THE ROSES : Tuesday 9th September 2025

I saw the MA15+ Rated 'THE ROSES' this week at my local multiplex, and this satirical black comedy film is Directed by Jay Roach whose previous Directorial credits take in the three 'Austin Powers' films in 1997, 1999 and 2002, as well as 'Mystery, Alaska' in 1999, 'Meet the Parents' in 2000, 'Meet the Fockers' in 2004, 'Dinner for Schmucks' in 2010, 'Trumbo' in 2015 and 'Bombshell' in 2019. This film is based on the 1981 novel 'The War of the Roses' by Warren Adler, and a remake of the 1989 film, also titled 'The War of the Roses' which starred Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. The film was released in the US, and the UK at the end of August and here in Australia last week, having garnered mixed or average reviews, and so far grossing US$33M off the back of a production budget of just under US$31M.

The film opens up in London, where architect Theo Rose (Benedict Cumberbatch) is dining with colleagues in an upscale restaurant, and wanting to distance himself from the conversation of differing opinions to his own, he ventures into the kitchen and comes face to face with Ivy (Olivia Colman). The pair are instantly drawn to each other, and she tells him that she has a dream of relocating herself to America to start up her own business, to which he responds that he should go with her. Within five minutes of their meeting, they 'bond' in the coolroom.

Fast forward ten years, and Theo and Ivy have relocated to Mendocino, California, and are married and have twin children, Hattie (Delaney Quinn) and Roy (Ollie Robinson). They have differing parenting styles as Ivy spoils the kids with her homemade cakes, ice cream and fun activities, and Theo prioritises their health. 

With Ivy having sacrificed her business plans to raise their children, Theo buys her a piece of run down and long since vacated real estate, albeit overlooking the ocean, with his own money where she can finally open the restaurant she always dreamed of, which she calls 'We've Got Crabs'.

One night, during a severe storm, Theo's newly designed and constructed naval history museum is completely destroyed, just as Ivy's new restaurant is overrun with customers seeking shelter. Due to a glowing review from a renowned food critic, Ivy's business goes from strength to strength, making her the new breadwinner of the family, while Theo loses his job as a result of the naval history museum collapse, and agrees to be a stay-at-home parent. Taking full advantage of it, and jumping in with both feet he puts the kids on a strict regime of diet and regular physical exercise, and even has them sign a commitment to abide by the new regime, which it seems they are happy to abide by, much to Ivy's chagrin. As a result, Ivy begins to feel disconnected from her children's lives, while Theo becomes jealous of Ivy's success, and all the attention she is reaping.

Sensing a rift in their relationship, the pair make several attempts to reconcile, including a romantic weekend trip to New York City and marriage counselling, but all fail miserably. They begin to feel resentment for each other and blame the other for their problems. As a last ditch attempt to save their marriage, Ivy uses the profits from franchising out her restaurant business to give Theo an opportunity to build their dream home, located on a cliff top and overlooking the ocean.

Three years later, their dream house is complete, and the now thirteen year-old Hattie (Hala Finley) and Roy (Wells Rappaport) are prodigies accepted into a prestigious school in Miami on sports scholarships. Without the kids to distract them, Ivy and Theo's frustrations turn into a feud. Ivy mocks and humiliates Theo in front of their friends Barry and Amy (Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon respectively) and Sally and Rory (Zoe Chao and Jamie Demetriou respectively) during a housewarming party, discrediting his hard work. The next morning Ivy seeks to make amends by cooking him breakfast of blueberry pancakes, but he is not interested and instead goes out for a run. Theo, after saving a beached whale and experiencing an epiphany, realises that you only have one life to live, and that he is not in love with Ivy anymore and therefore wants a divorce. He asks only for the house which he designed and built, but Ivy says that she paid for it and wants to leave him with nothing.

They have a meeting with their divorce lawyers with Theo's friend Barry representing him and a renowned and super tough lawyer Eleanor (Allison Janney) representing Ivy. Barry is inexperienced in divorce law but has experience in property law, which he says is almost the same thing. The pair reach an impasse with neither prepared to budge on the house issue. 

As a result they decide to make each other's lives as uncomfortable as possible using cruel tactics, which results in Theo being blacklisted from architecture throughout the State as a result of Ivy posting an AI generated Deep Fake video of Theo online, and Ivy's restaurants being closed down for health contraventions as a result of Theo grating the hard skin from his toes into her parmesan cheese. Ivy has an allergic reaction after Theo tricks her into eating a mini Black Forest gateau laced with fresh raspberries, and will only cure her with an EpiPen if Ivy signs the papers. She signs as Zendaya rendering the papers useless, but he saves her anyway. 

