What's new in Odeon's this week : Tuesday 26th December 2023.

It's hard to believe that Christmas is upon us once again, and as such it would be remiss of me not to wish my global readership all the very best wishes for a Merry, Happy and safe Christmas, wherever you are in world, whatever it is you do to celebrate the occasion, and whoever you share it with. Thanks for your ongoing support over the past twelve months - it is your viewership that makes my reviews and previews of the latest release new movies worthwhile, and I look forward to doing more of the same throughout 2024. Until then, Merry Christmas, best wishes and complements of the season, from Sydney, Australia. 

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.

Turning the attention then back to the final seven new release movies of 2023, we kick start with a dark comedy fantasy offering about the fantastical evolution of a young woman brought back to life by a brilliant and unorthodox scientist, and who then embarks on a whirlwind adventure across the continents with a lawyer. Then we have the fifteenth film in the DCEU and a sequel charting the continuing story of the King of Atlantis who must join forces with his brother to overcome an old foe who has become more powerful over time and who threatens the world order and their underwater kingdom. Next up we have a British film that tells the story of a humanitarian who helped save hundreds of Central European children from the Nazis on the eve of World War II. We then turn to an American RomCom of a seemingly perfect couple, but after an amazing first date something happens that turns their fiery attraction ice cold. This is followed by a film that centres on two young people's bond that leads to marital infidelity and ultimately crime. And closing out the week we have a pair of animated features - the first from the House of the Mouse about a young girl who wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her; and then we have a family of ducks who try to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime.

'POOR THINGS' (Rated MA15+) - is a black comedy fantasy film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos whose prior feature film offerings take in his debut in 2001 with 'My Best Friend' and which he would follow up with 'Dogtooth' in 2009, and then his first English language film 'The Lobster' in 2015, 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer' in 2017 and 'The Favourite' in 2018. This film is based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray. The film saw its World Premiere showcasing at the Venice International Film Festival in early September this year where it won the Golden Lion. It was released Stateside earlier this month and is scheduled to be released in the UK on 12th January, having so far grossed US$4M against a production budget of US$35M and garnering universal critical acclaim.

Here then, the incredible story and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone, who also Co-Produces here), as a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter's protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for self-discovery, equality and sexual liberation. Also starring Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, Jerrod Carmichael and Margaret Qualley. 

'AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM' (Rated M) - this American Superhero film is based on the DC character of Aquaman, is the fifteenth and final instalment in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) with the new chapter in the DC Universe kicking off with 'Superman : Legacy' slated for a 2025 release under the new joint Chairmanship of James Gunn and Peter Safran, with James Gunn Directing. This film is the sequel to 2018's 'Aquaman' which grossed US$1.15B off the back of a production budget of US$160M making it the most successful film to date in the DCEU, and is once again Co-Produced, based on a story and Directed by Australian film maker James Wan. Several years after the events of the first film, Arthur Curry/Aquaman (Jason Momoa) is forced to protect Atlantis and his loved ones from devastation after an ancient power is unleashed by David Kane/Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) obtaining the cursed Black Trident. In order to achieve this, he will have to seek help from an unlikely ally, his half-brother Orm Marius aka Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson). Also starring Nicole Kidman, Amber Heard, Dolph Lundgren, Randall Park and Temuera Morrison. The film went on general release in the US last week, has so far grossed US$14M off the back of a production cost of US$205M and has generated mixed reviews.

'ONE LIFE' (Rated PG) - is a British biographical drama film Directed by James Hawes in his feature film debut although he has been Directing both single and multiple episodes of TV series for a number of years taking in the likes of 'Doctor Who', 'Merlin', 'Penny Dreadful', 'Black Mirror', 'The Alienist', 'Snowpiercer' and 'Slow Horses' most recently. This film is based on the book 'If It’s Not Impossible…The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton' by Barbara Winton and tells the story of British stockbroker Nicholas Winton (Anthony Hopkins, and Johnny Flynn as the young Winton) as he looks back on his past efforts to help groups of Jewish children in German-occupied Czechoslovakia to hide and flee in 1938–39, just before the beginning of World War II, in an operation that came to be known as 'Kindertransport'. Also starring Helena Bonham Carter, Lena Olin, Jonathan Pryce, Romola Garai, Alex Sharp and Samantha Spiro. The film had its World Premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival on 9th September, and is released in the UK on 5th January.

