BLACKLIGHT : Tuesday 15th February 2022.

I saw the M Rated 'BLACKLIGHT' earlier this week, and this American action film (shot in Melbourne and Canberra, Australia), is Directed Co-Written for the screen and Co-Produced by Mark Williams in only his third film making outing following 2016's 'A Definitely Maybe' and 2020's 'Honest Thief'. The film was released Stateside and here in Australia last week, cost US$43M to produce, has thus far recouped just over US$5M and has garnered generally unfavourable Reviews.

The film opens up with Travis Block (Liam Neeson) speeding down some country road, continuously adjusting and checking his rear view mirror like he is being followed closely behind by another vehicle in hot pursuit. He pulls up at some rural trailer park where two armed Policemen and forced into a corner by an angry gun toting mob, all wanting to reach the woman inside the caravan behind them. Block sneaks around the back and gives three knocks on the window, at which point a woman appears brandishing a pistol and fearful for her life. After a brief exchange of words he explains that he's there to extract her and disappears to set up an explosive distraction for the angry mob. He does so, the place erupts in ball of flame, and Block successfully extracts the woman, who it turns out is an undercover FBI Agent. 

We then cut to a rally in Washington DC at which activist and Congressional candidate Sofia Flores (Melanie Jarnson) is speaking to a sizeable gathered crowd about women's rights and racial equality. That night, after stepping out of her Uber ride home, she is run over by another vehicle, and killed instantly in an apparent hit and run. Next up we see Block talking to the Director of the FBI, and long term friend Gabriel Robinson (Aidan Quinn) about his recent extraction exercise and how the women will come good again given time and treatment. It seems that Block's off the books work with Robinson is to extract deep-cover agents when their cover is blown or when they’ve spent too much time in the darkness to be able to find their own way out. Another such agent is Dusty Crane (Taylor John Smith) whom Block has a certain attachment to, but who has taken to self-medicating with pills and alcohol in an attempt to ease his guilty conscience about his former misdeeds all in the line of duty. Crane, is arrested by the Police after beating four officers up in the street, because they found drugs, alcohol and a hand gun on the passenger seat of his car. Block gets him out of the slammer no questions asked.

In a quieter moment we see Block the grandfather to young Natalie (Gabriella Sengos) and his single mum and daughter Amanda (Claire van der Boom) at his granddaughters birthday party. Looking on as Natalie opens up her presents Amanda chides her father that he must have already checked the perimeter of the building and located all the possible points of entry and exit for fear of an attack. A lesson that he has already instilled in young Natalie, much to her mothers chagrin. Block retorts that he just wants his family to be safe, at all times. Soon afterwards Block says to Robinson that he wants to spend more time with his family and be a good grandfather to Natalie, and is thinking of quitting his role as an FBI 'fixer'. Robinson in no uncertain terms says no way Jose, and basically closes the book on that discussion. 

Meanwhile, Crane has reached out to a Washington DC news website reporter Mira Jones (Emmy Raver-Lampton) and will only speak with her about some earth shattering information he has to expose the truth behind a spate of secret FBI sanctioned killings of American citizens. Robinson instructs Block to intercept Crane before he is able to speak to the reporter Jones. Block also meets with Jones and tells her not to talk to Crane, and if he contacts her, she is to contact him straight away. 

Block trails Jones to a rendezvous with Crane at a Museum, where the pair meet. Crane spies Block and makes a dash for it. Block catches up with him, the pair get into a fist fight in which Crane gains the upper hand and quickly climbs a locked wrought iron fence. With both on either side of the fence now, Block asks Crane why. Crane stops, turns and just as he is about to explain his actions is gunned down and killed by two men - the same two men who were at the scene of Sofia Flores hit and run at which she was killed. 

