Birthday's to share this week : 19th-25th June 2016.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Joel Edgerton does on 23rd June - check out my tribute to this Birthday Boy turning 42, at the end of this feature.

Do you also share your birthday with a well known, highly regarded & famous Actor or Actress; share your special day with a Director, Producer, Writer, Cinematographer, Singer/Songwriter or Composer of repute; or share an interest in whoever might notch up another year in the coming seven days? Then, look no further! Whilst there will be too many to mention in this small but not insignificant and beautifully written and presented Blog, here are the more notable and noteworthy icons of the big screen, and the small screen, that you will recognise, and that you might just share your birthday with in the week ahead. If so, Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online!

Sunday 19th June

• Paul Dano - Born 1984, turns 32 - Actor | Producer | Singer
• Zoe Saldana - Born 1978, turns 38 - Actress | Producer | Writer | Singer
• Sadie Frost - Born 1965, turns 51 - Actress | Producer
• Kathleen Turner - Born 1954, turns 62 - Actress | Producer
• Gena Rowlands - Born 1930, turns 86 - Actress  

Monday 20th June

• Nicole Kidman - Born 1967, turns 49 - Actress | Producer | Singer
• Martin Landau - Born 1928, turns 88 - Actor | Producer
• Stephen Frears - Born 1941, turns 75 - Director | Producer
• John Goodman - Born 1952, turns 64 - Actor | Producer | Singer
• Josh Lucas - Born 1971, turns 45 - Actor | Producer
• Christopher Mintz-Plasse - Born 1989, turns 27 - Actor
• Robert Rodriguez - Born 1968, turns 48 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor | Composer | Songwriter | Editor | Cinematographer | Cameraman | FX Executive  

Tuesday 21st June

• Chris Pratt - Born 1979, turns 37 - Actor
• Benjamin Walker - Born 1982, turns 34 - Actor
• David Morrissey - Born 1964, turns 52 - Actor | Producer | Director | Writer
• Juliette Lewis - Born 1973, turns 43 - Actress | Producer | Director | Singer | Songwriter
• Lana Wachowski - Born 1965, turns 51 - Director | Producer | Writer  

Wednesday 22nd June

• Meryl Streep - Born 1949, turns 67 - Actress | Producer | Singer
• Lindsay Wagner - Born 1949, turns 67 - Actress | Producer
• Kris Kristofferson - Born 1936, turns 80 - Actor | Singer | Songwriter | Composer
• Bruce Campbell - Born 1958, turns 58 - Actor | Producer | Director | Writer
• Uwe Boll - Born 1965, turns 51 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor
• Randy Couture - Born 1963, turns 53 - Actor | Producer | UFC Wrestler  

Thursday 23rd June

• Joel Edgerton - Born 1974, turns 42 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director
• Bryan Brown - Born 1947, turns 69 - Actor | Producer
• Joss Whedon - Born 1964, turns 52 - Producer | Writer | Director | Actor | Editor | Composer | Songwriter
• Frances McDormand - Born 1957, turns 59 - Actress | Producer  

Friday 24th June

• Nancy Allen - Born 1950, turns 66 - Actress
• Peter Weller - Born 1947, turns 69 - Actor | Director
• Dan Gilroy - Born 1959, turns 57 - Writer | Producer | Director
• Iain Glen - Born 1961, turns 55 - Actor | Producer  

Saturday 25th June

• Anthony Bourdain - Born 1956, turns 60 - Television Personality | Producer | Writer
• Timur Bekmambetov - Born 1961, turns 55 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Ricky Gervais - Born 1961, turns 55 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director | Television Personality | Singer | Songwriter

Joel Edgerton was born in Blacktown, west of Sydney, Australia to mother Marianne, a housewife and mother, and father Michael, a solicitor and property developer. He has an older brother, Nash, who works as a stuntman, actor and Director, and whom Joel describes as his best friend. He graduated from The Hills Grammar School in Kenthurst, north-west of Sydney in 1991 and went onto Nepean Drama School at the University of Western Sydney from where he graduated in 1994 before appearing in various stage productions with the likes of The Sydney Theatre Company amongst others.