'ANYONE BUT YOU' (Rated MA15+) - this American RomCom is Co-Written and Directed by Will Gluck whose previous feature film offerings take in his debut with 'Fired Up' in 2009 followed by 'Easy A' in 2010, 'Friends with Benefits' in 2011, 'Annie' in 2014 and 'Peter Rabbit' and 'Peter Rabbit 2 : The Runaway' in 2018 and 2021 respectively. Despite an amazing first date, Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben's (Glen Powell) initial attraction quickly turns sour. However, when they unexpectedly find themselves at a destination wedding in Sydney, Australia, they pretend to be the perfect couple to keep up appearances. Also starring Alexandra Shipp, Dermot Mulroney, Rachel Griffiths and Bryan Brown. The film cost US$25M to produce and was released Stateside last week. 

'COUP DE CHANCE' (Rated PG) - is a French comedy drama film Written and Directed by Woody Allen who has made fifty feature films since his debut in 1966 with 'What's Up, Tiger Lily?' and whose other credits take in the likes of 'Annie Hall', 'The Purple Rose of Cairo', 'Hannah and her Sisters', 'Crimes and Misdemeanors', 'Bullets Over Broadway', 'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion', 'Match Point', 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona', 'Blue Jasmine' and 'Cafe Society' amongst many others. All up Allen has been the recipient of 143 award wins including four Oscar wins and another 223 nominations during his long and distinguished career. Here then, Fanny (Lou de Laage) and Jean (Melvil Poupard) look like the ideal married couple. They’re both professionally accomplished, they live in a gorgeous apartment in an exclusive neighbourhood of Paris, and they seem to be in love just as much as they were when they first met. But when Fanny accidentally bumps into Alain (Niels Schneider), a former high school classmate, she’s swept off her feet. They soon see each other again and get closer and closer, ultimately leading to marital infidelity and . . . violence. The film saw its World Premiere at this years Venice International Film Festival in early September, was released in France later that same month, has so far grossed US$6M and has garnered generally favourable reviews.

'WISH' (Rated PG) - this American animated musical fantasy film is Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and is Directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn (in her feature Directorial debut). Chris Buck's prior feature film offerings are his Directing debut with 'Tarzan' in 1999, then 'Surf's Up' in 2007, 'Frozen' in 2013 and 'Frozen II' in 2019. Here, young Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) makes a wish so powerful that it's answered by a cosmic force, a little ball of boundless energy called Star. With Star's help, Asha must save her kingdom from King Magnifico (Chris Pine) and prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Also starring the voice talents of Alan Tudyk, Victor Garber, Natasha Rothwell, Evan Peters and Ramy Youssef. The film cost about US$190M to Produce, has so far grossed US$129M since its US release at the end of November and has generated mixed or average reviews. 

'MIGRATION' (Rated G) - is an American animated adventure comedy film Produced by Illumination and Directed by Benjamin Renner whose previous feature film making credits take in 'Ernest & Celestine' in 2012 and 'The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales' in 2017. The story follows a family of mallards who try to convince their overprotective father Mack (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani) to go on a vacation of a lifetime and attempt to migrate from New England to Jamaica. However, with the best laid plans quickly going awry when they get lost and wind up in New York City. The experience soon inspires them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends, and accomplish more than they ever thought possible. Also starring the voices of Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, David Mitchell, Carol Kane, Caspar Jennings, Tresi Gazal, and Danny DeVito. The film was released Stateside on 22nd December, has so far grossed US$21M off the back of a US$72M production budget and garnered generally positive reviews. 

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 7th December 2017.

