What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 13th February 2025

The 14th annual AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Awards were held on 7th February at the Home of the Arts on Queensland's Gold Coast, and hosted this year by Actor, Producer and Director Russell Crowe.  

The winners and grinners in the feature film categories, were as follows :-

* Best Film - awarded to 'Better Man', beating out 'Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga', 'How to Make Gravy', 'Late Night with the Devil', 'Memoir of a Snail' and 'Runt'.

*  Best Indie Film - awarded to 'Birdeater', beating out 'Before Dawn', 'Christmess', 'Just a Farmer', 'The Emu War' and 'You'll Never Find Me'.

* Best Documentary - awarded to 'Otto by Otto' beating out 'A Horse Named Winx', 'Every Little Thing', 'Midnight Oil : The Hardest Line', 'Porcelain War' and 'The Musical Mind : A Portrait in Progress'.

* Best Direction - awarded to Michael Gracey for 'Better Man'.

* Best Screenplay in Film - awarded to Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole and Michael Gracey for 'Better Man'.

* Best Lead Actor - awarded to Jonno Davies for 'Better Man'.

* Best Lead Actress - awarded to Sarah Snook for 'Memoir of a Snail'.

* Best Supporting Actor - awarded to Damon Herriman for 'Better Man'.

* Best Supporting Actress - awarded to Jacki Weaver for 'Memoir of a Snail'.

* Best Cinematography - awarded to Simon Duggan for 'Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga'.

* Best Editing - awarded to Martin Connor, Lee Smith, Spencer Susser, Jeff Groth and Patrick Correll for 'Better Man'.

* Best Original Music Score - awarded to Batu Sener for 'Better Man'.

* Best Sound - awarded to Robert Mackenzie, Ben Osmo, James Ashton, Yulia Akerholt, Jessica Meier and Tom Holkenborg for 'Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga'.

* Best Production Design - awarded to Colin Gibson and Katie Sharrock for 'Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga'.

* Best Costume Design - awarded to Jenny Beavan for 'Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga'.

* Best Hair and Makeup - awarded to Lesley Vanderwalt, Larry Van Duynhoven, Matteo Silvi, and Luca Vannella for 'Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga'.

* Best Visual Effects or Animation - awarded to Luke Millar, Andy Taylor, Craig Young and Tim Walker for 'Better Man'.

* Best Casting - awarded to Alison Telford, Kate Leonard and Kate Dowd for 'Better Man'.

For the full list of all the awards recipients and nominees, and a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can go to the official AACTA website at : https://www.aacta.org

Now homing back on this weeks four new movies coming to big screen Odeon close to home, we kick off with the 35th film in the MCU in which, after meeting with newly elected President of the USA this newly minted Captain America finds himself in the middle of an international incident. Then we turn to a RomCom that is the fourth in the series about a now middle-aged British woman learning to navigate life as a widow and single mum with the help of her family, friends, and her former lover. Next up we have a RomCom horror slasher in which a masked maniac with glowing, red eyes returns every Valentine's Day to terrorise unsuspecting couples; before closing out the week with a historical drama set in 1917 Burma, where a British diplomat is set to marry his fiancee, but after a sudden panic, escapes to Singapore, sending her on what evolves into a chase across Asia.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the four 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.

'CAPTAIN AMERICA : BRAVE NEW WORLD' (Rated M) - This American Superhero film is based on the Marvel Comics character Sam Wilson / Captain America, and is the fourth instalment in the 'Captain America' film series, a continuation of the TV miniseries 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' and the 35th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This film is Directed and Co-Written for the screen by Julius Onah in his fourth feature film Directing outing following 'The Girl Is in Trouble' in 2015, 'The Cloverfield Paradox' in 2018, and 'Luce' in 2019. The first three films in the 'Captain America' film franchise - 'Captain America : The First Avenger' in 2011, 'Captain America : The Winter Soldier' in 2014, and 'Captain America : Civil War' in 2016 grossed US$2,238B at the global Box Office from combined production budgets of US$560M, making this fourth offering a no brainer. That latter film ended the 'Captain America' trilogy starring Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, and Sam Wilson becomes the new Captain America in 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier'. 

