Birthday's to share this week : 2nd-8th October 2016

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Jesse Eisenberg does on 5th October - check out my tribute to this Birthday Lad turning 33, 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 2nd October

• Sting (aka Gordon Sumner) - Born 1951, turns 65 - Singer | Songwriter | Composer | Actor | Producer

Monday 3rd October

• Clive Owen  - Born 1964, turns 52 - Actor | Producer  
• Denis Villeneuve - Born 1967, turns 49 - Director | Writer
• Sean William Scott - Born 1976, turns 40 - Actor | Producer 
• Neve Campbell - Born 1973, turns 43 - Actress | Producer | Writer
• Alicia Vikander - Born 1988, turns 28 - Actress | Producer

Tuesday 4th October

• Susan Sarandon - Born 1946, turns 70 - Actress | Producer | Singer
• Alicia Silverstone - Born 1976, turns 40 - Actress | Producer 
• Dakota Johnson - Born 1989, turns 27 - Actress
• Armand Assante - Born 1949, turns 67 - Actor | Producer
• Christoph Waltz - Born 1956, turns 60 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Liev Schreiber - Born 1967, turns 49 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director  

Wednesday 5th October

• Bob Geldof - Born 1951, turns 65 - Singer | Songwriter | Actor | Writer | Humanitarian  
• Guy Pearce - Born 1967, turns 49 - Actor | Singer
• Jesse Eisenberg - Born 1983, turns 33 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director
• Jacob Tremblay - Born 2006, turns 10 - Actor 
• Karen Allen - Born 1951, turns 65 - Actress
• Kate Winslet - Born 1975, turns 41 - Actress 

Thursday 6th October

• Britt Ekland - Born 1942, turns 74 - Actress
• Elisabeth Shue - Born 1963, turns 53 - Actress | Producer
• Ioan Gruffudd - Born 1973, turns 43 - Actor  

Friday 7th October

• Marco Beltrami - Born 1966, turns 50 - Composer | Songwriter | Musician
• Tim Minchin - Born 1975, turns 41 - Singer | Songwriter | Musician | Writer | Actor | Producer | Director  

Saturday 8th October

• Paul Hogan - Born 1939, turns 77 - Actor | Writer | Producer
• Chevy Chase - Born 1943, turns 73 - Actor | Writer | Producer | Singer
• Edward Zwick - Born 1952, turns 64 - Director | Producer | Writer
• Matt Damon - Born 1970, turns 46 - Actor | Producer | Writer
• Sigourney Weaver - Born 1949, turns 67 - Actress | Producer
• Kristanna Loken - Born 1979, turns 37 - Actress | Producer  

Jesse Adam Eisenberg was born in Queens, New York to mother Amy Fishman, a teacher of cultural sensitivity in hospitals and before that a children's party clown, and father Barry Eisenberg, a one time taxi driver before becoming a sociology college professor. He has two sisters - Hallie Kate and Kerry Lea - both of whom have worked in acting. Eisenberg had a secular Jewish upbringing in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey. He attended the East Brunswick Public Schools, then East Brunswick High School, and then moved to the High School of Performing Arts in New York, upon which the 1980 hit film 'Fame' was set. While in his senior year he secured his big screen debut in 2002 in 'Roger Dodger'. He went onto The New School in New York s Greenwich Village where he studied anthropology and contemporary architecture eventually majoring in liberal arts.

He first appeared on stage at age seven in a children's theatre production of 'Oliver', and at twelve he understudied for a 1996 Broadway Production of 'Summer and Smoke', and a year later he played the young Scrooge in a musical version of 'A Christmas Carol' at The Paramount Theatre. His first professional play came in 1999 at age sixteen in 'The Gathering' in an off-Broadway production at Playhouse 91.  His first small screen role came as Kenny Green in all 22 episodes of comedy drama series 'Get Real' from 1999 to 2000, and then made for television movie 'Lightning : Fire from the Sky' in 2001. 'Roger Dodger' came next in 2002 - his big screen debut opposite Campbell Scott, with 'The Emperor's Club' that same year with Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Paul Dano and Patrick Dempsey.

In 2004 Eisenberg secured a small role in M.Night Shyamalan's 'The Village'. He followed this up with the Noah Baumbach Written and Directed 'The Squid and The Whale' in 2005; Wes Craven's horror-comedy 'Cursed'; 'The Education of Charlie Banks' with Jason Ritter; 'The Hunting Party' with Richard Gere; 'Adventureland' with Kristen Stewart, and then probably his breakout role in 'Zombieland' - a horror-comedy with Woody Harrelson, for which a sequel is currently in the works.

The new decade saw four films in 2010 starting with 'Holy Rollers' in  which he starred alongside his sister Hailee, 'Camp Hell', 'Solitary Man' with Michael Douglas, and then as Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher's highly acclaimed and commercially successful 'The Social Network' for which Eisenberg received Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.



