FIRST MAN : Tuesday 16th October 2018.

'FIRST MAN' which I saw at my local multiplex this week, is an American biographical drama film based on the 2005 book by James R. Hansen titled 'First Man : The Life of Neil A. Armstrong' and is Directed and Co-Produced by Oscar winner Damien Chazelle of 'Whiplash' and 'La La Land' fame. Made for US$65M the film saw its World Premier screening at the Venice International Film Festival back in August, and was subsequently screened at the Telluride Film Festival and then the Toronto International Film Festival in early September. The film went on general release in the US last week too having received generally widespread critical praise for Chazelle's Direction, the performances of Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy especially, the score and the cinematography. Box Office receipts so far amount to US$30M.

The film charts the riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon by the time the clock ticks over into 1970, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969. Launching (literally) in 1961, we see Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) struggling at the controls as a NASA test pilot of an X-15 experimental hypersonic rocket powered aircraft that was able to reach the edge of outer space, when after a moment of weightlessness the plane inadvertently bounces off the atmosphere. Even though he successfully manages to navigate the plane to a safe landing somewhere in the Mojave Desert, his superiors air their concerns about his recent spate of mishaps, and therefore choose to ground him. Meanwhile, his young daughter Karen, has a brain tumour, and is receiving cutting edge treatment. But despite this, Armstrong is distracted and pours over books, keeps copious notes on her symptoms, treatment and searches out some possible cure. But, before long Karen passes, and as any father would be, Armstrong is gutted.

Shortly afterwards Armstrong applies for Project Gemini (NASA's second human spaceflight programme) and is accepted, requiring Armstrong, his wife Janet (Claire Foy) and son Rick (Luke Winters) to move to Houston, together with a bunch of other astronauts chosen to take part in the Gemini Programme. Here he befriends Elliot See (Patrick Fugit) and Ed White (Jason Clarke) whilst under the watchful eye of Deke Slayton (Kyle Chandler) - NASA's first Chief of the Astronaut Office. Up to this point, them pesky Russians have eclipsed Uncle Sam in every aspect of the '60's Space Race, as so Slayton states in no uncertain terms the importance of Project Gemini as a precursor to the Apollo missions and the ultimate aim of putting a man on the moon by the close of the decade. Armstrong and the chosen handful of hopefuls are put through a rigorous training regime that tests them to the very limits of their endurance . . . and beyond.

Meanwhile, Janet gives birth to another son, Mark (Connor Blodgett). After the Ruskies notch up another first by performing an EVA (ExtraVehicular Activity - a spacewalk performed outside a craft orbiting the Earth), Armstrong is advised by Slayton that he has been chosen to be the Commander of Gemini 8 which would see the first docking of two spacecraft in orbit, with David Scott (Christoper Abbott) as his pilot. Armstrong and Scott successfully launch on Gemini 8 and dock as planned with the Agena Target Vehicle in space. After celebrating their success, things go rapidly pair shaped as the docked pairing of space craft begins to spin uncontrollably. Armstrong is able to successfully undock the two craft, but Gemini continues to spin at an ever increasing rate. After almost blacking out, Armstrong is able to bring the rapidly rotating craft under control and safely aborts the mission, saving their lives in the process. Janet, however, has had the privilege of listening in to their radio transmission is none too impressed with her husbands near death experience and promptly berates Slayton saying that they are all 'just a bunch of boys playing with balsa wood models . . .  you don't have anything under control'.

In due course Ed White announces that he has been selected for the Apollo 1 Mission together with Gus Grissom (Shea Whigham) and Roger Chaffee (Cory Michael Smith). During a launch simulation test on Apollo 1 on 27th January 1967, a fire inside the cabin and the resultant explosion takes the lives of White, Grissom and Chaffee. Armstrong meanwhile is representing NASA at a White House function, when he is interrupted by an urgent phone call from Slayton, advising him of this tragedy. A year or so later Armstrong is testing a Lunar Landing Research Vehicle and is nearly killed in the process, ejecting over a field and being dragged along the ground by his parachute, while the test vehicle crashes to the ground in a ball of flame.

