What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 9th October 2014.

The boys and girls of Australia returned to academia earlier this week for Term 4 of school studies, end of year tests and HSC exams. Our clocks moved forward an hour for daylight saving and with the beautiful warm sunny days we have experienced over the recent long weekend this can only mean that Summer is well & truly on the way! And so, what better way is there to celebrate longer days and warmer evenings than with a movie of your choice at your local picture house?

This week we have just three offerings to tease you out to your multiplex or local independent theatre and these hail from the US, from Australia and from India. We have some big names, some no names and some four legged friends as we go from courtroom, to bushland to outback foreign climes with justice, redemption and doing the right thing connecting all three very different offerings.

When you have seen any one of this weeks latest releases, or the multitude of others currently doing the rounds out there in moviedom and as Previewed in prior weeks, drop me a note in the 'Comments' section of this, or any 'Post', and let me and my other ardent Reader know what you thought. Enjoy your film . . . or two!

THE JUDGE (Rated M) - I do like a good riveting court room drama and when it is mashed up with family tension, a guy out of his comfort zone, plot twists and turns, some big name performances and high expectations then you just have to pay your $20 and go see this! 'The Judge' is Written, Produced and Directed by David Dobkin and pits together young son and hot shot big city lawyer Henry 'Hank' Palmer (Robert Downer Jnr.) and his country living estranged father Judge Joseph 'Joe' Palmer (Robert Duvall) with a solid cast that includes Vera Farmiga, Vincent D'Onofrio and the always dependable Billy Bob Thornton, all underpinned by a great story.

The story centres around Hank returning to his childhood home (Carlinville, Indiana) for the funeral of his mother, and in doing so discovers that his father Joe - the town Judge, is suspected of murder. What unfolds is Hank defending his father against ruthless local prosecuting lawyer Dwight Dickham (Thornton) who seems hell bent on a conviction, whilst at the same time struggling to reconnect with his estranged Dad, accept his family roots, come to terms with the father/son relationship and identify with his childhood past. The performances from the two Roberts in the lead roles is said to be excellent and award worthy stuff - don't expect Downey Jnr. in iconic world saving superhero mode here, but more restrained nuanced actor relishing in the delivery of his craft in a slow burn film that will surprise and delight followers of this genre, together with a bunch of actors at the top of their game. All rise for 'The Judge'!

THE MAN FROM COXS RIVER (Rated PG) - since the 1820's the Carlon family have ridden their horses along the Coxs River outside Sydney in the Blue Mountains. Back in the day many visitors, bush walkers, wilderness lovers including the rich and famous would venture out in to the wild on Sydney's doorstep to ride the horses and connect with the pristine unspoilt valley guided by the Carlon family on organised tours. That all changed about 20 years ago when the River was designated a wilderness area under Heritage laws and the guided horse trekking tours had to close and the father of the family passed away thereafter. Following a history of tension between the Carlon family and the National Parks and Wildlife Department, Ranger Chris Banffy needed to solve an issue in the valley for which son of the horse riding patriarch Luke Carlon might be able to asset with. A mob of 80 or so Brumbies (wild horses) have roamed the Burragorang Valley for many years, have grown in numbers and needed to be removed or eradicated. Banffy, knowing Carlon's family history and ties to the horses, is under pressure to have the horses removed in a way so as not to create public outcry, and in a humane safe way. If Carlon agrees to the task he needs to round up the wild horses in the most remote of places that has been cut off from public access for fifty years or so; break them in; and guide those 80 horses 5kms along potentially dangerous valley tracks to an area where they can be transported out of the valley safely, and relocated. This is the first film to receive a National Trust Heritage Award and has been a sleeper hit in cinemas so far for its documentary telling of an real adventure story that marries a rich historical past with the modern challenges facing our native wilderness areas.

SIDDHARTH (Rated M) - Canadian Director Richie Metha was inspired to make this film after witnessing something similar on the streets of Delhi at the hands of a chain-wallah (a zip repair specialist working the streets). Mehendra (Rajesh Tailang) is the father of 12 year old Siddharth (Ifran Khan) who has been sent away to another village to work, hence alleviating the financial burden at home whilst generating an additional income too. When Siddharth does not return home, Mehendra begins to think that he has been kidnapped by child traffickers, and so goes in search of his son against all the odds. Remembering that Mehendra works the streets of Delhi and if he doesn't work there is no money, and if there is no money there is no food, and if there is no food his family go hungry. In a country where poverty and under-education is rife this is a bleak story of the harshness and impossibilities of life for many in India, and what they are confronted with everyday. Without ramming the story down our throats the story has heart, fluidity, and optimism that Siddharth will be returned safe and well despite the stacked odds, and that Mehendra's trek across India in search of his son will prove fruitful.

Once more a mixed bag of offerings from which to choose your evening's big screen entertainment. Get out there and see something soon, and remember to tell your friends at Odeon Online what you think!

Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-