Easter School holidays are done, kids back at school, the Winter days drawing in and this weeks new releases have a decidedly more mature, adult feel. That said there are still plenty of movies doing the rounds that will appeal to the child/teen market, but if Mum & Dad what a night off then there are three offerings to tempt your movie going dollar and give you something a little more deep, meaningful and thought provoking.
When you've decided which is the one for you, sit back, relax, chomp on your bucket 'o' popcorn, and slurp on your gallon of brown fizzy stuff and enjoy the movie!
FADING GIGOLO - John Turturro writes, directs and stars as our fading gigolo of the title here who down on his luck, job and money thinks he has all the makings of an ageing gigolo more than capable of satisfying the mind, body and soul of any woman. Supported by his also cash starved friend and self appointed manager (Woody Allen) the two embark on a series of encounters with the fairer sex that has our gigolo doing the jiggy jiggy with Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara and Vanessa Paradis (in her first English language film) with various curved balls thrown in for good measure. These include Brooklyn's Jewish community, the disconnect with what the body yearns for and what your Religion will allow, and of course the line between money and love/sex/instant gratification. Set against the back drop of NYC, and with Woody Allen's influences upon John Turturro this could be quietly and charmingly worth a look.
YOUNG & BEAUTIFUL - from French Director, Francois Ozon and with subtitles, this is a coming of age, sexual awakening story centering around 17 year old Isabelle (Marine Vatch) who upon losing her virginity moves on quickly to become a call girl unknown to her family and closest friends. A relationship develops with an older client, and then her secret begins to unravel as her Mother discovers her double life and complications ensue. Set across four seasons, this is described as a slow burning film that will rein you in and captivate you from beginning to end as it twists and weaves and Isabelle searches for her true identity amidst her young fractured life.
52 TUESDAYS - as the name implies this film was shot over 52 consecutive Tuesdays spanning a year. It features a largely unknown cast of non-professional acting talent and directed by Sophie Hyde in her debut as film-maker. This Australian production filmed in Adelaide took out best film at the Berlin Film Festival. It centres around gender transition from mother Jane to becoming father James and the relationship with teenage daughter Billie whose story of teen angst and confusion dovetails in with her own sexual awakening, the re-establishment of a relationship with her father, and the mental and emotional readjustment of the relationships that must follow as a result of these actions that unfold over the course of the year on screen. Prepare for a roller coaster ride.
Decidedly catering for the adult audience this week, these films will not be to everyone's taste but it seems that sex is on for young and not so young, for the serious and not so serious, and for the confused and the experienced. Enjoy your outing to the movies this week, and let me know what you think.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Wednesday 30 April 2014
Saturday 26 April 2014
Birthdays to share this week : 27th April - 3rd May.
Do you share your birthday with a well known, highly regarded & famous Actor or Actress; share your special day with a Writer, Director, Producer, Editor or Songwriter of repute; or share an interest in whoever might notch up another year in the coming week? Then, look no further! Whilst there will be too many to mention in this little but not insignificant 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 over the coming week. If so, Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online!
Check out too the spotlight on this weeks Birthday Boy on 29th April, Daniel Day-Lewis, at the end of this feature.
Sunday 27th April
Turning 57 years of age this week Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis has been described as the greatest living actor, and the English Robert De Niro. He has English and Irish joint nationality and lives on a fifty acre farm in County Wicklow south of Dublin, with his wife Rebecca Miller (daughter of playwright Arthur Miller) and two children.
Well known for the very careful consideration of the roles he chooses, he is selective about who he works with, the genre in which he stars, and what he can bring to the performance. Renowned for his extensive preparation into the characters he portrays on screen, his unwavering 'method' approach, for remaining 'in character' between takes and when not filming, and for the dramatic convincing performances he delivers which have garnered him numerous accolades over the years.
He has been nominated five times for the Oscar and has won it three times in the Leading Actor category (more than any other) for 'My Left Foot' in 1989, 'There will be Blood' in 2007 and 'Lincoln' in 2012. He has been nominated in the BAFTA's six times for the Lead Actor Award and won it four times, and similarly nominated seven times for the Golden Globe and won it twice.
His impressive and much lauded credits include 'Lincoln', 'There will be Blood', 'Gangs of New York', 'In the name of the Father', 'The Last of the Mohicans', 'My Left Foot', 'The Boxer', 'The Crucible', 'A Room with a View' and 'My Beautiful Laundrette' amongst others. He has reportedly said that he intends to now take a five year sabbatical from acting to concentrate on his 'rural skills' and enjoying his family life down on the farm!
This remains to be seen if he can be tempted back with another meaty award winning role . . . only time will tell, and don't leave it too long Daniel! Regardless of your decision, Happy Birthday Daniel, from Odeon Online.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Check out too the spotlight on this weeks Birthday Boy on 29th April, Daniel Day-Lewis, at the end of this feature.
Sunday 27th April
- Sheena Easton - Born 1959, turns 55 - Actress | Composer | Singer
Monday 28th April
- Jessica Alba - Born 1981, turns 33 - Actress
- Penelope Cruz - Born 1974, turns 40 - Actress
- Ann-Margaret - Born 1941, turns 73 - Actress
- Jay Leno - Born 1950, turns 64 - TV Personality | Actor | Writer | Producer
Tuesday 29th April
- Uma Thurman - Born 1970, turns 44 - Actress
- Michelle Pfeiffer - Born 1958, turns 56 - Actress
- Daniel Day-Lewis - Born 1957, turns 57 - Actor
- Jerry Seinfeld - Born 1954, turns 60 - Actor | Writer | Producer
- Phillip Noyce - Born 1950, turns 64 - Director | Producer | Cinematographer
Wednesday 30th April
- Kirsten Dunst - Born 1982, turns 32 - Actress
- Lars von Trier - Born 1956, turns 58 - Director | Writer | Producer
- Burt Young - Born 1940, turns 74 - Actor
- Jane Campion - Born 1954, turns 60 - Director | Writer | Producer
Thursday 1st May
- Wes Anderson - Born 1969, turns 45 - Director | Producer
- Joanna Lumley - Born 1946, turns 68 - Actress
- James Badge Dale - Born 1978, turns 36 - Actor
Friday 2nd May
- Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson - Born 1972, turns 42 - Actor | Wrestler | Producer
- David Suchet - Born 1946, turns 72 - Actor
- David Beckham - Born 1978, turns 36 - Actor | Soccer Legend
Saturday 3rd May
- Ben Elton - Born 1959, turns 55 - Writer | Producer | Actor
- Rob Brydon - Born 1965, turns 49 - Actor | Writer | Producer | TV Personality
Turning 57 years of age this week Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis has been described as the greatest living actor, and the English Robert De Niro. He has English and Irish joint nationality and lives on a fifty acre farm in County Wicklow south of Dublin, with his wife Rebecca Miller (daughter of playwright Arthur Miller) and two children.Well known for the very careful consideration of the roles he chooses, he is selective about who he works with, the genre in which he stars, and what he can bring to the performance. Renowned for his extensive preparation into the characters he portrays on screen, his unwavering 'method' approach, for remaining 'in character' between takes and when not filming, and for the dramatic convincing performances he delivers which have garnered him numerous accolades over the years.
He has been nominated five times for the Oscar and has won it three times in the Leading Actor category (more than any other) for 'My Left Foot' in 1989, 'There will be Blood' in 2007 and 'Lincoln' in 2012. He has been nominated in the BAFTA's six times for the Lead Actor Award and won it four times, and similarly nominated seven times for the Golden Globe and won it twice.His impressive and much lauded credits include 'Lincoln', 'There will be Blood', 'Gangs of New York', 'In the name of the Father', 'The Last of the Mohicans', 'My Left Foot', 'The Boxer', 'The Crucible', 'A Room with a View' and 'My Beautiful Laundrette' amongst others. He has reportedly said that he intends to now take a five year sabbatical from acting to concentrate on his 'rural skills' and enjoying his family life down on the farm!
This remains to be seen if he can be tempted back with another meaty award winning role . . . only time will tell, and don't leave it too long Daniel! Regardless of your decision, Happy Birthday Daniel, from Odeon Online.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Thursday 24 April 2014
DIVERGENT - Wednesday 23rd April 2014
I took my 13 year old lad to the movies last night, gave him the choice and as a result we saw 'DIVERGENT'. This film is aimed squarely at the teen market let me tell you, but there is nothing wrong with that as long as you go in to your theatre with that expectation. This is riding on the coat tales of 'HARRY POTTER', 'TWILIGHT' and perhaps more significantly 'THE HUNGER GAMES', and it is that latter offering that presents most parallels.
Veronica Roth has penned this worldwide literary success story which so far spans three books I believe of which 'DIVERGENT' is the first instalment. Whilst it comes after the aforementioned 'HUNGER GAMES' to the big screen, its pages predate it. That said there are many similarities - dystopian world, teenage heroine, a segregated populace, slightly unhinged overlord, the meek and downtrodden rising up, advanced technology by the bucket load, love interest, and the young ones carrying the weight of their responsibilities when it all turns to shit!