Following the election of Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) as the President of the United States, Sam Wilson / Captain America (Anthony Mackie) finds himself at the centre of an international incident and must work to stop the true masterminds behind a nefarious global plot. Also starring Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Liv Tyler and Rosa Salazar. The film is released Stateside and here in Australia this week, and cost a reported US$180M to produce. 

'BRIDGET JONES : MAD ABOUT THE BOY' (Rated M) - is a RomCom Directed by Michael Morris, in only his second feature film offering after 'To Leslie' in 2023. This film is based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Helen Fielding. It is the sequel to 2016's 'Bridget Jones's Baby' and the fourth instalment in the Bridget Jones film series which began in 2001 with 'Bridget Jones Diary', which was followed by 'Bridget Jones : The Edge of Reason' in 2004. Those first three films in the franchise grossed US$756M off the back of combined production budgets of US$100M. Here, Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger, reprising her role from the prior three films) finally has some luck in her life - she has a great job as a screenwriter, her family and a new boyfriend; the fact that he is over twenty years younger than her isn't the only thing that is causing problems. Also starring Hugh Grant, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Isla Fisher, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent, Celia Imrie and Colin Firth. The film is released internationally this week and is available to stream on Peacock this week too. This is reportedly the fourth and final film in the series.

'HEART EYES' (Rated MA15+) - this American RomCom slasher film is released here in Australia on the eve of Valentine's Day, and is Directed by Josh Ruben in his third feature film credit after 'Scare Me' in 2020 and 'Werewolves Within' in 2021, although he has acted, written and produced numerous other short films, podcasts and TV series also. Here then, for the past several years, a serial killer known as Heart Eyes has moved from different cities killing multiple romantic couples on Valentine's Day. In the present year, he moves to Seattle and murders a couple at a winery and then at a spa. Detectives Jeanette Shaw (Jordana Brewster) and her partner Hobbs (Devon Sawa) are out on the case and find a wedding ring engraved with the initials J.S. at the winery. Meanwhile, recently met couple Ally (Olivia Holt) and Jay Simmons (Mason Gooding) may just become the Heart Eyes Killer next victims. The film was released in the US last week, has garnered generally positive critical reviews, and has so far grossed US$9M from a production budget of US$18M.

'GRAND TOUR' (Rated M) - this Portuguese, Italian, French and German Co-Produced historical drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Miguel Gomes whose prior feature film works are 2004's 'The Face You Deserve', 2008's 'Our Beloved Month of August', 2012's 'Tabu' and 2015's 'Arabian Nights'. Set in 1918, Rangoon (formerly Burma and now latterly Myanmar) is a city under British colonial rule. Civil servant Edward (Goncalo Waddington) abandons his fiancee Molly (Crista Alfaiate) on the day they are to be married. He flees in a state of melancholy, contemplating Molly's condition. Determined to be married, Molly follows his trail. The film saw its World Premiere in late May last year at the Cannes Film Festival, and was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or in its main competition section, where Gomes won the Best Director award. The film was released in Portugal in mid-September, in France in late November and is released here in Australia this week having seen its Australian Premiere at the Sydney Film Festival in mid-June last year. It has so far grossed US$697K and has generated largely favourable critical reviews.

With four 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-

COMPANION : Tuesday 4th February 2025

I saw the MA15+ Rated 'COMPANION' at my local multiplex this week, and this American science fiction thriller film is Written and Directed by Drew Hancock in his feature film making debut. The film was released Stateside on 31st January, has so far grossed US$22M from a production budget of US$10M and has received positive critical reviews. 

The film opens with a young woman pushing a shopping trolley down the aisles of a grocery store. There she sets eyes on a young man and there is an instant attraction. They introduce themselves as Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid). Sometime later, they drive to an isolated lakehouse to meet friends Kat (Megan Suri), couple Eli (Harvey Guillen) and Patrick (Lukas Gage), and Sergey (Rupert Friend), Kat's boyfriend who owns the house and the acreage that surrounds the lake. The group settle in, eat dinner together and dance the night away. 

