What's new in Odeon's this week : Monday 1st January 2024.

As another year draws to a close it's a time to reflect on the cinematic year that was, and the hope for generally better times ahead in 2024, as the world is gripped by two wars raging in Ukraine and Israel, cinema audiences have voted with their feet given the ever increasing cost of living rises, the competition from streaming services, and the fatigue that has seemingly set into the Superhero genre, but saved to a degree by the 'Barbieheimer' effect  This year I have Reviewed forty-seven movies and Previewed 264 feature films and documentaries. All that remains for me to say is the very best to you for a very Happy New Year that is safe, healthy and prosperous, and wherever you are in the world, get out and watch a movie at your local multiplex or local independent movie theatre and support all those working tirelessly in front and behind the camera. Thanks for your ongoing support over the past twelve months and I look forward to bringing you more of the same content in the year ahead.

This week then we have just two new cinematic offerings coming to a big screen Odeon near you, with the first being a sports comedy drama film that tells the story of how, with the 2014 World Cup qualifiers approaching, down-on-his-luck coach Thomas Rongen tries to turn the American Samoa soccer team into winners. And this is followed up by dark comedy fantasy film about a mild mannered family man who finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it either of the two latest release new films kick starting the new year 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 week ahead.

'NEXT GOAL WINS' (Rated M) - is an American sports comedy-drama film Directed by Taika Waititi, who also Co-Writes, Co-Produces and has a cameo role in the film. It is based on the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison. Taika Waititi's previous feature film credits take in the likes of his 2007 debut with 'Eagle vs. Shark', then 'Boy' in 2010, 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' in 2016, 'Thor : Ragnarok' in 2017, 'JoJo Rabbit' in 2019 and 'Thor : Love and Thunder' in 2022. This film saw its World Premiere showcasing at the Toronto International Film Festival in mid-September 2023 and was released Stateside in mid-November, has so far recovered approaching US$8M from its production cost of US$14M and has generated mixed or average critical reviews.

Here then, Dutch American football coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) faces the option of being fired or accepting an almost impossible task - to convert the American Samoa national team, considered one of the weakest football teams in the world, into an elite squad and to have them qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Also starring Oscar Kightley, Rachel House, Will Arnett, Elisabeth Moss, Luke Hemsworth and Kaitlyn Dever.

'DREAM SCENARIO' (Rated MA15+) - is an American black comedy fantasy film Written and Directed by the Norwegian Kristoffer Borgli in only his second feature film outing following 2022's 'Sick of Myself'. This film is Produced by Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, Nicolas Cage, and a couple of others. It saw its World Premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival in early September last year and went on wide release from the end of November having so far grossed US$7M at the Box Office and garnering generally positive reviews. Here a hapless family man, Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. However, when his nighttime appearances take a nightmarish turn, he's forced to navigate the consequences of his newfound stardom. Also starring Julianne Nicholson and Michael Cera.

With just two new release movie offerings 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 at your local Odeon in the coming week.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-