What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 27th October 2022

The 35th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) was first established in 1985 and from that year until 1991 was held biennially, and from 1991 onwards held annually. This year the festival launched on Monday 24th October and runs through until Wednesday 2nd November. Together with the Shanghai International Film Festival, it is one of Asia's competitive film festivals, and is considered to be the largest film festival in Asia and the only Japanese festival accredited by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations). The festivals events include open-air screenings, voice-over screenings, and appearances by Actors, as well as seminars and symposiums related to the film market.

This years Opening Night Gala film is the World Premier of the Japanese feature 'Fragments of the Last Will', Directed by Zeze Takahisa; with the Closing Night film being the Japanese Premier screening of 'Living' from the UK and Directed by Oliver Hermanus and starring Bill Nighy. 

The Tokyo Grand Prix award has remained throughout the festivals existence and is handed to the best film, as the top award. Other awards that have been given regularly include the Special Jury Award and awards for best Actor, best Actress and best Director. In official competition for the Grand Prix award are fifteen films chosen from around the world for screening at the festival. This year TIFF received 1,695 entries from 107 countries and regions. Those fifteen features are :-

* '1976' - from Chile, Argentina and Qatar, and Directed by Manuela Martelli. Chile under the Pinochet regime. Carmen is asked by a priest to shelter a young man, and she agrees — but this will change her life drastically. Asian Premier.

* 'Ashkal' - from Tunisia and France, and Directed by Youssef Chebbi. Bodies are found at a construction site near Tunis, where work was halted due to a pro-democracy movement; two detectives begin investigating. Asian Premier.

* 'The Beasts' - from Spain and France and Directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen. Set in a remote mountain village in Galicia, Spain, this potent thriller depicts the friction between a local powerbroker and a middle-aged French couple who have moved there to start a farming life. Asian Premier.

* 'by the window' - from Japan and Directed by Imaizumi Rikiya. A man discovers his wife is cheating on him, but then is bothered by his mixed feelings as he's too honest but yet searching for happiness. World Premier.

* 'Egoist' - from Japan and Directed by Matsunaga Daishi. Is love an ego to save yourself, or . . . This film tells the story of the love between Kosuke, an Editor, and Ryuta, a Personal Trainer. World Premier.

* 'The Fabulous Ones' - from Italy and Directed by Roberta Torre. In a villa housing transgender women, residents try to fulfil the last wish of their late friend, buried in male clothing against her will. International Premier.

* 'Glorious Ashes' - from Vietnam, France and Singapore and Directed by Bui Thac Chuyen. The film unveils relationships between three women and their partners in a southern seaside village. World Premier.

* 'Kaymak' - from North Macedonia, Denmark, The Netherlands and Croatia and Directed by Milcho Manchevski. Two couples go down the rabbit hole of unconventional erotic relationships, respectable at the beginning, happy at the end. Underneath its exploration of the eternal search for love, the film tackles darker social issues - surrogate parenting, infidelity, woman's role in family and society, human trafficking, sexual freedom. World Premier.

* 'Life' - from Kazakhstan and Directed by Emir Baigazin. A man loses everything after bankruptcy. Asian Premier.

* 'Manticore' - from Spain and Directed by Carlos Vermut. The film depicts the love between a young male game designer and a tomboy. Asian Premier.

* 'Mountain Woman' - from Japan and the USA and Directed by Fukunaga Takeshi. Set in the late 18th Century, an outcast girl, Rin lives in a village suffering from famine. She draws strength from Mt. Hayachine, where the spirits of humans ascend after passing. World Premier.

* 'Peacock Lament' - from Sri Lanka and Italy and Directed by Sanjeewa Pushpakumara. To earn money for his sister's heart surgery, Amila works for a company but learns they traffic babies to foreigners, from unwanted pregnancies. World Premier.

* 'Tel Aviv Beirut' - from Cyprus, France and Germany and Directed by Michale Boganim. With the backdrop of the 1980's Israeli-Lebanese conflict, this road movie portrays the journey of women separated from their families by the border. World Premier.

* 'This Is What I Remember' - from Kyrgyzstan, Japan, The Netherlands and France and Directed by Aktan Arym Kubat. The film depicts a man who has lost his memory while working in Russia and returns to Kyrgyzstan for the first time in 20 years. World Premier.

