What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 1st May 2014.

Easter School holidays are done, kids back at school, the Winter days drawing in and this weeks new releases have a decidedly more mature, adult feel. That said there are still plenty of movies doing the rounds that will appeal to the child/teen market, but if Mum & Dad what a night off then there are three offerings to tempt your movie going dollar and give you something a little more deep, meaningful and thought provoking.

When you've decided which is the one for you, sit back, relax, chomp on your bucket 'o' popcorn, and slurp on your gallon of brown fizzy stuff and enjoy the movie!

FADING GIGOLO - John Turturro writes, directs and stars as our fading gigolo of the title here who down on his luck, job and money thinks he has all the makings of an ageing gigolo more than capable of satisfying the mind, body and soul of any woman. Supported by his also cash starved friend and self appointed manager (Woody Allen) the two embark on a series of encounters with the fairer sex that has our gigolo doing the jiggy jiggy with Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara and Vanessa Paradis (in her first English language film) with various curved balls thrown in for good measure. These include Brooklyn's Jewish community, the disconnect with what the body yearns for and what your Religion will allow, and of course the line between money and love/sex/instant gratification. Set against the back drop of NYC, and with Woody Allen's influences upon John Turturro this could be quietly and charmingly worth a look.

YOUNG & BEAUTIFUL - from French Director, Francois Ozon and with subtitles, this is a coming of age, sexual awakening story centering around 17 year old Isabelle (Marine Vatch) who upon losing her virginity moves on quickly to become a call girl unknown to her family and closest friends. A relationship develops with an older client, and then her secret begins to unravel as her Mother discovers her double life and complications ensue. Set across four seasons, this is described as a slow burning film that will rein you in and captivate you from beginning to end as it twists and weaves and Isabelle searches for her true identity amidst her young fractured life.

52 TUESDAYS - as the name implies this film was shot over 52 consecutive Tuesdays spanning a year. It features a largely unknown cast of non-professional acting talent and directed by Sophie Hyde in her debut as film-maker. This Australian production filmed in Adelaide took out best film at the Berlin Film Festival. It centres around gender transition from mother Jane to becoming father James and the relationship with teenage daughter Billie whose story of teen angst and confusion dovetails in with her own sexual awakening, the re-establishment of a relationship with her father, and the mental and emotional readjustment of the relationships that must follow as a result of these actions that unfold over the course of the year on screen. Prepare for a roller coaster ride.

Decidedly catering for the adult audience this week, these films will not be to everyone's taste but it seems that sex is on for young and not so young, for the serious and not so serious, and for the confused and the experienced. Enjoy your outing to the movies this week, and let me know what you think.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-