What's new at Odeon's this week : Thursday 31st October 2024.

The 38th Leeds International Film Festival takes place this year from Friday 1st November through until Sunday 17th November. Founded in 1987, this annual film festival is hosted in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, and is the largest film festival in England outside of London. LIFF features five programme sections - Official Selection, Retrospective, Cinema Versa, Fanomenon and Short Film City. LIFF is a qualifying film festival for the Academy Awards. 

'The world’s first films were made in Leeds in 1888 by Louis le Prince and today the city is a leading national centre for film culture. Leeds film culture includes fantastic new and historic cinemas, exciting film festivals throughout the year, special film events in landmark locations, four universities and colleges with dedicated film departments, a dynamic movement of societies and individuals organising their own film activities, and much more. Home to Channel 4 and Screen Yorkshire, Leeds is a major hub for film and television production and for talent development' - so reads the official website.

LIFF's Opening Film this year is 'The Ties That Bind Us' from Writer and Director Carine Tardieu, this French and Belgian drama is about what brings people together in unsettling times and the new kinds of ties that can bloom unexpectedly. UK Premiere screening. The LIFF Central Film is 'All We Imagine As Light' from India, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy, is Directed by Payal Kapadia and paints a portrait of the lives, loves, and longings of three women working in the Mumbai Hospital. The Closing Film presentation is 'All The Long Nights' from Japan and Directed by Sho Miyake. The film follows Misa, a young woman with debilitating PMS that manifests in volatile outbursts.When she leaves her corporate job for a gentler workplace, a company making scientific toys, she encounters the shy Takatoshi, a co-worker struggling with panic disorder. Through mutual support and small acts of kindness, the two discover a world outside themselves. UK Premiere showcasing.

Constellation is the new name for the main programme section where many of the most talked about films of the year are previewed, and UK Premieres of films are presented from exciting new filmmakers in the feature film competition. There are eight film in Competition, these being :-

* 'The Fable' - from India and the USA and Directed by Raam Reddy. UK Premiere.

* 'The Editorial Office' - from Ukraine, Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic and Directed by Roman Bondarchuk. UK Premiere.

* 'Simon of the Mountain' - from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay and Directed by Federico Luis. UK Premiere.

* 'Pierce' - from Singapore, Thailand and Poland and Directed by Nelicia Low. UK Premiere.

* 'East of Noon' - from Egypt, Netherlands and Qatar and Directed by Hala Elkoussy. UK Premiere.

* 'Betania' - from Brazil and Directed by Marcelo Botta. UK Premiere.

* 'Ivo' - from Germany and Directed Eva Trobisch. UK Premiere.

* 'Toxic' - from Lithuania and Directed by Saule Bliuvaite. UK Premiere.

The Opening and Closing films of Constellation this year are both much-anticipated comedy dramas, featuring stand-out lead performances with Kieran Culkin in Jesse Eisenberg’s 'A Real Pain' and Amy Adams in Marielle Heller’s 'Nightbitch'. There are a further thirty-two films being showcased in the Constellation section. 

For the full programme of feature films and short films being showcased, plus the summaries of the aforementioned films, you can visit the official festival website at :- https://www.leedsfilm.com/

Looking ahead to this weeks six new release movies coming to your local big screen Odeon, and we kick start with a drama offering from an acclaimed Director in which multiple generations of couples and families inhabit the same home over the course of a century. This is followed by a biographical drama film that sees tensions run high as the Producer and a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers prepare for the first ever broadcast of 'Saturday Night Live'. Next up we turn to a pair of Aussie horror offerings, the first of which sees a young mother becoming increasingly unstable when she is terrorised by a malevolent spirit she believes is trying to take her children; and then a creature feature set in the remote outback town of Axehead, where terror takes the form of Rippy, a monstrous giant zombie kangaroo. Then we have an Italian film set in postwar 1940's Rome, that follows a working mother, wife and carer breaking traditional family patterns and aspiring to a different future, after receiving a mysterious letter; before closing out the week with an action thriller that has a former DEA agent and a former undercover operative revisit their romance during a fateful weekend in Taipei, unaware of the dangerous consequences of their past.

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

'HERE' (Rated M) - this American drama film is Co-Written for the screen, Co-Produced and Directed by Robert Zemeckis, and is based on the 2014 graphic novel by Richard McGuire. Zemeckis has a long and varied career as a Writer, Producer and Director with his more notable feature film output including his 1978 debut with 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand' to 'Romancing the Stone' in 1984, 'Back to the Future, Parts I, II and III' in 1985, 1989 and 1990 respectively, 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' in 1988, 'Death Becomes Her' in 1992, 'Forrest Gump' in 1994, 'Contact' in 1997, 'Cast Away' in 2000, 'The Polar Express' in 2004, 'Flight' in 2012, 'Allied' in 2016 and 'Pinocchio' in 2022. This film saw its Premiere at the American Film Institute Festival on 25th October and goes on wide release this week too in the USA.

