What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 10th December 2015.

Last week I gave a quick snapshot of the first Awards Ceremony of AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) as presented on 30th November with its film accolades for those working behind the camera; with the second ceremony to be held on 9th December for those working in front of it. On that evening nine film awards were presented with another six this week, and both events are held at Sydney's Star Casino. In the meantime however, it has been announced that Australia's very own Cate Blanchett is to be the proud and very worthy recipient of the AACTA Longford Lyell Award, which is presented to those who have made a truly outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Australia’s screen environment and culture. This most prestigious award (named after Australian pioneering film-makers Raymond Longford and his partner Lottie Lyell) and the highest honour to be bestowed by AACTA will be presented on Wednesday evening by Hugo Weaving and Richard Roxburgh with personal tributes from Gillian Armstrong, Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford, Ridley Scott and Ron Howard amongst others. For more go to : www.aacta.org

There are slim pickings in movie theatres in the week ahead with only limited new content coming our way, although there are still plenty of offerings out there on general release that has been either Reviewed, Previewed or both in previous Blog Posts on these humble pages. I guess it is the calm before the storm of a certain much hyped eagerly awaited and highly anticipated inter galactic saga that continues the franchise that started almost forty years ago and which has its release in just one week from now, and of course there is a plethora of new films coming our way at Christmas and early in the new year. For those, you'll have to keep reading, but until then, we'll Review what there is this week. And so this week we have just one new film of the high stakes gambling persuasion set amidst the deep southern USofA that is your not your typical gaming & wagering offering.

As usual you are cordially invited to leave a parting comment once you have sat through your movie of choice and formed an opinion of what your have seen up on the big silver screen - good, bad or indifferent, we'd love to hear from you! You can do so below this or any other Post in the Comments section that follows every Post. In the meantime, enjoy your movie.

MISSISSIPPI GRIND (Rated M) - Written and Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, this film had its initial release at the Sundance Film Festival in January this year, and its Stateside release in late September, so it has taken a while to reach our shores Down Under, although it was shown too at the Melbourne International Film Festival in early August this year. Originally Jake Gyllenhaal was linked to the project way back in 2012, but dropped out to be replaced by Ryan Reynolds. And so this story is one of gambling in America's deep south centering around New Orleans and the road trip to get there stopping off at various casino's, racetracks, bars & clubs en route.

Gerry (Ben Mendelsohn) is a down at heel, down on his luck, down in the dumps gambler on a losing streak but still chasing his losses looking for the big win that will reverse his fortunes and set him up. Gerry meets up by chance with Curtis (Ryan Reynolds) a young buck, with luck on his side, a twinkle in his eye, and an easy come easy go outlook on life. Soon Gerry's luck begins to change for the better and so the two team up with Gerry believing he has found his good luck charm in Curtis. They leave Iowa and head to New Orleans where a high stakes poker game promises rich rewards, and whilst en route the two get to know each other, form a bond and uncover what motivates them and what traits underpin their individual characters. If you are expecting 'Casino' or 'The Gambler' you'll be disappointed, this it ain't - more a character study of what drives the gambling psyche. Sienna Miller also stars.

If this film is for you or not, or any of those currently in circulation, share your views with the movie going world here at Odeon Online, and in the meantime, do you bit to keep movies alive.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-