THE LITTLE THINGS : Tuesday 23rd February 2021.

'THE LITTLE THINGS' which I saw at my local independent movie theatre earlier this week is an M Rated American crime thriller Directed, Written and Co-Produced by John Lee Hancock who previous film making outings include 'The Rookie', 'The Alamo', 'The Blind Side', 'Saving Mr. Banks', 'The Founder' and 'The Highwaymen'. The first draft was written by Hancock in 1993 for Steven Spielberg to Direct, but he passed up the project before Clint Eastwood, Warren Beatty, and Danny DeVito who were also separately attached to Direct before Hancock decided to take the helm of his own screenplay. The film cost US$30M to make, has so far generated mixed or average Reviews and has recouped US$21M of that initial budget investment since its release Stateside at the end of January, as well as a month-long simultaneous release on the HBO Max streaming service.

Sometime in 1990 a young woman is driving down a deserted highway at night, with the radio blasting. There is nothing in front of her or behind her. Then a set of headlights appear in the distance behind her that quickly catches-up with her own vehicle. She is panicked as the driver of the vehicle pulls up beside her and drives menacingly along side her for a moment or two, before speeding off into the distance. Further down the road she passes the same vehicle parked up. She accelerates past the stationery car in an attempt to put as much distance between her and it as she can. She pulls up a roadside service station, hurriedly jumps out of the car leaving the car door wide open, the engine running and the radio blasting away. She frantically knocks on the door and windows but the place is firmly locked up and there is no one in attendance. The other vehicle that was seemingly stalking her, pulls up, and out gets a man who rummages through the boot of his car retrieving a roll of gaffa tape and a bag of various implements and gives chase. She is forced to run through the desert scrubland attempting to escape and eventually grabs the attention of a passing truck driver, so evading her pursuer.

Later in Bakersfield, Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe 'Deke' Deacon (Denzel Washington) is ordered by his Captain, Henry Davis (Glenn Morshower) to visit the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to collect evidence pertaining to a recent murder. He is initially reluctant, but is ordered to do so. Deacon, a former L.A. Sheriff's Detective, joins recently appointed lead Detective Jimmy Baxter (Rami Malek) to the scene of a new murder in L.A. At the crime scene, Deacon observes certain similarities between the methods used in this killing with those used in an old serial murder case he was unable to solve some five years prior. In the meantime, Baxter has learned from the precinct's Captain, Carl Farris (Terry Kinney), that due to Deacon's obsession with the unsolved case, this resulted in him getting divorced and suffering a massive heart attack, after which he relocated to Kern County and took a Deputy's job. Baxter is advised not to involve him any further, but Deacon takes vacation leave to assist in solving his case.

A few nights later, a woman, named Ronda Rathbun (Maya Kazan), is followed by a car while jogging and is reported missing the next morning. The following night, the Police discover the body of another victim washed up under a bridge. She has been dead in the water for some days and the body is identified as not being that of Ronda Rathbun. Baxter learns from Deacon that the method used in the killing is consistent with the earlier murder of a few days prior and previous killings of five years ago in as much that the victims were all prostitutes stabbed to death repeatedly, with white plastic bags placed over their heads. Deacon begins investigating Albert Sparma (Jared Leto), a suspect working at a repair store in proximity to the murders. Deacon tails Sparma up and down the freeway in a game of cat and mouse but is thwarted, so he brings Sparma in for questioning. Sparma taunts the detectives while being questioned, and is released after provoking Deacon into a fit of rage. 

Because the search for a multiple killer has flagged no reliable leads, the FBI is called in to take charge of the investigation at the start of the following week, giving Deacon and Baxter just two days to conduct further investigations unhindered. Farris advises Baxter that eight years earlier, Sparma confessed to a murder which he couldn't have committed since he was ten miles away from it at the time. Additionally, he's obsessed with crime and is therefore an unreliable suspect. Baxter calls Sparma and extends an olive branch for Deacon's behaviour earlier that day, by offering an invitation to meet at a bar for a drink as a peace offering. As Sparma leaves his apartment for the bar, Deacon enters Sparma’s apartment and conducts an illegal search, with Baxter keeping watch from the car parked outside. As Deacon searches the apartment, a Police radio goes off and he escapes from Sparma’s home after Sparma called in an 'officer down' at his apartment. Police arrive and Deacon escapes by climbing onto the roof, while Baxter observes Sparma watching the ordeal unfold. 

