What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 19th February 2026.

The 76th Berlin International Film Festival (The Berlinale) is currently in full swing having opened on Thursday 12th and concluding on Sunday 22nd February. The Berlinale is a unique place of artistic exploration and entertainment. It is one of the largest public film festivals in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe each year. For the film industry and the media, the eleven days in February are also one of the most important events in the annual calendar and an indispensable trading forum. The Berlin International Film Festival enjoys an eventful history. The festival was created for the Berlin public in 1951, at the beginning of the Cold War, as a 'showcase of the free world'. Shaped by the turbulent post-war period and the unique situation of a divided city, the Berlinale has developed into a place of intercultural exchange and a platform for the critical cinematic exploration of social issues. To this day it is considered the most political of all the major film festivals . . . .  so reads the official website.

This years Opening Night film presentation was 'No Good Men' from Germany, France, Norway, Denmark and Afghanistan and is Directed by Shahrbanoo Sadat. Afghanistan, 2021, shortly before the Taliban’s return to power. Naru, the only camerawoman at Kabul’s main TV station, is struggling to retain custody of her three-year-old son. After leaving her serially cheating husband, she has become convinced that no good men exist in her country. Naru is therefore caught off guard when Qodrat, Kabul TV’s most important journalist, offers her a career opportunity. As the two criss-cross the city reporting on its last days of freedom, sparks fly between them and Naru starts to doubt her conviction. World Premiere.

During the Opening Ceremony, Malaysian Actress Michelle Yeoh was awarded the Honorary Golden Bear.

The following films were selected for the Main Competition for the Golden Bear to be announced on 20th January, overseen by this years Jury President, German filmmaker Wim Wenders :-

* 'At the Sea' - from the USA and Hungary and this drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Kornel Mundruczo, and starring Amy Adams, Murray Bartlett, Chloe East, Dan Levy and Rainn Wilson.

* 'Dao' - from France, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal, this drama film is Written, Directed and Co-Edited by Alain Gomis.

* 'Dust' - from Belgium, Greece, Poland and the UK, this drama offering is Directed by Anke Blonde.

* 'Everybody Digs Bill Evans' - from Ireland and the UK, this biographical drama film is Directed by Grant Gee and stars Anders Danielsen, Bill Pullman, Barry Ward and Laurie Metcalf.

* 'Home Stories' - from Germany, this coming of age family drama film is Written and Directed by Eva Trobisch.

* 'In a Whisper' - from France and Tunisia, this drama film is Written and Directed by Leyla Bouzid.

* 'The Loneliest Man in Town' - from Austria, this docufiction drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel, is Written by and Co-Edited by Tizza Covi and photographed by Rainer Frimmel. 

* 'Josephine' - from the USA, this thriller drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Beth de Araujo, and stars Gemma Chan, Channing Tatum and Mason Reeves.

* 'Flies' - from Mexico, and this comedy drama film is Co-Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Co-Edited by Fernando Elmbcke.

* 'My Wife Cries' - from Germany and France, this drama film is Written, Directed and Edited by Angela Schanelec.

* 'A New Dawn' - from France and Japan, this animated drama film is Written and Directed by Yoshitoshi Shinomiya.

* 'Nightborn' - from Finland, France, Lithuania and the UK, this fantasy horror film is Co-Written and Directed by Hannah Bergholm and stars Seidi Haarla, Rupert Grint, Rebecca Lacey and John Thomson.

* 'Nina Roza' - from Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada and Italy, this drama offering is Written and Directed by Genevieve Dulude-De Celles.

* 'Queen at Sea' - from the UK and the USA, this drama film is Written, Directed and Edited by Lance Hammer, and stars Juliette Binoche, Tom Courtenay, Anna Calder-Marshall, Florence Hunt and Steven Cree.

* 'Rose' - from Austria and Germany, this drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Markus Schleinzer and stars Sandra Huller.

* 'Rosebush Pruning' - from Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, this satirical tragicomedy thriller film is Directed by Karim Ainouz, and stars Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Elle Fanning, Jamie Bell, Tracy Letts, Pamela Anderson, Elena Anaya and Lukas Gage.

