The Oscar Buzz - Best Actor and Best Actress in a Leading Role Category Award

Of all the categories carrying nominations for this Sunday's 86th Academy Awards there are only a handful that the movie going public and the TV watching audience are really interested in - in my humble opinion! Counting down over the days leading upto the big Hollywood event, I'll list two per day that might capture your interest and for which you too might have something to say! Following on from yesterdays second instalment in this brief series, the focus now is on the leading roles, and who is likely to walk away with the golden Oscar statue on the film industry night of nights, and therefore further cement their place in the Hollywood pantheon.
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE AWARD

• Leonardo DiCaprio for The Wolf of Wall Street
• Matthew MacConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club
• Bruce Dern for Nebraska
• Christian Bale for American Hustle
• Chiwetel Ejiofor for 12 Years a Slave

All but Bruce Dern I have seen in this category, so on his performance in 'Nebraska' I cannot comment yet, but for me he is regardless up against some very strong competition. Chiwetel Ejiofor put in a strong performance as a free man plucked out of his comfortable family existence in the early 1850's to be brutally thrust into 12 years of slavery at the hands of various masters, circumstances and enduring hardships, but, was this anything we haven't seen in other similar stories told of this ilk? Christian Bale delivered a late 70's/early 80's downtrodden con-man well with his balding comb over, wide lapels and loud ties in 'American Hustle', and, stacked on some pounds to make his character a little more rotund and therefore believable, but again not sure this is entirely award worthy considering the final two, which for me almost come down to the toss of a coin. Matthew MacConaughey slimed down considerably for his ongoing method character actor resurgence as drug addled, alcohol induced, sexed up AIDS sufferer in the late 80's and his performance is top notch in 'Dallas Buyer Club'. Against Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' who delivers such a believable over the top money wasting, coke snorting, advantage taking, corporate excess, high living Wall Street trader the competition is a close run thing. I think Matthew MacConaughey might just clinch it because of the ongoing spotlight on finding a cure for AIDS, the relevance of the story and how this actor really inhabits his character in every respect.

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE AWARD

• Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine
• Sandra Bullock for Gravity
• Meryl Streep for August : Osage County
• Judi Dench for Philomena
• Amy Adams for American Hustle

As mentioned yesterday 'Blue Jasmine' has so far eluded me and so I cannot comment on our Cate's performance except to say that she has picked up just about every other gong this awards season for her fine performance in this Woody Allen's offering, and therefore she is almost a dead set winner for the golden Oscar, and on this basis who can argue! Cate Blanchett it is!

That said, for me Sandra Bullock comes a very close second for carrying a film with just two 'live' characters on screen for the duration of the movie and for complementing so well the story, the visuals and her co-star George Clooney in 'Gravity'. A great performance no doubt. Meryl Streep plays cancer suffering pill popping unhinged family matriarch very well in 'August : Osage County' in a dialogue heavy film about a dysfunctional family unit slowly imploding when they come together over a family tragedy. Meryl has been nominated a gazillion times, and although her performance is strong and nuanced she is outweighed this time by others in a stronger position. Amy Adams plays it well enough in American Hustle but is outshone by her female supporting actress who my money is on for the gig in that category. Judi Dench like Meryl Streep is nearly always faultless but not having seen 'Philomena' either I cannot comment with any confidence, but that said, the job is done anyway!

Log on tomorrow for the final in this lead up series for Best Picture and Best Direction, and my pick.

Until then - go see a movie!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 27th February 2014

Another week and another slew of movies to tempt your film going tastebuds with. Again, as always we have a mixed bag of offerings mostly in the drama and/or action genre, but something here nonetheless to appeal to most tastes and preferences. So, in no particular order of importance check these out at a multiplex or local independent theatre near you :-

OUT OF THE FURNACE - This has a stellar cast and so should deliver on just about every level. With Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck (brother to Ben), Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe and Zoe Saldana we are transported to Pennsylvania and ex-soldier Affleck taking up bare knuckle boxing to eek out a meagre and painful living. Coming up against unhinged mobster Harrelson we have brother Bale coming to the rescue who has been in & out of prison and dead-end jobs himself. Essentially low life lower middle class downtrodden family trying to do right get dragged down by a multitude of circumstances and have to slowly, painfully and revengefully claw their way back out of the proverbial brown stuff.

NON-STOP - The lives of 150 or so passengers are at stake and so Liam Neeson stars in this actioner that sees him cast as an US Air Marshall having to thwart some dude who has taken leave of his senses at 40,000 feet and is threatening to kill a passenger every 30 minutes unless a King's Ransom is paid pretty damn quickly. Also starring Julianne Moore this looks like Neeson has replicated another ageing action actor turn right from his previous two TAKEN films, UNKNOWN and THE GREY and made a another phone it on for the pay check film that can probably wait for the DVD release!

THREE DAYS TO KILL - Kevin Costner has been out & about a lot lately also cashing in on the ageing action actor scene, this time with this tale of his Secret Service Agent who is steadily knocking on deaths door and has been given the opportunity for a life changing cure by way of an experimental treatment . . . in exchange for one last job! The story here seems a little more original, and Kevin Costner plays stoic melancholy level headed in times of crisis very well, so may be worth searching out!

GLORIA - A Chilean movie that seems to be garnering much interest on the international film festival circuits this sees approaching 60 year old divorcee wanting to spruce up her life and stave off old age. A string of 'encounters' with other ageing singles leads to a meeting with an older ex-Naval Officer with whom there is the spark of a possible long term more permanent relationship. Needless to say complications ensue, skeletons come out of the cupboard, and long subdued fears need to be confronted along the journey to true happiness! You may need to take a box of Kleenex!

