What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 29th October 2015.

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock, this past week has seen the 30th Anniversary since Marty McFly and Doc Brown went 'Back to the Future' and arrived in the Californian town of Hill Valley on 21st October 2015 from back in 1985. Arriving in 2015, Screenwriter Bob Gale and Director Robert Zemeckis imagined a world for us in 2015 that saw 'Jaws 19' playing at the local multiplex, hover boards had replaced the more manual skateboards, self-lacing Nike's were the latest fashion footwear, Princess Di was now Queen and cars could fly. Not quite the reality that was envisioned although there were future things too that have become commonplace from that movie and some that just might be in the next 30 years. That date, 21/10/15 is now history already, and if you haven't seen those movies you can do so in the newly released 30th Anniversary Trilogy Blu-ray and DVD and the book - 'Back to the Future : The Ultimate Visual History'. Go forward into the past, and check these out!

This week five new movies are coming to an Odeon near you with a raft of talent, a mix of genres, and hailing from near and far. There is a 50's outback revenge drama where the locals are likely to get stitched up, in more ways than one; then an intelligent screwball comedy of a couple of newly acquainted Noo Yawk chicks who paint the two red, live it up, go large, try to launch a restaurant and try to get payment on a debt amongst other things; then an immortal slayer of witches who in the present day needs to save the world from a long time dead revengeful foe. Next up two non-committal folk hook up in a purely platonic relationship to reform each other and in the process fall for each other with romantic comedic consequences . . . maybe; and finally an acclaimed foreign language black comedy of two hapless salesmen reflecting on life, love and our very reason for being.

When you've made your weekly trip to the local cinema, don't forget to share your thoughts afterwards with your own personal critique in the Comments Box directly below this or any other Post. At Odeon Online, we'll be pleased to hear from you. In the meantime, enjoy your movie.

THE DRESSMAKER (Rated M) - This Australian film features drama, revenge and comedy as Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse with the Screenplay written by her too and based on the 2000 released novel of the same name by Rosalie Ham. The film was shot in Melbourne and out & about in country Victoria and is set in the 1950's with influences in the classic Western with Moorhouse describing her film as Clint Eastwood's 'Unforgiven' . . .  with a sewing machine! The film had its world premiere at TIFF on September 14th was screened at the Adelaide Film Festival on 16th October and is released this week. It has an all star cast that reads like a Who's Who of Aussie acting talent.

The story centres around Myrtle 'Tily' Dunnage (Kate Winslet) who after years away returns to her outback home town of Dungatar having worked for a famed seamstress in Paris. He mother Molly (Judy Davis) is sick, hence why Tily has returned home for the fist time since being sent away at age ten by her mother, because of false accusations surrounding a murder.  Now as an expert dressmaker herself Tily delights the locals with her haute couture creations and transforms the townsfolk whilst exacting her revenge on them for their sins of the past. Also starring Liam Hemsworth, Hugo Weaving, Sarah Snook, Rebecca Gibney, Barry Otto, Kerry Fox, Gyton Grantley and Shane Jacobsen.

MISTRESS AMERICA (Rated MA15+) - No, this is not Captain America's bit on the side (although there is a Superhero[ine] angle here) but rather a screwball comedy Directed by Noah Baumbach, Co-Written and Co-Produced by him and Greta Gerwig, and also starring Greta Gerwig too. Here, Tracy (Lola Kirke) is a lonely college freshman in New York's Columbia University struggling to discover the cosmopolitan party lifestyle she imagined, or connect with those who would allow her to experience adventure and the hi-life she envisioned. Soon enough however, she is taken in by Brooke (Greta Gerwig) as her soon to be step-sister and pretty soon the two have hit it off and are getting on like the proverbial house on fire! Greta lives in the heart of NYC in Times Square and is outgoing, adventurous, well networked and hi-spirited and Brooke becomes intoxicated by the life she is now experiencing and which she imagined for herself. Baumbach Directs here with the aplomb that he demonstrated in 'Frances Ha' in 2012, and already Gerwig could be an early Oscar contender here.

THE LAST WITCH HUNTER (Rated M) - With a production budget of US$90M it would be reasonable to assume great things from this epic sword swinging, shotgun shooting witch slaying offering from Director Breck Eisner and starring Vin Diesel in the lead role as 800+ year old Kaulder. Our hero here has been hunting down witches for centuries who walk amongst us, but we just don't know it, and he is the last of kind, so no pressure there to save the known world! He was cursed way back in the 14th Century when he took down the Witch Queen (Julie Engelbrecht) who moments before popping her clogs by his hand cursed him with immortality and an existence out of reach of his loved ones in the afterlife. Accompanied by his friend the 36th Dolan (Michael Caine) who is cursed by an unknown foe, Kaulder must team up with Chloe (Rose Leslie) to help break his curse and to thwart the resurrected Witch Queen who has her own plans for the future of humanity . . . and it ain't good! Elijah Wood also stars as the 37th Dolan . . . whatever that means?

SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE (Rated MA15+) - This RomCom is Directed and Written by Leslye Headland and stars Jason Sudekis as Jake as well mannered good natured ladies man about town who teams up with serial cheater and non-committal Lainey (Alison Brie) who both help each other to reform their no good, failed romantic ways with a purely platonic relationship. Naturally, yes you've guessed it, at the same time they fall for each other, but, can their relationship prosper and survive while they are sleeping with other people? This is a story that there is every chance you have seen a hundred times at least before, and will find predictable to the Nth degree methinks!

A PIGEON SAT ON A BRANCH REFLECTING ON EXISTENCE (Rated M) - this Swedish black comedy film Directed by Roy Andersson is his third in his 'life trilogy' following his 2000 released 'Songs from the Second Floor' and 2007's 'You, The Living' and was released a year ago in September 2014 at the Venice International Film Festival where it picked up the Best Film Award, and in November 2014 in Sweden. It is also Sweden's entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category at next years Oscar Ceremony. The story here surrounds two hapless novelty salesmen Jonathan (Holger Andersson) and Sam (Nils Westblom) as they contemplate the human condition through a series of real and imagined ramblings and wacky episodes that explore what makes us the same and what makes us all so different.

Five very different films once again in the week ahead that are sure to offer something even for the most discerning appetite, except for the younger audience maybe! When you've made you choice, paid your money, finished your popcorn, sat through your film of choice, remember to share your thoughts and tell a friend what you saw at the movies!

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-