What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 15th February 2018.

The 22nd Annual Satellite Awards were presented by the International Press Academy (IPA) from The InterContinental Hotel at Century City, Los Angeles on Sunday 11th February. This awards ceremony honours outstanding performers, films and television shows and is presented by the IPA - an association of professional entertainment journalists, representing both domestic and foreign markets in print, television, radio, cable and new media outlets. The Satellite Awards specifically recognise achievement in the areas of film, television and new media, and the first such awards ceremony was held in January 1997.

In the main category of film achievement, the winners and grinners announced earlier this week were :
* Best Film : 'God's Own Country' and 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri'.
* Best Animated Film : 'Coco'.
* Best Foreign Language Film : 'In the Fade' (Germany)
* Best Director : Jordan Peele for 'Get Out'.
* Best Actor : Gary Oldman for 'Darkest Hour' and Harry Dean Stanton for 'Lucky'.
* Best Actress : Sally Hawkins for 'The Shape of Water' and Diane Kruger for 'In the Fade'.
* Best Supporting Actor : Sam Rockwell for 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri'
* Best Supporting Actress : Lois Smith for 'Marjorie Prime'.
* Best Original Screenplay : 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' by Martin McDonagh.
* Best Adapted Screenplay : 'The Disaster Artist' by Michael H. Weber and Scott Neustadter.
* Best Cinematography : Roger Deakins for 'Blade Runner 2049'.
* Best Visual Effects : 'Blade Runner 2049'.
* Best Art Direction and Production Design : 'The Shape of Water'.
* Best Costume Design : Mark Bridges for 'Phantom Thread'.

 Special Achievement Awards were also presented to the following :
* Auteur Award (for singular vision and unique artistic control over the elements of production) to Greta Gerwig.
* Humanitarian Award (for making a difference in the lives of those in the artistic community and beyond) to Stephen Chbosky.
* Mary Pickford Award (for outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry) to Dabney Coleman,
* Nikola Tesla Award (for visionary achievement in filmmaking technology) to Robert Legato.
* Best First Feature : John Carroll Lynch for 'Lucky'.

This week then we kick off with the eighteenth film in a comic book cinematic universe giving rise to a whole new African based Superhero in his first dedicated big screen outing that has already won much praise from Critics; before moving onto another critically acclaimed offering of a coming of age story and a year in the life of a high schooler in her last year and the trials and tribulations faced in the twelve months leading up to her 18th birthday; before closing out the week with a jilted wife, a cheating husband, a sympathetic sister and her energetic friends and the new lease on life she ultimately discovers where she least expected it.

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

'BLACK PANTHER' (Rated M) - and so Marvel Studios unleash another Superhero into our movie going world in this stand alone origin offering of 'Black Panther' (aka King T'Challa of the fictional African nation of Wakanda). The character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby first appeared in the comic book 'Fantastic Four #52' in 1966 and depicts T'Challa as the King and protector of Wakanda. Along with possessing enhanced abilities achieved through ancient Wakandan ritual, T'Challa also relies on his genius intellect, rigorous physical training, martial arts skills, access to cutting edge technologies and accumulated wealth to ward off his enemies. Back in 1992 Wesley Snipes first muted his desire to work on a Black Panther film, and over the following ten years the project was further developed but eventually came to nothing. Then in 2005 Marvel announced that Black Panther was one of ten characters from its portfolio that would be developed as part of its Cinematic Universe, and in 2011 a Scriptwriter was hired and in 2014 the project was greenlit. Chadwick Boseman was cast in the role of T'Challa and made his first appearance in 2016's 'Captain America : Civil War' in which his character sides with Iron Man/Tony Stark. And so here we have this eighteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Directed and Co-Written by Ryan Coogler for US$200M. The film Premiered in the US at the end of January and goes on general release around the world this week. The film has received widespread critical acclaim, noting especially the Direction, casting, action sequences, costume design and, in a first for Marvel starring a predominantly black cast.

Following the events of 'Captain America : Civil War' T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns now as the new King of Wakanda following the death of his father and former King, T'Chaka at the hands of Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) a South African black market arms dealer, smuggler and all round gangster. Two enemies conspire against T'Challa to bring down his kingdom - Erik 'Killmonger' Stevens (Michael B. Jordan) - a Wakandan exile who became an American black-ops soldier who now seeks to overthrow T'Challa and who is in cahoots with Ulysses Klaue. T'Challa, as Black Panther, joins forces with CIA Agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) and his own Dora Milaje - Wakanda's own elite team of all female special forces, to prevent a potential global conflict. Also starring Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and naturally a cameo by Stan Lee.