Four movies then doing the rounds as of today and which will go well with a bucket of popcorn or your favourite flavoured choc-top!

Don't delay - see a movie today . . . or over the weekend, or next week!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

The Oscar Buzz - Best Actor and Best Actress in a Supporting Role Category Awards

Of all the categories carrying nominations for this Sunday's 86th Academy Awards there are only a handful that the movie going public and the TV watching audience are really interested in - in my humble opinion! Counting down over the days leading upto the big Hollywood event, I'll list two per day that might capture your interest and for which you too might have something to say! Following on from yesterdays first instalment in this brief series, the focus now is on the supporting roles, and who is likely to walk away with the Oscar gong on the night, and therefore rise up a few notches in the Hollywood pecking order.
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE AWARD

• Barkhad Abdi for Captain Phillips
• Bradley Cooper for American Hustle
• Michael Fassbender for 12 Years a Slave
• Jonah Hill for The Wolf of Wall Street
• Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club

I have seen all of these films and therefore all of these fine performances, and of course it's a difficult choice. Bradley Cooper is doing well to shake off his 'Hangover' persona and has had some standout roles this past year, but I'm not sure his is award worthy for this role. Johan Hill did well as Jordan Belfort's sidekick in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' but enough to garner the statue I'm not so convinced, when I can't help thinking he was just playing himself all suited, booted & abusive to have a Scorsese flick on his Resume! Jared Leto as the transsexual foil to MacConaughey's ailing AIDS suffering drug & alcohol fuelled entrepreneur in 'Dallas Buyers Club' was strong and engaging but we have seen plenty of males donning a frock and passing themselves off as a woman in the past, that maybe this is just one too many! This leaves the thrust from obscurity Barkhad Abdi in his first role as Somali Pirate and captor of 'Captain Phillips' and Michael Fassbender as cotton plantation master and pretty evil piece of work in '12 Years a Slave' for the gritty, controlling, unhinged and brutal character he inhabits . . .  and for my money it is the latter where the gong should go!

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE AWARD

• Sally Hawkins for Blue Jasmine
• Lupita Nyong'o for 12 Years a Slave
• June Squibb for Nebraska
• Jennifer Lawrence for American Hustle
• Julia Roberts for August : Osage County

'Nebraska' has only just been released in Australia and have not yet seen this, and I must be the only person in Sydney who has so far missed 'Blue Jasmine', so cannot comment for either of these females supporting performances. Lupita Nyong'o also starred in her first role in the gripping and often brutal story that has garnered much interest and speculation '12 Years A Slave' and her role is strong and powerful, but not sure it represents anything we may not have seen in other similar tales from that era. This leaves Julia Roberts who in 'August : Osage County' gives what I would rate as her best performance since 'Erin Brokovich' and she is great in this and would be a worthy winner. But, she is up against a very strong Jennifer Lawrence who continues to shine, prove her versatility and is deliberately choosing her roles to avoid type casting as a facsimile of Katniss Everdeen. For me - Jennifer Lawrence wins this gong as the outspoken white trailer trash wife to Christian Bale in American Hustle - great performance and a worthy winner!

Log on tomorrow for Best Actor and Actress in a Leading Role, and my pick.

Until then - go see a movie!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

The Oscar Buzz - Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects Awards categories.

Of all the categories carrying nominations for this Sunday's 86th Academy Awards there are only a handful that the movie going public and the TV watching audience are really interested in - in my humble opinion! Counting down over the days leading upto the big Hollywood event, I'll list two per day that might capture your interest and for which you too might have something to say!
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN AWARD :

• American Hustle
• Gravity
• The Great Gatsby
• Her
• 12 Years a Slave

I haven't seen Her, but have the others, and they all have merit in this category for what has been faithfully and lovingly recreated to suck us in to the era and the story. My view is that The Great Gatsby will carry away the golden statue. For me this film was all style over substance, and there is no doubt that Baz Luhrmann has an eye for this stuff and an impressive track record (think 'Romeo & Juliet', 'Moulin Rouge' too) and spent a lot of time, energy, and investment to capture the opulence and the flamboyance of the era.

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS AWARD :

• Gravity
• The Hobbit
• Iron Man 3
• The Lone Ranger
• Star Trek : Into Darkness

I have seen these five nominated films, and I think The Hobbit will be overlooked this year but will sweep the board next year once the third and final instalment has been released (just as the LOTR trilogy did). Star Trek : Into Darkness delivered well and I like J.J. Abrams and his lens flair stuff and sense of spectacle, but, for me Gravity is the clear winner for what this film achieved on such a massive scale and made us really believe in what we were seeing on the big screen - masterful film making and testimony that visual effects can take us somewhere real yet unimaginable.

Log on tomorrow for Best Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role, and my pick.

Until then - go see a movie!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Harold Ramis - dies aged 69 - R.I.P

Reported yesterday was the sad passing of film comedy legend Harold Ramis aged 69.

A multi-talented Writer, Actor, Director and Producer Harold Ramis had more comedic credits to his name than you could poke a stand-up microphone to. His 'Groundhog Day' which he wrote, acted in, Directed and Produced is rated as one of the highest grossing comedy films of all time, and is up there too with 'Ghostbusters and it's sequel which he also wrote and starred in.

