takes place this year from Friday 13th upto and including Thursday 19th November in the city of Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands on Scotland's north east coast. You are cordially invited for a week of compelling stories, bold filmmaking and exciting discoveries from around the world. From award-winning international cinema to undiscovered gems, thought-provoking documentaries and emerging Scottish talent, there’s plenty to explore across dozens of brand new feature and short films.
from the UK, France and the USA and Directed by Danny Boyle. In late 1969 Rupert Murdoch (Guy Pearce) persuades newspaper editor Larry Lamb (Jack O'Connell) to oversee his newly acquired but flagging daily rag, The Sun. But how can they grab readers in the highly competitive British media market? Be extreme, throwing anything onto the page that will make a splash, the more titillating, the better. Also starring Claire Foy.
There are thirty three films in the Feature and Documentary categories that are being screened over the course of the seven days that the festival is in session, plus a whole bunch of short and family oriented films. The feature and documentary strands are divided into 'Highlights', 'World Cinema' and 'Documentaries'. Those nine films being showcased in the Highlights section are as given below :-
* 'Marama' - from New Zealand and the UK and this horror thriller film is Directed by Taratoa Stappard. Set in 1859, a young, Maori woman is summoned from New Zealand to North Yorkshire, where she uncovers the horrific truth of her colonial heritage, and she must destroy the titled Englishman who has devastated her family. Starring Ariana Osborne, Toby Stephens, Umi Myers and Errol Shand.
* 'Elsinor' - from the UK and this drama film is Directed by Simon Stone. The deeply emotional and inspirational true story of Ian Charleson, a gifted Actor whose greatest challenge becomes his greatest triumph. Facing his own mortality with unflinching honesty, wit, and grace, Charleson, who is dying of AIDS, courageously plays Hamlet at London’s National Theatre delivering a performance, following Daniel Day-Lewis’ departure, that becomes a source of healing and inspiration for those around him. Starring Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Billie Piper and Johnny Flynn.
* 'A Talent for Murder' - from the USA and Italy and this drama thriller film is Directed by Anton Corbijn. A mysterious young man from a New York publisher, Edward Ridgeway (Alden Ehrenreich) travels to Switzerland to persuade renowned writer Patricia Highsmith (Helen Mirren) to pen one final instalment of her famous Ripley series. Also starring Olivia Cooke and Juliet Stevenson.
* 'Josephine' - from the USA, this drama film is Directed by Beth de Araujo. Eight-year-old Josephine (Mason Reeves) accidentally witnesses a crime in Golden Gate Park, but struggles to find answers. Her parents Claire and Damien (Gemma Chan and Channing Tatum respectively) are helpless to console her as she begins to experience fear and paranoia.
* 'Mouse' - from the USA, this drama film is Directed by Kelly O'Sullivan and Alex Thompson. When Callie (Chloe Coleman) and Minnie's (Katherine Mallen Kupferer) relationship is upended on the eve of their senior year, Minnie forms a complicated friendship with Callie's mother (Sophie Okonedo).
* 'Paper Tiger' - from the USA and this drama thriller film is Directed by James Gray. Two brothers Gary and Irwin Pearl (Adam Driver and Miles Teller respectively) become entangled in a scheme that turns out to be too good to be true in 1980's Queens, New York. As they try to navigate their way through the dangerous world of the Russian Mafia, family bonds begin to fray with life-altering consequences. Also starring Scarlett Johansson.
* 'The Education of Jane Cumming' - from Germany, Switzerland and the UK, this drama film is Directed by Sophie Heldman. This film is based on the real life story of Marianne Woods (Clare Dunne) and Jane Pirie (Flora Nicholson) who were accused by their pupil Jane Cumming (Mia Tharia) of lesbianism in Scotland in the early 19th Century. Also starring Fiona Shaw.
* 'A Long Winter' - from the USA and Canada, and this drama film is Directed by Andrew Haigh. In 1951, high in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Mike’s (Fred Hechinger) world is thrown into uncertainty when his mother Louise (Caitriona Balfe) vanishes into the wilderness. Alongside his complicated father Lester (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and with their small mountain community rallying together against the unforgiving winter, Mike embarks on a search that leads him toward an unexpected journey of self-discovery, belonging and the quiet strength required to carry on. Also starring Kit Connor, Martin Freeman, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo.
* 'Tender Loving Care' - from the UK and this drama film is Directed by Mike Leigh. Set in post-Brexit England, Amy (Kate O'Flynn), a government child protection worker, moves in with her upbeat best friend Rosie (Alice Bailey Johnson), a social services officer facing daily anger and resentment. Amy's ageing parents worry about her happiness while dealing with their own crisis. Also starring Marion Bailey and Paul Jesson.