* 'Soumsoum : The Night of the Stars' - from Chad and France, this drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun.

* 'Salvation' - from France, Greece, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Turkey, this drama offering is Written and Directed by Emin Alper.

* 'Yellow Letters' - from Germany, France and Turkey, this political drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Ilker Catak.

* 'We Are All Strangers' - from Singapore, this drama film is Written, Produced and Directed by Anthony Chen. It's the final film in Chen's 'Growing Up' trilogy, following 2013's 'Ilo Ilo' and 2019's 'Wet Season'.

* 'Wolfram' - from Australia, this Western drama film is Directed by Warwick Thornton, and is the sequel to his 2017 film 'Sweet Country'. Starring Deborah Mailman, John Howard and Matt Nable. 

* 'Yo (Love Is a Rebellious Bird)' - from the USA, this documentary film is Co-Produced and Co-Directed by Anna Fitch and Banker White, with Banker White also lensing the film and Editing.

For the descriptors of the above named films in the Main Competition section, plus the other award categories, and a whole bunch of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : http://www.berline.de

Looking ahead then to this weeks seven new release movies coming to a big screen Odeon close to you, we kick off with a documentary featuring long-lost footage from Elvis Presley's legendary Las Vegas residency in the 1970's, woven together with rare 16mm footage from Elvis on Tour. This is followed by a British slapstick comedy parody set in 1931 in which a new porter forms an odd bond with the youngest daughter of a well-known UK family, and as the Davenport family, headed by Lord and Lady Davenport, deals with the epic disaster of the wedding of their eldest daughter to her caddish cousin. Then we turn to a drama offering that tells the story of a mother and her non-binary teenager, as they visit the teenagers gay grandfather in Amsterdam. Next up we have an erotic comedy drama about a timid man, who meets a confident biker gang leader, who initiates him into a submissive relationship, challenging his mundane existence and prompting personal growth through their unconventional dynamic. Following on, there is a Canadian mockumentary about a pair of hapless non-musicians and their plan to book a show at the Rivoli, a famed Toronto bar and restaurant, that goes horribly wrong, and they wind up accidentally travelling back to the year 2008. Up next is a documentary that chronicles Paul McCartney’s life and career during the 1970's following the breakup of 'The Beatles'; before closing out the week with a survival thriller film which follows two friends who become trapped in a remote lagoon with a vengeful orca. 

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

'EPiC : ELVIS PRESLEY IN CONCERT' (Rated PG) - is a documentary film about Elvis Presley that is Co-Produced and Directed by Baz Luhrmann, and is a follow-up to his 2022 biographical film 'Elvis'. Baz Luhrmann's previous feature film making credits include his debut 'Strictly Ballroom' in 1992 which he would follow up with 'Romeo + Juliet' in 1996, 'Moulin Rouge!' in 2001, 'Australia' in 2008, 'The Great Gatsby' in 2013 and the aforementioned 'Elvis' in 2022. 

The film features long-lost footage from Presley's legendary Las Vegas residency in the 1970's, woven together with rare 16mm footage from Elvis on Tour, and precious 8mm from the Graceland archive, plus recordings of Elvis telling 'his side of the story' rediscovered during Luhrmann's research for his Best Picture Oscar-nominated 2022 film 'Elvis'. It Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in early September last year, and had its first advanced US screenings at Presley's former mansion, Graceland, on 8th January this year on what would have been his 91st birthday. It will then be released exclusively in IMAX theatres from 20th February before being released wide to the general public one week later on 27th February. It has generated universal critical acclaim.

'FACKHAM HALL' (Rated M) - this UK and US period slapstick comedy parody film is is Directed by Jim O'Hanlon and is Co-Written by British comedian, screenwriter and TV personality Jimmy Carr. Here, a new porter Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe) forms an odd bond with the youngest daughter, Rose Davenport (Thomasin McKenzie) of a well-known UK family. As the Davenport family, headed by Lord and Lady Davenport (Damien Lewis and Katherine Waterston respectively), deals with the epic disaster of the wedding of their eldest daughter to her caddish cousin. Also starring Emma Laird, Lizzie Hopley, Tom Felton, Tom Goodman-Hill and Jimmy Carr. The film was released in the US in early December, in the UK in mid-December and is released here in Australia this week having so far grossed US$2M and garnered mixed or average reviews. 