'LADY BIRD' (Rated MA15+) - this highly praised and critically acclaimed film is Written and Directed by Greta Gerwig in her first solo Directorial outing. Costing US$10M to make, the film received its World Premier at last September's Telluride Film Festival, and a week later received  a standing ovation when it screened at TIFF. Going on general release in the US in early November, the film has so far taken US$45M at the Box Office, and now goes on wide release in Australia and the UK this week. The film has so far garnered 83 award wins and a further 185 nominations including the pending Academy Awards for which it is up for five including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress; and three BAFTA's being Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. It won two Golden Globes, and was nominated for another two, and also gained three SAG Award nods and five International AACTA's nominations. Set in Sacramento, California in 2002, the film tells the coming of age story of Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) who is studying in her last year at High School. She lives with her parents Marion and Larry (Laurie Metcalfe and Tracy Letts respectively) in a relationship that is somewhat strained, as well as her adopted brother and his girlfriend. Navigating a turbulent relationship with her mother, applying to out of State Universities, losing her virginity, learning to drive, the break up of her parents marriage, the High School Prom and turning eighteen all combine to create an eventful, full and poignant year for Lady Bird. Also starring Lucas Hedges, Timothee Chalamet and Odeya Rush.

'FINDING YOUR FEET' (Rated M) - Directed by Richard Loncraine, this British feel good romantic comedy drama offering opened the Torino Film Festival back in November last year, and was promoted at the American Film Market that same month. This week 'Finding Your Feet' goes on release in Australia, ahead of its general release in the UK next week and the USA the week after. Telling the story of conservative and well to do Sandra Abbott (Imelda Staunton) who discovers that Mike (John Sessions) her husband of forty years has been carrying on behind her back with her best friend Pamela (Josie Lawrence). Sandra seeks safe haven and a chance to lick her wounds in London with her estranged, older sister Bif (Celia Imrie). Sandra feels like a real outsider compared to her outspoken, outgoing, serial dating, free spirited sister who lives on an inner-city council estate . . . a far cry from the comfort she has been used to. But different is just what the Doctor ordered for Sandra and she reluctantly lets Bif drag her along to a community dance class where she meets her sister's friends, Charlie (a slimmed down Timothy Spall), Ted (David Hayman) and Jackie (Joanna Lumley). This colourful group of defiant and energetic seniors start to show Sandra that retirement is only the beginning, and that divorce might just offer a whole new lease of life, and love.

With three 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 cinephiles afterwards here at Odeon Online, and meanwhile, I'll see you sometime somewhere in the week ahead at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

MOLLY'S GAME : Tuesday 6th February 2018.

'MOLLY'S GAME' which I saw on Tuesday evening this week is Written and Directed, in his fimmmkaing debut, by Aaron Sorkin, who has here based his first film on the memoir 'Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker' by Molly Bloom. The Molly Bloom in question here is a former American poker entrepreneur who in April 2013 was charged with running a high-stakes poker game that originated in the Viper Room in Los Angeles and attracted wealthy individuals and business tycoons, sports figures, Hollywood celebrities including Tobey Maguire, Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio and Macauley Caulkin amongst others, and the Russian Mob. She was cleared of many charges and sentenced in 2014 to one year of probation, a $1,000 fine, and 200 hours of community service. The film Premiered at TIFF back in early September last year, and went on release in the US on Christmas Day 2017 and has received much critical acclaim for Sorkin's screenplay and the performances of its principal cast. Costing US$30M to make, the film has so far grossed US$50M, has received much positive press, and has garnered so far three wins and 33 other nominations, some which are still at the decision pending stage including the Academy Award and BAFTA nod for Best Adapted Screenplay. Aaron Sorkin's other big screen writing credits include 'A Few Good Men', 'The American President', 'Charlie Wilson's War', 'The Social Network' (for which he won an Academy Award), 'Moneyball' and 'Steve Jobs', as well a television's highly successful 'The West Wing' series amongst others.

And so based on a true story, this crime drama stars Jessica Chastain as Molly Bloom, a world class moguls skier who while qualifying for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games suffers a serious injury so ending her Olympic aspirations. Licking her rounds and instead of moving to law school as was her original plan, she moves to Los Angeles and gets a job as a bottle service waitress at a night club. She's making an OK wage plus tips, and in time meets Dean (Jeremy Strong) who runs an unsuccessful real estate business by day, but a hugely successful underground poker game by night. At first Molly becomes his office manager and Girl Friday, running chores and needless errands, but soon he gets her involved in running his poker games, all in secret and not to tell a soul. Going in she is clueless about the game, but quickly learns the language, the hands, the stakes and the personalities involved in Dean's games which include the rich and famous, movie stars, sports players, music personalities, wealthy businessmen from whom she starts to earn big tips.

As Molly begins to ingratiate herself to the regular players so the tips become from more frequent and more sizeable. She is good at what she does and keeps everything above board, maintaining meticulous records and strong (strictly business) relationships, all the while learning the intricacies of the game and the players. The most successful of whom is Player X (Michael Cera) playing a composite of some high profile Hollywood A-List Actor types. Molly aims to keep on the right side of Player X, for he has the pulling power to attract more high wealth players to Dean's games. In time however, Dean observes that Molly is becoming more independent at managing and running the games and is making plenty of money in tips - a fact that he is secretly jealous with. And so Dean delivers Molly an ultimatum, which is not to her liking, and so Dean fires her.