We have a world that has been torn apart by war about 100 years ago and not much survives outside the walls of a dystopian Chicago (or so we are led to believe, so far). Chicago has been made a safe haven for the privileged although the city we would recognise today is ravaged by war, overgrown by vegetation, with dried up rivers and waterways, and makeshift housing all contained within a city perimeter electrified fortified fence that you could barley fly over let alone climb! Within this city the inhabitants have been split into 'factions' based on their personality traits, emotional leaning, intelligence, strengths, and weaknesses. These factions are 'Amity' (peaceful), 'Abnegation' (selfless), 'Candor' (honest), 'Erudite' (intelligent), and 'Dauntless' (brave), and there are those poor souls who wander aimlessly as they have been deemed 'factionless'. Enter our brave heroine Beatrice (later to become Tris) who like all comers of age have to be tested to determine which faction they are best suited to - supposedly a fool proof test that never fails . . . until now of course! Her test is inconclusive but this must remain secret if she is to survive, and so coming from 'Abnegation' she can elect (against her test result) to enter another faction from which there is no going back, and she chooses 'Dauntless'. This faction are the nations security, law givers, peace keepers - they are cool, do their are own thing, live dangerously, highly trained and have all the best fun!
But there is trouble in paradise and after a lengthy training segment occupying a good hour+ of screen time in which Tris and her new 'initiates' are put to every possible physical and emotional test, she is good to go and welcomed to the fold. Here she falls for 'Four' - her trainer, mentor and ultimate saviour, and they both fall foul of the 'Erudite' leader Jeanine, played by Kate Winslet (channelling Jodie Foster from last years 'ELYSIUM') because they are both 'Divergent' meaning that her inconclusive test showed in fact that she has a leaning to three factions, making her potentially dangerous as well as superior to all other mere mortals.
It therefore falls to Tris and Four to lead a small uprising as Jeanine seeks to bring down the Abnegation faction using the drugged Dauntless crew so that Eurdite can rule supreme. Is this making sense?
The film moves along at a good pace, the scene is set solidly for future instalments, the cast perform well and the dystopian Chicago cityscape presented on screen is believable. This will do well no doubt to secure the future of the franchise and give us 'Insurgent' and 'Allegiant' in years to come.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Veronica Roth has penned this worldwide literary success story which so far spans three books I believe of which 'DIVERGENT' is the first instalment. Whilst it comes after the aforementioned 'HUNGER GAMES' to the big screen, its pages predate it. That said there are many similarities - dystopian world, teenage heroine, a segregated populace, slightly unhinged overlord, the meek and downtrodden rising up, advanced technology by the bucket load, love interest, and the young ones carrying the weight of their responsibilities when it all turns to shit!
We have a world that has been torn apart by war about 100 years ago and not much survives outside the walls of a dystopian Chicago (or so we are led to believe, so far). Chicago has been made a safe haven for the privileged although the city we would recognise today is ravaged by war, overgrown by vegetation, with dried up rivers and waterways, and makeshift housing all contained within a city perimeter electrified fortified fence that you could barley fly over let alone climb! Within this city the inhabitants have been split into 'factions' based on their personality traits, emotional leaning, intelligence, strengths, and weaknesses. These factions are 'Amity' (peaceful), 'Abnegation' (selfless), 'Candor' (honest), 'Erudite' (intelligent), and 'Dauntless' (brave), and there are those poor souls who wander aimlessly as they have been deemed 'factionless'. Enter our brave heroine Beatrice (later to become Tris) who like all comers of age have to be tested to determine which faction they are best suited to - supposedly a fool proof test that never fails . . . until now of course! Her test is inconclusive but this must remain secret if she is to survive, and so coming from 'Abnegation' she can elect (against her test result) to enter another faction from which there is no going back, and she chooses 'Dauntless'. This faction are the nations security, law givers, peace keepers - they are cool, do their are own thing, live dangerously, highly trained and have all the best fun!
But there is trouble in paradise and after a lengthy training segment occupying a good hour+ of screen time in which Tris and her new 'initiates' are put to every possible physical and emotional test, she is good to go and welcomed to the fold. Here she falls for 'Four' - her trainer, mentor and ultimate saviour, and they both fall foul of the 'Erudite' leader Jeanine, played by Kate Winslet (channelling Jodie Foster from last years 'ELYSIUM') because they are both 'Divergent' meaning that her inconclusive test showed in fact that she has a leaning to three factions, making her potentially dangerous as well as superior to all other mere mortals.
It therefore falls to Tris and Four to lead a small uprising as Jeanine seeks to bring down the Abnegation faction using the drugged Dauntless crew so that Eurdite can rule supreme. Is this making sense?
The film moves along at a good pace, the scene is set solidly for future instalments, the cast perform well and the dystopian Chicago cityscape presented on screen is believable. This will do well no doubt to secure the future of the franchise and give us 'Insurgent' and 'Allegiant' in years to come.-Steve, at Odeon Online-
OBLIVION - archive from 18th April 2013
Saw 'OBLIVION' last night - the latest in an upcoming canon of Sci-Fi movies hitting our multiplexes to satisfy our hunger for the future status! That said, I enjoyed this Tom Cruise outing set in a dystopian 2077 after the Moon was destroyed in an alien attack creating tsunami's, earthquakes and all manner of natural disasters to devastate our fragile planet.
After the battle for our planet, Earth came out the victor but the World lost and what's left of the populace and being packed off to Titan. There are some stunning thought provoking visuals in this film, a few twists & turns, a solid enough story line, sufficient action and plenty of technical gadgetry to keep any gizmo geek amused.
Subsequently - if you are considering this or 'ELYSIUM' or even 'AFTER EARTH' while perusing your downloads or standing at your DVD rental store or booth, this Tom Cruise offering wins hands down, with 'Elysium' a close second and 'After Earth' a poor also ran!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
After the battle for our planet, Earth came out the victor but the World lost and what's left of the populace and being packed off to Titan. There are some stunning thought provoking visuals in this film, a few twists & turns, a solid enough story line, sufficient action and plenty of technical gadgetry to keep any gizmo geek amused.
Subsequently - if you are considering this or 'ELYSIUM' or even 'AFTER EARTH' while perusing your downloads or standing at your DVD rental store or booth, this Tom Cruise offering wins hands down, with 'Elysium' a close second and 'After Earth' a poor also ran!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Wednesday 23 April 2014
What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 24th April 2014.
With the school holidays almost done, and Easter fast becoming a fading memory this weeks new offerings are a little thinner on the ground, but still offer something for everyone, as is usually the case. On the one hand we have a sci-fi thriller with some Hollywood heavyweights delving into the depths of A.I. helmed by a first time Director out of the Chris Nolan stable. Then we have a true grit boys own adventure of daring-do up against the odds in this documentary feast for the extreme sportsman and adventurer in the land where it's often white, cold and dangerous! And finally, a Japanese foreign language film that begs the question 'nature or nurture' and which path would you choose?
With a forecasted wet ANZAC long weekend looming what better way to while away a few hours with a movie in a dark place with a bunch of strangers, a bucket 'o' popcorn, and a feast for the senses! Sit back and enjoy!
TRANSCENDENCE (Rated M) - with a strong cast comprising Johnny Depp in the lead role ably supported by Morgan Freeman, Paul Bettany and Cillian Murphy this is Directed by first timer Wally Pfister, who hitherto has been the Director of Photography for one Christopher Nolan (he of recent 'Batman' franchise fame and 'Inception' amongst others). As such, given the cinematic beauty of these films at the hands of Mr. Pfister we should be in for a visual treat - especially given the technologically heavy subject matter. This film is all about Artificial Intelligence, and when tech expert Will Caster (Depp) is shot by extremists and given five weeks to live the only thing to do is to hook Caster's genius grey matter up to the super computer he has developed to create A.I. Needless to say things go awry when more power is needed to support Caster's rapidly developing, all knowing, all seeing, all intelligent brain and the world around us starts to implode. This is likely to be 'man versus machine', 'science over religion', 'evolution over revolution' stuff that will have you debating long after the credits have rolled. This stuff has been committed to celluloid lots of times before in the likes of Kubrick's '2001 : A Space Odyssey', Spielberg's 'A.I.', Disney's 'TRON' and many more - will this stand up to those? You decide!
THE CROSSING (Rated M) - this is the true story of two young Aussie adventurers Clarke Carter and Chris Bray as they set off determined to cross a remote Arctic island in 100 days armed with supplies and their home made kayak's - a mere 1,000 km trek. Having set out in true gung-ho style the lads failed after 58 days having covered just a third of the distance. With true Aussie grit coursing through their veins they collected their wits, determination and exuberance and set forth three years later better equipped, better supplied and better prepared for their 1,000 trek in 100 days. They soon realise however, that the island and Mother Nature are not to be messed with and this documentary film, edited from over 100 hours of Hi-Def footage, charts their epic journey from beginning to end. A story of the human spirit, courage in the face of adversity, adventure and heroics, emotional peaks and troughs and what you have to go through sometimes to reach your goal.
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON (Rated PG) - a Japanese foreign language film set in Tokyo, this tells the story of two very different families - one successful, hardworking, comfortable and well off; and the other hard-up and struggling. Each have a six year old son they have raised and cared for and love, but a phone call one day from the Hospital where they boys were born on the same day reveals that the babies were inadvertently switched at birth. Reluctantly the two families agree to meet and then agree to the exchange of their 'sons' - unprepared for the emotional tsunami that is to follow. Having raised a child for six years how prepared would you be to swap your son for potentially one that is seen as 'inferior', and would you be prepared for your own 'real' son to potentially turn against you aged 6? These questions and more are raised in this thought provoking film that begs the question of 'nature or nurture' - which is stronger, which would you choose?