Block asks Jones, who witnessed the whole thing, to tell him what Crane had said to her. She spoke of an 'Operation Unity' which is headed up by Robinson it seems with the two gunmen (who are also FBI agents) who killed Flores and now Crane in Robinson's pocket. Over a whisky in a bar, Block and Jones share their stories and any other details Crane imparted to the reporter. Block visits Robinson at his home, demanding to know about Operation Unity, which Robinson flatly refuses to divulge. Block quits on the spot. After this, Amanda and Natalie have mysteriously vanished, with Amanda unexpectedly quitting her job at the hospital, and Natalie being removed from her pre-school without notice. No one it seems has any idea where they have gone, or the reasons for their sudden disappearance.  

In the meantime, Jones Editor boss Drew Hawthorne (Tim Draxl) has also wound up dead after releasing a largely un-researched press article on their news website about Operation Unity, much to Jones disgust. Hawthorne's death was again at the hands of Robinson's henchmen. Block meanwhile, is beside himself with worry, and after exploring every avenue of investigation to locate Amanda and Natalie, goes to Robinson's home at night to confront him. Robinson is on the phone to his two henchmen at the time, who have just scoped out Block's apartment looking for him. He tells them to get over to his home with back-up immediately. Block takes Robinson up to his safe and orders him to open it and play the hard drive upon which are countless files on all of his agents and Operation Unity. Robinson exits his home as four agents arrive heavily armed and enter the house. A gun fight ensues in which the house is shot to pieces, but Block gains the upper hand and dispenses with the four agents using his very particular set of skills, but not before sustaining a gun shot to the leg. 

Later that evening Jones visits Block who is holed up in a motel, and nurses his injured leg. The next morning Jones Assistant Helen Davidson (Yael Stone) visits and together the three survey the hard drive. There they see a recording of Crane being interviewed by Robinson, at which point he expresses his love for Flores, and says that they had been romantically involved for about a year before her untimely death. Jones comments that Cranes love for Flores was written all over his face. The next day, Block commandeers Robinson's vehicle, and as Robinson gets in, he is surprised to see Block behind the wheel. Block pressures Robinson in coming clean about Operation Unity, to which the Director again replies with a staunch no way, but Block can be especially convincing when he needs to be. A brief shoot out follows after the vehicle comes to a halt in which Robinson sustains a non-life threatening gun shot wound. Block tells him to reveal the whereabouts of his family, and that he will come clean to the media about Operation Unity. 

In the closing scenes it is revealed that Robinson was being held in custody with a court hearing pending, that Jones was being praised from on high about her published news report exposing Robinson and Operation Unity, and Block drives up to the safe house to retrieve Amanda and Natalie.

'Blacklight' is a pedestrian; by the numbers; been there, seen that, done it too countless times before actioner that Liam Neeson has spent the last fifteen years perfecting to the point where he can quite literally phone his performance in. This film could easily be construed as 'Taken 4' as his family are 'taken' from right under his nose, and no amount of car chases, gun play, fisticuffs, or explosions can mask that fact in this wooden thriller that is short on dialogue, excitement or a plot that really adds up to very little. At approaching seventy years of age, it was reported that after 'Blacklight' Neeson was going to give up the action tough guy genre as he was done with beating up guys less than half his age, but judging by his IMDb profile, we can still expect him to be kicking butt in the upcoming 'Memory', 'Retribution' and 'Marlowe' already completed or in post-production, with two other films currently in pre-production. Well I guess if you possess a very particular set of skills, you may as well put them to good use!

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

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 10th February 2022.

The 51st International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), took place online from 26th January to 6th February. The festival was held online for the second consecutive year due to the spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus across Europe, and opened with Amanda Kramer's film 'Please Baby Please' from the USA and starring Andrea Riseborough, Harry Melling and Demi Moore. The closing night film was 'Dragon Inn' from Taiwan and Directed and Written by King Hu. The International Film Festival Rotterdam offers a high quality line-up of carefully selected fiction and documentary feature films, short films and media art. The festival's focus is on recent work by talented new filmmakers. However, there is also room for retrospectives and themed programmes. IFFR actively supports new and adventurous filmmaking talent by providing a leading cultural platform accessible to all, that champions compelling cinema and audiovisual art. Through screenings, talks, exhibitions, and various networking opportunities, IFFR enables discovery, dialogue, learning and people coming together. Through IFFR’s distinct programming, it opens a space for ideas that captivate, engage and entertain, pushing creative boundaries that have the power to transform.