Ivy then tries to shoot him with their home defence gun in response, with Theo ducking for cover behind the kitchen benches. They chase each other around the house as Ivy shoots randomly, with Theo smashing Ivy's beloved oven that once belonged to Julia Child in the process. Overwhelmed, and talking through a locked door, Theo admits he still loves Ivy despite everything that has happened between them. Ivy says she feels the same way, puts down the gun, Theo opens the door and the two embrace. 

As the pair collapse on the bed and become intimate, a gas leak is seen spreading through the house due to the damage that Theo inflicted on Ivy's oven. Unaware of the situation, Theo commands their smart home system to turn on the fire, at which the screen cuts to white. 

For me 'The Roses' would be up there as one of the best comedies of the year so far, and that's saying something! Watching Olivia Colman hand out her acerbic barbs and dropping the c-word on several occasions is a delight, and seeing Benedict Cumberbatch like he's just swallowed the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary delivering his quick witted well spoken retorts is a lesson in the command of the English language, and all credit to the scriptwriter Tony McNamara. Director Jay Roach has delivered a film that while perhaps not up there with its more bleak 1989 predecessor, he has crafted a nonetheless entertaining and modern 21st century take on a marriage in crisis, and the fallout thereof. The film has several moments of genuine humour, a number of farcical set pieces peppered throughout by a few occasions of emotional heft that help lift this remake above the also rans.

'The Roses' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 11th September 2025.

The 45th edition of the Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) takes place from Wednesday 10th September through until Wednesday 17th September this year in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Since its beginnings in 1981 as a grassroots initiative in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the Atlantic International Film Festival has blossomed into one of Atlantic Canada’s premier cultural events. Relocated to Halifax in 1982, AIFF continues to thrive in the heart of downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia. Each September, AIFF transforms the city into a cinematic hub, offering an immersive experience for film lovers, filmmakers, and industry professionals from around the globe, by offering world-class films including local, national, international, World Premiere's and retrospective screenings; industry programming and special events and gatherings . . . so reads the official website. 

This years Opening Night Gala film presentation is 'At the Place of Ghosts' from Canada and Written and Directed by Bretten Hannam, that sees siblings Mise’l (Blake Alec Miranda) and Antle (Forrest Goodluck) were close confidants as children, but have drifted apart as adults. When a malevolent spirit begins tormenting them, the siblings are forced to reunite and journey into a primordial forest that exists outside of time, to confront their violent past. As long-buried wounds resurface, the siblings must face their trauma and the spectral echoes of their ancestors. The Closing Night Gala film is 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' from the USA and is Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Bill Condon and is set in 1980's Argentina, where Molina (Tonatiuh) is a flamboyant window dresser who shares a cell with political prisoner Valentin (Diego Luna). Their unlikely friendship blossoms as Molina recounts his favourite film and Hollywood musical star, played by the captivating Jennifer Lopez.

In the World Cinema section of this years festival there are twenty-four films in total being showcased. Included in this segment are the following titles :-

* 'Blueberry Grunt' - from Canada and this drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Sherry White. The film stars Joel Thomas Hynes and Liisa Repo-Martell as Harold and Vivian, a married couple whose relationship begins to unravel on a camping trip. World Premiere.

* 'Dancing on the Elephant' - from Canada and this comedy drama film is Directed by Julia Neill and Jacob Z. Smith and stars Sheila McCarthy as Nora, a woman involuntarily placed in a retirement home by her family, who meets fellow retiree Edna (Mary Walsh) and sets out to reclaim control of her life by embarking on an adventure with her new friend. World Premiere.

* 'Dreams (Sex Love)' - from Norway and this drama film is Written and Directed by Dag Johan Haugerud, and is the second part of a trilogy. The film follows Johanne's (Ella Overbye) infatuation with her French teacher Johanna (Selome Emnetu), which ignites tensions within her family, as her mother and grandmother confront their own unfulfilled dreams and desires.

* 'Hangashore' - from Canada and this thriller is Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Edited by Justin Oakey. The film stars Hera Hilmar as Vera, an Icelandic artist haunted by recurring nightmares about her missing father. She travels to Newfoundland in search of him, and becomes drawn into a relationship with Jack (James Frecheville), a local seal hunter. World Premiere.

* 'The History of Sound' - from the US and the UK and this historical romantic drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Oliver Hermanus. The film follows the relationship between Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (Josh O'Connor), who meet in 1917 while attending the Boston Music Conservatory, and after World War I travel together recording folk songs of their countrymen in rural Maine in the summer of 1920. Also starring Chris Cooper.

