CRIME 101 : Wednesday 18th February 2026.

I saw the M Rated 'CRIME 101' this week, and this UK and US Co-Produced crime thriller film is Written for the screen and Directed by Bart Layton whose previous film credits take in the 2012 documentary 'The Imposter' and 2018's 'American Animals'. This film is based on the 2020 novella of the same name written by Don Winslow. The film premiered in London at the back end of last month, was released here in Australia and the US last week, has so far grossed US$30M from a production budget of US$90M and has generated largely positive critical reviews.

Set in Los Angeles, Mike Davis (Chris Hensworth) is an elusive and meticulously disciplined jewel thief who carefully plans his robberies to avoid violence, and leaving any signs of his DNA evidence while escaping via US Route 101 (a major north–south highway that traverses the states of California, Oregon, and Washington on the West Coast of the USA). Intercepting a diamond delivery carrying decoy gems, he steals US$3M in genuine diamonds, but is shaken after being grazed by an unexpected bullet fired by one of the men he is stealing from. As a result of being somewhat rattled, he calls off a planned robbery on a high end jewellery store in Santa Barbara, but his fence, Money (Nick Nolte), enlists volatile young biker Ormon (Barry Keoghan) in his place.

Meanwhile, LAPD Detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) links the diamond theft to Mike's string of unsolved robberies and suggests a lone suspect is responsible, but his theory is dismissed by his partner Tillman (Corey Hawkins) and his superiors. Preparing another heist, Mike pays Devon (Devon Bostick), a hacker, for information on Sharon Colvin (Halle Berry), a high-end insurance broker to the super wealthy. Long undervalued by her firm with whom she has worked for eleven years and has been promised a promotion to Partner, which never seems to eventuate, Sharon is further frustrated when a new colleague closes a lucrative deal with the wealthy Steven Monroe (Tate Donovan). After Ormon violently carries out the Santa Barbara job on his own, Mike cuts ties with Money, who instructs Ormon to intercept Mike's next heist.

The lonely Mike strikes up a relationship with an attractive stranger, Maya (Monica Barbaro), after she rear-ends his car, while he had stopped at a red light. He realises he is being tracked by Ormon, who threatens Devon into revealing that Sharon is connected to Mike's plan. Sharon rejects Mike's attempt to recruit her as an accomplice, and Mike spots Ormon, confronting him in a 24/7 convenience store after a high-speed chase; realising he had been sent by Money, Mike warns Ormon to stay away. Separating from his unfaithful wife Angie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Lou finds himself joining Sharon's yoga class in an attempt to get fit, and just to try something new, and rents a new apartment by the beach. He discovers the car Mike used in the diamond robbery, and a microscopic trace of blood inside which is a match to Mike's juvenile record with his birth name, James.

Denied a promotion once more, Sharon reluctantly agrees to help Mike. Demanding a US$3M share, she provides inside information on an illicit diamond purchase Monroe has arranged to make with US$11M in cash, for his upcoming wedding at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Lou is suspended for refusing to help cover up the Police shooting of another jewel thief, but continues with his investigation and tracks down Mike's foster mother. Ormon breaks into Sharon's apartment and viciously interrogates her, who turns to Lou for help and admits everything, and quits her job after openly criticising her boss in front of the new female broker. Wary of Mike's secretive nature, Maya ends their relationship after he reveals he will be leaving town for an undisclosed period of time on business, as a 'software developer'.

The briefcase of diamonds arrives with a courier and Mike takes the place of Monroe's private security guard, completely unaware that Lou is posing as the courier himself. Driving to the hotel, the pair strike up a conversation about cars. Mike admits that he prefers the older American cars of the '60's and '70's, cars with character stating that his favourite films is Steve McQueen's 'Bullitt' and his Ford Mustang. Lou confides that his favourite McQueen movie is 'The Thomas Crown Affair', to which Mike replies that he missed that one. Arriving at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel the two of them deliver the briefcase to Monroe and his fiancee in the wedding suite. Mike seizes the cash at gunpoint, but Lou retrieves a concealed gun in the briefcase and reveals himself as a Police Officer. Their standoff is interrupted by Ormon, disguised as a hotel Butler delivering room service. Demanding the case, he shoots and wounds Monroe, but Mike kills Ormon before he can shoot Lou. Lou allows Mike to escape albeit empty-handed, and tells him to get out of town and to not come back, and then forces Monroe and his fiancee to support his story as he frames Ormon for Mike's string of robberies. 

Later after the dust has seemingly settled, Lou meets up with Sharon at their yoga class. Having stolen the decoy gems taken into evidence from Mike's earlier heist, Lou swapped them with real diamonds from the briefcase, which he gives to Sharon to start a new life. Mike had sent a text message to Sharon with a photo and an address for 'The Cop'. Showing Lou the photo he comments that he doesn't know where that is. Lou arrives at the apartment block and takes the elevator down to the parking garage, and discovers that Mike has left him his vintage Chevy Camaro. Easily finding the keys behind the sun visor, he turns on the engine and gingerly drives it out of the garage and onto the street where he opens it up, with a big grin on his face. Mike sends Maya a childhood photo which she receives at her desk at her place of work, asking her for a second chance. Realising that Mike must be in the building she rushes for the door.

