What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 31st January 2019.

On Saturday evening 19th January the Producers Guild of America (PGA) held their 30th annual Awards ceremony, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California. The official PGA website states that 'The Producers Guild of America is a non-profit trade organisation that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media. The Producers Guild works to protect the careers of producers and improve the producing community at large by facilitating health benefits for members, encouraging the enforcement of workplace labour laws and sustainable practices, creating fair and impartial standards for the awarding of producing credits, and hosting educational opportunities for new and experienced producers alike'. 

These awards like the twenty-nine that have gone before them, honour the best film and television Producers of 2018, and as such in the film categories, the winners and grinners were :-

* The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of a Theatrical Motion Picture : was won by 'GREEN BOOK' - Produced by Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly, and Nick Vallelonga. The other nominations in this category were 'Black Panther', 'BlacKkKlansman', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Crazy Rich Asians', 'The Favourite', 'A Quiet Place', 'Roma', 'A Star Is Born' and 'Vice'.




* The Outstanding Producers of an Animated Theatrical Motion Picture : was won by 'SPIDER-MAN : INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE' - Produced by Avi Arad, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal, and Christina Steinberg. The other nominations in this category were 'Dr, Seuss : The Grinch', 'Incredibles 2', 'Isle of Dogs' and 'Ralph Breaks the Internet'.



* The Outstanding Producers of a Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture : was awarded to 'WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOUR' - Produced by Morgan Neville, Nicholas Ma, and Caryn Capotosto. The other nominations in this category were 'The Dawn Wall', 'Free Solo', 'Hal', 'Into the Okavango', 'RBG' and 'Three Identical Strangers'.





* The Outstanding Producer of a Streamed or Televised Motion Picture : was awarded to 'FAHRENHEIT 451' - Produced by Sarah Green, Ramin Bahrani, Michael B. Jordan, Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen, and David Coatsworth. The other nominations in this category were 'King Lear', 'My Dinner with Herve', 'Paterno' and 'Sense8'.

* The Milestone Award was presented to Toby Emerich. Described as 'the most prestigious honour, recognising an individual or team who has made historic contributions to the entertainment industry'.
* The Stanley Kramer Award was presented to Jane Fonda. Described as being awarded to 'recipients whose work dramatically illustrates provocative social issues'. 
* The Visionary Award was presented to Kenya Barris. Described as being awarded to 'Producers for their unique or uplifting contributions to our culture through inspiring storytelling or performance'. 
* The David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures was presented to Kevin Feige. Described as being awarded in 'recognition of the individual's outstanding body of work in motion pictures'.

This week we bring you four latest release movies coming to an Odeon near you. Kicking off with a biographical telling of a popular political figure of the mid-'80's who had his eyes firmly set on the US Presidency, until a scandal emerges that sees his political aspirations implode. We then turn to a story of a mothers love, support and frustration of her teenage drug addicted son as he checks out of rehab unexpectedly on the eve of Christmas, and the tortuous 24 hours that follows. We then turn to a real life telling of a broken man who sought solace and recognition through a miniaturised world that he could escape into to help him overcome his challenges in the real world. And closing out the week we have a fictionalised yet based on verified facts historical biographical film that may shed some new light on the assassination of India's greatest leader.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the four latest release new movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'THE FRONT RUNNER' (Rated M) - is an American biographical drama film Directed, Co-Produced and Co-Written for the screen by Jason Reitman based on the 2014 Matt Bai book 'All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid'. The film surrounds Gary Hart who is an American Politician, Diplomat, Lawyer and Author and was the front-runner for the 1988 Democratic Presidential nomination, representing the State of Colorado in the US Senate from 1975 through until 1987.

Here Hugh Jackman portrays Gary Hart, the former senator of Colorado, who becomes the front-runner for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1987. Hart's intelligence, charisma and idealism prove popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that however, comes tumbling down when allegations of an extramarital affair with journalist Donna Rice (Sara Paxton) surface in the media and are published by the Miami Herald. Trying to clear his name and his reputation, Hart attempts to address the scandal publicly that threatens to short circuit his campaign and his private life. Also starring Vera Farmiga as Oletha Hart with J.K.Simmons and Alfred Molina. The film Premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in August, was released in the US in early November, has so far taken under US$3M at the Box Office and has received mixed Reviews.