The 27th annual Gotham Awards were held on Monday evening 27th November at Cipriani Wall Street, New York, and hosted this year by Actor and Director John Cameron Mitchell. The IFP (Independent Filmmaker Project) Gotham Awards, are selected by distinguished juries and presented in New York City, the home of independent film. This public showcase honours the filmmaking community, expands the audience for independent films, and supports the work that IFP does behind the scenes throughout the year to bring such films to fruition. The Independent Filmmaker Project champions the future of storytelling by connecting artists with essential resources at all stages of development and distribution, and represents a growing network of 10,000 storytellers around the world, and plays a key role in developing 350 new feature and documentary works each year. During its 36-year history, IFP has supported over 8,000 projects and offered resources to more than 20,000 filmmakers. The winners and grinners at this years Awards Ceremony are as detailed below :-

* Best Feature : Awarded to 'Call Me By Your Name', beating out 'The Florida Project', 'Get Out', 'Good Time' and 'I, Tonya'.
* Best Actor : Awarded to James Franco as Tommy Wiseau on 'The Disaster Artist'.
* Best Actress : Awarded to Saoirse Ronan as Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson on 'Lady Bird'.
* Best Screenplay : Awarded to Jordan Peele for 'Get Out'.
* Breakthrough Actor : Awarded to Timothee Chalamet as Elio Perlman on 'Call Me By Your Name'.


* Breakthrough Director Award : Awarded to Jordan Peele for 'Get Out'.
* Audience Award : 'Get Out'.
* Special Jury Award - Ensemble Performance : Awarded to Jonathan Banks, Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Mitchell, Rob Morgan, Carey Mulligan and Mary J. Blige on 'Mudbound'.
* Gotham Tributes : Awarded to Sofia Coppola, Nicole Kidman, Dustin Hoffman, Al Gore, Jason Blum and Ed Lachman.
Congratulations to all those winners, and those nominated also in their respective categories. For more information, you can go to : https://gotham.ifp.org/

This week there are just three new movies coming to your local Odeon. We kick off with the latest offering from this prolific film maker about the lives of four individuals whose worlds intersect in the late '50's Noo Yawk amusement park amidst gangsters, a would be playwright, a long lost daughter and an actress turned waitress. We then turn to a past and present set Irish tale about a mentally ill committed woman living under the shadow of an alleged crime of fifty years previously only to have the truth come out and free her in the twilight of her years. Wrapping up we have a Japanese manga animated offering of one young girls struggle to reconcile the horrors of WWII in Japan against the responsibilities she has to her new husband and his family in Hiroshima.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the three latest release 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 in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon experience during the week ahead.

'WONDER WHEEL' (Rated PG) - this American crime drama film is Written and Directed by Woody Allen in his 53rd outing as Director since making his debut back in 1966. The film closed out the October New York Film Festival, was released in the US last week on Allen's 82nd Birthday, cost US$25M to make and has so far generated mixed to average Reviews. The film is set in the late 1950's on New York's Coney Island amusement park.

Here the lives of four people collide among the ebb and flow of the Coney Island amusement park. There is Ginny (Kate Winslet), an emotionally volatile former actress now working as a waitress in a clam house; Humpty (Jim Belushi), Ginny's rough around the edges carousel operator husband; Mickey (Justin Timberlake), a handsome young lifeguard at the Coney Island Beach who has aspirations of making it big as a playwright; and Carolina (Juno Temple), Humpty's estranged daughter, who is in hiding out from a mob of gangsters at her father's apartment. At the same time, both Ginny and Carolina are vying for the affections of the same man - budding playwright Mickey, which sends Ginny's life into a tailspin.