'Crime 101' doesn't reinvent the west coast USA crime thriller noir playbook, but it does pay homage to the some of the classics from yesteryear including 'Heat', 'Thief' and 'To Live and Die in LA'. The characterisation and their respective back stories are well realised; the performances by Hemsworth, Ruffalo, Keoghan, Berry and Barbaro are all on point; the action set pieces are well choreographed; the story is well conceived and entertaining enough, and the Direction and Cinematography are stylish and assured. At 140 minutes, however, I felt that this elongated runtime could have been shortened by fifteen minutes or so, particularly as the film seemed to drag it heels somewhat in the mid-section, but that's my only gripe. 'Crime 101' is certainly worth the price of your cinema entry, and if a modern take on classic crime noir is your thing, then you won't be disappointed.

'Crime 101' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a potential five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 19th February 2026.

The 76th Berlin International Film Festival (The Berlinale) is currently in full swing having opened on Thursday 12th and concluding on Sunday 22nd February. The Berlinale is a unique place of artistic exploration and entertainment. It is one of the largest public film festivals in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe each year. For the film industry and the media, the eleven days in February are also one of the most important events in the annual calendar and an indispensable trading forum. The Berlin International Film Festival enjoys an eventful history. The festival was created for the Berlin public in 1951, at the beginning of the Cold War, as a 'showcase of the free world'. Shaped by the turbulent post-war period and the unique situation of a divided city, the Berlinale has developed into a place of intercultural exchange and a platform for the critical cinematic exploration of social issues. To this day it is considered the most political of all the major film festivals . . . .  so reads the official website.

This years Opening Night film presentation was 'No Good Men' from Germany, France, Norway, Denmark and Afghanistan and is Directed by Shahrbanoo Sadat. Afghanistan, 2021, shortly before the Taliban’s return to power. Naru, the only camerawoman at Kabul’s main TV station, is struggling to retain custody of her three-year-old son. After leaving her serially cheating husband, she has become convinced that no good men exist in her country. Naru is therefore caught off guard when Qodrat, Kabul TV’s most important journalist, offers her a career opportunity. As the two criss-cross the city reporting on its last days of freedom, sparks fly between them and Naru starts to doubt her conviction. World Premiere.

During the Opening Ceremony, Malaysian Actress Michelle Yeoh was awarded the Honorary Golden Bear.

The following films were selected for the Main Competition for the Golden Bear to be announced on 20th January, overseen by this years Jury President, German filmmaker Wim Wenders :-

* 'At the Sea' - from the USA and Hungary and this drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Kornel Mundruczo, and starring Amy Adams, Murray Bartlett, Chloe East, Dan Levy and Rainn Wilson.

* 'Dao' - from France, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal, this drama film is Written, Directed and Co-Edited by Alain Gomis.

* 'Dust' - from Belgium, Greece, Poland and the UK, this drama offering is Directed by Anke Blonde.

* 'Everybody Digs Bill Evans' - from Ireland and the UK, this biographical drama film is Directed by Grant Gee and stars Anders Danielsen, Bill Pullman, Barry Ward and Laurie Metcalf.

* 'Home Stories' - from Germany, this coming of age family drama film is Written and Directed by Eva Trobisch.

* 'In a Whisper' - from France and Tunisia, this drama film is Written and Directed by Leyla Bouzid.

* 'The Loneliest Man in Town' - from Austria, this docufiction drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel, is Written by and Co-Edited by Tizza Covi and photographed by Rainer Frimmel. 

* 'Josephine' - from the USA, this thriller drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Beth de Araujo, and stars Gemma Chan, Channing Tatum and Mason Reeves.

* 'Flies' - from Mexico, and this comedy drama film is Co-Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Co-Edited by Fernando Elmbcke.

* 'My Wife Cries' - from Germany and France, this drama film is Written, Directed and Edited by Angela Schanelec.

* 'A New Dawn' - from France and Japan, this animated drama film is Written and Directed by Yoshitoshi Shinomiya.

* 'Nightborn' - from Finland, France, Lithuania and the UK, this fantasy horror film is Co-Written and Directed by Hannah Bergholm and stars Seidi Haarla, Rupert Grint, Rebecca Lacey and John Thomson.

* 'Nina Roza' - from Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada and Italy, this drama offering is Written and Directed by Genevieve Dulude-De Celles.

* 'Queen at Sea' - from the UK and the USA, this drama film is Written, Directed and Edited by Lance Hammer, and stars Juliette Binoche, Tom Courtenay, Anna Calder-Marshall, Florence Hunt and Steven Cree.