For the full details of the other film strands being screened, plus a whole lot of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : http://www.eden-court.co.uk/inverness-film-festival
Turning the focus back on this weeks haul of nine new movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, we kick off with a documentary of how thirty-four days before she’s sent to prison, notorious Silicon Valley founder Elizabeth Holmes invites a skeptical film crew to document her every move. Then we have a thrilling ghost story set in Dickens' London, following one man's supernatural journey to face his past, present and future as he fights for a second chance at redemption. This is followed by an action comedy heist film where a crew of social media-savvy bank robbers put everything on the line for their beliefs - with their most ambitious heist yet. Next up we have a crime comedy offering in which professional shoplifters embark on a wild adventure as they target a cutthroat fashion mogul. Then we turn to a WWII action drama sports film set in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour, where four college football stars discover the strength of brotherhood and the cost of war when they enlist in the US Marines. Following on we have a horror thriller offering centring on a courageous ten year old girl who is locked in a shed and must survive inconceivable odds whilst trying to discover what happened to her family. Up next is a biographical film set in 1949, that sees German writer Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika embarking on a road trip across a Germany in ruins, from US-dominated Frankfurt to Soviet-controlled Weimar. Then, we turn to a political drama film in which a family descends into turmoil after a simple act of disobedience triggers authoritarian persecution; before closing out the week with a British concert film featuring George Michael's 1988 Faith Tour performances at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, captured on 35mm over two nights during the European leg of his tour to promote his debut solo album.
Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the nine 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.
'YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING' (Rated M) - this American metacinema documentary film is Co-Produced, Co-Directed and Co-Stars Nathan Fielder (in his feature film Directing debut) and Lance Oppenheim whose previous feature film output takes in the documentaries
'Some Kind of Heaven' in 2020 and
'Spermworld' in 2024, and the feature film
'Primetime' released recently. The film Premiered as a secret screening at this years Telluride Film Festival in early September, was released in the US in mid-October, has received widespread acclaim from critics and has grossed US$80M against a US$7M production budget.
In 2023, 34 days before Elizabeth Holmes begins her eleven-year prison sentence for defrauding investors through her company Theranos, she and her partner Billy Evans invite filmmakers Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim to document their lives at a rented beach house in Del Mar, California. Despite having extensive access to their personal lives, Fielder suspects them of withholding information. When Fielder questions Holmes about how she promoted Theranos's defective blood-testing device, she denies intentionally misleading anyone about its capabilities, claiming her words were semantically misinterpreted. Her trial in the case of U.S. v. Holmes, et al. ended in January 2022 when Holmes was convicted of defrauding investors and acquitted of defrauding patients. She was sentenced to serve eleven years and three months at Federal Prison Camp, Bryan, Texas, beginning on 30th May 2023. She and the Theranos COO Ramesh 'Sunny' Balwani were ordered to pay US$452M in restitution to the victims of the fraud.
- this UK and US Co-Produced dark comedy film is Directed and Co-Edited by Ti West whose prior feature film Directing credits include his debut with
'The Roost' in 2005,
'Cabin Fever 2 : Spring Fever' in 2009,
'The Innkeepers' in 2011,
'In a Valley of Violence' in 2016,
'X' and
'Pearl' both in 2022 and
'MaXXXine' in 2024. This film is based on the 1843 novella by Charles Dickens. Set in early Victorian London the film follows the miserly businessman Ebenezer Scrooge (Johnny Depp) as he is forced through visions of the past, present, and future during a supernatural journey toward a chance at redemption on the eve of Christmas. Also starring Rupert Grint, Andrea Riseborough, Tramell Tillman, Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Ellie Bamber and Sir Ian McKellen. The film is released in the UK, the USA and here in Australia this week.
'HOW TO ROB A BANK' (Rated M) - is an American action comedy heist film Co-Produced and Directed by David Leitch who made his Directorial debut (albeit uncredited with Chad Stahelski) on
'John Wick' in 2014 and would go onto Direct in his own right
'Atomic Blonde' in 2017,
'Deadpool 2' in 2018,
'Hobbs & Shaw' in 2019,
'Bullet Train' in 2022 and
'The Fall Guy' in 2024 with
'Jason Statham Stole My Bike' currently in production for a 2027 release. Here, a crew of social media-savvy bank robbers broadcast their daring heists to a social media account, unaware that their growing viral fame has put them in the crosshairs of a veteran FBI agent and a brilliant software engineer. Despite the unlikely duo closing in, the crime ring pushes past their limits, putting everything on the line for their beliefs, and their most ambitious heist yet. Starring Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz, Pete Davidson, John C. Reilly and Christian Slater. It is released Stateside and here in Australia this week.
'I LOVE BOOSTERS' (Rated MA15+) - this American crime comedy film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Boots Riley in only his second feature film outing following
'Sorry to Bother You' in 2018. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Corvette (Keke Palmer), Mariah (Taylor Paige), and Sade (Naomi Ackie), known collectively as the 'Velvet Gang', routinely shoplift from the Metro Designers fashion chain run by designer Christie Smith (Demi Moore). They sell the clothes they steal at a discount to make ends meet in what they call 'Fashion Forward Philanthropy'. Also starring Eiza Gonzalez, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter and Don Cheadle. The film saw its Premiere showcasing at South by Southwest Film and Television Festival in mid-March this year, was released in the USA at the end of May, has so far grossed US$10M from a production budget of US$20M and has received positive critical reviews.