This years winners of the IFFR’s trade mark Tiger Competition celebrates the innovative and adventurous spirit of up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world. The Tiger Award is accompanied by a €40K cash prize, to be shared between the Director and Producer of the winning film. Two Special Jury Awards worth €10K are also presented for exceptional artistic achievement within the competition.

Tiger Award winner was 'EAMI' from Paraguay, and a Co-Production from Paraguay, Germany, Argentina, Netherlands, France and the USA, and Directed, Co-Produced and Written by Paz Encina.  

Special Jury Award presented to 'Excess Will Save Us' from Sweden and Directed, Written and starring Morgane Dziurla-Petit. 

Special Jury Award presented to 'To Love Again', from China and Directed, Written and Co-Edited by Gao Linyang. This film also won the FIPRESCI Award, which is given to the best film in the Tiger Competition. The jury assembles members of the Federation Internationale de la Presse Cinematographique which consists of international film journalists.

The other films nominated in the Tiger Competition were : 'Achrome' from Russia and Directed by Maria Ignatenko; 'The Cloud Messenger' from India Directed by Rahat Mahajan, 'A crianca' from Portugal and Directed by Marguerite de Hillerin and Felix Dutilloy-Liegeois; 'Kafka for Kids' from Israel Directed by Roee Rosen; 'Malintzin 17' from Mexico and Directed by Mara Polgovsky and Eugenio Polgovsky; 'Met Mes' from the Netherlands and Directed by Sam de Jong; 'The Plains' from Australia and Directed by David Easteal; 'Proyecto Fantasma' from Chile Directed by Roberto Doveris; 'Le rev et la radio' from Canada Directed by Renaud Despres-Larose and Ana Tapia Rousiouk; 'Silver Bird and Rainbow Fish' from the USA Directed by Lei Lei and 'Yamabiku' from Japan and Directed by Yamasaki Juichiro. 

The Big Screen Competition bridges the gap between popular, classic and art house cinema. An expert audience jury composed of five film lovers, selects the winner. Together they determine which film they think deserves to be shown in film houses across the Netherlands and broadcast on television after the festival. The winner of the Big Screen Award wins a cash prize of €30,000, half of which goes to the distributor who decides to buy the film. 

This years Big Screen Award winner was 'Kung Fu Zohra' from France and Directed by Mabrouk el Mechri, beating out 'Assault' from Kazakhstan Directed by Adilkhan Yerzhanov; 'Broadway' from Greece Directed by Christos Massalas; 'CE2 (Third Grade)' from France and Directed by Jacques Doillon; 'Daryn's Gym' from South Africa Directed by Brett Michael Innes; 'Drifting Petals' from Australia Directed by Clara Law; 'The Island' from Romania Directed by Anca Damian; 'Mi vacio y yo' from Spain Directed by Adrian Silvestri and 'Splendid Isolation' from the Netherlands Directed by Urszula Antioniak. 

For all the latest news, views and previews from the 51st International Film Festival Rotterdam, you can go to the official website at : https://www.iffr.com/en

This week with seven new movies to tempt you out to your local Odeon, we kick off the latest releases with a mystery thriller that sees this renowned super sleuth while holidaying on the River Nile, having to investigate the murder of a young heiress. This is followed with music superstars Kat and Bastian about to get married before a global audience of fans, but seconds before taking her vows Kat learns that her fiance has been unfaithful, so she decides to marry Charlie, a stranger in the crowd, instead. Next up is a story of a shadowy government agent who specialises in extracting operatives whose covers have been exposed, uncovers a deadly conspiracy within his own ranks that reaches the highest echelons of power. Then, we turn to a highly acclaimed Japanese film about an ageing, widowed actor looking for a chauffeur who turns to his go-to mechanic, who ends up recommending a 20-year-old girl, and despite their initial misgivings, a very special relationship develops between the two. Following on we have the sequel to a 2014 cult Aussie feature that sees a survivor of a zombie outbreak attempting to rescue his kidnapped sister from a psychotic doctor and his henchmen; before a story of a 17th-century nun who becomes entangled in a forbidden lesbian affair, but it's her shocking religious visions that threaten to shake the Church to its very core. And we close out the week with a doco that shows for the first time in its entirety - The Beatles' last live performance as a group - the unforgettable rooftop concert on London's Savile Row.