'Here' is an original film about multiple families and a special place they inhabit. The story travels through generations, capturing the most relatable of human experiences, with Richard Young (Tom Hanks) and his wife Margaret (Robin Wright) starring in a tale of love, loss, laughter and life, all of which happen in a single spot of land spanning from the past and well into the future. Also with Paul Bettany, Kelly Reilly and Michelle Dockery. 

'SATURDAY NIGHT' (Rated MA15+) - is an American biographical comedy drama film Co-Written, Co-Produced and Directed by Jason Reitman whose previous feature film making credits include his debut in 2005 with 'Thank You for Smoking', then 'Juno' in 2007, 'Up in the Air' in 2009, 'Labour Day' in 2013, 'Tully' in 2018, 'The Front Runner' in 2018 also, and 'Ghostbusters : Afterlife' in 2021. Here then, at 11:30pm on 11th October 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television, and culture, forever. Based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the ninety minutes leading up to the first broadcast of 'Saturday Night Live'. Full of humour, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn't, we count down the minutes in real time until we hear those famous words delivered by Chevvy Chase (Cory Michael Smith) 'Live from New York. It's Saturday Night!' The film stars Gabriel LaBelle as Producer Lorne Michaels, with amongst an ensemble cast that includes Dylan O'Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson, Willem Dafoe as David Tebet, J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle, Matt Wood as Jim Belushi and Tracy Letts as Herb Sargent. The film had its World Premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in late August, and went on general release in the US on 11th October on the 49th anniversary of the show's premiere. It has received positive reviews from critics and has grossed US$7M from a production budget of about US$28M.

'THE MOOGAI' (Rated M) - this Australian horror film is Written and Directed by Jon Bell and is based on his own 2020 fifteen minute short film of the same name, which won the Midnight Shorts Grand Jury Award at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival, as well as Best Director at the 2021 Brooklyn Horror Film Festival. Here, A young Aboriginal couple bring home their second baby. What should be a joyous time takes a sinister turn, as the baby's mother starts seeing a malevolent spirit she is convinced is trying to take her baby. The film includes Indigenous Australian themes related to the Stolen Generations (a government policy of forced removal of Aboriginal children from their parents) and The Dreaming. Moogai is the Bundjalung word for 'ghost'. The film saw its World Premiere in the Midnights section of this years Sundance Film Festival toward the end of January, and had its Australian Premiere at the Sydney Film Festival in June of this year. 

'THE RED' (Rated MA15+) - is an Australian horror comedy film Co-Written and Directed by Ryan Coonan in his feature film making debut, and develops the story taken from his own short film 'Waterborne'. Set in a remote Queensland community of Axehaed, terror takes the form of Rippy, a giant red Zombie Kangaroo. As the undead-roo leaves a trail of carnage in its wake, the only hope lies in local young sheriff Maddy (Tess Haubrich) who is trying to live up to her dead father's legacy finds herself tested when locals start being found ripped to shreds, forcing her to face her past as she works with her eccentric uncle in a battle for survival and a desperate mission to defeat the beast. Also starring Michael Biehn and Aaron Pedersen.

'THERE'S STILL TOMORROW' (Rated M) - this Italian period comedy drama film is Co-Written, Directed and stars Paola Cortellesi in her Directorial debut. Set in May of 1946 in Rome, Italy with Allied troops still roaming the streets in Jeeps, Delia (Paola Cortellesi) plays exclusively the roles of wife and mother to her three children while her husband, Ivano (Valerio Mastandrea), is the head of the family. Between domestic engagements she nurses her sullen father-in-law Ottorino (Giorgio Colangeli) and does occasional sewing for various city stores, as well as laundry for the wealthy. One day, Delia receives a mysterious letter, and the woman is able to imagine a better future for herself. The film cost US$5.5M to produce, has so far grossed US$50M, has collected twenty award wins and a further eighteen nominations from around the awards and festivals circuit, and has garnered positive critical acclaim. The film was shot in black-and-white in the neorealist style of the 1940's and '50's.

'WEEKEND IN TAIPEI' (Rated MA15+) - is a French and Taiwan action film Co-Written by George Huang who made his Directorial debut with 'Swimming with Sharks' in 1994, and who has largely Written or Produced since then, up until this film, which is also Co-Written and Co-Produced by Luc Besson. John Lawlor (Luke Evans), a committed American Drug Enforcement Administration agent, fell in love with Joey (Gwei Lun-mei), a Taipei-based transporter, but was forced to separate due to the disruption of criminal and corruption activities. Fifteen years later, the pair is reunited when Lawlor is on a mission in Taipei. The film was released in its native France and Taiwan in early September, is released this week in Australia and in the US on 8th November. 

With six 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-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 10th December 2020.

