What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 1st December 2016.

From Werewolves, to Vampires, to Zombies and from blood suckers to flesh eaters and everything in between, we seem to have an insatiable appetite for the genre as evidenced by the hundreds of films that have been made over the years pitching them pesky critters individually against poor unsuspecting humans, against aliens from some galaxy far far far away and against each other in cross over offerings. With the release of this weeks 'Underworld : Blood Wars' I did some digging around in the archives. The first time a Werewolf appeared at the cinema was back in 1913 in a eighteen minute film called aptly 'The Werewolf'. The next offering came along in 1925 in 'Wolf Blood', with 'Werewolf of London' in 1935 representing the first mainstream Hollywood Werewolf movie, and since then as we know the floodgates opened across all undead blood curdling shapeshifting alternatives over the last one hundred years or so. As for the Vampire genre, many believe that the F.W. Murnau Directed and Max Schrek starring 1922 film 'Nosferatu' was the first cab of that rank, although further research would indicate that in fact there were a number (as many as twenty) films featuring Vampires that were produced before 'Nosferatu' going back a decade or so. The 1932 offering 'White Zombie' is accredited by many to be the first feature length Zombie film with Bela Lugosi in the lead role. For this Blogger, my personal favourites across the three genres remain the 1981 classic 'An American Werewolf in London', 'From Dusk till Dawn' from 1996 and '28 Days Later' from 2002 . . . and lets not forget 'The Walking Dead' either!

This week there are seven new films to kick-off your Summer of Cinema (at least if you live in the Southern Hemisphere) beginning with the fifth instalment in this horror action franchise that sees the eternal battle of werewolves and vampires still raging; then we move to a couple of Aussie offerings the first of which is an office based ZomCom and the second a historical biopic of Australia's Most Wanted of close to two hundred years ago. We then move to another historical biopic but of more recent times set in the African world of a high stakes board game; before moving to a psychic mystery serial killer thriller and a French RomCom of a short and a tall and a little and a large couple getting together and overcoming the difference between them. We then wrap up with an animated feature of cutesy multi-coloured dolls that first appeared over fifty years ago and here get their first big screen treatment trying to save their world.

When you have sat through your film of choice over the coming week, remember that we'd love to hear your views and opinions of the film just seen, so leave us a Comment below this or another Post - whether it be for any film Previewed below, or any of those others still out on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed here previously. Meanwhile, enjoy your movie!

'UNDERWORLD : BLOOD WARS' (Rated MA15+) - I must confess that I have not seen any of the 'Underworld' horror action series of films, and this latest instalment 'Blood Wars' marks the fifth film in the franchise. The first film 'Underworld' was released in 2003 based on characters and the Screenplay co-created and co-written by Len Wiseman and Danny McBride. 'Underworld : Evolution' came next in 2006, 'Underworld : Rise of the Lycans' in 2009, 'Underworld : Awakening' in 2012 and now 'Blood Wars'. Len Wiseman Directed the first two films, and cast his then wife, Kate Beckinsale as the principal character Selene, and he has acted as Co-Producer on all films since. Beckinsale has appeared in all films except 'Rise of the Lycans' which as the third instalment is a prequel to the first film. So far the first four films were made for a combined US$177M and grossed collectively close to US$460M. A sixth film is already in development, and Beckinsale is said to reprise her role once more.

And so to this instalment which is Directed by Anna Foerster and sees Death Dealer Selene (Kate Beckinsale) continuing in her struggle against the Lycan clan and the Vampires who betrayed her. With both sides vying for her blood and that of her daughter, so that a Lycan/Vampire hybrid can be created, Selene must work with her only allies David (Theo James) and his father Thomas (Charles Dance) as they attempt to bring an end to the eternal war between Lycans and Vampires, but at what cost ultimately? Also starring Tobias Menzies and Trent Garrett replacing the Scott Speedman character from previous films. The film is not released in the US until early January.

'THE MENKOFF METHOD' (Rated M) - this situational workplace comedy is Directed by David Parker and is set in a Data Processing Centre of a major Australian banking corporation. David Cork (Lachlan Woods) is a daydreaming processing clerk whose real interest lies in the world of Japanese Manga and he secretly draws away his time at work recreating his favoured character, female superhero Foxy Chaos, and imagined scenes. Things take a turn for the worse when the CEO is suddenly dumped and the replacement enlists the wisdom of an HR 'expert' to help drives some efficiencies in the workplace and change the culture. That 'expert' is Russian Max Menkoff (Noah Taylor) and he comes with a groundbreaking 'method' of increasing productivity among the workforce. But, Menkoff comes with some baggage including a background in the KGB, a couple of henchmen, an assassin after his blood, and a secret formula that turns David's fellow colleagues into a horde of mindless zombies. Only David it seems and Ruby Jackson (Jessica Clarke) from Corporate Head Office stand in the way of Menkoff. Described as 'part spy movie, part anime, part office comedy - and all heart'!