After an unsuccessful search of Sparma's apartment the two detectives tail Sparma to a strip club and back home again the following night. When Deacon leaves the car to get some refreshments from a convenience store down the road, Baxter corners Sparma alone and demands to know Rathbun's location. Sparma relents and offers to drive him to where he supposedly hid Rathbun's body, and Baxter cautiously agrees while Deacon trails them.

Sparma drives Baxter to a remote area out in the desert and well off the highway, and has him dig up a number of holes before admitting that he never killed anyone. Baxter is not convinced, and continues to dig away in the dark of night. Sparma begins to taunt him, until Baxter snaps and strikes him swiftly on the head with a shovel, killing him outright instantly. As Deacon arrives, a flashback reveals that he accidentally shot one of the survivors of his last unsolved murder case, and that Farris and Flo Dunigan (Charlene Hyatt), the Coroner, helped cover it up. Deacon instructs Baxter to bury Sparma in the desert and then drives off telling him that he'll return in a few hours. Deacon spends the rest of the night collecting everything in Sparma's apartment, bagging it up and then returns to the desert the following morning to find that Baxter has not yet buried Sparma and is still searching for Rathbun. Baxter is desperate to believe Sparma is the killer, hoping it will clear his conscience and close the case. After burying Sparma and filling back in all the holes dug by Baxter, Deacon advises him to forget about the case or it will haunt him for life.

Later, at his home, having taken two weeks of leave and after the FBI have taken on the case, Baxter receives an envelope sent by Deacon, containing a red hair clip like the one Ronda Rathbun was wearing when she was abducted. Back in Kern County, Deacon burns everything he collected in Sparma's apartment, together with a brand new four-pack of hair clips that is missing a red one.

'The Little Things' as Deacon comments to Baxter are what's important, and 'its the little things that get you caught' in this by the numbers, procedural serial killer thriller. This is fairly predictable fare that we have seen done hundreds of times before, and especially during the late '80's and '90's when this film is set and the first draft of this movie was in fact written, and it shows in the all too familiar story line, the plot twists and turns and the world weary (male) cops battling their own inner demons while chasing down a serial killer of helpless and hapless females. Denzel Washington carries the weight of this film firmly on his shoulders once again, while Remi Malek looks dazed and confused in the presence of the two time Oscar winner, and Jared Leto who appears half way through the film is never out of his grey work handyman uniform even when he visits the strip joint, or late at night, or early in the morning or when he is hauled into the cop shop for questioning. Surely he must own a pair of jeans and a T-shirt at least! After a promising first act, the film meanders in the second and falls flat with an underwhelming ending that hurries to get to the finish line and tie all the loose ends together. Credit though to John Lee Hancock for getting three Academy Award winning Actors together on the big screen, and for helming a film that has the look and feel of it having been made in the '90's, as dated as this may seem, and perhaps that was his rationale. For his performance, Leto received Best Supporting Actor nominations at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards . . . although I must say, I can't think why!

'The Little Things' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a potential five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 25th February 2021.

The 23rd British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) 2020 were held on Thursday 18th February 2021 to recognise the best in British innovative and creative independent cinema and filmmaking talent from the United Kingdom. Each year, the BIFA voters view the 300+ entered films. After a rigorous discussion-based selection process the long list and nominations are decided by confidential vote. The winners in most categories are decided by independent juries, newly appointed each year and not involved in the nominations process. These juries, comprised of leading professionals and talent from the British film industry, meet to discuss the nominated films and the winners are decided by secret ballot. This years awards were hosted by Actor Tom Felton.

This years winners and grinners, are as given below :-

Best British Independent Film

* Awarded to 'ROCKS', Directed by Sarah Gavron, beating out 'Calm with Horses', 'His House', 'Saint Maud' and 'The Father'.

