GLADIATOR II : Tuesday 19th November 2024

I saw the M Rated 'GLADIATOR II' at my local multiplex earlier this week, and this US and UK co-produced epic historical action film is Co-Produced and Directed by Ridley Scott and is the sequel to Scott's classic 'Gladiator' from 2000. That film grossed US$465M off the back of a production budget of US$103M and won five Academy Awards from twelve nominations among a total awards haul of sixty wins and a further 104 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit. This film cost US$210M to produce, has so far grossed US$99M, was released here in Australia and New Zealand last week, in the UK on 15th and the USA on 22nd November, and has generated largely positive critical reviews. A further sequel 'Gladiator III' is reportedly in the early stages of development. 

Set sixteen years after the events of 'Gladiator', Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) living under the name Hanno, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Maximus (Russell Crowe from the first film), lives with his wife Arishat (Yuval Gonen) and child in Numidia - a province on the North African coast. Roman soldiers led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) invade, killing his wife and declaring that Numidia is now a Roman province captured for the glory of Rome, while burning the dead, among them many women and children. Lucius is forced into slavery, boards a ship with other barbarian slaves and sent to Ostia, the port of Rome. 

To promote the slaves as potential gladiators, the Romans pit them against feral baboons in an enclosed arena. Lucius savagely kills a baboon, watched on by an impressed stablemaster Macrinus (Denzel Washington). Although Lucius has no desire to be a gladiator, Macrinus promises him an opportunity to kill Acacius if he lives long enough and rises victorious from his fights. Macrinus sees that Lucius has a rage and a fury inside him, which he says are key attributes that will see him win his freedom.

When Acacius returns to Rome a hero, the twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Herchinger) arrange gladiatorial games in the Colosseum to celebrate his victory. Although the disillusioned Acacius requests a welcome and deserved break with his wife, Lucilla, (the daughter of the late Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Maximus's former lover), the emperors refuse, greedily plotting to conquer Persia and India with all haste. Later Senator Thraex (Tim McInnerny) hosts a party for the emperors and the elite, and arranges a gladiatorial duel as entertainment between Lucius and the emperors #1 gladiator, which Lucius wins. When Geta tries to make small talk with Lucius afterwards, Lucius contemptuously recites poetry by Virgil at him, so demonstrating that he has received a Roman education.

Lucilla and Acacius accompany the emperors to the Colosseum to see Lucius and other gladiator slaves battle it out against a giant rhinoceros ridden by a hulking gladiator hell bent on killing every one of them. After watching Lucius copy Maximus's tactics in the Colosseum, Lucilla realises that Lucius is her long-lost son and the imperial heir, whom she sent away for his protection after the death of Maximus when he was just nine years old. The next day, a naval battle is staged in the Colosseum, with Lucius taking the Macrinus team to victory, and in the ensuing chaos, he fires a crossbow at Acacius narrowly missing him with the arrow becoming embedded in the back of the chair where the emperors sit. After the battle and under cover of darkness, Lucilla visits Lucius in his prison cell. He angrily rebuffs Lucilla saying that he resented being forced to flee to the desert while his mother lived in luxury, and he is upset that her new lover caused his wife's death.

Lucius learns that Macrinus and his team doctor, Ravi (Alexander Karim), are both former slaves who won their freedom in the Colosseum. However, they both took very different paths following their freedom. Ravi, married a Roman woman and believes that Rome can be a multicultural republic. He shows Lucius the shrine to fallen gladiators and Maximus, the people's champion, which preserves Maximus's gear, including his steel breast plate and sword. Macrinus conversely tries to reclaim his standing by building his power base with the emperors and sees no conflict between being a freed slave and enslaving others.

Lucilla and Acacius conspire with Senators Thraex and Gracchus (Derek Jacobi) to overthrow the emperors and restore the Roman Republic. Acacius also agrees to rescue Lucius from slavery. However, Thraex reveals the plan to Macrinus who he is heavily in debt to, and who in turn tips off the emperors. The couple are arrested for treason, and Macrinus is appointed an imperial advisor.