* 'Rose' - from Austria and Germany, this drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Markus Schleinzer and stars Sandra Huller.

* 'Rosebush Pruning' - from Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, this satirical tragicomedy thriller film is Directed by Karim Ainouz, and stars Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Elle Fanning, Jamie Bell, Tracy Letts, Pamela Anderson, Elena Anaya and Lukas Gage.

* 'Soumsoum : The Night of the Stars' - from Chad and France, this drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun.

* 'Salvation' - from France, Greece, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Turkey, this drama offering is Written and Directed by Emin Alper.

* 'Yellow Letters' - from Germany, France and Turkey, this political drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Ilker Catak.

* 'We Are All Strangers' - from Singapore, this drama film is Written, Produced and Directed by Anthony Chen. It's the final film in Chen's 'Growing Up' trilogy, following 2013's 'Ilo Ilo' and 2019's 'Wet Season'.

* 'Wolfram' - from Australia, this Western drama film is Directed by Warwick Thornton, and is the sequel to his 2017 film 'Sweet Country'. Starring Deborah Mailman, John Howard and Matt Nable. 

* 'Yo (Love Is a Rebellious Bird)' - from the USA, this documentary film is Co-Produced and Co-Directed by Anna Fitch and Banker White, with Banker White also lensing the film and Editing.

For the descriptors of the above named films in the Main Competition section, plus the other award categories, and a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : http://www.berline.de

Looking ahead then to this weeks seven new release movies coming to a big screen Odeon close to you, we kick off with a documentary featuring long-lost footage from Elvis Presley's legendary Las Vegas residency in the 1970's, woven together with rare 16mm footage from Elvis on Tour. This is followed by a British slapstick comedy parody set in 1931 in which a new porter forms an odd bond with the youngest daughter of a well-known UK family, and as the Davenport family, headed by Lord and Lady Davenport, deals with the epic disaster of the wedding of their eldest daughter to her caddish cousin. Then we turn to a drama offering that tells the story of a mother and her non-binary teenager, as they visit the teenagers gay grandfather in Amsterdam. Next up we have an erotic comedy drama about a timid man, who meets a confident biker gang leader, who initiates him into a submissive relationship, challenging his mundane existence and prompting personal growth through their unconventional dynamic. Following on, there is a Canadian mockumentary about a pair of hapless non-musicians and their plan to book a show at the Rivoli, a famed Toronto bar and restaurant, that goes horribly wrong, and they wind up accidentally travelling back to the year 2008. Up next is a documentary that chronicles Paul McCartney’s life and career during the 1970's following the breakup of 'The Beatles'; before closing out the week with a survival thriller film which follows two friends who become trapped in a remote lagoon with a vengeful orca. 

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.

'EPiC : ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT' (Rated PG) - is a documentary film about Elvis Presley that is Co-Produced and Directed by Baz Luhrmann, and is a follow-up to his 2022 biographical film 'Elvis'. Baz Luhrmann's previous feature film making credits include his debut 'Strictly Ballroom' in 1992 which he would follow up with 'Romeo + Juliet' in 1996, 'Moulin Rouge!' in 2001, 'Australia' in 2008, 'The Great Gatsby' in 2013 and the aforementioned 'Elvis' in 2022. 

The film features long-lost footage from Presley's legendary Las Vegas residency in the 1970's, woven together with rare 16mm footage from Elvis on Tour, and precious 8mm from the Graceland archive, plus recordings of Elvis telling 'his side of the story' rediscovered during Luhrmann's research for his Best Picture Oscar-nominated 2022 film 'Elvis'. It Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in early September last year, and had its first advanced US screenings at Presley's former mansion, Graceland, on 8th January this year on what would have been his 91st birthday. It will then be released exclusively in IMAX theatres from 20th February before being released wide to the general public one week later on 27th February. It has generated universal critical acclaim.

'FACKHAM HALL' (Rated M) - this UK and US period slapstick comedy parody film is is Directed by Jim O'Hanlon and is Co-Written by British comedian, screenwriter and TV personality Jimmy Carr. Here, a new porter Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe) forms an odd bond with the youngest daughter, Rose Davenport (Thomasin McKenzie) of a well-known UK family. As the Davenport family, headed by Lord and Lady Davenport (Damien Lewis and Katherine Waterston respectively), deals with the epic disaster of the wedding of their eldest daughter to her caddish cousin. Also starring Emma Laird, Lizzie Hopley, Tom Felton, Tom Goodman-Hill and Jimmy Carr. The film was released in the US in early December, in the UK in mid-December and is released here in Australia this week having so far grossed US$2M and garnered mixed or average reviews. 