Best International Independent Film

* Awarded to 'NOMADLAND', Directed by Chloe Zhao, beating out 'Babyteeth', 'Les Miserables', 'Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always' and 'Notturno'. 

Best Documentary

* Awarded to 'THE REASON I JUMP', Directed by Jerry Rothwell, beating out 'The Australian Dream', 'Being a Human', 'Rising Phoenix' and 'White Riot'.

The Discovery Award

* Awarded to 'PERFECT 10', Directed by Eva Riley, beating out 'Justine', 'Looted', 'One Man and His Shoes' and 'Rose : A Love Story'.

Best Director

* Awarded to Remi Weekes for 'HIS HOUSE'.

The Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Director

* Awarded to Rose Glass for 'SAINT MAUD'.

Best Actor

* Awarded to Anthony Hopkins for 'THE FATHER'.

Best Actress

* Awarded to Wunmi Mosaku for 'HIS HOUSE'.

Best Supporting Actor

* Awarded to D’angelou Osei Kissiedu for 'ROCKS'

Best Supporting Actress

* Awarded to Kosar Ali for 'ROCKS'.

Most Promising Newcomer

* Awarded to Kosar Ali for 'ROCKS'.

Breakthrough Producer

* Awarded to Irene Gurtubai for 'LIMBO'.

Best Screenplay

* Awarded to Florian Zeller and Christopher Hampton for 'THE FATHER'.

Best Debut Screenwriter

* Awarded to Riz Ahmed for 'MOGUL MOWGLI'.

Best Cinematography

* Awarded to Ben Fordesman for 'SAINT MAUD'.

Best Editing

* Awarded to Yorgos Lamprimos for 'THE FATHER'.

Best Casting

* Awarded to Lucy Pardee for 'ROCKS'.

Best Costume Design

* Awarded to Charlotte Walter for 'MISBEHAVIOUR'.

Best Make-Up and Hair Design

* Awarded to Jill Sweeney for 'MISBEHAVIOUR'.

Best Effects

* Awarded to Pedro Sabrosa and Stefano Pepin for 'HIS HOUSE'.

Best Production Design

* Awarded to Jacqueline Abrahams for 'HIS HOUSE'.

Best Music

* Awarded to Paul Corley for 'MOGUL MOWGLI'.

Best Sound

* Awarded to Nick Ryan, Ben Baird and Sara de Oliveira Lima for 'THE REASON I JUMP'.

For the full low-down on all the awards recipients, the nominees and a whole lot more about the British Independent Film Awards, you can visit the official website at : https://www.bifa.film/

This week we have five latest release new films coming to an Odeon near you, kicking off with a story about a terminally ill wife and mother who arranges to bring her family together for one last time before she dies. Next up is a Sci-Fi action thriller about a retired military operative who finds himself in a never-ending time loop on the day of his death, and this is followed up with the story of two unnamed men who were crucified alongside Jesus. And closing out the week we have two biographical documentaries from the music scene - the first sees legendary drummer, Mick Fleetwood enlist an all-star cast for a one-of-a-kind concert honouring the early years of Fleetwood Mac and its founder, Peter Green, which was held on 25th February 2020 at the London, Palladium; and the second concerns teenage singer-songwriter Billie Eilish rise to stardom as she navigates life on the road, on stage, and at home with her family.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five latest release new movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or 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.

'BLACKBIRD' (Rated M) - is an American drama film Directed by Roger Michell whose previous film making outings include 'Notting Hill' in 1999, 'Changing Lanes' in 2002, 'Morning Glory' in 2010, 'Hyde Park on Hudson' in 2012, 'My Cousin Rachel' in 2017, the documentary 'Tea with the Dames' in 2018, then this film in 2019, 'The Duke' in 2020 and the documentary 'Elizabeth' currently in post-production. This film is a remake of the 2014 Danish film 'Silent Heart' Directed by Bille August, and saw its World Premier screening at TIFF back in September 2019 before its release in the US one year later in September 2020 and now its release in Australia from this week. The film has so far grossed US$809K and has garnered mixed or average Reviews. 