Macrinus assigns Lucius to kill Acacius in the arena, watched on by a shackled Lucilla. However, after gaining the upper hand Lucius declines to execute him. The imperial guard are all told by the emperor's to execute Acacius anyway and he is shot by a dozen arrows. This leads the commoners to riot. Macrinus visits Lucilla in her cell, revealing that despite her father's idealistic beliefs, Marcus Aurelius hypocritically enslaved Macrinus. Macrinus announces that he will avenge himself on Rome by becoming Emperor. 

Macrinus plans to end the imperial dynasty, and begins by manipulating Caracalla to kill Geta. After Caracalla names his pet monkey Dundas as Chief Consul, Macrinus convinces the Senate to overthrow him. Macrinus also persuades Caracalla to use Lucilla as bait in the Colosseum, with only Lucius to defend her against a small army of Imperial Guard. His plan is for Lucius and Lucilla to be mercilessly slaughtered, which he knows will incite another riot, with the Senate ordering the execution of Caracalla in order to diffuse the situation and bring peace once again.

Lucius and Lucilla reconcile their differences to overthrow Macrinus. Lucilla tells Lucius that he is Maximus's son and gifts Lucius his father's ring with his name engraved on the inside. Lucius sends Ravi with the ring to meet Acacius's legions stationed just outside Rome, requesting military assistance. Lucilla is brought into the Colosseum shackled to a post along with the senators with whom she conspired. Lucius rallies the gladiators to revolt. Armed with Maximus's armour and sword, he leads the gladiators into the arena to defend Lucilla from execution. Gracchus is killed in the onslaught, while Macrinus kills Lucilla with an arrow fired into her chest, and then stabs Caracalla through the ear with a six inch needle. Macrinus flees the rioting city on horseback with Lucius in hot pursuit.

Acacius's army of some 5,000 men and Macrinus's army of 6,000 meet outside Rome and come to a halt either side of one of the city's gates. To prevent a battle between the two rival factions, Macrinus and Lucius fight it out. Although Macrinus nearly kills Lucius in a river by repeatedly stabbing at his breast plate with his sword, which does not penetrate due to its steel construction, Lucius kills Macrinus by first beating him across the head with a rock he grabbed while under the surface, then chopping off his lower arm just below the elbow before slashing him across the stomach so that his entrails spilled out. In a rousing speech after clambering out of the water, he reveals his true identity as the imperial heir and persuades the Praetorians to allow him free passage into Rome, where he mourns his parents in the now empty Colosseum.

With 'Gladiator II' Director and Co-Producer Ridley Scott has crafted a fitting sequel to his epic 2000 offering that continues the story arc admirably while also paying homage to Russell Crowe's Oscar winning role of Maximus. The film certainly looks the part in transporting us back to ancient Rome with its extravagant sets and costumes, the action set pieces are well choreographed, there is plenty of bloodletting, the cinematography is quite beautiful and Paul Mescal gives a convincing turn as humble farmer turned hero gladiator, and Denzel Washington chews up every scene he's in with gusto. This film is not quite up there with the 2000 original, but nonetheless should be enjoyed by those with a penchant for swords and sandals epics, big action sequences, drama and emotion. My only criticisms of the film is Connie Nielsen's performance is a little stilted in places, and the use of CGI sharks in the Colosseum naval battle sequence was way to obvious for my liking and why would Ridley bother with making up this element when more often that not he has come to rely on historical fact than fiction.

'Gladiator II' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a potential five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 21st November 2024

The 28th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival is currently taking place, having started on Friday 8th November and running through until  Sunday 24th November, in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Pimedate Oode filmifestival, POFF) first took place in 1997. Since 2014, POFF is one of the fifteen A-list film festivals accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) and whose accreditation is renewed every year. The aim of the festival is to present a comprehensive selection of world cinema from the last two years to a local and international audience, offering fresh film production with high artistic value. Today, the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival has grown into one of the biggest film festivals in Northern Europe and the busiest regional industry platforms. The festival is an important meeting point for a rapidly growing number of industry professionals from around the globe.

