What's new in Odeon's this week : Thursday 15th November 2018.

The film awards season has officially kicked off with the 'Hollywood Film Awards' being staged on 4th November at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, California. This year marked the 22nd year that this celebration of all things Hollywood has taken place, having been launched for the first time in 1997. According to the official website, the Hollywood Film Awards 'honours some of the most acclaimed films and Actors, as well as previews highly anticipated films and talent for the upcoming year'. This years awards ceremony was Hosted by Awkwafina who toppled James Cordon as the Host with the Most for the previous three years. You can gain further details and all the news from the official website at : https://www.hollywoodawards.com/

Among this years list of twenty-four category Winners and Grinners from the world of cinema, the proud and celebrated recipients were :
* Hollywood Career Achievement Award : Nicole Kidman
* Hollywood Actor Award : Hugh Jackman for 'The Front Runner'
* Hollywood Supporting Actor Award : Timothee Chalamet for 'Beautiful Boy'
* Hollywood Actress Award : Glenn Close for 'The Wife'
* Hollywood Supporting Actress Award : Rachel Weisz for 'The Favourite'
* Hollywood Breakout Actor Award : John David Washington for 'BlacKkKlansman'
* Hollywood Breakout Actress Award : Amandla Stenberg for 'The Hate U Give'
* Hollywood Film Award : 'Black Panther'
* Hollywood Animation Award : 'Incredibles 2'
* Hollywood Director Award : Damien Chazelle for 'First Man'
* Hollywood Cinematography Award : Matthew Libatique for 'A Star Is Born'
* Hollywood Film Composer Award : Justin Hurwitz for 'First Man'
* Hollywood Costume Design Award : Sandy Powell for 'The Favourite'
* Hollywood Production Design Award : Hannah Beachler for 'Black Panther'.

This week we have just three new release movies coming to your local Odeon. We launch with the second instalment in the pre-Potterverse that sees our principle young wizard protagonist face off against a mightily powerful foe with the help of a much younger headmaster from a certain school for gifted wizard types. We then turn to a crime comedy caper concerning a career criminal getting on in life who has recently broken out of jail again and goes on a robbery spree that captures the hearts and minds of the general public and a certain detective on his tail too. We wrap up the week with an acclaimed Japanese story of a poor family living hand to mouth, on the edge of their means and who resort to petty crime to sustain themselves who take in a seemingly abandoned young girl which has repercussions for the whole family.

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 coming week.

'FANTASTIC BEASTS : THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD' (Rated M) - here we have the second film in the 'Fantastic Beasts' saga and the tenth film in the 'Wizarding World' franchise as created by one J. K. Rowling. This instalment is the sequel to 2016's 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' which grossed globally US$814M off the back of a US$180M Production Budget and picked up fifteen award wins and another 52 nominations around the traps including the first Academy Award of the whole franchise so far for Costume Design. Here David Yates Directs, who is no stranger to the J.K.Rowling world having already Directed 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince', 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2' and 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'. This film saw its World Premier screening in New York last week and goes on wide release in the US, UK, Australia and other territories this week.

In the closing moments of the first film, the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). However, true to his word, Grindelwald escaped custody and has begun mustering followers, most of whom are oblivious of his true agenda - to raise wizards and witches to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald's dastardly plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who naturally agrees to lend a hand, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the most loyal friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world. Also starring Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller, Zoe Kravitz, Carmen Ejogo, Alison Sudol, and Callum Turner.

'THE OLD MAN & THE GUN' (Rated M) - this American crime comedy film is said to be Robert Redford's final film as an Actor before he hangs up his hat for good and retires on a career that has spanned six decades both in front and behind the camera. Written for the screen and Directed by David Lowery, this film is based on the life of Forrest Tucker who died in 2004 at the age of 83 and spent his entire life from the age of fifteen in and out of prison and as a career criminal. The script is based on David Grann's 2003 article in The New Yorker titled 'The Old Man and the Gun', which was later collected in Grann's 2010 book 'The Devil and Sherlock Holmes'. Having had its World Premier screening at the Telluride Film Festival in late August this year, the film went of general release in the US in late September and has so far grossed US$10M and has received generally positive Press. At age 70, Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) makes an audacious escape from San Quentin Prison, conducting an unprecedented string of heists that confound authorities and capture the hearts of the public. Wrapped up in the pursuit are detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck), who becomes captivated with Forrest's commitment to his craft, and a woman who loves him, Jewel (Sissy Spacek) in spite of his chosen career path. Also starring Danny Glover, Tom Waits, Elisabeth Moss, John David Washington and Keith Carradine.