The next day, Iris is down at the lakeside and along saunters Sergey, who attempts to rape Iris, allegedly at Kat's suggestion. He refuses to stop, and she kills him in self-defence, by plunging a knife into his neck. Soaked in Sergey's blood and panic stricken, she returns to the house to explain. Josh uses the command, 'Iris, go to sleep', so powering her down.

Iris is awakened and bound to a chair. Josh informs Iris that she's a 'companion' robot who can be controlled by an app on his mobile phone. He leaves the room to talk with Kat. While away, Iris breaks free, steals Josh's phone and flees into a nearby forest. She reviews her settings first toying with the colour of her eyes, then the tone of her voice and finally increasing her intelligence levels from 40% to 100%. It's revealed Josh 'jailbroke' Iris, increasing aggression levels and disabling her inability to do harm. He and Kat planned for Iris to kill Sergey to steal US$12M in cash that he has stashed in a safe. Eli and Patrick were invited to corroborate their story if necessary. Josh and Kat insist Patrick's not entitled to money because he 'doesn't count', revealing Patrick to be a 'companion' also. Eli takes a gun from Sergey's safe, believing Iris can't truly be shut down while possessing Josh's phone. They search the forest for her with Josh and Kat.

In a quiet moment in the forest Patrick admits to Eli that he knows he's a robot, but loves him regardless. They hear Josh's phone buzzing nearby and spot Iris hiding behind a tree. She flees, Eli takes a shot at her and misses, but quickly catches up and tackles her as they tumble downhill. The gun is knocked away in the scuffle, and while wrestling for control of it, Iris shoots Eli dead. She returns to the house, attempting to escape in Josh's self-driving car, using the voice control on Josh's phone to emulate his voice to command the car to 'drive home'. Josh uses Sergey's phone, reporting the car stolen. The car comes to a halt a short time later by the side of the road, locking her in. Josh resets Patrick to be his 'companion,' applies the same jailbreaking mod(ification)s, and commands him to find and return Iris to him.

Iris kicks out the car's window to flee on foot, but is stopped by a randomly passing Police Patrol Car. Police Officer Hendrix (Marc Menchaca) questions Iris who has switched her language settings to German in order to deter him as companions are unable to lie, but he then sees the bloodied knife in the car. About to apprehend Iris, Patrick appears and beats Hendrix to death, then disables Iris using Sergey's phone. She falls unconscious, and is brought back to the lakehouse. Kat, disgusted by Josh's actions, tries leaving with her share of the US$12M. Josh orders Patrick to stop her, and so he stabs her in the back with a kitchen knife. She stumbles to the sofa where she bleeds out.

Later that night, Patrick cooks dinner for Josh. Empathix (the company that owns and markets the companions) calls. Josh answers, making his conversation sound as though he is in fear of Iris, wanting her removed from his life. Iris, handcuffed to a chair at the other end of the table, waits. Josh carries on about how little he has in life, with Iris responding and belittling him. He retaliates, decreasing her intelligence down to 0%, turning her into an automaton. He commands she raise her arm and then lower her hand holding it over a burning candle, refusing to let her remove it even as her arm catches fire, then commands she shoot herself in the head. Empathix workers Sid (Matt McCarthy) and Teddy (Jaboukie Young-White) arrive. Josh concocts a story about her malfunctioning, shooting herself out of emotional turmoil and so wiping her memories. They inform Josh that video isn't stored in the head like a brain, and is instead in the stomach area. They leave with Iris on a stretcher. Josh commands Patrick kill them and retrieve Iris. Patrick kills Sid, but Teddy flees, trips and falls as Patrick catches up. Before he can kill Teddy, Iris fully reboots, pleading Patrick to spare him, appealing to his better judgement and reminding him of his love for Eli. He struggles to hold back due to the aggression mod. Overcome with despair over his lack of true humanity, Patrick commits suicide by placing an electric cattle prod in his mouth and turning it on. Teddy grants Iris full control of herself.