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.

'DEATH ON THE NILE' (Rated PG) - this mystery thriller is Directed, Co-Produced and stars Kenneth Branagh and is based on the 1937 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie, is the follow up to Branagh's 2017 film 'Murder on the Orient Express', and is the third screen adaptation of the novel after the 1978 feature film and an episode on the TV series 'Agatha Christie's Poirot' aired in 2004. The film was originally set to be released on 20th December 2019, before being rescheduled to 9th October 2020. It was then pushed back two weeks to 23rd October and again to 18th December in response to the domestic box office during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, the film was removed from its upcoming release schedule until further notice. The next month, the film was rescheduled to 17th September 2021and in March 2021, it was then moved to this week. 

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot's (Kenneth Branagh) Egyptian holiday aboard the glamorous river steamer the S.S. Karnak turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple's idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Set against an epic landscape of sweeping desert vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids, this tale of unbridled passion and incapacitating jealousy features a cosmopolitan group of impeccably dressed travellers, any one of whom is a prime suspect in this whodunnit until the final shocking reveal of the identity of the culprit. Starring an ensemble cast, including Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Russell Brand, Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo and Letitia Wright. 

'MARRY ME' (Rated PG) - is an American romantic musical comedy drama film Directed by Kat Coiro whose previous feature film making credits are her debut in 2011 with 'Life Happens', then 'And While We Were Here' in 2012 and 'A Case of You' in 2013. This film is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Bobby Crosby. Pop superstar Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez) is about to get married before an audience of her loyal fans. However, seconds before the ceremony, she learns about her fiance's cheating ways and has a meltdown on stage. In a moment of inspired insanity, Kat locks eyes with a total stranger, Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson) in the crowd and marries him on the spot. As forces conspire to separate the unlikely newlyweds, they must quickly decide if two people from such different worlds can find true love together. Also starring Maluma, John Bradley and Sarah Silverman. 

'BLACKLIGHT' (Rated M) - this American action film (shot in Australia), is Directed Co-Written for the screen and Co-Produced by Mark Williams in only his third film making outing following 2016's 'A Definitely Maybe' and 2020's 'Honest Thief'. Here, trust, identity, and the danger of unchecked power push a covert operative to the edge where Travis Block (Liam Neeson) lives and fights in the shadows (with his very particular set of skills). A freelance government 'fixer', Block is a dangerous man whose assignments have included extracting agents out of deep-cover situations. When Block discovers a shadowy programme called Operation Unity is striking down ordinary citizens for reasons known only to Block's boss, FBI chief Robinson (Aidan Quinn), he enlists the help of a journalist Mira Jones (Emmy Raver-Lampman), but his past and present collide when his daughter Amanda (Claire van der Boom) and granddaughter Natalie (Gabriella Sengos) are threatened. Now Block needs to rescue the people he loves and expose the truth for a shot at redemption. 