Three films to tempt your tastebuds this coming week, and three very different cinematic offerings to get you out to your local multiplex or independent. Whichever you choose, enjoy the experience and let me know what you think!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
With a forecasted wet ANZAC long weekend looming what better way to while away a few hours with a movie in a dark place with a bunch of strangers, a bucket 'o' popcorn, and a feast for the senses! Sit back and enjoy!
TRANSCENDENCE (Rated M) - with a strong cast comprising Johnny Depp in the lead role ably supported by Morgan Freeman, Paul Bettany and Cillian Murphy this is Directed by first timer Wally Pfister, who hitherto has been the Director of Photography for one Christopher Nolan (he of recent 'Batman' franchise fame and 'Inception' amongst others). As such, given the cinematic beauty of these films at the hands of Mr. Pfister we should be in for a visual treat - especially given the technologically heavy subject matter. This film is all about Artificial Intelligence, and when tech expert Will Caster (Depp) is shot by extremists and given five weeks to live the only thing to do is to hook Caster's genius grey matter up to the super computer he has developed to create A.I. Needless to say things go awry when more power is needed to support Caster's rapidly developing, all knowing, all seeing, all intelligent brain and the world around us starts to implode. This is likely to be 'man versus machine', 'science over religion', 'evolution over revolution' stuff that will have you debating long after the credits have rolled. This stuff has been committed to celluloid lots of times before in the likes of Kubrick's '2001 : A Space Odyssey', Spielberg's 'A.I.', Disney's 'TRON' and many more - will this stand up to those? You decide!
THE CROSSING (Rated M) - this is the true story of two young Aussie adventurers Clarke Carter and Chris Bray as they set off determined to cross a remote Arctic island in 100 days armed with supplies and their home made kayak's - a mere 1,000 km trek. Having set out in true gung-ho style the lads failed after 58 days having covered just a third of the distance. With true Aussie grit coursing through their veins they collected their wits, determination and exuberance and set forth three years later better equipped, better supplied and better prepared for their 1,000 trek in 100 days. They soon realise however, that the island and Mother Nature are not to be messed with and this documentary film, edited from over 100 hours of Hi-Def footage, charts their epic journey from beginning to end. A story of the human spirit, courage in the face of adversity, adventure and heroics, emotional peaks and troughs and what you have to go through sometimes to reach your goal.
LIKE FATHER LIKE SON (Rated PG) - a Japanese foreign language film set in Tokyo, this tells the story of two very different families - one successful, hardworking, comfortable and well off; and the other hard-up and struggling. Each have a six year old son they have raised and cared for and love, but a phone call one day from the Hospital where they boys were born on the same day reveals that the babies were inadvertently switched at birth. Reluctantly the two families agree to meet and then agree to the exchange of their 'sons' - unprepared for the emotional tsunami that is to follow. Having raised a child for six years how prepared would you be to swap your son for potentially one that is seen as 'inferior', and would you be prepared for your own 'real' son to potentially turn against you aged 6? These questions and more are raised in this thought provoking film that begs the question of 'nature or nurture' - which is stronger, which would you choose?
Three films to tempt your tastebuds this coming week, and three very different cinematic offerings to get you out to your local multiplex or independent. Whichever you choose, enjoy the experience and let me know what you think!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Sunday 20 April 2014
Birthday's to share this week : 20th - 26th April.
Do you share your birthday with a rich & famous Actor or Actress; share your special day with a Writer, Director, Producer, Editor or Songwriter of repute; or share an interest in whoever might notch up another year in the coming week? Then, look no further! Whilst there will be too many to mention in this little but not insignificant 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 over the coming week. If so, Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online!
Check out too the spotlight on this weeks Birthday Boy on 22nd April, Jack Nicholson, at the end of this feature.
Sunday 20th April
John Joseph 'Jack' Nicholson turns 77 mid-week this week. Arriving in Hollywood in the mid-50's he started his career fetching & carrying for animation legends Hanna Barbera. Having a desire to act, he made his first film in 1958 'The Cry Baby Killer' and later went on to work with the legendary Roger Corman (featured in this article a few weeks ago) on a number of his low budget 'B' grade horror flicks of the time including 'The Raven', 'Little Shop of Horrors', and 'The Terror'. With a string of largely forgettable movies behind him his first big break came with 'Easy Rider' starring alongside Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. That was 1969 and since then Jack Nicholson has won the Oscar three times for 'One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest', 'Terms of Endearment' and 'As good as it gets' and he has been nominated a further nine times - this makes him the most Academy Award nominated actor of all time! In addition he has won seven Golden Globes and been nominated another ten times, and he has won three BAFTA's and been nominated another four times.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Check out too the spotlight on this weeks Birthday Boy on 22nd April, Jack Nicholson, at the end of this feature.
Sunday 20th April
- Jessica Lange - Born 1949, turns 65 - Actress | Producer
- Andy Serkis - Born 1964, turns 50 - Actor | Producer
- Ryan O'Neal - Born 1941, turns 73 - Actor | Producer
- George Takei - Born 1937, turns 77 - Actor | Writer | Producer
Monday 21st April
- James McAvoy - Born 1979, turns 35 - Actor | Producer
- Andie MacDowell - Born 1958, turns 56 - Actress | Producer
- Charles Grodin - Born 1935, turns 79 - Actor | Writer
Tuesday 22nd April
- Jack Nicholson - Born 1937, turns 77 - Actor | Director | Producer
- Lee Tamahori - Born 1950, turns 64 - Director
- George Cole - Born 1925, turns 89 - Actor
Wednesday 23rd April
- Lee Majors - Born 1939, turns 75 - Actor | Producer
- John Hannah - Born 1962, turns 52 - Actor | Producer
- Michael Moore - Born 1954, turns 60 - Producer | Director | Writer
- Judy Davis - Born 1955, turns 59 - Actress
Thursday 24th April
- Richard Donner - Born 1930, turns 84 - Director | Producer | Actor
- Barbra Streisand - Born 1942, turns 72 - Singer | Songwriter | Producer | Actress | Director
- Shirley MacLaine - Born 1943, turns 80 - Actress | Writer
- Djimon Hounsou - Born 1964, turns 50 - Actor | Producer
Friday 25th April
- Al Pacino - Born 1940, turns 74 - Actor | Producer | Director
- Renee Zellweger - Born 1969, turns 45 - Actress | Producer
- Hank Azaria - Born 1964, turns 50 - Actor | Producer
- Talia Shire - Born 1946, turns 68 - Actress | Producer | Director
Saturday 26th April
- Channing Tatum - Born 1980, turns 34 - Actor | Producer
- Jet Li - Born 1963, turns 51 - Actor | Producer
- Joan Chen - Born 1961, turns 53 - Actor | Writer | Producer
John Joseph 'Jack' Nicholson turns 77 mid-week this week. Arriving in Hollywood in the mid-50's he started his career fetching & carrying for animation legends Hanna Barbera. Having a desire to act, he made his first film in 1958 'The Cry Baby Killer' and later went on to work with the legendary Roger Corman (featured in this article a few weeks ago) on a number of his low budget 'B' grade horror flicks of the time including 'The Raven', 'Little Shop of Horrors', and 'The Terror'. With a string of largely forgettable movies behind him his first big break came with 'Easy Rider' starring alongside Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. That was 1969 and since then Jack Nicholson has won the Oscar three times for 'One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest', 'Terms of Endearment' and 'As good as it gets' and he has been nominated a further nine times - this makes him the most Academy Award nominated actor of all time! In addition he has won seven Golden Globes and been nominated another ten times, and he has won three BAFTA's and been nominated another four times.
His filmography is as long as it is distinguished and includes 'Five Easy Pieces', 'Chinatown', 'Tommy', 'The Shining', 'Reds', 'Prizzi's Honor', 'The Witches of Eastwick', 'Wolf', 'The Departed', 'Batman', 'Mars Attacks', 'The Bucket List', 'About Schmidt', 'A few good men' and 'Hoffa'. He often plays deranged, psychotic, deeply troubled characters, but can easily take the romantic lead, turn his hand to comedy and seems at ease in almost any genre - horror, comic book fantasy, sci-fi, drama, thriller, and the rom-com.
Cigar chewing, womanising, sunglass wearing playboy and screen legend - happy birthday Jack!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Thursday 17 April 2014
CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE WINTER SOLDIER - Wednesday 16th April 2014.
The second instalment in the Captain America franchise and Steve Rogers third outing (including 'The Avengers') which I saw last night does not disappoint! 'CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE WINTER SOLDIER' leads us on from the first film and is post the big save the world set piece that concluded 'The Avengers' so dramatically. References are made to this in this film (as they are in all subsequent Marvel adaptations) to keep the continuity going and to ensure the tie-ins remain strong to underpin subsequent movie plots. We have also references to Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and right at the end to Thor, and the introduction of new character The Falcon, and the building of The Black Widow's back story.