Molly has made a substantial sum in tips over the years, and so is hardly destitute. Musing over her new unemployed status, she decides that she is good enough at running such poker games, has a network of players who would gladly follow her, and has the credibility to make a real go of it. And so she rents a penthouse in a hotel, hires the tables and the staff to run the games, organises the catering and a well stocked bar and begins to secretly spread the word about her high stakes poker games. Player X, along with those others from Dean's games, defect over to Molly's game, and she becomes increasingly successful amassing more money from tips. All is good, until she learns that Player X has covertly been covering the losses of an initially conservative but increasingly compulsive poker player who has lost up big in recent weeks, ultimately costing him his marriage. Molly is none too pleased with Player X's unethical behaviour and the two fall out. Player X returns to Dean's game, taking all the other players with him. Overnight, Molly has gone from hero to zero!

Molly decides upon a change of scenery and heads to New York to begin a new underground poker game with a new bunch of high net worth individuals. Again, Molly proves successful, amassing enough players to be able run multiple games every week. However, in time things begin to take their toll. Despite her apparent success Molly is unable to cover her losses, when players lose and cannot afford to pay up. Her dealer convinces her to begin taking a percentage of large pots so as to be able to recover her potential losses - a fact that she is at first reluctant to undertake, but sees the sense in it and agrees.

One of her players is arrested and convicted for running a Ponzi Scheme which in turn leads to an investigation into Molly's poker games and who the other players involved were/are. At about this time, the pressure is mounting and Molly takes to drugs and alcohol to settle her nerves and ease the stress. Another player, Douglas Downey (Chris O'Dowd) who is infatuated with Molly, introduces wealthy individuals from the Russian Mafia to her game, although Molly is unaware of their mob connections. At the same time Molly is approached by the Italian Mafia who offer to coerce money from players who have racked up debts with Molly, but she politely declines. A few days later at the start of the two week Christmas break period, Molly is attacked in her apartment where she is held at gunpoint, badly beaten, robbed of her cash and jewels and her mother threatened with her life.

Having nursed her wounds and remained holed up in her apartment for two weeks over the Christmas break gradually healing, Molly is ready to return to her poker games. A phone call comes through from Downey in a panic warning her that the FBI is about to descend upon her, as a result of his informing on her. All of her assets are seized and she returns home to live with her mother Charlene (Claire Rankin).

Two years later, and Molly has published her book recounting her story, her rise, her downfall and naming a number of names associated with her games. In the meantime, Molly is arrested by the FBI together with thirty or so others as part of a money laundering scheme and illegal sports gambling operation in cahoots with the Mafia. She seeks out the support of Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) a high profile and very expensive New York lawyer who is reluctant at first to take her case. He however, agrees to help her after learning that she has over US$2M in unclaimed gambling debts and after reading her book which indicates to him that there is insufficient evidence pointing to criminal activity or wrongdoing to warrant a prison sentence.

While this is going on and the trial is awaited, Molly's estranged father Larry (Kevin Costner) who is a noted clinical psychologist, seeks out Molly having read about, and heard about her case in the news, in an attempt to reconcile with his only daughter. He admits that he was over bearing, domineering and demanding of her as a child, but that it was out of love and wanting the best for her in life. However, Larry has a skeleton in his cupboard that only Molly knew about, albeit subconsciously, and this is why he treated her differently to his two older sons who have both gone on to carve out very successful careers for themselves.

Bloom was looking down the barrel of a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and a US$1.5M fine. On the day of the court hearing, Molly pleads guilty to a lesser charge for her involvement in the operation and was sentenced to a years probation, a US$1,000 fine, and 200 hours of community service much to her and Larrry's surprise, with the Judge practically dismissing the case on the grounds that there was little evidence to demonstrate any real criminal activity.

'Molly's Game' is a solid Directorial debut for Sorkin and has all his usual trademarks of rapid fire dialogue; sports, celebrities and underworld dealings; a strong female protagonist in Chastain and an equally strong support from Idris Elba. The film runs long at 140 minutes, but it moves along at a good pace and seldom leaves you wanting. You do however, need to pay attention as the film darts back and forth from the present day back to Molly's early childhood years learning to perfect her skiing moves under her ever present, demanding and relentless father, and her rebellious teenage years that influenced what she was to become. Then there is the language of the game itself and the images that flick up on the screen of winning hand combinations; then not to forget the confident quick paced dialogue delivered by lawyer Charlie Jaffey in conversation with Molly or defending her case to the Prosecutor's or plea bargaining; and then finally the back to front nature by which the film plays out which we see in flashbacks. The film is entertaining enough and well worth the price of your ticket entry for Chastain's performance alone if nothing else, and to see her sparring with Idris Elba, but in between the moments of razor sharp quickly delivered narrative and exposition, and the action of the poker table and its myriad of players, the film does drag its heels somewhat which elevates the film to the ranks of top card game movies, but doesn't surpass them.

-Steve, at Odeon Online- 

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 8th February 2018.

In January, the world bid a fond farewell to number of stars of the silver screen and the small screen. In brief, shown below, is my passing tribute to those stars who leave an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, and in particular the world of film and television. May you all Rest In Peace, and thanks for the memories.