'BEN IS BACK' (Rated M) - Written and Directed by Peter Hedges this American drama film saw its Premier screening at TIFF back in late September, went on release Stateside in early December, cost US$13M to make, has so far grossed US$7M and has received generally positive press. Starring the Writer/Director's son Lucas Hedges as nineteen year old Ben Burns who returns to the family suburban home unexpectedly on Christmas Eve, having spent the last few months in a drug rehabilitation centre. Ben's Mum, Holly (Julia Roberts) is naturally relieved and welcoming but wary of her son's drug addiction, and why he is out of rehab sooner than expected. Over the next turbulent day or so, new truths come to the surface, and a mother's undying love for her child is tested as Holly does everything in her power to keep Ben clean and out of trouble. Also starring Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton.

'WELCOME TO MARWEN' (Rated M) - Directed and Co-Written by Robert Zemeckis, whose esteemed film career takes in such notable credits as the 'Back to the Future' trilogy, 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit', 'Death Becomes Her', 'Forrest Gump', 'Contact', 'Cast Away', 'The Polar Express', 'Beowulf', 'Flight' and 'Allied' more recently, you would think that with such a pedigree, that this film would be a sure fire hit! Not so, unfortunately for Mr. Zemeckis! Made for somewhere approaching US$50M, the film was released in the US just before Christmas and has so far taken about US$13M, has received mixed or average Reviews at best - although the motion capture visuals have received some praise, and has already been written up as a Box Office bomb. That said, the film is based on the more recent and real life of Mark Hogancamp who in April 2000 was attacked outside a bar by five men who beat him nearly to death after he told them he was a cross-dresser. After nine days in a coma and forty days in hospital, Hogancamp was discharged with brain damage that left him with little memory of his previous life. Unable to afford therapy, he created his own memory by building a one-sixth scale World War II-era model Belgian town in his yard and populating it with dolls representing himself, his friends, and even his attackers. By piecing together aspects from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town he calls Marwen, where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation, through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one. Starring Steve Carell as Mark Hogancamp, with Leslie Mann, Diane Kruger, Janelle Monae and Gwendoline Christie.

'THE GANDHI MURDER' (Rated MA15+) - based on verified facts this historical telling of the events that led to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on 30th January 1948, is released to coincide with the 71st anniversary of his death at the hands of the Hindu right-wing nationalist, Nathuram Vinayak Godse. Directed by Karim Traidia and Pankaj Sehgal, this film is based on the changing political landscape around the world immediately after India's independence and partition. It is set in a violent India, against the backdrop of a non-violent Gandhi, and hard-line fanatic mindsets beginning to establish itself in a country divided on the basis of religion. The film charts three senior Police Officers spread far and wide across India, who, well aware of the intelligence that Gandhi's life in under threat, must make key decisions that would eventually either save 'The Father of India' or the country. Starring Om Puri (in one of his last screen roles before his death at the age of 66 in 2017), Stephen Lang, Vinnie Jones and Jesus Sans as Mahatma Gandi.

With four new release films this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere in the week ahead at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

GLASS : Tuesday 22nd January 2019.

'GLASS', which I saw at my local multiplex this week, will doubtless please fans of the 'Unbreakable series' (aka the 'Eastrail 177 Trilogy' following the derailment of the fictitious Eastrail #177 train in the first instalment of this series of now three) of films which launched in 2000 with 'Unbreakable', carried on with 2016's 'Split' and now sees its apparent conclusion with 'Glass'. All three films have been Directed, Written and Co-Produced by M. Night Shyamalan. 'Unbreakable' was made for US$75M and grossed US$248M, while 'Split' was made for just US$9M and grossed US$279M with both films being a critical success too. 'Glass' had a production budget of US$20M, and was released in the US and Australia last week, has so far grossed US$107M and has generated largely mixed or average Reviews. By way of a quick recap however, Samuel L. Jackson's character from 'Unbreakable', Elijah Price is a mass murderer and comic book theorist with Type 1 Brittle Bone Disease and superhuman intelligence. Bruce Willis's character also from 'Unbreakable', David Dunn, is a former college football prodigy turned security guard who possesses superhuman strength, stamina, and invulnerability as well as an extrasensory ability to see the crimes people have committed just by touching them. Dunn is the sole survivor of the Eastrail 177 train journey which killed all 131 other passengers on board, but left him completely unscathed - hence Unbreakable! Dunn turned Price into the authorities after discovering the full extent of his crimes. James McAvoy from 'Split' plays Kevin Wendell Crumb, a former Philadelphia Zoo employee with 23 different personalities whose body chemistry changes with each personality, resulting in a 24th personality known as 'The Beast'.