The fifth International Film Festival and Awards Macao, China (IFFAM) recently ended its run this year, from 3rd through 8th December. This years festival was seen entirely online, as IFFAM Artistic Director Mike Goodridge commented 'The unprecedented challenges of 2020 may mean that we can’t play IFFAM’s programme in theatres and we can’t welcome any international guests to Macao, but that will not stop us delivering this superb selection of thirty-one films to audiences in Macao and Hong Kong on our dedicated online platform'. Films were screened and streamed with introductions from Directors and were available for upto 48 hours after rental. 

The International Competition section for first and second time Directors, takes in eleven feature films. These are :-

* 'Back To The Wharf' from China and Directed by Xiaofeng Li,
* 'Black Light' from Korea and Directed by Bae Jong-dae,
* 'The Cloud In Her Room' from China and Directed by Xinyuan Zheng Lu,
* 'Falling' from the USA, Canada and Denmark and Directed by Viggo Mortensen,
* 'Love Poem' from China and Directed by Xiaozhen Wang,

* 'Servants' from the Czech Republic and Directed by Ivan Ostrochovsky,
* 'Short' from Denmark and Directed by Frederik Louis Hviid and Anders Olholm,
* 'Spring Blossom' from France and Directed by Suzanne Lindon,
* 'Sweat' from Poland and Directed by Magnus von Horn,
* 'Tragic Jungle' from Mexico and Directed by Yulene Olaizola,
* 'Limbo' from the UK and Directed by Ben Sharrock.

Other sections include the World Panorama strand, featuring Thomas Vinterberg’s 'Another Round', Kelly Reichardt’s 'First Cow', Venice hits 'Quo Vadis, Aida?' from Jasmila Zbanic, 'Sun Children' from Majid Majidi and 'A Balance' by Yujiro Harumoto, which won the New Currents section at Busan.

The Special Presentations section included the Chinese blockbuster 'My People My Homeland', French animated film 'Calamity' Directed by Remi Chaye, Japanese comedy 'Tonkatsu DJ Agetaro' Directed by Ken Ninomiya, documentary '76 Days' about the struggles of frontline medical professionals battling the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, and short film 'A Dream Of A Lifetime' about Alex Fong’s challenge to swim 45km around Hong Kong in aid of the ‘A Drop of Life’ charity.

For more information on this years 5th annual IFFAM, you can visit the official website at : https://www.iffamacao.com

This week, we have five latest release new feature films to tease you out to your local air conditioned Odeon on a hot and humid Australian Summer evening. We kick off with the second big screen adaptation of a much loved children's book from 1983 that sees a young lad cross paths with the leader of the world's witches and her nefarious vast coven of likeminded evil doers. Next up we have an Aussie Western set in the closing years of the 19th Century that sees a man on the run team up with a cameleer in Western Australia needing to get somewhere quick to melt down two stolen gold bars. We then turn to a Sci-Fi drama concerning an apocalyptic event, a returning crew of astronauts and possibly the last man on Earth as he struggles to make contact to prevent them from landing back home. This is followed up by a romantic drama about a teenager diagnosed with a mental illness who finds love in his last year at High School, and how that girl shows him how not to be defined by his diagnosis. And we close out the week with a superhero offering about a superhero who has lost his superpowers when travelling through a dimension to land on our little blue planet, and how he befriends a teenager to take down a crime lord.  

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the five latest release new movies 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.

'THE WITCHES' (Rated M) - this dark fantasy comedy film is Directed, Co-Produced and Co-Written for the screen by Robert Zemeckis, whose previous film making outings take in the likes of 'Back to the Future : Parts I, II and III', 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit', 'Forrest Gump', 'Contact', 'Cast Away', 'The Polar Express', 'Beowulf', 'Flight', 'Allied' and 'Welcome to Marwen' most recently. This film is the second big screen treatment of the 1983 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl, following the 1990 film Directed by Nicolas Roeg with Anjelica Huston in the title role. Released in the US on HBO Max in late October, the film saw its limited international cinematic release from the end of October, having so far taken US$17M at the Box Office and garnered generally mixed or average Reviews. 

It is 1968, and a young orphaned boy (Jahzir Kadeem Bruno) goes to live with his loving grandma (Octavia Spencer) in the rural Alabama town of Demopolis. As the boy and his grandmother encounter some deceptively glamorous but thoroughly diabolical witches, headed up by the Grand High Witch (Anne Hathaway), she wisely whisks him away to a seaside resort. Regrettably, they arrive at precisely the same time that the world's Grand High Witch has gathered her fellow cronies from across the world to carry out her undercover nefarious plans. Also starring Stanley Tucci, Kristen Chenoweth and the voice of Chris Rock as the narrator. It should be noted that this film adaptation takes place in Alabama during the 1960's, instead of the novel's 1980's England and Norway, and the boy protagonist is African-American, instead of Norwegian-British like the boy in the original novel and previous iterations.