* 'It Was Just an Accident' - from Iran, France and Luxembourg and this thriller is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Jafar Panahi. The film explores political repression in Iran and morality.

* 'Lovely Day' - from Canada and this comedy drama film is Written and Directed by Philippe Falardeau. The film follows a Lebanese Canadian man struggling to navigate the emotional and interpersonal challenges that threaten to derail the day of his wedding.

* 'The Mastermind' - from the US and the UK and this heist thriller film is Written, Directed and Edited by Kelly Reichardt. The plot follows a suburban family man living a double life as an art thief in the 1970's. Starring Josh O'Connor, Alana Haim, Hope Davis, Bill Camp, Gaby Hoffman and John Magaro. 

* 'Mile End Kicks' - from Canada and this RomCom is Written and Directed by Chandler Levack. The film stars Barbie Ferreira as Grace Pine, a young woman who moves to Montreal, Quebec, with the goal of writing a book about Alanis Morissette's album Jagged Little Pill but instead becomes romantically involved with two members of an indie rock band and takes a job as the band's publicist. Also starring Jay Baruchel and Devon Bostick.

* 'Nouvelle Vague' - from France and the USA this comedy drama film is Directed by Richard Linklater. Starring Guillaume Marbeck as Jean-Luc Godard, Zoey Deutch as Jean Seberg, and Aubry Dullin as Jean-Paul Belmondo, it follows the shooting of 'Breathless', one of the first feature films of the Nouvelle Vague era of French cinema, in 1959.

* 'Peak Everything' - from Canada and this English and French RomCom is Written and Directed by Anne Emond. The film stars Patrick Hivon as Adam, a kennel owner from Montreal who suffers from depression and climate anxiety. After buying a light therapy box to counter his symptoms, he falls in love with Tina (Piper Perabo), the customer service representative who helps him set up the device over the phone, and sets off to Sudbury to find her.

* 'A Private Life' - from France and this black comedy mystery film is Co-Written and Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski. The films sees the renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner (Jodie Foster) mounting a private investigation into the death of one of her patients, whom she is convinced has been murdered. Also starring Daniel Auteuil, Virginie Efira and Mathieu Amalric.

* 'Sentimental Value' - from Norway, France, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and the UK and this comedy drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Joachim Trier. Starring Stellan Skarsgard, Renate Reinsve and Elle Fanning this film is about a movie Director’s bid to revive his career and repair his family’s broken bonds.

* 'Sound of Falling' - from Germany and this drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Mascha Schilinski, and follows four generations of girls connected by a farm in the Altmark region of Germany.

* 'The Things You Kill' - from Turkey, Poland, France and Canada and this mystery film is Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Co-Edited by Alireza Khatami, and is about a university professor living and working in the USA who solicits his gardener to seek vengeance after the suspicious death of his mother in Turkey. 

For the Narrative New Waves, Late Night Visions, Documentaries and Short Films sections of the festival, plus a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : https://atlanticfilmfestival.ca/

This week we have six new release movies to tease you out to your local Odeon, kicking off with a Stephen King adaptation in which teenage young men participate in a gruelling high-stakes contest where they must continuously walk or be shot by a member of their military escort. Then we turn to an Aussie and New Zealand Co-Production where two strangers are possessed by grief, shared trauma and the same ghost. Next up we have an American comedy telling the story of a husband whose wife asks for a divorce, and so he runs to his friends for support, only to learn that the secret to their happiness is an open marriage. This is followed by a British historical drama offering that is the third and possibly final instalment in the film franchise that is set in the summer of 1930, where the Crawleys grapple with the threat of social disgrace when Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble. Following on we have an American fantasy comedy offering in which a young girl’s monster drawings come to life after falling into a strange pond, unleashing chaos, and so her family must reunite to save their town before it's too late; before closing out the week with an Aussie adult animated Sci-Fi comedy in which a space princess is thrust out of her sheltered life and into a galactic quest to save her bounty hunter ex-girlfriend from the Straight White Maliens.

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

'THE LONG WALK' (Rated MA15+) - is an American dystopian horror thriller film Co-Produced and Directed by Francis Lawrence who after years of Directing music videos turned his hand to feature films with his debut in 2005 with 'Constantine', which he would follow up with 'I Am Legend' in 2007, 'Water for Elephants' in 2011, 'The Hunger Games : Catching Fire' in 2013, 'The Hunger Games : Mockingjay - Parts 1 & 2' in 2014 and 2015, 'Red Sparrow' in 2018, 'Slumberland' in 2022 and 'The Hunger Games : The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' in in 2023. This film is based on the 1979 novel by Stephen King (writing under his pseudonym Richard Bachman), and has been in development Hell since 1988 when George A. Romero was first linked to Direct the film adaptation, and since then it has been on again off again as numerous film makers have come and gone, until Lawrence took the helm. 