* 'World War III' - from Iran and Directed by Houman Seyedi. An actor playing Hitler in a film about World War II quits, and a day labourer working as an extra is chosen as a substitute. Asian Premier.

For the other sections playing out at this years 35th Tokyo International Film Festival in the Asian Future, Gala Selection, World Focus, Youth, Nippon Cinema Now, Japanese Animation and Japanese Classics strands, plus a whole lot more besides, you can visit the official website at : https://2022.tiff-jp.net/

This week then, with five new release movies coming to an Odeon close to you, we start with a historical epic film based on true events and set in the early 19th Century about the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey against a foreign enemy. This is followed by a historical comedy drama about a widowed cleaning lady in 1950's London who falls in love with a couture Dior dress, and decides that she must have one of her own. Next up we have a groundbreaking film about two men with commitment problems who attempt a relationship; and then we turn to a horror splatter sequel that follows a murderous clown's resurrection and pursuit of a teenage girl and her younger brother on Halloween night, one year following the events of the first film; before closing up the week with a family film about a young girl who discovers her magic stone is part of an ancient prophecy and embarks on a thrilling journey to face a great evil, and shape her own destiny.

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.

'THE WOMAN KING' (Rated M) - is an American historical epic film Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood whose previous feature film Directorial credits are 'Love & Basketball' in 2000, 'The Secret Life of Bees' in 2008, 'Beyond the Lights' in 2014, and 'The Old Guard' in 2020. The film saw its World Premier showcasing at TIFF in early September this year, has generated positive critical reviews and has so far grossed US$83M off the back of a US$50M production budget. 

Set in 1823, a group of all-female warriors known as the Agojie, protects the West African kingdom of Dahomey that existed from the early 17th to the late 19th centuries, with skills and fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Faced with a new threat from the Oyo Empire (also in West Africa and located to the east of Dahomey) that existed from the mid-17th century to the late 18th century, General Nanisca (Viola Davis) trains the next generation of recruits to fight against a foreign enemy that's determined to destroy their way of life. Also starring Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega and Hero Fiennes Tiffin. 

'MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS' (Rated PG) - is a historical comedy drama film Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Anthony Fabian in his third feature film making effort following 'Skin' in 2008 and 'Louder Than Words' in 2013, although he has also Directed a number of short films, documentaries and a TV series too. This film is based on the novel 'Mrs. 'Arris Goes To Paris' by Paul Gallico from 1958 and is the third screen adaptation of that novel. In 1957 London, a widowed housekeeper Mrs. Ada Harris (Lesley Manville) falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, deciding she must have one of her own. After working to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris that will change not only her own outlook, but the very future of the House of Dior. Also starring Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson and Jason Isaacs. The film saw its release in the US in mid-July, the UK in late September and in France next week having so far grossed US$16M at the Box Office from a US$13M production budget and has garnered generally favourable reviews. 

'BROS' (Rated MA15+) - this American romantic comedy film is Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Nicholas Stoller whose prior feature film Directorial offering are 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' in 2008, 'Get Him to the Greek' in 2010, 'The Five-Year Engagement' in 2012, 'Neighbors' in 2014, 'Neighbors 2 : Sorority Rising' in 2016 and the animated 'Storks' movie in 2016 also. Here then, Bobby Lieber (Billy Eichner) is a neurotic podcast and radio show host who's happy to go on Tinder dates and content not to have a serious relationship. That all changes when he meets Aaron Shepard (Luke Macfarlane), an equally detached lawyer who likes to play the field. Repeatedly drawn to each other, both men begin to show their vulnerable sides as their undeniable attraction turns into something resembling a commitment. The film saw its World Premier screening at TIFF in early September, was released in the US in late September, has so far grossed US$11.5M from its US$22M production budget and has generated largely favourable critical reviews. 

'TERRIFIER 2' (Rated CTC) - is an American splatter film Written, Co-Produced, Directed and Edited by Damien Leone in his fourth feature film making offering following 'All Hallows' Eve' in 2013, 'Frankenstein vs. The Mummy' in 2015 and 'Terrifier' in 2016 to which this film is a direct sequel. The film saw its World Premiere at the FrightFest on 29th August and went on release in the US in early October where it was met with positive reviews from critics with many considering the film to be an improvement over its predecessor. Here then, after being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) returns to the timid town of Miles County where he targets a teenage girl, Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) and her younger brother, Jonathan Shaw (Elliot Fullam) on Halloween night. The film has so far grossed US$5.3M from its production budget of US$250K, with 'Terrifier 3' already planned and Damien Leone suggesting that he has more than enough material to warrant a 'Terrifier 4'. 