The Opening Night film was the World Premiere German offering 'Long Story Short' from Director David Dietl and tells the story of a group of close friends who celebrate parties over an extended period of time. They experience a lot of fun together, but also tragic moments that prove that love and friendship are the most important gifts of all our lives.

This year, those eighteen films in Official Competition, all vying for any one of numerous awards on offer including the Grand Prix for the Best Film which carries a cash prize of €20,000 shared by the Director and Producer, plus awards for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Score and Best Production Design, are as follows :-

* '100 Liters of Gold' - from Finland and Italy and Written and Directed by Teemu Nikki. 

* 'Buzzheart' - from Greece and the USA and Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Dennis Iliadis.

* 'Can I Get a Witness?' - from Canada and Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Ann Marie Fleming.

* 'Deaf Lovers' - from Estonia and Serbia and Written and Directed by Boris Guts. World Premiere.

* 'Empire of the Rabbits' - from Turkey, Mexico and Croatia and Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Seyfettin Tokmak. World Premiere.

* 'Girl America' - from Czechia, Slovakia and Switzerland and Co-Produced and Directed by Viktor Taus.

* 'Pink Lady' - from Israel and Directed by Nir Bergman. World Premiere.

* 'Out of Control' - from France and Co-Written and Directed by Anne Le Ny. World Premiere.

* 'Pyre' - from India and Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Vinod Kapri. World Premiere.

* 'Reading Lolita in Tehran' - from Italy and Israel and Co-Produced and Directed by Eran Riklis.

* 'Seed of the Desert' - from Colombia and Written and Directed by Sebastian Parra R. World Premiere.

* 'Silent City Driver' - from Mongolia and Co-Written and Directed by Sengedorj Janchivdorj. World Premiere.

* 'Some Nights I Feel Like Walking' - from the Philippines, Italy and Singapore and Written and Directed by Petersen Vargas. World Premiere.

* 'The Boy With Pink Pants' - from Italy and Directed by Margherita Ferri.

* 'The Exalted' - from Latvia, Estonia and Greece and Co-Written and Directed by Juris Kusietis. World Premiere.

* 'The Loop' - from the Republic of Korea and Written and Directed by Sang Beom Koo. World Premiere.

* 'The Mousetrap' - from Ukraine. World Premiere. 

* 'The Shadow' - from Estonia and Directed by Jaak Kilme.

For the full synopsis of these films mentioned above, plus the other competitive strands, and a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : https://poff.ee/en/about/tallinn-black-nights-film-festival/

This week we have five new movies coming to a big screen Odeon close to home, kicking off with the first instalment in a two parter that sees Elphaba, an ostracised but defiant girl born with green skin, and Glinda, a privileged aristocrat born popular, become extremely unlikely friends in the magical Land of Oz, and as the two girls struggle with their opposing personalities, their friendship is tested as both begin to fulfil their destinies as Glinda the Good and The Wicked Witch of the West. Then we have a comedy about a father who seeks the help of his adult daughter to raise his young twins after his second wife leaves him. Next up is an Aussie drama about two estranged brothers who are forced back into each others lives when they're tasked with scattering the ashes of their recently deceased mother in the country town where she grew up. This is followed by a Vietnamese offering centring around a family's attempts to fraudulently pass off their daughter as a trophy bride for an elite family, aiming to secure their fortune; before closing out the week with a documentary film showing the destruction of the occupied West Bank's Masafer Yatta by Israeli soldiers and the unlikely alliance which develops between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five latest release new films 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.

'WICKED' (Rated PG) - is an American epic musical fantasy film Directed by Jon M. Chu, whose prior feature film credits take in his debut with 'Step Up 2 : The Streets' in 2008 and then 'G.I. Joe : Retaliation' in 2013, 'Now You See Me 2' in 2016, 'Crazy Rich Asians' in 2018 and 'In the Heights' in 2021. This film is the first of a two-part film adaptation of the stage musical of the same name by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, which in turn was loosely based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire. Costing US$145M to produce, the film saw its World Premiere showcasing in Sydney on 3rd November and is released in the US this week too, with early critical reviews being very positive.