'THE SECRET SCRIPTURE' (Rated M) - this Irish offering is Co-Written and Directed by Jim Sheridan (whose previous credits include 'My Left Foot', 'In the Name of the Father' and 'The Boxer') and is based on the 2008 book of the same name by Sebastian Barry. The film was shown at TIFF in October 2016, and had its World Premier screening in its native Ireland in May this year, and has received generally mixed Reviews despite its strong cast. Here Roseanne McNulty (Vanessa Redgrave playing the older, and Rooney Mara playing the younger by some fifty years) must vacate the soon-to-be demolished mental institution in Roscommon, Ireland that has been her home for more than fifty years. The hospital's psychiatrist, Dr. William Grene (Eric Bana), is called in to assess her condition and determine whether she should be transferred or released. He finds himself drawn to Roseanne's habits and foibles, and the strong attachment she has to her Bible, which she has over the years transformed into an alternative work of overwritten scripture, drawings, and cryptic diary entries. As Grene digs deeper into Roseanne's history, we see her as a young woman, whose charisma proves seductive, and moving to Sligo to work in her aunt's café, she falls in love with a dashing fighter pilot Michael McNulty (Jack Reynor), that a local priest Father Gaunt (Theo James) fell tragically in love with her too, and that local man Jack Conroy (Aiden Turner) was also vying for her affections. When the young Roseanne falls pregnant and is committed to a mental hospital, a tragic turn of events unfolds that sees her committed for life until the truth rises to the surface some five decades later.

'IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD' (Rated M) - this Japanese animated wartime WWII drama film is based on the manga of the same name as Written and Illustrated by Fumiyo Kono and is written for the screen and Directed by Sunao Katabuchi. The film was shown at TIFF in October 2016, had its World Premier screening in its native Japan in November 2016 was released Stateside in August this year, and now goes on limited release in Australia. Having been made for just US$2.2M the film has so far grossed US$23M, has garnered generally positive Reviews and has so far picked up 43 Award wins and a further fifteen nominations from around the festivals and awards circuit. Set in the 1930's and '40s in Hiroshima and Kure in Japan, about ten years before and after the atomic bomb, but principally during the end of war years from 1944 through 1945. Following the daily life and routines of new eighteen year old bride Suzu Urano (voiced by Non) who lives on the outskirts of Kure during the second world war. With the mounting likelihood of a war in the Pacific, young Suzu must combat her daily trials during turbulent wartime with her duties to her new husband Shusaku Hojo (voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya) and his family, while finding the strength to carry on regardless. Although this is a fictional story, the scenes and background for the film are based on facts and real incidents as researched by the production team, such as the lost landscape of pre-war Hiroshima, damaged by the atomic bombing, is accurately recreated in the scenes using old photographs, documented evidence, archival footage and the memories of its survivors.

With three new release films this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, with the likes of a '50's crime drama set in Noo Yawk; a '40's drama set in Ireland; and a '40's set animated WWII drama set in Japan, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephiles afterwards here at Odeon Online. Meanwhile, 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 20th August 2015.

Having ventured back to the mildly warmer climatic conditions of Sydney over the weekend to celebrate the Birthday of yours truly, I now find myself back in Adelaide 24 hours later still shivering in what I am told is the coldest Winter in 17 years! This makes me think of 'The Day After Tomorrow' when the world turned very cold all of a sudden, everyone froze on the spot and starred a cool 24 year old Jake Gyllenhaal who is also the lead in the up & coming rags to riches Boxing tale. Read on for more heart warming stuff!

For the week ahead there are four new filmic offerings coming to a multiplex or a small independent movie theatre near you. There are some big name attachments to these main stream movies this week that sit both in front and behind the camera that give us pugilistic emotion from an action Director and a transformative Actor at the top of his game; a holiday destination in the form of a reworked franchise from the early 80's that enjoyed reasonable success, but that was then, and this is now!; then some philosophical commotion with a long term perennial Writer Director still going strong both sides of his camera; and wrapping up with a crime dramedy infusion of 90's hip-hop, punk, drugs and kids on the run.

A right old mix then from which to choose, and when you have done so, and sat through your movie preference this week ahead, drop us all a Comment at Odeon Online and share your experience with us other like minded movie geeks below this, or any other Post. In the meantime, enjoy your film.