Here Lily (Susan Sarandon) and Paul (Sam Neill) summon their loved ones to their beach house for one final gathering before Lily decides to end her long battle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function, for which there is no cure currently). The couple plan a loving weekend complete with holiday traditions, but the mood becomes strained when unresolved issues surface between Lily and her daughters Jennifer (Kate Winslet) and Anna (Mia Wasikowska). Also starring Lindsay Duncan, Rainn Wilson and Bex Taylor-Klaus. 

'BOSS LEVEL' (Rated MA15+) - is an American Sci-Fi actioner Directed, Co-Produced and Co-Written for the screen by Joe Carnahan whose previous film making credits take in 'Narc', 'Smokin' Aces', 'The A-Team', 'The Grey' and the straight to video offering 'The Stretch' most recently. This film has been in gestation since 2012 when Carnahan first announced he was working on the film. Then fast forward six years and the shoot finally went into production in early 2018 with its scheduled release being August 2019 which it subsequently missed and in November US distribution rights were acquired by Hulu, with a US release date now set for early March and this week in Australia. Here former special forces agent Roy Pulver (Frank Grillo), is trapped in a time loop that constantly repeats the day of his murder. Pulver manages to uncover clues about a secret government project that could unlock the mystery behind his death but must find Colonel Clive Ventor (Mel Gibson), the head of the government program, while outrunning assassins determined to keep him from the truth, and save his wife Jemma Wells (Naomi Watts) in the process. Also starring Michelle Yeoh and Ken Jeong. The film cost US$45M to produce.

'THE PENITENT THIEF' (Rated M) - Directed, Co-Produced and starring Lucas Miles in his feature film debut this is the story of the two unnamed men who were crucified alongside Jesus and how they came to be beside him on the cross that fateful day. Beginning with the journey of the Magi and their chance meeting with young Dismas (Jay Giannone) and his brother Jotham (Kyle Roark) at the manger in Bethlehem, sometime after, the young brothers will suffer an unspeakable tragedy that results in them being taken in by a group of thieves with a leaning towards acts of violence. There, they meet Gestas (Joey Folsom), another young man who will also share in their fate. Together, as they make their way to the cross, they will seek to out manoeuvre their destiny, but before doing so they must survive a ruthless Roman centurion who threatens to unleash a terrible revenge on them. Along the way, they frequently cross paths with Jesus and other influential figures, but they will soon find that there is no escape from the brutal end that awaits them all on Calvary. Also starring Kevin Sorbo, James Russo, Major Dodge, James Logan and Skeeta Jenkins.

'MICK FLEETWOOD & FRIENDS' (Rated CTC) - Mick Fleetwood has assembled a stellar cast of musicians to celebrate the music that established Fleetwood Mac as one of the biggest bands in the world – the music of Peter Green. With a line-up featuring Neil Finn (Crowded House), Noel Gallagher (Oasis), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), John Mayall, Christine McVie & Jeremy Spencer (Fleetwood Mac), Zak Starkey, Pete Townshend (The Who), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) and Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones), this once-in-a-lifetime concert event captured at The London Palladium on 25th February 2020 is an absolute must-see for any music fan out there. Mick Fleetwood commented that 'the concert is a celebration of those early blues days where we all began, and it’s important to recognise the profound impact Peter and the early Fleetwood Mac had on the world of music'. Peter Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame together with Fleetwood Mac in 1998. Rolling Stone magazine rates Peter as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time. Peter Green died at the age of 73 on 25th July 2020. 

'BILLIE EILISH : THE WORLD'S A LITTLE BLURRY' (Rated M) - this true coming-of-age documentary film is Directed by American film maker and documentarian R.J. Cutler whose previous Directorial outings include 'The September Issue', 'If I Stay' and 'Belushi' most recently in 2020. Here he charts the story of the singer and songwriter Billie Eilish and her rise to global superstardom. Offering a deeply intimate look at this extraordinary teenager’s journey, at just seventeen years of age, navigating life on the road, on stage, and at home with her family, while writing, recording and releasing her debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' The film is released in selected cinemas in the US and Australia from this week and also on Apple TV+ and Neon.