Set in the Land of Oz, largely before Dorothy Gale's arrival from Kansas, the plot covers the events of the musical's first act, following green-skinned Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) who studies at Shiz University and the beginning of her path to ultimately becoming the Wicked Witch of the West, alongside an unlikely friendship with a classmate Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande) who later becomes Glinda the Good Witch of the North. Also starring Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and Peter Dinklage. 'Wicked : Part 2' is slated for a November release next year. 

'GOODRICH' (Rated M) - this American comedy film is Written and Directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer in only her second feature film Directorial outing following 'Home Again' in 2017. Art dealer Andy Goodrich's (Michael Keaton) life gets upended when his younger wife Naomi (Laura Benanti) leaves him and enters a 90-day rehab programme while also threatening divorce. Andy takes charge of their nine-year-old twins Billie and Mose (Vivien Lyra Blair and Jacob Kopera respectively), thrusting him into the world of modern parenthood for which he is deeply unprepared. With his career falling by the wayside, he soon leans on his 36 year old pregnant daughter from his first marriage Grace (Mila Kunis) for support, ultimately becoming the father she never had. Also starring Carmen Ejogo. Kevin Pollack and Andie MacDowell. The film was released in the US in mid-October, has so far grossed US$1.6M and has garnered largely favourable reviews.

'STRANGE CREATURES' (Rated MA15+) - is an Australian drama film Written and Directed by Henry Boffin in his feature film making debut. Nate Taylor (Riley Nottingham) hasn’t spoken a word to his brother, Ged (Johnny Carr), in over four years after a mysterious falling out. But when their mother passes away from a sudden aneurysm, the brothers must set aside their differences in order to fulfil their mother’s final wish, to have her ashes scattered at the old family home in the country town of Narrabri, NSW some 520 kms northwest of Sydney. Setting out across Australia in the only vehicle available to them – a black hearse – the boys soon realise that the trip will be anything but plain sailing. Spurred on by Ged’s destructive behaviour and their intense dislike for each other, a set of unfortunate events threaten to derail them from ever reaching their goal. 

'THE TROPHY BRIDE' (Rated M) - this Vietnamese comedy drama thriller film is Directed by Ngoc Dang Vu whose previous film making efforts take in the likes of 'Lost in Paradise' in 2011 and 'Lost in Paradise 2' in 2017, 'Never Trust a Stranger' in 2015 and 'Dad, I'm Sorry' in 2021. Here then, in a desperate bid for fortune, a downtrodden and dysfunctional family of four risks it all as high-society fraudsters in a daring scheme to make their sole daughter the trophy bride of an elite family. The film was released in the US and the UK last week.

'NO OTHER LAND' (Rated M) - is a documentary film Written, Directed and Edited by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor in their Directorial debuts. The film was made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of four activists as an act of resistance on the path to justice during the ongoing conflict in the region. A young Palestinian activist named Basel Adra has been resisting the forced displacement of his people by Israel's military in Masafer Yatta, a region in the West Bank, since he was a child. He records the gradual destruction of his homeland, where Israeli soldiers are tearing down homes and evicting their inhabitants. He befriends Yuval Abraham, an Israeli journalist who helps him in his struggle. They form an unexpected bond, but their friendship is challenged by the huge gap between their living conditions, in that Basel faces constant oppression and violence, while Yuval enjoys freedom and security. The film saw its World Premiere screening at this years Berlin International Film Festival in mid-February this year and has so far collected twenty-nine award wins and another seven nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit.

With five 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-

A DIFFERENT MAN : Tuesday 12th November 2024

I got around to seeing that MA15+ Rated 'A DIFFERENT MAN' earlier this week following its release in Australia on October 24th. This American dark comedy psychological thriller film is Written and Directed by Aaron Schimberg in only his third feature film outing following 'Go Down Death' in 2013 and 'Chained for Life' in 2018. The film saw its World Premiere screening at this years Sundance Film Festival at the end of January, was released Stateside at the end of September, in the UK in early October, has so far grossed US$1.2M and has generated largely favourable reviews.

