'TRAP' : Tuesday 6th August 2024.

I saw the M Rated 'TRAP' this week, and this American psychological thriller film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by M. Night Shyamalan who made his breakthrough with 'The Sixth Sense' in 1999 and which he would follow up with the likes of 'Unbreakable' in 2000, 'The Village' in 2004, 'The Visit' in 2015, 'Split' in 2016, 'Glass' in 2019, 'Old' in 2021 and 'Knock at the Cabin' in 2023. This film cost US$30M to produce, has so far grossed US$25M and has generated mixed or average reviews since its release in the US and here in Australia last week. 

The film centres on a serial killer Cooper Adams, dubbed 'The Butcher' (Josh Hartnett) who attends a Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan) concert with his teenage daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue). Arriving in plenty of time before the concert gets underway, Cooper observes a large Police presence at the stadium and asks a merchandise vendor Jamie (Jonathan Langdon) the reason for the higher than normal Police activity. Jamie tells Cooper that the FBI plans to catch a serial killer known as 'the Butcher', having learned that he will be in attendance, and Jamie asks Cooper not to divulge to anyone where he got his information from as it's a closely guarded secret. 

Cooper excuses himself from Riley to visit the toilet where it is revealed that he is the Butcher while secretly checking footage on his phone of his latest captive victim, Spencer (Mark Bacolcol), chained to a pole in a basement somewhere. He steals Jamie's employee ID passcard and learns the supposed secret codeword, Hamilton, that will identify him as an employee, using the card to gain access to a back room where a Police briefing is taking place, and in the process stealing a Police radio.

Over the radio he listens in on a woman predicting his movements, so Cooper sets off a diversion in a food outlet and uses the ensuing chaos to access the roof, where he learns from a Police Officer that the manhunt is led by Dr. Josephine Grant (Hayley Mills), an FBI profiler who has a successful track record in tracking down other criminals. 

Confused by Cooper's behaviour, Riley asks him to stay with her. She talks about being chosen as Lady Raven's 'Dreamer Girl', who gets to dance on stage with the singer and receives backstage access, which Cooper believes has the only exit not covered by the Police. Cooper lies to Lady Raven's uncle (M. Night Shyamalan) that Riley recently recovered from leukemia and therefore winning the sympathy vote and resulting in her being selected to be the 'Dreamer Girl'.

Following the end of the concert, Cooper observes that the Police are also guarding the backstage exit. In the privacy of Lady Raven's dressing room, he reveals himself as the Butcher to her, threatening to remotely kill Spencer if she does not escort him and Riley out in her limousine. She complies but asks to visit Riley's house, where she is met by Cooper's unsuspecting wife Rachel (Alison Pill) and Riley's younger brother Logan (Lochlan Miller). Lady Raven stalls for time by explaining the FBI operation to the family, unsettling Cooper by describing Grant's profile of him as someone with maternal issues and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She also explains that the Police discovered details about the Butcher's attendance at the concert via a torn ticket receipt left in a vacant house that was reported anonymously. 

Before leaving at the behest of Cooper, Lady Raven offers to sing one last song using the family piano, accompanied by Riley. Upon finishing the song, Lady Raven steals Cooper's phone and locks herself in the bathroom with Cooper frantically banging on the door demanding she gives his phone back. She gets scant details from Spencer, as he was blindfolded, about where he was taken and livestreams it to her fans, one of whom finds and rescues him. She outs Cooper to his wife, Rachel, and he locks his family upstairs while Lady Raven texts her driver to contact the Police. 

Cooper attempts to drive off with Lady Raven, but his family, having escaped their temporary captivity upstairs, distracts him long enough for her to escape. The Police arrive and Cooper exits the house through a secret tunnel leading to the neighbours property. He then disguises himself using a SWAT uniform and drives the limousine off with Lady Raven handcuffed to a railing inside the car. After he reveals his identity she unlocks the window, manages to break the railing free and draws a mob of fans to stop him so the FBI can catch up. Cooper meanwhile changes into a fresh set of civilian clothes and flees the scene.