With five 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-

PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN : Tuesday 16th February 2021.

I finally got around to seeing 'PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN' this week following its release in Australia on 7th January. This MA15+ Rated American thriller offering is Directed, Written and Co-Produced by Emerald Fennell in her feature film making debut. The film saw its World Premier screening at the Sundance Film Festival back in January 2020 and went on general release Stateside on 25th December 2020 having so far taken approaching US$9M at the Box Office and garnered positive Reviews. It was named one of the ten best films of 2020 by the National Board of Review, with Carey Mulligan also winning Best Actress, and has received fifty-three award wins so far plus a further 114 nominations including four nods at the upcoming 78th Golden Globe Awards on 1st March, including Best Motion Picture, Drama.

The opening scene of the film sees three male colleagues in a bar late one evening all ridiculing a female colleague. One of the men, Jerry (Adam Brody) notices what's look to be a very drunk young and particularly attractive woman sat all alone. Egged on by his colleagues he siddles up to the woman playing the concerned and caring gentlemen who offers to share a cab home with her to ensure she arrives safely. On the journey he suggests a stop off at his place which is close by for a nightcap. She complies with his wishes and once home and after said nightcap, the woman says she needs to lie down. Jerry seizes the opportunity to get her onto his bed and starts groping, kissing and removing her underwear. At this, the woman sits bolt upright and asks what the hell he thinks he's doing, now as sober as a judge. Jerry is somewhat surprised to say the least at the woman's sudden sobriety, and starts to backtrack as the woman gives him a very stern dressing down.  

It turns out that the woman in question is thirty year old Cassandra 'Cassie' Thomas (Carey Mulligan) who lives with her parents Susan and Stanley (Jennifer Coolidge and Clancy Brown respectively). They have breakfast together every morning and Cassie's mother especially berates her for not having a boyfriend, having no friends, for still living at home, and for having a near non-existent social life. Cassie responds saying that's just the way she likes it. Cassie works at a coffee shop owned by Gail (Laverne Cox), and there one day comes in Ryan Cooper (Bo Burnham) whom nine years previously she was in medical school with. Ryan is now a paediatric surgeon, while Cassie who was the brains of their class is working in a dead end coffee shop! Ryan asks Cassie out, but she initially refuses his advances. 

A few nights later and Cassie is with Neil (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), once again pretending to be very drunk in his apartment. Neil snorts a couple of lines of coke and encourages Cassie to do the same, but she blows instead of snorts. Neil comes on all sympathetic and caring about Cassie's inebriated state and starts to grope and kiss her and puts his hand up her dress. At which point, Cassie reverts back to her completely sober state and asks what he thought he was doing. Neil is taken aback and starts to be fearful of the repercussions that Cassie might bestow up on him, and is left defenceless as she pins him against the wall and reads him the riot act. 

The next days Ryan is back in the coffee shop and again asks her out on a dinner date - this time Cassie responds in the affirmative. On their first date Ryan mentions that their former classmate Alexander 'Al' Monroe (Chris Lowell) is getting married soon. Now it comes out that at medical school Cassie was very close friends with a Nina Fisher who was raped by Al Monroe nine years ago. As a result, both the school and the legal system failed Nina and as a consequence both Nina and Cassie dropped out of medical school despite being Grade A students, and subsequently Nina committed suicide. 

Hearing the news of Al's forthcoming wedding, Cassie begins plotting her revenge on those she considers responsible for the rape and death of her best friend. She first invites an old friend from medical school, Madison McPhee (Alison Brie), who didn't believe Nina's accusations, to lunch at an upmarket restaurant and gets her drunk on Champagne and red wine, then has a man she hired take Madison to her hotel room. After the incident, Cassie ignores all of her many calls. 

Next, Cassie targets Elizabeth Walker (Connie Britton), the medical school dean who dismissed Nina's case due to lack of evidence. Cassie pretends to be a makeup artist for a band called 'Wet Dream' that Walker's teenage daughter Amber (Francisca Estevez) loves and tricks the teenager into getting into her car. Later, Cassie meets Walker under the pretense of resuming her education and questions her about the events that led to Nina's dropout and death. When Walker explains away her actions, Cassie tells her she dropped Amber off at a dorm room with a bunch of drunk male students, and not to worry!! After a fearful Walker apologises for her inaction, Cassie reveals Amber is safe at a local diner. 