SOUTHPAW (Rated MA15+) - In case you didn't know it a 'Southpaw' is a left handed Boxer, and in this case we refer to here one very talented, beefed up, toned, muscled, six pack owning Jake Gyllenhaal in the role of Champion Boxer Billy Hope. Directed by Antoine Fuqua this film was made for US$25M and has already raked in over US$60M since its 24th July release Stateside. I don't mind a pugilistic film offering at all and have seen many, and when it stars Jake Gyllenhaal what other reason to you need to see a film? The story may be familiar offering little that is original or new, but it is the deft hand of the Director, strong performances from its lead especially and solid believable dialogue that carry this film forward, and ensures it punches above its weight.

As we join the story Boxer Billy Hope is defending his World Light Heavyweight Title which he does successfully but sustains an injury to his eye. Being at the height of his career and his popularity he enjoys all the trappings of success, and so do his family. After so many bouts and too many injuries he is convinced by his wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams) to retire, but soon afterwards tragedy strikes and Billy is very quickly taken from the top of his game to the bottom of the barrel. He risks losing everything and before things get better they of course get worse. Eventually, he realises that he needs to claw his way back up to regain his reputation, his integrity and custody of his young daughter. He enlists the help of gym owner and one time Boxer Titus Wills (Forest Whitaker) to become his trainer to give him another stab and claiming back his former titles and putting him once again in the spotlight. Oscar recognition has so far eluded Jake Gyllenhaal - could this be the one to do it for him? You decide!

DOPE (Rated MA15+) - Forest Whitaker is getting about a bit this week having a role in the aforementioned 'Southpaw' and turning up here on Producer and Narrator duties in this Rick Famuyiwa Directed film. 'Dope' was made for a meagre US$700K and has so far grossed US$17M since it's June release in the United States. The story here surrounds a bunch of teens living in the troubled L.A. suburb of Inglewood who hang out together and listen to 90's Hip Hop music and play in their own Punk revivalist band. A chance meeting with a drug dealer puts them in a night club celebrating a birthday party, but things get ugly and the gang flee unaware that a secret stash of Ecstasy has been holed away in a back pack carried by one of them. Needless to say the owners of the said stash want their spoils back and so the lads find themselves on the run from a bunch of tooled up thugs whom they must evade to survive and get on with their lives which they are trying to keep on track amidst various distractions of the teen kind. Starring Shameik Moore as Malcolm, Tony Revolori as Jib,  Kiersey Clemons as Diggy, Zoe Kravitz as Nakia and A$AP Rocky as Dom.

IRRATIONAL MAN (Rated M) - Woody Allen is back at it again with his 46th film as Director and this time starring Joaquin Phoenix as Professor of Philosophy Abe Lucas working at a small town college campus in no-name USA. He gets the hots for one of his students and hits on Jill Pollard  (Emma Stone) and the two have a relationship. Things get complicated when having a meal together one day they overhear a fellow diner recounting a story that she will lose custody of her children if she goes before a certain Judge. This unexpectedly gives meaning to Lucas's life and so he decides to take the law into his own hands, play the Good Samaritan and the Smiling Assassin all in one, and dispense with the Judge so that he cannot rule against the woman diner. When Pollard gets wind of this she urges Lucas to turn himself him, but of course not wanting to do this he decides to dispense with Pollard but things don't go quite according to plan with disastrous consequences for some! Parker Posey also stars.

VACATION (Rated MA15+) - The original National Lampoons film series of the 1980's were hugely successful and influential for their time with the initial film in the 'Vacation' series released in 1983 at a cost of US$15M and grossing US$62M. What followed was 'European Vacation' in '85, 'Christmas Vacation' in '89 and then 'Vegas Vacation' in '97. Now in 2015 we have a reboot, remake, retooling, and a reimagining of that series that introduced us to The Griswold's with the aptly named 'Vacation'. This time around original Daddy Griswold, Clark as played by Chevvy Chase is back in a cameo with Ed Helms playing Russell Griswold who packs up his nuclear dysfunctional family to head back to the theme park of theme parks, Walley World for a parental bonding road trip with the two sons in tow, ably assisted by Mum Debbie Griswold (Christina Applegate). Of course you can bet that before they even get out of the driveway that misadventure, mishap and mayhem is likely to ensue along the way, as their trip just goes from bad to worse and drags in various innocent bystanders and bemused onlookers en route! Was this really necessary I am thinking? Quite possibly a waste of US$31M but, it has raked in US$53M at the time of writing! Chris Hemsworth also stars, but I'm not sure why!

