BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE : Tuesday 10th September 2024

I saw the M Rated 'BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE' earlier this week, and this American fantasy comedy horror film is Co-Produced and Directed by Tim Burton and is the sequel to Burton's 1988 film 'Beetlejuice' which grossed US$75M off the back of a US$15M production budget and garnered seven award wins (including the Academy Award for Best Make-Up) plus another eleven nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit. In the intervening years the film's success gave rise to an animated TV series, video games and a 2018 stage musical. The film saw its World Premiere showcasing as the Opening Night film presentation at the Venice International Film Festival in late August before its worldwide release from last week. It has so far grossed US$173M off the back of a US$100M production budget and has garnered generally positive critical acclaim.

Set thirty-six years after the events of the first film, and in the present day Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is the host of a supernatural talk show called 'Ghost House', produced by her boyfriend Rory (Justin Theroux). During the taping of a segment, she has a vision of the demon Betelgeuse, who haunted her family thirty-six years previously, in the audience. Taking a sudden break from filming Lydia learns from her stepmother Delia (Catherine O'Hara) about the death of her father Charles who died while travelling back from Brazil when his plane crashed into the sea and he was eaten by a shark. While driving back to Winter River for the funeral service, the surviving Deetz family pick up Lydia's estranged teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), from boarding school. Astrid is a complete non-believer in ghosts, demons and all things afterlife which her mother so sternly propagates, stating that she believes only that which she can see and in science. Following the funeral services, Rory proposes to Lydia in front of the attendees, which she reluctantly agrees to, causing Astrid to flee and meet Jeremy Frazier (Arthur Conti), who invites her over prior to the wedding at midnight on Halloween - two days hence.

Later while in the attic of their former home, Astrid discovers a box of items belonging to her father Richard (Santiago Cabrera), who disappeared two years earlier, and an ad to contact Betelgeuse. She learns that Jeremy is actually a ghost seeking her help to restore his life, at which point Astrid concedes that her mother was right all along. They enter the afterlife after he has Astrid recite an incantation from the 'Handbook for the Recently Deceased'. 

Discovering Jeremy is dead and his past as the murderer of his mother and father who was then killed by breaking his neck while falling from his own treehouse, and thereafter being trapped to within the confines of the house for the last 23 years, Lydia reluctantly calls upon Betelgeuse to help retrieve Astrid. He agrees but demands that Lydia marry him, allowing him to stay in the mortal world and evade Delores (Monica Belluci), his vengeful ex-wife who in life was a mysterious soul-sucking witch who poisoned Betelgeuse several centuries earlier during the Black Plague before he killed her with an axe in retaliation, and chopping her up into multiple pieces. Delores has returned and using a staple gun pieces herself back together. Meanwhile, Delia conducts a ceremony at Charles' grave using two live snakes she believed were no longer venemous, that bite and kill her. 

Lydia agrees to the marriage, and Betelgeuse and she are transported into the afterlife train station in an attempt to stop Astrid from boarding the 'Soul Train', which transports souls into the beyond. By reciting the incantation, Astrid was tricked into swapping places with Jeremy in order for him to regain his life. She recognises one of the station's employees as her father Richard, who rescues her and Lydia while Betelgeuse sends Jeremy down into the depths of Hell.

Hunted by ghost detective and former B-movie action star Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe) for bringing Lydia into the afterlife, Betelgeuse agrees to help Delia find Charles if she helps him find Lydia, who along with Astrid was ushered away and returned to Winter River by Richard. At a church in the mortal world, Lydia and Astrid arrive as Rory waits at the altar, watched on patiently by the reverend Father Damien (Burn Gorman).

Betelgeuse, needless to say, hijacks the wedding, injecting Rory in the neck with a truth serum to reveal his true intentions to marry Lydia for her money. Enraged, she punches Rory, knocking him out. As Betelgeuse prepares to marry Lydia, Delores arrives to confront him, along with Wolf and his team. Using the handbook as a guide, Astrid unleashes a giant sandworm through a portal she painted on the floor into the church that eats Delores and Rory, while Betelgeuse freezes Wolf and his men to the spot where they stand.

