Birthday's to share this week : 11th-17th December 2016.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Theo James does on 16th December - check out my tribute to this Birthday Lad turning 32, 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 11th December

• Hailee Steinfeld - Born 1996, turns 20 - Actress
• Mo'Nique (Monique Imes) - Born 1967, turns 49 - Actress | Producer
• Jean-Louis Trintignant - Born 1930, turns 86 - Actor | Writer | Director  

Monday 12th December

• Bill Nighy - Born 1949, turns 67 - Actor | Producer
• Jennifer Connolly - Born 1970, turns 46 - Actress  

Tuesday 13th December

• Dick Van Dyke - Born 1925, turns 91 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Singer
• Christopher Plummer - Born 1929, turns 87 - Actor | Producer
• Robert Lindsay - Born 1949, turns 67 - Actor | Singer
• Steve Buscemi - Born 1957, turns 59 - Actor | Director | Producer | Singer | Writer
• Jamie Foxx - Born 1967, turns 49 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director | Singer

Wednesday 14th December

• Rebecca Gibney - Born 1964, turns 52 - Actress | Producer | Writer
• Sophie Monk - Born 1979, turns 37 - Actress

Thursday 15th December

• Don Johnson - Born 1949, turns 67 - Actor | Producer 
• Stuart Townsend - Born 1972, turns 44 - Actor | Director  

Friday 16th December

• Ben Cross - Born 1947, turns 69 - Actor
• Shane Black - Born 1961, turns 55 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor
• Benjamin Bratt - Born 1963, turns 53 - Actor | Producer
• James Mangold - Born 1963, turns 53 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Theo James - Born 1984, turns 32 - Actor
• Miranda Otto - Born 1967, turns 49 - Actress 

Saturday 17th December

• Tommy Steele - Born 1936, turns 80 - Singer | Actor 
• Bernard Hill - Born 1944, turns 72 - Actor 
• Eugene Levy - Born 1946, turns 70 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director | Singer
• Bill Pullman - Born 1953, turns 63 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Peter Farrelly - Born 1956, turns 60 - Producer | Writer | Director
• Rian Johnson - Born 1973, turns 43 - Director | Writer
• Giovanni Ribisi - Born 1974, turns 42 - Actor | Producer
• Milla Jovovich - Born 1975, turns 41 - Actress | Singer | Songwriter  

Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis was born in Oxford, England, to mother Jane Martin who worked for the National Health Service, and father Philip Taptiklis, a business consultant. He is the youngest of five children - having two older brothers and two older sisters. From age eleven he attended Aylesbury Grammar School - a boys school located in the county of Buckinghamshire, and then went on to the University of Nottingham where he earned an undergraduate degree in Philosophy. He learned his acting craft at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, although throughout his school life and at University he appeared in numerous plays and short films.

He gained his first television appearance opposite Billie Piper in the mini-series 'A Passionate Woman' in 2010, followed up that same year in his feature film debut in a small role in Woody Allen's 'You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger' with Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, Antonio Banderas, Naomi Watts and Pauline Collins. This then led to an episode on 'Downton Abbey' before possibly his breakout role as Jed Harper on televisions 'Bedlam' in 2011 - about the drama and supernatural forces at work in an apartment building converted from a former insane asylum. The series ran for two seasons, with James appearing in all six of the first season.  

Next up came 'The Inbetweeners Movie' in which he starred as the night club rep., before being cast as David in the fourth film in the successful vampire/werewolf franchise 'Underworld : Awakening' in 2012. He would reprise his role in the recently released 'Underworld : Blood Wars' opposite Kate Beckinsale and Charles Dance once again. Also in 2012, James appeared in two episodes of British crime drama mini-series 'Case Sensitive' for the ITV Network opposite Darren Boyd and Olivia Williams, and then the BBC's two part mini-series of 'Room at the Top'.

2013 followed with James in the lead role of Walter William Clarke Jnr. in the CBS series of 'Golden Boy' about Clarke, an ambitious cop whose meteoric rise through the ranks sees him becoming the youngest Police Commissioner in New York's history. The series aired for thirteen episodes over just one season before being cancelled. This was followed up by the first instalment in the big screen adaptation of the hugely successful Veronica Roth novels 'Divergent' set in a future post-apocalyptic dystopian world where the surviving people are split into distinct factions based on their personality traits and human virtues. The story surrounds Beatrice 'Tris' Prior (Shailene Woodley) who learns that she is a rare 'Divergent' and will therefore never fit into one of the factions, and she quickly learns of a sinister plot afoot in their seemingly perfect world. Along the way she befriends Tobias 'Four' Eaton (James) and the two become close allies as the film series unfolds. This first film released in 2014 collected US$289M at the global Box Office.