'JIMPA' (Rated MA15+) - is an Australian, Finland and Netherlands Co-Produced drama film that is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Sophie Hyde, who made her feature film Directorial debut with '52 Tuesdays' in 2014 and which she would follow up with 'Animals' in 2019 and 'Good Luck to You, Leo Grande' in 2022. Here, Hannah (Olivia Colman), together with her nonbinary teenager, Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde), travel to Amsterdam to visit her gay father Jim, known as Jimpa (John Lithgow). When Frances wishes to stay with their grandfather for a year, Hannah is forced to re-examine her parenting and her past. Also starring Daniel Henshall. The film saw its World Premiere showcasing at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, has generated mixed or average reviews and has so far grossed just US$24K.

'PILLION' (Rated R18+) - this UK and Irish Co-Produced erotic comedy drama film is Written and Directed by Harry Lighton in his feature film making debut, and is based on the 2020 novel 'Box Hill' by Adam Mars-Jones. Colin (Harry Melling) is an introverted gay man living with his parents in Bromley, London, letting life pass him by. That is, until Ray (Alexander Skarsgard), the impossibly handsome leader of a motorcycle club, takes him on as his submissive. Ray uproots Colin from his dreary suburban life, introducing him to a community of kinky, queer bikers and taking all sorts of virginities along the way. But as Colin steps deeper into Ray’s world of rules and mysteries, he begins to question whether the life of a 24/7 submissive is for him. Has he found his calling, or has he simply swapped one form of suffocation for another? Also starring Douglas Hodge and Lesley Sharp. The film saw its Premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at last years Cannes Film Festival, where it won the section's Best Screenplay prize, alongside nominations for the Camera d'Or and the Queer Palm. It was released in the UK at the end of November last year, has received wide spread critical acclaim so far collecting fourteen award wins and a further 29 nominations from around the awards and festival circuit, and has so far recovered US$2M from its US$1M production budget. 

'NIRVANNA : THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE' (Rated M) - is a 2025 Canadian time travel mockumentary-adventure film Directed by Matt Johnson from a screenplay by Johnson and Jay McCarrol. The film is based on Johnson and McCarrol's 2007–2009 web series 'Nirvana the Band the Show', as well as its 2017–2018 sequel television series 'Nirvanna the Band the Show'. The film stars Johnson and McCarrol as fictionalised versions of themselves in a band called 'Nirvanna the Band' as they attempt to book a gig at the Rivoli, a bar and restaurant in Toronto, despite the fact that they have never actually written or recorded a single song, nor taken any steps to contact the Rivoli's management about booking a show. A new plan to play the Rivoli gone wrong and accidentally sends Matt, Jay, and their friend/cameraman Jared back in time to the year 2008, leaving them stranded unless they can find a way to get back to the future. The film Premiered at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in early March last year, and had its Canadian Premiere in the Midnight Madness programme at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People's Choice Award, Midnight Madness. It has garnered generally favourable critical reviews.

'PAUL MCCARTNEY : MAN ON THE RUN' (Rated M) - this UK and US Co-Produced documentary film is Co-Produced and Directed by Morgan Neville whose previous documentary output includes his Academy Award winning '20 Feet from Stardom' in 2013, 'Best of Enemies : Buckley vs. Vidal' in 2015, 'Won't You Be My Neighbour' in 2018, 'Roadrunner : A Film About Anthony Bourdain' in 2021, and 'Piece by Piece' in 2024. This film charts Paul McCartney's extraordinary life following the breakup of 'The Beatles' in 1970 and how the love he shared with Linda became his foundation and influenced a journey that resulted in the formation of 'Wings' and a second decade's musical catalogue of timeless classics. With access to never-before-seen footage of Paul and Linda's home videos and photos, as well as new interviews, and featuring archival interviews with his Beatles and Wings bandmates, Linda McCartney, Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, Sean Ono Lennon and Mary and Stella McCartney. The film Premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in late August last year, and has a limited cinematic release for one night only this week before moving to streaming on Prime Video on the 27th of this month. The film coincides with the 2025 album, 'Wings', and the book 'Wings : The Story of a Band on the Run'.

'KILLER WHALE' (Rated M) - this Australian and US Co-Produced survival thriller film is Co-Written and Directed by Jo-Anne Brechin who helmed her first feature film 'Zelos' in 2017 and would follow this up with 'Paper Champions' in 2020. After a life-shattering tragedy, Trish (Mel Jarnson) tries to comfort her best friend, Maddie (Virginia Gardner), by taking her on a spectacular adventure to a secluded lagoon while holidaying in Thailand. Their peaceful retreat soon becomes a terrifying fight to stay alive when the ocean's most bloodthirsty predator, a killer whale, seeks vengeance for a brutal life in captivity having only recently been released into the wild. The film was released in mid-January and has generated less than positive reviews.

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-

IS THIS THING ON? : Tuesday 10th February 2026

I saw the M Rated 'IS THIS THING ON' earlier this week, and this American comedy drama film is Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced, Directed and stars Bradley Cooper in his third Directorial outing following 'A Star is Born' in 2018 and 'Maestro' in 2023, as well as his numerous acting and Producing credits. This film is based loosely on the life of English comedian John Bishop, who was given a story credit on the film, after he met Will Arnett and told him about the night he decided to become a stand-up comedian, and how ultimately it helped save his marriage. The film had its World Premiere as the closing film of the New York Film Festival on 10th October last year, was released in the US on 19th December and here in Australia last week, has so far grossed US$12M and has garnered generally positive critical reviews. 