* Peter Wyngarde - Born 23rd August 1927, died 15th January 2018, aged 90. Most famed for his role as the flamboyant and stylish author turned investigator Jason King in the popular British television series 'Department S' which ran for 28 episodes from 1969 to 1970, and then a spin off series 'Jason King' which ran for 26 episodes from 1971 to 1972.  Mike Myers is reported to have been inspired to base his Austin Powers character upon Wyngarde. His career launched in 1949 with an uncredited role on the film 'Dick Barton Strikes Back' and then a number of television films before the big screen epic 'Alexander the Great' in 1956 with Richard Burton. A number of feature length films followed over the years including 1980's 'Flash Gordon', but mostly his work in television continued throughout the '50's, '60's, '70's and '80's and into the early '90's. His last screen credit came in 1994 rounding out a career spanning five decades in which he notched up 62 acting credits to his name.

* Peter Mayle - Born 14th June 1939, died 18th January 2018, aged 78. Mayle was a prolific British actor most noted for his international best selling book 'A Year In Provence' and his memoirs of his life after he relocated to Southern France from his home in Devon, England in the late '80's. 'A Year in Provence' was subsequently made into a television series starring John Thaw in 1993, and Ridley Scott made a feature film based on his novel 'A Good Year' in 2006 starring Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard. A 1983 short film 'Keep Off The Grass' was also based on one of his earlier works and starred Patricia Rutledge and a young Hugh Laurie.

* Dorothy Malone - Born 29th January 1924, died 19th January 2018, aged 93. Malone was an American Actress whose film and television career launched with a series of uncredited roles back as far as 1940. Over her career spanning six decades in which she amassed 113 acting credits, she garnered one Academy Award win for her role as Best Supporting Actress to Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall and Robert Stack in the 1956 'Written on the Wind' and she was a three time Golden Globe nominee too. She is perhaps best remembered for her recurring role in 430 episodes as Constance Mackenzie Carson in the hugely popular television drama romance series 'Peyton Place' which ran from 1964 through until 1969, and saw a number of attempted revivals over the subsequent years. Her last acting role came in 'Basic Instinct' in 1992 with Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone.

* Warren Miller - Born 15th October 1924, died 24th January 2018, aged 93. Miller was a skiing and snowboarding filmmaker and author, with a prolific career spanning six decades when he first started filming the action on the ski slopes of Sun Valley ski resort in Idaho in 1946 with an 8mm movie camera. He founded Warren Miller Entertainment and  Directed, Produced and Narrated his own films until 1988 when he sold his company to his son. Over the years he has made a film every year for 55 years with the last one coming in 2004, always about skiing. While moving out of his executive role, Miller still maintained his creative position as Director and Narrator but distanced himself from being actively involved from 2004 onwards. His credits include over 750 sports films, eleven books and hundreds of published non-fiction stories.

Turning attention to this weeks latest in big screen release films we have the third and final instalment in a successful film franchise based on a series of best selling erotic romantic drama novels; then a couple of real life based on true events dramatic biographical terrorism stories - the first recounting the aftermath of the Boston Bombing in 2013 on one particular impacted innocent bystander, and the second how a trio of friends thwarted a shooter aboard a packed passenger train travelling to Paris in 2015. Then we have a foreign language bleak black comedy surrounding one dysfunctional Calais dwelling family that sees three generations living under one roof all with an axe to grind; followed by another foreign language film set in New York's Orthodox Jewish community that sees a man struggling to find a new wife so that he can regain custody of his young son. We then wind up with the fourth instalment in a supernatural horror franchise that despite its commercial success is a by the numbers offering that has passed its use by date, but worth a look for followers of this series.

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

'FIFTY SHADES FREED' (Rated MA15+) - the hugely popular trilogy of erotic romantic drama novels by E.L.James have transferred to hugely successful (in dollar terms) film offerings if not necessarily sharing the same level of critical success. That said, the first instalment in the series was released in 2015, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' was Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and made for US$40M and it recouped a worldwide gross of US$571M at the Box Office. It's second instalment came in 2017 this time Directed by James Foley at a cost of US$55M and that film 'Fifty Shades Darker' grossed US$371M. Now in 2018 with have the third and final instalment in the series 'Fifty Shades Freed' again Directed by James Foley and again with a Production Budget of US$55M. The film goes on general worldwide release this week.

Once again Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson reprise their roles from the previous two films as Christian Grey and Anastasia 'Ana' Steele respectively. He is a handsome, brilliant super wealthy, international jet setting business tycoon, and she a former University literature student who by accident first encounters Grey during an interview she was conducting with him on behalf of her college room mate. The pair fall head over heels for each other, he initially wanting complete control over her leading to various secrets and desires coming to the surface, and then she reverses the tables on him in the second film. Now in the third instalment, the pair are newlyweds and here very much hoping that they have left behind the shadowy figures from their past, the happy couple fully embrace an inextricable connection and shared life of luxury. But just as Ana begins to embrace her role as Mrs. Grey, and Christian eases himself into an unfamiliar stability and routine, new threats emerge that could jeopardise their happily ever after before it has even begun. The film also stars Kim Basinger, Rita Ora, Marcia Gay Harden and Luke Grimes.