His writing credits included 'National Lampoons Animal House', 'Stripes' 'Caddyshack 1&2', 'Analyse This/That', 'Meatballs' and 'Year One'. He Directed 'Caddyshack', 'Analyse This/That', 'Multiplicity', 'Year One' and 'National Lampoons Vacation' amongst others, and acted in just about all of these and others including 'High Fidelity', 'As Good As It Gets', 'Knocked Up', and 'Airheads'.

An inspiration to many of todays up & coming comedy talent that have more recently emerged on the scene he will always be remembered by this critic for his turn as Egon Spengler in the Ghostbusters films with Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd.

Suffering Autoimune Inflammatory Vasculitis for a number of years, he finally succumbed to his illness this week with his family close at hand. He leaves behind an impressive back catalogue of film comedy greats and an impressive track record of true movie making multitasking.

Harold Ramis - Rest In Peace
1944-2014

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

WOLF CREEK 2 - 25th February 2014

"The name's Mick Tahlah - pleased to meetcha" is the greeting received with an ominous grin and a long Aussie drawl, and when you've heard those dulcet tones chances are you're in trouble and it's gonna end for you soon . . . and horribly!

John Jarratt is back on our screens in this very respectable sequel to the first instalment of the 2005 film that introduced us to true blue sadistic merciless psychotic unhinged outback serial killer Mick Taylor. With a much bigger budget this time around at AU$7M the action delivers more impressively with some notable set pieces. We know we're in for a ride from the opening sequence when Taylor is pulled up by two highway patrol cops who break the monotony of their stinking hot boring outback day by pulling him over for speeding, even though he wasn't. Nonetheless they taunt and deride Taylor and book him for speeding and driving an unroadworthy vehicle, and head off on their way laughing and joking. Seconds later and a shot rings out and the police drivers head explodes all over the windscreen, the car veers out of control, hits an embankment and crashes into a ravine with the other cop scrambling to get free only to be set upon by Taylor with, yes you guessed it - deathly consequences delivered clinically, and without mercy. And so our story begins to unfold.

Hapless foreign backpackers (in this case German) travelling around Australia without a care in the world visit Wolf Creek, camp out the night, and Taylor finds them - and here too the action is delivered swiftly, brutally, without compromise and terrifyingly. Enter English backpacker driving his Jeep down a deserted highway late at night and he stumbles on the badly beaten up German girl trying to escape Taylor who has already dispensed with boyfriend, and so the cat & mouse story is set and there can only be one victor!

John Jarrett has made this character his own and does a convincing job that sets him apart from his horror genre peers. Unlike Leatherface, Michael Myers, Jason Vorhees, Freddy Kruger and Ghostface Mick Taylor does not hide behind a mask! Mick Taylor is your Aussie everyman - there is one living on every street, and he's the guy you'll say G'Day to on a Sunday when he's out mowing the lawn - the problem is that you don't know what lurks behind those eyes, or those drawn curtains in his house, or what thoughts are running around his head. This is what sets Mick Taylor apart and makes him all the more real, or the more scary, and his brutality all the more grounded . . . and we know these films are based on a strong element of fact! Mick Taylor has carved out his name at the top of the horror genre tree, and will be forever etched in our psyche thanks to his screen presence, and what we know he is capable of.

Sweeping scenes of the beautiful endless scorched Aussie outback break the tension - but not for long, because the hills have eyes and the blood runs deep out there when there is no one to hear you scream, or discover the trail of terror you leave behind, and this is the premise of the film in dispersed with unspeakable horror, tension and suspense. As well as John Jarrett, the hapless victims also deliver strong performances making you feel for what they are going through and the ultimate relief when death finally comes.

At 100 minutes this film moves along at a swift pace, and when the ending arrives it does so quickly and leaves you wanting more . . . as Mick Taylor walks off into his outback to terrorise once again.

A worthy sequel - a little light on true shocks, but maybe that's just because second time around we pretty much know what's coming. Nonetheless, inventive, convincing, well delivered but not such a good advert for our backpacking tourist industry!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

MAN OF STEEL - archive from 4th July 2013

Saw 'MAN OF STEEL' last night - the 2013 rendition of the original comic book hero now aged 75! 

Director Zack Snyder ('300' and 'WATCHMEN') has hauled out $200M to make this elongated effects laden epic retelling of 'Superman'. You have seen this story before in the first two outings of the late seventies/early eighties Christopher Reeve franchise, retold now in 2013 for a whole new audience brought up on a diet of mega-budget, effects heavy, smash-em-up, burn-em-down, blow shit to kingdom come Hollywood Blockbusters! Despite that, at 150+minutes this is entertaining enough but 20 minutes too long! 

Russell Crowe & Kevin Coster add gravitas as Clark Kent's two fathers with Laurence Fishburn as the Daily Planet Editor and grumbling boss to Amy Adams Lois Lane. The story line remains solid enough and updated for 2013 suitably well, and Henry Cavill in the lead role strikes an impressive figure, but it is just one fight scene, one battle sequence, one smashed streetscape too many by the time the credits roll. New York and Smallville get trashed in some impressive set pieces but they go on and on (yawn) seemingly forever! Russell Crowe's Jor-El is a more meaty role than Marlon Brando's was, and Clark's entire backstory is told in flashback so giving Costner more chance to earn his keep. This movie has spectacle, largesse, length, solid performances & direction but maybe too much reliance on the FX which in the end is it's undoing. 

Should be seen on the big screen . . . on a cold wet Saturday afternoon!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

The Oscar Buzz - what's it all about?

Hollywood, and indeed the movie going world, is counting down the days now until the stars come out for Tinsel Town's night of nights, and the sounds of adulation, gratification and edification fill the air as the US movie industry bestows greatness upon its chosen and worthy few!