'JIMPA' (Rated MA15+) - is an Australian, Finland and Netherlands Co-Produced drama film that is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Sophie Hyde, who made her feature film Directorial debut with '52 Tuesdays' in 2014 and which she would follow up with 'Animals' in 2019 and 'Good Luck to You, Leo Grande' in 2022. Here, Hannah (Olivia Colman), together with her nonbinary teenager, Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde), travel to Amsterdam to visit her gay father Jim, known as Jimpa (John Lithgow). When Frances wishes to stay with their grandfather for a year, Hannah is forced to re-examine her parenting and her past. Also starring Daniel Henshall. The film saw its World Premiere showcasing at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, has generated mixed or average reviews and has so far grossed just US$24K.

'PILLION' (Rated R18+) - this UK and Irish Co-Produced erotic comedy drama film is Written and Directed by Harry Lighton in his feature film making debut, and is based on the 2020 novel 'Box Hill' by Adam Mars-Jones. Colin (Harry Melling) is an introverted gay man living with his parents in Bromley, London, letting life pass him by. That is, until Ray (Alexander Skarsgard), the impossibly handsome leader of a motorcycle club, takes him on as his submissive. Ray uproots Colin from his dreary suburban life, introducing him to a community of kinky, queer bikers and taking all sorts of virginities along the way. But as Colin steps deeper into Ray’s world of rules and mysteries, he begins to question whether the life of a 24/7 submissive is for him. Has he found his calling, or has he simply swapped one form of suffocation for another? Also starring Douglas Hodge and Lesley Sharp. The film saw its Premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at last years Cannes Film Festival, where it won the section's Best Screenplay prize, alongside nominations for the Camera d'Or and the Queer Palm. It was released in the UK at the end of November last year, has received wide spread critical acclaim so far collecting fourteen award wins and a further 29 nominations from around the awards and festival circuit, and has so far recovered US$2M from its US$1M production budget. 

'NIRVANNA : THE BAND THE SHOW THE MOVIE' (Rated M) - is a 2025 Canadian time travel mockumentary-adventure film Directed by Matt Johnson from a screenplay by Johnson and Jay McCarrol. The film is based on Johnson and McCarrol's 2007–2009 web series 'Nirvana the Band the Show', as well as its 2017–2018 sequel television series 'Nirvanna the Band the Show'. The film stars Johnson and McCarrol as fictionalised versions of themselves in a band called 'Nirvanna the Band' as they attempt to book a gig at the Rivoli, a bar and restaurant in Toronto, despite the fact that they have never actually written or recorded a single song, nor taken any steps to contact the Rivoli's management about booking a show. A new plan to play the Rivoli gone wrong and accidentally sends Matt, Jay, and their friend/cameraman Jared back in time to the year 2008, leaving them stranded unless they can find a way to get back to the future. The film Premiered at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in early March last year, and had its Canadian Premiere in the Midnight Madness programme at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People's Choice Award, Midnight Madness. It has garnered generally favourable critical reviews.

'PAUL MCCARTNEY : MAN ON THE RUN' (Rated M) - this UK and US Co-Produced documentary film is Co-Produced and Directed by Morgan Neville whose previous documentary output includes his Academy Award winning '20 Feet from Stardom' in 2013, 'Best of Enemies : Buckley vs. Vidal' in 2015, 'Won't You Be My Neighbour' in 2018, 'Roadrunner : A Film About Anthony Bourdain' in 2021, and 'Piece by Piece' in 2024. This film charts Paul McCartney's extraordinary life following the breakup of 'The Beatles' in 1970 and how the love he shared with Linda became his foundation and influenced a journey that resulted in the formation of 'Wings' and a second decade's musical catalogue of timeless classics. With access to never-before-seen footage of Paul and Linda's home videos and photos, as well as new interviews, and featuring archival interviews with his Beatles and Wings bandmates, Linda McCartney, Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, Sean Ono Lennon and Mary and Stella McCartney. The film Premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in late August last year, and has a limited cinematic release for one night only this week before moving to streaming on Prime Video on the 27th of this month. The film coincides with the 2025 album, 'Wings', and the book 'Wings : The Story of a Band on the Run'.