The next year he voiced the lead character of Blu in the animated feature 'Rio' - a voice he would reprise again in 2014 in 'Rio 2', and then '30 Minutes or Less'. 2012 saw 'Why Stop Now', 'Free Samples', Woody Allen's ensemble cast in 'To Rome With Love', 'He's More Famous Than You' and 'Now You See Me' with an all star cast a year later in 2013. He would also reprise his role as one of The Four Horsemen, Danny Atlas in the 2016 sequel 'Now You See Me 2', with a third film already announced.

In between there has been 'Night Moves', 'The Double' with Mia Wasikowska, 'The End of the Tour', 'Louder Than Bombs', 'American Ultra' with Kristen Stewart again, and as Lex Luthor in this years Zack Snyder production of the DC Extended Universe in 'Batman v. Superman : Dawn of Justice' with Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill back again as Superman. He has also had some guest television appearances on 'Saturday Night Live', 'The Newsroom', 'Modern Family' and 'Top Gear' as well as a number of theatre productions which he has also Written.

Next up is Woody Allen's 'Cafe Society' due for its Australian release later this year with Kristen Stewart once more, and DC's 'Justice League : Part One' currently filming for Zack Snyder with Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and Aquaman, with Eisenberg reposing his role as Lex Luthor again. Over the years he has also narrated numerous audiobooks as well as being the author of numerous short stories published in The New Yorker and in McSweeney's. His debut novel 'Bream Gives Me Hiccups' was released one year ago and includes these previously published pieces and more, and is being adapted for a television series with filming currently ongoing with Eisenberg Directing, Producing and Writing.

Eisenberg suffers from several forms of anxiety - obsessive compulsive disorder, separation anxiety, social anxiety and depression which he still suffers from but was more pronounced in him during his childhood years. He has found that acting helped him cope. He is a vegetarian, has been involved in animal fostering programmes and has financially supported Middle Way House - a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. He also supports 'Keep America Beautiful' and 'The Shoe Revolt' aimed at empowering youth to take up the fight against domestic sex trafficking. He also took part in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Agency video to increase awareness of the global refugee crisis.

All up Eisenberg has 38 Acting credits to his name, and one for Director, Producer and Writer on the upcoming 'Bream Gives Me Hiccups'. All up he has garnered twenty awards wins and a another 56 nominations with many of those being for his work on 'The Social Network'. He dated Anna Strout from 2002 to 2012 - a crew member and assistant on 'The Emperor's Club' when they first got together. They broke off in 2012 when Eisenberg dated his 'The Double' Co-Star Mia Wasikowska until 2015. He has since reunited with Anna Strout.

Jesse Eisenberg - trade mark curly hair, and often plays fast talking introverted shy anti-social neurotic characters. Certainly not one to be typecast having played across all genres and continuing to keep us entertained with his diverse roles - some real and some fictitious and always convincing. Happy Birthday to you Jesse and Best Wishes, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 3rd September 2015.

Finally, it's September which means just one thing! Spring has sprung with the coldest Winter in seventeen years drawing to a close with the promise of longer days, warmer evenings and sunny climes coming our way in Adelaide as we head down hill all the way to Summer. What a relief, but at least we've had some great movies during the long cold Winter months to sustain us all, and some of those Reviews and Previews you may have read here, and there is more to come this Spring. With the energy, excitement and enthusiasm of a new Season stay tuned for more movie musings, cinematic goodness and filmic insights.

This week there are six new films that offer decidedly adult fare but all mostly action and adventure to either a larger or lesser extent, some of it forced and some of it natural, and all of them with some heavy hitting talent. First up, a music bio-pic of an 80's band that grew to fame, fortune and notoriety and whose influence is still evident today; then a sleeper Agent is 'reactivated' with little knowledge of what he is capable of and what he must do to survive; then an unannounced guest arrives one day and turns several lives upside down; and next three times previously seen and now a reboot for this action hero who will drive you hard, fast and dangerous; then a coming of age story of hope, friendship and understanding; and finally two old codgers living one last adventure on foot and reconnecting . . . on many levels.

As is always the case, Odeon Online invites your own feedback on your movie experiences of the week, your observations, critical analysis or simple ponderings by leaving a note in the Comments box below this or any other Post. In the meantime, enjoy your film of choice!

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTION (Rated MA15+) - Back in 1987 five black dudes raised in Compton on the mean streets of South Los Angeles got together through the unity of their music to create a wave of change that revolutionalized the music industry with such a force that its influence remains strong almost thirty years later. Using the power of rhyme; hardcore backing beats; and the frustration, anger and brutality of their lives, they wove their life experiences into popular culture and a social voice like none had done so before. And so it was that N.W.A (Niggaz Wit Attitudes) was born out of the streets of Compton that went on to have a force across the world when it all started with the release of the debut studio album in 1988 - 'Straight Outta Compton'.

Those five guys were friends Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Jnr.), DJ Yella (Neil Brown Jnr.) and MC Ren (Aldis Hodge) forged into a Group by Jerry Heller (Paul Giamatti) as their Manager. Directed by F. Gary Gray this film was made for US$28M and has so far grossed US$141M and has received much critical acclaim for its gritty realism, its honesty, its energy and its voice for the events and experiences that gained exposure through their music.