After twenty years of marriage and twenty-six years since they first started dating, Alex and Tess Novak (Will Arnett and Laura Dern respectively) have decided on an amicable end to their marriage. They now face an uncertain future as Alex moves out and takes a rental apartment while Tess remains in the family home. They continue to share co-parenting responsibilities with their two young sons Felix (Blake Kane) and Jude (Calvin Knegten). One evening after they have separated Alex finds himself unable to pay the US$15 cover charge at the Olive Tree Cafe, and so puts his name down for the open mic night at the Comedy Cellar, located in the basement of the Cafe. Alex begins to regularly do stand-up comedy routines, and he forms a bond with the other stand-up comic regulars at the cafe. In turn he has a one night stand with Jill (Jordan Jensen), a fellow comic. Tess returns to her passion of volleyball having retired from the sport after representing the USA at a professional level to raise a family. She is later offered a place as Assistant Coach for the 2028 Summer Olympics, and has dinner with Laird (Peyton Manning) a mid-40 year old former Netball player also turned coach, and also divorced. 

After dinner with Laird, he offers to take Tess to the Comedy Cellar which as it happens is the same night that Alex is offered a ten minute slot as a featured act. During his routine Alex opens up about having had sex with another woman for the first time in over twenty years and says that he was never unfaithful to his wife, and comments that he is not very good at it. Laird offers to leave but Tess wants to stay and can't believe her eyes and ears! Outside, Alex and Tess confront each other about moving on so quickly, but the two reconcile, laugh it off and have sex later that night. Later on, at Jude's tenth birthday party the pair seem to reconnect, while having fun with their family and close friends, but choose to maintain a casual distance at this point for fear of confusing their children.

When Alex and Tess see their friends Balls (Bradley Cooper) and Christine (Andra Day) at a coastal weekend getaway Balls confides in Alex that his separation has inspired him to consider the idea of separating from Christine. Balls is a background Actor who has aspirations beyond his talents it seems, but has been offered a role as a ranch hand in Season Four of a Western series being shot in Texas. Meanwhile Christine says that she has been looking down on Alex due to him reminding her of her past self, and his withering away has also led to herself reconsidering her marriage to Balls.

Tess gets upset when she hears from Alex about his hanging up a large blown-up photo of her from behind in mid-flight as a volleyball athlete at his apartment, as she later brings up during an argument that it makes it look like Alex was only in love with an idea of her. The two then accuse each other of not having each others backs during their relationship.

As a result of that argument Alex's next stand up routine is a bitter rant about relationships, where Alex's Dad Jan (Ciaran Hinds) is in the audience, unknown to Alex. After his routine Alex is sat on a step outside the Comedy Cellar having a cigarette, when he sees his Dad exiting. He tells his son that his thinking is dangerous and that two people in a relationship need to rub against each other. The pair embrace and upon parting company Jan tells Alex to include some jokes next time. 

Balls later visits Alex one morning at his apartment and says that he has talked things out with Christine, saying that they are okay with being confused with each other. Balls also says that they killed off his character in the series, but he has written a part with his character coming back as a ghost to wreak havoc on the ranch, which he is going to pitch to the Producers. He and Christine spent nine days in Texas on set and that helped work things out between them. Alex then shows up at Tess' door, saying that he was not unhappy 'with' their relationship, but rather unhappy 'in' their relationship and that he wants to be unhappy with Tess. The two then show up to Felix and Jude's school performance of 'Under Pressure' and Alex and Tess kiss, and seem very happy together in their renewed relationship.

This character study of Generation X'ers has enough comedy, drama and romance to satisfy anyone in the audience of that era, and in Director Bradley Cooper, he has here delivered a grounded, realistic and authentic tale of a couples fateful decision, and their ultimate retrieval from that decision into a stronger, solidified relationship. Laura Dern and Will Arnett give truly standout performances, whereas Cooper's role is under utilised, almost as though he had bitten off more than he could chew in this his third Directorial offering. Whilst this comedy drama is a shift in genre for Director Cooper, and for some I can see it failing to live up to those expectations, this is nonetheless a noteworthy entry in his film making portfolio and as such worthy of your consideration. That said, despite the ups, downs and up again of their relationship, I came away from the movie theatre with a sense that love conquers all, and that's no bad thing.

'Is This Thing On?' 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 12th February 2026

The 15th Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA Awards) is an awards ceremony to celebrate the best of Australian films and television screened throughout 2025. The main ceremony occurred on Friday 6th February at the Home of the Arts on Queensland's Gold Coast and was hosted by the Australian Actress, comedian and media personality Celeste Barber.