This is a solidly grounded movie with Steve Rogers playing down any Superhero moniker and letting us know that he has been scientifically modified and transported into the present day through no fault or wish of his own (he is after all ninety years old, living in a chiselled 30 year old body whose mind is still in the 40's) - a fact he is still coming to terms with. His only power is in his brute strength and his ability to wield convincingly a big metal dustbin lid. He has a conscience, has emotion, he bleeds when shot or knifed, but can handle himself in a fist fight, is agile on his feet, is athletic and wants to do the right thing. He is at odds with what S.H.I.E.L.D is asking of him and herein lies the story when it is discovered that this organisation has in fact been compromised (by 'Hydra' - refer first instalment) and 20 million civilians are gonna die as a result.
There are a number of impressive set pieces to capture our interest and propel the story along. To open the film we have The Captain and Black Widow doing their thing aboard a hijacked ship very convincingly and well realised. There is a very impressive mid-city car chase involving Nick Fury where the 'carnage' is deftly handled, and at the same time it is good to see Nick Fury (aka Samuel L. Jackson) getting more screen time and a slice of the action. Then there is the big climax when the S.H.I.E.L.D global HQ falls in an attempt to thwart Hydra, and Tony Stark's latest airborne international security and anti-terrorism technology crashes & burns . . . in a big way! In between there are a number of smaller bouts, hand to hand combat, close quarter fights that just show us that 'The Cap' can easily hold is own and is not to be messed with. Interestingly though despite the many references to his Superhero colleagues in the S.H.I.E.L.D stable where is Tony Stark and Bruce Banner when you need them?
Robert Redford has a juicy role to play here too as Nick Fury's boss at S.H.I.E.L.D and shows that the highly respected grandaddy in front and behind the camera can still deliver the goods, and double cross with the best of 'em! And then there is 'The Winter Soldier' - the modified cryogenically frozen and reanimated enemy to underpin Hydra's efforts and bring down The Captain and S.H.I.E.L.D - but there is more here that you'll learn as the film progresses and reintroduces a character from the first film that is 'almost' Steve Rogers undoing, but ultimate saviour.
This is a well handled, solidly told and not overbearing second film in the Captain America series that is more grounded and convincing in many respects than those others from the Marvel stable. Be sure to watch out for the trademark Stan Lee cameo, and wait for the end credits to watch a further ninety second grab that is a precursor to a subsequent instalment. See it on the big screen, and you can live without the 3D.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
This is a solidly grounded movie with Steve Rogers playing down any Superhero moniker and letting us know that he has been scientifically modified and transported into the present day through no fault or wish of his own (he is after all ninety years old, living in a chiselled 30 year old body whose mind is still in the 40's) - a fact he is still coming to terms with. His only power is in his brute strength and his ability to wield convincingly a big metal dustbin lid. He has a conscience, has emotion, he bleeds when shot or knifed, but can handle himself in a fist fight, is agile on his feet, is athletic and wants to do the right thing. He is at odds with what S.H.I.E.L.D is asking of him and herein lies the story when it is discovered that this organisation has in fact been compromised (by 'Hydra' - refer first instalment) and 20 million civilians are gonna die as a result.
There are a number of impressive set pieces to capture our interest and propel the story along. To open the film we have The Captain and Black Widow doing their thing aboard a hijacked ship very convincingly and well realised. There is a very impressive mid-city car chase involving Nick Fury where the 'carnage' is deftly handled, and at the same time it is good to see Nick Fury (aka Samuel L. Jackson) getting more screen time and a slice of the action. Then there is the big climax when the S.H.I.E.L.D global HQ falls in an attempt to thwart Hydra, and Tony Stark's latest airborne international security and anti-terrorism technology crashes & burns . . . in a big way! In between there are a number of smaller bouts, hand to hand combat, close quarter fights that just show us that 'The Cap' can easily hold is own and is not to be messed with. Interestingly though despite the many references to his Superhero colleagues in the S.H.I.E.L.D stable where is Tony Stark and Bruce Banner when you need them?
Robert Redford has a juicy role to play here too as Nick Fury's boss at S.H.I.E.L.D and shows that the highly respected grandaddy in front and behind the camera can still deliver the goods, and double cross with the best of 'em! And then there is 'The Winter Soldier' - the modified cryogenically frozen and reanimated enemy to underpin Hydra's efforts and bring down The Captain and S.H.I.E.L.D - but there is more here that you'll learn as the film progresses and reintroduces a character from the first film that is 'almost' Steve Rogers undoing, but ultimate saviour.
This is a well handled, solidly told and not overbearing second film in the Captain America series that is more grounded and convincing in many respects than those others from the Marvel stable. Be sure to watch out for the trademark Stan Lee cameo, and wait for the end credits to watch a further ninety second grab that is a precursor to a subsequent instalment. See it on the big screen, and you can live without the 3D.-Steve, at Odeon Online-
THE COMPANY YOU KEEP - archive from 2nd May 2013.
Saw 'THE COMPANY YOU KEEP' this week and was unsure what to expect but pleasantly surprised. This is Produced, Directed and stars the iconic Robert Redford with an ensemble cast that takes in Shia LaBoeuf, Chris Cooper, Stanley Tucci, Brendan Gleeson, Nick Nolte, Julie Christie, Susan Sarandon, Uncle Tom Cobbley and all!
Robert Redford looks like he is 187 years old with his well worn weathered features, and I think it is time he spent more time invested behind the camera than in front (NB - this was before seeing the excellent 'All is Lost') That said, here he turns in a convincing tale of an ageing freedom fighter from the 70's who like his cohorts of that era have lived 'undercover' in American society for the last 30+ years escaping their crimes of a bygone American time that US history would rather forget.
Shia LaBoeuf is a convincing small town reporter investigating this case and closely linked others before uncovering the truth and conspiracies surrounding this story are unravelled by the ensuing FBI. A few twists & turns, a slow burn, a solid storyline, believable performances and worthy of your attention - but you can wait for the DVD to see it in the comfort of your living room!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Robert Redford looks like he is 187 years old with his well worn weathered features, and I think it is time he spent more time invested behind the camera than in front (NB - this was before seeing the excellent 'All is Lost') That said, here he turns in a convincing tale of an ageing freedom fighter from the 70's who like his cohorts of that era have lived 'undercover' in American society for the last 30+ years escaping their crimes of a bygone American time that US history would rather forget.
Shia LaBoeuf is a convincing small town reporter investigating this case and closely linked others before uncovering the truth and conspiracies surrounding this story are unravelled by the ensuing FBI. A few twists & turns, a slow burn, a solid storyline, believable performances and worthy of your attention - but you can wait for the DVD to see it in the comfort of your living room!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Wednesday 16 April 2014
What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 17th April 2014.
The Easter break is upon us - a long weekend looms, school holidays in full flow, and a slew of movies big and small to tempt your movie going tastebuds in the week ahead. Whatever your taste in movies you can dine out on a feast consisting a big budget comic book adaptation from our friends at Marvel; a period piece charting the secret and covert dalliances of one of England's greatest writers; and a female revenge flick charting the dalliances of a a guy up against his wife, his lover, the girlfriend and the mistress . . . could get messy!
THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN - 2, RISE OF ELECTRO - I only recently saw the first in this rebooted franchise as Directed by one Marc Webb, and have to say that I was a little underwhelmed by it. After Sam Raimi did a reasonable job at bringing Tobi McGuire to the big screen as 'Spidey' in three successful Spiderman films at the turn of this century, many were left wondering, why reboot and why so soon? Clearly 'The Amazing Spiderman' did an OK job at the box office to warrant this second outing, and again with Marvel doing no wrong these days they are in prime position to dictate where they will spend their cash and on what. And so it is - we have Andrew Garfield back as our web slinging hero; Emma Stone as love interest Gwen and Jamie Foxx as arch villain himself Electro. With Peter Parker now coming to terms with who and what he is, the power he can command and the responsibilities he has he also comes to realise that the root of all evil seems to lie within the four walls of 'OzCorp'. His father worked there, his best friends father built it and ran it and all sorts of scientific stuff is going on there that means trouble for New York City and all those that live there. What will ensue will be loud, proud, beat 'em up, smash it down action aplenty with a heavy dose of CGI sprinkled with a little emotion, romance, betrayal and redemption! It's sure to do well!
THE OTHER WOMAN - three women who have all been cheated upon by the one man in their lives they all share, but unknowingly so is the premise for this female revenge comedic offering! There is the wife, lover, mistress, girlfriend whatever - all hell bent on getting their sweet revenge on the poor hapless chap who has put it about it at their individual and collective expense. Teaming up we have Cameron Diaz (the girlfriend), Leslie Mann (the wife) and Kate Upton (mistress, lover, whatever) doing what it takes to eek out their justice on their seemingly perfect man. No doubt there will be pain, anguish, regret, and laughs aplenty as justice is duly served and the fella gets his comeuppance! Sounds yawntastic - unless you like this sort of thing!
