Birthday's to share this week : 9th-15th October 2016.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Ben Whishaw does on 14th October - check out my tribute to this Birthday Lad turning 36, 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 9th October

• Brian Blessed - Born 1936, turns 80 - Actor | Director
• Tony Shalhoub - Born 1953, turns 63 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Scott Bakula - Born 1954, turns 62 - Actor | Producer | Director | Singer
• Guillermo del Toro - Born 1964, turns 52 - Director | Producer | Writer | Consultant | Actor
• Pete Docter - Born 1968, turns 48 - Director | Producer | Writer | Animator  
• Steve McQueen - Born 1969, turns 47 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor
• Chris O'Dowd - Born 1979, turns 37 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director
• Brandon Routh - Born 1979, turns 37 - Actor

Monday 10th October

• Charles Dance - Born 1946, turns 70 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Martin Kemp - Born 1961, turns 55 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director | Singer | Songwriter  

Tuesday 11th October

• David Morse - Born 1953, turns 63 - Actor | Producer
• Sean Patrick Flanery - Born 1965, turns 51 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Luke Perry - Born 1966, turns 50 - Actor | Producer | Writer
• Dawn French - Born 1957, turns 59 - Actress | Writer | Producer | Singer 
• Joan Cusack - Born 1962, turns 54 - Actress | Writer  

Wednesday 12th October

• Hugh Jackman - Born 1968, turns 48 - Actor | Producer | Singer
• Josh Hutcherson - Born 1992, turns 24 - Actor | Producer  

Thursday 13th October

• Chris Carter - Born 1956, turns 60 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Sacha Baron Cohen - Born 1971, turns 45 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Singer
• Kelly Preston - Born 1962, turns 54 - Actress  

Friday 14th October

• Lori Petty - Born 1963, turns 53 - Actress | Writer | Producer | Director
• Mia Wasikowska - Born 1989, turns 27 - Actress | Writer | Director
• Roger Moore - Born 1927, turns 89 - Actor | Producer
• Steve Coogan - Born 1965, turns 51 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Singer
• Ben Whishaw - Born 1980, turns 36 - Actor  

Saturday 15th October

• Todd Solondz - Born 1959, turns 57 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Dominic West - Born 1969, turns 47 - Actor
• Tanya Roberts - Born 1955, turns 61 - Actress  

Benjamin John Whishaw was born in Clifton, Bedfordshire, England to mother Linda Hope - a worker in cosmetics, and father Jose Whishaw - a worker in the field of Information Technology. He has a twin brother, James. He was raised in the central Bedfordshire villages of Clifton and Langford, and he attended the Henlow Middle School nearby, and then the Samuel Whitbread Community College in Shefford, also close by. It was here through the allied theatre company, 'Big Spirit' that Whishaw first become involved with play acting, and, to some local critical acclaim. He went on to study at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from which he graduated in 2003.

He gained his first screen role in the 1999 film 'The Trench' - a story of young soldiers in the trenches preparing to go over the top in the WWI Battle of the Somme as Directed by William Boyd and also starring Daniel Craig, James D'Arcy and Cillian Murphy. 'The Escort' came later that year too, with small screen roles following on 'Black Cab', 'Other People's Children' and then short film 'Baby'. 'My Brother Tom' in 2001 garnered Whishaw a British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer, which was followed up with 'Ready When You Are Mr. McGill' in 2003 with Bill Nighy and Tom Courtenay and then made for television film 'Booze Cruise', with short films 'Spiritual Rampage' and '77 Beds' in the meantime. 

Next up was 'Enduring Love' in 2004 with Daniel Craig again and Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans and Andrew Lincoln, and then Matthew Vaughn's 'Layer Cake' later that year with Daniel Craig once more and Tom Hardy, Michael Gambon and Sienna Miller. 'Stoned' came next in 2005 with Whishaw playing the role of Keith Richards in this bio-pic about the (short) life of Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones. That same year he appeared in the Channel 4 sitcom over one single season of six episodes - 'Nathan Barley' with Benedict Cumberbatch and Richard Ayoard. He gained perhaps his breakout role in 'Perfume : The Story of a Murderer' for Director Tom Tykwer with co-stars Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman. The film was generally well received and it was a commercial success. Whishaw gained two further award nominations for his role as perfumer and murderer Jean-Baptiste Grenouille. 