'MIA AND ME : THE HERO OF CENTOPIA' (Rated PG) - is an animated and live action family adventure film based on a German TV series that is Co-Written and Directed by Adam Gunn in his debut feature film making outing, although he has previously Directed on thirteen episodes of 'Archibald's Next Big Thing' for Netflix. When Mia (Margot Nuccetelli) returns to her old family summer home for the first time since her parents’ death, she is suddenly taken back into the unicorn world of Centopia through the magical portal. There she meets Iko (Mike Singer), an elf from Lotus Island, who desperately needs her help. Toxor (Gedeon Burkhard), a monstrous, toad-like, vindictive villain, is taking over Lotus Island, transforming its citizens into an army of will-less henchmen with its dark magic. Mia, and her old and new friends, must band together to follow in the footsteps of the mythical heroine of Centopia and unite three ancient, magical power stones to defeat Toxor. When faced with the biggest villain Centopia has ever known, Mia will learn what it really means to be a hero, and shape her own destiny in the process.

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-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 22nd September 2016

The release of Oliver Stone's 'Snowden' this week marks the Director's 25th feature film in a long, varied, successful and at times controversial career dating back to 1971 as an Actor, Screenwriter, Producer and Director that has seen him collect numerous Academy, Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards for his Direction and as Producer. Here is a quick summary of the man's back catalogue to date :-

* 1974 - 'Seizure' - Horror - Director | Co-Writer
* 1981 - 'The Hand' - Horror - Director | Writer
* 1986 - 'Salvador' - War Drama - Director | Producer | Co-Writer
* 1986 - 'Platoon' - War Drama - Director | Writer
* 1987 - 'Wall Street' - Drama - Director | Co-Writer
* 1988 - 'Talk Radio' - Drama - Director | Co-Writer
* 1989 - 'Born on the Fourth of July' - War Drama - Director | Producer | Co-Writer
* 1991 - 'The Doors' - Biographical Drama - Director | Co-Writer
* 1991 - 'JFK' - Biographical Drama - Director | Producer | Co-Writer
* 1993 - 'Heaven & Earth' - War Drama - Director | Producer | Writer
* 1994 - 'Natural Born Killers' - Crime Drama - Director | Co-Writer
* 1995 - 'Nixon' - Biographical Drama - Director | Producer | Co-Writer
* 1997 - 'UTurn' - Crime Drama - Director | Co-Writer
* 1999 - 'Any Given Sunday' - Sports Drama - Director | Producer | Co-Writer
* 2003 - 'Persona Non Grata' - Political Documentary - Director
* 2003 - 'Commandante' - Political Documentary - Director
* 2004 - 'Alexander' - Historical Epic - Director | Co-Writer
* 2004 - 'Looking for Fidel' - Political Documentary - Director
* 2006 - 'World Trade Centre' - Disaster Drama - Director
* 2008 - 'W.' - Biographical Drama - Director
* 2009 - 'South of the Border' - Political Documentary - Director
* 2010 - 'Wall Street : Money Never Sleeps' - Drama - Director
* 2012 - 'Savages' - Crime Drama - Director | Co-Writer
* 2012 - 'The Untold History of the United States' - Documentary series - Director | Writer
* 2016 - 'Snowden' - Biographical Drama - Director | Co-Writer

Along the way Oliver Stone also Written or Co-Wrote the Screenplays for 'Midnight Express' (1978), 'Conan the Barbarian' (1982), 'Scarface' (1983), 'Year of the Dragon' (1985), 'Eight Million Ways To Die' (1985) and 'Evita' (1996). All up, that's a fairly prolific track record!

Turning out attention to this week we have just three new movies coming to your local neighbourhood cinema screen, kicking off with a biographical telling of a whistleblower extraordinaire in the very recent past that caused a major upset in his own country and in others when he spilled the beans. Then we have two very different animated offerings both featuring animals - one from Sony Imageworks featuring delivery birds and a 'newborn', and another from Studio Ghibli featuring a giant turtle and a man stranded on a desert island.