'SHOPLIFTERS' (Rated M) - this Japanese drama film is Written, Directed and Edited by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Premiered at the Cannes Film Festival back in May this year where is took out the prestigious Palme d'Or, was released in its native Japan in early June, has so far grossed US$54M and has received widespread critical acclaim. Somewhere in Tokyo, Osamu Shibata (Lily Franky) and his wife Nobuyo (Sakura Ando) live a life on the poverty line. Osamu gains infrequent casual employment and Nobuyo has a low-paying job, and the family has to rely largely on the grandmother's pension . . .  as well as petty crime. As Osamu is shoplifting for groceries with his son, Shota (Kairi Jo), they come across Yuri (Miyu Sasaki), a homeless four year old girl shivering in the cold. Osamu takes her home, where the family observe the symptoms of abuse and neglect. Despite their far from ideal financial circumstances, they informally adopt her, but when a shoplifting exercise goes adrift, hidden secrets begin to emerge exposing the bonds that tie the family together.

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-

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM : Monday 21st November 2016.

'FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM' which I caught earlier this week 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 went on general worldwide release last week, and has so far grossed US$261M.

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, and while walking the streets getting his bearings he comes across a corner where Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton) is up on her soapbox warning the gathered crowd of on-lookers about the dangers of wizards and witches who exist among the general population. Mary Lou is the sinister dark leader of the New Salem Philanthropic Society whose mission in life is to dispense with pesky wizards and witches. She operates under the guise of a shelter and soup kitchen for young street kids. Mary Lou has three children of her own - each troubled in some way - Credence (Ezra Miller) the mysterious and brooding adopted son; Modesty (Faith Wood-Blagrove) the youngest adopted daughter who is not all she seems; and Chastity (Jenn Murray) the oldest of the three.

While listening intently to the ramblings of Barebone, a Niffler (a black furry cross between a beaver and a duck billed platypus) escapes from Newt's deceptively nondescript leather suitcase, and goes on the rampage secretly stealing anything shiny and bright it can line its impossibly deep pouch with. On the search for the speedy little critter, Newt inadvertently bumps into Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) a 'No-Maj' (the American term for a Non-Magical human, aka, a 'Muggler' in Great Britain) carrying a matching suitcase to Newts, loaded with hand crafted pastries and baked goods to show the Bank Manager with whom he has an appointment with to secure a loan on a new bakery store. Whilst attempting to retrieve the Niffler, Newt is being watched by Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) a demoted Auror (an employee of the Ministry of Magic whose purpose is to chase down and apprehend Dark Wizards). Tina promptly arrests an unsuspecting Newt for being an unregistered Wizard and carts him off promptly to MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) in the hope that this arrest will see her regain her old job. Needless to say it doesn't.

Back in Kowalski's apartment after being rejected by the Bank Manager for a loan, a number of creatures escape from Newt's suitcase, that got switched in the ensuing fracas whilst Newt was chasing the Niffler. This in turns leads Newt on the search for his escaped beasts (large and small) that takes him all over New York City, aided by Kowalski as the unassuming accomplice.

Tina meanwhile is now on the run having raised the suspicions of Percival Graves (Colin Farrell) - the Director of Magical Security at MACUSA. Graves has a hidden agenda however, and is in cahoots with Credence Barebone and offers him a way out of his downtrodden abusive existence at the hands of his adoptive mother Mary Lou, in exchange for him locating the host of the Obscurus (a dark and powerfully destructive force that young magical children sometimes inadvertently manifest to hide their powers). One such Obscurus has been running amok in New York causing widespread destruction as was seen in the opening scene of the film.