Iris returns to the house one last time, confronting Josh. The pair get into a physical fight with Josh seemingly gaining the upper hand. As Josh is straddling Iris, she reaches for an electric corkscrew and instructs Josh 'go to sleep,' while stabbing him in the temple with the corkscrew ejecting bits of skull and brain like a cork, killing him. The next morning, she peels the burnt 'skin' off her arm while showering blood and dirt from the prior day away, exposing the metal skeleton underneath. She packs clothes and Sergey's US$12M in cash, leaving in a convertible vintage sports car. While driving away, she sees another man driving with a bot that looks exactly like her except for the styling of hair and makeup. Iris smiles and waves her robotic hand to the latter's confusion, having recognised their near identical appearance. 

'Companion' is a science fiction horror thriller romantic drama with enough dark humour thrown into the mix to satisfy the most discerning viewer. Sophie Thatcher is a revelation in her performance as the robotic AI femme fatale with the other cast members all doing their fair share of the heavy lifting in supporting roles. First time feature Director Drew Hancock has delivered us a film that is an allegory on relationships, control, coercion, greed, the evil that men can do and ultimately survival, and on this basis the film succeeds handsomely, and you will be entertained for all of its brisk 97 minute run time.

'Companion' warrants four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

CONCLAVE : Monday 3rd February 2025

I saw the PG Rated 'CONCLAVE' at the Open Air Cinema at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair this week, overlooking the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the CBD. This UK and US Co-Produced film is Directed by Edward Berger and is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. Edward Berger's previous film credits take in 'Jack' in 2014, 'All My Loving' in 2019 and the critically acclaimed and multi award winning 'All Quiet on the Western Front' in 2022. This film had its World Premiere screening at last years Telluride Film Festival in late August, was released in the US in late October, in the UK in late November, cost US$20M to produce, and has so far grossed US$92M. It has received generally positive critical reviews and has so far collected 59 award wins and another 294 nominations, many of which are still pending a final determination, from around the awards and festival circuit, including eight Academy Award nods. 

The films opens with the dead body of the pope lying peacefully in his bed where he passed away several hours before. It is the early hours of the morning and already sitting beside the late pope's bedside are Aldo Bellini (Stanley Tucci) and Joseph Tremblay (John Lithgow) - two of his closest Cardinals. Into the room in the early hours of the morning comes dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), and shortly thereafter the body is prepared before being removed (rather unceremoniously) by a pair of Ambulance men. Under the leadership of Lawrence, the College of Cardinals must convene in a Conclave, to elect the next pope. 

There are four leading candidates, all of whom have their sights set on the next papacy. These are Bellini of the US, Tremblay of Canada, Goffredo Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) of Italy and Joshua Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) of Nigeria. Janusz Wozniak (Jacek Koman), the prefect of the papal household, has information for Lawrence that the late pope demanded Tremblay's resignation on the night he died. Lawrence confronts Tremblay with this news, which he vehemently denies. Bellini tells his supporters his goal is to prevent Tedesco from becoming pope, because he is way too traditional in his views of the role of the pope. 

Meanwhile, Lawrence is taken aback by the last-minute arrival of Archbishop Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz) of Kabul, whom the late pope named cardinal the previous year in secret. None of the one hundred or so Cardinals had any prior knowledge of Benitez existence up that point, and Lawrence had no reason to doubt his claims as genuine.

After the first ballot is counted, no one obtains the required two-thirds majority, though Adeyemi has a slight edge and Bellini and Lawrence split the liberal vote. Raymond O'Malley (Brian F. O'Byrne), Lawrence's assistant, does some background digging on Benitez, where he learns the late pope paid for his plane ticket to Geneva for a canceled medical appointment. On the second day, while the Cardinals were gathered for lunch, the college witnesses a confrontation between Adeyemi, who leads in the votes, and Sister Shanumi (Balkissa Maiga), a nun recently transferred from Nigeria to Vatican City. After Adeyemi storms out of the lunch room, Lawrence privately speaks with Shanumi, who confesses to an illicit relationship that led to the birth of a son, albeit some twenty years ago. Lawrence then confronts Adeyemi with this news, and asks him is he wishes to confess. Though Lawrence is bound to secrecy by order of the Confession, a whisper campaign puts an end to Adeyemi's candidacy. Bellini thereafter, reluctantly decides to back Tremblay.