His first small screen appearance came on a single episode of 'Police Rescue' in 1995 with his first big screen appearance a year later in 1996 in 'Race the Sun' with Halle Berry, James Belushi, Casey Affleck, Steve Zahn and Bill Hunter. This was followed up by a nine minute short film that same year, 'Loaded' Co-Directed by brother Nash and Kieran Darcy-Smith. The following few years saw more television series roles including 'Big Sky', 'Fallen Angels', 'Spellbinder', 'Wildside' and 'Water Rats'. 'Praise' followed in 1998 for Director John Curran and the 26 minute short film 'Bloodlock' for brother Nash and Kieran Darcy-Smith once more. 'Erskineville Kings' with Hugh Jackman and 'Dogwatch' saw out the decade.

The following few years saw a number of made for television movies including 'Secret Men's Business', 'The Three Stooges' and the 'The Secret Life of Us' with Claudia Karvan and Deborah Mailman, and which spawned a spin-off television series of the same name with largely the same cast, and Edgerton reprising his role in 32 episodes as Will McGill from 2001-2002. There were also several short films including 'Gate', 'The Pitch' Written by the Edgerton brothers and Directed by Nash, 'Animalis' and 'Saturn's Return'. Perhaps the role that really established him was as Owen Lars in 'Star Wars : Episode II - Attack of the Clones' in 2002 - a role he would reprise in 2005 in 'Star Wars : Episode III - Revenge of the Sith'.

In between time, there was 'The Hard Word' with Guy Pearce and Rachel Griffiths, Gregor Jordan's 'Ned Kelly' biopic with Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom and Geoffrey Rush, the Sinatra biopic of the crooners tour of Australia 'The Night We Called it a Day' with Dennis Hopper and Melanie Griffiths all followed. Antoine Fuqua's epic retelling of 'King Arthur' with Clive Owen, Ray Winstone, Stellan Skarsgard and Keira Knightley, and then 'Kinky Boots' with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Nick Frost took us up to 2006.

'Open Window', 'Smokin' Aces', 'Whisper', 'The Square' Directed by Nash and written by Joel, 'Acolytes', 'Separation City' and 'The Waiting City' saw the decade out with eight episodes of Australian action drama series 'Dangerous' in 2007, and further short films 'Crossbow', 'Father' and 'Spider' again Directed by, and Co-Wriiten by brother Nash, with ABC mining drama 'Dirt Game' in 2009.

2010 saw the highly acclaimed and Oscar nominated 'Animal House' for David Michod with Jackie Weaver, then 'Warrior' with Tom Hardy and Nick Nolte, and the remake/prequel to John Carpenter's classic 'The Thing' in 2011. 'Wish You Were Here', 'The Odd Life of Timothy Green' and then highly praised Osama bin Laden hunt him down film by Katherine Bigelow 'Zero Dark Thirty' with Jessica Chastain. This was followed by his turn at Tom Buchanan in Baz Luhrmann's lavish period piece 'The Great Gatsby' with Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire in this equally acclaimed production. The Police thriller 'Felony' Produced, Written and Starring Edgerton came next in 2013, with Ridley Scott's biblical epic adventure tale of brothers Moses and Ramses in 'Exodus : Gods & Kings' with Christian Bale, Ben Kingsley and John Tuturro.

'Life' followed in 2015, as did Egerton's Directorial debut with 'The Gift' which he also wrote, Produced and starred in to positive critical and commercial success making eleven times its budget outlay. 'Black Mass' with Johnny Depp in the lead role of James 'Whitey' Bulger in this true crime biographical drama set in the mid-70's South Boston area. 'Jane Got a Gun' was Co-Written for the screen by Edgerton and stars him too in this action Western that has yet to receive a cinema release in Australia, despite its release in the US at the end of January where it tanked - possibly due to its troubled production and repeatedly delayed release.

