Birthday's to share this week : 20th - 26th March 2016.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Jessica Chastain does on 24th March - check out my tribute to this Birthday Girl turning 39, 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 20th March

• Carl Reiner - Born 1922, turns 94 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor
• William Hurt - Born 1950, turns 66 - Actor | Producer
• David Thewlis - Born 1963, turns 53 - Actor | Writer
• Spike Lee - Born 1957, turns 59 - Director | Producer | Writer | Actor
• Holly Hunter - Born 1958, turns 58 - Actress | Producer

Monday 21st March

• Rosie O'Donnell - Born 1962, turns 54 - Actress | Producer | Writer
• Timothy Dalton - Born 1946, turns 70 - Actor
• Matthew Broderick - Born 1962, turns 54 - Actor
• Gary Oldman - Born 1958, turns 58 - Actor | Producer | Director | Writer
• Scott Eastwood - Born 1986, turns 30 - Actor | Producer

Tuesday 22nd March

• William Shatner - Born 1931, turns 85 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director
• Matthew Modine - Born 1959, turns 57 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director
• Bruno Ganz - Born 1941, turns 75 - Actor
• M. Emmett Walsh - Born 1935, turns 81 - Actor
• Stephen Sondheim - Born 1930, turns 86 - Composer | Songwriter | Writer
• Andrew Lloyd Webber - Born 1948, turns 68 - Composer | Songwriter | Writer | Producer
• Reese Witherspoon - Born 1976, turns 40 - Actress | Producer | Singer

Wednesday 23rd March

• Amanda Plummer - Born 1957, turns 59 - Actress
• Catherine Keener - Born 1959, turns 57 - Actress | Producer
• Michelle Monaghan - Born 1976, turns 40 - Actress | Producer
• Keri Russell - Born 1976, turns 40 - Actress

Thursday 24th March

• Jessica Chastain - Born 1977, turns 39 - Actress | Producer
• Lara Flynn Boyle - Born 1970, turns 46 - Actress | Producer
• Kelly LeBrock - Born 1960, turns 56 - Actress
• Keisha Castle-Hughes - Born 1990, turns 26 - Actress
• Curtis Hanson - Born 1945, turns 71 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Partick Malahide - Born 1945, turns 71 - Actor

Friday 25th March

• Edgar Ramirez - Born 1977, turns 39 - Actor | Producer
• Lee Pace - Born 1979, turns 37 - Actor
• Paul Michael Glazer - Born 1943, turns 73 - Actor | Producer | Director
• Sarah Jessica Parker - Born 1965, turns 51 - Actress | Writer

Saturday 26th March

• Keira Knightly - Born 1985, turns 31 - Actress | Singer
• James Caan - Born 1940, turns 76 - Actor
• Alan Arkin - Born 1934, turns 82 - Actor | Writer | Director
• Francis Lawrence - Born 1971, turns 45 - Director | Producer
• Martin McDonagh - Born 1970, turns 46 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Martin Short - Born 1950, turns 66 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Singer
• Alan Silvestri - Born 1950, turns 66 - Composer | Songwriter

Jessica Michelle Chastain was born in Sacramento, California, USA to mother Jerri Renee, a vegan chef, and father Michael Monasterio, a rock musician who died in early 2013 aged 55. Chastain was estranged from her father for her entire life and has never publicly acknowledged him, with his name not appearing on her birth certificate. She was raised by her mother and her stepfather Michael Hastey - a fireman, whom she does regard as her father to all intents and purposes. She retains her mothers maiden name (Chastain) as did her sister Juliet, who died aged 25 in 2003. She grew up with her siblings from her mothers second marriage - William, Daniel and Jacquelyn Hastey. She is perhaps closest to her maternal grandmother Marilyn who first sparked the interest in Acting in the young seven year old Jessica after attending a performance together of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' starring David Cassidy. She attended El Camino High School in Sacramento where she struggled academically, and then went on to Sacramento City College before gaining a scholarship donated by Robin Williams that allowed her to attend Juilliard School in New York City where she actively participated in drama, theatre and film projects, before graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 2003.