'KILLER WHALE' (Rated M) - this Australian and US Co-Produced survival thriller film is Co-Written and Directed by Jo-Anne Brechin who helmed her first feature film 'Zelos' in 2017 and would follow this up with 'Paper Champions' in 2020. After a life-shattering tragedy, Trish (Mel Jarnson) tries to comfort her best friend, Maddie (Virginia Gardner), by taking her on a spectacular adventure to a secluded lagoon while holidaying in Thailand. Their peaceful retreat soon becomes a terrifying fight to stay alive when the ocean's most bloodthirsty predator, a killer whale, seeks vengeance for a brutal life in captivity having only recently been released into the wild. The film was released in mid-January and has generated less than positive reviews.

With seven 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-

ELVIS : Tuesday 28th June 2022.

I saw the M Rated 'ELVIS' at my local multiplex this week, and this Australian and US Co-Produced biographical musical drama film is Co-Written for the screen, based on a story, Directed and Co-Produced by Baz Luhrmann whose previous film making credits take in his debut 'Strictly Ballroom' in 1992, 'Romeo + Juliet' in 1996, 'Moulin Rouge!' in 2001, 'Australia' in 2008 and 'The Great Gatsby' in 2013. The film had its World Premier screening at the Cannes Film Festival on 25th May where it received a twelve minute standing ovation. Released in Australia and worldwide last week, it was originally scheduled to be released in early October 2021, before being delayed to early November 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then later to last week. It cost US$85M to produce, has so far grossed US$52M from its opening weekend and a further US$13M since for a worldwide total so far of US$65M, and has garnered generally positive critical acclaim.

The film opens up in 1997 with Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) on his death bed recalling his memories of how he first discovered Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) and how he led him on the path to worldwide superstardom as his manager, mentor, guardian and custodian. The film then takes us back to the late 1940's and a young Elvis (Chaydon Jay) had a largely poverty driven upbringing in Tupelo, Mississippi with his parents Vernon (Richard Roxburgh), who had served jail time, and Gladys (Helen Thomson). Elvis finds his personal means of escape and his own lifeline in music, and in particular gospel music, which he falls under the spell off as a young boy. In his late teens he is often ridiculed by his peer group because of his strong leaning towards African American music to be heard bellowing out from the clubs and bars on Memphis' Beale Street where the likes of B.B. King (Kelvin Harrison Jnr.) and Little Richard (Alton Mason) hang out at 'Club Handy'.

Parker grew up around the carnivals and travelling fair's turning a dollar on the gullibility on his audience night after night. He is also managing Hank Snow (David Wenham) and his son Jimmie Snow (Kodi Smit-McPhee) but as soon as Parker hears Elvis belting out his debut song on the radio he becomes determined to track the singer down and manage his affairs from here on in. Parker eventually meets and persuades Elvis to let him take control of his career by having Vernon and Gladys sign a contract with Vernon appointed as Elvis' Business Manager which begins a meteoric ascent. 

However, not all of the public is impressed with the young entertainer, labelling him 'Elvis the Pelvis' because of his trademark hips and legs wiggle. Many parents fear that his music is corrupting their children, especially the young and impressionable daughters, and racist politicians also attack him. He is asked to downplay the wiggle and stand up straight, not gyrate his hips, and wear a suit with tails onstage, which he does once under the guise of 'The New Elvis', but his fans rebel against this demanding they want 'The Old Elvis' back. After a violent incident at a stadium concert, Elvis finds himself facing a possible jail term because he gave the fans what they wanted to hear and see. However, it is suggested that Parker persuades the government to draft Elvis into the US Army in 1958 as a way of avoiding any further legal proceedings. During his time in the Army on a posting to Germany, Elvis learns that Gladys has died of alcoholism. He is distraught by the news and almost inconsolable. Parker comforts Elvis and Vernon in their hour of need and says to Elvis that while he is overseas seeing out his Army service that he will take care of all of his affairs and need not worry about a thing. 

