What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 8th October 2015.

What's not to like about a Film Festival, and as mentioned previously in these Blog Pages, Adelaide screens its very own, beginning next Thursday 15th October. Over the past two weeks I've mentioned some of the content that will be screening over ten days, but this week I thought I'd highlight some of the smaller offerings and genres that will nonetheless find an audience and add to the diverse and exciting programme on offer. There is a 'Focus on Latin America' with 'Aurora' and 'Hopefuls' both having their Australian Premiers, and  'Cartel Land' that will be of particular interest if you have seen the recently released 'Sicario'. There are Documentaries too with 'Desert Migration', 'A Syrian Love Story' and 'We Are Many' all having their Australian Premier and 'Best of Enemies' and 'Requiem for an American Dream' both promising to be thought provoking and stirring. Of the musical genre 'Landfill Harmonic' and 'Songman' both Premier in Australia and '808'  invites us into the drum machine that was and is the cornerstone of modern music. On the sporting front 'Steve McQueen : The Man & Le Mans', 'Hitting the Apex', 'Our Last Tango' and 'Meru' all get their Australian Premier too, with Horror fans being kept satisfied with 'Tag' from Japan, 'Deathgasm' from New Zealand and 'Turbo Kid' from Canada. And of course there's a raft of short films too. For all the details go to : https://adelaidefilmfestival.org

This week there are three films to get you out and about to your your local independent theatre or mega screen multiplex, and kicking off those offerings there is an ensemble cast recounting the true life story and true life crimes of one of the FBI's Most Wanted Men back in Boston back in the day when the mob ruled, it was survival of the fittest, and justice was a matter of shoot first and ask questions later. Next up is a feel good comedy when two unsuspecting people are thrown together behind the wheel of a car that made me think 'Driving Miss Daisy' revisited in a different time, a different place and different circumstances; and finally a comedy drama about the life long friendship between two women whose life is turned up side down by life shattering news.

Tempted therefore with drama, comedy and comedy drama? If so, get out amongst it, catch one of this weeks new release offerings, or any one of a whole host of movies still doing the rounds or on the festival circuit, and then share your views, opinions, and observations with your like minded cinephile friends here at Odeon Online. We'd love to hear from you, so leave a Comment in the box directly below this or any other Post, and in the meantime, enjoy your film.

BLACK MASS (Rated MA15+) - this true crime true life American thriller is Directed by Scott Cooper and based on the life and times of the Boston based Irish American mobster James Joseph 'Whitey' Bulger as portrayed here by Johnny Depp. Born in 1929, this films kicks off in 1975 when Bulger allegedly began serving as an FBI informant against the other Boston mobster clan - the Italian American Patriarca family. In exchange for Bulger's inside information and his tip-offs the FBI largely turned a blind-eye to his activities which allowed the mobster to carry on his racketeering, trafficking, laundering, murdering and therefore profiteering ways unhindered. This carried on for almost 20 years until 1994 when his FBI handler, John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) tips him off about a pending indictment under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act, and so for the next 16 years Bulger went on the run evading the authorities at every turn it seems, until his eventual arrest in 2011.

Starring with Depp and Edgerton there is Benedict Cumberbatch as William Michael 'Billy' Bulger, five years younger than his brother Whitey and an American Democratic Politician who was the President of the Massachusetts Senate from 1978 to 1996. There is also Kevin Bacon as FBI boss to Connolly Charles McGuire, and the likes of Juno Temple, Corey Stoll, Dakota Johnson and Peter Sarsgaard amongst others. Bulger was convicted for his part in 19 murders and a whole swathe of other significant criminal activities in 2013 and is currently serving two life sentences. The film was made for US$53M and has so far recouped all of that at the time of writing. A must see for lovers of distinctly adult true crime serious film making with three sizzling performances that you just know Depp, Cumberbatch and Edgerton will deliver.

LEARNING TO DRIVE (Rated M) - This American comedy brings together again Director Iasbel Coixet with Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley as Wendy Shields and Darwan Singh Tur respectively. Here Shields is a successful book editor and critic recently split form her husband and in her new found capacity needs to fend for herself, become more independent and get a life. So, she decides she needs to learn to drive. She hires a gentle Indian Sikh cab driver to teach her the skills of driving and in doing she she learns that he is being forced into an oncoming arranged marriage while hers has just gone down the tubes. What follows behind the wheel of Darwans car is a voyage of discovery for them both as they learn valuable lessons in friendships, relationships, life and starting over. This film Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2014 and was released Stateside in August this year.

MISS YOU ALREADY (Rated M) - this US British comedy drama is Directed by Catherine Hardwicke  and is based on the BBC Radio 4 Play 'Goodbye' by Morweena Banks. It stars Drew Barrymore as Jess and her life long best mate Milly (Toni Collette) as they have grown up side by side and shared loves, life, experiences and just about everything in between. Jess lives on a houseboat in London with her boyfriend Jago (Paddy Considine) and she is desperate for a child, often secretly envious of Milly whose fast paced career life and perfect family seems more and more out of reach with each month that passes. As Jess' challenge presents a threat to the long term friendship that has endured over many years, two life changing events occur almost simultaneously - Jess falls pregnant, finally, and Milly learns she has breast cancer. How will this news effect them as individuals, as close friends and those around them as sadness turns to joy, and joy to sadness as their resolve is tested and everything they hold dear is bought into play. Be prepared to have your heart strings pulled by two equally strong performances! Dominic Cooper stars as Milly's husband Kit and Jacqueline Bisset stars at Milly's mother Miranda. Frances de la Tour also stars.

Three films all offering something different, and all decidedly of adult fare for the week ahead. After your film of choice revisit us all here and share your thoughts - good, bad and ugly!

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-