THE REVENANT : Tuesday 26th January 2016.

I finally got around to see the much talked about 'THE REVENANT' earlier this week, and was not disappointed given the attention that this film has so far garnered. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Produced and Written for the screen by him too and based loosely on the book of the same name by Michael Punke, this is an epic early Western film the like of which we have not seen before. Filmed in some of the wildest country known to man across Canada, the USA and Argentina with a budget that started off at US$60M that rose to US$95M and ended at US$135M and certainly not without its location, weather, crew and filming challenges. But for all of that Inarritu's has delivered a master stroke of film making using inhospitable but beautiful locations, expertly shot by lensman Emmanuel Lubezki using mostly only natural light, and delivering two outstanding performances from the lead actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy especially. Released on 25th December in time to qualify for the upcoming Academy Awards, the film has so far grossed US$225M and has secured twelve Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Directing, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production, Costume, Make-Up & Hair, Sound Mixing and Editing and Visual Effects. Similarly it is up for eight BAFTA Awards and it walked away with three Golden Globe wins for Best Picture, Best Direction and Best Actor.

And so to the story. Set in the early 1820's and based on the experiences of expert fur trapper and frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) who in the harsh lands of Montana and South Dakota lead a group of men to secure prized animal pelts for sale at a high price. Hunting in the harshest of lands Glass and his men, that include John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy); Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) as Captain of the hunting party; Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) as a younger trapper; and Hawk (Forrest Goodluck) as Glass' young adult half-Indian son; must battle the toughest terrain, not to be trusted French soldiers, not to be trusted work colleagues, blood thirsty native Indians, ever changing weather conditions, and fierce animals that can either hunt or be hunted. Definitely not for the faint hearted, and Inarritu and Lubezki capture this beautiful, bleak and foreboding landscape and all its dangers with a deft touch that is richly rewarding, technically brilliant and totally consuming.

Early on when the hunting party are unexpectedly and savagely attacked by Arikara Indians, the trappers flee by boat but not before many deaths, and the loss of many pelts. With what's left they abandon the boat downstream to hide the remaining valuable pelts for fear of further attacks, and with less to carry over the mountains on foot their journey back to Fort Kiowa will be easier and faster. With only ten men left now out of an original group of 40+, the men make camp for the night. Waking early the next morning Glass wanders off into the woods alone and is mauled by a fully grown grizzly bear protecting its cubs. Not once, but twice, in a scene that is so raw and savage that it will have you on the edge of you seat as you contort and grimace as every bone crunching, flesh shredding, blood letting frame that leaves Glass alive . . . but only just!

Unable to speak, stand, and barely move with his life seemingly ebbing away he is recovered by the remaining group who commit to get Glass back to the fort and so rig up a makeshift stretcher. Fitzgerald though believes that Glass is so close to death that they should end his pain & suffering there, but he is over ruled by the others and Henry who offers up a cash reward for those that stay behind until Glass perishes and then bury him properly. With cash on offer Fitzgerald and Bridger offer to stay behind, accompanied by Glass' dutiful son, Hawk.

Ultimately what unfolds is that Fitzgerald kills Hawk whilst Bridger is out of sight, and this is witnessed by Glass who is powerless to do anything about it. Believing that Glass is near death, Fitzgerald convinces Bridger that Hawk has succumbed to an Indian attack and that they should leave Glass behind and return to the Fort, tell Henry they did the right thing by Glass and claim their cash reward. And so they do, turning their back on Glass who is dragged into a shallow ditch despite his life threatening injuries and covered with damp soil . . . to die!

The film plays out with Fitzgerald and Bridger making their way on foot across the harsh Winter terrain back to Fort Kiowa, as Glass hauls himself out of his shallow grave and drags himself to safety for fear of further Indian attacks. As time progresses Glass does recover slowly but surely, and with a dogged determination to exact out his revenge on Fitzgerald. Hungry, thirsty, nursing open wounds and unable to walk Winter is closing in as he reaches a river, and to escape Indians on his trail he floats down the rapids to safety for the time being. He encounters danger and hostile conditions almost every step of the way but as the weeks pass his health begins to improve, he can stand on two feet, but his wounds are still gaping. He crosses paths with a friendly Pawnee Indian who shares a recently killed bison with him and they travel together with the Pawnee helping nurse Glass back to health as best as he can and provide shelter from the worsening Winter weather.