From 'Unbreakable' Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn and so does Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, aka Mr. Glass. From 'Split' we have James McAvoy, reprising his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the other 23 multiple personalities who reside within him, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive an encounter with 'The Beast' (Kevin's 24th identity). Following the conclusion of 'Split' and about three weeks after that fact, we find David Dunn and his now adult son Joseph (Spencer Treat Clark) working together from the stockroom of David's Security shop to take down criminals whilst also attempting to home in on Kevin Wendell Crumb who has taken four cheerleaders captive somewhere across the city of Philadelphia. Crumb and his numerous persona's now collectively go by the name of 'The Horde', whereas Dunn's exploits have earned him the moniker 'The Overseer' on social media.

One day while out scouring a derelict part of the city, Dunn brushes up against Crumb in his nine year old 'Hedwig' persona, and using his powers of extra sensory perception is able to locate the cheerleaders whereabouts. He frees them, just as Kevin returns in the guise of 'The Beast' and immediately sets upon Dunn. The pair fight, with The Beast surprised at Dunn's strength and resilience. They crash through a window and fall to the ground several storey's below, but are captured by heavily armed Police authorities who escort the pair to the Raven Hill Memorial Psychiatric Hospital for observation and treatment.

Inside the heavily fortified psychiatric hospital, Dunn is placed into a room with powerful showers that will flood his room instantly in the event of an attempted escape, erratic behaviour or anything else that gives cause for concern. This is because Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson) the head Doctor in charge of the facility, knows of Dunn's weakness when he is exposed to water. Similarly, The Horde are placed in a room with movement sensitive lights and cameras that flash on an off in an instant, so causing Crumbs multiple personalities to change with each flash of the high intensity bright lights, so effectively disarming The Beast. Staple's chosen field of medical expertise is in working with patients who claim to have special powers, and be superhuman, and to persuade them otherwise.

In the fullness of time, Staple assembles Elijah Price who has been confined to a wheelchair and remains mute and almost motionless the whole time, and who has been a long term resident of the hospital for some years now, with Crumb and Dunn in a room together. Her aim is to evaluate how the three interact with each other and debunk their theories that they are something special and convince them that are just normal human beings who may possess some kind of special skill but nothing extraordinary that can't be learned by anyone else. She also reveals that she has been given just three days to convince the three that they are normal, and if they can't be convinced then they'll have to suffer the consequences of a very long term stay in her facility under constant observation, scrutiny and treatment.

Meanwhile Joseph, Mrs. Price (Elijah's mother, played by Charlayne Woodard) and Casey Cooke all visit the hospital on separate occasions and meet individually with Staple and try to persuade her that Mrs. Price's son, Joseph's Dad, and Casey's former captor all have merits, are simply misunderstood and have good inside them. Staple is however, unconvinced.

The evaluation awakens something in Elijah, giving him the motivation to make his play. One night when the facility is quiet, the care staff are between shifts and otherwise distracted and security is at a minimum, Elijah breaks into The Hordes room wanting to meet with The Beast. After an introduction and time running out before the next care giver starts his shift, Elijah sets up a meeting for the next night, at which he will also see to it that David Dunn is freed too. Upon leaving the room, Crumb asks Elijah what he should call him, to which Elijah turns in his wheelchair and says 'first name Mister, last name Glass'. 

Staple has however, recently extended her comprehensive network of security cameras across the complex, and Elijah's movements were caught on camera. Knowing that he cannot be trusted, having managed to successfully pull the proverbial wool of everyone's eyes for so long, Staple announces to Elijah, (back in his catatonic state) that they are bringing forward to the next day surgery on him to render his alleged superhuman thinking redundant.

The next day, post surgery, Elijah slashes the throat of one of his care givers with a shard of glass taken from a picture hanging in his room. It is also revealed in flashback that Elijah sabotaged the laser device (used in his surgery) the previous evening by removing the lens rendering its power useless. He visits The Horde with the notion of awakening The Beast, with a plan to pitch The Beast against David Dunn in a grand showdown in full view of the media at the grand opening of the city's tallest skyscraper later that same day. Elijah taunts Dunn with his plan, saying that if he doesn't comply he'll destroy the tower and all those inside it. Consequently, Dunn breaks the reinforced steel door down with his third shoulder barge attempt, knocking it clean off its hinges.