'STRONGER' (Rated MA15+) - here hot on the heels of last years 'Patriot's Day' we have another film offering about the Boston Marathon Bombing of April 2013, but this biographical drama film tells a very different story. Directed by David Gordon Green at a cost of US$30M and based on the memoir of the same name by Jeff Bauman and Bret Witter, this film has received generally positive Reviews but tanked at the Box Office so far recovering just US$7M to date. The film was released in the US in late September last year and only now gets its release in Australia. The film tells the story of Jeff Bauman (here played by Jake Gyllenhaal) who loses both legs when two bombs explode during the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, close to the finish line where Jeff is standing cheering on a female friend about to finish. He wakes up in hospital and is able to help law enforcement authorities identify one of the terrorist suspects that he believed he saw just before the explosion. But, his own battle is just starting out. With unwavering support from his family and loved ones, Bauman begins a long and heroic journey to physical and emotional repair and rehabilitation, spurred on by the people of Boston who have proclaimed him a hero. Also starring Miranda Richardson and Clancy Brown as Jeff's mother and father.

'THE 15:17 TO PARIS' (Rated M) - here we have another true life biographical drama account of a thwarted terrorist attack, this time abroad a train bound for Paris. Directed and Co-Produced by Clint Eastwood, and based on the autobiography 'The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Soldiers' by Jeffrey E. Stern, Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, and Alek Skarlatos. The film recounts the the real-life story of three men whose brave and selfless act turned them into heroes during a high-speed railway journey. During the evening of August 21, 2015, the world watched in stunned silence as the media reported a thwarted terrorist attack on Thalys train #9364 bound for Paris from Amsterdam—an attempt prevented by three courageous young Americans travelling through Europe. The film charts the friends’ lives, from the struggles of growing up through finding their purpose in life, to the series of unlikely events that lead up to the attack. Throughout the harrowing ordeal, their friendship is never questioned, making it their greatest asset and leading them ultimately to save the lives of over five hundred passengers. The heroic trio is comprised of Anthony Sadler, Oregon National Guardsman Alek Skarlatos, and U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone, who play themselves in the film.

'HAPPY END' (Rated M) - this French, German and Austrian Co-Production is Written and Directed by Austrian film maker and screenwriter Michael Haneke whose previous film making credits include 'Funny Games', 'The White Ribbon' and 'Amour'. Screened in competition for the Palme d'Or at Cannes last year, the film went on release in the US in late December and has so far taken just over US$1M at the Box Office despite generally positive Reviews from the Critics. Here a dysfunctional and detached upper class family living in Calais encounter a number of setbacks and challenges in their individual lives with the back drop of the worsening European refugee crisis unfolding in their own backyard just a few kilometres away from their home. The Laurent family headed up by octogenarian patriarch Georges (John-Louis Trintignant) suffering dementia lives together with his immediate family in a mansion. There is his daughter Anne Laurent (Isabelle Huppert), the owner of a construction company founded by her father, that has just had a fatal accident at the workplace; and his son Thomas Laurent (Mathieu Kassovitz) twice married already and Anne's son Pierre (Franz Rogowski) who seemingly has an alcohol problem. Around the edges dance Eve (Fantine Harduin) a troubled teenager and daughter to Thomas by his first wife who is being looked after in the family home while her mother recovers from a drug overdose. She has been secretly poisoning her mother with sedatives, experimenting on the pet hamster and filming it in its death throes and posting the footage to social media. Then there is Thomas' current wife Anais Laurent (Laura Verlinden) and her English boyfriend Lawrence Bradshaw (Toby Jones). This bleak black comedy about an unloving and uncaring family unit living in a world of privilege, but devoid of joy and happiness will not be for everyone, but for followers of Haneke's output, it is sure to please.

'MENASHE' (Rated PG) - here we have a Yiddish language drama film that Premiered over a year ago at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2017 going on a limited release in the US in July last year, where it has so far made just under US$2M at the Box Office. Directed by Joshua Z. Weinstein and Co-Produced and Co-Written by him too, the film tells the story of Menashe (Menashe Lustig) a recently widowed Hasidic Jewish man living in New York. He is seeking to regain custody of his ten year old son Rieven (Ruben Niborski) who is currently living with his aunt and uncle. The local Rabbi (Meyer Schwatrz) has ruled that it must be so for to raise a family there must be a complete family unit, and so Menashe must first find a wife to provide a proper home for his son. Menashe is a man of simple means, he works in a grocery store, has barely enough money to provide for himself, is reluctant to find another wife on the strength that his first marriage was unhappy, and prefers not to wear the traditional black coat and top hat in public. Shot over the course of two years in Brooklyn, in the home of the largest population of Orthodox Jewish people outside of Israel this is an effecting, insightful glimpse at a culture generally very guarded about itself, and shut off to the majority of us.