'THE FURNACE' (Rated MA15+) - this Australian drama film is Directed and Written by Roderick MacKay in his feature filmmaking debut following two short films - 2011's 'Trigger' and 2014's 'Factory 293'. Set in 1897 Western Australia, to escape a harsh existence and return home, a young Afghan cameleer Hanif (Ahmed Malek) and his Indian mentor Jundah (Kauskih Das) join forces with a mysterious bushman Mal (David Wenham) on the run with two 400oz Crown-marked gold bars. Together the unlikely pair must outwit a zealous police officer, Sergeant Shaw (Jay Ryan) and his troopers in a race to reach a secret furnace - the one place where they can safely reset the bars to remove the mark of the Crown. Also starring Erik Thomson, Baykali Ganambarr and Samson Coulter. The film has generated mostly positive critical acclaim so far.  

'THE MIDNIGHT SKY' (Rated M) - here this Science Fiction fantasy drama film is Directed, Co-Produced and stars George Clooney whose previous Directorial outings include 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' in 2002 and his debut, 'Good Night, and Good Luck' in 2005, 'The Ides of March' in 2011, 'The Monuments Men' in 2014 and 'Suburbicon' in 2017 most recently. Based on the 2016 novel 'Good Morning, Midnight' by Lily Brooks-Dalton, the film is due fro release on streaming service Netflix from 23td December onward and now gets a limited theatrical release ahead of that date. Here, following an incident of apocalyptic proportions, a lonely scientist, Augustine Lofthouse (George Clooney) based on an Arctic station races against the clock to prevent Sully (Felicity Jones) and her fellow astronauts aboard the NASA space ship 'Aether' from returning home back to Earth, which is now a very different place from when they took off on their mission due to a mysterious global catastrophe. Also starring Kyle Chandler, David Oyelowo, Sophie Rundle, Ethan Peck and Demian Bechir, and Caoilinn Springall as the child Iris.

'WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS' (Rated M) - this American romantic drama film is Directed and Co-Produced by Thor Freudenthal whose previous film making credits are 'Hotel for Dogs' in 2009, 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' in 2010, and 'Percy Jackson : Sea of Monsters' in 2014. Based on the novel of the same name by Julia Walton, this film saw its US release towards the back end of August, has so far recouped US$3M off the back of its US$9.5M budget outlay and has garnered generally favourable Reviews. Here, diagnosed with a mental illness during his senior year of high school, Adam Petrazelli (Charlie Plummer) a witty, introspective teen struggles to keep it a secret while falling in love with a brilliant classmate Maya Arnez (Taylor Russell) who inspires him to open his heart and not be defined by his condition. Also starring Andy Garcia, Molly Parker, Walton Goggins, Beth Grant and AnnaSophia Robb. 

'ARCHENEMY' (Rated MA15+) - Directed and Written by Adam Egypt Mortimer whose prior film making outings take in 2015's 'Some Kind of Hate' and 2019's 'Daniel Isn't Real' here brings us this independent superhero mystery thriller offering, that is released Stateside this week too. Here, a teenager who goes by the moniker Hamster (Skylan Brooks) meets a mysterious man named Max Fist (Joe Manganiello, who also Co-Produces here together with Elijah Wood), who claims he lost his superpowers after arriving from another dimension. Together, they take to the streets to wipe out a vicious crime boss known as The Manager (Glenn Howerton) and his local drug syndicate. Also starring Luis Kelly-Duarte and Paul Scheer.

With five new release films 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-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 31st January 2019.

On Saturday evening 19th January the Producers Guild of America (PGA) held their 30th annual Awards ceremony, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California. The official PGA website states that 'The Producers Guild of America is a non-profit trade organisation that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media. The Producers Guild works to protect the careers of producers and improve the producing community at large by facilitating health benefits for members, encouraging the enforcement of workplace labour laws and sustainable practices, creating fair and impartial standards for the awarding of producing credits, and hosting educational opportunities for new and experienced producers alike'. 

These awards like the twenty-nine that have gone before them, honour the best film and television Producers of 2018, and as such in the film categories, the winners and grinners were :-

* The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of a Theatrical Motion Picture : was won by 'GREEN BOOK' - Produced by Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly, and Nick Vallelonga. The other nominations in this category were 'Black Panther', 'BlacKkKlansman', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Crazy Rich Asians', 'The Favourite', 'A Quiet Place', 'Roma', 'A Star Is Born' and 'Vice'.




* The Outstanding Producers of an Animated Theatrical Motion Picture : was won by 'SPIDER-MAN : INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE' - Produced by Avi Arad, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal, and Christina Steinberg. The other nominations in this category were 'Dr, Seuss : The Grinch', 'Incredibles 2', 'Isle of Dogs' and 'Ralph Breaks the Internet'.



* The Outstanding Producers of a Documentary Theatrical Motion Picture : was awarded to 'WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOUR' - Produced by Morgan Neville, Nicholas Ma, and Caryn Capotosto. The other nominations in this category were 'The Dawn Wall', 'Free Solo', 'Hal', 'Into the Okavango', 'RBG' and 'Three Identical Strangers'.





