalments, with DeWanda Wise, BD Wong, Omar Sy and Scott Haze. 

'BENEDICTION' (Rated M) - this biographical drama film is Written and Directed by Terence Davies whose previous film making credits include 'Distant Voices, Still Lives' in 1988, 'The House of Mirth' in 2000, 'The Deep Blue Sea' in 2011 and 'A Quiet Passion' in 2016. This film saw its World Premier screening at last years Toronto International Film Festival in September before going on general release in the UK towards the end of May and in the US last week. Here then, decorated for bravery during WWI, British soldier Siegfried Sassoon (Jack Lowden with Pater Capaldi playing the older Sassoon) returns from service and becomes a vocal critic of the government's continuation of the war for which he was sent to a psychiatric clinic. Adored by the aristocracy and the stars of London's literary and stage world, Sassoon's experiences inspire him to write poetry about the horrors of battle, while having affairs with several men while being closeted, and developing a crisis in faith when he converted to Catholicism. Also starring Simon Russell Beale, Jeremy Irvine, Gemma Jones, Calam Lynch, Geraldine James and Anton Lester.

'A HERO' (Rated PG) -  is an Iranian drama film Written and Directed by Asghar Farhadi whose prior Directorial credits take in the likes of his debut feature film 'Dancing in the Dust' in 2003, 'A Separation' in 2011, 'The Salesman' in 2016 and 'Everybody Knows' in 2018. The film saw its World Premier screening at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival where it was in competition for the Palme d'Or, ultimately taking out the Grand Prix. Rahim (Amir Jadidi) is in prison because of a debt he was unable to repay. During a two-day leave period, he tries to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint against the payment of part of the sum outstanding, but things don't go as quite as planned. The film has garnered universal critical acclaim and has so far collected twelve award wins and another thirty-seven nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit.

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, 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 22nd June 2017.

The 64th annual Sydney Film Festival came to a close on Sunday night 18th June, with its closing night screening of action adventure 'Okja' by South Korean film-maker Bong Joon-ho and starring Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lily Collins, Steven Yuen, Daniel Henshall and child actress Ahn Seo-hyun. Ahead of this screening the Official Competition Winner was announced, which came as a little bit of a surprise given the strength of the other eleven competing films, that included 'The Beguiled', 'Una' (released this week and Previewed below), 'We Don't Need A Map', 'Happy End', and 'I Am Not Your Negro' (the favourite to win).

All that said, Hungarian film, 'On Body and Soul' walked away with the AU$60K prize money and the Award for Best Film, having also won the Golden Bear main competition prize at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival in February. Directed and Written by Ildiko Enyedi, the film tells the story of two co-workers in a Budapest abattoir - one the Director of the firm, Endre, and the other Maria, a recently appointed quality controller. By chance, the pair discover that each night they share exactly the same dream - about a pair of deer cavorting in the woods.  As a result of their shared connection, they feel compelled to attempt a romance, but real life proves more challenging than their common beautiful dream. Jury President Margaret Pomeranz​ referred to 'On Body and Soul' as 'graceful, measured and profoundly compassionate'. She went on further to say 'it's a film that shows us that even in this divided world we are capable of sharing the same dreams; that amongst the ugliness of a slaughterhouse, kindness, gentleness can be found'. Congratulations on your win, Ildiko Enyedi.

This week there are six new films coming to your local multiplex or independent theatre. We kick off with the fifth instalment in a blockbusting Sci-Fi action franchise that sees a select band of returning humans buddy up once more with their giant robot friends in understanding the history of the latter on Earth, in order that the future of the former can be protected. We then turn the focus to a drama that sees the sins of the past resurface fifteen years later when the sinner is unwittingly confronted with the sinned against, but what are the motives at play here? Next up is an a road trip to Vegas for this young lad who has hired a career crim to take out his step dad, but has second thoughts en route, followed with an American historical bio-pic telling the slow, meandering story of one of this country's greatest Poets. Attention is then turned to the fourth film in this teen franchise that sees the family on a road trip to celebrate a 90th birthday, but all is not lost for this wimpy kid, yet! We then wrap-up with the third offering in this Pixar CG animation film about a myriad of motor vehicles and a red sports car whose days on the racing circuit may just be behind him . . . or are they?