'INSIDIOUS : THE LAST KEY' (Rated M) - and here we have a sequel to the prequel set after the first two instalments in this now four film supernatural horror franchise. These low budget horror offerings are clearly doing something right as the Box Office numbers would attest. 2011's 'Insidious' Directed by James Wan was made for a meagre US$1.5M and grossed US$97M; 2013's 'Insidious : Chapter 2' also Directed by James Wan was made for a more substantial US$5M and grossed US$162M; and 2015's 'Insidious : Chapter 3' was Directed by Leigh Whannell and cost US$10M and grossed US$113M. This instalment was made for US$10M also, was released Stateside in early January, is Directed by Adam Robitel and has so far grossed US$156M. Off the back then of a less than combined US$27M  Budget, the franchise has so far returned US$510M - not a bad return in anyone's books! Here gifted parapsychologist Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye reprising her role for the fourth time) receives a disturbing phone call from a man who claims that his house is haunted. Even more disturbing is the instantly recognisable address 413, Apple Tree Lane, Five Keys, New Mexico - the family home where Elise grew up. Accompanied by her two trusty investigative partners, Rainier ventures to Five Keys to confront and destroy her greatest fear - the demon known as Key Face, that she accidentally set free years earlier. Also starring Leigh Whannell reprising his role too from the previous films as is Angus Simpson with Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins and Barbara Hershey all seen in archival footage from earlier instalments. Despite its Box Office take, the film has received average Reviews at best, with many citing that this franchise has run its course!

With six 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 cinephiles afterwards here at Odeon Online, and meanwhile, I'll see you sometime somewhere in the week ahead at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

THE POST : Tuesday 30th January 2018.

I caught the much praised historical political thriller 'THE POST' earlier this week as Directed and Co-Produced by Steven Spielberg. This film tells the story of The Washington Post newspaper and how, together with The New York Times, exposed the Pentagon Papers in 1971. Officially titled 'United States – Vietnam Relations, 1945–1967: A Study Prepared by the Department of Defense', this serves as a United States Department of Defence history of the United States' political-military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967. The papers were released by a former Pentagon staffer, who had worked on the study which were first brought to the attention of the public on the front page of The New York Times in 1971, and immediately thereafter by The Washington Post. The film saw its Premier and limited release in the US just before Christmas, and went on wide release in the US and Australia in mid-January. Costing US$50M to make, the film has so far recovered US$86M and has picked up in total so far twelve award wins and another 79 nominations including two yet to be announced Academy Award nods for Best Film and Best Lead Actress.

The film opens up in 1966, in Vietnam, as a platoon of American Troops set off for the jungle, accompanied by military analyst Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys) who is there to observe and document the progress (or not) of the American military activities in the region for his boss, Secretary of Defence Robert McNamara (Bruce Greenwood). En route back to the US after a tour of reporting duty, McNamara states to President Lyndon Johnson and Ellsberg that the War in Vietnam is a lost cause, that no progress is being made and that their efforts are near hopeless. Upon landing however, McNamara expresses to the gathered throng of reporters a completely different story citing that they have seen very positive strides forward, and that he is encouraged by the progress being made.

Fast forward some years, Ellsberg now works for a private military contractor, and he takes it upon himself to begin photocopying the entire 7,000 page Top Secret and highly Classified Report that documents in every detail the progress, or lack of it, of the Vietnam War, dating back to President Truman's time. Once copied he distributes these documents to The New York Times, spelling out clearly over two decades worth of under the radar, confidential activities and brutally truthful admissions of just how poorly the war had been going for the Americans. Meanwhile Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep) as the owner and publisher of The Washington Post is seen to be busy juggling her social calendar with preparations for an imminent float of her company on the Wall Street Stock Exchange, whilst keeping a watchful eye on her newspapers content, dwindling readership and the fact that it is still seen as a small local newspaper. Plus, the fact that she is very much a woman all alone in a mans world, and lacks the confidence in herself and her abilities as a result of being looked down upon and frequently overruled for many years by her more assertive advisors and Board Members.

Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) is her Editor-in-Chief, and while struggling to find any real newsworthy stories to cover, notes that the top investigative reporter over at The New York Times, Ed Sheehan, has been uncharacteristically quiet for sometime. Bradley surmises that he must be working on something big, and so sends an intern over to the offices of The Times to conduct some undercover investigating. In the meantime, McNamara who is also a long time friend of Katherine Graham and a trusted advisor confides in her that in tomorrows New York Times there will be published a very unflattering exposé into the US Government's long running lies and deceit to the American public into the affairs surrounding the Vietnam War. After a number of days of sensational reporting by The Times blowing the lid off the whole long running sordid, sorry and mismanaged affair, the series is halted in its tracks by a Court Injunction banning any further publications of such stories.

At the same time, a shoe box wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with string winds up on the desk of a Post staffer. Curious he unwraps the box and inside finds a sample of the leaked documents and takes these around to Bradlee's office all post haste. The Post's Assistant Editor and former associate of Ellsberg, Ben Bagdikian (Bob Odenkirk) believes that Ellsberg is the sources of the leaked documents so begins tracking down his old friend who has gone under deep cover for fear of being hunted down and persecuted by the Government for crimes against the state and treason. However, he is able to track down Ellsberg, who provides him with copies of the same material that he provided to The New York Times.

Back at the Bradlee household, a small team of his reporters convene to sift through 4,000 or so jumbled up pages that Bagdikian sourced from Ellsberg in two archive boxes. While trying to piece together the disorganised and random pages to make a bigger picture story, the Post's legal team have been made aware and advise Bradlee against publishing, for fear that Nixon's administration will bring the full force of the Government down upon them and file criminal charges, which could shut down the newspaper and throw Graham, Bradlee, the Board and the Reporters in jail.