Working with Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini), the nun overseeing the cardinals' catering and housekeeping arrangements, Lawrence learns that Tremblay arranged for Shanumi's transfer. When confronted, Tremblay claims that he did so at the late pope's request. Lawrence then breaks into the late pope's quarters and discovers documents that implicate Tremblay did so, but without the pope's consent. He shows the documents to Bellini, whose plea not to reveal their existence sparks an argument. Lawrence has Sister Agnes copy the document for every member of the college.

On the third day, following the revelation of Tremblay's actions, Lawrence reconciles with Bellini and agrees to oppose Tedesco. Lawrence votes for himself during the sixth ballot, which is interrupted by an explosion that knocks him to the floor and damages the Sistine Chapel, covering many of the Cardinal's in dust and debris, and none are seriously injured. 

The college learns the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber who detonated himself near the Vatican, killing about a dozen in the crowd, and injuring many more. Tedesco calls for a religious war, while Benitez says that violence should not be met with violence. The college overwhelmingly elects Benitez in the seventh ballot, and he chooses the papal name of 'Innocent'.

Lawrence is initially enthusiastic and relieved, until O'Malley pulls him aside to discuss the nature of Benitez's canceled medical appointment . . . and I'll leave it there, for to tell of the twist in this tale will likely spoil it for those who have yet to see 'Conclave'. Needless to say, you won't have seen that one coming!

With 'Conclave' Director Edward Berger has here crafted a film aimed squarely at a more mature audience, looking for good old fashioned high stakes drama underscored by a first rate all on their A-game cast, top notch cinematography, and a taut riveting story that will maintain your unwavering interest right up until the end. This film has political intrigue, some real laugh out loud moments, and all the plot twists and turns that you could possibly hope for all wrapped up in a neat entertaining package that is well worth the price of your movie ticket and will keep you enthralled for its two hour run time. 

'Conclave' merits five claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 6th February 2025.

This years 54th edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) takes place from Thursday 30th January though until Sunday 9th February. IFFR presents a leading international film festival and year-round programme that deepens appreciation of cinema in all its forms, broadens and diversifies audiences, and creates opportunities for independent filmmakers and artists from around the globe. It seeks to expand, enrich and challenge people’s views of the world and each other through film and audiovisual arts.

The festival opened with 'Fabula', a Dutch film Directed by Michiel ten Horn, and the closing night film is 'This City Is a Battlefield' an Indonesian war drama film Directed by Mouly Surya. 

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 will also be presented for exceptional artistic achievement within the competition.

This years films in the Tiger Competition category are :-

* 'L’arbre de l’authenticite', Directed by Sammy Baloji and from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Belgium.

* 'Bad Girl', Directed by Varsha Bharath from India.
* 'Blind Love', Directed by Julian Chou from Taiwan.
* 'Fiume o morte!', Directed by Igor Bezinovic and from Croatia, Italy and Slovenia.
* 'La gran historia de la filosofia occidental', Directed by Aria Covamonas from Mexico.
* 'Guo Ran', Directed by Li Dongmei from China.
* 'Im Haus meiner Eltern', Directed by Tim Ellrich from Germany.
* 'Primeira pessoa do plural', Directed by Sandro Aguilar from Portugal and Italy.
* 'Tears in Kuala Lumpur', Directed by Ridhwan Saidi from Malaysia.

* 'Perla', Directed by Alexandra Makarova from Austria and Slovakia.

* 'Vitrival – The Most Beautiful Village in the World', Directed by Noelle Bastin and Baptiste Bogaert from Belgium.
* 'Wind, Talk to Me', Directed by Stefan Djordjevic from Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia.
* 'Wondrous Is the Silence of My Master', Directed by Ivan Salatie from Montenegro.
* 'Sunshine Express', Directed by Amirali Navaee from Iran.