Glass must endure further hardships and set backs at the hands of French soldiers, marauding Arikara Indians again, and freezing temperatures as he continues his journey south. By now Fitzgerald and Bridger have arrived at Fort Kiowa, spin their story to Henry and take their cash reward. As more weeks pass Glass continues south on foot having lost his horse in a spectacular cliff fall that leaves the horse dead, but still with purpose for Glass who needs to find shelter and warmth from the bitter cold and snow storm closing in.

In time Glass makes it on foot to the Fort and so the truth will out . . . by which time Fitzgerald has made off with his money and that held in the Fort's strong box, and now believed to be heading to Texas to enlist. Glass and Henry give chase and it all comes to an end in a bitter hand to hand fight down beside a snow covered riverbank.

DiCaprio immerses himself in the role and plays his character with such conviction that if  he doesn't win the Best Actor Oscar at the upcoming Awards then he should give up his chosen career for something less challenging and demanding. You can tell that he put his heart and soul into the Hugh Glass character, and what he doesn't say on screen but what he portrays through his actions, mannerisms, pain, fear and emotion speak volumes louder. Tom Hardy is also thoroughly believable as the villain in the piece and is deserving too of his Supporting Actor nomination. All credit though must go to Alejando Gonzalez Inarritu for his vision for this story, the deeply committed performances he pulled out of his cast, the richness of the cinematography, and the rugged landscapes he used as the backdrop to this film despite the challenges endured by all, and the escalating budget.

Intense, uncompromising, raw, and beautiful, this is one of the best films of the year without doubt. Do yourself a favour and see it on the big screen and immerse yourself for 150 minutes in an accomplished piece of filmmaking on almost every level. For me the writing is already on the wall at the Academy Awards!

 

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 7th January 2016.

The 73rd Golden Globe Awards will be announced at another lavish ceremony on 10th January at the Beverly Hilton Hotel hosted once more by Ricky Gervais. Up for grabs are a whole host of awards that for the eventual winners & grinners are often seen as a sure sign of success at the subsequent Oscar Ceremony to be held for the 88th time on 28th February. In the Best Film and Director categories this year the nominations for Best Film - Drama are : 'Mad Max : Fury Road', 'Room', 'Spotlight', 'Carol' and 'The Revenant'. Those nominated for Best Film - Musical or Comedy are : 'Trainwreck', 'Joy', 'Spy', 'The Martian' and 'The Big Short'; with Best Director going to one of the following : Todd Haynes for 'Carol', George Miller for 'Mad Max : Fury Road', Tom McCarthy for 'Spotlight', Ridley Scott for 'The Martian' and Alejandro Inarritu for 'The Revenant'. A number of these films only get there Australian release this month - those being 'The Revenant' as Previewed below on 7th January, with 'Carol' and 'The Big Short' on 14th and 'Room' and 'Spotlight' both on 28th. You can see the full list of nominees and hopefuls for all film and television categories at : goldenglobes.com

Turning then to this week there are just two new movies due for their Australian release - the first being a early American frontier story of survival and revenge from an accomplished Director and an acclaimed cast; and the second a sibling comedy with strong writing credentials and acting chemistry from the two female leads to ensure this finds an audience wanting to party!

And so, when you have seen any one of these films, or any one of the many top movies still out on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed previously amongst these pages, be sure to share your own views and opinions with your fellow readers by leaving your own critique in the Comments section below this or any other Post. Meanwhile, enjoy your movie.

THE REVENANT (Rated MA15+) - Acclaimed Director, Producer and Screenwriter Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is hoping to scoop his fourth Academy Award for this his seventh feature film after winning Best Motion Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for last years 'Birdman' as well as the astonishing other 94 award wins and 124 nominations he so far has under his belt. This film which had its Worldwide Premier on December 16th, a limited release on 25th December and its worldwide release this week has already garnered seventeen award wins and another 88 nominations, many of which are still pending. I think on this basis we are in for the first must see movie of 2016 without doubt. In the event that you didn't know already, Wikipedia describes a revenant as 'a visible ghost or animated corpse that was believed to return from the grave to terrorise the living'.