Here then, set in a dystopian United States ruled by a totalitarian regime, a group of young men enter an annual walking contest in which they must maintain a speed of at least three miles per hour or risk execution. The contest ends when only one walker remains alive. Starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Mark Hamill, Judy Greer and Josh Hamilton. The film is released Stateside this week too, and early critical reviews have given it a generally positive rating.

'WENT UP THE HILL' (Rated MA15+) - this Australian and New Zealand Co-Production is Co-Written and Directed by Samuel Van Grinsven in his second feature film following 'Sequin in a Blue Room' in 2019. Here, Jack (Dacre Montgomery) returns to his native New Zealand to attend the funeral of his birth mother, from whom he was taken away and placed into foster care. There he meets his mother's widow Jill (Vicky Krieps) for the first time, only for his mother to return in spirit form and inhabit both Jack and Jill, using each of their bodies to speak to the other, and leaving the living to grapple with the destruction she left behind while fighting for their own survival. The film Premiered as a special presentation at last years Toronto International Film Festival in early September 2024, has garnered generally positive critical reviews, and has so far grossed US$36K following a limited US release in mid-August. 

'SPLITSVILLE' (Rated MA15+) - is an American comedy film that is Co-Written, Co-Produced, Directed and also stars Michael Angelo Covino in only his second feature film Directorial outing following 2019's 'The Climb'. When Ashley (Adria Arjona) asks for a divorce, the good-natured Carey (Kyle Marvin) runs to his friends, Julie (Dakota Johnson) and Paul (Michael Angelo Covino), for support. He is shocked to learn that the secret to their happiness is an open marriage - that is, until Carey crosses the line and throws all of their relationships into chaos. The film had its World Premiere showcasing at this years Cannes Film Festival in mid-May, went on wide release in the US from 5th September having so far grossed US$1.3M and has generated mostly positive critical reviews.

'DOWNTON ABBEY : THE GRAND FINALE' (Rated PG) - this British historical drama film set in the late 1920's is Directed by Simon Curtis and is based on the hugely popular television series written by Julian Fellows which ran for fifty-two episodes over six series between 2010 and 2015. This film is the third and final film in the cinema franchise which launched in 2019 with 'Downton Abbey' and then 'Downton Abbey : A New Era' in 2022. Here then, we follow the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930's. When Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal caused by her divorce and the family faces financial challenges, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepare for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Elizabeth McGovern, Dominic West, Penelope Wilton, Simon Russell Beale, Paul Giamatti, Alessandro Nivola and Joely Richardson. 

'SKETCH' (Rated PG) - is an American fantasy comedy film Written and Directed by Seth Worley in his full length feature film making debut. When a young school girl Amber (Bianca Belle) sketchbook falls into a strange pond, her drawings come to life - unpredictable, chaotic, and dangerously real. As the town unravels, she and her brother Jack (Kue Lawrence) must track down the creatures before they leave permanent damage. Their father Taylor (Tony Hale), racing to find them through the fallout, must navigate a town in crisis to reunite his family and stop the disaster they never meant to unleash. The film was released Stateside in early August, has so far grossed US$8M from a US$3M production budget and has garnered generally favourable critical reviews. 

'LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS' (Rated MA15+) - this Australian adult animated Sci-Fi comedy film is Written and Directed by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese in the feature film making debuts. Here, an anxious and introverted space princess Saira (voiced by Shabana Azeez), who has thus far led a sheltered life, launches into a galactic quest to save her ex-girlfriend Kiki (Bernie Van Tiel), a bounty hunter, from the 'Straight White Maliens' (Aunty Donna - an Australian surrealist comedy group consisting Mark Bonanno, Zachary Ruane and Broden Kelly). A runaway gay-pop idol named Willow (Gemma Chua-Tran) joins her as she encounters dangerous maniacs wielding blades, 'gloom goo', and other hazards, as well as 'the scariest thing of all' – her own self-doubt. Also starring the voice work of Richard Roxburgh. The film saw its World Premiere screening at the Berlin International Film Festival in mid-February this year where the film won the Teddy Award (an international film award for films with LGBT topics).

With six 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-

CAUGHT STEALING : Tuesday 2nd September 2025.