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN - no, this is not the love interest for 'The Amazing Spiderman' before you ask, but instead a period piece set in the mid-19th century at the time of one Mr. Charles Dickens - he of some notable writing fame responsible for a few classics just quietly! Ralph Fiennes has been busy of late making 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' (previewed and reviewed last week), as well as Directing and starring in this little film supposedly based on fact. Ralph Fiennes stars as Charles Dickens in his mid-40's who falls for an 18 year old actress Nelly Ternan (played by Felicity Jones) who then spends the rest of his life as the secret muse/lover/mistress, and this remains a secret even after Dickens has moved on to the great library in the sky. The story charts their relationship and the new life that Nelly has to make after his passing and the guilt of that relationship she must endure, as well as the public, and to a lesser extent, the private persona of this great scribe. This is Fiennes second Directorial outing after 'Coriolanus' which was much lauded upon release - it remains to be seen if this one garners as much praise.
Three offerings then to catch in the next week, and once again three very different movies to choose from. There's also a bunch of other movies previewed in weeks past that are still doing the rounds at your local multiplex. So get out there and buy a ticket, get your popcorn, choctop or bucket of brown fizzy stuff, sit back and enjoy a film . . . and then, let me know what you think!
Movies - see as many as you can!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Three offerings then to catch in the next week, and once again three very different movies to choose from. There's also a bunch of other movies previewed in weeks past that are still doing the rounds at your local multiplex. So get out there and buy a ticket, get your popcorn, choctop or bucket of brown fizzy stuff, sit back and enjoy a film . . . and then, let me know what you think!
Movies - see as many as you can!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Sunday 13 April 2014
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL - Saturday 12th April 2014
I sat up high in a packed out Orpheum Theatre last night at the Cremorne Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace on a rain soaked night to enjoy 'THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL'. This film is a delight, and for a running time of just 100 minutes this Wes Anderson Directed offering will captivate your interest from beginning to end. This is Anderson's eighth film ('The Royal Tenenbaums', 'Moonrise Kingdom', 'The Darjeeling Limited', 'Rushmore' etc.) and while this one contains his trademark style, his favoured acting talent and his quirky touchstones this will rank right up there as possibly his finest work so far.With a stellar cast that takes in Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Tom Wilkinson, Jude Law, Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Harvey Keitel, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Tilda Swinton, and Saoirse Ronan amongst others this film should succeed on that level alone. But there is so much more here to take in - the lavish sets, the beautiful colours of a decadent era, sharp dialogue, fast paced action, dark humour, convincing performances . . . and a gripping story.
We are initially greeted by an ageing author in 1985 (Tom Wilkinson) who begins to tell the story of his stay at the run down somewhat dilapidated Grand Budapest Hotel in 1968 (the younger self played by Jude Law) and how a chance meeting with the hotels owner, Mr. Zero Moustafa (F. Murray Abraham) leads to him recounting how he came to own the hotel having first worked there as the Lobby Boy in the early 1930's.
And so the story within a story begins to unfold as the Hotel Concierge, M. Gustave H. (played brilliantly by Ralph Fiennes) takes the younger Zero under his wing and their relationship unfolds in the lead up to war, occupation of this fake eastern European country, and what needs to be done after the murder of one of the Hotel's guests and the contents of her last will & testament are revealed. Gustav H. is devilishly debonair, sophisticated, well educated, admired by all Concierge, but can also scheme and connive with the best of them when the chips are down. And so this tale of deception, escapism and daring do mixed in with a little intrigue, danger, rich dialogue and heavily stylised images of a by-gone era make for an engrossing film.
You don't need to see this on the big screen and can easily wait for the DVD, but why would you? This is a great little film, and you will be rewarded by repeat viewing to ensure you capture all the little nuances offered on screen by Anderson and his assembled cast, the colourful storyline and the rich dialogue.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
IRON MAN 3 - archive from 4th May 2013
Saw 'IRON MAN 3' this afternoon bringing us another Tony Stark instalment but this time post 'AVENGERS', and with several references to it to ensure the tie-in remains firmly in the hearts & minds of the movie going public. The usual cast of RDJ supported by Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle with Ben Kingsley & Guy Pearce playing the bad guys here, and Stan Lee putting in his now trademark 10 second cameo.
This one is a bit more comic strip than the previous two and a very respectable follow-on - grand scale with lots of really big stuff getting blown up! It's a solid enough story line, big spectacle, loud, proud & a solid enough outing for the big screen that could mark the end of this franchise given that RDJ is now out of contract. . . we'll see, after all - he IS Iron Man!
Furthermore, given that this third offering in this hugely successful series took a global box office haul of well in excess of US$1.2B putting the total for this Superhero character's box office take (including 'The Avengers') to US$3.8B putting Tony Stark and his Iron Man alter ego as the most successful Superhero seen on the silver screen ever! Given this effort, RDJ is sure to be lured back for another outing in another standalone movie at some future date . . . watch this space!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
This one is a bit more comic strip than the previous two and a very respectable follow-on - grand scale with lots of really big stuff getting blown up! It's a solid enough story line, big spectacle, loud, proud & a solid enough outing for the big screen that could mark the end of this franchise given that RDJ is now out of contract. . . we'll see, after all - he IS Iron Man!
Furthermore, given that this third offering in this hugely successful series took a global box office haul of well in excess of US$1.2B putting the total for this Superhero character's box office take (including 'The Avengers') to US$3.8B putting Tony Stark and his Iron Man alter ego as the most successful Superhero seen on the silver screen ever! Given this effort, RDJ is sure to be lured back for another outing in another standalone movie at some future date . . . watch this space!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Saturday 12 April 2014
Birthday's to share this week : 13th - 19th April 2014.
Do you share your birthday with a rich & famous Actor or Actress; share your special day with a Writer, Director, Producer, Editor or Songwriter of repute; or share an interest in whoever might notch up another year in the coming week? Then, look no further! Whilst there will be too many to mention in this little but not insignificant 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 over the coming week. If so, Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online!
Check out too the spotlight on this weeks Birthday Boy on 18th April, James Woods, at the end of this feature.
Sunday 13th April
Check out too the spotlight on this weeks Birthday Boy on 18th April, James Woods, at the end of this feature.
Sunday 13th April
- Ron Perlman - Actor | Director | Producer - Born 1950 : turns 64
- Paul Sorvino - Actor | Director - Born 1939 : turns 74
- Edward Fox - Actor | Producer - Born 1937 : turns 77.
Monday 14th April
- Robert Carlyle - Actor | Director - Born 1961 : turns 53
- Julie Christie - Actress - Born 1941 : turns 73
- Sarah Michelle Gellar - Actress | Producer - Born 1977 : turns 37.
Tuesday 15th April
- Emma Watson - Actress - Born 1990 : turns 24
- Emma Thompson - Actress | Writer - Born 1959 : turns 55
- Seth Rogen - Actor | Writer | Producer - Born 1982 : turns 32
- Claudia Cardinale - Actress - Born 1938 : turns 76.
Wednesday 16th April
- Ellen Barkin - Actress | Producer - Born 1954 : turns 60
- Martin Lawrence - Actor | Writer | Producer - Born 1965 : turns 49.
Thursday 17th April
- Rooney Mara - Actress | Producer - Born 1985 : turns 29
- Sean Bean - Actor - Born 1959 : turns 55
- Jennifer Garner - Actress | Producer - Born 1972 : turns 42
- Victoria Beckham - Singer | Songwriter | Actress - Born 1974 : turns 40.
Friday 18th April
- David Tennant - Actor | Director - Born 1971 : turns 43
- James Woods - Actor | Producer | Director - Born 1947 : turns 67
- Eric Roberts - Actor | Producer - Born 1956 : turns 58
- Eli Roth - Producer | Actor | Writer | Director - Born 1972 : turns 42
- Rick Moranis - Actor | Writer - Born 1953 : turns 61.
Saturday 19th April
- James Franco - Actor | Director | Writer | Producer - Born 1978 : turns 36
- Ashley Judd - Actress | Producer | Director - Born 1968 : turns 46
- Kate Hudson - Actress | Producer - Born 1979 : turns 35
- Tim Curry - Actor | Producer - Born 1946 : turns 68.
James Woods turns 67 on 18th April and is still the epitome of 'cool'! He has been in the acting business since the 60's having appeared in numerous stage performances before making his Broadway debut in 1970. This was followed quickly by his first television appearance in 1971 and his first movie role in 'The Visitors' in 1972. He starred in episodes of those many American Police dramas of the mid-70's including 'Kojak', 'The Rockford Files', 'The Streets of San Francisco' and 'Welcome Back, Kotter'. Since then he has 135+ film credits to his name including 'Videodrome', 'Salvador', 'Casino', 'Nixon', 'Contact', 'Once Upon A Time In America', 'The Virgin Suicides', 'Any Given Sunday', the recent remake of 'Straw Dogs' and the recent actioner 'White House Down'.
Nominated for two Academy Awards for 'Salvador' and 'Ghosts of Mississippi'; nominated nine times for a Golden Globe and won it once for TV film 'Promise', and nominated eight times for an Emmy Award and won three.
James Woods - a much acclaimed, still in demand, character actor who can inhibit any persona with conviction and realism and is at ease in almost any genre - a very Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Nominated for two Academy Awards for 'Salvador' and 'Ghosts of Mississippi'; nominated nine times for a Golden Globe and won it once for TV film 'Promise', and nominated eight times for an Emmy Award and won three.James Woods - a much acclaimed, still in demand, character actor who can inhibit any persona with conviction and realism and is at ease in almost any genre - a very Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Thursday 10 April 2014
What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 10th April 2014.