With Newt, Kowalski and Tina on the run, the three rest up in Tina's apartment with her free-spirited mind-reading sister Queenie (Alison Sudol) - who instantly falls for Kowalski and vice versa. Newt and Kowalski disappear down into the hidden depths of Newt's suitcase and emerge down below in a cavernous menagerie of wild creatures, fantastic beasts and unusual animals of many differing types and sizes - all of which have been rescued, cared for, nursed back to health or hidden from danger. Here Newt and Kowalski spend some time getting to know each other and the latter gains an insight into the magnitude of the formers work, whilst encountering the myriad of fantastical beasts. They then re-emerge and seek to recapture the Niffler and a Erumpent (a massive Rhino like beast, that will trash anything in its path, and has a deadly liquid in its horn). The pair are successful, and then they stow away again in the suitcase to be taken off to MACUSA by Tina with the view of clearing their names now that all escaped beasts have been successfully recaptured.

That plan doesn't quite pay-off when the three are arrested with Newt being accused of the death of Senator Henry Shaw Jnr. (Josh Cowdery) the son of wealthy Henry Shaw Snr. (John Voight) at the hands of one of the escaped beasts, when in fact it was an Obscurus. As a result Newt's suitcase is ordered to be destroyed containing everything therein, while Newt and Kowalski are locked up in a cell in the bowels of the building, while Tina is interrogated by Graves. Newt is accused of conspiring with Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald (one of the most dangerous Wizards of all time, and second only to Lord Voldemort). Newt and Tina are sentenced to immediate execution, and Kowalski is to have his memory obliviated (a spell used to erase a memory of a certain event). However, Queenie with her mind reading powers hatches a cunning plan to help them escape, and they do.

Meanwhile, Graves is applying more pressure on young Credence to locate the young source of the Obscurus. Snooping around Mary Lou's shelter, Credence comes across a wand under Modesty's bed. Mary Lou intervenes and assumes that the wand belongs to Credence and is about to whip him once again, when Modesty reveals it is hers. When Mary Lou is about to vent her displeasure upon Modesty, the Obscurus is released destroying everything within the shelter and killing Mary Lou in the process. Graves arrives after the fact and chastises Credence as a squib (a child born of magical parents, but who has grown with no magical abilities), and therefore renegs on his commitment to teach the young lad in the ways of magic. At which Credence looses his cool and reveals that he is the host of the Obscurus, and in his anger, unleashes widespread destruction on New York.

The Obscurus comes to rest in a subway tunnel, chased down by Newt and Tina, who knows Credence and attempts to calm him down and restore him to his human form. In doing so, Graves arrives with a delegation from MACUSA including Seraphina (Carmen Ejogo) the President of that esteemed and august organisation. It is decided that Credence must be destroyed to keep the magic hidden from the No-Maj. Graves comes on strong with his views to use the Obscurus to expose the magical community to the No-Maj claiming that MACUSA serves to protect them, rather that itself. Seraphina orders that Graves be apprehended, and as a fight breaks out Newt overpowers him with a spell that binds his arms. He drops to his knees now powerless and Newt uses the power of revelio to reveal Graves hidden identity - to be that of Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp).

After Grindelwald is carted off muttering a few words to his captors, setting up the second instalment in this franchise, the MACUSA claim it is now too late, and that too much has happened to keep their secret magical world hidden from the No-Maj. Newt though has one more trick up his sleeve and he summons his Thunderbird to release a potion over the city that will rain down in an almighty storm erasing the memories of these most recent events from the city's No-Maj population. In the meantime, the Wizards will magically go about repairing the city to its former glory before the Obscurus attacked.

In the closing scene, we see Kowalski have his memory obliviated but his bakery dreams come true thanks to a parting gift from Newt. Tina and Newt part company at the dockside with a tear in the eyes before Newt boards his ship bound for England where he is to write his book 'Fantastic Beasts, and where to find them'. He commits to delivering a personal copy to Tina when his work is finished.