The 86th Annual Academy Awards take place on Sunday 2nd March 2014, hosted this year by Ellen DeGeneres in front of a global audience that will reach well into a billion+. The media will go into overdrive, the paparazzi will click away until their fingers bleed, the fashion houses will polish every last starry spangly sequin, and enough French Champagne will be consumed to re-float the Titanic!

There will be winners & grinners; losers & boozers; jokes & jibes; laughter & tears; lengthy speeches where husbands, wives, children, agents, Moms, Dads, Co-stars, Directors and Producers and the Lord God Almighty will be thanked for making this award possible; and there will be fitting tributes to the nominees of course, and the legends that have sadly passed on to the great movie theatre in the sky these past 12 months.

It's such an over the top event that you just gotta love it, and you will gawp at the fashion faux pas, gasp at some of the results, and guffaw at who says what on stage during the ceremony. What ever you think about the sheer spectacle of the Oscars you are psyched for it as am I, and will debate the winners & losers the next day around the water cooler at work, over a coffee or in your lunch break.

And so, with just a few days to go, in the coming days log onto this Blog and see just who is nominated for what in the eight major categories that you will be hanging out for above all others, and out of the 24 categories receiving an Award on Oscar Night!

As for the winners and your hot tip for who's who in the Hollywood zoo - only you can decide, but enjoy the experience nonetheless!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 20th February 2014

This week we have another raft of hotly awaited, much anticipated and some nominated movies with which to spend your leisure dollar on, so don't be shy and get yourself off to an Odeon this coming week and give yourself a cinematic treat! In no particular oder, you can look forward to :-

LONE SURVIVOR - is the true life drama of four US Navy SEAL's back in war torn Afganistan in 2005 who on a mission to take down a Taliban leader fail in their quest and get caught behind enemy lines and under fierce attack. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Eric Bana, Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster and Directed by modern warfare actioner Peter Berg this promises to deliver on the grittiness of close at hand battle, the survival techniques deployed when the brown stuff hits the fan and the ultimate fall out from it.

WOLF CREEK 2 - after an absence from our screens of eight years this sequel was inevitable on the strength of what the first instalment did at the box office versus it's pretty low production cost. Once again our Australian sadistic, tortuous, murdering, serial killer everyman Mick Taylor is terrorising back packing tourist scum with lethal and gruesome results. John Jarratt is back playing the lead role that turned him into an overnight horror sensation that clearly set him apart from the likes of Freddy Kruger, Jason Vorhees and Michael Myers. This film promises a different approach to the first, and with a bigger budget, a strong storyline and eight years in gestation this has to be a must see for fans of the genre.

NEBRASKA - the critics have embraced this movie and it's nominated for an Oscar nod or two as well. A now ageing Bruce Dern leads the cast in this tale of a father/son road trip, family awakening, and a journey back into the family's history as it unfolded in, yes you guessed it, Nebraska! Filmed in black & white and starring Will Forte as the son and Stacey Keach as the hometown tough-nut this may not be a film for everyone, but is sure to resonate with a more mature audience seeking good old fashioned story telling, fine performances, family dynamics and sweeping monochrome scenery.

ALL IS LOST - this lone seafaring shipwreck high seas drama stars Robert Redford in what is touted as a career best performance from him, and in a film where he is the sole cast member against a backdrop of the vast ocean where his survival against the elements plays out. This film is devoid of dialogue except for a few lines spoken over a radio, or when Redford is well & truly in the depths of his despair. An Oscar nominated must see film for anyone who has ever sailed in a yacht, or who want's raw emotional action in it's most simplistic basic form.

LE WEEK END - this film promises to be a little more light hearted that the above four and surrounds an ageing couple travelling to Paris for their 30th wedding anniversary and second honeymoon. Starring Jim Broadbent, Jeff Goldblum and Lindsay Duncan this takes us into relationship territory, pent-up tension, rediscovery and the rejuvenation of those feelings experienced hone first married.

Plenty to choose from and many others still doing the rounds - go to the movies, and see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB - 18th February 2014

I ventured down to my favourite movie theatre, the Cremorne Orpheum, last night to see the much talked about, hyped up, eagerly awaited 'DALLAS BUYERS CLUB' and it's much slimmed down lead star Matthew McConaughey. I was keen to see this, but must say that in the final analysis when the credits rolled was I left feeling a little short changed . . . but, only just a little!

Our story kicks off in 1985 with the news headlines off the day that Rock Hudson has died, and that he was homosexual! This sets the tone as the main characters all deride how this former Hollywood Hunk Megastar could in fact be a "faggot"! Needless to say this too is the era when HIV and AIDS captured the news headlines almost everyday and this was an epidemic of global proportions (but only if you were a "faggot"!). And so the scene is set for Ron Woodroof (McConaughey) to emerge as the Rodeo hand and occasional rider, and oil field electrician to introduce us to his drug snorting, sexed up, alcohol fuelled, trailer park living existence. In many respects this guy is low-life trash, and after a minor electrical accident at work he awakens in the hospital being treated by the good Doctor played by Jennifer Garner whose hospital is just starting to administer new wonder drug AZT to HIV & AIDS sufferers.

Woodroof is told he has just 30 days to live, and so plunging into denial he spends the next 30 days inside a whisky bottle, snorting coke and hiring prostitutes before an awakening that sends him to Mexico, where he can get treatment and drugs not legal or approved in the USA for the treatment of his deteriorating condition. This sets in a train a plan to bring these "drugs" (which in reality are various concoctions of vitamins, proteins and natural remedies that help restore and boost the immune system) into the USA with the Federal Drug Agency and in turn the IRS breathing down his neck relentlessly. Because he cannot sell his products he set up the 'Dallas Buyers Club' and sells memberships for $400 a month for which you get all the drugs and remedies you need - and needless to say he becomes very successful.

