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

This weeks captivating cinematic celluloid offerings released today would appear on the surface, and based on what I've seen in previews and readings so far, to be an exercise in mediocrity, with only one possibly redeeming feature coming in the form of a breakout foreign language film. But then I'm just a guy with a keen interest, a humble opinion, and time to offer my advice - you can make up your own minds and let me know what you think!

CUBAN FURY - Nick Frost takes the lead role in this tale of a down-at-heel, confidence busted nobody who in his younger days was a teenage salsa dancing wunderkind. Grasped from the jaws of greatness at the hands of a gang on bullies on the streets of London he finds himself in later years in a boring dead-end job wishing there was more to life. Enter Rashida Jones as the new boss woman from the USofA, and suddenly our salsa dancing wannabe has a reason for living, and dusting off those sequinned shirts and dancing shoes. First though to face his demons, win over his new boss lady and overcome the competition in the form of office stud Chris O'Dowd. If salsa dancing is your thang touched with some comedic moments, emotion and heart then this could be for you.

RIDE ALONG - apparently this has performed well stateside, but this critic won't be rushing out to catch this one any time soon! We have the double team of Kevin Hart and Ice Cube - the former being a high-school security guard and the latter a highly regarded detective - with the former having the hots for the latter's sister. To win over the respect and confidence of the latter the former must prove his mettle on a 'ride along' shift to see what real law enforcement is all about and to gain exposure to the real world. During the shift things don't go quite according to plan, and this dynamic duo find themselves embroiled with a criminal king-pin needing all their sharp wit, fast talking and loaded guns to save their sorry asses! I'm sure much frivolity will ensue!

POMPEII - looks impressive, but methinks this is style over substance! Another ancient swords and sandals epic that looks at this historical event and turns it upside down with a big dash of Hollywood. Yes this is the same Pompeii that was buried together with every man, woman, child, dog & cat when Mount Vesuvius erupted on that fateful day in 79A.D. From what I've seen when the eruption and destruction comes it is handled well (as we have come to expect these days) but the story line is wafer thin and surrounds our former slave turned gladiator hero played out by Kit Harrington in a race against time to save his love, Emily Browning, from being hitched to some other low-life no good geezer in the form of a corrupt Roman Senator, while the city is set to be buried under a carpet of molten lava, ash, rock and rubble. Carrie Anne-Moss and Keifer Sutherland also star and is Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson.

WADJA - quite possibly the highlight this week! The first feature film to come out of Saudi Arabia where cinema is banned represents quite a feat in itself, but the fact that this is made by a woman too (who are not permitted to drive or vote either) makes this all the more astounding! Wadja is a 10 year old girl - adventurous, daring, outgoing and a risk taker and therefore completely out of the mould of her same age peers and contemporaries. What she wants out of a life is a bicycle -  and this in it self is heavily frowned upon by her society, but, she is determined in her quest. A simple enough story that charts what she must do to get there, but giving us Westerners a rare insight into the cultural, ethnic and religious divide that exists between Saudi Arabia and the life we take for granted, and that is so very different. Could be an early contender for Best Foreign Language Film.

There you have it - four films to tempt you and to get you into your local movie theatre. Check them out, and enjoy the experience of the big screen.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-