What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 7th August 2014.

Just three new offerings hitting our big screens this week, but still plenty of cinematic content counting on your support from weeks gone by that are sure to ensure all ages, all tastes and all genres are well provided for. This week at your local Odeon you can catch the latest from the Comic Book giant as the action jumps off the page and onto the silver screen in a change of direction from this powerhouse of Superhero talent. We also have an ageing RomCom to delight the fans of this genre that pitches two Hollywood heavyweights together with a youngster thrown in to bind the two together . . . maybe! And then we have an unusual pairing set amidst the street music of New York that could be described as a musical RomCom . . . maybe!

So whatever your taste in movies, whether you are young or not so young, whether you like your films big and epic or small and personal, there is always something for you at the movies. And when you have sat through the film of your choice, finished your popcorn, and downed that bucket of brown fizzy sludge - drop me a line in the 'comments' box, and let my other Reader know what you thought of the whole experience!

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (Rated M) - this film has been hyped to the Nth degree already and really, that is hardly surprising! Marvel Studios have done great things with their portfolio of Superheroes - Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, The X-Men, The Avengers, Spiderman all have been huge success stories and all have brought in massive box office, and will continue to do so as future instalments are produced. As for 'Guardians of the Galaxy' - this is a real departure from their tried and tested formula, but you can be sure that at some future date there may well be a melding of the latter with those of the former in a Marvelverse far far away!

This story is set out there in space, and could almost be described as Marvel's stab at it's own attempt at 'Star Wars'. Directed by James Gunn we have five characters who are said 'Guardians' - and included in that line up is a walking tree, a gun totting Racoon, a green woman and a hulking maniac and the leader of this rag tag bunch of intergalactic miscreants is a thief who is actually human, and transported from the 80's! Our thief is Peter 'Star Lord' Quill (Chris Pratt) thrown together with green skinned assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Rocket (the genetically engineered Racoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Groot (the walking tree person voiced by Vin Diesel). When Quill steals an orb that is much coveted by the treacherous Ronan the Accuser, the latter becomes mightily upset and sets about to steal it from Quill for himself. To counteract this Quill enlists the support of his four new friends to fight Ronan and save the galaxy and our world from his villainous power. Also starring an impressive cast including Glenn Close, John C. Reilly, Benicio Del Toro, Michael Rooker and Djimon Hounsou this is a big budget (US$170M) epic that looks huge and impressive on screen, and given Marvel's pedigree, this is sure to do well - as the early indications already suggest!

BEGIN AGAIN (Rated M) - Directed and Written by John Carney this could be described as a love letter to New York, to music, to family, to relationships, and to the beauty of life thrust together in unusual circumstances and when you least expect it! Sounds like a Woody Allen film . . . but no! Here we have failing music A&R man Dan (Mark Ruffalo) who hits a bar to drown his sorrows and stumbles across dejected heartbroken sorrowful Greta (Keira Knightley) who has just separated from her long term boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine from Maroon 5) who has just been signed to a major record label. Greta is an occasional song writer and performer, and hearing her dulcet tones on stage Dan is instantly bowled over by her raw talent. So much so that they decide to record an album on the streets and alleyways of New York using the city's ambient everyday sounds and the street talent they come across. Bonded by their love of music, the relationships all around them that work with them and against them, and the soundtrack of the city to inspire them, this is a heartfelt uplifting tale that is sure to please those that like a slower, easier, engaging pace.

AND SO IT GOES (Rated M) - Directed by Rob Reiner and starring Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton this is the tale of Oren Little (Douglas) who is a successful Real Estate Agent but opinionated, obnoxious and stubborn and on the verge of retirement, but wanting to make one last big sale so that he can do so even more comfortably. One day his estranged son drops off a nine year old girl who just turns out to be the granddaughter he never knew he had, Sarah (Sterling Jerins) and being clueless in the ways of relating to a little person he palms her off to the loving, warm, approachable neighbour Leah (Diane Keaton), so that he can continue with his comfortable existence in just the way he likes it. But, where would the story be in that? Over time, we see the warmer, human, more engaging side of Oren begin to unfold as his guard is let down, his heart opened up, and his feeling runs free for life, for Leah, for Sarah and his family.

Three new releases then to get you out to your local multiplex or independent cinema and enjoy some big screen entertainment. When you've done that, share your thoughts on this Blog . . . you know where!

Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-