Shortly afterwards Armstrong is advised by Slayton that he has been chosen to command the Apollo 11 Mission with a view to this culminating in a Moon landing. His crew will be Buzz Aldrin (Corey Stoll) and Michael Collins (Lukas Haas). Collins will pilot the command module Columbia alone in orbit while Armstrong and Aldrin are on the lunar surface. Shortly after, the three astronauts hold a Press Conference where Armstrong is particularly blunt and succinct in his answers to the gathered world press, leaving Aldrin to interject with more broader and lighthearted answers.

The night before the launch while Armstrong is needlessly busying himself with packing, Janet confronts him about the strong possibility that he won't survive the Mission, and steadfastly demands that he explains the risks to both Rick and Mark - his young sons. Armstrong is evasive and is clearly uncomfortable with such a confronting and potentially emotional conversation with his two boys, let alone his wife. After a brief conversation around the dinner table before the boys bedtime, Armstrong bids his boys farewell and kisses his wife goodbye, and departs for the Moon.

The day arrives, and Apollo 11 successfully launches, and within four days of flight touches down on the surface of the Moon on 20th July 1969. Armstrong became the first person to step onto the lunar surface six hours after landing on 21st July, with those immortal words 'one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind', with Aldrin joining him some twenty minutes later. After exploring the surface for some time, Armstrong walks over to a small crater and gently drops into it a bracelet that was his daughter's - forever leaving a memento to her memory on the surface of that far away place. Having spent the best part of whole day collecting samples, taking photographs, observing the Moon's surface, and going walkabout, the pair take off to rejoin Collins aboard the Columbia and head back to Earth landing in the North Pacific Ocean on the afternoon of 24th July 1969. The crew are placed in quarantine for a month. Janet visits Armstrong and through the glass panels of his temporary isolation, the pair share a quiet moment of contemplation, touching hands through the plate glass.

The film also stars Ciaran Hinds as Robert R. Gilruth - the first Director of NASA's Manned Spacecraft Centre and Pablo Schreiber as Jim Lovell, the backup Commander on Armstrong's Apollo 11 Mission.

Here, continuing with his run of Academy Award success, Damien Chazelle has crafted a nuanced film that will be surely worthy of some Oscar consideration come nomination season. Rather than the all too common chest beating and hero worship associated with such space age films, here 'First Man' paints a picture of a an everyday ordinary man pushed to extraordinary lengths in his quiet determination to be the first man on the Moon. In equal measure we see the emotion, the joy and the tragedy of Armstrong's every day family life coupled with the errors, flaws, accidents and incidents and the all too many deaths experienced by NASA and Armstrong's fellow astronaut colleagues during the course of those Gemini and Apollo Missions. Gosling gives a stoic and reserved performance as both the troubled and completely focused on his day job at the expense of his family Armstrong; while Foy more than ably supports as the no bullshit tell it as it is supportive, caring and understanding (to a point) wife. Chazelle's attention to detail throughout the film cannot be faulted, and his recreation of the era, the inner workings of NASA, and the failures and successes of the technology of the time really make this film. Concentrating on the '60's era only and the events leading up to the first Moon landing was Chazelle's choice and who can argue with that, but perhaps an insight into the reserved man post that heroic journey to go boldly where no man has gone before would have rounded out the film more completely. Nonetheless, certainly worth the price of your ticket, and you should see this on the big screen for sure.

'First Man' merits four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard, out of a possible five.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 11th October 2018.

In September the world bid a fond farewell to a number of stars of the silver screen and the small screen. In brief, shown below, is my passing tribute to those stars who leave an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, and in particular the world of film and television. May you all Rest In Peace, and thanks for the memories . . . . Burt Reynolds, Gary Kurtz, Al Matthews, Fenella Fielding and Christoper Lawford.