Next up Cassie pays a visit to Jordan Green (Alfred Molina), Al's lawyer who harassed Nina into dropping her charges. When Green expresses remorse for his actions, having suffered a mental breakdown over his guilt and now on a forced sabbatical from his law firm, Cassie forgives him. After visiting Nina's mother (Molly Shannon), who urges her to move on, Cassie abandons the rest of her plans for revenge. And so Cassie's relationship with Ryan goes from strength to strength, so much so that the pair find themselves falling in love with each other. 

One day when returning home, Cassie finds Madison waiting outside her house, still distraught and desperate to know what happened after their lunch having woken up in a hotel room with a strange man with whom she has no memory. Cassie reassures her that nothing happened. In response, Madison gives Cassie an old phone containing a video of Nina's rape before telling her to never make contact with her again. As she watches the video, Cassie is shocked to see Ryan among the onlookers. She confronts him at the hospital where he works and threatens to release the video unless he tells her where Al's bachelor party is being held. Ryan tells her and begs for forgiveness, but Cassie refuses and turns her back on him.

Cassie arrives at Al's bachelor party as a stripper in a nurses uniform, plying Al's friends with spiked alcohol to knock them all out and takes Al upstairs to be alone. She handcuffs him to the bed which he willingly volunteers to, and then reveals her true identity to him. However, as she tries to carve Nina's name into Al's stomach, he breaks free from one pair of cuffs, overpowers her and suffocates Cassie under a pillow. 

The next morning, Al's friend Joe (Max Greenfield) comes up to the room, discovers a sobbing Al and the lifeless body of Cassie still under the pillow, consoles him and helps him burn Cassie's body to destroy any evidence. A couple of days later Cassie's parents file a missing person report, and the Police begin an investigation. A Detective questions Ryan at the hospital, but Ryan does not reveal where Cassie was going and states that they split up five days ago and suggests she was mentally unwell and possibly suicidal.

During Al's wedding reception in the grounds of the house where the bachelor party was held, it is revealed that Cassie had sent Jordan Green the phone with the video of Nina's rape, along with information on where she was headed and who would be responsible if she went missing. The Police begin to arrive immediately after the wedding ceremony, and with Police tracker dogs uncover the burnt remains of Cassie's body. At the reception in front of all the gathered guests, the Police arrest Al and cart him away handcuffed, while Joe flees the scene and Ryan receives several scheduled texts from Cassie, explaining that this is not the end, until it is. She signs off in her name and a ; )

This is a thought provoking, of the moment, pitch black revenge thriller comedy that starts of light but culminates in a real sucker punch by the time the end credits roll, that will leave an impression firmly planted in your brain long after you have left the theatre. For her debut movie making outing, Director and Writer Emerald Fennell has here delivered a bold, audacious, never boring and highly relevant film underpinned by perhaps a career best performance from Carey Mulligan playing completely against type, and she absolutely nails it. The rest of the principle cast are alas undercooked in the often fleeting scenes they are in, but carried along on Mulligan's coat tails which should propel her into the Best Actress nominations at this years upcoming Oscars. 

'Promising Young Woman' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a potential five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 18th February 2021.

The 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam was held from 1st through to 7th February in various locations in and around Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Since its foundation in 1972, it has maintained a focus on independent and experimental filmmaking by showcasing emerging talents and established auteurs. The festival also places a focus on presenting cutting edge media art and arthouse film, with most of the participants in the short film programme identified as artists or experimental filmmakers. 

This years opening night feature presentation was 'Riders of Justice' from Denmark and Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen and stars Mads Mikkelsen, Nicolas Bro, Lars Brygmann and Nikolaj Lie Kaas. The films tells the story of a former soldier who returns home to care for his daughter after his wife died in a tragic train accident. However, when a survivor of the wreck surfaces and claims foul play, he begins to suspect his wife was murdered and embarks on a mission to find those responsible.