The primary role of AACTA, as a not-for-profit organisation, is to recognise, encourage, promote and celebrate film and television excellence in Australia, connecting Australian and international audiences with great Australian screen content. The Academy serves as Australia’s most prestigious film and television membership body, bringing together and representing screen professionals from a cross-section of the screen industry in order to further screen excellence in Australia . . . so reads the official website. 

In the feature films category, the winners, grinners and also rans are highlighted briefly below :-

* Best Film - awarded to 'Bring Her Back', beating out 'Kangaroo', 'Lesbian Space Princess', 'The Correspondent', 'The Surfer' and 'The Travellers'.

* Best Indie Film - presented to 'Lesbian Space Princess', beating out 'Carmen & Bolude', 'Fwends', 'It Will Find You', 'Magic Beach' and 'With or Without You'. 

* Best Direction - awarded to Danny and Michael Philippou for 'Bring Her Back', beating out 'Kangaroo', 'Lesbian Space Princess', 'The Correspondent' and 'The Travellers'.

* Best Screenplay - presented to Peter Duncan for 'The Correspondent', beating out 'Bring Her Back', 'Inside', 'Lesbian Space Princess' and 'Together'.

* Best Lead Actor - presented to Richard Roxburgh for 'The Correspondent', beating out Bryan Brown for 'The Travellers', Ryan Corr for 'Kangaroo', Jai Courtney for 'Dangerous Animals', Guy Pearce for 'Inside' and David Wenham for 'Spit'.

* Best Lead Actress - awarded to Sally Hawkins for 'Bring Her Back', beating out Alison Brie for 'Together', Emily Browning for 'One More Shot', Susie Porter for 'The Travellers', Daisy Ridley for 'We Bury the Dead' and Lily Whitley for 'Kangaroo'.

* Best Supporting Actor - awarded to Julian McMahon for 'The Surfer', beating out Damon Herriman for 'Together', Cosmo Jarvis for 'Inside', Julian Maroun for 'The Correspondent', Rahel Romahn for 'The Correspondent' and Jonah Wren Phillips for 'Bring Her Back'. 

* Best Supporting Actress - presented to Deborah Mailman for 'Kangaroo', beating out Marta Dusseldorp for 'With or Without You', Brooke Satchwell for 'Kangaroo', Yael Stone for 'The Correspondent', Sally-Anne Upton for 'Bring Her Back' and Sora Wong for 'Bring Her Back'.

* Best Cinematography - awarded to Aaron McLisky for 'Bring Her Back', beating out 'Beast of War', 'The Correspondent', 'The Surfer' and 'Went Up the Hill'.

* Best Editing - presented to Geoff Lamb for 'Bring Her Back', beating out 'Beast of War', 'The Correspondent', 'The Surfer' and 'Together'.

* Best Original Music Score - presented to Cornel Wilczek for 'Bring Her Back', beating out 'Lesbian Space Princess', 'The Correspondent', 'The Surfer' and 'Together'.

* Best Sound - awarded to Emma Bortignon, Nick Steele, Hamish Keen, Cameron Grant, Lachlan Harris and Pete Smith for 'Bring Her Back', beating out 'The Correspondent', 'Spit', 'Together' and 'Went Up the Hill'.

* Best Production Design - presented to Fiona Donovan for 'The Correspondent', beating out 'Lesbian Space Princess', 'The Surfer', 'Went Up the Hill' and 'Together'.

* Best Costume Design - awarded to Anna Cahill for 'Bring Her Back', beating out 'Beast of War', 'Spit', 'The Correspondent' and 'The Surfer'.

* Best Casting - presented to Nikki Barrett for 'Bring Her Back', beating out 'Inside', 'Kangaroo', 'The Correspondent' and 'The Surfer'.

In addition, the AACTA Longford Lyell Award (named after the prolific Australian film Director, Writer, Producer, and Actor during the silent era. Raymond Longford was a major Director of the silent film era of the Australian cinema. He formed a production team with Lottie Lyell), was presented to Bruce Beresford - the Australian film Director, opera Director, Screenwriter, and Producer. The AACTA Trailblazer Award was presented to the Australian Actress Sarah Snook.

For the details of other television awards presented, the additional awards and the audience choice awards, plus a whole lot of other good stuff, you can go the official website at : http://www.aacta.org

This week we have four new cinematic releases coming your way, kicking off with a romantic drama set in the mid-19th Century on the Yorkshire moors that explores the intense and turbulent relationship between two star crossed lovers. Next up we have a crime thriller in which a Los Angeles detective pursues an elusive thief who teams up with an insurance broker for one last heist. Then we turn to a Sci-Fi actioner which follows the final recruits of a gruelling special ops boot camp who encounter a deadly force from beyond this world; before closing out the week with a horror offering about a misfit group of unwitting high school students who stumble upon a cursed object, an ancient Aztec Death Whistle.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the four latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'WUTHERING HEIGHTS' (Rated M) - is a UK and US Co-Produced romantic drama film written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Emerald Fennell, and is loosely based on Emily Bronte's 1847 novel of the same name. Emerald Fennell has previously helmed her breakout feature film debut 'Promising Young Woman' in 2020 and 'Saltburn' in 2023. She also has numerous big and small screen acting roles and TV series writing credits to her name, accumulating numerous awards and accolades along the way, mostly for her her two previous feature films. This film saw its Premiere screening in Los Angeles on 28th January, and is released here in Australia, the UK and the USA this week - on the eve of Valentine's Day. It cost US$80M to produce. 