Cooper returns home and confronts Rachel who confesses that she had suspected that he was the Butcher and was the one who left the receipt in the vacant house for the Police to find. Cooper decides to kill her and then himself, but Rachel persuades him to at least share some leftover pie made for Riley. After Cooper admits his hatred for Rachel in causing him to miss seeing his children grow up, he realises Rachel drugged the pie with crushed pills from his tool bag, leading him to hallucinate his mother expressing pride in him for feeling real emotion. The hallucination is actually Grant, impersonating Cooper's mother to calm him down, and he is then tasered several times by SWAT officers as he walks up to her. As he is led away in hand cuffs, he stops to pick up Riley's bicycle on the lawn outside and stand it upright and shares a tearful embrace with her before being loaded into a Police van. As it drives away, Cooper retrieves a bicycle spoke from his sleeve that he secretly took when adjusting Riley's bike and unpicks the lock on his cuffs, laughing to himself.

'Trap' plays out over about six or seven hours from the point where Cooper and Riley jump out of their car having parked up very conveniently close to the concert venue to the point post gig where he is arrested, cuffed and carted off in the back of a Police van later that night. Right from the first ten minutes or so we know that Cooper is 'The Butcher' and that there is a covert Police sting operation afoot to ensnare him, so from this point forward all bets are off, and instead Director and Writer Shyamalan opts for a more traditional cat and mouse game, while sacrificing his trademark twist at the back end. Hartnett is well cast as the mild mannered yet fractured family man harbouring a deadly double life, but the rest of the cast are largely one-dimensional. Make no mistake this is a concert film in which M. Night allows his singer-songwriter daughter Saleka to perform centre stage, write the songs and also score her first screen acting role, all wrapped up in a thriller that in reality is thin on thrills and spills. You can easily forego the price of your cinema ticket and wait for 'Trap' to come out on your local streaming service.

'Trap' warrants three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 1st August 2024.

The 22nd Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival kicks off on Friday 2nd August and runs through until Saturday 10th August on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Dukes County, Massachusetts, USA. This highly regarded Oscar-qualifying festival showcases the best of black cinema, featuring independent films, acclaimed documentaries, panel discussions, and exclusive events. The MVAAFF is committed to promoting diversity in the film industry, providing a platform for black and brown filmmakers to share their unique perspectives and stories. Over the past 22 years, the festival has grown into a premier event, attracting A-list talent and audiences from around the world. 

This years Opening Night film is 'Sing Sing' Directed by Greg Kwedar and tells the story of a group of prisoners at Sing Sing Correctional Facility who attempt to stage their own original stage production. The film stars Colman Domingo and Paul Raci. Peacock’s upcoming limited series 'Fight Night : The Million Dollar Heist' will lead the Closing Night festivities and stars Kevin Hart, Don Cheadle, Taraji P. Henson and Chloe Bailey.

The other feature films and feature documentaries being showcased are :-

* 'Freedom Hair' Directed by Diane Houston. 

* 'Billy Preston : That's The Way God Planned It' Directed by Paris Barclay.

* 'Bike Vessel' Directed by Eric D. Seals.

* 'Time II : Unfinished Business' Directed by Fox Rich.

* 'Black Table' Directed by John Antonio James and Bill Mack.

* 'Respect My Crown : The Rise of African American Women in Californian Politics' Directed by Pamela Bright-Moon.

* 'Young King' Directed by Bryant T. Griffin.

* 'Daughters' Directed by Angela Patton and Natalie Rae.

* 'He Looked Like a Postcard' Directed by Qasim Basir.

* 'The South Got Something To Say' Directed by Ryon Justin Horne and Tyson Alan Horne.

* 'A Radical Act : Renee Montgomery' Directed by Sandrine Orabona.