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the six new releases as Previewed below, or those as doing the rounds currently on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, be cordially invited 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 cinema experience this week.

'TRANSFORMERS : THE LAST KNIGHT' (Rated M) - Michael Bay here Directs once again this fifth instalment in this hugely successful Sci-Fi action franchise, that launched in 2007 with 'Transformers', then 'Revenge of the Fallen' in 2009, 'Dark of the Moon' in 2011, and 'Age of Extinction' in 2014. Those first four films cost a combined US$755M and have collectively returned at the global Box Office US$3,774B. Not bad for a franchise that began its life as a children's toy line back in 1984 made by American toy manufacturer Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. The franchise has gone on to spawn animated television series, comic books, graphic novels, video games, a theme park ride at several Universal Parks & Resorts, and of course a burgeoning film franchise.  Now in 2017 and for a cool US$217M budget, Michael Bay is back allegedly for the last time as Director, with 'The Last Knight' that sees Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci reprising their roles from 'Age of Extinction' as Cade Yeager, and Joshua Joyce respectively. In this instalment Josh Duhamel, John Turturro and Tyrese Gibson, reprise their roles from the first three films also. A 'Bumblebee' spin-off film Directed by Travis Knight in his live action film debut is due for release mid-2018, with 'Transformers 6' due in mid-2019.

And so to this gripping instalment. In the absence of Autobot leader Optimus Prime (but not for long methinks), humankind have gone to war against the Transformers. To save our fragile planet Cade Yaeger forms an unlikely partnership with young Chevrolet Camaro Autobot Bumblebee (voiced by Erik Aadahl); an English Lord, Sir Edmund Burton (Anthony Hopkins) an astronomer and historian who knows a thing or two about the history of the Transformers on Earth; and an Oxford University Professor of English Literature, Viviane Wembley (Laura Haddock). Needing to unlock the age old hidden secrets of why the Transformers keep returning to Earth is the key to safeguarding our future. Also starring  the voice talents of Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, John Goodman as Hound and Omar Sy as Hot Rod. Expect action set pieces writ large, destruction on a grand scale, the crunching of metal, lots of shouting and history rewritten!

'UNA' (Rated M) - this film screened in Official Competition at the very recent Sydney Film Festival where it had its Australian Premier, although it's World Premier screening was at the Telluride Film Festival in early September last year. Directed by renowned Australian theatre Director Benedict Andrews in his feature film debut, 'Una' is based on the David Harrower stage play 'Blackbird'. Here, Una Spencer (Rooney Mara) tracks down Ray Brooks (Ben Mendelssohn), who, fifteen years previously when Una was a minor, sexually abused her. Having served his time in prison for his crime and carved out a new and happy life for himself subsequently, Ray's peaceful contended existence is threatened with the arrival of Una, but what are her motives. With Ray desperate to preserve his new life and family unit, is Una out for revenge or is she motivated by something else? An intense emotional drama surrounding the sins of the past coming back to haunt the present, with these two fractured personalities who are left in a head to head standoff as secrets and buried memories, unanswered questions and unresolved longings resurface. Also starring Riz Ahmed and Tara Fitzgerald.

'DETOUR' (Rated MA15+) - made by British Screenwriter and Director, Christopher Smith, and shown at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2016, this film went on general release in the US in late January this year, and only now reaches Australian cinemas, in limited screenings. Here law student Harper (Tye Sheridan) recruits career criminal Johnny Ray (Emory Cohen), whom he encounters in a bar one night, to murder his step-father Vincent (Stephen Moyer) who he blames for the car accident that has hospitalised his mother in a coma. Johnny Ray asks $20K to dispense with the step-father. The next morning Johhny Ray arrives with his stripper girlfriend Cherry (Bel Powley) to collect Harper to travel to Las Vegas together to complete the hit, unaware that Harper has already taken matters into his own hands. The road trip to Vegas is far from a smooth ride, as Johnny Ray has debts to settle en route, and Harper tries to cover up the tracks of his crime, and escape from Johnny Ray in one piece, ideally with Cherry in tow.