As every week you are invited to leave your own critique when you have sat through your film of choice in the coming week, by leaving a remark or two in the Comments Box below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear your views too, and in the meantime, enjoy your movie.

'SNOWDEN' (Rated M) - this biographical political drama was Co-Written for the screen and Directed by Oliver Stone and based on the books 'The Snowden Files' by The Guardian's foreign correspondent Luke Harding, and 'The Time of the Octopus' by Russian lawyer and Doctor of Law Anatoly Kucherena. The former is an in depth biography of Edward Snowden's story, and the latter is a story of a fictional American whistleblower seeking asylum in Russia. The film rights for both books were acquired by Oliver Stone and form the foundation of this account of Edward Snowden, who hit the international headlines in mid-2013 for leaking classified information from the National Security Agency to The Guardian in the June of that year. With an all star cast, Stone was so worried about filming in the US and reprisals from the NSA, that he shot the film mostly outside of the US in Munich and Hong Kong with some footage filmed in Washington D.C. and Hawaii. A controversial man and a controversial story with Snowden being hailed a whistleblower, a dissident, a hero, a freedom fighter, a patriot and a traitor - you can decide for yourself!

Featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Edward Snowden and Shailene Woodley as his girlfriend Lindsay Mills, the film tells the story of this American computer professional, former Central Intelligence Agency employee and former contractor for the United States government who copied and leaked classified information from the NSA without any authorisation. His disclosures revealed numerous global surveillance programs, many run by the NSA and the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance with the cooperation of telecommunication companies and Governments across Europe. After leaving his job at an NSA facility in Hawaii, Snowden flew to Hong Kong and in early June 2013 he revealed thousands of classified NSA documents to numerous journalists which then appeared in The Guardian and The Washington Post and other newspapers including Der Spiegel and The New York Times. After being charged by the US Government on two counts of espionage and theft of classified information he flew to Moscow seeking asylum which he was granted for twelve months, subsequently extended to three years. He remains in Russia as of this date, and co-operated in the making of this film. Also starring Zachary Quinto, Nicolas Cage, Tom Wilkinson, Scott Eastwood, Timothy Olyphant, Rhys Ifans, Melissa Leo, and Joely Richardson . . . and Edward Snowden. The film cost US$40M to make.

'STORKS' (Rated G) - here's one for the younger and the young at heart just in time for the Australian September school holiday fortnight. This CG animated adventure comedy has home delivery storks as its premise, but no longer the kind that deliver oh so cute babies to expecting parents you understand. In this era of social media, on-line shopping and next day delivery, storks deliver packages for a global giant internet shopping business called CornerStore.com. Junior (voiced by Adam Samberg) is a white stork and also the company's #1 delivery stork and in line for promotion, when inadvertently he activates a baby making machine and hey presto, out pops a beautiful cute and so unauthorised baby girl. Before boss Hunter (voiced by Kelsey Grammer) gets wind of the recent baby arrival, it's up to Junior and Tulip (voiced by Katie Crown) the only human working at CornerStore.com to devise a cunning plan to deliver the baby girl, create a family unit and return the storks to their true calling in life. Written, Co-Produced and Co-Directed by Nicholas Stoller and starring the other voice talents of Jennifer Aniston, Danny Trejo, Ty Burrel and Keegan-Michael Key.

'THE RED TURTLE' (Rated PG) - Co-Written and Directed in his debut feature film by Dutch/British animator Michael Dudok de Wit in collaboration with the famed Japanese Studio Ghibli this dialogue free animated feature length film has so far wowed audience the world over where it has been shown on the festival circuit and so far released. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes earlier this year and took out the Special Prize for the films Director. Here a shipwrecked sailor is washed up on a desert island and exploring his new found home he soon discovers it to be a little piece of paradise with swaying palm trees, freshwater rock pools, rocky outcrops and a bamboo forest. However, despite his idyllic surrounding he is desperate to leave, and over time as he attempts to do so his plans are thwarted by a giant red turtle. This fable or fairy tale type offering is open to your own interpretation but it explores nature and mans interaction with it when there is no alternative and he has to succumb to its beauty, its power and its wonder. Drawn beautifully, this simple tale is a must see on the big screen.

With just three offerings this week and a whole bunch of other great movies out on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed here, you have every reason to get out to your local picture house for two hours of escapism and entertainment. Share your views here when you have done so. I'll see you in the week ahead at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-