While stationed in Germany, Elvis meets Priscilla Beaulieu (Olivia DeJonge), and upon his discharge, he resumes his career-making concert tours and Hollywood feature films while Parker's control of his life takes on an even stronger grip. Elvis is devastated by the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 and Robert Kennedy also in 1968, and wishes to become more politically outspoken in his music while Parker merely wants him to sing family friendly frivolous songs that will be No.1 best sellers. He hires Jerry Schilling (Luke Bracey) and Steve Binder (Dacre Montgomery) to resurrect his ailing career (which they described as being 'in the toilet'), much to Parker's disliking. Schilling and Binder orchestrate Elvis' 1968 Comeback Tour which has massive television success and reestablishes the singer right back to his former glory years. 

The International Hotel is set to open on the Las Vegas strip, and while Elvis has plans to tour Europe Parker has other ideas. He downplays touring Europe based on the cost involved that would heavily eat into any profits made and the security risks associated with travelling to foreign lands. Instead, Parker suggests that The International Hotel would offer Elvis a six week residency at no cost, because they need a big name act to help establish the new hotel as a gaming and entertainment destination, and quickly. Afterwards, Parker says, he can tour overseas. But afterwards never comes, as Parker who is now heavily in debt to a casino for his gambling addiction, secretly and without any consultation with Elvis commits the singer to a residency term of five years in exchange for US$5M for Elvis, plus an unlimited line of credit and the waiving of all debts owed by Parker. 

Elvis puts his all into his sell out stage shows at The International Hotel, but eventually grows tired of Parker and attempts to fire him, only to be sued by the latter for more than US$8M for expenses incurred since day one of their relationship. Elvis chides Vernon as his Business Manager saying that he was supposed to oversee all of his finances, but Vernon only responds with the fact that he will have to sell Graceland and that sum will leave him broke and destitute. A vicious argument ensues between Elvis and Parker as he is about to leave for the airport and embark on a European Tour, but afterwards Elvis has to concede that he has no choice but to maintain his management from Parker, and instead embark on a fifteen city tour of the US instead. Ultimately, they grow apart and rarely see each other afterwards.

Following this, Elvis's life spirals on a seemingly ever downward trajectory as Priscilla takes their daughter Lisa Marie and leaves him over his prescription drug addiction, which grows even stronger after she is gone. They divorce in 1973. Later, as Elvis is about to board his private plane and bidding farewell to Lisa Marie at the airport, Priscilla jumps in the back of the limo and the pair share a private and tender moment. Elvis says to his former wife that he is approaching his fortieth birthday and that no one will remember him when he is gone. As the pair part company and Elvis boards his plane he mouths the words 'I will always love you' to Priscilla. Elvis died from a heart attack on 16th August 1977 at the age of 42. 

The final scene is one of Elvis's last shows which depicts him as being bloated and pale looking, while singing 'Unchained Melody' at the piano, with real footage from the concert as key moments from his life are shown, with Parker passing away old and alone in 1997. The closing credits reveal that Parker's financial and contractual abuse of Elvis was the subject of litigation by the Presley Estate after Elvis' death. Parker spent his last years gambling away his money on casino slot machines, while Elvis remains the best-selling solo artist of all-time and one of the most beloved entertainers in music history.