There you have it - four films of choice and all packed with something different. Get out amongst it and do yourself a favour in the week ahead by catching a latest release movie, and then share your experience with us here.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 28th August 2014.

A fist full of films for your cinematic consideration over the coming week that range from the experimental, the Sci-Fi fantastic, the largely predictable, the local long arm of the law, and another Sci-Fi that you may have seen before . . . or maybe not! Down Under it is the last week of Winter and Springtime beckons with the promise of longer days and warmer evenings - but, having been in the grip of an almost continuous deluge for the last two weeks there is no better time to get out to your local movie theatre for an evening of great entertainment in front of the big screen to forget about the rain and steal yourself off to someplace else!

When you have done that drop me at line at this, your trusted filmic Blog, and let me and my other Reader know what you thought of your big screen experience by recording it in the Comments sections following immediately after every Post. Thanks!

LOCKE (Rated MA15+) - Ivan Locke is played by Tom Hardy, and he occupies all 90 minutes or so of screen time at the wheel of his car driving down an English Motorway from Point A to Point B. He will step out of his car eventually a very different man to when he stepped in, and this is the central premise of the film - handled deftly by relative newcomer Director, Stephen Knight who also wrote the Screenplay. As the film begins Locke we learn is a construction worker leaving his building site place of work - he is a respected worker and a committed family man. He jumps into his car to begin his journey and along the way through the darkness of night, his family life will crumble away and his career will implode as he unburdens himself en route with what will be the biggest mistake of his life. All this occurs through phone conversations he has with other key players in his life during his journey. These other actors are not seen, simply heard over the speaker phone in the car but give compelling voice performances to make this taught, tight and gripping from start to end. This coupled with dazzling night time lights, the darkness and solitude of Locke's vehicle, his own musings broken up by telephone calls, and his muffled sounds contemplating the magnitude of his actions should make for compelling viewing from an actor who is quickly establishing himself at the top of his form.

MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (Rated PG) - another year and another Woody Allen film - this time a period piece set on the Cote d'Azur in the early 20's. We find Englishman abroad, Stanley Crawford (Colin Firth who is in just about a new film every fortnight right now!) who plays Chinese magician by night and a debunker of all things mystic, psychic and paranormal during the day. He crosses paths with American clairvoyant Sophie Baker (Emma Stone) engaged by rich well-to-do socialite Grace Catledge (Jacki Weaver) to connect with her dearly departed husband. Needless to say Crawford is less than impressed . . . initially, but in time comes to believe in Baker's powers - despite that fact too that as an old letch advanced enough in years to be her father, he is drawn to her beauty -  physical, mental and emotional. This looks good, and it seems that Allen has recreated the era very well, and predictably it will doubtless contain all the usual Allen touchstones with which we have become all too familiar. Is this in the same vein as his recent 'Blue Jasmine' - methinks not, but is likely to be enjoyable fluff for ardent Allen fans!