This week there are three new releases to tempt your movie going tastebuds, and once again it would seem something for everyone! We have a good dose of Science Fiction with a new film set to become the next mega franchise along the lines of 'Twilight' and 'The Hunger Games'; then we have a dose of nostalgia dreamt up by the very creative and inventive imagination of one of those Anderson Directors; and then there is that mad puppet saga that has been going for decades and just keeps reinventing itself for die hard kids of all ages! Get out an see something this week - after all - it's the school holidays!
DIVERGENT - based on a trilogy of books (so far) being adapted for the big screen, 'DIVERGENT' is the first in what will become the inevitable series the likes of which we have seen with a certain Mr. Potter, one Katniss Everdeen and not to mention Bella Swan and Edward Cullen! And so 'DIVERGENT' is likely to be your typical near future dystopian sci-fi epic with a young girl coming to terms with who she really is whilst fighting off evil forces hell bent on preventing her from rising up and uncovering the truth behind who and what she is and what she (and those like her) are capable of. The shorts I have seen look impressive enough, but I can't help thinking this is aimed squarely at the late teenage female market, and in all likelihood will do very well. The 'Divergents' are those that are unable to fit into a specific pre-ordained new world order with 'factions' based on personality traits and emotional virtues. Why though will be answered through this and successive instalments with plenty of action, tension and emotion along the way I'm sure, and with just enough of the plot given away to ensure you return for the second and successive films - enjoy the ride!
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL - Directed by Wes Anderson and starring a huge cast made up of the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, F. Murray Abraham, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Bill Murray, Tom Wilkinson, and Owen Wilson this reads like a Hollywood Who's Who. Backed up by the lateral thinking, creative & innovative imagination of Wes Anderson (who's previous credits include 'Rushmore', 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou', 'The Darjeeling Limited' 'and 'Fantastic Mr. Fox') this looks like a colourful escapist comedic romp though the wonderful grandeur of an historical invented east European luxury hotel sometime between the mid-war years. Ralph Fiennes plays the lead role as womanising scheming yet adorable Hotel Concierge whose story is told by an author telling a story of how he visited the hotel in the 60's who met the owner who told him the story of how he inherited the hotel from Ralph Fiennes way back when. Confused? This is a lavish tale of a story within a story with Wes Anderson's quirky eye for detail, plush set design, rich dialogue, colourful characters and talented cast - sure to be a crowd pleaser!
THE MUPPETS : MOST WANTED - I have to say I was never a great fan of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and the rest of the gang, but that's OK because this film will have it's legion of fans young & old flocking to see this next instalment in the Muppets Movie franchise. Starring all the usual Muppet suspects with human interaction provided by Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey and Ty Burrell we see the merry band of glove puppets visiting the world's major capital cities on tour only to fall foul of a Russian arch criminal, Constantine. He, just happens to be a dead ringer for Kermit, and is intent on stealing amongst other things The Crown Jewels. Much confusion, hilarity and action ensues I'm sure that will please the kids and the die hard fans, and guarantee another fun filled instalment in a few years time!
Three very different offerings once again for you to check out in the first week of the Easter Holidays and something for the young, slightly older, and older still. Whatever you see, enjoy the experience and let me know your thoughts!
Movies - see as many as you can!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
DIVERGENT - based on a trilogy of books (so far) being adapted for the big screen, 'DIVERGENT' is the first in what will become the inevitable series the likes of which we have seen with a certain Mr. Potter, one Katniss Everdeen and not to mention Bella Swan and Edward Cullen! And so 'DIVERGENT' is likely to be your typical near future dystopian sci-fi epic with a young girl coming to terms with who she really is whilst fighting off evil forces hell bent on preventing her from rising up and uncovering the truth behind who and what she is and what she (and those like her) are capable of. The shorts I have seen look impressive enough, but I can't help thinking this is aimed squarely at the late teenage female market, and in all likelihood will do very well. The 'Divergents' are those that are unable to fit into a specific pre-ordained new world order with 'factions' based on personality traits and emotional virtues. Why though will be answered through this and successive instalments with plenty of action, tension and emotion along the way I'm sure, and with just enough of the plot given away to ensure you return for the second and successive films - enjoy the ride!
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL - Directed by Wes Anderson and starring a huge cast made up of the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, F. Murray Abraham, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Bill Murray, Tom Wilkinson, and Owen Wilson this reads like a Hollywood Who's Who. Backed up by the lateral thinking, creative & innovative imagination of Wes Anderson (who's previous credits include 'Rushmore', 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou', 'The Darjeeling Limited' 'and 'Fantastic Mr. Fox') this looks like a colourful escapist comedic romp though the wonderful grandeur of an historical invented east European luxury hotel sometime between the mid-war years. Ralph Fiennes plays the lead role as womanising scheming yet adorable Hotel Concierge whose story is told by an author telling a story of how he visited the hotel in the 60's who met the owner who told him the story of how he inherited the hotel from Ralph Fiennes way back when. Confused? This is a lavish tale of a story within a story with Wes Anderson's quirky eye for detail, plush set design, rich dialogue, colourful characters and talented cast - sure to be a crowd pleaser!
THE MUPPETS : MOST WANTED - I have to say I was never a great fan of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and the rest of the gang, but that's OK because this film will have it's legion of fans young & old flocking to see this next instalment in the Muppets Movie franchise. Starring all the usual Muppet suspects with human interaction provided by Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey and Ty Burrell we see the merry band of glove puppets visiting the world's major capital cities on tour only to fall foul of a Russian arch criminal, Constantine. He, just happens to be a dead ringer for Kermit, and is intent on stealing amongst other things The Crown Jewels. Much confusion, hilarity and action ensues I'm sure that will please the kids and the die hard fans, and guarantee another fun filled instalment in a few years time!
Three very different offerings once again for you to check out in the first week of the Easter Holidays and something for the young, slightly older, and older still. Whatever you see, enjoy the experience and let me know your thoughts!
Movies - see as many as you can!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Monday 7 April 2014
Mickey Rooney - dies age 93 - R.I.P.
Hollywood legend and child star Mickey Rooney died yesterday, Sunday 6th April, of natural causes aged 93 at his north Hollywood home surrounded by his family. Born in 1920, Ninian Joseph Yule Jnr. as he was Christened, first appeared on screen aged five in the silent film 'Not to be Trusted' in 1926, and so began a career that would span nine decades and take in over 200 film credits, well in excess of 320 acting credits, seven Production credits, four for Directing and some 30 or so for Soundtrack.
Right up to his death he was still making movies with 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' in production, and a couple of others in pre-production. He acting credits and those that were certainly more noteworthy included 1944's 'National Velvet', 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' and 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World' both in 1963, 'The Black Stallion' in 1979, 'Night at The Museum' in 2006, and 'The Muppets' in 2011.
During his long career he starred with the likes of Judy Garland (in ten films), Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and he married Ava Gardner (one of his eight, yes eight, wives!). His male leads included Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Spencer Tracey, Bob Hope, Michael Caine, William Holden and Ben Stiller. For a brief time in the late 1930's he was the highest paid actor in the world grossing in excess of US$300K a year and well ahead of his contemporaries at that time. A dwindling career as the century wore on and seven divorces (one marriage lasted just 100 days!) cost him dearly and at one point he filed for bankruptcy and had to accept a myriad of 'B' grade roles to pay the bills. But he persevered, and as a jobbing actor continued on regardless right up to the end.
He was awarded two Oscar's - in 1938 a special 'Juvenille Award' for his contribution as a child actor to the industry, and in 1982 an 'Honorary Award' for 50 years in the business. He was nominated for the golden statue four other times, won two Golden Globes, one Emmy Award and numerous others.
A remarkable career, the likes of which are unlikely to be repeated - a man dedicated to his craft for his entire 93 year lifetime!
Mickey Rooney - R.I.P.
1920 - 2014
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Sunday 6 April 2014
Birthday's to share this week : 6th - 12th April 2014.
Do you share your birthday with a rich & famous Actor or Actress; share your special day with a Writer, Director, Producer, Editor or Songwriter of repute; or share an interest in whoever might notch up another year in the coming week? Then, look no further! Whilst there will be too many to mention in this little but not insignificant Blog, here are the more notable and noteworthy icons of the big screen and the small screen that you might just share your birthday with over the coming week. If so, Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online!
Check out too the spotlight on this weeks Birthday Boy on 7th April, Francis Ford Coppola, at the end of this feature.
Sunday 6th April
Check out too the spotlight on this weeks Birthday Boy on 7th April, Francis Ford Coppola, at the end of this feature.
Sunday 6th April
- Zach Braff - Actor | Writer | Producer | Director - Born 1975 : turns 39
- Billy Dee Williams - Actor - Born 1937 : turns 77
- Barry Levinson - Writer | Producer | Director - Born 1942 : turns 72
- Paul Rudd - Actor | Writer - Born 1969 : turns 45.
Monday 7th April
- Russell Crowe - Actor - Born 1964 : turns 50
- Jackie Chan - Actor | Producer | Stuntman - Born 1954 : turns 60
- James Garner - Actor | Director - Born 1928 : turns 86
- Francis Ford Coppola - Writer | Director | Producer | Actor | Composer | Winemaker | Hotelier | Restauranteur - Born 1939 : turns 75
- Andrew Sachs - Actor - Born 1930 : turns 84.