I enjoyed 'Fantastic Beasts . . . ' but not as much as I thought I would going in. It has all the touchstones of the Harry Potter world that provide an assurance of familiarity, consistency and continuity, but without the children, making this a more adult oriented offering. It is effects laden as to be expected about a film featuring fantastic beasts, mythical creatures, weird animals and some sort of magic at every turn, and these effects are all very well realised and serve the escapism factor no end, and as such is sure to attract Harry Potter fans the world over. But without these, this film would be pretty one dimensional and over in half the time, with a plot that is pretty simple and relies heavily on the creature features to deliver the films set pieces. For me, the nifty little Niffler steals the show as well as just about everything else it can lay its escaped claws on, with Redmayne playing the goofy, nervous, shy, fish outta water yet highly intelligent Scamander. It is good to see David Yates keeping us grounded in the Potterverse given his success in that space, but at the same time taking us off in a whole new direction with this film, with its more adult themes and underlying messages. For the first of a five film franchise, there is a strong foundation here that hopefully can be built upon for create success moving forward. The second instalment, to be set in Paris is slated for November 2018.

-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-

Birthday's to share this week : 3rd - 9th January 2016.

Do you celebrate your Birthday this week?

Eddie Redmayne does on 6th January - check out my tribute to this Birthday Boy, turning 34, 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 3rd January

• Verne Troyer - Born 1969, turns 47 - Actor
• Frank Langella - Born 1938, turns 78 - Actor

Monday 4th January

• Julia Ormond - Born 1965, turns 51 - Actress

Tuesday 5th January

• Diane Keaton - Born 1946, turns 70 - Actress | Producer | Director
• Hayao Miyazaki - Born 1941, turns 75 - Director | Writer | Animator | Editor
• Roger Spottiswoode - Born 1945, turns 71 - Director | Writer | Producer | Editor
• Bradley Cooper - Born 1975, turns 41 - Actor | Producer
• Robert Duvall - Born 1931, turns 85 - Actor | Producer
• Vinnie Jones - Born 1965, turns 51 - Actor
• Clancy Brown - Born 1959, turns 57 - Actor

Wednesday 6th January 

• Eddie Redmayne - Born 1982, turns 34 - Actor
• Norman Reedus - Born 1969, turns 47 - Actor | Writer | Director
• Rowan Atkinson - Born 1955, turns 61 - Actor | Writer | Producer
• Sylvia Syms - Born 1934, turns 82 - Actress

Thursday 7th January

• Linda Kozlowski - Born 1958, turns 58 - Actress
• Nicolas Cage - Born 1964, turns 62 - Actor | Producer
• Jeremy Renner - Born 1971, turns 45 - Actor | Producer
• David Caruso - Born 1956, turns 60 - Actor | Producer

Friday 8th January

• David Bowie - Born 1947, turns 69 - Singer | Songwriter | Actor | Producer
• John McTiernan - Born 1951, turns 65 - Director | Producer | Writer

Saturday 9th January 

• J.K.Simmons - Born 1955, turns 61 - Actor | Producer
• Imelda Staunton - Born 1956, turns 60 - Actress
• Joely Richardson - Born 1965, turns 51 - Actress

Edward John David Redmayne was born in Westminster, London, England to mother Patricia Burke who managed a relocation business and father Richard Redmayne, a senior banking businessman. He has an older brother James, a younger brother Thomas, and two half brothers, Eugene and Charles. He attended the independent prep, school for boys - Colet Court in Barnes, London, and then Eton College and did so in the same year as Prince William. Leaving there he went onto Trinity College, Cambridge studying the history of art from where he graduated in 2003. He took drama lessons from an early age having been encouraged to do so by his parents, which he continued throughout school and university, including with the National Youth Music Theatre. His first stage gig was in the Sam Mendes production of 'Oliver' playing a workhouse boy.

Before turning to professional acting Redmayne modelled for Burberry with Alex Pettyfer and Cara Delevingne. He made his professional stage debut in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' in 2002 for which he won the award for Most Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, and then Best Newcomer at the Critics Circle Theatre Awards for 'The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?' in 2005. In 2009 he appeared in 'Red' for which he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and he then took the play to Broadway for a fifteen week run for which he won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play. He subsequently played Richard II in 'Richard II' in London's Donmar Warehouse.