Here, Edward Lemuel (Sebastian Stan) is a struggling Actor with neurofibromatosis that manifests itself as a disfiguring facial condition. He lives in a ramshackle old apartment block with seemingly paper thin walls and floorboards and a constant dripping of black water through the ceiling in his lounge room. One day a new neighbour takes up residence, Ingrid Vold (Renate Reinsve) who is an aspiring playwright, and is working on her first theatre production although it is still early days. It doesn't take long before the pair get acquainted and Edward starts to have feelings for Ingrid, although he is way too nervous to have those feelings manifest themselves. 

He is offered a cutting edge yet still experimental medical procedure to cure him of his disfigurement which he reluctantly agrees to. Sometime later the disfiguring tumors, lumps, bumps and lesions on his face literally begin to melt away and fall off in large clumps revealing his natural healthy looking face underneath. He takes on the identity of Guy Moratz and claims to his doctor, who makes a house call to check on Edward's progress, that Edward has died suddenly by suicide, and that he is a family member who has called around to clear out Edward's apartment. This conversation is overheard by Ingrid. 

Some time later, Guy is now a successful and wealthy real estate agent. One day, he discovers that Ingrid is producing an off-Broadway play she has written called 'Edward', that is based on his life. Guy auditions and is cast in the lead role. Guy and Ingrid begin a sexual relationship soon thereafter, though Ingrid remains unaware of his real identity. During rehearsals they are visited by Oswald (Adam Pearson), a man with neurofibromatosis who has taken a keen interest in the play. The confident and charismatic Oswald quickly befriends the cast and crew, although Guy is somewhat put off by his outgoing and overly positive manner.

Ingrid and Oswald grow closer, and after Guy is unable to recite his lines, she decides to recast Oswald in the lead role. The play is a success, and Oswald's performance receives very positive reviews. Guy's mental state begins to deteriorate, and he begins stalking Oswald, is fired from his real estate job, and eventually storms the stage of the play one night to physically attack Oswald. During the on-stage scuffle, part of the set collapses on top of Guy breaking his legs and arms. While he recovers from his injuries he moves back into his former apartment next to Ingrid, who is now living with Oswald and making plans to adapt Edward into a film with movie Producer Michael Shannon. One day, after Guy's physical therapist expresses disgust for Oswald behind his back, Guy stabs him with a kitchen knife and is jailed. 

Years later, after Guy is released from prison, he comes across a billboard promoting Ingrid's most recent play. He once again encounters Oswald. He has dinner with Oswald and Ingrid at a Japanese restaurant. The pair are now very happily married and a highly successful creative duo who are planning their retirement to a commune in Canada, after Ingrid comments that she has achieved everything in life she ever really wanted - parenthood, a happy marriage and a successful career. A waiter arrives to take their orders, but a visibly nervous Guy struggles to choose from the menu. Oswald comments that he hasn't changed a bit.

'A Different Man' is part 'Beauty and the Beast', part 'The Elephant Man' and part 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' all wrapped up in a modern day story of accepting who and what we are and living with the consequences of our actions. This film has body horror, thrills, drama, emotion and laugh out loud moments courtesy of both Stan and Pearson who give their all to their respective performances. This is a thought provoking absorbing story that will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled, with the main message left by Writer and Director Aaron Schimberg being that you can't judge a book by its cover!

'A Different Man' warrants four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 14th November 2024

The 32nd Camerimage Festival takes place this year from Saturday 16th through until Saturday 23rd November in the Polish city of Torun. The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography recognises and rewards the best in cinematography in film, television and music videos, and is described as being dedicated to the art of cinematography and its creators - cinematographers. The unconventional format of the Festival, which awards films according to their visual, aesthetic and technical values, has turned out to be an alternative to traditional film festivals.  

Steve McQueen's historical war drama 'Blitz' will serve as the festival's Opening Film, while the first half of Jon M. Chu's two-part musical fantasy film 'Wicked' will be the Closing Film. Both films will be honoured with special awards for their Director and Production Designer, respectively.

Australian Actress Cate Blanchett was announced as the Jury President for the Main Competition, with the Golden Frog Award where the idea behind the award is to present the feature films where the image significantly contributes to the way a story is told. There are twelve films in the main competition section, these being :-

* 'Blitz' - from the UK and the USA and Directed by Steve McQueen, with Cinematographer Yorick Le Saux.