Along the way Woodroof teams up with Rayon as the similarly infected transsexual, played brilliantly by Jared Leto, who then form an unlikely partnership with both refusing to accept their fate and make the very most of what they have left of their lives. On this note, we learn in the closing credits that Woodroof lived for 2,557 days after his diagnosis that day in hospital and beat what the Doctor had to say about his short term future by 2,527 days . . . not bad I guess, under the circumstances!

At times this film is moving, it is sad, funny, harrowing and eye opening. It is worth seeing for McConaughey and Leto's performances which are flawless, real and believable, and like those actors before them - Tom Hanks in 'PHILADELPHIA' and Christian Bale in 'RESCUE DAWN', it seems that McConaughey is prepared to go to any length to inhabit his character, and in doing so is riding high on the crest of his second Hollywood wave.



-Steve, at Odeon Online-

THE LONE RANGER - archive from 9th July 2013

Saw 'THE LONE RANGER' last night - the latest Johnny Depp & Gore Verbinski collaboration to yield another potential mega-buck franchise not dissimilar to 'PIRATES', only a different era!

Johnny Depp hams it up as Tonto and introducing Armie Hammer in the title role ably supported by the delicious Helena Bonham Carter and various other B-Listers. Beautifully shot in muted tones with all the classic scenes you would expect from those iconic 50's Westerns, with strong support from Monument Valley which has never looking so good since the days of John Ford. 

A solid enough story, with good action and Tonto delivers some wisecracks and thoughtful one-liners but as a Disney production this is all a bit silly and a little lame. My movie buddy described it as 'sterile' and he's right - I was left wanting more grit and less slapstick. Depp is always good and he tells the story to a young kid in cowboy get up in flashback as a 90 something fair ground attraction in the 1930's, and I couldn't help thinking of Dustin Hoffman in 'LITTLE BIG MAN'! Armie Hammer plays second fiddle to Depp and he looks a little ill at ease in his role - a second outing may improve the comfort factor - and on the strength of Verbinski's ability to create box office gold out of a theme park ride then we are sure to see a sequel at your local multiplex soon enough. 

Depp shines as usual, Hammer is an also-ran, the scenery spectacular, the storyline passable, the action solid enough, but it just lacks that final sprinkling of magic. 

See it on the big screen . . . at home when the BluRay is released!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

The BAFTA's 2014 - The final wrap!

The 62nd British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards took place at London's Royal Opera House on Sunday night, ably hosted for the ninth time by Stephen Fry. Often seen as the precursor to the upcoming Hollywood night of nights on 2nd March, the odds have now been raised on last nights winners & grinners picking up an Oscar gong in less than a fortnight now. As is expected there was all the glitz & glamour of the who's who in Hollywood, the British film scene, and the international set to keep the paparazzi amused, the critics working overtime, and the reporters in a frenzy!

As usual many awards are given out on the night, and too many for me to go through here that you'll have patience with, so the main category winners & losers are listed here for your reference, and recital over the dinner table with friends, or congregating around the bar with your mates.

• Best Film - 12 YEARS A SLAVE. Hardly surprising given the true story subject matter and several fine performances throughout, it knocked out American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Gravity and Philomena.
• Outstanding British Film - GRAVITY. It had to pick up a major gong, and no hardship in this one at all, and well deserved for the sheer spectacle of what is presented on screen.
• Best Director - Alfonso Cuaron - GRAVITY. A masterstroke in film making that takes you up 600 kms above the Earth's surface and suspends you there while the story unfolds against the backdrop of our blue planet. Breathtaking visionary film making and well deserved, fighting off the competition from Steve McQueen, David O Russell, Paul Greengrass and Martin Scorsese.
• Leading Actor - Chiwetel Ejifor - 12 YEARS A SLAVE. Again, really no surprises here given the subject matter and the sheer believability with which Ejifor instills in his character Platt. That said, strong competition from Bruce Dern, Christian Bale, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks.
• Leading Actress - Cate Blanchett - BLUE JASMINE. I have not seen this Woody Allen offering, but everything I have heard & read about our Cate's performance points to her being the clear winner, and it seems that every other award bestowing outfit this season does too. Go the Oscar Cate . . . good on ya! Cate knocked out Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock, Dame Judi Dench, and Emma Thompson.
• Supporting Actor - Barkhad Abdi - CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. This previously unknown actor playing the lead Somali pirate was plucked out of obscurity to play this role and nailed it in spades. A gritty nail biting riveting edge of your seat performance from a man driven to extremes keeps the viewer wondering what he's capable of and what he'll do next. Up against Bradley Cooper, Daniel Bruhl, Matt Damon and Michael Fassbender.
• Supporting Actress - Jennifer Lawrence - AMERICAN HUSTLE. This Hunger Games helmer is riding the crest of a wave and deservedly so given her range and diversity of roles. In this movie she plays the white trailer trash, no hope, devilishly devious loser wife to Christian Bale . . . but with a heart, and an underlying sultry sexiness all her own. She staved off competition from Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Sally Hawkins and first time newcomer Lupita Nyong'o

GRAVITY stole the show and reaped the awards picking up another four accolades for Sound, Original Music, Cinematography and Special Visual Effects giving it a closing night tally of six.