Redmayne graduated from some minor television roles with his debut feature film in 2006 with 'Like Minds' starring alongside Toni Collette and Richard Roxburgh, with 'The Good Shepherd' coming next that same year as Directed by Robert De Niro with a huge cast including the great man himself with Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin and William Hurt. The following year saw 'Savage Grace' with Julianne Moore and that same year 'Elizabeth : The Golden Age' with Cate Blanchett in the title role and Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen. Redmayne had starred in 2005 in a television mini-series 'Elizabeth I' playing the Earl of Southampton -  a role that doubtless prepared him well for this one!

2008 brought 'The Yellow Handkerchief' with William Hurt again, and 'The Other Boleyn Girl' with Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana and Benedict Cumberbatch. 2009 saw 'Powder Blue' with Forest Whittaker, Ray Liotta and Patrick Swayze, and 'Glorious 39' that same year with Christopher Lee, Bill Nighy and Juno Temple, and 'Black Death' a year later with Sean Bean. As the decade drew to a close there had also been television mini-series 'The Pillars of the Earth' and 'Tess of the D'Urbevilles'.


'Hick' kicked of 2011 with Chloe Grace Moretz and Juliette Lewis, with 'My Week with Marilyn' starring Michelle Williams, Julia Ormond and Kenneth Branagh, and then Kathryn Bigelow's 'The Miraculous Year' with Susan Sarandon and Frank Langella. 2012 saw 'Les Miserables' with Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.

2014 hailed Redmayne's Oscar winning turn as Stephen Hawking in 'The Theory of Everything', before The Wachowski's 'Jupiter Ascending' a year later with Sean Bean again, Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis. 'The Danish Girl' is up next early this year with Alicia Vikander and Ben Whishaw with 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' currently in post-production and based on the book of the same name by one J.K.Rowling who also penned that lesser known series of books about one certain young magician whizz kid Harry Potter.

All up Redmayne has 24 acting credits to his name so far. He won the Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA for his lead role in 'The Theory of Everything' and has a pending nomination for this years Golden Globes for his role in the upcoming 'The Danish Girl' as well as sixteen other award wins and a further 54 nominations. When he picked up his Oscar statue in 2015 he was the first actor to do so born in the 1980's, and, he picked up his award alongside Best Actress Julianne Moore for 'Still Alice' - his co-star from 'Savage Grace' some years earlier. He is also strongly touted for further critical acclaim and recognition with Tom Hooper's 'The Danish Girl' due in Australian Cinema's on 28th January.

In December 2014 he married Hannah Bagshaw, and in the Queen's Birthday Honours List was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to drama.

Eddie Redmayne - rising star of stage, television, film and already much lauded and highly acclaimed; deeply grounded, diverse acting range and keeps it real whether playing bio-pics, period pieces, Sci-Fi or present day drama and infinitely watchable as a result. Happy Birthday to you Eddie - from Odeon Online.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

The 87th Academy Awards - 22nd February 2015.

On Sunday evening 22nd February 2015 the 87th Annual Academy Awards were held at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. Hosted this year, for the first time, by Actor, Producer, Director, Comedian and various other employments tags, Neil Patrick Harris - this Hollywood night of nights was attended by the glitterati, glamourati and paparazzi of the film industry that make up the highly anticipated back slapping, hand wringing, teeth clenching, finger crossing and emotionally charged Oscar ceremony.

With awards given out in 24 categories, this year there were seventeen films that had multiple nominations going into awards night. These were 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)' each having nine nominations; 'The Imitation Game' had eight; 'American Sniper' and 'Boyhood' had six apiece; 'Foxcatcher', 'Interstellar', 'Whiplash' and 'The Theory of Everything' all had five; 'Mr. Turner' had four; 'Into the Woods' and 'Unbroken' with three; and with two nominations each were 'Guardians of the Galaxy', 'Ida', 'Wild, 'Selma' and 'Inherent Vice'.

