What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 6th August 2026.

This years 74th Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) runs from Thursday 6th August through until Sunday 23rd August in the capital city of Melbourne, in the State of Victoria, Australia. MIFF is an independent not-for-profit organisation that has been continuously running since 1952, making it the premier film festival in Australia and one of the world’s oldest film festivals, alongside Venice (founded in 1932), Cannes (founded in 1939) and Berlin (founded in 1951). Presenting a curated global programme of innovative screen experiences and the world’s largest showcase of exceptional Australian filmmaking, MIFF is an accessible, iconic cultural event that provides transformative experiences for audiences and filmmakers alike. MIFF will continue to innovate and build on its decades of achievements to ensure that Melbourne retains its place as the cultural capital of Australia and that MIFF remains Australia’s largest and most significant film festival in terms of international profile, industry engagement, audience size, and the quality and breadth of both its festival and industry programmes . . . so reads the official website. 

This years Opening Night Gala film presentation is 'Wicker' from the USA and this romantic fantasy film is Written and Directed by Eleanor Wilson and Alex Huston Fischer, and stars Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant, Elizabeth Debicki, Nabhaan Rizwan, Marli Siu, Alexander Skarsgard and Olivia Colman. A fisherwoman lives on the fringes of a seaside village; she is unmarried, stinky, and constantly teased. One day, sick of her stuffy, narrow-minded neighbours, she orders a wicker husband for herself. Australian Premiere screening.

MIFF’s film competition, Bright Horizons, celebrates filmmakers on the ascent, featuring an extraordinary international line-up of first- and second-time filmmakers competing for one of the richest film prizes in the world.

There are ten films competing for the Bright Horizons Award. These are as given in brief below :-

* 'Big Girls Don't Cry' - from New Zealand, this drama film is Written and Directed by Paloma Schneideman in her debut feature. Australian Premiere.

* 'Blue Heron' - from Canada and Hungary, this drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Sophy Romvari. Australian Premiere.

* 'Elephants in the Fog' - from France, Germany, Brazil, Nepal and Norway, this drama film is Directed by Abinash Bikram Shah. Australian Premiere. Winner of the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at this years Cannes Film Festival.

* 'The Friend's House Is Here' - from the USA and Iran, this drama film is Written, Produced and Directed by Hossein Keshavarz and Maryam Ataei, and Edited by Hossein Keshavarz. Australian Premiere. Winner of the US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast at this years Sundance Film Festival.

* 'Goodbye, Cruel World' - from France, and this drama film is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Felix de Givry in his feature film debut. Australian Premiere.

* 'Josephine' - from the USA, this drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Beth de Araujo in her feature film making debut, and stars Mason Reeves, Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan. Australian Premiere. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in this years Sundance Film Festival US Dramatic Competition,

* 'La Gradiva' - from France and Italy, this drama film is Co-Written, Co-Photographed and Directed by Marine Atlan in her feature film Directorial debut. Australian Premiere. Winner of this years Cannes Film Festival Critics’ Week Grand Prize.

* 'Sweet Milk Lake' - from Australia and this drama film is Written, Co-Produced, Directed and stars Harvey Zielinski in his feature debut. World Premiere. 

* 'Wicker' - from the USA and this historical fantasy drama comedy film is Written and Directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. Refer above Opening Night Film presentation. 

* 'Yesterday the Eye Didn't Sleep' - from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Palestine and Qatar, this drama film is Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Rakan Mayasi in his feature Directorial debut. Australian Premiere.

