What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 10th July 2014.

With the end of the school holidays fast approaching, the new releases for this week are a little thinner on the ground than in previous weeks, but nonetheless, there is still plenty of celluloid delight to warm the cockles of the heart, stimulate the brain, and excite your ears and eyes. And so with three new releases for the week ahead we have the sequel to a long established cult classic franchise rebooted just a few years ago to some critical acclaim laying waste to an earlier rebooted effort at the turn of the century. Then we have a serving of lunchtime shenanigans across the streets of an Indian city, and an Aussie doco-drama charting the rise and fall of two world class skaters.

And so whether you tune in and chill out to a new release this coming week at your local movie theatre, or catch one of those Reviewed in previous weeks but still doing the rounds, drop me a line and comment on your experience for the benefit of my other reader! Enjoy the experience!

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (Rated M) - 2011 saw the rebooting of this age weary franchise that first kicked off in the 60's with Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall and spawned many sequels. But, it was Tim Burton's 2001 effort 'Planet of the Apes' that seemed to have killed off the franchise for ever . . . well a decade at least until Director Rupert Wyatt took the helm and rebooted the story for the modern era in 2011 under the title 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' and gave it all the action, effects and Hollywood treatment that lead to its success, and another outing this year as a result. And so we have a new Director in Matt Reeves and largely a whole new cast, because since 2011's (re)introduction another ten years have elapsed, and the genetically evolved Ape population led by Caesar (Andy Serkis in fine form again with his mo-cap capabilities knowing no equal) gaining strength, numbers, intelligence and a hunger for supremacy. With Earth as we know it falling into decay, civilisation crumbling and humanity dying out thanks to a virus unleashed ten years earlier, there are some human survivors determined to re-establish some sense of normalcy to the planet, and their lives. So a peace and an understanding is struck with Caesar and his simian followers, but it is short-lived as one battles against the other for dominance. Starring Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, and Kodi Smit-McPhee this sees the action, the effects and the storyline amped up markedly as the war between man and beast plays out to establish this franchise for further future instalments.

ALL THIS MAYHEM (Rated M) - This story of two young tough nut brothers from the suburbs of Melbourne is shown in doco-drama style charting the rise and fall of Ben and Tas Pappas as determined young dudes to becoming champion professional skateboarders who at one time were ranked the #1 & 2 on the global skate ramp stage. However, as is often the case things turn bad as drugs, alcohol and who knows what else get involved that see these two spiral out of control and into despair, with only their deep love, immense bond, and brotherly spirit for one another to save them.  Directed by Eddie Martin and starring Tas and Ben Papas with a cast of other pro-skaters, wannabes, movers & shakers, duckers and divers, and bobbers and weavers, this is a warts & all, gritty look at the darker side of pro-skateboarding and the human fall out that can come from success.

THE LUNCHBOX (Rated PG) - everyday across Mumbai some 5,000 couriers deliver lunch boxes to those working in offices across the city. One such lunchbox prepared by longing housewife  (Nimrat Kaur) intent on rekindling her relationship with her husband, is delivered to the wrong man (Irrfan Khan) who becomes smitten with the delightful food sent and the accompanying notes that they soon begin exchanging. The notes speak of intimate little confessions between the two strangers - loneliness, regrets, memories, fears and the joys experienced every day. Directed by first timer Ritesh Batra this is a slow burning film that is likely to surprise and delight in its story, its charm, and its humour.

Three very different offerings once more, but sure enough, something for (almost) everyone. Whatever you see this week - enjoy the movie, tell your friends, tell this Blog and keep going to the movies!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-