* The Outstanding Producer of a Streamed or Televised Motion Picture : was awarded to 'FAHRENHEIT 451' - Produced by Sarah Green, Ramin Bahrani, Michael B. Jordan, Alan Gasmer, Peter Jaysen, and David Coatsworth. The other nominations in this category were 'King Lear', 'My Dinner with Herve', 'Paterno' and 'Sense8'.

* The Milestone Award was presented to Toby Emerich. Described as 'the most prestigious honour, recognising an individual or team who has made historic contributions to the entertainment industry'.
* The Stanley Kramer Award was presented to Jane Fonda. Described as being awarded to 'recipients whose work dramatically illustrates provocative social issues'. 
* The Visionary Award was presented to Kenya Barris. Described as being awarded to 'Producers for their unique or uplifting contributions to our culture through inspiring storytelling or performance'. 
* The David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures was presented to Kevin Feige. Described as being awarded in 'recognition of the individual's outstanding body of work in motion pictures'.

This week we bring you four latest release movies coming to an Odeon near you. Kicking off with a biographical telling of a popular political figure of the mid-'80's who had his eyes firmly set on the US Presidency, until a scandal emerges that sees his political aspirations implode. We then turn to a story of a mothers love, support and frustration of her teenage drug addicted son as he checks out of rehab unexpectedly on the eve of Christmas, and the tortuous 24 hours that follows. We then turn to a real life telling of a broken man who sought solace and recognition through a miniaturised world that he could escape into to help him overcome his challenges in the real world. And closing out the week we have a fictionalised yet based on verified facts historical biographical film that may shed some new light on the assassination of India's greatest leader.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the four latest release new movies 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 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.

'THE FRONT RUNNER' (Rated M) - is an American biographical drama film Directed, Co-Produced and Co-Written for the screen by Jason Reitman based on the 2014 Matt Bai book 'All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid'. The film surrounds Gary Hart who is an American Politician, Diplomat, Lawyer and Author and was the front-runner for the 1988 Democratic Presidential nomination, representing the State of Colorado in the US Senate from 1975 through until 1987.

Here Hugh Jackman portrays Gary Hart, the former senator of Colorado, who becomes the front-runner for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 1987. Hart's intelligence, charisma and idealism prove popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that however, comes tumbling down when allegations of an extramarital affair with journalist Donna Rice (Sara Paxton) surface in the media and are published by the Miami Herald. Trying to clear his name and his reputation, Hart attempts to address the scandal publicly that threatens to short circuit his campaign and his private life. Also starring Vera Farmiga as Oletha Hart with J.K.Simmons and Alfred Molina. The film Premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in August, was released in the US in early November, has so far taken under US$3M at the Box Office and has received mixed Reviews.

'BEN IS BACK' (Rated M) - Written and Directed by Peter Hedges this American drama film saw its Premier screening at TIFF back in late September, went on release Stateside in early December, cost US$13M to make, has so far grossed US$7M and has received generally positive press. Starring the Writer/Director's son Lucas Hedges as nineteen year old Ben Burns who returns to the family suburban home unexpectedly on Christmas Eve, having spent the last few months in a drug rehabilitation centre. Ben's Mum, Holly (Julia Roberts) is naturally relieved and welcoming but wary of her son's drug addiction, and why he is out of rehab sooner than expected. Over the next turbulent day or so, new truths come to the surface, and a mother's undying love for her child is tested as Holly does everything in her power to keep Ben clean and out of trouble. Also starring Courtney B. Vance and Kathryn Newton.

'WELCOME TO MARWEN' (Rated M) - Directed and Co-Written by Robert Zemeckis, whose esteemed film career takes in such notable credits as the 'Back to the Future' trilogy, 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit', 'Death Becomes Her', 'Forrest Gump', 'Contact', 'Cast Away', 'The Polar Express', 'Beowulf', 'Flight' and 'Allied' more recently, you would think that with such a pedigree, that this film would be a sure fire hit! Not so, unfortunately for Mr. Zemeckis! Made for somewhere approaching US$50M, the film was released in the US just before Christmas and has so far taken about US$13M, has received mixed or average Reviews at best - although the motion capture visuals have received some praise, and has already been written up as a Box Office bomb. That said, the film is based on the more recent and real life of Mark Hogancamp who in April 2000 was attacked outside a bar by five men who beat him nearly to death after he told them he was a cross-dresser. After nine days in a coma and forty days in hospital, Hogancamp was discharged with brain damage that left him with little memory of his previous life. Unable to afford therapy, he created his own memory by building a one-sixth scale World War II-era model Belgian town in his yard and populating it with dolls representing himself, his friends, and even his attackers. By piecing together aspects from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town he calls Marwen, where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation, through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one. Starring Steve Carell as Mark Hogancamp, with Leslie Mann, Diane Kruger, Janelle Monae and Gwendoline Christie.