'A QUIET PASSION' (Rated PG) - this critically lauded film Written and Directed by English Screenwriter, Director, novelist and Actor Terence Davies tells the biographical story of American Poet Emily Dickinson who lived from 1830 until 1886 and who is now recognised as the most important Poet of 19th Century America. Here, Cynthia Nixon portrays Emily Dickinson charting her life from young schoolgirl growing up in Amherst, Massachusetts, to her later years as a reclusive, unrecognised talent yet still maintaining close links with her family and writing poetry prolifically, which would not go acknowledged until after her death. Thoughtful, emotional, nuanced - a character study that will reward the poetically minded historians amongst us. Also starring Emma Bell as the younger Emily Dickinson; Keith Carradine as Emily's father Edward; Joanna Bacon as Emily's mother Emily, Duncan Duff as Emily's brother Austin; and Jennifer Ehle as Emily's sister Lavina.

'THE DIARY OF A WIMPY KID : THE LONG HAUL' (Rated PG) - this fourth film in the series based on the books by Jeff Kinney, launched in 2010 with the inaugural 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' as Directed by Thor Freudenthal. This was followed up by 'Rodrick Rules' in 2011, 'Dog Days' in 2012 and now 'The Long Haul' in 2017, with the three latter films all Directed by David Bowers. Those first three films in the franchise were made for a combined US$58M, and collected US$225M at the worldwide Box Office, with this latest instalment costing US$22M to bring to the big screen, having grossed since its mid-May release Stateside US$30M. Here, young Greg Heffley's (Jason Drucker) summer holiday plans of idling about are thwarted when his parents announce a road trip for the whole family to help celebrate an elderly relatives 90th birthday. Cue sighs of disbelief at this daunting prospect, but all is not lost when Greg learns that this family outing coincides with a video gaming Expo at which Greg's YouTube hero will be present. Greg therefore hatches a cunning plan to attend the Expo, and secure his fifteen minutes of fame. Also starring Alicia Silverstone as Mum, Susan; Tom Everett Scott as Dad, Frank; and Charlie Wright as brother, Rodrick. The film has received largely negative Reviews.

'CARS 3' (Rated G) - this is the third film in the successful animated 'Cars' franchise that charged full throttle onto our big screens in 2006 with 'Cars', followed up in 2011 with 'Cars 2'. Both of these instalments were Directed by John Lasseter, and both took a combined global Box Office haul of US$1,024B off a budget outlay of US$320M. The Pixar series has also spawned two animated television series, two short films, two spin-off films with 'Planes' in 2013 and 'Planes : Fire and Rescue' in 2014, and several Disneyland theme park rides. Now in 2017, strap yourself in and buckle up for a third offering brought to us by Director Brian Fee (who acted as a storyboard artist on the first two films), with John Lasseter taking an Executive Producer credit this time around. Here outshone, out manoeuvred, and outpaced by up and coming younger talent, Lightning McQueen (voiced again by Owen Wilson) finds himself being pushed out of the sport of motor racing that he has grown up with and which he loves. To help him get back his former glory and secure his place in a big race, he will need to rely on the help of young gun technician Cruz Ramirez (voiced by Cristela Alonzo) and some inspiration from other friends, if he is to stand any chance of winning on Piston Cup Racing's grandest stage. Also starring the voice talents of Armie Hammer as new younger rival Jackson Storm, Bonnie Hunt, Chris Cooper, Larry the Cable Guy and a host of others. Made for US$175M, the film has so far taken US$81M since its release in the US just last week.