I saw the MA15+ Rated 'CAUGHT STEALING' earlier this week, and this American action crime thriller film is Co-Produced and Directed by Darren Aronofsky who made his feature film Directorial debut with 1998's 'Pi', and which he would follow up in the ensuing years with 'Requiem for a Dream' in 2000, 'The Fountain' in 2006, 'The Wrestler' in 2008, 'Black Swan' in 2010, 'Noah' in 2014, 'Mother!' in 2017 and 'The Whale' in 2022. This film is based on Charlie Huston's book of the same name, cost US$40M to produce, has so far grossed US$17M since its US and Australian release last week and has generated largely positive critical reviews.

In 1998, Henry 'Hank' Thompson (Austin Butler) is an alcohol-fuelled bartender living in New York City's Lower East Side, where his girlfriend Yvonne (Zoe Kravitz) works as a paramedic. He calls his mother in Patterson, California every day, especially to discuss their shared love of the San Francisco Giants, always signing off with 'Go the Giants'. Hank we learn was a rising star baseball prospect in high school, but now he has recurring nightmares about a drunken car crash that killed his friend Dale (D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) and left him with a career-ending knee injury, before his career had even taken off.

Hank's British punk rock neighbour Russ Binder (Matt Smith) tells him he needs to return home to London quickly to see his ailing father, leaving Hank to care for his cat, Bud. Knocking on Russ's apartment door, two Russian mobsters, Aleksei (Yuri Kolokolnikov) and Pavel (Nikita Kukushkin), viciously beat Hank when he claims not to know of Russ's whereabouts, resulting in Hank losing a kidney, as well as his ability to drink alcohol (as Yvonne tells him that the kidney's process toxins, and alcohol is a toxin, and without a kidney it could result in his death). After the Russians break into Russ's apartment, narcotics detective Elise Roman (Riegina King) questions Hank and reveals Russ is a drug dealer connected to notorious Hasidic brothers Lipa (Liev Schreiber) and Shmully (Vincent D'Onofrio) Drucker. 

Finding a key hidden in a fake cat turd in Bud's litter box, Hank notifies Roman when the Druckers search Russ's apartment. After spending a drunken night at Paul's Bar, Hank strips down to his jocks and leaves his clothes outside his building after he vomits over himself. The next morning he is interrogated by the Russians and their Puerto Rican associate Colorado (Benito Martinez Ocasio), Hank cannot remember what happened to the key, but the mobsters are interrupted by his neighbour Duane (George Abud) who threatens to call the Police. Hank leaves the injured Bud with Yvonne, and remembers taking the key to the bar and giving it to the bars owner Paul (Griffin Dunne), for safe keeping. Chased by the Druckers, he informs Colorado, who mentions Yvonne. Realising she is in danger, he races back to her apartment, only to find she has been killed, shot through the head at point blank range.

Hank is needless to say mortified by Yvonne's death and stricken with guilt confides in Roman who she tells him, has dreams of retiring to Tulum, Mexico. Colorado and the Russians arrive, in cahoots with the corrupt Roman, but claim they are not the group responsible for Yvonne's murder. Hank is taken to Paul's Bar, where Colorado kills regular Amtrak (Action Bronson), but Roman shoots him dead him before he can also murder Paul. Lying that the key is in the basement strongroom's safe, Roman tries to open the combination lock but fails, handing over to Paul to open it. In doing so, Paul emerges brandishing a shotgun but is shot dead in the ensuing chaos. Hank locks himself in the strongroom, forcing the others to leave empty-handed. 

Hank recovers the key from the homeless Jason (Will Brill), left in the trouser pocket he abandoned the night before. Russ returns home, but is hit in the head with a baseball bat when Hank mistakes him for an intruder. Russ explains that after selling drugs for the Druckers in Colorado's nightclubs, he was forced to involve Roman, who owes money to the Russians' boss. The key unlocks a storage unit with just over US$4M in cash that he was meant to split between the various parties on the day he left for London. Fearing for his life, Russ prepares to take the money and flee the country, leaving Hank as the fall guy, but Hank knocks him unconscious.

Hank and Russ drive in Russ' car to Flushing Meadows to meet with Roman and the Russians. Hank offers them Russ and the key in exchange for Bud. Russ in his concussed state panics, killing Aleksei with Pavel's gun before escaping with Hank and Bud, and suggests that Roman might have been the one who killed Yvonne. They escape through a crowd exiting a game at Shea Stadium onto the subway, where a severely concussed Russ succumbs to his injuries, and Hank jumps on a bus with Bud to Coney Island. 

Hank is woken early the next morning on the beach by a call from Roman, who has framed him for the various murders and threatens his mother by telling Hank her address, demanding he bring the key to the Russians' supper club. Calling to warn his mother, Hank surrenders himself to the Druckers. They agree to kill Roman in exchange for Hank leading them to the money, first bringing him to their mother's (Carol Kane) Shabbos (day of rest on the seventh day of the week) dinner. The Druckers then zip-tie Hanks hands to the car's steering wheel while the heavily-armed brothers storm the club, shooting and bombing the place up.