* 'Ol' Dirty Bastard : A Tale of Two Dirtys' Directed by Sam Pollard and Jason Pollard.

* 'False Positive' Directed by Ismail Al-Amin.

* 'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' Directed by Tina Mabry. 

* 'Albany Road' Directed by Christine Swanson.

* 'A King Like Me' Directed by Matthew O. Henderson.

* 'The Debutantes' Directed by Contessa Gayles.

* 'Luther : Never Too Much' Directed by Dawn Porter.

* 'It Was All A Dream' Directed by dream hampton.

For a brief synopsis of the above named feature films and documentaries, plus details of the short films being showcased and more besides, you can go to the official website at : https://www.mvaaff.com

Looking then at this weeks slew of seven new movies coming to your local Odeon, we begin with an American psychological thriller from an acclaimed Director that is partly inspired by a real life Police sting operation, whereby here a serial killer is trapped inside a concert venue as he and his young daughter attend a concert that is surrounded by law enforcement officers intent on capturing him. This is followed by an American comedy drama that sees a washed-up stand-up comedian co-parenting his autistic son with his ex-wife, when faced with crucial decisions about the boys future, father and son go on a life-changing cross-country road trip together. Next up we have a Canadian slasher offering about how a locket is removed from a collapsed fire tower in the remote woods that entombs a rotting corpse of a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 70-year old crime, with his body being resurrected and hellbent on retrieving it, no matter what it takes. Then we turn to an American crime thriller about an ex-homicide detective with memory loss who is forced to solve a brutal murder, only to uncover chilling secrets from his forgotten past. Following on from this is the story of three life-long friends who travel to Key West, Florida, to be bridesmaids at a surprise wedding of their friend from college. Then we have a documentary drama that follows the unsolved Burger Chef Murders of 1978 that claimed the lives of four teenagers in Speedway, Indiana. And closing out the week is a New Zealand historical action film, spoken in traditional Maori, that is set in New Zealand in 1864, and follows the story of a crucial conflict of the nation's first land warfare, fought between Maori and imperial soldiers against overwhelming odds.

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

'TRAP' (Rated M) - is an American psychological thriller film Written, Co-Produced and Directed by M. Night Shyamalan who made his breakthrough with 'The Sixth Sense' in 1999 and which he would follow up with the likes of 'Unbreakable' in 2000, 'The Village' in 2004, 'The Visit' in 2015, 'Split' in 2016, 'Glass' in 2019, 'Old' in 2021 and 'Knock at the Cabin' in 2023. 

The film centres on a serial killer Cooper, dubbed 'The Butcher' (Josh Hartnett) who goes to a Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan) concert with his teenage daughter Riley (Ariel Donoghue). Mid-way through the concert he realises that the concert is a trap set by law enforcement in an attempt to catch him. Also starring Hayley Mills, Alison Pill and Kid Cudi, the film is released in the US this week too.

'EZRA' (Rated M) - this American comedy drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Tony Goldwyn whose previous Directorial credits take in his debut with 'A Walk on the Moon' in 1999, 'Someone Like You' in 2001, 'The Last Kiss' in 2006 and 'Conviction' in 2010, although he has also helmed numerous TV episodes, and has many acting credits to his name too. This film follows Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale), a stand-up comedian living with his father Stan (Robert De Niro), while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (William Fitzgerald) with his ex-wife Jenna (Rose Byrne). When forced to confront difficult decisions about their son's future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both their lives. Also starring Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, Rainn Wilson and Tony Goldwyn, the film saw its World Premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival back in September last year, was released Stateside at the end of May and only now is it released here in Australia having so far grossed US$3.2M and has generated mixed or average reviews. 