For the full line up of films being showcased at this years IFFR, the details of the other competitive strands plus a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : https://iffr.com/en/

Looking ahead to this weeks five new movies coming to a big screen Odeon near you, we kick off with a historical drama retelling set during the 1972 Munich Olympics in which an American sports broadcasting team must adapt to live coverage of the Israeli athletes being held hostage by a terrorist group. This is followed by a supernatural thriller centred around a family who become convinced they are not alone after moving into their new home in the suburbs. Next up is a historical romantic drama set in Mexico City in the early 1950's in which an American immigrant leads a solitary life amongst a small American community, however, the arrival of a young student stirs the man into finally establishing a meaningful relationship with someone. Then we turn to the story behind the Veuve Clicquot champagne family and the business that began in the late 18th century; before closing out the week with a biographical doco charting the early years back in the late '60's of the English rock band Led Zeppelin.

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 coming week.

'SEPTEMBER 5' (Rated M) - is a historical drama thriller Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Tim Fehlbaum who made his feature film debut with 'Hell' in 2011 and then 'Tides' in 2021. This film saw its World Premiere screening at the Venice International Film Festival in late August last year and was released in the US in mid-January this year, having so far grossed US$2.5M and receiving positive reviews from critics. The film has so far collected ten award wins and another twenty-seven nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

This film is set around the terrorist attack on the 1972 Summer Olympics hosted in Munich, Germany, but is really about the ABC sports crew suddenly tasked with providing live reports about the attack involving Israeli athletes taken hostage. We see everything from the crew's point of view. Starring Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, Leonie Bensech and Benjamin Walker.

'PRESENCE' (Rated MA15+) - this American supernatural thriller drama film is Directed, lensed and Edited by Steven Soderbergh, whose previous feature film making credits take in his debut in 1989 with 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' which he would follow up with numerous others including 'Out of Sight' in 1998, 'Erin Brockovich' and 'Traffic' both in 2000, 'Ocean's Eleven', 'Ocean's Twelve' and 'Ocean's Thirteen' in 2001, 2004 and 2007 respectively, 'Contagion' in 2011, 'Magic Mike' in 2012, 'Side Effects' in 2013, 'Logan Lucky' in 2017 and 'Unsane' in 2018, with 'Black Bag' scheduled for a release later this year. Here then, a family of four, consisting mother Rebecca Payne (Lucy Liu), father Chris (Chris Sullivan), elder brother Tyler (Eddy Maday) and younger sister Chloe (Callina Liang) move into their new home in the suburbs only to become convinced a short time later that they are not alone in the house. The film was released in the US late in January having seen its World Premiere screening at the January 2024 Sundance Film Festival, has so far recovered US$5.2M from a production budget of just US$2M and has received generally favourable reviews. 

'QUEER' (Rated MA15+) - is a period romantic drama film Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Luca Guadagnino whose prior film making credits include his Directorial debut in 1999 with 'The Protagonists', and then 'A Bigger Splash' in 2015, 'Call Me by Your Name' in 2017, 'Suspiria' in 2018, 'Bones and All' in 2022 and 'Challengers' in 2024, with 'After the Hunt' due for release later this year. Set in 1950 in Mexico City, American expat William Lee (Daniel Craig), spends his days almost entirely alone, except for a few contacts with other members of the small American community. His encounter with Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), an expat former soldier, new to the city, shows him, for the first time, that it might be finally possible to establish an intimate connection with somebody. This film is based on the 1985 novella of the same name by William S. Burroughs, saw its World Premiere showcasing at the Venice International Film Festival in early September last year, was released Stateside at the end of November, has so far grossed US$5M from a production budget of US$49M and has generated largely favourable critical reviews.