Six films this week offering something for almost everyone, once again. Whether family animated features are for you; or effects laden shoot 'em up, blast 'em down, loud & proud action Sci-Fi is your thing; or a teen road movie or indeed an adult drama fuelled road movie; or a historical bio-pic; or an emotional drama does it for you, then this week there is a film out there for you at your local theatre. Share your movie going thoughts with us afterwards, and meanwhile, I'll see you somewhere, sometime in the week ahead at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 1st September 2016.

Two thirds of the way through the year and I got to thinking about the movie remakes and reboots we have seen this year so far together with those still slated for release in 2016. This year has been no exception to the number seen, but it does seem that once again we have our fair share of movies from way back, and more recently, that are getting rebooted, reimagined and remade for a whole new audience perhaps unfamiliar with the source material, or is it simply that the studios are devoid of sufficient new ideas with which to commit to celluloid? Here's a bunch from this year alone that have been dug up, dusted down and had the makeover treatment :

• 'Point Break' - originally released in 1991 with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze and Directed by Kathryn Bigelow.
• 'Steve Jobs' - originally released in 2013 as 'Jobs' with Ashton Kutcher and Directed by Joshua Michael Stern.
• 'Zoolander 2' - originally released in 2001 with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson and Directed by Ben Stiller.
• 'The Jungle Book' - originally released in 1967 as a Disney animated feature Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman.
• 'Mt Big Fat Greek Wedding 2' - originally released in 2002 and Directed by Joel Zwick.
• 'Ghostbusters' - originally released in  1984 with Bill Murray, Dan Aykrord and Harold Ramis and Directed by Ivan Reitman.
• 'Jason Bourne' - originally released as a trilogy in 2002, 2004 and 2007 as 'The Bourne Identity', 'The Bourne Supremacy' and 'The Bourne Ultimatum' with Matt Damon and Directed by Doug Liman and Paul Greengrass.
• 'The BFG' - originally released in 1989 as a Cosgrove Hall animated feature Directed by Brian Cosgrove.
• 'The Legend of Tarzan' - 52 live action and animated feature films since 1918, with the last live action film being 1998's 'Tarzan and the Lost City' with Casper Van Dien and Directed by Carl Schenkel.
• 'Independence Day : Resurgence' - originally released in 1996 as 'Independence Day' with Will Smith and Directed by Roland Emmerich.
• 'Ben Hur' - originally released in 1959 with Charlton Heston and Directed by William Wyler.
• 'Mechanic : Resurrection' - originally released in 1972 as 'The Mechanic' with Charles Bronson and Jean-Michael Vincent and Directed by Michael Winner.

With those still coming up for release before the end of the year :

• 'The Magnificent Seven' - originally released in 1960 with Yul Bryner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Horst Buchholz and Brad Dexter and Directed by John Sturges.
• 'Pete's Dragon' - originally released in 1977 as a Disney animated feature Directed by Don Chaffey.
• 'All Quiet on the Western Front' - originally released in 1930 and Directed by Lewis Milestone.

Turning to this week, there are no fewer than seven new films to tease you in to the first week of an Australian Spring, kick starting with a return to form for this Actor in this rescue and revenge story that sees an ageing dad trying to do the right thing by his estranged daughter and dispensing his own style of justice on those who would do her harm. Then we go to a biographical drama of drug cartels, money laundering and how one man brought it all crashing down for an infamous kingpin and his empire in the mid '80's. Next we turn attention to this weeks horror offering in the form of a home invasion set up featuring three opportunistic thieves who under-estimate their target and what he is capable of, despite his disability. Then a sequel to a 2011 remake of a classic 1972 film that sees a man with a particular set of skills come out of retirement to save his girlfriend - but at what cost? Then these are followed up by a teen adventure tale of on-line truth or dare but with a twist for the tech-savvy on the go attention seeking adrenalin junkie youthful types. This then takes us to the Korean War with a top ranking US General calling the shots with the local South Koreans to infiltrate  the North Koreans to help reverse the fortunes of the UN allies; before wrapping up with another period piece set on the Scottish north east coast in the lead up to WWI and one young farm girls coming of age story based on a much loved Scottish literary piece dating back to 1932.

