NOSTALGIA calls the Gen-Xers to the movies again this week, with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice commencing in early September in the hopes of driving costume sales for Halloween.

A “legacy sequel” to Tim Burton’s 1988 film Beetlejuice, this film sees the return of Michael Keaton to the role that launched his career – the titular, chaos causing ‘bio-exorcist’ and “ghost with the most” – along with Winona Ryder as Lydia, now a mother herself who must help her own angsty teenage daughter contend with haunted houses, pesky poltergeists and the afterlife.

While he has roped in a number of big stars, the appeal of this film will depend entirely on one’s affection for the original, and how much you can tolerate Burton’s visual aesthetic.

A revenge movie that the whole family can get behind, Thelma premieres this week and scammers should start locking their doors.

When a kindly grandmother (June Squibb) falls victim to phone scammers posing as her grandson (Fred Hechinger), she recruits the aid of a nursing home companion (Richard Roundtree), intent on recovering her lost money.

A comedy with heart, Thelma explores not just the challenges of ageing, but the frustrations faced by senior citizens whose families assume they are far less capable in life than they may actually be.

This week’s homegrown offering is another sports documentary, A Horse Named Winx.

Purporting to be the ‘behind-the-scenes’ telling of the real life fairytale of “The People’s Horse”, television footage and interviews are woven into the narrative of possibly the greatest Australian racehorse of all time (sorry Phar Lap).

Charting the few lows and constant highs of her career, as well as health challenges along the way, this is gearing up to be an inspiring tale that won’t have a tragic end, since the horse is still alive and well in retirement.

Hopping across the pond once more – only this time heading up to South Korea – Land of Happiness makes its debut in Australian theatres.

A courtroom drama inspired by the true-to-life assassination of President Park Chung Hee in 1979, the film focuses on the efforts of defence attorney Jung In-hoo to bring the truth to light and save his client, a high ranking Intelligence official who has been made a scapegoat.

The real history of the case is a fascinating one – Park Chung Hee had been a popular leader who later became a dictator, and his assassination arguably led to the democratisation of South Korea.

The motivation behind his death, however, was not likely so noble, as many government agencies vied for control of the nation.

Those hoping for a true history lesson may find themselves a little embarrassed later, as the filmmakers have taken significant liberties with the story.

By Lindsay HALL