'THE GANDHI MURDER' (Rated MA15+) - based on verified facts this historical telling of the events that led to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on 30th January 1948, is released to coincide with the 71st anniversary of his death at the hands of the Hindu right-wing nationalist, Nathuram Vinayak Godse. Directed by Karim Traidia and Pankaj Sehgal, this film is based on the changing political landscape around the world immediately after India's independence and partition. It is set in a violent India, against the backdrop of a non-violent Gandhi, and hard-line fanatic mindsets beginning to establish itself in a country divided on the basis of religion. The film charts three senior Police Officers spread far and wide across India, who, well aware of the intelligence that Gandhi's life in under threat, must make key decisions that would eventually either save 'The Father of India' or the country. Starring Om Puri (in one of his last screen roles before his death at the age of 66 in 2017), Stephen Lang, Vinnie Jones and Jesus Sans as Mahatma Gandi.

With four new release films 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-

ALLIED : Tuesday 3rd January 2017.

'ALLIED' which I saw earlier this week is Directed by Robert Zemeckis and Written by Steven Knight based on a story he had been told some thirty years ago during his days travelling around the US, which whilst not confirmed as being true, proved too good to be true not to make a film out of it. And so whilst the notion has been kicking around for thirty years or so, it is only now that his story has been committed to celluloid. Costing US$85M the film opened in the US in late November and has so far made back US$87M, and garnered mixed reviews since, although its two lead performances have been largely praised.

Here Royal Canadian Airforce Intelligence Officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) must travel to Casablanca to assassinate a German Ambassador. The film picks up with him parachuting into the French Morocco desert sometime in 1942, being picked up by a car en route to Casablanca to rendezvous with his 'wife', a new identity for the mission, and a suitcase full of secret agent stuff! He is partnered up with French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) who fled from France after her resistance group was compromised and killed. The couple masquerade as French husband and wife, under the guise that they are being reunited in Casablanca after a long period of absence from each other due to his career in remote phosphate mining. She is trusted by the German's who have a stronghold on the territory.

Their planned assassination is still ten days away, so the couple get acquainted and do the things that couple do - enjoy the streetside cafes, party with acquaintances, be seen together arm in arm, take machine gun shooting practice out in the desert, and make love in the cramped front seat of a car in the middle of a raging sandstorm the day before the assassination attempt (must be a metaphor in there somewhere methinks!), because hey, they both might be dead in 24 hours time if their plan doesn't pull off.

After their mission to kill the German Ambassador at a glitzy gathering goes according to plan, and they are able to escape unhindered, Max asks Marianne to join him back in England. She agrees, they marry, fall pregnant, they set up home in Hampstead and settle down to a life of domesticity with him still working for the British Government and reporting to Frank Heslop as his Commanding Officer (Jared Harris) and friend. In time Marianne gives birth to a baby daughter, Anna, during a bombing raid over London, and the three return to the family home in the suburbs and all is good in the world.

Fast forward a few more months and Max learns from a Special Operations Executive (SOE), that Marianne is in fact suspected of being a German spy, having assumed the identity of the real Marianne, now long since dead. The SOE intend to run a 'blue dye' test whereby at a given time (11:07pm) a phone call will be made to their home and Max is to write down a piece of false intelligence, where Marianne can easily find it. If the information is picked up from intercepted German transmissions within a few days, Max must personally execute her, or be hanged for treason. He is told otherwise to act normally, and not to discuss the matter with anyone. Max is needless to say distraught with this news, and believes it all to be a big mistake - after all Marianne shot and killed the German Ambassador!

Defying orders Max first confides in his sister Bridget (Lizzy Caplan) knowing that she will keep a secret. He then visits a former colleague in hospital who knew Marianne well, but he was blinded in battle and is therefore unable to identify a photograph of her, but points Max in the direction of someone who may be able to help. Ultimately, Max flies to France to meet with someone who knew Marianne and will be able to identify his wife from a photograph. Landing under cover of darkness he learns that his contact is in fact in a local Police cell for drunken and disorderly conduct. Knowing that time is running out and this is his last ditch attempt to clear his wife's name, he and some Resistance Fighters break into the Police Station and confront his contact, who coming out of a drunken stupor recalled that Marianne was an accomplished pianist.

Back in London, Max forcibly takes Marianne to a local pub after hours, but where he knows there is a piano. They break in, and Max orders Marianne to play the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, on the piano because he had been told that she can, and beautifully. Marianne confesses to Max that yes, she is a German spy but her feelings for Max had always been genuine. She advises that her handlers in London had threatened both her and Anna if she did not continue complying with orders. Max refuses to kill his wife as instructed, and instead kills her handlers en route to the local RAF airstrip so that the three of them can effect their escape before the SOE close in with the news that he now knows is inevitable. In the pouring rain at the airstrip their escape plans are foiled by Heslop who intercepts their plans to commandeer a plane. Heslop confirms that their suspicions are confirmed as the Military Police arrive. Marianne gets out of the car, having secured Anna in the back seat, confirms her love for them both, and then promptly shoots herself in the head. She slumps to the ground beside the plane dead. Heslop who witnesses this commands the Military Police that what they saw was Max execute his wife as per his orders, to avoid any repercussions on him.