* 'The Brutalist' - from the UK and Directed by Brady Corbet, with Cinematographer Lol Crawley.

* 'Cabrini' - from the USA and Directed by Alejandro Monteverde, with Cinematographer Gorka Gomez Andreu.

* 'Conclave' - from the UK and the USA and Directed by Edward Berger, with Cinematographer Stephane Fontaine.

* 'The Devil's Bath' - from Austria and Germany and Directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, with Cinematographer Martin Gschlacht.

* 'Dune : Part Two' - from Canada and the USA and Directed by Denis Villeneuve, with Cinematographer Greig Fraser.

* 'Emilia Perez'  - from France and the USA and Directed by Jacques Audiard, with Cinematographer Paul Guilhaume.

* 'The Fire Inside' - from the USA and Directed by Rachel Morrison, with Cinematographer Rina Yang.

* 'The Girl with the Needle' - from Denmark, Poland and Sweden and Directed by Magnus von Horn, with Cinematographer Michal Dymek.

* 'Gladiator II' - from the UK and the USA and Directed by Ridley Scott, with Cinematographer John Mathieson.

* 'Small Things Like These' - from Ireland, Belgium and the USA and Directed by Tim Mielants, with Cinematographer Frank van den Eeden.

* 'Vermiglio' - from Italy, France and Belgium and Directed by Maura Delpero, with Cinematographer Mikhail Krichman.

For the full synopsis of the aforementioned films in the main competition, plus the other competitive strands and a whole lot more good stuff, you can go to the official website at : https://camerimage.pl/en/energacamerimage-2024/

Looking ahead then to this weeks six new movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, we kick off with the sequel to a hugely popular and successful film from 2000 by an acclaimed Director that in this instalment sees our hero forced to enter the Colosseum, after his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people. This is followed by the story of a woman employed as a social worker who leads a simple and structured life, which is blown wide open when a man follows her home from their high school reunion, and their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past. Then we turn to the first of two Christmas comedy dramas - the Balsano family and a few close friends are together for what is likely to be their final family Christmas in their ancestral home, however, two of the younger members of the family escape for teenage rebellion; and then, nobody is ready for the mayhem and surprises that ensue when six of the worst youngsters disrupt the town's annual Christmas performance. Next up we have a Filipino offering that after fighting for their love to conquer the time, distance and a global shutdown that kept them apart, this couple meet again in Canada but realise that they're now very different people; before closing out the week with an Aussie doco that takes us back to May 1973, when 10,000 artists, activists, hippies, radical students, gurus and visionaries descended on a small dairy town for ten days of social and cultural exploration that changed a generation.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the six latest release new films 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.

'GLADIATOR II' (Rated M) - is a US and UK co-produced epic historical action film that is Co-Produced and Directed Ridley Scott and is the sequel to Scott's classic 'Gladiator' from 2000, which grossed US$465M off the back of a production budget of US$103M and which won five Academy Awards from twelve nominations among a total awards haul of sixty wins and a further 104 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit. The film is released here in Australia and New Zealand this week, in the UK on 15th and the USA on 22nd November. A further sequel 'Gladiator III' is reportedly in the early stages of development. 

Over two decades after the events of 'Gladiator', Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal) the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Maximus (Russell Crowe from the first film), lives with his wife and child in Numidia - a Roman province on the North African coast. Roman soldiers led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) invade, killing his wife and forcing Lucius into slavery. Inspired by Maximus, Lucius resolves to fight as a gladiator under the teaching of Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave who plots to overthrow the young emperors Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn). Also starring Derek Jacobi, Lior Raz, Tim McInnerny, Rory McCann and Matt Lucas.  

'MEMORY' (Rated MA15+) - this American and Mexican co-produced drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Michel Franco whose previous feature film credits include 'Chronic' in 2015 and 'Sundown' in 2021. The film had its World Premiere at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival where lead Actor Peter Sarsgaard won the Volpi Cup for his performance. Social worker Sylvia's (Jessica Chastain) structured life is blown apart when Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter profoundly impacts both of them as they open the door to the past. Also starring Merritt Weaver, Jessica Harper, Elsie Fisher and Josh Charles. It was released Stateside in late December last year, is only released here in Australia this week having so far grossed US$2M and has garnered generally favourable critical reviews.