I sat in a packed out cinema theatre half full of baby boomers who would have been around in the '60's and '70's to see the real events unfold, with the other half being millennials who would have been there for the entertainment and education factors and to see the legendary King of Rock 'n' Roll writ large on the silver screen. What was unusual was the applause this film garnered from the gathered audience when the end credits rolled, which is telling in its own right! Unlike his previous 'The Great Gatsby' which for me was all style with little substance, in 'Elvis' Luhrmann has delivered an extravagant spectacular biopic that has style and substance in equal measure and that will keep you glued to the screen for all of its 160 minute run time. Austin Butler lives and breathes EP and his performance is near perfect in terms of his looks, his singing, his gyrating, his dancing and his persona in a role that we are unlikely to find as convincing this year. As for Tom Hanks in his fat suit and prosthetic face and nose made up to resemble Col. Tom Parker in all his manipulative, controlling illegal alien personality, it was at times hard for me to see behind the Mr. Nice Guy image that Hanks more often than not portrays in his film roles. That said though, I learned a lot about EP's Manager and their 20+ year relationship that turned toxic towards the end, even though Elvis kept coming back to him time after time like a lost puppy no matter how harshly he was treated. 'Elvis' is a brash film that will keep you pondering the King's life, and all of its twists and turns, ups and downs long after the credits have rolled. It's memorable for a whole bunch of reasons and has Luhrmann's trademark glitz and glamour written all over it while attempting to explain how a little kid growing up poor in Tupelo came to become the most successful solo music artist of all time and as popular still today some 45 years after his death, as he was when he was alive. 

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

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 23rd June 2022.

The 69th Sydney Film Festival came to a close on Sunday 19th June after twelve days and nights of showcasing inspiring and entertaining premieres, talks and parties, and the greatest, strangest and most exciting work that cinema has to offer. Sydney Film Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW; the Federal Government through Screen Australia and the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund; and City of Sydney the Festival’s Principal Local Government Partner. Sydney Film Festival also runs the Travelling Film Festival year-round, taking the best of international and Australian cinema to twenty-two regional centres around the country.

Twelve films are selected for the Official Competition, which celebrates 'courageous, audacious and cutting-edge' cinema with an AU$60K cash prize. Sydney Film Festival also presents eight other cash awards over the course of the festival. This years winners and grinners in those categories are :-

The Sydney Film Prize for the Best Film in Official Competition, was awarded to 'Close' from Belgium and Directed by Lukas Dhont. Winner of the Grand Prix Award at Cannes earlier this year, the film tells the story of two thirteen-year-olds Leo and Remi who are best friends. We meet them running happily through vast fields of flowers. They dream of unimaginable wealth, of being stars on YouTube. Remi is an aspiring musician, and Leo is his greatest fan. Theirs is a loving and genuine friendship. And then they start high school. For the very first time, their closeness comes into question as they are teased and taunted by their schoolmates. Gradually a rift develops between the friends, with tragic consequences.

The Documentary Australia Award for Australian Documentary is 'Keep Stepping', Directed by Luke Cornish. On Sydney’s urban fringe, two young women battle for a better life in the underground world of competitive street dance. Patricia, Romanian-born and hanging out for a visa, is a breakdancer. Gabi, of Chilean-Samoan heritage, pops with power. Both dream of escaping the rough hand they’ve been dealt. Will a win at Australia’s biggest dance competition Destructive Steps – in which 60 contestants compete in the preliminary rounds - be their golden ticket? Or will the external pressures of financial hardship and volatile relationships stop them from even reaching the dancefloor?

The Dendy Awards for Best Australian Short Films sponsored by Dendy Cinema's offers two awards - The Dendy Live Action Short Award and the Rouben Mamoulian Award (named after the Director who first presented the award in 1974). The former was presented to 'The Moths Will Eat Them Up' Directed by Luisa Martiri and Tanya Modini, and the latter was awarded Luisa Martiri and Tanya Modini for 'The Moths Will Eat Them Up'. This fourteen minute short film tells the story of a woman’s ordinary train ride home at night which turns into a terrifying game of cat and mouse with a stranger until an unforeseen force is summoned.

The Sustainable Future Award is presented to a narrative or documentary film of any length that deepens our knowledge and awareness of the impact of the global climate emergency. The winner of this award is 'Delikado', Directed by Karl Malakunas. A tourist destination and home to one of the world’s most diverse rainforests, the island of Palawan in the Philippines is a dangerous place for land defenders. Bobby Chan, a local environmental lawyer, leads a group of renegade land protectors who confiscate the chainsaws of illegal loggers. Up for re-election, local Mayor Nieves Rosento is the focus of a dirty campaign supported by land developers and President Rodrigo Duterte. Along with ex-illegal logger Tata, they confront murder and betrayal in their efforts to preserve this precious environment.