I enjoyed this romantic war time drama because it is a throw back to the war time melodramas of yesteryear that seldom get made any more these days. Ever since the days of 'Saving Private Ryan' and right up to the recent 'Hacksaw Ridge' war time films have been about the horrors of war writ large in graphic detail of severed limbs, flayed bodies, psychological trauma, physical injury, bloodshed and pain. 'Allied' offers us some welcome respite from this - it is a simple enough story, but well told by Robert Zemeckis who has a track record of delivering great performances from his Actors. And so he does so with Pitt and Cotillard. The pair are well matched and well suited to this period piece both looking very dapper and debonair in their '40's uniforms and fashions, and the era is recreated well enough to make the film complete. Certainly worth the price of entry, and worth looking at in homage to those films this one pays tribute to, albeit with a few random acts of violence, sex and profanity that those films of yesteryear wouldn't have deployed. Nonetheless a good watch.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Monday 26th December 2016.

It's been another year of movie Reviews, Previews, Birthday Tributes and sadly a few obituaries along the way. In the last twelve months I have Posted 62 Reviews of the films I have seen at the Odeon, and I have Previewed 218 new release films to give you the inside word on what's hot (and perhaps what's not!) and coming to a movie theatre near you. I thank-you for you ongoing support of this humble little movie Blog that in recent weeks has seen my all time visits surpass 51,000 as our global reach expands. And so with a slew of new release films coming your way this week and in the weeks and months ahead, 2017 promises to be more of the same, but different! Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous new year, and I look forward to seeing you in 2017 at the movies and at this Blog. Happy New Year!

Turning to the week ahead, we have seven new release films to tease you out to you local multiplex. Kicking off with a WWII drama of a derring do intelligence officer teaming up with a French Resistance fighter in more ways than one; then a modern day take on the song and dance musicals of yesteryear that is already generating Oscar buzz; and then a bio-pic of influential musical talents of the '60's that helped define an era of what we listed to. We turn next to an Aussie outback story of a teenage lad and a stray dog who form a friendship in this prequel to a much loved film of a few years back. This is followed by a RomCom of an unlikely coupling of an extroverted Billionaire man and his introverted student girlfriend whose parents are hell bent on ensuring their relationship and pending marriage fails before it has begun. We then wrap up with two animated features that sees a strong return to form from the House of the Mouse with a Polynesian offering an adventure story of a highly spirited teenage girl paired up with a Demi-God to fulfil her quest; before we wrap up with this all star voice cast film of a struggling Koala looking to revive the fortunes of his once famed theatre by staging a singing contest to end all singing contests.

With seven features offering everything from war time drama, to nostalgic song & dance routines, to musical bio-pic, to romantic comedy, canine Aussie outback adventure and a couple of strong animated films you have every reason to see a movie during this festive holiday period. When you have done so, share your movie going experience with us here at Odeon Online by leaving your Comment below this or any other Post. As always your constructive, relevant and unbiased thoughts are warmly welcomed. In the meantime, enjoy your film.

'ALLIED' (Rated M) - Directed by Robert Zemickis and Written by Steven Knight based on a story he had been told some thirty years ago during his days around the US, which whilst not confirmed as being true, proved too good to be true not to make a film out of it. And so whilst the notion has been kicking around for thirty years or so, it is only now that his story has been committed to celluloid. Costing US$85M the film opened in the US in late November and has so far made back US$78M, and garnered generally positive reviews since, particularly for its two lead performers.

Here Royal Canadian Airforce Intelligence Officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) must travel to Casablanca to assassinate a German Ambassador. He is partnered up with French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) who fled from France after her resistance group was compromised and killed. During their mission masquerading as man and wife they grow close, and following its success Max asks Marianne to join him back in England, where they settle down, marry and have a daughter together. Fast forward twelve months and Max learns from a Special Operations Executive, that Marianne is in fact suspected of being a German spy, having assumed the identity of the real Marianne, now long since dead. Max therefore needs to learn the truth about Marianne as their relationship is put to the test with the backdrop of war, suspicion, trust and love. Also starring Jared Harris, Matthew Goode and Lizzy Caplan.

'LA LA LAND' (Rated M) - this musical romantic dramedy Written and Directed by Damien Chazelle whose last Directorial outing was the highly acclaimed 'Whiplash' seems to have struck pay-dirt again with this follow up, the equally highly acclaimed 'La La Land'. Praised for its Direction, praised for its two principle leads and praised for its musical numbers, this film harking back to a bygone era of song & dance musicals, cost US$30M to make, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August this year, and saw its US release earlier this month so far taking US$21M. Telling the story of Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling) an aspiring jazz pianist who has dreams of opening his own Jazz Club and Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) an aspiring actress who makes espresso's at the film studios where she works to make ends meet. In their native Los Angeles, following a freak meeting and then being reunited some months later, the pair fall for each other bonding by their common desire to follow their dreams and pursue what they love in their lives. But as success starts to build for them both they are forced into making decisions that will pull at the framework of their affair, and the dreams they have worked together and supported each other in threatens to tear them apart. Also starring J.K.Simmons, Rosmarie DeWitt and John Legend. There is Oscar buzz around this film, so best add it to your list of must-sees!