AMERICAN HUSTLE picked up another two for Original Screenplay and Make-up & Hair giving it a stash of three all up.
GATSBY picked up two gongs also for Production Design and Costume Design. 
FROZEN picked up the award in the Animated Film category.

Interestingly, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET missed out (check out my review by clicking on the link in the column to the left), as did DALLAS BUYERS CLUB - the former of which I thought was great, and the latter I am seeing this week so look out for my upcoming review soon.

On the strength of these winners (and losers), the Oscar buzz will have notched up a gear. 

Keep your eyes and ears planted on the silver screen, and see as many movies as you can.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

ROBOCOP - 12th February 2014

Went along to see the rebooted, reimagined, resurrected 'ROBOCOP' last night at my local Multiplex. Once again, Hollywood must be starved of originality, and has updated this late 80's franchise for a whole new audience.

What we have here is a near identical plot to the original storyline, just updated for 2014 with all the latest space age technology that money can buy. Our hero of the story is Detroit cop Alex Murphy played well enough by newcomer Joel Kinnaman, who in a revenge attack by the Detroit underworld is blown to bits when his car explodes outside his family home one evening.

Fast forward and what's left of Alex (which isn't much really!) is connected up to US$2.6B of ultra technology so creating part human mostly machine to clean up the streets of Detroit criminal scum and indeed the USA, so that Omnicorp (the company behind the investment and the technology) can become rich, very rich! Michael Keaton heads up Omnicorp and plays it solidly and stoically intent on getting his man/machine out there against the will of the politicians and a sceptical public. But the public love a morality tale and a human touch and so a man (or what's left of him) inside a machine is infinitely better than just a machine - particularly where justice is concerned. The Doctor of the piece is Gary Oldman who is also very good as the researcher and ground breaking surgeon who rebuilds Alex with all manner of super sensors, processors, micro chips, hydraulics, pumps, valves and advanced weaponry to instil peace and justice upon the city. The storyline is moved along by Samuel L. Jackson as the reporter with the voice of America, Pat Novak, who every night on prime time TV extols the virtues of Robocops and how they will help keep America safe!

Needless to say when Michael Keaton wanted to put a man inside a machine he wasn't counting on what was left to regain its emotion, its conscience, and its memory and so he comes to an inevitable sticky end, leaving the good Doctor to come to our Robocop's salvation when the credits start rolling.

This film is part 'TERMINATOR' and part 'IRON MAN', but these two movies did a better job on many fronts. Also starring Abbie Cornish and Jackie Earle Haley to add to the impressive cast, it is the technology scenes that are most impressive, together with how our Robocop is built from Alex's 'remains' which is well delivered. Overall though this is predictable stuff, particularly having seen the first two instalments way back when, when these movies and their premise were groundbreaking - today when this stuff is all around us this is just your average remake Ho-Hum facsimile, which however, is still likely to spawn a sequel!


-Steve, at Odeon Online-

ELYSIUM - archive from 22nd August 2013

Saw 'ELYSIUM' expecting great things from 'DISTRICT 9' helmer Neil Blumenkamp following his original inventive debut, but came away feeling a little shortchanged!

This is a good story, backed up by solid visuals of a mid-22nd century dystopian planet Earth and a utopian man made planet Elysium hovering just 19 minutes away above Earths atmosphere. Matt Damon is our reluctant hero needing to get from dystopia to utopia to save himself and his loved ones (and our planet below) with the help of some rebel forces. Only the badass commander of Elysium (Jodie Foster) who doesn't do camped up evil very well and her Earth based henchman (Sharlito Copley - brilliant and the show stealer . . . look out for the facial reconstruction) stand in Damon's way. 

I wanted more from this film - there are some creative moments, and it is grounded in a sense of reality, but it lacked depth and substance for me . . . 'OBLIVION' was better!

-Steve, at Odeon Online- 

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 13th February 2014

Another stash of new offerings are released on Thursday 13th February at your nearby Multiplex or local independent cinema to tempt your movie going appetite, and get you out from in front of the television. This weeks latest and greatest therefore, in no particular order are :-

WINTERS TALE - has a strong cast comprising Russell Crowe, Colin Farrell, William Hurt, Jennifer Connelly and Eva Marie Saint (who we haven't seen for a very long time) amongst others in this Akiva Goldsmith Directed tale that spans 100+ years or so in a New York plucked straight from the imagination. Essentially a story of good & evil, triumph over adversity, and paths that cross mapping out destiny for our leads, the trailer makes me think that this is a good one for star crossed lovers over the Valentine's weekend.

Another one for the Velentine's weekened is ARE WE OFFICIALLY DATING that looks like a sugary soapy schmaltzy RomCom that stars Zac Effron and Imogen Potts in all too familiar situations as friends get involved in their lives, best buddies do there 'man' thing to create levity and protect each other, girls get upset and leave, and then all comes good in the end and they live happily ever after! You know the story - it's been spun by a million other RomCom's before!

ENDLESS LOVE is also aptly named to capture the Valentine's weekend box office and stars Alex Pettyfer, Gabriella Wilde in the lead roles as our star crossed lovers whose instant attraction to each other and there unconditional love is thwarted at every turn by parents intent on keeping them apart. Robert Patrick also stars amongst others.

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB is the one we have all been waiting for and has to be on the must-watch list this week. Matthew McConaughey stars in the lead with Jared Leto (both Oscar nominees) and Jennifer Garner. McConaughey slimmed down big time for this role as a HIV+ sufferer who having been told he has only a month to live goes on the search for non-FDA approved drugs to halt his condition, smuggle those drugs back into the US, and in doing so establishes the Club of the title name to help those similarly suffering. Big things are expected of this true-life tale, and worth your viewing to see what all the Oscar buzz is about.

