What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 17th September 2015.

Last week I mentioned the fact that Adelaide had come through its coldest Winter in 17 years and the prospect of warmer days and a return to Summer was just around the corner. With that two days later came glorious sunshine, clear blue skies and a mass exodus to the beach for the weekend and temperatures in the late 20's . . . for two whole days, before it all came plummeting down back to the bad old days of Winter. This is perhaps a fitting segwey therefore to the often harsh  and changing climatic conditions atop a mountain peak where it all goes pear shaped for a bunch of explorers, adventurers and go-getters, and the subject of our main feature Preview this week. Read on for more.

This week there are just three new releases appearing at your local movie theatre that offer a true story of action, (mis)adventure, and high level disaster at the top of the world; then a story of mans best friend becoming the four legged unsuspecting saviour of a colony of two legged flightless birds; and finally for the kids an animated feature of an Aussie icon of the cuddly furry kind on a voyage of discovery across the daunting dangerous outback.

As we come into school holiday season we can expect a raft of kids and family big screen entertainment to come our way, and it kicks off in the week ahead. Those wanting more fulfilling adult fare though there is plenty to choose from still doing the rounds and out on general release. When you have seen your movie of choice, be sure to record your opinion and your own critique in the Comments section below this or any other Post and share with your like minded friends at Odeon Online. Meanwhile, enjoy your movie!

EVEREST (Rated M) - Based on the real life events that unfolded on Mount Everest on May 10th 1996 when two expeditions reach for the summit of the highest place on Earth only to be confronted by a blizzard that came out of nowhere and engulfed the climbers in both parties with such a severe snowstorm as rarely encountered by man. This story Directed by Icelandic Balthasar Kormakur was made for US$65M and filmed in the Italian Alps, in Iceland and in Nepal at Everest Base Camp amongst other mountainous locations.

With an all star cast that comprises Jake Gyllenhaal - straight off 'Southpaw' as an expedition group leader; Jason Clarke - straight off 'Terminator : Genisys' as the other expedition group leader; with Josh Brolin, Sam Worthington (another 'Terminator' alumni), Robin Wright, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson, Elizabeth Debicki - straight off 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.', and various others, their fate rests in their will to survive the harshest of conditions of fierce freezing winds, driving snow, sub-zero temperatures and adversity writ large at 29,000 feet. One for the big screen and whilst you may know how this ends for those that perished and those that survived, this film pays tribute in stunning ways to the power of nature and mans determination.

ODDBALL (Rated G) - For Ocker Aussie family entertainment these school holidays you may want to consider this true story of 'Oddball', a Mareema farm sheep dog belonging to Allan 'Swampy' Marsh (Shane Jacobson). Living at Warrnambool on Victoria's south-west coastline, Middle Island is just a short distance away and is home to a colony of 200 or so endangered Penguins. Swampy hit upon the idea that these penguins needed protecting from wild foxes who would make the short trek to the island at low tide, and attack the little creatures. With a Maremma sheepdog in tow, trained and stationed on the island the penguin population started to increase as pesky fox activity went into decline back at the turn of this century. Proving that this breed of dog can be trusted to protect other animals, Oddball held a candle for Maremma dogs everywhere to go into active service to protect Australian animals in danger wherever they may be. Directed by Stuart McDonald and starring Sarah Snook, Deborah Mailman, and Alan Tudyk.

BLINKY BILL : THE MOVIE (Rated PG) - The Australian iconic 'Blinky Bill' character turns 82 this year having first appeared in 1933 as a children's book series created by Dorothy Wall. The lovable albeit cheeky and perhaps mischievous Koala Bear now gets the 2015 CG animation treatment with a full feature length offering, as the young Bear (looking nothing like his 82 years!!) sets off on the trail of his long lost Dad having found a clue or two that takes him across the deadly, dangerous and distressing Great Aussie outback. Along the way he picks up various friends, but must thwart too a feral cat who has its own agenda for wanting to dispense with Blinky Bill once and for all. Learning the power of friendship, the need to work together, a will to survive and a belief in their quest, the intrepid band of adventurers soon discover what it means to be a hero. Directed by Deane Taylor with three Co-Directors, this film features the voice talents of Ryan Kwanten (as BB), Toni Collette, Rufus Sewell, David Wenham, Richard Roxburgh, Barry Humphries, Barry Otto and Deborah Mailman, so there is no reason why this film should succeed . . . in the eyes of the littlees at least!

That's it for the week ahead, and although only three films this week when you add these to all the others still doing the rounds, there is no excuse not to see a film in the next seven days. Do yourself a favour, and catch a film, and then tell us all bout it.

See you at the Odeon!

-Steven, at Odeon Online-