'CHRISTMAS EVE IN MILLER'S POINT' (Rated M) - is an American Christmas comedy drama film Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Tyler Thomas Taormina. Here, a rambunctious extended family descends upon their small Long Island hometown on Christmas Eve for what could be the last holiday in their ancestral home. Before the evening is over, and as generational tensions arise, two teenage cousins take advantage of the chaos to sneak out into the wintry night and make the holiday their own. Starring Michael Cera, Sawyer Spielberg, Francesca Scorsese, Elsie Fisher, Matilda Fleming and Ben Shenkman.  The film saw its World Premiere at this years Cannes Film Festival and was released in the US last week.

'THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER' (Rated G) - this American comedy drama film is Directed by Dallas Jenkins and is based on the 1972 novel by Barbara Robinson. The Herdmans are six juvenile delinquent siblings who have a reputation for being the worst kids in the world. However, when they take over the local church pageant during the holidays, they just might teach a shocked community the true meaning of Christmas. Starring Judy Greer, Pete Holmes with Beatrice Schneider, Mason D. Nelligan, Matthew Lamb, Ewan Wood, Essek Moore and Kynlee Heiman as the Herdman clan. The film was released in the US last week and has received generally positive reviews. 

'HELLO, LOVE, AGAIN' (Rated PG) - is a Philippine romantic drama film Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana and is the sequel to the 2019 film 'Hello, Love, Goodbye'. After fighting for their love to conquer time, distance and a global shutdown that kept them apart, Joy (Kathryn Bernardo), a nurse working in Canada who previously worked as a domestic helper in Hong Kong, and Ethan (Alden Richards), a bartender working in Hong Kong, meet again in Canada but realise that they have also changed a lot, individually. 

'AQUARIUS' (Rated M) - this Australian historical documentary film is Co-Written and Directed by Wendy Champagne in only her second feature doco after 'BAS! Beyond the Red Light' in 2009. In May 1973, the small northern New South Wales dairy town of Nimbin was the perfect location, surrounded by farmland and rainforest. The inhabitants (all 300 of them) hoped the event would bring young people to their struggling town. Thousands arrived, all willing to contribute to the Aquarius Festival, whether by playing instruments or digging drains. It wasn’t quite all saunas, nudity, acrobatics, and chilled-out bliss however, as festival goers faced down Police interference, internal chaos, drugs and personal dramas. Nonetheless, countless participants found kinship as well as a blueprint for a sustainable life. 

With six 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 week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

VENOM : THE LAST DANCE - Tuesday 5th November 2024

I saw the M Rated 'VENOM : THE LAST DANCE' at my local multiplex earlier this week, and this American Superhero film features the Marvel Comics character Venom, is the sequel to 2018's 'Venom' and 2022's 'Venom : Let There Be Carnage' and is the fifth film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe. Those first two instalments grossed a combined US$1.36B off the back of a total production budget of US$220M, with the first film in the franchise being Directed by Ruben Fleischer and the second by Andy Serkis. This third and seemingly final offering is Written and Directed by Kelly Marcel in her feature film making debut. The film was released in the US and here in Australia a couple of weeks now now, cost US$120M to produce, has so far grossed US$326M and has generated mixed critical reviews.

Here then, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy once again reprising his role and also taking a Writer and a Co-Producer credit) and his symbiote Venom are on the run down Mexico way getting drunk in some street bar, following their recent battle with Carnage. The murder of Patrick Mulligan (Stephen Graham) one of New York City's finest cops, makes international headlines with Eddie being named the prime suspect on national television which he sees just as he is exiting the bar, forcing him to set out to New York City in an attempt to clear his name. 

Unknown at this stage to both of them, a creature known as a Xenophage has begun tracking Eddie and Venom. The recent events draw the attention of Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a soldier who oversees Imperium, a secret government operation at the site of the very soon-to-be-decommissioned Area 51 in Nevada some 130kms north of Las Vegas, for the capture and study of other symbiotes that have come to Earth. 