Meanwhile, Mr. Glass and Kevin Wendell Crumb are making it out of the hospital using a network of basement tunnels. They are intercepted by several guards, who are quickly dispensed with by The Beast, while Mr. Glass continues to wheel himself out into the open, to be joined by The Beast when his work is done with the guards.

Outside in the hospital grounds, The Beast and David Dunn face off and are pretty evenly matched - The Beast's raw unfettered aggression against anyone and everyone pitched against Dunn's considered unbreakable brute strength and resilience and his unwavering desire to protect those at risk and ultimately use his skills for good.

Staple has by now arrived, as have Mrs. Price, Joseph and Casey Cooke. Armed Police arrive in riot gear. She orders four armed men to fend off The Beast and Dunn but they are no match for the duelling pair and are quickly subdued. Looking on from his wheelchair, Mr. Glass tells The Beast that water is Dunn's weakness, but Joseph comes between them and reveals to The Beast that Elijah orchestrated the train crash that killed Kevin's father, the same train crash from which Elijah came to meet up with Dunn.

In a seemingly moment of clarity, The Beast thanks Mr. Glass for creating him, but also tells him that his purpose was to protect Kevin and therefore he cannot trust Mr. Glass. The Beast breaks Glass' shoulder and punches him severely in the stomach causing him to topple off his wheelchair onto the hard road surface breaking further bones in his brittle body. The Beast then throws Dunn into a water tank and jumps in after him holding him beneath the surface. Despite the effects of the water, Dunn is able to break through the walls of the tank causing a torrent of water to flood the grounds in the immediate vicinity and wash them both out. Dunn survives but has been weakened by his drenching. As The Beast retreats having taunted Dunn to finish off their duel at the new skyscraper, Casey confronts him and coerces Kevin to take control of his body so returning to his normal human state and taking control away from The Beast.

Staple's men then fire on Kevin while he is weak with a single laser pointed gun shot to the stomach. Three others then set upon a now weakened Dunn and begin to drown him in a flooded pothole. Staple lets Dunn touch her as he is drowned, giving him a vision of her participation in a secret society trying to keep the existence of superhumans a secret. Mr. Glass dies of his multiple bone fractures looked over by his weeping mother. Kevin dies of his gunshot wound in the arms of Casey, and Joseph arrives after Dunn was drowned, and is distraught by the death of his superhuman father whom he idolised. Staple promptly wipes clean all the footage from the one hundred or so internal and external security cameras so destroying any and all evidence of superhuman behaviours and what went down earlier that day. She also reports that her mission had been a complete success.

However, what is unknown to Staple, is that all the cameras around the psychiatric hospital had been hacked by Mr. Glass earlier in the day and had been live-streaming that coverage to a private network. Subsequently, Mrs. Price, Joseph, and Casey all receive a copy of the footage. They choose to release that footage to the public at large, and sitting together on a bench in a busy train station, they watch people increasingly accessing their mobile devices to watch the footage so creating an awareness of the existence of superhumans, and before you know it, it makes the primetime television news channels too.

I enjoyed 'Glass' but not nearly a much as I would have hoped. The film meanders in the mid-section, regurgitates old tropes that we have seen before, short delivers on the action and suspense spectacle and the ending is something and nothing and lacks the punch of a grand finale to a trilogy that up until the final few frames of 'Split' nobody saw coming. McAvoy gives a fine turn once again flexing his multi-personality The Horde by switching from one persona to another without missing a beat. This is his film, and it is richer for his performance. As for Jackson - well he really does diddly squat for the first half except stare blankly at the screen in a near comatose state save for the occasional facial twitch; and Willis is the stoic, expressionless die hard character that he has played in a hundred movies. Paulson just keeps on repeating herself, and Taylor-Joy is also underplayed when her back story could have been explored more. There are a few twists and turns in the film, and any levity comes from McAvoy's rapid fire ever changing character voices, mannerisms, quirks and traits which he nails every time. And as for the trademark Shyamalan surprise at the end, well don't hold your breath this time, because when it does eventuate, its not up to the standard of some of his more noteworthy offerings. All that said, I would describe this glass as half full, rather than half empty.

As such, 'Glass' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a potential five.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 24th January 2019.