'DRIVE MY CAR' (Rated MA15+) - here, this Japanese road drama film is Co-Written and Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and is primarily based on Haruki Murakami's short story of the same name from his 2014 short story collection 'Men Without Women' while taking inspiration from other stories in it. The film was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, where it won three awards, including Best Screenplay. It was selected as the Japanese entry for the Best International Feature Film at this years Academy Awards, making the December 2021 shortlist. At the Golden Globe Awards earlier in January, the film won Best Foreign Language Film, among its total haul so far of fifty-five wins and another eighty-two nominations from around the awards and festival circuit, with some of those nods still awaiting final outcome. Released in its native Japan in August last year, the film has so far grossed US$3M and has garnered widespread critical acclaim. Two years after his wife's unexpected death, Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a renowned stage actor and director, receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya at a theatre festival in Hiroshima. There, he meets Misaki Watari (Toko Miura), a taciturn young woman assigned by the festival to chauffeur him in his beloved red Saab 900. As the production's premiere approaches, tensions mount amongst the cast and crew, not least between Yusuke and Koji Takatsuki (Masaki Okada), a handsome TV star who shares an unwelcome connection to Yusuke's late wife Oto (Reika Kirishima). Forced to confront painful truths raised from his past, Yusuke begins, with the help of his driver, to face the haunting mysteries his wife left behind. Be forewarned, that this film has a run time of just on three hours. 

'WYRMWOOD : APOCALYPSE' (Rated MA15+) - Directed and Co-Written by Kiah Roache-Turner this film is the sequel to 2014's cult Aussie post-apocalyptic zombie offering 'Wyrmwood : Road of the Dead', with Bianca Bradey, Jay Gallagher and Luke McKenzie returning for this second instalment. This film then, picks up on the action shortly after the events of the first film. Brother and sister duo Barry (Jay Gallagher) and Brooke (Bianca Brady) have joined forces with fellow rebels – sisters Maxi (Shantae Barnes-Cowan) and Grace (Tasia Zalar). When Grace is captured by soldier Rhys (Luke McKenzie) and delivered to The Colonel (Jake Ryan) and his villainous leader, The Surgeon (Nicholas Boshier), Maxi and her new rebel friends must slaughter their way to her rescue. 

'BENEDETTA' (Rated R18+) - this biographical French drama film is Directed and Co-Written by Paul Verhoeven and is loosely based on the 1986 non-fiction book 'Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy' by Judith C. Brown. Verhoeven previous film making credits include 1987's 'RoboCop', 1990's 'Total Recall', 1992's 'Basic Instinct', 1995's 'Showgirls', 1997's 'Starship Troopers', 2000's 'Hollow Man' and 2016's 'Elle'.  Originally slated for its World Premier at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, this was subsequently postponed until 2020, because post-production had been delayed as Verhoeven was recovering from hip surgery. However, the release was delayed again to 2021, following the cancellation of the 2020 edition of the Cannes Film Festival where the film was set to Premiere, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And so the film finally saw its World Premier at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival where it was in competition for the Palme d'Or, was released in the US in early December and this week is released in Australia, having so far grossed US$4.0M and generated largely favourable Reviews. Set during the 17th century, Benedetta Carlini (Virginie Efira), an Italian nun in the abbey of a convent in Tuscany was considered to be mystical and venerated by her religious entourage, and was finally arrested and judged for lesbianism. Also starring Charlotte Rampling and Lambert Wilson.

'THE BEATLES : GET BACK - THE ROOFTOP CONCERT' (Rated M) - here acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson's 'The Beatles : Get Back' is a unique cinematic experience that takes audiences back in time to The Beatles' intimate recording sessions during a pivotal moment in music history. The film showcases the warmth, camaraderie, and creative genius that defined the legacy of the iconic foursome. Shot on 30th January 1969, the Beatles performed an unannounced concert from the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row, within central London's office and fashion district. Joined by keyboardist Billy Preston, the band played a 42-minute set before the Metropolitan Police asked them to reduce the volume. It was the final public performance of their career, and this film has been compiled from over sixty hours of unseen footage and more than 150 hours of unheard audio, all of which has been brilliantly restored. Although the concert was conceived just days before, the Beatles were planning a return to live performances throughout the early sessions for their 1970 album 'Let It Be'. They performed nine takes of five songs as crowds of onlookers, many of whom were on their lunch break, congregated in the streets and on the rooves of local buildings. The concert ended with the conclusion of 'Get Back'. Footage from the performance was used in the 1970 documentary film 'Let It Be' and the 2021 three-part documentary series 'The Beatles : Get Back' Directed by Peter Jackson and which aired on Disney+ from the 25th November last year.

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-