Seeing Roman fleeing from the unfolding scene at the club, Hank burns his restraints with the cars cigarette lighter and gives chase with a baseball bat that he purloined from a bunch of kids having a hit in the street. He subdues a vengeful Pavel with a swift one-two punch to the head and manages to injure Roman by impaling her foot with the broken baseball bat handle, at which point the Druckers arrive and shoot her dead. Hank reveals he hid the key in the bandage on Bud's leg, and the sympathetic brothers decide to let him live with a US$100K share of the money. 

They force him to drive for the first time since his fateful crash that cost Dale his life, when Hank notices that Lipa has Yvonne's unique pistol shaped cigarette lighter. Realising the implication, the brothers admit they killed Yvonne to send a message to Hank for evading them. Aware that he's the only one wearing a seat belt, Hank increases speed and purposefully crashes the car squarely into a steel pillar, mirroring the crash of his earlier life, this time killing the two brothers outright. 

Some time later, Hank poses as Russ, using his British passport to escape the country with Bud and half of the money. Calling his mother to let her know he is safe, Hank arrives in Tulum to begin a new life as he dreamed of doing, having mailed his mother (Laura Dern in an uncredited cameo) the other half of the money.

I really enjoyed 'Caught Stealing' and say what you will about Darren Aronofsky's back catalogue of movies, this film represents a marked departure from his previous works as he delivers us a grounded story set in late 1990's crime fuelled NYC, backed up by an ensemble eclectic cast led most notably by a stellar turn from Austin Butler, and a tightly wrought plot that is not short on attention grabbing violence and mayhem, but also delivers enough emotional heft and moments of humour to counter the numerous on-screen deaths and beatings. As far as crime thrillers go, you'ld be hard pressed to find a better film released so far this year.

'Caught Stealing' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 4th September 2025

The 50th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), this year runs from Thursday 4th through until Sunday 14th September, in the Canadian city of Toronto, Ontario. It is a chance for audiences and industry professionals to celebrate with the best of Canadian and global cinema, special events and talks with stars, plus TIFF's Industry Conference. TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organisation dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds. Its mission to transform the way people see the world through film . . . so reads the official website.

This years Opening Film presentation is 'John Candy : I Like Me' Directed and Co-Produced by Colin Hanks, and this documentary film is a portrait of John Candy, the Canadian Actor who began his career on the sketch comedy series 'Second City Television' before becoming one of the most popular and beloved stars of comedy films until his death of a heart attack in 1994. The Closing Film is 'Peak Everything' Written and Directed by Anne Emond and this romantic comedy is about a kennel owner from Montreal who suffers from depression and climate anxiety, and after buying a light therapy box to counter his symptoms, he falls in love with the customer service representative who helps him set up the device over the phone, and sets off to Sudbury to find her. 

There are twenty-two feature films in this years Gala Presentations section, and these are detailed in brief below :-

* 'Adulthood' - from the USA and this comedy drama film is Co-Produced, Directed and stars Alex Winter, together with Kaya Scodelario, Billie Lourd and Josh Gad.

* 'The Choral' - from the UK and this historical comedy drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Nicholas Hytner and stars Ralph Fiennes, Alun Armstrong and Simon Russell Beale.

* 'Driver's Ed' - from the USA and this comedy film is Directed by Bobby Farrelly and stars Sam Nivola, Molly Shannon and Kumail Nanjiani.

* 'Eleanor the Great' - from the USA and this drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Scarlett Johansson in her Directorial debut, and stars June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht and Chiwetel Ejiofor. 

* 'Eternity' - from the USA and this fantasy romantic comedy is Directed by David Freyne, and stars Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner and Da'Vine Joy Randolph.

* 'Fuze' - from the UK and this crime thriller heist film is Directed by David Mackenzie, and stars Arron Taylor-Johnson,  Theo James, Sam Worthington and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

* 'Glenrothan' - from the UK and this drama film is Co-Produced, Directed and stars Brian Cox and Alan Cumming, and is Cox's feature Directing debut.

* 'Good Fortune' - from the USA and this comedy film is Written, Co-Produced, Directed and stars Aziz Ansari alongside Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Oh, and is Ansari's feature Directorial debut.

* 'Hamnet' - from the UK and the USA and this historical drama film is Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Chloe Zhao, and stars Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Joe Alwyn, Emily Watson and Jacobi Jupe. 