Shown below then, are the winner & grinners from Oscar Night 2015 in the main categories :-

Best Picture : 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Best Animated Feature Film : 'Big Hero 6'
Best Documentary Feature Film : 'CitizenFour'
Best Foreign Language Film : 'Ida'

Best Achievement in Directing : Alejandro G. Inarritu for 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'

Best Actor in a Leading Role : Eddie Redmayne for 'The Theory of Everything' 
Best Actress in a Leading Role : Julianne Moore for 'Still Alice'
Best Actor in a Supporting Role : J.K.Simmons for 'Whiplash' 
Best Actress in a Supporting Role : Patricia Arquette for 'Boyhood'

Best Cinematography : 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)' 
Best Visual Effects : 'Interstellar'
Best Production Design :  'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Best Costume Design : 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Best Make-Up & Hair : 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Best Original Music Score : 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'

Best Original Screenplay : 'Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
Best Adapted Screenplay : 'The Imitation Game'

In the final analysis both 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' and 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)' walked away with four golden statues each from nine nominations each, and 'Whiplash' took three from its five nominations.

For this Reviewer and Movie Critic this years Academy Awards were one of the most closely contested  in recent years - in my humble opinion. The competition was very strong and because of it final decisions could have gone any way. I am surprised that not more was made of 'Boyhood, 'Nightcrawler', 'The Imitation Game', 'Mr. Turner', 'Foxcatcher' and 'American Sniper' for example - all excellent movies and Reviewed previously at this Blog. If nothing else it has been good to see such a rich year in terms of cinematic content resulting in closely fought contests this awards season, and, with the promise of more to come over the next twelve months.

Keep watching, keep reading and, see as many movies as you can!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 19th February 2015.

With all the new release movie hiatus that kick-started 2015, things seem to have dropped a gear now that awards season is almost done and the pressure is off until the Easter Holidays when we can expect new cinema content aimed squarely at that holiday season. Until then, we'll make do with those films Reviewed in previous weeks and still doing the rounds on general release, plus a couple of new releases out in the week ahead that in all probability won't cause a huge stir, but are likely to find an audience nonetheless.

And so we have a Directorial debut from one of America's favourite political satirists, television journalists and two time Oscar Host about an Iranian journalist caught in the proverbial cross-fire while going about his work and paying the price for it; and, Director siblings who brought us one of the most groundbreaking hyped up talked about trilogies in cinema history going back to the world of extravagant Sci-Fi that they know best.

Whatever you choose to watch in the coming week ahead. share your thoughts on Odeon Online in the Comments box immediately below this Post, or any other, and be a movie critic yourself with our ever expanding global readership! Enjoy your film!

JUPITER ASCENDING (Rated M) : Written, Produced and Directed by Andy & Lana Wachowski, who of course brought us 'The Matrix' trilogy in 1999 and then wrapped it up in 2003, have spent US$176M to bring us this foray into fast paced action packed effects laden Sci-Fi with 'Jupiter Ascending'. With a strong cast to help the proceedings this might be the draw card this films needs to give it a boost as Box Office returns have generated a below expectation US$92M faring better outside of the US so far than within it. Anyway, to the story!

Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis) cleans upmarket houses for a living with her mother. One day she witnesses a strange phenomenon and takes a photo, but later has no recollection of doing so or what the images in the photo mean. During a minor surgical procedure the medical staff attending to her try to kill here but she is saved by Caine Wise (Channing Tatum) who turns out to be a genetically engineered ex-military fighter and hunter who has been sent from a galaxy far far away to protect and save Jupiter - although she of course has no idea why! When all is revealed it seems that Earth (and many other planets) were seeded long ago by alien royalty who act like a cosmic corporation overseeing numerous interplanetary worlds. It seems that Jupiter by genetic reincarnation is the heir to Planet Earth, but there is an alien family who have other plans for Jupiter Jones and her supposed inheritance - hence the attempt to dispense with her while undergoing surgery! This consists of the Abrasax family (the most powerful of all alien dynasties) - Balem (Eddie Redmayne), Kalique (Tuppence Middleton) and Titus (Douglas Booth) who are at odds with what to do with little old Earth when the family matriarch passes away! The struggles and challenges that ensue could change the course of the cosmos forever, unless Jupiter, with the help of Caine and various others - Stinger Apini (Sean Bean) and Diomika Tsing (Nikki Amuka-Bird) of the inter-galactic Police Force, can overcome those who will stop at nothing to have their way!