As awards season ramps up, the 24th annual 'Critics Choice Awards' were held on Sunday 13th January 2019 at the Barker Hanger at the Santa Monica Airport, California. Honouring the finest achievement in 2018 film making, the ceremony was Hosted by American Actor and Singer Taye Diggs. And so the Critics have spoken, voiced their opinion, and selected their picks of the top films that graced our screens in 2018. Here, are the list of the main winners and grinners that took out the awards.

* Best Picture : won by 'ROMA' beating out 'Black Panther', 'BlacKkKlansman', 'The Favourite', 'First Man', 'Green Book', 'If Beale Street Could Talk', 'Mary Poppins Returns', 'A Star Is Born' and 'Vice'.
* Best Foreign Language Film : won by 'ROMA' beating out 'Burning' (South Korea), 'Capernaum' (Lebanon), 'Cold War' (Poland), and 'Shoplifters' (Japan).
* Best Action Movie : won by 'MISSION : IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT', beating out 'Avengers : Infinity War', 'Black Panther', 'Deadpool 2', 'Ready Player One' and 'Widows'.
* Best SciFi or Horror Movie : won by 'A QUIET PLACE', beating out 'Annihilation', 'Halloween', 'Hereditary' and 'Suspiria'.
* Best Comedy : won by 'CRAZY RICH ASAINS' beating out 'Deadpool 2', 'The Death of Stalin', 'The Favourite', 'Game Night' and 'Sorry to Bother You'.
* Best Animated Feature : won by 'SPIDER-MAN : INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE', beating out 'The Grinch', 'Incredibles 2', 'Isle of Dogs', 'Mirai' and 'Ralph Breaks the Internet'.
* Best Director : won by Alfonso Cuaron for 'ROMA' beating out Damien Chazelle for 'First Man', Bradley Cooper for 'A Star Is Born', Peter Farrelly for 'Green Book', Yorgos Lanthimos for 'The Favourite', Spike Lee for 'BlacKkKlansman' and Adam McKay for 'Vice'.
* Best Actor : won by Christian Bale for 'VICE' beating out Bradley Cooper for 'A Star Is Born', Willem Dafoe for 'At Eternity's Gate', Ryan Gosling for 'First Man', Ethan Hawke for 'First Reformed', Rami Malek for 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and Viggo Mortensen for 'Green Book'. 
* Best Actress : won by Glenn Close for 'THE WIFE', and Lady Gaga for 'A STAR IS BORN' in a tie, beating out Yalitza Aparicio for 'Roma', Emily Blunt for 'Mary Poppins Returns', Toni Collette for 'Hereditary', Olivia Colman for 'The Favourite' and Melissa McCarthy for 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'

* Best Supporting Actor : won by Mahershala Ali for 'GREEN BOOK', beating out Timothée Chalamet for 'Beautiful Boy', Adam Driver for 'BlacKkKlansman', Sam Elliott for 'A Star Is Born', Richard E. Grant for 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?' and Michael B. Jordan for 'Black Panther'.

* Best Supporting Actress : won by Regina King for 'IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK', beating out Amy Adams for 'Vice', Claire Foy for 'First Man', Nicole Kidman for 'Boy Erased', Emma Stone for 'The Favourite' and Rachel Weisz for 'The Favourite'.

* Best Actor in a Comedy : won by Christian Bale for 'VICE', beating out Jason Bateman for 'Game Night', Viggo Mortensen for 'Green Book', John C. Reilly for 'Stan & Ollie', Ryan Reynolds for 'Deadpool 2' and Lakeith Stanfield for 'Sorry to Bother You'.

* Best Actress in a Comedy : won by Olivia Colman for 'THE FAVOURITE', beating out Emily Blunt for 'Mary Poppins Returns', Elsie Fisher for 'Eighth Grade', Rachel McAdams for 'Game Night', Charlize Theron for 'Tully' and Constance Wu for 'Crazy Rich Asians'.

* Best Original Screenplay : won by Paul Schrader for 'FIRST REFORMED',

* Best Adapted Screenplay : won by Barry Jenkins for 'IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK'.

* Best Cinematography : won by Alfonso Cuaron for 'ROMA'.

* Best Visual Effects : won by 'BLACK PANTHER' beating out 'Avengers : Infinity War', 'First Man', 'Mary Poppins Returns', 'Mission : Impossible – Fallout' and 'Ready Player One'.