'WIDOW CLICQUOT' (Rated M) - this US, UK and French Co-Produced film is Directed by Thomas Napper, and is based on the 2008 book of the same name by Tilar J. Mazzeo. Here, following her husband's untimely death, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot (Haley Bennett) flouts convention in 1805 by assuming the reins of the fledgling wine business they had nurtured together from the late 1700's. Steering the company through dizzying political and financial reversals, she defies her critics and revolutionises the French Champagne industry to become one of the world's first great businesswomen. She died in 1866 at the age of 88. Also starring Tom Sturridge and Sam Riley, the film saw its World Premiere at TIFF in mid-September 2023, was released in the US in mid-July last year and only now is released in Australia having so far grossed US$3M and receiving generally favourable critical acclaim. 

'BECOMING LED ZEPPELIN' (Rated PG) - is a documentary film Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Bernard MacMahon whose 'American Epic' film series is widely considered as the definitive portrait of a musical era, and one of the best music documentaries ever made. This film traces the journeys of Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham and Robert Plant through the music scene of the 1960's, their meeting in the summer of 1968 and meteoric ascendancy throughout 1969, culminating in 1970 when they become the No. 1 band in the world. The story is told exclusively by the band members with the late John Bonham represented by previously unheard audio interviews. The film features full performances, never-before-seen footage of the band's early US and British concerts and unseen material from the band's personal archives. It is released in the US and Canada this week too, and has received mixed or average reviews. 

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 week ahead.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Quick Takes : The movies I saw in January 2025.

Although I was off-line throughout January enjoying the heat of an Aussie summer, as well as some much needed summer rain, this didn't stop me from enjoying my weekly trip to my local movie theatre to catch a film of choice. Below are my quick takes of the latest films seen this past month.

'NOSFERATU' (Rated M) - Tuesday 7th January 2025.

This American supernatural horror film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Robert Eggers whose prior feature film making credits take in his debut in 2015 with 'The Witch', and he followed this up with 'The Lighthouse' in 2019, and 'The Northman' in 2022. This film is a remake of the classic silent film of 1922 of the same name by Director F.W. Murnau and an unauthorised adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel 'Count Dracula'. This film saw its World Premiere screening in Berlin, Germany in early December, was released in the US on Christmas Day, in Australia on New Years Day having garnered widespread critical acclaim, has so far grossed US$167M from a production budget of US$50M and has collected thirty-two award wins and another 164 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit, with a number of those award nods still pending an outcome.

Set in 1838 in the town of Wisborg, Germany, the film follows estate agent Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) as he travels to Transylvania's Carpathian Mountains for a fateful meeting with Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard), a prospective client who wants to sell his run down old castle in the mountains and relocate to Wisborg. In his absence, Hutter's new bride, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp), is left under the care of their friends, Friedrich (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Anna (Emma Corrin) Harding. Plagued by horrific visions and an increasing sense of dread, Ellen soon encounters an evil force that's far beyond her control. Also starring Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson and Simon McBurney. 

In his fourth feature film outing Writer, Producer and Director Robert Eggers here has delivered us a very worthy remake of the 1922 and 1979 (Directed by Werner Herzog) films with an updated version that is a chilling, macabre, Victorian era horror story from which he eeks out first rate awards worthy performances from Depp, Hoult and Dafoe while lensman Jarin Blaschke adds a foreboding sense of dread and fear to the films aesthetic. 

'Nosferatu' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

'DEN OF THIEVES : PANTERA' (Rated M) - Tuesday 14th January 2025.                              This American heist film is a sequel to the 2018 film 'Den of Thieves' and is Written and Directed once again by Christian Gudegast in only his second feature film making outing. The film was released here in Australia and the US on 9th and 10th January respectively, has so far recovered US$48M from its US$40M production budget and has generated mixed or average reviews. Here then, Nicholas 'Big Nick' O'Brien (Gerard Butler, who also serves as Co-Producer here) the recently divorced LASD Sheriff is back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie Wilson (O'Shea Jackson who also Co-Produces), who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world's largest diamond exchange in Nice, Southern France. Also starring Evin Ahmad. Gerard Butler has already indicated his willingness to make a third film in the franchise and not to leave it too long for the next instalment. 