ROSEWATER (Rated M) - Jon Stewart is the political satirist, television commentator, media critic, Writer, Producer, Host of The Daily Show, two time Host of the Academy Awards, stand-up comic and now film Director - in this his first outing as such. Here he tells us the story of London based Iranian Canadian BBC journalist Maziar Buhari (Gael Garcia Bernal) who returned to Iran in 2009 to cover the unfolding Presidential elections there, and provides his media footage to foreign publications worldwide. As a result of smuggling election campaign riot footage back to the BBC  he was imprisoned for 118 days in Evin Prison northwest of Tehran where he was mostly blindfolded and harassed, tortured and beaten in isolation for his crime of spying and espionage - the work of a traitor. He was later interviewed by Stewart for the Daily Show which was seen as further evidence that he was indeed a spy and in collaboration with the US Government and the CIA. Buhari's captor and interrogator (Kim Bodnia) for the time spent in Evin Prison was distinguishable only by the smell of rosewater - hence the films title! A poignant, relevant true story deftly handled it seems by first time Director Stewart, that lays a solid foundation for future works.

That's it for this week - two films at complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Whatever you decide to see - either of these, both of these, or any of those still doing the rounds, lets us know your thoughts and share with the cinema going, movie loving film fanatics of the world.

Movies - catch one this week!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

The BAFTA Awards - Sunday 8th February 2015.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts held their annual film awards for the 68th time on Sunday evening earlier this week at London's Royal Opera House, and hosted for the tenth time by Actor, Raconteur, and Television personality Stephen Fry. With the Golden Globes, AACTA's, Screen Actors Guild and now the BAFTA's all done, this leaves only the Grand Daddy of them all later this month - the Academy Awards on 22nd February.

Summarised below are the main winners & grinners from the UK's film night of nights which for my mind was a little one sided in the final analysis with many great movie offerings being overlooked that hitherto have been lauded from on high. As I'm not on the judging panel though I accept no responsibility - those that did win clearly gave notable and outstanding performances/services all round, but as always with such things you could debate the decisions for or against those that won and those that lost all night long! So with that in mind . . . the winners are :-

Best Film : 'Boyhood'
Best British Film : 'The Theory of Everything'
Best Animated Film : 'The LEGO Movie'
Best Documentary Film : 'Citizenfour'
Best Foreign Language Film : 'Ida'

Best Actor in a Lead Role : Eddie Redmayne for 'The Theory of Everything'
Best Actress in a Lead Role : Julianne Moore for 'Still Alice'
Best Actor in a Supporting Role : J.K.Simmons for 'Whiplash'
Best Actress in a Supporting Role : Patricia Arquette for 'Boyhood'

Best Direction : Richard Linklater for 'Boyhood'
Best Adapted Screenplay : Anthony McCarten for 'The Theory of Everything'
Best Original Screenplay : Wes Anderson for 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'

Best Production Design : 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Best Costume Design : 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Best Make-up & Hair : 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
Best Special Visual Effects : 'Interstellar'
Best Music Score : Alexandre Desplat for 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
In the final analysis 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' won five awards from a total eleven nominations and did the best on the day, with the runners up coming from 'The Theory of Everything' which won three awards from ten nominations, and both 'Boyhood' and 'Whiplash' picking up three wins each from five nominations each. Although receiving multiple nominations too, I was surprised that none of 'Birdman', 'The Imitation Game', 'Nightcrawler', 'Mr. Turner' or 'Interstellar' fared better.

That's it then for another year from the BAFTA's with just the icing on the cake to come - keep watching the movies and keep reading this Blog for more movie Reviews, Previews, News and Views and your final wrap on the Oscar's in just over a week!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-