 * Best Song : won for 'Shallow' from 'A STAR IS BORN'.

This week there are just three new release movies coming to your local Odeon. The first is an already highly acclaimed semi-biographical comedy drama offering recounting a road trip back in 1962 involving an Italian decent driver and his Client - a world class Jamaican decent jazz pianist as they tour America's deep south with all the prejudices, and cultural and racial intolerances that existed back in the day, and how this unlikely pairing forged a bond because of it. We then turn to a true story of an octogenarian drug courier who began transporting across US state lines for a Mexican drug cartel in order to make ends meet at home, and he got away with it - for a while. And we wrap up the week with a doco about a record breaking free climb ascent of a Yosemite Park sheer rock face that is not for those suffering from vertigo.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the three latest release new movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'GREEN BOOK' (Rated M) - this highly acclaimed comedy drama offering is Directed, Co-Produced and Co-Written for the screen by Peter Farrelly. The film had its World Premiere showing at the Toronto International Film Festival in September last year, where it won the People's Choice Award, and was released in the US in mid-November. It has received positive Reviews and was selected by the National Board of Review as the best film of 2018, as well as one of the Top 10 by the American Film Institute, and, has so far won 43 awards and a further 83 nominations from around the awards and festival circuit, including five Oscar nods and four BAFTA nods. For some historical context, the film is named after 'The Negro Motorist Green Book', that was published from 1936 through to 1966 and was a guidebook for African-American road trippers written by Victor Hugo Green, to help them find motels and restaurants that would accept them in an age when in America's deep south especially, open and often legally prescribed discrimination against non-whites was widespread. The film has garnered generally positive Reviews and has grossed US$46M from its US$23M production budget so far.

Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) is a world-class Jamaican-American jazz pianist and composer, who is about to embark on an eight week concert tour in America's Deep South in 1962, with a plan to return home by Christmas Eve. In need of a driver and protection, Shirley recruits Frank 'Tony Lip' Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), a tough-talking bouncer from an Italian-American neighbourhood in the Bronx. Despite their cultural and racial differences, the two men soon develop an unexpected bond while confronting racism and danger in an era of segregation. The film was also scripted by Vallelonga's son, Nick Vallelonga, based on interviews with his father and Shirley, as well as letters his father wrote to his mother during the period of that 1962 tour. Also starring Linda Cardellini.

'THE MULE' (Rated M) - Clint Eastwood here Directs, Co-Produces and stars in this American crime drama film based on the New York Times article 'The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule' written by Sam Dolnick. That article tells the true story of Leo Sharp, a World War II veteran in his twilight years who became a drug courier for the Sinaloa Cartel. The film was released in the US in mid-December, cost US$50M to make, has so far grossed US$102M and has garnered generally mixed or average Reviews. That said, broke, alone and facing foreclosure on his business, 90-year-old WWII veteran and world renowned horticulturist Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood playing the real Leo Sharp) takes a job as a drug courier for the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel running cocaine through Illinois. His immediate success (for he faces little suspicion due to his age, race, spotless criminal history and strict adherence to the rules of the road) leads to easy money and increasingly larger shipments that soon draws the attention of hard-hitting DEA agent Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper). When Earl's past mistakes start to weigh heavily on his conscience, he must decide whether to right those wrongs before law enforcement and the Cartel henchmen catch up to him. Also starring Michael Pena, Andy Garcia, Laurence Fishburne, Diane Weist, Alison Eastwood and Taissa Farmiga.

'FREE SOLO' (Rated M) - this highly acclaimed multi-award winning American National Geographic documentary film is Directed and Co-Produced by Documentarian Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and professional climber, mountaineer, skier, Director and photographer Jimmy Chin who also stars and was also one of three Cinematographers on this film. 'Free Solo' saw it Premier screening at the Telluride Film Festival back in late August, went on a limited release in the US in late September and has so far taken US$15M at the Box Office. The film profiles 31 year old American rock climber Alex Honnold, on his quest to perform a free solo climb of El Capitan in June 2017. Free Solo climbing is a form of free climbing and solo climbing where the climber (or free soloist) performs alone and without using any ropes, harnesses or other protective equipment, relying entirely on his or her ability instead. El Capitan is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, located on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western end. The granite monolith is about 3,000 feet from base to summit along its tallest face. Alex Honnold was the first free solo ascent on El Capitan on June 3, 2017 in a time of three hours and 56 minutes - this is his story of that climb.