'Midnight Special' was released on a limited basis only just very recently to generally positive reviews, although it has so far only recovered one-third of its Budget costs. That film is Directed by Jeff Nichols and stars Michael Shannon, with whom Edgerton reprises that relationship next with 'Loving' due in November this year and very warmly received at this years Cannes Film Festival where the film received a standing ovation, and subsequent Oscar speculation of Edgerton's first nomination. He has lent his voice talents also over the years to '$9.99', 'Legend of the Guardians : The Owls of Ga'Hoole', and short films 'The Cartographer' and 'The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello'.

Next up is 'American Express' due next year and Directed by Nash Edgerton with Charlize Theron, Thandie Newton, David Oyelowo and Sharlto Copley, and then 'Bright' in pre-production for David Ayer with Will Smith and Noomi Rapace. All up Edgerton has 68 acting credits, nine Writer cerdits, six as Producer and three as Director. He has thirteen award wins and another 24 nominations so far.

Edgerton is an ambassador for the 'Fred Hollows Foundation' which restores eye sight to the less fortunate in poorer countries through a simple low cost procedure. In 1996 he and brother Nash Co-Founded Blue Tongue Films with Kieran Darcy-Smith and David Michod that has since produced feature films, short films and music videos for many named artists.

Joel Edgerton - multi-talented; multi-faceted across the film making game; has worked across just about all genres; is widely respected; grounded, real and has film making values that he holds dear; is clearly much sought after, and another great Australian success story - Happy Birthday to you Joel, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Birthday's to share this week : 13th - 19th March 2016

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Jai Courtney does on 15th March - check out my tribute to this Birthday Boy turning 30, at the end of this feature.

Do you also share your birthday with a well known, highly regarded & famous Actor or Actress; share your special day with a Director, Producer, Writer, Cinematographer, Singer/Songwriter or Composer of repute; or share an interest in whoever might notch up another year in the coming seven days? Then, look no further! Whilst there will be too many to mention in this small but not insignificant and beautifully written and presented Blog, here are the more notable and noteworthy icons of the big screen, and the small screen, that you will recognise, and that you might just share your birthday with in the week ahead. If so, Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online!

Sunday 13th March

• William H. Macy - Born 1950, turns 66 - Actor | Producer | Director | Writer
• Emile Hirsch - Born 1985, turns 31 - Actor
• Common - Born 1972, turns 44 - Actor | Producer | Singer | Songwriter

Monday 14th March

• Michael Caine - Born 1933, turns 83 - Actor | Producer
• Quincy Jones - Born 1933, turns 83 - Producer | Singer | Songwriter | Composer
• Jamie Bell - Born 1986, turns 30 - Actor
• Ansel Elgort - Born 1994, turns 22 - Actor
• Corey Stoll - Born 1976, turns 40 - Actor
• Billy Crystal - Born 1948, turns 68 - Actor | Producer | Director | Writer | Singer
• Wolfgang Petersen - Born 1941, turns 75 - Director | Producer | Writer

Tuesday 15th March

• Jai Courtney - Born 1986, turns 30 - Actor
• Greg Nicotero - Born 1963, turns 53 - Make Up & Special Effects Specialist | Producer | Writer | Director | Actor
• David Cronenberg - Born 1943, turns 73 - Director | Writer | Actor
• Judd Hirsch - Born 1935, turns 81 - Actor
• Renny Harlin - Born 1959, turns 57 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor
• Eva Longoria - Born 1975, turns 41 - Actress | Producer | Director

Wednesday 16th March

• Kate Nelligan - Born 1950, turns 66 - Actress
• Jimmy Nail - Born 1954, turns 62 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Singer | Songwriter
• Victor Garber - Born 1949, turns 67 - Actor
• Gore Verbinski - Born 1964, turns 52 - Producer | Director | Writer