For the full Previews see below, and if these help with your movie going choice in the week ahead then be sure to leave your thoughts and opinions of your film experience by recording a Comment below this or any other Post. We would love to hear from you! In the meantime, enjoy your film.

'BLOOD FATHER' (Rated MA15+) - it's good to see Mel Gibson back in a leading role for the first time since 2012's 'Get The Gringo' which he also Co-Wrote and Co-Produced and which whilst hardly a Box Office sensation was a welcome return to the form for the former Hollywood A-List Actor, Writer, Producer and Director who had fallen from grace since 'Apocalypto' in 2006. Now in 2016, Gibson is back and playing a bad-ass grindhouse rescue and revenge type in this Jean-Francois Richet Directed film that sees his character John Link as a Vietnam War Veteran, an ex-convict out on parole and an former alcoholic still sharing the love at regular AA meetings. Based on the book of the same name by Peter Craig, Gibson has received much praise for his role in this B-Grade movie that for the Actor seeking to make his comeback might be seen as a case of art imitating life. Watch out too for Mel's return to Directing duty with WWII drama 'Hacksaw Ridge' due in November this year.

Essentially we join Link celebrating two years of being off the booze and ably supported by his friend and sponsor Kirby (William H. Macy). Link is fighting plenty of inner demons, one of which is having lost all contact with his sixteen year old daughter Lydia (Erin Moriarty) who has got tied up with all manner of low life nasty criminal types down Mexico way. So much so that she accidentally shoots her boyfriend and drug kingpin Jonah (Diego Luna) in the neck. As a result she goes on the run from both the local police and the drug cartel with only her estranged Dad to turn to. It's not long before the two hit the road to evade the police and those pesky drug cartel types aided by some they come up against and hindered by others. Featuring plenty of gun play, chases sequences, sharp dialogue and a grizzled world weary lead character dispensing his own brand of justice. Catch it soon and give Mel Gibson a second chance!

'THE INFILTRATOR' (Rated MA15+) - this autobiographical crime drama is Directed by Brad Furman and is based on the book of the same name by US Customs Special Agent Robert Mazur who  during the '80's went deep undercover as a corrupt businessman to bust Pablo Escobar's money laundering organisation. Here Bryan Cranston plays Robert Mazur (aka Bob Musella) who goes undercover to infiltrate the drug trafficking network of drug lord Escobar by working with Agents Kathy Ertz (Diane Kruger) and Emir Abreu (John Leguizamo) and gaining the confidence and trust of Escobar's right hand man Roberto Alcaino (Benjamin Bratt). Building a case against a vicious criminal underworld where any wrong move or word out of place could cost him his life, Mazur gathers sufficient hard evidence to bring about indictments against 85 drug lords and the bankers who cleaned and redistributed their money whilst bringing about the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International - one of the world's largest money laundering banks. Also starring Amy Ryan, Jason Isaacs and Olympia Dukakis.

'DON'T BREATHE' (Rated MA15+) - Directed by Fede Alvarez who brought us 'The Evil Dead' reboot in 2013 this home invasion horror film has received positive reviews since its release and has made US$31M off its US$10M budget outlay. Here three Detroit living thieves Rocky (Jane Levy), Alex (Dylan Minnette) and Money (Daniel Zovatto) decide to burgle the home of a blind old veteran (Stephen Lang) who has recently come into a substantial sum of money as a result of a cash settlement following the death of his only child. Living in a quiet secluded house in a largely abandoned neighbourhood the gang of three pick this as an easy target and a quick in and out job . . . they couldn't be more wrong! Finding themselves trapped inside the house the three must keep their wits about them as they fight for their lives having encountered what the blind man is capable of and the secret he is harbouring.