With three new release films this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere in the week ahead at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

A STAR IS BORN : Tuesday 15th January 2019.

After three months of being on general release and still showing at selected cinemas across Sydney, I finally saw 'A STAR IS BORN' earlier this week. This much hyped musical romantic drama film is Directed by first timer Bradley Cooper who also Co-Produced, Co-Wrote and stars alongside Lady Gaga in her big screen debut. This is the fourth version of the original 1937 film production of the same name and starred Janet Gaynor and Frederic March, with remakes coming in 1954 by Director George Cukor with Judy Garland and James Mason in the lead roles, and then again in 1976 Directed by Frank Pierson and starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. The 1976 version of the film made US$80M from its US$6M Production Budget and won one Oscar and was nominated for three others, collected five Golden Globe wins and two BAFTA nominations amongst others. This film Premiered at the Venice Film Festival in late August, went on general release in the US in early October, cost US$36M, and has received widespread Critical acclaim with particular praise for Cooper's and Gaga's performances and the chemistry between the pairing, the cinematography, the musical score and Cooper's Direction. Box Office receipts currently stand at US$406M, and to date the film has picked up 42 award wins and further 154 nominations including four Golden Globe nods and a win for Best Original Song with 'Shallow', as sung by Lady Gaga; and eight still outstanding BAFTA nominations; five AACTA International nominations; and four also outstanding SAG Award nods too.

Here seasoned and successful country music singer and songwriter Jackson 'Jack' Maine (Bradley Cooper) opens the show with a stirring live concert gig in front of a capacity crowd strumming his guitar and belting out a tune. He has the audience eating out of his hand. After the show, Jack is bundled into the back of a car and instantly takes a big swig from a bottle of whiskey. It is night-time and he orders his driver to find a bar somewhere, anywhere.

Jack randomly tells his driver to hang a right at an intersection, and stumbles across a bar, where the doorman instantly recognises him and permits him entry like he is royalty. As it turns out it's a drag bar, it's a Friday night, and selected drag queens are belting out tunes on the stage. Then on to the stage comes Ally (Lady Gaga), a waitress and the only 'real' female singer allowed to preform at this drag bar, because she has talent and has a following. She belts out 'La Vie en Rose' and Jack is amazed at this woman's talent.

Backstage, Jack introduces himself to a coy Ally, and then asks her if he can buy her a drink. After she has stripped off her make up and showered, she emerges. They drink, and then both get into the car where their driver takes them to an all nights store. The sit on the pavement outside until sun rises, sharing stories. Ally speaks of her frustration with being overlooked musically by the male dominated industry Exec's who tell her she has a great voice, but a face made for radio, and she'll never make in the industry with a nose the like of which she possesses.

The couple clearly share a chemistry and hit it off. The next morning the Driver drops Ally off at her home where she lives with her father, Lorenzo Campana (Andrew Dice Clay), who owns a fleet of hire cars and had been entertaining his Italian buddies the night before, so the kitchen looks like a train wreck. Before Jack bids Ally farewell, he invites her to his next gig, which she laughs off stating that she needs to work.

Later that day Jack's driver turns up at Ally's place saying that he is waiting to take her to the concert. She refuses. She goes into work and is berated by her boss for being late again. She quits on the spot, and goes outside to the waiting driver who has followed her to her place of work. She is whisked off to the airport where she boards a private jet that takes her to Jack's concert where she is given a pass to view the gig from the side of the stage.

Whilst on stage, and at the end of his set, Jack invites Ally to join him on stage and sing a song that she had partially sung for him the night before, and for which he has quickly written a musical arrangement. At first very reluctant, she soon enough teases herself on to the stage and sings. She's an instant success and is applauded by the audience. After this initial burst of success, they become romantically involved and Jack invites Ally to tour with him through his home State of Arizona.

Whilst in Arizona,  Jack takes Ally to visit the ranch where Jack grew up and where his father is buried, only to discover that Bobby (Sam Elliott), Jack's older brother and Manager, sold the land for oil exploration. Seething with anger over his betrayal, Jack punches Bobby, who instantly quits as his Manager, but not before Bobby tells Jack that in fact he did inform him about the sale, but that he was too drunk to take any notice.