PREDESTINATION (Rated MA15+) - Directed and Written by Australian brothers Michael and Peter Spierig this is going to mess with your mind in a way that 'Inception' did - but in a good way and leave you musing over it for long after the credits have rolled. As the film opens we are in 1975 New York where a man is attempting to diffuse a bomb set by the mysterious 'Fizzle Bomber', but things go awry and he awakens in the future, in hospital and with a new face (this is Ethan Hawke, our time travelling hero of the piece) who is now a 'temporal agent' that can travel through time with a portable device he carries around in a violin case. He needs to go back to that time, but can do so with a whole new persona to go incognito (becoming 'The Bartender'), and so ultimately thwart the Fizzle Bomber and his/her evil plot. Along the way The Bartender encounters a strange man who goes by the name of 'The Unmarried Mother' (played in a career defining best by Australian Sarah Snook) from whom he must eek out the truth, and her connection with The Fizzle Bomber. There are twists & turns aplenty here to keep you guessing all the way to the end in what has been described as intelligent, original and brave film making that is sure to find it's place in the annals of Sci-Fi cult classic.

FELONY (Rated M) - Writen, Produced and Starring our own Joel Edgerton, 'Felony' is his offering to the gritty Police drama seen from the perspective of Sydney's mean streets with its dark underbelly, on both sides of the law! Following a successful drug bust, Detective Malcolm Toohey (Joel Edgerton) drives himself home after a night of celebration under the influence of alcohol, and is involved in an car accident that leaves a young lad in a coma. The following investigation sees young cop Jim Melic (Jai Courtney) and old hand Detective Carl Summer (Tom Wilkinson) working to uncover the truth or cover it up, and in doing so just how far will these three Policemen go to let the truth be told, or conceal it forever! With a strong cast that also includes Melissa George, this has some great hallmarks of a true big screen Aussie Drama that we can turn on so well when we want to!

EARTH TO ECHO (Rated PG) - this is a 'found footage' style of film involving three young lads who have spent their lives together (Tuck, Munch & Alex) - up until now, and that is all about to change when the Las Vegas suburb in which they live is to be uprooted to make way for a new highway. Spending their last week together before they all relocate with their respective families to the far flung corners of the US they experience strange and weird things happening with mobile phone signals, and all manner of sounds and messages emanating from the handsets across the suburb . . . but only within the suburb. The construction company working on the new highway believe it is their fault, and so hand out new phones to the locals thinking this will cure the problem. What Munch discovers from an image he receives is that it matches a desert some 20 miles away, and so the lads decide they had better investigate. Going undercover of darkness having spun a yarn to their unsuspecting parents, and taking local young hot chic, Emma, along too, they venture out in to the desert armed only with each other for support, their wits and a torch. They discover a small and friendly alien robot who has become stranded on Planet Earth -  they call it 'Echo', and quickly learn that our pint sized robot needs spare electrical parts to repair his space ship so he can return home (are you thinking 'E.T.' here or 'Super 8' as I am?). So the lads come to the rescue with trouble along the way in the form of Government Officials also hot on the trail of a crashed UFO somewhere in the vicinity. Needless to say all undoubtedly ends well; the lads discover something about themselves, each other and their friendship; and everyone returns home - some further away than others!

Some solid entertainment choices to tempt you out to your local multiplex this coming week! So pay a visit and let me know what you think!

Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

FADING GIGOLO - Wednesday 4th June 2014.

I ventured out on a rainy Sydney night to Collaroy on Wednesday evening to see 'FADING GIGOLO' which is still just about doing the rounds. Directed, written and starring John Turturro this delightful little film is one of an occasional directorial outing for Mr. Turturro who is usually seen in front of the camera. That said he has aligned a solid cast that includes his offsider here Murray (played by Woody Allen seen more these days behind the camera than in front) with various love/sex interests that for the most part are Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara and Vanessa Paradis (in her English language debut), and along the way trying to maintain the straight and narrow as Jewish local law keeper is Liev Schreiber.

The plot is simple enough - two long term friends Fioravante/Virgil (Turturro) and Murray (Allen) are down on their luck and down on their money, when Murray announces one day that when talking to his dermatologist Dr. Parker (Stone) she stated an interest in a 'menage a trois', and did he know anyone that could help the cause? Murray of course springs to action with a thought that Fioravante could fit the bill and could be willing if the price were agreeable. And so Murray becomes Fioravante's ageing 'pimp' and when business picks up the latter creates a 'stage' name for himself . . . and so 'Virgil' is born! After various assignments the 'menage a trios' occurs with Stone's friend - the curvaceous, buxom, and willing Selima (Vergara).