For the descriptors of the above named films in official competition, plus the full low down on all of the other strands being showcased, and a whole lot of other good stuff, you can visit the official website at : http://www.miff.com.au

Turning the focus back to this weeks tranche of seven new movies coming to a big screen Odeon close to your home, we begin with a pair of American slasher horror offerings, the first of which is about a queer Director making a slasher film franchise sequel who becomes obsessed with casting the original film's 'final girl', leading both women into psychological and sexual chaos; and this is followed by a story set during an idyllic summer that turns into sheer terror as an ice cream man serves up sweet delights, with horrifying results. Then we have a British black comedy period piece where a gloriously unscrupulous social climber and his razor-sharp wife prepare to host a dinner party for a Duke and Duchess in 18th-century England. Next up is an American historical biographical war drama in which a young man faces war, betrayal and impossible choices that ultimately will forge a leader. Following on we have a Canadian and New Zealand Co-Production that sees a lost boy in search of heaven, three odd nuns on a mission, a car powered by God (and stolen money), all embarking on a road trip like no other. Then we turn to an Aussie comedy drama film about a celebrated composer facing death, his volatile working-class neighbour, and a sharp New York writer who together form an uneasy alliance over the course of one weekend in Far North Queensland; before closing out the week with the third instalment in this mildly successful franchise that sees the Troopers try to bring down a new drug ring, while Farva's wildly over-the-top engagement to the Senior Troopers sister spirals into chaos.

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.

'TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA' (Rated MA15+) - is an American slasher horror film that is Written and Directed by Jane Schoenbrun, whose previous Directing outings are 'We're All Going to the World's Fair' in 2021 which they would follow up with 'I Saw the TV Glow' in 2021. This film had its World Premiere screening in mid-May as the opening film of the Un Certain Regard section at this years Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Queer Palm. It is released in the US this week also.

After years of slapdash sequels and waning fandom, the long-running 'Camp Miasma' slasher franchise is handed over to an enthusiastic young queer Director Kris (Hannah Einbinder) for resurrection. But when she visits the original movie's star Billie Presley (Gillian Anderson), she becomes fixated on the prospect of casting the now-reclusive Actress who is shrouded in mystery. As the two women begin to work together, they fall into a blood-soaked world of desire, fear, and delirium. Also starring Jack Haven and Patris Fischler. 

'ICE CREAM MAN' (Rated R18+) - this American slasher horror film is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Eli Roth, whose prior Directorial credits take in the likes of his debut with 'Cabin Fever' in 2002, then 'Hostel' in 2005, 'Hostel : Part II' in 2007, 'The Green Inferno' in 2013, 'Knock Knock' in 2015, 'Death Wish' in 2018, 'Thanksgiving' in 2023 and 'Borderlands' in 2024. Here, an idyllic suburban town descends into madness when a mysterious ice cream man (Ari Millen) serves sweet treats that turn children into homicidal maniacs with horrifying results. The film is released Stateside this week too, and this is the first film in Eli Roth's founded horror label 'The Horror Section'. 

'SAVAGE HOUSE' (Rated CTC) - is a British black comedy period film Written, Co-Produced, Directed, Edited and scored by Peter Glanz in only his second feature film Directorial outing following 'The Longest Week' in 2014. Set in 18th-Century England, the film follows Sir Chauncey Savage (Richard E. Grant), a gloriously unscrupulous social climber propped up by debt and bravado. When invited to host the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire because a massive pox outbreak and the Jacobite uprising, Chauncey and his razor-sharp wife, Lady Savage (Claire Foy), launch a bid to impress. Their desperate attempts to climb the social ladder and mask the decay of their crumbling estate spiral into infidelity, duels, decadence and bloodshed, as their performance spins way out of control. Also starring Jack Farthing, Bel Powley and Kila Lord Cassidy. The film was released in the UK, Ireland and the USA in early June, has so far grossed US$464K and has generated largely positive critical press.