* 'Homebound' - from India and Written for the screen and Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor.
* 'John Candy : I Like Me' - from the USA and this documentary film is Co-Produced and Directed by Colin Hanks, and stars John Candy.

* 'Lilith Fair : Building a Mystery' - from Canada and this documentary film is Directed by Ally Pankiw, and focuses on female solo musicians and female-led bands, including Sarah McLachlan (the founder of this music festival), Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile, Bonnie Raitt, Jewel, Olivia Rodrigo, Indigo Girls and Emmylou Harris are among those interviewed.

* 'No Other Choice' - from South Korea this black comedy thriller film is Co-Written for the screen, Produced and Directed by Park Chan-wook, and stars Lee Byung-hun.

* 'Nuremberg' - from the USA and this historical drama film is Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by James Vanderbilt and stars Remi Malek, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon, Richard E. Grant, Colin Hanks, Leo Woodall, and John Slattery. 

* 'Palestine 36' - from Palestine, the UK, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan and this historical drama film is Written and Directed by Annemarie Jacir, and stars Robert Aramayo, Billy Howle, Liam Cunningham and Jeremy Irons.

* 'Peak Everything' - from Canada and this RomCom is Written and Directed by Anne Emond and stars Patrick Hivon, Piper Perabo and Connor Jessup.

* 'A Private Life' - from France and this black comedy mystery film is Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski and stars Jodie Foster, Daniel Auteuil, Virginie Efira, Mathieu Amalric and Vincent Lacoste.

* 'Roofman' - from the USA and this crime comedy drama film is Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Derek Cianfrance and stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, Peter Dinklage, Juno Temple, LaKeith Stanfield, Lily Collins and Tony Revolori. 

* 'She's Got No Name' - from China and Hong Kong and this crime drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Peter Chan and stars Zhang Ziyi.

* 'Sholay' - from India and this 1975 originally released epic action adventure film is Directed by Ramesh Sippy and stars Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan. 

* 'Swiped' - from the USA and this biographical drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg and stars Lily Collins, Dan Stevens, Myha'la, Jackson White and Ben Schnetzer.

* 'Two Pianos' - from France and this romantic drama film is Written and Directed by Arnaud Desplechin and stars Francois Civil, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Charlotte Rampling and Hippolyte Girardot.

The Tribute Awards will be presented to amongst others Guillermo Del Toro as the recipient of the Director's Award, to Jodie Foster as the recipient of the Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award, and the South Korean Actor Lee Byung-hun as recipient of a Special Tribute Award. 

For the full details of the aforementioned films featuring in the Gala Presentations section, plus the other films appearing in the Special Presentations programme, the Centrepiece section, TIFF Docs, Discovery, Platform, Midnight Madness and the Short Cuts strands, plus a whole lot of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : https://tiff.net/about-the-festival

Turning the attention back on this week six hot new release movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, we kick off with an action comedy offering in which a mercenary takes on the job of tracking down a target on a plane but must protect her when they're surrounded by people trying to kill both of them. Next up we have a black comedy film about an outwardly perfect couple's simmering jealousy boils over when the husband's career implodes, revealing cracks in the facade of their ideal family life. Then we turn to a black comedy drama where something bad happened to Agnes, but life must go on . . . for everyone around her, at least. This is followed by a supernatural horror offering centring on a husband and wife team of paranormal investigators who must try to vanquish a demon from a family's home. Up next is a musical comedy based on an Off-Broadway stage production which is based on a 1988 film which sees a high school senior, trying to survive and fit in with her new peers, the beautiful but cruel Heathers, but she also must contend with an unstable boy who pushes her to the limit. And closing out the week we have an animated fantasy drama film that follows Jesus' life from ministry beginnings through crucifixion, resurrection, as seen through Apostle John's eyes.

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

'FIGHT OR FLIGHT' (Rated MA15+) - is an action comedy film Directed by James Madigan in his feature film Directorial debut, although he has been the Second Unit Director on the likes of 'G.I. Joe : Retaliation', 'RED 2', 'Insurgent', 'Allegiant', 'The Meg', 'Bill and Ted Face the Music', 'Snake Eyes' and 'Transformers : Rise of the Beasts' more recently. This film premiered in the UK at the end of February this year, was released in the US in early May, has received positive critical reviews and has so far grossed US$4M at the Box Office. 

Exiled American agent Lucas Reyes (Josh Hartnett) is given one last chance to redeem himself. The assignment (should he choose to accept it) is to track down and identify a mysterious, international high-value asset known only as 'The Ghost' (Charithra Chandran) on a flight from Bangkok to San Francisco. Complicating matters, the plane is filled with assassins from around the world who are assigned to kill them both. The pair must work together in a fight for their lives. At 37,000 feet, the stakes have never been higher. 