* Gary Douglas Kurtz : born July 27th 1940, died September 23rd 2018, aged 78. Kurtz was an American film Producer and Assistant Director who had seventeen Producer credits to his name, five as Assistant Director, four as Production Manager and two as Editor. His most notable film Production credits include 'American Graffiti', 'Star Wars : Episode IV - A New Hope', 'Star Wars : Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back', 'The Dark Crystal', 'Return to Oz' and 'Slipstream'. Over the years he collected thirteen award wins and eight nominations including two Academy Award nods for 'American Graffiti' in 1974 and 'Star Wars' in 1978. He began his career in the movie industry in 1965 as Assistant Director on the Jack Nicholson and Harry Dean Stanton Western 'Ride in the Whirlwind' and continued up until 2016 with 'Gangster Kittens'.
* Al Matthews : born Alexander Basil Matthews on November 21st 1942, died September 22nd 2018, aged 75. Matthews was a folk singer and songwriter and Actor with 36 acting credits to his name including 'Yanks', 'The Final Conflict', 'Superman III', 'Aliens' (perhaps his most famed role as Sergeant Apone), 'The Fifth Element' and 'Tomorrow Never Dies'. Matthews served for six years in the US Marine Corps taking in active duty in the Vietnam War and to that end his website reads 'I hold thirteen combat awards and decorations, including two purple hearts. I was the first black Marine in the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam to be meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant; I served with Kilo Battery, Fourth Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, of that I am very proud'.
* Fenella Fielding : born Fenella Marion Feldman on November 17th 1927 and died September 11th 2018 aged 90. Fielding was an English theatre, film and television actress, popular in the '50's and '60's and having a reputation as 'England's first lady of the double entendre', she was known too for her seductive image and distinctively husky voice. With sixty Acting credits to her name, she got her break in 1957 on three episodes of British spy drama series 'Destination Downing Street' followed up two years later with her film debut in 'Follow a Star' with Norman Wisdom, John Le Mesurier, Ron Moody and Hattie Jacques. Over the ensuing years she appeared in the likes of 'Doctor in Love', 'The Old Dark House', 'Doctor in Distress', 'Doctor in Clover', 'Carry On Regardless', 'Carry On Screaming', 'Drop Dead Darling', 'Lock Up Your Daughters', 'Guest House Paradiso' and 'The All Together'. In between time she appeared in numerous television series across single and multiple episodes, as well as short films and voice work as recently as 2017 on the short film 'Frankula'. Fielding was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity.
* Burt Reynolds : born Burton Leon Reynolds Jnr., on February 11th 1936 and died September 6th 2018 aged 82. Reynolds was an American Actor, Director and Producer but his career didn't start out that way. He attended Florida State University on a football scholarship and played halfback and he had hoped to be named to All-American teams and have a career in professional football; however, he injured his knee in the first game of his second season, and later that year lost his spleen and injured his other knee in a bad car accident, so effectively ending his professional football aspirations. With 186 Acting credits to his name, fourteen Director credits and eleven as Producer he gained his first break in television in 1958 and from that point onward worked regularly throughout the next sixty years right up until the time of his death. His television works included multiple recurring appearances on 'Riverboat', 'Gunsmoke', 'Hawk', 'Dan August', 'B.L.Stryker', 'Out Of This World', 'Evening Shade' and more recently 'Hitting the Breaks'. His more notable big screen appearances over the years include his debut film role in 1961's 'Angel Baby', and then 'Navajo Joe', 'Sam Whiskey', 'Deliverance' (one of his most famed roles), 'The Longest Yard' (both the 1974 original and the 2005 remake), 'Gator', 'Nickelodeon', 'Smokey and the Bandit' (another famed role), 'Hooper', 'Smokey and the Bandit II', 'The Cannonball Run', 'Best Friends', 'Sharky's Machine', 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas', 'City Heat', 'Boogie Nights' (highly acclaimed and award winning role), 'The Dukes of Hazzard', the critically acclaimed 2017 drama 'The Last Movie Star' and 'Defining Moments' set for a Christmas release this year. Reynolds had 34 award wins (including two Golden Globes) to his name and a further 29 nominations (including one Oscar nod, five Golden Globe, two Primetime Emmy and one BAFTA nomination).
* Christopher Lawford : born March 29th 1955, died September 4th 2018 aged 63. Lawford was an American author, actor, and activist. He was a member of the prominent Kennedy family, and son of actor Peter Lawford who had numerous film and television Acting roles from 1930 through until his death in 1984. One of the famous 'Rat Pack' he starred alongside Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr., in the original 1960 'Ocean's Eleven'. After battling various drug and legal issues throughout his earlier life, Christopher turned to the movie business in 1988 and spent over fifteen years in the film and television business as an Actor, Lawyer, Executive, and Producer. He got his first film role in 1988 in 'The Suicide Club' which was to be the first of 45 Acting credits which over the years took in 'The Russia House', 'The Doors', 'The Confession', 'The 6th Day', 'Thirteen Days', 'Exit Wounds', 'Terminator 3 : Rise of the Machines', 'The World's Fastest Indian'  and 'Slipstream' with 'Eavesdrop' being his last Acting credit in 2008. Lawford worked extensively in politics, government and the non-profit sector holding executive staff positions, and was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve on the California Department of Public Health Advisory Board.