And so to this story which has its foundation on real events so we are told. Set way back in 1823 in the mid-west America, essentially this is a survival and revenge story after a group of hunters and trappers under the guidance of Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson)  are brutally attacked and ambushed by Arikara Indians. Fleeing the fray fur trapper Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is badly mauled by a Grizzly Bear and left for dead. As a result Glass's young son, Hawk (Forrest Goodluck), is killed by John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Fitzgerald concocts a story that neither Glass nor his son could be saved from the ravages of the wilderness, but when Glass does in fact survive so begins a trail of revenge on the man who killed his son that takes in over 300 kms of Canadian wilderness, the harshest of Winter conditions, unforgiving terrain, blood thirsty natives, untrustworthy colleagues, and French soldiers. Shot largely using natural light, and allegedly in chronological order for a US$135M budget this film is likely to be as tense, gripping, raw, jaw dropping and emotional as any as you'll likely to see this year.

SISTERS (Rated CTC) - Directed by Jason Moore, written by Paula Pell and starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler this comedy was made for US$30M and has so far grossed US$69M since its December 18th opening Stateside. When sisters Maura and Kate Ellis (Poehler and Fey respectively) learn that their mother and father Bucky and Deana Ellis (James Brolin and Dianne Wiest respectively) are to put the family home in Orlando on the market and move into a Condo, and they have just one week in which to clear out their old bedroom. Sifting through the junk and the memories of their old home the recently divorced Maura and impetuous Kate decide to throw a last party in their former home to relive the good old bad old days with their former classmates and long lost friends. However, as the party to end all parties rages increasingly out of control the girls need to save themselves and the house from oblivion, otherwise, there may nothing left to sell when the fog clears. Also starring John Cena and John Leguizamo.

Just two new films for the week ahead and both at completely different ends of the cinematic spectrum. Once you have made your choice and sat through either of both of these, share your views - we'd love to hear from you.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

The 87th Academy Awards - 22nd February 2015.

On Sunday evening 22nd February 2015 the 87th Annual Academy Awards were held at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. Hosted this year, for the first time, by Actor, Producer, Director, Comedian and various other employments tags, Neil Patrick Harris - this Hollywood night of nights was attended by the glitterati, glamourati and paparazzi of the film industry that make up the highly anticipated back slapping, hand wringing, teeth clenching, finger crossing and emotionally charged Oscar ceremony.

With awards given out in 24 categories, this year there were seventeen films that had multiple nominations going into awards night. These were 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)' each having nine nominations; 'The Imitation Game' had eight; 'American Sniper' and 'Boyhood' had six apiece; 'Foxcatcher', 'Interstellar', 'Whiplash' and 'The Theory of Everything' all had five; 'Mr. Turner' had four; 'Into the Woods' and 'Unbroken' with three; and with two nominations each were 'Guardians of the Galaxy', 'Ida', 'Wild, 'Selma' and 'Inherent Vice'.

Shown below then, are the winner & grinners from Oscar Night 2015 in the main categories :-

Best Picture : 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Best Animated Feature Film : 'Big Hero 6'
Best Documentary Feature Film : 'CitizenFour'
Best Foreign Language Film : 'Ida'

Best Achievement in Directing : Alejandro G. Inarritu for 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'

Best Actor in a Leading Role : Eddie Redmayne for 'The Theory of Everything' 
Best Actress in a Leading Role : Julianne Moore for 'Still Alice'
Best Actor in a Supporting Role : J.K.Simmons for 'Whiplash' 
Best Actress in a Supporting Role : Patricia Arquette for 'Boyhood'

Best Cinematography : 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)' 
Best Visual Effects : 'Interstellar'
Best Production Design :  'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Best Costume Design : 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Best Make-Up & Hair : 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Best Original Music Score : 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'

Best Original Screenplay : 'Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Best Adapted Screenplay : 'The Imitation Game'

In the final analysis both 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)' walked away with four golden statues each from nine nominations each, and 'Whiplash' took three from its five nominations.