Todd Haynes 'I'm Not There' inspired by the life and music of Bob Dylan saw Whishaw alongside Cate Blanchett, Heath Ledger, Richard Gere and Christian Bale, with the big screen adaptation of 'Brideshead Revisited' opposite Matthew Goode, and then 'The International' for Tom Tykwer again with Clive Owen and Naomi Watts, 'Bright Star' for Jane Campion based on the final three years of poet John Keats with Whishaw in the lead role of Keats alongside Abbie Cornish, and short film 'Love Hate' seeing out the decade. In the meantime there had also been five episodes on the highly acclaimed drama series 'Criminal Justice' which also garnered Whishaw further award wins and nominations.

The new decade landed with a big screen adaptation of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' with Julie Taymor Directing an all star cast including Helen Mirren, David Strathairn, Chris Cooper, Djimon Hounsou, Russell Brand and Alfred Molina. Another BBC drama series followed airing over twelve episodes - 'The Hour' with Dominic West and Peter Capaldi. 2012 gave rise to another Daniel Craig partnership in his role as Bond, James Bond and Whishaw as the new, younger, tech savvy 'Q' in 'Skyfall' - a role he would reprise in 2015's 'Spectre'. The multi-dimensional, time travelling 'Cloud Atlas' for the Wachowski's and Tom Tykwer once more and an ensemble cast including Tom Hanks, Jim Sturgess, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving with Halle Berry and Susan Sarandon came next, with his leading role in 'Richard II' in the made for television film for BBC2 following.

Terry Gilliam's 'The Zero Theorem' was up next, then a screen version of 'The Seagull' by Anton Chekov titled 'Days and Nights' with a backdrop of New England sometime in the 1980's, which despite its strong cast bombed critically and commercially. 'Lilting' followed, and then Whishaw lent his voice talents to Paddington Bear in the live action film of 'Paddington' - the story of a bear thrust from the deepest darkest jungles of Peru into deepest darkest London.

2015 was a big year with short film 'The Muse', and then feature length films 'The Lobster', documentary 'Unity', 'Suffragette', 'The Danish Girl', 'Spectre' and 'In The Heart of The Sea' all released that year, as well as a five part BBC 2 series 'London Spy'. 'A Hologram for The King' was released earlier this year with Tom Hanks, as was short film 'Family Happiness'. Next up and due in December 2018 and currently in pre-production is 'Mary Poppins Returns' with Emily Blunt in the lead role, and also staring Meryl Streep.

Since 2003 Whishaw also has amassed numerous stage credits at London's National Theatre, The Old Vic, The Royal Court Theatre, the West End Noel Coward and Harold Pinter Theatres and most recently on Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre. He has appeared in 'Hamlet' to much critical praise, 'The Seagull', 'Cock', 'Peter and Alice' alongside Judi Dench, 'Mojo' and 'The Crucible'. All up Whishaw has forty-four screen and television acting credits to his name and has so far accumulated eight award wins including a BAFTA for television mini-series 'The Hollow Crown' and another fifteen nominations including three BAFTA nods.

In 2012 Whishaw 'married' Australian composer Mark Bradshaw in a civil partnership, and they reside in London.

Ben Whishaw - fiercely private and guarded about his life away from the cameras; shuns celebrity status; enjoys simple pleasures such as gardening, reading, painting and travel; clearly is on the rise and in demand as evidenced by his prolific output as seen in recent years; and already has been critically praised for his work on film, on television and on the boards - and we're happy to keep watching Ben. Happy Birthday to you, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Saturday 26th December 2015.

It is that time of year again when the big jolly guy with the white beard, the big red coat, and the big sleigh comes knocking on your door to wish you all the best for Christmas and compliments of the Festive Season. Hoping that he brings you a swag of movie goodness in your Christmas stocking this year, all I can say to my global audience at Odeon Online is thanks very much for your support and readership over the past twelve month, all the very best to you and yours for a very Happy, Safe and Relaxing Christmas, and I very much look forward to sharing more of the same movie news, Reviews and Previews with you in the year ahead.

In the meantime and for the coming week there is another haul of new movie content to keep us entertained when you are stuffed full of turkey and Christmas Pudding and think there is no end in sight to over eating, over drinking and over doing. Fear not, you can take solace in a movie theatre and catch a couple of autobiographical movies featuring some big name casts guided thoughtfully by a couple of big name Directors; then an English history lesson dating back a hundred or so years with some names of historical repute and a big subject that did much to change the course of history; then a couple of old guys letching it up with the young girls in a mountain resort and remembering what might have been; and a French coming of age story that examines the choices we make and the consequences of those, on those closest to us. After this, we have dad & step-dad battling it out for supremacy in the family unit; and then two animated features to close out holiday week that are likely to please the young and the young at heart.