Tuesday 8th April
- Robin Wright - Actress | Director - Born 1966 : turns 48
- Patricia Arquette - Actress | Director - Born 1968 : turns 46
- Julian Lennon - Producer | Singer\Songwriter | Composer - Born 1963 : turns 51
- Taylor Kitsch - Actor - Born 1981 : turns 33.
Wednesday 9th April
- Kristen Stewart - Actress - Born 1990 : turns 24
- Dennis Quaid - Actor - Born 1954 : turns 60
- Hugh Hefner - Producer - Born 1926 : turns 88
- Jean Paul Belmondo - Actor - Born 1933 : turns 81.
Thursday 10th April
- Haley Joel Osment - Actor - Born 1988 : turns 26
- Steven Seagal - Actor | Writer | Producer | Lawman - Born 1952 : turns 62
- Max von Sydow - Actor - Born 1929 : turns 85
- Omar Sharif - Actor - Born 1932 : turns 82.
Friday 11th April
- Jeremy Clarkson - Writer | Television Personality - Born 1960 : turns 54
- John Milius - Writer | Director | Actor - Born 1944 : turns 70.
Saturday 12th April
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Francis Ford Coppola multi-talented Director, Producer and Writer whose credits include The Godfather, parts 1,2 & 3; The Conversation; Apocalypse Now; Rumble Fish; The Cotton Club; Peggy Sue Got Married; Bram Stoker's Dracula and The Rainmaker amongst many others.
Multiple Academy Awards for Direction, Writing and Best Film and nominated more times than you can snap a clapperboard at!
Brother to Actress Talia Shire; Father to Actress/Director Sofia Coppola and Uncle to Nicolas Cage. A movie force to contend with, whose portfolio of achievements on and off screen is truly impressive - turning 75 on 7th April, Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online.
- Saorise Ronan - Actress - Born 1994 : turns 20
- Claire Danes - Actress | Producer - Born 1979 : turns 35
- Andy Garcia - Actor | Producer - Born 1956 : turns 58
- David Letterman - Writer | Producer | Television Personality - Born 1947 : turns 67.
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Francis Ford Coppola multi-talented Director, Producer and Writer whose credits include The Godfather, parts 1,2 & 3; The Conversation; Apocalypse Now; Rumble Fish; The Cotton Club; Peggy Sue Got Married; Bram Stoker's Dracula and The Rainmaker amongst many others.Multiple Academy Awards for Direction, Writing and Best Film and nominated more times than you can snap a clapperboard at!Brother to Actress Talia Shire; Father to Actress/Director Sofia Coppola and Uncle to Nicolas Cage. A movie force to contend with, whose portfolio of achievements on and off screen is truly impressive - turning 75 on 7th April, Happy Birthday to you from Odeon Online.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Friday 4 April 2014
TRACKS - Thursday 3rd April 2014
'TRACKS' is a feel good movie set against the backdrop of the Western Australian desert in all its sun drenched, parched, unforgiving red arid beauty. I saw this last night at the Collaroy Twin Cinema and enjoyed the journey (forgive the pun!).This is the true story of Robyn Davidson's 2,750km nine month trek from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean in 1977 accompanied only by her faithful dog, four camels and occasionally en route National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan, and an Aboriginal Elder to permit her passage through sacred territory.
Played out by Mia Wasikowska in the lead role she is expertly cast as the confident, if a little apprehensive, traveller embarking on her journey of discovery, isolation and following in her explorer fathers footsteps. Robyn's back story is played down and captured only in faint glimpses of flashback - her mothers suicide, having to go live with her aunt, parting company with her beloved golden labrador, and growing up on a cattle station in Queensland's Darling Downs during a seven year drought spell that almost bankrupted the family.
Aside from these insights we have her personal journey and sweeping vistas of some of Australia's most beautiful stunning outback scenery that few of us will ever experience. Her trek is sponsored by the National Geographic magazine (hence the omni-present photographer Rick Smolan [played by Adam Driver] whose stunning photos appear in the closing credits montage), and for the most part this is the extent of the regular and predictable human contact she has. There are passing tourists, Aboriginal communities, and sundry other flotsam & jetsam that she encounters and who all want a photograph with the 'Camel Lady', and this is about as exciting as it gets. But, that's OK because the journey is the heart and the soul of this story interlaced with the emotion and the beauty all around her . . . and then there are the camels!
The camels are well cast too, and the relationship that develops along her journey is one of respect, dependance and genuine care, and it is these four dromedary desert dwellers that also add to the strength of the film and provide for some comedic, stirring and emotional moments.
Go and see this film on the big screen to do justice to the stunning sweeping scenery of the Australian outback, and escape for a couple of hours to a place you should go to but probably never will. Enjoy the journey!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
STAR TREK : INTO DARKNESS - archive from 15th May 2013
Saw 'STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS' last night and this sequel to the rebooted Trek franchise stands up impressively. Second time Director, J J Abrams pulls off a rare feat of making a second feature in the series better than the first.
The lead actors have now settled convincingly into their roles and seem at ease and confident with their characters. Chris Pine cuts a solid performance as Captain James T Kirk, Zacchary Quinto nails it as Mr. Spock, Karl Urban looks like a younger Bones and Simon Pegg delivers a comedic Scotty with aplomb. Benedict Cumberbatch is the menacing evil Kahn returned from a 300 year cryosleep to wreak havoc upon StarFleet. Even Leonard Nimoy makes a cameo appearance and it feels good to retain that connection.
There are many impressive set pieces that JJ stages on a grand scale that you have to see on the big screen to appreciate the magnitude of the story, and he sure likes the 'lens flair' which has become his trademark touch.
JJ is fast becoming the new Hollywood Wunderkind and this second Star Trek instalment further proves that he IS the right choice for Star Wars Episode 7 . . . bring it on!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
The lead actors have now settled convincingly into their roles and seem at ease and confident with their characters. Chris Pine cuts a solid performance as Captain James T Kirk, Zacchary Quinto nails it as Mr. Spock, Karl Urban looks like a younger Bones and Simon Pegg delivers a comedic Scotty with aplomb. Benedict Cumberbatch is the menacing evil Kahn returned from a 300 year cryosleep to wreak havoc upon StarFleet. Even Leonard Nimoy makes a cameo appearance and it feels good to retain that connection.
There are many impressive set pieces that JJ stages on a grand scale that you have to see on the big screen to appreciate the magnitude of the story, and he sure likes the 'lens flair' which has become his trademark touch.
JJ is fast becoming the new Hollywood Wunderkind and this second Star Trek instalment further proves that he IS the right choice for Star Wars Episode 7 . . . bring it on!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
Thursday 3 April 2014
NOAH - Wednesday 2nd April 2014
I saw 'NOAH' last night, and after the news that this film had done US$44M in its opening three day weekend in the US and US$95M on its worldwide opening day and was something like the fourth highest grossing opening weekender of all time, I was expecting great things from this Biblical retelling of this Old Testament story. And, at a cost of US$100M to make it, the expectation was further heightened . . . but, how wrong can you be?
You know the story here, you've read the book, you've played with a model Ark and sundry animals at Kindergarten, and you know how it all began and how it all ends and why! But, you gotta remember that this is Director, Darren Aronofsky's interpretation, with a good dose of Hollywood thrown in, and a big budget, and a pretty impressive cast. All of this has divided audiences and critics the world over, which in the end will only add to the box office haul I'm sure.
The cast do well - we have Russell Crowe as the man himself and destined for greatness at the hand of God to save the world, or at least purge it! Jennifer Connelly stars as Mrs. Noah (Naameh), Ray Winstone as Tubal-cain, Emma Watson as adopted daughter Ila and Sir Anthony Hopkins as the old man Methuselah providing advice and guidance on the impending end of the world, and he is an early casualty when the deluge hits! Other than this we have Noah's three boys of varying ages - and when the rain stops and the waters begin to subside this is all that remains of humanity!
The spectacle is grand there is no doubt, and it all moves along at a good pace but there are gaping holes in this story based on a story that already had gaping holes in it! The animals in all their forms hardly feature at all apart from when then fly, slither, crawl, creep, walk or jump onto the Ark and then they are all promptly put to sleep by the Noah clan courtesy of some burning concoction of roots, herbs and leaves . . . for about ten months??? Tubal-cain as our main #1 foe stows away on the Ark undiscovered for nine months . . . really, but he's just trying to save humankind, not destroy it! Ila gives birth to twin girls at the end like she pops 'em out every day . . . bearing in mind she's on an Ark jam packed full of every animal known to man adrift on the ocean! Then, there's 'The Watchers' - fallen angels banished to Earth by 'The Creator' (not a single reference to 'God' in this film) and cast into stone because of the Adam & Eve shambles in the Garden of Eden way back when. These 'Watchers' are like clunky early 'Transformers' made out of rock & boulders who watch out for the Noah clan and actually help them construct the Ark - where did that notion come from I wonder? There is also a segment where Noah is talking to his family about the creation and how Heaven & Earth was formed. Interesting that he talks about evolution as we know it up to the point where monkeys and chimpanzees roam the Earth . . . and then we segwey to Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden - is Aronofsky trying to satisfy Darwin's Theory and keep the Creationists and the Religious Groups all happy here too with his spin on it all?