Astrid reveals that Betelgeuse violated the rules of the handbook by bringing Lydia into the afterlife, thwarting the wedding and allowing Lydia to return him to the afterlife by blowing him up like a balloon which then explodes with the remnants floating back down to the floor before igniting in a puff of smoke and flame. Afterward, Lydia and Astrid reassure Delia of their love for her as she is escorted to the afterlife by Wolf. She soon reunites with Charles before boarding the Soul Train bound for Heaven. Sometime later, Lydia films the final segment of her last episode of 'Ghost House', opting to spend time with Astrid and travelling the world. Despite this, she continues to have nightmares about Betelgeuse, including one in which Astrid gives birth to his 'mini-me' child. 

It must be said that there is much to like about this trip down memory lane for those of us old enough to have enjoyed the 1988 original, and it's encouraging to see Director Tim Burton back on form and delivering us his trademark zany no holds barred fantastical horror comedy offering that still packs a punch. It's not entirely necessary to be familiar with the 1988 original, as this film stands firmly on its own two feet and ably fills in any backstory as it moves along to bring the viewer up to speed on what has gone before. Keaton slips back into his role of Betelgeuse like he's never been away, as do Ryder and O'Hara for the most part, ably supported by Ortega, but as for the other principle cast members they are left largely under developed and left wallowing in multiple plot twists and turns many of which prove to be dead ends. The film certainly looks the part, but with 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' Burton has sacrificed substance in favour of style. 

'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' merits three claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard out of a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 5th September 2024

The 49th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year is held from Thursday 5th September through until Sunday 15th September. TIFF is dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds. As Canada's premiere home of cinema, TIFF offers screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, events, professional development and opportunities to meet, hear and learn from filmmakers from Canada and around the world. TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organisation with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film, so reads the official website. 

This years Opening Film is the comedy drama 'Nutcrackers' Directed by David Gordon Green and starring Ben Stiller, with the Closing Film being the Australian musical film 'The Deb' that is Co-Written, Co-Produced, Co-Starring and Directed by Rebel Wilson and also stars Shane Jacobson.

In the TIFF Tribute Awards this year the recipients include the Canadian Director, Producer, Screenwriter and Actor David Cronenberg as recipient of the Norman Jewison Award, and the American Actress Amy Adams as a recipient of the Performer Award. The Australian Actress and Producer Cate Blanchett has been announced as the recipient of the Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award for women who have made a positive difference in the film industry, with the American Actress and Director Angelina Jolie having been announced as the recipient of the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media.

This year there are ten feature films competing for the Platform Award which spotlights films with high artistic merit and strong Directorial vision. All films in the Platform programme are eligible for this award, which will be selected by an international jury, comprising Atom Egoyan, Jane Schoenbrun and Hur Jin-ho. The winning filmmaker will receive a CAD$20K cash prize.

Those films are :-

* 'Daniela Forever' - from Spain and Belgium, this Sci-Fi romantic drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Nacho Vigalondo and stars Henry Golding.

* 'Daughter's Daughter' - from Taiwan and Directed by Huang Xi.

* 'Mr. K' - from Netherlands, Belgium and Norway, this surreal drama film is Written and Directed by Tallulah H. Schwab and stars Crispin Glover.

* 'Paying for It' - from Canada, this drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Sook-Yin Lee.

* 'Pedro Paramo' - from Mexico, this magic realism drama film is Directed by Rodrigo Prieto and stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo.

* 'They Will Be Dust' - from Spain, Italy and Switzerland this musical tragicomedy is Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Carlos Marques-Marcet.

* 'Triumph' - from Bulgaria and Greece, this black comedy film is Co-Written, Co-Prodcued and Directed by Petar Valchanov and Kristina Grozeva and stars Maria Bakalova.

* 'Viktor' - from Ukraine and the USA and Directed by Olivier Sarbil.

* 'Winter in Sokcho' - from France and Directed by Koya Kamura.

* 'The Wolves Always Come at Night' - from Australia, Mongolia and Germany and Directed by Gabrielle Brady.