Thursday 17th March

• Kurt Russell - Born 1951, turns 65 - Actor | Producer | Writer
• Gary Sinise - Born 1955, turns 61 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Rob Lowe - Born 1964, turns 52 - Actor | Producer
• John Boyega - Born 1992, turns 24 - Actor
• Lesley-Anne Down - Born 1954, turns 62 - Actress | Writer

Friday 18th March

• Vanessa Williams - Born 1963, turns 53 - Actress | Producer | Singer
• Queen Latifah - Born 1970, turns 46 - Actress | Producer | Singer | Songwriter
• Adam Levine - Born 1979, turns 37 - Actor | Singer | Songwriter 
• Luc Besson - Born 1959, turns 57 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Brad Dourif - Born 1950, turns 64 - Actor

Saturday 19th March

• Bruce Willis - Born 1955, turns 61 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Singer
• Harvey Weinstein - Born 1952, turns 64 - Producer
• Glenn Close - Born 1947, turns 69 - Actress | Producer | Writer | Singer | Songwriter
• Ursula Andress - Born 1936, turns 80 - Actress | Original Bond Girl

Jai Stephen Courtney was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to mother Karen, a teacher at Galston Public School where he and his sister attended, and father Chris who worked for the State owned and operated electricity company. He grew up in the north western Sydney suburb of Cherrybrook where he later attended the Cherrybrook Technology High School before going onto the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts at the Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia.

In 2005, Courtney scored his first film break in the controversial short film 'Boys Grammar' about bullying taken to the extreme in an exclusive private boys school that was inspired by true events at a private boys school in Sydney. From here he picked up two episodes on 'All Saint's' in 2008 - an Australian fictional medical drama series, and then two episodes on 'Packed to the Rafters' in 2008/09 - an Australian award winning family centred drama series.

His first feature film outing came in 2009's 'Stone Bros.' and Australian Aboriginal stoner comedy that cost US$3.4M to make and grossed less than US$100K. In 2010 Courtney secured the role of Varro in the first season of 'Spartacus : Blood and Sand' over ten episodes.

2010 was probably the turning point for Courtney starring with Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall, and Rosamund Pike in the Christopher McQuarrie big screen adaptation of the Lee Child penned 'Jack Reacher' novels. The film retuned US$219M off US$60M ensuring a sequel would follow - and it does in October this year with 'Jack Reacher : Never Go Back'.

Next up was another big screen seasoned actioner with Bruce Willis in the fifth instalment of the 'Die Hard' franchise with 'A Good Day to Die Hard' in which Courtney plays Jack McLean - the estranged son to Willis' John. The film made US$305M off its US$90M budget.

'Felony' came next in 2013 with this modern day Australian crime thriller Written, Produced and Starring Joel Edgerton with Tom Wilkinson and Melissa George. The following year saw 'I, Frankenstein' with Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy and Miranda Otto, and although the film was critically panned, it did recover its US$65M budget with a Box Office take of US$71M.

2014 also saw the launch of the 'Divergent' series with the first instalment headed up by Shailene Woodley and also starring Ansel Elgort, Theo James, Miles Teller, Kate Winslet, Maggie Q and Ashley Judd. 'Insurgent' followed in 2015 as the second in four instalments. In the meantime that same year there were two wartime offerings with Angelina Jolie's biographical sports drama film 'Unbroken', and then Russell Crowe's Directorial debut 'The Water Diviner'. The former made US$164M and the latter US$31M.

2015 saw 'Terminator : Genisys' in which Courtney plays the pivotal role of Kyle Reece in this fifth film in the franchise which brought Arnold Schwarzenegger back into the role originally made famous by him in 1984. The film made US$441M from US$155M and was intended to be the first in a there film reboot, but in early this year Paramount announced that for now, a sequel was off the radar. 'Man Down' then followed in late 2015 but has yet to be released in Australia. This post-apocalyptic war thriller stars Shia LaBeouf, Gary Oldman and Kate Mara and premiered in September 2015 at the Venice International Film Festival.