'THE LEGEND OF BEN HALL' (Rated M) - this Australian historical drama film tells the true story of notorious Aussie bushranger Ben Hall who lived from 1837 until 1865 and was shot dead at the age of 27 by Police. He carried out many audacious raids across central New South Wales and his death was mired in controversy at the time, even though he was not directly responsible for any deaths himself, although his associates were. His life is one of folklore legend and the subject of many ballads and films. Produced and Directed by Matthew Holmes, and starring Jack Martin as Ben Hall this film tells the story of Hall being on the run for two years and with the long arm of the law closing in, with the only option seeming to be that of surrender. When he is drawn back into the world he knows best by an old friend John Gilbert (Jamie Coffa) and with new gang recruit John Dunn (William Lee) the there men soon become Australia's most wanted, following a series of robberies resulting in the deaths of two Policemen. With an estranged son, an ex-wife, the passing of new Government laws, and being sold out to the authorities by a seemingly trusted friend - the future doesn't look so promising for Ben Hall!

'THE QUEEN OF KATWE' (Rated PG) - this biographical sports drama is Directed by Mira Nair (who has previously brought us 'Mississippi Masala', 'Monsoon Wedding', 'Amelia' and 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist'), and is based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) who grew up in the slums of Katwe on the outskirts of Kampala in Uganda. Raised by her single mother Nakku Harriet (Lupita Nyong'o), the young generally happy Phiona one day wanders into a missionary classroom enticed by the promise of free porridge. There she meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) who teaches soccer and chess. Out of curiosity Phiona approaches the game and soon becomes intrigued and learns the intricacies of chess over time, becoming a top player and winning several local competitions and tournaments. Her newly learned skills puts her on a trajectory to even greater success at the World Chess Olympiad, and with that success comes life changing events in a way that she never thought possible. The film screened at TIFF this year in September before release Stateside later that month. Made for US$15M, it has so for grossed US$10M.

'SOLACE' (Rated MA15+) - this film has been kicking around for a while having been filmed in 2013. Planned as a sequel to David Fincher's highly acclaimed 1995 film 'Se7en' but along the way that notion was scrapped, the story re-written, and here we have 'Solace'. Directed by Brazilian Afonso Poyart the film first Premiered in Turkey way back in April 2015, then was shown at TIFF in September of that same year and was due for release in September of this year. That got pushed back, and the film finally gets it's US release on 16th December, two weeks after it's Australian limited release. Telling the story of a retired psychic doctor John Clancy (Anthony Hopkins) who teams up with FBI Special Agent Joe Merriweather (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) to track down a serial killer Charles Ambrose (Colin Farrell). Clancy however, wants nothing to do with the case having isolated himself from the world after the death of his child two years before, and the collapse of his marriage. He changes his mind after having visions of the untimely and violent demise of Merriweather's partner Special Agent Katherine Cowles (Abbie Cornish). What Clancy doesn't count on though is that Ambrose has more powerful psychic abilities than he does, which gives the killer the upper hand and keeps him well out in front of the doctor. The film has so far taken US$22M.

'UP FOR LOVE' (Rated M) - this French RomCom Is Directed by Laurent Tirard and is a remake of a 2013 Argentinian/Brazilian film titled 'Corazon de Leon'. Here Diane (Virginie Efira) is a successful lawyer who divorced her husband two years before. One day she loses her mobile phone and then receives a call from the guy who found it. That man is Alexandre (Jean Dujardin) - an architect who sounds like the prefect gentleman and a charming witty man. Over the phone the two hit it off and agree to meet up the next day. Diane heads off to her first date with great expectations only to be confronted by a man who is knee high to a grasshopper and whom she towers over. Needless to say love conquers all, and Diana tries to put her prejudices and her pre-conceived notions aside in the name of love, life and finding that perfect partner!

'TROLLS' (Rated G) - this animated feature from Dreamworks is based on the doll with the furry combed up hair originally created in 1959 by Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam that became one of the biggest selling toy fads of the '60's, and subsequently went through various reincarnations in the '70's, '80's and '90's. Now in 2016 they have been given the big screen treatment in this CGI comedy musical Directed by Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn for a budget cost of US$125M that has so far raked in US$275M. Featuring a who's who of voice talent 'Trolls' tells the story of the Troll Village being invaded by the Bergens (large unhappy creatures who can only feel happiness by eating a Troll) and the Village being taken captive. Poppy (voiced by Anna Kendrick) is the happiest Troll ever born to Trolldom who joins forces with Branch (voiced by Justin Timberlake), an over-cautious grumpy Troll. Between them set off on a journey to rescue their Troll families and friends, but along the way must deal with various adventures, challenges and mishaps whilst putting up with one another just long enough to ensure the success of their mission. Also starring Zooey Deschanel, Russell Brand, John Cleese, Gwen Stefani, Christoper Mintz-Plasse, James Corden and Jeffery Tambor.

Well in the week ahead there really is something for everyone from cutesy colourful coiffed characters to zombies, werewolves and vampires to biographical drama to French comedy and psychic serial killers on the lose. With such a choice on offer there is every reason to get out to your local cinema to catch any one or more of these films as Previewed here, or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous weeks. When you have done so, share your cinematic opinions with your like minded fellow readers. In the meantime, I'll see you at the Odeon in the coming week.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-