Her early career saw her move to Venice Beach, California where she started to audition for roles and was subsequently picked up by a talent agency, although she struggled to secure roles because of her red hair and somewhat unconventional looks. Her television debut came with a remake of a popular 1960's gothic series 'Dark Shadows' but the show failed to live up to expectations and was not picked up for broadcast. That was 2004, and the following four years saw several appearances on the likes of 'E.R', 'Close to Home', 'Veronica Mars' and 'Law & Order : Trial by Jury'. About this time she gained an introduction and a recommendation to Al Pacino who was searching for an unknown talent to star in his new theatre production of 'Salome' - he hired her on the spot, and as a result of the plays sell out success she came to much wider attention.

In 2008 Chastain made her film debut in the lead role of 'Jolene' - the story of an abused foster child told over a ten year period from age 15. She receive generally positive reviews and won a Best Actress Award on the film circuit. Next up was 'Stolen' which crashed and burned, and then a year later came the 'Murder on the Orient Express' episode of 'Agatha Christie's : Poirot'.

2010 saw 'The Debt' for Director John Madden and starring Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson and Sam Worthington, and then 'Take Shelter' with Michael Shannon which was critically lauded and had much praise bestowed upon it, including for the film and the performances of both her and Shannon, picking up numerous awards along the way.

2011 was a particularly busy year with the Ralph Fiennes Directed 'Coriolanus' based on a modern adaptation of the Shakespeare play; then Terrence Mallick's highly acclaimed 'Tree of Life' with Brad Pitt and Sean Penn; 'The Help' with Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer which was also highly acclaimed with the Oscar going to Octavia Spencer for her supporting performance. The documentary drama of 'Wilde Salome' as Directed and starring Al Pacino recounted the story of what led him to stage his play at the Wadsworth Theatre in West Los Angeles; and the year closed out with 'Texas Killing Fields' with Sam Worthington, Jason Clarke and Chloe Grace Moretz.

John Hillcoat's 'Lawless' followed in 2012 with an all star cast that included Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, and Jason Clarke. 'Zero Dark Thirty' came next garnering Chastain an Oscar nomination for this highly praised film Directed by Kathryn Bigelow being the story of the ten year hunt for one Osama bin Laden, resulting in his final capture and death . . .  allegedly!

Horror fantasy 'Mama' was next in 2013 and that same year the film of 'Salome' Directed and starring Al Pacino based on the Oscar Wilde play was released, bringing the saga full circle from Pacino's stage play to film docudrama to full blown movie production. Next up came a trio of films under the banner of 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby' and subtitled 'Him', 'Her' and 'Them' with Chastain playing the title role alongside James McAvoy. 'Miss Julie' came next with Colin Farrell, and then Christopher Nolan's 'Interstellar' with Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine and Anne Hathaway. 'A Most Violent Year' followed after this run with Oscar Isaac in the J.C. Chandor Directed film of a most violent 1981 New York.

2015 brought along 'The Martian' for Ridley Scott and with Matt Damon, and then 'Crimson Peak' for Guillermo del Toro and with Tom Hiddleston. Next up is 'The Zookeeper's Wife' with Daniel Bruhl in post-production currently for release later this year; 'The Huntsman : Winter's War' for release soon; 'The Death and Life of John F. Donovan' in pre-production; 'Miss Sloane' for Director John Madden currently filming and 'Woman Walks Ahead' recently announced. 

Chastain has 42 Acting credits to her name and has so far garnered seventy award wins and another 94 nominations including two Academy Award nominations for 'Zero Dark Thirty' and 'The Help'; two Golden Globe nominations for 'A Most Violent Year' and 'The Help' with a win for 'Zero Dark Thirty' and two BAFTA nominations for 'Zero Dark Thirty' and 'The Help'. She also lent her voice talent to 'Madagascar 3 : Europe's Most Wanted'.

Chastain is a feminist, and a vegan, and is involved in the suicide support group 'To Write Love On Her Arm'. She turned down roles in 'Iron Man 3', 'Oblivion' and 'Diana', has picked up numerous fashion awards, appears on numerous 'Top' lists, and in the last four years has starred in four  films all nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards - 'The Martian' in 2015, 'Zero Dark Thirty' in 2012, 'The Help' and 'Tree of Life' both in 2011.

Jessica Chastain - so much achieved in such a short space of time, diverse acting range across all genres (although perhaps not yet comedy), highly acclaimed, much in demand, bankable, keeping it real, keeping it grounded and very watchable. Happy Birthday to you Jessica, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

A MOST VIOLENT YEAR : Saturday 7th March 2015.