AMERICAN ULTRA (Rated MA15+) - this film is written by Max Landis (recognise the name?) - yes he the son of legendary Director, Producer, Director and occasional Actor, John Landis, and so I am wondering if any of that aforementioned family talent has rubbed of on the young buck! With a production cost of US$28M, a second time Director in Nima Nourizadeh who is more at hime with music video's and TV commercials and a fairly big name cast, you could be forgiven that this action comedy is gonna be big. It has so far recouped US$12M and the film is about dope head, no hoper stoner Mike Howell (Jesse Eisenberg) who lives in some no name town in West Virginia where he works as a convenience store clerk with designs on asking the hand in marriage of his long term girlfriend Phoebe Larson (Kristen Stewart). What we quickly learn about Mike is that he is the only survivor of a now dormant CIA Agent programme has been programmed to lead a normal life, hide in plain sight, and lay low until activated by a series of code words that turn him into a lethal killing machine. He is completely oblivious to his hidden talents and his former intensive training until that day comes and then he must dodge death, save his girlfriend and thwart those out to silence him. Also starring Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, Bill Pullman, John Leguizamo and Nash Edgerton.

THE GUEST (Rated MA15+) - This film has been kicking around for a goodly while having Premiered at The Sundance Film Festival in January 2014 before its UK then US release in September 2014. Now a year later, it arrives in Australia. Starring Dan Stevens as just 'David' who appeared in 25 episodes of the highly acclaimed 'Downton Abbey' from 2010-2012 before branching out in movies, this is an action mystery thriller about a man who is believed to be an ex-soldier who turns up unannounced one day at the family home of his dead friend who died in combat. He seems to be a gentle, well mannered, considered guy who is welcomed in and within 24 hours has taken up residence bending over backwards for the still grieving family - parents, son and daughter. It is not long before a series of unexplained and seemingly unrelated deaths appear to be connected by one common denominator . . . David! Directed by Adam Wingard this film has garnered generally positive reviews so may be worth checking out for some fast paced, tongue in cheek, action thrills.

THE TRANSPORTER : REFUELLED (Rated MA15+) - In 2002 Jason Statham drove onto our screens as ace driver & delivery man with a difference Frank Martin in the first of 'The Transporter' series which spawned two sequels in 2005 and 2008. With a combined budget of just US$83M to deliver these three films they grossed a total US$238M so on that basis, reasonably successful. So much so that in 2015 we have a reboot with 'Refuelled' but alas no Statahm, but instead Englishman Ed Skrien plays the younger Frank in what is said to be a three instalment prequel. Made for US$30M Luc Besson has Produced and Written this film with Director duty going to Camille Delamarre. So back in the day Frank leaves a simple less dangerous life doing what he does best - transporting packages with no questions asked, on time, no fuss, but often for people you would rather not associate with. Needless to say, things get complicated in Frank's life when his Dad is kidnapped and held hostage by femme fatale Anna (Loan Chabanol) and her henchman which is part of a bigger picture plan to take down a human trafficking dude who gave her a hard time years before. As Frank gets embroiled in all of this he must play Anna at her dangerous and unpredictable game using all his skills and youthful experience. Tune in for fast cars, fast driving, fast women and fast action - it will be fun . . . and fast!

ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL (Rated M) - This film has already received much critical praise having won the Grand Jury Prize at this years Sundance Film Festival to a standing ovation. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and based on the book of the same name by Jesse Andrews this comedy drama film is all about high school teenager Greg (Thomas Mann) who spends his days making up parodies of classic movies with his good friend Earl (R.J. Cyler). One day his outlook on life and his perspectives change entirely when he is introduced by his Mum to Rachel (Olivia Cooke) who has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Greg has practically grown up with Rachel in the same class ever since Kindergarten, but the two have never engaged, until now. Also starring Jon Bernthal, Connie Britton and Nick Offerman, this film was made for just US$8M and so far made back US$7M.

A WALK IN THE WOODS (Rated M) - this film is based on Bill Bryson's book of the same name from 1998 with Robert Redford as Bill Bryson and Nick Nolte as friend and travelling companion Stephen Katz. Having lived for 20 years in the UK Bryson returned to New Hampshire where he lived for another ten years and decided to reconnect with his old homeland by walking the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail. Stretching from Georgia through to Maine this track takes in some of the most unspoilt, spectacular and tough terrain there is. Agreeing to let Stephen tag along, the two friends are almost polar opposites in terms of how they perceive their trek panning out, and so it is not long before the real adventure starts, the fun begins and their voyage of self discovery unravels as their friendship, emotions and physical condition is tested. Also starring Emma Thompson as Catherine Bryson, Mary Steenburgen as Jeannie, Nick Offerman as Dave, and Kristen Schaal as Mary Allen and Directed by Ken Kwapis.

Now there's a selection that will give you plenty to ponder. Six films in the week ahead so you could watch one a day, and take Sunday off! Whatever you decide upon, enjoy your movie, share your views & opinions, and stay well until next time!

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-