Here then, in this passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire dales, the film explores the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) and Catherine Earnshaw (Margot Robbie, who also Co-Produces here), a woman from a wealthy family in 19th-century England. Also starring Charlotte Mellington as young Catherine, Owen Cooper as young Heathcliff, Hong Chau, Martin Clunes, Alison Oliver, Shazad Latif and Ewan Mitchell.

'CRIME 101' (Rated M) - this UK and US Co-Produced crime thriller film is Written for the screen and Directed by Bart Layton whose previous film credits take in the 2012 documentary 'The Imposter' and 2018's 'American Animals'. This film is based on the 2020 novella of the same name written by Don Winslow. Here, a notorious jewel thief named Mike Davis (Chris Hemsworth, who also Co-Produces here) heists along the 101 freeway (a major north–south highway that traverses the states of California, Oregon, and Washington on the West Coast of the USA) have left Police baffled. When he sets his sights on the ultimate score, his plans intersect with those of insurance broker Sharon Colvin (Halle Berry). A detective named Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) believes he has cracked Mike's pattern and is determined to bring him down before the next job. Also starring Barry Keoghan, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, Tate Donovan and Monica Barbaro. The film premiered in London at the back end of last month, and is released here in Australia and the US this week. 

'WAR MACHINE' (Rated MA15+) - is an Australian and US Co-Produced Sci-Fi action thriller that is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Patrick Hughes whose previous feature films efforts take in his debut with 'Red Hill' in 2010, which he would follow up with 'The Expendables 3' in 2014, 'The Hitman's Bodyguard' in 2017, 'The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard' in 2021 and 'The Man from Toronto' in 2022. Here, on one last gruelling mission during Army Ranger training, this elite team's cross-country exercise led by combat engineer (Alan Ritchson) must lead his unit in a fight against a giant otherworldly killing machine. Also starring Dennis Quaid, Stephan James, Jai Courtney and Esai Morales. Released this week in Australia before streaming on Netflix from 6th March onward.

'WHISTLE' (Rated MA15+) - this Canadian and Irish Co-Produced horror film is Directed by Corin Hardy in only his third feature film outing following 'The Hallow' in 2015 and 'The Nun' in 2018. Here, a group of high school misfits inadvertently come across an ancient Aztec death whistle. Blowing it summons their future deaths to hunt them down. As the body count increases, they investigate the artifact's history in hopes of halting the sequence of events they have set into motion. Starring Dafne Keen, Sophie Nelisse, Sky Yang and Nick Frost. The film premiered at Fantastic Fest in late September last year, was released Stateside last week, this week here in Australia, the UK and Ireland and early reviews have been largely positive.

With four new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

SEND HELP - Tuesday 3rd February 2026.

I saw 'SEND HELP' at my local multiplex cinema this week, and this American survival horror film is Co-Produced and Directed by Sam Raimi whose previous feature film making credits take in the likes of 1981's 'Evil Dead', 'Evil Dead II' in 1987, 'Darkman' in 1990, 'Army of Darkness' in 1992, 'The Quick and the Dead' in 1995, 'A Simple Plan' in 1998, 'The Spider-Man' trilogy in 2002, 2004 and 2007, 'Drag Me to Hell' in 2009 and 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' in 2022. This film saw its Premiere screening in Los Angeles, California in mid-January and was released here in Australia and the US last week, having so far grossed US$33M from a production budget of US$40M and generating largely positive critical reviews.

Meek and mild mannered corporate financial strategist Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams) looks forward to a long-deserved promotion to the position of Vice President promised by her former boss who has recently passed away, and who bestowed great value upon the work that Linda undertook for his company. His son Bradley Preston (Dylan O'Brien) is obliged to honour the promotion upon becoming CEO of his family's financial management company. Bradley has however, already given the promotion to Donovan Murphy (Xavier Samuel), his old college buddy who dresses like he's a Gordon Gekko wannabe! He intends to have Linda transferred to a dead-end position out of disgust for her boorish manner, lack of self-confidence, unattractive appearance, and the fact that she has an odour about her. 