For this Reviewer and Movie Critic this years Academy Awards were one of the most closely contested  in recent years - in my humble opinion. The competition was very strong and because of it final decisions could have gone any way. I am surprised that not more was made of 'Boyhood, 'Nightcrawler', 'The Imitation Game', 'Mr. Turner', 'Foxcatcher' and 'American Sniper' for example - all excellent movies and Reviewed previously at this Blog. If nothing else it has been good to see such a rich year in terms of cinematic content resulting in closely fought contests this awards season, and, with the promise of more to come over the next twelve months.

Keep watching, keep reading and, see as many movies as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

BIRDMAN : Wednesday 21st January 2015.

The much touted, highly anticipated, eagerly awaited and critically applauded 'BIRDMAN' or ('THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE') has arrived this past week at our cinema screens and I saw this on Wednesday night with a bunch of friends - and I must say that opinion was divided! I however, thoroughly enjoyed the 'Birdman' experience and could find little fault in this unique, quirky, emotional story that ticks all the boxes from its performances, storyline, production values, cinematography and Direction. It really is the complete package that Director Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu has delivered here, and is worthy of all the accolades and praise that is being bestowed upon it.

In choosing Michael Keaton to play the lead role of former Hollywood star Riggan Thomson, there are parallels drawn here with Keaton's own Hollywood history - is this coincidental or deliberate I am wondering on Inarritu's part? Nonetheless, Thomson twenty years ago was the 'Birdman' - a movie Superhero through  three films in the franchise, before he bowed out at the top of his career and the height of his popularity because he no longer wanted to be typecast and he wanted to preserve his artistic integrity, despite the billion dollar plus Box Office that the films generated back then in the early 90's. Keaton was the first 'Batman' back in 1989 & 1992 when Tim Burton reinvigorated the comic strip hero and saw out two films before passing on the cape to Val Kilmer, and then largely disappeared from the mainstream. Same with Riggan Thomson, but, his alter ego has been omni-present in his head ever since - chiding him, taunting him and creating all manner of emotional turmoil.

Now fast forward to the present day and Thomson in a last ditch attempt to save his flagging career, is staging an adaptation of a Raymond Carver story on Broadway, which he is Producing, Directing and starring in. The cast are hired and they are just a few days off their opening night performance. The film opens and we see Thomson with his back to us wearing only his jocks, legs crossed in the yoga position and he is levitating two feet off the ground in his office/dressing room. He gently steps down from his thoughtful state, gets dressed and the camera follows him out of his office, down the winding corridors of this Broadway theatre, up & down stairs, through doorways and out onto the stage where rehearsals are ongoing - he takes his place at the mocked-up kitchen table with three other characters and recites his lines, and at that a light falls from the rigging above down on to the head of one of the other lead actors. Thomson gets up and exits stage right back to his dressing room, claiming to his lawyer and close friend Jake (Zach Galifianakis) that he did that because his fellow actor was not up to scratch and someone better needs to be brought in, and quickly! All of this and more, is executed in one seamless tracking shot that takes you to the heart of the action and pulls you in to the experience as though you are there seeing it unfold.

Very quickly Broadway veteran and highly acclaimed Mike Shiner is recruited to the cast (Edward Norton) whose somewhat unorthodox acting talents rapidly make their mark on cast, crew and Thomson - and for the most part for all the wrong reasons. At the same time, Thomson is battling it out with his girlfriend Laura (Andrea Riseborough) who claims she is pregnant. On the scene to complicate matters further arrives Thomson's ex-wife Sylvia (Amy Ryan) to provide the voice of reason and create some calm - and it is clear that they both still hold a candle for each other. Thomson's PA is his daughter Sam (Emma Stone) fresh out of rehab and clearly the young rebellious fractured 20something who struggles to understand what Dad is all about - jeez - he doesn't even have a Facebook Account, let alone know what Twitter is, so how can he possibly understand her! There is also Lesley (Naomi Watts) an ex-girlfriend of Mike Shiner and first time Broadway actress hoping that this production is her shot at the big time. And then sitting in the background is revered theatre critic Tabitha Dickinson (Lindsay Duncan) who is hell bent on crucifying Thomson's production on opening night and ensuring that it disappears without a trace - because he is a fading movie star celebrity that has no place on Broadway!