With the clock ticking on their print deadline to make the next morning's newsstands, Graham deliberates long and hard on whether to publish or not. She seeks the counsel of the men around her, including McNamara, Bradlee and various Board Members. All of those except Bradlee coach Graham not to publish for fear that the legal and political fall out would ruin the newspaper and destroy her deep rooted family legacy. On the flip side, if she stands her ground and successfully defends any legal proceedings, she could propel The Post into the realms of a relevant and important news publication on the national stage. She opts for the latter and decides to publish, while The Times remains inactive under its Court Injunction.

The day of publication the White House sends an opening salvo by summonsing both The Post and The Times together before the Supreme Court to plead their First Amendment right for the freedom to publish the leaked documents. Meanwhile, all around the country, other local and State news publications have picked up the story too, made it their front page headlines and come out in support of The Post and The Times. The court determines in favour of both newspapers so validating Graham's decision to publish. Bradlee and the entire office team gather around a small screen to hear the outcome of the determination. In closing President Nixon is seen talking on the telephone banning any representative from The Washington Post ever stepping foot inside the White House again, or attending any Presidential or Governmental event whether at the White House or elsewhere. The final scene, sees a night-time Security Guard interrupting a break-in in progress at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters housed in the Watergate Office complex. The rest as they say, is history!

The film also stars Tracy Letts as Fritz Beebe (Chairman of the Board at The Washington Post); Bradley Whitford as Arthur Parsons (Board Member), Alison Brie as Lally Graham (Katherine's daughter), Sarah Paulson as Antoinette Bradlee (Ben's wife) and Jesse Plemmons as Roger Clark (Legal Counsel to The Post).

This is the first time that Hollywood heavyweights Hanks, Streep and Spielberg have worked together on a film, and judging by the quality of this offering, hopefully it won't be the last. Of course Hanks and Spielberg have plenty of history together, most recently on 'Bridge of Spies' and before that on 'Terminal', 'Catch Me If You Can' and 'Saving Private Ryan'. The quality of the performances from the principle cast, most notably Hanks, Streep and Odenkirk is top notch as you would expect, as is the quality of filmmaking also first rate with Spielberg's deft touch at capturing the real sense of urgency, the power struggle, and the relevance with the political machinations between then and now - albeit with a smattering of poetic license along the way! For equally compelling viewing of this same story you can check out 'The Pentagon Papers' from 2003 - a historical television film about Daniel Ellsberg (portrayed by James Spader here) and the events leading up to the publication of the Pentagon Papers in 1971, or 'The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers' - a 2009 documentary film based on the same course of events. This is a good solid film, up there with other investigative journalism films including 2014 'Kill The Messenger', but lacking the greatness of 'All The President's Men' from 1976, 'The Killing Fields' from 1984, and more recently 'Spotlight' from 2015 to name but a few investigative journalism offerings.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

DARKEST HOUR : Saturday 27th January 2018.

I saw the highly lauded and critically acclaimed WWII British drama film 'DARKEST HOUR' at the weekend, as Directed by Joe Wright, whose previous Directorial credits include 2005's 'Pride & Prejudice', 2007's 'Atonement', 2011's 'Hanna' and 2012's 'Anna Karenina' amongst a few others. The film received its World Premier screening at the Telluride Film Festival in early September last year and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival later that same month. It went on wide release Stateside just before Christmas and in the UK and Australia earlier in January. The film cost US$30M to make and has so far grossed US$99M, picking up a swathe of awards along the way too including so far 29 wins and 60 other nominations including six Academy Award and nine BAFTA nominations yet to be determined. Most notably, Gary Oldman has so far received 23 Best Actor award wins from around the circuit for his convincing rendition as Winston Churchill . . . and counting!

The film takes place over just three weeks in May 1940. As the film opens up, the Nazi forces are advancing rapidly on Belgium, Holland and France leaving a trail of destruction and occupation behind them. In London's Houses of Parliament, the Labour Party Opposition Leader demands the resignation of the then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup) because seemingly he doesn't have the wherewithal to protect the security of Britain from the advancing threat of Nazi Germany. Chamberlain advises his Conservative Party colleagues that he wants for Edward Wood, Lord Halifax (Stephen Dilate) as his successor, but Halifax declines citing that his time has not yet come. This leaves Chamberlain no option but to choose the only other candidate that the other parties will support in a Coalition Government, Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman). King George VI (Ben Mendelsohn) reluctantly invites Winston Churchill to form a new Government but states that it must include Neville Chamberlain (whom he is a supporter of) and Lord Halifax (whom he is close and trusted friend of). Secretly King George wants Halifax to be Prime Minister.

Going into Parliament for his inaugural speech Churchill is already on the back foot with many of his political peers. His track record is not so hot - the failed Gallipoli Campaign, his support of King Edward VIII during his abdication crisis, his opposition of Indian self-government, and that he twice has 'crossed the floor' already. His first speech does not garner much support, and his point blank refusal to negotiate with Hitler on peace talks also incites the ire of many who see this as the only solution to avoid annihilation.