When Linda protests against Bradley's decision, in order to appease her somewhat he asks her to accompany him, Donovan and two other executives on a business trip to Bangkok to finalise the company's impending merger. While flying through a storm over the ocean in the company's private jet, Donovan humiliates Linda by playing a self made audition tape she recorded for the popular reality TV game show'Survivor USA', showcasing her extensive practical survival skills. The plane suffers engine failure, begins to break up and lose altitude. A panicking Donovan, who in fear of getting sucked out of the plane through a gaping hole ripped out of the side of the aircraft, attempts to strangle Linda with her seat belt demanding she give him her seat. In the ensuing struggle, Linda reaches for a fork that has tumbled with a set of cutlery from the galley, and stabs him with it, causing him to recoil in pain, let go and in turn slide out of the plane, before impacting with the water, exploding and quickly sinking. Linda fumbles with her seatbelt as the plane sinks, but manages to free herself and swim to the surface. 

Linda comes round the next morning washed up on a remote island somewhere in the Gulf of Thailand. She finds Bradley with a badly injured leg, but no other survivors. Linda puts together a shelter and forages for food and water. Bradley remains unconscious for about a day and a half, and when he comes round he accepts her help, but reverts back to manager and employee mode by barking orders at her. Linda responds by abandoning him for two days where he is unable to move because of his injured leg, exposed to the hot sun, and has nothing to drink or eat. Just as he collapses from thirst, Linda returns and gives him water. Bradley remains defiant and eventually tries to build his own camp. When his efforts fail, Bradley swallows his pride and allows Linda to boss him around. Sometime later while she is out exploring and gathering food supplies, she observes a boat sailing nearby offshore, but avoids attracting attention of the occupants, wishing to remain on the island, saying to herself that she's not ready to leave yet.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Linda gradually becomes stronger, more attractive, and confident, while teaching Bradley some essential lessons on how to survive in the wild. One night while sharing homemade fruit wine, Linda confesses to Bradley that she was married for ten years to a man who abused her until she allowed him to drink heavily and drive, resulting in his death in a road traffic accident. Seemingly moved, Bradley offers to repay Linda by cooking dinner for her the next night. He spikes the food with poisonous berries and attempts to flee on a makeshift raft, leaving Linda to die on the beach. The raft is however, destroyed in the waves, and Bradley is sucked under the big swell. Linda, partially recovered due to Bradley's miscalculating the poison dose, is able to save him from drowning, but vomits profusely all over his face as she attempts to revive him.

Linda paralyses Bradley with Blue Ringed octopus venom and pretends to castrate him as punishment, saying that with her career effectively over, she has nothing to return home to. Bradley finally accepts that the power dynamic has shifted and relinquishes all hope of escape. While harvesting fruits, Linda is surprised by the arrival of Bradley's fiancee Zuri (Edyll Ismail), who has hired a boat to rescue them, and has spent weeks searching the islands for any signs of his life. Fearing her new life will be ruined, Linda lures Zuri onto a narrow ledge of rocky cliff and pushes her and the boat captain off to their deaths. Haunted by the murders, Linda feigns sickness and allows Bradley to go out to hunt alone, whereupon he finds Zuri's hand sticking out of the sand wearing her unmistakeable diamond engagement ring. 

Distraught, Bradley runs back full speed to confront Linda about his find. Linda admits to Zuri's murder. Bradley tries to kill her. A brutal hand-to-hand fight follows, with Linda suffering a partially gouged eye before stabbing Bradley in the side. He flees and comes across a luxurious beach house on the other side of the island. Easily gaining entry he finds the fridge fully stocked with champagne and water amongst other things. Linda follows and monitors Bradley's movements through the house on the CCTV security monitoring system. She admits to having known about the house, and says that it must be owned by some Wall Street billionaire. She emerges and aims a shotgun at Bradley. Begging for his life, Bradley claims that he has changed and being alone on the island with her has taught him some valuable life lessons. He goes on to say that he now loves Linda and wants to stay with her on the island forever, before grabbing the shotgun, pointing it at her and pulling the trigger, twice, only to find it unloaded. A brief scuffle ensues, resulting in Linda beating him to death with a golf club.

A year later, and Linda has been rescued, and is a wealthy businesswoman after usurping control of the Preston family company. She is interviewed at a celebrity golf tournament about the upcoming film adaptation of her best-selling memoir, in which she claims to be the only survivor of the plane crash. Linda drives away with her pet cockatiel, singing along to Blondie's 'One Way or Another' - her favourite song of all time.

With 'Send Help' Director Sam Raimi has pulled out of his box of tricks a film that has his trademark thrills, jump scares, plenty of bloodletting and puking, emotion and wry humour to keep you entertained for this films 113 minute runtime. All the while, grounded by O'Brien's and McAdams performances of the shifting dynamic of ruthless boss and hapless employee, with the latter well and truly turning the tables on the former, and rising like a phoenix to claim what was rightfully hers in the first place - and then some! This film is a mix of 'The Office' and 'Castaway' with horror elements thrown in and thrills aplenty - you won't be disappointed!

'Send Help' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps. 

-Steve, at Odeon Online-