All of the interplay between these characters is delivered flawlessly and it seems effortlessly with Edward Norton delivering a career best role as Mike Shiner as the over-the-top cock-sure thespian with a proven track record who is more at home treading the boards that when he is not! Zach Galifianakis plays is down in a slim & trim understated role that is far removed from his 'Hangover' persona. Naomi Watts plays it fairly straight laced because she has everything riding on her first Broadway role, but the interaction between her & Shiner is delightful. Similarly, Emma Stone has her moment in the sun too with a verbal assault on Dad who chides her for smoking a joint despite her being just out of rehab to kick the stuff, and other unsavoury things! There are also a couple of roof-top balcony scenes with Mike Shiner that again show the capabilities of these two strong Actors. And the scene between Thomson and Broadway critic Tabitha Dickinson in a close by bar on the eve of opening night is fraught with emotion and pitch perfect.

All the while 'Birdman' is whispering in Thomson's ear telling him to give up this piece of junk stage play in exchange for a return to the big screen to resurrect 'Birdman' for one last time, and reclaim those good old glory days of fame & fortune. In his everyday state as Thomson we see him exhibit certain Superhero powers of levitation, flight and telepathy - is this real or imagined - you'll have to decide for yourself! None of this does his mind any good as opening night approaches, his stage play is gradually going off the rails (or so he thinks) and he is being torn in all directions by his cast. What will the outcome of this be ultimately on Thomson's mental state, his physical being, that of his cast, opening night critical reception, his reputation and that of his colleagues, and his success or failure as an Actor/Producer/Director attempting against all the odds it seems to re-establish himself.

In delivering 'Birdman' Inarritu has almost rewritten the rule book here and given his characters the chance to shine in a way that we have not seen before. The film is fluid in so many ways, almost free-form and without boundary as performances are nuanced and flawlessly delivered, the camera work seamless, the storyline engaging on so many levels, and the Direction inventive, unique and quirky all at once. The complete package that ticks all the boxes and will easily warrant repeat viewing.

The film has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, nine BAFTA Awards, and has won two Golden Globes for Best Actor (Michael Keaton) and Best Screenplay together with five other nominations. All up it has garnered 123 award wins and 155 nominations so far - with the Hollywood night of nights just a few shorts weeks ago that will put the icing on the proverbial cake if it cleans up there! Get out there and see 'Birdman' soon - you won't be disappointed!

   

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 15th January 2015.

It's mid-January already - awards season is upon us and earlier this week The Golden Globes paved the way for the upcoming Hollywood night of nights in a few weeks time. What this means for the movie going public like you and me is that a whole raft of great films will be released in the coming weeks to ensure that those nominated are fresh in our minds come awards night. For the most part these have already been released 'Stateside' hoping now to gain an extra shot in the Box Office arm carried along by all the publicity and furore that 'The Oscars' generates.

This week is no exception with one of the most talked about movies for a long time hitting our multiplexes that is creating lots of buzz already; then we have the second Directorial outing for one of Hollywood's most recognised actresses and one half of a very powerful Tinseltown couple; and then there is an Aussie family friendly flying flick that ticks all the right boxes!

With so much great stuff out there on general release and Previewed or Reviewed in previous weeks, plus more great new offerings this week and in the following weeks you had better start diarising what your going to see first, next and thereafter! Whatever you decide upon, share your thoughts and observations with the Odeon Online ever expanding readership and Post a Comment after this, or any other Post. Enjoy your movie!