Turning to this week we have three new filmic offerings to tease you out to your local Odeon. We launch (literally) with a biographical drama from a multi-award winning Director about mans greatest and most dangerous journey in the history of great and dangerous journeys to go boldly where no man had gone before. We then have a fictional story about a bunch of seemingly normal folk all harbouring their own secrets and lies who come together one rainy night at a hotel that straddles two States, and their last chance to find peace with themselves . . . or not as the case may be! And we then wrap up the week with another historical telling, this time of a series of terrorist attacks in India just ten years ago, as the victims fight for their survival seemingly against the odds.

Whatever your taste in big screen film entertainment is this week - be it any of the three latest release new movies as Previewed below, or those doing the rounds currently on general release and as Reviewed and Previewed in previous Blog Posts here at Odeon Online, you are most welcome to share your movie going thoughts, opinions and observations by leaving your relevant, succinct and appropriate views in the Comments section below this or any other Post. We'd love to hear from you, and in the meantime, enjoy your big screen Odeon outing during the week ahead.

'FIRST MAN' (Rated M) - this American biographical drama film is based on the 2005 book by James R. Hansen titled 'First Man : The Life of Neil A. Armstrong' and is Directed and Co-Produced by Oscar winner Damien Chazelle of 'Whiplash' and 'La La Land' fame. Made for US$60M the film saw its World Premier screening at the Venice International Film Festival back in August, and was subsequently screened at the Telluride Film Festival and then the Toronto International Film Festival in early September. It goes on general release in the US this week too having received generally widespread critical praise for Chazelle's Direction, the performances of Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy especially, the score and the cinematography.

The film tells the riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon by the time the clock ticks over into 1970, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969. A visceral, first-person account exploring the sacrifices and the cost on Armstrong and on the nation of one of the most dangerous and ultimately triumphant missions in history - the Apollo 11 mission to conquer the Moon before the decade was out in 1969. Starring Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong, Claire Foy as Janet Shearon (Armstrong's first wife), Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll as Buzz Aldrin, Ciaran Hinds, Patrick Fugit, Lukas Haas as Michael Collins, Shea Whigham, Brian d'Arcy James and Pablo Schreiber as Jim Lovell.

'BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE' (Rated MA15+) - here we have a 1960's set American thriller that is Directed, Written and Co-Produced Drew Goddard who wrote multiple episodes of popular television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', 'Angel', 'Alias', 'Lost', created and wrote two episodes of 'Daredevil' and wrote for the big screen too including 'Cloverfield', 'World War Z', 'The Martian', and 'Cabin in the Woods' which was also his Directing debut. After this outing Goddard is Writing and Directing Marvel's 'X-Force'. Back to this film though, and the storyline follows seven strangers who find themselves at the El Royale, a novelty hotel traversing the border of California and Nevada. But as the strangers — which include a priest Daniel Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a vacuum cleaner salesman Seymour Sullivan (Jon Hamm), a gangster from down south Emily Summerspring (Dakota Johnson), a former singer Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo), and a charismatic cult leader Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth) all settle into their rooms for the night, they all get one last shot at redemption before discovering that something strange is afoot inside and outside the hotel, and everything goes pear shaped. Also starring Nick Offerman, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman and Russell Crowe.

'ONE LESS GOD' (Rated MA15+) - this Australian and Nepalese joint produced film is based on the real life events that unfolded in November 2008 when a small group of Islamic militants from Pakistan lays to siege the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, and another eleven coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai resulting in 164 deaths and 308 wounded. Not to be confused with the other, as yet to be released film of the same subject matter 'Hotel Mumbai' due for release in early 2019, this film is Directed, Co-Produced, Written and Edited in his feature film debut by Aussie Liam Worthington. The film had its Premier screening in completion at the 'Dances with Films' Festival way back in June 2017 where it took out the Grand Jury Award for Best Film as well as the Industry Choice Award. When the group of terrorists bomb the hotel with six separate explosions and threaten the lives of its guests and employees the Indian forces are powerless to overcome the perpetrators, and for a whole four days are unable to regain control. During which time the guests battle for their survival as the terrorists seek to drive them out of hiding. Starring Jospeh Mahler Taylor, Sukhraj Deepak, Kabir Singh, Kieren Kumar, Nathan Kaye and Mihika Rao.