With such compelling choices in the week ahead, as well as more to choose from already on general release, there is little excuse to get out amongst it at your local Odeon. When you have done so, drop us a line and share your thoughts and observations here in a Comments Box below this or any other Post. Meanwhile, enjoy your film.

JOY (Rated M) - Hot off the closing film in 'The Hunger Games' series, Jennifer Lawrence is here teaming up once more with Writer/Director and Producer David O'Russell in this latest biographical comedy drama offering about the life and times of Long Island single mother of three, struggling would be business woman and inventor of the Miracle Mop Joy Mangano (played by Lawrence). The story traces the life of the divorcee across four generations as she builds her business empire off the back of the Miracle Mop and is confronted with the challenges of life and bringing up three youngsters on her own, her family, her expanding business, those she can trust, those who betray her, those she loves and those she leaves.

An emotional roller coaster of a film Joy grows through the years from her inner strength, her strong will and determination, her imagination and her sense of loyalty, family and love to equip her with the the challenges that will confront her. Also starring familiar stable mate Bradley Cooper, as the Executive at The Home Shopping Network who gives her new invention an airtime boost, Robert De Niro as Joy's father, Edgar Ramirez as Joy's ex-husband, Virginia Madsen as Joy's mother, Diane Ladd as Joy's grandmother, and Isabella Rossellini as Joy's backer and Joy's fathers girlfriend. On the strength of previous collaboration and what we know Lawrence, Cooper and O'Russell are capable off - this has to be up there as one to watch this holiday season.

SUFFRAGETTE (Rated M) - This is a British period piece Directed by Sharon Gavron, that any self respecting school kid studying English Modern History will know all about - this Reviewer included! Set in the very early 20th Century it tells the story of The Suffragette Movement for Women's Suffrage and their fight to win the right to vote and share an equal footing with men, for the first time in the history of the nation. It is a story that changed the course of British History and centres around two real life characters - Emmeline Pankhurst (played by Meryl Streep) who led the Suffragette Movement and rallied women to stand up for their rights and Emily Davison (Natlaie Press) who so believed in her cause that in protest she threw herself under the horse of King George V at the Epsom Derby and died of her wounds. The film also stars Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Marie Duff, Ben Whishaw, Brendan Gleeson and Samuel West as fictional characters, although the film is based on fact and traces the years of political struggle, violent protest, personal sacrifice and emotional turmoil suffered by women before the British Government gave way and recognised women's rights in 1928.

YOUTH (Rated MA15+) - Starring Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel, this is an Italian production Written and Directed by Paolo Sorrentino in his second only English language film. Caine plays Fred Ballinger and best mate to Keitel's Mick Boyle who are ageing seventy somethings holidaying in a plush resort in the Swiss Alps and recounting their lives. Fred is an accomplished albeit now retired composer of classical music and Mick is a film maker working with a bunch writers to develop his next screen play. Fred's daughter in turn is married to Mick's son and while reflecting on their lives things go pear shaped as Fred is approached to perform for HRH The Queen & Prince Philip, Mick completes his screenplay but his long standing lead actress turns it down with news that shocks him to the core, the married son & daughter split while holidaying with them too leaving the oldies to pick up the pieces. Reminiscing about love & loss, the past and the future, life and death, commitment and betrayal, and age and youth these age old emotional struggles confront the old boys before giving in to their fate. Already doing very well on the Awards circuit with multiple wins and nominations, this films also stars Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano and Jane Fonda.

THE BELIER FAMILY (Rated M) - A French comedy drama made for US$11M and has already grossed US$69M since its late 2014 French Premier in Paris, this film is Written and Directed by Eric Lartigau and has done well too on the Awards circuit picking up a number of wins and nominations along the way. Part of the Belier family is sixteen year old Paula (Louane Emera) who has become an essential and indispensable part of the household as the interpreter for her deaf parents and brother on a daily as needs basis. Discovering that she has a gift for singing, Paula's music teacher encourages her to take part in an acclaimed singing contest in Paris, with the prospect of fame and fortune if successful through a career path and a college degree.Paula however, is torn between her duty and her love of her family and a sense of doing there might thing by them, and stepping out on her own, taking a risk and making something of, and for herself as she embarks upon adulthood.

