Pre-Christmas Movies in English at the Odeon

This December there is a wide assortment of films presented as always in English and lined up at the Cinema Odeon (piazza Strozzi); including thrilling mysteries, dramas, classics like Saturday Night Fever and documentaries such as Marc Francis’s film on Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh. Below is a preview of the movies playing through mid-December.

THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US

Sat. 2, Sun. 3, Tues. 5 (4:30 pm, 6:30 pm, & 9 pm) Mon. 4 (4:30 pm & 6:30 pm)

Directed by Hany Abu-Assad and based on the novel The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin, this film is the story of two strangers stranded atop a mountain, risking everything they have to make it back home. The film stars Kate Winslet as Ashley a journalist rushing home to make it in time for her wedding, and Idris Elba as Ben the surgeon. Brought together by a cancelled flight to Maryland, they board a local private plane whose pilot suffers a stroke and crashes. After having met only hours prior to the accident, they are forced to rely on one another in order to survive.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Mon. 4 (9 pm)

Prepare for a 70’s classic on Monday night,  starring John Travolta as Tony Manero and his partner Stephanie played by Karen Gorney, as they dance their way onto the big screen. Directed by John Badham, this disco inspired film is the story of Tony, a teenage sales clerk, with a passion for disco dancing. Set in Brooklyn, New York, this dancer finds a talented partner in Stephanie, to compete in a dance competition. An unlikely match at first, but with undeniable chemistry and rhythm their competitors don’t stand a chance.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT-EXPRESS

Wed. 6 through Mon. 11 & Fri. 15 to Sun. 17 (4:30 pm, 6:30 pm & 9 pm) Mon. 18 & Tues. 19 (4 pm & 6:30 pm)

Based on the 1934 novel by Agatha Christie, director Kenneth Branagh brings this murder mystery to life. What starts out as an ordinary train ride through Europe, becomes a investigative crime scene after the murder of a fellow passenger. Aboard the train is the most celebrated detective known as Hercule Poirot played by Kenneth Branagh who takes over the case. Poirot is trapped on the train with only a limited amount of time to solve this murder and the remaining passengers as his suspects. The film, along with a star-studded cast of suspects includes Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Penélope Cruz along with many others.

As well as the showing of the film, the audience will be able to ‘play along’ on Wednesday, December 6 at 9 pm, for a chance to win a variety of prizes from the Cinema Odeon, the British Institute and the Odeon Bistro. The contest is simple; spectators must arrive at the Odeon in 1920’s dress or accessories to be entered into the raffle, which includes 10 free gift tickets for all the movies included in the Odeon Cinema Program, a free year’s membership at the British Institute’s library or dinner for two people at the Odeon Bistro along with many other prizes.

WALK WITH ME

Sat. 16 (7 pm)

A documentary, based on the Buddhist activist and teacher Thich Naht Hanh, serves as a moment of relief from the pace and stress of modern life. It is filmed in rural France’s Plum Village, where Zen Buddhists demonstrate what it means to slow down and observe the world through a clarifying lens. While observing the teachings of Vietnamese teacher Thich Naht Hanh, directors Marc J. Francis, Max Pugh and narration by Benedict Cumberbatch, it expresses the pace of the mindfulness lifestyle they follow. (rachel hinojosa)