It's easy to see why this has had a mixed reception, but based on it's early box office and the controversy, this will do well. It is worth seeing on the big screen, but be prepared for a different kind of take on the story you know and grew up with, a lot of poetic license, a good sprinkling of Hollywood magic and the suspension of belief.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
You know the story here, you've read the book, you've played with a model Ark and sundry animals at Kindergarten, and you know how it all began and how it all ends and why! But, you gotta remember that this is Director, Darren Aronofsky's interpretation, with a good dose of Hollywood thrown in, and a big budget, and a pretty impressive cast. All of this has divided audiences and critics the world over, which in the end will only add to the box office haul I'm sure.
The cast do well - we have Russell Crowe as the man himself and destined for greatness at the hand of God to save the world, or at least purge it! Jennifer Connelly stars as Mrs. Noah (Naameh), Ray Winstone as Tubal-cain, Emma Watson as adopted daughter Ila and Sir Anthony Hopkins as the old man Methuselah providing advice and guidance on the impending end of the world, and he is an early casualty when the deluge hits! Other than this we have Noah's three boys of varying ages - and when the rain stops and the waters begin to subside this is all that remains of humanity!
The spectacle is grand there is no doubt, and it all moves along at a good pace but there are gaping holes in this story based on a story that already had gaping holes in it! The animals in all their forms hardly feature at all apart from when then fly, slither, crawl, creep, walk or jump onto the Ark and then they are all promptly put to sleep by the Noah clan courtesy of some burning concoction of roots, herbs and leaves . . . for about ten months??? Tubal-cain as our main #1 foe stows away on the Ark undiscovered for nine months . . . really, but he's just trying to save humankind, not destroy it! Ila gives birth to twin girls at the end like she pops 'em out every day . . . bearing in mind she's on an Ark jam packed full of every animal known to man adrift on the ocean! Then, there's 'The Watchers' - fallen angels banished to Earth by 'The Creator' (not a single reference to 'God' in this film) and cast into stone because of the Adam & Eve shambles in the Garden of Eden way back when. These 'Watchers' are like clunky early 'Transformers' made out of rock & boulders who watch out for the Noah clan and actually help them construct the Ark - where did that notion come from I wonder? There is also a segment where Noah is talking to his family about the creation and how Heaven & Earth was formed. Interesting that he talks about evolution as we know it up to the point where monkeys and chimpanzees roam the Earth . . . and then we segwey to Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden - is Aronofsky trying to satisfy Darwin's Theory and keep the Creationists and the Religious Groups all happy here too with his spin on it all?
It's easy to see why this has had a mixed reception, but based on it's early box office and the controversy, this will do well. It is worth seeing on the big screen, but be prepared for a different kind of take on the story you know and grew up with, a lot of poetic license, a good sprinkling of Hollywood magic and the suspension of belief.
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES - archive from 22nd May 2013
Saw 'THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES' last night, and highly recommend that you do too!
This is a gritty, gripping emotional story of cause & effect spanning almost 20 years, and tracing the implications of one mans act and the ripple effect of his actions upon family and those around him. At times subtlely stirring, at others confrontational, at others fast paced, and at others slow and meandering, there are rich performances from leads Ryan Gosling (travelling fair motorcycle stuntman), Bradley Cooper (aspiring DA) and ably shaking off his 'Hangover' mantle, Eva Mendez (love interest & torn mother) and ably supported by our own Ben Mendelsohn with Ray Liotta (each criminals on either side of the law).
This is a long & satisfying offering from a first time Director giving us a jigsaw puzzle film that twists and turns and commands your attention throughout. 'The Place Beyond The Pines' has to rate as one of the must-see movies of the year.
Rent it out now on DVD if you haven't seen this great film already - you don't need the big screen - your Plasma TV at home will do, and enjoy with a pizza and a cold beer!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
This is a gritty, gripping emotional story of cause & effect spanning almost 20 years, and tracing the implications of one mans act and the ripple effect of his actions upon family and those around him. At times subtlely stirring, at others confrontational, at others fast paced, and at others slow and meandering, there are rich performances from leads Ryan Gosling (travelling fair motorcycle stuntman), Bradley Cooper (aspiring DA) and ably shaking off his 'Hangover' mantle, Eva Mendez (love interest & torn mother) and ably supported by our own Ben Mendelsohn with Ray Liotta (each criminals on either side of the law).
This is a long & satisfying offering from a first time Director giving us a jigsaw puzzle film that twists and turns and commands your attention throughout. 'The Place Beyond The Pines' has to rate as one of the must-see movies of the year.
Rent it out now on DVD if you haven't seen this great film already - you don't need the big screen - your Plasma TV at home will do, and enjoy with a pizza and a cold beer!-Steve, at Odeon Online-
What's new in Odeon's this week - Thursday 3rd April 2014
With the Easter School Holidays just around the corner, you can count on an ark load of movies being released over the coming weeks to capture the lucrative holiday moviegoing dollar - unless you are a mega budget big studio production that is being released this week that you just know will have the staying power to last until the Easter School Holidays and beyond. And so it is this week, with two monster offerings to entice the adults and the kids to your local multiplex. We have a big budget effects laden serve of originality and a big budget effects laden sequel to get your bum on a seat and a bucket of popcorn in your hand!
THE LEGO MOVIE - released off course in 2D and 3D and featuring an instantly recognisable toy that at some point in our lives (as a kid and a grown-up too) we have all played with. Lego is the creative toy phenomenon of the 20th Century that has reinvented itself time & again to keep current, relevant, and in the healthy imagination of every youngster, and young at heart! At an investment of about $70M to bring this to the big screen you could call this a simple exercise in marketing, and on this basis it would probably do very well anyway. But from what I've read, heard and seen this film is rich, colourful, playful and inspired, and features the voice work of Chris Pratt, Will Arnett, Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Channing Tatum and Elizabeth Banks. The story is simple enough and features Lego construction worker nobody Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) who in a case of mistaken identity is unwittingly and haplessly tasked with saving the world. Along the way lots of favourite characters emerge from Lego's world of superheroes, space travellers, pirates, cops & robbers, cowboys & injuns, fantasy and adventure that all meld together to create this original film. A must-see I think . . . for kids of all ages!
CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE WINTER SOLDIER - probably Marvel's biggest release this year coming to a multiplex in your home town delivered straight from the most successful movie production studio on the planet today. It has to be said that Marvel do this stuff well - they have rich source material, they have a huge loyal fan base, and they can spend up big to deliver the thrills and spills on the big screen. And so Captain America comes to the silver screen for his third outing (counting of course the excellent THE AVENGERS), but his second stand-alone film after CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE FIRST AVENGER. Chris Evans is back and starring with Robert Redford, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson amongst others in a modern setting still struggling to adjust to his new life in the 21st Century. Needless to say his readjustment into some sense of normalcy is short-lived as he and other S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents come under attack revealing ultimately a conspiracy amongst the ranks of the organisation he works for and which protects him. With trained professional assassins hell-bent on disposing of The Cap'n at every turn our hero Steve Rogers joins forces with The Black Widow and The Falcon to save the world from new arch foe - The Winter Soldier. Rip roaring stuff that for lovers of the genre will be a must see!
Go see a movie this week and let me know what you think!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
THE LEGO MOVIE - released off course in 2D and 3D and featuring an instantly recognisable toy that at some point in our lives (as a kid and a grown-up too) we have all played with. Lego is the creative toy phenomenon of the 20th Century that has reinvented itself time & again to keep current, relevant, and in the healthy imagination of every youngster, and young at heart! At an investment of about $70M to bring this to the big screen you could call this a simple exercise in marketing, and on this basis it would probably do very well anyway. But from what I've read, heard and seen this film is rich, colourful, playful and inspired, and features the voice work of Chris Pratt, Will Arnett, Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Channing Tatum and Elizabeth Banks. The story is simple enough and features Lego construction worker nobody Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt) who in a case of mistaken identity is unwittingly and haplessly tasked with saving the world. Along the way lots of favourite characters emerge from Lego's world of superheroes, space travellers, pirates, cops & robbers, cowboys & injuns, fantasy and adventure that all meld together to create this original film. A must-see I think . . . for kids of all ages!
CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE WINTER SOLDIER - probably Marvel's biggest release this year coming to a multiplex in your home town delivered straight from the most successful movie production studio on the planet today. It has to be said that Marvel do this stuff well - they have rich source material, they have a huge loyal fan base, and they can spend up big to deliver the thrills and spills on the big screen. And so Captain America comes to the silver screen for his third outing (counting of course the excellent THE AVENGERS), but his second stand-alone film after CAPTAIN AMERICA : THE FIRST AVENGER. Chris Evans is back and starring with Robert Redford, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson amongst others in a modern setting still struggling to adjust to his new life in the 21st Century. Needless to say his readjustment into some sense of normalcy is short-lived as he and other S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents come under attack revealing ultimately a conspiracy amongst the ranks of the organisation he works for and which protects him. With trained professional assassins hell-bent on disposing of The Cap'n at every turn our hero Steve Rogers joins forces with The Black Widow and The Falcon to save the world from new arch foe - The Winter Soldier. Rip roaring stuff that for lovers of the genre will be a must see!
Go see a movie this week and let me know what you think!
-Steve, at Odeon Online-
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