With three new release films this week to tempt you out to your local Odeon, remember to share your movie going thoughts with your other like minded cinephile friends afterwards here at Odeon Online. In the meantime, I'll see you sometime somewhere in the week ahead at your local Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

Birthday's to share this week : 16th - 22nd April 2017.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Claire Foy does on 16th April - check out my tribute to this Birthday Girl 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 16th April

• Ellen Barkin - Born 1954, turns 63 - Actress | Producer
• Claire Foy - Born 1984, turns 33 - Actress
• Anya Taylor-Joy - Born 1996, turns 21 - Actress
• Martin Lawrence - Born 1965, turns 52 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director
• Lukas Haas - Born 1976, turns 41 - Actor | Singer | Songwriter  

Monday 17th April

• Nick Hornby - Born 1957, turns 60 - Writer | Producer
• Sean Bean - Born 1959, turns 58 - Actor | Producer
• Jennifer Garner - Born 1972, turns 45 - Actress | Producer
• Rooney Mara - Born 1985, turns 32 - Actress | Producer  

Tuesday 18th April

• Hayley Mills - Born 1946, turns 71 - Actress
• Maria Bello - Born 1967, turns 50 - Actress | Producer
• America Ferrera - Born 1984, turns 33 - Actress | Producer
• Britt Robertson - Born 1990, turns 27 - Actress
• James Woods - Born 1947, turns 70 - Actor | Producer
• Rick Moranis - Born 1953, turns 64 - Actor | Writer | Producer
• Eric Roberts - Born 1956, turns 61 - Actor 
• David Tennant - Born 1971, turns 46 - Actor
• Eli Roth - Born 1972, turns 45 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director  
• Edgar Wright - Born 1974, turns 43 - Director | Writer | Producer | Actor  

Wednesday 19th April

• Tim Curry - Born 1946, turns 71 - Actor | Singer
• James Franco - Born 1978, turns 39 - Actor | Producer | Director | Writer | Singer
• Hayden Christensen - Born 1981, turns 36 - Actor | Producer
• Ashley Judd - Born 1968, turns 49 - Actress | Producer
• Kate Hudson - Born 1979, turns 38 - Actress | Producer | Director | Writer | Singer  

Thursday 20th April

• Jessica Lange - Born 1949, turns 68 - Actress | Producer | Singer
• Leslie Phillips - Born 1924, turns 93 - Actor | Producer
• Ryan O'Neal - Born 1941, turns 76 - Actor 
• Andy Serkis - Born 1964, turns 53 - Actor | Producer | Director | Singer 
• Nicholas Lyndhurst - Born 1961, turns 56 - Actor

Friday 21st April

• Charles Grodin - Born 1935, turns 82 - Actor | Writer | 
• Toby Stephens - Born 1969, turns 48 - Actor | Writer | Director 
• James McAvoy - Born 1979, turns 38 - Actor | Producer
• Andie MacDowell - Born 1958, turns 59 - Actress | Producer | 
• Gugu Mbatha-Raw - Born 1983, turns 34 - Actress | Singer

Saturday 22nd April

• Amber Heard - Born 1986, turns 31 - Actress | Producer | Singer
• Jack Nicholson - Born 1937, turns 80 - Actor | Producer | Writer | Director | Singer
• John Waters - Born 1946, turns 71 - Actor | Writer | Director | Producer 
• Lee Tamahori - Born 1950, turns 67 - Director | 
• Jeffrey Dean Morgan - Born 1966, turns 51 - Actor 

Claire Foy was born in Stockport, Manchester, England to mother Caroline - a pharmaceutical company employee and father David Foy - a sales consultant. She is the youngest of three children, and with sister Gemma and brother Robert grew up in Manchester and Leeds. The family moved to Buckinghamshire because of her fathers job relocation, and at age eight her parents divorced. At twelve years of age Claire attended Aylesbury High School for Girls, before going on to Liverpool John Moore's University where she studied drama. She also trained for a year at the Oxford School of Drama, graduating from her studies in 2007, after which she moved to a shared house in Peckham in south-east London.