Go to the movies . . . and see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Shirley Temple - dies aged 85 - R.I.P.

Another Hollywood legend passed away yesterday, but this time from natural causes. Bless her cute little cotton socks early silver screen legend Shirley Temple died at home aged 85, having retired from acting at the age of 21 to dedicate her later life to her family and then an active political career.

At her movie making prime from 1935 to 1938 she eclipsed just about all of the stars of her day including Bing Cosby, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Joan Crawford to win over the hearts, minds and adoration of a global movie going public with her song and dance routines, her cute as pie smile, and her cheeky winning ways on screen. With a string of hugely successful movies in her filmography and her place firmly planted in the Hollywood pantheon there has been no other child star like her since.

I will forever remember watching those Sunday afternoon matinees on the TV at home as a kid growing up myself, and wondering how so much talent could exist in someone so young. A short lived but brilliant acting career for which there is no equal.
Shirley Temple - Rest In Peace
1928-2014.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

LAST VEGAS - 8th February 2014

I was invited to see 'LAST VEGAS' last night by some good friends, and never one to shirk the chance to see a movie I went along. From my preview last week of what's out this week, my summary would have indicated a reluctance to see this film and a hint of cynicism in my words. And, guess what . . . I was right!

Supporting a strong cast of movie greats - Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline this star power package should be delivering in spades, and the film has all the gloss you would expect . . . but, it's only veneer deep! Instead what we have is a predictable, formulaic, by the numbers, text book story of four dudes who have grown up together, grown old together and remained life long buddies for approaching sixty years.

When the Michael Douglas character decides to get married for the first time aged 70 to a nubile 32 years old beauty - they all converge on Vegas for his Bachelor Party. As I have said before this may as well be remained 'THE HANGOVER PART 4 : THE WOLF PACK PENSIONERS LAST HURRAH!' Everything happens here that you would expect - wild drunken party, gambling, drinking, attempts at sex, exquisite penthouse suites, fall outs between mates, reconciliation, and a new love that blossoms to throw the pending wedding ceremony in jeopardy.

Cameo's by RedFoo and Fiddy break the all too predictability, and alls well that ends well for these four. There are a few laughs along the way as the capers, antics and frivolity get into gear, but not enough to redeem this feature!

Save yourself the price of a movie ticket and wait for the DVD.


-Steve, at Odeon Online-

THE BEST OFFER - archive from 6th September 2013

Saw 'THE BEST OFFER' at the  Cremorne Orpheum. 

This is a classy, intelligent, thoughtful thriller set around the world of a famed Auctioneer (played beautifully & convincingly by Geoffrey Rush) amid a story of obsession, intrigue, betrayal, love, loss and one man's journey to find true happiness in himself, but is thwarted when he least expects it! Set with a backdrop of the fine art world and ably supported by Donald Sutherland this film will win you over with fine performances, a well crafted script, twists & turns to keep you guessing, and a great Enio Moreconi score. 
Very pleasantly surprised and Geoffrey Rush always pleases and never let's you down! Well worth your visit to check it out if you want good honest no nonsense storytelling on the big screen.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

12 YEARS A SLAVE - 5th February 2014

There is a lot of buzz around '12 YEARS A SLAVE' which I saw last night at The Cremorne Orpheum Picture Palace. Hardly surprising really given that it will tick many of the Academy's boxes - strong cast, period piece, true story, human tragedy, adversity, courage, well filmed if a little art house - all the makings of an Oscar win or two.

This film introduces us to accomplished violinist Solomon Northrup (played brilliantly by Chiwetel Ejiofor) residing as a free man with his family in Saratoga in 1841. Life is good, and as a free man he can almost do as he pleases, until after a drunken celebratory evening with new found 'friends' wakes up locked up and banged up in chains somewhere in Washington. Savagely beaten by his keepers for being black, he is shipped off down South and given the new name of 'Platt' which he carries through with him for the next twelve years as a slave on the timber, then cotton and then sugar cane plantations working for the ruling white man.

Sold off by Paul Giamatti, initially to Benedict Cumberbatch who treats him with some respect, gives a degree of responsibility and offers random acts of kindness including the provision of a violin. A couple of years in though and as a result of a run-in with a 'Master' on the timber plantation, Platt is sold to Michael Fassbender (Edwin Epps) who is a very different box & dice altogether. Nasty, malicious, controlling and prepared to go to any length to exert his supreme authority over his black 'property' this is where the film veers into grim, sadistic, heart wrenching, and horrific territory. Fassbender delivers a strong believable performance however, that will have you gawping in disbelief at the cruelty humans are capable of doing to each other because of the colour of their skin (bearing in mind this is a true story of an era that Americans would rather forget!).

For a brief time Platt is sold off to third Master for just one cotton season before returning to the Epps plantation and back to the waiting, wringing hands of Fassbender. Brad Pitt appears in two closing scenes as Platt's white slavery abolitionist saviour and ticket back to freedom, his family and Saratoga ultimately.

This is not an uplifting film, even at the end when Solomon Northrup is reunited with his grown family. There is much hardship, adversity, anguish, violence and horror in this film, but it is a story worth telling, and Director, Steve McQueen handles the subject matter well, and has given us a film experience that will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

WHITE HOUSE DOWN - archive from 11th September 2013

Saw 'WHITE HOUSE DOWN' last night from that Directorial Master of Disaster Roland Emmerich (ID4 & 2012 etc.) This is the second time he has trashed the White House - the first from above in ID4 and now from below. This time it's a tale of a hostile takeover plot by disgruntled employees and other unsavoury American criminal types after a huge wad of cash, and to create war in the Middle East to keep the war machine running for financial & economical gain, and to support their megalomaniacal tendencies!