A year later came the follow up, and the second in 'The Divergent Series' with 'Insurgent' with Woodley and James reprising their roles together with those of an all star cast including Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Naomi Watts, Kate Winslet, Maggie Q, Octavia Spencer and Zoe Kravitz. This film returned US$297M. The third film in the franchise 'Allegiant' was released earlier this year, with the two principle characters reposing their roles once more, supported by much the same cast with the addition of Jeff Daniels and Bill Skarsgard, However, this film was less well received critically, and commercially was the least preforming of the three so far, generating a return of US$179M. This has prompted speculation of budget cuts to the fourth and final film in the series 'Ascendant' due supposedly in 2017, and the possibility that it may be released as a television movie instead of a feature film with a theatrical release. As a result both Woodley and James have aired their views on this stance that they will not be involved if this is the case. Watch this space!

These gave way to 'The Benefactor' (aka 'Franny') in 2015 with Richard Gere and Dakota Fanning, and then the also recently released 'War on Everyone' for Writer/Director John Michael McDonagh with Alexander Skarsgard and Michael Pena with James playing 'Lord' James Mangan who the two bad cops played by Skarsgard and Pena down Albuquerque way run in to with unexpected results. There was also 'The Secret Scripture' for Writer/Director Jim Sheridan with Rooney Mara, Eric Bana, Aidan Turner and Vanessa Redgrave which has not yet been released in Australia. This brings us up to date with current releases.

Next up is the thriller 'London Fields' with Billy Bob Thornton, Jim Sturgess, Jason Isaacs, Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, and Cara Delevingne. The film was due for release a year or so ago but has been delayed due to legal action between the Director and the Producers. Due for release in 2017 is 'Backstabbing for Beginners' with Ben Kingsley and Jacqueline Bisset - with James playing UN Oil-for-Food Programme whistleblower who uncovers a major corruption scandal. And then there is the disputed 'Ascendant' final instalment in 'The Divergent Series' which may or may not get off the ground.

All up James has twenty-one Acting credits to his name so far, and he has garnered three award wins and another seven nominations. In his early acting days he also played in the London based band 'Shere Khan' as guitarist and singer, but in late 2012 the band split.

Theo James - private in his off-screen life, but well known for his role in two major film franchises; clearly in demand and on the rise; auditioned for James Bond but reportedly failed to get the gig; but has the smarts and the looks to go a long way yet. Happy Birthday to you Theo, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 17th November 2016.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Hogwarts, along comes what is said to be the first in a five film franchise spin-off of that hugely successful 'Harry Potter' universe. Created by J.K.Rowling over seven novels and eight films that have seen Rowling go from rags to riches in a relatively short period of time, amassing her a personal fortune, it is reported, somewhere close to £600M from her book sales and film rights for which she retained final script approval and creative license on the 'Deathly Hallows' instalments. Her 'Harry Potter' books have become the best selling book series in history selling a combined 400 million copies, worth in the UK alone close to £240M making her the UK's best selling living author. Now in 2016 we return to the 'Potterverse' with 'Fantastic Beasts and where to find them' written by Rowling under the pseudonym of Newt Scamander and first published in March 2001. Set in a New York City of 1926 where Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is visiting some seventy years before Harry Potter's story first started, but which is referenced in 'Philospsoher's Stone'. It is Scamander who researches, rescues, and documents said fantastic beasts, exotic creatures, and strange animals. Directed by David Yates who helmed the final four 'Harry Potter' films to critical and commercial success, it seems that 'Fantastic Beasts' is in safe and familiar hands, and waiting for you to find them!

This week there are four new films aimed largely at a more mature audience that range from epic blockbuster to small independent fare and across action fantasy, Sci-Fi horror, buddy cop black comedy and social drama. Starting off with the return to all things wizardry that takes us in a familiar yet new direction in this prequel to a much loved critically acclaimed and commercially successful series of books and films, that might just go the same way. Then we have a buddy cop movie of two crooked detectives who get the tables turned on them when they least expect it - delivered by a noted Director who likes his comedy served black and cold. We then move to a Sci-Fi horror offering of a synthetic being running amok and a consultant sent in to decide what to do before it goes all pair shaped for everyone! And then we wrap up, with a social drama with something to say about the state of Britain's welfare and wellbeing system.

Whether you choose to see any of the four films as Previewed below, or those as Previewed in prior weeks or Reviewed here within these humble Blog pages, remember to share your views and opinions of your own movie going experience, with your like minded cinephiles here. Leave your Comment below this or any other Post - you'll always get a response, and of course, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Meanwhile, enjoy your film.

'FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM' (Rated M) - takes place in the 'Potterverse', albeit some 70 years or so before the advent of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Grainger and their exploits at Hogwarts across eight groundbreaking films taken from the seven source novels by one J.K.Rowling. 'Fantastic Beasts . . . ' was written by J.K.Rowling and published in 2001 under the the pseudonym of the fictitious author Newt Scamander about the magical creatures in the Harry Potter universe. It claims to be Harry Potter's copy of the textbook of the same name as referenced in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' - required reading for first year students to Hogwarts. The Screenplay for the film was written by Rowling in her screenwriting debut, and Co-Produced by her too. This is the first spin-off of the Harry Potter series and said to be the first of five films. Directed by David Yates who also Directed to critical acclaim and huge commercial Box Office receipts 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', '. . .  and the Half Blood Prince' and '. . .  and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2', this film was made for US$180M and goes on general worldwide release this week.

Set in 1926 New York and Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arrives in The Big Apple nearing the end of his travels around the world to seek out, rescue and document the fantastical and magical creatures that share our world, albeit generally hidden from view. He's in NYC for only a brief time, but his plans are scuppered when he encounters a No-Maj (American for 'Muggle') named Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) who inadvertently lets several of Newt's fantastic beasts escape from his deceptively nondescript leather brief case. This is in breach of the Statute of Secrecy which comes to the attention of Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) a downtrodden and demoted member of the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) who sees this latest development as a chance to regain her former place in that hallowed organisation. Little does she know that Percival Graves (Colin Farrell) who is the Director of Magical Security at MACUSA is suspicious of both Newt and Tina. Joining forces with Newt, Tina and Jacob is Queenie (Alison Sudol), Tina's younger sister. The four fugitives from the law must now track down and recapture the escaped beasts before they come to harm, but little do they also know that their mission puts them on a collision course with the dark forces that could have more far reaching consequences for them all. Also starring John Voight, Ron Perlman, Johnny Depp, Ezra Miller and Samantha Morton amongst other fantastic beasts - if you know where to find them.

'WAR ON EVERYONE' (Rated MA15+) - Written and Directed by John Michael McDonagh, who brought us the excellent 'The Guard' and 'Calvary', has delivered here another black comedy but instead of being set in Ireland as were those two features, here this time the action takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The film was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival in February this year, was released in the UK and Ireland in early October, and now arrives in Australian cinemas. Telling the story of two corrupt buddy cops in Albuquerque, Detectives Terry Monroe (Alexander Skarsgard) and Bob Bolano (Michael Pena) who set up to frame and blackmail every criminal low life that makes the sorry mistake of crossing their paths. However, things take an unexpected turn for the worse when the two Detectives come across a perpetrator in the form of a British 'Lord', James Mangan (Theo James) who just happens to be more dangerous and more scheming than they are. Also starring Tessa Thompson and Paul Reiser.

'MORGAN' (Rated MA15+) - this Sci-Fi horror offering is helmed by first time Director Luke Scott (son of Sir Ridley, who takes a Producer credit), was released in early September in the US and UK, cost US$8M to make, has so far made US$9M and has received average Reviews only. Telling the story of Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy), a synthetic bioengineered being, who started walking and talking after just one month in existence, much to the surprise and delight of its creators. When Morgan violently attacks one of its handlers, corporate troubleshooter Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) is sent in to the secluded, remote and ever so secret facility to investigate. Weather's task it to observe and make a determination to keep Morgan alive or not based on calculated risk. When Morgan breaks free and tries to evade capture using her particular set of skills, the facility goes into lockdown and the staff find themselves at the mercy of an unpredictable and dangerous synthetic being. Also starring Toby Jones, Brian Cox, Paul Giamatti, Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rose Leslie. Said to be beautifully shot, with strong performances from the gathered ensemble cast, but we may just have seen this done better in last years 'Ex Machina'.

'I, DANIEL BLAKE' (Rated MA15+) - eighty year old English film and television Director Ken Loach has been making films with social messages at their heart for five decades, and he came out of self-imposed retirement to make this film - his 26th feature film - which won the Palme D'Or at this years Cannes Film Festival and from around the festival circuit has so far picked up five other wins and a nomination. Using non-professional acting talent Loach has crafted a warts and all look at the British welfare system, job prospects and being cast aside before even hitting the ripe old age of sixty. Here stand-up comedian Dave Johns is Daniel Blake a 59 year old carpenter and widower living in England's north-east when he suffers a major heart attack. His cardiologist orders him not to work for fear of him developing an irregular heart beat which could be life threatening. Daniel is an active kind of chap, and in seeking Employment and Support Allowance, but is told be some joker masquerading as a healthcare professional that he is in fact fit for work. Caught between a rock and hard place, Blake takes on the bureaucratic red tape in an attempt claim Jobseekers Allowance. At the same time he befriends single mother Kate (Hayley Squires) who is in a similar situation but with two children in tow. Together the pair go the distance fighting the system, but not without its challenges! Raw, revealing and relevant this is a film of contemporary Britain in all its sad social injustice.

Four very different films to choose from then to keep you entertained in the week ahead. Share your views with us here, when you have sat through your movie of choice, and in the meantime, I'll see you at the Odeon sometime in the coming week.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-