'THE MOSQUITO BOWL' (Rated MA15+) - is an American WWII action drama sports film that is Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Peter Berg who made his feature film Directing debut with 19978's
'Very Bad Things' and would follow this up with the likes of
'Friday Night Lights' in 2004,
'Hancock' in 2008,
'The Losers' in 2010,
'Battleship' in 2012,
'Lone Survivor' in 2013,
'Deepwater Horizon' and
'Patriot's Day' both in 2016 and
'Spenser Confidential' in 2020. This film is based on the 2022 novel
'The Mosquito Bowl : A Game of Life and Death in World War II' written by Buzz Bissinger. Here, following the attack on Pearl Harbour, four of America's top college football stars set their fame aside to enlist in the US Marine Corp. As they prepare for the brutal invasion of Okinawa, they'll play in a legendary game, known as the Mosquito Bowl on 24th December 1944, featuring some of the greatest players in history - a game that, for many, will be the last they ever play. Starring Nicholas Galitzine, Bill Skarsgard, Ray Nicholson, Tom Francis, Brent Comer and Pat McAfee. The film was released in the USA on 30th October, is released this week in Australia and is available to stream on Netflix from 25th November, having generated mixed or average critical reviews.
'SHED' (Rated MA15+) - this Australian horror thriller film is Written and Directed by Steven J. Mihaljevich whose previous feature film credits take in
'The Xrossing' in 2020 and
'Violett' in 2023. On Christmas Eve in rural Australia, 10-year-old Mia (Mani Shanks) is accidentally locked inside a workshop shed. As she is trapped, a violent serial killer (John Jarratt) descends on her house. Alone, and unable to fully understand the nightmare unfolding around her, she is forced to endure hunger, fear, and the horrifying realisation that something terrible has happened to her family. Hidden only a few metres from the killer, Mia must rely on patience, instinct, and sheer will to survive in order for her to escape the nightmare unfolding around her.
'FATHERLAND' (Rated PG) - is a Polish, German, Italian and French biographical film Co-Written, Directed and Co-Edited by Paweł Pawlikowski who made his feature film debut with
'Last Resort' in 2000, and who would follow through with
'My Summer of Love' in 2004,
'The Woman in the Fifth' in 2011,
'Ida' in 2013 and
'Cold War' in 2018. This film centres on the relationship between the Nobel Prize-winning writer Thomas May (Hans Zischler) and his daughter Erika (Sandra Hüller), actress, writer and rally driver. In the summer of 1949, at the height of the Cold War, father and daughter embark on a challenging and emotional road trip in a black Buick taking them across a Germany in ruins, from US dominated Frankfurt to Soviet controlled Weimar. Returning home after sixteen years in exile in California, USA, Thomas Mann has to face not only a divided fatherland, but also a deep fracture within his own family. Also starring August Diehl. The film saw its World Premiere screening in the main competition at this years Cannes Film Festival in mid-May where Pawlikowski won the Best Director award, has so far grossed US$8M against a production budget of US$11M and has garnered universal critical acclaim.
'YELLOW LETTERS' (Rated M) - this German, Turkish and French political drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Ilker Catak whose prior feature film offerings include
'I Was, I Am, I Will Be' in 2019 and
'The Teachers' Lounge' in 2023. Life is good for Derya (Ozgu Namal) and Aziz (Tansu Bicer), a celebrated artist couple from Turkey, until an incident at their play’s premiere. Suddenly targeted by the state and struggling to balance their ideals with life’s necessities, their marriage is pushed to a breaking point after they move to Istanbul to live with Aziz's parents, and they and their 13-year-old daughter Ezgi (Leyla Smyrna Cabas) have to redefine their way of life. The film had its World Premiere showcasing in the main competition of this years Berlin International Film Festival in mid-February, where it won the Golden Bear, was released in Germany in early March, and only now does it get a showing in Australia having generated largely positive critical reviews.
'GEORGE MICHAEL : THE FAITH TOUR' (Rated M) - is a British concert film featuring the late English singer-songwriter George Michael, and is Directed by Andy Morahan and David Austin. The concert footage is from the 30th and 31st May 1988 filmed cross two consecutive shows at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris, France during the Faith Tour. It is his first headlining solo concert tour and represented Michael's discography from Wham! to his solo debut album Faith, depicting performances of most songs on the tour's set list. The theatrical release of the film will be opened by a short film by Mary McCartney entitled
'Finding Faith'. The short will feature unseen photographs of Michael by American photographer Herb Ritts, an unheard voice-over interview by Michael recorded between 1986 and 1988, as well as behind-the-scenes footage from the music video shoot for 'Faith'. The film Premiered in London in late October, and was released in UK cinema's last week.
With nine 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-
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