For the full line up of the other films strands being showcased at this years TIFF, plus the full descriptors of all films and a whole heap of other good stuff, you can go to the official website at : https://www.tiff.net         

Turning the attention back to this weeks all important five new movies coming to an Odeon near you, we kick off with a sequel that has been 36 years in the making that following a family tragedy, three generations of this family return home to Winter River, and still haunted by this ghost, the mother's life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife. Next up we have a comedy drama offering centering on a 93 year old grandmother who gets duped by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, and so she sets out on a treacherous quest across the city to reclaim what was taken from her. This is followed by an Aussie doco about arguably the greatest horse in Australian racing history – in all her equine glory! Then we turn to a French drama thriller in which a brilliant lawyer who lives with her husband and their daughters, gradually engages in a passionate relationship with her husbands son from a previous marriage, putting her career and family life in danger. And closing out the week we have an Indian biographical political drama about the incidents that take place under the leadership of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, one of the most powerful women in Indian history.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release or as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the week ahead.

'BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE' (Rated M) - this American fantasy comedy horror film is Co-Produced and Directed by Tim Burton and is the sequel to Burton's 1988 film 'Beetlejuice' which grossed US$75M off the back of a US$15M production budget and garnered seven award wins (including the Academy Award for Best Make-Up) plus another eleven nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit. In the intervening years the film's success gave rise to an animated TV series, video games and a 2018 stage musical. 

Set thirty-six years after the events of the first film, the Deetz family return home to Winter River after Charles Deetz's unexpected death. Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder reprising her role) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened, releasing Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton reprising his role). Also starring Catherine O'Hara (reprising her role as Delia Deetz), Justin Theroux, Monica Belluci, Willem Dafoe and Burn Gorman. The film saw its World Premiere showcasing as the Opening Night film presentation at last weeks Venice International Film Festival before its worldwide release from this week.

'THELMA' (Rated M) - is an American comedy-drama film Written, Directed and Edited by Josh Margolin in his feature filmmaking debut. The film Premiered at this years Sundance Film Festival in mid-January, and was released in the US in late June, having so far grossed US$10M having received generally favourable reviews. Here Thelma Post (June Squibb) is a 93-year-old grandmother who loses US$10K to a con artist over the phone. With help from a friend Ben (Richard Roundtree in his final film following his death in 2023) and his motorised scooter, she soon embarks on a treacherous journey across Los Angeles to reclaim what was taken from her. Also starring Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg and Malcolm McDowell. 

'A HORSE NAMED WINX' (Rated E) - this Australian sports documentary film is Directed by Janine Hosking whose prior documentary features take in the likes of her 2000 debut with 'My Khmer Heart' followed by 'Ballroom Babies' in 2005, 'Ganja Queen' in 2007, 'I'm Not Dead Yet' in 2011, 'The Eulogy' in 2018, and 'Knowing the Score' in 2023. This film then tells the story of Winx, a remarkable Australian racehorse, that etched her name in history with an extraordinary 33-race winning streak, cementing her status as a modern-day legend akin to the iconic Phar Lap. At the height of her fame, Winx became known as the 'people's horse'—an Australian icon who transcended her sport, joining the realms of fellow legends like Cathy Freeman and Sir Donald Bradman.

'LAST SUMMER' (Rated MA15+) - is a French erotic drama film Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Catherine Breillat and is a remake of the 2019 Danish film 'Queen of Hearts'. Anne (Lea Drucker) is a respected lawyer living in Paris with her husband Pierre (Olivier Rabourdin) and their two young daughters. Theo (Samuel Kircher), Pierre's 17-year-old son from a previous marriage, moves in, and Anne eventually begins an affair with him. In doing so, she risks jeopardising her career and losing her family. Theo is a fragile figure, and as time passes, the relationship turns destructive. The film was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered in late May 2023, was released in its native France in mid-September last year, has so far grossed just over US$1M and has generated largely favourable reviews.

'EMERGENCY' (Rated CTC) - this Indian Hindi-language biographical political drama film is Directed and Co-Produced by Kangana Ranaut, based on a story written by Ranaut and also starring Ranaut in the lead role as Former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi. The film centres around The Indian Emergency, which based on true events, was a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed a state of emergency across India by citing internal and external threats to the country. The order bestowed upon the Prime Minister the authority to rule by decree, allowing elections to be cancelled and civil liberties to be suspended. For much of the Emergency, most of Gandhi's political opponents were imprisoned and the press were censored. More than 100,000 political opponents, journalists and dissenters were imprisoned by the Gandhi regime. 

With five new release movie offerings this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere at your local Odeon in the coming week.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-