While on tour and with Ally's popularity and success on the incline, she meet with Rez Gavron (Rafi Gavron) a Music Promoter. He tells her as she is coming off stage that the world is her oyster and he can give her anything she wants. She has all the ingredients to become a huge success. Jack is slightly put out by Ally's sudden rush of attention although outwardly appears supportive and encouraging. Rez however, tries to steer Ally in a different direction musically and with her image too - more towards main stream pop, rather than country style that she had been singing recently with Jackson.

Jack misses one of Ally's shows after he passes out drunk in public and comes around in the garden of his close friend and retired musician George 'Noodles' Stone (Dave Chapelle). He is invited in and crashes out in bed, only to be stirred by Ally later in the day. Over a meal, Jack proposes to Ally with a makeshift engagement ring made out of twisted guitar string. Noodles suggests that they should get married straight away on the spur of the moment, and so they marry later in the day in a Chapel owned by a good friend of Noodles and Jack.

Later Ally performs on 'Saturday Night Live' hosted by Alec Baldwin, at which Bobby is in attendance. The pair make good on their previous altercation, and Jack asks his older brother to return as his Manager, at which Bobby responds that he needs to see the year out with another artist he has since committed to, but the pair are on good terms once again. Shortly after it is announced by Rez, that Ally has been nominated for three Grammy Awards including Best New Artist. That same night, Jack berates Ally for her new image and the style of music she is now performing. Jack is drunk once again, and the pair argue. Sometime later, at the Grammy Awards ceremony, Jack rocks up to sit beside Ally during her proudest moment. He is once again visibly drunk. Ally is announced as Best New Artist, and she walks up on stage to collect her Award. An intoxicated Jack follows her and can barely make the stairs. In front of a room filled with the Who's Who of the music industry, Jack embarrasses himself, and his wife, and collapses on stage unconscious. Soon after this event, Jack checks himself into AA and a period of three months of rehabilitation in a specialist Clinic.

Jack has been in rehab for about two months and seemingly is making solid progress. He admits to his counsellor that when he was just thirteen years of age he tried to hang himself, but his attempt failed miserably. He also indicates that he has tinnitus, which has been getting worse in recent years and whilst a specialist has offered treatment, he has largely ignored it for fear of it interrupting his music and disconnecting him from his audience. At about the same time, Ally pays a visit. He tearfully apologises to her for his behaviour, the things he said and for embarrassing her so at the Grammy's. Ally is sympathetic and forgives him unconditionally. He returns home later on with Ally.

Subsequently in conversation with Rez, Ally states that she wants Jack to perform with her on the European leg of her tour. Rez, is both surprised and shocked and blankly refuses saying that he can't be trusted and he will be too much of a (bad) distraction. In retaliation for his immediate and forthright response Ally cancels the remainder of the tour so she can take care of Jack. Later on with Ally out of the house, Rez pays Jack a visit. Jack is welcoming and friendly towards Rez and thanks him for looking out for Ally while he was away. Rez responds and comes straight to the point. He says that he is dragging Ally down, holding her back and his actions speak louder than words and that he's washed up, nobody cares and that he should let her go - it would be best for the both of them. This cuts through Jack like a knife, as a result of which he takes his own life at home on a night that Ally is performing a live gig. Ally takes a song that Jack had written but never performed other than to her in the confines of their own home, and sings it at a tribute concert, after introducing herself as Ally Maine.

Well what a revelation - an Actor who can sing, and a Singer who can act. Two outstanding performances both musically and for their acting chemistry that is clearly evident on screen. Bradley Cooper here shines as the fractured and tortured Country Singer, and Lady Gaga reveals her screen prowess as a dramatic actress who can also belt out a tune as a wannabe singer on the world stage. The pair give authentic, believable performances aided and abetted by a strong support cast all wrapped up in Cooper 's deft touch as first time Director. 'A Star Is Born' is the complete package - a solid story updated and remade for the present day, stirring performances, memorable soundtrack and key messages that include alcoholism, drug abuse, suicide, the perils of fame, and the power of forgiveness, all interwoven into a tragic love story. If I had to pick fault, it would be in Ally's Manager Rez who is predictably depicted as a cookie cutter overbearing and demanding type, and further, how Ally seems to hang on his every word and abandons her musical style that Jackson fell in love with for mainstream pop super stardom. Nonetheless, if you can still catch it on the big screen, I recommend that you do, otherwise its out pretty soon for you to watch in the comfort of your home or your mobile device of choice. 

'A Star Is Born' warrants five claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a potential five.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-