While studying at Oxford, Foy took roles in several stage plays. In 2008 she scored her small screen debut in a pilot episode of supernatural horror series 'Being Human' which continued its run over five series. That same year she also took a single episode on the BBC's long running medical soap opera 'Doctors'. Later that year she gained the lead role in the fourteen episode mini-series of Charles Dickens 'Little Dorrit' as Amy Dorrit alongside Matthew Macfadyen, Tom Courtenay, Andy Serkis and Eddie Marsan. This led to a role in the two part mini-series 'Terry Prachett's Going Postal' with Charles Dance, David Suchet, Andrew Sachs and Timothy West. This was followed up with made for television film 'Pulse'.

In 2011 Foy secured her big screen debut in the fantasy action adventure film 'Season of the Witch' with Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman and Christopher Lee. That same year came drama film 'Wreckers' with Benedict Cumberbatch, and four episode mini-series 'The Promise' in which Foy took a leading role. Made for television film 'The Night Watch' was released too in 2011, and then 'Hacks' seeing out the year. In between time there was nine episodes over two series of the updated to 1936 London era 'Upstairs Downstairs' as Lady Persephone Towyne which ran from 2010 through to 2012. This led to another television mini-series running across six episodes in 2012 'White Heat' with Sam Claiflin, Jeremy Northam and Juliet Stevenson.

'Vampire Academy' followed in 2014 with Zoey Deutch, Gabriel Byrne, Olga Kurylenko and Joely Richardson, and that same year 'Crossbones' - a nine part mini-series set during the 1700's pirate years with John Malkovich as legendary pirate Edward 'Blackbeard' Teach. Later that year was biographical drama film 'Rosewater' with Gael Garcia Bernal as Iranian/Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari. Two episodes on the four-part mini-series 'The Great War : The People's Story' followed, and then Foy lent her voice work talents as the Narrator on drama documentary 'Frankenstein and the Vampyre : A Dark and Stormy Night' recounting the story of the evening in 1816 which led to the creation of Frankenstein and the first modern vampire story.

Highly acclaimed historical drama 'Wolf Hall' aired over six episodes in 2015 with Damien Lewis as King Henry VIII, Mark Rylance as his trusted advisor Thomas Cromwell and Foy as Anne Boleyn - the second wife of the King. The series also starred Bernard Hill, Tom Holland and Jonathan Pryce and picked up eleven award wins and 42 nominations including the Golden Globe and BAFTA for best limited television series.

This was followed up by a role in 'The Lady in the Van' with Maggie Smith, Jim Braodbent and Alex Jennings, and then her Golden Globe and SAG Award wins for her on the first season of the critically acclaimed Netflix production 'The Queen'. Here she plays the young Princess Elizabeth who ascends to the throne as HRH Queen Elizabeth II and charts her early years up to the mid/late 1960's. Her run however, will come to an end after Season Two concludes as Foy hands over to an older actress to portray the maturing Queen. Season Two is currently in production and goes to air later this year.

This brings us up to date, with love story feature film 'Breathe' due for release in October this year. Starring Andrew Garfield and Foy in the lead roles as husband and wife, this true story of Robin Cavendish is Directed by Andy Serkis and tells the story of how Cavendish became an advocate for the disabled after being diagnosed with Polio at age 28 and given three months to live. He was 64 when he died, confined to a wheelchair and could only breathe by artificial means having been paralysed from the neck down, but this didn't stop him! In between time there have been several stage play appearances over the years including most recently as Lady Macbeth opposite James McAvoy in 2013's 'Macbeth' production at London's West End Trafalgar Studios.

In 2014 Foy married British Actor Stephen Campbell Moore whom she starred alongside in 'Season of the Witch', 'Pulse' and 'Lady in the Van', and with whom she has a daughter, Amalia, born in early 2015. All up Foy has 22 acting credits to her name, she has two award wins for her performance on 'The Crown' and eight other nominations mostly for 'Wolf Hall' including a BAFTA nod.

Claire Foy - a star on the rise and increasingly in demand; has already achieved much in just the nine years since her breakout role but was never sure of her acting abilities when she worked in supermarkets and dead end jobs growing up; is a home girl at heart and is still getting used to being in the spotlight. We'll keep watching Claire as your star shines brighter and in the meantime Happy Birthday to you, from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-