BIRDMAN (aka THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) - (Rated MA15+) - finally after all the buzz, excitement and anticipation surrounding this Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu Directed film, 'Birdman' has arrived. With it comes talk of career best performances from its lead Actor, and not so bad either from its support cast; the strength and originality of the script; and the camera work to create an almost seamless journey through the life of Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) as he struggles to re-establish his career, stage a Broadway play, and fight his own Demons. With Michael Keaton cast at Thomson ('The Birdman') this is almost a case of art imitating life imitating art! In this film Riggan Thomson is an Actor who back in the day was very successful in the lead role of a Superhero movie franchise, known as 'The Birdman', who quit at the height of his popularity after three films and largely faded into obscurity. Similarly Keaton was very successful in the lead role in Tim Burton's early 'Batman' franchise playing the caped crusader twice and then quitting, and largely fading into obscurity, although he has always been somewhere in the background of film & TV releases subsequently!

Now fast forward and the film takes us inside a Broadway theatre when Riggan Thomson is attempting to reignite his flagging career with a Raymond Carver adapted stage play that he is financing, writing, Directing and starring in. . . what could possibly go wrong? With rehearsals ongoing; in fighting amongst the cast & crew; New York critics chomping at the bit; other egos all getting in the way; and plenty of opinions, advice and wisdom being proffered from all quarters -  is it any surprise that Thomson starts to implode? In doing so he starts to hallucinate, levitate and communicate with his alter ego 'Birdman'. Thomson is very much front and centre throughout this film with memorable characters all crossing his path as opening night approaches - Emma Stone at Riggan's daughter and appointed PA Sam, Edward Norton as renowned Broadway Actor Mike Shiner, Naomi Watts as Lesley - an actress and girlfriend of Shiner, Amy Ryan as Riggan's ex-wife Sylvia, Zach Galifanakis as Jake - friend and Lawyer to Riggan and Andrea Riseborough as Laura - also an actress, and Riggan's girlfriend. Touted already as the film of the year on many levels, this US$18M movie has so far garnered 98 awards wins and another 114 nominations and the Academy Award nominations have not even been announced yet (at the time of Publishing this Post). On this basis - it is the 'must-see without fail' so far in 2015.

UNBROKEN (Rated M) - Angelina Jolie's second turn in the Directors chair for this true life account of the extraordinary life of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini whose WWII exploits were adventurous, colourful, fantastical, miserable and testing all at once. The 1956 autobiography 'Devil at my Heels' this film has been doing the rounds well and truly for the last 50+ years - Tony Curtis was in fact set to play Zamperini back in the day, and then in more recent time Brad Pitt, then Nicolas Cage before Jolie got her hands on it and signed up Jack O'Connell to play our hero. Subsequently Laura Hillenbrand wrote the biography which was published in 2010 with whom Jolie collaborated and brought in Joel & Ethan Coen to help write the screenplay. Known for his fast pace and running prowess at school the young Zamperini ran at the 1936 Olympics although failed to win a medal but showed enough promise to be a shoe-in for the 1940 Tokyo Games. The advent of WWII scuppered that dream and joining the US Forces he was shot down over the Pacific and spent 47 days adrift with several other crewman. He was then captured by the Japanese and spent two years as a prisoner of war undergoing all manner of mental and physical hardships and torture. In many respects this story is such an unbelievable one that you might struggle to believe what the human body, mind and spirit can endure as depicted here. Filmed largely in Australia for US$65M this also stars Jai Courtney, Domhnall Gleeson and Garrett Hedlund, and it has picked up nine award wins and 14 nominations so far.

PAPER PLANES (Rated G) - this Australian family film is likely to surprise and delight young and older audiences for its simple grounded storyline, humour, heart and adversity overcome through opportunity. Young Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) is growing up in outback Australia and has developed a fascination for making  - yes you guessed it - paper planes, and has become very good at it! So much so that he qualifies to compete at an event in Sydney, which in turn gives his a chance to attend the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan. However, he needs to convince Dad Jack, (Sam Worthington) that this is a good idea and that such a change of focus will help him recover from the recent death of his wife and Dylan's mother - whom he has been grieving over for the past five months. With a strong story and effects showing all manner of paper planes ducking, diving, bobbing and weaving through the air in all manner of acrobatic and aeronautic movements this could be a real crowd pleaser for kids of all ages! David Wenham and Deborah Mailman also star, and Directed by Robert Connolly.

Once again three very different offerings with which you can't possibly go wrong. Check one out this week and share your movie thoughts with us all right here at Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-