'MECHANIC : RESURRECTION' (Rated MA15+) - the remake of Michael Winner's 1972 classic 'The Mechanic' with Charles Bronson and Jean-Michael Vincent in 2011 as Directed by Simon West with Jason Statham in the title role as Arthur Bishop made US$62M off its US$40M budget making a sequel hardly a sure thing! But here we are five years later with the franchise resurrected as Arthur Bishop has been forced out of retirement as a contract killer when the love of his life Gina (Jessica Alba) is kidnapped by some unscrupulous types demanding he complete three seemingly impossible hits, otherwise the girls gets it! Our man is forced to traverse the world to do what he does best using his particular set of skills - make his assassinations look like accidents! Made for US$40M again and this time Directed by Dennis Gansel, and also starring Michelle Yeoh and Tommy Lee Jones.

'NERVE' (Rated M) - described as a teen techno thriller adventure, this film is based on the 2012 book of the same name by Jeanne Ryan and is jointly Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, was made for US$20M and so far grossed USA$48M. Here we have young Vee Delmonico (Emma Roberts) a high achieving senior high school student who is quickly becoming bored with the hum drum ho-hum of life. Coming under some pressure from her friends to come out from under her shell, she joins 'Nerve' a popular on-line game that challenges its participants to a game of dare that starts out simply enough but soon escalates at every stage into something way more challenging, dangerous, and adrenaline fuelled. Are you a 'Player or a Watcher' as the game launches with the promise of big cash prizes and Internet fame, but as Vee moves through her addictive challenges so the game takes a more sinister turn where the stakes are increasingly high, and she joins forces with Ian (Dave Franco) who may or may not be a participant in the game and can he be trusted? Right up every teenagers street this film of Internet gaming on the move is both topical and relevant, if a little far fetched . . . or is it?

'OPERATION CHROMITE' (Rated MA15+) - this South Korean film has a limited Australian release and tells the true story of The Battle of Inchon as Directed by John H.Lee (Lee Jae-han), which lasted from 15th September though to 19th September 1950 involving an amphibious invasion during the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favour of the United Nations. The operation involved 75,000 or so troops and 260 naval vessels, and led to the recapture of the South Korean capital of Seoul shortly afterwards. Here General MacArthur (Liam Neeson) oversees a team led by South Korean Special Naval Forces Captain Jang Hak-soo (Lee Jung-jae) and seven of the Korean Liaison Office to infiltrate under the guise of a North Korean Inspection unit the North Korean Army Command Centre in Inchon and complete three key tasks which involve gathering significant military intelligence, the kidnapping of the a high ranking officer, and the signalling to the UN forces on D-Day to haul ass and move on in. Made for about US$12M the film has so far made US$19M since its release.

'SUNSET SONG' (Rated M) - based on the highly acclaimed Scottish 1932 Lewis Grassic Gibbon novel of the same name, this film is Directed by Terence Davies and was released in the UK in early December last year, and only now reaches Australian shores on a limited release. Set at the turn of the 20th Century on the fictional Estate of Kinraddie in north-east Scotland the film centres around Chris Guthrie (Agyness Deyn) a young girl growing up in rural and remote Aberdeenshire whose rites of passage see love and loss, toil and hardship, happiness and sorrow, peace and war, but, this is what defines her as a a growing woman and what prepares her for adulthood and the dawning of a new world. Generally this film has received very positive reviews for its beauty and brutality, its dialogue (written for the screen by Davies too) and its performances from Deyn and the supporting cast of Peter Mullan (as father John Guthrie) and Kevin Guthrie (as Ewan Tavendale) especially. One for you, if intense thought provoking period dramas are your thing.

With seven new films out in the week ahead, these are decidedly adult fare, but when combined with those films out on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed here at this Blog, then there is no reason not to get out to your local cinema and celebrate Springtime with a latest release movie. I'll see you at the Odeon in the coming week.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-