Mulligan, it is revealed survived his encounter with Carnage, is captured after being left for dead by another symbiote, who eluded Strickland's soldiers. He is bonded with one of many other contained symbiotes and questioned by Imperium researchers Dr. Teddy Payne (Juno Temple) and Sadie Christmas (Clark Backo), to learn about the symbiotes' purpose on Earth before Strickland is ordered to take Eddie and Venom down. 

Eddie and Venom cling onto the side of an aeroplane bound for New York City when they are attacked by a Xenophage who has been tracking them. A fight breaks out with many of the passengers inside the aircraft watching on in horror at the scene unfolding on the outside at 40,000 feet. Eddie and Venom lurch themselves off the plane, with Venom forming a parachute so that they can glide back down to the ground with a soft landing, which they do in the middle of desert terrain. 

Venom explains to Eddie that Xenophages were unleashed into the universe by Knull (an unrecognisable Andy Serkis), the creator of the symbiotes, to retrieve a Codex, which is forged only when a symbiote resurrects its host. This can free Knull from the prison the symbiotes trapped him in a very long time ago. Because Venom revived Eddie once before, he now carries a Codex that the Xenophage has now tracked to Earth. 

After being ambushed by Strickland and his team while barely escaping from them and the Xenophage, Eddie meets Martin Moon (Rhys Ifans), his wife Nova (Alanna Ubach) and his young son and teenage daughter of traveling hippies and alien enthusiasts who offer him a free ride to Las Vegas on their way to Area 51 for a last ditch attempt to find signs of alien life there. Meanwhile, Mulligan's new symbiote informs Strickland of Knull's intentions with the Codex, which can only be destroyed if either Eddie or Venom dies.

Arriving in Las Vegas, Eddie and Venom run into Mrs. Chen (Peggy Lu) at a casino on vacation and Venom shares a dance with her before being abruptly ambushed by the Xenophage again in her penthouse suite. Strickland's team of crack soldiers arrives, separates Venom from Eddie and flies them to Area 51 where Eddie is reunited with Mulligan. Sadie frees Venom, who re-bonds with Eddie after Strickland shoots him. This attracts the Xenophage to the base, killing Mulligan. Venom has the other confined symbiotes released, which bond with Sadie and other hosts to fight off the Xenophage, who has signalled to Knull that the Codex has been located. Knull sends more Xenophages through portals to Earth, overwhelming the symbiotes. 

Realising he must sacrifice himself to destroy the Codex and save the universe, Venom merges with the Xenophages, leads them into a nearby acid shower, and bids Eddie farewell before ejecting him. Strickland, mortally wounded from a Xenophage attack and being in too close a proximity to the acid shower raining down, pulls the pin on his grenades to destroy them and destroy Area 51 in a giant ball of flame. Payne bonds with a symbiote to save Sadie from the explosion while Eddie falls unconscious as the base burns to the ground.

Sometime later, Eddie comes round in a hospital bed, where a military officer informs Eddie that his actions with Venom at Area 51 have earned him an expungement, under the condition of keeping the events that unfolded there a secret until the day he dies, or risk being imprisoned in the coldest darkest place on Earth. Arriving in New York City, Eddie gazes at the Statue of Liberty, which he said he would take Venom to see, while remembering his former 'buddy'. 

'Venom : The Last Dance' is entertaining enough if your fan of the first two instalments in this franchise, or a fan of Tom Hardy or both, and is an enjoyable popcorn film that delivers on the thrills, spills and kills, has a few moments of emotion, a couple of laugh out loud moments and never takes itself too seriously. This movie is exactly what you would expect it to be - rather disposable and nothing that is really fresh out of the box that we haven't already seen, but for first time feature filmmaking Director Kelly Marcel she has turned in a serviceable conclusion to this franchise that overall in terms of global Box Office take has to date amassed US$1.69B off the back of budgets totalling US$340M, so I guess is a worthwhile exercise for Sony and Marvel. 

'Venom : The Last Dance' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

    

-Steve, at Odeon Online-