What's new in Odeon's this week : Saturday 26th December 2015.

It is that time of year again when the big jolly guy with the white beard, the big red coat, and the big sleigh comes knocking on your door to wish you all the best for Christmas and compliments of the Festive Season. Hoping that he brings you a swag of movie goodness in your Christmas stocking this year, all I can say to my global audience at Odeon Online is thanks very much for your support and readership over the past twelve month, all the very best to you and yours for a very Happy, Safe and Relaxing Christmas, and I very much look forward to sharing more of the same movie news, Reviews and Previews with you in the year ahead.

In the meantime and for the coming week there is another haul of new movie content to keep us entertained when you are stuffed full of turkey and Christmas Pudding and think there is no end in sight to over eating, over drinking and over doing. Fear not, you can take solace in a movie theatre and catch a couple of autobiographical movies featuring some big name casts guided thoughtfully by a couple of big name Directors; then an English history lesson dating back a hundred or so years with some names of historical repute and a big subject that did much to change the course of history; then a couple of old guys letching it up with the young girls in a mountain resort and remembering what might have been; and a French coming of age story that examines the choices we make and the consequences of those, on those closest to us. After this, we have dad & step-dad battling it out for supremacy in the family unit; and then two animated features to close out holiday week that are likely to please the young and the young at heart.

With such compelling choices in the week ahead, as well as more to choose from already on general release, there is little excuse to get out amongst it at your local Odeon. When you have done so, drop us a line and share your thoughts and observations here in a Comments Box below this or any other Post. Meanwhile, enjoy your film.

JOY (Rated M) - Hot off the closing film in 'The Hunger Games' series, Jennifer Lawrence is here teaming up once more with Writer/Director and Producer David O'Russell in this latest biographical comedy drama offering about the life and times of Long Island single mother of three, struggling would be business woman and inventor of the Miracle Mop Joy Mangano (played by Lawrence). The story traces the life of the divorcee across four generations as she builds her business empire off the back of the Miracle Mop and is confronted with the challenges of life and bringing up three youngsters on her own, her family, her expanding business, those she can trust, those who betray her, those she loves and those she leaves.

An emotional roller coaster of a film Joy grows through the years from her inner strength, her strong will and determination, her imagination and her sense of loyalty, family and love to equip her with the the challenges that will confront her. Also starring familiar stable mate Bradley Cooper, as the Executive at The Home Shopping Network who gives her new invention an airtime boost, Robert De Niro as Joy's father, Edgar Ramirez as Joy's ex-husband, Virginia Madsen as Joy's mother, Diane Ladd as Joy's grandmother, and Isabella Rossellini as Joy's backer and Joy's fathers girlfriend. On the strength of previous collaboration and what we know Lawrence, Cooper and O'Russell are capable off - this has to be up there as one to watch this holiday season.

SUFFRAGETTE (Rated M) - This is a British period piece Directed by Sharon Gavron, that any self respecting school kid studying English Modern History will know all about - this Reviewer included! Set in the very early 20th Century it tells the story of The Suffragette Movement for Women's Suffrage and their fight to win the right to vote and share an equal footing with men, for the first time in the history of the nation. It is a story that changed the course of British History and centres around two real life characters - Emmeline Pankhurst (played by Meryl Streep) who led the Suffragette Movement and rallied women to stand up for their rights and Emily Davison (Natlaie Press) who so believed in her cause that in protest she threw herself under the horse of King George V at the Epsom Derby and died of her wounds. The film also stars Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Marie Duff, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson and Samuel West as fictional characters, although the film is based on fact and traces the years of political struggle, violent protest, personal sacrifice and emotional turmoil suffered by women before the British Government gave way and recognised women's rights in 1928.

YOUTH (Rated MA15+) - Starring Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel, this is an Italian production Written and Directed by Paolo Sorrentino in his second only English language film. Caine plays Fred Ballinger and best mate to Keitel's Mick Boyle who are ageing seventy somethings holidaying in a plush resort in the Swiss Alps and recounting their lives. Fred is an accomplished albeit now retired composer of classical music and Mick is a film maker working with a bunch writers to develop his next screen play. Fred's daughter in turn is married to Mick's son and while reflecting on their lives things go pear shaped as Fred is approached to perform for HRH The Queen & Prince Philip, Mick completes his screenplay but his long standing lead actress turns it down with news that shocks him to the core, the married son & daughter split while holidaying with them too leaving the oldies to pick up the pieces. Reminiscing about love & loss, the past and the future, life and death, commitment and betrayal, and age and youth these age old emotional struggles confront the old boys before giving in to their fate. Already doing very well on the Awards circuit with multiple wins and nominations, this films also stars Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano and Jane Fonda.