'THE ROSES' (Rated MA15+) - this satirical black comedy film is Directed by Jay Roach whose previous Directorial credits take in the three 'Austin Powers' films in 1997, 1999 and 2002, as well as 'Mystery, Alaska' in 1999, 'Meet the Parents' in 2000, 'Meet the Fockers' in 2004, 'Dinner for Schmucks' in 2010, 'Trumbo' in 2015 and 'Bombshell' in 2019. This film is based on the 1981 novel 'The War of the Roses' by Warren Adler, and a remake of the 1989 film, also titled 'The War of the Roses' which starred Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Here, life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Ivy (Olivia Colman) and Theo Rose (Benedict Cumberbatch) - successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. But beneath the facade of their supposed ideal life, a storm is brewing, as Theo's career nosedives while Ivy's own ambitions take off, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites. Also starring Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon and Allison Janney, the film was released last week Stateside. 

'SORRY, BABY' (Rated M) - is an American black comedy drama film that is Written, Directed and starring Eva Victor in her film making debut. The film saw its World Premiere screening at the Sundance Film Festival in late January this year, went on release in the US at the end of June, has so far grossed US$3M and has generated universal critical acclaim. Here then, something terrible happened to Agnes (Eva Victor) while studying at college in a graduate programme. But life goes on for everyone else. When a friend visits on the brink of an important milestone, Agnes realises how stuck she's been, in this story of finding your way after your world comes crashing down. Also starring Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, Kelly McCormack, John Carroll Lynch and Louis Cancelmi. 

'THE CONJURING : LAST RITES' (Rated MA15+) - this American supernatural horror film is Directed by Michael Chaves who made his feature film Directing debut with 2019's 'The Curse of La Llorona' and which he would follow up with 'The Conjuring : The Devil Made Me Do It' in 2021 and 'The Nun II' in 2023. This is the ninth film in the 'Conjuring Universe' which launched in 2013, and those first eight films in the franchise have grossed a worldwide Box Office haul of US$2.28B from combined production budgets of US$208M. Here, once again the film is based on the true-life investigations of Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) the paranormal investigators and authors, who in 1986 attempt to vanquish a real life haunting by a demon in the home of the Smurl family occupied by father Jack (Elliot Cowan) and mother Janet (Rebecca Calder) and their four children. Also starring Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy. The film is released in the US this week too.

'HEATHERS : THE MUSICAL' (Rated MA15+) - this comedy musical film is based on the Off-Broadway production of 2014 which is based on the movie of the same name from 1988. This film of the stage play is Directed by Andy Fickman, whose previous big screen credits take in the likes of 'She's the Man' in 2006, 'The Game Plan' in 2007, 'Race to Witch Mountain' in 2009, 'You Again' in 2010, 'Parental Guidance' in 2012, 'Paul Blart : Mall Cop 2' in 2015, 'Playing with Fire' in 2019, 'One True Loves' in 2023, and 'Don't Turn Out the Lights' also in 2023. Here, in welcoming the viewer to Westerberg High, where Veronica Sawyer (Alisa Davidson) is just another one of the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But when she's unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers - weak-willed cheerleader Heather McNamara (Teleri Hughes), bulimic and petty but repressed Heather Duke (Vivian Panka) and 'mythic bitch' Heather Chandler (Madison Firth) - her dreams of popularity finally start to come true. Until Jason 'JD' Dean (Simon Gordon) shows up - the mysterious teen rebel who teaches her that everyone fears being a nobody, but its murder being a somebody! The film was released on the internet in late 2022, and in cinemas in the UK and Ireland in mid-2023, and only now does it get a showing in Australia.

'LIGHT OF THE WORLD' (Rated PG) - this hand drawn animated fantasy drama film is Directed by Tom Bancroft and John J. Schafer, and is Bancroft's second feature film outing following 'Saleem' in 2023, and Schafer's Directorial debut. It is AD30 and everyone is expectantly awaiting the coming Messiah. While Jesus (voiced by Ian Hanlin) isn't exactly what they imagined, there is something special about this man. Soon, John (Benjamin Jacobson), James (Dylan Leonard), Andrew (Vincent Tong), Peter (Sam Darkoh), and their new friends begin to follow Jesus on an unexpected adventure, told through the eyes of his beloved young friend, the Apostle John. From the beginning of Jesus' ministry through his crucifixion and resurrection, the film illustrates how Jesus of Nazareth changed the world forever and still changes lives today. The film is released in the US and here in Australia this week, and in all other territories either this week or by the end of this month.

With six 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-