'YOUNG WASHINGTON' (Rated M) - this American historical war drama film is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Jon Erwin who together with his brother Andrew Erwin helmed their debut feature film in 2011 with 'October Baby' and would go on to Direct 'Mom's Night Out' in 2014, 'Woodlawn' in 2015, 'I Can Only Imagine' in 2018 and 'American Underdog' in 2021 amongst others. Before he became the first President of the United States of America, he was a soldier fighting to survive. A single misstep thrusts young George Washington (William Franklyn-Miller) into the centre of a global conflict, testing his honour, loyalty, and courage. As alliances crumble and the frontier erupts into the French and Indian War of 1753-1755, he must confront not only his enemies but the man he's becoming. Also starring Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker, Joel Smallbone and Mia Rodgers. The film has garnered mixed critical reviews and has so far grossed US$41M from a production budget of US$20M, having been released Stateside in early July. A sequel is already in the works allegedly titled '1776' and tracing Washington's experiences during the American Revolution. 

'HOLY DAYS' (Rated PG) - is a Canadian and New Zealand Co-Produced comedy film Written and Directed by Nat Boltt in her feature film making debut, and is based on the book of the same name by Dame Joy Cowley. Accompanied by an unhappy young boy Brian Collins (Elijah Tamati), three unconventional nuns Sister Agnes (Judy Davis), Sister Luke (Miriam Margolyes) and Sister Mary Clare (Jacki Weaver) embark on a wild and chaotic road trip across New Zealand to retrieve the deeds to their convent. When an unexpected snowstorm derails their journey, they soon find themselves confronting loss, mortality and the transformative power of love, forgiveness and connection. The film had its World Premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in early February this year, and was released in New Zealand on 26th February, and the USA on 27th March, having so far grossed US$340K and has generated mixed or average critical reviews.

'STORM BIRD' (Rated MA15+) - this Australian comedy drama film is Co-Produced and Directed by James Ivor and Eryk Lenartowicz in their joint feature film making debut, and is Written, and stars James Ivor. Here, Richard Hollingsworth (Anthony Phelan), a once-revered composer now a reclusive nihilist, living out his final months in isolation. When Jack Sprawling (James Ivor), a tough but kind-hearted working-class neighbour facing jail time, saves him from a sudden heart attack, their lives unexpectedly intertwine. Together with Carla (Serena ven Sandalwood), a sharp New York author documenting Richard’s life, the three unlikely companions spend a transformative weekend in Far North Queensland confronting the past, unearthing personal truths, and forging unexpected bonds across social divides.

'SUPER TROOPERS 3' (Rated MA15+) - is an American comedy film Directed and starring Jay Chandrasekhar who also Directed the previous two offerings in this franchise in 2001 and 2018, with those two films grossing a combined US$55M off the back of total production budgets of US$16M. When Trooper Rodney 'Rod' Farva's (Kevin Heffernan) wildly over-the-top Indian engagement to Thorny's sister Sarita Makundan (Hannah Simone) spirals into chaos, the Super Troopers must navigate Senior Trooper Arcot 'Thorny' Ramathorn (Jay Chandrasekhar) schemes to break up the relationship, while trying to crack a pernicious new drug ring - all to save the day and maybe the wedding itself. Also starring Paul Soter, Steve Lemme, Brian Cox, Erik Stolhanske, Nat Faxon and Marisa Coughlan. The film is released in the US this week too. 

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-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 19th April 2018.

The 'South By Southwest' Festival (aka 'SXSW') is a yearly amalgamation of film, interactive media, music festivals and conferences that takes place in mid-March in Austin, Texas, USA every year since its inaugural event in 1987. It has continued to grow in both scope and size year on year ever since. The SXSW Film Festival runs for nine days, concurrently with the SXSW Film Conference, and celebrates raw innovation and emerging talent both behind and in front of the camera. The SXSW Film Conference spans five days of conference panels and sessions, and welcomes filmmakers of all levels. The programme comprises keynote speakers, workshops, mentor sessions, panels and more with expert filmmakers and industry leaders taking part. This year, guest speakers included U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders; entrepreneur Elon Musk; Actor and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger; Mayor of London Sadiq Khan; and film Producers/Directors Barry Jenkins, Darren Aronofsky and Steven Spielberg amongst a host of others.