DADDY'S HOME (Rated PG) - Directed by Sean Anders this is the second time that Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell have shared screen time - the first being 2010's action comedy offering 'The Other Guys'. This time, Brad Taggart (Ferrell) is a mild mannered radio executive married to Sarah (Linda Cardellini) and is building a nice little family unit with the two children from Sarah's former marriage to Dusty Mayron (Wahlberg). Brad is determined to be the best possible step-dad on the planet and all is going good, until Dusty rocks up back in to town and starts to complicate Brad's plans. Dusty is a cool dude, street smart, the fit & athletic type, a home improvement expert, can turn is hand to just about anything, and is a loveable rogue, a rough diamond. Pretty soon Brad's previous confidence turns to insecurity, self doubt and fear that he might lose what he has. Needing to win back his family and restore his former place, it's on between Brad & Dusty, and may the best man win!

THE GOOD DINOSAUR (Rated PG) - Made for US$200M this is the second Pixar released film this year after 'Inside Out', and was released in the US a month ago after its 10th November World Premier in Paris, since which time it has grossed so far US170M. Aimed squarely at the family market this film is a dino tale that assumes the world was not hit by a meteor 65 million years ago, and that dinosaurs did not become extinct but survive to this present day. And so young Arlo (voiced by Raymond Ochoa) is caught in a fierce storm one day, washed downstream and awakes bruised, battered and bewildered wondering WTF just happened! And so begins and adventure survival story as Arlo seeks to be reunited with his parents Momma Ida (Frances McDormand) and Poppa Henry (Jeffrey Wright) meeting up with various other characters of the dino kind including Butch (Sm Elliott), Ramsey (Anna Paquin), Thunderclap (Steve Zahn) and Spot (Jack Bright) a young human kid that Arlo becomes mates with. Directed by Peter Sohn who also lends his voive talents, this film has been in a troubled disjointed production stage for six years, but is finally here, and seems well worth the wait by all accounts.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS : THE ROAD CHIP (Rated PG) - This is the fourth film in the franchise that launched in late 2007, and off the US$210M budget to make the first three, the world wide grosses have well exceeded US1.1B to date, not counting this instalment. This time Directed by Walt Becker the principle characters from the previous films are all here and have returned again. So this time around it seems that Dave (Jason Lee) is planning to get hitched down in Miami to his girlfriend, causing his good buddies to believe that it will be hasta la vista and thanks for coming afterwards for his loyal friends. Needing to prevent this from happening, the Chipmunks embark on  road trip, with only three days in which to get there and prevent this potential disaster from happening. Also featuring Justin Long, Christina Applegate and Anna Faris, this will be an acquired taste, but on the strength of the previous films in this series, is likely to do well.

As expected for any Christmas and New Year season the movie theatres are full of new content to appeal to all tastes and age groups. If none of these appeal, check out my previous Reviews and Previews for what was recently released and what is still doing the rounds at your local Odeon. In the meantime Merry Christmas!

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Birthday's to share this week : 24th - 30th May 2015.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Carey Mulligan does on 28th May - check out the tribute to this Birthday Girl 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 24th May

• Kristen Scott Thomas - Born 1960, turns 55 - Actress
• John C. Reilly - Born 1965, turns 50 - Actor | Writer | Producer
• Alfred Molina - Born 1953, turns 62 - Actor | Producer
• Jim Broadbent - Born 1949, turns 66 - Actor
• Roger Deakins - Born 1949, turns 66 - Cinematographer

Monday 25th May

• Cillian Murphy - Born 1976, turns 39 - Actor
• Ian McKellen - Born 1939, turns 76 - Actor | Writer
• Mike Meyers - Born 1963, turns 52 - Actor | Writer | Singer | Songwriter
• Frank Oz - Born 1944, turns 71 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Anne Heche - Born 1969, turns 46 - Actress | Writer | Producer | Director
• Jacki Weaver - Born 1947, turns 68 - Actress

Tuesday 26th May 

• Helena Bonham Carter - Born 1966, turns 49 - Actress
• Pam Grier - Born 1949, turns 66 - Actress
• Matt Stone - Born 1971, turns 44 - Writer | Producer | Actor
• Lenny Kravitz - Born 1964, turns 51 - Singer | Songwriter | Actor