IFFR's trade mark Tiger Competition celebrates the innovative and adventurous spirit of up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world. The competition was founded in 1995 with the aim of discovering, raising the profile of and rewarding up-and-coming international film talent. The Tiger Award is accompanied by a €40K cash prize, to be shared between the Director and Producer of the winning film. Two Special Jury Awards worth €10K are also presented for exceptional artistic achievement within the competition.

This years winner of the Tiger Award was presented to P. S. Vinothraj in his Directorial debut for the Indian film 'Pebbles' about a poverty-stricken father and son who wander a southern Indian landscape where anger and frustration burn hotter than the sun. Two Special Jury Award prizes were presented to Pascal Tagnati for his Directorial debut feature film 'I Comete - A Corsican Summer' from France exploring a cross-section of life in a Corsican village where tradition is revered, observing the locals throughout one summer; and presented to Norika Sefa for her Directorial feature film debut 'Looking for Venera' from Kosovo about Kosovan teenager Venera, struggling to go her own way in a strongly patriarchal situation. All three films saw their World Premier screening at IFFR. 

The films selected for the Big Screen Competition are presented to an audience jury composed of five film lovers. Together they determine which film they think deserves to be shown in movie theatres across the Netherlands and broadcast on television after the festival. The winner of the Big Screen Award wins a cash prize of €30K, half of which goes to the distributor who decides to buy the film. And this years winner, from a line up of fourteen films, was 'El perro que no calla' ('How to Be a Man') Directed by Ana Katz from Argentina.

The Audience Award is given to the filmmaker of the film in the official selection with the highest average vote in the audience poll. The winning filmmaker will receive a €5K prize! This years winner was announced as Jasmila Zbanic for her film 'Quo Vadis, Aida?' from Bosnia and Herzegovina from a line up of thirty-five films in total. 

The Critics FIPRESCI Award is given to the best film in the Tiger Competition. The jury assembles members of the Federation Internationale de la Presse Cinematographique (FIPRESCI), which consists of international film journalists, and this years win went to 'The Edge of Daybreak' from Thailand by Director Taiki Sakpisit in his feature film making debut. The film had its World Premier screening. The Critics KNF Award is given by the 'Circle of Dutch Film Journalists' with this year the Award went to the best film in the Tiger Short Competition being the twenty-seven minute short film 'Manifesto' from Norway and Directed by Ane Hjort Guttu. This film saw its International Premier showcasing. 

For the full line up of awards presented, plus all the news, views and reviews from this years 50th IFFR, you can visit the official website at : https://iffr.com/en

And so turning attention back to this week, we have six latest release new movies coming to your local Odeon. And we start off with a drama offering about a Korean American family who move to rural Arkansas in the '80's in search of a new life and the American Dream. This is followed by an American crime thriller about a Deputy Sheriff sent to Los Angeles who becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorising the city. Next up is an English film about a teenage lad who spends his summer listening to heavy metal music and trying to get along with his librarian mum, and we then close out the week with three documentaries, the first of which concerns a handful of men who search for the rare, expensive and delicious white Alba truffles deep in the forests of Piedmont, Italy. Then the second is an in depth exploration of the life and work of an acclaimed musician who never shied away from the political and social turbulence of his era. And we wrap up the week with an Aussie doco charting the first thirty years of an influential and acclaimed dance company that has its roots firmly set in Aboriginal culture. 

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the six latest release new movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or 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.

'MINARI' (Rated PG) - is an American drama film Written and Directed by Lee Isaac Chung whose previous feature film credits are 'Munyurangabo', 'Lucky Life', 'Abigail Harm' and the documentary 'I Have Seen My Last Born'. The film saw its World Premiere showcasing at the Sundance Film Festival at the end of January 2020, winning both the US Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and the US Dramatic Audience Award, and in the meantime has collected fifty-four award wins and a further 142 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit including three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, ten Critics' Choice Movie Award nominations, six Independent Spirit Award nominations, and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Needless to say the film has been universally acclaimed, and was released theatrically in the US last week. 