Next up is the hotly awaited 'Suicide Squad' due for release in August this year. Based on the DC Comics Extended Universe antihero comics of the same name, Courtney stars as 'Boomerang' (how appropriate) - a deadly boomerang wielding assassin. Directed by David Ayer the film also stars Will Smith, Jared Leto, Joel Kinnaman, Margot Robbie, and Viola Davis, with a sequel already announced for 2017. Following this is another war time drama 'The Kaiser's Last Kiss' also with Christopher Plummer, Eddie Marsan and Lily James, and is currently filming.

Courtney has eighteen Acting credits to his name and has two award nominations both for Best Supporting Actor on 'Felony'. He lives in Los Angeles and from 2006 until 2014 was romantically linked to Actress Gemma Pranita.

Jai Courtney - unsuccessful in securing a place at NIDA but has scored success nonetheless; plays guitar and sings and in another life may have pursued a career as a musician; was a serious rugby player in his early years (hence his build); and he has a three skull tattoo drawn by his six year old God-daughter 'inked on my flesh forever'. With only 18 films your star is on the rise, being increasingly sought after and in demand, and maybe typecast in blockbuster action fare, your following is increasingly assured. Happy 30th Birthday Jai, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

The Odeon Online Top 20 movies of 2014.

By now you may have read the myriad of other Reviews all citing their top picks from last years film releases that graced our big screens and pulled us out to our local cinemas, and, there was plenty to choose from! The list below complied from my own Reviews from 2014 are a real mix of Hollywood mainstream, Aussie independents, and those that flew under the radar and may have only had a limited release. Some of these are still on general release and many now will be available for you to rent or buy and watch in the comfort of your own home. If you missed some of these first time around, then I recommend all of these to you, and reference this list when you are wondering what to watch one night with a pizza and a beer!

Enjoy the movies, and thanks for watching in 2014, for keeping cinema alive, and thanks especially for taking note of what I had to say at Odeon Online! There will be more great stuff coming your way in 2015.

'THE WOLF OF WALL STREET' - Scorsese, DiCaprio and Hill in top form in this telling of Jordan Belfort's life of excess and the trapping of his Wall Street wealth. Awarded five claps and reviewed on 19th January 2014.

'ALL IS LOST' - Robert Redford has rarely been better in this almost dialogue free film of his stricken yacht mid-ocean. Awarded five claps and reviewed on 12th March 2014.

'THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL' - Wes Anderson delivers a delightful quirky tale of a decaying hotel, its owner, its Concierge and their history when the Hotel was at it's height - all supported by an ensemble cast delivery the goods, and then some! Awarded five claps and reviewed on 13th April 2014.

'CALVARY' - Brendan Gleeson, catholic church, west coast of Ireland, threat of murder, sins of the past - gripping, harrowing and brilliant! Awarded five claps and reviewed on 4th July 2014.

'PREDESTINATION' - Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook Directed by the Spierig Brothers and shot in Melbourne - a gripping time travel masterpiece with a difference. Awarded five claps and reviewed on 4th September 2014.

'BOYHOOD' - Richard Linklater's opus shot over 12 years tracing the unfolding life of young Mason acted out by new emerging talent Ellar Coltrane, with Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette adding weight as his separated parents each carving out new lives but still glued together through young Mason. A surprising and delightful fly-on-the-wall fictionalised telling of growing up in the early 21st century. Awarded five claps and reviewed on 21st September 2014.

'INTERSTELLAR' - Chris Nolan delivering this years big space epic with stunning visuals, solid story, some mind bending ideas and Matthew McConaughey searching in a galaxy far far away for a planet that humankind can reside on. A must see on the big screen. Awarded five claps and reviewed on 13th November 2014.

'NIGHTCRAWLER' - Jake Gyllenhaal delivering possibly a career best capitalising upon others misfortune as he films murder, violence and crime for the sake of television news ratings, his back pocket and his own social standing. Gripping story telling, expertly delivered. Awarded five claps and reviewed on 4th December 2014.