I have to say that I went into this viewing with fairly average expectations, but came out just a little more than surprised by what Writer and Director Christian Gudegast has delivered. The two lead Actors in Butler and Jackson have a natural on screen chemistry, the sun drenched locations of the French Riviera, the well executed action sequences and the staging of the heist on the World Diamond Centre all amount to a well crafted film, albeit one that you can leave your brain at the door, and is fairly predictable run of the mill fare. In the final analysis you know exactly what you're gonna get from this follow up instalment that adds nothing new to the heist genre, but does it in an acceptable fashion.

'Den of Thieves : Pantera' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

'WOLF MAN' (Rated MA15+) : Tuesday 21st January 2025 - is an American horror film Co-Written and Directed by Leigh Whannell, whose three prior feature film credits are 'Insidious : Chapter 3' in 2015, 'Upgrade' in 2018, and 'The Invisible Man' in 2020, with his Writing and Executive Producer credits taking in the majority of the 'Saw' franchise films, plus a few others in between time. The film was first muted in mid-2014 and was to be part of the Dark Universe, a shared cinematic universe surrounding the Universal Studios Monsters. However, following the critical and commercial failure of 2017's 'The Mummy' Universal moved its focus to standalone films, although the success of Whannell's 2020 'The Invisible Man' reignited Universal's interest in the Monsters franchise. This film serves as a reboot of the 1941 film 'The Wolf Man', has garnered mixed or average critical reviews and has so far grossed US$28M from its production budget of US$25M. 

Here, Blake (Christopher Abbott), his wife Charlotte (Julia Garner) and their young daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth) are attacked by an unseen animal in rural Oregon and, in a desperate escape, barricade themselves inside Blake's inherited remote farmhouse as the creature stalks the perimeter. As the night stretches on, however, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognisable that soon places his family in grave danger. Leigh Whannell's 'Wolf Man' I would describe more as a thriller than a horror offering that is light on jump scares, edge of your seat tension, nail biting emotion and dramatic punch. That said the performances of Abbott and Garner are on point, the visuals from the PoV of a transformed Blake add a fresh dimension, but I found the transformation of Blake into the titular Wolf Man to be sub-par when compared to the John Landis classic 1981 'An American Werewolf in London' which set the standard by which all other lycanthropic films are judged . . . and that was 44 years ago! 'Wolf Man' is an OK film albeit a fairly predictable one.

'Wolf Man' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

'A COMPLETE UNKNOWN' (Rated M) : Tuesday 28th January 2025. This American biographical drama film is Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by James Mangold, whose prior film making credits take in the likes of 'Cop Land' in 1997, 'Girl, Interrupted' in 1999, 'Walk the Line' in 2005, '3:10 to Yuma' in 2007, 'The Wolverine' in 2013, 'Logan' in 2017, 'Ford v Ferrari' in 2019 and 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' in 2023. This film is based on the 2015 book 'Dylan Goes Electric!' by Elijah Wald, and is about the early formative years of singer and songwriter Bob Dylan. The film has so far grossed US$75M from a production budget of about US$60M, has garnered generally positive critical reviews and has so far collected sixteen award wins and a further 109 nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit with many of those nods still pending a final decision. 

The film opens up in New York City in 1961, where amidst the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old Bob Dylan (Timothee Chalamet, who also Co-Produces here) from Minnesota arrives with his acoustic guitar, harmonica and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village including a very sick and in ill health in hospital Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) and later Johnny Cash (Boyd Holbrook) on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival at which Dylan and his band were the closing act, that reverberates worldwide. Also starring Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Dylan's girlfriend at the time. Chalamet is a compelling watch in the biopic of the great American singer/songwriter, more than ably supported by especially Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro. Mangold's deft Direction and his superlative attention to the early 1960's production values, when coupled with Chalamet's commitment to learning to play the guitar and harmonica, and, master Dylan's voice over a five year period all add up to a film that is more than worthy of your attention, and the price of your movie ticket. My only criticism is that at times Chalamet's voice is a little too gravelly and verging on the indecipherable. Nonetheless, Chalamet and Mangold deserve all the accolades they get.

'A Complete Unknown' warrants four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-