All good stuff and whatever you say about Emmerich he can turn on the spectacle, the action and the body count in grand OTT style. All that said this is a lot of hokum really that could easily be the sixth instalment in the John McLean franchise and could have been called 'DIE HARD WITH A PRESIDENT', and the similarity doesn't end there! The lead character in both films is called John, both are estranged from their respective wives, and in this film as in 'DH5' the offspring of both heroes refer to their father by their Christian name rather than good old fashioned 'Dad'. 

Channing Tatum stars as John Cale here and puts in a convincing turn as the right guy in the wrong place at the wrong time having to overcome the enemy within the confines of said building and save the President (Jamie Foxx channeling Barack Obama with a rocket launcher), his daughter, and the free world, whilst overcoming rock steady James Woods as the mastermind bad guy. 

This is good fun shoot 'em up entertainment delivered with the trademark Emmerich touches that deliver on many levels, and in Tatum here we could just have a successor to Willis!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 6th February 2014

To tempt your silver screen local independent or multiplex tastebuds this coming week we have four new hotly awaited offerings spanning the biographic, the comedic, the dramatic and the futuristic. Here they are summarised for your movie going consideration this week in no particular order :-

MANDELA : THE LONG WALK TO FREEDOM - based on his 1994 internationally acclaimed best selling book of the same name, this stars Idris Elba in the lead role as the imprisoned freedom fighter and later South African President, Nelson Mandela. Charting his life up to the point of his Presidency this should capture much interest given the success of the book, the buzz already garnered by awards season, and the great man's recent passing.

LAST VEGAS - this has a stellar cast of no less than Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline and so this should go off! The trailers make me think this is THE HANGOVER, Part 4 : The Wolf Pack Pensioners Do Vegas! Looks good on paper and despite a strong tried and tested pedigree cast does this have the comedy chops and star power to deliver . . . only you can decide!

LABOUR DAY - is Directed by strong up & comer Jason Reitman and set on labour day 1987 with a cast including Josh Brolin and Kate Winslett. The former is an escaped convict who holes up in the home of mentally unhinged housebound divorcee mother of the latter. At first charged with danger given the frantic circumstance, this evolves in to something more touching and emotional as relationships develop and feelings are nurtured. An interesting premise that might be well worth a look.

ROBOCOP - rebooted for a new 21st Century audience unfamiliar with the original 1987 outing that spawned two sequels. The initial franchise was hugely successful (1 & 2 especially), and in 2014 is deemed ripe for the picking for a makeover. The storyline hasn't changed much but the technology has come on leaps & bounds in the last thirty years give or take! Cop Alex Murphy (new comer Joel Kinnaman) gets blown to smithereens in front of his own house & family in 2028, and comes back as part human (not much left except a head, torso, one arm and some vital organs) and part super technologically advanced machine designed to clean up crime on the streets and be the future of law enforcement so that the corporate suits can get rich . . . very rich! Also starring a strong support cast including Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson this looks good, polished and sharp and will excite the teenagers who will go in droves to see this I'm sure!

Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Odeon Online - new movie rating symbols launch!

Odeon Online is pleased to reveal it's new movie rating methodology appearing with your next review. 

Movie critics around the world mostly review their films using a star rating from one to five. This seems to make sense since just about everything has a star rating these days from Hotels, to Insurance Companies, to Cars, to Movies, and all manner of things in between. 

All that said, at Odeon Online, we strive to be a little different, to be less conformist, and to make our own way. 

The 'Clapperboard' is a globally recognised piece of movie making hardware and indispensable equipment that you'll find on every film and television production set. So it seems fitting therefore, that at Odeon Online we will award a 'Clapperboard Rating' from one to five in the reviews posted for your ease of reference and to easily distinguish between celluloid crap and movie masterpiece!

Enjoy the new ratings, and hopefully you'll find them useful.

1 X Clapperboard : don't bother -  rent a DVD instead!


2 X Clapperboards : OK only - you can easily wait for the DVD!


3 X Clapperboards : worth the price of a ticket, and good entertainment!


4 X Clapperboards : a must see - rush to your local Odeon soon!


5 X Clapperboards : one of the films of the year!

Movies - see as many as you can!


-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Philip Seymour Hoffman - dies, aged 46 - R.I.P.

Hollywood and the movie going public are in mourning today for the loss of one of it's true greats.

Tragically, Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment on Sunday morning 2nd February from an alleged drug overdose, aged 46.

An accomplished actor of silver screen and stage, Hoffman had been acting since 1991 and in that time had appeared in 60+ films, won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Truman Capote in 2005, and been nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar a further three times. He made his Directorial debut in 2010, and had been nominated also three times for the Stage Awards - 'The Tony's'.

Hoffman's credits included the most recent 'HUNGER GAMES' franchise, as well as note worthy roles in 'MONEYBALL', 'BOOGIE NIGHTS', 'THE BIG LEBOWSKI', 'MI:III', 'ALMOST FAMOUS', 'RED DRAGON', 'THE BOAT THAT ROCKED' and of course 'CAPOTE'.

His versatility as an actor, his conviction to those characters he portrayed and the diversity of the roles chosen across his filmography will ensure his memory lives on and his legacy is forever committed to celluloid.

A real loss - PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN - forever Rest In Peace!
1967-2014.

-Steve, at OdeonOnline-