Wednesday 27th May

• Paul Bettany - Born 1971, turns 44 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Christopher Lee - Born 1922, turns 93 - Actor
• Joseph Fiennes - Born 1970, turns 45 - Actor
• Louis Gossett Jnr. - Born 1936, turns 79 - Actor | Producer | Director

Thursday 28th May

• Carey Mulligan - Born 1985, turns 30 - Actress
• Kylie Minogue - Born 1968, turns 47 - Singer | Songwriter | Actress | Writer
• Sondra Locke - Born 1944, turns 71 - Actress | Director

Friday 29th May

• Annette Benning - Born 1958, turns 57 - Actress
• Rupert Everett - Born 1959, turns 56 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Danny Elfman - Born 1953, turns 62 - Composer | Actor

Saturday 30th May

• Antoine Fuqua - Born 1965, turns 50 - Director | Producer
• Duncan Jones - Born 1971, turns 44 - Director | Producer
• Harry Enfield - Born 1961, turns 54 - Actor | Producer | Director

Carey Hannah Mulligan was born in Westminster, London to mother Nano Booth, a university lecturer, and father Stephen, a hotel manager. At three years of age the family moved to Germany where the young Carey's father had transferred to manage a hotel there. While living in Germany Carey and her brother Owain, attended the International School of Dusseldorf. Five years later, aged eight, the family returned to England where as a teenager she was educated at Woldingham School.

From aged six her interest in acting was sparked by her brothers performance in a school production of 'The King & I'. While at Woldingham School she involved herself in theatre and was the student head of drama while herself performing in musicals, plays and actively supporting productions.

Her parents were disapproving of her desire to pursue an acting career, instead wanting to attend university like her brother. She applied to three London drama schools but failed to gain an offer. In her last year at school author/writer/Director and Politician Julian Fellowes gave a lecture on the production of 'Gosford Park'. She sought advice from Fellowes which led to a dinner invitation for aspiring young Actors to gain advice on their chosen career path. That dinner in turn led to an introduction with a casting assistant and an audition for 2005's 'Pride and Prejudice' which she eventually scored in the role of Kitty Bennett.

Working in a pub and as a errand runner at Ealing Studios she first trod the boards at 19 in 'Forty Winks' at London's Royal Court Theatre. In 2005 she auditioned too for the BBC adaptation of Dicken's 'Bleak House' for which she won the BAFTA Award in her television debut having starred with Judi Dench, Donald Sutherland and Keira Knightley. In 2006 she starred in several TV shows including 'The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard', 'Agatha Christie's Marple', 'Trial & Retribution X', 'Waking the Dead', 'Northanger Abbey', 'My Boy Jack' and 'Doctor Who', as well as the stage play 'The Seagull' with Kristen Scott Thomas and Chiwetel Ejiofor,

In 2009 at just 24 her first lead role hit our screens with 'An Education' by Lone Scherfig and written by Nick Hornby. Further to her breakout role she won a BAFTA Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award and the BAFTA Rising Star Award. That same year she starred in 'The Greatest' with Pierce Brosnan and Susan Sarandon.







Next up was 'Never Let Me Go' with Keira Knightley in 2010, together with Oliver Stone's 'Wall Street : Money Never Sleeps'. The following year came a return to the stage with 'Through a Glass Darkly' which like many of her works to date was much praised and highly lauded. This led to 'Drive' for Director Nicholas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, and Oscar Isaac for which she was nominated for her second BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress. Steve McQueen's 'Shame' with Michael Fassbender followed that same year and the two latter films debuting at the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals respectively.

In 2013 she starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby' followed by Joel & Ethan Coen's 'Inside Llewyn Davis' with Oscar Isaac once again. Following this was the TV mini-series 'The Spolis of Babylon', the 'Skylight' with Bill Nighy and Directed by Stephen Daldry, with 'Far from the Madding Crowd' and 'Suffragette' with Meryl Streep and Helena Bonham Carter both due later this year.

To date Mulligan has 24 acting credits to her name, and 43 awards wins including the BAFTA for 'An Education' and a further 49 nominations including Academy Award and the Golden Globe nods for 'An Education' and the BAFTA for 'Drive'.

In 2009 she participated in the 'Safe Project' to raise awareness of sex trafficking, she has been  an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society since 2012, and from 2014 for 'War Child' also. She married Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons) in April 2012, and they are expecting their first child this year.

Carey Mulligan - so much talent from someone still so young; experienced in film, TV and theatre; determined and focused; grounded and humble; charmingly playboyish and beautiful too - Happy 30th Birthday to you from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-