All of this is set with the backdrop of Brooklyn's Jewish community and so enter Avigal (Paradis) the widow of a former basketball champ who has been in enforced mourning for two years as her religious beliefs dictate, and craves some connection to combat her desperate loneliness. And so Virgil seeks to lend his services but is overcome with respect, compassion and love to the extent that any sexual contact is pushed to the sidelines. Meanwhile local Jewish policeman Dovi (Schreiber) has been besotted with Avigal since they were kids having grown up across the street from each other, but he never had the courage to quite tell her how much he loves her . . . until now, when there is another suitor on the block and his hand is forced for fear of loosing her.

This film gives us a handful of sharp witted lovable characters interspersed with sexual longing, awakening and a needing to belong. Turturro does a solid job both in front and behind the camera, but for me this is Allen's film, and it has his trademarks all over it. His laconic, neurotic, idiosyncratic dialogue and mannerisms are a treat and makes the film what it is, together with the backdrop of his beloved city make this so much more that your average tween/twenty something rom-com.

You can rush out and see it at your local independent movie theatre (where it is more likely to be playing), or wait for the dvd/Bluray which will be out soon, but certainly worth a viewing.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 1st May 2014.

Easter School holidays are done, kids back at school, the Winter days drawing in and this weeks new releases have a decidedly more mature, adult feel. That said there are still plenty of movies doing the rounds that will appeal to the child/teen market, but if Mum & Dad what a night off then there are three offerings to tempt your movie going dollar and give you something a little more deep, meaningful and thought provoking.

When you've decided which is the one for you, sit back, relax, chomp on your bucket 'o' popcorn, and slurp on your gallon of brown fizzy stuff and enjoy the movie!

FADING GIGOLO - John Turturro writes, directs and stars as our fading gigolo of the title here who down on his luck, job and money thinks he has all the makings of an ageing gigolo more than capable of satisfying the mind, body and soul of any woman. Supported by his also cash starved friend and self appointed manager (Woody Allen) the two embark on a series of encounters with the fairer sex that has our gigolo doing the jiggy jiggy with Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara and Vanessa Paradis (in her first English language film) with various curved balls thrown in for good measure. These include Brooklyn's Jewish community, the disconnect with what the body yearns for and what your Religion will allow, and of course the line between money and love/sex/instant gratification. Set against the back drop of NYC, and with Woody Allen's influences upon John Turturro this could be quietly and charmingly worth a look.

YOUNG & BEAUTIFUL - from French Director, Francois Ozon and with subtitles, this is a coming of age, sexual awakening story centering around 17 year old Isabelle (Marine Vatch) who upon losing her virginity moves on quickly to become a call girl unknown to her family and closest friends. A relationship develops with an older client, and then her secret begins to unravel as her Mother discovers her double life and complications ensue. Set across four seasons, this is described as a slow burning film that will rein you in and captivate you from beginning to end as it twists and weaves and Isabelle searches for her true identity amidst her young fractured life.

52 TUESDAYS - as the name implies this film was shot over 52 consecutive Tuesdays spanning a year. It features a largely unknown cast of non-professional acting talent and directed by Sophie Hyde in her debut as film-maker. This Australian production filmed in Adelaide took out best film at the Berlin Film Festival. It centres around gender transition from mother Jane to becoming father James and the relationship with teenage daughter Billie whose story of teen angst and confusion dovetails in with her own sexual awakening, the re-establishment of a relationship with her father, and the mental and emotional readjustment of the relationships that must follow as a result of these actions that unfold over the course of the year on screen. Prepare for a roller coaster ride.

Decidedly catering for the adult audience this week, these films will not be to everyone's taste but it seems that sex is on for young and not so young, for the serious and not so serious, and for the confused and the experienced. Enjoy your outing to the movies this week, and let me know what you think.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-