He firmly believes that the Germans can't be trusted, and so he meets with the recently sworn in French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud, in which Churchill discounts any claims that the Allied Forces are staring down the barrel of defeat in the Battle for France. Halifax and Chamberlain agree that France is losing their battle against the Nazi's, and the surrender of Holland and Belgium is already looming ever closer. They try to persuade Churchill to engage with an Italian Ambassador who will act as the go between in peace talks between he and Hitler.  Halifax and Chamberlain plan to resign from office if Churchill refuses to enter into peace talks with Germany, which would result in a vote of no confidence so paving the way for Halifax to become Prime Minister. Churchill goes live on radio with a broadcast stating that all is not lost in France and the Allied Forces are pushing back against the German War Machine and that everyone at home can rest easy in their beds (or words to that effect!).

Meanwhile, with the advancing Germans well into French territory, the might of the British Armed Forces is forced back into a very tight corner at Dunkirk and Calais. Acting against the advice of his War Cabinet, Churchill orders that 4,000 holed up soldiers in Calais distract the German forces away from Dunkirk in order that they can be evacuated from the beach there. It means potentially sacrificing the 4,000 Calais contingent into a suicide mission in order that 300,000 British soldiers can be rescued. A prospect that does not sit well with Halifax or Chamberlain, but Churchill has little alternative in such desperate circumstances.

He initiates 'Operation Dynamo', launching a flotilla of countless small pleasure craft and motor boats and yachts to head to Dunkirk across the English Channel with all haste to rescue the British troops trapped there. This incidentally was the very subject of Christopher Nolan's excellent 'Dunkirk' film of last year, which explored the evacuation from three perspectives - the land, the sea and the air, and Joe Wright also covered the Dunkirk evacuation in his earlier film 'Atonement'. As news filters through that Belgium has surrendered, and in all likelihood France will do so very soon too, Churchill calls US President Franklin D. Roosevelt for assistance with a number of war ships to help defend Britain from the German onslaught which now appears to be imminent. Roosevelt however, declines, citing that his hands are tied by a series of Acts passed in the 1930's preventing the United States from entering into costly disputes with far away nations.

The defeat in France, the ongoing evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk which had yet to be proven successful, and the rising probability of a German invasion onto British soil results in the War Cabinet overwhelmingly voting for a peaceful negotiation with Hitler, with certain conditions attached including that Britain shall remain independent. One evening, King George VI unexpectedly visits Churchill, and pledges his support in fighting the Germans at all costs. King George had thought long and hard about fleeing Britain for Canada to rule in exile from there in the event of a German invasion, but decided against that notion. Spurred on by the King's commitment of support, Churchill  does something he has never done before. He takes a London Underground Tube ride to Westminster. Between stations he talks to members of the British public about their mood, and their preparedness to live potentially under German rule. Overwhelmingly, the men and women, old and young that he talks to, agree to fight, rejecting all notions of a peaceful negotiation and surrender.

Arriving at Westminster to address Parliament, Churchill first gathers his Outer Cabinet and any other hangers on, to seek their support to reject any further discussions about a negotiated peace, but rather to stand up and fight. All those gathered offer their agreement. Before going into Parliament to hear Churchill's address, Halifax demands of Chamberlain his commitment to continue with their plan to dispose him.  Chamberlain, stalls and is having second thoughts, saying to wait until after the Prime Minster has spoken.

Churchill stirs Parliament with a rousing speech that culminates with 'We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and . . . ' At this, and with rapturous applause from the stalls and gallery, Chamberlain forgoes his plan to depose of Churchill, leaving Halifax rejected. Churchill departs. It is the 4th June 1940, and Churchill remains Prime Minister for the remaining five years of WWII until the Allies declare Victory over Germany in May 1945, but he was unsuccessful in securing a further term in the General Election held in July 1945. Chamberlain died of cancer in November 1940, and Halifax was offered a posting to become the Ambassador to the United States. The Dunkirk Evacuation under Operation Dynamo, was a huge success rescuing some 340,000 troops using a flotilla of some 800 civilian boats.

Kristin Scott Thomas also stars at Clementine Churchill, the rock behind Winston, and Lily James as Elizabeth Layton, the Secretary to Churchill, who joins him on his first day in office as Prime Minister.

This is Gary Oldman's film without doubt. He chews up every scene in which he appears either sucking on his trademark cigar or sipping a large Scotch or both - no matter what time of day or night, or what the circumstance may be. The accolades bestowed upon him are well deserved as he adds gravitas to the character and delivers a nuanced performance whether its his laconic sense of humour, the moments of self doubt, his mood swings, the intimate times with his wife and immediate family, his intelligence shining through in times of crisis, or his ability to wordsmith with the best orators in the land. And Joe Wright has delivered too another highly polished offering combining historical fact and fiction into an engrossing film that captures the look, feel and mood of Britain at this pivotal moment in history. Don't go into this film expecting all the action of Nolan's 'Dunkirk' - here the action is largely confined to a war of words and emotion that Churchill was renowned for, and for standing his ground even though all those others around him were trying to topple him. A film perhaps best suited to those mature enough to remember the war years or our school history lessons or those from that era, and less so for the millennials that may find the film too labouring, not enough action, and less than relevant in their world of today. If you don't see this film for any reason other than Gary Oldman's performance, then that is good enough reason.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-