For details of the other award winners, and the SFF Audience Awards (announced one week after the close of the festival), plus details of the upcoming SFF Travelling Film Festival, you can visit the official website at : https://www.sff.org.au/

Turning attention back to this weeks upcoming new release movies, of which there are seven, we kick off with a drama biopic of the King of Rock 'n' Roll who rose to fame in the 1950's while maintaining a complex relationship with his Manager. This is followed up by doco chronicling the tumultuous - yet creatively fruitful - period of this British singer and songwriters life and career following the release of his 1987 solo debut, 'Faith', then through the creation and release of his 1990 follow-up 'Listen Without Prejudice, Vol.1'. Next up we have a French drama offering telling the story of the rise and the fall of a young man in Paris who dreamed to be a writer and became a journalist. Then we turn to an American action drama about a burlesque dancer who must go on the run to save a neighbour boy whose life is threatened by her ex-lover. Following on, we have a New Zealand comedy romance film about a suburban couple who make a last ditch attempt to salvage their marriage by going to a new age retreat on a remote island where they hope to reconnect. Up next is the first of two animated features closing out the week, with an origin story of one twelve-year-old's dream to become the world's greatest supervillain, followed by a Russian family action adventure film of a princess who is captured by a robber in the woods, and so she takes it upon herself to turn his world upside down.

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

'ELVIS' (Rated M) - is an Australian and US Co-Produced biographical musical drama film Co-Written for the screen, based on a story, Directed and Co-Produced by Baz Luhrmann whose previous film making credits take in his debut 'Strictly Ballroom' in 1992, 'Romeo + Juliet' in 1996, 'Moulin Rouge!' in 2001, 'Australia' in 2008 and 'The Great Gatsby' in 2013. The film had its World Premier screening at the Cannes Film Festival on 25th May where it received a twelve minute standing ovation. Released in Australia and worldwide this week, it was originally scheduled to be released in early October 2021, before being delayed to early November 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then later to this week. It cost US$85M to produce and has garnered generally positive critical acclaim.

The film chronicles the life and career of singer and actor Elvis Presley, from his early days as a child (played by Chaydon Jay) growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi to becoming a rock and roll star and movie star (played by Austin Butler) in Memphis, Tennessee and his conquering of Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as his complex relationship with his Manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). Also starring Richard Roxburgh, Olivia DeJonge, Luke Bracey, David Wenham, Xavier Samuel, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Dacre Montgomery, Kate Mulvany, Josh McConville and Anthony LaPaglia.

'GEORGE MICHAEL : FREEDOM UNCUT' (Rated MA15+) - Directed by George Michael and David Austin this career-spanning documentary marks the final work from the internationally renowned superstar and features incredible, unseen archival and private home footage, taken before his untimely death at the age of 53 on Christmas Day 2016. Giving the audience a first-person account of this dramatic period in his life from his debut solo album 'Faith' and following the making of his acclaimed, best-selling album 'Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1' it reveals how he became one of the most influential recording artists of all time, who alone fought a corner for all artists by challenging the standard recording contract and helped to rewrite the rules of the music industry. Featuring interviews with some of Michaels’ most famous friends and music legends, including Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Ricky Gervais, Nile Rogers, Mark Ronson, Liam Gallagher, Mary J. Blige, Jean Paul Gaultier, James Corden and Tony Bennett. This documentary is narrated by the singer, who was heavily involved in the making of the film that serves as his final work, and why he stepped out of the limelight and turned his back on celebrity.

'LOST ILLUSIONS' (Rated M) - is a French drama film Co-Written and Directed by Xavier Giannoli whose previous feature film making credits include his debut in 2003 with 'Eager Bodies' then 'When I Was a Singer', 'In the Beginning', 'Superstar', 'Marguerite' and 'The Apparition' in 2018. This film is based on the serial novel of the same name written by Honore de Balzac between 1837 and 1843, and saw its World Premier showcasing at the Venice Film Festival back in September last year, before its release in its native France towards the back end of October. Costing US$17.5M to produce the film has so far taken US$8M and has garnered largely positive Reviews. In 1821, Lucien de Rubempre (Benjamin Voisin) arrives in Paris as a sensitive, and idealistic young poet determined to write a reputation-making novel. Instead, he finds himself swept into journalism, whose influence and reach is booming with the help of the printing press, recently having become widely available. Under the mentorship of cynical editor Etienne Lousteau (Vincent Lacoste), Lucien agrees to write glowing theatre reviews for bribes, achieving material success at the expense of his conscience. Also starring Xavier Dolan, Gerard Depardieu and Cecile de France. 