THE BELIER FAMILY (Rated M) - A French comedy drama made for US$11M and has already grossed US$69M since its late 2014 French Premier in Paris, this film is Written and Directed by Eric Lartigau and has done well too on the Awards circuit picking up a number of wins and nominations along the way. Part of the Belier family is sixteen year old Paula (Louane Emera) who has become an essential and indispensable part of the household as the interpreter for her deaf parents and brother on a daily as needs basis. Discovering that she has a gift for singing, Paula's music teacher encourages her to take part in an acclaimed singing contest in Paris, with the prospect of fame and fortune if successful through a career path and a college degree.Paula however, is torn between her duty and her love of her family and a sense of doing there might thing by them, and stepping out on her own, taking a risk and making something of, and for herself as she embarks upon adulthood.

DADDY'S HOME (Rated PG) - Directed by Sean Anders this is the second time that Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell have shared screen time - the first being 2010's action comedy offering 'The Other Guys'. This time, Brad Taggart (Ferrell) is a mild mannered radio executive married to Sarah (Linda Cardellini) and is building a nice little family unit with the two children from Sarah's former marriage to Dusty Mayron (Wahlberg). Brad is determined to be the best possible step-dad on the planet and all is going good, until Dusty rocks up back in to town and starts to complicate Brad's plans. Dusty is a cool dude, street smart, the fit & athletic type, a home improvement expert, can turn is hand to just about anything, and is a loveable rogue, a rough diamond. Pretty soon Brad's previous confidence turns to insecurity, self doubt and fear that he might lose what he has. Needing to win back his family and restore his former place, it's on between Brad & Dusty, and may the best man win!

THE GOOD DINOSAUR (Rated PG) - Made for US$200M this is the second Pixar released film this year after 'Inside Out', and was released in the US a month ago after its 10th November World Premier in Paris, since which time it has grossed so far US170M. Aimed squarely at the family market this film is a dino tale that assumes the world was not hit by a meteor 65 million years ago, and that dinosaurs did not become extinct but survive to this present day. And so young Arlo (voiced by Raymond Ochoa) is caught in a fierce storm one day, washed downstream and awakes bruised, battered and bewildered wondering WTF just happened! And so begins and adventure survival story as Arlo seeks to be reunited with his parents Momma Ida (Frances McDormand) and Poppa Henry (Jeffrey Wright) meeting up with various other characters of the dino kind including Butch (Sm Elliott), Ramsey (Anna Paquin), Thunderclap (Steve Zahn) and Spot (Jack Bright) a young human kid that Arlo becomes mates with. Directed by Peter Sohn who also lends his voive talents, this film has been in a troubled disjointed production stage for six years, but is finally here, and seems well worth the wait by all accounts.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS : THE ROAD CHIP (Rated PG) - This is the fourth film in the franchise that launched in late 2007, and off the US$210M budget to make the first three, the world wide grosses have well exceeded US1.1B to date, not counting this instalment. This time Directed by Walt Becker the principle characters from the previous films are all here and have returned again. So this time around it seems that Dave (Jason Lee) is planning to get hitched down in Miami to his girlfriend, causing his good buddies to believe that it will be hasta la vista and thanks for coming afterwards for his loyal friends. Needing to prevent this from happening, the Chipmunks embark on  road trip, with only three days in which to get there and prevent this potential disaster from happening. Also featuring Justin Long, Christina Applegate and Anna Faris, this will be an acquired taste, but on the strength of the previous films in this series, is likely to do well.

As expected for any Christmas and New Year season the movie theatres are full of new content to appeal to all tastes and age groups. If none of these appeal, check out my previous Reviews and Previews for what was recently released and what is still doing the rounds at your local Odeon. In the meantime Merry Christmas!

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-