'GIMME DANGER' (Rated M) - another musical, of sorts, but not as you know it. This bio-pic Written and Directed by Jim Jarmusch (having his second released movie in two weeks following the previously Previewed 'Paterson') is a tribute to quite possibly one of the most influential rock bands of the era - 'The Stooges'. Emerging onto the American music scene in the late '60's with a mix of rock, R&B, blues and jazz with Iggy Pop as the flamboyant, aggressive and powerful front man, The Stooges paved for the way for the punk scene and alternative rock that became the hall marks of the '70's and '80's music landscape. Jarmusch here presents an in depth documentary film charting the bands early rise to fame and notoriety with archival footage and interviews with Iggy Pop and the band members.

'RED DOG : TRUE BLUE' (Rated PG) - 2011's Aussie outback story of a loyal Kelpie/Cattle Dog cross that roamed Western Australia Pilbara mining region searching for his master was highly acclaimed, picked up numerous awards, toured the festival circuit and made back AU$21M from its AU$8M budget. Now in 2016 the follow up film has arrived. Based originally on the Louis de Bernieres book of the same name, this sort of prequel is written for the screen again by Daniel Taplitz and Directed again by Kriv Stenders. This time though the action is more kid-friendly as young teenager Mick (Levi Miller) is relocated from the big city to an outback town in remote Western Australia sometime during the late '60's. Mick is a kid all alone in the vast expanse of Australia's desert outback, and here he befriends 'Blue' the dog (played by Phoenix) whom he rescues one night during a storm. And here we have a friendship forged out of mud (literally) that see the two get up to all sorts of exploits, adventures and doubtless some danger along the way. Will this be as endearing as that first film - only you can decide! Also starring Bryan Brown, John Jarrett, Jason Issacs and Steve Le Marquand.

'WHY HIM' (Rated MA15+) - Co-Written for the screen and Directed by John Hamburg, and based on a story by Jonah Hill, Hamburg and Ian Helfer this RomCom cost US$38M to make and has among its producer credits Ben Stiller and Shawn Levy. Starring James Franco as Laird Mayhew a famous heavily tattooed extroverted billionaire who falls for Stephanie Fleming (Zoey Deutch) a student at Stamford University. When Stephanie's parents Ned (Bryan Cranston) and Barb (Megan Mullally) plan a visit to see her during the holiday break, what they don't plan on is meeting Stephanie's boyfriend Laird. Alarm bells begin ringing immediately for the over protective and disapproving Ned, who can't withstand Laird's freewheeling attitude and his colourful language. Things are further complicated when Laird announces to Ned that he intends to ask for his daughters hand in marriage in less than a week. And so the race is on for Laird to prove himself to Ned and Barb that he is a worthy, responsible, committed suitor for their daughter, and for Ned to ensure that Laird crashes and burns without a trace in the process.

'MOANA' (Rated PG) - from Disney Animation comes their first animated feature film centred around the people and culture of Polynesia, and with it comes critical acclaim and a Box Office haul that stands at US$295M since its Stateside opening towards the end of November. The story revolves around a young Polynesian girl named Moana (voiced by Auli'l Carvalho) who is being groomed to take over one day from her father - the Chief of the Island of Motunui. Moana is a head strong young thing and has different ideas. One day while collecting shells she is summonsed by the ocean itself to return an ancient relic to the island Goddess, Te Fiti. She sets out on her quest going beyond the forbidden waters of her island home, where she goes in search of legendary DemiGod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) to help her in her mission, and save her island home from a blight that has stricken it and threatens its very survival. Also starring the voice talents of Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Jemaine Clement and Alan Tudyk this film is likely to please all comers.

'SING' (Rated G) - made by Illumination Entertainment, this computer animated musical comedy is Written, Directed and stars the voice talents of Garth Jennings amongst an ensemble cast of notable others including Matthew McConaughey (as dapper koala bear Buster Moon), Seth McFarlane, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton, Reece Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Saunders. Buster Moon is the owner of a once grand and renowned music theatre that has fallen on hard times. Being the eternal optimist that he is, he hatches a plan to restore his beloved theatre to its former glory, and save his theatre from crumbling away around him. That plan involves staging the biggest singing contest the world has ever seen by offering a prize of $1,000, however, a printing issue sees the marketing fliers for the competition read $100,000! Featuring some 85 classic and well known songs by famous artists, and an original song by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande, this film is sure to get the feet tapping if nothing else. Costing US$75M to make, the film went on release in the US only last week and has so far made US$73M.

With something for everyone this cinema going week nestled nicely between Christmas and New Year there is once agin no excuse for you not to get out amongst it at your local movie theatre. When you have done so, remember to drop us a line or two, here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you in the coming week at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-