Set during the 1980's a Korean American family moves from California to a rural plot of land in Arkansas in search of its own American Dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home. Starring Steven Yeun as the father Jacob Yi, Han Ye-ri as mother Monica, Alan Kim as their son David, Noel Kate Cho as daughter Anne and Youn Yuh-jung as Monica's mother Soon-ja who travels from Korea to help out the struggling new farmers with their children. Also starring Will Patton. 

'THE LITTLE THINGS' (Rated M) - is an American crime thriller Directed, Written and Co-Produced by John Lee Hancock who previous film making outings include 'The Rookie', 'The Alamo', 'The Blind Side', 'Saving Mr. Banks', 'The Founder' and 'The Highwaymen'. The film cost US$30M to make, has so far generated mixed or average Reviews and has recouped US$13M of that initial budget investment since its release Stateside at the end of January. Here, Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe 'Deke' Deacon (Denzel Washington) joins forces with Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) to search for a serial killer who's terrorising Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, suspect #1 Albert Sparma (Jared Leto), Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke's past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case. For his performance, Leto received Best Supporting Actor nominations at the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

'DAYS OF THE BAGNOLD SUMMER' (Rated M) - this British film is Directed by 'The Inbetweeners' star Simon Bird in his feature film making debut. It saw its World Premier screening at the Locarno Film Festival back in August 2019, went on release in the UK in early June last year and only now does it arrive at Australian cinemas. The film is based on the graphic novel by Jeff Winterhart, features a soundtrack by Belle & Sebastian, and has garnered positive Press so far. The film centres around the somewhat precarious relationship between well-meaning single librarian mother Sue Bagnold (Monica Dolan) and her black-clad teenage son Daniel (Earl Cave), who'd rather listen to the death metal sounds of Metallica than his mother. Daniel was meant to spend the summer in Florida visiting his Dad, but is now stuck with Mum following the trip's cancellation. Over the course of the six week summer break, will mother and son be able to find some common ground from which they can begin to relate to each other and reignite the fun times they used to have together? Also starring Rob Bryden, Tamsin Greig and Alice Lowe.

'THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS' (Rated M) - this Italian documentary film is Directed and Written by Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw who also take on the roles of Cinematographers here too. The film has garnered universal critical acclaim since its World Premier screening at the Sundance Film Festival back in January 2020. This week it gets its release in Australia and in the US on 5th March. Deep in the forests of Piedmont, Italy, a handful of men, seventy or eighty years of age, hunt for the rare and expensive white Alba truffle—which so far has resisted all of modern science's efforts at cultivation. They're guided by a secret culture and training handed down through generations, as well as by the noses of their cherished and expertly trained dogs. They live a simpler, slower pace of life, in harmony with their loyal animals and their picture perfect country-side, that seemingly comes straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. 

'ZAPPA' (Rated MA15+) - Directed and Co-Produced by Alex Winter - the Actor, film maker, Producer and Writer who has thirty-seven directorial, twenty-eight acting, sixteen Producer and eleven writing credits to his name including as Bill, in three 'Bill & Ted' films, here brings us this highly acclaimed documentary exploring the life of musician Frank Zappa. He died in 1993 at the age of 52, but during his career as a rock guitarist, orchestral composer, music producer, innovative filmmaker, businessman, and social and political commentator he left an indelible mark on his chosen path in life that continues to amaze with over sixty albums of music from rock to orchestral, in addition to innumerable films, concerts and other accomplishments. With unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage, this film explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time.

'FIRESTARTER : THE STORY OF BANGARA' (Rated M) - this Australian documentary film is Directed and Written by Wayne Blair and Nel Minchin and charts the birth and spectacular growth to where this Australian dance company is today as it enters its fourth decade. It recognises Bangarra’s early founders and tells the story of how three young Aboriginal brothers – Stephen, David and Russell Page – turned the newly born dance group into one of Australia’s leading performing arts companies. Through the eyes of the Page brothers and company alumni, 'Firestarter' explores the loss and reclaiming of culture, the burden of intergenerational trauma and crucially, the extraordinary power of art as a messenger for social change and healing.

With six 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-