'NINE BULLETS' (Rated MA15+) - this American action drama film is Written, Directed and Co-Produced by Gigi Gaston whose prior feature film credits take in her debut in 2001 with 'Rip It Off', then 'The Nanny Murders' in 2020, and 'Fatal Memory' this year, before the release of this film. Here then, a former burlesque dancer turned author named Gypsy (Lena Headey) discovers a second chance at life and redemption when she risks everything to rescue her young neighbour Sam (Dean Scott Vazquez) after he witnesses his parents' murder. Now on the run from the local crime boss Jack (Sam Worthington), who happens to be her longtime ex, she makes a desperate attempt to get the boy to safety. Also starring Cam Gigandet and Barbara Hershey, the film has garnered less than favourable press. 

'NUDE TUESDAY' (Rated MA15+) - is a New Zealand comedy drama romance film Co-Written, Directed and Co-Produced by Armagan Ballantyne in only his second feature film outing following 'The Strength of Water' in 2009. When middle-aged suburban couple, Laura (Jackie van Beek) and Bruno (Damon Herriman) are gifted a remote couples’ retreat for their anniversary, they decide to give their failing marriage one last shot before calling it quits. Arriving in an idyllic sanctuary nestled in the snow capped mountains of a fictional island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, Laura and Bruno uncomfortably enter a world of laughter workshops, tantric dance, sexual liberation and emotional animals, helmed by the charismatic guru Bjorg Rassmussen (Jermaine Clement), who all communicate with each other in complete made up language 'gibberish'.  When new temptations start to take hold, the couple are pushed to the brink forcing them to look within to find what they really want. The film has so far generated much critical praise.

'MINIONS : THE RISE OF GRU' (Rated PG) - this American CGI action comedy films is the sequel to the spin-off prequel 'Minions' from 2015, and the fifth entry overall in the 'Despicable Me' film franchise. Directed by Kyle Balda who Co-Directed 'The Lorax' in 2012, 'Minions' in 2015 and 'Despicable Me 3' in 2017. This film saw its World Premier screening at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on 13th June before its release in Australia this week and the US from 1st July. Set following the events of the first film in the 1970's, a young twelve year old Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) tries to join a group of supervillains known as the Vicious 6 after they oust their leader - the legendary fighter Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin). When the interview turns disastrous, Gru and his Minions (all voiced by Pierre Coffin) go on the run with the Vicious 6 hot on their tails. Luckily, he finds an unlikely source for guidance in Wild Knuckles himself, and soon comes to learn that even bad guys need a little help from their friends. Also starring the voice talents of Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand and Julie Andrews.

'MY SWEET MONSTER' (Rated PG) - is a Russian animated family action adventure film and Directed by the the pairing of Viktor Glukhushin and Maksim Volkov. Here, the 16-year-old Princess Barbara (Haylie Duff) throws a tantrum at her birthday party. While everybody is distracted, the throne is seized from her father King Elijah (Martin Cooke) by a sneaky post clerk Weasel. However, unsatisfied with being the sole ruler of the Kingdom, he also plans to marry Barbara. Princess Barbara runs away from the palace and finds herself deep in the woods. She bumps into Bogey the Outlaw (John Heder) and his friend the Wicked Rabbit (Josh Wilson). Barbara's interference wreaks havoc into the ordinary bachelor-style life of the two friends, which sees her meddling into everything, arranges her own set of rules, and keeps getting on their nerves with her assumptions about the dashing Prince Edward. To get rid of Barbara, Bogey decides to go as far as to find the Prince Edward, stop the Weasel and restore the world of some semblance of order. Also starring the voice of Pauly Shore.

With seven 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-