'IN A VIOLENT NATURE' (Rated R18+) - is a Canadian slasher film Written and Directed by Chris Nash that saw its World Premiere at this year Sundance Film Festival at the end of January in the Midnight programme, was released in the US at the end of May, is released in Australia this week and on streaming service Shudder at some future date. When a group of teenagers takes a locket from a collapsed fire tower out in the Ontario wilderness, they unwittingly resurrect the rotting corpse of Johnny (Ry Barrett), a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 60-year old crime. The undead killer soon embarks on a bloody rampage to retrieve the stolen locket, methodically slaughtering anyone who gets in his way. The film has so far grossed US$4.5M and has garnered generally positive critical acclaim. 

'SLEEPING DOGS' (Rated MA15+) - this American crime thriller film is Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Adam Cooper in his feature length Directing debut, and is based on the 2017 novel 'The Book of Mirrors' by E.O. Chirovici. Roy Freeman (Russell Crowe) is an ex-homicide detective with Alzheimer's who is undergoing experimental treatment to help him regain some memories, and who is forced to revisit a case he can't remember. As a man's life hangs in the balance on death row, Freeman must piece together the brutal evidence from a decade-old murder investigation, uncovering a sinister web of buried secrets and betrayals linking to his past. With only instincts to trust, he faces a chilling truth, sometimes, it's best to let sleeping dogs lie. Also starring Karen Gillan, Marton Csokas and Tommy Flanagan, the film was released in the US in late March and has received mixed or average reviews. 

'THE FABULOUS FOUR' (Rated M) - is an American comedy film Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, whose prior film making credits include 'Proof' in 1991, 'How to Make an American Quilt' in 1995, 'A Thousand Acres' in 1997 and 'The Dressmaker' in 2015. Here, a group of three life-long friends Lou, Alice and Kitty (Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, and Sheryl Lee Ralph respectively) travel to Key West, Florida, to be bridesmaids in the surprise wedding of their best college girlfriend Marilyn (Bette Midler). Over the course of one outrageous trip, sisterhoods are rekindled, the past resurfaces, and there are enough sparks, raunch, and romance to change all their lives in unexpected ways. Also starring Bruce Greenwood and Michael Bolton, the film was released in the US last week and has generated mixed or average reviews.

'THE SPEEDWAY MURDERS' (Rated M) - this true crime mystery docudrama is Written and Directed by Adam Kamien and Luke Rynderman, and charts the 'The Burger Chef' murders that took place at a Burger Chef restaurant in Speedway, Indiana, USA, on the night of Friday, 17th November 1978. Four young employees went missing in what was initially thought to be a petty theft of cash from the restaurant's safe. By Saturday morning it became a clear case of robbery-kidnapping, and by Sunday, when their bodies were discovered in a woodland area some thirty miles away, a case of murder. While investigators believe they have identified some or all of the perpetrators, without physical evidence they have not been able to prosecute those who remain alive. This is that story of Assistant Manager Jayne Friedt aged 20, Daniel Davis aged 16, Mark Flemmonds aged 16 and Ruth Ellen Shelton aged 18 as portrayed by Essie Randles, Joseph Cumpston, Nya Cofie and Davida McKenzie respectively. 

'KA WHAWHAI TONU : STRUGGLE WITHOUT END' (Rated M) - this New Zealand historical action film is Directed by Mike Jonathan in his debut feature film, although he has previously helmed two feature length documentaries - 'The Road to the Globe' in 2012, and 'Freezing Works' in 2015 with a number of short films and TV series in between and since. Set in New Zealand in 1864, the film follows the story of a pivotal battle in the first land wars fought in New Zealand’s Waikato region. Amidst the chaos of the infamous 1864 siege of Orakau, two teenagers Haki and Kopu (Paku Fernandez and Hinerangi Harawira-Nicholas respectively) must seize command of their destinies and fight for freedom. Facing insuperable odds, the Maori tribes defiantly stand their ground in a struggle for sovereignty against the relentless advance of colonial forces. Presented in te reo Maori, this ambitious historical drama tells the story of a critical moment in New Zealand history from a Maori perspective. Also starring Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis and Jason Flemyng. 

With seven 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-