'12 YEARS A SLAVE' - Steve McQueen Directed Chiwetel Ejiofor in this Oscar winning film of 1850's southern states slavery that is horrific, powerful and uplifting at the same time. Awarded four claps and reviewed on 6th February 2014.

'DALLAS BUYERS CLUB' - Matthew McConaughey nailed the Oscar for this in his real life depiction of HIV sufferer Ron Woodroof with expert support too from Jared Leto . . . and AZT! Awarded four claps and reviewed on 19th February 2014.

'EDGE OF TOMORROW' - live, die, repeat - Tom 

Cruise actioner with Emily Blunt reliving a single day over & over to advance just a little further to thwart an alien enemy foe on the Normandy Beaches in the not too distant future. Surprisingly good, very entertaining and the Cruisemeister on top form. Awarded four claps and reviewed on 11th June 2014.

'THE ROVER' - near future Aussie outback thriller with Guy Pearce chasing down some villains who nicked his car . . . but why? With Robert Pattinson this is as simple story very well told that will keep you guessing right up to to the closing frames. Awarded four claps and reviewed on 18th June 2014.

'X-MEN : DAYS OF FUTURE PAST' - I was very pleasantly surprised by this film in this successful Superhero franchise that brings together great action set pieces, a strong cast now well established in their roles and Bryan Singer back in the Director's chair. Awarded four claps and reviewed on 24th June 2014.

'DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES' - a rare thing that this sequel surpassed it's recent predecessor in the reboot of this 60's film & TV franchise. This is Andy Serkis' film and he delivers an outstanding mocap performance as Caesar, now grown and the head honcho of his ever growing colony of apes - but he has divided loyalties that are soon put to the test as he clashes with the remaining vestiges of humanity struggling to survive. Awarded four claps and reviewed on 17th July 2014.

'THESE FINAL HOURS' - it's the end of the world as we know it and the residents of Western Australia have 12 hours to go before they and the earth is burned to a crisp in a global firestorm. What would you do with your last 12 hours? Original, thought provoking and scary stuff - an impressive film delivered on a minuscule budget. Awarded four claps and reviewed on 3rd August 2014.

'A MOST WANTED MAN' - a tight, taught spy thriller that delivers on many levels - not the least that it is one of Philip Seymour Hoffman's final performances and a must see for this reason alone . . . and he is very good too! Awarded four claps and reviewed on 6th August 2014.

'SNOWPIERCER' - the first English language feature for this Korean Director Bong Joon-ho set aboard a future perpetual motion train on which exists all that survives of humanity in a snow covered world. A gripping story of the haves and the have-nots, the rich and the poor, the healthy and the suffering who reside on the one kilometre long train. Should have had a wider release that it did! Awarded four claps and reviewed on 13th August 2014.

'FELONY' - Joel Edgerton wrote, Produced and stars in this present day police drama that tells of the consequences we face and the impact on others of decisions made quickly and the web of lies and deception that invariably follows. A strong script, solid cast, great acting and a thrilling ride. Awarded four claps and reviewed on 11th September 2014.

'GONE GIRL' - David Fincher Directing with Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as the fractured couple whose seemingly idyllic lives are not quite what they seem, and when the wife goes missing the finger of suspicion points at the husband who stoically maintains his innocence 0 but is he telling the truth? Awarded four claps and reviewed on 10th October 2014.

'THE HOBBIT : THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES' - Peter Jackson's epic story telling that began with the 'LOTR' series 15 years ago comes to a fitting and spectacular end with this the final instalment in 'THE HOBBIT' series. You know the story - just get out there and see it on the big screen! Awarded four claps and reviewed on 31st December 2014.

20 great films that I recommend to you, and you can read the full Reviews of all of these by scrolling down through the archive column or key in the name of the film in to the search box. Let me know your thoughts and if you agree or disagree, or have some other views. Share your thoughts in the Comments box below.

Enjoy your movies, and see as many as you can in 2015!

-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-