This year countless films saw their World Premier across various categories. Included were :
* Narrative Feature Competition : featuring ten World Premiers and ten unique ways to celebrate the art of storytelling. These were 'Family', 'First Match', 'Jinn', 'The New Romantic', 'SADIE', 'Shotgun', 'Summer '03', 'Thunder Road', 'The Unicorn' and 'Write When You Get Work'.
* Documentary Feature Competition : featuring ten World Premiers and ten real world stories that demonstrate innovation, energy and bold voices. These were 'Chi-Town', 'Garry Winograd : All Things are Photographable', 'The Gospel of Eureka', '!Las Sandinistas!', 'People's Republic of Desire', 'Social Animals', 'This One's For The Ladies', 'TransMilitary', 'Weed The People' and 'The World Before Your Feet'.
* Headliners : big names, big talent featuring four World Premiers. These were 'A Quiet Place', 'Blockers', 'Boundaries', 'PARADOX', 'Final Portrait' and 'Isle of Dogs'.
 * Narrative Spotlight : high profile narrative features and twenty films of which sixteen received their World Premier screening. These were '6 Balloons', 'All Square', 'A Bluebird In My Heart', 'The Breaker Upperers', 'Brother's Nest', 'Fast Colour', 'First Light', 'Galveston', 'The Legacy of a Whitehall Deer Hunter', 'Most Likely To Murder', 'Support The Girls', 'Unlovable', 'A Vigilante', 'Wild Nights With Emily', 'WILDLING' and 'You Can Choose Your Family'.
* Visions : these filmmakers are audacious, risk-taking artists in the new cinema environment who demonstrate raw innovation and creativity in documentary and narrative filmmaking. Fifteen films showcased with thirteen receiving their World Premier viewing. These were '1985', 'Don't Leave Home', 'Elizabeth Harvest', 'Friday's Child', 'Meow Wolf : Origin Story', 'More Human Than Human', 'Perfect', 'Pet Names', 'Prospect', 'Relaxer', 'Thy Kingdom Come', 'Wild Honey Pie!' and 'Wobble Palace'.
* Midnighters : scary, funny, sexy, controversial – provocative after-dark features with ten films showcased of which six saw their World Premier. These were 'Blood Fest', 'Untitled Blumhouse-Bazelevs' thriller, 'Field Guide to Evil', 'The Ranger', 'Upgrade' and 'What Keeps You Alive'.
* 24 Beats Per Second : Showcasing the sounds, culture and influence of music & musicians, with an emphasis on documentary. Twelve films of which seven were World Premiers. These were 'Being Frank : The Chris Sievey Story', 'Elvis Presley The Searcher', 'Heavy Trip', 'If I Leave Here Tomorrow : A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd', 'Rapture', 'Ruben Blades Is Not My Name' and 'A Tuba to Cuba'.

Other categories included Global : a diverse selection of international filmmaking talent, featuring innovative narratives, artful documentaries, premieres and festival favourites; Narrative Shorts : showcasing a selection of original, well-crafted films that take advantage of the short form and exemplify distinctive and genuine storytelling; Documentary Shorts : described as slices of life from across the documentary spectrum; Animated Shorts : being an assortment of stories using traditional animation, computer-generated effects, stop-motion, and everything in-between; Midnight Shorts : billed as morsel-sized bits for all of your sex, gore, and hilarity cravings. And more besides too!

This week we launch with the big screen treatment of a bestselling novel about a book written about the exploits of a group of locals on a British Channel Island during the German occupation of WWII. This is followed up by comedy offering of an average everywoman who as a result of a knock on the head comes around with a new found confidence and the rigid belief that she is the next great Supermodel. Next up is a comedy sequel seventeen years in the making about a hapless bunch of State Troopers assigned to stand guard and protect a disputed border between the USA and Canada; before wrapping up with a animated feature about a teenage vampire, his mate, their families and overcoming a perilous foe intent on destroying them all.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the four latest release new films as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are here warmly invited 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 meanwhile, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the coming week.

'THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY' (Rated M) - this British historical drama offering set just after the end of WWII is based on the 2008 New York Times Bestselling book of the same name by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows and is Directed by Mike Newell (whose previous film credits include 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', 'Donnie Brasco'. 'Pushing Tin', 'Mona Lisa Smile', 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire', 'Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time' and 'Great Expectations' amongst others. The film has been in gestation for eight years with various Directors and lead Actresses linked to the project including Kenneth Branagh and Kate Winslet respectively.

Beginning in London, 1946, and Juliet Ashton (Lily James), is a charismatic and free-spirited writer who receives a letter from a member of a mysterious book club started in the Nazi-occupied Channel Island of Guernsey. Exchanging letters with the local residents on the island, ultimately her curiosity is piqued, so that Juliet decides to visit the island to find out more. There she meets the delightfully eccentric members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, including Dawsey Adams (Michiel Huisman), the rugged and intriguing farmer who wrote her the initial letter. As the secrets from their wartime occupation unfold, Juliet's growing connection to the island, the book club and her affection for Dawsey will change the course of her life forever. Also starring Matthew Goode, Tom Courteney, Penelope Wilton, Katherine Parkinson, Glen Powell and Jessica Brown Findlay. The film is released in the UK this week too.

'I FEEL PRETTY' (Rated M) - here we have an American comedy film Written and Directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein and starring Amy Schemer as Renee Barrett, an ordinary woman who struggles on a daily basis with feelings of insecurity, low self esteem and inadequacy that prevents her from moving forward with her life. Taking a bad fall during an exercise class, she later wakes up believing she is suddenly the most beautiful supermodel and capable woman in the world. With this new found confidence, she becomes empowered to live her life without fear, flawlessly and infinitely positively, but, what will happen when she realises her appearance never changed? Also starring Michelle Williams, Rory Scovel, Aidy Bryant, Busy Philipps, Tom Hooper, Lauren Hutton and Naomi Campbell, and the film goes on general release in the US this week too.

'SUPER TROOPERS 2' (Rated MA15+) - in 2001 the pre-cursor to this film was released 'Super Troopers' which on a budget of US$1.2M grossed US$23M garnered it generally mixed or average Reviews at best. But not to be put off, and seventeen years later we have this sequel Written by the same team who brought us the first gripping instalment, and involving the same Director who also stars (Jay Chandrasekhar), as do the Writers who masquerade under the collective title of 'Broken Lizard' (being an American comedy troupe consisting of Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, and Erik Stolhanske). The film sees five wacky, unorthodox and unconventional State Troopers having to establish a new Highway Patrol Station in the disputed area between the USA and Canada when an international argument erupts between the two nations over the borderline separating the two countries. And so its up to Troopers Mac (Lemme), Thorny (Chandrasekhar), Foster (Soter), Rabbit (Stolhanske) and Farva (Heffernan) to save the day, maintain the peace and restore relations - hilarity will doubtless ensue! Also starring Brian Cox, Lynda Carter and Rob Lowe.

'THE LITTLE VAMPIRE' (Rated PG) - this animated children's vampire story is Directed by Richard Claus and Karsten Kiilerich and based on the stories created by German Writer Angela Sommer-Bodenburg. Here the story surrounds Rudolph (voiced by Rasmus Hardiker), a young teenage vampire, whose family is threatened with extermination by a notorious and cruel vampire hunter named Rookery (Jim Carter). As luck and good fortune would have it, he meets Tony (Amy Saville), a mortal of the same age, who has a fascination for old castles, graveyards and vampires. Rudolph brings his new friend Tony along on his adventure, which takes the two boys to Transylvania, so bringing their two families together, and helping them overcome their prejudices towards each other. En route, they face numerous dangerous challenges, and both vampires and humans must show courage and ingenuity in the face of adversity. Also starring the voices of Tim Pigott-Smith and Miriam Margolyes.

With four new release films out 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 in the week ahead at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-