On my search for a new movie theatre in downtown Adelaide I found two within one hundred metres of each other both owned & operated by the same independent Australian cinema chain . . . fantastic, and in the heart of cafe, bars, and eatery land - what could be better? And so last night, I saw 'A MOST VIOLENT YEAR' - this American dramatic period piece set in Noo Yawk in possibly one of its most violent, turbulent, corrupt and dangerous years in its more recent history - 1981.

Directed and Written by J. C. Chandor this film is a slow burn, it's a morality tale, and a story of the little guy going it alone against the bigger guys and overcoming adversity to ultimately rise the victor as he chases the American Dream. Oscar Isaac is Abel Morales who we rarely see out of his camel coat braving a harsh New York winter as he struggles to maintain the heating oil business he has built from the ground up in the last ten years. Times are tough, competition is strong and he and his drivers are seemingly under constant attack from rival companies . . . of which there are many covering the greater New York area.

As an immigrant family, Abel is married to Anna (Jessica Chastain) and he has a moral code the he will not deviate from. He is honest, caring, loyal, tries to do the right thing always, and believes in hard work, integrity, setting an example and chasing his dream. As the attacks of his drivers worsen and he has more and more oil stolen his wife urges him to fight violence with violence, but he resists every step of the way. Determined to buy a disused old storage plant on the river that would see him quickly rise to the top and overpower his competitors he puts down a significant cash deposit on the property with a commitment that he has 30 days and no more to close the deal, or lose it all.

Needing another $1.5M to secure the deal he is confident that the bank will support the loan as they have in the past . . . but, they don't count on Assistant District Attorney Lawrence (David Oyelowo) who has Morales under scrutiny for possible tax evasion, price fixing, and other illegal affairs that he and his rivals have been getting away with for years, despite Morales constant denial that he has done anything untoward to solicit such unwelcome attention. When this begins to surface, and more attacks occur on Morales business (Standard Oil) the bank gets edgy and pulls away from the loan leaving Morales high & dry . . . almost!

With only a matter of days before closure, Morales needs to raise significant funds to secure his future, and that of his wife and family. Seeking loans from his rivals, remortgaging a unit block he shares with his younger brother, and securing funding from a few other places it comes right down to the wire before the deal is done three days over due.

Before doing so though the DA is niggling away at Morales business affairs with a court case pending, the attacks continuing, home life under pressure (wife Anna is also the company book-keeper), and a former employee who has been attacked twice is now on the run himself and posing a threat to Morales ongoing business interests unless he can be brought in to the authorities.

There are some tense moments in this film and the performances are solid from both Isaac and Chastain as husband and wife double act, and so too from Albert Brooks as Andrew Walsh - long term close friend, advisor and lawyer to Standard Oil and Morales. With Morales striding about meaningfully throughout in his long camel coat I was reminded of a younger Al Pacino who I felt surely had some influence on Isaac's character traits here . . . not to mention appearance! The dialogue is solid; the performances grounded; the look, feel and tone is early 80's without question; but the story does plod a little and takes a long time to not go very far.

Despite the title do not expect much on-screen violence here - it is a character driven story of good overcoming evil and not buckling to pressure, external influences and the easy way out. There are hardships, adversity, personal and professional struggles, underscored by a deep rooted integrity and an unwavering belief to do the right thing that must be upheld at all times.

You don't need to see this on the big screen and you could easily wait for the DVD and BluRay, but, this film has garnered some excitement with one Golden Globe nominations and a total of eight award wins and 33 nominations off its US$20M production budget.

 

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 26th February 2015.

In Australia, this weekend marks the official last day of Summer, but I'm sure not the last day of sunshine, blue skies, warm days and plenty of good reasons to get outdoors! One very good reason to get out of course is to go see a new release movie, and this week we have three new films to tempt, tease and tantalise that movie dollar from out of your wallet! With the Oscar winners and grinners announced earlier this week too, there still remains plenty of great movies that featured in this years Academy Awards that are still on general or limited release giving you lots of reasons to see a new, or recently released, film. Whatever you decide, when you have seen your movie of choice share your thoughts with our other readers at Odeon Online and spread the word - good, bad or ugly!

This week then we have coming to a movie theatre near you a Big Apple period piece from the early 80's as crime in that town was hitting record highs, and one young entrepreneurial fellow sees an opportunity to make some big bucks, but, first he has to overcome some issues of his own as well as those crims circling overhead poised ready to go in for the kill! Then there is a second telling of a certain hotel in Jaipur, India for the elderly and beautiful that was a sleeper hit in 2012 and is now openings it's doors on a second property hoping to entice some new 'inmates', and, to wrap things up nice & sweetly, we have a sugar coated saccharine infused film about the dangers of the sweet sticky stuff on our health that we may not fully appreciate! Enjoy your film(s) in the week ahead!

A MOST VIOLENT YEAR (Rated MA15+) - Written, Produced and Directed by J. C. Chandor, who brought us the excellent 'All is Lost' last year, has this time turned his hand to 1981 New York - defined as one of the city's most violent and corrupt . . . ever! Made for a modest US$20M we are introduced to Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) the owner and hard working salesman of Standard Oil - a heating oil company that is doing well, but could be doing much better. Aside from a bitterly cold winter (which of course is great for business), Standard Oil has been plagued by the hijacking of several of its trucks leaving one driver badly beaten and wounded. Abel's wife Anna (Jessica Chastain) believes in fighting fire with fire but Abel is reluctant to resort to such means. While this is going on Abel's business is under scrutiny by the DA's Office and Assistant DA Lawrence (David Oyelowo) for suspicion of price fixing, tax evasion and various other alleged dodgy dealings.

Abel knows he needs to expand, grow and become master of his destiny and so hatches a plan to purchase a fuel oil terminal at a $2M+ price tag. Securing a bank loan, remortgaging the house and borrowing money from family, friends and business associates he finalises the deal and pays a substantial deposit. At the same time he moves into a new model home with wife and family, as competitor intimidation begins to ramp up against him, threats are made against his drivers and the DA get more suspicious as events continue to unfold all around him. All the while too unsavoury characters crawl out of the woodwork who want a slice of his action, or want to see him fail and Abel is jockeying his personal and family life, business affairs, the DA's Office, a criminal undercurrent and the need to raise the necessary funds to finalise his terminal deal before it all falls in a heap . . . and it's bloody cold outside! Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Supporting Role this film has so far picked up eight award wins and a further 32 nominations, and if gritty period Noo Yawk crime dramas are your thing then this is likely to please.

THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (Rated PG) - 2012's 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' was made for a mere US$10M and grossed US$138M so it was inevitable that a second outing would come our way one day . . . and that day has arrived, this week! Directed once again by John Madden, this film sees us eight months hence from where the first film finished and reunites Hotel owner and entrepreneur Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel) with his former hotel guests and cast members Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Ronald Pickup and Celia Imrie who all remain resident at the hotel, carving out new lives in Jaipur and seemingly relatively content with their lot. The hotel though is at capacity with new arrivals due imminently - Guy & Lavina (Richard Gere and Tamsin Grieg) and limited space available. With his wedding also approaching Sonny has his eye on a second property that puts further demands on his already hectic life. How will all this play out intertwined with the exploits of the guests, a new hotel in the offing, family intervention and the new hotel co-manager and resident guest Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) - who seems to be the keeper of secrets amongst fellow guests, and possibly the Miss Fixit to ensure the course of true love runs smoothly and an emerging business runs proficiently! Check-in, and see for yourself!

THAT SUGAR FILM (Rated PG) - there will be similarities thrown around here with Morgan Spurlock's film of 2004 - 'Super Size Me' that involved surviving on a McDonald's diet for a whole month for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper and everything in between. Here Aussie Actor come Director Damon Gameau chooses to go for sixty days on a high sugar diet but it must be stressed that there is no consumption of soft drinks, junk foods, or chocolate bars and sweet treats here. Instead the focus is very much on those foods that are freely available and deemed to be 'healthy'! Consuming the equivalent of 40 teaspoons of sugar a day (average for Australian's) everyday for two months Gameau here tells the story of how this physically and emotionally impacts his own body, but, this is also an exercise in education with expert contributions, informative advice, and insights into the challenges that the sugar industry has to deal with, and what to look out for on your supermarket shelves so that you really can choose healthy, and improve your diet. The film features cameo contributions from the likes of Stephen Fry, Brenton Thwaites, Isabel Lucas, Zoe Tuckwell Smith and Jessica Marais too. A film  for the whole family and something the kids should definitely see - it might make you think very differently about the sweet stuff!

That's it then for this week with three opposing films to choose from offering something sweet, something spicy and something sour to tickle your filmic taste buds. When you've had a taste - give us your thoughts on this weeks movie menu! Movies - see as many as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-